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30 counters set up for riot victims
Ludhiana, February 14 The Deputy Commissioner said a camp in charge of the rank of Executive Magistrate would supervise each of these sites. Further, for the convenience of the riot victims, arrangements were being made with the Notary Public to be available at these camps for the attestation of the documents. Required number of counters would also be earmarked for senior citizens and women at these places. Mr Verma said the application to be submitted for this purpose had been standardised and 10,000 copies of such application proformas were being got printed and would be made available at all these sites. In addition, the outstation SDMs of Samrala, Payal, Khanna, Raikot and Jagraon would receive the claims in their respective offices so that people from out station tehsils do not have to travel to Ludhiana. He said all cases in which the person in whose name the red card had been issued was himself the claimant and was still residing in Ludhiana would be received at these counters. Other complicated cases like those in which either the red card had been lost, or the head of the family had expired, or the family had shifted to some other place in Punjab etc., would be received at three specially earmarked counters at Bachat Bhavan. He added that if required additional documents/information would be obtained from the applicant. Mr Verma informed that the riot victims were required to submit a notarized copy of red card along with their proof of residence that they were still residing in Punjab. For the proof of residence, they could submit a copy of ration card, copy of voter identity card, copy of water/electricity bill. The applicant should also bring along the original copies of these documents. The water/ electricity bill should be preferably after April 1, 2005. In case of the ration card and voter identity card, the official at the counter will compare the photo copy of the original and will retain the attested copy and will return the original documents. In case of water/electricity bill, the original copy of the bill will be retained at the counter. Today, some representatives of various associations of riot victims met the Deputy Commissioner and said they would extend their full cooperation to the administration in the smooth receipt of the applications. Mr Verma said each application would be received and sent to the state-level committee. He appealed to the people to fully cooperate with the staff deputed at the counters.
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Amid protests, youngsters celebrate V-Day
Ludhiana, February 14 Valentine’s Day, though traditionally not an Indian Festival, has assumed an important place not only among the youth in western countries, but in India too. The festival has gained importance in recent years. The youngsters as well as others accompanied with their ‘Valentines’ looked enthusiastic and energetic in markets, restaurants, pubs and cinema halls. Young lovebirds were dressed in their best. Pink, red and black colours remained the dominant colour. On the day of the Cupid, a majority of ‘young hearts’ hold flowers and had friendship bands in their hands. The traffic police was given special instructions for regulating traffic. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed on roads to avoid vandalism. Sarabha Nagar market witnessed a huge rush of young pairs. People had parked their two-wheelers and four-wheelers on roads and the police had a tough time to regulate the traffic in the evening. To celebrate the day, showroom owners had specially decorated their shops with heart-shaped balloons and muticoloured ribbons. Products like soft toys, hanging hearts, lovebirds, chocolates decorative and perfumed flower sticks, romantic musical CDs, perfumes and deodorants, perfumed candles and heart-shaped photoframes remained the favourite gifts amongst youngsters. Meanwhile, the local unit of the Shiv Sena condemned the celebrations. They held protests at various places and alleged that under the influence of the western culture, youngsters had forgotten their values and traditions. The leaders alleged that youngsters were adopting an “unethical” culture.
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Wg Cdr attacked by robbers
Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 14 The police has intensified patrolling after the incident. According to an FIR registered against unidentified robbers under Sections 341, 382, 323 and 324 of the IPC four youths had waylaid two persons, including a Wing Commander on Mullanpur-Raikot road and link road near Saholi village last night. The four miscreants on motor cycle, intercepted the scooter of Wing Commander Mandeep Singh near Sudhar and forced him to part with his belongings. When the victim tried to raise an alarm, the culprits fled under the cover of darkness towards Jodhan village. It was on Khadur-Saholi link road near Khadur chowk that a private school teacher of Ludhiana had fallen prey to them. Mr Gurinder Pal Singh, son of Mr Baljit Singh of Saholi was robbed of two golden rings, cash worth Rs 500 and a mobile. Mr Gurinder Pal Singh had tried to nab one of the miscreants but he managed to escape when the other three attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon, an axe. Due to head injury, he became unconscious and the miscreants fled away. He accompanied with other villagers reported the matter to the police late in the night. Interestingly, Wing Commander Mandeep Singh reported the matter to the police after twelve hours of the incident. Mr Shawinder Singh Dhillon, SHO, Sudhar, said patrolling had been intensified in the area. The police has focused its investigation on some notorious elements who had been released from jail recently. Though no arrest has been made in this connection, the police had rounded up some suspects.
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PAU seeks more farm coverage on radio, TV
Ludhiana, February 14 In his letter to the minister, he said the agriculture sector deserved more time and space in the electronic media because of its wide sweep and impact in telecasting development-oriented programmes which provided knowledge, created awareness about government policies and articulated the aspirations of viewers. The letter mentions about the significant contributions of Doordarshan in socio-economic transformation of rural life. Dr Aulakh suggested that the duration of the present half-an-hour Krishi Darshan programme telecast from Jalandhar five days a week at 5.30 pm may be increased to at least an hour. Also, the repeat telecast the following morning at 8 am may also be changed. Justifying the changes in the telecast time, he said the farmers were usually not home when the programme was telecast at 5.30 pm in the evening or at 8 am in the morning. The evening telecast should be at 6.30 pm by which time farmers were usually free from farm chores. The letter to the minister, Mr Dasmunshi, is based on the feedback received by PAU from its farmers’ committee, district-level scientific advisory committees at Krishi Vigyan Kendras, field extension specialists, district-level heads of departments concerned with agriculture and related fields and scientists. Dr Aulakh suggested that like Doordarshan, private TV channels should also be involved in telecasting agriculture and rural development-oriented programmes for the benefit of farmers and their families.
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PAU student hangs himself to death
Ludhiana, February 14 Gobind Singh, who was married and belonged to Muktsar, was found dead by students in the hostel. Sarabha Nagar DSP R.K. Bakshi said the exact reason of the suicide could not be known. The man had not left behind any suicide note. His parents were also unaware about the reason, the police claimed. Though his father reached the university late in the evening, his wife did not come here.The man’s father said he was quiet for some days. But he did not know any reason for his sadness. The police was suspecting some marital problem or failed love marriage. But officials were not sure till the parents or the man’s wife made a formal statement in this regard. The police has conducted investigations under Section 174 of the CrPC. A case would be registered as per later investigation, DSP Bakshi said.
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Cops yet to nab errant truck driver
Ludhiana, February 14 According to Mr Naresh Kumar Sharma, a local trader he was riding a motor cycle with his nephew, Nitin, on the pillion. They were hit by an overspeeding truck from the rear. Naresh fell on one side, while Nitin fell on the other and was hit by the truck. He was taken to the CMC hospital where he was declared dead. Nitin was the only son of his parents, Dr Manoj Sharma, and Dr Indu Sharma who run a private nursing home in Moti Nagar.
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IT can be deposited in any bank
Ludhiana, February 14 According to Mr Ashok Juneja, president, Taxation Bar Association (TBA), and Mr Anup Jain former president of the Direct Tax Bar Association (DTBA), this was stated by top officials of all leading banks at a joint meeting with Mr R S Mathoda, Chief Commissioner Income Tax, Commissioners, Additional Commissioner and office-bearers of the TBA and the DTBA. They said a meeting was held to discuss and streamline the tax credit system through the OLTAS and remove difficulties being faced by banks, taxpayers and solutions thereof. Mr Juneja and Jain said, Chiefs of banks had assured them that all taxpayers would get cooperation from banks and taxes accepted without any problem, or delay. The CCIT called upon the bankers to device the design, format and impression of their mechanical stamps to be put on challans in such a way so that 18 digits indicating the BSR code, date, month, year and computer-generated serial number wre clearly legible on all tax challans. The CCIT said all bankers should accept the taxes up to 4.00 pm on working days and upto 1.00 pm on Saturdays or within their stipulated working hours and the challans after deposit may be returned to taxpayers without delay.
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Inquiry into under-weight
milk packets
Ludhiana, February 14 Mr Verma asked Mr Jain to make a detailed inquiry to ascertain who was responsible for this and submit his report within a period of 15 days. Mr Verma said in case during the inquiry it was proved that the milk plant was supplying 300 or 350 ml of milk in packets of 500 ml, strict action as per the law would be initiated against the person found responsible for the same. The Deputy Commissioner said under the Consumer Protection Act, it was the right of every consumer to get the right quantity and quality as mentioned on the packet and the administration would not allow any dealer or supplier to fleece the customer. He appealed to the consumers in case they noticed any kind of such violation in future, they should bring it to the notice of the DFSC.
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Dharna outside Commissioner’s residence
Ludhiana, February 14 The area councillor, Mr Rajinder Singh Bhatia, addressing the protestors, said the officials of the civic body were discriminating against the wards represented by Akali councillors and were not providing amenities in those areas. Mr Bhatia said the MC had meted out a stepmotherly treatment to his ward and there were no streetlights, the sewerage system was faulty, roads were bad and parks unkempt. He said he had made numerous representations to the city Mayor as well as the MC commissioner, but to no avail. The councillor said tubewells supplying water to domestic areas were developing snags and no repair work had taken place. Residents of Manjeet Nagar were suffering for the past many days as the tubewell was lying non-operational. They had to cross the railway line to fetch water everyday. He said the silt removed from sewer manholes was not cleaned. This emanated stench and there was filth all around. “We have written to the SDO and JE concerned a number of times. But nobody has come to our rescue. We keep suffering and we get to know that money was sanctioned for various projects which never took off, ” alleged Mr Bhatia.
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SAD burns
CM’s effigy Ludhiana, February 14 Led by Mr Jaspal Singh
Dhall, the protestors said that prices of all items had skyrocketed in the Congress government’s regime. They said the poor people were suffering as even the wheat flour had become costly. They added that 65 per cent factories in the city had closed down and industrial sector was also suffering due to his wrong policies.
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Sarpanches protest against Vigilance action
Ludhiana, February 14 The agitators demanded that the case registered against their counterparts by the Vigilance Bureau should be withdrawn and its interference should not be allowed in the functioning of village panchayats. They said they were against corruption but could not allow the Vigilance officials to indulge in excesses against them. They added that they would continue to protest unless their demands were met.
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Development project
approved
Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 14 Mr Jatinder Kumar Bhola, president of the council, said an amount of Rs 15 lakh had been earmarked for the development of slums in the town. The move was launched on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass on Monday. Mr Bhola said the amount would be rationally utilised towards the construction of streets, drains and providing streetlight in areas inhabited by Dalits.
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Camps for disabled postponed
Ludhiana, February 14 He said this had been done because the District Disabled Rehabilitation Centre, Patiala, which was the nodal agency for this purpose has, at the last minute, expressed its inability to come to Ludhiana on account of its the heavy workload. Mr Bharti informed that the matter is being taken up with Education Department in this regard. He appealed to the handicapped children and their guardians to bear with the department. He stated that information regarding the fresh schedule shall be given shortly.
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Public interest issues taken up
Amloh, February 14 Traffic problems, gas cylinder theft and sale of intoxicants were discussed.
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Missing youth untraced
Ludhiana, February 14 According to family members, Munish Sharma left his house at around 11 a.m. on that day for a hair- cut. But he did not come back. All efforts to locate him proved futile. Mr V.N. Sharma, his father said Munish was suffering from depression for some time. He was on medication. Munish was a brilliant student and was placed in the merit list in his plus two examination a year ago. He got admission in Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, but stopped going to the college. Later he was admitted to Engineering College Bathinda, but again he did not attend classes regularly. Since then he was keeping at home and did not have friends. He would go for hair cut regularly but would come back. The police has lodged a DDR. Munish was wearing grey trousers and a sweater when he left his house.
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Auto parts makers flay power hike proposal
Ludhiana, February 14 “The PSEB has sought permission from the Punjab State Power Regulatory Commission to increase power tariff. It is a move that would cripple the industry in the region, already going through hardships,” said Mr G.S. Kahlon, president of the association. Mr Kahlon said the PSEB had pleaded that there was an overall increase in the cost on account of various reasons. “They said there was a significant increase of Rs 811 crore under power purchase, Rs 134 crore on account of fuel and Rs 92 crore under employee cost head, resulting in a total increase in annual requirement from Rs 8,145 crore to Rs 9,460 crore.” Terming the board’s proposal as unjustified, Mr Kahlon said electricity consumers in the state were already suffering on account of poor power supply. “Instead, the PSEB should reduce its transmission and distribution losses, reduce its staff strength and recover its pending bills from government and other big organisations,” said Mr Surinder Singh, general secretary of the association. The association said that any further rise in power tariff would not only harm existing industry, it would also discourage new industry from entering the state.
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Companies make moolah on Valentine’s Day Ludhiana, February 14 “Our sales have almost doubled in the past few days. Thanks to the hype created it is our business that is having the best time. People from all age groups thronged to buy gift items and greeting cards,” said Mr Ravinder Kumar, a gift-shop owner in the Civil Lines area. While most college goers stuck to low budget gift items, young working class preferred “uniqueness” and high budget gifts. “I could not afford to gift jewellery to my girl friend so I bought her a perfume and cosmetics. For information on gifts there was a lot available on websites and almost every magazine had a Valentine special this time. Besides, even shop owners these days do not hesitate and are quite helpful in getting items selected within your range,” said Sandeep, a final year student. Jewellery stores had an equally good time. “We had an exclusive Valentine’s special jewellery range and it was quite a hit. People preferred light weight, stylish jewellery in both gold as well as diamonds,” said Mr Rohit, a jeweller. The innovative ones went in for items like plants, that had leaves with romantic messages on them, CDs with songs of their choice etc. Hotels too offered exclusive dinners and even mobile phone companies did not lag behind to cash on the occasion. “Throughout the day I sent dedicated songs to my fiance, thanks to the mobile phone company that offered the gift,” Mr Mohit Sharma, a bank executive said. Even for those who have long distance relationships, companies had no dearth of items on the offing. “I sent my fiance a package with his favorite DVD, a branded watch, a tee-shirt and candy, I selected these items on a website,” disclosed Shikha, whose fiance lives in Delhi. Earlier it was occasions like Divali and New Year when businessmen made money, but now they look forward to Valentine’s Day. Mohan Kalia, another shop owner, said: “Festivals bring in boom and Valentine’s Day too has become one such occasion.”
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Industry demands airport Ludhiana, February 14 “An international airport is the need of the hour for industry here, as nearly 30 per cent of air passengers who travel from Delhi, include industrialists from the state,” said Mr Inderjit Singh Pardhan, President, CICU. He said an international airport here would be of great help.
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