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80 pc turnout in panchayat poll
Ludhiana, May 26 The elections to sarpanches, the head of a village, are likely to be completed tomorrow. Panchayat elections for 23 villages have been postponed due to certain incongruities in the poll process. Fresh elections will be held on May 28, sources said. Except for personal celebrations, there were no major celebrations by any political party because the panchayat elections are not contested on party symbols. Daljit and Lakhwinder, the first time voters at Bhattian village, despite being shy village girls, were excited to cast their votes. "Casting vote is our right as well as our duty to hold on to democracy at the grassroot level," the school going duo added. Rural voters detested the role of political parties in panchayat elections in the state at large as a village lambardar Darshan Singh added that voters in Bhattian had refrained from indulging in party politics. It's for the overall development and progress of the village. Labh Singh (75) and his wife Naib Kaur (70), led by their respective sticks, made a picture perfect as their heads were held high when they came out of their booth after casting votes. The panchayat election scene amalgamated into community gathering at Chak and Changna villages as supporters carrying flags of respective candidates sat under peepal trees discussing the “must to be done chores” in the villages. Elaborative arrangements for tea and lunch was also made for everybody, including the election duty staff and candidates. Young boys abiding by their party allegiance could be seen mobilising people to poll venues. Coming from influential landlord families, more than 12 boys facilitated people in their SUVs ranging from Qualis, Mahindra, Scorpio and Safari which were lined up in panchayat stadium, Hambran. However, some voters objected to the highhanded attitude of the staff at polling station at Hambran. Satvir Singh alleged that names of around 250 voters are missing from voting list and the officials have refused to entertain many people who did not have voter I-card but were carrying other identifications like ration cards, driving licences, etc.
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Minor incidents in Mandi Ahmedgarh
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 26 Minor incidents were reported from some booths and villages which had not been declared sensitive and most sensitive by the administration. Approximately 65 per cent people, including a record number of women, cast their ballot amid tight security though allegations of partiality by the polling staff in favour of the ruling party levelled. However, SAD workers and leaders denied any campaign to coerce the voters. An extensive tour by the Ludhiana Tribune through various blocks of this part of Malwa revealed that despite pre-sowing agricultural chores of farmers, there was a lot of enthusiasm among the voters. The young and the elderly could be seen making their way to village government schools where the candidates and their polling agents handed out slips to the people bearing their booth and vote numbers. At Chhappar village, polling had to be stopped for some time in the beginning. Supporters of Congress and SAD candidates scuffled over issue of identification of voters. Beant Singh, a supporter of Manjit Singh, was injured in the incident. Commotion prevailed as the opposing parties levelled allegations against each other. The polling staff informed the district administration following which senior officers reached the spot and defused the situation. Similarly, at Brahampur village, commotion prevailed for a long time when Gurjit Singh, a polling agent of Charanjit Kaur, objected to the entry of three voters in an inebriated condition and former sarpanch Ranjit Singh insisted that they should be allowed. Voting had to be cancelled at some villages after it was found that categories and names of certain candidates had
been wrongly printed in ballot papers. Certain candidates demanded cancellation of election at Mansooran, Phallewal, Narangwal and Ballowal and Ballewal villages where discrepancies in ballot papers were noticed. The candidates and villagers were sore that care had not been taken while printing the ballot papers and now they would have to spend more money in keeping their supporters together. In separate cases of bogus voting, some persons were detained and let off by villagers following the intervention of senior Akali and Congress leaders. On its part, the district administration had taken elaborate measures to prevent any untoward incident.
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Brawl in Khanna
Khanna\Mandi Gobindgarh, May 26 While Mandi Gobindgarh registered a high polling percentage of 89 per cent, the same figure for Khanna was registered at 87 per cent. Congress MLA Qila Raipur Jassi Khangura visited some villages of Khanna. In one such village, a constable tried to stop Khangura from entering the area and village Congress and SAD leaders entered in heated arguments. The argument turned into fists and blows with even clothes being torn off. The police took action against the Congress leaders as well as some SAD workers. While no case was registered in this connection as the returning officer was busy with the polling process. Khanna SSP Gautam Cheema confirming the development said Congress MLA Khangura was denied entry in Roshiana village by one of the police officials deployed in the polling station. He added that due to ballot paper delay many scuffles were reported form various quarters. Besides this other similar incidents of quarrels were reported. At Cheema and Aloona Palla villages, candidates were seen quarrelling with each other over issue of ballot papers. At many polling booths, ballot papers reached very late. Officials said the delay of ballot papers had led to many incidents of quarrels and fights in different villages as many candidates rued that the papers were not bearing their symbols. These candidates tried to stop the polling process and action was initiated by the police. In Mandi Gobindgarh, the polling process remained peaceful and some villagers were seen celebrating due to unanimous election of their panchayat members.
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A cop at Government School, Hambran, had to deal sternly with young SAD activists carrying mobile phones to the polling booth. “ Either you switch off your cell phones or leave the venue," he warned. The youths had no alternative but to obey the orders. In Jasdev Singh Nagar, Ludhiana district, octogenarian Sampuran Singh (85), Mahinder Kaur (83)and Gurdev Kaur (80) and an invalid, Amarjit Singh, had to be carried to the polling booth by their family members. Such was the enthusiasm among voters. A candidate from Fatehgarh Gujjran village could do little except curse the 'authorities for having changed his election symbol at the last moment. “ I have lost more than 50 per cent votes because of the change of my symbol.” To help the election staff, a group of villagers at Choole had parked themselves on chairs on the roadside. They provided voters with paper slips that had information about the candidates. Group members accompanied voters till the polling venue. Candidate Surinder Kumar Batra of Fatehgarh Gujjarn had 135 votes from his own family. The total votes in the village are 368. Surinder Kumar's paternal uncle Chand Lal Batra was the village sarpanch for 15 years His aunt Surinder Kaur remained sarpanch for five years.
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PNB told to pay Rs 7.28 lakh for negligence
Ludhiana, May 26 Delivering the verdict, president of the consumer forum T N Vaidya and its member Daljit Singh Bakshi also ordered the bank to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for causing undue harassment and Rs 2,000 as litigation expenses. The forum held that the insurance claim of consumer Harjinder Singh, owner of Decent Rubber Industries, was denied by the insurance company due to the negligence of bank officials. The consumer had submitted that he was engaged in manufacturing of V belts. He had taken a bank limit from Punjab National Bank’s Gill road branch. The bank had taken an insurance policy from New India Assurance company for the coverage of stocks. Later on, he entered into trading business and also changed his godown from the previous place. He intimated his bank vide letter dated Feburary 11, 2004. The bank officials inspected the stocks at new premises on November 19, 2004, and also made an endorsement in their records. They had also informed the insurance company about the change on November 22, 2004, he added. A fire took place in his godown on December 2, 2004, which caused damage to goods worth Rs 8.25 lakh. The claim was lodged, but the insurance company repudiated his claim in Feburary, 2005. They had taken the ground that the goods were insured at old premises. No intimation was given to them regarding the change of nature of business and godown premises which was clear violation of the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. The bank officials had pleaded before the forum that they had informed the insurance company in writing through UPC. On the other hand, the counsel for the insurance company had stressed that no intimation was sent to them. Moreover, the letter of intimation sent to their company bears no despatch number. He also referred the report of investigator who had mentioned that in a normal practice the bank send their letter through courier or registered post. But this was probably the only case where the letter of intimation was claimed to be sent through UPC. After appreciating the respective contentions raised by the parties and going through the evidence on record, the forum observed that the letter might have been manipulated by the bank officials to save their skin. Finding no fault of insurance company, the forum dismissed complaint against them.
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Gujjar Stir Spillover
Ludhiana, May 26 A harried clerk at the reservation counter said following the suspension of 2904 Golden Temple Express that runs between Amritsar and Mumbai, a large number of passengers with advance bookings, gathered at the counter for cancellation of tickets. Some had heated exchanges with the railway staff. Some persons at the reservation counter were heard grumbling that they were forced to abandon their travel plans to Mumbai since no berths were available in the near future in other trains running on different routes to the destination. The passengers were a harassed lot also because none could give them accurate information on the trains running late or resumption of those suspended. Station superintendent Ashok Salaria said rail traffic would be resumed only after the agitation was called off. “Till that time, the rail passengers will have to bear with us.” Train cancelled Trains running late
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Hike Talk
Ludhiana, May 26 Benifitting from the situation, some petrol stations charged more than the prevailing diesel rates. "They refused to fill diesel but when I repeatedly requested them, one of the workers opened the cover of the machine and filled some fuel. If they had the fuel, why should they refuse the customers," said Rupinder Singh, who went to get fuel filled from a station near Hambran village. By afternoon, nearly 150 buses were forced to come to a halt. "Even the stations, from where we regularly get the diesel filled, refused us today. We suffered a major revenue loss due to the situation," said Jaswinder Grewal, secretary, Small Scale Bus Operators
Association.
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Delayed arrival of ballot papers
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 26 However, the conciliatory role of leaders of the Congress and the SAD enabled the presiding officers to perform their duties according to the changed schedule. Polling was staggered by one to two hours at about two dozen stations of the area. Delayed printing of ballot papers was cited as the reason behind the delay. Investigations by the The Tribune revealed that polling had started late at a large number of booths in villages surrounding the local town. The packets containing ballot papers, which ideally should have been handed over to respective presiding officers at the time of dispatch yesterday, were distributed today. Naudhrani, Rurka, Bukkanwal, Ahan Kheri, Shervani Kot, Takhar Khurad, Bhoodan, Buraj, Pharwali, Sanduar, Kasba Bahral and Imamgarh are among other villages where polling started late by one to two hours. Though packets were received at Kilaraipur, Dehlon, Latala, Ghungrana , Rachhin, Brahampur and Dehlon early in the morning today, the staff faced difficulty in starting voting at the scheduled time as they had to conduct physical verifications of quality and quantity of the ballots before starting the process. At certain villages, voting was cancelled as the ballot papers contained technical discrepancies. Polling in such villages will take place on Wednesday.
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Parties shower attention on elderly voters
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 26 A majority of them were happy that supporters of candidates for the posts of panches had sought to take care of their convenience at least on the polling day. Old men and women seemed happy today as all members of their families, including their grandsons, showed extra concern for them. While little care was taken about their dress earlier, they were made to wear well- ironed clothes today. The elders from families of lower strata were the best beneficiaries as supporters of the candidates had sent cars to bring them to the polling booths. They didn’t have to walk as the activists carried them on wheelchairs or chairs. They were offered eatables and drinks also. Seeto of Hargobindpura said it was for the second time in this month that supporters of the Congress and the SAD had showed concern about her. "While I have to virtually shriek to get a glass of water from members of my own family, they (candidates and their supporters) tried to serve me like their own parents all these days," said Seeto, adding that a supporter had offered to present her with a new suit also. Bant Singh of Barundi was somber about the fact that there was no voting in his village as the panches had been elected unanimously. "Had there been a contest, they could have again given me the treatment that was accorded to me on the day of zila parishad and block samiti elections held recently," said Bant Singh.
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Hundreds fail to vote as they get no leave
Sahnewal, May 26 As a number of private schools, other educational institutions, factories and industries were open today, the employees in surrounding villages were found lamenting that they were not able to cast their votes as their employers had ordered them to report for work even on the election day. They were even denied a day’s leave. Lakvir Singh, a resident of a nearby village, works in a factory here and failed to cast his vote as he was busy working in the factory when the polling was going on. He said he could have cast his vote by losing his pay for the day, which he could not afford with a family of eight to feed. The situation in the local private schools was no better. A teacher of a local school, who comes from Katahri village in Payal, said although it was declared a holiday for the students at school, it was made compulsory for the teachers to attend the school.
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Invoke ESSMA against steel hoarders: Industrialists
Ludhiana, May 26 Avtar Singh, general secretary of the chamber, told the Chief Minister that the steel minister Ramvilas Paswan had recommended to the government to withdraw the export cess on steel items, which was imposed only two weeks ago. The Central Government had not yet acted on this recommendation when the secondary steel producers had raised the prices of the steel material like kulfi, channels, angle iron and patti by Rs 20,000 per tonne. This amounted to black marketing and the state government should invoke ESSMA against such hoarders. The Chief Minister promised to take necessary steps after the panchayat poll. Avtar Singh also disclosed that the announcement by the major steel producers that the steel prices had been reduced by Rs 4,000 per tonne was also misleading. The actual reduction in the steel prices was not more than Rs 1,500 per tonne, he said. HR coil was being sold for Rs 42,000 per tonne after reduction of Rs 1,500 and Cr Coils Rs 44,000 per tonne respectively. However, the local manufacturers of these steel items were selling the same at the rate of Rs 50,000 per tonne, he alleged. MS rounds were being sold for Rs 38,000 per tonne.
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Demand to make Ahmedgarh subdivision
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 26 Accusing successive legislators of the constituency of sabotaging the movements launched by the local leaders to get their genuine demands accepted, various speakers urged the local leaders to boycott the senior leaders of their respective parties in case they opposed the long-pending demand. “The rank and file in each political party, including the SAD and the BJP, should impress upon their senior leaders to clear their stand on the issue of subdivision,” said Ravinder Puri, former councillor. Office-bearers of various associations promised to extend full support to the movement. Many youth leaders from different parties seconded the demand.
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Institutes cash in on students’ success
Ludhiana, May 26 One of the classic examples is that Sumit Gupta, who has topped the combined entrance test (CET), 2008, Chandigarh. Besides, Helix Academy in Chandigarh another leading academy has used Sumit’s picture in their advertisement. Yatish Jain, who scored 96 per cent marks in the commerce stream of the Class XII CBSE Board examination, said he had taken tuitions from private tutors but was surprised to find his name being highlighted by other educational institutes of the city. Similar contradictory claims could be seen splashed across different newspapers with certain common faces. Sumit is very amused. “I never went to the academy making a false claim against my name. Though, it did send me notes. I had never asked for such not and had not even opened them. I fail to understand how the academy could stake a claim to my name in their list of successful candidates?” Sumit Gupta, who scored 317.5 out of 360 marks (88.2 per cent), was surprised to see his photograph appearing in an advertisement inserted in a few newspapers in which the tutorial took the credit for the excellent marks secured by the student. All credit, they say, go to their training. He said such tutorials send free course material to the students who score over 85 per cents marks and if one of these students hit the top bracket, and then they highlight the students’ name, claiming he has studied in their institute. Harshit Jain, a Class XII student, said “Such claims by these institutes disappoint private tutors and students who burn midnight oil to reach at the top. A large number of tutorials are making false claims about success of their students. Students need to be careful before joining such academies. They should make independent enquiries”. The managing director of this institute refused to talk on this issue.
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Taxpayers feel cheated
Ludhiana, May 26 Monthly charges for maintaining accounts for a small trader are roughly Rs 500. This translates into an annual expenditure of Rs 6,000, while the tax benefit is around Rs 4,000. "Even if the income is above Rs 1.2 lakh, which is below the tax limit of Rs 1.5 lakh, we would have to maintain account books which would mean additional burden," said Hitesh Sharma, a small trader. The penalty for failure to maintain record books is Rs 25,000. Tax experts said it was a peculiar situation for assessees as they could not afford to ignore either of the provisions. "For taxpayers, the additional burden is unavoidable until the minimum limit for maintaining account books is also increased. If the government is serious in passing the benefit to taxpayers, it should raise the limit," said Jatinder Khurana, president, Taxation Young Lawyers Association.
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Sewerage water enters houses
Khanna, May 26 Residents allege that repeated complaints to the authorities concerned have borne no fruit. "Residents dumped a mound of mud at a place where the water was accumulated. This led to a quarrel among the residents as filthy water started entering their homes," said a resident. People have constructed temporary drains. This has led the water to flow into empty houses and open plots. SDM S.S. Gill, when contacted, said he had surveyed the area and sufficient funds to tackle the problem had been sanctioned, but work would begin only after the panchayat elections.
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Letters
The mayor and commisioner are working from D-zone in Sarabha Nagar, at least 10 km far from areas like Chandigarh Road, Luhara and Sleem Tapri, much to the inconvenience of the public.
It seems politicians and bureaucrats are only worried about their luxurious offices. The commissioner and mayor must have offices in A-zone which is easily accessible to the public, while the general house meeting may be held in D-zone. Sher Singh, Ludhiana
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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Vedic camp at BCM School
Ludhiana, May 26 The camp was formally inaugurated today by Rajinder Sayal, vice-president of the school managing committee. The colourful spectrum of the Vedic camp will not only provide a wide variety of activities, including yogic exercises, personality grooming, PT, games , artistic skills but also help in increasing the self confidence, strengthening leadership skills and sharpening the ability to work in teams. V.Kumar, coordinator of the camp, also spoke about the unique learning experience which is morally and emotionally fulfilling with its challenges during the camp that helps the students to develop into unique personality. Workshop at KVM
With the commencement of summer holidays Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) has started the hobby workshop at KVM with scores of activities for the students of the primary section. The students will be taught ragas, Bhajan, light and classical songs in a music workshop whereas they will be given knowledge of rhythm, dance and basic steps in the workshop. In arts workshop drawing, sketching colouring will be taught to the students. The workshop was inaugurated by principal S.C.Saxena along with Annu Sehra, in charge, primary section.
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Ankur Kakkar scripts Evenwood Club’s win
Ludhiana, May 26 In a communiqué received here today, in the inaugural match of the session, Evenwood Club scored a thumping 155-run victory over the Langley Park Club with Ankur playing a stellar role. He excelled with bat and bowl to steer his side to a comprehensive victory. Batting first, Evenwood Club scored 257 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 45 overs in which Ankur Kakkar remained unconquered on 105. Then, Evenwood restricted the Langley Park Club to a modest total of 102 runs in 31 overs. Ankur Kakkar sent down eight overs two of which were maiden and scalped three victims for 30 runs which saw his side to come out triumphant. A middle order batsman and left-arm spinner, Ankur hogged the limelight in 1994 when he excelled for Punjab with the ball against Jammu and Kashmir during the inter-state cricket championship. On his debut, he impressed one and all scalping five wickets. During that year, for his outstanding performance with the Red Cherry, Ankur received appreciation from the then coach of the Punjab Ranji squad, legendary and former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi. For his consistent contribution with the bat and ball, Ankur was selected in the Punjab Ranji team and did not disappoint the selectors as he made his presence felt with half century on his maiden appreance. He, too, batted well against Bengal and chipped in with 41 runs. Ankur also toured Kenya as a member of the Punjab squad in 2002-03 where he grabbed three wickets and scored 80 runs. For his fine performance, Intkhab Alam, former captain of Pakistan cricket team, who trained the Punjab team for a couple of years appreciated Ankur for his learning abilities and transforming the same into match- winning performance. Ankur gave a sterling performance in the Ranji trophy tournament last year when he took 13 wickets and scored more than 250 runs. However, Ankur failed to get nod of the selectors as he was not considered for the ongoing inaugural Indian Premier Twenty20 League.
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Bodybuilding
Championship
Ludhiana, May 26 Raghu Raja Sharma overcame stiff resistence from his opponents to emerge Mr Ludhiana Beginner while top honour in the Mr Ludhiana Classic Championship, Sandeep was adjudged the best. They were given colour TV sets by the organisers. Mr Universe Prem Chand Degra, Sukhdev Singh Sodhi, Navneet Singh, Pardeep Kumar Pappu, Ranjeet Kumar Pabbla, Parveen Kumar, Vicky Sharma amd Sunil Kumar were among the panel of judges. Cabinet minister Hira Singh Gabria,mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura were the chief guests. Pal Singh and Ajay Nayyar, both councillors of the municipal corporation,Ludhiana, and prominent personalities of the town were present on the occasion. Results: Mr Ludhiana Beginner- 50 to 55 kg- Aminudin Ansari, Ist; Prashant Kumar 2nd; and Robin 3rd; 55 to 60 kg: Ramanpreet Singh,Ist; Arvind 2nd; and Arjun 3rd; 60 to 65 kg: Gurtej Singh Ist; Amit 2nd; and Mandeep Singh 3rd; 65 to 70 kg: Ajaypal Singh Ist; Deepak 2nd; and Daler Singh 3rd; 70 to 75 kg: Raghu Raja Ist; Rakesh Kumar 2nd; and Deepak 3rd; 75 to 80 kg: Robin Ist; Parminder Singh 2nd; and Tarunveer Singh 3rd. Mr Ludhiana Classic- 50 to 55kg: Sunny Ist; James 2nd; and Ravinder Singh 3rd; 55 to 60 kg: Ramanpreet Singh Ist; Sachin 2nd; and Sat Pal Singh 3rd; 60 to 65 kg: Amit Bhatia Ist; Gurtej Singh 2nd; and Gagandeep Singh 3rd; 65 to 70 kg: Ajay Pal Singh Ist, Jaswinder Singh 2nd; and Tarsem Singh 3rd; 70 to 75 kg: Raghu Raja Sharma Ist, Satwinder Singh 2nd and Deepak 3rd; 75 to 80 kg: Sandeep Ist; Robin 2nd; and Gursimran Singh Grewal 3rd.
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Swimming trials today
Ludhiana, May 26 Players, who were born between 1996 and 1997, will be considered for the u-12 years team and those between 1998 and 1999 are eligible for trials for the u-10 years team. Aspirants are required to achieve the time record set by the association during the trials. A three-member panel of coaches- Amandeep Kaur, Ajay Sharma, both from Ludhiana, and Ajay Pal Singh from Khanna has been formed to supervise the aspirants before finalising the teams. The selected swimmers will represent Ludhiana in the Punjab state sub-junior swimming championship slated to be held here from June 1 onwards.
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