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Men posing as cops rob labourers
Ludhiana, January 2 Achhe Lal and Santosh Kumar, both victims, claimed that the robbers looted Rs 44,000 from them. “It was our hard earned money. We had come to the bank for preparing a draft to be sent our villages in Bihar, when they kidnapped and looted us.” While the labourers claimed that the robbers spoke and behaved like real cops, the police even doubted they were ever robbed. Investigating officer of the Division No. 4 police station said the bank is located in a narrow street with shops on both sides. The police said it was impossible that no one saw them being robbed. SP (City-I) Sukhchain Singh said the labourers’ claim was doubtful. He said neither any bank employee nor any shopkeeper or passersby had confirmed having seen a cop taking them out of the bank and later in an auto-rickshaw. The badly shaken robbers said they had reached the bank at 10 a.m. “We were inside the bank. A policeman, which we later learnt was one of the robbers, came and told us to come out. Outside, he and another man in the police uniform, tucked a gun at our belly and told us to board a waiting autorickshaw.” They said the two made them sit in the centre and took them to an isolated place somewhere in Basti Jodhewal. The robbers had already snatched Rs 24,000 from Ache Lal and Rs 20,000 from Santosh. They were slapped also. The labourers claimed they returned to the bank with difficulty, to find out which police station they would have to complain. The Division No. 4 police had not registered a case on the complaint of the labourers till evening. Police sources said the complaint was being verified. The police first questioned both labourers separately then took them to the site from where they were kidnapped.
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Candlelight protest by Central excise staff
Ludhiana, January 2 About 50 members of the Custom and Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers Association were protesting against the “acute stagnation and pay anomalies”. The call for the protest was given by its all-India association. “Hardly any promotion had taken place. In the past three decades, an employee who joined as inspector got just one promotion, whereas in the income tax department, employees who joined with us have got three to four promotions and are now joint or additional commissioners,” said T.P.S. Sidhu, treasurer of the association. The employees said the stagnation and huge difference in salary structure was plaguing the department. “Employees are suffering due to non-motivation,” said joint secretary R.S. Mann. The members said they had requested the Central Board
of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to resolve the issues but to no avail. “The board decided to put the IRS of the CBEC on a par with their counterparts in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) as far as promotions are concerned. However, despite requests to treat inspectors of the Central excise on a par with their counterparts in the CBDT, nothing was done.” They added that most of the superintendents, recruited as inspectors, were retiring with single promotions only. Paying heed to the demand would not cost any financial burden on the exchequer, the association added. Further plan of action would soon be chalked in case the CBEC fails to take an action.
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Want to get rid of fly ash? Dump it on link roads
Ludhiana, January 2 After facing criticism for dumping the hazardous waste in the Focal Point area for the past many years, the dyeing industrialists have now moved ahead towards Mundian. Heaps of fly ash is dumped on a stretch of this road everyday and the villagers are having a tough time. They claim that the fly ash swept away by the wind and gets deposited in their houses. It even enters into the eyes and respiratory tracts of the residents who were left to complain without any response from the authorities concerned. Gurpreet Singh, a flour mill owner in the area, said his business he had suffered the biggest ever setback. Whenever he grounded wheat, fine particles of fly ash entered into the flour. The residents complained of poor quality atta. ‘‘Everybody is suffering in one way or the other. Residents complain of fly ash
entering into the house. They were even complaining of irritation in the eyes and nostrils. But nobody seems to be caring. My business is at a stake. I have a problem of my own kind, ’’ said Gurpreet Singh stating that they had complained to the area councillor a number of times but to no avail. The residents said the ash gets deposited at night and the heaps could be seen in the morning. They discovered these only after waking up. By around afternoon the heaps were flattened by the vehicles that passed through the road that wore a black look. They said they were planning to catch the industrialists red handed while doing so. ‘‘We are waiting for the cold wave to subside. Then we would lay the trap, ’’ said a resident. The fly ash was generated by the dyeing industry that used paddy husk as fuel. Fine ash, lighter than the air, was produced when the husk was burnt in the boilers. It was notorious for choking sewer lines in the Focal Point area. The industrialists were dumping it on the roadsides there. Many industrialists manufacturing cycle parts had protested against the practice several times. The Focal Point area was converted into a desert of fly ash.
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Huge cache of addictive drugs seized
Ludhiana, January 2 The drugs were stocked in a godown without any license in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and relevant rules. The seizures were made by a team of officials comprising district drugs inspector Rajesh Suri, district epidemiologist Dr Samjeev Hans and in charge of narcotics cell Jaswinder Singh. A court order was obtained for custody of the seized drugs and further action against accused Gurcharan Singh. The drug control authorities had received a tip off that the said person was maintaining huge stocks of addictive drugs in a section of his house which were sold to drug addicts in violation of relevant laws. The person did not have any drug license to stock and sell the medicines. No documents pertaining to purchase or sale of drugs could be produced by the house owner, the officials claimed.
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City Centre Scam
Ludhiana, January 2 The application was filed by one of the accused Sunil Sharma, general manager, Today Homes company, through his counsel. It was learnt that Sunil Sharma who was already on bail had been served with the summons issued by the court directing him to appear personally on January 10.Thereafter, the judge issued notice to the state for tomorrow.
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Teachers on warpath against mobile firm
Ludhiana, January 2 This was decided in a resolution passed by the district democratic teachers’ front and the democratic employees’ front. The teachers are of the view that these companies are commercializing the noble profession of teaching. More so even the government is supporting the firm by providing them free land. Ramanjit, district secretary, democratic employees front, is busy sending SMSs to his friends and collogues. In one such message, he states, "This mobile company is creating a threat for the government school teachers by opening a parallel schools in village and cities of Punjab." He further stated "By doing so this company will succeed in exploiting the teachers as well as students with its profit- making approach. It will also exploit unemployed B.Ed. ETT degree holders. So please surrender the connections run by this private mobile company to save the future of millions of teacher and students." Inderjit Singh Mullapur, district president, democratic teachers front said, "We conducted a meeting pertaining on this issue recently and came to the conclusion that we will strongly boycott the private mobile company who is coming up with schools in the villages and the cities across Punjab." Baldev Singh Mangat, member, sarkari school sikhya bacho manch, Punjab, said," The issue will be raise in the ensuing convention to be held at Jalandhar. We will request the other teacher to close their mobile connection of particular private mobile company.
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14 booked on first day of New Year
Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 2 At least 14 persons were booked under various sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), Excise Act and Gambling Act at Raikot, Dehlon, Sudhar, Payal and Khanna on the very first day of 2008. However, no criminal cases were recorded at Machhiwara, Samrala and Jagraon police stations yesterday. Except for two cases registered in connection with vehicular accidents at Khanna and Samrala police stations, no case was registered under sections of the IPC. According to Gurdial Singh, SHO Raikot police station, Avtar Singh and Malkiat Singh of Barmi village were arrested by a party led by ASI Pardeep Singh from Noorpur village yesterday. Forty-two kg poppy husk and a scooter (PB 56 9971) was recovered from their possession. Another team led by Varinder Singh, SHO Jodhan Chowki, nabbed Baljit Singh Raju of Umrewal village, Mehatpur district, from the outskirts of Dhaipaie village last evening. He was allegedly selling poppy husk to addicts of the area and 20 kg contraband was recovered from him. Prem Singh, SHO Dehlon, told the Ludhiana Tribune that Sohan Singh alias Bhola of Narangwal Kalan village had been arrested for allegedly smuggling poppy husk in the area yesterday. He was held by a police party led by Nirmal Singh from a drain near Narangwal village. Khanna Sadar police booked Lachhman Ram of Moyala village, Bhopalgarh district, for allegedly carrying 100 gms of opium. A police party led by Parkash Singh of CIA wing nabbed him on a tip-off. According to Dharam Pal, SHO Khanna Sadar, Charanjit Singh of Khanna, Gurdev Singh of Amloh Road Khanna, Sonu of Gaushala Road Khanna, Krishan Kumar of Malerkotla Road Khanna, Harminder Singh of Jhallian village, Kessar Singh of Bhalle Neeche and Atma Ram of Bagli Kalan had been booked under various sections of Gambling Act. An amount of Rs 6,670 was recovered from them. Payal police booked Rajiv Kumar alias Bittu of Rauni village under the Gambling Act and Rs 513 were recovered from him.
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Burning of rice husk waste
Ludhiana, January 2 A proposal by the local dyeing industry states that as much as Rs 1,600 crore can be saved if the government takes an initiative to set up agro fuel banks that that collect and processes rice husk and pass it on for the industry to use it as fuel. Despite several communications, including those to the present state government, no move has happened in the direction so far. "If the government takes an initiative and sets up agro fuel banks here so that the residue can be used as fuel by industry, it would not just benefit industry, government too would be able to rake in revenues," said Brahm Dutt Sharda, president of Dyeing Factories Association, who sent the proposal to the government. Fuel constitutes major portion of the costs for industries like dyeing and textiles and in case of use of this fuel, a significant reduction in costs can take place. "Currently an industrial units spends roughly Rs 175-Rs 250 per quintal for fuel which is obtained from within and also from outside the state. We have proposed this rice husk waste to be given to the industry at Rs 40 per quintal, which would amount to significant savings." Apart from dyeing units, industries that rely on boilers like rubber units and textiles too can take advantage of agro fuel. Over 40 million tonnes of farm waste is burnt in fields on an annual basis. After the gravity of the issued was highlighted in the columns of the Ludhiana Tribune, the association wrote to the government. A report of the task force of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, on ways to mitigate problems created by burning of farm waste, was submitted to the state government. "Submitting the reports would not yield anything unless the government takes initiative in the direction. We have informed the government and also requested the governor to advise the CM to adopt the report as not only Punjab but other rice growing states can also take advantage out of it, "asserted Sharda. A proposal by the local dyeing industry states that as much as Rs 1,600 crore can be saved if the government takes an initiative to set up agro fuel banks that that collect and processes rice husk and pass it on for the industry to use it as fuel. Despite several communications, including those to the present state government, no move has happened in the direction so far.
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Motorists get tips on road safety
Jagraon, January 2 He observed that recklessness often caused fatal accidents. There was a need to check people from driving under the influence of liquor. Sub-inspector Tarlochan Singh, in charge traffic, advised people to teach their children to cross the road cautiously. Also, underage driving needed to be curbed as fatal accidents often involved youngsters. Stress was also laid on driving with valid driver’s licence. The DSP said during the week, the police would educate people on observing traffic rules. Announcements would be made in this regard.
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Victims of bureaucratic wrangle
Ludhiana, January 2 A 33-years-long battle of a former writer with the Indian Navel Service for getting pension does not seem to be ending. Even though, the pension was sanctioned to him, he is still striving to receive it for the past one year thanks to the red tape. Vadish Kumar Gupta was invalidated from the INS 36 years ago and was not given pension all these years due to schizophrenia. The medical board considered that the disease was neither attributable nor got aggravated during his service. Hence all his pleas were rejected. Nearly 10 months ago, another medical board was reconstituted that directed the Controller of Defence Accounts, Pension Cell, Mumbai, that the necessary endorsement might be made on claimant’s sheet roll. The cell, however, sent the direction to CDA (Pensions) at Allahabad stating that the case pertained to their office. The latter, however, returned it to Mumbai cell stating that Gupta retired before 1985 and that such cases came under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai office. Since then he is caught between the two offices which are exchanging letters and blaming each other for he faux pa. He is only hoping against hopes that his case would be heard this year and he would start getting pension. Gupta, a former Writer-II with INS Hamla Ships Company at Mumbai was discharged from the services with a diagnosis ‘Schizoid in Personality’ in 1970. Since then he had been moving from pillar to post for making his heard on the grounds that he was invalidated during the service and was hale and hearty when he had joined it. His plight has been highlighted in these columns a few times. Two governments came and relinquished power but the struggle of two divers, who helped the administration in fishing out a few bodies and were subsequently promised employment as a reward, continues unabated. Satyan Sahni has grown old running from pillar to post for getting his due but had always been shown the door. Rutal Mahato is following his footsteps and waiting to a job in the local municipal corporation but the promise still eludes them. Sahni and Mahato, along with their aides’ skill, were acknowledged by local administration in 1998 when two well diggers got buried under a well that had caved in. Despite launching a massive rescue operation, the government machinery had failed to recover them for two days. In the heat of the moment, the district officials had announced to give Rs 50,000 each as cash award to them and a job in the corporation as divers were required by the police and the administration at a few places. S.S. Chana, a retired forest officer and presidents of the Federation of Park Management Committees, is another man who has been slugging it out against the babudom and unfulfilled promises. He has taken upon himself the task of providing residents with parks while living in the most-polluted city of the North India. For the past many years he has been fighting to get maintenance charges from the corporation for maintaining the parks. But to no avail. Having fought a long judicial battle also in the High Court, in which the latter directed the corporation to pay the maintenance charges at Re 1 per sq mts pending the government nod, Chana’s victory of sorts is yet to make him happy. The corporation instead of paying it has just taken up the matter in the House and sent it for government’s approval. Chana will not relent till his mission is achieved. ‘‘I have strong faith in the judiciary of this country. I am sure they will not fail me,’’ he says. No wonder that he went around the city and conducted a survey of all parks that were in bad shape and took the pictures to the high court to prove his point. The court seems to be caring but not the corporation.
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Male fetus found in civil hospital
Mandi Gobindgarh, January 2 The fetus that was presumed to be of a five-month-old was found by the sweepers, who immediately reported the matter to senior doctors and the SMO. After receiving the information the hospital authorities got in touch with the local police. Later, a postmortem examination was conducted on the fetus following which it was sent for the forensic examinations. Though a few alleged that pregnancy had been terminated on the hospital premises, but the hospital authorities maintained that it was some miscreants’ work. They stated that the pregnancy might have been terminated in one of the private clinics or nursing homes and the fetus deliberately hung on the window of the hospital restroom. Meanwhile, the police stated that they were trying to figure out from where the fetus came.
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Letters
People should oppose the plans of Punjab Urban Developmant Authority (PUDA) to convert the old court complex here into a market. Instead, the site should be developed into a park. Numerous private gardens have already been sacrificed at the altar of commercialisation. Rakhh - the protected forest of British times - has been swallowed by government buildings. The city is left with no linings and soon residents may need gas masks to survive! I was surprised to find a virgin forest close to the apartment of my friend, Joan Moss, in Sheffield, England. She told me that the Duke, who was the owner, wanted to sell the forest area to commercial builders, but citizens opposed his move. They collected funds and helped the city council to buy and preserve the area. The forest was converted into a sanctuary for birds and animals and a recreational place for the public.Similarly, Ludhianvis should seek support of the councillors and local legislators and play a pro-active role in stopping authorities from taking this anti-people step at all cost. If need be, they should launch a Gandhian movement to defend their right for a clean environment to live in. Amarjit Singh
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Promote banana cultivation: Panel
Ludhiana, January 2 It was also informed that a subsidy of 50 per cent will be given by the commission for obtaining disease-free plants of banana. It was disclosed during a state-level monthly meeting to review extension work in the Farmers' Service Centre of PAU today wherein extension experts from different parts of Punjab participated. Several issues concerning agriculture were discussed and regional feedbacks were made to the scientists involved in technology generation programmes. The PAU director of Extension Education, Dr. N.S.Malhi, said the demonstration plots would also be planted in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of the state where farmers would derive inspiration. Dr Malhi said Dr Bhagwant Singh Chahal has been appointed as an overall in charge for the subsidy. Dr Chahal said fields in the bet area were suitable for banana cultivation. Soil with pH less than 8.5 were suitable for this purpose. Sharing the technology for banana cultivation, Dr Chahal said 1,200 plants per acre were needed to be planted and each plant cost Rs.18. He said the interested farmers could contact PAU experts for planning banana cultivation. Dr Malhi advised the extension personnel in the KVKs to take steps for the eradication of host plants for mealy bug in the cotton belt of Punjab in the areas of their jurisdiction. For this purpose, the NGOs, students of schools and colleges and village panchayats may also be motivated. The adverse effects of the prevailing cold wave on different crops were also discussed. According to Dr. G.S.Dhindsa, in charge of wheat section in the department of plant breeding, said the prevailing weather was beneficial for wheat crop as it would promote tilling of the crop. The chief extension specialist, Hoshiarpur, Dr Inderjit Singh Hundal said the campaign initiated by PAU regarding protection of potato crop against late blight disease had helped in containing the disease. He said the incidence of frost had damaged the foliage of potato, adding that the farmers should not be panicky as there was already a recommendation of removing the foliage (dehaulming). Dr. Jagdev Singh Brar, director PAU regional station, Faridkot, said with the help of district administration a campaign against mealy bug is being initiated from January 15 and a campaign to eradicate weeds will be taken up in mid march. Dr. G.S.Butter, director, regional station Bathinda suggested to involve communication media and NGOs against mealy bug menace. Dr Sat Paul Mehra, additional director of Extension Education, chaired a meeting to discuss about preparations to be made for the Kisan Melas to be held at Ludhiana, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Rauni (Patiala) and Ballowal Saunkhri (Nawanshahar). Duties were assigned to different officers for the same. 
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Spring Dale cadets win first prize
Ludhiana, January 2 The camp, attended by as many as 350 cadets, was organised by 19 Punjab Battalion NCC at Gajjan Majra, Maler Kotla in Sangrur. During the camp cadets were given training in various fields of activities such as drill, root marches, handling of weapons etc. They were also taught use of the compass. During the camp, competitions in drill, firing, games and cultural activities were also held. Cadet Palwinder Singh was runner-up in the shooting competition. Avinash Kaur Walia, director of the school, congratulated students for their grand success in various activities.
Tiny tots of Lovely Lotus School had their quota of fun today as the school organised a dance party to celebrate the first day of the New Year. Children, dressed in bright colours, were all smiles notwithstanding the cold weather.The party concluded with distribution of eatables among children.
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Kundanite creates history
Ludhiana, January 2 Mansi was initially afraid that her short height would work to her disadvantage, but with her excellent oratory skills she overcame all odds and got selected. Elated at her selection, principal of the school S.C. Saxena while applauding her efforts said under the guidance of ANO Chander Sharma NCC cadets of the school were scaling new heights. Mansi’s father Rajiv Gupta thanked the school administration for all support extended to his daughter.
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College gives best couple prize
Ludhiana, January 2 The celebrations began with a cake ceremony which was cut by principal Vandana Maini. It was followed by a couple balloon dance which was won by Mrs and Mr Sohi. Everybody tapped their feet on the dance floor on the peppy music and had a blast enjoying the party.The evening’s best couple prize was given to Mrs and Mr Balwinder Sharma.
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Mattewal sanctions Rs 55 lakh
Ludhiana, January 2 He also announced grant of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of jail minister Hira Singh Gabria, Rs 10 lakh grant on behalf of chief parliamentary secretary Harish Rai Dhanda, Rs 10 lakh grant on behalf of MP Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Rs 5 lakh on behalf of deputy speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Satpal Gosain. Tarun Jain, president, Bhadurke road Textile association, announced grant of Rs 5 lakh to DBA. Mattewal was addressing the legal fraternity here today in a function organised by President of DBA, Parupkar Singh Ghumman and his team. In his address, Mattewal stressed on the need of a complete understanding and coordination among the courts and lawyers to ensure the speedy justice to the needy clients. Expressing his concern over the corrupt practices being adopted by a few bad elements in the community, the Advocate General said such practices should not have any place in this noble profession and it was the duty of the Bar Association to completely check such infamous practices, as this was bringing a bad name to the whole community. District and Sessions G K Rai said the judiciary would accord full cooperation to the members of District Bar in providing speedy justice to the litigants and solving the local level problems of the lawyers. Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha, Charanjit Singh Atwal ,State BJP President, Rajinder Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Sumer Singh Gurjar, SSP Ludhiana R K Jaiswal also spoke on this occasion. Members of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Balwinder Goel, Harpreet Singh Garcha, former bar president Hemant Kaila, Rajneesh Gupta, Raman Kaushal were also present on this occasions.
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550 examined in medical camp
Ludhiana, January 2 More than 550 patients were examined for different medical problems, follow-up advice was rendered and medicines were also provided free of cost. The entire expenditure of medicines and logistic arrangement was borne by Harminder Singh Sandhu, organiser of the Bhule Singh Memorial Trust while the camp was inaugurated by Inderjeet Kaur, head of Pingalwara Society. The team of doctors from GTBH, led by Dr R.S Sodhi, medical superintendent, conducted the medical check-up of the patients and performed diagnostic tests with the assistance of support staff of the hospital. Interacting with the patients at the camp, Dr Sodhi focused on commitment of the institution towards the weaker sections of the society and high-class medical facilities available at the hospital. Bakshi Mohinder Singh, president of the managing society and other members of the trust assured the Bhule Singh Memorial Trust as also the village panchayat of similar support in providing medical check of poor and needy patients in future also.
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SAI weightlifters excel at Nationals
Ludhiana, January 2 Manjit, who represented Punjab, lifted a total of 300 kg (143 kg snatch and 157 kg clean and jerk) to secure a bronze in the 85 kg category. Gurmeet, who represented Police Control Board, finished runners up in the 105 kg category. He lifted a total of 320 kg (146 kg snatch and 174 kg clean and jerk) which fetched him a silver medal. Earlier, Gurmeet had won three gold medals at the Senior National Weightlifting Championship held at Vishakapatnam last year, All India Police Games at Jalandhar and National Games in Guwahati.
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