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| Tuesday,
October 8, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Farmers’ unions form flying squads Ludhiana, October 7 The squads were constituted in an emergency meeting of these unions, including the Kirti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta), Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Kul Hind Kirti Kisan Sabha and the Punjab Kisan Sabha, held here. The squads for Sidhwan Bet, Jagraon, Raikot, Mullanpur, Maloud, Doraha and Khanna were constituted which would go around various mandis and meet the farmers to take a stock of the procurement situation. The leaders of the unions said that they had decided the next course of action to protest against the ‘treatment being meted out to the farmers.’ They threatened that farmers would ghaerao officials if their demands were not met immediately. The leaders once again criticised the MSP of paddy and said that the Punjab Government decision to pay an additional Rs 20 per quintal over and above the MSP for paddy was far too inadequate and the farmers would not, in any manner, be benefited. This meagre hike had also been rejected by the farm experts. They said due to drought like conditions and acute scarcity of power, the paddy growers had to spend between Rs 4000 and Rs 5000 per acre extra to save their crops and an increase of just Rs 20 per quintal would not be sufficient even to offset the hike in the prices of diesel, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides and other farm inputs. The leaders reiterated the demand for announcement of MSP of all crops before the sowing season which would put an end to the exploitation of farmers and distress sale. They said that in many cases the crop was almost to be harvested but the government was still to announce the purchase price. |
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Paddy procurement smooth, says DC Ludhiana, October 7 The Deputy Commissioner said strict enforcement of orders to restrict the harvesting by combines only during the daytime was being ensured. This resulted in proper drying of paddy that was coming to the mandis. In the Sahnewal Mandi the Deputy Commissioner, on the demand of some farmers, directed the arhtiyas to install more power generators for quick and efficient procurement. Officers of the purchase agencies informed the Deputy Commissioner that if the weather remained favourable this year the procurement operation would be completed within the next 15 days. Mr Agarwal expressed satisfaction over the paddy purchase in Sahnewal Mandi where 99 per cent of the total 4240 mt arrival of the paddy had been purchased by the government agencies at the MSP. The farmers in the mandi attending to their paddy heaps were also satisfied with the procurement. The Deputy Commissioner directed the officer for the departments concerned to ensure the maximum possible price to the farmers, in case of higher percentage of black or discoloured grains in the produce from the traders. Mr Anurag Agarwal while making a round of Doraha Mandi asked the arhtiyas and sheller owners to immediately lift the purchased paddy so that the proper place was created for the Doraha Mandi. Till October 6 a total 4131 mts of paddy had been purchased, out of which government agencies had purchased 4100 mts and a small portion of only 31 MTs was purchased by the traders that too near the MSP. Similarly, in Payal Mandi till date the 4050 mts of paddy that had arrived in the mandi had been procured by the government agencies. Mr
Agarwal, sensing the fast picking up of the arrivals in the mandis, told the officers of the purchase agencies and Mandi Board to enhance the vigilance on their deputed staff so that the entire operation could be completed as per the instruction of the Chief Minister who was also personally monitoring the process on a daily basis. He also informed that Sub Division Level Grievances Removal Committees headed by SDM concerned formed by him were also keeping proper vigil and in case of any problem the farmers could approach the committees for on the spot redressal of the complaint. He warned that action would be taken against employees found guilty of unnecessary harassment to the farmers. The Deputy Commissioner also appealed to the farmers and combine operators to cooperate with the administration to harvest completely matured corp so that they could get the maximum price. The Deputy Commissioner also told the Market Committee staff to make frequent checking of the weighing operations to ensure the correct weighing of the procure of the farmers. He appealed to the farmers, to immediately approach the SDM concerned or other members of the local Grievances Redressal Committee. Ms Simarjot Kaur, District Food and Civil Supply Controller, Ludhiana, informed that till date in the 100 mandis of the district total 2,16,316 mts of paddy had been procured, out of which 1,89,393 mts had been purchased by the government agencies at MSP and only 26923 mt by the traders. Giving details of agencies involved in procurement, she said so far, FCI had purchased 45860
mt, Punsup 36254, Markfed 34910 mt, PAIC 29732 mt, Foodsup 25437 mt, and PSWC 17200
mt. |
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Traders
resent notice on parking space Ludhiana, October 7 In the wake of chaotic traffic conditions on both sides of the Mall Road, the district authorities have served notices to the shopkeepers under Section 133 CrPC to create adequate parking spaces for themselves and the customers within one month, failing which their establishments would be ordered to be closed down. According to officials, most of the commercial centres had come up without any parking space at all which had led to indiscriminate parking of vehicles on both sides of the road during the day time thus hampering the movement of vehicular traffic on one of the busiest roads. Some other complexes, that had shown provision for parking space in the basements at the time of approval of building plans by the authorities, had later used the same for commercial purposes in view of the high commercial value of the space, the officials observed. The trading community in the Mall Road area has, however, decided not to take things lying down and even though technically at fault, it has resolved to fight back saying the problem (of parking space) was not confined to Mall Road alone and had become a common phenomenon in the mega city due to massive increase in the population and number of vehicles. Shifting the responsibility of providing parking facilities in busy commercial centres of the city, including Mall Road on the administration and the Municipal Corporation, Mr Sunil Maria, President, Mall Road Welfare Association said coercive and harsh attitude of the administration on this complex problem would lead nowhere. “Rather than intimidating the shopkeepers and traders, the district administration and civic body ought to sort out the problem and find a viable solution in a cordial atmosphere in consultation with the owners of commercial centres and members of trade.” Mr Maria further maintained that most of the commercial complexes in the Mall Road area had been planned and constructed several years ago when building bylaws were not as strict and the building plans of all these complexes were duly approved by the MC in accordance with the bylaws, prevalent at that time. That the builders of the commercial complexes had not anticipated the gravity of the situation, created by inadequate parking spaces in years to come, was clear from the first commercial building of Red Cross Bhavan, constructed by district administration itself about two decades back. The owners of commercial buildings on Mall Road privately admit that the traffic situation had gone from bad to worse after the Mall Road and some other predominantly residential localities in the vicinity like College Road, Cemetery Road and Ghumar Mandi were declared commercial but even then the stand taken by the administration was not rational by any standards they maintained. “The solution to this complicated and gigantic problem will come from joint efforts on the part of the traders, district authorities and the civic administration while adamant and unreasonable approach will rather complicate the issue.” |
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Hosiery
manufacturers upset over entry tax on yarn Ludhiana, October 7 Hosiery manufacturers and yarn dealers are wondering whether the government had imposed the entry tax to safeguard the local yarn manufacturers or to simply collect revenue. According to Mr M M Vyas, president of the Ludhiana Yarn Dealers Association, the imposition of entry tax has led to several problems for hosiery manufacturers and yarn dealers. Mr Vyas said the government should spell out and clarify whether the entry tax would have a cascading effect or the tax payees would get any set-off after paying the entry tax. He observed that the public should have been taken into confidence before the imposition of the tax. He said in the absence of a proper feedback to the government, it should not have taken such a decision that had far-reaching consequences for the hosiery manufacturers and traders. Sharing his concern, Mr Vinod Thapar, president of the local Knitwear Club, said the imposition of this tax would doom local hosiery manufacturing industry. He listed several problems that would be caused by this decision. He said although the yarn traders will get a set off on the payment of entry tax, the manufacturers would not get any benefit. In case the traders sell the yarn after having paid the entry tax, they would not need to pay the 4 per cent sales tax. However, this would adversely hit the manufacturers who used to get exemption earlier in case they used the yarn locally. Now they would have to pay the tax on the entry points only. Besides, the yarn traders and manufacturers are faced with other problems. With so many entry points to the state, at least 12, the traders and manufacturers have to rush to the entry point with the cash and travel a distance of 50 to 60 km. As drivers usually carrying the yarn do not carry so much cash with them, they can not pay the entry tax. They have to call the dealer or the manufacturer who then rushes to the entry point and makes the payment of the entry tax. |
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Love story with happy ending Ludhiana, October 8 But a city girl and a Chandigarh-based boy, in a true Hindi movie style, have successfully fought the mental and physical torture exerted on them by their parents in connivance with some local police officials and earned the freedom to live with a person of their own choice. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has helped them in this direction. Coming to the aid of love-lorn couple, the commission has upheld the couple’s right to live life of their own choice and directed the city police to ensure that the law of protecting the rights of the citizens is not violated and the couple or their few friendly relatives are not harassed. The commission could give this direction only after the girl withstood all kind of pressures and gave a statement that she had married the boy on her own. The girl’s statement held all the importance as in such cases it was common that the girls change their statements in favour of their parents. The case contains a yet to be properly probed sensational allegation made by the girl that her parents wanted to marry her off to a local boy, who ensured a payment of few thousands of rupees per month to the girl’s parents. The love yarn of the city girl Pushpa Rani and Chandigarh boy Dharamvir, residents of Jawahar Nagar and Dadu Majra colony, respectively, had spinned quite a trouble ever since they met each other six months ago at a marriage function. Pushpa (22) and Dharamvir (28) fell in love and tried to convince their parents but in vain. Love proved stronger than any emotion and being major they decided to marry. Their decision was blocked several times and both were beaten. They, however, succeeded and married at Chandigarh on September 4 this year at Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 7-B Chandigarh. This angered the girl’s parents and relatives who lodged a complaint against the boy in division No. 5 police station. According to the couple’s complaint before the PHRC, the police allegedly unleashed a reign of terror on the boy’s family. A team from the police station led by an ASI raided the boy’s house in Chandigarh and picked up his brother-in-law. He was allegedly illegally detained and tortured. They also slapped his parents and threatened them with dire consequences. The couple was beaten mercilessly by some persons near Mansa Devi Complex, Chandigarh on September 6. They were allegedly pulled down from a bus and given a thrashing. But for some passerby the attackers would have succeeded in taking the girl away with them. The boy’s family and the couple approached the PHRC through Mr Charanjit Bakshi, a human right activist. The girl gave a statement that her parents wanted to marry her off to a man in return of some money. The PHRC observed that the boy and girl were major and had the right to marry each other. |
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Hope of seeing missing son dims for Dalit family Ahmedgarh, October 7 Perusal of the communication signed by Mr N.K. Arora, acting chairperson, reveals that the commission had received a complaint from Gulzar Singh, a resident of Jandiali Khurd village, alleging his son Babu Singh was taken away from his house by the then SHO Ahmedgarh police station, Mr Bakhshish Singh, on March 15, 1991 at 10 a.m. Since then the whereabouts of his son were not known. The complainant had visited many offices and police stations, including the aforesaid police station Ahmedgarh in this connection, but all in vain. The complainant stated that he is an old and physically challenged person and requested that his son be got restored to him, as the boy’s old mother still hoped that her son was alive and would return one day. Though the commission has declared the complaint disposed of as it was time-barred for receiving the complaint too late, but a copy of the said order along with the original complaint has been sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police at Sangrur for suitable action. Though, disheartened by the decision of commission, Gulzar Singh sees a ray of hope in excerpts of the commission’s orders which states, “However, the complainant may, if so advised approach the appropriate authority for the redressal of his grievances. There is no reason why action would not be taken on his complaint in accordance with law.” After receiving a communication in this regard, Gulzar Singh is now eager to hear from SSP, Sangrur office.
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Mass marriages of 550 girls arranged Ludhiana, October 7 In the eighth Rashtriya Manav Sewa Sammelan organised by the Bhai Ghanaya Ji Charitable Hospital and Public Sewa Society, Sant Baba Jaspal Singh, Head of the public sewa society, has been organising mass marriages of needy girls and orphans. The main goal of the society is to serve mankind and service to humanity is the best kind of service. In this context they have tried to share the load of destitute parents who find the problem of collecting finances for their daughters’ marriage exceedingly difficult. Baba Jaspal Singh said that the total expense would be around Rs 1.40 crore. But the society has already been given hundreds of vessels, suit pieces and other articles of household use. He said, “After kirtan, I stand up and ask people to give generously for the marriages of the needy girls, and I have yet to see any one going without giving some thing or other either in cash or kind. Giving further information, Baba Ji said that couples from four states Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh — would be getting married on October 28. The parents of the girls fill up forms, only when the sarpanchs and the
gazetted officers sign the documents to say that the cases are genuine. |
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Jathedar’s appeal
to people Ludhiana, October 7 The Jathedar said Sri Guru Granth Sahib was a living Guru for the Sikhs, and as such it must be accorded all
reverence and respect. If one could not look after it as per the Sikh rehat and maryada, the parkash of the Guru should not be done in gurdwaras and other premises. Such incidents in the past months were a cause of great concern and had deeply moved the entire qaum,” he pointed out. The management, principal, staff and students of the college in Model Town were shocked and stunned by the incident on the night of September 27 and had organised the Akhand Path to seek penance for the incident. The committee which probed the incident has identified short-circuiting to be the cause behind the incident. They thanked the people and the organisations which had expressed their condolences for the incident. “With the blessings of the Guru we got consolation from the support and condolence of various
organisations and general public who have also appealed for harmony, peace and goodwill,” the management, teachers and students felt. Since the day of sacrilege, path of Sri Sukhmani Sahib was done daily. People from various religious, social and educational organisations and political groups participated in the bhog ceremony today. |
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The Goddesses in the making Ludhiana, October 7 The artists are busy getting two eight-foot-tall idols of Durga ready at a breakneck speed as they have to deliver one to the samsad and the other to another sabha in Shimla Puri by Thursday. Mr Abir Bannerji, a member of the samsad, says: “Durga Puja will start from Friday. So the idols have to be finished by Thursday”. The making of the idol is very traditional. A wooden platform is made. On it a small mound of mud is made to form the pedestal. The backdrop is also made of mud and depicts mountains. The basic form of all idols is made of straw and jute strings. Once it is made to stand on its pedestal, it is covered with a cloth. Then the special and fine mud of the Ganges is used to make the faces of the Goddesses smooth. Rest depends on the exquisite paint brush of the artists who lovingly paint beautiful features of the Goddesses and make them look benevolent and charming. They use poster colours and use coconut shells to mix colours. These idols will be immersed on Dasehra. Along with it will go the idols of Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati. Lord Ganesh on his carriage of mouse, his brother Kartikay on peacock, Lakshmi on an owl, Saraswati on swan will be dressed in fine satin clothes and wear bejewelled crowns. Moreover, the artists carried artificial hair which they would fix on the icons and make them look life-like. With minimum tools and devoid of any modern implements, the idols would come alive ready to be paid homage to by 5,000 Bengalis residing in the city.
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Parbhat
pheris get good response Ludhiana, October 7 According to Mr Satish Gupta, president, Rath Yatra Mahotsav Committee, every morning when the mini-chariot takes to city streets, it is worshiped at every nook and corner by residents. Distribution of parsad is also arranged at several places. Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, Director, Utsav Project, is likely to arrive from Kolkata this evening with a special ‘ittar’ to be used for ‘abhishek’ of Lord Jagannath after which the remaining ‘ittar’ will be distributed among devotees. The Raghunath Seva Dal has decided to accord a special welcome to Lord Jagannath on arrival in the city. The decision was taken at a meeting of the sangh here yesterday. It decided to erect a special flower bungalow at the Raghunath temple where 501 families would offer prayers to the Lord. The meeting was attended, among others, by Mr Rameshwar Dass Jain, Mr Jeewan Bansal and Mr Satish Gupta. |
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Valmikis
warn beopar mandal Ludhiana, October 7 A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the BVDS at Chhawni Mohalla yesterday. It was presided over by Mr Vijay Danav. He said in a press release here today that Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Vinod Khanna and singer Hans Raj Hans would participate in function in Daresi grounds on the occasion. In addition several representatives of social and religious organisations would also be present. Apart from several school bands and gatka parties, more than 300 tableaux depicting various scenes from the life of Lord Valmiki and the Ramayana would take part in the shobha yatra, he added. Addressing the meeting, Mr Danav criticised the Panjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal for its decision to observe ‘black day’ on October 21.He said that the whole Hindu community, particularly the Valmikis, celebrated the day as a great festival and the decision to observe ‘black day’ on October 21 was a deliberate attempt to hurt the religious sentiments of the people. He warned that such acts would not be tolerated and the beopar mandal would be responsible for any untoward incident due to its bandh call on the birthday of Lord Valmiki. |
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Tributes
paid to Maharaja Aggarsen Ludhiana, October 7 Office-bearers and working committee members paid respect and garlanded the statue of Maharaja Aggarsen. The members included Mr Surinder Gupta, general secretary, Mr D.K. Gupta, treasurer, Mrs Manju Parkash, president, Mahila Samiti, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Mr Prem Kumar Gupta, Mr Arun Goel, Mrs Raj Aggarwal, Mrs Kaushalaya Devi, Mrs Raj Gupta, Mr Pawan Gupta, Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, Mr Jinder Pal Gupta, Mr Rajesh Gupta, Mr Arvind Jindal and Mr Rajinder Kumar Gupta. Mr Amrit Lal Aggarwal, president of the sammelan, thanked the Punjab Government for declaring holiday on the jayanti of Maharaja Aggarsen. Mr Aggarwal asked the Aggarwal community to follow the path shown by Maharaja Aggarsen. The members decided to hold a meeting on October 20 to chalk out the programme for the “Aggar Chetna and Sadbhavna Rath Yatra” led by Mr Pardeep Mittal, president, Akhil Bhartiya Aggarwal Sammelan, New Delhi. The rath yatra from November 23 to 29 will be taken out all over Punjab to spread the message of Maharaja Aggarsen.
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Study circle convention ends Ludhiana, October 7 The delegates from Maharashtra said modern communication means were required to spread the rich cultural heritage of Punjab to the rest of the country and the world. The names of the different divisions of the Directorate were also announced on the last day of the convention. The chief organiser of the study circle recounted the works undertaken by the study circle during the past 30 years. Principal Ram Singh congratulated the study circle for its achievements and disclosed future plans of the circle. In the last session, the names of persons heading the eight new directorates were also announced. For the service of youth Mr Satnam Singh would be the in charge of the Directorate whereas for the spread of education it is Mr Sarbjit Singh. Dr Inderjit Singh Basu will be in charge of cultural directorate, Mr Joginder Singh has been appointed Joint Director. Prof Balwinderpal Singh for communication and
publication. Gurmat music and kirtan and Jaspal Singh, for social and health Directorate, Dr Charankamal Singh. Mr. Surjit will tackle the business area. Gurmit Singh Sangowal of the SGPC and Hazoor Singh were also present on the occasion. Mr Ram Singh read the annual report and released the souvenir and magazine titled ‘Sada Virsa Sada Gaurav’. The book on Sikh religion and how to overcome drug addiction were also released. Harmeet Singh, secretary, Central Office said that the main aim of the study circle this year was to unite the force of the student community.
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48 bottles of
illicit liquor seized Doraha, October 7 In one case, 36 bottles of illicit liquor were seized from the custody of Jagdev Singh alias Jaggi, of Bair Kalan village by the police. A case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the accused. In a similar case, 12 bottles of liquor were seized from Baljinder Singh of Gidri village while he was carrying them on his scooter PB-55-0900. Beating case:
Man alleges fraud:
One killed in accident:
When the driver of the three-wheeler Pirthi, of Chankoian village allegedly hit the scooter, Gurinderpal Singh fell from his scooter. He was taken to Sidhu Hospital at Doraha from where he was shifted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. He breathed his last at the hospital. A case under Sections 279,427 and 304 of the IPC has been registered against the autorickshaw driver, who absconded from the place. |
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One dead, 3 hurt in road mishap Ahmedgarh, October 7 According to information available, Inderjit, Amandeep and
Pardip, all students of the local Shanti Tara College, were coming on foot to Kup Kalan bus stop to catch a bus for college. They met Beant Singh, a refrigerator mechanic, who was going on his scooter. He offered them to drop at the bus stop on the scooter. When they were about to reach the bus stop, the bus coming from Ludhiana, hit the scooter. The police immediately rushed the injured to the Civil Hospital, Malerkotla. Beant Singh succumbed to his injuries on the way, while two students were later referred to a private hospital at Ludhiana. The college was closed immediately which was kept open for preparations of university volleyball championship. The police has registered a case against Sukhdev Singh, driver of the bus. |
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Woman run over by truck Ludhiana, October 7 One of the cops chased the truck and before the driver could flee, he was nabbed by the police. A case of causing death due to negligence has been registered against the driver by the Salem Tabri police. The sister of the deceased, Savita was hospitalised after the accident. |
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Hosiery traders honour Tibetan PM Ludhiana, October 7 Addressing the function, Professor Rimpoche expressed the gratitude of his government towards the people of Ludhiana and the local hosiery manufacturers who have been helping and cooperating with the Tibetans. He said, the people of Tibet sincerely acknowledged this gesture and would always remember it. The president of the association, Mr Naveen Sood, said the Tibetans had a long association with the Indians and more so with the hosiery dealers in Ludhiana. |
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Internal
auditors training Ludhiana,October7 Representatives of at least 30 organisations, industrial and educational institutions attended the workshop. Mr Ajay Bajpai, General Manager, ICS, New Delhi and Mr S.S. Kohli, CEO, Quality Visions (Engineers and Consultants), here conducted the programme.
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Showroom
opened Ludhiana, October 7 Briefing reporters after inaugurating the showroom, Mr Chatterjee said, Jenson & Nicholson was one of the pioneers in the paint industry in the country. There are about 150 showrooms in the North. The company has installed a computerised
jensomatic machine at the showroom. |
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