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| Sunday,
June 22, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Building control goes back to Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, June 21 This was stated by Ms Rakhi Gupta Bhandari, Administrator of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT). She said the decision had been taken to redress the practical difficulties of the residents and to have a single agency dealing with all the activities, including building control in these colonies. She informed that sometimes back the matter was referred to the state government for adjudication and a decision was still awaited. However, the LIT had, in the intervening period, entrusted the building control to the civic body albeit with a rider that owners of residential and commercial sites in these colonies would have to obtain “No-objection certificates” from the trust before submitting building plans to the Municipal Corporation for approval. The Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sharma, confirmed that a formal letter from the LIT to this effect had been received. He maintained that while providing civic services and enforcing building bylaws in these colonies, the Municipal Corporation would also ensure that no new encroachments took place. “The encroachments, both temporary and permanent, which existed at the time of transfer of these colonies to the Municipal Corporation or have come up in the intervening period when the LIT had retained the building control, are not our responsibility and have to be taken care of by the LIT.” For quite some time, the matter was hanging fire and the two bodies staking claim to the building control, the residents of around two dozen “handed over” colonies in the city were finding it difficult to cope with the problem of dual control. The uncertainty prevailing over the crucial issue had further led to a spurt in the encroachments on vacant sites, road side and green belts in these colonies with the LIT and the Municipal Corporation passing the buck to each other. While the LIT authorities used to wash their hands saying they had no means for such kind of enforcement, Municipal Corporation officials took the plea that encroachments and regulation of building activity could not be segregated. If the LIT wanted to keep building control in its own hands, then it should logically take the responsibility of clearing encroachments as well. According to Ms Bhandari, the residential, commercial and industrial schemes handed over to the Municipal Corporation between 1970 and 1994 included Tagore Nagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Moti Nagar, Islam Ganj, Kidwai Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Kitchlu Nagar, Model Town Extension, Model Town Extension (Part II), Sheep Shank Road, Bhadaur House, Lajpat Nagar, Jawahar Nagar Market, Feroze Gandhi Market, Truck Stand (Transport Nagar), Grain Market, Tajpur Road Dairy Scheme, Gill Road Cycle Market, Industrial Area A Extension, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Gian Singh Rarewala Market and Dashmesh Nagar. |
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SAD activists block traffic Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 21 A Congress activist reportedly came along with an officer on election duty to revive the candidature of some aspirants, three self-contradictory notices for which had already been displayed at the CDPO office, whereas SAD activists came there to stop them from doing so. While the officer concerned and the ruling party activist left the place to avoid confrontation, SAD activists blocked traffic on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla Road in front of the Block Development Office for around two-and-a-half hours which was later lifted on the intervention of the police. Demonstrators raised slogans against the state government and demanded action against the BDO, Dehlon, who, according to them, was acting in a vindictive manner reportedly at the instance of local Congress leaders. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, an Akali MLA, alleged that the returning officer had rejected the nomination papers of some Akali candidates on flimsy grounds at the instance of a Congress leader. A notice rejecting papers filed by Mr Mewa Singh, Ms Manjit Kaur, Mr Bakhtawar Singh, Ms Mohinder Kaur, Ms Harkirandeep, Ms Daljit Kaur, Mr Ajit Singh and Ms Baljit Kaur was put up on the wall of the CDPO office of Dehlon. This was immediately rectified by the returning officer and the candidature of Harkirandeep, Daljit Kaur and Baljit Kaur was reinstated. Mr Garcha said, “They took arbitrary decisions and flouted laws to please Congress leaders. They rejected the nomination of Ms Mohinder Kaur, who did not even file the papers.” Mr Garcha alleged that the BDO, Dehlon, had come to the office along with Mr Khangura to tamper with the records so that they could reject the papers again.” Had we not reacted promptly, they could have succeeded in their sinister designs,” apprehended Mr Garcha. The dharna which started at around 11 p.m. ended around 1.30 a.m. today with the intervention of Mr A.S. Khaira, SHO, Dehlon. Mr Jagpaul Khangura, a Congress leader, denied the charges levelled against him. Admitting that he was present near the BDO office late last night, he said,” We were just passing by when we heard slogans against the government. So we left for our places. Had we stayed there, a clash would have ensued.” Mr Khangura said,” Some of the aspirants for the posts of sarpanch and panch had filed their nominations on the basis of documents related to Mushtaraka Malikan land. Our workers objected to it and the returning officer rejected their nominations, a notice to the effect was displayed at the end of the stipulated period for scrutiny of papers.” Mr Khangura said, “On getting the news of the rejection of papers, Mr Mann Singh Garcha, brother of Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, went to the office and intimidated the official concerned to force him to reinstate the candidature of
Mr Devinder Singh, BDO, refuted the charges and maintained that he had not come to the office after he left for his home. He said, “The acceptance and scrutiny of papers for Sihar are being looked after by Mr Gurpreet Singh, ADO, and I am not directly involved in any act.” Mr Sucha Singh Masat, SDM, Payal, showed ignorance about the incident and said, “I have received no complaint in this matter yet.” |
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Sidhwan canal has tourist potential Ludhiana, June 21 While the Irrigation department acknowledges the huge tourism potential of the canal, especially if it is used for boating, swimming or water games, the department cannot develop the canal for the purpose due to a severe shortage of funds. On the other hand, some private companies had approached the government in the recent past for leasing out a part of the canal or to construct a channel out of it for using it as a tourist spot. But the government is yet to give a green signal to such a project. Informed sources said the construction of a small channel opening into a lake could have attracted youngsters. This would have minimised the chances of drowning incidents in the canal as happened with the 15-year-old boy, Lucky, three days ago. The Sidhwan canal is one of the three main canals emanating from the Sirhind feeder canal near Doraha. It crisscrosses its way through Ludhiana district and is better known as the lifeline of the city. The canal is, however, used by migrant labourers to throw garbage and litter, besides bathing and washing clothes. The canal provides a scenic view at night hours when streetlights illuminate it near Leisure Valley. Mr Rajinder Singh, Executive Engineer, Irrigation, agreed that the canal had a huge tourism potential but such a proposal needed a lot of funds, besides complete safety measures. He said the South City developers had mooted a proposal but due to certain hiccups it could not be taken up. Sources said the Irrigation Department was now thinking to call some private bidders, provided the government took up the project on priority. The Municipal Corporation here has already developed Leisure Valley at an earlier abandoned place. Sources said there were several such places alongside the canal and they can be used for the purpose. The sources said the government could provide some space to migrant labourers free of cost to minimise the drowning incidents. |
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Divers begin search for body Ludhiana, June 21 The divers reached the Barrewal bridge late this evening and began the search operation. The team consists of six divers, who were doing the work for the last several generations. Mr Raju Kanojia, Vice-Chairman, District Youth Congress, who was a close friend of the aggrieved family, said they had to take the services of the professional divers as the parents of Lucky were in bad shape. Relatives and friends of the aggrieved family were camping at the Barrewal bridge for the past two days. The bodies of the drowned persons usually surface under this bridge. However, the body of the drowned boy is still missing. Mr Kanojia said the family's only hope was on the professional divers now. These divers operate in the Sutlej. They normally dive in to retrieve valuables or any other material thrown in the river by persons on the advice of priests to ward off bad omen. |
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Lover commits suicide Ludhiana, June 21 Gurjant Singh (26), electrician, was allegedly in love with a nurse who turned down his proposal. According to a statement given to Shimla Puri police station by the deceased's father, Surjit Singh, his son was quite depressed over the issue. He had gone to sleep at about 1.30 a.m. in his room and committed suicide. The police has registered a case and investigations are on. |
Local Cong leaders feel alienated Ludhiana, June 21 Of the over 100 appointments, Ludhiana has got only a few nominations, with Mr Pawan Dewan, Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran, Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka, Ms Bajinder Kaur, Ms Harbans Kaur and Mr Gurdeep Singh being nominated as directors or members of different boards and corporations. While Mr Dewan has been appointed Director of the Punjab Land Development and Reclamation Corporation, Mr Tikka has been nominated to the Punjab State Industrial Export Corporation and Mr Lapran to the Mandi Board. There are some prominent omissions, including two legislators— Mr Surinder Dawer and Mr Milkiat Singh Dakha, a former District Congress Committee (DCC) president, Mr KK Bawa, Mr Jagpal Singh Khangura and Mr Rajinder Singh Basant. Mr Dakha was excluded in the last Cabinet expansion despite having served as a minister earlier in the Beant Singh ministry. Congress leaders are still awaiting orders for the appointment of the chairman of the Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, which happens to be one of the prestigious positions, not only in the district but the entire state. Eversince the Congress government came to power, the Improvement Trust has been headed by an administrator. There are too many claimants to the post. However, it is learnt that Mr Ashok Garcha, son of a former MP, Mr Devinder Singh Garcha, is being considered for the post. Mr Garcha is currently in Holland. It is learnt that the appointment of the chairman of the Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, is being withheld only because he is abroad. This has caused heartburn among the Congress leaders who feel ignored and alienated. They maintain that Mr Garcha has only one qualification—that of being the son of a former Congress MP. However, his proximity to the Chief Minister is too well known, which is reportedly going in his favour. His appointment as the chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust may come as a major shock to senior Congress leaders, particularly those who are eyeing the post. A number of them have still not left hope and are lobbying for the post. |
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SSP’s transfer ‘face-saving’ for Congress Ludhiana, June 21 It was embarrassing for Congressmen in general and the Khangura family in particular that the hotel was raided under the full media glare. Mr Sandhu had taken along a media team to cover the raids. It was the media recording of the event that irritated Congress leaders the most. They took up the issue with the Chief Minister, who not only regretted the raids, but also
gave assurance that remedial measures would be taken which came in the shape of the transfer of the SSP. Mr Jassi Khangura, Managing Director of the hotel and son of Mrs Khangura, met the Chief Minister at Chandigarh yesterday after flying in specially from England. The Congressmen alleged that the SSP’s actions had only antagonised a number of people who were feeling alienated. Some leaders even alleged that Mr Sandhu had started resorting to misadventures, which ultimately boomeranged upon him. They claimed that he had not taken the top bosses into confidence before taking such a step. Some of the leaders reportedly complained to the Chief Minister that Mr Sandhu had selectively identified his targets, which harmed the Congress the most. His handling of the irrigation scam, which led to the detention of nine employees of the irrigation department was also questioned in certain quarters as he took some time to take the action. The Congressmen demanded that the scope of investigation into the irrigation scam in Ludhiana be widened and the truth established. |
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Karnataka drought sees chaff prices rise Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 21 It may be recalled that the chaff prices had risen earlier also after the Punjab Government promised to send seven racks of the animal fodder to Rajasthan to help the neighbouring state to tide over fodder crises. The Department of Animal Husbandry has purchased the requisite quantity, which is now lying at the Malerkotla and Jaitu rail yards, waiting arrival of the racks. Even as the contractors are scouring the countryside to purchase chaff from the farmers, they are finding the commodity in short supply as the farmers are not keen on manual harvesting because of the high labour costs. Every farmer nowadays stores only requisite quantity of chaff for his livestock and does not stock it for selling. The importance of stocking chaff has caught the attention of the farmers, who feel that it to be a sound investment, since Rajasthan is reeling under drought for the fourth consecutive year. The installation of the Congress Government saw that not only chaff, but additional canal water also was released to Rajasthan in the run up to the Assembly elections as a goodwill gesture. When a Tribune team visited the Malerkotla railway station, huge mounds of chaff could be seen all around. Sources said the state had procured 36, 000 quintals, which would be dispatched by the month end. On the other hand, the non — lifting of the commodity frustrated traders, as their payments would be released by the Punjab
Government only after the stocks were cleared by the Rajasthan Government. They said if the stocks were not lifted and are damaged by rain, who would be responsible. Seeing the attitude of the government, we were reluctant to buy stocks for the Karnataka Government, they added. The sources revealed that the state government had issued purchase orders to the chaff dealers of Ahmedgarh and Khanna at the rate of Rs 269 and Rs 270 per quintal. Accordingly, eight railway rakes and 40 trucks carrying the chaff were to leave for various stations of Rajasthan. The government had already sent trucks and one railway rack but rest of the consignment was still pending. Mr Jagtar Singh, a local dealer, said he had to supply two racks of chaff. “We have already purchased the desired quantity from open market, but racks are not available for loading. We were contacted by representatives of the Karnataka Government for supply of wheat straw, but we declined to supply at old rates seeing the present state of affairs — non-availability of chaff and the pathetic attitude of the Railways.” Mr S Puri, another supplier from Khanna Mandi, aired similar views. He said,”The Railways has its own priorities. We have to wait for the rack to arrive, after all its, too, is providing a freight-free service.” Another dealer, on the condition of anonymity, said present orders were placed at very competitive rates, while the same produce were earlier purchased at a much higher price of Rs 360 per quintal when the price in open market was around Rs 200 per quintal only. Scarcity caused by present purchase had once again raised price from Rs 150 per quintal in May to more than Rs 250 at present, he pointed out. Railway officials confirmed that indent for five racks to depart from the Malerkotla railway station had been placed with them. He informed that orders for providing five freight-free racks from Malerkotla to Jaisalmer, Lalgarh and Chanderia had already been received and the consignment would leave by June 30. |
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Research Library — treasure trove of rare books Ludhiana, June 21
This library preserving precious manuscripts came into existence in 1954.The Research Library has 34,000 books and is approved by Panjab University for reference work. Students of Ph.D and M.Phil come from Punjabi University Panjab University, Guru Nanak Dev University, Jammu University and even Delhi University to consult books for their research projects. The students appearing for the UGC examination also find the library a treasure trove. Mr Neelon said even scholars from abroad visit the library. Recently a Japanese scholar, Norio Oka Kochi, consulted books from the library on the growth of Punjabi literature. He was engaged in a comparative study of Japanese and Punjabi languages. Dr Pishora Singh from Visconsin University, USA, had come to scrutinise the manuscripts. He said these should be preserved in computer’s memory as their life was considerably reduced. Mr Jaswinder Singh, Assistant Librarian said,” The membership of the library is free. We are facing a financial crunch. We know that GNDU is preserving books by computerising the text, but we have no money as the Punjab Government does not give financial aid to the library. A little money is earned by hiring out Punjabi Bhavan for cultural functions.” The library has rare books. It has manuscripts of Guru Granth Sahib, the famous folk-tale of Shiri Farhad, rare history books, hundreds of books on Punjabi literature, Sanskrit, Urdu and books on Punjabi culture. Mr Jaswinder Singh said the fact that we have a lot of books for children also is not known to people. Principal Prem Singh Bajaj, Director of the library, has a passion for collecting books. It is his dedication and hard work that keep the library going. Prof N.S. Tasneem, a frequent visitor to library, says,” The library is a rich reservoir of research work done by various students as it contains copies of their thesis work. Mr Bajaj, Mr Neelon, and Mr Jaswinder Singh are often seen mending the books themselves, fixing the covers with glue. Only when these are tattered that these they are sent to the bookbinder.” Many persons have enriched the library by donating their personal libraries as done by Dr Parminder Singh. He has donated 4000 books to the library. Some of the books are valuable as these deal with critical analyses of several famous books. Another person, who has given 2000 books to the library is Dr Surinder Singh Narula . Sandeep, a student working on her thesis under a guide from Chandigarh, said,”We always find the books that we need. I often come to this library for reference work. Moreover, people working in the library are very cooperative. We never face any difficulty in locating any book as these are kept in an orderly manner.” Venu Verma is preparing for the UGC examination. She also feels that the condition of the library should be improved. Mr Jaswinder Singh says publishers should send newly printed books to them . He says the library should be computerised so that reference work becomes easy but funds are required for the purpose. |
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No action yet in excise evasion case Ludhiana, June 21 The company was raided on July 10, 2000, after a secret information to the Central Excise Department, which was recorded vide Secret Code no. 001 (dated July 10, 2000). The raid was conducted by a team of the department led by its Superintendent on the directions of the then Deputy Commissioner (Vigilance), Mr Jagir Singh. Sources in the department said the premises of the company was raided as it was allegedly evading excise duty. It used to obtain import licences for duty-free import of acrylic fibre from various countries, including Japan, Malaysia and other countries, for their use for processing in spinning mills. Sources further said the firm was owned by a relative of a retired Excise Department official and had failed to pay central excise duty. The firm itself did neither manufacture any yarn, nor was engaged in spinning before 1998-99. It was alleged that the firm got fictitious bill books printed in the name of several other firms, whose bills were accounted for in its books of accounts. According to sources, the said firm had evaded more than Rs 98 lakh of excise duty. But even after three years of the raid, no action had been initiated against the firm. The source, who had informed the department of duty evasion with documentary proofs was promised an award of Rs 25,000, but had not been given a single penny till date. The department had issued a show cause notice to the owner of the firm also. Meanwhile, senior officials of the department were not available for comments. |
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RSS training camp in progress Ludhiana, June 21 About 250 volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are undergoing training in this summer camp being organised on the premises of the Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Kitchloo Nagar. The summer camp started on June 10 and will continue till June 30. Today the volunteers took out the route march which is the special feature of the camp. The volunteers dressed in their traditional khaki shorts, white shirts and black caps and displaying swords marched through different areas of the city where they were greeted by the cheering crowds. The volunteers who have come from different parts of the state belong to various age groups. One of the trainers in the camp said the minimum age of the volunteers was 15 years and the maximum 45 years. The volunteers stay in the camp round the clock and they would be allowed to go home only after the completion of the camp. The volunteers are trained in martial arts, yoga and other mechanisms of self-defence. In the bodhik (academic) sessions, the volunteers are subjected to brain storming sessions about various issues concerning the nation — terrorism, Ram Janmabhoomi and Kashmir. Each day there is one senior RSS leader who would address the swayamsevaks. One of the top three RSS leaders would address the concluding function on June 30. This is the official training camp of the RSS called OTC. |
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Life has changed for Sehwag lookalike Ludhiana, June 21 “Due to Lord Shiva’s grace and my resemblance to Virender Sehwag, my life has taken a U turn and now I am modelling and acting in Bollywood movies,” said Jiwan. He thanked Ludhiana Tribune for publishing a feature on him, after which he got noticed and his fortunes changed for the better. Even Sehwag was stumped when he met Jiwan at a function held in one of the schools in the city. What surprised Sehwag was that both Jiwan and he had a minor scar on the right eyebrow at the same place. Jiwan says ,“I told Sehwag playfully that he was my lookalike since I was born in 1977, while he was born in 1978. Sehwag burst into laughter over my comments. Jiwan is in Ludhiana to meet his mother and sister. He never dreamt that from being a simple worker at a hosiery factory, he would be picked up for TV commercials and acting. He cannot believe his luck that a chance resemblance to the cricketer would have people mob him on the streets and in stadiums. He says,“ In a charity match played at Wankhede Stadium organised by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar for a hospital in memory of her father, I was mobbed by spectators. Fans tore my shirt. It was only when I told them that I was not Sehwag that they ‘let me off.’ The experience was really frightening.” Jiwan was invited to the popular programme “Simply Shekhar”, anchored by Suman Shekhar and telecast on Zee TV. Once he reached Bollywood, the next step was not hard. His resemblance to Sehwag was like a passport to Bollywood. He was picked up for a song shot before the World Cup and beamed on MTV. The song was “World Cup ko lift kara de , India mein shift kara de.” He also appeared in a popular programme on MTV called “Fully Falto.” Jiwan says he is acting in a film called “Kabhi Kranti Khabhi Jang.” The film will be released in July. The funniest part of the movie is that there are 52 duplicates in the movie, including those of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Osama bin Laden. He says Sachin’s duplicate, who also hails from Ludhiana, lives in the same flat with him. He also stars in the movie. Jiwan never dreamt that he would ever travel by air. However, he flew to
Bangalore to release a Kannada movie cassette. Now, he is busy getting his passport readied as some companies want to feature Sehwag and him in some advertisements together abroad. His desire is to campaign for the Congress during the Lok Sabha elections as he is an ardent fan of Rajiv Gandhi and his mother Indira Gandhi. He is enjoying his celebrity status in his home town and likes being asked for autographs. Following his father’s death, the greatest thing that weighs on his mind is to find a good match for his sister. |
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Girl electrocuted Ludhiana, June 21 |
15-yr-old girl ‘kidnapped’ Ludhiana, June 21 Snatched Two motorcycle-borne persons accosted a woman and her daughter while they were on their way home last evening on a rickshaw and sped away after snatching the their purse. Ms Kuldeep Kaur, a resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, in her complaint to the Civil Lines police stated that their purse was snatched while she and her daughter were going home after shopping.A case under sections 356 and 379 of the IPC has been registered.
Pickpocket held A pickpocket was caught red-handed at the Cheema chowk yesterday and handed over to the police. A case under Section 379 of the IPC was registered against the pickpocket, Balwinder, a resident of Kochhar Market , on the statement of Mr Mohan Singh, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar. The latter complained that the accused had stolen Rs 1,720 from his pocket while he was standing at the chowk and tried to run away. But he caught the pickpocket after a brief chase.
Car stolen The Haibowal police on Friday registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Adesh Kumar, a resident of Naveen Nagar. He stated that his car ( CH-013-4441) was stolen from the front of his house between June 17 and 20. No arrest has been made so far.
Fraud case The Division Number 1 police on Friday registered a case of fraud under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC on the statement of Mr. Yograj Singh, a resident of Dalla village in Jagraon tehsil, against Balwinder Singh and his wife Asha Rani, residents of Lalton Kalan village. The complainant had alleged that he and his friend Avtar Singh had paid Rs 80,000 each to the couple for going abroad. But the accused neither sent them abroad nor returned their money and passports. No arrest has been made so far.
Beaten up The Model Town police on Friday registered a case under Sections 325,323,506 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Sanjay, a resident of Dr Ambedkar Nagar, against Pardesh and his father Rurha Singh, residents of the same locality. The complainant alleged that the duo had beaten him up on June 7 in the colony. As a result, he was injured. The accused had also threatened him, he said. No arrest has been made so far.
Held for blocking traffic The Model Town police on Friday arrested Vinod Kumar, a resident of Hakam Singh da Vehra, Sua Road, Gias Pura, and booked him under Section 283 of the IPC on the charge of blocking traffic near Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital by parking his Tata-407 vehicle on the road. He was later bailed out. |
LG to set up plant in Pune Ludhiana, June 21 The company recently announced the setting up of its second manufacturing unit in India at Ranjangaon, Pune district in Maharashtra. The new LG factory would have an installed capacity of a million units that would compliment the 1.5 million units of Greater Noida factory. The new facility was expected to commence operations in October 2004 and would manufacture colour television, air conditioners, microwave ovens, washing machines, monitors and refrigerators, including state-of-the-art premium products such a projection TVs, plasma TV, new concept refrigerators and plasma air-conditioners for domestic and export markets. Mr
K.R.Kim, Managing Director, LG Electronics, said here today, “Our decision to invest in the state is based on number of reasons. Maharashtra merges excellently with out
long-term strategy. The state’s world-class infrastructure, superior work culture and rich human resources have encouraged us to invest in the state. More importantly, the corporation and support demonstrated by the states; officials and the favourable industrial environment in the state had been the key deciding factor.” |
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