Ludhiana, January 4
Following an order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court of evolving a mechanism to ensure that employees of aided colleges promptly get their payments, the state government has started acting tough with aided colleges.

In a recent directive, the government has asked principals of aided colleges to produce a certificate that shows that “the retiral benefits of all the retired employees have been paid”. It has been made clear to the colleges that unless they produce this certificate, they will not be able to get the grant by the government.

According to the directive released by the director, Punjab Instructions, Colleges, Punjab, to the principals on January 2, the colleges have to submit a certificate counter-signed by a chartered accountant, along with the claims of release of quarterly instalment of grant made that the retiral benefits have been paid.

The grant will not be given to the colleges unless such a certificate is produced.

It is learnt that in number of cases, the retiral dues have not been paid, causing hardship to those affected.

The government also made it clear that there was no provision that the retiral benefits like gratuity, leave encashment, etc. shall be paid by the state government.

The court, in its order dated November 2, has directed the chief secretary, Punjab, to evolve a mechanism to ensure that employees get their benefits on time.

The order has come as a relief to the pensioners making rounds at the colleges to get pensionary benefits.

Some pensioners have died without getting their due.

Tarsem Bahia, president of the Punjab Education Forum, has welcomed this move and has asked the government to ensure that the payment of salaries and arrears, which the employees earned during service, were also paid on time.

It may be mentioned here that the government was providing an aid of approximately Rs 80 crore to the aided colleges. There were around 140 aided colleges which were getting a quarterly grant of Rs 20 crore. 

Ludhiana, January 4
Six former trustees of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) who were challaned by the Vigilance Bureau in the City Centre Scam have moved the sessions court for anticipatory bail.

Taking cognisance of the bail application filed by Bhupinder Singh Basant, Kala Navkar Jain, Sanjay Talwar, Surinderpal Singh Bindra, Malkiat Kaur and Vijay Kumar Parti, all former trustees of the dissolved LIT, the sessions judge, G.K. Rai, has issued a notice to the bureau for January 7.

The arguments on the bail application would be heard on the next date if the bureau produces the relevant record.

All these former trustees have relied heavily on the submissions made by the bureau before the Supreme Court in an SLP filed against the grant of anticipatory bail to former Punjab CM, Captain Amarinder Singh.

Persons applying for bail have claimed that in the SLP, the bureau had pleaded that the trustees were “kept in the dark” during the decisions taken on the project. Now they have changed their stand. “Even we had joined the investigation as and when called by the officials of VB. We were never arrested. We were stunned when our names were arrayed as accused in the challan filed in the court”, they said.

After the filing of challan, the sessions judge had ordered these ex-trustees to appear before the court on January 10. But the legal position was that if they appear before the court, they may be sent behind bars.

The simple reason was that they were challaned under serious sections of the IPC, in which the imprisonment may extend up to life imprisonment.

These ex-trustees have pleaded that the challan had been presented in the court without arresting them in the case. It showed that they were not required for custodial interrogation. 

Ludhiana, January 4
Fourteen months have passed since a new bridge was constructed over a nullah that connects Bagga Khurd to Hambran village and the Ludhiana city, but a board put near the bridge continues to claim that it is dangerous for vehicles.

The caution sign has confused commuters who generally stop their vehicles and inspect the bridge before driving on.

The sign states: “The bridge is broken and crossing is strictly prohibited for vehicles”.

The bridge was inagurated by the then MLA, Malkit Singh Dakha, on October 20, 2006.

“I stopped my car when I saw the sign and told the driver to go and check if the bridge was fit for crossing. But I came to know from him that the bridge was new. I told my friends back in the US that such things still happen in India,” Janmeja Singh, an NRI, said.

Surash Bansal, a businessman, said: “I took a U-turn after seeing the board and requested a grocer in a nearby village to tell me an alternative route since the bridge was broken. He laughed and said this was only to befool outsiders who visited the village.” 

Jagraon, January 4
Three car-borne men robbed Rs 4.5 lakh in broad daylight from the proprietor of a mill here today.

According to information, Ramesh Kumar Goyal, proprietor of Rohit Flour and General Mills, manufactures cattle feed.

Around 1.30 pm, three armed men entered Goyal’s office, on the Jagraon-Raikot road, 2 km from here, and demanded Rs 20 lakh from him.

Goyal claimed that one of the men carried a mauser in his hand, while another an AK-47 rifle. Expressing his inability to hand over the amount demanded, Goyal offered to hand over Rs 2 lakh.

The men then took him to another room and hit him with the rifle butt.

They picked up a bag containing Rs 3 lakh in cash, which had been handed over to Goyal by a farmer.

The three also grabbed around Rs 1.5 lakh in cash from the counter of his office. The three then fled in a white Maruti car (PB 31A 0232).

SSP, Ludhiana (rural), Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SP (D) Pritam Singh and other officials reached the scene to take stock of the situation.

Bhullar said the police had sounded alert across the town and put checkpoints on extra vigil to nab the culprits. The police had obtained vital clues, he added.

The local police has registered a case against three persons in this regard. 

Ludhiana, January 4
The state government has imposed road tax (vehicle tax) on buses of affiliated schools across the state. The government has increased the tax from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.

Affiliated schools have decided that if the buses of educational institutions are not exempted, they will stop plying the buses and submit the keys to the Chief Minister in Chandigarh.

To discuss this issue, a general meeting of members of the Association of the PSEB Affiliated Schools Punjab was held here today.

Principals of various schools discussed the problem.

The president of the association, Rajinder Sharma, said affiliated private schools of the state were playing a significant role in the field of education. The schools imparted education to more than 6.20 lakh students and 20,000 teachers were employed in the schools.

It is presumed that the institutes overcharge and gain financially while it was quite the opposite. In reality, they suffered financial loss as there was no alternative to bring students to the institutions from distant places.

The road tax should not be imposed on school buses as those were only meant for the convenience of the students and no financial gain was involved as those were not used for commercial purposes.

Ludhiana, January 4
Two young girls today taught a lesson to an alleged gang of five women snatchers by chasing them in filmy style after one of the gang members snatched a purse containing thousands of rupees in Karimpura Bazar this evening. 

Shopkeepers and passersby witnessed the chase and nabbing of the snatchers by the jean-clad girls.

Sakshi and Anita, residents of Rajguru Nagar, also gave the women a good thrashing. Later, those present there also joined in. The matter was resolved only when the women returned the money.

Eyewitnesses said the girls had reached Karimpura in a rickshaw. The women came close to them and one of them snatched the purse.

The girls dashed after the women who were taken by surprise at the retaliation. 

Ludhiana, January 4
City is all set to take on the stray dog menace by sterilising and vaccinating dogs with the animal husbandry department deciding to start the process for the first time here.

The department will bring in activists of an NGO to train municipal corporation staff and members of a local NGO to tackle the menace.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of MC officials with animal husbandry minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, experts from the department and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Husbandry University at Chandigarh yesterday.

MC commissioner Vikas Partap told Ludhiana Tribune that the NGO, which had already worked in Maharashtra in this field, would be sent to the city to train staff and local activists.

He said funds would be released under the Catching Neutering, Vaccination and Release Scheme (CNVR) and the infrastructure required would be set up here.

It will take around two months for the project to start, while sterilisation will be started thereafter.

The dogs thus released would be neutered and vaccinated against rabies.

Partap said the NGO had already worked in other states and their services would be hired by the MC.

He added that though representatives of other cities were also present at the yesterday’s meeting, the enthusiasm shown by local MC representatives prompted the department to start the programme here. The project would be extended to other cities later on.

According to a census, there are 20,000 stray dogs in the city. The menace has reached alarming proportions and needs immediate attention.

The problem is aggravated at night when stray dogs attack pedestrian or riders of two-wheelers passing through their territories. A number of incidents of dog bites are reported everyday.

Littered garbage adds to the problem as it attracted dogs. 

Ludhiana, January 4
One of the most intriguing and talked about murder case of last year in which an elderly man was allegedly found murdered in his house near Bharat Nagar Chowk on September 19, has turned out to be a case of natural death.

Septuagenarian Kuldip Singh, called a “poor crorepati”, lived in a dilapidated house worth several crores. He died due to a heart attack and was not murdered, says a much-awaited chemical examination report.

The report was received here yesterday and would come as a relief to four persons booked for the alleged murder.

The SHO Division No 5, inspector Shawinder Singh, said the police would be recommending the cancellation of the murder case to a local court.

The accused included a swimming coach, Sarbjit Khangura, posted at the MC swimming pool here, his mother and father Sardul Singh, who was a cousin of the deceased, and a fruit seller, Madan Lal, who was a tenant of the deceased.

Pritam Kaur, sister of the deceased and complainant in the case, had sought the intervention of health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla in the case fearing the accused were trying to influence the report.

The accused had an old property dispute with her.

The mystery over certain wounds on the body, however, still remains. There were stab marks on his eyes and injuries on his lower legs and arms.

With the report stating that the man had died a natural death, the police believes its earlier theory that rats had caused those wounds. The postmortem report had suggested this theory.

The chemical examination report is based on the examination of the viscera.

The man had multiple stab wounds, suspected to be inflicted by an ice-pick on his body, and both his eyes punctured by the same weapon. But surprisingly, not much blood was found on the bed or the floor.

He had a wound on his left leg that seems to have caused by an animal bite. The body had turned blue, suggesting that he was poisoned before stabbing.

The police was baffled and sniffer dogs could not take any lead. Also, there were no struggle marks and there was no sign of a forcible entry in the house. 

Ludhiana, January 4
The Punjab government has chalked a out a plan to impart requisite training to workers and entrepreneurs by setting up skill development centres in the state to ensure optimum implementation of the Prime Minister Rojgar Yojna (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP).

This was stated by minister for local government, industries and commerce Manoranjan Kalia while addressing a seminar on PMRY schemes, organised by the Bhai Mati Das Educational and Welfare Society in association with the District Industries Centre and Khadi and Village Industries Board at trade centre here yesterday.

The minister distributed margin money cheques for Rs 1.1 crore to entrepreneurs who had set up rural industrial units under the REGP scheme of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Government of India, being implemented by the board.

Appreciating the work done by the KVIB, Kalia said since the inception of the board, employment to over 1.38 lakh people had been provided and over 56,000 rural industrial units set up.

He also lauded the efforts of the board in generating employment opportunities for the rural unemployed.

“A vast majority of Punjabis live in villages and it is important to take industrialisation to the doorstep of the rural population for equitable industrial development rather than forcing ruralites to migrate to cities for jobs. In this regard, the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board has done a commendable work towards eradicating unemployment in rural areas of the state.”

The minister said the state board and the KVIC would organise three state-level and 14 district-level exhibitions this year to enable the units set up under employment generation schemes to showcase their products.

The cost will be borne by the KVIC as entrepreneurs would be provided with stalls free of cost.

Earlier, society president Madanjit Singh said the scheme was being implemented through banks by extending loans without any collateral security.

District industries centre general manager Vishav Bandhu said during the current year, employment would be provided to over 23,000 persons and bank finance to the tune of Rs 80 crore would be provided to around 1,100 rural industrial units.

Up to December 2007, the board had released Rs 6.28 crore as margin money, he added. 

Ludhiana, January 4
College of Nursing at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised “Blossoms-08” to welcome freshers to BSc (N), post-basic BSc (N) and GNM courses at Dumra auditorium in the hospital complex here today.

Addressing students, principal Dr Jasbir Kaur exhorted them to carry on the responsibility of nursing profession with dedication.

DMCH principal Dr Daljit Singh, while welcoming members of the management, faculty members, guests and students, expressed pleasure at the enhancement of 100 seats in BSc (N) programme and 100 per cent result of outgoing batches

Fresh batches of BSc (N), GNM and post-basic BSc (N) students were accorded a warm welcome.

The main attraction of the programme a Ms and Mr Fresher contest, which was judged by Dr Navjot Bajwa, Dr Deepinder Kaur, Dr B.S. Aulakh and Suresh Kumar Sharma.

Freshers entertained the audience with a colourful cultural programme, using themes from Punjabi and Western cultures.

Ms Fresher title was bagged by Gurpreet Marwaha, with Preet Kamal Hans and Nitika being adjudged first and second runners-up, respectively.

Arvinder Singh Hira was declared Mr Fresher, while Akashdeep was crowned with Ms Catwalk and Bhawjit with Ms Smile titles.

DMCH managing society secretary Prem Kumar Gupta felicitated the winners, followed by presentation of dances and a colourful skit by participants.

Meritorious students, who had secured top three positions in BSc (Nursing)-2007 examination were presented with Dumra Trust Scholarships of Rs 9,000 each.

Two toppers of GNM examination were presented with Savitri awards. 

Ludhiana, January 4
As many as 90 team from across the country will take part in the 7th All-India Bharat Ko Jano Quiz Contest organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad on January 5 and 6 at KVM School auditorium.

So far, 42 senior and 48 junior teams have reported for the competition.

The contest is dedicated to freedom fighter Sukhdev to remember his contribution to the freedom struggle.

Addressing a press conference, parishad president I.D. Ojha said: “Students will depict the rural and diverse culture of India highlighting its integrity in diversity.”

Minister for health Laxmi Kanta Chawla will be the chief guest, while PAU vice-chancellor M.S. Kang will be the guest of honour on the occasion. 

Ludhiana, January 4
Army men are undergoing training in vegetable gardening at the PAU department of vegetable crops these days.

According to Dr Jagwant Singh Kanwar, head of the department, a group of soldiers from the Army unit at Dholewal are receiving training from experts in vegetable-based nutritional gardening and organic farming for 15 days.

The trainees are being provided with knowledge about nutritional gardens and practical tips for various vegetable growing operations.

The trainees will be given guidelines to establish kitchen garden in their units.

Dr Daljit Singh Khurana, in charge of teaching farm of vegetables at the university, said the Army men are learning about the ways to grow vegetables organically and reduce the use of pesticides.

The training farm has a good collection of commercial as well as rare vegetables and are serving as a resource material for teaching as well as training. The training will continue till January 15. 

In the next fiscal, legislators must reach a consensus and pass a bill that seeks to fill vacant posts by recruiting Punjabis to government departments on the basis of merit. This is crucial as unemployed educated youths are disheartened due to the dearth of jobs in the state.

Also, directives need to be issued to private and semi-government industries in the state to recruit Punjabis to companies/factories situated in the state.

This will give some respite to the unemployed youths of the state.

CRIME

Barber murdered
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 4
A young barber was found murdered in a vacant plot in Laxman Nagar this morning. The victim, Swaran Kumar’s throat had been slit.

Belonging to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, he had started working in Shimla Puri only recently. The police said he seemed to have been killed over an illicit relationship. The knife used in the crime was found near near the body. The mobile phone of the victim was also found. A case has been registered. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 4
Unidentified persons armed with sharp-edged weapons injured three persons, including two employees of a liquor vender, and snatched a scooter and Rs 13,500 in cash from the victims in two incidents during past 24 hours.

A black Scorpio-borne group of miscreants allegedly assaulted Jagjit Singh and Shankar Lal, both employees of a liquor vender of Barundi on the Barundi-Tungaheri road, near here, last evening and snatched a scooter and Rs 10,500 in cash from them.

According to vend in charge Vicky, Jagjit and Shankar were going on a scooter toward Tungaheri when a Scorpio hit their vehicle from behind.

The Scorpio occupants, five in number, attacked them with sticks and sharp-edged weapons.

“While Shankar saved his life by running toward the fields, Jagjit fell unconscious after receiving injuries to the head,” Vicky told the police, alleging that the assailants took away Rs 10,500 in cash along with the scooter.

The victims were later shifted to the civil hospital, Pakhowal. While Jagjit was admitted, Shankar was relieved after being given medical aid.

In another case, Tej Singh of Guram village was assaulted and robbed while he was asleep at his house last night. The miscreants allegedly took away Rs 3,000 in cash.

The victim was rescued by his parents after they received information about the incident in the morning.

Though the Dehlon police was yet to establish a link between the two incidents, Tej Singh suspected that goons of a liquor contractor had attempted to kill him.

While talking to Ludhiana Tribune at a local hospital, Tej Singh alleged that a group of miscreants, suspected goons of a liquor vender, had assaulted him when he was asleep at his house last night.

“As I was in an inebriated condition, they overpowered me and broke my limbs with sticks and axes. While thrashing me, they told me that their masters had asked them to kill me,” Teja alleged.

Teja said some unknown persons had attacked him with swords at Dehlon chowk around a month ago.

“As my own record with the police is not good, I did not report the matter to it,” said Teja.

Sources in the village revealed that Teja had been booked by the Dehlon police in many cases in the past.

He had been released from Ludhiana jail a few months ago. Though his parents lived close to his house, they learned about the incident in the morning only.

“It was in the morning that a villager heard Teja’s cries and informed us,” said Karam Singh, father of the victim.

Dehlon SHO Prem Singh said cases would be registered after verifying allegations levelled by the victims. 

AGRICULTURE

Fruit farmers can earn profit through processing: Experts
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 4
A meeting of PAU Kisan Club was held by the directorate of extension education today wherein farmers from different districts of Punjab participated and interacted with PAU experts.

Dr Parampal Sahota talked about the processing and value addition of fruits. He felt that instead of sending fruits in glut season to market at throwaway prices, their processing in terms of juice making could earn farmers good profit.

Dr Amarjit Singh Dhatt gave tips on the cultivation of onion and to manage pest and diseases.

Dr Parminder Singh highlighted the role of balanced nutrition and better breed 
of animals for reaping 
good returns.

Club member Hardip Singh Raji shared his experiences about poplar growing, while Gurdev Kaur talked about improving economic condition by taking to domestic processing and packing of commodities.

Club secretary Wattandeep Singh Grewal said two progressive farmers would be honoured with chief minister’s awards during the PAU’s kisan mela in March.

He added that one progressive dairy farmer would also be honoured with a similar award.

Forms were available at the office of the directorate of extension education. The last date for sending the application was January 15.

Club coordinators Dr T.S. Riar and Dr Rupinder Kaur Toor said the club was a forum to provide agricultural knowledge to farmers and farm women and that they should participate in meetings and other activities of the club. 

COURTS

Adulteration
Flour mill owner jailed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 4
The CJM, Rajinder Aggarwal, has sentenced Surinder Singh, owner of Anand Flour Mill, Gobind Colony, Jamalpur, to six months imprisonment under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. He was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1,000.

The orders were pronounced while deciding a complaint filed by a food inspector. It was claimed that on September 18, 2002, he had inspected the premises of the accused and had taken a sample of flour.

A portion of the sample was sent to the public analyst (Punjab) in Chandigarh. The report stated that insects were found in the sample and was not fit for consumption.

However, during the trial the accused had pleaded innocence.