Ludhiana, September 10
Supporters of the president of the SAD (Panch Pradhani), Daljit Singh Bittu, and several panthic organisations today blocked traffic and staged a dharna on the Ferozepur road outside the mini secretariat against the extension of police remand to Bittu.

The agitators sat on the road and started reciting religious hymns for the fast release of Bittu, who, they said, was being targeted by political outfits.

Traffic was hit, leading to serpentine queues of vehicles waiting to pass through the area. The police remained on its toes to control any untoward incident arising out of the situation. Water cannons were called in but were not used as the protesters did not disturb peace.

The SDM-West, Prem Chand, reached the spot and pacified the agitators. They submitted a memorandum to him, asking for the immediate release of Bittu.

Harpal Singh, a leader, alleged that the publications that were not in line with the SAD ideology were being targeted.

He also said political vendetta should not be allowed to go to such lengths.

Other members of the SAD-Panch Pradhani were also being implicated in various cases across the state. “We would not allow this to happen,” he said, adding that they would intensify their protest.

“We want to tell the world that we are peace loving organisations. We are being connected with violent incidents to create a public opinion against us. The Akalis are using the police and the administration to settle scores with us,” the protesters alleged.

Ludhiana, September 10
Inspectors of the food and supplies department held a protest here today in support of their demands. They also said the state government was making them a “scapegoat” on several issues.

Manish Kumar, vice-president of the food and supplies inspectors’ union, said they were forced to protest due to the dilly-dallying attitude of the government in implementing their demands. He said the Multani Committee had given its recommendation on stock articles, but the government was not doing anything about it.

Also, during the wheat stock year (2008-09), plastic bags were used which were not durable. Though the government had assured early lifting of bags, but till August 31, 2008, these were kept in godowns. “Why should we be held responsible for any damage to the wheat bags? Despite requests, the government paid no attention to the issue,” he claimed.

The general secretary of the union, Manjit Singh, said a delegation of inspectors had submitted a memorandum to the district food and supplies controller. He said paddy was being stored under the supervision of inspectors and sheller owners. “We do not want joint custody. Rice sheller owners should be held responsible for the damage/losses,” he said.

“Employees have retired, but posts are not being filled. There are 1,200 posts of inspector, but the entire work is being managed by only 450-500 inspectors,” Manish Kumar added.

Ludhiana, September 10
The auction of a cycle stand and parking lot at New Sabzi Mandi in Salem Tabri failed to take place this morning due to unconfirmed reports of shifting of the sabzi mandi to a new location later this year. The reserve price of the cycle stand and parking lot for a year had been fixed at Rs 1.10 crore.

Even though the bidders turned up at the venue and senior officials, including the Joint Commissioner and Law Officer, were present, the bidders wanted a written commitment from the civic body that the bid amount for the remaining period would be refunded to them if the sabzi mandi was relocated.

However, the MC officials expressed their inability to make any such commitment, saying that such powers vested with the finance and contracts committee.

Following prolonged discussions between the bidders and the MC officials, the auction was put off and the contract of the existing parking contractor was extended for another month on a pro rata basis.

According to the MC officials, a fresh date for the auction would be announced after taking up the issue with the F&CC as well as the Punjab Mandi Board.

The auction of the cycle stand and the parking has been deferred for the second time. A couple of months ago, the auction failed to materialise after the reserve price of the parking site was raised from Rs 1.10 crore to Rs 1.24 crore by the civic body. 

Ludhiana, September 10
Punjab Agricultural University Teachers' Association (PAUTA) continued its protest by staging dharna in front of the Thapar Hall of the university. The association has demanded an early implementation of the UGC scales.

PAUTA vice-president Dr Harmit Singh Kingra said a delegation comprising Dr Bhupinder Singh, Dr TS Riar and Gurbhajan Singh Gill met Minister for Agriculture, Punjab, Sucha Singh Langah during PAU Kisan Mela at Gurdaspur today and apprised him of the teacher's demands.

The minister has assured PAUTA members that he would discuss the matter with the secretary and get the notification released at the earliest. 

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 10
Patiala Chamber of Industries general secretary Dinesh Gupta during a press conference after a meeting of industrialists here today said hike in tariff announced by Panjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), along with recoverable enhanced tariff of past six month, had no parallel in history. It was a pity that 40 per cent power goes to farmers, poor and electricity employees and 20 per cent losses were caused due to leakage, the burden of 60 per cent power cost has been put on the shoulders of industry and consumers.

The industry in the state was already hit by the recession and was fighting for its survival.

The meeting of industrialists of Patiala, Nabha, Samana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Sangrur, Sirhind, Rajpura and Fatehgarh Sahib which was presided by the chamber chief Sham Lal Singla.

Gupta attributed the prevailing conditions to mismanagement, inefficiency, vote-bank politics and corruption for the condition of the board.

“The industry in the state cannot compete with other states as it is not a state’s monopoly and we have to compete in the open national market. This steep hike of almost 17.5 per cent will make the state's SME more uncompetitive,” said Gupta.

The chamber leaders alleged that the PSEB was only accepting the parts of regulatory body recommendations, which passed on the financial burden to the consumers, but failed to take steps on the recommendations regarding review of increased pay and allowances, decreasing its per employee cost and downsising its workforce. The chamber leaders of several districts urged the government to review the hike. Among others treasurer Rajiv Singla, RB Singla, Amarjit Singh Bhadson, Gopal Bindra Sirhind, Subhash Gupta, Parveen Singla, Sukhbir Singh Samana, Anil Aggarwal, Varinder Gupta Nabha and Madan Lal Singla spoke at the meeting.

Ludhiana, September 10
The work on motorable railway overbridge (ROB) in place of the dismantled overbridge (Lakkar Pul) will start by December and both the northern Railway and the executing agency of the project — State Public Works Department (PWD) - will resume the work, which is expected to complete in 18 months, this was stated by divisional railway manager (DRM) Satish Chandra while talking to mediapersons here last evening.

The DRM was in the city after attending a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal in Chandigarh. The meeting focussed on coordination between the state government and northern Railway for speedy execution of ROBs or under passes on level crossings at different places in Punjab.

The northern Railway general manager Vivek Sahay, along with several other senior officials, attended the meeting. The DRM said it was decided at the meeting that the state government or any other agency of the state entrusted with the construction of railway projects and the northern Railway would work in unison and would also ensure that the work was assigned to a single agency.

Focusing on ongoing railway projects in Ferozepur division, Satish Chandra informed that 34 ROBs were under construction at different places in Punjab, out of which, those being constructed at Jagraon, Jalandhar and Bathinda would be operational by the end of this year. Seven others were near completion while another 14 would take more time.

The railway authorities had given approval to nine more ROBs and underbridges in Ferozepur division, he added. The DRM later inspected the work being undertaken at platform no. 1 and said the work was expected to be finished by September 14 when the platform would be opened to rail traffic, which was suspended about a fortnight ago.

Doraha, September 10
The Youth Club (girls) and NSS (girls) unit of Guru Nanak National College in collaboration with the Youth Forum Doraha organised an inter-school declamation contest at the seminar hall of the college today.

Around 13 schools form Doraha and Sahnewal participated in the contest. Participants expressed their views on “Lets Create a Clean and Green Environment”.

Chief guest Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, principal of the college, exhorted students to understand their constructive role in rebuilding an impurity-free land.

He said, “The educated lot can spread awareness about the harmful affects of pollution among the people.”

Prof Balwant Singh Pangali, secretary, college management committee, appreciated the college authorities for organising the contest for school students. Such contests would provide them with adequate exposure, he added.

Deliberating upon the topic he said, “Making environment pollution free is the responsibility of the whole nation. It’s time to stand together in order to eradicate the problem. We are digging our own graves by cutting trees imprudently. Our coming generations will always hold us in the dock for offering them an environment that is not fit for survival.

As the oxygen content is decreasing and the intake of polluted unhygienic and unsafe air, water and eatables has become a routine affair, the day is not far when we shall ultimately reach a point of 
no return.”

Director Jaswant Singh Gill and Adarsh Pal Bector, treasurer, college managing committee, were among those who shared their views on the topic. Satinder Jawanda, president, Women Cell, Human Rights Commission, Punjab, Jagdev Singh Grewal, former officiating principal of the college, Prof Harwinder Kaur, head of the postgraduate department of Punjabi were the judges.

Students of Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School won the team trophy, while Hardik Kaushal of Doraha Public School was declared first in the declamation contest. Rajni Paul of Mehta Gurukul Public Senior Secondary School and Kirti Kaushal of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sahnewal, secured the second and third positions, respectively.

Abhishek Thakur of Sachdeva Public School, Sahnewal, and Inderpreet Kaur of Doraha Public School won the consolation prizes.

Ludhiana, September10
Ratna Sagar Publications organised an ELT workshop for english teachers of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir at BVM Udham Singh Nagar, Ludhiana. Illa Viz, an author and orator, was the resource person. She enlightened teachers about modern ways of teaching English in today's challenging and demanding scenario.

She threw light on various strategies to be followed in improving expression of students. Principal of the school Sunil Arora purposed the vote of thanks. Evening French Classes started

BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana, has recently started evening French classes with the purpose to teach basic communication skills in French.

This is open for all residents of the city.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 10
Tree plantation drives during the observance of Van Maha Utsavs seem to have been just a mere lip service, as most of the parts of the area still bear a deserted look.

If media reports and records about appropriation of funds during the Van Maha Utsavs in the past are to be believed, lakhs of saplings planted by various government and non government agencies should have covered all vacant spaces with thick forest cover.

But actual picture is entirely different wherein long stretches of inundated land and sides of highways and link roads give an impression of a desert.

The trend, besides disrupting ecological niche of animals and birds has affected passersby adversely, who fail to find a shady tree for shelter in the area.

Investigations revealed that the observance of Van Maha Utsavs during the past decades had apparently failed to produce desired results. While reports sent by office-bearers of various units of government agencies, educational institutes and NGOs to their seniors suggest that they had planted hundreds of saplings on their respective premises and common lands. But verifications revealed that a majority of trees in the area were axed.

Even as the zila parishad under the chairmanship of Manpreet Singh Ayali had announced to plant at least one lakh saplings along the 250 km stretch of roads falling under Ludhiana district, no saplings were seen growing along the Ludhiana- Pohir road from where hundreds of trees had been axed during the past years. The authorities have failed to replant saplings at places where trees were removed either deliberately or naturally. Tarsem Garg, secretary of local unit of eco club, has urged the authorities to probe the matter with the help of the government agencies. 

Ludhiana, September 10
Councillor Poonam Ratra of Ward No 37 performed the earth cutting ceremony yesterday at Telian Wali Street to mark the commencement of the project for pavement of streets and carpeting of major roads in the area.

She said after the pavement of four streets at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh, the work for laying of premix carpet on two main roads at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh would be taken in hand.

The roads to be relaid under this project include Khud Mohalla Chowk to Hira Halwai Chowk through Parlad Singh Chadha Road and Rehamatullah Road, Khud Mohalla Chowk to Sanglan Wala Shivala Chowk through Iqbal Ganj Chowk.

Prominent among others present at the function were Om Parkash Ratra, Suresh Singla, Amar Chand Jain, Anil Jain, Harish Kumar, Jugal Kishore, Anil Sachdeva, Pramod Chand, Darshan Lal, Kailash Chand, Mangat Rai, Ajit Kumar, Om Parkash and Balwinder Kumar Singal.

Ludhiana, September 10
The ANMs working as multipurpose health workers (female) at Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Community Health Centres (CHC) in Ludhiana and Moga districts, who were relieved from their duties on August 31, seem to be in no mood to call off their protest, which has entered the 10th day.

The ANMs had staged a dharna outside the office of Ludhiana civil surgeon Dr Maninderjit Singh office today.

While speaking on the behalf of principal secretary health Punjab Satish Chandra said the health workers would be reinstated on jobs against the vacant posts by September 30.

Coordination Committee Paramedical and Health Employees and Health Employees Forum have sent a memorandum to the director health services demanding timely payment of the salaries to workers. The union leaders have also demanded that the salaries of the contractual workers should be given without any cuts. 

Ludhiana, September 10
The prolonged hot and dry wave seems to have subsided with spells of rain over the past fortnight, resulting in a considerable dip in the day and night temperatures.

Power situation has also improved with fewer cuts being imposed. However, weather experts at Punjab Agricultural University said the change in temperatures was only temporary.

Dr KK Gill, assistant agrometeorologist, said the showers were part of monsoon and would continue till mid-September. “This sudden change in weather is normal during monsoon. The showers have brought down the temperatures only temporarily,” she said, adding that the temperatures were below normal for this time of the year and were expected to normalise within the next two days.

Ludhiana, September 10
A newly married woman allegedly committed suicide under mysterious circumstances by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at Behla village last night. The victim has been identified as Gagandeep Kaur (20), who was married to Lakhwinder Singh, a resident of Behla, 10 months ago.

The incident took place last night when Gagandeep was alone at home.

Lakhwinder said he had gone to the market to buy some grocery items. When returned home, he found the door bolted from inside and after receiving no response, he broke open the door and saw the body of his wife hanging, he added.

He immediately informed the police and the victim’s parents about the incident. The girl's family alleged that Gagandeep had committed suicide, as her husband was demanding dowry.

SHO Mandeep Singh said they had conducted the autopsy after receiving a statement from both the families. Meanwhile, the police have started the investigation under Section 174 of the IPC.

Ludhiana, September 10
The reigning champions, Ludhiana Basketball Academy began the campaign with a facile win in the 60th Junior Punjab State Basketball Championship (U-19), which started at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the inaugural match of the championship, Ludhiana Basketball Academy lads trounced Hoshiarpur by 55-18. The encounter turned out to be a mismatch, as the academy players proved too good for their opponents.

For the winners, Jimmy Joy netted 16 points, followed by Jaskaran Singh, who chipped in with 10 baskets, while Amanjot Singh contributed eight points. Jeetinder Singh (7) fought well for the losers.

In the afternoon, Ludhiana Basketball Academy outnumbered Ferozepur by 65-32 to record their second win.

Rajan Sharma, Amanjot Singh and Jimmy Joy played the pivot role in LBA's victory. Rajan accounted for 19 points, while Amanjot and Jimmy scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, to help their side to romp home victors.

The notable contributor for Ferozepur was Sunil Bajaj, who netted 15 baskets to reduce the victory margin.

In another match in the boys section, Bathinda scored a facile victory over Fatehgarh Sahib. Bathinda lads won with ease (43-6).

For Bathinda, Vikramjit Singh top scored with 18 points and Rajinder contributed six points, while Varinder of Fatehgarh Sahib chipped in with four points.

In the girls section, last year’s losing finalists, Ludhiana, along with Muktsar, recorded victories.

Ludhiana girls defeated Sangrur by 39-17 with main contributions coming through Sandhya (15), Gurpreet Kaur (12) and Gagan (4). For Sangrur, Harpreet Kaur scored eight points.

In the second match, Muktsar outclassed Patiala by 33-14. Jaspal and Shallu of Muktsar gave good account of themselves, scoring 15 and 6 points, respectively, while Rajnish Kaur and Amandeep Kaur contributed 4 points each for the losers.

Ludhiana, September 10
PAU Zone quelled a strong challenge from Ludhiana II Zone before emerging champions in the Inter Zone Football Tournament (girls u-14) organised by the district education department at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar, here today.

In the final, PAU Zone managed to squeeze past by a solitary goal. The important goal was scored by Diljot Kaur in the 15th minute of the first session. The Khanna Zone secured third position.

Santosh Mehra, principal of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar, distributed prizes. Baljeet Gill, director (sports), BVM, along with faculty members and students was also present.