Ludhiana, April 6
Disparity between the rates of milk sold by Verka outlets and milkmen is helping Verka dealers pocket the margin even as the common man has to run around for milk every morning.

Dairy farmers had increased the milk prices by Rs 3 per litre from March 1. Verka had retained its old prices so as not to burden people.

But in many areas, the relief is not being passed on to the common man as dealers tell them that there is short supply of milk.

This is happening even though Verka officials say there is no shortage of milk.

Residents of Sarabha Nagar have complained that they have not been getting milk from a Verka outlet in J block. ‘‘During the past 15 days, we have not got milk for 11 days. We are told by the dealer that the packets were not reaching him. We have to look for it elsewhere. At times, we have to go without it because in this weather other dealers do not get surplus milk,” a resident said.

He added that they found out that the packets were being sold to milkmen and they were selling those at a higher price.

Verka is selling milk for Rs 24, Rs 22 and Rs 18 per litre depending on the fat content while milkmen and dairy owners are selling it for Rs 25 per litre.

Residents of Pakhowal road also complained that they were not getting milk from their dealers. “There is some problem. While Reliance milk is available, Verka packets are in short supply. We do not know what the problem is. Sometimes we were told that the supply did not reach because of rain and at other times, we were told that there was a shortage,” a resident of Green Field said.

Balbir Singh, who manages the city supply of Verka, said there was no shortage of milk. “It has come to our notice that some dealers were up to something. We will identify them and take action against them if they are found indulging in such a practice,” he said.

Ludhiana, April 6
Adding insult to injury, the police allegedly “twisted” rules and booked a complainant in a dowry case without following the set procedure.

Ranjan Kumar and his mother Kailash Rani were booked under Sections 498-A, 323 and 34, IPC, following a complaint by his wife Kusum Lata yesterday.

While the police does not book anybody in a dowry case without referring the case to the marital disputes cell and counselling both parties, it booked Ranjan within a few hours of the complaint.

He was accused of beating his wife and demanding Rs 1.5 lakh as dowry.

The case was registered three days after Ranjan Kumar levelled allegations that his wife, an employee with the social welfare department, was not allowing him and his three children to enter their house.

His 18-year-old daughter, Rekha, had appeared for an examination without studying as her mother had not even allowed her to carry books from her house.

Kusum had lodged a complaint of domestic violence against him on March 22.

The police effected a compromise between the two parties and asked them to maintain peace and live separately after March 30 as Rekha’s exam would be over by then.

Ranjan and his wife, however, had an altercation over the visit of some persons in the house on March 22. This had led to a dispute between the two. His children had informed him about the visit.

The children sided with the father and decided to be with him. They stayed at a hotel as they had been rendered homeless. 

Ludhiana, April 6
A technical glitch in the issuance of certificate caused harassment to hundreds of candidates who had gone to the district education department to get their experience certificates attested here today.

The discrepancy occurred as the chairman of various selection committees formed to recruit teaching candidates across the state objected to the experience certificates filed by candidates of the district.

The candidates complained that at the time of attestation, the post of district education officer was lying vacant so they got the experience form attested from the then deputy district education officer i.e. Sudesh Bajaj.

However, now the selection committees have refused to entertain experience certificates attested by a deputy DEO, which is causing harassment to candidates.

Ironically, the then deputy DEO has since been promoted to the post of DEO and there has been no change in the attestation process, except the stamp.

Candidates and employees are already unhappy at the opening of education department offices on Sunday to verify certificates.

“I had to return from Amritsar immediately, as the chairman of the selection committee raised objection to experience certificate and I was told to get the certificate attested from the DEO as the attestation by the deputy DEO was invalid. But much to may surprise, when I reached here my certificate was attested by the same officer,” said Satnam Singh.

Another candidate said: “It is farcical to see the authorities reject the certificates in spite of knowing that these had been attested by the same officer, who is now the DEO.”

Ludhiana, April 6
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered the PSEB to restore the electric connection and pay Rs 5,000 as compensation to an aggrieved consumer. The forum president and its member Daljit Singh Bakshi also directed the PSEB authorities to refund the amount of Rs 11,162 charged from the consumer and pay Rs 1,500 as litigation cost.

The orders were pronounced while deciding a complaint filed by Jagdev Singh, a resident of Sarabha Nagar.

The complainant had submitted that his power connection was disconnected, but he was not apprised of the reasons.

In December 2001, a bill for Rs 8,343 was issued to him, which was also showing an arrear of Rs 12,560. He deposited Rs 7,552. Later, the PSEB sent him other bills amounting to Rs 3,610, which he deposited. Even then the power connection was not restored.

On the other hand, the PSEB authorities refuted the allegations and justified the recovery of the amount. It pleaded that the consumer was found committing power theft.

On account of this, Rs 5,394 was debited in his account and a bill for Rs 12,560 was issued. He had deposited Rs 7,552 after the settlement of the accounts.

A local commissioner was appointed by the forum to inspect the site where the electric connection was found disconnected.

Rampur (Ludhiana), April 6
Even after 17 months after Naseeb Kaur, an old woman of Rampur village, was hacked to death, the police is yet to nab suspects who had been rounded up during preliminary investigations.

Accusing the police of trying to shield the suspects, Manjit Kaur, an office-bearer of the Lok Bhalai Party, has urged the higher authorities to get the matter probed by an independent agency.

Denying the charges levelled against the police, DSP (Payal) Rattan Singh Brar claimed that the case had been solved by a special investigating team constituted by the then SSP, Khanna, and supervised by the circle officer. “But the case was filed as the prime accused Teetu had died shortly after the murder,” Brar said.

The body of Naseeb Kaur (60) was found in a pool of blood by her son Palwinder Singh on the Diwali of 2006.

It was suspected that the assailants had killed her a day prior to the and had decamped with cash and jewellery after breaking open the rooms.

Interestingly, the crime was committed during days when residents of the village used to hold “theekri pehra”.

Circumstantial evidence had suggested that Teetu had allegedly killed her for robbing cash and valuables.

Some other youths were also rounded up during preliminary investigations, but they were later let off. Teetu had died under mysterious circumstances later.

The victim’s family does not know whether the weapon of the crime and stolen goods had been recovered.

The victim’s family has sought the intervention of a court in this regard. 

COMMUNITY

World Health Day Today
By 2100 globe will get warmer, says doctor 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 6
Climatic change is one of the greatest challenges of our times. It not only threatens to change the way we live, but is expected to make a huge impact on the health and human suffering on a global scale. World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 every year, is a unique opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health. This year, World Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climatic changes.

President of the India Academy of Pediatrics Dr Rajinder Gulati says, “Climatic changes will not only make the world warmer, it would become an unhealthy place to live. The inter-governmental panel on climatic changes projects that by 2100, the global temperature will rise by 1.8 to 4 degrees Celsius.

According to Dr Gulati, scientists are uncertain about the possibility and timing of abrupt climatic changes if temperatures continue to rise. Thus, it’s urgent to take further action. As per WHO, health and well being of populations must become the defining measure of the impact of climate change and our efforts to address it effectively.

Meanwhile, Dr Amarjit Kaur, professor and head, department of transfusion medicine, DMCH, has called for making voluntary blood donation a mass movement on the occasion of World Health Day.

Ludhiana, April 6
Minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs Hira Singh Gabria has asked poets, lyricists and writers of Punjab to condemn social evils like dowry, drug-addiction and female foeticide.

Addressing the 17th annual prize distribution function organised by Punjabi Ghazal Manch, Phillaur, at Punjabi Bhawan here today, Gabria said freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives for the country and one must respect it. The function was organised in the memory of late Chaman Lal Sukhi and Prof Kulwant Jagraon.

“Pen is mightier than sword. The writers should come forward to curb the menace of social evils through their writings”, stressed Gabria. He said the next generation could be influenced through literary works. We must respect our culture, social values and traditions and also get attached to our roots”, he added.

Khushwant Kanwal, Ajaib Kamal, Surjit Rampuri, Sulakhan Sarhadi, Pritam Singh Rahi were among those honoured on the occasion. A book titled “Rang saweran shaman de” written by Ajaib Chitrakar was also released on the occasion.

Ludhiana, April 6
Immigration to greener pastures of potentially sound economies like Canada, Australia and the UK is all set to become much more dynamic and fast in the coming year. With governments of all these countries, particularly Canada, all geared to bring in a fresh legislation upon classifying prospective immigrants in terms of their requirement, the immigration processes are likely to be expedited many folds.

Announcing the latest series of measures and provisions being mooted by the Canadian immigration department, which are being incorporated in a draft bill to be introduced in the Canadian Parliament shortly, Lt Col B.S. Sandhu (retd), chairman and managing director, World Wide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS), said the proposed legislation would enhance the immigration potential of qualified professionals.

While sharing the details of the move based upon the latest labour market studies in Canada, Lt Col Sandhu said the proposed enactment would segregate the prospective immigrants or applicants as per the occupational requirements in Canada. The highest priority would be given to the professionals who were qualified and had experience in the occupations that were in very high demand in Canada. The second priority would be given to the applicants that meet the qualification requirements of the occupations in medium to high demand in Canada.

The changes, added Sandhu, would bring loads of promises for applicants who were qualified for occupations that were in demand in Canada. He added the WWICS would soon share more details about the skill sets and qualifications of various occupational categories as per the latest changes as and when they were released by the immigration authorities.

Ludhiana, April 6
Railway pensioners today made a plea for the upgrade of the local medical unit to hospital level for delivery of better and specialised healthcare to serving and retired workers.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Northern Railway Pensioners Welfare Association here, Sher Singh, who was earlier re-elected chairman of the body, urged the Northern Railway authorities to provide a room for the association.

He also elaborated on the recommendations of the 6th pay commission and benefits that would be available to the railway pensioners.

The meeting was inaugurated by executive engineer Nirmal Singh Grewal in the absence of additional divisional railway manager. Speakers at the meeting put forth several proposals for the welfare of railway pensioners.

Eleven poor students of Government Higher Secondary School in railway colony were given a financial assistance of Rs 200 each and four senior railway pensioner over the age of 75 years were felicitated.

The association also elected following office-bearers: patron — Nirmal Singh Grewal, chairman — Sher Singh, president — Harminder Singh, senior vice-president — Janak Raj, general secretary — G.S. Sodhi, head cashier — Gian Chand, vice-presidents — Sukhdev Singh, Avtar Singh Moga, Tarvinder Singh, Pritam Singh Bathla, Piara Singh; organising secretary — R. Trikha; and auditor — Bhajan Singh.

Ludhiana, April 6
The bitter row between the district administration and the association of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims for rejection of claims seems to be heading towards some solution with the administration announcing new dates for issuing red crads to the victims.

Deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar said the district-level Danga Peerat Committee headed by SDM Ludhiana East Davinder Singh would conduct interview of the remaining riot victims, who had applied for red cards with the administration, on April 7, 8 and 9 at Bachat Bhawan, mini secretariat.

The deputy commissioner added that the victims who had applied during July, 2007 and January, 2008 for the cards should appear before the committee for interview and present their supporting documents as proof from 10 am onwards.

He appealed to people concerned to avail of the opportunity so that genuine applicants could be issued the cards.

Jagraon, April 6
The Lok Sewa Society today solemnised the marriage of 35 poor girls on the premises of LR DAV College today. The ceremony was part of the 9th Samuhik Kanya Daan Mahayagya of the society.

An NRI, Buta Singh Hans, and several others handed out donations to meet the expenses for the ceremony.

Hans presided over as chief guest whereas MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, former MLA Bhag Singh Mallah and SDM Gurlovleen Singh Sidhu were among those who were guests of honour. Around thousand persons attended the wedding. The guests were later served langar.

College principal Dr Satish Sharma and the SDM appreciated the gesture of the organisation and stressed the need for organising such functions in the future to help the downtrodden.

The couples were gifted with items worth around Rs 20,000 each. 

Jagraon, April 6
Additional manager of Indian Overseas Bank R.B. Kulkarni (45) was found lying dead in a room under mysterious circumstances in the early hours today. According to information, Kulkarni, who belonged to Pune, had been living alone on the first floor of a rented accommodation.

He had come to his room around 9 pm and bolted the door from inside.

In the morning, landlord’s wife noticed smoke coming out of the room and called her husband.

They broke open the door and found clothes and household goods on fire.

Kulkarni’s body was found lying on the cot. The couple informed the police, which found no burn injuries on the person of the deceased.

The police said the victim could have died of asphyxiation after a burning candle led to fire in the room. Power supply had been disrupted due to stormy weather.

AGRICULTURE

Heavy rain flattens crop
BKU seeks Rs 5,000 per acre relief for farmers
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 6
Heavy rains that continued for several hours here last evening has damaged approximately 23 per cent of the wheat crop in the district. Maximum damage has been reported from Mullanpur, Raikot and Jagraon areas.

The district administration has been asked to submit the detailed report of "actual damage" to the state government by today evening.

District revenue officer Inderpreet Singh Kahlon said around 23 per cent damage had been caused to the crop in all subdivisions, including Khanna, Payal, Jagraon, Raikot, Samrala and Ludhiana (east and west). The reports of the damage have been collected by deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar through the SDMs concerned.

According to the agro-meteorological department of Punjab Agricultural University, 30.14 mm rainfall was recorded last evening whereas day before yesterday, it was 10.2 mm. The relative humidity in weather was recorded at 83 per cent.

Gurbachan Singh, a farmer near Mullanpur, said almost 30 per cent of the wheat crop had flattened due to unexpected rainfall in the region. "The government must get the surveys conducted in the district to get the picture of actual losses and it must provide compensation to farmers, who are already reeling under stress and heavy debts," said Gurbachan.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, president, BKU, Rajewal, said approximately 25 per cent of the crop had been damaged in Ludhiana district. He said the affected farmers would now have to depend on manual harvesting.

"There are more chances of grain shattering through manual harvesting. It is just the first-stage assessment conducted by the administration. Actual picture will come after five-six days when weather will be cleared. There are certain areas near Makhu block in Ferozpur district where there has been loss of 100 per cent crop in almost 38 villages," he said adding that the state government must conduct special girdawaris to assess the actual losses. He also said the discoloured produce would have to be consumed within six months otherwise chances of weevil and pest infestation increase.

Meanwhile, activists of the Bharti Kisan Union today demanded a compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre for farmers whose wheat crop was damaged due to hailstorm in the district last evening.

In a communique issued by the BKU, B.S. Mahesri said as a result of the damage to the wheat crop due to winds, farmers would have to get it harvested manually as combines would not be able to do the job.

The farmers would be forced to spend Rs 1,500 per acre extra on harvesting alone.

Mahesri said many other crops like vegetables and fodder had also suffered due to hail. He demanded a special girdawri for the damage of crops and said the farmers should be compensated immediately.

Ludhiana, April 6
The teaching fraternity has hailed the move to start the semester system initiated by the Punjab School Education Board. According to Dalbir Singh Dhillon, chairman, Punjab School Education Board, from this year, the examination for the Classes VIII and IX will be conducted following the semester system.

District education officers (DEO) of various districts will be intimated about the development on Monday.

The semester will be divided into two parts. The first part will start from April 1 to September 15 and the second part will start from September 16 to March 31.

While, 40 per cent of the syllabus will be covered in the first semester, the remaining 60 per cent will be covered in the second semester.

The chairman said the schools should implement semester system in the internal- examination of other classes also. He further said the pattern would help the students a great deal in bringing down the examination fear.

Teachers of the government as well as affiliated schools believe that the system, if implemented properly, will help in bringing down the burden of excessive syllabus from the students’ shoulders.

Dr Jasvir Singh, principal, Government Senior Secondary School, Hassanpur, said, "This pattern will be a boon for the students. It will lighten their burden and discourage them from mugging up syllabus. However, sincerity of teachers is very important for the proper implementation of the scheme," he added.

The move was equally appreciated by the students. The students feel that the system will set them free from the heavy burden of books and studies will become more organised.

"Under this system, the students will get more opportunities to prove their mettle," said Nitin Mittal, a Class-IX student.

Ludhiana, April 6
It was a nostalgic moment for hundreds of old students of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, who gathered to attend the "Alumni meet 2008" organised here today. Even the intermittent rains for the past two days did not dampen the spirits of Sacred Heartians, who attended the meet in good numbers.

The old students, including industrialists, doctors, engineers and public servants etc, spent memorable moments together. They were welcomed by the Sisters and teaching staff and felt elated to see the development of the school.

The school lawns were tastefully decorated to welcome the old students. A variety of cultural items, presented by school students, held all spellbound.

Those holding good positions in society decided to sponsor education of poor students on this occasion. School principal Sr Chantel thanked the students, faculty and guests for extending their cooperation.

Foundation Day: USPC Jain Public School, Chandigarh Road, Ludhiana, celebrated its Foundation Day with great zeal and zest. The school completed 20 years. The school was founded in the memory of Upadhyaya Shraman Shri Phool Chander Ji Maharaj. Chairman of the management T.R. Jain, president T.K. Jain, sr vice-president Muni Lal Jain, general secretary M.P. Jain and Manager D.P. Jain were also present.

Prize distribution function: Prize distribution function was organised at Baba Isher Singh Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, here today. School president and all trustees were present there. After the bhog of akhand path, the school trustees gave away prizes to the students who topped in the examination. At the end of the function, Guru Ka Langar was distributed. School principal Sarabjeet K. Khattra congratulated the winners and thanked the trustees, teachers and students for their cooperation.

Ludhiana, April 6
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal has stressed on the need for imparting professional education to students, so that they could compete globally for professional jobs in multinational companies and other sectors.

He was addressing students and their parents at function after inaugurating Vardhman International Public School in Sector 38 on the Chandigarh Road here today.

He said good schools run by private sector had been playing a vital role in providing quality education in the urban areas of the country, as a result of which a large number of brilliant students from the cities had acquired important positions in India and abroad. He called upon the managements of private educational institutions to focus on extra-curricular activities along with the studies for improving their overall personality of the students.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating standard of education in rural areas,Atwal said special attention should be given for improving the infrastructure of schools in villages, so that the poor students could also avail the opportunities of quality education.

He appreciated the steps being taken by the state government for improving the standard of education by upgrading higher secondary schools and setting up new Adarash Public School, where the poor students could get free education.

Ludhiana, April 6
All hue and cry being raised over the reported outbreak of jaundice in Kot Mangal Singh, New Madhopuri, Shimplapuri, Janta Nagar, and some other surrounding areas notwithstanding, no fresh case of jaundice has been reported from these localities. At least 36 patients, who had fallen victim to the water-borne infections in early March, were yet to recover fully.

Claiming this here today, area councillor Simarjit Singh Bains told The Tribune that a medical check-up camp for jaundice patients was organised in collaboration with a private laboratory today so that they could be treated accordingly.

“The camp was attended by patients from 16 families of Kot Mangal Singh and adjoining localities who had been afflicted last month. Those suffering with jaundice will be given medicines free of cost till they fully recover and I will personally take care that no one suffered due to the lack of treatment,” Bains said.

Even though a case of mixing of drinking water with sewer discharge was detected in Street No. 5 of the New Madhopuri area by the operations and maintenance staff of the municipal corporation on Saturday, Bains asserted that all samples of drinking water taken from the affected areas during past week were found potable.

During a visit to street Nos. 33 and 35 of the Kot Mangal Singh locality, as also adjoining residential area of Gurpal Nagar, no body could provide exact information about any fresh case of jaundice but every one said that they had heard of fresh cases being reported.

In the wake of reports that disease-prone localities were under yet another attack of jaundice, the health department had taken five water samples each from Kot Mangal Singh, Sherpur and Shimlapuri on Friday which were sent to microbiology laboratory in the Punjab Agricultural University for chemical analysis. District health officer Dr S.S. Dhir said the report of water samples was still awaited but as precautionary measure chlorine tablets were being distributed and people were being advised to boil water before drinking.

Strongly refuting the reports of any fresh breakout of jaundice, DHO Dr Dhir said a team of field staff had undertaken door-to-door survey of 150 houses in Gurpal Nagar yesterday without coming across a single case. Similarly, the government dispensary in Kot Mangal Singh remained open all through the day today where only one patient of jaundice (afflicted more than a month ago) came to get medicine, he informed.

Meanwhile, the mass education wing of the health department and the civic staff were carrying out awareness drive in the disease-prone areas where residents were being advised to maintain sanitation and observe basics of personal hygiene to protect themselves against water-borne diseases. The corporation had also issued instructions to the staff to check illegal water connections in these localities.

Ludhiana, April 6
More than 350 delegates from Punjab, Haryana and other northern states attended a CME on the “maternal and child health”, organised by the Punjab and Chandigarh branch of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) here today.

Besides practising radiologists, medical students from Jammu, Shimla, Chandigarh, Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana took part in the deliberations and the quiz competition. Dr Sat Pal Sharma, civil surgeon, was the chief guest while Dr B.S. Shah, member, Punjab Medical Council, was the guest of honour.

According to Dr Gurdeep Singh, organising secretary, radiologists from medical institutions in Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, Shimla and Chandigarh dwelt on latest developments in the field.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Dr Lakhanpaul, Dr Bhardwaj, Dr Rajesh Kapur, Dr N. Kandelwal, Dr Toppo, Dr S. Bakshi, Dr Kavita Saggar, Dr Bhandari, Dr Rahul Sachdev, Dr K.S. Sodhi, Dr Suman Kochhar, Dr Ghanshyam Dev, Dr Dhiman, Dr Sohan Singh and Dr Paramjit Singh.

Rajpura, April 6
The first Inter-Unit Competitions (IUC) of Siel Chemicals kicked off in style at Siel Chemical Complex here. The three-day event includes Twenty20 Cricket Tournament between six teams of various units of the company along with cultural competitions.

The event was formally declared open by company director A.K. Mehra who unfurled the competition flag and bowled the first ball. He declared that company had planned to make it an annual feature and every year, one additional event would be added to the competitions.

N.S. Birdie, head of the host unit, welcoming the participants, said the IUC was a reformed version of Inter-Mills Tournament (IMT), which was a regular feature during the days of united DCM. The last IMT was held in 1985 and discontinued thereafter due to division of DCM. He said Rajpura unit of Mawana Sugar Limited had taken this lead to revive the old tradition of bringing its employees together on a common platform.

In the first match that was played between SCC, Rajpura, and Usha International Limited, Delhi, the host team notched a convincing 41-run win over the later. In the second match, Mawana Sugar Limited defeated Titawi Sugar Complex by nine wickets and in the third match played between Mawana Corporate Office and Nanglamal Sugar Complex, Corporate Office won the match by six wickets.