AMRITSAR
Implementation of NPA sought: The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association on Monday condemned the dilly-dallying and delaying tactics of the state government regarding the notification of the non-practising allowance (NPA). Dr Karamjit Singh, general secretary of the association, in a statement demanded the immediate implementation of the NPA in the raised pay scales with effect from January 1, 2006.

Bathinda
TB awareness camp held: Supported by civil surgeon Dr Neelam Bajaj and the Red Cross Society, the Dost Welfare Society organised a TB awareness-cum-medical check-up camp in a school at Beant Nagar here on Sunday. Dr Rakesh Gupta examined about 305 persons and suspected five of them of carrying the disease. They were referred to TB Hospital for further check-up. President of the society Mandeep Jindal said the society had already held about 10 such camps and would hold more such camps, particularly in slum area, in future also. On the occasion, Sonu Goel from the Health Department sensitised the participants to the disease.

‘Need to spread awareness against tobacco’: Meeting of a committee formed for implementing the Anti-Tobacco Act was held here on Monday. ADC Upjeet Singh Brar, who presided over the meeting, said there was a need to spread awareness on tobacco’s affects. Civil surgeon Neelam Bajaj and SP (D) Ajay Maluja also spoke.

Jalandhar
Pay scale protest: The members of the Private Colleges Non-Teaching Employees Union have decided to intensify their agitation against the state government for not issuing the notification regarding the UGC pay scales. Union President Madan Lal Khullar said the employees should be given increased interim relief and medical allowance applicable from November 1, 2006. “The pension gratuity should also be implemented,” he added.

Malerkotla
Woman commits suicide: Bushra Parveen (24), daughter of Noor Mohammad of Bhumsi mohalla here allegedly committed suicide with her eight- month-old son Arman by consuming celphos tablets on Monday. The police has registered a case under Section 304-B, IPC, against her husband Mohammad Rafiq and her stepson Mohd Salim (13). Bushra Parveen and her husband quarrelled and after the quarrel Bushra reached Malerkotla to her in-laws’ house in Sehzadpura mohalla Bhumsi and consumed celphos tablets.

SANGRUR
Lawyers against drinking by minors: The District Young Lawyers Taxation Bar Association on Saturday joined the Stop Underage Drinking campaign by the People for Transparency. Posters on hazards of drinking were distributed to educate people about drinking by minors. President of the association Narinder Singla said the association would support the campaign to spread the message so that youngsters could be prevented from drinking. Vice-president of the association Manmanohar Gupta urged the government to curb the increasing tendency of drinking among minors. Sale of alcohol is prohibited to persons below 25 years under Section 29, Punjab Excise Act, 1914. The association appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to direct all liquor shops, hotels and restaurants (selling alcohol) to publicise the Act which prohibits the sale of alcohol to persons below 25 years.

10 teachers honoured: The local Osho Youth Club organised an Adhyapak Sanman Samaroh at Aggarwal Bhawan here on Monday. On the occasion, 10 teachers were honoured by Punjab PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa by presenting them a shawl and a memento each. The teachers who were honoured included Surinder Kaur Dhaliwal (Malerkotla), Santosh Sharma (Sangrur), Manpreet Kaur (Mastuana), Balwinder Kaur (Sangrur), Sher Singh (Badrukhan) Sita Garg and Lal Singh.

Tarn Taran
Girl abducted, 3 booked: The Patti police has registered a case under sections 363, 366 of the IPC against three persons, including a married couple, for abducting a teenaged girl of Jaura village, 18 km from here. S.S. Brar said the accused have been identified as Angrej Singh of Manochahal Kalan village and Ranjit Singh and his wife Kulbir kaur of Jaura village. The mother of the abducted girl in her complaint to the police alleged that Angrej Singh abducted the girl on the pretext of marriage with the help of the couple.