Central Govt pensioners seek health cover
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 29
The Government Pensioners Association has called upon the Centre to cover the Central Government pensioners under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules in areas which were not catered by the Central Government Health Scheme.

In a memorandum submitted to the Union Minister for Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, the president of the union, Mr R.N Sehgal, observed that the Union Government pensioners, in areas not covered under the Central Government health schemes, were facing great financial hardship as they were getting neither the medicare nor the reimbursement of the cost of treatment. They were paid a paltry sum of Rs 100 per month which was a pittance in the wake of high cost of medicines, diagnostic tests and consultation fee.

"The Central Government pensioners are being discriminated against in comparison with their fellow pensioners who are enjoying all medical facilities of the Central Government health schemes on a par with the serving employees by making just a token contribution. The government has extended the facility of free treatment to serving government employees in areas not covered by the Central Government health schemes but this basic facility is denied to the pensioners."

Mr Sehgal pointed out that the government had accepted the recommendation of the 5th Central Pay Commission that the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules should be applied to Non-CGHS pensioners on a par with the serving employees. However, further instructions on the modalities for reimbursement towards hospitalisation and other treatment incurred by the pensioners were yet to be issued by the Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare.

SPORTS

Mata Sahib Kaur Academy wins hockey tournament
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 29
The Mata Sahib Kaur Academy, Jarkhar and the Chahal Club of Dhangora won their respective matches in the rural Six-a Side Hockey League Tournament which began at the Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium of Jarkhar village near here today.

In the first match of the tournament, Mata Sahib Kaur Academy defeated the Badesha Club of Sarihn 3-0 after leading by two goals at the breather. The scorers were Manminder Singh Happy Mandeep Singh and Manpreet Singh Money.

The second match was played between the Chahal Club of Dhangora and the Gill Sports Club of Ghawadi in which the former warded off a stiff challenge before emerging victorious by 1-0. The all-important goal was scored by Chahal Club’s captain Pargat Singh in the second half.

Mr Harpal Singh Lehal, president, Gurdwara Manji Sahib Mata Sahib Kaur inaugurated the tournament being organised by Taj Resorts in association with different sports organisations of the area. Mr Gurbhej Singh, Sarpanch Bhupinderjit Singh, of Haibowal, Mr Deepinder Singh Dimpy, Master Shingara Singh, Mr Daljit Singh, President, Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club and Mr Paramjit Singh, Managing Director, Taj Resorts, were also present at the inagural function.

Cricket trials on May 4
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 29
The Ludhiana District Cricket Association will conduct trials here at the Arya College for Boys ground on May 4 at 8 am to select the probables (U-19) for the Regional Coaching Centre to be held by the association under the age is of the Punjab Cricket Association venue.

According to a press note issued here today by Mr Pawan Kumar Pandey, secretary of the association, the Ludhiana team will be picked up from these probables for the forthcoming Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Championship for the Dhruve Pandove Trophy.

Players born on or after September 1, 1984 are eligible for the trials, the note said.

Cricket tourney
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 29
A two-day cricket tournament in the memory of Vaid Sampuran Singh Randhawa will be organised by the Peoples Welfare Council in association with the Sudhar Committee, Manjit Nagar here on May 10 and 11, according to Mr Gurdip Randhawa, general secretary of the council.

Sixteen teams have confirmed their participation in this tournament. The winners in the meet will receive a cash prize of Rs 3,100 and a trophy while the runners-up will pocket cash prize of Rs 1,100 and a trophy.