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Residents line up for fuel, gas cylinder
Ludhiana, June 4 As a result, over 70 per cent petrol stations went dry. Petroleum dealers, too, had a tough time as Jalandhar depots of oil distributing companies stopped the supplies around noon, much before the routine closing time. “Though it would not help me much, I am trying to save whatever little money I can before the price rise comes into effect," said Arun, another resident. Petroleum dealers complained that oil companies stopped the supplies soon after the government announced its decision. "In routine, they do not shut before 5 pm and most times even later till the last order, but today depots at Jalandhar stopped supplies soon after the announcement," said Ashok Sachdeva, president of the Ludhiana Petroleum Dealers Association. Gas agencies also saw a heavy rush of customers wanting to get a refill of cylinders. "The number of customers wanting a refill today is higher than usual," said Navin Talwar, owner of a gas agency. After the Rs 5 per litre hike, the petrol price in the city will be Rs 55.20 while premium petrol would now cost Rs 58.20. Diesel would be available for Rs 34.32 per litre while its premium variety would cost Rs 35.67. LPG cylinders are also up by Rs 50. "The quantum of hike is shocking. It would cost me around Rs 500 a month extra if I continue to use the same quantity of petrol while a cylinder would further burn a hole in my pocket," lamented Satish Sharma, an employee with a private company. Residents said they had expected the government to provide some duty cuts and were disappointed as no relief came on that front. A further rise in the prices of other commodities is expected. "Hike, coupled with rise in rates of other commodities, would cause a dent in our budget. The government should have shown some mercy on the common man," said G.S. Batra, a telecom employee.
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Wife, stepson get life term for murder
Ludhiana, June 4 Pronouncing the verdict, the judge held that the prosecution had proved the guilt of the accused. The judge turned down the plea of leniency raised by the accused. The accused were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 each. Initially, it was a blind murder case. The case was registered on February 1, 2004, following the statement of the brother of the deceased, Ram Kishan of Vikas
Nagar. He had told the police that his elder brother was living alone in a house in front of his factory. After closing the factory, he would give the keys to his brother. On January 31, when he reached the factory, he found the house of his brother locked. He thought that he might have gone outside. He opened the factory with duplicate keys. The next day, too, the house was found locked. He then called Ramesh Kumar, the son of his brother. The body of Sita Ram was found in the bedroom. According to the prosecution, Neena Saluja and Sunil had a dispute with the victim and lived separately.
Ibrahim, a servant of the victim, said there had been a quarrel between the accused and the victim on the day of the murder. The accused had hired two persons for committing the murder. The accused confessed to the crime before Amandeep Singh, who later produced them before the police. However, the accused later pleaded false implication. The defence had pleaded that the accused never made any extra-judicial confession before Amandeep Singh. It had been cooked up.
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No power cut after June 10
Ludhiana, June 4 The engineer-in-chief, B.S. Bath, said here today that work for the upgradation of transformers and overhauling of distribution lines would be completed by June 10 in the urban areas. Instructions had been issued to supervisory officers to ensure that the transmission and distribution systems were revamped by the stipulated date so that the supply is not disrupted. “We shall ensure that the distribution system is well equipped in the rural areas where eight-hour uninterrupted power is to be supplied for paddy crop from June 15," he said. During the past over a week when power cuts had been imposed for eight to 10 hours, or even more in certain areas, there was a public outcry. The water supply that is linked to power supply was also disrupted.
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Minor alleges rape in confinement
Jagraon, June 4 On May 12, Roopa (name changed), a class X student, was sleeping at her house when around 11 pm Navtej Singh of the village entered her house and forcibly picked her up. As other members of the house slept on the first floor, the accused restrained the complainant from raising the alarm by threatening to kill her parents. Navtej was joined by his uncle Balwinder Singh and both took her to a hotel near Jagraon-Ludhiana bridge at Ludhiana on a motor cycle. Navtej allegedly raped Roopa repeatedly and later shifted her to a house in Kalsian where he kept her in confinement and raped her. Yesterday, on the pretext of visiting Nanaksar Gurdwara, Navtej took the girl out of the house and dropped her at the Ludhiana bus stand. On return to her village, her parents and got the case registered. The accused are at large.
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Boy’s Death
Ludhiana, June 4 New investigating officer SP (Detective), Khanna, Gurmeet Singh said efforts were on to find a mutually acceptable solution with the post-mortem report not suggesting murder. He added the controversy was avoidable and should not have lingered on for three days now. “The Machhiwara police could have handled the situation better. There was no need for the police to panic and manhandle the labourers, who had come to lodge the complaint,” he added. No action has, however, been taken against the Machhiwara police for their conduct in the issue. The relatives and labourers living in the area did not accept the post-mortem examination report that stated the boy, Shammi (11), had died due to hanging. The relatives demanded postmortem by another team of doctors. The boy was murdered and then hanged, they alleged. A board of three doctors conducted the postmortem at Samrala civil hospital today.
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Manholes not covered for years
Ludhiana, June 4 Shopkeepers in Bhadaur House said the manhole in their area was covered earlier with a wire-mesh as it was meant for rainwater drainage also. The mesh gave way with time, but was not replaced. ‘‘Now it lies uncovered. People often fall into it, but nobody has cared to cover it. We put concrete slabs on the manhole from time to time but these disappear,’’ Ramesh Kumar, a resident, said, adding that when it rained heavily, the manhole was not visible. Another manhole lies open on a footpath at Feroze Gandhi Market. The path is used by pedestrians and they often complain how risky it is. Shopkeepers said they had also put covers, but these were stolen. ‘‘Now nobody bothers about it. It continues to be neglected. Sometimes people trip over it and receive minor injuries,’’ said Ram Avtar, a worker.
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Consumer Forum
Ludhiana, June 4 The orders were pronounced by the forum president and a member while deciding the complaint filed by Naresh Kumar of Churpur Road, Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana. The consumer had purchased the insurance policy for his car from ICICI Lombard Insurance. The policy was valid for a year from July 25, 2006. On February 27, 2007 the car met with an accident. The complainant lodged claim with the insurance company. The company deputed a surveyor to assess the loss caused to the car in the accident. The surveyor inspected the car and assessed the loss. But he was not paid the claim with the plea that the insurance policy had already been cancelled on February 12, 2007, added complainant. On the other hand, the insurance company justified the denial of claim to the company. They pleaded that the consumer was using his car as commercial vehicle whereas under the policy the car was to be put to private use. The premium of commercial vehicle was much more than the vehicle used for private purpose. But after appreciating the evidence on record, the forum observed that the cancellation of policy was single-sided and arbitrary action on the part of insurance company. They even failed to serve any show-cause notice to the consumer before cancellation of policy. Moreover, there was nothing on record that may prove that the vehicle was being used for commercial purpose instead of private use. The forum directed the company to pay as per the loss assessed by its own surveyor.
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Aggrieved, BJP councillors meet mayor
Ludhiana, June 4 Led by senior deputy mayor Parvin Bansal, a delegation of 14 BJP councillors yesterday met city mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura to express their displeasure at the state of affairs. The councillors said none of the files of public works in the wards of BJP leaders were cleared by the MC. The files were returned with objections. They also said the agenda items for F&CC meeting were decided without consultation with the senior deputy mayor, who was a BJP leader. They demanded that the BJP leader should be taken into confidence in the future. They added that there were 102 agenda items of the F&CC committee out of which 75 per cent pertained to the wards of the Akalis and the Congress. The BJP did not have a representation in this, they claimed. They added that BJP councillors were not being given projects under the councillors’ quota and residents were also suffering in their wards. The delegation demanded the formation of an advertisement committee to check the setting up of illegal hoarding in the city. The councillors also reacted to MC agenda item for buying chlorine worth Rs 7 crore. They said chlorine worth Rs 1 crore would have served the purpose for the time being. The mayor assured them of looking into their demands in the future.
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Gujjars to protest in Delhi today
Ludhiana, June 4 Addressing a press conference here today, Gujjar leaders, led by Narinder Chaudhary, warned that if the Rajasthan government did not relent even then, they would intensify their struggle for justice. They said Gujjars were being treated as enemies on their own land. They added that 50 Gujjar leaders were shot at and 50 lakh Gujjars had reciprocated by protesting. ‘‘We are patriots to the core. But we will not take injustice,’’ said Chaudhary.
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Agents resent wheat shortage notices
Bassi Pathana, June 4 Surinder Singh, general secretary of the District Arthia Association, in a press release issued here today said the agents had strongly condemned the action and decided to oppose the dictatorial attitude of the Markfed officers and not to pay for shortage.
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85-yr-old man dies of burns
Khanna, June 4 Mahinder was alone in the house when incident took place. None of the material kept in the house caught fire. The police suspected that Mahinder could have set himself on fire using kerosene. The body of the victim was handed over to the family members after a post-mortem examination at the civil hospital. The police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.
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Dr Mann honoured with Bharat Jyoti Award
Ludhiana, June 4 Dr Mann, former additional director, dental health services Punjab, is working as a senior consultant in the department of community dentistry of Christian Dental College, Ludhiana. Dr Mann was given the award for his outstanding performance and remarkable role in creating oral and dental awareness and providing comprehensive oral and dental care services to people at their doorsteps through the Smiley Project.
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200 shopkeepers get notices for violating building norms
Samana, June 4 The committee has asked the shopkeepers to vacate their premises within 10 days of the date of issue of the notice. The shopkeepers are at their wits end as their families will be displaced if their shops are vacated. These notices have been issued as per the provisions of the PUDA Act of 1995. However, the shopkeepers claim that their shops are at a distance of 150 foot from the road and were built around 40 years ago. They claimed that the electricity meters, too, were installed nearly 40 years ago by the authorities concerned. A shopkeeper said they had been paying house tax for the past 40 years and did not know why the municipal committee officials had sent them the notices. Sources reveal if the MC authorities go by the rules, then the other structures, including a gurdwara, State Bank of Patiala branch, Aggarwal Gaushala, FCI godowns, two gates of a cremation ground and several other important places, should also have been served notices. The shopkeepers have requested the state government to intervene in the matter and save families from being displaced and losing their livelihood. They said they had appealed to the state government to intervene and ask the municipal committee to immediately take the notices back. On the other hand, officials of the municipal committee said they had served notices to the shopkeepers because a bypass had to constructed through that area.
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Car hits cops, one hurt
Khanna, June 4 Police officials, immediately, sounded alert and efforts are on to nab the suspects. A case under Sections 307,186, 34, 61 (1) and 84 of the IPC has been registered against the occupants of the car.
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‘Punjabi youth suitable for security jobs’
Ludhiana, June 4 As per data available, more than 50 lakh people have already been absorbed by this industry. Capt Ravee, MD, Orion School of Security and Intelligence Management (OSSIM)- an India-British joint venture to train private security personnel, who was in city today, informed that the industry had employed more than 5 million security personnel and it was expected to grow at the rate of 25 per cent per annum. The private security industry offered huge employment opportunities, many of them at managerial level where there were over half a million vacancies for suitable experienced, educated and trained staff, Capt Ravee said. He further added that the company was offering vocational diploma in security and intelligence (full time and correspondence), diploma in security and intelligence, crash course for new entrepreneurs in the field of security and certified security managers’ programme. Capt Ravee added: “A brave heart and will to excel is all that is required to flourish in this field of security and intelligence. Appropriate security education, training and guidance in the industry and relevant issues, gives one the edge and confidence to make it big in the industry.” Talking particularly about Punjabi youth, he said according to an independent survey conducted in 2004, 2, 80,000 graduates were unemployed in Punjab. “The figure must have reached to 4 lakh by now. The youth possessing qualities like courage, loyalty, physical strength, and hardwork can very well fit in this industry. They can get initial salary package from Rs 8,000 to Rs 16,000 per month”, he added.
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Letters
It is the duty of the MC to maintain the parks of the city. Horticulture branch should be revamped by employing more gardeners and supervisory staff. The concept of park committees was politically originated; however, the efforts of S.S. Channa are laudable.
The MC had decreed notice to 22 committees for one or the other fault. As the generals of governing body of the MC changed every five years, the party in power tried allotting contracts to their supporters. Areas where richest population of the city dwells, should maintain the parks themselves. The corporation must maintain the area parks on its own without giving contract to any committee. Area councillor should check with the MC that parks are maintained with seasonal flowers and grass. 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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Motor cycle stolen
Jagraon, June 4 He lodged a complaint with the police after he noticed Sunny fleeing on his motorcycle. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.
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Biz Word Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 The company manufactures CNC lathes and turns mill centres and has received patent for their double spindle CNC turning centre. In December 2007 the company signed an agreement with M/s Spinner Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, Germany, a manufacturer of super and ultra- precision CNC machines in Europe, a company spokesperson said. The company has built the new CNC assembly unit with inputs from Spinner and the entire layout has been designed to maximise productivity through use of material handling equipment and production aids. The modern Spindle assembly section and the final quality inspection section have the latest computerised machines for inspection and analysis.
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Experts raise concern over
depleting water table
Ludhiana, June 4 The chief guest, Dr Jagtar Singh
Dhiman, additional director of communication, in his remarks, said due to the depleting water table, declining soil health, pollution of soil water and air, agriculture was getting negatively affected, adding that for the sake of its sustainability, prudent use of natural resources was a must. He elaborated how electronic and print media were helpful in transfering knowledge to farmers and suggested farmers to make it a habit to read the farm publications brought out by the university. He asked farmers to be in touch with experts to get solution of their farm related problems as per need. Dr Daljit Singh
Dhillon, head department of extension education, highlighted the details of the event, which he said was being organised by PAU and
IFFCO. The coordinator of the seminar, Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal said PAU students have been made to visit 18 different villages to interact to have first hand information on the problems in the face of current agriculture. She introduced the audience regarding the technical session of the seminar. In the technical session, Dr
H.S. Dhaliwal (department of economics) discussed agricultural development and its impact on environment. Dr Avtar Singh (department of forestry & natural resources) spoke on forest trees and environment. On this occasion, a stall for exhibiting and sale of PAU farm literature was organised that drew attraction of farmers. The IFFCO organised an on-the-spot soil testing free of cost in which many farmers got their soils
analysed.
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Punjab has tremendous scope for maize cultivation: Expert
Ludhiana, June 4 S.S. Dhillon, secretary agriculture, Punjab, inaugurated the workshop and advised the trainees to learn the minor details of technology so that farmers can be guided properly to achieve the reliable production potential. Dr S.P.S. Brar, director PAMETI, in the inaugural session, delved on the scope of maize cultivation in Punjab. "Among almost all the major crops grown in the state, Punjab produces more than 10 per cent. Maize is the only crop, which contributes just 3 per cent. Therefore, the state has a tremendous scope for its cultivation," he said. Dr N.S. Malhi, director of extension education, PAU, remarked that price parity was the problem in adopting maize in comparison to paddy and wheat." Dr J.S. Kolar, consultant, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission, highlighted the scope of maize cultivation in relation to the problem of depleting water in the state.
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Hitesh tops the list in AIEEE
Ludhiana, June 4 Hitesh had earlier topped the district by scoring 508th rank in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examination. Hitesh who had scored 93.4 per cent in the Class XII examination, was surprised when his friends told him that he has hit the top bracket. "My teachers told me that I have toped the district in AIEEE," said Hitesh. He says, "I looked up to my father and always wanted to be an engineer like him. He guided me a lot and told me how to prepare for the entrance." Mandeep Sidhu and Gaurav Gupta of BCM Arya Model School stood second and third, respectively, with the state rank of 20 and 54, respectively. Hanish Mittal, Harmohit Singh, Bhavneet Singh and Jashanneet Kaur also figured in the list of the
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Lachhman Singh new CJM
Ludhiana, June 4 Additional sessions judge G.S. Sran has already taken charge on transfer from Ropar. Judicial magistrate Yukti Goyal also took charge here in place of judicial magistrate Jasbir Kaur. Transferred
Jagraon: Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) Mandeep Kaur Bedi, who was transferred to Jagraon, took over the charge today and Gurdarshan Kaur, who was earlier posted here, has been transferred to Jalalabad.
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ECP raises hope of heart patients
Ludhiana, June 4 Delivering a lecture on “ECP for Coronary Artery Disease” at a meeting of the Medico Consultants Association here last evening, Dr Sukhbindar Singh Sibia, consultant physician at Sibia Medical Centre, said the ECP dilated blood vessels of the heart so that they could act like natural bypass. Giving details of the procedure, Dr Sibia said: “The patient wears a series of large size cuffs placed on the calves, thighs and buttocks. The newer ECP machines have an additional pair of cuffs for arms to increase the efficiency. The cuffs compress in sequence, precisely timed with the ECG to force blood into the arteries and increased oxygen supply to the myocardium by 20-40 per cent. After 35 one-hour treatment sessions, most patients experience lesser chest pain, can walk faster and longer distance, and also require less medication. Post treatment, the cardiovascular cartography flow mapping and stress thallium tests show that collateral circulation has been restored.” He added that it was possible to have ECP treatment before going to work, during lunch hour or after office hour without missing a day at work. “The ECP is an option for crores of Indians suffering from heart disease who are unable to undergo bypass surgery either because of the prohibitive cost or risk involved in surgery due to diabetes, asthma, renal failure or other complications.” It is a boon especially for patients having recurrence after bypass. The ECP along with artery clearance therapy (ACT) was an ideal combination for treating patients unfit for bypass, with failed bypass and those who wanted to avoid surgery, Dr Sibia maintained.
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Fake ayurvedic companies enter city markets
Ludhiana, June 4 Toothpastes face creams and lotions, oils, chavanprash, sitopladhi, hajmola are among widely used over the counter products which are easily available at every big or small medical stores without physicians’ prescription. A large number of these products have not been recommended for patients suffering from a few diseases. Pointing towards the role of “holy men”, a senior Ayurvedic practitioner in the city said, “The remedies followed by recommendation of medicines during daily discourse by holy men on different television channels have further augmented the craze among people to try Ayurvedic products.” Dr R.Vatsyayan, a leading Ayurvedic physician, while reacting to the mushrooming of “overnight companies” manufacturing Ayurvedic products and medicines accentuated on the need for strict check by authorised bodies. The Board of Ayurvedic Yunani Medicines and Central Council for Research Ayurveda and Sidha are the licensing bodies which should take legal action against “illegal” companies, he added. Aphrodisiac capsules and medicines for weight reduction have become the “safest bet” for Ayurveda quacks, who without much difficulty trace soft targets for selling these products. Recently, Neelam, a housewife, ordered one such product for weight reduction on line but developed cramps soon after consuming it. “I had to undergo treatment for the same and I am going to take the company officials to the consumer court as well,”Neelam said. Director (Ayurveda) Punjab, Rakesh Sharma, said strict steps had been taken to check the sale of Ayurvedic medicines without prescription. People guilty of indulging in “arbitrary sale” of Ayurvedic products and medicines in Ludhiana, too, would be taken to task, he added.
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Gagandeep raves about stint in IPL
Ludhiana, June 4 Despite their good performances at the domestic-level matches, they were virtually unheard of by the selectors as well as the spectators. But thanks to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the local heroes of the domestic circuit are now getting recognition at the national and international level. Gagandeep Singh, who had a rather average stint with the Kings XI Punjab, expressed his gratitude towards the IPL for providing him the fame. He was playing Ranji Trophy for last 10 years and was considered key strike bowler for the Punjab team, along with the likes of V.R.V. Singh and Manpreet Goni. While giving vital tips to the budding cricketers at a special interaction organised by the “The league has helped the domestic players immensely. Despite consistently performing on the domestic circuit, many players went unnoticed by the selectors. The IPL has given us a platform to lock horns with the bigwig’s of the international circuit,” he said. For domestic-level players it was different atmospheres altogether as they have competed with the best in the business like Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and S. Sreesanth. Admiring the fiery pace bowler Lee, he said, “Brett Lee is not only a good bowler, but a wonderful person also. He is a good team player and performs where the team needs him the most. The result would have been different had he been playing for us in the semis of the IPL.” Praising the coach, Tom Moody, he said, “The Australian had marshaled his resources according to the opponents. He made backup plans for every game, thus making the work of the captain a lot easier.” He admired the role of the team’s owner Preity Zinta for her support, despite the initial hiccups. He believes that the next league would be more interesting. “Many players faced difficulty due to tight schedule of the league. I hope the organisers will take care of it next time.”
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