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PAU pension fund in deficit worth crores
Ludhiana, December 17 The president of the PAU Teachers Association, Prof H.S. Brar, and the president of the Punjab Agricultural University Employees Union, Mr D.P. Maur, are the members of the committee, besides experts from various fields. Mr Maur today claimed that the employees union was on the war path as the deficit had touched Rs 10 crore. He maintained that in case no remedial measures were taken, no employee of the university would be able to draw pension after three years. He claimed that the union had suggested some measures for tackling the problem. They had been insisting that pension should be made part of the regular budget of the university and some grants should be allocated for the pension fund. He said if some measures had been taken earlier, the problem would not have aggravated to this level. He regretted that the management of the university had not taken note of the gravity of the situation. The union would hold a demonstration on December 22 where this issue would be the main agenda. The Registrar of the university, Mr V.K. Sharma, admitted that there was some problem. He said the authorities were seized of the matter. A representative subcommittee had already been constituted. Various options were being explored to bring down the deficit and ensure that the employees did not face any problems, the Registrar said.
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MC puts up complaint
boxes at zonal offices
Ludhiana, December 17 The complaint boxes would be under the direct control of Zonal Commissioners, who would be opening these daily and solve the problems of residents in a time-bound manner. The residents would be given receipts in lieu of the complaints. Municipal Commissioner, S.K. Sharma has already entrusted the Zonal Commissioner with powers to solve the residents’ problems in connection with the MC Residents, who feel that their grievance has not been redressed can meet any of the two Joint Commissioners. For problems related to house tax and tehbazaari, residents can contact Ms Babita Kler, Joint Commissioner, and for other problems like water, sewerage, electricity, horticulture, buildings and roads and general administration, Dr Jaswant Singh can be contacted. If the residents feel that their problems have still not been solved at the Joint Commissioner level, they can contact the city Mayor and Municipal Commissioner.
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Bar poll: campaign hots up
Ludhiana, December 17 As canvassing reaches a crescendo, advocates are seen greeting one
another warmly to woo voters. With the scene hotting up, the candidates are visiting the houses of voters to woo them. Besides invitations for lunch parties, which are being sent through SMS, the candidates are even roping in relatives to request the voters to cast a vote in the favour of a particular candidate. The voters too have learnt the art of not annoying the candidate, as they promise their support. Lunch diplomacy is also in full swing for the past four days. Meanwhile, the Organisation of Young Lawyers has started a campaign in favour of Mr Rana Harjasdeep Singh, a contestant for the post of secretary. The Chairman of the organisation, Mr Malwinder Ghumman, convener S.K. Bawa, and general secretary Rohit Thapar campaigned in his favour today.
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Sambar enters Sundernagar area, dies
Ludhiana, December 17 It was around 12 noon that residents in Basti Jodhewal noticed the sambar, which might had escaped from forest areas near Nelon or Mattewara. The animal, which appeared frightened, entered a few houses. After that it went to the Sundernagar area where it got injured while jumping over an iron railing of a small park. It was around 1 pm that area residents noticed the injured animal and called the People For Animals (PFA). The police also reached the spot. “The sambar was injured and appeared frightened,” said Mr Sandeep Jain, president, PFA, who was present on the spot. He said they informed the wildlife officials at around 1.30 pm but help did not reach even till 3.30 pm when the animal succumbed to injuries. “It could have survived if help had reached in time,” said Mr Jain. ASI Harbans Singh, in charge of Sudnernagar police post, said : “An employee from the Wildlife Department reached the police post around 3.30 pm. It is they who are now handling the case.” Meanwhile an official of the Wildlife Department, said help was sent as soon as they received information but the animal had died by then.
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Akali leader killed in mishap
Samrala, December 17 The car of the Akali leader was hit by a truck (HR-37A-4379). Four other vehicles also rammed into the car. Pritam Kaur (75), aunt of the leader, was killed on the spot, while Malvir Singh and his cousin, Gurmit Singh (35), were seriously injured. They were taken to the Civil Hospital, but the doctors referred them to the CMC, Ludhiana, where they died. Those injured were identified as Gurdarshan Kaur (52) of Mohali, Chand Singh of Ranike in Moga district, Manjit Singh and Monika of Chandigarh. The identity of one injured person could not be ascertained. The local grain market remained closed today as Malvir Singh was also an
arhtiya.
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Driver runs away with
Rs 5 lakh, car
Ludhiana, December 17 An accountant, Daljit Singh, and Jagdeep, working with Bonn Bread Industries, had gone to the bank. They had Rs 9 lakh with them out of which Rs 4 lakh were to be deposited in the bank. Daljit Singh had gone in the bank while Jagdeep was in the car with the remaining amount. When Daljit Singh returned the driver had fled with money and car. He informed his employer, who gave a complaint to the police. The driver had been employed just four months ago. He belongs to Khanna and had lived in Uttar Pradesh for three years. The police is getting a sketch of the driver prepared.
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Judicial remand for Directors of Duggal Cos
Ludhiana, December 17 The duo were accused of duping the government by wrongly taking “draw back” in crores in export transactions. Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had raided the premises of the company yesterday. It is learnt that the bank accounts of the company had already been sealed by the officials. The prosecution today claimed that incriminating evidence had been found against the accused.
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MC demolishes illegal structure
Ludhiana, December 17 Led by Dr Jaswant Singh, Joint Commissioner, MC, a team of officials visited the spot and ordered the demolition of the structures in the form of pillars that had come up during the day. Following a complaint by area residents that the owner, Mr Bhola Ram, was illegally constructing a godown in violation of building bylaws, the MC officials took action. The residents alleged that the construction was being done without getting the map approved and was trying to construct a godown in the area. They said any accident could take place in the godown as it had no proper exit or entry point. The construction was stopped in August when the owner had attempted to construct it. He had then stalled his plans. But suddenly he started doing the same today. The district administration and the MC had banned the construction of illegal godowns in the city and had sealed all existing ones following a major fire tragedy in Khud Mohalla in May 2003 in which 14 persons had died. Mr Bhola Nath said the complainant in the case was a property dealer who had sold off the land to him at a very high price. He alleged that he was sold an area of 9x30 sq feet and no construction could be carried out on an area less than 11 feet on the Rani Jhansi Road. He claimed that lakhs of rupees were wasted in the deal and the property dealer was also demanding money from him, failing which he was making complaints against him.
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X’mas spirit catches
up in city
Ludhiana, December 17 Rev John P Mall, Chaplain and head of the Fellowship Department of Christian Medical College and Hospital, said the main focus was on organising worship services at local churches. Carol singing remained the favourite because of its importance. Sister Nancy of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar said they celebrated the day by praying for the welfare of humanity. To make children feel special and to mark the beginning of Christmas carnival, a prominent hotel has made a yule log hut of chocolate flakes, candies, cream and coffee powder. The delicacies at the hut include nutty-fruity chocolates, plum cakes with rum, black forest cakes and pastries. Assistant Manager Nandita Pandey said yule log symbolised traditional Christmas. “Each year, we have different themes. This year’s yule log will be an attraction for the kids because Santa Claus will entertain them from December 20-24 for one hour from 7.30 pm, she said. Rev Mall said people had started exchanging gifts and sweets but the emphasis remained on prayers and well- being of fellow
humans.
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Pensioners’ Day celebrated, several honoured
Ludhiana, December 17 Mr P.S. Sidhu, Zonal Manager (North) IFFCO, Chandigarh, presided over the function. He congratulated pensioners and said they should keep themselves involved in social and nation-building activities by NGOs as they had vast knowledge and administrative experience. He expressed happiness that the pensioners of district had built Pensioners Bhavan in the mini secretariat at a cost of Rs 20 lakh, and a seating capacity of 300 persons. The project was unique not only in Punjab but also in the country. Information relating to pension and pensionary benefits could be accessed from the centre. He lauded the efforts of Mr B.R. Kaushal, the Chairman of the Bhavan
Management Committee. He said they could always look upon IFFCO for assistance. Earlier, Mr Kaushal, also Chairman of the Punjab State Pensioner Confederation, said Pensioners Day was celebrated as a tribute to the Supreme Court for its historic judgement in the case of Mr D.S. Nakra v/s Union of India delivered in 1982. The judgement delivered by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the then Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, gave sanction to basic facilities and benefits to government pensioners. The pensioners now had rights and pension did not depend on the discretion of the government but was governed by the rules. The pension scheme ensued that a pensioner was able to live with decency, independence and self-respect and maintain a social and economic standard. “Thus , the judgement can be termed as a sort of “Magna Carta” for the pensioners, he said. Mr Sidhu honoured a dozen pensioners with shawls and mementos. Prominent among those who were present in the function were general-secretaries and managing committee members of various associations of the Punjab and Central Governments, including ex-servicemen, and personnel of the Railways and public sector undertakings. Col H.S. Kahlon, Vr C. Awardee and Senior vice-chairman of the Bhavan’s Management Committee thanked the chief guest, IFFCO officers, media and the pensioners.
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Protest against telecom tower installation
Ludhiana, December 17 In a representation to the commissioner here today, the residents claimed that the telecom company did not have the approval of the MC to erect a tower. They claimed that it was illegal to put a tower in a residential area. The residents met the councillor, Mr Bhai Raj Singh, who referred them to the Commissioner. They stated that the 100-foot-high tower, to be put up on the roof of a house would pose a threat to their lives. They claimed that even the foundation of the area, where the tower was to be installed was not constructed with a strong material. They added that the building which was to support the tower had a 11,000-KV electricity cables passing nearby which could lead to tragedy. Demanding an immediate stoppage of work, the residents have also urged upon the Commissioner to take legal action against the resident on whose house the tower is to be installed. The residents threatened to launch a protest if the construction was not stopped immediately.
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Six hurt in road mishap
Samrala, December 17 According to a report, the Punjab Roadways bus of Chandigarh Depot was going from Chandigarh to Ludhiana when it hit the Maruti car while saving another vehicle. The injured persons have been identified as Shahdeep Singh, Hardeep Kaur, Amrinder Singh, Yadavinder Singh, all travelling in the car, bus conductor Charan Singh and bus passenger Ram Avtar Singh. The injured were admitted to Civil Hospital. A case has been registered.
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Protest by federation members
Ludhiana, December 17 A press note of the Action Committee formed by the federation to fight against the alleged repressive policies demanded the withdrawal of the pension commutation notification, sought new buses for the roadways and cancellation of the privatisation move.
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Girl denies she was abducted
Mandi
Ahmedgarh, December 17 As she refused to go with her parents, she was sent to Nari Niketan, Jalandhar, by the Sudhar police. The police maintained that her statement would not affect the case registered against the accused as the deponent was minor. Sources at Sudhar police station revealed that Kuldeep Kaur (fake name) was produced by one of the relatives of Achhar Singh of Lohatbaddi village, who along with his three others had allegedly abducted her from Buraj Littan village on November 28. She was recovered from Jagadhari in Haryana. The girl was produced in the court of Mr Jatinder Walia at Jagraon yesterday when she deposed that she had left her house willingly and no body had abducted her. She refused to go with her parents and the police had to sent her to Nari Niketan in Jalandhar. She did not let the police get her medical examination done. Commenting on the situation, Mr Rajiv Ahir, SSP, Jagraon, held that the girl’s statement would not affect the fate of the case as she was a minor.”As the statement of a minor has no weight in the eyes of the law, the case already booked on the statement of her father would be persued as usual,”claimed Mr Ahir. The Sudhar police had registered a case under Sections 363, 364 and 34 of the IPC against Achhar Singh and three unidentified youths for allegedly kidnapping Kuldeep Kaur. Manjit Singh, father of the girl had told the police that the accused had kidnapped her daughter from the outskirts of the village on November 28 when she was returning from fields.
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Boy sodomised
Jagraon, December 17 The local police on the complaint of Mohinder Singh, father of the victim, and belonging to Preet Nagar, Shimla Puri, Ludhiana, has registered a case under Section 377, IPC. After an inquiry by the police, Gurpreet Singh was found guilty. The accused has been arrested.
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Biz Clips UTI Bank: UTI Bank inaugurated its eighth ATM at AFWWA Complex here on Friday. Air-Cmdr V.K. Bali was the chief guest. Mr Vikas Malhotra, Branch Manager, UTI Bank., Adda Dakha, said the bank was dedicated towards customer services. LIC pensioners: Pensioners of the LIC and GIC staged a dharna in front of the divisional office of the LIC here on Friday. The pensioners said their demands like 100 per cent DA neutralisation as to serving employees, increase in ex gratia amount and medical allowance of pre-January 1986 retirees, increase in family pension and pension of widows of pre-January 1986 retirees, were being ignored. Ticketing: Hutch, along with the Indian Railways, on Friday launched railway ticketing on Hutch, that would enable Hutch users in Punjab to book railway tickets from their mobile phones by giving simple voice commands. A company press note stated that after dialling 123, a customer needs to say Railways, register with name, age and address, and follow other commands and get his ticket booked. The registration would be confirmed within 48 hours, the press note said.
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