Ludhiana, September 6
Liquor prices have been raised after pooling of the same by the liquor barons of the city. This has happened allegedly in connivance of the State Excise and Taxation Department. The prices of almost all IMFL brands and the country-made liquors have been increased by Rs 30 per bottle.

In the wholesale market Rs 1,000 has raised the prices of the IMFL per 12 bottles. The city consumes the highest quota of liquor- both IMFL and country made liquor-in the state and the annual revenue from the sale is worth Rs 400 crore.

During the past five years liquor cartel led by Ponty Chadha was having the monopoly over the sale of liquors. But this year, a few new groups entered the trade and Ponty Chadha has reduced his business in this town.

The new groups, which have entered the city are: Gaurav and Deep Malhotra group, Jai Bhagwan Group, BD Mittal Group, Singal Brothers (all three from Haryana) and Darshan Kaler group from Chandigarh. Another person who entered the trade is Bhagwan Singh Bhaoo, who is close to the Chief Minister. Deep Gaurav Malhotra group already has monopoly in Faridkot and Bathinda districts. This group has close connections with the ruling party.

Enquiries made by The Tribune have revealed that there was no pool in the prices of liquor from April to August and the liquor vends were selling liquor at the minimum retail price (MRP) as fixed by the state government. 

The pool in prices could not be arrived at early because of the Lok Sabha elections and the politicians were busy in the campaign. The liquor contractors have strong political connections and they have pressed upon the political bosses to bring about pool in the prices of liquor. 

The liquor barons have been supplying liquor to various parties during the Lok Sabha elections as their ‘contribution’ to the election campaign.

After the pool, the new rates of liquor are as under - Royal Challenge - Rs 370 per bottle against Rs 340; Royal Stag Rs 270 against Rs 240 per bottle; Bagpiper range - Rs 220 against Rs 185 per bottle. Beer is now sold for Rs 65 per bottle against the MRP of Rs 45.

Similarly rates of Scotch whisky have witnessed a rise of Rs 1,000 per 12 bottles; Teachers Scotch Rs 9,500 against Rs 8,500 per box; 100 pipers Rs 8,500 against Rs 7,500 per box. The IMFL rates are - Blenders Pride Rs 4,000 against Rs 3,400 per box, Royal Stag - Rs 2,800 against Rs 2,200 per box and McDowell - Rs 200 against Rs 1,400 per box. Black Dog has been increased by Rs 2,000 per box (15500 against Rs. 13500).

The pool of prices for the time being is only within the municipal limits of the town and there is no pool of prices in the neighbouring towns and villages where liquor is available at cheap rates.

The liquor barons have now formed their organisation known as the Wholesale Ludhiana Liquor Wends Association. This association has opened nearly 12 shops in different parts of the town to sell liquor against the permits issued by the Excise Department for marriages. Earlier, the permit holder could buy liquor from any vend. The profit earned by these shops will be divided among the vend owners.

The liquor contractors and the state excise officials admit there is large-scale smuggling of liquor from Chandigarh to Punjab towns. Besides, Chandigarh liquor is smuggled to Haryana and Rajasthan states as well. This is happening because there is no fixed quota of liquor for Chandigarh and the sale of liquor in Chandigarh is much more than its population.

A Venu Prasad, Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Punjab, told The Tribune today that steps were being taken to check smuggling from Chandigarh. The liquor barons have also asked the government to allow them to have ‘nakas’ at the entry points of the district of Ludhiana to check smuggling from Chandigarh.

But so far the government has not agreed. Such nakas were put up during the SAD - BJP government in 1997 - 2002 which brought lot of resentment among the people particularly women who were allegedly humiliated during the checking by the men of the ‘Liquor Thekedar’ as they were made to come out of the vehicles.

The state government earns Rs 1,700 crore from the excise duty per annum and cannot afford make liquor barons angry.

Ludhiana, September 6
With the MC reins finally coming in hands of an IAS officer after more than a year, there would be various challenges before new Municipal Commissioner AK Sinha who would be taking up the “ailing” reins tomorrow.

With the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation witnessing one of its worst tenure during the last year, Sinha would have a long list of acid tests to undergo as the civic amenities in the city have gone from bad to awful.

At the time when funds are a big issue for the civic body as the development works need to be initiated in almost every part of the city, the biggest question would be how the officer manages to get money. Besides, saving public funds from the unholy official-contractor nexus too would be a tough job for the officer as tender-tampering and adulteration has been witnessed several times and has been reported by the media.

Saving losses to ex-chequer too would be a cause of concern for the IAS-officer, as transparency in the MC working has never come up in all these years, despite every Municipal Commissioner claiming it.

With a battalion of politicians, including one MP, five MLAs and 75 councillors, lining up to get their works done often, one of the biggest challenge before the officer would be how well he manages political pressure to deliver all-round development. 

The illegal construction in the city coming at the behest of politicians for which the Punjab and Haryana High Court has been rapping up the MC would be also would be an acid-test before the officer.

With shortage of funds, corrupt staff and political pressure welcoming the IAS officer, fingers are being kept crossed on how well the new Municipal Commissioner AK Sinha performs.

Ludhiana, September 6
A year after local colonisers had laid a stretch of road alongside the Sidhwan canal after spending Rs 1 crore to help the residents reach colonies developed by them, the Public Works Department (PWD) has dismantled a portion of it for laying it afresh as a part of a road strengthening project funded by the government.

While the daily commuters say there was no need to dig a kilometer stretch as it was in good shape, the PWD is laying the entire 10-km road from the Ayali Bridge to Changna Bridge.

The colonisers had laid the two-laned 1-km stretch from Ayali to Jhammat bridge as it was single laned and in bad shape. They had strengthened the bank of the canal by filling earth. A good road was laid with I-cats on its sides. For this they had even sought the permission from the PWD, irrigation and the forest departments.

But after the state government sanctioned the project this part of the road was dug completely. Now a fresh layer is being laid on it.

The road, however, is a long-pending demand of commuters from Mullanpur Dakha and other areas to reach Humbran. It is supposed to be shortest route. Earlier, it was a kuccha road that was unmotorable during rains and at nights. Several accidents had taken place on this part of the road.

The residents feel that the PWD should have retained this stretch and started carpeting the rest 9 km part. This would have saved a lot of public money.

Superintending Engineer, PWD (B&R), TS Chahal said the road laid by the colonisers had started caving in so they had to lay it afresh. He said the builders did not have pressed the earth hard. So it was caving in a several places.

Chahal further said they were making a very good quality metaled road. They were leaving special drains under the top layer of road so the water overflowing into canals could be drained.

Ludhiana, September 6
The municipal corporation’s garbage dump situated adjacent to Division No.8 police station, forced the cops to vacate the premises and move to the old Sadar police station building constructed during the British Raj in 1934.

The old Division No. 8 police station was located on the backyard of Kailash Cinema, was considered the worst police station in the city due to the garbage dump situated close to the building.

The cops were suffering from respiratory problems due to the foul smell emitting from the garbage dump.

A cop alleged that an old premise was heaven of all kinds of mosquitoes and flies. The cops used to consider it a punishment posting and preferred to work in some other police station rather then serving in dingy Division No. 8 police station.

The resident of Udham Singh Nagar and Guru Nanak Pura have rechristened Division No. 8 police as ‘Kurey Wala Thana’.

The authorities had on numerous occasions written to the municipal authorities for shifting the garbage dump to a new place, but the corporation paid no heed to their repeated requests.

Finding no way out, the police started locating premises in the proximity, but no one offered them land for police station.

Finally, the police opted to shift in the old building of the Sadar police station’s Dr SS Gill showed special interest in the project and after some repair and white wash they managed to restore the crumbling structure.

The SSP also inaugurate a special fitness centre in the police station.

Maninder Bedi said: “This police station is equipped with ultra modern facilities and has better location also as compared to the old one.”

“Finally we got rid of that garbage dump. Otherwise we would have definitely fallen ill,” said a cop with a grin on his face.

Jagraon, September 6
A divorcee has accused an Army jawan, who is also her cousin, of raping her for about a week. The girl (21), who belongs to a nearby Dholan village, got married about two years ago in Ludhiana but the marriage didn’t last long as the boy was accused of being impotent. She got divorce from him and used to live in her parent’s house at Dholan village.

For the past several months she developed intimacy with her cousin, Rupinder Singh (son of father’s sister) of Sarabha village near Raikot. Rupinder had got married just 10 months ago. He is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir and had come on 20 days leave at his home at Sarabha village.

The girl has accused Rupinder Singh of taking her to his friend’s house at Fatehpur village near Samana with a promise of court marriage.

There, she alleged, Rupinder Singh repeatedly raped her (with consent) and on Friday told her that they would have to return as his parents were ill. He took her along and dropped her at a bus stop near Sarabha village with a promise to return. Instead he reached home and narrated the entire incident to his parents.

His parents claim that they picked up the girl and thrashed her. Later on, they took her to her to Dholan village and handed over the girl to her parents in a critical condition.

The girl’s parents got her admitted to the Jagraon civil hospital and informed the Sadar police as they had lodged a missing report. SHO said the matter was being probed. The girl’s statement would be recorded and she medically examined. 

Amloh, September 6
How saviors can play with the lives of innocent patients is evident from a complaint lodged by Mewa Singh, a resident of Bhagwan Pura village, with the civil surgeon, Fatehgarh Sahib, on September 5, copies of which have been forwarded to Health and Family Welfare Minister, SC Commission member Dalip Singh Pandhi, MLA Sadhu Singh Dhramsot and local media.

The complainant alleged that his sister-in-law Nisha was admitted to a rural community health centre on Friday at about 2 pm. A gynecologist of the hospital told her to get an ultra sound done from Dr Kaushal at Khanna. When she produced the report the doctor allegedly told her that birth of the child was gone to be complicated affair as the child was without the skull. 

He even warned that either child or mother or even both might die at the operation table. Mewa Singh’s brother Sewa Ram, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste family, was totally confused. Still, he took the patient to the civil hospital at Mandi Gobindgarh at night on doctor’s advice.

Mandi Gobindgarh civil hospital doctors, too, did not attend to the patient. They adopted a threatening posture towards tha patient and asked them to take her to the PGI, Chandigarh. The family, by now, had exhausted all its funds on hiring a taxi from Amloh to Khanna and back, then from Amloh to Mandi Gobindgarh besides huge expenses incurred on ultra sound and medicines from chemist shops.

Finding no alternative, they returned home and called a midwife from the village. The woman (patient) gave birth to a baby girl. The mother and child are in good health. This has exposed the state of affair at the government hospitals.

Two gynecologists are posted in these hospitals for handling delivery cases. Both doctors are now shifting their responsibility on some other doctor. SMO Jagdish Kaur admitted that these two doctors were on round-the-clock duty yesterday. She promised to take action against the doctors responsible for the dereliction of duty. 

Ludhiana, September 6
Finally there is a hope to get respite from the stray dog menace with the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) taking cognizance of the matter.

Following a complaint by former municipal councillor Pran Nath Bhatia, the PSHRC has directed the municipal commissioner and the deputy commissioner to submit a report on this issue by September 17. Besides, the duo has also been asked to strictly comply with the orders.

The complainant has alleged that in the city stray dogs have made people’s life miserable. Dogs chase schoolchildren and vehicle drivers. He said the municipal corporation had turned deaf ears to this grave problem though the issue has been discussed at its meetings from time to time.

Talking to The Tribune, Bhatia said: “While I was an elected representative from 1991 to 2002, I had picked up the issue on numerous occasions in the municipal corporation house. When I brought the matter to the notice of the commission they took a strict note of it and asked deputy commissioner Vikas Garg and the municipal commissioner to be present on hearing on September 17.” He added that he was hopeful the things would certainly change.

Notably, media has been highlighting the issue since long, but neither the administration nor the municipal corporation had ever tried to find a solution despite the fact that 334 cases of dog bites were reported in 2006 and 469 in 2007.

City-based activist Arvind Sharma said: “There are more than 20,000 stray dogs in the city and the municipal corporation’s silence over the issue is the only reason for it. In fact, recently BJP leader Somnath Katyal became a victim of it and died after he met with an accident after six to seven dogs started chasing his bike near CMC hospital.” He added that no survey had ever been conducted by the civic body to know the exact number of canine population.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 6
As devotees, including women and children, continue to pour in at Chhappar Mela even after formal conclusion of the event, the Ludhiana (rural) police remains on toes checking incidents of eve teasing, violence and alleged exploitation of devotees by the cops deputed from other districts.

A section of ‘irresponsible’ PAP cops posted at certain nakas compounded problems for the district police, officials of which had to shuttle between ends of the mela site to control unsavoury situations created by cops.

Accusing these cops of demanding ‘fee’ for protecting their life and property, some vendors alleged that groups of miscreants were creating nuisance allegedly on behest of lower rank officials from paramilitary forces.

Officials posted at the police control room denying allegation claimed no untoward incident was reported till evening.

Organisers of fun rides, ‘Maut Ka Kuan’, magic shows and mini circuses did brisk business today. Vendors and owners of various stalls, who had accused the police officials of forcing them to take away their stalls, were happy today after being allowed to continue their business. However, they alleged that they had to bribe some PAP cops to for the purpose.

Om Parkash of Kurali town alleged that three cops led by Virsa Singh had got his fixtures broken by their goons when he refused to arrange contraceptives for them last night.

Vijay Thapar, president of the Malwa Sewa Society, alleged that the authorities had failed to stop lower rank cops from harassing visitors coming to the mela during the past days.

Accusing cops of supporting antisocial elements in running illicit trades, including prostitution, Thapar alleged that cops deployed at western end of the venue were seen allowing couples in their tents by charging ‘rent’ on hourly basis.

Forcing owners of stalls to allow free services to their relatives, selling liquor and allowing passage of vehicles by taking money were other allegations which the cops faced. 

Sahnewal, September 6
A tilting power transformer on the Sahnewal-Dehlon road has been posing threat to the life and property of nearby shopkeepers and residents as they apprehend its may fall any time.

To make the matters worse, the shopkeepers allege, the transformer, installed in a densely populated area of Sahnewal, has no switch to turn the power off in case of exigency.

The transformer has tilted to one side as one of the poles supporting it has weakened and may give way any time.

“In the past one year, the transformer has fallen at least five times, including twice in the past one week. In the absence of any other alternative, the shopkeepers have temporarily supported the transformer with logs,” says Hardip Singh, the owner of Grewal Glass House on Dehlon road.

“The Punjab State Electricity Board authorities have been informed several times about the danger being posed by the transformer but to no avail. Their callousness can result in a mishap and residence will have to suffer for no fault of theirs,” allege shopkeepers.

The transformer is located opposite the cinema hall on the Dehlon road.

“Once a wire of the transformer snapped and in absence of switch on the transformer the power supply had to be suspended from the main grid to initiate repair work,” rued an area resident.

“The transformer has been temporarily fixed with no bolts to hold it in place. Also, the board employees haven’t done anything to take necessary precautionary measures,” said another shopkeeper.

The shopkeepers say the board employees have now erected a pillar where the transformer will finally be placed but shopkeepers whose shops are located nearby resent the erection of pillar near their shops as it will not only pose a risk to their lives but also affect their business.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 6
But for the alertness of residents of Dhulkot village and timely help by the police, a family of seven could have been wiped out after it allegedly consumed drugged food last night.

Though relatives of the victims have denied anyone’s involvement in the incident, the police has initiated a probe to rule out foul play.

The victims — Kirpal Singh, his wife Charanjit Kaur, daughter Bhupinder Kaur, son-in-law Sucha Singh of Haibowal, and sons Yadwinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh — fell unconscious after consuming allegedly drugged food last night.

Two of them regained consciousness in the morning, while others were shifted to a local private hospital here in an unconscious state. They were severely vomiting when rescued.

The incident could have gone unnoticed had the neighbours of the family not taken notice of inactivity in their house in the morning.

After entering the house, they found the family members in an unconscious state and shifted them to Hind Hospital here for treatment.

While the condition of two was serious, others were stated to be out of danger.

The victims had allegedly consumed some poisonous substance during 
the night.

According to Hardeep Singh, a social worker, the victims had slept around 11 pm but failed to get up even after 9 am. Severe vomiting had worsened their condition.

“We called a medical practitioner who advised us to shift them to a hospital,” said Hardeep.

SHO (city) Harinder Singh said he had informed the Dehlon police about the incident.

Sources in the police said Dehlon SHO Gurmit Singh had been directed to probe the sequence of events leading to the incident.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had eaten “kadoo” and “moong” dal in dinner.

They were all fine before going to bed. It was suspected that the vegetable was drugged either by chance or deliberately by somebody.

As some members of the family had visited Chhappar Mela earlier in the day, it was initially suspected that they might have consumed some drugged substance there.

This hypothesis was dropped as victims included those who had stayed at home.

The police is trying to establish the role of a guest who might have added some poisonous substance to one of the items served in the dinner.

Relatives of the victims were tightlipped about the incident and prevented photographers from take pictures of the victims under treatment.

Ludhiana, September 6
The Ludhiana Architects Association (LAA) held its annual general body meeting here yesterday. Architects from various other cities like Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala had come to attend the meeting.

Ravinder Khosla, member of the association, welcomed organisers of the meeting Mannan Bansal, Shakul Sharma and Mukesh Bhardwaj. While promoting their products, the organisers had displayed various presentations.

Executive members of the association, including Vinay Jain, Rajan Sareen, Sanjay Goel, Jaideep Arora and Vikas Sharma were present during the meeting. A ghazal programme was organised for members and other guests.

Ludhiana, September 6
A week-long “National Nutrition Week” observed by Community Food and Nutrition Unit under the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, concluded with a rally at Kaddon village near Doraha today.

The rally, which was attended by more than 250 women and children, focused on the significance of nutritional diet. Participants were shown a video film on the subject. Recipes were given to women on nutritional food items.

Sharanbir Kaur, child development and project officer, said a state-level workshop on nutrition in the city marked the commencement of the nutrition week. More than 50 CDPOs and supervisors from various parts of the state participated in the event. Several experts explained the importance of the nutritional diet for women and children with specific focus on deficiency diseases, including anaemia.

Other events organised during the week comprised an exhibition on nutritional food in Sudhar village, health awareness and body mass index tests for schoolchildren at Brahmrishi Bawra Senior Secondary School, Haibowal, a quiz contest for women and children on nutrition in Rampur village and a variety show on “nutrition for healthy living” in Buani village.

Ludhiana, September 6
More than 600 patients afflicted with paediatric, orthopaedic, gynaecological and cardiac diseases were examined by a team of specialist doctors in a free medical camp, organised at Karma Hospital in Indira Colony at the Chandigarh Road here today.

Basic diagnostic tests for asthma, diabetes and obesity with latest techniques were performed free of cost at the camp and free medicines were also distributed to the patients.

In the wake of outbreak of water-borne disease in several city localities in the recent past, water purification tablets were also distributed among those present at the camp. People were advised to consume safe drinking water to keep diseases at bay.

Chief organiser of the camp, Bhagwan Singh, extended a warm welcome to several dignitaries present at this occasion, which included Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura, DIG (Ludhiana Range) SS Chauhan, SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill, Chief Administrator, GLADA, AK Sinha and Additional Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Singh.

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Sewa Society also held a free medical check-up camp today at Skyway School in Lakshmi Nagar at Haobowal Kalan in which 540 patients were examined for eyes, dental, cardiac, surgical and other diseases by a panel of doctors.

Diagnostic tests like ECG and blood sugar level were conducted free of cost and free medicines were also distributed among the patients.

Ludhiana, September 6
Ludhiana is a house to many religions and every festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zest. Onam, the great festival of Kerala, was today celebrated by all Keralites living in the city. Ona Sadya, with a wide range of deliciously prepared cuisines, was a main attraction of the festivities.

Various cultural programmes, including traditional dances like Thiruvathir, Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam were presented by the women wing of the Keral Kalavedi.

Kerala Kalavedi is an organisation formed in 1981 for the welfare of the Keralites residing in Ludhiana with the main objectives of providing relief to the needy ones affected by illness, natural calamity and also promote sports, games and art activities amongst the Keralites and to celebrate two great events like Onam and Christmas every year.

Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura was also present on the occasion. He extended his appreciation to the respective conveners of various sports and games conducted by the organisation. He expressed hope that in the coming years also Onam, which has traditional and mythological importance, will be celebrated with fervour and spirit.

Ludhiana, September 6
The online migrant verification programme by the police has started showing results hardly two months after its launch.

The service providers have zeroed in 40 persons having criminal background out of 12,476 persons verified so far.

Out of 40 persons, a majority of them are facing charges of assault, besides persons wanted by their respective state police for murder and abduction cases have raised concern.

Sandeep Mittal, MD of Plateau Technologies, said the migrants who hid their residential details and did not disclose anything about their antecedent could have a criminal background.

The employer should verify the details of the workers through the police, as in the majority of the cases it has been seen that the servant give false details and often have a criminal past.

Quoting a recent incident, Sandeep said when one such worker had approached them for verification, the migrant fled from the premises. Later, it was found that the servant was wanted in a criminal case.

Sandeep said, “Residents, who are having small children, should take due care before employing a servant. As in a few cases we have found the servants facing abduction charges were employed in the house of people who are having small children. They are ready to risk the life of their loved ones, but are reluctant to spend Rs 80 on verification of their domestic help or employees.”

He further added that as the city constituted a major chunk of veteran couples living alone, the presence of servants having criminal record could be dangerous.

Recently, a member of Plateau Technologies, under the first phase of the programme, pasted 5,000 stickers on the vehicles to generate awareness among the residents about the verification of their servants.

SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill said information regarding the verification of the migrants was earlier available only through phone. With the introduction of the online verification website, the facility was now accessible through the Internet 
as well.

He said the entire procedure of the verification could be completed at home, as one could register the details of their employees/ tenants/ servants and even upload their photographs while sitting at home.

Gill added that the website, www.ismic.org, had a search feature that helped the residents to know the exact address of the migrant labourers.

The residents could call 9876-622797 and a representative of the police would visit the caller’s address to verify the servant or employee’s antecedents, he added.

Ludhiana, September 6
“The dilly-dally attitude of the Punjab government in implementing the sixth pay commission recommendations for its employees is the outcome of its anti-labour policies and vote bank politics,” alleged Ramlubhaya Bawa during a convention of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Municipal Safai Mazdoor Union and the Municipal Workers’ Union here today.

The spokesperson said: “The state government had been giving free power to farmers and waiving off house, water and sewer tax just to ensure that its vote bank did not get disturbed.”

He added that the step was taken despite the fact that it caused around 70 per cent loss to the municipal corporation exchequer.

He urged the government to revive toll tax as it was a major source of revenue for the civic bodies and would facilitate the implementation of the sixth pay commission recommendations in municipal corporation of the state. Besides, it would also ease the problem of paucity of funds. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 6
Main steel producers have increased the price of hot rolled coil by a hefty Rs 1,800 per ton. The burden of central excise and other taxes was extra.

This is one of the highest increases when the industry has been facing global recession and also when the cost of input to manufacture steel has come down substantially.

Iron ore had come down from $ 140 to $ 60 and coal prices had dropped from $ 400 to $ 130 per ton.

Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry president PD Sharma said India was capable of producing cheapest steel in the world and Tata steel had proved this fact.

Iron ore, coal and other factors of production were cheapest in India. The only thing that had made Indian steel costliest in the world was the formation of 
cartel by steel producers, apparently abetted by the government.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram had clearly said in Parliament that steel producers were fixing prices that were benefiting a few. Thereafter, the competition panel, too, had stated that steel producers were working as a cartel.

Steel producers had been trying hard to have safeguard duty of 20 per cent on steel levied. They did not succeed as the facts were not justifying this demand.

The steel coming from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was cheap and steel producers wanted to discourage that import of steel.

Import of steel increased marginally by 6 per cent due to various handicaps, including non-tariff measures.

Sharma added that with this hefty rise in steel prices, Punjab’s industry in particular would be under great pressure as there was deep economic slump.

Ludhiana, September 6
While the young generation is moving away from the traditional art and music, there still are people who are mesmerised by the world of ghazals. “Ishq Nahin Aasaan” will prove to be an addition in the collection of those who love ghazals. Eight romantic ghazals sung by Jaswinder Singh was released in the city here today.

Jaswinder has picked the ghazals of noted poets like Bekhud, Momin, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Jigar Muradabai and Mirza Ghalib, all set to tune by Kuldip Singh.

The highlight of the album is “Hum Ishq key maaron ka itna hi fasaana hai”, which also has a beautifully shot video. Adding more charm to the album is “Rotiyan”, a meaningful nazam by Naseer Akbarabadi on hunger and the struggle for survival.

Jaswinder has been following his father Kuldip Singh’s footsteps and has been receiving training under him since childhood. “As the name suggests itself, the theme of the album is immense love, romance and hardships faced in its journey,” he said.

Choosing his favourites he said Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Ghalib are the poets he would love to voice again and again. “It is great to work with my father who is in the industry from the past so many years and has ample of experience.

He is very well aware of my strengths and shortcomings. Before this, we have also worked together in two of my albums namely ‘Your’s truly’ and ‘Dilkash’,” he said.

Sharing his ghazal, which is always in demand by the audience, he said, “Sakt raahon mein bhi safar asaan lagta hain, yeh to meri ma ki duan ka asae lagta hai”, is an all-time favourite of his fans.

Adding he said, “Hariharan and Pankaj Udhas always encourage new talent. Both of them inspired me a lot. Pankaj Udhas organises Khazana Festival every year, which acts as a platform for future bunch of talent.”

Ludhiana, September 6
A new wheat variety, PBW 590, developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, for cultivation under late-sown irrigation conditions, has been approved for general cultivation in Punjab.

In addition, two PAU varieties- one of barley PL-807 and another of lentil LL931- have also been approved by the State.

Variety Approval Committee that met in Chandigarh on Thursday under the chairmanship of Balwinder Singh Sidhu, Director Agriculture, Punjab.

According to Dr Mukhtar Singh Gill, director, extension education, PAU, PBW-590 has shown superiority over the earlier varieties- PBW-373 and PBW-509.

The new variety matures in 128 days and yields 16.4 quintal/acre. It possesses high degree of resistance to yellow and brown rusts as compared to the existing varieties. Grains of PBW-590 have better appearance and higher protein content than PBW-373.

New PL-807 variety of barley is resistant to yellow rust, brown rust, leaf blight and stripe diseases.

Dr SS Gosal, additional director of research, PAU, said the new variety could yield 43 quintal of grains.

The new lentil variety, LL-931, has been recommended for cultivation under timely sown conditions. It matures in 146 days and has bold and attractive seeds with higher protein content.

Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, additional director, communication, PAU, said, “The varieties have gone through stringent tests and research trials for a number of years. These have also been tested by farmers in fields before being presented before the approval committee.” 

Ludhiana, September 6
The alleged apathetic attitude of the state bureaucracy has invited criticism, as the outstanding teachers in Punjab, who were to be honoured on the Teacher’s Day yesterday, have been denied the national recognition.

Reportedly Punjab has lost nine national awards for the outstanding teachers, who have the annual entitlement.

The state has the share of four secondary and four elementary teachers national awards and one special award. The awards are given by the President every year. But this year, Vice- President Hamid Ansari gave away the awards.

Inquiries revealed that the Punjab government had failed to submit the list of nine prospective teachers for the national awards on time despite repeated reminders from the HRD Ministry.

It is further learnt that the name of a science teacher of Government Model Senior Secondary School Kusum Lata was sent at the last minute. The HRD Ministry did not qualify her name, as the nomination was received too late.

Even as Kusum Lata's case was sent, another name of a lady teacher was brought in, due to which delay was caused.

When Upinderjit Kaur, Education Minister, Punjab, who presided over the Teacher's Day function in Ludhiana yesterday, was asked about the loss of national awards, she replied, “I have no idea about it. Maybe the HRD Ministry had already finalised the list.”

The negligence has left Kusum Lata disappointed.

She has been adjudged the best teacher in the North India Teaching Competition and has already been awarded the state award.

Ludhiana, September 6
Upinderjit Kaur, Education Minister, Punjab, who was here at a state-level Teacher’s Day function to honour about 15 state awardees, said the state government had been contemplating to set up a regulatory authority to check on the fee structure and other activities in private schools.

Upinderjit said the process in this regard had already been started.

Regarding the new education policy purposed by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Upinderjit said there should be a consensus on the same at the national and regional levels. She added that the state government would continue with the present system of examination in the state.

There had been no shortage of text books in schools and propaganda in this regard had been misleading, Upinderjit added.

She further claimed that the mid-day meal in schools had been provided and there had been no complaints about the same. About 60 per cent of the requirement of the mid-day meal in schools had been met by the Centre and 40 per cent by the state government. The rates had been fixed by the Government of India.

Doraha, September 6
MBA students of Doraha Institute of Management and Technology, Doraha, paid a visit to Budhewal Co-op. Sugar Mills Ltd under the guidance of VJ Rai and Amanpreet Singh recently.

Dr RK Lekhi, director of the DIMT, said it was the session’s first industrial visit.

AP Gupta, general manager of the mill, spoke on the significance of the industrial sector in India.

Students visited the cane procurement department, engineering department, manufacturing department and accounts department in the sugar mill.

“In the mill there are more than 500 workers, including regular, and temporary ones. It generates its own electricity,” said AP Gupta, general manager of the mill.

The interactive session was attended by accounts officials Kulwant Singh Mann and IPS Bhatia. The officials said it was the only sugar mill in Punjab showing a profit of Rs 2.42 crores annually. 

Doraha, September 6
A condolence meeting to mourn the death of Kirpal Singh Hans, a close associate of Subhas Chandra Bose and a noted freedom fighter, was organised by the Khanna and Payal unit of the MCPI (U) at KK Kaushal Memorial Bhawan here today.

Hans died at his native village Hans Kalan recently. He was 87.

State committee member Pawan Kumar Kaushal said Hans had remained captain of the INA and was imprisoned several times for his anti-government and pro-people ideology.

“Even after Independence, he was put behind bars many a time for his communist views. He played a key role in the formation of the Communist Party of India (United) and had remained a member of the central control commission and central control committee of the party,” he added.

“He dedicated his life to the cause of the poor. The poor and the peasantry always remained close to him and he fought to provide equal opportunities to them,” said Lakhwinder Singh Buani, district general secretary. A ceremony will be organised at Hans Kalan on September 12 to pay tributes to the freedom fighter.

Ludhiana, September 6
At least 290 persons were examined at a free diabetes detection camp organised by the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) at Gupta Clinic in Shivpuri locality here today.

Out of them, 137 were found with high blood sugar level and in need of medical assistance and management.

The suspected diabetics were further tested for hypertension and other complications like neuropathy and obesity. Free medicines were given to those who needed drug therapy, while others were advised diet and lifestyle modifications.

A team of NIMA doctors comprising Dr Surendra Gupta, Dr Rajesh Thapar, Dr Inder Sharma, Dr KK Kharbanda, Dr Ramnish Kumar, Dr Deepika Bansal, Dr Ish Sharma, Dr Satnam Singh, Dr Rahul Jain and Dr KK Babuta examined patients and rendered follow-up advice.

Interacting with patients at the camp, Dr Rajesh Thapar, district president of NIMA, said people could lead a healthy life by adopting traditional lifestyle and good eating habits.

“Further, integrated approach in medical care has raised the longevity of life in India. Integrated doctors are duly educated in modern as well as ayurvedic system of medicine. So timely consultation with an integrated doctor can assure fast relief to the patient.”

NIMA secretary Dr Surendra Gupta observed that diabetes was a major cause of incidence and progression of neuropathy.

The condition caused damage at the level of micro-vascular or minute blood vessels of the body and lesser blood profusion further led to tissue damage while neuro-transmission also slowed down.

The simple test was tickling of the foot soles. In some people, there was suboptimal reaction and reflexes to tickling.

The failure to feel tickling on foot soles was an early symptom of neuropathy. It could be corrected by addition of Vitamin B12 rich diet or tablets.

“Neuropathy leads to feeling of burning sensation, pain, and later on numbness. Numbness in feet or toe is a major cause of foot injury and development of diabetic foot, a condition sometimes needing amputation of toes or the whole foot,” he stated.

At the camp, diabetes patients were advised to have regular walk of minimum 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week, along with high-fiber, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet, perform yoga, “pranayaam” and meditation to keep blood glucose levels within normal range.

Ludhiana, September 6
After causing discomfort to residents in public parks and restaurants, couples have taken to dating in car, which has become a source of nuisance for residents these days.

Residents of posh localities have been grappling with the relatively new trend these days.

Such vehicles can easily be spotted in deserted streets near colleges and busy marketplaces during evening hours.

Normally, such vehicles have tinted glasses and draw immediate attention of passersby or residents due to their unscheduled parking.

With a sizeable number of people supporting moral policing, there have been instances where such couples have been taken to task by colony residents.

In some cases, residents have nabbed couples and informed their parents.

Ramesh Kumar, a Model Town resident, said whenever they tried to nab a couple they managed to flee.

“Many a time, we have informed the police but they grease the palm of the police and get away,” said Ramesh.

According to the police, this trend is picking up in the city and causing inconvenience to those living in the area.

Cracking a whip on such activity is the only option left to deter these youth from indulging in the practice, it adds.

Cases have also come to light wherein girls, who were caught in a car with a male, have been blackmailed.

“Where shall we go and spend time alone, as there is always a fear of someone seeing us. In such circumstances, it is best to stay in a car and spend time together,” said Tarun Thapar, a college student.

On the other hand, Poonam, a homemaker, says it gets embarrassing for them when they spot a couple sitting in a car in front of their house.

“If they have feelings for one another, they may well express these to their parents and meet openly instead of indulging in such activities.”

The car rally was started in 1999 in Delhi and had since spread its wings to cities like Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Kolkata. — TNS

Khamano, September 6
A woman was killed in a road accident on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road near Sanghol. According to information, a couple was going to Kalewal from Sanghol on motorcycle last evening.

A Tata 207 coming from Morinda side collided head on with their motorcycle resulting injuries to both of them.

A police patrol van took them to the Civil Hospital, Khamano, where doctors administered first aid and referred them to the PGI where the woman died late at night. Her husband was, however, fighting for life and death.

The victims were identified as Jagdev Singh and his wife Malkeet Kaur (45) of nearby Kalewal village. The police has registered a case against the absconding driver of Tata 207 Om Parkash, a resident of Muktapur (Ambala), under Sections 427, 337 and 304-A of the IPC.