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MC allots tenders to blacklisted firm
Ludhiana, April 16 The contractor firm, Ceigal builders, was blacklisted by Chandigarh, C.P. Division number 2 (R), as it had failed to complete a project worth Rs 1.30 cr of widening and strengthening of the V-3 road between junction 18 to 47 (road between Sectors 15 and 16, 23 and 24, 36 and 37), Chandigarh. Despite that, the MC has allotted a tender worth Rs 3 crore of strengthening the Humbran Road to the firm. The issue of allotment of tenders was tabled in the general house meeting of the MC on March 10 and it was unanimously passed. The formal allotment letter is yet to to be issued. According to the terms and conditions for prequalification for road work, a contractor is required to file an affidavit stating that he neither abandoned any work nor any action has been taken against him. If liquidated damages have been levied and not waived, the detail may be recorded in the affidavit. Considering these conditions, eyebrows are being raised whether the contractor submitted an affidavit that he had abandoned a work or not. And if he did, then under what conditions the MC thought of allotting the contract to him. Amidst all these allegations, the executive engineer of C.P. Division number 2 (R), Chandigarh, has already invited tenders for completion of the abandoned project by the Ceigal builders at the risk and cost of the latter. An advertisement in this regard was carried in newspapers on April 13. ‘‘It seems that there is some hanky panky in the entire process. Only the MC functionaries know what was being done. How can they allot contracts to such people, ’’ asked an official. The MC had called tenders for five road projects worth Rs 18 crore on March 4. Strengthening of Humbran Road was among the projects and two contractors were jointly allotted tenders worth Rs 5 lakh. These were taken to the general house on March 10. The tenders were already mired in allegations of contractors forming a cartel.
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BJP holds rally against inflation
Ludhiana, April 16 The rally, led by BJP leaders Rajinder Bhandari, Kiran Ghai and Manoranjan Kalia, started from Division number three, passed through Chaura bazar before culminating at Ghanta Ghar chowk here. The participants were raising slogans against the UPA-led government at the Centre, holding it responsible for inflation. Taking a dig at the Congress and its alliance, the BJP state president, Prof Bhandari, said they were more interested in the nuclear deal instead of helping the common man, who was finding it difficult to arrange for two square meals. The BJP leaders said the While addressing the participants, Ghai said the Congress did not try to freeze inflation for the last four years. It was because of the wrong economic policies of the Congress that the middlemen were cash-rich while the common man and farmers were poor. Anil Sareen, Punjab BJP secretary, said the Congress was directly responsible for the existing state of affairs. Deputy speaker Satpal Gosain criticised the rise in steel prices, holding the steel mafia responsible for the problem. He said the industrialists in the state had suffered a lot on account of this scenario. The rally was addressed by many other BJP leaders. Womenfolk also attended the rally and raised slogans by beating utensils. Several activists were seen wearing vegetable strings, stating that these had become so dear that they had no option but to flaunt these instead of eating these. They stated that prices of all the essential commodities, even the pulses, grains, vegetables, medicines, clothes and everything else, had skyrocketed. The prices of construction material, too, had gone up manifold. The common man’s dream of owning a house seemed a distant dream in present circumstances.
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Students plump for vocational courses
Ludhiana, April 16 The degree as well as short-time vocational courses in fashion technology, hotel management, aviation, media, entertainment and films, pharmacy, tourism, hospitality management, animation and computer graphics, etc provide a platform to the younger generation for better placements, feel students as well faculty of the institutes providing vocational training. Manmeet Sodhia, director, Ivaana Institute, said the institute was getting a very good response from the younger generation. She said 85 per cent of the students in the institute were working and pursuing these short-term courses. "Such courses provide them better opportunities. They get placements, which suit their aptitude. They get anything between Rs 3,500 a month to Rs 10,000 a month. “Even after getting jobs, students continue with short-time courses to get more experience and exposure”, said Sodhia, adding that the fee structure of the courses varied from Rs 8,500 per semester to Rs 10,000 per semester. Seeing the potential in the city, many foreign institutes like Natcoll Design Technology, Mac (animation) Institute, etc have also started giving training to Ludhiana students. These institutes have been offering courses like foundation in design technology and diplomas in digital production, web development, interactive design, animation, video-post production, digital media, etc. Sahil Arora, working as a web designer with one of the industries here, said training in such courses yielded more benefit. "We get better opportunities. If one is willing to leave Ludhiana, then there is no dearth of jobs with better packages. I personally feel that traditional courses have lost their sheen in this career-oriented era. The animation courses are a favourite among students these days”, said Sahil.The director, Punjab College of Technical Education, Dr K.N.S.Kang, said their institute offered degree courses and students were doing part-time jobs while pursuing these courses. “The mindset of people has changed here. They have started giving importance to jobs and careers. Students, who have to run their family business, too, are getting further training to be well established in life”, he said. The fee structure of the degree courses varies from Rs 22,000 (air tourism and hospitality) per annum to Rs 60,000 (hotel management and pharmacy, etc) per annum, said Dr Kang.
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1,300 ETT teachers in dark about their future
Ludhiana, April 16 Despite being selected, they have been kept in the dark, not knowing what to do next. Besides, the names of as many as 15 teaching fellows of SC ex-serviceman quota (men) were missing from the list of the selected candidates. The confusion, however, does not end here. The list, which was scrutinised by the chairmen of the district selection committees, has mentioned the name of same candidate twice. "We have been asked to meet the Director Public Instruction (DPI) in Chandigarh as the District Education Department (DED) (Primary) is washing off its hands in the matter," said a candidate, belonging to the ex-serviceman quota, whose name was missing from the list. Besides some teaching fellows have been removed by a private school as these teachers refused to submit their resignations.Today four teachers, Jagjit Singh Jhande, Harpreet Singh, Inqbal Singh and Balwinder Kaur, were relieved by a private school of the city as they refused to submit their resignations. Agitated over the decision, Jagjit Singh said, “We did not receive any notice by the school authorities and were told to leave the school without attending any class. Now what will we do? They should have informed us before relieving us from the school.” The teaching fellows alleged that the state government was intentionally delaying the recruitment process because of the impending Panchayati Raj elections, speculated to be held in the summers. With the code of conduct coming into force any moment now, the recruitment process will be stalled, at least temporarily. The teaching fellows have warned the government that if they are not recruited by April 20, then they will have no option but to take to the streets.
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Brick-kiln workers shift to harvesting
Ludhiana, April 16 While working in a brick-kiln fetches a family of four around Rs 500 a day, workers are expecting Rs 2,000 a day for a family by working in fields. It was a tiff between labourers and owners of kilns that led to stoppage of work on April 4. Later both the parties reached an agreement with the kiln owner effecting an 18 per cent hike in the wages. "Workers did not start working even as it has been four days since the agreement was arrived at. They are preferring to work in fields where they are getting higher wages this harvesting season," said Jagdeep Singh, general secretary, the Ludhiana Brick-Kiln Owners Association. As rain played a spoilsport, labourers are getting at least Rs 500-Rs 700 higher wages in comparison to last year for harvesting. Farmers this time are paying Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 per acre while they paid Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,400 last year. While farmers have no option other than paying higher wages, a large number of workers are shifting from various industries in the lure of better money. According to the labourers, Rs 2,000 an acre will translate into Rs 400-500 a day for them. As many of them work with their families, the entire amount goes to a family. Due to acute labour shortage, the industry is forced to compromise on production. Brick-kiln owners, the latest to suffer, said they would only wait this week and in case the workers did not return, they would shut their kilns. "We will stop our work in case the workers do not get back," said Singh.
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4 held for assaulting journalists
Ludhiana, April 16 SHO Division No 2 said the accused arrested today were Gaurav, alias Tony, Gurbir Singh, alias Vicky, Sandeep Verma and Don. They had allegedly beaten and stabbed two journalists, Varun Bhatia and Sunil Kumar, over a minor argument. The journalists had asked them to move their vehicles that had caused a traffic jam on the congested road. Instead, the accused allegedly pounced on them and started beating them. They took out swords and rods from nowhere as if they were waiting for the incident. Sunil and Varun suffered deep stab injuries in the sudden assault. Their bikes were also damaged. A delegation of the city journalists’ fraternity had condemned the incident and met the SSP asking him to take strict action against such acts of lawlessness. The journalists had informed the SSP that the accused were prepared for violence as they had kept swords, knives and rods in rehris and shops.
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Kalia blames ‘anti-agriculture’ policies of UPA government
Ludhiana, April 16 Addressing a state-level rally, organised by the BJP against inflation here today, Kalia said the UPA government had deliberately exhausted the reserve food stock by exporting food grain to other countries at cheaper rates. Now, the situation had taken an alarming turn as the food grains were available at a much higher price in the international market. He said the production of wheat during 2006-07 had touched a new record of 750 lakh MT and in spite of this, the UPA government had failed to keep inflation under control. He said our economy was completely based on agriculture and the UPA government had adopted anti-agriculture policies precipitating the present crisis. He said the average production during the NDA regime had been less than the average production during the UPA regime, but the rate of inflation had been fully under control and substantial reserve food stock was ensured during the regime of the NDA government, headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The minister charged the Congress- led UPA government with purchasing substandard wheat from "an ill- reputed Australian company" that had been chargesheeted by the CBI for the supply of damaged wheat. He said 50 per cent of the total import of wheat had been made through this company with a motive to grant monetary benefits through middlemen. Commenting on the much-hyped "pro poor" Union Budget, the minister said the Budget had completely lost its sheen due to staggering inflation. Addressing the rally, Rajinder Bhandari, president of the Punjab unit of the BJP, alleged that the UPA government had betrayed the farmers by not earmarking funds under the much-publicised loan-waiver scheme.
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Rly pensioners seek better health unit
Ludhiana, April 16 The association has further asked senior railway authorities to refer the beneficiaries to local designated hospitals for tests to save them from going to Ferozepur and New Delhi till the health unit is converted into a full-fledged hospital. In a communication to the chief medical superintendent of the divisional railway hospital, Ferozepur; president of the association Sher Singh has urged the authorities to do way with the practice of referring serving employees and pensioners to railway hospitals at Ferozepur or New Delhi for simple tests. “This not only costs the railways heavily since it has not only to provide free train journey to the beneficiaries and their dependents but also adds to the suffering of the pensioners.” The association maintained that even though the demand for deployment of guest specialists in medicine and surgery had been accepted and days fixed for the doctors and surgeons to visit health unit yet the real purpose behind the move was not being served. “At times, the specialist doctors, who have to come from Amritsar, fail to visit the health unit resulting in disappointments of those waiting in the out patient department or else, specialists are not available on the scheduled days or time which leads to harassment of the ailing employees and pensioners.” Sher Singh urged the railway authorities to appoint visiting heart specialist and eye surgeon to the health unit and wanted that the specialists coming from subdivisional or divisional hospitals should attend the OPD for at least three hours. Arrangements should also be made to operate upon for hernia, appendix, renal stones and other procedures, he added. Copies of the memorandum have also been sent to the union railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, the divisional railway manager, Ferozepur, the chairman and managing director of Northern Railways and director health services of Railway Board demanding immediate action towards providing better and comprehensive health services to the serving railway employees and pensioners.
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Scientific techniques must for pesticide use: Dr Tanda
Ludhiana, April 16 During his visit, Dr Tanda said PAU made endless efforts to popularise effective use of pesticides but efforts were still needed to adopt adequate techniques of spraying. He elaborated that in country like Australia, the pests were controlled by insecticide pest management techniques. The pest controlled by these strategies through mechanical ways, bio-control and cultural practices led to minimum residue left on the vegetables, fruits, water and in the soil. The IPM strategy is cost effective and based on need-based application of pesticides. He said more efforts should be laid on the designing of training programmes to effectively utilise the pesticide. The electronic and print media should be fully explored to disseminate the technology regarding the recommendations made by the PAU. Dr Kang presented a set of PAU publications to Dr Tanda and said the experience shared by Dr Tanda would be highly beneficial for the farming community.
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NRI undergoes metabolic surgery
Doraha, April 16 She appeared before the media along with director and chief surgeon of the hospital. Dr Gurdip Singh Sidhu said Hardev Kaur underwent surgery about a month ago. Now, all her diabetic parameters have come down to near normal. Narrating her case, she said, “I had been on medication for the many years yet my blood sugar was in the range of 550 when I first reported at the hospital. I am returning to Canada since my blood sugar in the normal range.” Dr Sidhu said that Duodeno-Jejunal bypass (DJB), popularly known as metabolic surgery, is a variant of gastric bypass surgery. It is generally performed on obese patients, but now the technique is also being used for treating type 2 diabetics with normal weight after a few modifications.
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‘Kachche Lamhe’ to be staged on April 26
Ludhiana, April 16 Addressing a press conference, Sunil Kant Munjal, president of LSS, said, “It has rarely happened that two celebrated writers have come together on a common stage which makes this play exceptional. Written by Javed Siddiqui and directed by Salim Arif, the play also includes some poems of Gulzaar.” Giving details on the play, he said it was a humorous and light-hearted look at a woman on the verge of getting restive in her life of theatre. The play has been staged throughout the country. The play stars renowned actor Harsh Chhayya, Kiran Karmarkar, Om of Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Lubna Salim, Leela bhabi of Baa, Bahoo aur Baby.
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8 more pledge to donate their bodies
Ludhiana, April 16 Announcing this at a news conference here, N.S. Nanda, president of the body,said Ravail Singh, a retired principal, Gurdial Singh Sukhija, M.S. Suri, H.S. Chhabra, Joginder Singh Uppal, Dr Satjit Singh Grewal, Manjit Singh and Gurbakshish Singh Ghayal had also joined the movement of body donation. Though, all the donors came from different walks of life, yet their mission was the same, as they wanted their mortal remains to be utilised for welfare of the mankind. Nanda said the NGO, besides motivating the people for body and organ donation, was also working for improving the living conditions of elderly people who had been abandoned by their families.
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Boiler cleaning: 1 dead, another injured
Khanna, April 16 The incident took place in one of the factories located at the Talwara road, when Parmod Kumar (22) and Gurpreet were cleaning the boiler pipeline. According to eye witnesses, suddenly Parmod Kumar lost his balance and fell into the boiler. In an attempt to save himself from falling, he grabbed Gurpreet’s head, who also fell into the boiler. Though, a few labourers working nearby rushed to save their co-workers and tried to pull them out, but they could not save Parmod, who died on the spot. While Gurpreet sustained severe burn injuries. He was rushed to the local civil hospital, where his condition was stated to be out of danger. Senior civil and police officials reached the spot and recorded the statements of those working in the factory. The police finally concluded that it was an accidental death. Meanwhile, the body has been sent to the mortuary of the local civil hospital for the post-mortem examination.
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Banda Bahadur’s portrait put up at art gallery
Ludhiana, April 16 Paying tributes to the martyr, patron Jagdev Singh Jassowal and president, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur international manch, Krishan Kumar Bawa, said those who laid down their lives for a good cause would live for ever and only those nations which remembered their martyrs survive. Bawa said Banda Bahadur had not only changed the course of history by waging a war against the Mughal Empire but also contributed towards improving the lot of farming community.
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Meeting on animal rights
Ludhiana, April 16 President, animal save movement,Pakistan,Khalid Mohammad Qureshi, CAPE-India coordinator Dr Sandeep Jain and PFA representative Naresh Kadiyan deliberated on benefits for the voiceless. Khalid said animals protection laws in Pakistan were old and needs to be revamped. As a punishment for this cruelty people were just supposed to pay a fine of meagre amount. Dr Jain presented a set of laws and rules besides literature published by CAPE-India to Pakistani delegates.
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Road project inaugurated
Ludhiana, April 16 Addressing the gathering, Dhanda said he would ensure that this area’s development did not suffer for the want of funds.
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Night camp at Green Grove
Doraha, April 16 The main attraction of the night camp was bonfire, dance and music. The band of students rocked the entire area with their non-stop dancing. Oshin, Rupinder and Navneet received applause for their solo presentation. The chief instructor Sandeep Vermani divided the students into 10 different groups under the name of Knight Riders, King Cobras, Rose daredevils, Indian Tiger etc.
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Letters
The emergence of malls and shopping complexes in the city is a matter of concern as it is taking a heavy toll of gullible middle class who become bonded buyers.
Painting dazzling pictures of future prosperity and affluence, the mall mafias in collusion with corrupt property dealers trick in and trap these middle class people to purchase shops in those at all costs. Taken in by their tricks, their victims voluntarily spend all their accumulated and hard-earned wealth for buying this property. Thereafter, these crafty swindlers back out of their tall promises made by them before the deal about the facilities, amenities and support leading to handsome returns. Middle class is already suffering between increasing prices and non-availability of parking space. But the callous property dealers exploit them further by demanding maintenance charges from trapped buyers every month. Vigilance Bureau in urged to probe the assets of these dealers and economic offences being committed by them. Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.
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JE held for demanding bribe
Ludhiana, April 16 JE Darshan Singh had allegedly demanded the bribe from Devinder Singh, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar near Dhandra road, Dugri. SP S.S.Mand said Devinder had applied for a new power meter. The accused junior engineer told him to grease his palms for speedy service. The complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau. A team led by the SP arrested the junior engineer in the complainant’s house where he was called to collect the money. He has been booked under the prevention of corruption Act.
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5 booked for assault
Jagraon, April 16 The Sidhwan Bet police has registered a case under Sections 452, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC. Both injured have been admitted to a local civil hospital. Some old dispute is stated to be the reason behind the assault.
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Wheat procurement picks up
Khanna, April 16 The official procurement drive that was launched on April 1, witnessed less inflow of the wheat produce. It was not till April 7 that the farmers started reaching the mandi with their yields. The trend changed by April 12 as PUNSUP bought its first produce at the minimum support price of Rs 1,000. Another spell of rain again dampened the spirits of the farmers as the procurement agencies were reluctant in buying the produce with high moisture content. However, the procurement drive has now picked up. Till yesterday over 1, 10,000 quintiles of wheat crop arrived in grain markets. It is expected that over 10 lakh quintals of wheat would be purchased this season as compared to the last year when about 8 lakh quintals of wheat was bought by a few government agencies and private traders from this grain market, the biggest in Asia. As of today, the wheat is being sold at Rs 990 to Rs 1,010 per quintal depending upon the quality and moisture content in the produce. According to Sukhminder Singh Mangat, secretary market committee, so far the FCI has bought 13,980 quintals of wheat, Pungrain has purchased 8,990 quintals, PUNSUP procured 2, 1550 quintals, Warehouse Corporation acquired 6,590 quintals, Punjab agro bagged 15,530 quintals and the private players procured 14,710 quintals of wheat. He said elaborate arrangements had been made for the smooth conduct of the procurement drive. Steps had also been taken to protect the wheat from the rain. Commission agents have been directed to ensure proper storage of the crop, failing which they could lose their license, he added.
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CM awards daily wager’s son
Ludhiana, April 16 Badal lighted a lamp to mark the inauguration of the school and presented a certificate of merit to Mangat Singh. He said he never thought he could ever stand that close to the Chief Minister. Flabbergasted, he stayed on the stage for sometime not knowing what was happening around him. Coming back to senses after few minutes, he quickly changed his clothes and was all set to rush home. “I am going to tell my parents that I have received the award from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal”, he said. He further said, “I joined this school as it was close to the farm where my father worked as a daily wager. I will show this to my father and younger brother and elder sister.” He further said, “My mother would be proud of me. I wish they could attend the function. I am sure they would have felt really happy.”
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PCTE faculty presents research paper in Islamabad
Ludhiana, April 16 They presented a research paper on ‘Comparative study on relationship management practices by public and private sector banks’. The paper was authored under the guidance of Dr O.P. Sahni, dean, PCTE. IQRA is an academic partner of PCTE. After presenting paper in the conference, the faculty members of PCTE interacted with faculty and students of the university. Dr Abrar Ahmed, director, IQRA University, Islamabad campus, presented momento to PCTE faculty and Dr Jamil Ahmed, dean wished to have stronger academic relations with PCTE in near future. On this occasion, Dr K.N.S. Kang, director, PCTE, said in all, PCTE had nine academic collaborations 2with different institutions across the world out of which four collaborations were with leading universities and institutes of Pakistan. This is fifth time when PCTE faculty has visited Pakistan for core academic purpose. As many as 75 participants from USA, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Turkey, India and Sri Lanka participated in the International conference and presented their research papers on the occasion. IQRA is a university of Pakistan having its campus in different parts of the country and running more than 50 management, fashion technology and IT courses in Pakistan.
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Vet varsity to celebrate foundation day
Ludhiana, April 16 An exhibition depicting various university activities and latest research achievements will be arranged in the Silver Jubilee Block (hospital complex). A technical session will also be arranged on this day. GADVASU is also celebrating the World Veterinary Day at veterinary clinical services complex. The celebrations will start from April 21 to 26. An animal welfare camp will be organised on April 23 at Gureh village (Ludhiana). During the camp, the treatment of sick animals, vaccination and surgical operations will be conducted.
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