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| Thursday,
December 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Local bus service to
check pollution problem
Ludhiana, December 4 This was announced by Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, who is also newly constituted Regional Transport Authority for Ludhiana in a press conference, here yesterday. He stated that in the first phase of the local transport system the applications have been invited to issue 74 new route permits for 20 identified routes. Giving the details of the new Local Bus Service scheme for the city, Mr Aggarwal informed that the long awaited local bus service would start operating on all major roads in the city, positively by the end of the January 2003 and the process of granting route permits has already been initiated. He said the city had witnessed phenomenal growth in recent past but it lacked a mass transport system. This had resulted in increased air pollution, traffic congestion and also endangered public safety. He said at present there were about 20,000 auto-rickshaws plying within Ludhiana city, which were a major source of air pollution and traffic congestion. These local buses would replace a large number of auto rickshaws which would have an immediate impact on air pollution. The Deputy Commissioner said the latest plan was going to be a challenge because at present there were no bus terminals, no bus stops for any local bus service and also there were encroachments on the main roads which may hamper the movement of the buses initially. But he said he was confident that he would get full support of the Municipal Corporation and the traffic police in the successful implementation of this scheme. He further informed that to formulate and implement the local bus service within the area of Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, a special Transport Committee consisting of seven members with Deputy Commissioner, as its chairman has been constituted. The other members of the committee include Additional Deputy Commissioner (G), Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, SDM (West), SDM Khanna, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, and Mr Sham Sunder Juneja, a traffic missionary. The Deputy Commissioner has appealed to the desirous candidates to send applications for the route permits with the DTO office before the last date of December 31, 2002. Elaborating the main purpose behind the launch of the local bus service on a large scale in the city, the Deputy Commissioner disclosed that it was aimed at providing excellent bus service, minimise the vehicular pollution, stop the plying of illegal auto rickshaws and enhance the road tax collection. He said the criteria for issuing of the bus permits would be totally transparent and DTO, Ludhiana, would act as the zonal officer to carry out the entire process for the issuing of these route permits in the city. To ensure the smooth plying of these buses in the city and to facilitate the commuters, proper bus stops along the road sides would be marked and slip ways would be provided. He further said on the pattern of Delhi and Chandigarh, different route numbers would be allotted to the buses for specific routes, so that, the passengers could easily identify the bus for the route of their requirement. The new buses would be of a specific colour and later on, the already running mini buses and maxi cabs would be given the same colour, Mr Aggarwal added. He claimed that the new fleet of local buses would provide gainful employment to more than 500 families directly and indirectly.
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Various routes where the buses would ply in city
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Ripples
of panic in finance market Ludhiana, December 4 Ludhiana is one of the biggest centres of unauthorised private financing where financiers lend money at exorbitant rates to various industrial and trading houses. These financiers take money on loan from common people on relatively higher rate of interests than the banks. They invest it further lending the money on exorbitant rates of interest. Most people prefer these financiers since they manage to evade tax and at the same time earn handsome rate of interest which is unmatched and unparalleled in the organised sector like banks and other RBI approved financial institutions. Although there are no exact figures of the amount that is involved in unauthorised finance business in the city, it is said to be running into hundreds of crores of rupees. The financial services run by the private financiers are mostly unauthorised and are not approved by the Reserve Bank of India. These financiers also do not follow any RBI guidelines. The greater risk factor remains that there is nothing on record and people invest money on trust only. Although it is usually a fair deal as financiers make due payments on time, but sometimes, when things go wrong, most investors suffer huge losses. And this is precisely what has happened in the current case. Some of the financiers also take undue advantage of the investors who want to utilise their black money for earning handsome interest away from the prying eyes of the Income Tax Department. None of the investors, who have reportedly lent lakhs and crores of rupees to the defaulting financier, are in a position to lodge or register any complaint with the law enforcing agencies since most of the money is unaccounted for. There are several others who have invested their hard earned money with the defaulting financiers and have nowhere to go now. Meanwhile, certain law enforcing agencies are learnt to have started investigations into the case. Some of the officials belonging to the DRI have been making inquiries to locate the defaulting financier and his creditors. It has been learnt that the officials have swung into action to trace the financier thus making the creditors and financiers feel more panicky. The income tax authorities and the local police is also learnt to be making separate investigations into the case. This, however, is unlikely to hamper the ongoing unauthorised finance business in the city, since most industrialists and traders prefer these finance companies for the simple procedure. Most of the people who take money from private financiers are bank defaulters who cannot take any loan from the banks. Moreover, the private financiers do not ask for too many formalities. The operations of these private financiers are of massive magnitude to the extent that one of the financiers, who has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 7 crore in the current scam, had financed a leading multinational company only a few years ago. The said financier is reportedly operating throughout the country with investments in leading industrial and trading houses. |
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Snake in milk bottle costs Rs 50,000 Ludhiana, December 4 According to the order, Ms Uppal along with her husband had gone to the CMC on August 13 and purchased one bottle of Abhi milk from the canteen there. After she took the milk, she found a snake inside the bottle. The milk contents had become poisonous and she developed infection and her condition became
serious. She was admitted to the CMC, where she remained for 32 hours. She also lodged a complaint with the police. The forum observed that since Asian Lkto Industries is the manufacturer of Abhi Milk and the milk was sold by Dinesh Bhushal, both parties were liable to pay the penalty for selling the contaminated milk to the complainant. It said the complainant spent more than Rs 3000 for getting treatment in the CMC hospital, in addition to the medicines purchased from outside. “The complainant remained admitted in the hospital and must have suffered a lot of mental pain and agony”, it observed. The order said, “Keeping in view the circumstances, the compensation of Rs 50,000 on account of deficiency on part of the opposite parties appears to be reasonable. As such, the opposite parties are directed to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation to the complainant and Rs 1000 as cost”. The order added that the respondents shall be liable for payment jointly and the compliance of order has to be done within one month of the receipt of it. |
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Board meeting put off Khanna, December 4 Opposition councillors said the meeting of the board had been postponed to benefit the ruling party. The board has 12 members, including the chairman, a member nominated by the state government and five associate members, all councillors of the council. Other members of the board are the Deputy Director, Local Government, Ludhiana, a representative of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, Ms Harbans Kaur Dullo, MLA, president of the Municipal Council, executive officer of the council, non-official member Yoginder Sharma and five associate members, Jaspal Singh (BJP), Ashok Tiwari (Congress), Harjap Singh (SAD), Lakhvir Singh (AISAD) and Vijay Sharma (Independent). The local government had increased the numbers of wards from 25 to 27 through a notification issued last month on the basis of the census of 1991. The board has to decide on the areas under each ward and on reservation for Scheduled Castes, women and backward classes. |
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PPCB relaxes conditions Ludhiana, December 4 The members of Indian Medical Association, Punjab, had expressed their inability regarding arranging some documents to be annexed with authorisation case. The board had now decided not to ask for balance sheet for the purpose of authorisation, as there was no need of balance sheet where bed capacity was available because the authorisation fee was fixed as per number of beds available. There would be no need for bills in case the institutions entered into an agreement with the central operators. The institutions set up before November 30, 2002, would be exempted from submitting the approved building plans. It was also made clear that this would not legalise the unauthorised functioning of medical institutions, if any. The Board may grant powers for grant of authorisation to Regional Office for capacity up to 50 beds. The IMA had also started a helpline for speedy authorisation by making three centers in the city. These centers included Awasthi Hospital, Civil Lines, Shah Nursing Home and Gee Ess Heart Center. |
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Ban Noormehlia sect: YAD Ludhiana, December 4 In a joint statement, activists of the Youth Akali Dal gave a call to the Sikhs to observe complete social boycott of the sect and his followers so that those challenging the authority and traditions of Sikh religion could be given a befitting reply. At the same time, the party made an appeal to the followers of the sect to rid themselves of the outfit and join the mainstream of Sikh religion. |
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Lal Singh promises proper use of funds Ludhiana, December 4 Mr Lal Singh was addressing a largely-attended rural gathering on the concluding day of the three-day rural sports tournament organised by the Panchayati Raj Sports and Welfare Club at Humbran village, 25 km form here, last evening. Giving details, he said the state government after a comprehensive discussion had presented an annual plan of Rs 2,750 crore for 2002-2003 and it was enhanced and sanctioned by the Union Government to Rs 2,755 crore, whereas during the last year the SAD-BJP government had prepared an unrealistic plan of more than Rs 3,700 crore, which was impossible to implement keeping in view paralysed economic condition of the state government. He said the financial condition of the state was constantly improving with the fully activation of the tax collecting machinery and effectively implementing the austerity measures and avoiding unnecessary expenditure of the government. Criticising the previous government for damaging the economy of the state, the Finance Minister said the amount of centrally-sponsored schemes had also been illegally diverted to the Sangat Darshan programmes. He claimed that all promises made by the Congress during the elections would be fulfilled gradually after further consolidating the financial condition of the state. Referring to the willingness of national and international-level financial institutions to again consider the cases for grants for the development and welfare projects in Punjab, he informed that a World Bank team had shown deep interest, keeping in view the financial reforms of the state government and announced to consider to release funds for the portable drinking water supply in rural areas costing to Rs 1,817 crore. The minister exhorted the players to concentrate their attention on acquiring optimum excellence in the respective games so that they could bring laurels for the state and assured all kind of facilities from the government for the promotion of sports. He announced a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh for the development of the village and Rs 50,000 for the sports club. Addressing the function, Mr Tej Prakash Singh, Transport Minister, said the state government had planned a comprehensive programme, under which more and more competitions would be organised for the players. He said international-level infrastructure and equipment had been provided at all district headquarters to impart training to the sportspersons in different disciplines. He said sufficient number of sports academies had also been set up at different places in the state, where players holding national position were being provided comprehensive training. He announced a grant of Rs 51,000 for the sports club. Mr Malkit Singh Dakha, MLA, while welcoming the ministers demanded to complete the remaining portion of the Mullanpur-Ladowal bypass and the Ludhiana-Bet Sidhwan road. Mr Manjit Singh and Mr K.K. Bawa also addressed the gathering. |
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Bring culprits to book: YC Ludhiana, December 4 In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the DYC senior vice-president, Mr Sarbjit Singh
Bunty, and the general secretary, Mr G.S. Arora, alleged that massive financial irregularities were committed in the development of the Mini Rose Garden in Kidwai Nagar, the Assembly segment represented by Mr Sat Pal
Gosain, a former Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha. The DYC activists maintained that Mr Gosain had obtained ‘benami’ route permits of buses under kilometre scheme. The memorandum, while drawing the attention of the government towards various acts of omission and commission by some other BJP members in the then Cabinet, including Excise Minister Teekshan Sood and Medical Education Minister Manoranjan Kalia, pointed out that these were also under a shadow and called for a probe. The functionaries observed that a vigilance inquiry into the conduct of these key persons in the BJP would not only bring out the real truth but would also further strengthen the ongoing anti-corruption drive of the government.
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No escape from noise,
air pollution Ludhiana, December 4 Mr Achra Singh, a retired Superintendent from the Civil Surgeon office, has complained of repeated violation of the Punjab Loudspeakers Act 1956 in the city. A resident of Dugri, Mr Achra Singh said since he is a heart patient, he cannot bear the loud volume of speakers and microphones which start early in the morning. He said the use of loudspeakers that disturb peace and
tranquillity of the neighbourhood should not be permitted. “I have urged the heads of these religious places several times to desist from using loudspeakers but to no avail. The noise pollution has already become a major problem that haunts me day and night. I cannot even get proper sleep”, said Mr Achar Singh. Dr Manish Munjal, an ENT specialist at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), says that noise created a large number of health problems. It introduces stress, which induces diseases such as cardiovascular and digestive system disorders, peptic ulcer, hypertension, migraine and nervous
disorders. Stress can also worsen or perpetuate a disease already in existence. Noise pollution can be divided in two parts — Impact Noise and Continuous Noise. Impact noise can cause total loss to ear because of its high frequency, whereas Continuous noise by generators and loudspeakers can cause irritation and later on hearing loss. ENT experts in the city confirm that unexpected noises may produce rise in blood pressure, greater respiratory rates and sharp muscular contractions. Noise is also capable of affecting health in terms of emotional and social well-being such as diminished work efficiency, reduced comfort and disturbed sleep. Residents feel that loudspeakers being used in places of worship, including temples, gurdwaras and mosques, on unearthly hours should not only be banned but the ban should be enforced. Action should be taken against those disobeying the ban. Mr Anish Bansal, a resident of Field Ganj, said that people had put up handloom machines and flat machines in their homes. He said noise pollution by machines in the area during nights was very irritating. He added noise pollution was also lending to several complications, including sleep disorders, disruption in communication, loss of efficiency, hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, irritation, fatigue and mental stress. Mr Pratap Kumar, a resident of Basti Jodhewal said the district administration should control the noise pollution caused by machines, loudspeakers, microphones and generators so that people in the city could lead a peaceful life. It may be mentioned that the use of loudspeaker is prohibited by the administration from time to time, especially during school and university examinations, but the orders are hardly implemented. Senior officials suggest that residents must bring to the notice of police control room on phone number 100 any violation of this order. |
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Nanda is Dhan Pothohar chief Ludhiana, December 4 Mr Nanda announced that an all-India cultural conference will be held on January 19 and 20, 2003 at Ludhiana. Mr I.K. Gujral, former Prime Minister of India will be chief guest and Dr Manmohan Singh Kohli, former Finance Minister of India will be the guest of honour on that day. Mr Kartar
Singh Duggal, will preside over the function. Mr Tarlochan Singh, Vice-Chairman, Minorities Commission, Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, Dr Amarjit Singh Marwaha from the USA, Mr Tarlok Singh Bagga from the UK, Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor Baba Farid University, Faridkot, and Justice Kuldeep Singh will be honoured. A Pothodar food festival will also be organised in which traditional food delicacies of the Pothohar province will also be set up. An exhibition of baags, phulkari, books and other Pothohari articles will be arranged on the day. Mr Nanda congratulated Mr Kartar Singh Duggal, MP for taking initiative to open an art and cultural centre at Ludhiana and thanked Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, for taking keen interest in allotting a piece of land for the said art and cultural center at Ludhiana. It was also decided to send a delegation to Pakistan in the Dhan Pothohar region to collect all information and photographs of heritage from there to publish the same in Dhan-Pothohar Kosh to be released next year. It was also resolved to marry five to 10 girls of poor families of Potoharis every year. Mr Ravinder Pal Singh Khalsa, senior vice-president, highlighted the sacrifices and contribution of Pothoharis to South Asian civilisation. Mr G.S. Mokham, Harpal Singh Jaggi, general secretary also spoke about the achievements and activities of the Dhan Pothohar Brotherhood during the past four years. |
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‘Correct
action secret of success’ Ludhiana, December 4 A successful person is one who is able to govern the erratic mind and direct it with consistency of purpose.” These are the views expressed by Gautamji, who was addressing the members of Ludhiana Management Association in a seminar on the subject “The secret of success”. Speaking about significance of action he said,” Man must keep pace with advancing times if he is to survive in the struggle of existence. Mere acquisition of knowledge will not suffice. Knowledge relates to past. It has to be translated currently into action. Action is inevitable and is the insignia of life. Men of mere ideas and no legs are no more than intellectual centipedes. Thoughts and ideas must be accomplished into deeds. Vedanta says that incessant and intense work done with renunciation can only command true success and prosperity in one’s life.” Gautamji emphasised that while in the West, there is lot of dynamism and productivity of managers but there has also been a loss of peace of mind around them. “The Vedanta methodology of management strikes a total balance between the prosperity, dynamism and mental peace,” he added. Earlier, introducing the subject, Mr V K Goyal, general secretary, LMA said,” Vedanta, which literally
means, "end of the knowledge,” is a systematic knowledge that contains in it the eternal principles of life and living. It tells you how to make your actions more efficient, productive and progressive.” Mr Goyal further said,” It is an open secret that only by fixing priorities and working with consistency of purpose can the success be achieved. No doubt that the work shall involve some failures too but then success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. You are the sculptor of your own image. Unless you shape your life, circumstances will shape it for you. You have to work, sacrifice, invest, and persist to get the results you want.”
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READERS WRITE Vote bank politics has once again vitiated the social atmosphere of Punjab, much more than any other state. Punjab has been earlier snatched of land to carve other states out of it. Punjab, which once encompassed the Shivalik Hills on the one side and Delhi on the other, has been reduced to a petty state where politicians fight to wash their dirty linen in public all the time at the expense of the public, to whom they care a fig for. An expected change for the better from earlier Akali misrule seems to be a far cry as the Congress suffers from the same maladies. People are now tired of both Akalis as well as the Congress . Let there be a strong non-political forum of the sane intelligentsia, which may guide the destiny of Punjabis for a harmonious living. May it also have leverage against the erring politicians in Punjab to force them to mend their ways for good governance so that our state does not have to suffer further. The brave Punjabis have already lost their heroic psyche to fear and mistrust in the dark days of terrorism, which may be imminent again. May God save our Punjab from ruining by the Akali-Congress feud. B B Goyal, Ludhiana. Traffic blues I tend to agree with Mr T. Singh on his views about the sorry state of affairs regarding the awful traffic conditions in the town. Reference ‘Traffic snarls’ which appeared these columns on November 14, 2002. Despite the availability of manpower, funds from the government as well as voluntary donations from the welfare-oriented business community of Ludhiana in the form of PCRs and ambulances, there has been no appreciable change in the traffic scenario. Rather, it is getting from bad to worse with each passing day. Traffic police manning the busy crossings in the town mostly stand and watch the chaos going on around them. It seems they are only waiting for some serious mishap to take place before they act. I hardly see any cop acting smartly and stopping the traffic violators or warning them or chasing those who speed away after jumping the red traffic light or after hitting some vehicle. The scenario depicted above in the presence of cops is least to say, awful and indigestible. People are jumping the red light with impunity; they overtake vehicles from the wrong side; and they make two, three or four deep lanes at the red light or at closed railway crossings till the entire road is blocked leaving no space for traffic from the opposite direction to pass, resulting in chaos and free-for-all. Despite all this, the cops on duty keep on standing as mute witnesses. I fail to understand their attitude towards their duty, for which they are amply paid. A few month ago, I stopped my vehicle in front of the cops who were sitting in a corner of the road and I questioned them as to why they did not stop the young man who jumped the read traffic light in their presence, the senior of the two, a head constable, said, “If we stop them, we are charged with harassing the road users by the senior officers.” Will some of the senior police officers in Ludhiana sometime venture on the busy roads incognito (not in their cars with red light on and blasting continuous horn) preferably without uniform and see for themselves the chaotic conditions on the busy roads right under the nose of their traffic police. I am sure if they do so, the thing can be brought under control because I neither doubt their integrity nor their competence. The only thing required is their determination and action. Also, the traffic police is required to hold regular seminars and campaigns to educate the people at various levels on traffic regulation. On to the senior police officers in Ludhiana. Major S.S. Khosla,
Finance firms This refers to the news item on the defaulting of a financier of the city. The unauthorised finance market in the city has been running illegally for quite some time. This is being done under the nose of the law enforcing agencies. Even some senior government and police officials are also said to be investing their money in these finance companies. In the absence of proper monitoring, the companies hold people to ransom. It is not for the first time that such a scandal has taken place. But the amount involved this time is much higher. It involves money of the poor and small-time investors, who for earning more interest, have lost everything. It is high time that the government and law enforcing agencies wake up to the problem and stop the illegal operations of these financial companies and save hundreds of unsuspecting investors from losing their money. Jarnail Singh Grewal,
Ludhiana
Fund misuse I will like to bring to your notice that the local councillor of ward 46, in connivance with Municipal Corporation officers and the contractor, is misusing the funds and laying the road of Kitchlu Nagar blocks B, D and E, which are in a good condition. The contractor has used substandard material and the thickness is below standard specification. The facts can be checked and verified by experts. No new work should be given or started in this ward without completing the inquiry in the said case. No payment should to be released till the inquiry is complete. Virinder Bhakoo
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Bhai Vir
Singh’s birth anniversary Ludhiana, December 4 Prof M.S. Cheema will present the keynote address on Bhai Vir Singh’s contribution to Punjabi literature. The function will be presided over by Prof J.S. Bedi of Chandigarh. Poets Darshan Singh Darshan, Bhupinder Harsh, R.S. Mansoorvi and Harbhajan Dharma will recite their works. Prof Kulwant Jagraon will be awarded the Bhai Veer Singh’s ‘Smriti Sanmaan-2002’.
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Dr Sandhu honoured Ludhiana, December 4 The award was presented to him by Dr S. Swaminathan at the IInd International Agronomy Congress held in New Delhi from November 26-30. Dr Sandhu has to his credit 35 recommendations in package of practices, over 100 research papers, two chapters in books and 45 articles. He is a recipient of the Hexamar Award and also a gold medal from the Indian Society of Weed Science. |
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Dairy owner alleges fraud Sahnewal, December 4 Somnath, of Kohara Road, Sahnewal, has complained to the Sahnewal police that Naresh Kumar, of Tajpur Road, Ludhiana, had bought three buffaloes from him and in return gave him three cheques for Rs 23,000 , but he found that there was no cash in his account. A case has been registered under Section 420 of the IPC against the accused. Crushed
to death:
The Sahnewal police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 304 of the IPC on the complaint of Mithelesh, son of the deceased while the body has been sent for post-mortem. One booked:
JAGRAON
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83 kg poppy husk seized Jagraon, December 4 |
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Hero Cycles launches new-series Ludhiana, December 4 Disclosing this here today, the Chairman Hero Cycles, Mr O.P. Munjal said, “Striving hard to keep in mind the interests of our consumers, all models have distinct features and are available in different eye-catching colours. Feeling the punch of consumers, the models have also been reasonably priced”. Mr Munjal said, the models from the Hero stable have been christened as Razorback, Max Nu-age, Synergy, Nitrogen, Hawk Nu-Age and Princess. The salient features of the all-terrain bike, Razorback include a unique D-frame design — a mountain bike frame with an integrated carrier while Max Nu-Age is a rhomboid, two — piece frame bike with a seat pipe. Nitrogen, with comfortable PU-foam padded, rexine-top saddle and friction-free casing for braking with ease, is our most competitively priced mountain terrain bike. If a racer’s dream bicycle Hawk Nu-Age, with handle armrests, is produced with an objective to provide pulse-pounding speed, 100 per cent efficiency and maximum response to minimum effort, Synergy, a D-frame bike is available in glaring graphics and colours. |
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