Ludhiana, August 5
Two cases of cholera have been reported in the Punjabi Bagh locality, the core area of thegastro-enteritis cases in the city.

Health experts have expressed concern as cholera is a highly contagious disease that spreads at a faster rate compared to other diseases.

Dr S.S.Dhir, District Health Officer, confirmed the cholera cases and expressed concern over poor sanitary conditions in the Punjabi Bagh area. Dr G.P.Mangla, district epidemiologist, expressed his apprehension over the possibility of more cholera cases in slums. He did not rule out more cases as the climatic condition is conducive for all similar infections.

A senior gastroenterologist from the city, meanwhile, said that cholera had been wiped out years ago and fresh cases should be taken seriously. If not controlled in time, the epidemic can take a bad shape. "The persons infected with cholera should be kept in complete isolation and his stools too should be disposed of with utmost care, as stools are a pool of bacteria," the doctor observed.

Replying to a query on the situation of gastroenteritis control in the city, Civil Surgeon Dr Maninderjit Singh confirmed that the situation was under control adding that the number of patients is gradually subsiding with every passing day.

Health officials are examining patients at a special medical camp in Punjabi Bagh since July 31, the day gastro outbreak was reported.

District epidemiologist Dr GP Mangla expressed concern over the poor sanitation conditions in the "vehras" (slum dwellings) of Punjabi Bagh, where more than 400 cases of gastroenteritis have already been reported. Twelve fresh cases of gastro were reported today from Punjabi Bagh and one was admitted in civil hospital for further treatment.

Dr GP Mangla pointed towards the heaps of garbage, which become a breeding ground for the flies and bacteria that led to serious infections thereby resulting in diseases. He also said that the possibility of more "cholera" cases in slums could not be ruled out as the climatic condition is conducive for all such infections.

People are living in highly unhygienic conditions, eating germ-infested food, drinking unclean water, where gastro cases are very common in the season.

Ludhiana, August 5
The “vehra” culture that has stormed the city in the last few years has virtually made Ludhiana a hub of epidemic diseases, as every year outbreak of gastro, cholera, dengue etc are being reported.

These “vehras”, which give shelter to migrant population, are a classic example of unhygienic conditions, where from 5 to 10 people survive in one small room.

A visit to various “vehras” of Punjabi Bagh and Sunset reveals that the houses have one or two toilets for around from 50 to 60 persons.

Beside, during monsoon season, stagnation of water is a common problem, which gives birth to mosquitoes and water-borne diseases.

The migrant labourers said they earned from Rs 2,000 to 3,000 per month. "We cannot spend more than from Rs 200 to 300 per month for our accommodation," said most of the labourers, adding that when so many people lived in an area, it was likely to get dirty.

With the “vehra” owners allowing these people to live by, giving them illegal connections of water and sewerage, one fails to understand why the district administration and Municipal Corporation has never cracked a whip on them all these years.

Though the Municipal Corporation this year booked six “vehra” owners and Municipal Commissioner GS Ghuman had directed the “vehra” owners to clean their buildings, one was not sure whether the instructions would be followed or not.

Talking to The Tribune, senior officials from the Municipal Corporation, said, "The Municipal Commissioner's orders of sealing “vehras”, where unhygienic conditions are witnessed, will be proved to be a major step if we are allowed to go ahead with the directions. If we seal some of the “vehras”, we are sure all “vehra” owners will learn a lesson."

They added in the last three days, more than 45 illegal water connections had been disconnected and all of them were from “vehras”.

Interestingly, the MC could not be given a clean chit for the spread of gastro because the O&M cell and the health branch of the civic body had failed to clear dump yards in the city.

With the rains in full swing, it would be a challenge for the MC to ensure garbage disposal so that things did not go out of hand in the city.

Ludhiana, August 5
The Punjab States Human Rights Commission has directed Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg and Municipal Commissioner G.S. Ghuman to be present in person for a hearing scheduled on October 15.

The directions have been giving following complaints of irregularity in chlorination at tubewells that were supplying water to the residents.

The commission is also annoyed for the failure of both officials to submit report to the former which was sought from them. However, it extended the deadline, citing interest of justice.

Earlier, the officials had directions to submit a report on chlorination of water at tubewells till July 23.

The reports were sought from both officials following complaints submitted by Pran Nath Bhatia and Arvind Sharma, who had stated that chlorination in tubewells of the city was not being conducted properly by the Municipal Corporation.

The complaints were submitted on June 8, July 18 and July 23, alleging that despite media highlighting the dereliction of services on behalf of the Municipal Corporation, no action was initiated till date.

Ludhiana, August 5
Officials of the fund-crunched Municipal Corporation seem to have turned a blind eye to the constructions which can fetch it crores.

Again an example has come to fore near Nagpal Resorts, where the construction of a marriage palace, owned by Naveen Bharat Store, is under way.

According to sources, the site owner has neither deposited the change of land use (CLU) fee of around Rs 4 crore nor development charges of around Rs 23 lakh. The failure of the MC to collect expenses from the palace owner has highlighted another instance of how things work in the civic body.

The construction is coming up at a site measuring approximately 10,000 square yards and the CLU fee at present is Rs 4,000 per square yard. Besides, the building owner has to pay development charges of Rs 233 per square yard, as the plot size measures more than 251 square yard.

The sources revealed that the construction had been going on from quite a long time and some of the officials of the town planning wing in the D-zone were aware of it.

Interestingly, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court granting a stay on the CLU power of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, the marriage palace turns out to be in the category of illegal constructions at present.

This is not for the first time. The road stretch from Mintghumri Chowk to Gulati Chowk is another example where commercial activity has been going on right under the nose of the civic body, but no action has come till date.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Congress councillor Sanjay Talwar said, “There are many such constructions which can given the Municipal Corporation crores of rupees, but due to corrupt attitude of officials, it’s the civic body that is bearing losses.”

Ludhiana, August 5
In yet another reversal of the policy on the distribution of kerosene through the public distribution system, the state government has decided to discontinue the supply of this subsidised fuel to many above poverty line (APL) families, thereby hitting the kitchens of many lower middle-class families.

Through orders sent via fax by the Directorate of Food and Supplies, Punjab, to all district heads of the department on Tuesday, the government has issued directions that all APL families which have cooking gas connections, be taken out of the list of those ration card holders who were getting kerosene.

Henceforth, only below poverty line (BPL) ration card holders or those having blue cards, antyodaya or riot victims cards will be entitled to draw kerosene from the ration depots. The APL families having no cooking gas connection will also continue to avail this facility.

In fact, the state government had sought to implement the new policy on kerosene distribution last month and orders to this effect were issued to the district headquarters. However, in the wake of strong protests by the ration depot holders, and the fact that three assembly byelections were to be hold on August 3 in the state, the implementation was stayed on July 14.

Confirming the new directions of the state government on kerosene distribution had been received, HS Mokha, District Food and Supplies (East) Controller said the entire exercise was aimed at discontinuing supply to those ration card holders who were having LPG connections and did not genuinely require kerosene to run their kitchens.

"Under a pilot project to identify the ration card holders who were having LPG connections, some 1.20 lakh APL families were removed from the list of those entitled to draw kerosene earlier this year, while another 40,000 more APL families have now been taken out of the list."

Giving details, he informed that till June 2009, kerosene was being supplied to a total number of 3.86 lakh ration card holders, which included 1.34 lakh BPL families and the rest from among the eligible APL families.

Under the revised policy, kerosene will now be distributed to approximately 3.46 lakh families from out of total of approximately 7.87 lakh ration card holders in the district.

Ludhiana, August 5
A thief made a futile bid to steal cash from an ATM of the State Bank of Patiala, Miller Gunj branch, late last night. However, the CCTV installed inside a room where ATM was installed, caught the thief in action.

The thief left after he made a futile bid to break open the ATM with the help of a tool. Bank official came to know about the incident when they found the machine broken.

The police was immediately informed. SI Sumit Sood rushed to the spot and began the probe. Later, the bank confirmed that not a single currency note had been stolen from the ATM.

Like many other banks, this bank, too, has no security guard to man the ATM.

The SI said despite repeated reminders to recruit security staff for guarding the ATM, the bank officials had not paid any heed. The CCTV footages would, however, help in arresting the accused.

Ludhiana, August 5
After holding meetings with the Congress and BJP councillors, it was the turn of Akali councillors to air their grievances to Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura yesterday.

The meeting, which was attended by officials from all departments, witnessed heated arguments between the officials and politicians with all of them blaming each other for the goof ups.

According to information, SAD leader Amarjit Bhatia and councillor HS Dang demanded transfer of SDO Ranjit Singh on the pretext of carelessness on the part of the officer. “His presence or absence means nothing in the zone as he is not available for works nor he takes our commands seriously,” said Akali leaders to which the Mayor agreed and directed the officer to be transferred from zone D to B.

The language used by Bhatia, who himself is not an elected representative, but son of a municipal councillor, was offending. A senior officer said, “A gazetted officer needs to be respected and using unparliamentary language in front of numerous people is unjustified. If you think the official lobby should respect you, then you should also show some respect.”

Similarly, Zonal Commissioner BK Gupta and SE Dharam Singh, too, were at loggerheads with the latter saying that Gupta always raises an objection on a bill due to which development works of the O&M cell had been affected. Besides, due to delay in payment to contractors, it was the public that was suffering and they were being criticised by the councillors of almost every party. Following allegations, the Zonal Commissioner replied that he would follow procedure and not allow anything wrong to go through his hands.

Apart from it, the councillors discussed individual problems of their wards and asked the Mayor to direct the officials to start works in their wards on priority basis.

Ludhiana, August 5
Dr Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, has given additional charge of Director Students Welfare, PAU, to Dr PPS Lubana, head of the soil water engineering department, in place of Dr Dulcha Singh Brar following vacation of stay by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Dr Lubana is also technical advisor to the Vice-Chancellor.

Dr Dulcha Singh Brar has been sent back to his parent department as professor of entomology. Dr Brar was placed under suspension last year following an inquiry conducted by a three-member committee headed by Dean, College of Home Science, on a complaint of alleged sexual harassment by a female employee.

The board of management (BoM) of the PAU had revoked the suspension orders in December 2008. Dr Brar appealed against his removal from the post of Director, Students Welfare, and got a stay order. The stay order was vacated last month.

Meanwhile, Dr Brar also appealed to the BoM seeking reversal of the decision of December 2008 of the board. The BoM, which met on July 27, did not accept the plea of Dr Brar, and thus he was sent back to the department of entomology as a professor.

The high court has also stayed the proceedings of the three-member inquiry committee, which was constituted on the directions of the BoM to look into the chargesheet given to Dr Brar. The committee consisted of outside members.

Dr Kang told Ludhiana Tribune today, “We have implemented the decision of the high court.”

Ludhiana, August 5
The Rakhi Festival-2009 for the tiny tots was organised by the Playway wing of Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, here yesterday.

Rajinder Sharma, president, Association of the PSEB-affiliated Schools, Punjab, was the chief guest on the occasion.

A fancy dress competition was also organised. Students came in traditional Punjabi dresses and performed giddha and bhangra. Principal Asha Sharma emphasised on the physical and mental development of children. Prizes and sweets were distributed among the tiny tots.

Maple Bear (Canadian Playway and Nursery School) celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan with gaiety. Kids made beautiful rakhis and greeting cards. Veena Aggarwal elaborated on the importance of the festival.

Students of Rising Star, Kindergarten and Springdale Public School, celebrated this festival with great enthusiasm. A Rakhi-making competition was organised at Springdale School and the makers of best rakhis were awarded by director and founder principal Avinash Kaur Walia and Principal Sandeep Raikhi.

A Rakhi-making competition was organised on the premises of GMT Public School . Students of Classes I to XII participated.

Principal Amarjeet Kaur Dhaliwal and directors S. Kashmir Singh Thind and S. Jasbir Singh Thind appreciated the students for their work.

Ludhiana, August 5
Trying to play safe for the allotment of cracker stalls during Diwali this year, Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg today held a meeting with officials, including those of the Fire Department.

The meeting was convened to discuss the sites where cracker stalls would be put up. These included various old sites like Dana Mandi, Gill Road, Dugri and Daresi.

One of the topics of discussions was fire tenders, where the Fire Department officials revealed that stall owners were careless towards safety precautions. Many times, they were asked to send fire-tenders, that too without being paid any amount.

In reply to it, the Fire Department has been directed to charge Rs 25,000 per day from commercial establishments for one fire tender and Rs 1,000 per hour for religious purposes.

Jagraon, August 5
The issue of the president of the students’ union heated up with posters declaring another student as the president of the local LR DAV College. Yesterday, a group of students had declared Gurvinder Singh Ginda as the president. Gurvinder Singh said they had intimated VK Sharma, college principal, about this and had even obtained his consent.

He assured that the students’ problem would soon be resolved. The principal had rusticated Jaspinder Singh, who had created ruckus on the college premises a few days ago. SOI president Hargunjit Singh Guna extended his support to Gurvinder Singh.

However, VK Sharma, principal, LR DAV College, refuted that any election had taken place in the college. A few students had gathered on the college premises but were persuaded to attend their classes.

Earlier on July 30, Jaspinder Singh Malhi, MA-II (History) student, along with a few musclemen had come came to the college and pasted posters claiming himself to be the college president. The poster also mentioned the names of his 11 supporters. A former student Mandeep Singh of Daudhar village objected Jaspinder Singh’s move and was roughed up by the musclemen. Those accompanying Jaspinder were armed with revolvers, riffles, sword and blunt weapons. They even disrupted the traffic for quiet some time. The police was able to control the situation. Jaspinder Singh, however, refuted allegations levelled against him. 

Jagraon, August 5
Leaders of the Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj and other Sikh associations yesterday openly came out in support of Baba Balbir Singh of Gurdwara Panjuana Sahib, Lamme Jatpura village, who along with two of his accomplices, was arrested on June 30. About 4 kg explosives were also seized from his possession.

Later, on July 30, he was once again implicated for possessing two country-made 12 bore pistols hidden in his room. The leaders at a meeting held at Gurdwara Panjuana Sahib, Lamme Jatpura village, blamed the Badals and SGPC for trying to take over gurdwaras owned by the Damdami Taksal.

A deputation led by Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal, Sant Veer Singh Madoke, Sant Iqbal Singh Tugal, Sant Brahmnand of Badhani, Jagtar Singh Dhaliwal of Panch Pardhani, Sant Kuldeep Singh Dhale Ke and a large number of followers today met Ludhiana (Rural) SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and demanded a probe into the recovery of two pistols from Baba Balbir Singh’s room.

Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal, while talking to mediapersons, said the Chief Minister, now, wants to take over the gurdwaras being run by the Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj. For this, he is getting religious leaders implicated in false cases. He made clear that Gurdwara Panjuana Sahib would be handed over to person on whose name Baba Balbir Singh agrees. They refused to acknowledge Baba Hardeep Singh as the controller of the Gurdwara Panjuana Sahib. 

Ludhiana, August 5
The byelection to the post of municipal councillor of Ward 57 will be held on August 23, according to a notification issued by the Punjab State Election Commission.

Additional Deputy Commissioner(ADC)-cum-Additional District Electoral Officer Davinder Singh said the nomination papers for the byelection would be received from August 7 to August 11, followed by scrutiny on August 12. Besides, the withdrawal of nominations could be done on August 13 and the election process would be finally completed by August 25.

The ADC said August 8 was not a public holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, and the nominations would be received on that day.

Similarly, the byelection to the posts of panch of gram panchayats in the district too would be held on August 23. According to the schedule, the filing of the nomination papers would be held from August 7 to 11.

The scrutiny would be conducted on August 12, followed by the withdrawal of nomination on August 13.

Ludhiana, August 5
Behaviour of celebrities towards their female counterpart in the reality TV show, “Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao”, has earned the wrath of a city-based NGO, which had in a letter to the National Commission for Women demanded action against those guilty.

In the letter to the commission, a rights activist, Swami Khushi Ji of Shri Radha Krishan Lal Bhuvneshwari Gaushala and Vridh Ashram, stated that in the serial, Akashdeep had misbehaved with his co-participant, Anaida.

Swami Khushi Ji said Akashdeep had put humanity to shame by using derogatory language for her.

“I could not take this. This was too much,” she said while demanding that Akashdeep should be thrown out of the serial.

Ludhiana, August 5
Coming to the rescue of doctors at Sidhu Hospital, who were booked for culpable homicide after their patient had died after being operated upon for obesity, the police has diluted charges levelled against them.

Dr Gurdip Singh Sidhu, a surgeon, and Dr Naveen Laiker, both from Sidhu Hospital, were booked under Section 304 of the IPC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after the death of Jagat Bhushan Johal, a BJP leader, in their hospital.

The section was, however, dropped and the duo has now been booked under Section 304 A of the IPC for negligence leading to death. The latest development in the case has come as a respite for both doctors.

If a person is found guilty under Section 304 of the IPC, he will have to undergo minimum 10 years jail, which might be extend to life imprisonment. The Section 304 A happens to be a bailable offence, which has much less sentence, if proved.

The deletion of Section 304 of the IPC against these doctors had come to light during a hearing on their anticipatory bail applications here on Monday.

Malkiat Singh, an investigating officer, told the court of Additional Sessions Judge GS Saran that Section 304 of the IPC was deleted against these doctors, as during investigation it was found that only offence under section 304-A of the IPC was made out. This offence was bailable.

The defence lawyers requested the court to grant them protection, if at any stage the police adds any non-bailable offence or Section 304 of the IPC again. Then the court ordered that if at any stage any non-bailable offence was added against these doctors then they would be served notice three days prior to their arrest.

These doctors were granted interim anticipatory bail on July 21.

In their bail applications, these doctors had submitted that the BJP leader was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and severe sleep-apnea syndrome. They pleaded that the BJP leader had died due to the cardiac arrest and there was no fault on their part.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 5
Raksha Bandhan celebrations for a peasant’s family residing at Rachhin village turned sour after Gurmel Kaur (50) died and her son sustained serious injuries in an accident that took place at Sarabha on the Pakhowal-Ludhiana road near here today. This incident took place after their scooter collided head on with a car at the T-point.

Gurmel Kaur was on her way to tie a Rakhi to her brother Ranjit Singh Dhaliwal, a superintendent in the health department at Ludhiana.

The Jodhan police has booked Jagdeep Singh, the car driver, a resident of Sukhdev Nagar, Katcha Lohara road, Simlapuri, under Sections 304 A, 279, 337, 338 and 427of the IPC. Cops have also flashed the car number (PB 10 CA 1732) as the accused managed to escape from the accident site.

Gurmel Kaur and her son Pammi had left the house for tying the Rakhi to his brother. She had reportedly rang up her brother before starting from Rachhin and asked him to wait before going the office.

Hardly had they reached the Sarabha T Point when the speeding car, coming from opposite direction, collided with the scooter. The impact was such that parts of the two-wheelers scattered on other side of the road. Gurmel Kaur, who was riding pillion, died on the spot and profusely bleeding Pammi was shifted to a private hospital at Sarabha by passers by. 

Ludhiana, August 5
Kundan Vidya Mandir and Tagore Public School shared honours in the boys section in the Inter School Zonal Badminton Tournament being organised by the Punjab Education Department at Tagore Public School campus ground, here today.

Kundan Vidya Mandir shuttlers wrapped up the titles in the under-14 and under-19 years section while hosts, Tagore Public School lads romped home champions in the under-17 years category.

In the boys under-14 years final, Kundan Vidya Mandir got the better of Tagore Public School 2-0 and in the under-19 years section, Kundan Vidya Mandir, again overpowered Tagore Public School in similar fashion (2-0).

However, in the boy's under-17 years category, Tagore Public School hogged limelight by edging out Kundan Vidya Mandir 2-0 to bag 
the title.

In the girls' section, Sutlej Public School and Tagore Public School won their respective matches to advance into the next round.

In the girls under-14 years section, Sutlej Public School won both matches.

They beat Government School, Kailash Nagar 2-0 and then outplayed Government Senior Secondary School, cemetary road branch 2-0.

In the under-19 years section, Tagore Public School defeated Government High School, Madhopuri branch 2-0 and in the under-17 years category, Tagore Public School pipped Green Land School, Jalandhar bypass branch 2-0.

Ludhiana, August 5
Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, beat Government Multi-purpose School by 19 runs to emerge champions in the PAU Inter-School Zonal Cricket Tournament (19), organised by Punjab education department on Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

Batting first, Government Model Senior Secondary School scored 108 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. The main architects of their innings were Ajay Kumar (23 n.o.) and Jobanjit Singh (13).

For Government Multi-purpose School, Arashdeep Singh claimed two wickets for 12 runs, while Harwinder Singh took one for 19.

In reply, Government Multi-purpose School were all out for 89 runs in 19.2 overs. Jaswant top scored with 20 runs, while Inderpreet Singh made 11 runs.

For the winners, Ashish and Pankaj scalped three victims each for 18 and 21 runs, respectively, while Ajay Mehra grabbed two wickets after conceding 18 runs.

Jobanjit Singh and Ajay Mehra were declared best batsman and best bowler, respectively. Sanjeev Thapar, principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, was chief guest at the prize distribution function.

Ludhiana, August 5
Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar branch emerged winners in the girls u-14 years category in the PAU Zone Inter School Table Tennis Tournament being organised by the Punjab Education Department at BVM School, Udham Singh Nagar branch campus here today.

In the final, BVM players registered 3-1 victory over Alpine International Public School to clinch the title.

In the first match, Dhriti of BVM School outperformed Rishika 11-7, 11-8 and 11-8 and in the next match, Yashi outplayed Guleen 11-9, 11-7 and 11-8 to consolidate the lead (2-0).

However, in the third match, Riya of Alpine International Public School beat Bharti 11-2, 11-1 and 11-3 to make it 2-1. In the fourth match, Dhriti defeated Gurleen 11-6, 11-6 and 11-8 to help her team to clinch the issue 3-1.

Earlier, in the semi final, BVM girls outnumbered Green Land School 3-1 to set up the title clash with Alpine International Public School.