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August 1, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Weights & Measures Dept in a shambles Ludhiana, July 31 The department was set following the enactment of a 1950 Act and is presently on the concurrent list and functioning under the Industries Department. The brief of the department is to protect consumers from unfair practices besides checking violations of the packaged commodities rules. Investigations by TNS revealed that the local department here is in a shambles. The office housed in a dilapidated building in the Old Fort is without basic amenities, power, sitting arrangements or vehicles for the staff. The ground floor housing the certification, repairing and stamping unit is virtually a junkyard with the equipment lying dumped in cobweb and dust-filled corners. In the absence of any almirahs, racks and a record keeper, important papers, too, have been dumped in corners carelessly. Sources revealed that that there are more than 25, 000 establishments in Ludhiana alone which have to be inspected by the staff of just four inspectors. All kinds of weighing machines including scales and weights used by shopkeepers have to be certified by the department once a year by paying a nominal amount. Similarly, weighing bridges and other such equipment has to be certified. The same also applies to petrol pumps where the dispensers are calibrated by the department. This is a mandatory requirement and failure to do so could result in a fine, the sources pointed out. The district is divided into five zones and each is covered by inspector who in turn is assisted by an assistant inspector. Their duty is to keep a check on the number of shops which uses weights, coming up in their area and check their scales or other modern day weighing machines. “The duty of getting the weighs certified rests with the shopkeeper and can result in a fine if he uses uncertified weighs in his premises”, the sources added. Sources said they have been hit by the stepmotherly treatment meted out to the department by the government. “Ever since the H.S. Brar Government consented to shut down the department allegedly at the behest of the influential trader lobby, we have been sidelined. No new posts have been sanctioned for the past many years which has been reflected in our working in the field. We do not even have vehicles to carry out periodical checks in our areas and protect the public from instances of short weighing”, an official pointed out. “Another area of responsibility is that the department has been notified to pursue violations under the packaged commodities rules. While other states have full-fledged departments dealing exclusively with this aspect, we have not been provided with the wherewithal to do so, the officials
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Auto-rickshaw drivers threaten stir Ludhiana, July 31 Addressing a well-attended meeting of auto-rickshaw operators in Model Town Extension park here today, Mr Kuldip Singh Khalsa alleged that the authorities were resorting to indiscriminate challans and hundreds of vehicles were impounded by the traffic police, mostly on frivolous and trivial up charges. “The harassment of auto-rickshaw operators by police personnel has crossed all limits and forcible recovery on daily basis has become routine. Those offering resistance are booked and have to cough up heavy penalty imposed by courts.” Others speakers, including Mr Joginder Singh, chairman, Mr Bhupinder Singh Jamalpur, general secretary, Mr Amar Singh Sahnewal, Mr Bhupinder Singh Chauhan, Mr Gurdial Singh Bajwa, Mr Harcharan Singh, Mr Mangal Ram Teji, Mr Pawan Kumar Sharma, Mr Ravinder Singh Mukhi and Mr Darshan Singh, flayed the Congress Government in Punjab, whom they charged with letting loose the worst kind of repression against the auto-rickshaw drivers. “We are being persecuted in the name of High Court directions, which surprisingly have not been enforced anywhere else in the state.” The Mazdoor Dal activists further rued that the district administration had backed out from its earlier assurance of withdrawing all restrictions on three-wheelers and a promise to provide the facility of proper stands in different parts of the city. On the contrary, the poor auto-rickshaw operators were being targeted by the Transport Department and the traffic police personnel to the extent that their very survival was threatened. “Some 15,000 odd three-wheelers, operating in the city and providing a cheap and rapid means of transport to the city population will have no other alternative than to come out on the streets and launch a stir for justice if the government and the administration continued with their repressive and discriminatory policies. The entire responsibility will lie on the authorities”. |
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Tributes
paid to Udham Singh Ludhiana, July 31 Speakers recalled the great sacrifice of Udham Singh and urged the present generation of youth to seek inspiration from him. They pointed out that great heroes like Udham Singh should serve as an ideal for the modern youth, who are feeling directionless. At a time when the youth in the country are feeling alienated for various reasons, there is a need to imbibe a sense of nationalism in them so that they do not feel desperate and frustrated. Some of the speakers were highly critical of modern-day politicians who had forgotten the great sacrifices of martyrs and were now "looting their own country more than the British". They wondered whether the martyrs would really feel proud of their martyrdom if they were made to see the plight of the nation today. Recalling Udham Singh sacrifice, the speakers pointed out as how focussed and consistent Udham Singh remained in his motive to avenge the massacre of innocent people at the behest of General O’Dyer. He did not rest till he avenged the death of his innocent countrymen on the Baisakhi of 1919. "Such was his commitment towards the nation", they pointed out, while urging the countrymen, particularly the youth to remember his sacrifice. At Machhiwara, students of the local Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public High School paid rich tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh on his martyrdom day today. Gaganpreet Kaur, a Class X student, touched every heart by singing ‘Ae mere watan ke logo’. Meenakshi Mittal, Gagan Malhotra and Navdeep Kaur spoke on Shaheed Udham Singh’s life. |
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Relief sought against hike in cable TV charges Ludhiana, July 31 The Progressive Democratic Common Cause Forum/Society, representing residents of Lal Bagh Colony near Threekay on the Ferozepore Road here, has alleged that cable TV operators were exploiting and fleecing customers through various unfair practices like non-issuance of proper receipts, manipulating figures of total number of subscribers to jack up the monthly charges in an arbitrary manner, frequent use of electric and telecom poles to lay their lines and non-rectification of complaints for days together. The complaint further blamed the district authorities for their indifference and apathy towards the plight of the common people. It said, “There exists a nexus of cable networks and government officials and the authorities simply keep their eyes shut towards the problems and exploitation of the people by cable operators and networks perhaps because the offenders keep the officials in good humour.” The society has prayed that the forum should intervene and fix a reasonable monthly rate for cable TV on the basis of average number of subscribers and licence fee paid by the operators to cable network companies. |
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Home Guards Commandant arrested Ludhiana, July 31 According to the vigilance sources a preliminary inquiry has already been conducted against Daljit Singh and prima facie evidence showed his involvement in several corruption cases. The inquiry was conducted by the Director Vigilance Bureau, Mr Chander Shekhar. Mr Grewal was produced before the magistrate today who remanded him to one day’s police remand till tomorrow. The vigilance has been seeking further remand to complete interrogation in the matter. The commandant is accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. The inquiry revealed that he joined the home guards as an ordinary constable in 1980. At that time he did not own much property except a piece of land measured at less than an acre, situated on the city outskirts in Threekay village. He had inherited the land from his parents. Besides, he had a two-room house. It was in 1993 when he was a Head Constable that the then Chief Minister Beant Singh awarded him an out-of-turn promotion, elevating him to the post of Commandant in the home guards. The promotion had raised many eyebrows. However, he managed to carry on. The inquiry claimed that he had admitted to owning several plots in posh residential areas of the city. |
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READERS WRITE
I am a regular reader of Ludhiana Tribune and am writing this letter to express my deep concern over the environmental pollution. Factories in the city cause a lot of environmental pollution and have made Ludhiana one of the most polluted cities of the world. These factories emit poisonous gases that have become a hazard for the residents. I appeal to the government not to allow the setting up of any more factories in Ludhiana unless they adhere to the pollution norms. Prince Kaler,
Mohalla Sarwan Park Basti, Jodhewal Rahon road, Ludhiana Matrimonial disputes Friends Citizen Council (regd) expresses grave concern at the alarming increase in cases of matrimonial disputes in Ludhiana. We appreciate and laud the efforts of the district administration, especially the local police, in setting up matrimonial disputes redressers’ cell at Ludhiana where free counselling is given to estranged couples and their family members and their problems are handled psychologically. TV operas that center around extra-marital affairs are by and large responsible for spoiling the balanced equilibrium in the Indian society which till recently had been very conservative with patience and tolerance as its hallmark. Friends Citizen Council (regd) too, shall, be organising a seminar where literary scholars shall present their views and bring awareness among people to promote patience and tolerance for harmony in married life. Ramman Gumber,
President, Friends Citizen Council (regd) Garbage garbage everywhere I have written several letters to the Municipal Corporation for removal of this filth adjoining my house and to restrain residents from dumping garbage anywhere other than the bins meant for the purpose. But the corporation seems to be too engrossed with its own work and has paid little heed to the cleanliness in the Udham Singh Nagar area. Udham Singh Nagar is a good colony. Good people are living here but safaiwalas do not care for the plight of the residents. I am a retired engineer aged 70 who lives here along with my wife and a mentally
retarded child. We are in no position to run after the corporation staff to get the vicinity cleaned. J S Manku,
90-C Udham Singh Nagar, Ludhiana Dowry taking its toll Everyday your newspaper reports the plight of dowry victims. Dowry system has become a curse for our society. Both illiterate as well as educated parents of the groom want to sell their son to the highest bidder. The only way out of this evil is if girls say no to anyone seeking dowry and likeminded young men come forward to say no to dowry. Only then can we think of eradicating dowry from our society. Nipun Sharma Ashoka,
Bal Singh Nagar, Ludhiana |
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A Taiwanese in love with
Sikh philosophy Doraha, July 31 The professor of religion admitted, “I came to know about Sikh philosophy from a brochure (booklet) of Sikhism published by the secretary of the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Bangkok, Jathedar Satinder Pal Singh, after which there was no looking back. I have been researching Sikhism for the past two years. The Sikh philosophy, particularly the teachings of Guru Nanak, have fascinated me so much that I felt a strong urge to visit all Sikh religious places in Punjab,” he asserted. He started from Taipei and reached Bangkok on July 12 this year, discovering a lot about Sikhs and Sikhism. He came to Punjab with Prof. Charanjit Singh, lecturer in history at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, who was especially deputed for the purpose. Prof. Charanjit Singh accompanied him on his visits to almost all gurdwaras in Amritsar. Tsai was all praise for the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Jathedar Joginder Singh Vendanti, who arranged a car for him to visit all historical and religious places of the holy city. The professor commented, “Never in my life can I forget the magnificent beauty of the Golden Temple and nor can I meet such devoted pilgrims anywhere in my country or the world. I visited Gurdwara Cheharta Sahib, Gurdwara Bir Sahib, Goindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, Sann Sahib and Gurdwara Saheedan. “It’s a rare example that at Khadoor Sahib a guru like Amardas served Guru Angad Dev for a period of 12 years. At Baba Bakala, the devotion of Guru Teg Bahadur for 26 long years was enough to move me to tears,” said the Taiwanese. The professor further said, “On the second day, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee arranged a trip for me to Anandpur Sahib and Fatehgarh Sahib. At Anandpur Sahib, I saw a vast congregation coming for ‘darshan’ regardless of the distinctions of caste, creed, religion, sex and race.” He felt that the idea of ‘langar’ was entirely novel and good. “The
open-mindedness with which people partake ‘langar’ without ill-will in their hearts, has really amazed me,” said Tsai. Commenting about his country he said, “Although Sikhs are spread all over the world, very little is known about them in Taiwan”. |
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No cholera cases in city, claim MC officials Ludhiana, July 31 Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, the MC Zonal Commissioner, Mr O.A.K. Sondhi, said that the sanitation and health staff of the civic body was maintaining strict vigil on quality of drinking water to check contamination and special sanitary drive was on to keep the residential areas clean. Explicit instructions were issued to the staff to ensure adequate quantity of chlorine in piped water and to keep an eye on overflowing sewers so that corrective steps could be taken without any loss of time. “The health staff has launched a crackdown against sale of cut and over-ripe fruit and other eatables, which can cause infection.” According to Mr Sondhi, under a comprehensive health education campaign, the MC staff had organised two medical camps and a number of sanitation camps in different localities where the people were advised to observe preventive measures to check the outbreak of water borne and other infectious diseases. The MC official issued an appeal to the city residents to maintain a close watch on quality of drinking water and in case of suspected contamination, immediately intimate the civic officials so that alternative arrangements for drinking water were made and necessary corrective steps were taken. |
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Review slashing of allowances: pensioners Ludhiana, July 31 Mr Yah Paul Ghai, additional general secretary of the association, said the decision of the Punjab Government was the toughest of the measures ever taken during the past 50 years and was tantamount to a murderous attack on the pensioners in the state. “The government has taken away in one go, what the employees had got through struggle during the past four decades. They will oppose ‘anti-employee’ approach of the government tooth and nail,” he said while talking to Ludhiana Tribune here on Wednesday. He said four pay commissions, the first in 1967-68, the second in 1978-80, the third in 1986-88 and the fourth in 1994-97, were constituted by the state government to improve the wage structure of its staff. Incidentally, besides implementing the Kothari Grades for teachers in 1967, recommendations of three out of the four Pay Commissioners were implemented by the Akali governments. The third Pay Commission report was implemented during the President’s rule in the state. Several benefits such as fixed medical allowance, rural area allowance, DA on the central pattern, old age allowance for state pensioners, NPA for doctors and other concessions were also granted by the Akali governments. The Badal government had also introduced a formula of 95 per cent grant for government-aided colleges in 1978-80. On the contrary, he said, the Congress governments in Punjab had been nowhere in sight when it came to improving the lot of employees. Sadly, the present Congress government led by Capt Amarinder Singh had decided to cut benefits and concessions available to the state employees. He urged the state government to review the harsh financial decision in the interest of thousands of pensioners who were in no position to agitate for their rights owing to their age, he said. |
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Members
of welfare bodies meet Ludhiana, July 31 According to a press note, they discussed problems facing the state and the country. Reactions of various political parties to the guidelines for electoral reforms issued by the Supreme Court were also discussed and were termed as “deplorable”. Veterans demanded that the guidelines given by the Supreme Court be implemented in toto. In another resolution they demanded that President’s Rule be imposed on Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat and elections be held only after normalcy was restored in the states. They also demanded the withdrawal of armed forced from the border and updating of counter insurgency measures. The drive against corruption launched by Capt Amarinder Singh was appreciated but the freezing of DA and other allowances of government employees was strongly condemned. On the DMCH crises, they demanded a CBI inquiry into the functioning of the institution for the past 5 years. They said the genuine demands of the employees should be met without further delay. The meeting was attended by Col H.S. Kahlon, Mr B.R. Kaushal, president, Punjab Pensioner’s Federation, Mr S.K. Sood, working president, All-India Railway Pensioner’s Association, Maj H.S. Nelon, president, All-India Ex-Servicemen Action Committee, Mr M.S. Bajwa, Mr D.N. Duggal, Mr S.K. Garg, Mr N.K. Bhasin, Dr J.S. Chamak. |
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A tree that threatens life Ludhiana, July 31 The tree, located right in front of a prominent sweet shop and having some other establishments dealing in readymade garments, electronic goods and a restaurant, scares the shopkeepers and the shoppers, particularly when during rain, storm and high velocity winds, its dried up branches and trunk shake vigorously and at times a branch or two have a free fall on the roadside or on the roofs of adjoining shops. "Not that the Municipal Corporation officials did not respond to pleas of the affected shopkeepers to remove the tree," says Mr Manmohan Singh, owner of a firm dealing in electronic goods. The shopkeepers of the market had submitted a joint representation and officials of the horticulture wing had visited the area about six months back when they declared it to be a dead tree which should be cut down to save the people from a potential risk. However, it was an inter-department procedural wrangle that came in the way and the matter was back to square one. A number of low tension (LT) electric wires pass from under the tree and the MC authorities wanted the shopkeepers to take up the matter with the Punjab State Electricity Board for a power shut down and temporary shifting of LT wires to enable the horticulture staff of the civic body to cut and remove the tree, claimed the shopkeepers. "We (the shopkeepers) had arranged even that but then some one among the officials wanted us to take responsibility for damage to private or public property, which obviously, we could not do." The mere thought of the tree falling down at its own and causing damage to their life and property sends a chill down the spines of shopkeepers and residents. "It did happen a few years ago," recalls Mr Manmohan Singh. "A dead tree standing a little distance away on the same road had fallen down during a gusty storm and a little child, the only son of his parents, was crushed under it." Emphasising the urgency of action for removal of the tree, the shopkeepers pointed out that there have been other similar instances elsewhere in the city. A few months back, a huge tree in a public park in Udham Singh Nagar, which otherwise looked quite healthy, had fallen down causing severe damage to the roof and a portion of a house situated across the road from the park. The MC, Joint Commissioner, Mr Prem Chand, when contacted told Ludhiana Tribune that there was no question of the tree not being cut down and removed. "The horticulture staff has already been instructed to prepare a case for cutting down the tree and the matter would also be taken up with the PSEB for necessary action to save the LT power lines passing from under the tree without any further delay." |
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DMCH comes to aid victim’s family Ludhiana, July 31 In a public announcement today, the society said the institution expressed its condolence over his death. The managing committee along with Principal
S. C. Ahuja had earlier met the victim at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) and decided to borne his total medical expenses. Meanwhile, Dr Ahuja in a press statement said today 512 employees reported on the duty which included 114 nurses and 33 safai karamcharis. “The undergraduate teaching went on in full swing and PG teaching has also started in some departments like anaesthesia and paediatrics”, said Dr Ahuja. The hospital administration and employees held a condolence meeting which was also attended by members of the managing committee. |
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Concern
over police inaction Ahmedgarh, July 31 Block level office-bearers of GTU, Mr Ram Singh Dehliz, president, SCBC Teachers Union and the PSSF, said a room of Government Primary School Amarpur was found burgled, when the school opened after vacations on July 1. The matter was reported to the local police by Ms Mohinder Kaur, in charge of the school, but the police had done nothing in this regard. Union leaders said if the theft of all records, including that of admission and withdrawal registers of the past 15 years was not traced then it would be impossible to issue date of birth certificates to students. Sarav sikhia abhian survey for the area will also be delayed, they said. Mr Sukhram Singh, SHO, City, said the police was investigating the case. |
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BJP poser to CM Ludhiana, July 31 |
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PFA’s appeal to CM Ludhiana, July 31 The association has also taken up the issue of transportation of cows and bullocks from the state in violation of the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Transportation of Cattle Rules 1978 (Rule 47 to 56) and the Transportation of Cattle Rules (Amended) 2001 (Rule 96 and 97). According to the PFA, the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act does not permit cow or its progeny to be exported out of state without obtaining a no objection certificate from the District Magistrate. Before issuing such a certificate it has to be ensured that the cows will not be slaughtered. |
Poppy husk seized Ludhiana, July 31 Dowry case The Division No. 8 police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC on the statement of Mamta, who resides on the Satsang road in the Civil Lines, against her husband Sunder Lal and other members of her in-laws family, who live in Haibowal. The complainant alleged that the accused subjected her to mental and physical harassment due to ‘insufficient’ dowry. No arrest has been made so far. Case registered The Division No. 3 police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 408 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Vijay, a resident of Harpal Nagar, against Ravinder Kumar and two others. The complainant alleged that the accused had a rehri in Transport Nagar and used to transport luggage from one place to other. He had handed over five boxes containing T-shirts to the accused which he was supposed to hand over to a firm. But the accused neither handed over these boxes to the party concerned nor returned to him. However, no arrest has been made so far. Frauds alleged A case of fraud under Section 420 of the IPC was registered at the Division No. 5 police station on Tuesday on the statement of Mr Hardesh Goyal, a resident of Prem Nagar, Civil Lines, against Hardev Singh. The complainant alleged that he had given a loan of Rs 40,000 to the accused who gave him a cheque for repayment. But the cheque was dishonoured by the bank. No arrest has been made so far. Another case under Section 420 of the IPC was registered at the same police station on the statement of Mr Raj Kumar, a resident of Focal Point, against Baba Enterprises, near Aarti Cinema. The complainant alleged that the accused took all instalments from him regarding a lucky scheme run by him, but did not repay him as per the commitment. No arrest has been made so far. Liquor seized Doraha In another similar case, head constable Devinder Singh seized eight bottles of illicit liquor from the custody of Pawan Singh on Wednesday. A case has been registered. Gambling cases Sahnewal One case was registered against Harjit Singh, Rajinder Singh and Poonam Kumar of Ramgarh and another was registered against Ashok Kumar, Swaran Singh and Kamal Rai of Dharaur. One booked The police has seized 14.5 kg of poppy husk from the custody of Malkit Singh at a naka imposed at the Kohara chowk on Wednesday and registered a case against him under Sections 15, 6 and 85 of the NDPS Act. In-laws booked A dowry case under Sections 406, 498-A, 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC was registered by the police on Wednesday. Harpreet Kaur of Ranwan village said she had been married to Jagtar Singh of Katani Kalan village and since the time of her marriage she had been allegedly harassed by her in-laws as they wanted she should bring more dowry. Harpreet added that as her parents had already given as much dowry as possible at the time of her marriage, they were not able to pay any more. Hence she was left with no other choice but to return to her parents at Ranwan. In this case, her in-laws along with her husband, Jagtar Singh, have been booked. Theft bid A thief entered the house of Ranjit Singh of Nandpur village, near here, on Tuesday night, but managed to escape when family members awoke. Ranjit Singh said he fired at him in self defence but the thief managed to abscond. No theft has been reported but a case has been registered under Sections 457, 380 and 511 of the IPC. |
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Scooterist
killed Ludhiana, July 31 The police has registered a case. |
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