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October 12, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Smog engulfs city,
stubble burns unchecked Ludhiana, October 11 The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, on October 8, had passed the orders under Section 144, banning the burning of paddy straw till December 6. He had stated that the violators would be prosecuted. The city has been witnessing cloudy evenings for the past two days thanks to the rampant burning of stubble by the farmers despite warnings by agricultural experts and environmentalists that the process can ruin the soil health and create environmental hazards. While the smog is witnessed in the evenings only the smell of smoke can be felt during the daytime also. The environmentalists are of the opinion that owing to the fall in temperature, the smog was getting accumulated near the surface of the earth as the smoke being generated through the burning of stubble was getting mixed with the fog. It is not only in the city that the smog is creating inconvenience to people but in villages the situation is even grimmer. Villagers face poor visibility during nights while smoke can be witnessed in the villages throughout the day. A local doctor in Pakhowal village told Ludhiana Tribune that he was receiving patients, particularly children, with bronchitis and other respiratory problems and irritation in the eyes. The Chandigarh -Ludhiana highway was seen under the cover of smoke today. Vehicles were seen moving with their headlights on as the visibility
A local doctor said he was getting patients complaining of bronchitis, laryngitis, distress and difficulty in breathing. He said the scenario was going to continue during the next two weeks as the smog was so thick that it would take that much time to settle. He said children were more in distress as they had smaller respiratory passages and were complaining of difficulty in breathing. A similar situation had been witnessed last year also and many patients with these diseases had reported to him. The smog was dangerous for the asthma patients, he added. He advised residents to cover their noses with a clean cloth before going out. He also advised them to wear glasses to protect their eyes from the smoke which was causing irritation and reddening of eyes. The experts have advised the farmers to incorporate the stubble in their fields instead of burning these. It was more economical for them as they would not require much money to spend on the chemicals to kill the pests which are known to attack the crop after the incorporation of the stubble in the fields. Dr B.S. Sidhu, Professor of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, said the crop residue considered to be a waste earlier was actually a natural resource. By burning the paddy and wheat stubble we lost over one lakh tonnes of Nitrogen every year which amounted to a loss of Rs 90 crore. |
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City roads to wear new look Ludhiana, October 11 According to Mr Sharma, the corporation was committed to fulfil the promise of making the city a clean and green city. The work for reconditioning of the roads will be taken up in a phased manner. In the first phase, the work on which has already commenced on October 4, all seven major approach roads to the city would be repaired. All these seven roads — Ferozepore Road, GT Road, Chandigarh Road, Pakhowal Road, Gill Road and Rajpura Road (Hambran Road) — having a total length of 170 km would be relaid. Dividers will be cleaned and painted and the road line repainted for the convenience of the road users. The second phase would cover all inner roads such as Chaura Bazaar, Daresi Road, Brown Road, Shiv Puri, Field Ganj, Dugri Road, Model Town Extension and Jawaddi Road. Thereafter, the reconditioning work would be taken up on inner roads of 70 wards. Mr Sharma maintained that while he would review the progress of the work on day-to-day basis, it was emphasised upon officials of the engineering branch of the civic body to ensure time-bound completion of the programme. “Hopefully Ludhianvis can look forward to a Divali gift from the civic administration in the form of neat, clean and well-maintained roads”. He said the corporation had contemplated penal action against those guilty of road cutting without proper authorisation and payment of stipulated charges. |
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Hi-tech
Ramlilas take city by storm Ludhiana, October 11 The stage serial of Ramayana, from the exile of Lord Rama to Sita-haran by Ravana, was enacted by artistes of the Navkiran Art Group at the Ramlila in Bhai Ranhdir Singh Nagar on Wednesday night to a packed audience. Due to the unprecedented response to the show, the organisers — BRS Nagar (East) Welfare Society — have decided to expand the seating arrangements from tonight. Ramlilas are also being enacted at Dholewal, Daresi grounds, Urban Estate (Dugri) and in Janakpuri, where it is being staged jointly by the Natraj Ramlila Club and the Dharmik Vichar Manch. According to reports, the rush at all Ramlila venues has been unprecedented. Those who thought that staging of Ramlila had become outdated in the electronic age dominated by TV are having second thoughts. The passion among stage artistes to excel on stage coupled with electronic gadgetry and special effects have made the shows very popular this time. Meanwhile,
in connection with the Ramlila at Daresi Grounds, the organisers took out a massive shobha yatra in the form of the marriage party of Lord Rama from Thakur Dwara Nauhria to the Ramlila venue amid chanting of “Jai Sia Ram” along the route. Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharat, Shatrughana, Mata Janki, Gauri Shankar, Maharaj Dashrath and Maharaja Janak rode in separate chariots. Various tableaux depicted Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Mata Durga, Lord Amarnath and Love-Kush among others. Prominent bands of the city played religious music on the occasion. The long procession which also comprised several bhangra parties and horses and elephants as well was greeted at several places with langars. Before the start of the procession, a poojan was performed among others by Mr Prem Prashar, Mr Madan Lal Chopra, Mr Sat Pal Sharma, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Sanjiv Kundra, Mr Baldev Gupta and Mr Kewal Krishan
Marwaha. |
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Teachers
resent education policy Ludhiana, October 11 The new policy aims to privatise education thus earning resentment from all teacher bodies. The teachers maintain that they had opposed this policy when Mr Tota Singh, the Education Minister in Badal government had tried to impose it, but Mr Khushal Bahl had introduced the new education policy without any discussions with teachers and any education authority. It was not even discussed in the Vidhan Sabha, he said. The
Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) students boycotted their DIET classes and protested by disrupting traffic at many places. Due to this Mr Bahl had banned DIET classes. The policy is against the interests of the teachers. So one of the teachers’ association has also threatened to file a writ petition against the policy in Punjab and Haryana High Court. According to this policy no teacher would be promoted. Various posts would be advertised followed by test and interviews which would mean depriving deserving teachers of their due promotion. Mr Dhillon was also critical of merging of primary schools with middle and high with secondary schools as mentioned in the policy and said it seemed to be a decision taken without deliberation. The teachers’ associations have urged the Education Minister, Mr Khushal Bahl to reconsider the policy .The teachers have invited the Education Minister to meet representatives of the various teachers’ organisations on November 1 at Punjabi Bhawan to find a solution to their problems. |
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Woman succumbs to burns, husband booked Ludhiana , October 11 According to information, the police registered the case on the statement of Mr Partap Singh, brother of the deceased woman, of Phagwara against Bhupinder Singh and his sons — Surjit Singh and Harjinder Singh. According to the complainant, the husband and wife used to quarrel often and on Monday, a similar tiff took place between the two. The next day, when her husband and sons left for work, Gurmit Kaur doused herself with kerosene and set herself afire, while her daughter was present in their New Ashok Nagar house. The daughter raised an alarm and neighbours took her to hospital in a critical state where she died on Wednesday night. |
MSP and bonus on paddy ‘ambiguous’ Ludhiana, October 11 The MCPI state secretary, Mr Kuldip Singh, said in a statement here on Wednesday that paddy was being purchased in the market at last year’s prices only and the bonus, announced by the Punjab Government, was also eluding the farmers till date. The small increase in the MSP granted by the Centre was being denied to the producers, which had further added to their miseries. The party, he said, had extended its full support to the genuine and just demand of seven farmers’ organisations and had fervently asked all political parties and pro-farmers bodies to support their struggle. Commenting on the proposed special session of the Punjab Assembly on October 11, he remarked that the Punjab MCPI was of the view that the state government should categorically reject the anti-people recommendations of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission with the assurance that it would not withdraw the facility of free power to the agriculture sector and further would take immediate measures to provide relief and compensation to the drought hit and heavily-indebted farmers. The party expressed its serious concern about the reimposition of long power cuts being resorted to by the PSEB despite the fact that the peak season of power supply to the paddy was already over. The situation of power cut, especially in the rural areas, had gone from bad to worse, with drastic power cuts for 12 hours or more being imposed even in the villages covered under the 24-hour power supply scheme. Mr Kuldip Singh rued that the undeclared increased power bills for domestic consumption had already started pouring in, which had hit the poorest of the poor. “If all these burning issues and problems were not taken up and solved in favour of the farmers and the people at large, the special Assembly session would be deemed only as a mere eyewash, a futile exercise and rather an unnecessary burden on the state exchequer for narrow political ends.”
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With roots in Punjab she dons Ahmedgarh, October 11 Prior to the honour, she had been been a member of the Queen’s Council for three consecutive terms and has again been inducted as a Cabinet member in the council and will look after the Departments of Environment, Social and Public Health and Welfare of Senior Citizens. Now on a visit to her home state, she talked to Ludhiana Tribune at Chhapar village, near here. Ms Hissowal expressed satisfaction over the pace of development in the Payal block. She said, “I visit my home state ever year and am happy to notice massive changes in the network of roads and streets, both in urban as well as rural areas. But unfortunately, people here are still not aware of their responsibility towards the conservation of environment and maintaining cleanliness. Marble statues will be of no use until we keep our surroundings clean and unpolluted,” she warned. Commenting upon increasing drug abuse among the youth, she said,” I am perturbed at the increasing levels of drug abuse among the people in the villages and cities. Contrary to promises by politicians to nip the evil in the bud, drug abuse has grown manifold. “ While appealing to the Punjabi youth to shun drugs and intoxicants, she warned that addiction adversely affects the social and economical stability of a person, besides ruining health.” When asked about growing craze among youth for going abroad, she said “ I personally feel that there is no harm if someone goes abroad to seek better job opportunities but it is no fun doing odd jobs abroad after deploying migrant labour in ones own fields. She also criticised the NRIs who arrange “fake” marriages to enable wards of their friends and relatives become foreign citizens by unfair means.” It is a shame that in our rush to go abroad we even get brothers and sisters married on paper. The British authorities have come to know of this act and it has tarnished our image among them,” she lamented. Comparing the political scenario of Punjab with that of the UK, Ms Hissowal pointed out that the politicians there have to show outputs, whereas our local leaders just see their tenure on the basis of empty slogans. Regarding change of power in Punjab, she said “though I am not inclined towards any political party in India, but, whatever I have observed through the media shows that fight against corruption by the new state government is in favour of the overall development of the people of state. We must aspire to uproot corruption which is root cause of all evils” she stressed. Emphasising the need for educating girls, she appealed to the people of the state to ensure quality education to girls. She said that there is no substitute to hard work and persistence in life. Though she enjoys the status of a VVIP in England, she still maintains, “East or West, home is the best”.
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Welfare
schemes for ex-servicemen under focus Ludhiana, October 11 Giving details here yesterday, a spokesperson for the Department of Sainik Welfare said Brigadier Kahlon dwelt upon the primarily role of the department, which was to help the ex-servicemen in re-employment, self-employment, training and their rehabilitation. He also highlighted the details of various welfare schemes instituted by the Central and Punjab Government for the resettlement and financial benefits to ex-servicemen and their widows. Since January, 1999 at least 330 officers and jawans of the state had sacrificed their lives for the sake of nation in Kargil and other operations. The ex gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh each had since been paid in 283 cases and grant of Rs 5 lakh each paid for house or residential plot in 178 cases. Further, 20 dependents had been allotted plots and dependents of 164 soldiers had been provided employment by the Punjab Government. The Director, Sainik Welfare, said similar concessions had now been extended to soldiers killed in Operation
Parkaram. Quoting the Punjab Government’s instruction on payment of ex gratia, he clarified that families of defence and para-military personnel, who died while on duty, attributable to the defence of India, including death due to cross-firing, accidental death like that caused by blowing up of mines etc. and in cases of some colleagues going berserk, were also now entitled to receiving ex gratia. He further said on the event of 55th anniversary of the Western Command, while inaugurating the Help Line, the Governor of Punjab had announced that the Punjab Red Cross would provide artificial limbs to serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their dependents free of cost. Highlighting other welfare measures for the defence personnel, Brigadier Kahlon said the Central Government had reserved 20 per cent vacancies for Group D and 10 per cent for Group C posts. During the year 2001-02, as many as 124 ex-servicemen and their dependents had been placed in Central Government departments and against 13 per cent reservation, 307 ex-servicemen had been employed in government and semi-government departments. The prevailing 50 per cent air travel concession had now been increased to 75 per cent for Param Vir
Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakra recipient. Mentally distorted and handicapped children were also now entitled to receiving pension. Under the Medical Benefit Insurance Scheme, ex-servicemen and their wives were eligible to take benefits of Rs 4.20 lakh after depositing non-refundable premium of Rs 9,800 in case of officers and Rs 4,900 in case of JCOs and
ORs. Later, Brigadier Kahlon distributed cheques for Rs 2 lakh to the parents of Sep Pardeep Singh of Sudhar village and Rs 1 lakh to those of Sep Sukhdev Singh of Ramgarh Bhullar village in Ludhiana district. He also gave away cheques for Rs 25,000 each as daughter’s marriage grant to five ex-servicemen of Moga district.
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Employees’ solidarity convention today Ludhiana, October 11 According to Mr Jasdev Singh Lalton, vice-president of DEF, the convention will deliberate on several key issues like the impact of the WTO on the Indian economy, move for privatisation of the Punjab Roadways and the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, adequate fleet of buses for the state transport, proposed handing over of departments of health, education and animal husbandry to panchayats, abolition of over 50,000 posts and ban on new recruitment and decision to freeze payment of all allowances. Senior leaders of the body as well as other prominent trade unions will address the rally, he added. Meanwhile, the DEF leadership had viewed with serious concern the recommendation by the Punjab Lokpal to sack 200 science teachers. Mr Lalton, while expressing solidarity with the newly formed body of science teachers, remarked that the government should move only against those candidates who had got themselves recruited through unfair means and en masse punishment to the entire science teachers in that particular batch was unjust and arbitrary. He said DEF would oppose with all its might any move to deprive the science teachers of their employment. He further observed that the norms for recruitment of teachers and the mode of interview were formed by the government and not by the candidates. “If the system has some flaws, the selected candidates cannot be blamed for this lapse on part of the government.” The DEF functionary urged the government not to take any hasty step in this direction and penal action should only be taken against those who were proved to have used unfair means to get recruited. |
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Cong men celebrate party win in J&K Ludhiana, October 11 In the party office here, the atmosphere was festive and joyful. The District Congress Committee (Urban) president, Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, attributed the victory to AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi and the state chief of the Congress, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. He said the people of the state had given a clear mandate in favour of peace and secularism. He also congratulated the Punjab Government employees, who had performed their election duty in Jammu and Kashmir diligently against odds and security threats.
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Telecom
engineers to step up stir Ludhiana, October 1 Speakers at the rally while flaying the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) authorities for adopting an indifferent attitude announced that the agitation would be intensified with a day-long dharna at all district and circle headquarters, which would be followed by a relay fast on October 23, 24, and 25 at all district headquarters, circles and circle headquarters. The main demands of the association included pay scale revision of the junior telecom officers, sub-divisional engineers and divisional engineers, pension scheme for the MTNL optees, benefit of IDA pay scale for officers who had retired in the intervening period, pay scale and pay fixation of ad hoc DEs, no-lateral entry at the level of JTO and above, time-bound promotion and service weightage and cadre review for JTOs and
SDEs. |
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Technology
in banks discussed Ludhiana, October 11 Mr Arun Pal Singh (IPS), SP, Headquarters, spoke on motivation and how to inculcate a sense of competence and commitment in self and subordinates. He also gave trophies to Branch Managers for excellent performance in various fields. Mr Gurbhajan Gill, Editor, Changi Kheti Communications PAU, Ludhiana, called upon the select gathering to look beyond their banking responsibilities and make contributions to social fields also especially in the eradication of social evils. |
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Study on CPA Ludhiana, October 11 These are the findings of the study titled as ‘Consumer Protection Act - Awareness and Attitude of Consumers and Marketers’ conducted by Ms Nainy
Mallik, MBA final year student of Punjab College of Technical Education, Ludhiana under the guidance of Mr Sandhir Sharma, faculty member,
PCTE. The survey included responses from 100 consumers and 30 marketers. “Consumers Protection Act is for the benefit of consumers and the Government should take necessary steps to increase awareness among consumers regarding the various protection rights and acts,” commented Dr
K.N.S. Kang, Director, PCTE. According to the study, 65% of respondent consumers’ were aware of the CPA, 1986. |
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Railway
officials clarify Ludhiana, October 11 The officials told Ludhiana Tribune here yesterday that the latest ‘standard III interlocking system’ had been installed at the railway station. It reduced the possibility of a collision between two trains to a minimum. “Rather there is no possibility of a collision as the system is working very efficiently”, the officials clarified. |
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Dr
Kaile honoured Gurusar
Sadhar, October 11 Addressing the gathering representing various sections of
the society, the old students, including Mr Gurmit Singh Jhally,
Principal Major Singh Sidhu, Mr Amar Singh Dhatt, Dr M.L. Jaidka,
Principal Santokh Singh Daddahur, Principal Chamkaur Singh Mohie, Mr
Pritam Singh Cheema, Mr Gurdial Singh, Mr Roopinder Singh ‘Happy,’
Mr Gauri Shankar Sharma, Mr Harchand Singh, Mr Ram Parshad and
Principal Darshan Singh Dhaliwal shared their views with the audience
and called Dr Kaile “Students’ Light House”. Dr Harbhajan Singh Deol, former administrative member, PSEB, Mr Avtar Singh Mullanpuri, chief spokesman, Lok Bhalai Party, Principal Bhagwant Singh Gill, Dr Harbans Singh Ghuman, Advocate Surjit Singh Sekha, Ms Ranjit Kaur, Mr Harbhajan Singh Chhapar, DEO Avinash Chander Sethi, Principal Balbir Singh Rai, principal Jagjit Singh Brar, Balwant Singh Nangal and Master Ajaib Singh Chhapar appreciated Dr Kaile for his distinguished contribution in the field of education. Also
present on the occasion were Principal Surjit Singh, Ms Parminder
Kaur, Xen Randhir Singh Panesar, Sarpanch Yadwinder Singh. |
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BSM flays govt policies Khamano, October 11 Mr Badla said letters had been sent to the Chief Minister through the DCs concerned listing the main public demands, which included a stop to privatisation, nationalisation of education, completion of backlog, lifting of ban on jobs etc. The meeting was attended among others by Mr Gurbachan Singh Amrala and Mr Rajwinder Singh
Bhalmajra. |
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Antique
furniture on display
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5 hurt in scuffle Ludhiana, October 11 |
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Woman crushed to death Khanna, October 11 According to information Bakhshinder Kaur, a computer teacher of Radha Vatica School, was going to the school. When she reached near S.R. Foundry, she was hit by a truck and crushed to
death. A case under Section 304-A has been registered against the truck driver. |
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SBoP branch inaugurated Ludhiana, October 11 Speaking on the occasion, he said the branch along with other commercial branches already functioning in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh, had been established to give high quality service to the corporate and other commercial sectors, with state of the art technology and highly motivated staff. The branch in addition to having good ambience will provide value added services, including telebanking, remote login, SWIFT etc. He also indicated that commercial branches will be opened shortly in other important places like Panipat and Chennai to meet the requirement of bank’s customers.
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Ludhiana, October 11