Ludhiana, August 16
Following the closure of fuel terminals at Jalandhar, the city residents are facing shortage of diesel for the past three days.

Several petrol pumps ran dry as there was no supply of fuel from the Jalandhar terminal following holidays on Janmashtami, Independence Day and Sunday. In the absence of regular power supply, the demand of diesel has increased manifolds and the petrol pump owners, most of the times, fail to stock diesel in bulk.

Talking to The Tribune, general secretary of the Ludhiana Petroleum Dealers' Association Ashok Sachdeva said that many pumps were running short of diesel due to increase in demand. “Oil supply was hit as the Jalandhar terminal did not supply diesel to petrol stations for three consecutive days (August 14, 15 and 16). The petrol pump owners fail to store diesel in bulk, secondly many of the petrol stations were selling ‘turbo’ (expensive) diesel to consumers,” he said, adding that demand of diesel had increased 20-25 per cent in the city as the power board had started imposing power cuts for longer duration.

Hitesh Gautam, a consumer said that he had to visit five petrol stations to get his car re-fuelled. “The salesmen at 

two stations said that diesel was out of stock while there were long queues of consumers with empty bottles and cans at two other stations. Ultimately, I was able to get diesel from the Bharat Nagar petrol station,” he said.

A salesman at Kailash Chowk petrol pump said a majority of consumers purchased normal diesel, which finished early. “Though we are selling turbo diesel as well, customers prefer to buy normal diesel as it is cheaper,” he said, adding that it was perhaps for the third time in this season that petrol stations ran dry due to diesel shortage.

Owner of a petrol station near Gill Chowk Bobby Singh, however, said not many consumers were hit due to shortage of diesel this time. “Being three holidays, a majority of service class remained confined to their homes. Still, filling stations witnessed a huge rush of consumers who came to get diesel for generators,” said Singh. He said they were expecting regular supply from Monday.

Ludhiana, August 16
Ten years ago, there was a sort of taboo associated with consuming liquor, and fetching a bottle from a vend was considered a Herculean task.

Ludhiana, August 16
Almost all roads in the city have developed potholes after rains, causing great inconvenience to commuters. Owing to the poor drainage system across the city, the roads remain clogged with water even two-three days after a downpour. Traffic movement on the waterlogged roads further causes the top layer of bitumen and gravel to come off.

The state of affairs of roads in several parts of the city is awfully bad. Despite huge craters, the MC seems in no mood to repair these immediately.

Even it has failed to provide patchwork that can stop further damage to the roads.

A survey by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that while almost all the roads have developed potholes, the worst-hit are under Damoria Bridge, Rani Jhansi Road, Pahwa Hospital Road, Basti Jodhewal Road, Haibowal, Jassian Road, Humbran Road and service roads of the bus stand.

Though some of these were recently recarpeted, these require a fresh layer now.

‘‘This happens every year. Otherwise in a developed country, the roads last minimum five years. But here a lot of public money is wasted by providing poor-quality roads. Take for example, the road under Damoria Bridge. It is recarpeted almost every year as it gets washed away after the rains,’’ said a civil engineer working with a government department.

He wondered why the roads did not last even a year despite crores of rupees being spent on them. 

Ludhiana, August 16
The Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society has called upon people to create a congenial atmosphere for helping in the country’s development. Col RS Sohi (retd), president of society, said yesterday that rising prices of commodities had broken the back of a common man.

Col Gurjit Singh, Col BS Sandhu, Col Mukhtiar Singh, Sqdn Ldr Sardool Singh, Capt Gurdip Singh, Capt PS Gill, Capt OS Dogra, SM MR Jolly, Hv Karam Singh, Hv Jaspal Singh , Sep Dhan Singh and Sub Jaswant Singh expressed concern over the rising prices and urged the authorities to resolve the problems faced by the defence personnel on the priority basis.

Major Sher Singh Aulakh, general secretary of the association, expressed concern over the rising corruption in society and environment pollution.

Sukhpat Rai Wadera (54), a legal luminary, was the chief guest for the Independence Day celebrations at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Director Dr AG Thomas, Deputy Director Dr Kim Mammen, Medical Superintendent Dr Kanwal Masih, Dental College Principal Dr Abi Thomas, Medical College Principal Dr SM Bhatti and Nursing College Principal Treeza Jeewan were present on the occasion.

Raikot: Members of the Lions Club celebrated Independence Day with the orphans. Its president Mukesh Kumar Gupta visited the Nishkam Sewa Virdh Ashram and the school for orphans to celebrate the occasion. Moved by the plight of over 100 schoolchildren the members decided to adopt the school. They distributed books, notebooks, and pencils along with sweets among the children.

Jagraon: SDM Mukand Singh hoisted the Tricolor in the presence of SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, chairman Bhag Singh Malla, Baldev Krishan Telu, Municipal corporation’s president and families of freedom fighters were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, August 16
G-Tech Educational Institute today organised a certificate distribution ceremony to honour the students on successful completion of the courses. G-Tech offers computer training and software development in collaboration with experienced industry experts.

Being an authorised training partner of Oracle and Microsoft, it offers certification programmes. It has a niche in providing industrial training to the engineering, MCA and IT students. The institute also supports innovative projects, student internships and seminars which strengthen the link between theories and the real world and also fulfills the critical needs of the industry.

The institute encourages frequent contact with the professionals in the field through guest lectures and workshops. 

Ludhiana, August 16
Rise and fall of the industrial economy of Punjab is mainly attributed to factors like adequate power at the cheapest rate, normal labour relations and good networking between the industry and the state government. Unfortunately, all these factors seem to be missing in Punjab and this has resulted in the decline of the industry, feel the industrialists.

The worsening power position today, was responsible for the downfall of the industry in the state. The peak-power shortage was touching 38 per cent mark. Freebies were responsible for the sorry state of affairs. Present government had claimed that Punjab would become surplus in power within three years, when they had taken over the charge. Even after the lapse of two-and-a-half year, no project has seen the ground.

President of the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Punjab, PD Sharma told The Tribune that the prospects of power position could be heartening only if two major parties-Akali Dal and the Congress- simultaneously announced that there would be no free power to any type of users. The money thus saved could be used as equity for producing power in the public sector, he added.

The cumulative revenue gap of the PSEB increased from Rs 1,802 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 6,980 crore in 2009-10. The amount of loan on the PSEB increased from Rs 10,588.76 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 19,532.79 crore in 2009-10. The interest component increased from Rs 872 crore to Rs 1,586.21 crore during the same period. Even the working capital of the PSEB was being met with loans, which increased from Rs 2,316.68 crore in 2007-2008 to Rs 6,500 crore in 2008-2009. Thus the PSEB was in a severe debt trap. With this, the power position in Punjab could never be comfortable unless aforesaid drastic steps were taken.

Commenting on yet another factor of labour relations, Rajnish Ahuja, president, Focal Point Shed Association, said the labour relations in Punjab had been cordial till recently. “One major incident happened in Ludhiana in 1981, but it was handled sternly and situation remained peaceful for years together. However, in 2004-2005 the Central government was strongly influenced by the Left parties and they took advantage of this. The labour relations in this industrial town became so worse that two big industrial units had to reduce their manufacturing operations drastically”, Ahuja added.

Networking between the industry and the state government, particularly the Chief Minister, too, had been exemplary. Sharma added that every the Chief Minister took interest in industry and consulted industrialists on every issue. Punjab was the home of small entrepreneurs and for them interaction with the Chief Minister always proved helpful. Condemning the present government, Sharma said the government had discontinued the trend and evolved itself in “ado arrangements”.

There has been no growth in the industry. The present government has even failed to bring the industrial policy. In the absence of any incentives, the industry, particularly the small units are on the verge of closure, said Ramesh Rattan, chairman, Small-Scale Industries and Traders Association. 

Ludhiana, August 16
Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura today said that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has mislead the people of Punjab with his “visionless” Independence Day speech that lacked substance and conviction, besides failing to address the core issues concerning the state, particularly unemployment and recession. “At best, it was repetitive and at worst, it was visionless,” he remarked.

Reacting to the first Independence Day speech of the Deputy Chief Minister, Khangura said: “These are the words of someone who presents speculation as a policy, draft plans as completed projects and Central schemes as his own.”

The MLA observed: “Even today Sukhbir is so deluded by his elusive quest to make Punjab power surplus that he seems oblivious to the Planning Commission's refusal to sanction any new power projects in the 11th plan. He refuses to accept the reality that the only projects likely to progress from concept to commissioning during the term of the government are the small hydel, solar and biomass initiatives.”

He stressed that Sukhbir should stop misleading the people of Punjab and should declare that surplus power would not be possible during the term of this government.

He said, Sukhbir promises a “transparent and corruption-free and people-friendly administration” without any sense of introspection, as he had not managed to deliver on any of these promises. Sadly, the defining image of this government remains that of the severely beaten and publicly stripped Tehsildar GS Benipal, whom Sukhbir has not visited so far.

Referring to the “big, but hollow promises” of Sukhbir about setting up of four international airports in Punjab, Khangura said only one new international airport was coming up at Chandigarh, which will itself adversely affect Amritsar International Airport.

The MLA said that while talking of freedom, Sukhbir fails to respect the rights of millions denied the ‘ata-daal’, tens of thousands falsely charged and imprisoned and the thousands of NRIs featuring incorrectly on the proclaimed offenders’ list. Sukhbir’s address was silent on the NRI issues even as he is the minister in charge, he remarked.

Referring to Sukhbir’s claims of getting an IIT and the Central University for Punjab, Khangura asked: “What is Sukhbir's contribution in setting up these institutions, which are all Central government schemes?”

Khangura regretted that Sukhbir had nothing to say about hundreds and thousands of educated unemployed youth who were falling prey to various social evils like drug addiction. Nor did he mention anything about shifting of industry from the state, not to speak of measures that would encourage investments from outside. 

Sahnewal, August 16
Large number of vehicles plies on the Sahnewal- Kohara road daily. With the passage of time the road has weathered to such an extent that huge potholes can be seen all over it. All this has resulted due to the poor upkeep and absence of recarpeting. Due to this, commuters have not only suffered slip discs or bone injuries even fracture but it has also proved to be a death trap especially for the two-wheeler drivers.

Although this road serves as a major link from Kohara and the surrounding villages to the Dehlon -Ahmedgarh route, little attention has been paid to improving its condition. Moreover as Sahnewal serves as a major hub for the people from surrounding villages like Jandiali, Ramgarh, Ucchi Mangali, Nichi Mangali, Jhabewal, Sahibana, Pangalian, Barwala, Kot Gangu Rai, Heearn, Laton Dana, Laton Joga, Katani Kalan etc, this road is taken as a matter of routine.

The broken dusty stretch has made the life of the shoppers and shopkeepers a hell. The residents and the commuters complain that it is a very uncomfortable ride especially at a few places. The monsoon has worsened the situation as deep or small holes, filled with rainwater, make the road look smooth thus adding to their woes. The problem gets further aggravated at the night hours with reduced visibility and poor judgement.

Even the toll tax took a heavy toll of this particular stretch. The road has eroded due to the non-stop plying of the toll-evading vehicles, as driver’s term it as the most convenient route.

The people rue that the authorities had been informed about the sorry state of affair on numerous occasions, but the matter has been left in the 
lurch. The people are, now, eagerly looking forward to the authorities regarding the speedy recarpeting of the road. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 16
The NRI Sports Club celebrated Independence Day at Butahri village by laying the foundation stone of house for Jagdeep Kaur, who had won three gold medals in the All-India Inter-University Football Championship.

Jasbir Singh Khangura, Qila Raipur MLA, laid the foundation stone of house yesterday. He termed the event as symbolic wherein a player’s family had been saved from the clutches of the poverty. Those present on the occasion also appreciated the club for adopting at least 23 sportspersons for a cause.

“Real freedom for Jagdeep Kaur and other members of her family comes today when their dreams to own a house will become a reality with contributions from the NRIs,” Jasbir Singh Khangura added. He demanded that the government should fix the responsibility of those who had ignored the player’s achievements.

Recollecting that Jagdeep Kaur and Gurmit Kaur (both football players) and Lalli Butahri (Kabaddi players) had brought the village on the international map of the sports, civic body members led by Mohinder Singh, sarpanch felicitated Darshan Singh Khatra (coach), Jagdev Brar of Moga and Jasbir Singh of Patiala on the occasion.

The club had decided to financially support Jagdeep Kaur after she had decided to abandon her practice as the authorities of the sports department had refused to support her.

Besides providing Rs 10,000 per month for pursuing her career in sports, the association had announced to spend Rs 3 lakh in getting her house reconstructed.

Her father had died after one of the walls of his house fell on him about three months ago.

Organizers informed that Kulwant Singh Langeri from England and Jaswinder Singh Kahlon from Holland had contributed Rs 1 lakh each towards the construction of the house after a radio service highlighted the sports club’s gesture. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 16
Lack of awareness about balanced diet and hygiene are the major factors behind increasing incidences of deficiency, diseases and infections among children and toddlers. Non-adherence to the vaccination programme drafted by the health authorities was another cause of loss of immunity among children.

The observation was made by a group of paediatricians after examination about 200 ailing children at a medical camp organised at OM Aarti Childcare at railway road here today. Councillor Bimal Sharma inaugurated the camp and president of the Journalists Association Ravider Purr was the chief guest.

A group of paediatricians led by Dr Amit Gupta and Dr Rekha Gupta observed that a majority of the children had contracted diseases due to lack of resistance owing to genesis in non-adherence of ideal immunisations programme.

The parents also ignored importance of vital components of balanced diet for growing children. “Unfortunately, people have started evaluating usefulness of food items on the basis of their price. A little awareness about the importance of various components of balanced diet and their source of availability can enable even the poor families to keep their children healthy by providing them all nutrients in proper ratio,” said Dr Amit and Dr Rekha while talking to the Ludhiana Tribune.

Maintaining that the vaccine provided varying degrees of immunisation, the doctors said the parents should not take it granted that the child would not fall ill after administration of the vaccine. Medical check-up of nearly 200 children was done, besides medicines were distributed free of cost at the camp. 

Raikot, August 16
A scooter-borne couple reportedly died after being hit by a mini bus. Amarjit Singh (48) and his wife, Harpal Kaur, were on their way to Jassowal from Gajiana village near Nihal Singhwala to morn their relative’s death.

They had hardly reached a crossing near Jhorran village when the mini bus (PB 03 C 6992) hit their scooter. Amarjit Singh died on the spot while Harpal Kaur died on her way to a hospital. A case has been registered against Manjit Singh, resident of Badhni Kalan, who was driving the bus, under sections 279 and 304 A of the IPC.

Khamano

BODY FOUND: An unidentified body of a youth was recovered under mysterious circumstances from the Ludhiana- Chandigarh Road near Jatana Ucha village. The highway police found the body lying at the edge of the road near a pipe factory on the outskirts of the village. The body was kept in the local civil hospital’s mortuary. The deceased, a migrant labourer, was wearing a white shirt and a trouser. However, the police could not establish the identity of the man despite repeated attempts.

Ludhiana, August 16
With changing times, women are marching ahead in every field and at the same time, they also find difficulties at workplace. Keeping this in view, the Working Women's Forum was formed some three years back and today it has its chapters all over the country.

Three months back, the forum established its chapter in the city and women from different fields, including medical, banks, teaching and co-operatives joined became its members.

The first convention of the forum will be held in the city in October. The preparations for the same are in full swing. Amarjeet Kaur, convener of the All-India Working Women's Forum, was in the city regarding the same.

Explaining about the main agenda of the forum, Amarjeet said their work revolves around two issues workplace difficulties and work-related difficulties. Workplace difficulty amounts to harassment at workplace, while work-related difficulties are related to wages, social security, labour laws and maternity benefits.

“While those working on regular basis are protected, the women working on ad hoc basis are not secure. We want women to gain strength, identify the problems and struggle and raise their voice against workplace harassment,” she added.

She said that while the organised sector was protected, there is no protection for the un-organised sector. “We need to get together and face the problems and solve the difficulties so that women do not feel harassed at her workplace,” she added. 

Ludhiana, August 16
The kitchen shelves today are once again adorned with steel utensils but not with the stuff that used to fill grandma’s kitchen.

Steel has undergone a sea change. Today’s steel utensils are a blend of style and durability. The mix and match look in combination with wood and glass give a sophisticated look. The range of stylish steel includes dinning sets, tea mugs, pans, cutlery sets and also home décor items giving much choice to customers. Innovation and style has moulded the same old stainless steel into unique collections.

Women prefer stylish and chic kitchenware and prefer them over bone china and glass. “Earlier, steel utensils used to lend an outdated and archaic touch but now they have become slicker,” chips in Shilpa, a housewife.

“During my wedding I refused to pick up even one steel utensil as it was outdated but now they have come in a newer, fresher avatar. Today my kitchen is full of steel,” adds Harpreet, a resident of Model Town. Previously, jug was available in one style but today one can choose from 20 designs. Same is the case with other utensils.

No doubt, the cost has gone up but at the same time the style quotient has also increased. Decorative items like vase, bath accessories, candle stands, fruit trays et al are also available in steel.

These stylish items generally come from Mumbai and Chennai. Steel is popular not only with the Indians but also NRIs. Steel is expensive in foreign countries and NRIs visiting India keep an extra space in the luggage to stuff steel utensils.

“Steel is quite expensive in Canada so I prefer buying it from India. I have bought six dozen stylish coffee mugs in glass and steel as all my friends have asked me to after seeing my collection,” said Neena, an NRI visiting India.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 16
The under-19 team of Guru Har Gobind Khalsa (GGHK) Senior Secondary, Bahadurgarh, emerged victorious during the Kilaraipur Zonal School Hockey Tournament, which concluded at the Kilaraipur stadium here yesterday.

The U-19 team of GHGK School beat Nanakana Sahib Public Senior Secondary School, Kilaraipur, 3-0. The U-17 eves of the school also emerged victorious in the zone.

The management committee of the school led by principal Hardev Singh felicitated the winning teams. 

Ludhiana, August 16
Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School, Miller Ganj, defeated RS Model Senior Secondary School 14-3 to win the title in the boys section of the 4th Junior Ludhiana District Baseball Championship for boys and girls, which concluded at Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujar Khan Campus, Model Town, here today.

The final turned out to be a mismatch as the RS Model Senior school players failed to put up resistance and gave up meekly. Kamalpreet Singh, Sanjay and Shiv Kumar accounted two runs each and played the pivot role in an easy victory for the Ramgarhia school.

In the match to decide third position, BCM Senior Secondary School, Jamalpur, survived a scare from RS Model Club before romping home 4-2. Jatin and Paras contributed one run each for BCM School, which helped them to wrap up the issue.

Prithipal Singh, DSP, Intelligence, gave away the prizes. Sukhdev Singh and Harbir Singh Gill along with other office-bearers of the Ludhiana District Baseball Association were also present at the prize distribution function.

Ludhiana, August 16
Shaun, a student of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, and Harnoor Singh of Darshan Academy emerged champions in the sub-junior boys and cadet boy' sections, respectively, in the 20th Prithipal Singh Memorial Table Tennis Tournament being held at the Punjab Agricultural University campus here today.

In the sub-junior boys final, Shaun outplayed Jashandeep Singh of Sat Pal Mittal School in straight sets 11-7, 11-8 and 11-9, while Harnoor Singh outperformed Jashandeep Singh in five sets, 11-8, 7-11, 11-13, 11-8 and 15-13, in the cadet boys’ category.

In the sub-junior girls’ section, Dhriti of Bharatiya Vidya Mandir beat her sister Yashi easily 11-2, 11-5 and 11-9 to clinch the title. However, in the cadet girls’ final, Yashi overpowered Gurleen Kaur of Alpine International Public School 11-3, 11-9 and 11-8.

Meanwhile, Dipti Chowdhary, a student of College of Home Science and Gaurav Sharma from College of Veterinary Science clinched the PAU Women's and PAU Men's singles titles.

In the PAU women's final, Dipti outclassed her college mate Prapti Arora in three sets to annex the title. She wrapped up the first set 11-7 but had to toil hard in the next one to pip Prapti 13-11. In the third set, Dipti, after initial hiccups, managed to overpower her rival 11-9.

In the PAU men's section, Gaurav fought a pitched battle against Shreyas from College of Agricultural Engineering before emerging triumphant in four sets.

Gaurav won the first set 11-8 but lost the second 9-11. He bounced back in the third set to win it comfortably 11-4 to take the lead (2-1). In the fourth set, Shreyas tried to put up resistance before going down 7-11.

Earlier, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang inaugurated the three-day championship in which more than 200 paddlers are taking part.