R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Memo to DC: Members of the Janwadi Istri Sabha, led by Ms Rajinder Kaur Chokha, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, here on Monday, demanding a complete ban on sex determination tests, strict action against owners of those ultrasound scan centres involved in sex determination tests, ban on obscene advertisements and movies being telecast on TV channels and published in the print media.

Jalandhar
Woman cuts off own leg: Rajvinder, a resident of Phagwara, is now recuperating in the Civil Hospital after she cut off her leg because of the shame of being sent to the jail after being arrested for possessing a pistol, illegally. Family sources though claimed that she had been wrongly fabricated in the case by one travel agent whom she had given money for her sending abroad. She had been in jail since past one month, the police said.

War exhibition: To commemorate the victory of the Indian Army over Pakistan during 1971, Vajra Corps would organise a defence equipment exhibition at PAP Sports Stadium on December 16. Tanks, infantry combat vehicles, artillery guns, air defence missiles, AK-47s and other weapons and equipments would be displayed in the exhibition.

Army training: In its effort to impart free training to the wards of ex-servicemen and widows of the army personnel for recruitment into armed forces, the District Sainik Welfare Office would start a six-week training camp from December 15. Lt Col Manmohan Singh, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, said the initial screening of the candidates would be held on that day. Those who clear the screening would be put through strict medical test the next day to check their fitness level. The chosen candidates would be provided with free food and lodging facilities.

Traffic rules: The Government Arts and Sports College organised a talk on traffic education on Monday. Mr Satnam Singh, Sub-Inspector, Traffic Police, said as many as 85,000 persons were killed and 4.5 lakh became handicapped in road accidents every year. He urged the people to adopt the slogan “Sarak Surakhya, Jeevan Rakhya,” as he gave a demonstration to avoid road accidents. He stressed on the importance of helmets and safety belts while driving and added that mobile phones should not be used while driving. Mr Gautam Singal, DSP, Traffic Police, answered the queries of the students. Ms Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, Principal, was also present.

Function on Jan 11: A function would be held in Kussa village near Moga on January 11 to applaud the role played Gursharan Singh in the freedom movement, Mr Jaspal Jassi, convener of the function, said at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall on Monday. He said thousands of representatives from workers, peasants, employees, students, youth, women, artists, democratic rights’ activists and intellectuals were expected to honour Mr Gursharan Singh for his life long commitment and contribution to the revolutionary cause of social change for liberation of oppressed masses from repressive social system. Mr Jassi said posters, leaflets and pamphlets would be distributed in large numbers and meetings would be held in different places to spread word about the function.

Dental camp: A five-day free dental camp for the students of Apeejay School began at the Apollo Clinic on Monday. The dentists participating in the camp are Dr Deepak Mahajan and Dr Gulshandeep.

ING Vysya: Insurance major ING Vysya opened a new branch in the city recently. Spaking at the inauguration, the company’s CEO and MD, Mr Frank Koster, said he was counting on the Pension Bill to be passed in the Parliament, which he said would open the field even more. “The company would be able to apply for more licenses to conduct their business in the area.” The company, he said, was following the expansion plans vigorously in the country. The company has business tie-ups with 23 Cooperative Banks and three private banks. It is also the largest shareholder in Vysya Bank, Bharat Overseas Bank and Bank of Nainital. “The tie-ups with the Cooperative Banks give us the advantage of being able to reach out to the rural sector,” Koster said.

NAWANSHAHR
NRI’s gesture: A high level delegation of NRIs led by Mr Kewal Singh Dhillon, president of the district unit of the NRI Sabha, visited Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust, Dhahan Kaleran. Mr Nazar Singh, an NRI donated Rs 1 lakh for the trauma centre being constructed there.

Medical camp: The local Rotary Club held a camp and administered polio drops to children living in slums on Sunday. Dr Dalip Kumar, Civil Surgeon, inaugurated the camp. Volunteers of the club assisted teams of the Health Department in the special polio eradication drive.

Teachers’ plea: The district unit of the Punjab Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union led by its president, Mr Rajinder Sharma, submitted a memorandum to the Education Minister, Mr Harnam Dass Johar, at Banga on Sunday. The union drew the attention of the minister towards the long-pending demands of teachers of aided schools.

PATHANKOT
Contract over: The Municipal Council, Sujanpur, has cancelled the contract for octroi collection awarded to a private contractor following complaints of harassment by the people. Mr Naresh Puri, chief of the civic body, said the contractor had failed to meet the conditions laid down in the contract agreement.

College grant: The Punjab government has released a quarterly grant of over Rs 17 crore to state aided colleges, sources said on Wednesday. The grant covered the months of September to November under the grant-in-aid scheme. The amount had reached DPI(C), sources added.

HARYANA

REWARI
1 dies in road mishap: In a head-on collision between a canter (HR 55 L-8144) and a Truck on National Highway No. 8 near Sunday, the canter driver, Mukesh, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was killed on the spot. The police has booked the truck driver for rash and negligent driving.

In-laws booked: In pursuance of the directive issued under Section 156 (3) of the Cr PC by a local court on a petition filed by Usha Yadav, daughter of Tara Chand Yadav of Kosli, the Kosli police has booked her husband Davender Yadav, father-in-law Beg Raj Yadav, mother-in-law Tarawati and sister-in-law Sunita, all residents of Jharoda village in the Delhi region, on charges of harassment for dowry and criminal breach of trust under sections 498-A, 406, 506 of the IPC.