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Misled by agents, 24 youths enslaved
in Kuwait
Ludhiana, December 11 As many as 10 agents based in India and Kuwait had exchanged their possession and even forced them to work illegally in Iraq. The youths, all from Punjab , have faxed the details of their plight with their signatures and names of the accused agent to the Indian Embassy and the Ludhiana- based office of the Lok Bhalai Party headed by Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia. A copy of the fax, in possession of The Tribune, reveals that the youths have not got any help from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait as their passports and other relevant documents were still in possession of some of the accused agents. The youths have stated that the agents had taken over Rs 1.25 lakh each from them to provide lucrative employment in Kuwait. However, they were illegally taken to Iraq where they worked with contractors allegedly employed by the US Army. The youths later learnt that they were taken on visit visa to Kuwait and any employment taken by them was illegal. They were not even allowed to enter Iraq let alone work there. The youths have claimed that they somehow managed to sneak out of the war- ravaged country but their agents were now forcing them to return by possessing their passports. Mr Avtar Singh Mullanpuri, working President of the Lok Bhalai Party said they had
taken up their case and urged the Punjab Government and the Centre to direct the Indian Embassy in Kuwait to help the distressed youths. The youths listed in the fax are : Balaji from Latur, Jagpal Singh from Gurdaspur, Vinod Kumar from Ropar, Gurmat Singh from Kotla, Ludhiana, Rajinder Singh from Sardargarh, Patiala, Sukhwinder Singh from Sanghol, Fathehgarh Sahib, Dharampal from Ludhiana. Jaswinder Singh from Chukhiara, Jalandhar, Kashmira Singh from Rajjowal, Hoshiarpur, Dilbagh Singh from Mannki, Sangrur, Balbir Singh from Ropar, Penumal from Nayer, Srinivasan from Tamil Nadu, Mukhtiar Dass from Tibba, Sangrur, Vijay Kumar from Ganguwal, Anandpur Sahib, Nirmal Singh from Godpur Bulla in Una, Jagat Ram from Barnoh , Una, Gurdev Singh from Kartarpur , Jalandhar, Kuldip Singh (residence unknown), Zora Thind from Mandera Fatehgarh Sahib, Kamaljit Singh from Gurdaspur and Lakhvir Singh from Chandu Sujja , Gurdaspur.
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Police clueless in Reema murder case
Ludhiana, December 11 Barely a week’s time is left for the submission of the challan against Micky Jain, the only accused arrested in the Reema Jain murder case but the cops are in a fix as he has reportedly backtracked on his claim that he had hired an alleged contract killer, Avtar Singh Taari, for the murder of the high-profile businesswoman. Police sources have confirmed to the Ludhiana Tribune that Avtar Singh Taari, an infamous police informer-cum-arms smuggler, who was questioned recently for days had stuck to his stand of being not involved in the case. To add to the cops’ misery, Micky Jain brought on production warrant from Central Jail here also took a U-turn over his previous statement and said he had named Taari only to escape further questioning. ‘‘The case is back to square one,’’ admitted a senior police official to the Ludhiana Tribune, wishing not to be identified. Micky Jain, the estranged brother-in-law of Reema Jain was arrested on September 19. As per the norms, a challan has to be submitted regarding the case in a court within 90 days of the arrest of the accused. The submission of the challan becomes quite interesting as the police has not been able to trace the body of the allegedly murdered woman. With Micky Jain backtracking on the involvement of Avtar Singh Taari in the case, the story that the woman was actually killed is also being questioned. Mr Bhanu Pratap Jain, eldest son of the Reema Jain, said he was quite bewildered at the turn of events. He said he had also been told that Micky Jain had changed his statement. He said he was obviously puzzled on what exactly had happened to his mother and what the police investigation had been so far. The case is quite unique as it was declared ‘ solved’ without the recovery of the body or the arrest of the person who allegedly had kidnapped and murdered her. The police claims in the case have been hinging upon the reported ‘ confession’ of the arrested accused Micky Jain that he had hired Avtar Singh Taari to murder the woman. The police announced the case as solved. But when the police finally managed to question Taari two months after that, he denied his involvement. The stunned cops slipped into further trouble with Micky Jain also going back on his previous statement.
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Mop-up pulse polio
drive launched
Ludhiana, December 11 At the same time, some 900 polio booths in the city and another 1200 in the rural
areas of the district carried out the immunisation campaign which was necessitated after a case of a migrant child afflicted with polio, was detected in the city in the last week of November In addition to this district, the mop up campaign would cover the districts of Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar, Nawanshahr and parts of Sangrur and Kapurthala districts to ensure total coverage of eligible children against the crippling disease. Dr Y.C. Markan, Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, who has been deployed here by the Health Department to supervise the pulse polio drive informed that the health staff, with the active assistance of social, religious and educational institutions, as well as several other NGOs and service clubs would attempt to administer polio drops to a maximum number of children at polio booths. Volunteers will go from door to door in the entire district on December 12 and December 13 to provide polio drops to the left out children. He said the focus was on vulnerable localities including under-developed colonies and slums where health care facilities were non-existent. “The field staff of Health Department is working in close coordination with community leaders and resident welfare societies, which have come out to ensure administration of polio drops at the mohalla and colony level”. According to Dr Markan, more than 8000 volunteers had been deployed for the pulse polio campaign to man the polio booths all over the district. In addition to setting up booths in different localities in the city and rural areas, 70 mobile teams had been set up and another 96 transit posts were established at bus stands and railway station in the district to ensure 100 percent coverage of eligible children. Meanwhile, children up to the age of five years were given polio drops at booths set up by
educational, social, religious bodies, service clubs and NGO’s. As many as 2600 children were immunised at 15 pulse polio camps put up by NSS volunteers of SDP Senior Secondary School in different localities of the city. Mr Balraj Bhasin, President, SDP Sabha, Mr Ramesh Chander Kalia, principal of the school and Mr Rajesh Kapoor, Programme Officer NSS supervised the camps. Rajeshwar Welfare Trust organised pulse polio camps at several places, including Jain Nagar and Shiv Puri where more than 1200 children were vaccinated against polio by a team of medical and para medical professional led by Dr Amita Jain. At a pulse polio immunisation camp held at Government Senior Secondary School on Cinema Road here, the NSS volunteers provided polio drops to over 300 children. The camp was conducted by paramedics from Civil Hospital under the guidance of Principal Mr H.K. Mayer.
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IT sleuths strike gold
Ludhiana, December 11 The income tax survey on the firm was undertaken on Friday by a team led by Mr Rajeshwar Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax. According to sources in the department, surveys were conducted at several places in the area under the Ludhiana Commissionerate to unearth concealed income and to make the assessees pay their taxes on real income. It is learnt that during the survey operations at a number of property developers, colonisers and finance companies at Jagraon and Moga last week, the business houses concerned had disclosed an unaccounted income of nearly Rs 75 lakh which was expected to yield tax of more than Rs 25 lakh.
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68 LPG cylinders seized
Mandi Ahmedgarh,
December 11 Dr Indu, SDM of Malerkotla, claimed that Food Supply officials had seized at least 68 domestic cylinders being misused by commercial organisations, including restaurants, dhabas and factories. The action was taken on the basis of complaints made by the consumers. The SDM reported the matter to Mr Hussan Lal, DC of Sangrur, who directed her to act against the erring agencies. Specially constituted teams of food and supply officials led by Mr M.L. Nagpal AFSO made surprise raids on various establishments suspected to be engaged in the misuse of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes and seized 68 cylinders from the town and it surrounding areas, including Malerkotla town.
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Yarn worth lakhs gutted
Ludhiana, December 11 The neighbours in the area saw smoke billowing out of the building and reported to the fire department. Two fire engines were sent from Sunder Nagar office and fire was controlled in less than an hour. According to Mr Amarjit Sharma, Fire Officer and in charge of the team that controlled fire, there was no power supply to the area till 3 p.m. After the supply was restored there was thick smoke billowing out of the hosiery. The area residents immediately called up the fire brigade. “We did not wait for a minute and despatched
engines from Sunder nagar station only. Those reached within minutes and fire was doused before it could spread to other units. Still, quintals of yarn was damaged,” said Mr Sharma. The reason of fire could not be ascertained. Mr Sharma said it could be a short circuit. He also said that the exact loss could not be found out as the owner was out of station. He added that they had to break open the locks of the unit before starting the operation. Besides the yarn that was reduced to ashes, interlocking machines and other machinery was also damaged due to water that was sprayed in the unit to put off fire. In yet another incident household goods in the house of an NRI in the Islam Ganj area were gutted after some thieves broke into his house and set it ablaze after decamping with some valuables. Mr Mukhtiar Singh, the NRI had arrived in India some days ago and had left his house last night to visit his brother in Shimla Puri. Around 5 a.m. in the morning, his neighbours saw flames coming out of his house. They contacted him and told him about it. When he reached the scene, he found out that the locks of his house were broken and certain valuables were missing. Many other items were reduced to ashes due to the fire.
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All notice boards, government as well as private, including those informing the location of a certain department are regularly facing the problem of defacement. To cap it all, Sentinel witnessed that a roadside shopkeeper selling towels near the office of the Registrar- Birth and Death was using the department board as a perfect place to hung his towels. It served the shopkeepers’ purpose as the towels were spotted from a good distance. But for the department, it might be scaring applicants away. (see picture) Punjabi without abuses
Ludhiana is undoubtedly an undeclared metropolitan city. People from all cultures and places in the country are settled here. So much so that people from other states are living here since generations and even speak better Punjabi than the natives. Recently, an advocate who appeared from South India met a senior police official in the latter’s office. The official made out that the advocate was from South India from his looks but was confused if he was right in the estimate as the person was speaking fluent Punjabi. Unable to suppress his curiosity, the officer finally asked the reality. He only burst into laughter at the tongue-in-cheek reply of the advocate, ‘‘ I am a complete Punjabi, but minus the abuses’’ In service of VIPs
With the city witnessing more and more VIP kins’ marriages and the local civic body going overboard for recarpeting and sprucing up the roads leading to the venue, the residents have been left to think that the authorities are working overtime to please the VIPs alone. A sense of dejection is prevailing among the residents, who feel that they live life requesting the authorities for getting civic amenities but when it comes to pleasing ministers and other leaders, the authorities leave no stone unturned. Only yesterday, a road was recarpeted and repainted for the wedding of the son of Mr B.I.S. Chahal. Some days ago, on the marriage of the grandson of Mr Harkishan Singh Surjit, the central verge of Ferozepur Road was repainted and garbage was lifted. But the authorities concerned take pride in doing so and counter anyone on the issue with a question-‘‘Would you not clean your house when some guest visits you?’’ Clay parrots
Some families from Rajasthan have settled in the outskirts of the city. They make their living by making plaster of paris artefacts. These days green shining parrots are the hot favourites. One find rows and rows of parrots lined up by the side of GT road. Women paint the parrots deftly. People buy them as the real parrots have become a rarity these days to show their kids. For the labour put in, they sell it at very competitive prize. Bane of traffic
The traffic around Clock Tower of GT Road, Deepak Cinema Road, Domoria Pul has become a nightmare for the commuters as the pillar for Elevated Road near Mata Rani is being constructed. The GT Road is blocked and traffic for Jalandhar is diverted through Deepak Cinema Road. The traffic congestion makes the commuter ill. On top of the continuing nightmare, the three-wheelers multiply woes of the people. The smoke emitted burns the eye and suffocates people. Then they just swerve and turn, causing further mess. Can nothing be done to see that the drivers of three-wheelers are taught traffic rules? — Sentinel
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Simplify visa formalities, say Pak cyclists
Doraha (Ludhiana), December 11 These views were expressed by members of the Pakistani contingent who have come here to participate in the 25th BSA Cycling and the 12th Asian Junior Cycling Championship which was kicked off today at the National Highway 1 stretch between Doraha and Khanna. The Pakistan squad consist of nine men and four women besides officials. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Najeeb-ur-Rehman, official accompanying the Pakistani squad said they had to go through implications of the visa process which delayed their departure. Moreover, at the eleventh hour, five members of the Pak team were denied visas by the authorities there. When asked why these cyclists were not allowed to travel to India, Mr Rehman said the cyclists were from the army and the authorities concerned did not give them permission only. “All of them — Amjad Ali, Asmat Ali (individual pursuits), Mohd Saleem, Ghulam Abaas and Shah Zaman (road stretch race) are the national record holders and their exposure, here in India could have helped in improving their performance further, he rued. Haroon Rashid, a gold medallist in the SAARC Games said they landed in Delhi only yesterday night and after a brief halt at Ludhiana proceeded for the venue for the road races. “The experience here in India would help us in performing in the champions of the Hills Meet to be held from December 25, the cyclist said.
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Kanwaljit lashes out at Cong
Amloh, December 11 He is to lead a big nagar kirtan organised by Baba Amrik Singh Bhainian Wale in memory of the martyrdom of
the two Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib. The nagar kirtan will pass through Majri Kishne
Wali, Majri Arian, Khanian, Amloh and Jallah villages, and conclude at Fatehgarh Sahib. Lashing out at the Congress rule, Captain Kanwaljit Singh pointed out that the 12th Financial Commission had allotted Rs 15,000 crore to the state government, out of which Rs 9 crore should be spent on development works, and Rs 600 crore should be allotted for urban development replacing the octroi as promised in election manifesto of the Congress. But the latter was striving to change the shape of octroi and impose some new tax on urbanites which would fetch more income, and will put more burden on the traders. Contrary to it, the SAD government had abolished octroi but did not impose any tax in lieu of it. On the development front, the SAD general secretary remarked that the four year performance of the government was zero as the states’ per capita income in 2001 when SAD became out of power, was on the top of the country but during the Congress rule, it had slipped to the fifth position. The government had loaded the debt burden of Rs 22,000 crore on the shoulders of the people of the state. It was upto Rs 30,000 crore in the 50-year period before 2002 and had now risen to Rs 52,000 crore in four years. The SAD has suggested to the Chief Minister to hold a discussion in the house on the corruption charges levelled by the Congress MLAs against the ministers. It was clear that the government had failed on all fronts and shirking from discussion on the important issue, the Capt maintained. In reply to a query, SAD general Secretary asserted that a meeting of activists of the party had been called at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 15 in which duties would be assigned for the success of a SAD political conference on December 25 at the Jor Mela.
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International Human Rights Day celebrated
Ludhiana, December 11 The Principal (retd) Mr G. S. Brara was the chief guest on this occasion. Stress was given on the human rights education to the students. Speaking on this occasion Dr Balwant Singh, Principal of Partap college, asked students to protect, preserve and promote human rights. He also spoke about origin of the human rights day and importance of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Lecturer Mr Davinder Singh Chhina GITC delivered a lecture on human rights education and need for the creation of ‘human rights culture’ in the society to serve humanity. Mr Chhina advised students to contribute for the human rights movement, stick to the human values and to work for human cause. He also spoke about educational rights, sports rights, religious, cultural and environmental rights, with special emphasis on women rights as well. Education, peace, democracy and development could be propagated more by promoting human rights culture. Mr Brara also spoke about tolerance, mutual understanding and respect to all human beings. He asked students to come forward for the promotion of rights and expose the violators of human rights. Former Principal Dr Ramesh Inder Kaur Bal also delivered lecture on rights of women and dignity of women. There was question-answer session by students on the topic of human rights. Dr Balwant Singh thanked all speakers and Prof Manpreet Kaur was the compere of the function.
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Seminar on ‘Art of Parenting’
Ludhiana, December 11 While talking about the proper handling of growing children, Dr Mishra emphasised on proper understanding of the duties of the parents towards their kids. He said in the modern family setup, lack of time is one of the major factors for the behavioural problems of their children The parents should monitor their children’s contact with his or her surrounding world. For their proper handling, it is very essential to understand the child psychology and listen to their problems patiently. He advised the parents to become good-role models for their children to make them understand the things the way they want to. The students should be given incentives in the form of prizes to encourage them in future. After the seminar, there was an interactive session during which Dr Mishra answered the queries of the parents and discussed their pertinent problems regarding parenting. Ms Sunil Arora, the Principal, thanked Dr Mishra for his valuable and thought-provoking talk. She also appreciated the efforts made by HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company.
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5 couples tie nuptial knot
Mandi Ahmedgarh,
December 11 Dr Indu, SDM of Malerkotla, was the chief guest. Besides arranging an elaborate party for the parents of brides and grooms and their guests, the organisers presented articles of daily use to the newly wedded couples. The presents included jewellery, clothes, furniture and cooking gas cylinders. Dr Indu called upon the couples and their parents to create a congenial atmosphere at their respective homes so that the future generations might enjoy a healthy life. She stressed on the need of moral education in maintaining family ethics. Ms Razia Sultan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Jagdish Singh Garcha, MLA, Kilaraipur, Mr Tejinder Singh Dhaliwal, SDM, Payal, and Mr Jatinder Bhola, President, Municipal Council, were among others who blessed the couples.
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BJP flays
proposed hike in power tariff
Ludhiana, December 11 Prof Rajender Bhandari, spokesman and state general secretary of the party, said the imminent hike was a cruel joke on the people of Punjab. Instead the fulfilling the promise made in the election manifesto, the government was resorting to anti-people policies. Immediately after taking over reins of the government, the Congress had brought about a massive hike to the tune of 50 per cent in the electricity tariff followed by two more hikes of 20 per cent and 10 per cent making a total increase of 80 per cent only in the power sector. Instead of giving some relief to the masses, the proposed increase in the electricity tax is ample proof of the government’s cruel approach towards the masses, he alleged. He further added inspite of the huge hike in tax, the govt had failed to bring about any improvements in the performance and functioning of the Punjab State Electricity Board. The people are sill plagued by frequent and unannounced power cuts.
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Pensioners’ day to be
celebrated
Ludhiana, December 11 Pensioners day is celebrated all over the country as a tribute to the landmark verdict pronounced by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India on December 17, 1982 in the case of D.S. Nakara V/s Union of India whereby the apex court has held that pension is a right and not alms to the beggar which the employee has earned from his long service in the government rendered in the reconstruction of the economy and development of the nation, thus the Supreme Court has established the honour, self respect, independence and dignity of the retirees ensuring pension by way of ‘deferred wages’ so as to allow to maintain a standard of living in the society which he or she had been enjoying while in service. Pensioners also urge the government of their respective states and the Centre on this day to accede to their just and genuine demands as are contained in the recommendations of the Pay Commission’s Report and pre-poll manifesto promises held out. The octogenarians among the pensioners are honoured on this occasion says B.R. Kaushal, chairman, Pensioners’ Bhavan.
— OC
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Beauticians make quick buck during wedding season
Ludhiana, December 11 One of the beauticians at Sarabha Nagar, disclosed that this was a wonderful season for the business point of view. There were heavy bridal bookings. He said that he was able to provide services to over 20 brides in a day with the help of his helpers. "Good and leading beauty parlours charge anything between Rs 3000 and Rs 5000 for bridal make up. The bridal mehandi ranges between Rs 1500 and Rs 3000 depending on intricacy of work. The pre-bridal (facial, waxing, hair colours, manicure, pedicure etc) charges are separate. Ms Aarti Girdhar and Ms Isha Girdhar, another mother-daughter duo (beauticians) on The Mall Road said that they believed in providing quality service to the brides. Ms Aarti Girdhar said this was better season as compared to last year. November 18 -26 were the real hectic days. "Tomorrow, being the last day of the wedding season, is again very hectic. But we do not accept more than five to six customers a day. A bride becomes attention seeker on her wedding day. Several eyes watch her make-up, hairdo, hands and feet, dress etc and we try to make her as beautiful as we can. The bridal make-up charges go up to Rs 3500 and the charges for her mehandi are up to Rs 2000", said Ms
Girdhar. A helper at another leading parlour in Kitchlu Nagar said, "We had to hire the services of beauticians from outside as we found ourselves unable to cope-up with the rush. Not only brides but the family members or friends who accompany them, too, get their full make-up done these days". Not only the leading parlours had a field day, but the small beauty parlour owners also feel the same. "The parlours have become a craze for young girls. They do not mind spending a few hundred rupees to look beautiful on their wedding day. I have been able to make approximately Rs 20,000 in the past two months", said another beautician at Civil Lines.
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New Sunflame showroom
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, December 11 Talking to mediapersons after inaugurating a new showroom, at Gill Road, Mr Gopal Krishan, area manager of the company, said with the opening of the new showroom the company had seven exclusive showrooms in the city alone. He said the annual turnover of the company was over Rs 100 crore. Besides the exclusive outlets, they had 24 other shops selling their products. Commenting on the sales figures, he said in Ludhiana the company sold appliances and chimneys worth Rs 50 crore. We aim to double this figure by the corresponding figure next year in this region, he added. Inaugurated: Cotton County, an upcoming clothing brand of Nahar Industrial Enterprises Limited got a filip with the opening of the fourth factory outlet on the National Road. The showroom was inaugurated by Mr Harnam Dan Johar, Education Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Sachin Sahni, Brand Manager, said, “with in a short span of one year this is our 52 outlets and by the end of this financial year we will be able to open 50 more outlets in different parts of the country. We have already made our process felt in Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Ahmedabad and soon we are going to cover other parts of the country as well.”
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