 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Smog engulfs city
Ludhiana, October 25 Environmentalists feel that the problem will compound when city residents will burst fire crackers, much to the chagrin of environmentalists. For the past one week, the city had been witnessing smoky evenings and mornings, causing respiratory and eye ailments to residents. While smog is most visible at nights, its effects are seen in the mornings too and the smell of smoke can be felt during the day also. Experts of the Meteorological Department of Punjab Agricultural University said owing to the fall in temperature, the smog was getting accumulated on the surface of the earth as the smoke created by the burning of stubble and bursting of firecrackers was getting mixed with the fog. They said the situation would worsen in the coming days in view of the ensuing festival season. Dr B.D. Kansal, a retired Professor from PAU, said that it was unfortunate that nobody was bothered about the worsening environment scenario. “The worst would be on Divali when residents would burst crackers well past midnight, releasing poisonous gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the environment’’ he rued. He said he was not able to come outdoors as a layer of smoke had engulfed his house and the road in front of it. A resident of BRS Nagar, Dr Kansal said: “We kept indoors. Otherwise we were getting irritation in our eyes and throat.” Not only the BRS Nagar but many other localities especially located on the outskirts were facing similar problem. The situation in villages around city was even grimmer. Villagers faced poor visibility during nights while clouds of smoke could be witnessed throughout the day. The visibility on the Ludhiana-Jagroan Road was also hit as vehicles could not be seen properly from a distance of a few meters. A journey along the road by a Tribune team revealed that even during the day, all village roads connected to the city were under the cover of smoke. Burnt paddy stubble could be seen alongside the entire stretch of the roads. A doctor at Pakhowal village told Ludhiana Tribune that he was receiving patients, particularly children, with complaints of bronchitis and other respiratory tract problems and irritation in the eyes. A local doctor said it was likely to continue during the next two weeks as more farmers would resort to the straw burning. He advised the residents to cover their noses with a clean cloth before going out. He also advised them to wear glasses. Every year the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, passes the orders under Section 144, banning the burning of paddy straw warning the violators but these always go unheeded.
|
|
Labourer buried alive while
digging well
Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 25 The body of Amarjit Singh, aka Gogi was retrieved at around 3.20 pm, while 28-year-old Baljinder Singh was rescued. He was admitted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana. Both were repairing a SDM Tejinder Dhaliwal launched a rescue operation in the well. Three JCB machines were used for the purpose. At around 12.20 pm Baljinder Singh was rescued. He was in an unconscious state and was taken to Ludhiana. Gogi, however, could not be found at that time and he remained buried. He is survived by three children and a wife. His mother is paralysed and father is a marginal farmer. The family members said that it had become very difficult for them to fend for the family after his death. |
|
Man sets house
on fire
Ludhiana, October 25 The first floor of Hira lal’s house got damaged due to a blast after the fire. However, his 65-year-old mother, Asha Rani, rushed out of the house along with his three children and escaped unhurt. Hira Lal’s
wife had deserted him a few months ago due to his illicit relations. At around 12.45 p.m. today, Hira Lal, who is a taxi driver, fought with his mother, who objected to his illicit relations. He wanted his mother to give his share in the property and she denied. In order to threaten her, he set the house on fire after opening the knob of LPG gas stove. The workers of fire brigade reached the spot after some time and controlled the fire. The police arrested Hira Lal, but no case was registered as yet.
|
|
|
Physically challenged man to show way
A
physically challenged city resident intends to show a way for others to emulate.
Thirtytwo-year-old Baljit, who is restricted to a wheel chair, will celebrate Divali by planting 11 trees in various parts of the city on the day. “When everybody will be busy lighting the crackers, poisoning the environment around, I will plant pipal trees that would help save the environment to some extent,” says a determined Baljit, who has already
planted 2000 trees in various parts of the city during the last two years.
Helping in his effort to save the environment, are his two nephews, a 12 year-old-Guninderjit and a nine-year-old Varinder. They will spend their “festival money” on buying saplings for their uncle. “Our family will do without the crackers. I appeal to all children of the city to spend their money on planting trees, rather than burning it in the form of crackers and pollute the environment,” said Baljit. “This is the time when we should wake up. Otherwise it would be too late. We should stop using not only the noisy crackers but also those producing light also as these pollute the environment all the more. It is the responsibility of parents to guide their children and sensitise them towards environment.” Baljit cannot walk as his legs do not carry his weight. He had developed this handicap when he had undergone a surgery for cervical. His body below neck was paralysed around 11 years ago. After giving it up for some years, Baljit devised a mission. Despite his handicap, he plants trees on every special occasion. Many people come to help him this mission.
|
|
Passing Thru
What do you think about the new players selected for the forthcoming one-day series?
I have not seen these youngsters playing and I think the national selectors have picked up the best available lot. I wish the players best of luck for the series. What is your opinion about Rahul Dravid’s appointment as captain? Rahul Dravid is the best choice to lead Indian team. However, the captain should not be named for a short term. He should be given sufficient time and opportunity to prove his mettle. — Anil Datt |
|
BJP decries rising onion prices
Ludhiana, October 25 He said the government was duty bound to help the common man in need. Instead of protecting the people, he alleged the government was eager to allow middleman to grab huge profits. Mr Sarin said with sugar at Rs 22 per kg, kerosene which is unavailable through the PDS costs Rs 24 per litre in the black market, onion at Rs 30 per kg , continued shortage of LPG costing anything between Rs 500-600 per cylinder, seemed to make it a “Black Divali”. Mr Sarin observed that the government should have taken the necessary steps to dilute the crisis. But, it did nothing and allowed middleman to exploit the market conditions and pocket the profits. The real motive of the govt was to save on subsidies. Now, it was evident that the LPG imports were reduced deliberately to lessen the burden of subsidy and it was not importing the onions for the same reason. He said it would not be out of place to remind the Congress of the politics it played with the onion prices in 1998. Now the same Congress was in power and owed an explanation and immediate action on onion and LPG.
|
|
Bhattal for women’s empowerment
Ludhiana, October 25 She was addressing the students on the annual convocation of the Swami Ganga Giri Janta Girls College at Raikot, 50 km from here, last evening. As many as 250 degrees were presented on the occasion. Referring to the fast changing social and economic scenario, Ms Bhattal said that the government was committed to empower women and work for their effective participation in all fields, as it was an important pre requisite. She said that providing education to a girl was considered as a key for the prosperity of a complete family. She also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the improvement of the college building. Dr Savita Uppal, Principal of the college, read out the annual report of the college and highlighted the achievements of the students in different field. Earlier, Ms Bhattal gave a
cheque of Rs 50 lakh for the developmental projects of Talwandi Rai village and announced to send Rs 10 lakh more for this purpose. Mr Rakesh
Pandy, Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, a former Minister, Mr Vijay
Sathi, Mr Prem Chand, SDM, Raikot, Mr Sudarshan Kumar Joshi, President, Municipal Committee, Raikot, and Mr Kishan Chand, President, Managing Committee of the college were also present.
|
|
|
Poll duty: DC seeks list of schools
Ludhiana, October 25 The District Education Officers have also been asked to give the names of the teachers who should be exempted from duty. Mr Verma has also asked all the electoral registration officers to put on duty staff proportionately from all the departments and not to draw excessively from the strength of education department. The electoral registration officers have been asked to exempt lady staff from duty, wherever possible.
|
|
|
Ex-servicemen’s league dissociates from forum
Ludhiana, October 25 While addressing a press conference here today, Lt-Col Chanan Singh Dhillon, (retired), presidents of the IESL, Punjab and Chandigarh said that though he was a founder member of the forum, he could no longer associate himself with it as ‘‘it was taking political colour.’’ Referring to a meeting of the forum that took place some months ago, Lt-Colonel Dhillon said he had, in his address at that time, clearly pointed out that the human rights organisations should not ‘‘allow politics to adulterate their sanctity.’’ ‘‘They continued with their activities and shared platforms with certain political leaders. We have nothing to do with them now. ’’ said Lt-Colonel Dhillon adding that protection of human rights was the corner stone of Sikh philosophy as enunciated and practiced by Sikh Gurus, Saints and Pirs of Punjab. ‘‘Therefore it must encompass all humans irrespective of caste and creed.’’ He added that human rights bodies were appropriated by the political parties earlier during trouble times in Punjab but later on they disappeared when their efforts were required the most. They did not tackle or even spoke to solve the lingering problems of the state while in power at the Centre but also betrayed Sikh traditions and ethos when they remained mute and tight lipped during the genocide in Gujrat, he maintained.
|
|
NGOs settling marital disputes
through counselling, says secy
Ludhiana, October 25 He was addressing a state-level meeting of the representatives of NGOs organised by the Social Security Department to chalk out a plan in this regard at the Circuit House , here today. Mr Kalsia informed that this process had begun from the district, here, where around 5,000 cases relating to marital disputes were under process in different courts and the department was seeking the cooperation of NGOs to settle all these cases through mutual understanding of both parties out of courts. He informed that to properly educate the NGOs regarding the whole exercise, a special workshop for their representatives was being organised on November 11, here. He said the pending disputes were being handed over to different NGOs, which after going through the cases would arrange the counselling of both the parties to bring about a final rapprochement among them. He said after bringing about the reunion, the NGOs would also monitor the cases for sometimes so that, existing problems could also be solved. The government had also decided to honour top three NGOs, who would give outstanding results in this field. He also informed that a special Lok Adalat was being organised on November 26 here for these cases and the maximum number of cases were expected to be settled in the Lok Adalat. Addressing the meeting, Mr. S.R. Ladder, Director, Social Security, informed that the involvement of NGOs was being mobilised to save married lives. He said that the NGOs would be trained about the legal aspects of the cases, so that they could counsel effectively . Mr
H.P.S. Mahal, Secretary, Punjab Legal Services Authority, called upon the NGOs to persuade the couples to get the marital disputes settled through the Lok Adalat, which would provide them early and cheaper justice. He informed that the Punjab State Legal Services Authority was also organising seminars and block -level meetings based on opinion leaders to educate people about the benefits of the concept of Lok Adalat. Mr Ajmer Singh, ADC, assured that the district administration would provide all kind of cooperation and assistance for this programme. Mr Rattan Singh Brar, In charge, District Women Cell, revealed that so far they had received 4,645 cases relating to marital disputes, out of which, 4,573 had been disposed off. He informed that the cell had succeeded in bringing about rapprochement among 1,908 couples, who were
happily living together. Others present on the occasion included Mr Surinder Kumar, District Programme Officer, Mr Karam Singh, District Security officer, Mr. S.P. Malik, Secretary, District Red Cross Society, and Mr A. A. Pathak, District Attorney.
|
|
|
Bank staff observe fast
Ludhiana, October 25 On the call given by the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation, 15 employees of the State Bank of Patiala, Ludhiana region, today observed a 24-hour fast in front of the zonal office at Jalandhar. The employees condemned the management’s decision to bring in a new designation of the marketing executive. The working hours of the marketing executive were flexible and they could be called upon even on Sundays. All these issues were not discussed with the federation the employees claimed. They demanded that the decision should be withdrawn. The employees also said that the bank’s plan to establish currency administration cells at different centres having multiple branches, that would have to accept cash without counting, could prove detrimental to the bank’s interest. The federation has given a call for relay fast from October 24 to October 28, at its head office and all zonal and regional offices, followed by a fullday strike in different states.
|
|
Insurance employees hold demonstration
Ludhiana, October 25 The employees, who staged the demonstration under the banner of General Insurance Employees Union, alleged that their demands had been pending for a long time and a wage revision was also not being affected in public sector general insurance companies. The protesting employees were addressed by president of the union Mr Surjan Singh Arora, vice-president Mr Rajesh Ghai and secretary of the Ludhiana unit, Mr Surinder Pal Singh. The union members also opposed the government’s move towards downsizing of workforce and demanded immediate need-based recruitment in general insurance companies. They also demanded that wage revision be affected at the earliest and arrears be paid before the festival of Divali.
|
|
Implication in false cases alleged
Ludhiana, October 25 In a press statement issued here today, Sant Jaghera who had been indicted in an inquiry by the Jagraon police for allegedly plotting the contract killing of Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, president, Khalsa
Panchayat ,alleged that he was being targeted for his closeness to SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal. He claimed that earlier he was implicated in false cases at the behest of certain Congress leaders.
|
Theft in Aman Nagar house
Ludhiana, October 25 He reported the matter to the police. He said he had Rs 30,000 cash lying in the safe of his almirah and some gold ornaments that were taken away by the thieves. The police has
registered a case of theft. Investigations are on. Residents said that streetlights in their area had been non-functional for the past many months. Many incidents of small thefts were being reported everyday.
|
|
Three booked for assault
Jagraon, October 25 Case registered: Sunita Rani has alleged that Rajwinder Singh of Chuharchak village snatched her mobile phone in the Agwar Gujjran area here. The police has registered a case. Liquor seized:
Kulwant Singh of Indira colony, Mullanpur, was arrested for possessing illicit liquor. A case has been registered at the Dakha police station.
|
|
Biz Clips
Ludhiana Pre-booking
scheme: Endeavoring to provide an opportunity to people to buy gold at lower rates, Tanishq, a jewellery brand, has introduced an innovative festival pre-booking scheme. The scheme allows buyers to book gold jewellery of any value at current prices by paying 25 per cent of the value in advance. The pre-booking scheme will entitle consumers to buy jewellery till November 4 at the booking price or at the current price, whichever is lower, the company said in a press note issued here on Tuesday. Dish
TV: Dish TV has unveiled a mobile dish that can be installed on moving vehicles. Now one can carry over 130 TV entertainment channels wherever one goes across the country with mobile DishTV, said the
company. According to the company, it aims at long-distance bus and tour operators, ships, cruises and even trains. With dish mobile passionate viewers can now watch TV channels while driving on long highways.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
