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Poor man’s land sold “fraudulently”
Ludhiana, November 22 Mr Khrait Lal, a 54-year-old resident of street number 10 in Gandhi Nagar, came face-to-face with this shocking reality some time ago, when he wanted to sell off the plot to pay back the amount loaned to him by a local bank. But he was shocked when he allegedly found that his house was transferred in his tenant’s name, who is also his father's sister. His tenant and her husband had asked him and his three sisters to sign a document for borrowing some money but later this paper was used for preparing a sale deed, he alleged. Since then he is knocking at the doors of the local administration, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PHRC), and revenue officials but nobody has been able to come to his rescue. Perplexed at his complaint, the district administration also ordered an inquiry into the case. Mr Khrait Ram said that he had borrowed an amount of Rs 2 lakh from a bank in 1995 for setting up a hosiery. He suffered losses in his business and could not repay the loan. The bank sealed his house also some time ago. When he promised them to pay the money, they sealed one of his rooms and allowed him to stay in another. He added that his aunt, (father's sister), was a poor woman and his aged mother had allowed her to stay in half portion of the house some years ago. She paid Rs 300 as rent for two years and later it was raised to Rs 500. But for the past one-and-a-half year, she and her husband had not been paying any money, he further alleged. He went to the Deputy Commission in January this year and the latter marked the complaint to SDM (West) for an inquiry. An inquiry was conducted and the SDM called him to appear in the proceedings also. Later he went to the PHRC also, which referred his case to the district administration. Presenting a copy of the revenue records, Mr Khrait Ram showed that the piece of land (khasra number-46/1/1) in Jamabandi(1975-76) belonged to him, his mother and three sisters. But the recent revenue records show the land to be belonging to Ms Lajja Rani and Mr Munshi Lal, his tenants and relatives.
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Cong leaders gunning for
Bir Devinder
Ludhiana, November 22 In a press conference organised in the office of the Chairman of Ludhiana Improvement Trust, Wing Commander Paramjit Singh Sibia (Retd), the Congress leaders, including city Mayor Nahar Singh Gill, Mr KK Bawa, Chairman, Housefed, and Mr Sibia said that he was in the habit of making statements irrespective of who was holding the reigns of power in the state. The leaders said Mr Bir Devinder was a member of the All-India Sikh Students' Federation and his ideology could not match with that of the Congress. They said he was always trying to harm the interests of the party by creating indiscipline. They also said that the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, had taken bold decisions for the people of Punjab and Mr Bir Devinder was alleging that he faced danger to his life. Among others who were present at the conference were Mr Rajinder Singh Basant, vice- chairman, Mr Prem Mittal, Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka, Youth Congress leader, Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran, ex-president, District Congress, Ms Barjinder Kaur, secretary, pradesh Congress, Mr Kala Jain, councillor, Mr Kuldeep Janda, councillor and Mr Satnam Ahuja.
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Nullah stink reaches MC officials
Ludhiana, November 22 The officials surveyed the area and prepared a detailed report in this regard. A delegation of industrialists also met the officials of the MC and Parliamentary Secretary Surinder Dawar today to air their grievances. The industrialists said they had written a complaint to the MC Commissioner in July and stated that the nullah had not been cleared for the past many years. Despite promises by former officials and political leaders, nothing concrete was done, they added. They further said many years ago when late Chaudhary Sat Parkash was the Mayor of city, he had directed the MC to lay a nullah instead of sewerage in the area as the pipes used to get clogged every now and then. A nullah was dug. But soon the nullah, which was not wide enough, started overflowing and created problems for the industrialists. In a charter of demands to Mr Dawar, the industrialists demanded that the nullah be desilted and cleaned at regular intervals. The silt deposited on the sides should be removed and the road parallel to the nullah be metalled.
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Youth held for rape bid
Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 22 According to Mr Gurtejinder Singh Aulakh, DSP, Raikot, Mohinder Singh had been booked for attempting to rape the wife of his employer when she was alone at home. The accused had been working on a contract basis at the electric shop of Kulwinder Singh, who also plied a taxi. According to the complainant, Raju came to her on the pretext of taking some money and charger of a mobile phone. “When I went in to bring the cash, he When she resisted his attempt, he attacked her with a sword. The woman got hurt and raised an alarm after which villagers gathered and caught the suspect. He was later handed over to the police. The victim, mother of two, was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Sudhar. The accused was presented in a court at Jagraon and was remanded in police custody till Wednesday.
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Retired scientist sets up home for destitutes
Ludhiana, November 22 Drawing inspiration from the Gurus and their contributions towards the destitute and the sick, Dr Mangat, with active assistance of some other like-minded persons, has set up a trust named Guru Amar Das Centre for Destitute and Disabled in the city. The Trust is a charitable, and non-political organisation. Dr Mangat said he always yearned to lend a helping hand to deprived people who had nobody to look after them. “History is witness to the fact that some persons in the world devoted their life to take care of destitutes and sufferers.” On the objectives of the Trust, he said priority would be given to those who were not being looked after by their relatives or those who have no one to take care of them. Those suffering from AIDS, besides drug addicts, would also be taken in. The others who helped to set up the Trust are Dr Inderjit Singh Grewal, Dr Mohamad Javed, Dr Sarbjit Singh, Mr Parvinder Singh, Mr Gurjit Singh, and Mr Sudagar Singh. “The Trust is in its infancy and newly registered. As of now it does not have its own office or building and the major task ahead is to provide shelter to the targeted people. The cost of the project is estimated to be huge. Such a massive task can only be accomplished with human generosity,” he said.
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Action sought against doctor
Khamano, November 22 Mrs Amarjeet Kaur was operated upon at Gaggan Nursing Home, Bhari, near here but her condition worsened after the operation. The doctor wasted many days and she developed severe infection. Her relatives took up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner, who ordered the CMO, Fatehgarh Sahib, to inquire into the matter. The CMO and his team sealed the hospital but the surgeon
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One held
Jagraon, November 22
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Sons’ trauma fails to dampen their spirits
Ludhiana, November 22 The couple seemed to have reconciled to the situation now and have been trying hard to fulfill all the demands of their wards as they know that they (the sons) are not going to live with them for long. Telling her tale of woes, Kumud (57) said both his sons had the defect at the time of birth. “They were not normal as any other child but could walk on their own. We send both of them to Dalhousie Public school for studies. The studies had to be stopped as the problem had started aggravating. And for the last 10-12 years, they are not able to move and are bed-ridden”, said Kumud, almost in tears.” Surjit and Kumud left no stone unturned to treat the sons but all their efforts went futile. Right from pir-paigambars to leading hospitals at Chennai, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Kerala, there came no ray of hope from anywhere. Both the sons refuse to mix-up with the outside world because of frustration but the couple tries to make them forget all their pains by taking them out at Haveli restaurant, McDonalds and movies regularly. “One has to face the realities and I live for them now. Ashu wants to be in the sitting room while Vicky remains in his bed-room all the day. I spend half of my time with Ashu and rest with Vicky. We have to be around them for 24 hours. A helper and two maids have been kept but the children need our attention. I had to leave my work because of them,” said Mr Surjit,
the father. The family is not getting monetary help from any relative or organisation but social activists like Ms Paapo Abnash and a neighbour Ms Surjit Garewal often visit Ashu and Vicky to bring smiles on their faces. “We feel good when they enquire about our well-being,” said Vicky. Ashu said that they were confined to the four-walls of house and were used to this kind of life. “We used to have a lot of friends but hardly anyone knows that we are living or dead. Parents look after us well. They also do not keep well but we have to live accordingly. Both of us read newspapers, magazines and watch hindi movies on television to keep ourselves busy,”
said Ashu. The parents have engaged a physiotherapist who comes daily to keep them active. They feel refreshed after doing these light exercises. Ashu likes to eat cheese while Vicky wants to include chicken in his meals.
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NFCH observes flag day
Ludhiana, November 22 In this connection, flag day was observed at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here today. Ms Shubha Sanwalka was the chief guest at the function. Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, Medical Superintendent (P) of DMCH, was also present. Addressing the participants, Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH, stressed the need for reaffirmation of faith in the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood without discrimination and co-existence on grounds of religion, race, community, caste and place of birth. Various medical and nursing students participated in the related activities of poster competition, slogan-writing, declamation, choreography and non-competitive musical items. The following are the results: Slogan competition : Praveen K.Gill 1, Rajvinder Kaur 2. Poster making: Amandeep Kaur Parmar 1, Harleen K.Chela 2. Declamation : Karambir S. Gill 1, Loveleen 2. Choreography : Students of GNM 3rd year 1, Students of MBBS (batch 2004) 2.
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Lawyers mourn death of
colleague’s mother
Amloh, November 22 The Bar resolved to suspend court proceedings as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Mr Baljinder Singh, presiding officer of the court, also expressed sympathy with the family. She was cremated today. Her funeral was attended by lawyers, councillors, and representatives of various political parties.
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Nullah obstruction
cleared
Ludhiana, November 22 Officials said the obstruction was caused due to digging for construction of a religious place in the area. The basement which was under construction was flooded late last evening.
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PSEB staff hold rally
Ludhiana, November 22
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Cotton prices firm up
Ludhiana, November 22 As the cotton arrivals started last month, there was a crash in prices and there was great hue and cry by the cotton growers as a result of which the official procuring agencies like the Cotton Corporation of India and Markfed had to enter into the markets to stabilise the prices. Both the agencies have now stopped buying cotton from the mandis and they are reported to have purchased about one lakh bales this year. Enquiries show that the cotton growers have started withholding their produce as a spurt in cotton prices is likely. According to Mr D L Sharma, Executive President of the Vardhman group of mills, the quality and quantity of Punjab cotton is better as compared to other states and will fetch more prices. The arrivals of cotton in Punjab mandis are double as compared with the arrivals last year as the mandis are receiving 18,000 to 20,000 bales of cotton this year against 10,000 bales last year. Haryana mandis are receiving around 8000 bales while Rajasthan mandis are getting about 5000 bales daily, respectively. The cotton prices last year remained low-between Rs 1600 and Rs 1823 per quintal during the season. Punjab is expected to reap a bumper crop of cotton (22 lakh bales against 18 lakh bales). Haryana is expecting 15.5 lakh bales and Rajasthan 7.5 lakh bales. Enquiries further reveal that some cotton growers of Punjab are sending their produce to Haryana mandis where the prices rule between Rs 1900 to Rs 2000 per quintal. Textile sources also allege that there is largescale evasion of market fee in the cotton belt mandis of the northern region. Mr Sharma said the textile industry had adopted 25 villages in five clusters for integrated development of the cotton crop and this had yielded dividends to farmers as there was increase in the production. The average cotton production in these five villages was 26 to 27 maunds per acre whereas the average yield of the state was 18 maunds per acre. Farmers of Punjab have also sown large areas under Bt cotton this year. The overall cotton production in the country is estimated to touch the level of the last year i.e. 240 lakh bales. Earlier, it was expected that the country would have a record cotton production of 270 lakh bales. But the late heavy rains in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have given a setback to the same. The cotton prices in the mandis of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh range between Rs 1900 and Rs 2000 per quintal. China, Pakistan , Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand are importing cotton from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. These countries are buying cotton at the rate of 51 to 53 cents per pound fob. The Punjab cotton is a little costly and there is not much buying for the same. There is major demand for cotton from China as the crop in that country is low this year compared to the demand. The demand of cotton in China is more than 1 million tonnes whereas the production this year is likely to be around 5.3 million tonnes. Pakistan has contracted 8 lakh bales of cotton for import from India this year. India will import about five lakh bales of cotton from Egypt and other Middle East countries.
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Boom in firewood prices
Ludhiana, November 22 A seller of firewood, who operates from near Naulakha Cinema, quoted today’s rate at Rs 400 per quintal. He attributed the price rise to a greater demand as apart from the usual buyers in the form of tandoor-wallahs and slum-dwellers, well-to-do people having gas connections and geysers were also buying firewood for the purpose of heating water as it had already become quite nippy in the mornings and evenings. He was hopeful that demand for firewood would increase in the days to come when the city experiences some real chill due to foggy conditions. The most affected by the sudden price rise of firewood, however, are slum-dwellers and the very poor who have no gas connections to boast of.
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Rousing response to Textech-2005
Ludhiana, November 22 "Both large capital machinery equipment companies as well as smaller textile accessory units generated impressive business inquiries. " The exhibition came at an opportune time as quota-based restrictions for textile exports have been lifted and the Indian textile industry now has the opportunity to realise its full potential and is already eyeing an export target of $50 billion by 2010," said CII. The exhibition showcased textile technologies, machinery and equipment. According to CII, feedback from exhibitors revealed that companies like Shuishan Machine (Jiaxing) Company of China received business enquiries worth US $ 1 million (nearly Rs 4.30 crores), BASF Rs 1 crore, Atlas Copco Rs 1 crore, Lathia Rubbers Rs 1 crore and Eastern Engineers received inquiries worth Rs 1 crore. The Elgi Electrical, Usha Industrial, Promo World Chicago Pneumatic and a host of other companies received business enquiries worth Rs 50 lakh each. Smaller units, on an average, expressed satisfaction with enquiries ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 40 lakhs each, the confederation stated. Expressing satisfaction over the response, CII said Textech 2005 proved to be an excellent launching pad for new products, processes and technologies as well.
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