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| Saturday,
June 21, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Work to resume on flyover Ludhiana, June 20 This was disclosed by the Commissioner of the municipal corporation, Mr S.K. Sharma, at a press conference here today. The Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, was also present. The MC had earlier refused to concede the demand of the PWD for releasing more funds for the Rs 13.26 crore project on the grounds that the department had failed to provide a utilisation certificate for Rs 1.05 crore paid at the time of the commencement of work last year. A sum of Rs 4.50 crore had also been deposited with Northern Railway as cost of land and construction of the portion of flyover crossing the railway tracks. Mr Sharma said the issue had been resolved and the PWD had provided a utilisation certificate of the amount already paid to it. The Finance and Contracts Committee of the MC had also accorded sanction to the release of more funds to the PWD. Giving details of other major projects in the city on which work was in progress, Mr Sharma said 36 per cent work on the elevated road project had been completed and going by the present pace of work, it should be completed and functional by the middle of next year to coincide with the completion of motorable bridge in place of Lakkar Pul. The trial run on the Dhuri line railway overbridge had already started while finishing touches like central verge, painting of crash barriers and lights were being provided. The work on the Dhandari railway overbridge had also achieved good progress and it would be opened to public by the end of this year. The Commissioner sought to dispel the impression being created in the city by certain vested interests that the municipal fire brigade was short of equipment or personnel for
fire-fighting. "Against the national norms of at least one fire engine for a population of 50,000 , the MC has 34 fire engines for a population of around 15 lakhs. Similarly, as against the required strength of 45 trained fire-fighters and other personnel, we have 92 persons on the rolls.” On delay in shifting to the five newly constructed buildings of the fire brigade in different areas, he said the MC intended to provide residential accommodation to the fire- fighting staff within the premises of the fire stations and the process of shifting to the new buildings would be taken up in about a month’s time when the construction of the residential blocks in these buildings was complete. Claiming that work had been undertaken on a war footing for cleaning of Budha Nullah and 11 other open drains in the city to prepare for the forthcoming rainy season, Mr Sharma said massive mechanical and manual cleaning operations had been taken up from June 1, which would be over by the end of this month. After manual clearance of weeds and other material obstructing the flow of water in Budha Nullah in the first phase, four dragline machines were deployed for desilting 9 km length of the drain within the municipal limits at a cost of Rs 20 lakh. He said 108 workers, besides ditch machines and tippers for removal of silt, were put on the job of manual cleaning of 11 open drains and Budha Nullah beneath the culverts under the overall supervision of Superintendent Engineer of the O and M Cell, while the respective joint commissioners would be responsible for proper cleaning of open drains under their charge. In addition, the main and branch sewer lines would also be thoroughly cleaned to counter the problem of clogging and overflowing during the rainy season. |
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TRIBUNE IMPACT Ludhiana, June 20 The civic administration had swung into action on the basis of a report carried in the Ludhiana Tribune today that the shops were being constructed in an unlawful manner and even encroachment of municipal land was also apprehended. The MC Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sharma, issued orders this morning that immediate action should be initiated to check the unlawful construction. Since a bulldozer could not be brought into action as the approach to the area was difficult, the MC team had to deploy labour to demolish the partly-constructed building and it was rendered non-usable. The MC demolition squad was contemplating use of bulldozer from another side after widening the entry point and the operation might continue with the use of men and machines tomorrow as well. Inquiries made by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that the land on which the shops were to come up did not belong to the MC and the entire 14-feet width of the drain, with an additional 5-feet-wide strip of land was available on the site. However, the builders had not got the building plan sanctioned and the covered area was beyond the maximum permissible limit for compounding the violation which had necessitated the demolition of the structure. |
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Five city boys make it to IIT Ludhiana, June 20 While nearly 20 boys had got through the IIT screening test, the result of which was declared last month, only five seemed to be fortunate enough to reach their goal. All five have also cleared the CET conducted by PTU and the AIEEE test held by the Central Board of Secondary Education. Mohit, Mayank and Saurabh have also cleared the entrance test to Delhi Engineering College. But they were all desperate to get through the much sought after IIT, the results of which were declared on Internet this morning. For Mohit, it was a dream come true. “Since my childhood I had aimed to do computer engineering from an IIT,” he said. But he said he was yet to take a decision whether to choose Mumbai or New Delhi. He said when he was in Class X, his senior Akshay Jain had cleared IIT entrance test with 65th rank and taken admission in computer engineering at IIT, New Delhi. Since the day, he met Akshay at a counselling session in his school, he had become his role model. The son of an eye surgeon working in Ahmedgarh, Mohit said that his parents had always guided and inspired him to strive. ‘‘My mother motivated me even at times when success was not coming my way. The teachers too, especially Ms Tejinder Kaur, had always been cooperative as they were always ready to solve my queries,’’ he said. Mayank said he wanted to do electronic engineering from either Kharagpur or New Delhi but the rest would be decided at the counselling to be held in Delhi on July 2. He said he drew his inspiration from his elder brother, Ankit Kukreja, who was doing computer engineering from Amritsar. Mayank said, ‘‘I am feeling relaxed now. I was very tense till yesterday and could not sleep for the whole night. I had been trying to know my result since midnight but was able to see it at 8 am today. Since then I have been enjoying with my family, friends, teachers and the Principal.’’ For Rohit, 2002 did not bring any luck and he decided to suspend further studies till he cleared the IIT entrance test. Cutting himself off from his social life and religiously devoting a full year to his studies, he was finally able to make it to the IIT. Rohit said his first choice was electronic engineering from IIT, New Delhi. If he did not get this, he was sure to get admission in mechanical engineering at the same institute. Harsimrat said he had always aspired to do aerospace engineering from IIT, Kanpur, and he was now sure to get it. He said his real inspiration came from his elder brother, who had joined the National Defence Academy (NDA). He also owed his success to his school teachers and Sidhartha Academy, which put him on the right track. Saurabh said his aim was to do food production from IIT, Kharagpur, and in case he did not get admission there, he would join the Delhi College of Engineering (DCE), the entrance test to which he had cleared with 79th rank.
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93 absent at poll rehearsal, served notice Khanna, June 20 Today was the first rehearsal orgnaised by the SDM, Mr Jaspal Mittal, at A.S. Senior Secondary School here. More than 100 officials and employees were found absent but some of them joined the rehearsal later. Taking a serious note of the absence the SDM directed the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Khanna, to take necessary action against the absent employees. The BDPO, Mr Kulwant Singh, said that the notices were being served by special messengers. There were 19 presiding officers among 93 who have been served these notices. Earlier, addressing more than a 1,000 employees taking part in the rehearsal, Mr Mittal said that the employees should do their duty with honesty and efficiency. Mr Mittal told mediapersons here today that total 97 polling stations had been set up for the elections to 81 panchayats. The Khanna block had been divided into six zones. One assistant returning officer had been deputed for each zone and total 12 election supervisors for the whole block. On the last day yesterday of the filing of nomination papers a total of 204 nominations were filed for the posts of the sarpanch and 704 for the posts of
panch. |
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Smuggler
escapes from police custody Ludhiana, June 20 The police has registered a case under Sections 307, 224, 225 and 120-B, IPC, against the undertrial. He belongs to Kulghehna village in Sidhwan Bet block of this district and was lodged as an undertrial at the Central Jail, facing trial in four separate cases under the NDPS Act. The police was tight-lipped about the use of a motor cycle by the Head Constable. It was surprising that he used his personal vehicle when the undertrials were brought to the courts daily in a bus.
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Drowning mishap fails to
deter youths Ludhiana, June 20 Life seems to have been reduced down to this activity only for 12-member group consisting of friends and relatives of the deceased boy’s family for the last 36 hours, but there is still no trace of the body. At the Barrewal bridge point of the canal the bodies are usually trapped. Divers normally camp here to trace the body whenever some persons drowns. Unmindful of the tragedy engulfing this family and the danger that lurked in the fast flowing current of the canal, hundreds of youths, most of them even younger than Lucky, continue to swim, dive and play in a large channel flowing out of the canal and carrying water at almost equal speed just next to the Barrewal Bridge. Though not many youths or children were seen swimming today in the canal after yesterday’s tragedy, but the channels flowing out of the canal were packed like sardines. Even as everyone accused the youngsters for the high number of drowning incidents in the canal, could the state Irrigation Department and the district police escape any responsibility in the matter ? For its part the Irrigation department had installed warnings board near the popular bridges on the canal and its channels prohibiting anyone to bathe, swim and play there. But other than installing the warning boards, the Irrigation Department had not done anything. It had not penalised anyone so far for violating the orders. It’s staff deployed in select places along the canal expressed its helplessness in stopping the youngsters, who outnumbered them by a huge margin. The police department said it could act only on the complaint of the Irrigation department. The police force was already under extreme pressure due to shortage of staff and could only patrol the canal at random hours. At least six persons , mainly youngsters, drowned in the canal on an average every month. The canal flowed for about five months in an year and according to an estimate by the Irrigation Department about 30 deaths were reported in this period. Inder Mohan, a gauge reader employed with the Irrigation Department and posted at the Barrewal bridge, was helping the family in its endeavour. The department had given him a long stick to ward of youngsters aiming to dive in the canal. The stick had rarely worked in fulfilling its objective. The youngsters bullied the Irrigation staff and argued that if they were swimming they knew the danger and the department had nothing to do about it. Hira Lal, an uncle of the drowned child, said the entire Gandhi Colony in the Model Town Extension area was in deep shock over the incident. He said Lal Chand, father of the deceased boy, seemed to have lost his senses after the tragedy. Lucky was his only son. He has four daughters. Hari Chand Kanojia, another uncle of the boy, said they would camp at the bridge till they found the body. He said the children were ignorant about the danger and the Irrigation Department or the police should have taken concrete steps to stop children from swimming in the canal. Two other families, one from Laohara village, were also camping at the bridge. A minor boy had drowned in the canal four days ago near the village. His body was yet to be traced. Parents of a woman, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the canal, were also camping there. Mr Rajinder Singh, XEN, Sirhind Canal, said the Irrigation process was not hampered by the swimming activity of the youngsters. He said the canal or its channels got damaged from cattle but not from humans. He said the boards installed at various points served as warning note to the youngsters but they themselves were responsible for any mishap.
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Sacrificing
childhood for money Ludhiana, June 20 Manmeet, who likes to call himself Johnny, says, “I leave my house (near Samrala Chowk) at 8 a.m. after eating heavy breakfast. My father buys pens from the books market and asks me to sell 20 packets that fetch me Rs 200. My father sells pens at the Jalandhar bypass. I roam around Chaura Bazaar, Bhadur Market and other areas close to these markets. People generally buy pens from me out of pity probably. I do not know how much I walk every day. The only thing I know is that I am walking all the time except for my lunch break. On reaching home, I hand over the money to my mother in the evening.” Johnny has a certain vacant look on his face and although he does not know how to write his name, he is good in oral mathematics and is able to keep account of his money. When asked if he wants to go to school, he said studies are not important.” What is important is to make money.” About this, he is certain. But about other things as to how old is he, he just knows that he was born on the ‘Rakhi’ day and
claims that he is five years old. He is on the streets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this time, he keeps on walking. For lunch, he says he has four samosas every day. On being asked why he does not eat ‘dal roti’, he says that he eats that kind of food at home. He plays with bat and ball for some time when he reaches home. He then eats food and falls asleep, tired and exhausted. Next day starts with the same grind. Like millions of children, Johnny is also one of those who do not enjoy their childhood. Childhood is lost in fending for the family in a tiresome routine. Though he claims that his family is not large, yet he is put to work by his parents. The kind of hard work he does is much beyond his years. That he is undernourished is evident from his appearance. The white patches on his face show that he is not getting a balanced diet. There is nothing childlike about him. He already looks far more experienced for his years and speaks in flat monotones and the attitude of nonchalance around him is disturbing. Johnny says he is not afraid of being robbed and of several policemen that he sees daily. He goes about his work quietly without realising that life has already taken its toll on him. |
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PANCHAYAT POLL Ludhiana, June 20 Police sources said that the post-mortem examination had found no major external injury on the deceased’s body that could have caused his death. The post-mortem report said though the exact cause of death would be known only after receiving the chemical examination report on the viscera but it seemed that the man died to some poisonous substance in the liquor. The Dehlon police was working on the possibility that the deceased and the sick persons had consumed spurious liquor at a gathering organised by a candidate to woo voters for the ensuing panchayat elections. Sources said the theory of spurious liquor was further strengthened by the continuous serious condition of the four persons, who had consumed liquor with the deceased. Two of the sick persons, Baldev Singh of Dhurkot village and Birender Singh of Gujjaranwal continued to remain unconscious even 48 hours after the incident.The police said there did not seem to be any credence to the theory of murder in the case as alleged by some family members of the deceased man. One person had died and four others were taken ill after they allegedly consumed spurious liquor at a gathering organised by a prospective candidate of panchayat elections. Liquor was flowing freely in the region and despite a ban by the Election Commission on the useof liquor to woo voters. The police seemed to be a mute spectator to the illegal use of liquor. It did seize some quantity of smuggled liquor but no major offensive had been launched against persons supplying liquor. |
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Health services paralysed, courtesy poll duty Machhiwara, June 20 Officials of the Health Department were sent for election rehearsal for two hours yesterday, as a result of which no doctor was available for OPD and emergency services. A doctor, who was on maternity leave, was also not spared and was forced to join the rehearsal. Dr Harvinder Singh, SMO, Machhiwara, had also gone for election rehearsal and said of the five doctors in the hospital, three were on leave. He said apart from the Sihala dispensary , doctors in charge of all dispensaries, including Jhar Sahib,
Barma, Punjgrain, Nurpur and Chhaurian had also been deputed on election duty. Poor and helpless patients belonging to these villages returned disappointed today. Three pharmacists of Machhiwara Hospital, three from dispensaries and all clerks were sent for the election rehearsal, leaving behind none to distribute medicines to the patients. Dr Hardeep Singh, president, PCMS Association, has condemned the deployment of doctors and para-medical staff on poll duty. He said doctors cannot be treated like other employees and are required for emergency
duties. He said the health services had been affected all over the district , the worst hit being Machhiwara block. He said in case there was any loss of life in the area due to the non-availability of doctors, the government would be solely responsible for it. He said the president of the Paramedical and Health Employees Union, Machhiwara block, Mr Brijmohan Sharma and the general secretary, Mr Harjinder Singh, have criticised the decision to depute doctors and pharmacists on election duty. They have appealed the state government to immediately withdraw the health officials from election duty. |
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Vet under IT observation Ludhiana, June 20 He reportedly had a humble beginning and was working with Punjab Agricultural University till recently. Since the business in dogs appeared to him to be lucrative, he opted for long leave from the university and started a clinic. The effort turned out to be a profitable proposition. The investigations being carried out by the officials of the revenue intelligence have revealed that the veterinarian has accumulated huge assets within a brief period. Besides investments in real estates, he also owns several luxury cars, including one Mercedes Benz. The investigations are reportedly in an advanced stage. He also allegedly visits foreign countries frequently and imports dogs of advanced breeds for breeding purpose. The veterinarian besides operating two dog clinics, where dogs are treated for various diseases, has also started a specialised breeding centre for dogs. Different canine breeds from across the world are available there for a price ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1lakh per dog. One of the dogs he reportedly brought from England for Rs 6 lakh for breeding purposes only. He is also allegedly close to several influential people, including some bureaucrats, of the city. It is learnt that the dog business helped him establish contacts with rich and influential people. He used to organise meetings and settle business deals for others. It is suspected that he might have earned a considerable portion of his wealth from these business deals as well. |
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Cable operators under attack from consumers Ludhiana, June 20 Led by active members of the committee, including Mr Dharmendra Khera, Mr Sanjay Mohindroo, Mr Rajiv Tandon, Mr Sanjay Gautam and Mr Pawan Garg, the protesters flayed the inaction on the part of the administration to check exploitation of consumers by the cable network companies, besides various other irregularities. The speakers rued that the district authorities had failed to take any action on the memorandum submitted by the committee on May 26 in which the cable companies were charged with not only fleecing the consumers but also misusing electricity and telephone poles in various localities and massive evasion of service tax. The leaders of the committee resolved to approach the cable consumers all over the city to join hands in the fight against the cable network companies and, if needed, to come on to the streets against the gross injustice. The protesters urged the administration to initiate action against the defaulting cable companies, failing which the action committee would resort to other measures like fast and gherao of the district administrative complex. Prominent among others present on the occasion were Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Mr Om Parkash Saini, Mr Parkash Khatri, Mr Sandeep Thapar, Mr Vijay Paswan, Mr Subhash Dabi, Mr Arun Bunty, Mr Amar Takkar, Mr Sati Ram, Mr Ravi Shankar Tiwari and Mr Varinder Pal Singh Soni. |
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Protest
over limited Amarnath quota Ludhiana, June 20 The devotees started the demonstration immediately after they were told by the bank officials that the quota specified for Ludhiana had already been exhausted. The devotees alleged that Ludhiana being such a big city had not been provided even 2,000 registrations. The bank officials said they had been allotted a limited quota. The quota was being kept limited to ensure proper arrangements during the yatra. This was, however, not accepted by the devotees. They wanted the quota enhanced. The bank officials assured them that the issue would be brought to the notice of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. Various organisations in Ludhiana have regretted the attitude of the J&K Government for trying to discourage people from going for the yatra. They warned that the issue would be brought to the notice of the Union Government also in case the J&K Government did not enhance the quota. |
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Trust office-bearers visit Amarnath cave Ludhiana, June 20 The delegation was led by Mr Rajan Gupta, president of the trust, and included Mr Bharat Bhushan, vice-president, Mr Harish Dua, secretary, Mr Parveen Goel, propaganda secretary and Mr Bhupinder Pal, member. The delegation visited the cave via the Sonmarg-Baltal route. Mr Gupta said the conventional route was closed due to landslides and glaciers at some places. At some places there was no trace of the track. The delegation had to adopt the non-conventional route on glaciers formed above the Amar Ganga river. Mr Gupta said the size of the ice Lingam was full and it was thrilling to have its darshan. Mr Gupta said the delegation had darshan of the ice Lingam on June 6. He said the weather was fine and there was no rain. |
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Club members resent bullying tactics Ludhiana, June 20 One of the aspirants told Ludhiana Tribune that early this morning he received a call with the caller identifying himself to be a police officer. The aspirant alleged that he was straightway told not to file the papers as the particular aspirant had to get elected unopposed. He said that he would bring the issue to the notice of the club president and disclose each and every detail to him only. At the same time he declared that he would contest the elections come what may. He regretted that the brotherly club culture was being sabotaged with such arm-twisting tactics. Another aspiring contestant also levelled similar charges alleging that he also received a phone call and was asked not to file nomination papers. “Although there was no threatening tone, the message seemed to be clear that I should not file nomination papers”, he revealed. These developments seem to have infuriated the club members who do not want it to be made a battle ground. Several club members said if these developments had taken place it was too unfortunate for the club. They pointed out the club culture preach a sense of brotherhood and belonging among the club members.
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DC donates ambulance Mandi Gobindgarh, June 20 The function was organised by the Rotary
Club. It was presided over by Mr Jagmeet Singh Sahota , vice- chief of the Mandi Gobindgarh Municipal Council . The Deputy Commissioner sought the cooperation of the people in the drive against encroachments. Speaking on development works, he said maintenance of roadside parks would be entrusted to reputed firms. Among others, Mr Prem Kumar Bansal, Mr Charan Dass Jindal, Mr J.M.Nagpal, Mr Banarsi Dass Aran, Mr Harpreet Singh Bittu and Mr Jagmohan Singh Bittu were present at the function. |
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Motorcyclist dies of cardiac arrest Ludhiana, June 20 Poppy husk seized:
Mandi Ahmedgarh
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Youth held on murder charge Ludhiana, June 20 Police sources said the boy was arrested in a raid on a relative’s house. Tension remained in the area since morning as the relatives of the deceased youth refused to cremate him until the police nabbed the accused. They relented in the evening when boy was arrested. A large number of relatives had gathered at the houses of both the accused and the victim. The houses have a common wall. Relatives and supporters of both families were in an agitated mood. Tension was diffused in the evening but the police was keeping watch on the situation.
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HLL takes to direct marketing Ludhiana, June 20 While Amway and Ayur were the earliest to resort to this method of sale and marketing, Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) is the latest one. With wide range of branded items in its kitty, HLL seems to be all set to hit the market delivering goods to people on their doorsteps. Ms Anita Nayar, consultant vice-president of the HLL network, says people can order things on telephone. “It is simpler than the tele-marketing”, she says. Moreover, she says, the direct marketing not only helps consumers to purchase goods at reasonable prices avoiding the middle-level commissions, but also helps them to earn by creating more customers. She says, “Actually in the multi-level marketing maximum number of people are involved in business”. Ms Nayar is the first lady vice-president in the northern region. She says the HLL brand has found acceptability among consumers. It has come out with a wide range of household goods right from the kitchen equipment to sanitary and toilet items. She points out, “Instead of calling up a shopkeeper, you can directly ring up the HLL office, place the order and get the delivery within no time”. Ms Nayar says HLL will organise a road show on June 22. She says the multi-level marketing concept is getting popular not just in urban areas, but also in rural areas. More and more customers from the countryside are making inquiries and placing orders. With Amway and Ayur already into direct marketing with a considerable hold, there is going to be a tough competition among these companies with the customer getting the maximum benefit. |
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