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| Thursday,
July 10, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Illegal structures despite ban Ludhiana, July 9 Not only the construction is going on but the ‘‘self-styled’’ owners of the land are accepting money in instalments from the residents of the area, who had bought the provincial government land from the former. The former SDM (East) Ms Bhavna Garg had on September 18, 2002 issued orders against the illegal constructions on the land and had announced that action would be taken against the defaulters. She had even said that no cash in the form of instalments would be given to the ‘‘owners’’ who sold government land illegally. She had warned the residents against it also. A visit by Ludhiana Tribune team to Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar and New Puneet Nagar , the illegal colonies on Tajpur road, here today revealed that new houses were being constructed despite the orders and masons were working on them. When the Tribune lensman tried to click pictures those present there spot tried to stop him. Mediapersons in the area had to face the ire of these residents as it was after the exposure of the land scam by the media that the administration demolished some constructions in November last year and put a ban on further constructions. Earlier they were not even aware of the fact that the area was an agricultural land belonging to provincial government , which was allegedly sold to innocent people by land grabbers in connivance with the officials of the Revenue Department. Residents of Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar, on the condition of anonymity said the sellers of the land were accepting instalments from them and if they failed to do so they were threatened with dire consequences. ‘‘One of the property dealers even comes to the area along with his musclemen. Who can dare to say no to them?’’ said a resident requesting anonymity. He even requested the Tribune team not to take pictures and do a story fearing that his house would be demolished. ‘‘Every time the news is carried, officials come here and warn us against new constructions. We had bought plots after saving every penny from our meagre salaries. We never knew it was not meant for constructing houses.’’ The district administration had booked some property dealers, who had allegedly sold off government land, in the infamous land scandal, besides booking another 40 persons, including residents and colonisers of the city on same charges. The administration had at that time claimed that they were narrowing down on key players in the scandal. These included several influential persons close to politicians. With the registration of fresh cases, the number of persons booked in the scandal so far for selling government land worth crores has touched the 40 figure mark. All these people were bailed out after some time and roam freely in the area. The district administration had also demolished about 100 illegal structures, constructed at that time, despite the ban of the District Magistrate against any such activity. The Kuliewal land , which now falls within the limits of Municipal Corporation Ludhiana is a highly potential residential and commercial area. In the revenue estate of village Kuliewal there exist abut 72 acres 4 kanals and 11 marlas of gair mumkin land in the ownership of provincial government which now falls in Swatantra Nagar, Puneet nagar, Baba Jeevan Singh Nagar and Savan Vihar. Over the years many people have illegally encroached upon this land and have constructed their houses. Many people have simply constructed the plinth or four walls to assert their possession and in some cases within the four walls they have constructed a small room to reinforce their possession. In the sale agreements, the land grabbers had projected themselves as owner in possession ‘mein is jamin da malak ate kabaj haan’ and sometimes played the trick by projecting themselves as ‘mein is plot de malabe da malik ate jamin da kabaj haan’ or ‘mein is makan/kamare da malak ate jamin da kabaj haan’. |
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Administration
makes light of disease outbreaks Ludhiana, July 9 Almost every year there is a disease outbreak in the district but the authorities concerned state that since it had not taken the form of an epidemic hence there was no need to panic. The Health Department and the Municipal Corporation claim that lakhs of chlorine and antibiotic tablets, ORS packs, awareness literature had been distributed among the masses but have completely failed to combat any disease outbreak in recent years. Moreover, a good number of cases go unnoticed as they are not reported. Majority of the migrant population in the city depend upon the quacks for treatment. Dr Harkanwal Sidhu, Head of the Medicine Department at Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital, said contaminated water, cut fruit and fruit juices were the main causes of jaundice, cholera, typhoid and gastroenteritis. She said the hospital OPD was getting more than 10 patients suffering from gastroenteritis each day, of which one-two complicated cases were admitted at the hospital. “In the past one week, more than four patients suffering from typhoid have been treated at the hospital. Patients pour-in with symptoms like high fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, cough, etc,” said Dr Harkanwal. The Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Civil Hospital, Dr Manjit Kaur, said in the past nine days 24 cases of gastroenteritis and cholera had been reported. One case of jaundice was also reported. Sources at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) disclosed that from June 1 to July 8, 45 patients suffering from gastroenteritis and 44 from jaundice were discharged from the hospital. One patient with malaria was also discharged from the hospital recently. The sources said the available data was of the admitted patients whereas a large number of patients visited the OPDs daily. Officials at the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) revealed that from July 1 to 9 25 patients suffering from gastroenteritis were reported at the hospital. Of these 15 were children. More than six patients suffering from jaundice and typhoid were also reported at the CMCH. Dr Gursharan Singh, president of the local unit of the Indian Medical Association, said 25 per cent of the total reported cases in the district were of gastroenteritis of which 10 per cent had to be admitted due to acute gastroenteritis. “The number is likely to increase in the coming days. People should get themselves vaccinated against hepatitis-A,” stressed Dr
Gursharan.
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Heavy rain hits life Ludhiana, July 9 Residents sat in dharnas in various parts of the city in protest against the lack of proper drainage facilities in the city. There was hardly any area in the city that remained unaffected by the downpour that started around 11 am and continued for about two hours. The worst affected areas were the low-lying colonies like Hargobind Nagar, Haibowal, Kidwai Nagar and industrial hubs like Gill Road, Transport Nagar, Miller Ganj and Transport Nagar areas. Almost all transport services had to be suspended due to traffic blocks at various places in the new and old areas of the city. The Samrala bypass also got choked which resulted in disruption of inter-city services for several hours. The city Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, was forced to visit areas like Haibowal where residents held protests and demanded that the Mayor saw the situation for himself. The MC Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sharma, also visited the low-lying areas of the city and persuaded residents to maintain calm. Residents were seen draining water from their homes with the help of pumps. According to eyewitnesses, motor cycles and other two-wheelers were completely submerged at several places. Stranded vehicles further complicated the traffic situation. In Janak Puri area, waist-deep water flowed through the streets. Normal life remained paralysed for nearly the entire day.
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Experts
predict good monsoon Ludhiana, July 9 Unlike last year, when the district experienced 36.8 mm of rain in July against a normal rainfall of 232.1 mm, experts are hopeful that this year the rainfall will atleast cross the normal mark. They have a reason to be hopeful as during the first two spells of rain 24 mm of rainfall has been recorded. A good amount of rain lashed the district even today, bringing respite from the hot and humid weather. According to Mr Paramjit Singh Sehra, Head, Department of Agrometerology, it is the La Nina factor that is responsible for the monsoon. Last year it was the El Nino factor which led to dry conditions. The daily weather bulletin of PAU has predicted more rain in the coming 24 hours. |
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BJP resents double standards Ludhiana, July 9 Talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Gosain pointed out, he was booked by the police for burning an effigy of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. A case was registered against Mr Gosain in the Kotwali police station after his supporters allegedly set fire to the effigy of the Chief Minister during a protest demonstration at the Clock Tower. Yesterday Youth Congress activists also set fire to the effigy of Mr Advani in protest against his statement about Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh that he was trying to settle personal scores with a former Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Mr Gosain wanted that there should be similar yardstick for everyone. He pointed out, “if burning of the effigy of a Chief Minister is a criminal offence, so is the burning of the effigy of the Deputy Prime Minister and the culprits should be brought to the book”. He, however, expressed cynicism over any action to be taken against the Youth Congress activists. Because, he observed, the Congress Government led by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh was hell bent to crush the Opposition on one pretext or the other. He alleged that the government had unleashed a reign of terror on the opposition parties and leaders. Mr Gosain warned that the BJP would launch an agitation against the double standards of the government. He said any attempt to denigrate the image and prestige of the Deputy Prime Minister should be firmly dealt with. “It is the prestige of the country and letting anybody play with that for petty interests of publicity is equally criminal”, he observed. He said the BJP would not take it lying down and would not rest till the guilty were brought to the book. He disclosed that the issue had already been brought to the notice of the senior party leaders who had also taken strong note of it. “We can do it better than others”, he warned. |
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BKU to launch statewide stir Ludhiana, July 9 This was stated by the BKU president, Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, and the secretary-general, Mr Manjit Singh Kadian, in a joint statement here today. They said the government claim of providing eight hours uninterrupted power supply to the farm sector was false. They said the power supply was provided to the farmers for not more than five to six hours which was not enough. “Similarly, canal water is not being released in sufficient quantity in areas like Muktsar, Abohar, Fazilka and Moga which is hampering farm operations. The government must ensure regular power supply for a minimum of 12 hours daily and canal water must be released in desired quantity so as to enable farmers to irrigate their fields,” they said. Commenting on the anti-corruption drive launched by the Congress government, the BKU functionaries said the ambit of the campaign should be widened to include government officers and bureaucrats as well. “There is rampant corruption among government officials and employees at all levels and ever since Independence of the country, bureaucrats and lower rung officials have amassed disproportionate assets,” they said. They said the state Vigilance Bureau should investigate into movable and immovable properties of government officials and their political patrons and book the defaulting persons under appropriate laws. Mr Lakhowal and Mr Kadian, however, made it clear that the BKU would not support any act of political vendetta under the garb of anti-corruption drive and would stand firmly against selective action to settle scores. |
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End police repression, say autorickshaw drivers Ludhiana, July 9 At a meeting organised by the Zila Autorickshaw Mazdoor Dal at Basant Park here its activists alleged that the traffic police had forcibly got the designated autorickshaw stand outside the general bus stand vacated for harassing them. Mr Kuldip Singh and Mr Madan Lal, members of the union, further said they were being challaned and the vehicles being impounded on frivolous grounds. They alleged that the police action against them had been stepped up at the behest of mini-bus operators. In different resolutions adopted at the meeting the union demanded an end to police repression, restoration of autorickshaw stands which were forcibly got vacated, setting up of more designated stands and rationalisation of tax structure. The autorickshaw drivers also held a meeting at the Bhadaur House Market and asked the government to take effective steps in this regard. Meanwhile, mini-bus operators here have formed a seven- member action committee for taking up their problems. The members of the committee are Mr Gurnam Singh, Mr Ranjit Singh, Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Pal Singh, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Jagjit Singh Libra and Mr Tejinder Singh. |
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Accused
SDO eludes arrest Ludhiana, July 9 Dr Avtar Singh and other family members were released on bail. However, the SDO’s bail application was rejected by the court.
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Spotted
rare bird not hawk Ludhiana, July 9 Dr Sandeep Jain, president, PFA, said here today that shikra was on the verge of extinction and the city residents can contribute a lot by protecting them as has been done by Mr Grewal. |
Booked for tampering with octroi receipts Ludhiana, July 9 The amount involved in the fraud is estimated to be around Rs 25,000. A case has been registered on the basis of an application filed by Mr Trilok Singh, octroi superintendent in the MC Office (Zone III). MC and police sources told Ludhiana Tribune that the role of a clerk of the MC was also under the scanner. An inquiry by Mr Trilok Singh in the case had also suggested his involvement, but conclusive evidence was found wanting. The FIR states that some officials of the Sham Lal and Company, Gujjarwal Road, Ludhiana, were involved in the fraud. Mr Trilok Singh said the Delhi-based company found some discrepancies in the receipts and took up the matter with them. He said his inquiry found that though the octroi receipts were issued at different and far-off parts of the city, these carried the signatures of the same MC clerk. The clerk denied his role in the fraud saying he used to sign only those receipts that were issued from his office. His signature could have been forged on the receipts, he said.
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Man booked
for weakening Dhussi Bundh Ludhiana, July 9 This has come to light following the registration of a case at Salem Tabri police station on the application of Sub-Divisional Officer, Phillaur, against a villager Roshan Singh of Jamalpur Lelly. According to the FIR the SDM in an inquiry found that the accused had lifted sand from Dhussi Bundh in trailers and sold it off. Though he made money, he had weakened the bundh, which could have breached and caused floods. Police sources said some labourers of a sand contractor had also been named and investigations against them were on. No one had been arrested The sources said on the basis of the recommendation of the SDM, only one man had been booked so far. Inquiries by The Tribune revealed that not only in Jamalpur Lelly but at several other places in the district like in Kasabad village, residents or labourers of contractors had weakened the bundh by lifting sand. Village sources said they had reported the matter to the police. |
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In-laws beat up woman Khanna, July 9 Surinder Kaur said she was married to Sumandeep Singh of Pallah village in November, 2002. A sufficient dowry was given at the time of marriage. After few months, her in-laws started demanding Rs 2 lakh, but her parents could not fulfill their demand. |
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Shopkeeper
robbed Khanna, July 9 |
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MCX membership drive Ludhiana, July 9 Inaugurated by senior officials of the exchange, the programme showcased the benefits of the MCX membership to an audience of around 150 traders, market specialists, consumers, brokers, producers, importers, exporters, stock brokers and other intermediaries. MCX is offering national membership for an admission fee of Rs 2.5 lakh for trading-cum-clearing members. Moreover, considering the established market base of the regional commodity exchanges, it is offering a special membership package to members of the existing exchanges. Commenting on the launch, Mr Jignesh Shah, managing director, MCX, said, “Our non-capital-intensive project plan, prudent management and better leverage in offering optimally priced membership, have significantly lowered the entry barrier to become a member of a national exchange with access to multiple commodities.” The Ludhiana membership drive follows the road show campaigns held across key trading centres in Gujarat, Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vishakapatnam and Chandigarh. So far, the road shows have reached out to over 3,200 interested participants representing traders, stock-keepers, market specialists, trade associations and other intermediaries. |
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