R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

LUDHIANA
SEMINAR: The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India organised a seminar on “Cost Reduction” here yesterday. Manufacturers were explained ways to scrap utilisation and management, inventory management, low-cost automation, energy monitoring and conservation systems, said a press note issued here today.

DEMONSTRATION: Employees of New India Insurance, National Insurance, United India Insurance and Oriental Insurance, today held a demonstration outside the regional office United India Insurance here in protest against of the non-revision of wages, non-implementation of promotion and several other issues. Mr Arun Kalia, member, CWC-GIOAIA, said a memorandum of demands had been submitted to Mr R.S. Singhal, regional manager by the General Insurance Officers All-India Association.

MANDI AHMEDGARH
PROTEST: Activists of various local employee unions the Punjab State Electricity Board organised a protest rally in front of 66 KV grid at local Pohir road on Monday. The protesters were demanding revoking of a circular regarding the screening of the employees with a service of more than 25 years or with higher age. The leaders urged the management to consider the survivors of the dead employees on a priority basis. Mr Nirbhai Singh, Mr Sukhcharanjit Singh, Mr Hari Datt, Mr Harbans Singh, Mr Rajbir Singh, Mr Kuldeep Singh, Mr Baljit Singh and Harbhalav Dass, leaders of PSEB Employees Federation, Technical Service Union, Employees Federation, JE Council and MSU addressed the rally.

NSS CAMP: A ten-day NSS camp started at Guru Hari Karishan College for Women Phallewal on Monday. Mr Sinder Singh Kanganwal, Chairman Market Committee, Ahmedgarh, inaugurated it and Mr Sukhdev Singh Walia, president, Truck Operators Union, was the chief guest. Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, director of the college, spoke about the achievements of the college. The college had represented the university at a national function of the NSS organised at Agra by the union government. Dr Saroj Sharma, principal of the college also spoke. A cleanliness drive was launched in the village.

SAMRALA
HONOURED: Mr Gulzar Singh, veterinary pharmacist Animal Husbandry Hospital, Ghulal, 5 km from here, has been awarded President of India’s Census Medal and Certificates of Honour for 2001 by the Governor of Punjab, Gen (retd) S.F. Rodrigues, at a function in Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh, said Mr Inderjit Singh, Director, Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate of Census Operations, Punjab, Chandigarh. Dr Ashok Sharma, the president of the Punjab Veterinarians Officers Association, congratulated Mr Gulzar Singh. The association of pharmacists, including veterinary doctors of the subdivision, has decided to honour Mr Gulzar Singh on January 26 here.

WATER SUPPLY RESTORED: Residents of the town were relieved when the water supply to the city was restored on Tuesday early morning after more than 20 hours. The supply was disrupted due to the negligence of the sewerage board’s staff as the work on Khanna road was in progress, which damaged the underground water pipes, it was alleged. 

PATIALA
YOGA CERTIFICATES: The Department of Physical Education and Sports, Punjabi University organised a certificate distribution function here today for students of the first batch of “Certificate Course in Yoga”. The chief guest, Dr S.P.S. Virdi, Dean, Academic Affairs, announced that the university was soon start postgraduation course in yoga. Dr Baldev Singh Sandhu, Director, Public Relations, also attended the function. 

LECTURE DELIVERED: Dr Chaman Lal, head of the Hindi Department, Punjabi University, delivered a lecture on eminent Hindi novelist Yashpal at a function organised by the Progressive Writers Association of Madhya Pradesh at Shivpuri recently. This function was held to commemorate the author’s death anniversary.

SALARY DONATED: The Associate Bank Officers Association has decided to donate one day’s salary to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund at a meeting held here today for the people affected by the tsunami in the coastal areas of the country. Meanwhile, the executive body of the PCS Officers Association, at an emergency, meeting expressed sympathy with the affected families. Mr Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said all PCS officers had decided to donate their one day salary and he also appealed others to donate something for this cause.

Phagwara
THEFT: Armed robbers decamped with wheat bags from a godown of Punjab Warehouse Corporation at Wajidowal village here on Monday. They locked the two watchmen in their houses. A case has been registered.

SUICIDE: Sohan Lal (35), a labourer, of Panshta village committed suicide by consuming celphos tablets. He was taken to the local Civil Hospital from there he referred to a hospital in Ludhiana where he died. It is stated that a few months back a dog had bitten him and he remained in tension.

Phillaur
ALLEGED: Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, has described the state government decision to empower panchayat raj institution as political stunt. He alleged that panchayats are being run by the Block Development Officers.

Tarn Taran
STOLEN: A Maruti car number PCS—6163 belonging to Mr Ashwani Kumar of Jalandhar was stolen from a parking lot outside the local Janta Palace here on Sunday night. Mr Ashwani Kumar came here to attending a marriage ceremony.

CHANDIGARH

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Steel Traders Association (Industrial Area Phase-II) chairman — Mr B.D. Gupta; patron advisors — Mr O.P. Garg and Mr Pawan Mangal; president — Mr Ram Charan Gupta; vice-president — Mr Ramesh Mittal; general secretary — Mr Pawan Aggarwal; joint secretary — Mr Suresh Chaddha; and treasurer — Mr Arun Gupta.

Mohali
CONDOLED: At a meeting of the BJP, Mohali mandal, held under the chairmanship of the president, Mr R.C. Jhingan, the mandal condoled the death of thousands of people in the tsunami waves. Members observed a two-minute silence.

CASE REGISTERED: Mr Perneet Singh, a resident of Phase 3B2, on Tuesday complained to the police that someone had stolen his wristwatch and clothes after having broken into his house. The police has registered a case.

STOLEN: Mr Sabudeen, a resident of Shahi Majra village here, has complained to the police that a scooter, a Kinetic Honda, and a cycle had been stolen from the village. The police has registered case. 

HARYANA

Sonepat
CRUSHED TO DEATH: Mr Bihari Paswan (38), a resident of Singhvi village in Balia district of Uttar Pradesh, was crushed to death by a truck while crossing National Highway No. 1 near Rai village, 13 km from here, on Monday night. A case has been registered against the truck driver on the charge of rash and negligent driving and causing the death of the victim.

ROBBED: Mr Puran Singh, a shopkeeper of Bajana village, was reportedly robbed of Rs 37,000 and a mobile phone by two unidentified motor cycle-borne youths between Bajana village and Ganaur, about 25 km from here, on Tuesday morning. The shopkeeper was on his way to Ganaur for making purchases for his shop in the village. However, he was waylaid and robbed by the youths. The shopkeeper has lodged a complaint with the Ganaur police in this connection.