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Restore cable connection: forum Ludhiana, March 28 Acting on a complaint filed by Mr Iqbal Singh, a resident of the local Dharampura locality, the president of the forum, Mr A.S. Narula, disagreed with the contention of the cable operator, Sidak Cable, that the complainant was not their subscriber and, therefore, did not fall under the definition of a consumer. The cable operator, through his counsel, further maintained that the complaint was filed with an ulterior motive to grab money. Denying the allegations levelled by the complainant, the cable operator claimed before the forum that they had started business in the locality concerned three years ago and the complainant had never become their subscriber, nor had he paid any money towards the monthly charges for a cable connection. On the other hand, the complainant, had pleaded that he was an old subscriber of the cable company and his connection was withdrawn by the operator without any notice even after the monthly subscription had been paid. According to the complainant, the cable operator was nursing a grudge against him regarding an earlier complaint by him against the company which was decided by the forum against the cable operator. Since the particular locality was not being served by any other cable operator, the disconnection of the cable service and refusal to restore it had caused him harassment and mental tension, the complainant asserted. Charging the cable operator with deficiency in service, Mr Iqbal Singh wanted the forum to issue directions for the restoration of the cable connection and also to order payment of a compensation of Rs 15,000 and litigation expenses of Rs 3,100. The forum president observed that the very fact that the same complainant had filed a complaint earlier against the cable operator, seeking directions for issuing proper receipts against payment of monthly subscription by the cable operator to his subscribers and maintaining service even during power failure, went on to establish that the complainant was availing services from the cable operator. Further, the complainant being prepared to pay monthly subscription for the cable connection, even if he was not a subscriber at present, could be termed as a potential consumer and in such circumstances, he was entitled to invoke the jurisdiction of the forum. Directing the cable operator to comply with the order within one month of the order, the forum left it to the parties to bear their own costs. |
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Chamber alleges steel hoarding by dealers Ludhiana, March 28 Mr Pardhan pointed out that dealers in steel who made purchases direct by from the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) had indulged in hoarding stocks of thousand of tonnes of steel items which were the basic raw material for the engineering industry. They were charging arbitrarily high prices to make maximum profits. There were hoarders of such steel stocks at Mandi Gobindgarh and Jalandhar. Raids should be carried out on them immediately to seize such stocks. These stocks should be brought to open market to curb an unprecedented hike in the prices of steel. |
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Student develops device to check power-load limit Ludhiana, March 28 An 18-year-old student, Suraj Manchanda, doing a diploma in electrical engineering from Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic, has solved the problem which many hostel wardens, guest house owners and hotel managers have been facing for the past so many years. The ‘circuit breaker’ or ‘current limiting device’ that Suraj has prepared has even won him an award in the North India contest on model making organised by the Indian Society of Technical Education. The contest was held recently at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Ferozepore. Giving a demonstration of the working of the device, Suraj said the device, when attached to a meter would automatically shut the line on which a user exceeded the specified load as the electric current to that room would automatically get blocked. As a result, the user would not be able to use any high-voltage electric device in his room as the power supply would be cut off instantaneously, he said. As soon as he would switch off such a device, the supply would automatically be restored in the room, he further explained. Suraj said the device could be installed at a very low cost of just Rs 100. He said it was an improvised form of the already existing mechanical miniature circuit breakers or a fuse as it was automatic in nature. Explaining the details of his model, Suraj said the current flowed through resistance when it was connected to an optocoupler. At times, when there was a variation in the current, the device conveyed an impulse to the relay (a switch) which caused a break in the circuit. As soon as the load came down, the process was reversed and the relay was activated. This is not just the first device that Suraj has come up with for he has already made models of a water-level controller, hearing aids and a transmitter receiver section. He said that he always wanted to come up with a newer form of device that was more efficient and less expensive than the existing technique. Suraj said his main inspiration was Mr Arun Arora, Principal of St R.K. Anand Public School, from where he had passed his Class X. He said his father, Mr Subhash Chander, also encouraged him to come up with new ideas. ‘‘Whenever I sit down and start working on any new idea, my father always joins me by giving me a better idea,’’, he said. Currently preparing for his sixth semester examinations, Suraj had stood second in Punjab in his previous semester examinations conducted by the Punjab State Board of Technical Education. He said he aimed to set up his own research engineering laboratory and sell his novel techniques and devices to the industry dealing in electrical goods. |
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Satluj Club elections held Ludhiana, March 28 There are over 2500 members of the club representing the elite section of society. The current membership fee for the club exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh and there are several people waiting to become members. The membership of the club has come to be defined as a status symbol here. Primarily an officers’ club, it inherits the colonial legacy with the Deputy Commissioner being the ex-officio president. All other office-bearers and some executive members are elected by the members. While earlier the elections did not attract much attraction, these have now become an important feature. Earlier the elections were held annually, but for the first time these are being held after two years after the term of office-bearers was extended to two years. Almost all bureaucrats and IPS officers who have served here have been taking an interest in these elections. The interest even survives their tenure in the city. During the current elections also these senior officers used their “good offices” to influence the voters in favour of one or the other candidate. Almost each and every contesting candidate had one or more such top officer supporting him. These officers were learnt to have telephoned not only their acquaintances but even those whom they did not know, but could influence them. While the results will be out late in the night, most of the members and contesting candidates said, they were already aware of the outcome, which has been determined more by the influence of senior officers than the personal choice of the members. Even some ministers and local legislators could also be seen canvassing for different candidates. The members of the club, who are mostly businessman, can hardly ignore or overlook the “suggestion and influence” of the officers for several reasons. “Nobody would like to antagonise a senior officer on this count, especially when it does not cost much”, pointed out a member, while seeking to explain the officers’ interest in these elections. |
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Cong rally against feel-good factor Ludhiana, March 28 Speaking at a rally, Mr Mehta castigated the Union Government for hike in prices of petrol, diesel, cement, cooking gas, iron and steel, vegetable oils and sugar, which had made the life of the common man miserable. At the same time, the industry, particularly the small sector, was also facing an unprecedented crisis due to scarcity and increase in price of raw materials, with the government watching the situation like a mute spectator. The PPCC Secretary said the former Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was now claiming to improve the financial health of the state within days of coming back to power, while his previous record of five year’s rule was dismal. He alleged that the then SAD-BJP government, headed by Mr Badal, had misappropriated public funds for its political gains. Those present at the meeting included Mr Ashok Virmani, Mr Sat pal Ghai, Mr Sarbjit Singh Bunty, Mr Balbir Billa, Mr Sukhwant Kala, Mr Goldy Sabharwal, Mr Uttam Kumar Kalra, Mr Pardeep Sharma, Mr Rajan Sharma and Mr Rajan Kashyap. |
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Guru Gobind Singh gifted urn to this Pakistani’s family Ludhiana, March 28 Rai Aziz is here for two days. Yesterday he presided over a function where plays were staged by the Rang Manch Sansthan on World Theatre Day. He was invited by Mr Gurcharan Singh of Shingar Group of Industries, the Rang Manch Sansthan and the Rotarians. Rai Kalla, Rai Aziz’s, ancestor, had a small ‘jagir’ in Raikot. Guru Gobind Singh, pleased with the care shown to him by a Muslim, gifted him Gangasagar. When asked if he would bring it to Punjab, Rai Aziz said,”Punjabis have the first right to see it as it was given to my family in Raikot. But I want the government to take responsibility for its security. I cannot give it to any independent body as it is a relic that needs utmost protection.” He said when there were good vibes between the two nations at present, both governments should make availability of visas easy. Let the Wagah border be open and people come and go freely.” On his plans as the Chairman of the Committee of Tourism, Youth Affairs and Culture. he said his endeavour would be to facilitate communication and travel between the people of the two
countries." Only after the people have a first-hand experience, that they can understand the love and warmth that flows freely between the people of the two countries. When I visited Raikot as an ordinary citizen in 1999, the people of Raikot, where my family had resided for more than 600 years, gave me so much of love and affection that I was overwhelmed. I promise to help all delegations coming to Pakistan . “ Dr S.N. Sewak, a playwright, said when 24 members of his team had wanted to stage one of his plays in Pakistan, only four of them got visas. Rai Aziz had then promised to come to India to watch the play and he kept his word. Mr K.S. Rana, Assistant District Governor, Rotary Club district 3070, extended a warm welcome to Rai Aziz on behalf of all Rotarians who had come from Khanna, Raikot and Jagraon. |
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One killed in scooter accident Ludhiana, March 28 The two had gone to visit Alamgir gurdwara in the morning.
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