 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Unauthorised Colonies Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, October 24 The board has passed on the directions to its staff to process all pending applications for new connections and also accept fresh applications for the same. During sangat darshan, the Chief Minister had issued instructions to senior officials of the PSEB to ensure unrestricted release of power connections in all localities which were under a blanket ban since March 2008 as far as unapproved colonies were concerned. Councillors and legislators had urged the CM to do so as there was no rationale behind the denial of connections to people in unauthorised or approved colonies. Their plea was that if a coloniser had defaulted in developing a colony without seeking approval or failed to provide basic infrastructure for power supply in an approved colony, why should residents be penalised for it. The PSEB is, however, skeptical over the shift in policy, which is being seen as a populist move in the wake of the Lok Sabha elections that are around the corner. On the condition of anonymity, a senior PSEB official told The Tribune that unrestricted release of connections to domestic consumers would entail huge expenditure. “In a way, this tantamount to encourage unregulated development of colonies and will make developers wash their hands off their commitment to provide infrastructure,” he added.
|
|
|
Sambar killed for its meat
Samrala, October 24 The police registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act on the complaint of employees of the forest department. According to information, the sambar had came out from the forest area falling along the Sutlej in search of grass, but Jinder of Sikanderpur village, along with some friends, allegedly killed it after a long chase. In the meantime, villagers informed forest guard Balbir Singh, but before they could do something, the accused killed it and fled. Hunters remain in the search of wild animals because some of their parts are used in “desi” medicines. Forest officer Mahavir Singh said there was shortage of staff, but the department was trying its best to save wild animals with the help of people of the area. From the bank of Sirhind Canal to the bank of the Sutlej, only one guard and 10 daily wage earners have been deployed. This area stretches up to 50 km and they work from from 8 am to 5 pm.
|
|
Humble diya fails to kindle
An exhaustive range of designer candles, trendy diyas and Chinese hanging lamps are available in the market. Even designer “chattris” are available at leading stores and malls. One can choose from various shapes like round, oval, square and heart, besides flower shaped. If one wants gets the real feel of the festival, candles in the shape of Radha and Krishna are also available. The prices of these candles start from Rs 50. Jelly and aromatic candles are available in different scents like strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and mango. Shopkeepers are earning huge amounts by selling such stuff in contrast to potters who earn a meagre Rs 200 to Rs 300 by selling lamps, idols and other earthenware. Some potters have come from states like Bihar and Rajasthan to earn a few bucks during the festival season. Sitting along roads and canal, the changing trend has left them disappointed. “With designer earthen lamps and candles, the demand for our art has diminished considerably,” said Hakeem Chand, a potter. Urging the government to support craftsmen, he said steps should be taken to improve their economic condition and preserve the long-established art form. |
|
15-year jail term for two peddlers
Ludhiana, October 24 This was observed by him while convicting two persons on the charges of peddling drugs. The judge turned down the plea of leniency by the accused, keeping in view the huge recovery of narcotics from their possession. Those convicted are Dara Singh of Banga, Nawanshahr, and Harbhajan Singh of tehsil Samrala. The duo were ordered to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 15 years each. A fine of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed on them. An FIR had been lodged against the accused at Khanna in 2001 under Section 15 of the NDPS Act on the basis of secret information. According to the prosecution, the police got a tip off that the accused were coming from Rajasthan in a truck laden with a huge quantity of poppy husk. A police party stopped the truck and seized 27 bags of poppy husk weighing 35 kg each. The defence counsel, however, said the story of the prosecution was fabricated. |
|
Remand extended in diamond case
Ludhiana, October 24 The remand has been extended by another 14 days, sources said here today. The court also extended the police remand of six more accused till November 27. |
|
Training course at PAU concludes
Ludhiana, October 24 Dr Manjeet Singh, in charge Training Unit, Dr KG Singh, senior research engineer and Dr Satish Kumar Gupta coordinated the course. The PAU experts provided useful tips related to components, installation etc. along with a criteria for evaluation of systems. They also elaborated upon comparative economics of different irrigation methods for various crops, field problems encountered in drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and their remedial measures. Field demonstrations and performance evaluation of the drip and sprinkler irrigation systems at PAU research farm as well as at farmers’ fields were also arranged. The trainees visited the installation of the drip-and- micro-sprinkler irrigation system at the farmers’ fields for vegetable and medicinal crops. Several field problems were discussed during the visits at the fields. Nineteen officials from the department of soil and water conservation, Punjab, participated in the course. Dr MP Kaushal, head of the department, emphasised on the need of water saving by using water conservation technologies for maintaining the level of agricultural productivity. Dr Manjeet Singh and Dr KG Singh stressed training courses were immensely important in successful farming, adding that excessive withdrawal of underground water must be checked.
|
|
Stress on information technology for development
Ludhiana, October 24 The workshop was
conducted with the focus of providing knowledge and skill for computer usage to agricultural development officers
of the state. Dr SPS Brar, director, PAMETI inaugurated the workshop and told
the importance of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for agricultural extension. He said, “ICT can be a boon for reaching farmers. Also in the Central government’s reforms in Extension Scheme, it is
mandatory for the block technology team in charge to have technical know-how of computer as well as of modern
ICT.” Dr Dinesh Grover, head of Computer Science, PAU, gave an introduction about personal computer. He told the participants about Microsoft Windows and its uses. Vikramjeet Singh,
lecturer at Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) spoke on Microsoft Office and its components in general. Jaswinder
Singh from GNIMT demonstrated the use of Windows Vista. Vishal Khullar, associate (Farm Management),
PAMETI, demonstrated the use of ICT through video conferencing during which participants interacted with the experts from
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad. Vishal said, “In the scenario of
declining staff in public extension system, there is tremendous scope for using ICT as a tool to reach about 10 lakh farming families
in the state.”
|
|
|
UN Day takes centrestage
Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, October 24 The children were attired in fancy dresses of Lord Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan. The pre-nursery kids decorated candles with glitters, ribbons and stars. Veena Aggarwal, principal of the school, explained to the kids that Diwali is a festival of lights which is celebrated every year to commemorate coming back of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Sanatan High School A recitation competition was held at Sanatan High School here today, in which students from pre-nursery and I class participated. Harshit, Divya, Manish of K G, third and fourth classes, respectively, bagged the first prizes. The judges which included Sapra and principal of Sanatan Vidya Mandir School Meera Kaul gave away the prizes.
GCW College A quiz competition was held in Government College for Women, Ludhiana, under the aegis of the Political Science Society on UN Day. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr Mukesh Arora and guest of honour was Prof Jagpal Singh. President of the society Pavneet Kaur extended a warm welcome to the guests and participants.
KGSS School The students celebrated UNO Day and Human Rights Day at a function in the school. The chief guest of the function was Prof Jagpal Singh, member Senate of Punjab University and head of the department of political science at SCD Government College for Boys. Students of 10+2 and 10+1 class delivered a speech on chief organs of the UN, while the chief guest and other speakers expressed their views about the UN.
|
|
|
PAU gets final instalment of grant
Ludhiana, October 24 Dr P.S. Minhas, director, research (PAU) today said that they had set up five central laboratories with the funds received from the centre. These included a biotechnology lab, residue analysis lab, soils lab and food technology lab. Some money had been earmarked for departments. Dr Minhas pointed out that they would have to depend on the state government for funds for working contingencies. If the centre had allowed them to convert this grant into a corpus fund, they could have earned an interest of Rs 10 crore annually, which could then have been used for contingencies. Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, while presenting the state budget for 2008-09, had announced a special grant of Rs 50 crore for the PAU to be used as a corpus fund. But nothing has happened so far. The university continues to face a financial crisis and retirees have been paid pension up to September, but the university does not have any money to make the payment for October. The vice-chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, has informed the CM and the finance minister about the situation and sought more funds for the payment of pension. The government had promised to meet the pension needs up to December. The proposal to levy a cess of 50 paise per Rs 100 against the sale of produce of farmers as recommended by the Johl Committee has not yet been implemented. The government had promised to implement this
cess from the arrival of kharif crop.
|
|
|
VC justifies calling police
Ludhiana, October 24 The students of College of Agricultural Engineering had gone on strike yesterday to protest against the schedule of the examinations. Kang explained, “We were having a meeting of the assessment committee here and experts had come from different places, including a former vice-chancellor of Kurukshetra University. I heard the slogan shouting and went downstairs. I told them to stop it. Still, they persisted and our meeting was disturbed.” He stated when the students did not stop shouting slogans, he called the police. “We can always use the police for constructive purposes,” the vice-chancellor said. The vice-chancellor said the students of College of Agricultural Engineering had the chronic habit of going on strikes, whenever there were exams. I wanted to break this tradition.
|
|
Accident triggers clash
Ludhiana, October 24 The drivers and the conductors called up the political leaders, started shouting and tried to give it a religious colour. The children were safe and no one was hurt. According to the management, their bonus is due and they are pressing for it. The spokesman of the school said the staff was on the contract basis and they sorted the matter with the senior manager of the Bakshi Security Services who provides the contractual labour.
|
|
SBI adopts girl students
Ludhiana, October 24 Bakshi said the bank had launched a scheme of providing financial assistance to the poor students who are good at studies. This assistance was being given to the girl students in the age group of 8-14years. The bank would even extend additional help to the needy students. “This was a national scheme launched by the SBI to spread education among the women. The bank had adopted 257 girl students so far in Ludhiana. Imparting them education would help in the social upliftment,” he said. Sanjeev Thapar, principal, while welcoming the chief guest lauded the scheme and said it would help in spreading education among women. Sharda Sharma, a student’s mother, who received a cheque today was happy that her child would be able to get proper education. OP Sharma, manager, SBI (PAU Branch), was also present on this occasion.
|
|
Union activists leave for Sangrur to join protest
Our Correspondent
Mandi Ahmedgarh,
October 24 The state body of the Punjab State Teachers Union also announced to extended support to the struggle launched by private school teachers union. Accusing the government of harassing teachers, state president Sikandar Singh (Jartoli), general secretary Bahadur Singh (Hoshiarpur), Surjit Singh (Barnala), Baldev Singh Mangat (Ludhiana), Usha Rani (Mohali) and Makhan Singh Brar (Moga) asserted that they would extend support to private teachers if their demands were not accepted. Addressing a gathering, leaders criticised the policies of the government. They alleged that the government was bent upon paralysing the functioning of private-aided schools. The leaders demanded that the government should restore the benefits of pension and merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance. They also urged the government to lift ban on the recruitment. Office-bearers of units of MGMN Senior Secondary School, Jain Muni Kundan Vidya Mahavidyalya and Guru Nanak Kanya Mahavidyalya also spoke.
|
|
Celebrating 100 years of rural education
Ludhiana, October 24 Initially, a Girls school was started with four girls students in 1909. The late Bibi Harprakash Kaur, who rose to become the MLA from this area, was the first student of this school. The school was started by her father Narain Singh, who donated 20 bighas land to the school. In 1934, the school was upgraded to high school. This school brought a revolution in women education especially in the time when women were not allowed to step out their homes. Thus, this institution became a pioneer in women education not only in Punjab but also in the whole country. After independence, there was a meteoric rise of these institutions. In 1950, Khalsa College for Women came into being and this institute is a premier postgraduate institute. In 1953, J.B.T. classes were started. In 1955, BEd and in 1969 MEd were started. In 1977, after getting affiliation from CBSE, a public school was started. This school is imparting English medium education to rural students. Five Sidhwan Institutes are imparting education to about 5,000 women and presents a scene of mini university. All institutions are being run by the trust head Capt. Dalbara Singh and the secretary Surinder Sidhu.
|
|
Science fair concludes
Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 24 Concluding session was presided over by DEO (S) Balwant Kaur and Jagpal Singh Khangura, senior congress leader was the chief guest. The science teachers’ association felicitated state awardees, principal Bhupinder Kaur and Amarjit Singh Bhutani, a science teacher, on the occasion. Speakers, called upon social and educational organisations to help the administration educate masses about applied aspects of various scientific principles. "Demonstrations by students have shown us that natural resources, including energy and environment can be conserved by exploiting scientific principles," said Khangura. Results: In elementary section, Saloni of Guru Nanak Kanya Mahavidyalya bagged first prize in agriculture and food security event. Kiranjit Kaur of Government High School, Jandali Khurad and Vaishali of DAV High School, stood second and third, respectively.
|
|
Federal Mogul team visits RIMT
Mandi Gobindgarh, October 24 The team visited colleges, which included RIMT Institute of Management and Computer Sciences, RIMT School of Management Studies and Regional Institute of Management and Technologies. The team also interacted with the students and faculty members of the institutes. Bedi said his team was impressed with the infrastructure, faculty members and the teaching methodology of management institutes. The team also held talks with director-general of the institutes Dr BS Bhatia and the director of the institutes. The team also explored the possibility of conducting campus placements and providing training to the brilliant students of the campus.
|
|
|
Jobless persons get cheques
Ludhiana, October 24 Seventeen beneficiaries received a cheque for Rs 5,000 each, while another got it for Rs 20,000 and yet another for Rs 25,000. A welfare organisation, Evergreen Women Association, got a cheque worth Rs 2 lakh. The benefits had been announced by the Chief Minister during his visit to the city recently. As many as 25 beneficiaries received cheques under a Rs 3.75 lakh allocation made by the CM under the shagun scheme. Dhanda said those seeking old age pension could apply at his office in Ghummar Mandi, everyday between 10 am and 5 pm. He said the office would peruse the details of the application and inform successful pension seekers.
|
|
|
Dhanvantri Jayanti
celebrated
Mandi Gobindgarh, October 24 Dr Zora Singh, chairman of Desh Bhaghat Group of Institutes, graced the occasion with his benign presence. He honoured Dr Ramesh Kumar Kapila and Dr Ajai Kumar Yadav for their dedicated and committed services for upliftment of the institution. Dr Loveleen Kaur Ahuja, principal of the college said Lord Dhanvantri was the father of Ayurveda and was symbol of immortality. Dr Ajai Kumar Yadav expressed his views about the importance of the occasion, saying that Lord Dhanvantri is a symbol of health.
|
|
|
21 scientists attend training programme
Ludhiana, October 24 This was the 22nd training course in a row organised by the centre. Dr S.K. Mann, dean, postgraduate studies, who was the chief guest, advised trainees to utilise the knowledge gathered in the course for their research programmes and suggested them to develop projects in association with the faculty of PAU. Dr B.L. Bhardwaj, head, department of plant breeding and genetics-cum-director of the centre, presented an overview of the topics covered in the course. The course was attended by 21 assistant professor and associate professor-level scientists from seven states (Gujarat, J&K, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Punjab), he said. — TNS
|
|
Rural Raikot grapples with rising crime
Raikot, October 24 Recently, a resident of Halwara was robbed by five masked men on the Burj Littan road on the outskirts of Burmi village. The incident took place around 9 pm when he was returning home after work from Barnala Rice Mill, Raikot. The robbers took away mobile, wrist watch and some cash from him. During the past 15 days, some thieves stole copper from four transformers, while around 10 pump set were striped of motors and electric wiring. Interestingly, the copper was stolen only from those transformers that had been installed by farmers at their
own cost. The area falling near Raikot-Sarabha road, Raikot-Pakhowal road, Lohat Baddi-Rachine and Raikot-Dhalian roads is more prone such incidents of crime. The local police has so far been ineffective in curbing the activity of criminals. Though cases of robbery and theft appear on a daily basis, the police is reluctant to even register such cases.
|
|
|
Sahodaya
Debate
Mandi Gobindgarh,
October 24 Each team was represented by two students, one speaking for and the other speaking against the motion. The topic was ‘India-US nuclear deal is a win, win situation for India’. Shivani of BCM, Ludhiana, came first, Navjivan Hira of AS Model School, Khanna, stood second and Muskan of OP Bansal Model School, Mandi Gobindgarh, came third. Rachit Aggarwal of Tagore International Public School, Sahnewal, got the consolation prize. The overall running trophy was bagged by BCM of Ludhiana.
|
|
|
Symposium on sports anatomy
Ludhiana, October 24 The CME-cum-symposium is being organised under the aegis of the Medical Council of India and the Punjab Medical
Council. The scientific programme will cover various aspects of sports anatomy with related injuries. A number of experts from various institutions of the country will deliver plenary lectures. The rehabilitation aspect of injuries will also be discussed following a panel discussion on “Know your body limits”. Experts for the CME include Dr JS Sandhu, Prof Sanjay Wadhwa, Dr Mohd
Yamin, Dr Sanjeev Mahajan and renowned sportspersons.
|
|
|
Rupinderjit crowned Miss Fresher
Ludhiana, October 24
|
|
|
Dengue cases now 1,541
Ludhiana, October 24 Health authorities carried on with their campaign against dengue and malaria as teams of doctors and paramedical staff visited residential areas to warn people against diseases.
|
|
|
Dr Pirthipal Singh dead
Ludhiana, October 24 He was undergoing treatment for liver malfunction and cardiac problem at the DMCH for the past one month. The hospital authorities termed cardiac arrest as the cause of his death. Dignitaries from all walks of life attended his last rites yesterday at the cremation ground in Model Town Extension. Senior medical fraternity paid tributes to Dr Singh.
|
|
Repair roads
It’s about months that the repair work of Gill Road, opposite Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, was started and sadly, the road is still in a bad shape. The repair could have been completed by now if the work was executed in a systematic way. For example, there are three cuts in the divider of the road from one end of the college to the other end. The road up to GNE central gate could have been completed by opening the road up to MERADO gate thereby causing little traffic congestion. Likewise, the other side may have been completed. But the work is going on at snail's pace. Perhaps our contractors and government supervisory technical staff take pleasure in putting the general public to avoidable inconvenience for as much longer time as they could. Surely this is not the proper way of repairing roads in this technological advance world. Resham Singh Gill, 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.
|
|
Two families booked for dowry
Jagraon, October 24 In her application to the DIG, she alleged that her in-laws returned the motorcycle she had got with her and started harassing her to bring a car. They would also beat her up. After an inquiry conducted by the DSP, Raikot, a case was registered against Gurjinder Singh (husband), Gurmukh Singh (father-in-law), Swaranjit Kaur (mother-in-law), Neelam Rani (sister-in-law) and Sabi (brother-in-law) under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC. No arrests have been made so far. In another case, Harbans Kaur of Rasulpur village alleged that her in-laws were in debt and asked her to bring Rs 10 lakh from her parents as part of dowry. They started torturing her mentally and physically to do so. She said her parents were not in a position to meet this demand and her in-laws turned her out of the house and now she was living with her parents. The Jagraon police has registered a case against her husband Sukhwinder Singh, mother-in-law Balwinder Kaur and sister-in-law Swaranjit Kaur.
|
|
|||||
|
Victory for BVM School
Ludhiana, October 24 In an encounter, the winners managed to scrape past Indo-Canadian, Ludhiana 2-1. The tournament was inaugurated by RS Gill, principal, Guru Nanak Public School, who is also the director of LSSC. In another match, Kundan Viadya Mandir defeated Gobindgarh Public School, Mandi Gobindgarh, by scoring 1-0 while USPC Jain School, Ludhiana, edged past Nankana Sahib Public School, Ludhiana, with a similar margin. The match between A.S. Modern School, Khanna, and GGN Public School turned out to be a one-sided affair with the former scoring a convincing 3-0 victory over their opponents. Scoring at will, Ryan International School, Ludhiana, trounced St. Thomas School, Ludhiana, 4-0 in yet another one-sided game.
|
|||||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Ludhiana, October 24