NEIGHBOURHOOD

PSEB workers, farmers block roads
Tribune News Service

A total fees of Rs 2.9 crore was expected from the auctioning of these vends and total revenue of 89.65 crore was expected from the auctioning of these vends.

Ropar, March 12
A row erupted over the allotment of liquor vends here today. A group of contractors alleged that the Ponty Chadha group had manipulated the system to secure maximum vends in the district.

While addressing a press conference here today, the contractors alleged that while all of them were directed to attach application fee in the form of demand drafts, the Ponty Chadha group members attached cheques with applications that was illegal.

By attaching cheques with applications, the Chadha group members managed to increase the number of their applications without actually paying the application fee in advance, they alleged.

The contractors including Beant Singh, Pomy Sony, Mewa Singh and Jaswinder Singh Baboo also threatened to move court in the matter.

The assistant excise and taxation commissioner, Ropar, Harinder Kaur Brar, when contacted on phone, said the charges levelled by the contractors were baseless. She said certain contractors had submitted account payee cheques as application fee. The matter was discussed with the excise commissioner, Punjab.

The commissioner held that account payee cheques could be considered on a par with demand drafts. It is only afterwards that the applications that had account payee cheques as fee were allowed in auction.

The sources said the Ponty Chadha group managed about one-third of the liquor vends in Ropar owing to large numbers of applications filed by them.

Meanwhile, the large numbers of applications received prove a good revenue source for excise department. At Ropar 2704 applications were received for 203 liquor vends. From the application fee only that was non-refundable the department earned Rs 1.96 crore.

Besides the 65 Indian Made Foreign Liquor Vends (IMFL) and 135 country liquor vends fetched a revenue of Rs 33.80 crore in the district. It was 1.86 crore more than what was fetched last year.

Fatehgarh Sahib, March 12
Leading economists and police makers today held a panel discussion on the Union Budget for the year 2008-09 on the premises of the Canadian Institute of International Studies.

The discussion that was organised by the Department of Management and Tourism Studies saw the experts pondering over the various aspects of the Union Budget presented by finance minister P Chidambaram earlier this month in Lok Sabha.

Intellectual churning by leading economists remained a gripping and absorbing discussion which dwelt across the length and breadth of the budgetary proposals. The discussion was organised as an endeavour to provide a platform to young students for understanding the complexities and long- term repercussions of seemingly academic budgetary proposals. It was attended by a large number of students from more than half a dozen renowned management and engineering institutes of the region.

Dr G S Batra, Professor of Management Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, along with a battery of experienced economists and professionals like S P Sharma, Chairman of the Ludhiana Stock Exchange, Prof Bruce Orro, Adjutant Professor, Thompson Rivers University, Canada, and Dr B S Bodla, Professor, Kurukshetra University, participated in the discussion.

During the discussion, the experts concentrated upon the relevance of Budget for people belonging to different strata, impact of Budget on configuration of economy and significance of Indian Budget in global context (India being an upcoming aggressive economy in the world).

Dr Janak Raj Gupta, retired Professor, Punjabi University of Patiala, and Dr Karamjit Singh, Reader, Punjabi University, Patiala, also exchanged their perceptions about the Union Budget even as young students patiently listened to the discussions.

Speaking on the occasion Prof Bruce Orro from TRU, Canada, said budgetary propositions for a country like India must be studied in the context of empowering women.

Dr Janak Raj Gupta from Punjabi University asserted that the Budget clearly aimed at strengthening the consumption- led growth which is not going to be as beneficial in the long run as investment-led growth.

Dr S P Sharma, Chairman, Ludhiana Stock Exchange, said that investors have got a lot to read in between the lines as far as Budget is concerned.

Ambala, March 12
Mohammad Shayin, deputy commissioner, Ambala, and the district magistrate has promulgated an order to impose restrictions on the use of loud speakers, DJ and other means of noise in the market, religious places, marriages, social, religions functions, Jagran, music shops, etc. beyond the permissible volume and between 10 pm to 6 am till further orders.

This has been done to prevent tension, annoyance, obstruction or injuries to persons or human lives, properties, disturbance of public peace and tranquillity and maintenance of law and order within the territorial jurisdiction of Ambala district.

The compliance of this order shall be ensured by the subdivisional magistrate, Ambala and Naraingarh, officers of Municipal Council and Municipal Committee and the local police. Any person found guilty of violation of this order shall be prosecuted and punished as per law under Section 188 of the IPC.

Bassi Pathana, March 12
With the arrest of Dara Khan, resident of Mundi Kharar, the police here yesterday claimed to have busted a gang of fake travel agents who used to fleece innocent people of the area on pretext of sending them abroad for job assignments.

Rajwinder Singh Sohal, DSP Bassi Pathana cum DSP(D), said on directions of Dr Kaustauv Sharma, SSP, the police initiated a war against fake travel agents. He said Satnam Singh, resident of village Khant Manpur, lodged a police complaint that the father and son duo of Dara Khan and Bala Khan were running a fake travel agency.

He alleged that one of their agents took him to Dara Khan, who told that his son Bala Khan is settled in Italy and he would charge Rs 11 lakh and send him there on a job agreement of 500 euros per month.

Satnam said he paid the money and Bala Khan sent a job agreement of some private company on fax from Italy and by presenting that paper in the embassy, got a visa and went to Italy. However, he alleged that when he reached Italy and approached Bala Khan for a job, he replied that they have charged the money only for sending him to Italy and not for the job. Satnam further alleged that the job agreement papers were fake and after spending some time in Italy, he had to return in a very pathetic condition.

Meanwhile, the DSP said after an enquiry the allegations were found to be true and a case under sections 406, 420 of IPC has been registered and Dara Khan has been arrested.

Mohali, March 12
Unprecedented security arrangements would be in place for the first ever Twenty-20 friendship match between Akalis and the Congress MLAs to be held at the PCA stadium tomorrow.

More than 600 policemen have been deployed for the security of the politicians and also the VVIP visitors who are expected to come and see the match. A team of police officers remained at the stadium throughout the day today to oversee the security arrangements. “For us, it is an important event in terms of ensuring that there is no breach of security,” said the SAS Nagar SSP R.S. Khatra. Sukhmanpreet Singh, general secretary of the Para Olympic Committee of Punjab and member of organising committee for this match, said he was expecting a crowd of over 25,000 spectators. All MLAs, former MLAs and majority of Punjab’s bureaucrats are expected to watch the match. Preity Zinta, who has bought the franchisee for the Mohali team, is expected to watch the match.

He added that the entire proceed of the match is going to be used for the benefit of the handicapped players being promoted by the Para Olympic Committee. The match is going to begin at 5.45 pm and is expected to finish at about 9.30pm.

Chandigarh, March 12
Leagues, whether the Indian Cricket League or the Indian Premier League, are for the promotion of cricket, felt Rana Naved Ul Hasan, former all rounder of the Pakistan Cricket team.

Rana Naved who is representing Lahore Badshahs in the ongoing ICL Twenty20 tournament being played at Tau Devi Lal stadium, says, “ The cricket broads are mature enough and must appreciate the steps being taken for promoting cricket. These league will certainly help in improving Indo-Pak relations in the coming future”.

Naved is concerned about the attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board, who has stopped giving salaries to the players they have banned.

“ It is a matter of concern. Talks are on and hope they come out with a solution. Though, the players had been given an assurance by the ICL who would be backing all the players that had been banned by their respective boards, still we would prefer to solve the issue ourselves”, asserts Naved.

With a number of senior and experienced players joining the ICL, the current Pakistan team is weak and lacks confidence.

“ The present situation of the Pakistan is a matter of concern for the PCB”, believes Naved.

Naved feels proud to be here in the city as a part of the ICL as he expects a good cricketing action. “ This tournament is exciting and we are ready to face the challenge”, says Naved with a smile.

Chandigarh, March 12
Leg spin is not only about talent, temperament plays an important role in it, says Pakistani spin wizard Mushtaq Ahmed.

In town to represent the Lahore Badshahs team which faces Chennai Superstars in the ICL 20 twenty tournament at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula, Mushtaq is impressed with the performance of the leg spinner, Piyush Chawla. Besides ICL, the forthcoming Indian Premier League will set up a platform for the young players who want to follow in the footsteps of their preferred cricketer, opines Mushtaq.

Mushtaq proclaimed, “A quality leg spinner must have the capacity to serve whenever asked to do so. Every cricketer passes through good and bad phases. Bad days should not affect the performance of the player”.

Mushtaq feels that the present Pakistan team lacks talent and needs grooming. “The team is young but has the potential to produce results; all it needs is grooming. Pakistan is still a balanced side. Cricket is all about presence of mind, the ability to read the mind of your opponent”.

The cancellation of the Australian tour is a major set back for the Pakistan Cricket Board, believes Mushtaq. “Though security is an issue, still the Australian board should have thought of a way out rather than cancelling the tour”.

Mushtaq, who is happy with the performance of the Indian team, asserted, “The present Indian team has unity and are enjoying the game. Though I give all the credit to the senior players who backed younger players but still it is all about team effort”.

“Good and exciting cricket is what we are looking forward to here at the ICL”, Mushtaq ends with a smile.

Mohali, March 12
“Twenty20 cricket is all about attack, power and aggressiveness, in which I find myself completely fit”, said elated Sunny Sohal, who has been selected by Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia for their Mohali Team.

Terming his selection in the Indian Premier League as the biggest opportunity of his life, Mohali-based Sohal said, “The shortest version of the game suits my style. I love to play big shots. So, I am looking forward to showcase my talent at a bigger level”.

Twenty-year-old batsman shot into limelight during the One-Day Tri-Series tournament (U-19) held at Malaysia last year. “Sri Lanka and England were the other teams in the series and I bagged the best batsman title by hitting 295 runs in five matches”, said Sunny.

For this right hand batsman, sharing dressing room with the bigwigs like Brett Lee, K. Sangakara, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan would be thrilling experience.

“A budding cricketer can learn many new things just by watching them play. I feel very lucky as I get a chance to play with them. I am looking forward to sharpen my batting skills by getting valuable tips from these seniors”, said Sunny, the Punjab Ranji player.

About his plans for the forthcoming inaugural IPL matches, Sunny, who opens the innings in One-Day Ranji matches, said, “To cash in on the opportunity, I have started working harder on the nets. I would like to attract all attention if get a chance to play in final-11 during IPL.”

Mohali, March 12
For all eight centres hosting Indian Premier League (IPL), the pitches will be prepared conducive to Twenty 20 cricket game, said the Punjab Cricket Association’s curator Daljit Singh after the conclusion of a two-day seminar for curators and turf managers at the stadium here today.

“Our main focus is to prepare identical pitches for each centre which would be conducive to the shortest version of the game. The wickets will be completely batsmen friendly so that the spectators can enjoy big hits and big scores. Besides this, we seek to prepare the 22-yard tracks, which will play true to it selves”, said Daljit Singh.

The curators of all IPL centres attended the seminar, which was presided over by Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the chairman of the IPL Cricket Committee.

To help Indian curators, Less Burdett, an Australian curator at Adelaide Oval, and Richard Walne, managing director of Toro Company, also took part in the seminar.

Praising the expertise of the Indian curators, Burdett said the pitches were very good and his Indian counterparts had adequate knowledge of their field.

Chandigarh, March 12
Mohit Verma won the 400m boys while Jitin and Japneet finished second and third, respectively, during the first dental meet held at Panjab University here today.

Other results: Boys: Shot put: 1 Chandan, 2 Jitin, 3 Japneet; high jump: 1 Guneet, 2 Mohit, 3 Japneet; long jump: 1 Japneet, 2 Jitin, 3 Subhash; 100m: 1 Japneet, 2 Vikrant, 3 Jitin.

Discuss throw: 1 Gunal, 2 Jasmeet, 3 Ashish; three leg race: 1 Japneet and Vikrant, 2 Bupesh and Gagandeep, 3 Vikrant and Junal.

Girls: 200m: 1 Shubhpreet, 2 Aditi, 3 Navneet; long Jump: 1 Aditi, 2 Shubhpreet, shop put: 1 Tahira, 2 Shubhpreet, 3 Navneet; discuss throw: 1 Tahira, 2 Shubhpreet, 3 Kimpreet.

100m: 1 Shubhpreet, 2 Heena, 3 Rupinder; chatti race: 1 Shilly, 2 Navneet, 3 Poonam.

He was selected for the Second Asian Indoor Games Macau, 2007, by the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India, which was held at SAI Bhopal from July 14 to 15.

Chandigarh, March 12
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt-Gen T.K. Sapru, inaugurated the renovated state-of-the-art physiotherapy department at the Command Hospital, Chandimandir, today.

On an average, about 125--130 patients visit the physiotherapy department daily.

Apprising the Army Commander about the facilities available in the new block, the hospital Commandant, Maj-Gen Charanjit Singh, said, besides having two therapy rooms, a gymnasium and a multi-gym, the centre also had equipment for short-wave, microwave, interferential therapy, medical electricity and continuous passive movement (CPM).

The department is also equipped with a nautical wheel, a static cycle, an inversion table, a treadmill, parallel bars, a quadriceps bench, a balancing board, a contrast bath and a wax bath.

Chandigarh, March 12
A 26-year-old man allegedly sodomised a four-year-old son of his neighbour in Sector 25, Janata Colony, last night. The police said the accused was yet to be arrested.

According to the SHO of the Sector 11 police station, the victim’s father lodged a complaint alleging that his neighbour, Sandeep, came to his residence last night. They consumed liquor and Sandeep took the child along with him on the pretext of buying his samosas at around 8:30 pm.

He further alleged that Sandeep dropped the boy outside their residence late in the night. The child did not inform his parents about the incident out of fear. The matter came to light in the morning when he complained of pains and narrated the incident on being persuaded.

The police was informed about the incident which registered a case on unnatural offence against the accused under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

Mohali, March 12
A draw of lots for the allocation of liquor vends in the Mohali district was held here today which was inaugurated by the deputy commissioner H.I.S.Garewal.

The draw was held for eight units falling in the Mohali town, two units falling in Dera Bassi, three units falling in Kurali, four units in Kharar, six units in Zirakpur, two units in the Nayagoan area and 91 units falling in the rural areas of the district. The number of applicants from rural areas was higher.

R.S.Brar, excise and taxation officer, said the government had hiked the price of country made liqour this year. The licence fee for L-1 type liqour vends and ahatas was also raised.

Panchkula, March 12
Around 2,500 persons attended the Twenty20 match and performance by Bollywood actor Kim Sharma at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, here today.

The crowd, mostly consisting of youngsters, enjoyed Kim’s performance, who danced on the number ‘Hare Ram Hare Ram’ from Bhool Bhallaiya being followed by the top number ‘Its rocking’ during her first presentation.

Amidst loud cheers from adjoining stands of the stage, Kim virtually made her fans sway on her dance steps.

If her first performance was power-packed, the second presentation in the middle of the match between Mumbai Champs and Kolkata Tigers was again rocking.

Attired in silver dress, she presented a dance on ‘Maiya-Maiya’ and ‘Billo Rani’ from film Goal. She left the stage after 10-minute show.

“She looks gorgeous and dances very well. I only came to see her”, said Rakesh Marwaha while leaving the stadium after Kim’s performance.

For Kim, who came into limelight after Yash Chopra’s banner ‘Mohabattein’, is happy with the roles as well as films she has been getting in Bollywood.

“I don’t have any regrets because I choose my movies myself. I go by my intuition. At present, I am working on two projects, ‘Loot’ and ‘Money Hai Toh Honey Hai’ and also one south Indian movie”, said Kim.

Evidently nervous on asking about her former boyfriend Yuvraj Singh, she said: “I have come here to perform at ICL, not to discuss my personal life”. However, the actress said, “I watch cricket with my dad and I love the game”.