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Rural Job Scheme
Funds diverted for another pond
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Maangat (Ludhiana), September 12
Digging of a piece of panchayat land for a village pond, instead of desilting the original pond, by using funds under the National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS) has created a controversy at Maangat village.

Villagers say while the scheme is aimed at providing employment to rural youths, the panchayat used JCB machines to dig the earth.

Moreover, the new pond is a bone of contention as the original pond, for which the grant was received, has been left untouched. Instead, panchayat land recorded as “baithak mavashiyan” in revenue records was dug for the purpose.

The villagers claim that once filled with water, the pond would make the road difficult to approach as it was on its bank.

It may cave in, they feared. Also, crop in the fields nearby would be damaged due to waterlogging.

They say the pond was dug more than 15-ft deep against norms as a pond should not be more than 7-ft deep to prevent accidents. As many as 1,000 trailers of dug earth were ferried to various places. Every trailer, says Dr JS Gill, a heart specialist and native of the village, cost Rs 1,000.

“One can imagine how much money has been made by the panchayat. Even though a panchayat member, Kulwant Singh, protested against the project, the panchayat still went ahead with it,” he claims, adding that he had complained to the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Mahinder Singh Grewal, who had directed the panchayat not to do this. But it did not listen to any one.

Surjeet Kaur, a resident of the village, says that her crops were damaged after the water from the pond flooded her fields.

The DDPO said he would look into the matter. He would seek a report tomorrow and find out why the original pond was not desilted, he said.

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Parents of challenged children meet
Busy leaders, babus fail to make it
Anshu Seth
Tribune News Service

A child lights a ceremonial lamp at the parents’ meet in Ludhiana on Saturday.
A child lights a ceremonial lamp at the parents’ meet in Ludhiana on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana, September 12
Parents of challenged children took turns to light a ceremonial lamp on the inaugural ceremony of a regional parents’ meet here today. Hurt at the “insensitivity” of politicians and bureaucrats who refused to attend the function on the pretext of busy schedules, children born with autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities were made the guests of honour.

The speeches delivered by half a dozen children were met with loud applauses.

Representatives of Parivaar, the National Federation of Parents for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Ashirwad, North India Cerebral Palsy Association, National Institute for Mentally Handicapped and the National Trust emphasised on the “social acceptance, inclusive education, promotion of self advocacy among persons with disorders and dedication of the respective families toward the disabled”.

JP Gadkari, president of Parivar, referring to the word “viklang” used in government institutions while assessing applications against 3 per cent reservation for the handicapped, said it was time for the governments to recognise the achievements of these children/people with special needs.

“In order to inculcate self advocacy among these individuals, we have formed the Self Advocate Society of India and every state would have a separate chapter,” he said.

Dr Neelam Sodhi, director of Ashirwad, introduced Gagandeep (16), Jaspreet (22), Jaswinder Singh Sodhi (17), Manpreet (16) and Tushar (12) who through their determination and painstaking efforts managed to come into mainstream scholastic courses.

Jaswinder Singh was another fine example of extraordinary intelligence who, with the support of his doctor parents, managed to overcome his disorders and pursued studies in mainstream schools. “I scored 82 per cent in mathematics in Class X and am pursuing non-medical now, which has been possible with the support of my parents,” he said.

Not deterred by her wheelchair, Jaspreet, a second-year college student, recited a poem, “Ladli hoti hein betiyan, ma-baap ki pyari hoti hein betiyan”.

Amid moments of pride, RN Sehgal (Tushar’s grandfather) accepted the honour conferred on his grandson, saying “I accept this award on Tushar’s behalf who was admitted to Jesus Sacred Heart Convent following a recitation during the CBSE principals’ meet two years ago.”

Scepticism on the part of principals to absorb children with disabilities to maintain good results is a “retardation” for the ongoing movement in favour of acceptance of such persons in the mainstream social system, the speakers observed.

The meet will conclude tomorrow.

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3G mobile service comes to city
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
The much-awaited 3G services of the BSNL has finally come to the city. The main advantage of 3G services would be to those customers who required very high speed data transfer through mobile phones. Video calls and video conferencing has become a reality through mobile phones and television on mobiles would also be of high quality.

The general manager, Telecom, Chander Shekhar Bhanot, said 3G service user set could always be connected and online even when on the move and could download at much higher speed. In comparison to 2G, the 3G download was 20 times faster, he said.

A BSNL franchise owner, Manav Maini, said the BSNL was offering services in both prepaid and post-paid segments. The tariff plan in the prepaid segment was available with an activation voucher of Rs 120 and Rs 59 initial cost of SIM and postpaid plan with Rs 225. The call rates were economical as compared to the present mobile call rates. “There are special schemes for customers to get further concessional rates for local, STD and data call through the 3G network,” he said.

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Bhootna wanted to kill senior cop
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Terrorist Balbir Singh, alias Bhootna, who was nabbed by the police at the railway station along with his wife on August 25, wanted to commit suicide after killing a senior police officer when he was trapped under the train compartment.

He told a senior PPS officer that he was thinking of ending his life and was looking for an opportunity to kill an officer.

In a surprising disclosure to the police, Bhootna said: “I was luring the cops to send some senior police officer so I could shoot him. I knew I would be killed, but I would have become famous if I had killed an officer.”

He told the cops that a DSP came in front of him, but he could not position himself to kill him. “I asked him to get down and made an excuse that I could not listen to what he was saying. I was thinking if he bent down I would shoot the officer,” he said.

But this did not happen. This infuriated Bhootna and he trained his pistol at him, but could not aim as the DSP was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Bhootna said sedatives had also started working on him and he could not aim well. He had been given a sedative-laced tea and cold drink by the police.

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Former PAU employee run over by SUV
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
A retired employee of the PAU, who was serving in a gurdwara, was run over by a speeding vehicle while crossing a road here today.

The deceased has been identified as Tara Singh (70), a resident of Ayali village. The incident took place this afternoon, when a speeding SUV lost control and hit Tara Singh who was carrying langar for animals undergoing treatment at the PAU veterinary hospital.

He was tossed into the air and hit a divider. He died on the spot. The SUV driver managed to flee from the spot. The police has started the investigation.

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COMMUNITY

Industry being burdened with tariff hike: Chamber
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
The supply and cost of power in Punjab is disturbing, but even more unsettling is the fact that there is no hope of improvement in the near future. The falling revenue and increasing expenses with massive subsidies has resulted in a massive increase in the debt of the state. The outstanding debt which was Rs 48,344 crore in 2006-07 will mount to Rs 63,217 crore by the end of this financial year.

Not only this, the amount of loan on the board increased from Rs 10,588 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 19,532 crore in 2009-10. The interest component increased from Rs 972 crore to Rs 1,566 crore during the same period.

The president of the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PD Sharma, said at a press conference here today that the state government was hitting the industry hard. He said the board and the government were responsible for the miserable state of power in Punjab, and the losses were being "made up" by putting extra burden on the industry in the form of tariff hike.

Sharma said the role of the regulatory commission was never up to the mark as it never exerted pressure on the board to improve performance or increase the generation capacity. Rather, the PSEB has been violating the directions of the commission in various ways.

“The industry in the city transits its business on current rates of purchase and sale. If the industry is asked to pay retrospectively for the hiked rates of power, it will be doomed,” he said, adding that industry and domestic consumers were also made to bear the invisible tariff of agricultural consumers as they still paid Rs 2.8 per unit and the state government also paid subsidy on the amount.

Electricity duty and octroi burden should be taken off from industrial consumers, he stressed.

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Punjab can produce  5 lakh mt biogenic silica
Charu Chhibber
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Punjab has the potential to be the real Silicon Valley of India. Based on the rice production figures of Punjab, it is estimated that 5,00,000 metric tonnes of biogenic silica is available annually as raw material from rice husk for semiconductor and other industries.

The rice husk is a good raw material for harnessing energy and biogenic silica. It has the potential to satisfy the hunger of the semiconductor and several other industries for raw materials.

A Punjab Agricultural University scientist, Dr VR Parshad, who is a director, electron microscopy and nanoscience laboratory, has studied the potential of rice husk and found it to be a good source of silicon.

Silicon is used for manufacturing silicon chips by multi-billion dollar computer industry, cell phones and other semiconductor industries and for producing silicon films and crystals for use in photovoltaic cells for harnessing solar energy.

Punjab produces 14.5 million metric tonnes (MT) of paddy annually, milling of which generates 11-12 million MT of rice and about 2.3 million MT of rice husk annually. From this large amount of rice husk, 0.5 million tonnes (5 lakh tonne) silica can be extracted.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Prashad said, “Milling of one tonne of paddy generates about 650-700 kg of white rice and about 220 kg of rice husk, from which 150 kWh of electricity can be produced leaving 40 kg of rice husk ash, which contains 80-90 per cent biogenic silica.”

In its present form, rice husk ash or silica can be used in steel industry as tundish powder because of its excellent insulating properties and as filler material in rubber, cement, paper, pulp, pesticide, detergent, soap, glass and ceramic industries.

Silica and its composites with other inorganic elements and organic molecules have tremendous multi-purpose industrial, agricultural and medical applications.

Aerogel, produced using nanosilica, is the lightest solid material with super insulation quality and high compressible strength. It has applications in aerospace, refrigeration and automobile industries.

The silica can also help in improving the productivity of rice and other crops, thus it has applications in agriculture itself which is its important source.

Medical applications of nanosilica are of great interest particularly in developing medical devices, tissue engineering and cancer cure, Dr Prashad added.

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Orientation Function
Freshers highlight climate change
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
College of Basic Sciences and Humanities of Punjab Agricultural University organised an orientation-cum-welcome function today to greet the fresh students in the college. The Society for Advancement of Academic, Sports and Cultural Activities (SAASCA) organised the function.

Newly admitted students in various programmes of the college introduced themselves to the staff and their seniors in a unique way. They made cultural presentations highlighting environment-based themes on biodiversity, pollution and climate change.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang, who was the chief guest, appreciated the students for their good performances. Dr Kang expressed his happiness that the young students were well aware of the social and environmental problems of today.

“You are the leaders of tomorrow and the nation has great expectations from you,” he said. He advised them to work hard and study with dedication during their stay in the university.

Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Dr VR Prashad formally welcomed the freshers and apprised them of the various facilities available to students in the college/ university.

Earlier, Dr BS Sohal, professor of biochemistry and secretary of the SAASCA, spoke on the aims and objectives of the society. He said the society aims to bring excellence in academics, student-teacher relationship, sports and cultural activities through motivation and encouragement in the form of various awards.

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Stalling of road project
Cong councillor alleges vindictiveness
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Residents of ward No. 57 are paying the price for sending a Congress representative to the municipal corporation house, as a road project started in their area before elections has come to a screeching halt.

Newly-elected Congress councillor HS Brar has sparked a controversy by alleging vindictiveness at the hands of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance behind the stalling of the project in BRS Nagar.

He alleged that the recarpeting of the road near CFC School had been deliberately stalled by those in power.

While one layer of the road had been laid by the road contractors in hast, the other part was yet to be recarpeted, he alleged.

Consequently, area residents have been bearing the burnt of the lax attitude of the municipal corporation, as the incomplete road project is jeopardising the lives of hundreds of commuters travelling especially at night.

Sources in the MC alleged that the road project was stalled following the defeat of the SAD councillor.

Brar alleged that he had requested the MC authorities to complete the road project many a time, but they were not paying heed to the requests.

“I am concerned about the safety of the residents and children who take this road every day. It is a bumpy ride for commuters as it is full of potholes,” said Brar.

Atul Sharma, an area resident, said it was not easy to ride a two-wheeler on the road as there was always the risk of hitting a pothole and meeting with an accident.

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Over 2,000 patients examined
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Lions Club, Ludhiana, in association with the Punjab Eye Bank Society organised National Eye Donation Day here recently. Dr Manmohan Kaushal, district Governor 321-F, presided over the function. Six schoolteachers were honoured on the occasion.

AK Dutta, secretary, Ludhiana Skipper, highlighted the quarterly achievements of the club saying that a refrigerator was presented to the Mother Teresa Home. About 300 saplings were also planted by the club at Government High School, Humbran road, Ludhiana.

Subhash Malik, secretary, Punarjot Eye Bank Society, praised the club members for promoting eye donation.

The eye bank had organised national eye donation fortnight, wherein, nine free eye-check up and eye donation awareness camps at different places in Ludhiana district were held. At least 2,000 patients were given medicines. Dr Ramesh delivered a talk on eye donation at Akashbani, Jalandhar, civil hospital, Mohali, and the Central Bank of India, Ludhiana.

Ramandeep Singh Grewal (Arjuna Awardee), deputy director, sports, at PAU, along with other dignitaries, visited the eye bank.

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‘Women can help usher in agri-revolution’
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Addressing a gathering of girl students at Baba Aaya Singh Riarki College, Tughalwala, Punjab Agricultural University, additional director communication Jagtar Singh Dhiman said women should show interest in farming as this could give agriculture an impetus.

“They can keep themselves abreast with the latest developments and farm technologies by reading farm literature brought out by the PAU,” he said.

Dr Dhiman said the PAU regional station as well as the Institute of Agriculture at Gurdaspur were helping disseminate farm knowledge and technologies for the benefit of farmers and farm women.

He described the college as a unique institute engaged in women empowerment with knowledge through dedication, discipline and devotion and called it a “Shantiniketan of Punjab”. Women could educate a family, he said.

Speaking about the significance of farm literature in making agriculture profitable and scientific, Prof Gurbhajan Gill, editor of “Changi Kheti”, farm magazine of the PAU, said words had the potential to kindle new thoughts in any sphere of life.

“Through literature, farmers can plan sowing, harvesting, marketing, etc. with precision and a scientific outlook,” he observed.

He exhorted students to build village-level libraries of scientific literature. He paid tributes to the founder of the college, Chanan Singh Tughalwal, who, he said, was a visionary, patriot and philanthropist and concerned with the promotion of education among women.

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Weight Dept
Shopkeepers allege overcharging by officials
Manav Ghuman
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
While the Punjab Weight and Measures department claim to facilitate the shopkeepers by holding camps for getting the weights and weighing scales checked and renewing their licenses, the shopkeepers accuse the department of overcharging on the pretext of checking its accuracy.

The department yesterday held a camp at Hargobind Nagar. At least 120 shopkeepers attended the camp for getting their weights and weighing scales checked. Shopkeepers allege that while the fees for checking the accuracy of their weights and equipment are nominal, they were being overcharged for the same.

They alleged they were made to pay huge amount to a departmental team yesterday. When they raised their voice they were even threatened.

Shopkeepers told the Tribune that this practice was continuing for quite some time. They had raised voice also but to no avail.

An official from the department added that every year, the shopkeepers have to get their weights and scales checked and get their license renewed and for this they are supposed to pay a nominal amount. He added the shopkeepers rue the payment, as they don’t want to get their measures and scales checked. A few of them had deliberately tampered with their instruments.

“It is only for the convenience of the shopkeepers that we hold camps. We only charge the fee for testing the equipments while the amendments are done free of cost,” he added. ‘‘Still if they have problems, we will stop holding camps for them.’’

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Bank to hike agri quota
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 12
Claiming that majority of the branches of the Bank of India in Ludhiana Zone constituting Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, were catering to needs of farmers and entrepreneurs of the suburban areas, zonal manager of the financial institute Pawan Bajaj stated that five more units were opened in the area on the bank’s 104th foundation day recently.

Bajaj inaugurated 99th unit of the zone at Pohir village near here.

Claiming that the bank envisaged to enhance quota for agriculture and priority sectors substantially, Bajaj said the institute was working for the welfare of farmers and constituents of other sectors under social banking avenue. Providing agricultural loans, kisan and biometric cards and the village adoption were a few peasant-friendly schemes.

Paramjit Singh Walia, chief officer, corporate services, said the institute had taken care to ensure easy accessibility and security of customers.

According to Walia, four other units, namely Dad branch ATM at Phagwara, Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar Branch and the Retail Hub at Patiala were also inaugurated.

Claiming that all branches of the bank were under the CBS platform, the official maintained that IT-enabled services like anywhere banking, multicity cheque book, cash management services, ATM card, internet banking, phone banking, online shopping and online tax payment were being offered at branches of the bank.

AS Mahadhar, deputy zonal manager, HS Mangat, chief officer, Rajnish Sharma, former president, Municipal Council, Ravinder Puri, president, Journalist Association, were present on the occasion.

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Sukhbir gets pat for illegal hoardings’ removal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Senior BJP leader and BJP Investor Cell chief Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal today appreciated Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s decision to remove illegal hoardings and banners from all over Punjab showing his sensitivity towards the blatant evasion of the Advertisement and Service Tax worth Rs 4,691 crores.

Talking to mediapersons during a sports tournament at Bhamian Kalan, Grewal said involvement of high and mighty in this scandal could be gauged from the fact that last municipal commissioner did not adhere to the orders of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal even to holding an enquiry and investigating this blatant theft by advertisers and oil companies who were hand in glove with the corporation officials. The Chief Minister had ordered an inquiry into the Advertisement Tax scandal during a “sangat darshan” programme and had asked former Commissioner GS Ghuman to look into the matter.

He said while the government was reeling under acute financial crisis and had been forced to sell its securities, including the land and other valuables to pay its dues, Ghuman failed to budge on the issue.

Grewal added that he would soon meet the newly appointed Commissioner SK Sinha and apprise him of this loot so that action could be taken against the erring government officers.

He further revealed that the service tax department had already begun it probe into Rs 3,939 crore service tax evasion and those guilty would be booked as per the rulebook.

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From Schools and Colleges
Bal Bharati celebrates grandparents’ day
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Bal Bharati Public School hosted Grandparents Day yesterday. Around 30 grandparents were invited to showcase their talent in music, singing, dance and bestow upon young Bal Bharatians strength and wisdom that time and experience has given them.

Principal Punam Dogra thanked all of them for giving a strong foundation to their grandchildren by preserving the ethical and moral values. She addressed them as builders of a ‘sensible nation’. Grandparents in turn expressed their gratitude for being honoured.

Declamation contest

Kamla Lohtia SD College, Ludhiana, conducted an inter-class declamation contest. The students were offered to speak on imaginative and interesting topics like “Dont worry, be happy,” “If I were the Chief Minister of Punjab,” “Key to success is not hard work, but smart work” and others. Robin Gogna of BCom-II came out with flying colours in this contest.

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Medical Negligence
Consult experts before booking docs: DGP to cops
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
Dr Yash Sharma, president, IMA (Punjab), and Dr Arun Mitra its vice- president, in a statement issued here yesterday stated that PS Gill, DGP (Punjab), had in a circular forwarded to all Punjab police departments, ordered it to consult a panel of experts before registering a case against doctors.

The Punjab police has been told that prior to the registration of cases under Sections 304A/304 against doctors, opinion of an authorized committee should be taken for establishing the culpability against doctors’ concerned. The guidelines of the Supreme Court should be meticulously compiled with while investigating the cases of medical negligence.

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Eye check-up camp for truckers
Our Correspondent

Amloh, September 12
To reduce the growing trend of accidents, the ICICI Lombard, General Insurance Company Ltd, has launched a drive to create awareness for the importance of eyesight of truck drivers through eye check-up camps at the selected towns of the state, said branch manager, Khanna, Sanjay Goel after the inauguration of the camp at the truck union premises here today.

The camp was inaugurated by Shingara Singh, president of the truck union.

Eye sight of as many as 200 drivers was checked by a team of doctors from Guru Teg Bahadur Eye Hospital, Patiala. Medicines were given free of cost to some drivers and the rest were advised the use of glasses.

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Symposium on use of laser
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
The department of skin and cosmetology, SPS Apollo Hospital, organised a symposium on the uses of laser in dermatology recently. Dr Jatinder K Gill, senior consultant, said the most sought after treatment was for hair removal by both boys and girls.

The Nd YAG laser is specially suited for the Indian skin. The most common cause of excessive hair growth as women get older following the hormonal changes of menopause become more pronounced when levels of the female hormone estrogen drop. The androgen then is free to stimulate more hair growth, the expert observed. The condition of your skin speaks volumes about you before you ever say a word, said Dr Gill.

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New CT scanner installed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
New 128-slice CT scanner used for the fastest and highest-resolution imaging in the field of radiology, has recently been installed at DMCH.

Secretary of the DMCH managing society Prem Kumar Gupta said the decision to install the scanner affirms our commitment to provide the best healthcare in the region.

Dr Kavita Saggar, professor and head, radio diagnosis, DMCH, informed that with this scanner, less examination time is required and procuring of highly precise images in shorter duration means that the doctors can diagnose and treat illness and injury right away rather than waiting for slower imaging equipment to transmit lower-quality images.

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Councillor Brar takes oath
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
HS Brar, the newly elected Congress councillor from ward No. 57, took oath at a simple ceremony held at the Circuit House here today.

He was administered the oath by Divisional Commissioner JS Bir. The ceremony was attended by Congress councillors, but those from the SAD-BJP combine were not present on the occasion.

Except for Mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura, Senior Deputy Mayor Parveen Bansal, Deputy Mayor Sunita Aggarwal and Gurdeep Singh Neetu, BJP councillor from ward No 42, no other politician from the ruling party attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Byepoll for the Ward No. 57 was conducted due to the sudden death of Akali councillor Kewal Chhabra.

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Remembering Fr George Joseph

Sahnewal, September 12
The month’s mind ceremony in the memory of Father George Joseph, the second director of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sahnewal, was organised at Christ, the King Church, today.

President of the management and principal said Bishop Anil Cutto was the main celebrant of the month’s mind ceremony that was held at the church. Arch Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi, Bishop of Jammu and Chandigarh attended the ceremony along with priests and nuns etc. — OC

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Blood donation camp
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
A blood donation camp was organised at GGNIVS in which more than 50 students donated the blood, including 12 girls. The camp was organised under the aegis of Jaycees of Ludhiana and it was a part of the Jaycees Week celebrations. Team of doctors from DMC Hospital under Dr Amarjit Kaur conducted the camp. Sunil Mitra and Vikrant Aggarwal were the project directors of the camp.

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CRIME
 

Blackmailing of rich farmer, 6 booked
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, September 12
The Sudhar police on Thursday booked a gang of six persons who used to blackmail rich people by forcibly making their blue films. Gurpreet Singh of Thakkarwal had in a complaint lodged on September 7 alleged that while he was going to Gujjarwal village where he owns 16 acres of agricultural land on his motorcycle, he was signaled to stop by a woman and her male accomplices near the drain at Ballowal village.

They demanded some petrol as their bike had run out of it. While he was talking to them a car stopped near him and he was forcibly pushed into it and taken to a house.

There he was forcibly made to eat drug-laced sweets. He became unconscious. When he regained conscious he found himself in a room with three women and a few men who were holding a camera-like machine. He was forced to make physical relationship with Pinki and they continuously filmed the act.

Then the accused demanded Rs 10 lakh from him on the pretext of handing him over the original CD. They even threatened to handover the CD to his in-laws if he does not accept their demands.

He negated with them and settled the deal for Rs 20,000. He asked his commission agent for the amount and while going toward Gujjarwal he managed to escape from their grip and returned home.

He remained silent for a few days and then decided to launch the search operation on his own and identified Jagdish Singh, alias Deesha of Fagguwal, Amrik Singh, alias Bhikhi of Salem Tabri, Balraj Singh of Meani village and Pinki of Ludhiana. He could not identify the two women who were with them.

In charge of the Jodhan police post said all six accused had been booked under Sections 382, 384, 328, 365, 342 and 120 B of the IPC. Police teams are raiding the hideouts of the accused.

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4 held with 3.5 kg opium, 250 gm smack
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 12
The police has arrested four members of two interstate gangs of smugglers who had been involved in distribution of illegal trade of drugs and narcotics for many years. About 3.5 kg of opium and 230 gm of smack were recovered from their possession. Two scooters used in the crime were also impounded.

Lakshami Narayan of Thamo Guradia village in Ratlam district of MP and Vishal Sharma of the Meerut road, Karnal (Haryana), were nabbed by a police party when they were going to handover a consignment of opium to unknown peddlers near a marriage palace in the Jagera road area last evening. The police got suspicious about integrity of the scooter riders when they tried to flee on seeing them.

Meanwhile, the smack was recovered from Raman Sidhu of Chhawni Mohalla, Ludhiana, and Pawan Kumar of Shahi Mohalla of the Kailash Nagar area of Ludhiana who were nabbed by another police party from the outskirts of Dehliz Kalan village near here yesterday.

Investigations revealed that the accused had been involved in the illegal trade for the past many years. The police is trying to establish link between members of two gangs.

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Farmer clubbed to death
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 12
A few unidentified miscreants clubbed a farmer of Khera village to death while he was guarding his fields on the outskirts of the locality on Thursday.

Though the kin of the deceased suspect it to be handiwork of a gang of thieves, circumstantial evidence suggests the land dispute or a few women might have murdered him.

Gian Singh, a farmer of Khera village, was found murdered near a tube well room at his fields on the outskirts of the village. Though exact cause of death will be ascertained once the report of the postmortem conducted at Dehlon civil hospital is revealed. Physical examination of the body suggests that the man died due to the head injury caused by some heavy object.

Gian Singh had left his house on Wednesday evening to stay at a room attached with the tube well installed at his fields. Members of his family got worried when he did not return home till noon after which they started searching for him.

Bruises on the limbs of the deceased suggest that he had scuffled with the assailants before being hit on the head. Fact that his trouser was found lying near his body, puts off family’s hypothesis that he was killed by some gang of thieves who had come to steal electric motor or copper wire from the tube well.

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Fake business worth Rs 825 crore detected
Tribune News Service

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 12
Mobile wing of the sales tax department detected sale tax evasion of Rs 33 crore and detected bogus business of Rs 825 crore after raiding different firms of Mandi Gobindgarh and Ludhiana.

Officials of the department said those indulged in tax evasion have been imposed a fine of 200 per cent and Rs 66 crore will be recovered from them. Officials from Chandigarh conducted raids in some firms of Mandi Gobindgarh after reports of fake business transactions between firms of Ludhiana. This was being done to evade sales tax, said the department officials.

Documents of Gujral Traders of Mandi Gobindgarh and Singhania International of Ludhiana were scanned by officials of the department.

Officials said stringent action would be initiated against all those people who were found guilty in evading taxes.

Meanwhile, the sales tax department has seized iron worth Rs 15 lakh from Mandi Gobindgarh, which was being brought from New Delhi to Mandi Gobidngarh after evading taxes.

Three trucks were impounded by the department with the help of the police in this connection. Officials of the sales tax department said the owners of these trucks had evaded tax worth Rs 4.5 lakh. Truckers used to hide details of purchase from outside Punjab and instead show it within Punjab.

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3 booked for sexual harassment
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, September 12
The Sudhar police yesterday booked three persons for sexually harassing a girl and for trying to kidnap her. Karamjit Singh of New Abadi, Akalgarh Garh, in a complaint lodged with the Sudhar police has complained that Jatinder Singh of Chak Kalan village, Jashan Preet Singh of Ranke village near Humbran, and Sukhjinder Singh used to harass his sister-in-law who was residing with them for completing her studies as her in-laws had gone to abroad.

The accused were bothering her since long and used to give vulgar and threatening calls at their phone besides following her on way to her institute and even outside their house.

On September 2, the accused who had come on their motorcycle (PB 10 CB 1093) waylaid and tried to kidnap her. They also tried to sexually assault her in broad daylight at the Sudhar Bridge. Her scooter also got damaged in the process. She informed Karamjit Singh, who immediately reached the spot along with the police.

However, the accused managed to escape. A case under Sections 293, 294, 506, 366 and 511 of the IPC has been lodged against them and the accused arrested.

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Youth killed in accident
Our Correspondent

Mullanpur Dakha, September 12
A 22-year-old resident of Dhatt village died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle from behind. Sukhwinder Singh of Dhat village in his complaint lodged with the police stated that he and his friend Amritpal Singh (22) were returning to their village on a motorcycle (PB 10 BF 8710) when a speeding vehicle hit them from behind. This accident took place near Karan Marriage Palace on the Ferozepur road. Both fell from the motorcycle and sustained injuries. But Amritpal Singh, who was riding pillion, sustained severe head injuries killing him on the spot.

The driver of the erring vehicle, however, managed to escape. The Dakha police has registered a case against the driver under Sections 304A, 279, 337 and 427 of the IPC.

The body has been handed over to the family of the deceased after conducting the post-mortem examination.

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4 contract killers arrested
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
The CIA-II police had on Thursday arrested four youths, who used to work as contract killers for earning easy money, from near the Gill Bridge. A stolen bike was also recovered from their possession.

They had recently attacked Kot Mangal Singh and Pardeep Singh with sharp-edged weapons. They had received Rs 15,000 as a contract amount from the in-laws of Pardeep Singh.

The accused have been identified as Kilwinder Singh, Pushwinder Singh both resident of Gill, while Gaurav Sharma and Amandeep Singh hails from Bachittar Nagar and Pritam Nagar in Haibowal, respectively.

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SPORTS
 

Gurdaspur eves survive a scare against Amritsar
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 12
Gurdaspur survived a scare against Amritsar before romping home victors while last year’s runners up, Ludhiana scripted a comfortable win over Kapurthala on the penultimate day of the 60th Junior Punjab State Basketball Championship (u-19) being held at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In a semi-final league encounter, Gurdaspur girls were made to toil hard by their opponents from Amritsar with the former just managing to squeeze past 77-73. The current champions were trailing by two points (16-18) at the end of the first quarter.

Amritsar players did a commendable job by maintaining the lead, though a slender at half time (35-34). They further consolidated the lead to seven points (61-54) at the end of the third quarter.

However, in the fourth quarter, the reigning champions, Gurdaspur girls reorganised themselves, exhibited fine coordination, ball control and managed to pierce through Amritsar’s defence.

For the winners, Aruna, Chetna and Amandeep Kaur played superbly, chipping in with 19, 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Mamta was at the centre stage for Amritsar, netting 29 points. Jagroop Kaur scored 28 points and Manmeet made 5 points.

In another semi-final league match (girls), last year’s runners up, Ludhiana faced a little resistance from Kapurthala whom they drubbed 56-33. The winners were leading 33-25 at half time.

For Ludhiana, skipper Nagma played the pivot role by securing 24 points, followed by Indu Bala and Sandhya who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Gauri and Geetu with 16 and 11 baskets each, fought well for the losers.

In the boys’ section, Ludhiana Basketball Academy warded off a stiff challenge from Gurdaspur before emerging winners 62-53.

Amritpal Singh and Amanjot Singh were the main architects of the academy’s win. They contributed 16 and 11 points, respectively, while Jaskaran and captain Rajan Sharma netted 8 points each and Mandeep Singh scored 6 points.

For the losers, Kamaljit Singh top scored with 23 points. Sukhdev contributed 11 points while Simran and Baldev Singh accounted for 9 and 8 points, respectively.

The match played between the last year’s losing finalists (boys) Mansa and hosts Ludhiana turned out to be a well contested affair. Mansa boys managed to overpower Ludhiana lads 75-68.

In other matches (boys), Muktsar beat Ludhiana 75-65 and Gurdaspur defeated Amritsar 86-64.

An NRI and sports promoter, Jagroop Singh Dhaliwal, was the chief guest today. Olympian SS Grewal, Yurinder Singh and BS Brar, vice-president and joint secretary, respectively, of the Punjab Basketball Association were also present.

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Softball Tournament
Guru Nanak Khalsa College eves emerge champions
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 12
Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, defeated Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, to emerge as champions in the women’s section of the Ludhiana District Softball Championship being played at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the final, Guru Nanak Khalsa College players proved too good for their opponents from Guru Nanak Girls College players whom they outnumbered 5-1 to bag the title.

Earlier, in the league matches, Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, pipped Teja Singh Swatandar Memorial School 8-2; Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujarkhan Campus, outplayed Khalsa College for Women 10-6 and Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, beat Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, 2-1.

In the men’s section, Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School, Miller Ganj, blanked Satish Chander Dhawan Government College for Boys 3-0 and Ramgarhia Complex, Miller Ganj, trounced Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School 12-2.

In the final to be played tomorrow, Ramgarhia Complex will take on Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School.

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Handball trials tomorrow
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 12
Trials to select the Punjab junior handball team (girls) will be held here on the Punjab Agricultural University campus on September 14 from 9 am onwards, according to Balkar Singh Brar, general secretary, Punjab Handball Association.

Players born on or after January 1, 1990 are eligible to take part in these trials.

The selected girls will represent the state in the Junior National Handball Championship slated to be held from September 30 to October 5 at Lucknow.

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