Rajnath raps govt for price rise
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
The BJP president, Mr Rajnath Singh, today accused the Congress-led and the Left supported UPA government at the Centre for its complete failure in providing relief to the people from continuously rising prices of essential commodities. He said, the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, instead of asking the chief ministers to curb the prices, should ask the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to take an initiative at the Centre only.

Flagging off the BJP’s Cycle Yatra against the rising prices of fuel and other essential commodities, Mr Singh pointed out, the UPA government had come to power for providing relief to the ‘aam admi’ (the common man). “But it is the common man who is suffering the most under this regime”, he observed.

The BJP president also criticised the left parties, including the CPI and Communist Party of India (Marxist), for supporting the government in its anti-people policies. He ridiculed the left “double standards” of criticising the government while at the same time supporting it from the outside. He said the left should also clarify its stand on the issue of the rising prices.

Mr Singh asserted that the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance under the leadership of Mr Parkash Singh Badal was all set to storm to power in the state in the forthcoming assembly elections. He said, the alliance was on a strong footing as the Congress government in the state had failed to meet the expectations of the people.

The BJP leader alleged that the state government had ignored the interest of the farmers. He claimed that the government was only watching the interest of the big and the mighty while the common man was being crushed. There was no development taking place in the state and everything had come to a standstill.

He expressed grave concern over the “deteriorating law and order situation” in the state. He pointed out, everyday there were reports of loot and murder taking place here and there and the government appeared unconcerned. The BJP will continue to raise these issues concerning the state by holding protest demonstrations through out the state.

Tribune Impact
Survey of Sirhind Canal banks conducted
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 5
Reacting strongly to the reports about the alleged indifferent attitude of the canal authorities towards maintenance and repair of the banks of the Sirhind Canal passing this part of district, the Special Secretary, Irrigation Department, got conducted a survey of the condition of the banks.

The Executive Engineer, Ropar Headworks, claimed that necessary repairs would be completed shortly. However, the parts of metalled road would be repaired by the PWD authorities. Reacting to a report published in Ludhiana Tribune on Monday, Mr Sumir Kumar, Special Secretary, Irrigation Department, Punjab Government, directed senior functionaries of the canal department to conduct a survey on the condition of banks of the canal and do the needful immediately.

Mr Subash Chander Garg, Superintending Engineer, following the directions visited the area and deputed Mr Ashwani Singla, Executive Engineer, to conduct a survey and submit a report in consultation with SDM Malerkotla, who had earlier asked the authorities to repair the banks.

While talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Singla said that the survey had been completed and necessary action would be taken under the advice of senior functionaries of the department. “Though the final plan would be drafted on the advice of senior functionaries, I have given necessary instructions to the staff. Execution of these orders will ensure safety of life and property of residents of this area,” claimed Mr Singla. Terming paucity of funds as one of the factors for the alleged “indifference”, Mr Singla called upon the social and political organisations to make people aware so they conserved banks in their respective areas. “Though we have earmarked certain spots on the banks for bathing cattle, people do not hesitate in damaging banks by entering their cattle according to their convenience,” said the Executive Engineer.

He further said that maintenance of metalled road along the canal was the responsibility of the PWD Department. Mr Mukesh Sharma, Duty Magistrate, Mr Harbant Singh, SDO, and Surjit Singh, Junior Engineer, were present on the occasion.

Model villages in memory of martyrs
Tribune News Service

Arrest price rise: SAD, BJP
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, July 5
Hundreds of workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party today held a protest march from Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Tehsil Road, Jagraon, raising anti-government slogans over the hike in prices of essential commodities.

They later sat in dharna near the office of the local SDM. The procession was lead by Mr Bhag Singh Mallah, sitting SAD MLA.

Addressing the gathering, leaders flayed the state government and the PSEB for failing to improve the power supply. They accused the government of buying electricity at high rates from other states and supplying it to industrialists at half the rates.

Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, a former MP, spoke about suicides being committed by farmers. He said farmers were not given proper rates for their produce.

He urged the gathering to defeat the Congress in the state in the coming elections.

The election manual of the SAD was also distributed among those present on the occasion.

Those present included Mr Harsurinder Singh Gill, a member of the SGPC, Mr Baldev Kishan, president of the local unit of the BJP, Mr Vinod Kumar Goyal, councillor, Mr Akhtiar Singh Roomi, president, SAD (rural), and Mr Kewal Singh Badal, vice-president of the SGPC.

Later, Mr Mallah presented a memorandum to Mr Sukhwinder Singh Gill, the local SDM, regarding their demands.

Labour unrest at cycle units
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Labour activity surfaced at two cycle parts manufacturing units of the KW Engineering Group in Focal Point here today. Of the total 500 workers in these units, over 200 stopped work and alleged that the management had forcibly turned them out. The management, on the other side, claimed that 40 workers had resigned on their own and said it was willing to take back the remaining workers who are "absent from duty".

"On June 28, the management of Wassan Engineering Corporation and KW Rims Private Limited, in the presence of a labour inspector and police official, started calling workers one by one and beat them up. A lot of workers were forced to sign on some papers and their right to work was snatched. The next day when remaining workers went to work, the managements of these two units refused to let them work," alleged Mr Jatinder Pal, vice-president, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Demanding action against the labour and police department, CITU submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner today.

Management of the two unions, however, refuted the charges and said it was CITU's frustration and its desire to hog limelight that it was resorting to such allegations.

"Workers had been creating problems on one pretext or the other due to which we had to call police and a labour inspector on July 3. It was in their presence that 40 workers from both units, submitted their resignations, which we immediately accepted and also made them full and final payment. This came unexpected to them and they launched an agitation," legal adviser for the company Mr B.D. Arora, told the Ludhiana Tribune.

He said of the total 500 workers, more than 125 were not reporting for duty. "However, we are willing to take all of them, except those who have resigned back."

Terming the protest as CITU's frustration, he said: "Labour situation has improved recently. The recent direction in the cases of Oswal and Avon wherein workers were asked to report for duty and no pay was given for days they were absent, was a let down for CITU that has always wanted to hog limelight. It is resorting to such activities. We are certain that this issue would end in a few days ."

Meanwhile, CITU urged the Deputy Commissioner to order a probe and direct the management to take workers back on duty.

IMA resents AIIMS Director’s ouster
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
IMA has expressed deep anguish over the removal of Dr Venugopal, Director of AIIMS. The members said that it was perturbing that personal egos had become more important than the national cause.

Dr Venugopal deserved respect by the government than such an attitude. The IMA feels that this will demoralise the hard-working doctors of the country. The IMA has urged the Prime Minister to intervene before the situation took an ugly turn. They said that members stand by and support the doctors of AIIMS for the strike.

The association members further added that this action of the Health Minister will send a wrong signal to the top professionals of all the streams. 

COMMUNITY

Violation of Takht traditions
K.S. Chawla

Ludhiana, July 5
The quadricentenary celebrations of the establishment of Akal Takht have come to an end with unsavoury. This will leave a trail of influence on the currents of Punjab politics.

The “absolute power” being wielded by Mr Parkash Singh Badal has started manifesting its ill-effects. This is evident in rampant factionalism in the SGPC.

The tradition among the Sikhs has always been that the venue of Takht was always used by all groups of Sikhs. Disputes were resolved or ended with armed conflicts but the right of the people to congregate at the Takht and express their views without fear was never challenged.

On July 2, the Badal faction tried to appropriate the entire show and use it to political benefit. People were picked up at random to be honoured, disregarding the traditions that a siropa could not be awarded to a person who trimmed or dyed his beard or was guilty of any aberration in the code of conduct. Cash awards were never given at the Takht.

Dr Rajwant Singh from Washington, Dr Daljeet Singh, eye specialist, and Dr Sukhdyal Singh of Punjabi University are all guilty of dyeing their beards. Journalist Kuldip Nayyar was aptly honoured for being a sympathiser of Sikhs.

People who spoke on the stage praised the services of Mr Badal and no dissent was tolerated. It was in this context that Mr Simranjit Singh Mann's presence was resisted by the secretary more than once. In the end it was decided not to allow him to speak.

When he and his supporters stood up to protest and asked Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar to allow him to speak, they were hooted by the Badal faction.

What was required was the denunciation of the incident by the Jathedars. But they held a hurried meeting to single out Mr Mann and made an illogical appeal to the Sikhs that he should not be allowed to speak from Panthic stages.

What does the panthic stage mean? Is it the stage of the Takht or all SGPC stages of historic gurdwaras or specific congregations at local gurdwaras. All this tentamounts to suppression of dissent. A section who wins the SGPC elections does not constitute the entire community. There is a sizeable opposition which cannot be ignored.

Guru Gobind Singh allowed dissent. Even during partition, master Tara Singh called a convention to enlist the support of all factions of Sikhs and a darbar was organised.

At the takht, there have been many quarrels and disputes but the opposition was never humbled the way Mr Mann and his supporters were.

It is learnt that the Panth, particularly intellectuals, is contemplating to convene a convention shortly to debate over the happenings at the Takht and its misuse by the powers that be.

Encroachments, garbage bane of Gill road
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Encroachments, garbage and poor hygiene is a bane for residents of various colonies along the Gill road here. Despite being a Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway, the road is dotted with encroachments on both sides and garbage is littered everywhere, affecting the flow of traffic.

Though the road is wide, vendors selling vegetable and other wares, besides small-scale industries, add to the chaos.

Residents of the area had constituted a committee to educate people to keep the road clean and clear of encroachments but it did not yield anything. Representations to the MC also fell on deaf ears.

Now the Environmental and Welfare Association has sent a legal notice to the civic body under the MC Act, stating that the road should be cleared otherwise it would be forced to move court.

The society said heaps of sand were lying on both sides of the road which it seemed was never cleaned. Vegetable vendors and shopkeepers displayed their goods on the road, creating a traffic bottleneck.

There was no footpath on either sides and half of the road was kutcha. “There is no space for pedestrians. They brush against the traffic but nobody listens. There is total chaos,” said Mr Sher Singh, a resident.

He said most of the mess was created by second-hand scooters and two-wheeler markets. People randomly park their vehicles in the scooter bazaar and there was nobody to check them.

The residents suggested that the area should be surveyed and the crossings which were not required should be closed.

The small-scale industries were also leading to problems. The main gates of these opened on the road and heavy machinery was downloaded, leading to traffic problems.

Around 50-60 kiosks put up on the road near Arora Cinema had added to the chaos. “The MC had removed them some time ago but these came back soon after. We have come to know that their cases were in the court and nothing can be done about them now,” added Mr Sher Singh.

The Gill canal bridge that connects the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road is also dotted with kiosks selling meat and fish. These encroachments had been removed but these came back.

This heart patient needs monetary help
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
Tej Narayan, a 45-year-old resident of Hargobind Nagar here, is admitted to the CMC under the supervision of Dr Rajiv K. Gupta, Consultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

He is suffering from rheumatic heart disease that has affected his heart valves. Due to the illness, he is unable to carry on with any physical work and requires an urgent double valve replacement to correct the defect.

He, being the sole earning member of the family, can hardly bear the cost of his treatment, which is approximately Rs 2 lakh.

The CMC has been providing the entire possible medicare free or at the cheapest cost. Tej Narayan belongs to a poor socio-economic background and hardly earns Rs 60 a day. The total expenditure of the surgery, including the cost of valves, is approximately Rs 2 lakh. The CMC has decided to bear the cost of the valves of about Rs 55,000 and part of the hospital treatment, but still the expenditure is beyond the capacity of Tej Narayan. He needs good Samaritans to save his life.

Phollo Devi , Tej Narayan’s wife, with tears rolling down her cheeks, said: “I wonder what is going to happen to my family. My husband is a rickshaw-puller but he stopped working after the detection of the disease six months ago; till now we have spent all our savings. I had heard that appeals do generate funds. Let us see what is there in my destiny.”

All those who wish to bring back the smile to Tej Narayan’s face and his family can contact the Medical Superintendent, Christian Medical College and Hospital. All donations should be made in favour of the CMC with “Treatment For Tej Narayan” written on the back or on the covering letter.

Dharamsot has a dig at SAD
Our Correspondent

Amloh, July 5
The Shiromani Akali Dal is in the habit of misleading the Panth to come to power, alleged Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Parliamentary Secretary (Home, Justice and PWD) and member of the All-India Congress Committee, at a function held to lay the foundation stone of a road from Haripur village to Bhadal Thuha village to be built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh.

Earlier, at another function in Sounti village, near here, Mr Dharamsot lashed out at the functioning of the SAD, which, he said, had caused a huge loss to the state in the fields of agriculture and industry.

On the contrary, whenever the Congress came into power, it had given due respect to the Panth by carving new districts, he said.

He cautioned the people not to be taken in by the false propaganda of the SAD and instead strengthen the hands of Capt Amarinder Singh in the coming elections.

Mr Shingara Singh, president, Block Congress Committee, Mr Lal Chand Garg, president, Municipal Council, Amloh, Mr Gurdev Singh Khanian, member, PPCC, Mr Pargat Singh Anian, media in charge, Mr Baljit Singh Anian, vice-president, Anti-Corruption Federation, and Mr Nirbhai Singh Dhumi, a former Sarpanch, Sounti, also spoke on the occasion.

Mr Dharamsot laid the foundation stone of a road costing Rs 8.5 lakh up to Balmik Basti. He also laid the stone for village streets and drains costing Rs 5 lakh and inaugurated a room costing Rs 1.70 lakh of Government Elementary School, Sounti. He also gave cheques for Rs 1 lakh for Bazigar Dharamshala and Rs 1 lakh for an SC crematorium. A cultural programme was also presented.

As many as 32 sarpanches of neighbouring villages, members of the Zila Parishad and villagers were present on the occasion. 

Convert school into garden, say senior citizens
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
An emergency meeting of the All-India Senior Citizens Organisation was held at Thaman’s Holistic Healing Centre at 112 -F, Rishi Nagar here today. Core members of the organisation attended the meeting under the presidentship of Mr Suresh Verma.

The difficulties faced by senior citizens of the city were discussed.

It was unanimously resolved that the Ludhiana Improvement Trust should develop and convert primary school, Block F, Pocket A, with an area of 1.34 acres with Leisure Valley , Mini Rose Garden, Mini Hardy World as there was no necessity of a primary school in the locality. It was the dire need to make it a tourist spot as green area and curtail pollution..

At a suggestion of Sushil Kumar Moudgil, advocate, a proposal was passed that an approach road towards Ferozepur Road should be demarcated by the side of Z Block, Rishi Nagar towards Udham Singh Nagar as there was a proper passage available from F-Block Rishi Nagar to adjoining Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana. Students also experienced difficulty in crossing over to Ferozepur Road in the absence of an approach road.

The members were irked at the inferior material used in metalling of roads of F Block, Rishi Nagar. They feel that there was a dire need of remetalling of roads.

Meanwhile, at another meeting of members of All-India Senior Citizens Organisation, Sarafan Bazaar, here, delay in the registration of voters in Ward No 45 and other important wards of the city was discussed. They have appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, New Delhi, and the Chief Electoral officer of Punjab to issue orders to enlist voters of Ward No 45 on a priority basis.

“Miss Panjaban” to be held in Australia
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
The first-ever pageant — Miss Panjaban Australia-2006 — will be organised in Sydney on 16 July at Western Sydney University. The event is a prelude to Miss World Panjaban organised every alternate year by the Sabhyacharak Saath Punjab, India.

Mr Jasmer Singh Dhatt, Founder and Chairman of the pageant, and Mr Narinderpal Singh Gill, president of the Australia chapter of the organisation, in a press note released today said: “Miss Panjaban Australia-2006” will be organised in association with the Indian Women Cultural Association of Australia Inc. and will consist of four rounds i.e. introductory, solo dance, talent and group dance round. The winners of this event will be honoured with Punjabi traditional ornaments and mementoes. The winner of Miss Panjaban, Australia, will participate in the ninth Miss World Panjab-2006 to be held in Ludhiana and Delhi in October.

Mr Gursaran Bajaj, general secretary, and Mr Sham Kumar, media secretary, Australia Chapter, informed the media that the registration was open for the “Miss World Panjaban-2006” as well as “Miss Panjaban Australia”.

The conditions say that participating girls should be of Punjabi origin and between 17 and 25 years of age. The entry forms can be downloaded from www.missworldpunjaban.com.

Indian Bank staff hold rally
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Alleging that its management has adopted a negative attitude towards employees’ demands, the Indian Bank Employees Union held a protest rally here today. The union also threatened to observe a strike on August 8 if its demands were not met.

Addressing the rally, Harvinder Singh, general secretary, said: “The adamant approach of the management has forced us to resort to agitation.”

The union demanded implementation of the existing policies and settlements. The union said while on one side the management was not paying heed to their demands, on the other, it had added fuel to the fire by giving Rs 101 crore of the net profit of Rs 504 crore this year to the Government of India by way of dividend after a gap of 12 years. “Government guidelines have been violated to set apart 3 per cent of the net profit subject to a maximum of Rs 15 crore towards the staff welfare funds.”

7 lakh to visit Naina Devi mela
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, July 5
To maintain the smooth flow of devotees on ''Sawan Ashtami" mela of Naina Devi, the administration held a meeting with NGOs, Seva Samiti, committees and langar committees, stated Dr Sat Pal Aggarwal, president, Naina Devi Langar Committee, in a press note here today.

The meeting was called by Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Munish Garg at Naina Devi rest house which was attended by SDM Baldev Thakrey, ADM Hans Raj, ASP A R Rana, DSP Anupam Sharma and Dr Sat Pal Aggarwal, who is the president of langar committee of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, senior vice-president Ram Dev Bansal, Assistant Secretary Ramesh Singla, trustee Om Parkash, vice-chairman market committee Nabha Gian Chand Mangoo and president, Durga Seva Mandal, Narinder Kumar Singla.

The meeting discussed various points to provide all kinds of facilities like parking shelter, sanitation, langar, flow of traffic and medical aid, etc.

Sat Pal pointed out that 87 langars points would be set on the route from Kaulanwala Tobha to Naina Devi, the devotees would be served with sweets, bread pakoras, karhi with rice, paneer pakora, saag maki di roti, kheer, etc. Last year more than 5 lakh devotees joined the pilgrimage, while the number seems to cross 7 lakh, added Mr Aggarwal.

Suvidha centre opened
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
A Suvidha centre to provide single window for clearing all routine work relating to different branches of the SDM office has started functioning at Raikot. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, inaugurated the centre and listened to the grievances of the people.

Gupta said such centres were being started at the Subdivision levels to facilitate people in getting their routine works done. He said a sub-registrar has been deputed from 9 AM to 5 PM daily at the centre to attest the affidavits and other documents and issue all kinds of certificates on the spot.

The DC said the administrative machinery had been geared up for the quick disposal of the routine work of the people and the development process has also been speeded up. The SDMs and other officers had already been directed to exercise strict monitoring of all ongoing development works to ensure the timely completion of the work. He said the grants of Rs 50 crore had been given under the Punjab Nirman programme for the different development works in the urban and rural areas.

Premchand, SDM, said with the provision of Suvidha Centre at Raikot, the disposal of the works of the people would be ensured.

Harmohinder Singh Pardhan, vice-president, PPCC, addressing the function appreciated the initiative of the administration for starting the centre to provide single window facility to the public. He said the government had already given grants amounting to Rs 4 crore for the execution of different development works and welfare schemes in Raikot.

Act tough against criminals: BJP
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
The series of heinous criminal incidents in the city has led to a lot of concern among the people here. The gruesome murder of a jeweller couple in the wee hours yesterday preceded by a number of similar incidents earlier has led to a sense of insecurity among the people. The criminals have established that they can strike at will.

Cutting across the party affiliations, leaders of various political parties and social organisations have urged the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr A.S. Rai, to act tough against the criminals. They said, with such an image of a clean and honest officer, people of the city had great expectations from the police under his leadership.

The BJP today submitted a memorandum to the SSP urging him to take strong measures against the rising crime graph in the city. They pointed out that a series of criminal incidents leading to murder and robbery had created scare among the people. They demanded that the confidence of the people be restored and the law and order be restored at all the costs.

The BJP leaders who met the SSP included Mr Anil Sarin, Prof Rajinder Bhandari, Dr Subash Verma and others.

Kidnapper Rajesh was hiding in city
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Rajesh, a criminal, who was shot dead in an encounter with the Haryana police on Sunday in Kaithal had strong connections with Ludhiana, where he had been hiding by working as a labourer at a couple of factories. The families of his two uncles also live here.

Rajesh , who was involved in kidnappings for ransom, was wanted in over 12 cases and was being chased by a team of Ludhiana police too, who suspected his role in the kidnapping of Vikramjit Singh, son of an industrialist. The local police had almost caught him when he fled to Kaithal.

Sources revealed that a team of the Kaithal police had camped in the city for two days last week in his search. The same team had an encounter with the accused near Kheri village in Kaithal, the day it returned from Ludhiana.

The sources said the accused had an excellent intelligence network of his own, which enabled him to hoodwink the police a number of times.

He allegedly learnt that a small-time criminal-cum-informer in Kaithal was supplying information about him to the police about his whereabouts in Ludhiana. He was planning to go to Kaithal in search of that fellow.

The Ludhiana and the Kaithal police came to know about his plan. They reached Kheri village and shot him in an encounter.

Rajesh and his gang had executed at least three kidnappings and pocketed Rs 30-80 lakh in these cases.

Market Plus launched
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Market Plus is an improvement over previous LIC ULIPs. This was stated by Mr S.C. Dhingra, Senior Divisional Manager, LIC, Ludhiana division, here today at its launch. He said it would be available to persons in the age group of 18- 70 years.

Market Plus would invest 70-80 per cent in equity, unlike the previous scheme where this investment hovered around 60 per cent. “There would be no surrender charge under this plan but a lock-in period of three years from the date of commencement would be there. If a policy holder, however, wants to book gains before three years, he has the option to freeze his account and monitor the units at the applicable NAV (Net Asset Value) ,” he said.

Mr Dhingra said the previous ULIPs had received a tremendous response in the Ludhiana division that included Ludhiana, Bathinda and Mansa. “People from all age groups gave an overwhelming response and the collection under these plans in the past three months from this division touched Rs 232 crore.”

On the effectiveness of the new ULIP, Mr Dhingra said despite high volatility in the share market recently, growth was expected to continue, which assured better returns from this policy.

Giving details of premium collections, he said collection from unit-linked plans itself had enabled the division to surpass its annual target for this year. “The target is Rs 216 crore for this year and we have already collected Rs 232 crore from ULIPs, the total collection, which includes other policies also is around Rs 237 crore so far,” he added.

The new plan is available to policyholders at an offer price of Rs 10 beginning today.

Mr V.K. Dhar, manager, sales, and Mr S.K. Saxena, marketing manager, Ludhiana division, were also present on the occasion.

Bank hikes interest rates
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
The Central Bank of India has increased interest rates on NRE and foreign currency non-resident (B) deposits across all maturities except deposits in EUR with effect from this month.

The bank said in a press note here today that the new interest rates on FCNR B deposits in USD for one year to less than two years and on two years to less than three years would be 5.69 per cent, for three years to less than four years would be 5.68 per cent, for four years to less than five years 5.7 per cent and for five years would be 5.72 per cent.

Interest rates on NRE time deposit for one year to less than two years and for two years to less than three years are 6.7 per cent now.