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Babus lobby for plum postings, again
Ludhiana, August 26 The state government had recently indicated massive transfers of officials across the state. As soon as this was apparent, the officials posted in various departments have started lobbying for postings of their choice. Since Ludhiana is considered to be one of the top choices for bureaucrats, nobody wants to leave the city. There are instances of several officials who have managed to be posted here for the past couple of years. They are trying to remain in the city again. They are leaving no stone unturned to be posted in a different department if at all they have to be transferred. “Some officials get plum postings during the regime of a government led by a particular party. But then there are several who always get the centre of their choice. One wonders what they do,” a senior official said, adding that he too had been making rounds of senior officials for the past several days. “I do not want to be unsettled. Everybody resists change. All of us are trying to stay put in the city,” a senior official posted in the local body said. Several others said they were going on leave for a day or two to be with their “mentors” in Chandigarh. “Silence does not help. So, I am also trying my best to get a special posting,” another official said.
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Dera, Sikh followers lock horns over path
Ludhiana, August 26 One person sustained injuries after both groups pelted each other with stones. Sensing trouble, a heavy posse of police was deployed in the area. Jaswinder Singh, head sewadar of the dera, said they, along with followers of Baba Shri Chand, had organised an akhand path of Guru Granth Sahib at the dera, to which Sikh organisations objected. He said they had got a formal permission for holding the akhand path from Akal Takht. Sikh organisations, however, objected to the akhand path at the dera, which is situated on the roadside. The police effected a compromise between the two groups and it was decided that the akhand path would be held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Model Town extension. This is the second such incident in the past three months. On May 24, around 20 armed men of Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj Damdma Sahib had attacked around 80 disciples of Dera Sacha Sauda at Sat Guru Nagar in the Shimlapuri area, leaving 12 injured.
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Lakkar Bridge
Ludhiana, August 26 Railway XEN Pradeep Puri and PWD XEN Rajdeep Singh Sidhu, along with MC officials, visited the site today and directed them to remove around 40 shops and other structures, including electricity poles and a portion of the MC accounts branch building. The MC officials were also told to make arrangements for the closure of a drain below the bridge. The XENs had come for the demarcation to initiate work on the bridge following orders at a high-level meeting in Chandigarh yesterday. However, officials in the building branch said it was going to be a tough task to remove these shops. A senior official on the condition of anonymity said: “When we have failed to remove three shops at Punjab Mata Nagar, how would we demolish these structures. Arrangements for the MC accounts building also need to be made. The building is old and touching it would be a costly affair.” The bridge has been hanging fire for the past over five years due to the paucity of funds as the construction cost has increased. The MC officials said at the meeting convened by PWD principal secretary Kulbir Singh and attended by Municipal Commissioner GS Ghuman and local bodies director SK Sharma, it was decided that the Improvement Trust would pay Rs 24 crore to the civic body in four instalments of Rs 6 crore each. They said: “Out of Rs 24 crore, we need to deposit Rs 6 crore immediately with the PWD and Rs 1 crore within a week for the work to begin.”
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Woman gangraped; accused held
Jagraon, August 26 She and her husband were staying at the tubewell motor room near Nanaksar on the Moga road. Three labourers, Gurdeep Singh, Boota Singh of Kothe Rahalan and Gurpreet Singh of Chananwal in Barnala district, were installing a submersible pump in the nearby fields when they spotted the victim. In the evening when her husband approached them, they came to know about his weakness for liquor. All four then started drinking at his room and when he lost consciousness, they raped her through the night. They did not even care for her little children who kept crying due to hunger. Before fleeing in the wee hours, they threatened her of dire consequences if she narrated the incident to anybody. When her husband regained consciousness, he found her in a critical condition. With the help of villagers he took her to the Civil Hospital and lodged a complaint with the police. The SHO said the investigation officer had acted promptly and arrested all the accused. The police has registered a case against the accused under Section 376 of the IPC.
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Virasat mela put off by
2 days
Ludhiana, August 26 It would now be organised on August 30 and 31 instead of August 28 and 29 at the Government College for Women here. Hira Singh Gabria, jails, tourism and cultural affairs minister, Punjab, would inaugurate the mela and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, MP, would preside on the concluding function. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) held a review meeting of the officers concerned to give final touches to the mela. He said the mela would showcase the rich tradition and culture of Punjab. Various competitions like pottery, knitting, phulkari, poster making (environment and foeticide), spinning wheel, hand fans, long hair, kavishri/dhadi jathas and recitation would be held on August 30 while a competition on flour grinding and decoration of trees would be organised on August 31. Besides, a competition on of traditional dresses, folk singers, gidha and “kiklies” would also be held. |
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Enroachments removed at
Haibowal
Ludhiana, August 26 The demolition squad was led by assistant town planner Ramesh Chabbra, who has been transferred to Bathinda, but has not been relieved by the Municipal Commissioner yet. According to information, the MC squad along with JCB machines and the police removed structures that had come up on a 20-ft street. The officials from the civic body said one of the houses was constructed on 140 sq yards and was 80-ft high. They had served notices on encroachers before the demolition. |
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ITI clerk beaten up
Khanna, August 26 A large number of villagers thronged the ITI and raised slogans against the institute and demanded action against the clerk. However, the staff and principal of the institute claimed that the clerk had made clippings of girls who were cheating during an examination. Acting on the instructions of higher officials, the clerk had videographed cheating by students. Two teachers, Dolly Verma and Harmesh Kaur, had been suspended in this connection. Staff members said the girl’s parents were wrongly accusing the clerk of making an objectionable film. |
Teachers protest as govt fails to grant promotion
Ludhiana, August 26 A number of posts are lying vacant and nothing has been done to fill these vacancies as yet. Teachers are still dubious about the CM’s statement of promoting teachers within three months. Reportedly only 180 vacancies are filled against 1569 vacant posts of principals and deputy directors of school till now. Till December 2004, 75 per cent posts were filled by promoting teachers and 25 per cent were filled through Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). In December 2004, a notification was issued that hundred per cent selection would be done on the basis of promotion. About 55 per cent posts of general school lecturers, 30 per cent of head masters and 15 per cent of vocational masters were categorised. According to government school teachers, there had been no promotion since March 31, 1998, as a result of which teachers had suffered badly. There were around 1225 vocational master vacancies, out of which 855 vacant posts were filled. They further said in Punjab, 50 per cent posts were reserved for women teachers and 50 per cent for men. There was no such reservation in any other state. Harsharnajeet Kaur Brar, DPI, Punjab, said the government was waiting for the high court verdict. As soon as the verdict was given the state government would start the process of promoting teachers. Departmental promotion committee (DPC) had already held talks in this regard. Amarjeet kaur, DEO, Ludhiana, said there were only two regular principals working in Ludhiana and the rest were all officiating. Officiating principal said several teachers had retired waiting for their promotion. Ludhiana districts namely Macchiwara, Samrala, Khanna, Jagroan, Jandiali, Humbran and Dhannsu were having officiating principals.
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US entomologists at PAU hold talks on pest control
Ludhiana, August 26 The team comprises Dr Kathy Flanders, extension entomologist, Dr Brenda Ortiz, extension specialist, grain crops and precision agriculture, and Dr Ayanava Majumdar, extension specialist, agronomic crops entomology. The team discussed issues of mutual interest where collaboration could be sought with the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, and scientists from various departments. Dr Kathy Flanders while giving a presentation on education and research on insect pests of forages, grains, stored grains and fire ants said extension initiative on emerging problems with a research based technology backup was essential. She said attention was required on assessing the concentration of soil-borne insect pests. Dr Brenda Ortiz deliberated on the grass root level translation of technologies for pest management in sugarcane, wheat, corn, peanut and cotton. She highlighted that the application of nematicides against sugarcane nematods in sandy soil of Georgia. Dr Brenda explained a system of auto-swath control for accurate spraying, while avoiding overlapping of cropped areas as an example of pest management with precision. Dr Majumdar expressed the need of developing new international relations. He said exchange of scientific information and manpower was important. He highlighted that research innovations and extension technologies played an important role in agricultural development. He delved on microbial control of insect pests, insect advisory service and the system of transfer of technology in Alabama. The three speakers responded to the queries of the participating PAU scientists. Dr Kathy Flanders said they had found enormous possibilities of collaboration with the PAU in areas of diverse agricultural research and development.
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PAU museum to undergo landscaping
Ludhiana, August 26 Dr RK Dubey, assistant professor of landscaping said the museum had been constructed in a formal Mogul Garden’s style landscaping with central axis of paved pathway in red stone and symmetrical plantation of Thuja and Ashoka on both sides. “This glorifies the building as a centre of attraction,” he added. Dhiman said there was a plan to construct a building comprising enquiry office, ticket window and public conveyances near the museum. Training camp
A training camp on drip irrigation was organised at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Langroya, in the district of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, wherein about 46 farmers of the area participated. Head of the department of soil water and engineering Dr PPS Lubana said the event was organised by the Precision Farming Development Centre in collaboration with All-India Coordinated Research Project on Application of Plastics in Agriculture and the KVK, Langroya. Dr Lubana said the mandate of the project was to demonstrate the drip irrigation for farmers and functionaries of the state departments. Earlier, associate director of the KVK welcomed farmers, experts and officers of the department of soil conservation, Punjab.
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From Schools
Ludhiana, August 26 Students exhibited their talent of speaking. In this competition, students expressed their views on the topic “Dharna Ka Adhaar Nari”. Dr Neeru Jairth presided over the function. Shakshi, Anjani and Naina bagged the first, second and third positions respectively. Dr Vandna Shahi, principal of the school, appreciated winners. Dalian students bring laurels
Spring Dalian proved their supremacy in various religious activities organised by the Parbandhak Committee of Gurdwara Flahi Sahib on the occasion of the anniversary of Jathedar Santok Singh Ji Margind. Spring Dalian brought laurels to the school by winning 16 medals and won championship trophy, along with a cash prize of Rs 3,100. Students who won first, second and third positions also received cash prizes of Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 200, respectively. In the shabad gayan competition school team also got a cash prize of Rs 1100. Avinash Kaur Walia, director and founder principal, and Sandeep Raikhi, principal congratulated winners on their excellent performance in the competition.
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At the Crossroads The other day a woman, well-versed with writing short stories, asked me what I would do if another day was added to my lifespan. I blurted out: “I would like to be a young man again, even if for a day.” She looked at me disapprovingly and said: “My point is what a person would do if he ceases to exist, but is granted the boon of one day more to tie up the loose strands of his life.” Silence prevailed for sometime. I moved ahead without a backward glance but inwardly I was disturbed and annoyed. The end is an end in itself and there is no scope for a day more. But I was reminded of George Barnard Shaw’s play “Saint Joan”, wherein Saint Joan agrees to come to life at the demand of her tormentors who feel repentant after her death. Like her, a person can be persuaded to extend the period of his life for a day to do what has been left undone. I would rather not startle near and dear ones who, with their superior knowledge, could handle things in a better way. Like in a dream, I can imagine myself alive for a day after the allotted time of my existence. Even before the appearance of the sun, I would sit down to complete my article for The Tribune. At its completion, I would ponder over the feasibility of its appearance. The time being short, I may send it for my column in Ludhiana Tribune and see it publish early. I would not waste my time in going on a sentimental journey with my family. I would rather concentrate on my writings. Over tea, I would glance through the proofs of my last Punjabi novel and those translated in English. After breakfast, I would have a nap before going through newspapers. Three hours at my disposal before lunch would be spent in my library. I would pick up select books and dictionaries to preserve them for posterity. I would fill three or four sacks with the hard bounds to be transported to the Research Library at Punjabi Bhawan. The rest I would heap up in a corner to be sold to the “kabadiya”. Lunch would provide me with the company of my family members, particularly my wife, who would tell me about some phone calls as I disdain the use of cellphone. I would be absent minded at the dining table as I would be framing answers to questions sent by an interviewer by post for publication in a monthly. I would not be able to avoid my siesta, the best part of the day throughout my life. On getting up at 4 pm, I would prepare tea and retire into my study, where I would ponder over literary theories and engage myself in postmodern speculations. I would take out some files containing the copies of articles published in my books. These papers I would tear as these would be of no use to anybody after my death. In the evening I would go to the PAU to take part in a book release function. The ride back home on my scooter would be risky, but I would manage to reach home safely. I would glide into the sitting room to pass on the coveted book to my son and daughter-in-law. The grandchildren would be in the periphery. After sunset, I would be back in my study and would be more pensive than nostalgic. Books written by me would present a spectacle much cherished. I would take two-three books and give them a loving touch. The others would protest for neglecting them. I would wonder if my best has been good enough. Reclining on the bed, I would recede into the dream world. — NS Tasneem
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SCD college to have student’s council
Ludhiana, August 26 The council will have 17 members. Around 11 students have been nominated as academic representatives, including Amritpal Kaur , Parveen Kumari, Jaspreet Grewal, Seema Jeth, Harmanpreet Kaur grewal, Rumani, Kamaldeep Kaur, Rahul jain, Shalinder Kumar, Love Kumar, Sukhminder Kaur and Amandeep Singh. Six members have been nominated in the category of extra- curricular activities, which include Gurpreet Singh (NCC), Karan Narula (NCC), Anshika (NCC), Ankush Sharma (youth services), Saurabh Kumar (NSS) and Jasvir Singh (sports) . The whole council will report to Prof PS Sohi, dean, students welfare of the college. While giving the details of the council activities Prof Ashwani Bhalla , media co-ordinator of the college, said functioning of the council would develop leadership and managerial skills among students.
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Assn to organise 4-day exhibition from Oct 1
Ludhiana, August 26 Kirpal Singh Sagar, president of the association, said it would be an international event. It would improve the manufacturing technology. Countries participating in the exhibition would be the USA, Japan, Germany, China and Taiwan, he added. The event will be organised to make the city a hub of machine-tool industry. Kirpal said, “Need of the hour is to wake up and do something to save our planet. We should plant at least five trees a day in order to save the environment.”
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City Concerns
The government has, repeatedly, over the past few years, announced major thermal projects in the state. One thing is certain, if the projects were to be finished within the time limits, we should not expect any respite for at least three to four years. Already a sagging economy, we should realize the fact that a single day’s loss leaves a big impact on, agriculture, industry and majority of other sectors. We cannot even relax at homes and the 8 to 10 hour power cuts during summers make me feel as if we are living in some pre-historic times. I have not heard of any government initiative or proposal for an immediate solution. Public needs to question their representatives. The government, on its part, should reply the public queries through government departments concerned.
Karambir Singh The scheduled and unscheduled power cuts in the city has made the people’s life miserable. The power cut is not a permanent solution for filling the gap of power generation vis-a-vis power demand. The PSEB should take immediate steps to increase the power generation instead of adopting simple and easy method to switch off the supply to enforce major power cuts. If this cuts continue for indefinite period, the day is not far when PSEB shall be known as “Power Shortage Electricity Board.’ SS
Utreja, Renewable energy
Most of the problems, we face are self-created. Be it pollution, encroachments or the Power cuts. We feel proud to be responsible for the developed city but this was unplanned. We, for our monetary gains, made a large number of buildings, malls, shopping complexes, which were not authorised and were regularised, thereafter and construction, owing to political pressure or by bribing the officials. Many of the residential areas have been converted to shopping hubs thereby putting extra pressure on the limited available resources. With regard to the role of the government (irrespective of the party), the government performs as per public requirement. As the majority of the agriculture sector desires free power, the political bosses succumb to the pressure, purely for personal gains. In the cost they have compromised with the interest of the city, state and even our country. The parties are more concerned about the personal gains and are least bothered about the planned development or reforms in the power sector. I think the only way now in order to beat the heat is to be financially sound, or be physically and mentally strong so that we can survive, even if there is no power. Financially sound people will enjoy power on generator. Physically and mentally strong can help us relish the cool breeze under the trees. Rajesh Rai Dhanda Inadequate generation
Electricity is essential for our daily needs at home and at work. It’s a critical infrastructure on which the socio-economic development of the country depends. Power supply is the basic ingredient for a sustained development. Inadequate generation, transmission and distribution as well as inefficient use of electricity have been the main reason behind the substantial peak as well as energy shortages that prevail in India. Further, very high level of technical and commercial losses and lack of commercial approach in the management of utilities has led to unsustainable financial operations. Moreover, cross-subsidies have risen to unsustainable levels. Inadequacies in distribution networks have been one of the major reasons for poor quality of supply. Furthermore, electricity is a commodity that cannot be stored in the grid where demand and supply have to be continuously balanced. The widely distributed and rapidly increasing demand requirements of the country need to be met in an optimum manner. Addition to this, need of the hour and as per the Electricity Act, Central Government shall, from time to time, prepare the National Electricity Policy and Tariff policy, in consultation with the state governments and the authority for the development of the power system based on optimal utilisation of resources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear substances or materials, hydro and renewable sources of energy. Section 3 (3) of the Act enables the Central Government to review or revise the National Electricity Policy from time to time keeping in view the demand and supply of electricity so that the ratio between both can be easily maintained. Bhawna Garg Ban air-conditioners
Solar power can be used to make both electricity and fuels with solar panels. These panels take energy from sunlight and turn it into either electricity or they drive a chemical reaction to make a fuel (hydrogen gas for instance). More energy from the sun hits the earth’s surface in an hour than all energy used by people on the earth in a year! The government subsidizes this but it should further be subsidized so the common person can also avail it. All high amperage equipment like AC should be banned and industries like furnaces using electricity should be banned or centralised, items should be imported, if required. Using the solar power to cook light up and heat our homes By building a dam on a river, and only letting the water pass through a small passage; you can use the force of the moving water to spin a turbine to make electricity, and growing more trees for the coolness of the environment. Giant windmills spin to make electricity from the force of wind moving through the blades of the windmill. In times of global power-crisis and severe environmental-damage, the question is what can we do to help? We can do plenty if we want to. We need to start with consuming less power. Next, we can employ any of the following energy solution to make electricity. Installing a wind turbine can help generate electricity for our homes and farms. Solar power solution, biogas can also be used to produce electricity. Major Kuljit Singh Sidhu Tripping trouble
News televisions blacked out within a month we purchased it from a shop in Sarabha Nagar. The reason was a power tripping which was just among many in a day. My neighbours too have complained about loss of their electrical devises, many a times. As if the power shortage was not enough, we also face regular tripping in our transformers, which the electricity department people tell us was because of overloading. We also read about the fires in the fields with ripened crops during the harvesting season, largely due to trippings in transformers. We don’t even seem to be having any place to complain and there is no signal about updating the entire supply system, at all. Joginder Singh.
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Axing of trees along highway criticised
Doraha, August 26 The so-called “calculated” developmental planning of the government is forcing the commuters and the residents to pay through the nose. “How ironic seems to be the whole idea when on one hand we are leaving no stone unturned to plant as many saplings as possible for a cleaner and greener environment and on the other hand thoughtlessly cutting the trees in large numbers. Do the van mahautsav holds any good in the wake of such circumstances, rued a resident of the area?” “I am astonished as to how in the face of ecological crisis, the government can resort to such harsh measures. During critical times, when even the planting of a single sapling matters, how can such unmindful thing be justified.” questioned another commuter. To top it all such is the sincerity witnessed on the part of the organisers of these van mahautsavs that a gardener selling saplings revealed on the condition of anonymity the hard fact that most of the organisers generally purchase 50 to 100 saplings for the purpose of celebrating the day with full gusto but in reality plant just one or two saplings and that too for the purpose of getting adequate coverage in the media. “The others saplings dry and die unattended”, he added. rued still another commuter. An environmentalist commented, “A minister is especially invited by a department or an educational institute to plant a single sapling in a pit being collectively dug by the organisers in order to spread sapling-plantation awareness among the general public but the sorry state of affairs is revealed from the fact that these saplings are formally planted and left entirely to the mercy of rains thereafter”. “Amendments can, however, be made even now if the government, in the wake of serious environmental depletion, apart from making personal efforts, motivates the landed farmers on either side the National Highway to plant at least a double line of such saplings which on growing up will be beneficial for the commuters who will at least be able to soothen their eyes and seek shelter if need be”, expressed a senior citizen of the area.
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RTI Appellate Authority: Delegation of powers challenged
Ludhiana, August 26 The matter was raised in the RTI Appellate Authority meeting held here today, where Saurabh Gupta, counsel for the Anti-Corruption and Crime Investigation Cell, raised objections and challenged Joint Commissioner Mahinder Pal Gupta’s authority as the first appellate authority. Talking to The Tribune, Saurabh Gupta said: “According to the Section 19 (1) of the RTI Act 2005, the first appellate authority should be senior in rank to the Public Information Officer. However, in the Municipal Corporation PIO and appellate authority share the same rank i.e. of the joint commissioners.” The lawyer added that the laws were being violated blatantly and no one in the civic body was concerned about it. Apart from it, there are other legal pangs to. Describing them, he said, “The Punjab government had issued a circular in civic bodies the municipal commissioner has to be the first appellate authority. But the Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner had delegated his powers to the joint commissioner. Now, if you go through the Municipal Corporation Act, the municipal commissioner can only delegate executive powers. However, the RTI Act deals with quasi-judicial powers which cannot be delegated and this makes it compulsory for Municipal Commissioner GS Ghuman to take hearing of the RTI cases.” The lawyer said functioning of the civic body in the RTI Act shows how informed officers are here and there is an urgent need for the PIOs here to undertake a crash course to get well versed with spirit of the Act. NGO president Rohit Sabharwal said: “Bureaucracy in India has always harassed public and when an instrument like the RTI Act has come to the rescue of people, the former are trying to discourage citizens. Despite written apologies by the municipal officers to the people in front of the Punjab State Information Commission, it seems they are not ready to change.” Similarly, Arun Singla, who had came for his two case hearing said, “If you go through the figures, you would find information commission has numerous cases for the corporation. You can judge well how people are being beleaguered for information by officials in the corporation.”
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Rs 1.61 cr sewage project launched
Amloh, August 26 Municipal Council chief Lal Chand admitted without hesitation that the council had been provided with funds only during the SAD government. Karamchari Dal State chief Karamjit Singh Bhagrana laid stress on Boys’ College demand that Kacha Minor passing through Amloh should be bricked and a bus stand constructed. SAD district chief Jagdeep Singh Cheema praised the government for trying to uplift the weaker section of the society. BJP district chief Lal Chand Jindal blamed the Congress government for the poor power supply. Former Municipal Council chief Tejwant Singh said the sewage system project was launched in 1997 and the work started but the Congress government failed to release funds for it. SGPC member Ravinder Singh Khalsa, SAD city chief Darshan Singh Cheema, municipal councillor Jatinder Singh also spoke on the occasion. SDM Poonamdeep Kaur, Zila Parishad chairperson Rajinder Kaur Salana, block samiti chairperson Parminder Kaur, market committee vice-chairman Hardial Singh Naraingarh, councillors, panches and sarpanches were also present on the occasion.
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Poor thrashed
Jagraon, August 26 The trio has been accused of beating Hakam Singh and his blind father Laxman Singh of the same village over some petty issue. Addressing to a huge gathering, Avtar Singh
Rasulpur, general secretary of the association, said the police was ignoring the complaints lodged by those who were beaten up.
Gurmeet Singh, president, Rehri Majdoor Union, Jagraon and Sukhdev Singh
Manuke, district president, rural labour union, criticised the police officials for the police for inaction.
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Makkar re-elected
Ludhiana, Aug 26
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Video DJing to rock parties
Ludhiana, August 26 City's famous DJ Bhanu has come up with these novel ideas and hopes that it will soon catch the fancy of the city's happening crowd. With digital Djing, music lovers will get a vast choice of music, which will keep the dance floor on fire all night. Besides, there will be a big screen disco where music videos supporting the track will be featured. "With this both dancers and non-dancers will be entertained. One can now dance the whole night, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the show," quips DJ Bhanu. The concept is the first of its kind in Punjab. Hyderabad and Indore boast of video DJing while now Ludhiana will also become the next rap city. "Video DJing will add an extra 25 per cent into the cost. Number of Plasma TVs will be set up according to the venue. This concept will prove to be a hit in private and indoor parties. Ludhiana crowd is classy and modish and the concept will soon be a trend in the city," said Bhanu.
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Rising Prices
Ludhiana, August 26 Besides railway employees, members of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab Nirman Mazdoor Union and Dehati Mazdoor Sabha participated in the rally. Later, the protesters took the procession to the railway station, Clock Tower and Jagraon Bridge where slogan-shouting workers squatted and blocked traffic. The blockade was lifted on the intervention of police and senior trade union leaders. Trade union leaders, including Mohinder Singh Seelon Kalan, Daljit Singh, Inderjit Singh, Paramjit Singh and Hari Singh Sahni criticised government for not checking the prices. They said the hoarders and profiteers were holding the entire country to ransom while the government was watching the situation mutely. Mohinder said it was ironical that on one hand, the farmers producing food grain and pulses were denied remunerative prices for their produce while on the other, the traders were having a free run, selling the same commodities at exorbitant prices. "The government ought to start a crack down against hoarding and profiteering, strengthen the public distribution system and initiate state trading of essential items in order to curb exploitation of the masses." Vegetables go beyond reach Ludhiana, August 26 The price of sugar has reached to an all time high at Rs 35 kg while lemon is available at Rs 100 kg. It is difficult for common man to run home in limited salaries and a market survey revealed that the prices of basic commodities were not going to come down in near future due to less production in the country. Pawan Kumar, general secretary of the Sugar Association of Ludhiana, said sugar was coming to wholesale and retail dealers from all the sugar mills of Punjab. The sugar in mandi was available for Rs 3,125 per q, while in market it was being sold for Rs 3,175 per q. "The rates of sugar have increased, as there is more demand but less supply due to low production of the crop. The prices will not come down, rather it will increase if the supply is hit,” said Pawan. Pritpal Singh, general secretary of the dal-dealer association said since many pulses were coming from other states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the state had to pay heavy taxes. "We had a meeting with the Excise and Taxation Commissioner in Chandigarh recently and we hope to get tax relief from September onwards. If the tax comes down, the prices will come down, providing relief to the common man,” he added. Sheila Devi, a domestic helper, said earlier dal and rice used to be the cheapest meals. "I manage to earn Rs 2,000 a month and take care of my family alone. We can’t afford to cook dal and even vegetables are also not affordable these days, so we fill our stomachs with pickle and rice,” she said. Ekta Choudhry, a homemaker, said she loved to take lemon water but lemon is now available for Rs 100 kg. "Though I belong to middle class family, lemons are out of our reach now,” she rued.
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In-laws booked for homicide
Jagraon, August 26 He said he had got his daughter married to Gurmit Singh, a resident of Haibowal Kalan. From first day itself her in-laws started torturing her. A son was also born from the wedlock. Her in-laws turned her out of the house but kept her 18 months son in their custody. On her daughter’s request Jagtar Singh had gone to Gurmit’s house to bring her son but they refused to hand over the child. On hearing the news Jasvir Kaur got upset and consumed Celphos tablet out of depression and died on Monday. On Jagtar Singh’s statement the Dehlon police has booked Gurmit Singh, his mother Karmo and his father Balbir Singh.
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Inter-School Cricket Meet
Ludhiana, August 26 Government High School defeated Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School, Sherpur, by 64 runs while Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School beat Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, by six wickets. In the first match of the day, Government High School was all out for 147 runs in 29.3 overs. The main contributors were Love Dewedi (47), Parveen (20), Ajay (8) and Kuldeep (5). For Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School, Archit took three wickets for 17 runs while Gursewak and Raman captured two wickets each for 13 and 16 runs, respectively. In reply, Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School was bundled out for 83 runs in 23.2 overs. Vijay made 15 runs while Abhijit scored 13. Gurinder Singh contributed 12 runs and Rohan scored 11. For Government High School, Gagan scalped four wickets for 22 runs and Love Dewedi captured three wickets for 18 runs. Vishwanath took two wickets for 11 runs. In the second match, batting first, Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, was out for 89 runs in the allotted 30 overs. Bhupinder scored 21 runs while Sahil contributed 17 runs. Manoj and Abhishek Bagga made 15 runs each. For Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School, Ajay and Sandeep took three wickets each for 14 and 16 runs, respectively while Deepak claimed two wickets for eight runs. Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School achieved the target (90 for four) in 17.3 overs with main contributions coming through Gurpreet Singh (25), Sandeep (23) and Amit (12).
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Office-bearers of volleyball federation
Ludhiana, August 26 He was nominated for the post during the annual general meeting of the federation held in Chennai on August 23. Office-bearers of the VFI for a term of four years were elected during the meeting and K Murugan from Tamil Nadu and Kuldip Magotra from Jammu and Kashmir were nominated as secretary general and treasurer, respectively.
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Saraswati students shine in zonal contest
Doraha, August 26 The under-17 boys’ kho-kho team and under-14 girls’ kho-kho team have secured the first position, respectively, while the third position was grabbed by the under-14 boys’ kho-kho team. Director of the school, along with the principal, congratulated winners, parents and members of the staff. They appreciated students for putting in efforts and achieving success.
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8 teams for cricket tourney
Ludhiana, August 26 The tournament will be held here on Punjab Agricultural University campus from August 28 to 30. According to Inderpal Singh, chief secretary of the circle, matches on the league-cum-knock out basis will be played in the three-day tournament.
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Block Level Games
Amloh, August 26 Results: Cricket under-16 (boys): Young Farmers Public School, Bhadson, 1 and Government Secondary School Bhadson 2; under-14: SS Kaura High School, Bhadson, 1 and Young Farmers Public School, Bhadson, 2; under-17: Young Farmers Public School, Bhadson, 1 and Government High School, Ajounda, 2.
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