The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Shopkeepers occupy trust shops, forget dues
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7
Causing loss of lakhs of rupees to the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), many shopkeepers occupying shops in the Improvement Trust market in Model Town Extension have not paid installments of the shops allotted to them by the trust years ago.

Seventy-two shops were auctioned by the trust in 1992 and even after more than 12 years of allotment, shopkeepers have not paid a single penny to the trust after paying the initial installment of Rs 2.5 lakh. This money was to be paid at the time of allotment and after that the rest of amount was to be paid in biannual installments. But after taking the possession of the shops, the shopkeepers refused to pay off. Sources said around 80 per cent of the shops were occupied by those shopkeepers who had not paid the money.

Some of them had even sublet the shops and many of these were forcibly occupied by migrants who were living there. Some kiosks have also mushroomed in the market besides many other encroachments. Sources said while the trust could generate funds worth lakhs of rupees from the market, it was not doing anything to recover the amount.

Many shopkeepers of the area who had paid the installments said they had been taking up the case for the past many years but nothing had happened. They alleged that some employees of the trust were hand in glove with shopkeepers.

They said 80 per cent of the shopkeepers owed an amount of at least Rs 10 lakh each to the trust but nothing was being done to recover the money. Sources revealed that the shopkeepers’ association had taken up the case many years ago and an inquiry was also marked into it. But till date no notice was issued to the shopkeepers.

It was revealed that some persons had sublet the shops to others at the rate of Rs 2,500 per month and the practice was going on unabated. The rent was charged by those who did not have registries of the shops. “If this money is being pocketed by such persons, why can’t the trust generate resources from this market? But who cares?” said an official of the trust who said every time an inquiry was initiated, the chairman got changed.

Mr Ashok Sigh Garcha, Chairman of the trust, who is currently on leave, had told Chandigarh Tribune some days ago that he was not aware of the issue and he would soon look into the case. But before he could do something about it, he had to proceed on leave after facing rough weather in the trust. He is said to rejoin later this month.

Agitating MC employees call off stir
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The relay fast started by MC safai workers here yesterday as part of the agitation by the sangharsh committee of the employees was called off today after Congress legislator Surinder Dawar assured the representatives of the committee of the state government’s willingness to decide on the matter soon.

Five employees had gone on hunger strike at the MC headquarters on Tuesday morning after the expiry of the 24-hour ultimatum served by the sangharsh committee on the city Mayor, demanding immediate acceptance of their demands. Mr Dawar offered fruit juice to the fasting employees, while giving them an undertaking on behalf of the MC administration and the government that their pending demands would be sympathetically dealt with and appropriate action would be taken without any delay.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Dawar said most of the pending demands of the workers related to the state government had been communicated to Minister for Local Bodies Choudhry Jagjit Singh and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Both of them had assured that the issues, which could be taken up on administrative level, would be settled immediately whereas those needing policy decisions could only be taken up after the Lok Sabha elections.

The charter of demands served by the committee included restoration of recruitment on compassionate ground, payment of wages to 169 safai workers reinstated on court orders, regularisation of daily wagers, filling up of vacant posts of sanitary supervisors, promotion of eligible safai “sewaks” to the posts of sanitary supervisors and sanitary supervisors to sanitary inspectors, payment on rates approved by Deputy Commissioner to part-time safai sewaks, insurance cover for safai workers, sewer men and other Class IV employees, filling up of vacant posts of clerical staff, provision of needed equipment and implements to safai “sewaks” and sewer men, payment of salaries by cheques to avoid exploitation, time-bound promotion to all employees and issuance of pass books of provident fund accounts to all employees.

The agitating employees further wanted the system of area sanitation committees scrapped and deployment of permanent employees for this job, grant of arrears of bonus, dearness allowance and other allowances, settlement of pending cases of insurance claims of deceased employees, grant of promotion to educated and eligible Class IV workers and completion of backlog in all departments through due promotions or recruitment.

Sources in the MC, however, revealed that the activists of the committee were aware that the issues raised by them could not be solved at the local level because similar problems were being faced by safai workers and other employees in all urban local bodies in the entire state.

FIR registered after 9 years
Man booked for committing forgery with son
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7
Almost nine years after a man was allegedly duped by his father and two brothers, the district police has finally registered a case of forgery, breach of trust and conspiracy on his request.

The complainant, Mr Rakesh Khanna of Dr Sham Singh Road here, spent all these years making rounds of the courts and police stations. He sent dozens of pleas to the officials concerned and even took his case to a Sangat Darshan programme. However, his requests remained unheard.

The Division No. 5 police today booked his father Sat Parkash Khanna and brothers Suresh and Dinesh. They had allegedly committed a forgery with the complainant by grabbing his share in a company jointly run by all of them, besides committing an alleged breach of trust by grabbing his share of Rs 35 lakh in the family property. They have been booked under Sections 406,468,471 and 120-B IPC.

It was an uphill task for the complainant to prove that he had a share in the property. He managed to get some help from the Income Tax Department where the tax returns of the said firm were filed.

An inquiry conducted by the SSP revealed that the complainant was illegally separated from the firm and no dissolution deed was signed before closing the company.

The company, Rakesh Brothers and M/s Khanna and Company came into being in the mid-1970s with the complainant and the accused as partners. Over the years, the family ties became strained and Rakesh Khanna, the complainant, was alienated by the accused.

In order to avoid further confrontation, Rakesh Khanna opened a separate business. However, when he sought some help from his father and brother owing to his earlier investment in the company, he was rebuked. Later, he came to know that his telephone had been got shifted by the accused in a fraudulent manner. After knowing this, he started the legal battle.

The complainant rues that all his earnings have been spent on fighting for justice. Even some savings he had made over the years have been spent, he laments.

18 students caught cheating
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The District Education Department caught 18 students of Class X involved in copying during their Social Studies exam conducted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) here today.

Of these, 12 were caught by the District Education Officer (Secondary), Mr Avinash Chander Sethi, at Guru Nanak Public School, Doraha. The DEO also caught five students indulging in cheating at Government Senior Secondary School for Boys at Payal. The Deputy District Education Officer (Secondary), Ms Manjit Kaur, caught a student at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Hargobindpura.

The DEO said the department had made unfair means cases (UMC) against the 18 students. He said the cases would be forwarded to the Punjab School Education Board for necessary action.

Meanwhile, Ms Sudesh Bajaj, Deputy District Education Officer (Secondary), confiscated mobile phones of two supervisors and a superintendent who were carrying these inside the examination hall.

On the last day of the Class X examination today, Mr Varinder Sharma, District Science Supervisor, also led a team of flying squads and visited seven schools in Jagraon subdivision.

Stress on awareness of traffic rules
Shivani Bhakoo

Students of Christian Medical College view posters on road safety as they observe World Health Day in Ludhiana on Wednesday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Ludhiana, April 7
The theme for the International WHO Day-2004 is “Road Safety and No Accidents”. Unfortunately in India, 90,000 persons are killed every year in road accidents alone and many more such deaths get unnoticed. Over two lakh victims get seriously injured.

Mr Gurdial Singh, SP Traffic, while giving details of road accidents in the city, said more than 4,000 road accidents were reported in the city in 2003 with 213 deaths and 360 persons critically injured. He said it was the responsibility of each citizen to follow the traffic rules. Starting from pedestrians to bicycle, moped, car users, etc, all on the roads, should follow the traffic norms, he stressed.

He lamented that young children were being given cars by their parents, which was not a good sign. He stressed that parents and teachers should reinforce traffic regulations and stop underage children from driving on the road.

He said traffic safety education should be made mandatory in schools. “People are reluctant to wear helmets. They do not understand the necessity of wearing a helmet. They wear helmets as if they are doing a favour to the police”, he said.

He asserted that it was the duty of the parents to make their wards understand what “safety” meant and what will make them “safe”.

Ms Nalini Yadav, a school teacher, said students should be told about the safety rules, especially in cities like Ludhiana, which are densely populated. “One should become a role model for his child. Always wear a helmet and car seat belt. Never jump a red light. Children should be encouraged to obey traffic rules. Encourage them to cross the road, when there is no traffic or when their turn comes”, she said.

Meanwhile, the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) observed the International WHO Day at the hospital here today. Faculty, trained nurses and students of the College of Nursing organised a public awareness programme, educating general public on “road safety and no accidents”.

Mr Gurdial Singh, SP Traffic, was the chief guest. Dr Basant Pawar, Deputy Director, CMCH, Dr John Abraham, Medical Superintendent, Ms Pennama Ranadive, Principal, College of Nursing, Ms Sudesh David, Nursing Superintendent, were also present.

BSc Nursing students presented a skit to educate on how accidents occurred due to negligence and violation of traffic regulations. A poster competition was also organised and the posters were put on display for the benefit of the general public. Also, demonstrations on how to provide first aid in case of accident were given.

Mr Shyam Sunder Juneja, Road Safety Missionary, Founder and Honorary Officer In-charge of Children’s traffic training park, educated the audience on traffic rules and road safety.

COMMUNITY

Badal accused of ignoring Punjabis’ interests
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7
The Sikh Students Federation (Bhai Daljit Singh) criticised the SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for neglecting the interests of Punjabis and asserted that their members would only campaign for candidates who enjoyed a clean image.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Mr Sewak Singh, president of the outfit, said their members would not campaign for the SAD candidates. The party which has a rich history of sacrifices for the well being of the “panth” was today being led by pygmies who were more interested in safeguarding their interests rather than working for the people.

The organisation has extended its support to the SAD (A) chief, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, and Mr Sarbjit Singh, who are contesting from Sangrur and Bathinda, respectively. The party activists have been directed to work towards the victory of both candidates.

He said they were concerned about burning issues like unemployment, declining standards of education, lack of infrastructure and growing apostasy among the masses. “Neither SAD nor the Congress has done anything worthwhile in this context. All ills plaguing the state are a result of the poor leadership”, he pointed out.

Attacking SAD, he said it seemed that Mr Badal had forgotten the problems of the people and only wanted to see Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the next Prime Minister. He said the people still had not forgotten that Mr L.K. Advani was among those leaders who had hailed the storming of the Golden Temple. “It is ironical that no one raises a voice at the attempts of the BJP for trying to establish a Hindu nation. A large number of innocent Sikhs are still languishing in various jails under POTA for demanding a separate nation”.

Others present on the occasion included Mr Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, Mr Prabhsharanbir Singh, Mr Devinder Singh Mukerian, Mr Paramjit Singh Ghazi, Mr Gurbinder Singh and Mr Jagroop Singh Jarkhar.

Readers write
Fee reduction in IIMs

THE government wants to reduce fees in prestigious Indian Institutes of Management by as much as 80 per cent. Apprehensive of government interference, this reduction has been challenged in apex court. When the court could not get any assurance from government regarding the autonomy of these institutes, it decided to reopen the case in which IIMs have been made party.

These institutes are the pride of our country and they are doing exceedingly well. World class administrators are being produced in these institutes. Recently, a student of IIM, Ahmedabad, got a job which will fetch him a fabulous Rs 43 lakh per annum. Even the average student earns Rs 7.1 lakh per annum. If we take into account the salaries offered to IIM pass outs, the reduction in fee becomes irrelevant.

Money cannot come in the way of IIM entrants. There is no dearth of loans available when banks know that repayment will start after two years. Therefore, there appears to be no need to reduce the fee in these institutes. What the government should see that admissions in these should be free and fair so that only meritorious students get admission.

Anil Sharma

Aren’t camp offices a legacy of British?

The British rule in India came to end, but their footprints can be seen everywhere. The government changed the ICS to the IAS. But it should have been named as the Indian Public Service so that some sense could prevail in the minds of those entering highly sensitive posts with heavy salary and other perks.

Ironically, these IAS and PCS officers are trained on the pattern of pre- Independence days when officers were posted at district HQ and they enjoyed a luxurious life with well furnished bungalows. The most privileged perk was the camp office wherein officers maintained camp offices instead of attending offices in time.

I seldom find the Commissioner, MC, in his office. Most of the times he is either away to Chandigarh or sitting in his camp office. Similar is the condition of the DC. In the morning, a red light is on meaning that the public has to wait for hours together while the officers are enjoying tea and snacks. It is a pity that our political bosses could not set the behaviour and attendance of such officers, who have no regard for public and their grievances. I could not locate the Zonal Commissioner (C) since three months. He is neither at the zone office nor at the main office whenever I go to see him.

It is high time these officers should ‘behave’ themselves, or the CM should take action against those who function from camp offices.

Sher Singh

Inflated bills

Recently, the Municipal Corporation issued the water and sewerage bills for the year 2003-04 to the residents of Urban Estate Phase-I and II, Dugri, which has created great resentment because the bills have been sent with enhanced rates and the amount of the bills is so heavy that residents are unable to pay the same. These rates were increased in the previous year vide Notification No 2/2/2003-3 LG-4 dated 2/5/2003.

At present the current bills issued to them are for Rs. 75 for water and Rs. 75 for sewerage. Each one has to pay Rs 1080 for the year 2003-04. It indicates that before applying the hiked rates, the corporation has not surveyed the areas properly and by keeping in mind the monetary benefit for the body, it has issued the bills without caring for the people. Not only that. The bills already paid for 2003-04 have also been added in the current bills, which indicates the inefficiency of the concerned department, and residents are in trouble and are visiting the office concerned for necessary correction. Further, the bills have been sent for one year. Last year the corporation sent the bills for one-and-half-years.

Kuldip Singh Kreer

Delay in DA merger notification

Widespread resentment prevails among more than 7 lakh Punjab Government employees, including those working in various boards and corporations and pensioners as well, over the delay in the issuance of DA merger notification.

In a memorandum the Punjab Chief Minister has been urged to direct the Punjab Finance Department to issue the DA/DR merger notification at the earliest as decided by the state cabinet on February 4. It may be recalled here that the Union Finance Ministry has already issued the notification to this effect vide its order no. 105/1/2004-IC, dated 1-3-2004.

As per this notification, merged DA/DR to be treated as dearness pay/dearness pension, will be counted for various allowances and retirement benefits. In case of existing pensioners dearness relief equal to 50 per cent of the present pension will, w.e.f. 1.4.2004, be merged with pension and shown distinctly as dearness pension.

Yash Paul Ghai

At the Crossroads
Litterateurs fail to keep politics at bay

ELECTIONS of the Punjabi Sahit Akademy, Ludhiana, were held in Punjabi Bhavan last Sunday. It had all enthusiasm of political elections, including manipulation and last-minute floor crossing. It seemed to be the occasion for pronouncing last judgement. Primarily such elections are held to bring together the literary figures of renown so as to develop and promote Punjabi language and literature. But the ground reality tells a different story.

Initially the well-known litterateurs keep themselves at a safe distance from this sort of turmoil. They know that there is groupism at the lower level and this tendency is distasteful to them. Still some literary persons of high calibre venture to tread on the slippery path. It is seldom that they succeed in their endeavour to play a positive role in the literary organisation. Even then they rue the day when they had made such a decision as they find themselves in a minority at the time of decision making.

Personally I am of the opinion that such (literary) elections should be held without mud-slinging at each other. These should not be viewed as the one-upmanship of one group over the other. In fact the concept of groupism is alien to the literary temper. This tendency is a spillover of the political group formation which is mostly inelegant. With a view to exhibiting petty loyalties, the writers make some sort of a compromise with their self-respect.

The electorate should refuse to fall in line chalked out by some literary persons owing allegiance to one political party or the other. In the field of Punjabi literature, however, there is only one political party but it has divisions and sub-divisions. All writers are of the masses and for the masses, still they are reluctant to accept a person who does not belong to their typical class. It is not the question of being classified as good writers or otherwise but of classification of groups.

On my part I can say that I did not ask anybody to vote for me when I stood for election to the executive board of the akademi about two decades ago. I thought the learned voters know my contribution to literature as much as they know of others. I lost the game to the wiser competitors. Next time I reached the venue quite early so as to beg votes in my favour. There was some improvement in my tally but not to my satisfaction. I was on the safer ground when I sought election to the office of vice-president because I had learnt the tricks of the trade to a great degree.

It has been told by Sheikh Sa’di in his Gulistan that a person, who wanted to go inside Ka’ba was held up at the gate. He was asked to tell what good he had done in the outside world that he was desirous of going inside the holy place. Likewise, the persons who have done something substantial in the literary field should be elected to a literary organisation. Only then the deserving persons will enter the field and the election will, in the long run, turn out to be a process of making good selection. Till then..............?

— N.S. Tasneem

CRIME

Man held with poppy husk
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The Sahnewal police yesterday arrested Sukha, a resident of Amar Dass Nagar mohalla located on the Raikot road at Mullanpur, and booked him under the NDPS Act.

A press note by Mr Narinderpal Singh, SSP, said the accused was arrested near Majara village while carrying eight kg of poppy husk.

Man dies in mishap

On the statement of Ms Indra Rani, a resident of Shreyans Nagar in Salem Tabri, the Civil Lines police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 279, 304-A and 427 of the IPC against a truck driver.

The woman had stated that while she was going on her scooter along with Kulwinder Singh, the driver rammed the vehicle into the scooter as a result of which both of them were injured. They were admitted to the DMCH where Kulwinder succumbed to his injuries.

Woman injured

Ms Asha Rani, a resident of Iqbal Ganj, was injured in a mishap on Tuesday. In her complaint to the police, the woman stated that she was hit by Manish Kumar, who was driving a car. The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 327 and 338 of the IPC against the accused.

The Civil Lines police registered a case on Tuesday under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC on the statement of Ms Parkash Kaur, a resident of New Kundan Puri, against a driver of a Maruti car.

The woman stated that the accused had hit her scooter, resulting in injuries to her and her son, Jagjit Singh, who was riding pillion.

The Sahnewal police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 338 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Major Singh, a resident of Ramgarh village, against a driver of a Tata-407 vehicle who hit and injured him.

Fraud case

The Civil Lines police registered a case on Tuesday under Sections 467, 471, 468 and 120-B of the IPC on the statement of Mr Tejinder Pal Singh, director of a hotel on the Ferozepore road, against Surinder Singh, a resident of Sarabha Nagar.

The complainant had stated that the accused withdrew Rs 10 lakh from his account in Canara Bank with the help of forged signatures. No arrest has been made so far.

Assault cases

The Haibowal police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 323, 324 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Rankal Sehgal, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, against Jagmohan Khanna, his wife, Usha Khanna, and his son, who live in Rishi Nagar, Haibowal. The complainant had stated that the accused assaulted him outside his house on Tuesday.

The Division No. 7 police registered a case under Sections 323, 324 and 506 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Jagdish Chand, who hails from Chamba district, against Rana, who is lodged in the local Central Jail. The complainant, who is also lodged in the same jail, had stated that the accused assaulted him and threatened him in the jail.

Car stolen

The Civil Lines police on Tuesday registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Ram Chander, a resident of Ram Nagar. Mr Chander reported that his Maruti car, which was parked in front of his house, was stolen on April 3.

Hooch seized

The Division No. 8 police on Tuesday arrested Monu, a local resident, and seized 20 bottles of hooch from his possession. He was booked him under the Excise Act

One arrested

The Salem Tabri police on Tuesday arrested Ashwani Kumar, a resident of Anand Puri Colony on the Noorwala road, and seized a knife from his possession.

BUSINESS

Bicycle R&D centre’s foundation stone laid
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7
Mr M.S. Bhogal, Managing Partner of Bhogal Sons, laid the foundation stone of the Bicycle Research and Development Centre at the office of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) here today. He also announced a grant of Rs 4 lakh for the centre in memory of his father Karam Singh Bhogal.

The R&D centre was a long pending agenda of the UCPMA since the city was the bicycle capital of the country with leading brands like Hero Cycles, Avon Cycles, Bhogal Sons and several others having their manufacturing base here only. The centre is expected to fulfil the demands of skilled manpower for the bicycle industry in the city.

Mr Varinder Kapoor, general secretary of the association, said the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, had already announced a grant of Rs 25 lakh for the R&D centre. It is expected to be completed within one year. Besides the R&D centre, an administrative block and a computer centre will also be constructed.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhogal pointed out that there was an urgent need for a research and development centre for the bicycle industry in the city, as it was the main bicycle producing centre in the country. He hoped that the research centre would meet the growing needs of the industry.

Mr G.L. Pahwa, president of the association, who presided over the function pointed out that in an age of competitiveness it was necessary to fine-tune and modernise the technology. He said the research centre would help the industry in meeting the technological requirements, particularly when the trade was liberalising and the WTO regime was coming into force.