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October 22, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Rly-ST Dept row resurfaces Ludhiana, October 21 Officials of the Sales Tax Department claim that they are having a tough time as the tax evaders are being let off, allegedly in connivance with railway employees, on the plea that sales tax officials cannot conduct raids inside the station premises as per the rules of the Railways under which they can do so only after permission from the Ministry of Railways. This has peeved the officials, who have failed to check sales tax evasion. On the other hand, railway officials said the Sales Tax Department was only causing harassment, which adversely affected the Railways’ revenue from booking offices. The feud is reminiscent of a similar situation last year due to which booking at the railway office was paralysed as the Sales Tax Department laid “seige” to the station. Confiscated goods were released after several months. Both departments have equal stakes during the festival season. At least one-third of the annual revenue is generated during this period only by the two departments. Even as a special team of the Sales Tax Department is camping near the railway station since the past few days to check sales tax evasion during the business-friendly festival days, the confrontation over the rules is helping traders. Though a number of meetings have been held between seniors officials of the two departments, the matter is yet to be resolved. Sources in the Sales Tax Department told Ludhiana Tribune that local traders were successfully evading tax by following the VIP route of the station to transport their goods and hoodwink the sales tax officials posted at the exit of the station. While the gates of the route are generally locked and opened only for the VIP vehicles, the traders are allowed to move out of the gates without any hiccups. Moreover, railway officials do not allow the sales tax officials to raid the goods even after the packets are delivered to the traders. They claim that it is their
responsibility to save their customers from unnecessary harassment. According to sales tax officials, the railway officials had got an FIR registered against an official for raiding a parcel inside the station premises a few days ago. The FIR was, however, cancelled only after the DGP of the Railway police intervened on the request of the sales tax officials based at the Head Office, Patiala. The railway officials, however, state that the sales tax officials have to take permission from the Railways. They, however, added that the move was discouraged as it had been noticed that raids affected the revenue collection of the parcel booking centre. It was seen that even genuine traders shun the Railways, fearing unwarranted harassment by the sales tax officials. The Sales Tax Department had set up a check-post in the station last year to keep tabs on tax evasion done by traders while importing or exporting goods from the local railway station. The officials had argued that if such a permanent post was set up at the station, there would be no need for such raids. The local railway authorities had opposed the move, arguing that the setting up of such a post would draw away traders and affect the business of the Railways. The opposition from the Railways was so stiff that had the sales tax officials not been accompanied by the CBI and equipped with a high court order, they would not have been allowed to enter the station for setting up the Information Collection Centre. In fact, two years ago the two departments had been involved in a bitter row when the railway officials uprooted a make-shift check-post set up by the Sales Tax Department in the city. The latter had then shot off protest letters to the Ministry of Railways through the Punjab Government, condemning the move and had demanded permission for setting up such check-posts in all railway stations of the state. |
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Ambala police picks up two local youths Ludhiana, October 21 A police team from Ambala reportedly descended on the market late last night and picked up Pankaj Maini (24) and his younger brother Sachin Maini (21) from two nearby shops. The police did not have any arrest warrants or documents of some case registered against the two but still the two were loaded in a car and whisked away. The shopkeepers at the place could only protest mildly. Sources here point out that the action of the Ambala police was illegal as it did not take the local police in confidence. A case against the police team is likely to be registered, informed a senior police official here if the Ambala police fails to produce some legal sanction in the case. Police sources confirmed that no permission had been taken from the Ludhiana police to conduct the raids. The police has, meanwhile, erected special Nakas on roads coming from the Jalandhar said as it is suspected that the Ambala police team was in Jalandhar and would return by this route only. Mr O.P. Maini, father of the two youths and a resident of Prem Nagar, Civil Lines, has
He claimed that the Ambala police, in utter violation of the law of the land, had picked up his sons in order to pressurise his nephew to surrender before the police. He claimed that similar raids had been conducted at their relative’s house in Jalandhar. Sources said local police officials were upset at the action of the Ambala police. They said when the rules provide a proper channel, such actions were unwarranted. The Maini family was, meanwhile, quite upset at the sequence of events. Unable to control his tears, Mr O.P. Maini said they do not know whether their nephew had committed a fraud. Whatever the case, the Ambala police could have sought their cooperation instead of humiliating their family and harassing them in such a manner. He has written letters to the Punjab Human Rights Commission, Haryana DGP and seniors officials of the Punjab Police seeking their intervention in the matter. |
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Keep politics out of SGPC: Ghuman Ludhiana, October 21 Talking to TNS, Mr Ghuman expressed his opposition to the old practice of the nomination of SGPC president through a sealed envelope sent at the last moment by the SAD President or the Akali Chief Minister. “This is the mockery of the whole election process. This needs to done away since those close to the powers could manage to get elected to coveted posts,” he added Mr Ghuman said all groups in the fray should declare the names of their candidates a week before the elections. He admitted that members had allowed the wrong practice of chiefs being foisted upon them but the time had come to root out this practice. “There also need to remove the stranglehold of politicians as the Sikhs had done with the mahants of yore,” he added. He denied any Congress hand behind the activities of the group. “I accept Mr Parkash Singh Badal as my political leader, but refuse to be guided by him in matters pertaining to religion,” he affirmed. He said it was a shame that members were being herded like sheep to various destinations outside the state. This practice should be stopped and members should be allowed to vote without any pressure. Earlier, he held a meeting of the members at Gurdwara Alamgir. Later called on Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi at his residence in Sarabha Nagar and remained with him for about half an hour. Mr Talwandi presented them with siropas. Those accompanying him included Hardeep Singh Mohali, Dhyan Singh, Kehar Singh, Kaur Singh Mora, Kashmir Singh Hargobindpura and Daljit Kaur Ropar. |
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Gaiety marks
Valmiki Jayanti Ludhiana, October 21 Devotional music filled the air early morning as little children dressed up in their best trotted about merrily in their neighbourhood. Community kitchens were also organised at various temples all over the city. On the eve of the jayanti, a number of shobha yatras were taken out yesterday in different parts of the city. The Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BVDS) took out a shobha yatra from Daresi Grounds in the evening. Earlier, before the start of the shobha yatra, a function was held at Daresi Ground and was inaugurated by singer Hans Raj Hans. Congratulating the organisers and people on the occasion, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who was the chief guest, called upon the Valmiki community to impart good education to their children so that they could contribute to the development of the country. He said the teachings of Lord Valmik were still relevant and there was a need to follow the path shown by him. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, former Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, in his address, described Lord Valmiki as a great spiritual leader and a literary personality par excellence. Among others who attended the function were Mr Vijay Danav, Mr Lakshman Dravid, Chaudhery Yash Pall, Mr Mohinder Singh Bhagat, Mr Chanderpal Anarya, Mr Dev Singh Asur, Mr Raj Kumar Hamdard, Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, MLA, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar and Mr Kishan Lal Bedi. The shobha yatra culminated at Bhagwan Valmiki Brahmalya in Basti Jodhewal late in the evening after passing through Sabzi Mandi, Partap Bazar, Mata Rani chowk, Ghanta Ghar chowk, Chaura Bazar, Chauri Sarak, Division No. 3, Islamia School Road, Madho Puri chowk and Ghaati Valmiki. AMLOH: Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated here today with religious fervour. At a function here the chief guest, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, MP, un-furled the flag. Mr Dullo gave a call to the Valmik community to impart education to their children. “We can only call ourselves true followers of Bhagwan Valmiki if we get ourselves educated and stay away from the menace of drugs,” he said and announced financial aid for the completion of Valmiki Hall. |
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DC fines
commission agent Machhiwara, October 21 After visiting various mandis of the district, Mr Anurag Aggarwal expressed surprise and
aggression on the maximum sale of paddy to private traders in Machhiwara mandi in comparison to the rest of mandis. The percentage of the paddy purchased by traders is 35 per cent of the total arrivals. He held Food and Supplies and Market Committee officials responsible for this. He also got unpacked the paddy which was purchased by government agencies to check the standards of quality. He was accompanied by SDM Samrala, Mr Jaspal Singh Jassi, the District Foods and Supplies Controller Ms Simranjit Kaur and the Naib-Tehsildar Mr Manjit Singh. Market Committee Secretary Gurbax Singh Sekhon briefed him on the total arrivals till date. According to the report a total of 8,60,220 quintals of paddy had arrived in the mandi. Out of which 3,02,910 quintals had been purchased by private traders, 1,66,200 quintals by Punsup, 1,64,520 quintals by Punjab Agro, 1,48,680 quintals by Markfed. |
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An attestation with a difference Machhiwara, October 21 The affidavit, which was attested on October 17, bears despatch register No 3833. In this affidavit, the complainant — a photostat operator in the tehsil complex, has accused the Tehsildar of harassing him time and again and for demanding bribe in lieu of regularising a newly constructed generator cabin beside his allotted cabin. He said the rent for the cabin had already been deposited with the SDM court while seeking permission. In the affidavit, the complainant also mentioned the “irregularities” which took place during the allotment of the cabins in the new complex. He feared that his cabin would be demolished if he failed to meet the demands of the official. The official was not available for comments. |
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‘Fulfil poll promises’ Ludhiana, October 21 In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the GPA additional general secretary Mr Yash Pal Ghai, recalled that enhancement in medical allowance, grant of house rent allowance, revision in gratuity and several other benefits were promised by the ruling party to woo the pensioners during the Assembly poll. “It is high time that poll promises are given effect and pensioners in the state of Punjab, with highest per capita income in the country, are given a fair deal.” Elaborating various demands, put forth by the GPA, Mr Ghai observed that the fixed medical allowance of Rs 250 per month being paid since January 1998 was inadequate to meet the ever increasing cost of medicare. The cost of medical facilities had gone up by 39 per cent during past five years while the fixed medical allowance had remained unchanged. Similarly, the pensioners were deprived of the house rent allowance as well as other benefits like the CCA, the rural area allowance and bonus, available to them as serving employees. In all fairness, they should be paid house rent allowance at a flat rate of Rs 100 per month. He said that the ruling party had promised to revise gratuity on the basis of treating DA admissible on July 1, 1983 as dearness pay for those who had retired between July 1993 and March 1995. The Fourth Punjab Pay Commission had also made a similar recommendation, which needed to be given effect. He urged the government to ensure that every pensioner received a pension which was atleast 50 per cent of the revised salary, effective from January 1,1996, of the post held at the time of retirement. Besides the Union Government, several state governments including the Haryana government, had already extended this benefit to the retired employees. “The Acceptance of this demand, which is also among the recommendations of the Fourth Punjab Pay Commission, will have marginal financial implications for the government since nearly 85 per cent of the pensioners are already getting more than 50 per cent of the said revised grades as pension.” |
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Tributes
paid to Cong leader Ludhiana, October 21 Those who paid tributes included, Mr Tej Parkash Singh Transport Minister, Mr Rakesh panday Printing and Stationery Minister, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, Mr Surinder Dawar (both MLAs), Mr Nahar Singh Gill Mayor MC Ludhiana, Mr K.K. Bawa, Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran, Mr Avtar Singh Mulanpuri on behalf of Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia President lok Bhalai Party, Mrhira Singh Gabria, Mr Ishar Singh ex-minister, Mr Mohinder Singh Kalyan and Mr Gurbhajjan Singh Gill, acting president Punjabi Sahit Academy. Mr Tej Parkash Singh said Mr Manjit Singh was a popular leader among the masses and had done commendable service for the weaker sections of the society, He said that Mr Maler Kotla during his life had also organised the handicapped persons and encouraged them to strive hard to stand on their own feet. The minister said with the demise of Mr Majit Singh not only the Congress but the whole state had been deprived of a dynamic leader. He said the real tribute to such a leader would be to strengthen mutual brotherhood and amity among different sections of society. Mr Rakesh Panday in his tributes described Mr Majit singh a leader with a broad vision who always worked for the uplift the poor. He said the Congress had suffered irreparable loss with his death. |
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LJP wants ban on liquor, lottery Ludhiana, October 21 Addressing a state-level delegate session of the party, the state LJP President Mr Amar Singh Mehmi, announced that the party would soon submit a detailed memorandum to the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, demanding, among other things, ration cards for migrant workers permanently residing in the state and inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls. The LJP plans to launch an agitation to focus on rise in prices of diesel and petrol, hike in power tariff and withdrawal of the free power and water facility from the farm sector. According to a state spokesperson for the party, Mr Kartar Singh Patna, delegates from all over the state, who attended the session, elected their respective district presidents. Mr Jagdish Anand was elected district chief of Ludhiana (urban) Mr Avtar Singh Sandhu — Amritsar (urban), Mr Mohinder Singh — Amritsar (rural), Mr Bakshi Ram Jalandhar (urban), — Mr Balbir Singh Bangar Jalandhar (rural), Mr Jarnail Singh — Patiala, Mr Jasmer Singh — Fatehgarh Sahib, Mr Narinder Singh Saini — Hoshiarpur, Mr Maghar Singh — Ropar, Mr Amar Singh Mistri — Sangrur, Ms Triveni Chauhan — Gurdaspur, Mr Baljit Singh — Faridkot, Mr Jagan Nath — Kapurthala, Mr Nanak Das — Nawanshahr and Mr Kaur Singh — Mansa. Mr Mehmi said the remaining four district presidents would be named within a couple of days and the state president would be elected in the first week of November. Once the state President and the state body were in place, the party cells would be reorganised to consolidate the party base in the state. Speaking on the occasion, the party in charge for Punjab affairs, Mr Dilip Kumar Valmiki, thanked the party delegates and state functionaries for the successful completion of the party membership drive and election of the district presidents. |
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Mayor inaugurates tubewell Ludhiana, October 21 The Congress legislator from Ludhiana (East) Mr Surinder
Dawar, and the Senior Deputy Mayor Mr Prem Mittal also attended the function. The area councillor, Mr Jasbir Singh Chadha, expressed gratitude to the MC administration and the residents of the colony for successful completion of the project. He made special mention of Mr Jawahar Singh, president, and other members of the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in the area for their cooperation. Prominent among others present at the function were Mr Sanjay Talwar and Ms Malkiat Kaur, both councillors, Mr Tarsem Singh
Panchhi, Mr Hari Shyam Singh, Mr Surinder Malhotra, Mr A.K. Gupta, Mr Sanjay
Pinka, Mr Mohinder Singh Gakhar, Mr Shammi Lehar, Mr Rajnish Narula, Mr Vinay Kumar and Mr Gursharan Singh.
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Tributes
paid to slain policemen Ludhiana, October 21 Senior officers, staff and trainees assembled at the Martyrs’ Memorial in the academy and paid homage to the martyrs of the police and paramilitary forces. Dr G.S. Aujla, ADGP-cum-Director, Punjab Police Academy, saluted and paid tributes to the police officers. Wreaths were also laid by the Director and other officers as a mark of respect and remembrance. Dr S.S. Chauhan, DD(I), Mr R.P.S. Bajwa, DD (O), and Mr Kamal Kumar, DD (Admn) were also present. In Ludhiana, the function was presided over by Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, Senior Superintendent of Police. The function was attended by all GOs, SHOs and family members of the martyrs. A commemoration parade was organised at 8 am. It was commanded by Mr R.K. Bakshi, DSP, Sarabha Nagar. After saluting the martyrs and observing a two-minute silence in their memory, the names of 972 police officers who laid down their lives while on duty in the year 2001-02 were read out by Mr Arun Pal Singh, SP(HQ) , Ludhiana. Mr Sidhu briefly addressed the gathering and reminded the police personnel of the sacrifice of the martyrs and assured the bereaved families of all possible assistance. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martyrs’ Memorial and paying of respects to the martyrs. At least 117 policemen of the district have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism. These include one Superintendent of Police, two Deputy Superintendents of Police, two inspectors, two sub inspectors, 11 assistant sub inspectors, 16 head constables, 47 constables, 16 SPOs, and 20 members of paramilitary forces. Mr Sidhu informed that an impressive Martyrs’ Memorial had been set up in the Police Lines Ludhiana in 2001. The memorial comprises a black granite plaque with the names and ranks of all the martyrs written in golden letters. It also has black granite busts of the three gazetted officers — Mr R.S. Tiwana, the then Superintendent of Police (Operations), Ludhiana, Mr Tara Chand, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana, and Mr Om Parkash Bedi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana — on red sandstone columns and a photo gallery in which laminated photographs of all the martyrs are displayed. Senior police officers and dignitaries visiting the Police Lines pay their respects to the martyrs by saluting them and laying a wreath at the memorial. KHANNA Mr Sarao said the day inspired the police forces to do their duties without any fear. He said, on October 21, 1959 10 policemen were killed while they were on a mission to locate two missing policemen. The names of all police martyrs were read out on the occasion. Blankets were given to the family members of the martyrs by the chief guest. The function was presided over by the SP, Mr Ajmer Singh Romana. The march past was headed by the DSP, Mr Balbir Singh.
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Officers
Wives Club dissolved Ludhiana, October 21 Ms Sunil Aggarwal, wife of Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal and president of the Officer Wives Club, issued a notice on September 27 which was pasted on the Sutlej Club’s notice-board saying “Officer Wives Club is dissolved with immediate effect. New officer wives club would be constituted in near future”. The move has shocked nearly 60 officers’ wives for whom the club was a source of entertainment and interaction. Most of the women are not only perplexed but annoyed at the decision of the club president. The Officer Wives Association Club had come up in early eighties with Manju Lakhanpal, the wife of the then Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, Mr K.R.Lakhanpal, as its founder president. About 60 members of the club include wives of SDMs, ADCs, Commissioner Municipal Corporation and wives of many government, semi government and board officials. One of the members of the club said,” We used to have weekly meetings on all Thursdays. We got the letters about the dissolution of the club about 20 days ago. We spoke to each other and were shocked at the announcement. We do not have any written constitution of the club, which says that the president of the club is empowered to dissolve it”. |
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Club members
resent ‘vulgarity’ at function Ludhiana, October 21 One of the singers, members said, was not decently dressed for the occasion. An embarrassed woman member, of the club, said, “we are celebrating Karva Chauth festival here according to the Indian tradition but the vulgar display here defies even western modernity”. The Deputy Commissioner, who was present on the occasion, also reportedly expressed his displeasure to the club office-bearers for not organising a good show. He reportedly told them that the function was not to his liking. He did not wait till the conclusion of the function and left without taking out the lucky draw or distributing the prizes, much to the embarrassment of the office-bearers of the club. |
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Big response to
nagar kirtan Ludhiana, October 21 |
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Training programme concludes Ludhiana, October 21 The Minister of State for Printing and Stationery, Mr Rakesh Pandey, while addressing the audience appreciated the efforts of the institute in motivation and development of women entrepreneurs and in helping them establish small-scale ventures. He stressed that women should come forward to earn and supplement their family income. Self-employment provided an opportunity for women in this regard. Mr Ranjeet Singh Bir, Deputy Director (Mech), welcomed the chief guest, while Mr R.C. Chopra, Director, SISI, discussed the role of SISI in the development of small-scale units in Punjab. He said that women entrepreneurs could set up their readymade garments manufacturing units as there is a good scope of this type of industry. Mr Vinod Thapar, president, Knitwear Club Ludhiana, also spoke on the occasion and assured his full cooperation to women entrepreneurs. |
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