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Murder of Beant Singh’s kin;
nine members
Ludhiana, October 23 Claiming this before a media conference, here this afternoon, the city SSP Narinderpal Singh said the police had busted an 11-member gang of criminals and arrested 9 of them who were living a lavish life by committing several robberies like the one committed in Thrike. Besides the murder of Jaswant Kaur, the gang members had also killed two of its own members who had ‘dared’ to demand more share in the booty. The killed gang members were Vishal Kumar alias Deepu, who was shot dead at a point-blank rage and the other was Sham Khurana alias Bholla who was strangulated. Both were murdered in a deserted plot in Barrewal. Their bodies have not yet been recovered. The gang had allegedly committed a robbery in the houses of Industrialist Pawan Jindal in Raghunath Enclave, on August 5, Mr Tejpal Singh Chadha, on May 22 and Mr Major Sintgh Grewal, owner of Rhythm Resorts here on October 14 this year. The police has claimed to have recovered Rs 9.96 lakh from the accused besides several weapons used by them in various crimes. SSP Narinderpal Singh and SP- Detective Gurpreet Singh said the alleged gang leader Charanjit Singh alias Rajan was a friend of a youth Garry, son of Mohinder Singh, who was also a relative of the deceased woman and lived in the same house for past some months with his family. Garry and Rajan had quarrelled with each other over the issue of ownership of a mobile phone. This was also a reason for Rajan to organise and commit a major robbery in the house. Just few hours before the robbery, Ranjan had specifically come looking for the two but they had left for their farm in Uttar Pradash. The arrested gang members were Charanjit Singh alias Rajan, resident of Agar Nagar Enclave; Sanjeev Chopra, resident shahpur road, near Subhani building , ;Kamal Kumar, resident of Satguru Nagar, Haibowal ; Gurmeet Singh alias Sonu , resident of Rishi Nagar Haibowal ; Sanjay Kumar alias Sanju, a resident of Urban Estate Chandigarh road; Sukhpreet Singh alias Sukha, resident of Barrewal Fatehpur Awana village; Jaswir Singh alias Jassi, also of the same village and Amit Malik of Thrike village. The police was yet to arrest two other members of the gang—Birinder Singh alias Bikka of Chhoti Haibowal and Pramod Gautam of Block J— Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar.
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Market parking contractor overcharging
Ludhiana, October 24 Investigations by the Tribune have revealed that the A.B.G Parking lot, in the Feroze Gandhi Market, is blatantly overcharging the residents, who park their vehicles in the lots even though the MC in its terms and conditions have fixed the rates. Interestingly, the allotment of the parking lot contract to this contractor expired on August 30 and the fresh auctions could not be held due to protests by some bidders stating that the contract fee was very high. Another group had been claiming that the MC wanted to extend the contract of the Congress leader on last year's fee only while this was denied by the MC as well as the contractor. Many residents, who were parking there vehicles on daily basis in themarket said the contractor was charging Rs 75 per month for their scooters, while the MC had fixed Rs 50 as the fee. The terms and conditions, fixed by the MC, a copy of which is with the Tribune, clearly states the same. The Traders and Property Dealers Association of the market have sent a number of written complaints to the Teh Bazaari Department of the MC and other senior officials but to no avail. Office bearer of the association said that the contractor was charging Rs 3, Rs 5 and Rs 10 for cycle, scooter and car respectively, while as per the terms it was Rs 2, Rs 3 and Rs 5 respectively. They alleged that the contractor was allowing some kiosk owners also to park their kiosks in the area, while rules clearly prohibited the same. Some rehriwallas alleged that they were paying Rs 200 everyday to some persons for allowing them to occupy space and sell their eatables. Contrary to the rules, the footpaths, meant for pedestrians were also being used for parking vehicles and even the area on the roads near Nehru Sidhant Kendra were serving as extended parking lot. "While a board put up in no parking zone warns the contractor against parking, no penalty has even been imposed on the guilty. We have made a number of representations to the civic body but nobody listens to us. If they have political compulsions why should we suffer. They should atleast respect the chair on which they are sitting, ’’ said a trader in the market. A resident, who parks his scooter in the lot everyday said he had paid Rs 75 for making the monthly pass while he was supposed to pay just Rs 50.
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High onion prices reduce demand
Ludhiana, October 24 Unlike a fortnight ago when the city received an average of around seven to eight trucks of onions per day (each truck carrying nearly 12 tonnes), the supply has reduced to almost half. What is surprising is that despite the reduction in supply, vegetable vendors are not facing any shortage. “Though we are receiving only four trucks each day, the demand is even lesser,” said Mr Amarbir Singh, general secretary, Punjab State Fruit and Vegetable Commission Agents Association. The price of onions per kg in the wholesale market is between Rs 17 and Rs 19, whereas in the retail market it is between Rs 23 and Rs 25. Last month it was available at Rs 10 in the retail market. The price in coming days, at least till Divali, is expected to rise further. “An increase of Rs 2 to Rs 3 is likely,” said Mr Amarbir Singh, attributing it to the release of stocks that were hoarded by a couple of vendors. Not only domestic consumption, even restaurant and dhaba owners have controlled consumption of onion in curries and salads. People, who were contacted, said they were apprehending a rise in its prices similar to the one that occurred around four years ago. “That time the price was even more than Rs 50 per kg. Who knows how much increase would occur. As a precaution only and to keep a control on costs, we have stopped serving onion in salad,” said a dhaba owner.
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Sufficient kerosene, claim depot holders
Ludhiana, October 24 In a statement here today, Mr Dharam Pal Verma and Mr Jagdish
verma, president The functionaries of the federation further stated that the distribution of kerosene was being made in a transparent way and the situation was being constantly monitored by the authorities. There was no complaint of shortage and non-supply of kerosene to the ration card holding families in the city, they claimed.
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Passing Thru
How do you feel on your first visit to Punjab?
It was my long cherished desire to visit Punjab and I am really enjoying my brief stay here. In which Indian cities have you performed so far? I have already performed in Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Jaipur and Goa. How did you get interested in becoming a drummer? I was fascinated at a very young age by the sound of tabla but even more so by rhythms of Indian music. My upbringing immersed me in different types of music from my cultural heritage, all while exposing me to the music of America, particularly jazz. I take keen interest in the Hindustani classical and carnatic classical music which helps me to synthesise western and eastern music. Would like to tell about your band mates? Guitarist/sitar guitarist Rez Abbasi, acoustic bassist Gary Wang, tenor saxophonist Steve Welsh, Ben Stivers, who has performed live with Matchbox Twenty, the Bee Gees, Julio Iglesias, Carlos Santana, Laura Branigan, Hiram Bullock, Albert Lee and myself on drums. Stivers is currently active in New York. — D.B. Chopra |
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Funds for sewerage system in Amloh
Amloh, October 24 He was addressing a gathering at the municipal complex here today. District Congress vice-president Gurdev Singh Janjua congratulated Mr Dharamsot, for focusing on the development of the area. The market committee, the block samiti and the municipal council office-bearers were elected unanimously, which showed that the people had faith in him. Mr Ravinder Singh Khalsa, member, SGPC honoured Mr Lal Chand, and Dr Preet Singh, president and vice-president of the municipal council respectively with Siropas. Mr Kailash Chand Sharma, who was the stage secretary at the function, expressed his unhappiness for not solving the drainage problem of the town. BJP chief Mr Raj Pal Garg said that people of the town had voted for new faces in the council elections with expectation of teamwork for the development of the town. Market Committee chairman Partap Singh Sandhu, block congress chief Shingara Singh, Congress leader Dilbagh Rai Sood, press secretary Pargat Singh Ania also spoke on the occasion. Chairman Zila Parishad Pakhar Singh Salana, SDM Sandeep Hans, zila parishad member Surjit Singh Baronga, were also present at the function. Mr Lal Chand, president, and Dr Harpreeet Singh vice-president of the municipal council, thanked the people and assured them that their expectations would be met.
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SPs directed to keep
check on sale of crackers
Ludhiana, October 24 He also asked them that while doing so, special attention should be paid to the congested residential and commercial areas. This has been done because in the past major fire tragedies have occurred in Ludhiana during the festival season. Mr Verma said he had asked all SSPs to get the storage godowns of all the licencees checked in order to ensure that they are following the prescribed safety norms and the provisions of the Indian Explosives Act and the Rules. He said it had been seen in the past that sometimes these licencees brought substantial quantities of fire crackers to their retail outlets within the main city. The police has been asked to check this kind of malpractice also. In case anyone is found to be indulging in such a malpractice action as per the law will be taken against him under the Indian Explosive Act, which provides for punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, he added. He further asked the SSPs to ensure compliance of instructions issued by Chief Controller of Explosives regarding possession and sale of fireworks from temporary booths set up in open during Divali. Mr Verma cautioned the fire-cracker dealers that they should not store or sell fire crackers on unlicenced premises or in congested residential or commercial areas. He appealed to the general public to inform the Sub Divisional Magistrate or SHO concerned in case they have any knowledge about the manufacturing or storage of fire crackers in any congested area. He informed that in response to his appeal in this respect last year some residents had provided information regarding one fire cracker dealer in the Field Ganj area. The premises of the dealer had been raided and it had been found that he had been issued a licence by the Department of Explosives. The matter had been taken up with the Department of Explosives and the licence had been got cancelled by the District Administration. Similarly, on the basis of another information licence of another person in the Chaura Bazar area had been suspended. The Deputy Commissioner sought similar cooperation from citizens this year and assured that names of the informers could be kept confidential, if they so desired. Mr Verma hoped that residents will come forward to supply such information to help the Administration to have a problem free festival season. Mr Verma further informed that for the convenience of the public as many as 12 sites had been identified in the Ludhiana city where retail sale of fire crackers will be allowed. These sites have been identified on the basis of the reports of Municipal Corporation, Fire Brigade, police and Town Planning Department.
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Bibi defends buying Camry
Ludhiana, October 24 The Bibi appeared too annoyed over the scribes’ question about the car. At one stage she retorted: “Do you expect the SGPC President to buy a cart when some ordinary and self-proclaimed sants fly in chartered helicopters”. She said the SGPC President was authorised to make any purchase and she did not owe a explanation to anybody. On the issue of the election of the SGPC President, the Bibi said she was already the President so why should she bother herself about the issue so early. She maintained that it was up to Mr Parkash Singh Badal to decide about the candidate. However, she was corrected by Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who was also sitting along. Mr Dhindsa claimed that the SGPC president was always appointed after due consultation with the SGPC members in a democratic manner. About the row over donations of some of the trustees of various educational institutions, she said, the SGPC was always ready to help any student who was in need. She said the SGPC was even preparing students for the civil service examination. She said deserving candidates were always provided free education.
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Shiv Sena flays disrespect to religious places
Amloh, October 24 Mr Pessi has stated in a press release here today that the sena has written letters to the Deputy Commissioner and the district police chief in this regard. In case no action is taken, the sena will start a Ramayan Path at the site and will take the repair works in its hands. A deputation will also meet the Deputy Commissioner in this regard.
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Robbery in Khanna
Khanna, October 24 At about 11.30 am four persons came to the house of Ashwani Kumar in the New Abadi area and asked Sunita that they wanted to check the electricity meter. After entering the house they her that they had to check the switches in the house. However, she resisted and told them that they should check the switches when her husband would be at in the house. But one of the robbers threatened her at pistol-point and asked her to give the keys of the almirahs. She gave the keys to them. After that they manhandled her and tried to press her neck. She raised the alarm which was
noticed by a maidservant. After searching the almirah they fled way. An eyewitness informed that a white Maruti Zen car (9087) was parked in a nearby street in which they fled. Some eyewitness said that one more person was also sitting in the car. Following the information, SP (D) Dilbagh Singh, DSP(D) Rajeshwar Singh, SHO City, Wajir Singh and Balwinder Singh in charge, CIA, reached the spot and started the investigation. The DSP said the police had been alerted and efforts were being made to trace the car used in the incident. He said that the police traced a car of the said number but that car was not involved in the case. He said that police was working on many theories. He said that the robbers had succeeded in taking away a .32 pistol. He, however, claimed that the robbers failed to take away any other valuable thing from the house.
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BSNL staff protest against FDI hike
Ludhiana, October 24 Addressing the protesting employees, the district secretary of the union, Mr Balwinder Singh, expressed apprehension that enhanced FDI in strategic field of telecom could pose a grave threat to the internal security of the country. “The government must scrap the decision which is ill-conceived, arbitrary and uncalled for”. According to Mr Balwinder Singh, the local union had sent telegrams to the Prime Minister and the Union Telecommunication Minister demanding a reversal of the decision to raise the FDI limit. He threatened that the BSNL employees would be forced to intensify the agitation and might resort to strike if the government persisted with its decision in this regard. Prominent among other speakers at the rally were Mr Hari Narayan, Mr Nikka Singh, Mr Paramjit Singh, Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Darshan Singh, Mr Kirpa Ram, Mr Madan Lal, Mr Sikander Singh and Mr Ramesh Lal.
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Govt to promote medical tourism in state
Ludhiana, October 24 Unfolding the plan to promote medical tourism here in an interview, Mr Jagjit Puri, Director, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, observed that the western world was already looking towards modern India for a host of medical and surgical treatment as the medical professionals in the country, had acquired expertise, new procedures and skills in the field. “What we need is a strategic policy and plan to put in place and make efforts in this direction which should be well coordinated between health and medical institutions, tour and travel operators, hotels and government agencies responsible for the upkeep of major tourist places in the state.” He said, Punjab needed to be projected to the western world as a place which had the necessary potential for tourism, world class medical facilities and infrastructure. along with trained professionals. Mr Puri said, after detailed deliberations between the medical fraternity in the government and the private sector, the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Northern India
(HRANI), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), other representatives of the tourism and travel industry and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the state government had set up a joint action committee with a clearly defined task of identifying hotels and hospitals for the overseas patients and their families in major towns like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali, Nawanshahr, Pathankot, Barnala, Gurdaspur, Bathinda and Hoshiarpur. Claiming that healthcare in India was much more affordable than in the USA, Europe and other developed nations, Mr Puri disclosed that the Department of Tourism was in the process of identifying places all over the world where booming medical tourism in Punjab would be showcased in collaboration with participating hospitals and hotels. It was also proposed that road shows be held in the UK, Singapore,
Malayasia, Indonesia, the USA and Canada with active involvement of the CII and the tour and travel operators to apprise the NRI’s and other foreign tourists with the medical facilities and tourist attractions available in Punjab. The blue print of the plan chalked out by the government to achieve the desired results in promoting medical tourism would focus on eight areas such as cardiology, orthopedics, dental, ophthalmology, urology, cosmetology, ayurveda, yoga and homeopathy to begin with. At the same time, star hotels would also be identified which would have linkage with health care facility providers. “The government is aware of the need of necessary infrastructure like good roads, transport system, including, air transportation and efforts have already been initiated in this direction.” Mr Puri indicated that some more meetings between medical professional bodies like the Indian Medical Association, CII, TAAI and HRANI were being planned to intensity interaction and the government was also being asked to set up a Health Tourism Advisory Council at the state level for better coordination among all components of medical tourism in Punjab.
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Biz Clip
Lucky draw
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