Ludhiana, December 16
Despite repeated warnings by the local bodies department to the Ludhiana MC to take care while recarpeting roads, the MC is not heeding to the advice.

Recarpeting is being undertaken on the GT Road and the Ferozepur road despite low temperature and the rain spell today.

According to information, four companies are working on the Ferozepur road and two on the GT Road.

One of the companies, High Rise Buildings Company, had been blacklisted yesterday by the local bodies department for trying to influence a team of Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, to give a favourable report. These scientists had collected samples of Gill road that was under controversy due to the “inferior” quality of material being used for recarpeting the road.

When some officials were asked about the work, they said since the pre-mix had already been sent to the sites, it had to be used as it could not be kept for long else it would go waste.

An official from the B&R branch of the PWD department said: “The temperature today is not favourable for the construction of roads and the rain would affect the quality of work and the roads would not last long.”

Assistant commissioner Vinod Sharda admitted that the pre-mix sent from the hot-mix plant had been used but said after addition of the pre-mix, the work had been stopped.

Ludhiana, December 16
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the bail petition of Dr Jatinder Gambhir, owner of Jatinder Gambhir Hospital, who was found guilty of violating the PNDT Act by the district health authorities.

The court's decision followed the interrogation report submitted by the investigation officer, DSP Bhupinder Singh, Sarabha Nagar police station.

The DSP, giving the details of the recent proceedings in the case, stated that Dr Gambhir and some of his family members, guilty of violating the PNDT Act, were absconding to evade arrest.

“The court had rejected the bail of Dr Jatinder last week, following which we went to arrest her but found her missing at the hospital and her house. We will nab the culprits at the earliest. I have sent the lab report of the placenta seized from the hospital for review at the Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala,” the DSP said.

Dr A.P.S. Gambhir, her husband, had been arrested for violating the Medical Termination of Pregnancy and PNDT Act in July, but was granted bail by the High Court.

Dr Yash Pal Mehta, the then deputy medical commissioner, Dr Reena Sandhu, district family welfare officer, Dr Harvinder Singh, SMO of the civil hospital, and Dr Gurwinder Kaur had conducted a raid on the hospital to find Jasbir Kaur from Rurka Khurd near Goraya having undergone termination of pregnancy in the labour room following a sex determination test.

Health officials had seized the placenta and sent it to Rajindra hospital for test.

Dr Reena Sandhu had mentioned in her report that the “gross appearance” of the placenta evacuated was more than 14 weeks, but Dr Jatinder Gambhir and her husband had maintained throughout that they were being falsely implicated in the case by the health authorities. 

Ludhiana, December 16
If the presence of teachers during today’s protest rally of PAUTA is any indication, the rally failed to evoke the desired response. Out of a total of about 800 members, only 70-odd teachers were able to make it to the rally.

Mukesh Siag, general secretary of PAUTA, said since it was almost vacation time at the university, several teachers were on leave. “This was not a show of strength, but the rally was held for teachers’ welfare,” he said.

They submitted a memorandum to the authorities regarding their charter of demands. They said they were anguished at the developments of the past few weeks and the association was forced to hold the protest due to the “high-handedness” of the authorities.

The executive said it was compelled to take up the issues of interview for the appointment of heads of department and harassment of teachers to the general house since the authorities had adopted a rigid stand, especially in the case of the suspension of Dr Satpal Saini and not giving a fair chance to the dean, students’ welfare, to defend himself in the case against him.

The authorities should have selected the candidates on the basis of an assessment by a committee.

“It seems that an arbitrary action has been taken only to humiliate and harass the dean. PAUTA once again reiterates that we are for a fair and impartial inquiry and the accused should be given a proper chance to defend himself,” the memorandum said.

Meanwhile, a senior member of the faculty, said a section of the teachers was happy with the style of working of the vice-chancellor, and so they did not take part in the protest. “PAUTA should not have interfered in the dean’s case. If it had any problem, it should have called another general body meeting to discuss it in detail,” he added.

Jagraon, December 16
The mutilated body of a baby, packed in a plastic bag, was recovered here this morning when residents of Agwar Pona saw stray dogs dragging torn remains of a baby near a dustbin.

Some parts of the body had been eaten by animals.

Major Singh of Agwar Pona informed the police, which took the body to the civil hospital for a postmortem.

A doctor at the hospital said either the baby was premature or had been aborted. He said the baby was deformed and would not have survived in any case.

The body was not disposed of properly.

However, Dr Hari Krishan Singla said no permission had been given to any hospital/doctor at Jagraon to conduct abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy. He said nobody had even applied for abortion, which was mandatory under the PNDT and MTP Act.

He said samples had been taken for a DNA test.

SHO Naveen Pal Singh said a case had been registered and if any doctor was found guilty, a case would be registered.

Ludhiana, December 16
Mild rains accompanied with strong chilly winds since the wee hours today, brought the temperature to considerable low. The maximum temperature came down to 18.2 today as compared to 23 degree Celsius two days back.

As per the weather experts of meteorology department of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the weather was expected to remain cloudy with possibility of isolated showers in the city and its adjoining areas in the next 24 hours.

The daily walkers at PAU, Rose Garden and Leisure valley etc were seen coming late for their morning walk and daily exercise. Majority of them were seen covering their heads with scarves and caps to get respite from chilly winds that blew before the rainfall.

Pratima, a parent said it was a comfortable weather till date. "I had not bought much woolens this time. But seeing today's weather, I must get body warmers for the entire family", she said. The manufacturers, whose sales had not picked-up this season, hope to get good returns if the weather persists. With the mild rainfall, people heaved a sigh of relief expecting that rains will bring respite from persistent dry cough and cold.

The tea-vendors had a field day, as majority of rickshaw-pullers and other commuters stopped at their stalls to get warmth in the chilling weather.

Dr D.S. Bains, head of the agro-meteorological department of PAU said the weather was good for all in general. He said, "Rains have brought respite to all, including human beings, animals, plants, crops and vegetables. The dust particles in the air will settle down with the rains. The days will be clearer with bright sunshine. Besides, the night temperature will also come down in coming days", he said.

Ludhiana, December 16
For the past 37 years Vijay Divas has been bringing moments of pride and sorrow for the family of Param Vir Chakra awardee Flying Officer Shaheed Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who laid down his life for the protection of frontiers of the country during the 1971 Indo-Pak War along with many others.

Though his sacrifice makes them proud, they are at the same time pained at losing a young son to the hatred between two borders. “We want no son of a mother to be killed for this hatred. Life is a blessing and it should not be lost for such a reason,” said Sekhon’s brother Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, who was honoured during the Vijay Divas function organised at mini secretariat here today.

“Those who lay down their lives for the country are remembered for ages. And the country has remembered Nirmaljit Singh on all occasions. We are grateful to people,” he said, while talking to Tribune after the function.

Deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar, Brigade Commander, Brig P.R. Deshpande, Wing Commander, AOC Halwara, Sanjay Moudgill, Col Saji Abraham, Director Recruiting, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, Mulkjit Singh Sandhu and Indian Ex-Servicemen League president Col Chanan Singh Dhillon laid wreaths on the statue of the martyr and paid tributes to him.

Gurjar said: “Our martyrs had made enormous sacrifices showing the acts of gallantry and patriotism during the different wars enforced upon the country by our neighbors.”

He said on the directions of the chief minister, the administration was according top priority to the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and families of Army martyrs.

He said officers in the district had been directed to solve the problems of ex-servicemen and serving Army men at the earliest whenever they visited their offices.

Stressing the need to educate the younger generation about the heroic deeds of brave soldiers during the wars and peace times in tackling with different calamities, the deputy commissioner said a spirit of patriotism and nationalism required to be inculcated among them.

Gurjar also paid tributes to Flying Officer Sekhon, a martyr of 1971 War, and said Sekhon was a great son of the country, who had sacrificed his life while fighting alone with seven fighter planes of Pakistan.

Ludhiana, December 16
To upgrade and add latest facilities for its members, the executive committee of Lodhi Club has decided to enhance the membership enrollment fee for all categories from February 1 next year.

The decision was taken at a meeting of executive committee of the club, held under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar, on the club premises last night.

Among others who attended the meeting were general secretary Manoj Gupta, vice-president Anand Parkash Sikri and joint secretary Lalit Singla.

Elaborating the decision of increased fee structure for different categories, Gurjar said the enrollment fee for general category was being enhanced from present Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh; for corporate member from Rs 2.8 lakh to Rs 6 lakh; professional category from Rs 50,550 to Rs 1.5 lakh; class I government officers from Rs 19,000 to Rs 51,000; and class I officers till retirement from Rs 9,600 to Rs 51,000.

The deputy commissioner said the executive of the club was making efforts to upgrade the infrastructure and facilities at the club to the international standards.

Under the plan, a new spa fitted with latest facilities was being added at a cost of around Rs 50 lakh and the restaurant of the club was also under renovation at a cost of Rs 14 lakh. It will be completed by January 15.

He said the bar of the club had recently been renovated at a cost of Rs 22 lakh, which resulted in substantial increase in the attendance of the members at the club.

Manoj Gupta asked the president to get the apni mandi shifted from the front of the club to some other place to remove blockage on the road.

Ludhiana, December 16
The Ludhiana Auto-Rickshaw Association today held a protest against the Punjab government for introducing CNG-run auto-rickshaws in the city from January 1.

Talking to The Tribune, association vice-president Sanjay Prasad said: “We are not against the government’s move to allow CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Ludhiana, but they should also consider the present 30,000 three-wheeler drivers who are earning their livelihood through the profession.”

The Punjab government took the decision to allow only CNG-run autos and didn’t even consult the drivers who would be affected by the outcome, he added.

Urging Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to hold a meeting with them, association members said: “The government could help us to buy CNG auto-rickshaws by giving loans to those drivers who have documents and permits for their three-wheelers.”

They said: “We are often blamed for traffic chaos on stretches between Jagraon bridge and Chand Cinema, while it is an outcome of wrong policies of the municipal corporation. When there is no auto-rickshaw stand for us to pick and drop passengers, where should we stand.”

Ludhiana, December 16
A senior physician from the city, in a letter written to IMA’s chief election commissioner Dr Iqbal Ahuja, has expressed anguish over the ongoing controversies pertaining to IMA elections.

Dr G.S. Garewal, while referring to the working of the Ludhiana IMA, questioned Dr Ahuja about the contribution of IMA members towards the ailing community. “The presidents and their respective teams come as invaders and use the IMA house and leave,” said Dr Garewal.

Pointing towards misuse of IMA house property, he added: “It has been leased out to Karan Marriage Palace for five years and then used as parlour. Also people at the helm have spent money in hotels and clubs rather than paying the dues to the Ludhiana Improvement Trust.”

Further questioning Dr Iqbal in his capacity as founder of IMA Ludhiana branch, the doctor stated that there was not a single occasion that he could recall when the IMA had given free/subsidised medicines to poor or initiated for blood bank or ambulance service.

The doctors contesting the elections this year had resorted to allegations and counter-allegations, forgetting their duties as professionals, Dr Garewal went on to add.

Ludhiana, December 16
Dr Arun Mitra, Dr Karamveer Goyal, Dr D.P. Singh Arora, Dr Kulwant Singh and Dr Narjeet Kaur, who are contesting IMA elections, in a statement here today expressed anguish at the false and unfounded allegations levelled against their team by Dr Narotam Dewan and Dr Davinder Walia.

They claimed that it was because of work done by their team that the IMA had been revived from what it was around one and half years ago.

“We had done our best to achieve unanimity and accepted gladly the offer by Dr Dewan and gave in writing to abide by the decision of three-member senior doctors’ committee comprising Dr L.S. Chawla, Dr S.B. Khurana and Dr Lajpat Rai,” the doctors stated.

They termed the hue and cry being raised over accounts as false propaganda for elections.

Clarifying on the withdrawal of around Rs 1.5 lakh, Dr Mitra said: “A demand draft for Rs 79,920 was sent to the IMA headquarters and Rs 43,930 to IMA Punjab as membership fee of those enrolled in November, 2008. Also, an amount of Rs 29,650 was sent to the IMA Punjab as mandatory contribution of each member of the IMA district body as per the directions of the IMA Punjab state council,” Dr Mitra stated.

If we had not sent the amount, the membership of the new incumbents would have been delayed, as had happened earlier, they added.

“Four cheques for Rs 20,000 each were issued in March-end as return of advances to those who had given advance to run the IMA as we had started with zero balance. This was followed by a payment of Rs 14,4536 for the two-day RNTCP state workshop as payment for accommodation and catering for the delegates from all over the state,” Dr Mitra added.

Another Rs 46,052 was paid as water and sewerage bill pending for several years.

Mullanpur Dakha, December 16
Upset over the failure of NRI Sabha convention in Jalandhar, Paramjit Singh Sandhu, alias Peter Sandhu, an elected representative from Manning in Edmonton, Canada, said office-bearers were in conflict with each other over designations.

“The NRI Sabha does not represent the NRIs settled abroad. They have neither invited those representing Indian communities abroad nor have they had any communication with NRIs over grievances.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, he said though he was in India, he was not invited or informed about the convention.

He termed the conflict before the convention among office-bearers unfortunate. It was because of the conflict that neither SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal nor minister Bikramjit Singh Majathia came to the convention.

He said there were many differences in the way politicians went about their business in India and Canada. In India, politicians remained elusive even after winning the election, whereas politicians there started preparations for the next election right after the results. Also, contrary to Indian politicians, neither they or nor their family could take benefits from the government even if they deserved it.

On the problems faced by NRIs in India, especially relating to properties, he said Indian representatives in the Canada Government were planning to make an Indo-Canadian Association that will try to solve the problems of NRIs with the help of Indian legislatures.

They would also appoint representatives in India for the benefit of NRIs.

The association would be formed soon and its first meeting would be held in Manitoba, Canada, on January 13.

Welcoming setting up of NRI police stations here, he said the state should notify and make separate courts for the NRIs for speedy trials.

He appealed to NRIs to stay away from disputes and purchase clean properties after due verification. He also urged them not to use laws made especially for them as a tool to harass the local population here.

Ludhiana, December 16
The finance and contracts committee (F&CC) meeting, which was scheduled for today, has been postponed for tomorrow.

Although the reason for postponing the meeting is unknown, sources confirmed that the meeting was to be held at 4 pm today.

They revealed that it was not for the first time that the meeting had been postponed and such moves were often taken.

Notably, during the MC house recently, many councillors and MLA Harish Rai Dhanda had raised objections over the working of finance and contracts committee. While some councillors had alleged that dilly-dallying attitude of the committee was affecting development works in their wards, Dhanda had raised a finger at some decisions taken during the committee meetings.

Ludhiana, December 16
A research project entitled, "Centre for protection of plant varieties and farmers rights training in northern India" is operating at PAU under the aegis of technology marketing and IPR cell.

Dr Sandeep Kapur, nodal officer of the cell, said the project is in operation since March 2008, had a mandate to create awareness among the farming community about protection of plant varieties and Farmers Rights Act-2001 (PPVFRA). Dr Kapur said the Act was unique in the sense that it took care of farmers' rights over and above the breeders' rights.

Ludhiana, December 16
The datesheet issued by the Punjab School Education Board for December examinations of Class VI to X is full of discrepancies. The usual practice is that the December examinations are conducted by the schools and even question papers are also set by the schools. But the examinations are conducted according to the datesheet issued by the board.

This year the datesheet issued by the board has been found to be full of anomalies.

In the datesheet, the Punjabi paper of Class VI has not been mentioned, the social studies paper of Class VII has been excluded and in the Class VIII datesheet, Punjabi paper, has been mentioned twice i.e. on December 12 and December 15 and science subject has not been included.

First the school authorities were confused but then they made their own adjustments in the datesheet. On the condition of anonymity, the school authorities said, “There is no use of going to the board, as there is no one to redress the grievances. Board should have reviewed the datesheet. It hardly matters whether it is December examination or annual examination. It shows the negligence of the authorities concerned.” 

Jagraon, December 16
Baba Ghala Singh and three of his accomplices were sent back to jail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Baba Ghala Singh and his five accomplices are charged with killing five persons at Bhadaur village (Barnala).

The Ludhiana sessions court had convicted and sentenced Baba and his five accomplices to undergo life imprisonment for the killings.

Baba had then moved the High Court, which acquitted him of the charges.

The aggrieved party then approached the Supreme Court, which found the six guilty and sentenced them to five years of rigorous imprisonment.

During the previous Akali regime, Baba appealed for mercy with the Punjab Government, which reduced their term and set them free.

The aggrieved party again approached the High Court against the reduction of their term.

The court moved a seven-day notice to the Punjab government, which expired yesterday, and the bench of Justice M.M. Kumar and Justice Shabina ordered that the accused should complete the pending seven years in jail.

The court set aside the concession in their term by the Punjab government.

Baba Ghala Singh, Karnail Singh, Gurcharan Singh and Mohinder Singh surrendered before Central Jail superintendent Kuldeep Singh yesterday evening.

During these years, two of the accused had died. Baba Ghala Singh heads a sect at the famous Gurdwara Nanaksar Kaleran, near Jagraon.

Ludhiana, December 16
Celebrations broke out here today as Team India scripted a historical win over England in the first Test match played at Chennai.

Cricket fans celebrated the victory as soon as the master blaster, scored the winning runs to fashion India's win by six wickets. They distributed sweets to express their happiness.

Ludhianvis were glued to the television sets since morning to see their stars to record victory. Requiring 256 runs on the final day of the Test, Team India, eventually went on to achieve the target quite comfortably.

The game lovers termed the victory as unprecedented as India, after facing a deficit of 75 runs, managed to surpass the target after losing just four wickets.

Aman Seth, an avid follower of the game said this win was more important as the wicket at M A Chidambram Stadium, Chennai, was crumbling on the fifth-day and the Indian batsmen played sensibly in adverse situation to score the required runs.

Another cricket fan, Sarthak was of the view that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was lucky captain who led the team in ODIs and now Test matches in an exemplary way to create history.

Ludhiana, December 16
Trials to select the Ludhiana senior hockey team scheduled to be held today here at the Prithipal Singh AstroTurf Stadium of the Punjab Agricultural University could not be conducted due to bad weather.

According to the general secretary of the District Hockey Association, Ludhiana, Ajay Pal Singh Punia, trials will now be held on December 18 at the same venue at 3 pm.

The selected players will represent the district in the forthcoming Senior Punjab State Hockey Championship slated to be held in Hoshiarpur under the aegis of the Punjab Hockey Association from December 24 to 27.

All the hockey clubs and academies have been invited to send their players for the trials at the selection venue on the scheduled date, Punia added.

Ludhiana, December 16
Pranav Chopra has added another feather in his cap when he bagged a title in the junior mixed doubles category in the National Badminton Championship being held at Sivakasi, Chennai district.

According to a communique received here today by the Ludhiana Badminton Academy, its trainee, Pranav Chopra gave another stupendous performance to clinch the title. Pranav (Air India) teaming up with Pradyna Gadre from Maharashtra came out triumphant.

In the final, the pair registered win over Nandgopal from Andhra Pradesh and Meghamerin from Kerala in straight sets. Pranav and Pradyna won the verdict 21-14, 21-11 to prove their class.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pranav has already won two titles in the national championships. He bagged the top honours in the u-13 and u-16 groups in the boys doubles category.

In all this is the fifth title victory for Pranav during the last two months. He won two junior doubles titles besides two mixed doubles titles at Chandigarh and Hyderabad, respectively in addition to the win at Sivakasi.

Pranav had also won a bronze medal in the Youth Commonwealth Games held at Pune two months ago.

The office bearers of the Ludhiana Badminton Academy have congratulated Pranav on his successive success.

Ludhiana, December 16
The Ludhiana District Table Tennis Association is organising the 49th edition of the Punjab state Intern District and Open Table Tennis Tournament here at the Indoor Hall in Punjab Agricultural University from December 20 to 23 in which around 400 players (boys and girls) are expected to take part. According to Fang Jenn Chiu, secretary, the following players have been selected to represent Ludhiana:

Cadet boys- Jashandeep of Sat Paul Mittal School and Harnoor of Darshan Academy

Cadet girls- Yashi Sharma of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar, and Amol of DAV Public School

Sub junior boys- Shung Ming Chiu and Abhaydeep, both of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, Shubham of Alpine International School and Karan Wadhwa of Sat Paul Mittal School

Sub junior girls- Himani Bhatia of Sat Paul Mittal School, Dhriti and Yashi, both of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir School and Tarunpriya of Sat Paul Miital School

Junior boys- Karanvir, Bhavuk of Alpine International School, Fu Ming Chiu of Sacred Heart Convent School and Agnish

Junior girls- Kritika, Anushka and Bhumika of Alpine International School and Kirti Aggarwal of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir School

Boys (u-20)- Sahil Sharma, Dharmendra, Manpreet and Parul

Girls (u-20)- Nirdosh and Kirti Aggarwal of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir School, Dimple of Guru Nanak Public School and Shveta

Men- Sahil Sharma, Dharmendra, Manpreet, Himanshu and Bhavuk

Women- Nirdosh, Kirti Aggarwal, Shevta, Promilla and Deepika