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Hoarded sugar worth Rs 3 cr seized
Ludhiana, September 20 The officials had earlier sealed three godowns for illegally hoarding sugar. While two godowns were sealed at Seehra village, the third was sealed at Jhabewal. The raiding party was supervised by Kanwar Narinder Singh, tehsildar-cum-executive magistrate (East). According to the police, the sugar was hoarded by Jalandhar-based trader, Chandi Mal Roshan Das. This was the third raid in three consecutive days. The team also broke the locks of 10 shops suspected to be hoarding sugar and found sugar in two shops. A manager of the godown, Rajiv Kumar, has been detained by the DFSC authorities for questioning. According to an official, the sugar had been kept in the godown for the past over three months. The officials opened the sugar sacks and checked the quality of sugar. Some sacks of adulterated sugar were also seized by the team. Yesterday, the DFSC officials had seized 8,516 quintal of sugar from an Ahmedabad-based sugar mill, Yaskee International. Police sources said Bharat Bhushan, owner of Khoobi Ram Johri Mal of Moga, who was hoarding sugar around 1 lakh quintal worth Rs 34 crore, provided important leads to the police, following which the raid was conducted. The sources said while the officials were conducting raids and seizing sugar, police officials had been instructed to stay away from the matter due to political pressure. However, the DFSC officials and the police are at loggerheads over the alleged disappearance of the Moga-based sugar dealer. While the officials claimed that they had handed over Bharat Bhushan to the police, but the latter has allegedly not shown his arrest in the FIR.
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Labourers’ protest exposes fraud by godown managers
Jagraon, September 20 While the labourers had a different reason for the protest, it resulted in the exposure of the nefarious act of managers of the warehouse (Shivam Godowns) where the rice owned by government was stored. The labourers yesterday stayed away from loading rice meant for other states on to trucks, after it became increasingly difficult for them to work amidst stench emanated by rice that had rotted after being sprayed with water. The godown employees with the consent of managers had allegedly been spraying water on the rice. Labours union leaders Avtar Singh and Rakesh Kumar said they had asked managers to spray water at least four days prior to lifting of rice so that the produce didn’t emit foul smell. However, the managers insisted on spraying water just a day prior to
the shipment. Labourers alleged that the foul smell had caused health problems among many them. They raised slogans against the managers of the godown. The protest led to the lining up of trucks on either side of the Ludhiana road. Godown manager Lakhwinder Singh tried to evade questions of mediapersons on the pretext that he was on leave but sources revealed that he was present at the godown when the protest started. MD of the department Iqbal Singh Sandhu could not be contacted as his mobile was out of reach. Gurnam Singh, speaking on behalf of OSD to the MD Amanpreet Singh, refuted the allegations. He instead alleged that labourers used to steal rice from godowns. When they questioned their act, they levelled false allegations against them, he added. He claimed that water on rice bags was apparently due to leakage in the roof. The labourers, however, alleged that the excess rice was being sold in the open market to make extra buck by godown mangers and were adopting such means to increase the weight of the rice. |
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Murder Case
Ludhiana, September 20 The residents led by Swarn Singh, president of Indian National Trade Union Council, alleged that the SHO Sadar was trying to hush-up the matter with the arrest of Akhilesh Kumar who was arrested two days ago. According to the police, Akhilesh Kumar cracked during investigation and confessed to have committed the crime. The residents, however, alleged that he was not alone in the crime and four of his accomplices, who came in a car, were also involved in the murder. Laxman Yadav, father of the deceased and a Class IV employee with the PSEB, said the police should put pressure on Akhilesh Kumar as he was concealing the identity of his accomplices. The mob was pacified after the intervention of Parampal Singh, DSP (Rural), who said a thorough inquiry would be conducted in this matter. He said if other people were involved, they would also be nabbed. |
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Neonatology on back burner
Ludhiana, September 20 Five doctors working at government hospitals in Nawanshahr, Tanda, Malaud and Ludhiana attended a workshop on neonatal resuscitation (a must for curtailing infant mortality rate) held at a private hospital here today. In a contrast to the statistics of infant mortality rate (IMR) of 53 per thousand and maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 450 per lakh live births in Punjab, the posts of paediatrician are lying vacant in several government hospitals and health centres. Makeshift arrangements have been made at community health centres at Payal, Sahnewal, Sudhar and Pakhowal and Civil Hospitals at Jagraon and Raikot in the absence of a regular paediatrician. Dr Vineet Kaur, a senior consultant, obstetrics, at SPS Apollo Hospital, said lack of awareness was the main reason why people in the rural areas preferred deliveries at home, thereby adding to the MMR in high-risk mothers. A senior doctor at a Civil Hospital in Ludhiana district said paediatricians should be trained in neonatology as birth asphyxia could result in mental retardation and other deformities. Dr Ashwani Singal said out of 53 infant deaths, more than 40 were caused due to asphyxia. “With careful handling and immediate measures of resuscitation, the number of asphyxia deaths can be curtailed to a large extent,” he said. |
Cobwebs in paddy fields bode well for farmers
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 20 Besides eliminating crop pests, cobwebs trap vectors of pathogens that spread dreaded diseases in human beings and cattle. However, reckless spray of pesticides on crops does not allow breeding of spiders in the fields. Farmers, who had switched back to manual removal of weeds growing in their fields to avoid adverse effects of excessive use of non-biodegradable chemical herbicides and weedicides, have indirectly decreased menace of microbial diseases by killing their vectors. Investigations by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that cobwebs had grown in paddy fields from where weeds had been removed manually instead of spraying non-biodegradable chemical herbicides and weedicides. Besides being beneficial to the crop, these cobwebs helped check the growth of insects acting as vectors for host of pathogens. “Though cobwebs are usually considered a symbol of poor hygiene when noticed in habitable buildings, these have proven to be boon for us. Besides trapping majority of pests, these kill insects, including mosquitoes, which spread microbial diseases,” said Dr Ravinder Sharma. Gurjit Singh Brahampur village maintained that he along with dozens of other farmers had switched over to manual weeding after realising the harm of using herbicides and other pesticides. This resulted in growth of cobwebs in their fields. Falsifying the notion, some farmers maintained that killing pests and insecticides was more effective than manual removal of weeds. “But growth of cobwebs is certainly an indicator for improvement of environment,” maintained Jasbir Singh Sekhon, an agronomist.
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Vasectomy Drive
Machhiwara, September 20 Besides, a number of elderly and those who had already under undergone the operation earlier also lined up outside the hospital to undergo the operation in lieu of money. At least 271 persons turned up at the health department for operation and 228 of them underwent vasectomy operation during a special camp. The government gives Rs 1,100 and a blanket to those who undergo the operation under the family planning scheme. However, unmarried youths hooked to drugs also reached the hospital in search of easy money and got themselves registered at the hospital. “All I want is Rs 1,100 to buy drugs and to pay the debt,” said a 28-year-old man of Machhiwara outside the hospital after undergoing the operation. He was brought to the hospital by a hospital attendant, who is given Rs 200 by the authorities for every case they bring from villages and suburbs. People who had queued up for operation outside the civil hospital said many of them were unmarried and were there for the money. One of them said a nearby tea vendor had agreed to purchase the blankets given to them for Rs 200 each. Civil hospital authorities admitted that many “fake” patients were identified, including unmarried men, elderly and those who had already undergone the operation. They were simply turned away without being given the money. Senior Medical Officer Dr Renu said the patients were operated upon after taking the record of their address and number of children along with signatures. “However, they may have registered themselves with fake addresses and signatures,” she added. She said the hospital authorities usually trusted those getting themselves registered and if any of them was found faking identity or lying was not operated upon without verification.
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Sanghol-Bassi Pathana road needs repairs
Khamano, September 20 Daily commuters going to Fatehgarh Sahib for work have to make a detour to reach their destination. The work on the road had started some months ago but was stopped due to rains. However, the work has not been restarted so far. A 5 km-stretch of the road is dotted with potholes, making the journey of motorists a nightmare. Another 5-km stretch that was built recently has started to show signs of wear and tear as potholes have surfaced at many places. However, the department concerned has failed to carry out patchwork on these stretches. Residents have demanded immediate repair of the road to enable them to reach the district headquarters without any inconvenience.
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Special trains to handle festival rush
Ludhiana, September 20 According to railway officials, a daily special train (0403/0404) will run between Delhi Junction and Udhampur. It will depart from Delhi at 11.45 pm and reach Udhampur at 1.10. The down train will leave from Udhampur at 9.40 pm and arrive at Delhi at 10.15 am. The train, with stoppages at Panipat, Ambala Cantonment, Ludhiana and Chakki Bank will have AC 3-tier, sleeper and general accommodation. Another festival special weekly Garib Rath (0405/0406) will run between Delhi Junction and Jammu Tawi. Running on every Friday from Delhi, it will commence its journey at 10.50 pm and reach Jammu Tawi at 9.10 am. From Udhampur, it will run on every Saturday, leaving at 8.35 pm to arrive at Delhi at
6.35 am. The train will have only AC 3-tier accommodation with stoppages at Ambala Cantonment, Ludhiana and Chakki Bank. Another festival special daily super fast train (0413/0414) will run between Jammu Tawi and Varanasi till October 1. It will leave Jammu Tawi at 2 pm to reach Varanasi at 12.30 pm while on return journey the train will leave Varanasi at 2.25 pm and arrive at Jammu Tawi at 10.50 am. With accommodation of AC 3-tier, sleeper and general classes, the train will have stoppages at Sultanpur, Nihalgarh, Lucknow, Bareilly, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Ambala Cantonment, Ludhiana and Chakki Bank.
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Kaind Bridge
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 20 With authorities concerned turning a blind eye to a damaged portion of railing of the bridge, a major tragedy is waiting to happen. Heavy rains in the recent weeks have further eroded the banks of the canal adjoining the bridge. A visit to the spot revealed that the banks of the canal adjoining the bridge’s railing had eroded badly. Boundaries along all four corners of the bridge have turned virtual death traps for commuters. Gap between southwestern end of the railing and the bank has widened to such an extent that even four wheelers, including buses and trucks can pass through it. Investigations revealed that the situation had worsened after workers of a contractor dismantled the old bridge a few months ago. Besides removing waste materials from the banks, the workers had even removed the earth. Passage constructed for the plying of trucks and trolleys carrying earth is now posing a threat for those passing over the bridge. The contractors seemed to have performed a ritual to show their concern about commuters’ safety. A few bags, partially filled with sand, were placed in the gap between railing and the bank. But this doesn’t seem to serve any purpose, as these are barely visible from a distance. The damage to the bridge had made commuters and motorists’ tizzy. “In fact, during night time, those going from Malerkotla to Ludhiana side are apt to plunge into the canal due to poor visibility,” alleges Tarsem
Garg, a social activist. Officials supervising work on the road said the administration had taken notice of the damaged railing and it would be repaired shortly. Perusal of records revealed that a number of accidents had occurred at this point during past years. Five members of a
Panchkula-based family, including a serving Major and a six-day-old baby girl, had died when the car in which they were travelling had fallen into a canal a few years ago.
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Subsidy
Ludhiana, September 20 The panel comprising Dr Vanie Thapar, Dr Ravinder Kala, Renuka Munjal, Jasmeet Gill and Seema Malik discussed various issues pertaining to subsidies in India and their impact on economy. Harpreet Kang was the moderator of the discussion. In his welcome address, Dr KNS Kang, general secretary, LMA, said subsidies had become a source of creating vote bank for politicians. “We need to review the requirement of subsidies and see that the benefits reach the needy.” Opening the discussion, Harpreet Kang talked about public distribution system in India and highlighted that ration cards, once a source of supplying subsidised food material, kerosene, etc. to the needy, had now been reduced to being used merely as an identity proof. The panel was of the opinion that subsidies offered to public never reached them because of poor implementation procedures and governance. On governance, they said the authorities should be held accountable for the services they were required to provide to the common man through such programmes. The panelists also discussed the importance of Information Technology in successful implementation and monitoring of subsidy programmes. They offered solutions like giving subsidy to deserving people, funds for state government to control increasing population, etc.
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CII
Mandi Gobindgarh, September 20 Kumar Engineering Corporation managing director Anil Aggrawal and partner in Aman Machine Tools Pvt Ltd BD Ghavri were elected convener and co-convener, respectively. The core group under the leadership of the CII Punjab State Council plans to take up the agenda of focussed development of the industrial town and engage with the state government and local administration to address issues hampering the growth of the industry in the township. Mandi Gobindgarh is the largest producer of secondary steel in the country and contributes substantially to the state exchequer by way of taxes. Next to Ludhiana, it also accounts for the highest consumption of electricity at 400 MW. The local municipal council has the distinction of being the richest local body in the country on the basis of per capita income. The core group has resolved to take up infrastructural issues like lack of maintenance and lack of roads, proper truck parking, streetlighting, rainwater discharge, provision of drinking water and sewerage in the industrial area as the thrust areas.
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Local dance troupe on a roll in Bollywood
Ludhiana, September 20 These young folk artistes have become a unique example of “outsourcing” of Punjabi talent. One such group comprising 30 boys and girls from Manuke and Raikot, near Ludhiana, have become popular with Hindi film directors in Mumbai. Having already worked in over five Punjabi films, they are now part of the forthcoming Hindi flick “Dil Bole Haddipa” starring Rani Mukherji and Shahid Kapoor, wherein the troupe has performed in songs “Disco wale khisco” and “Jaffiyon ke desh mera”. Gurdip Singh Dhanjal, leader of the troupe, says the troupe has become a hot favourite with Bollywood directors. The troupe has performed in nine movies so far and has an offer from Punjabi and Hindi film industry each. On the remuneration given to the Punjabi artistes, Gurdip termed the arrangement between Punjabi artistes and Bollywood producer/directors as “a marriage of convenience” adding that “the girls from Punjab get Rs 1,500 per day and the boys Rs 2,000, which is just half the amount given to the local artistes. But this comes with stay in five star hotels along with free meals. The deal is rather lucrative”. Manpreet Kaur, a teacher at Bhai Dan Singh Senior Secondary School, Manuke, who is one of the main dancers in the troupe, while recounting her experience of working in Bollywood, says: “It is a break that every performer aspires for and I am lucky to get it. I would like to be part of the entertainment industry in Mumbai in the coming years.” Prabhjot, a school student, says a chance to work in Punjabi films “Jawani Zindabad”, “Tera Mera Ki Rishta” and “Apni Boli Apna Desh” was overwhelming but working on the sets of “Singh is Kinng” and “Dil Bole Haddipa” was nothing short of a “roller coaster ride”.
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Business guidance camp tomorrow
Ludhiana, September 20 The camps will be inaugurated by Manoranjan Kalia, minister of industries and commerce, Government of Punjab, who will be the chief guest. According to RK Verma, managing director, Punjab Infotech: “This is the first time that an event of this scale has been organised in Punjab. The mentoring camps will provide a platform for revitalising and energising the spirit of entrepreneurship in the region. Participants will get an opportunity to interact with top entrepreneurs, investors and marquee individuals and take guidance from their experience in their respective fields.” He added: “The participants will be able to better understand how to scale up their operations, how to get funding, how to develop new markets and how to remain competitive in today’s fast-changing markets.” The camps will be held from 3 pm to 7 pm on September 22 at Park Plaza and from 10.30 am to 1 pm on September 23 at Hotel President, Jalandhar.
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Vets want CM to implement pay panel report
Ludhiana, September 20 Veterinarians serving in all other states, Central services and veterinary universities are already getting the allowance, said district president of the association Dr Kheri while talking to Ludhiana Tribune. "Punjab is the only state where this injustice is being meted out to the veterinary officers. This injustice will force the professionals to go abroad and join other Central or state services," Dr Kheri remarked. He also highlighted the importance of livestock production and dairy farming in improving the fiscal health of the state. "Vets play a major role in the upliftment of the dairy sector. Apart from treating the sick animals, they also execute the government policies at the ground level and carry round-the-clock disease surveillance in high-risk areas," he added. "They are getting almost Rs 20,000 less salary as compared their counterparts in other states. We demand parity with the medical officers," he added. He said the members of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers' Association had flayed the discriminatory attitude of the government at a meeting of the association's district executive. They also urged the government to notify the non-practicing allowance and others like rural area allowance, rent-free accommodation, education and mobile allowance at the earliest failing which resentment among the cadre would force them to launch a stir. 
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Donate for a noble
cause
Ludhiana, September 20 Native of Raison village near Karnal, the boy comes for dialysis twice a week. The prolonged disease has had the boy’s family selling off their property to pay the expenses incurred on his medication and stay at the hospital. Som Prakash, the boy’s father says, “Money does not matter to me and my family as it’s Gulshan’s life that means more than anything but we have exhausted our resources to the last penny and now we have no option but to depend on the donation by the philanthropists,” The weekly expense incurred on dialysis is approximately Rs 7,000, which adds up to Rs 28,000 every month, an amount that the family has to borrow from their friends and relatives. The doctors and staff at CMCH have appealed to the philanthropists to contribute generously for the noble cause. The amount can be sent through cheque, draft or cash in favour of Gulshan Kumar Setia, c/o Somprakash Setia, Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. People interested in meeting the family or giving money by hand can contact on 098961-73326. Meanwhile, Santosh Kumar (14), who is undergoing treatment for aplastic anemia at CMCH, was recently treated with allogenic stem cell transplant from his youngest sister. This boy from Uttar Pradesh was diagnosed as suffering from aplastic anemia came to CMCH in a critical condition in November 2007. However, the family could not afford the expense of the treatment but had resolved to save the boy at any cost. This forced the family to knock at doors for charity. The necessary tests were conducted following which Sunita, the youngest sibling’s cells matched with that of Santosh. The entire process took almost one year and the hospital authorities helped raise enough funds for the transplant. Apart from the monetary help, a few drug companies came forward with samples and the boy had received almost 60 blood transfusions till transplant in March 2009.
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Finally, Miller Ganj road laid
Ludhiana, September 20 Even yesterday when the corporation team went to lay the road, one of the women from the encroacher’s family sat in the middle of the street asking officials to return. However, with the intervention of DSP Amandeep Kaur, the woman was removed from the road after which the construction work started. While the town-planning wing of the corporation had completed its job of demolition only, XEN HS Khaussa of the roads department yesterday tensed the atmosphere. The officers revealed that Khaussa was adamant that the construction work would start only when the area town planner reach the spot. However, they added that finally the work was completed. Talking to The Tribune, area councillor Sarabjit Singh Kaka said: “The matter pertains to a house in Miller Ganj where the owner had encroached upon the street and despite repeated requests, the town planning wing had failed to remove the wall. Finally ATP Harpreet Ghai got the wall demolished following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court under CWP 4886.”
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NRI’s unclaimed body cremated
Mullanpur Dakha, September 20 Harnek Singh Johal, an NRI residing at the Kailpur Road, had been missing from his house since September 15. He was driving his car. The Dakha police had on September 17 registered a missing complaint on the statement of Titu Mandiani, the son of the deceased. However, the missing car of Harnek Singh was recovered from near the canal at Hans Kalan village. On 18 the Faridkot police found the man’s body floating in the canal near Tehna village. The police cremated the body after declaring it unclaimed. By the time the family came to know about, the body had already been cremated. The family identified Harnek Singh from the cloths and other belongings. The police is probing all the aspects of the death.
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Picture of rural youth dismal
Ludhiana, September 20 They claimed that politicians were responsible for drug addiction as they encouraged free distribution of liquor during elections. The evil of dowry was also on the rise and efforts to check foeticide have not brought the desired results. The women said the youth with large land holdings was not ready to work in fields and the lure of foreign lands was ruining them. “They just want luxury cars and mobile phones or run off to Canada or Australia,” they said. Kamaljeet Kaur from Jalandhar district, who was in the city to attend Kisan Mela, said smack capsules were freely available in villages and teenagers were also consuming these. Bhagwant Kaur and Rashpal Kaur, former presidents of the PAU kisan club, observed that illiteracy was still prevalent in villages and women remained confined to their houses. Harmeet Kaur from Haibowal said Dish TV was also responsible for spoiling the youth as they remained glued to the TV till late at night. A woman from Chowki Maan, Jagraon, said drugs were available in abundance around educational institutions in rural Punjab. Citing an example of ignorance among the rural folk, a woman said when she was coming to the PAU she heard someone remark, “aa dekho chali hai university mela dekhan. They said there was a lot of enthusiasm among farm women to participate in Kisan Mela.
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Charitable hospital inaugurated
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 20 Anil Kumar, executive director, presided over the inaugural function and Rajnish Oswal, managing director, was the chief guest. An eye check-up camp was organised wherein a team of doctors led by Dr Rajinder Singh and Dr Harbir Singh examined over 200 patients for eye ailments and provided them with free medicines. Reiterating their commitment to serve weaker sections of society besides contributing to the development of the area, Nirmal Oswal and Rajesh Oswal donated Rs 11 lakh towards construction of the hospital and committed Rs 50,000 every month to the Mahavir Dal Shri Sanatan Dharam Parcharak Sabha, Punjab, to meet the running expenses of the project. The organisers dedicated the hospital to memory of DK Oswal, former chairman of the Shryans Group of Industries. Ravinder Puri and Bimal Sharma, both councillors, and Jagwant Jaggie, former vice-president, were also present.
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At the crossroads
The name of an English movie of an earlier era, as I remember, was ‘Come September’. Perhaps the month of September has to do something with creativity. John Keats’s ode ‘To Autumn’ is a classic example. He says - ‘Where are the songs of Spring? Aye, where are they? ‘Think not of them, thou hast they music too’. The melody of autumn can also be heard in poetic creations of recent years.
On my table there are not less than three collections of ghazals, which the Punjabi poets of the city have presented to the readers in the month of September. These had been, of course, composed earlier but the change of the season has prompted them to strike a rapport with their admirers. Surjit Patar and Sukhwinder Amrit had published their collections of poems earlier but they were released in Chandigarh, not Ludhiana. So we miss them in this festival of ‘ghazals galore’. The latest collection of ghazals that has reached me is ‘Dil Darwaze’ by Trailochan Lochi. This is his debut venture, although he has been regularly regaling the audience in Punjabi Bhawan with his dulcet voice since long. He is very conscious of the attitude of the people towards girls who are generally compared to sparrows. They are like a flock of sparrows (Chirean da Chamba), who swarm the courtyard for sometime but then, at a particular stage in life, they fly away in unison. This metaphor has now become a part of Punjabi psyche. Lochi, however, gives this concept an aesthetic touch so as the highlight the delightful presence of the girls in the society. He regards the girls as poems that delight the hearts of the parents, the siblings and others - ‘Kudian taan kavitavaan hundian’. In this ghazal the poet has also expressed his views about the subtle aspects of human existence in the modern age: Karz ehna da kaun utare Rubb ton vadian mavaan hundian Umraan da eh jodan rishta Unjh taan chaar hi lavaan hundian Main jungle nun tur jaana si Ghar vich je na chhavaan hundian Jagir Singh Preet has come up with ‘Cheech Vahutiyan’, a collection of his ghazals. He is well versed in the art of writing poetry and fiction but has been reluctant all these years to get his books published. In a way he has been thinking long as well as deeply. His ghazals are the outcome of the mind that is fully aware of the tradition of Punjabi ghazal. Still he is not a traditionalist, rather he is abreast with the times. Taking care of prosody, he ventures to convey his thoughts and feelings in a stylish manner. In fact his ghazals have the flavour of poems as these depict the state of his mind, not in individual couplets but in a continuous (musalsal) ghazal: Tere naal bitaye din Mud ke na oh aaye din Phullan verge komal si Bin tere kumlaaye din Titli bun hathhon nikle Mud oh hathh na aaye din ‘Tittar Khambhiyan’ by the poetess Davinder Preet is another collection of ghazals that has caught the attention of Punjabi readers. Ghazal started as a genre that ensconced the feedings of men about women. But, over the years, it has been employed by women poets as the vehicle to express their sensibilities about their counterparts. Not exactly, as feminine emotions are more covert than overt. Metaphor comes to the rescue of women poets to lay bare their lacerated heart. Symbol helps them to give voice to the words unsaid. Not subtlety but elegance is the watchword. Mostly the Punjabi poets look back to Sufiana Kalam for inspiration. Hijar (separation) and Vasaal (meeting) are the coveted themes: Jo poori ho nahi sakdi oh Moula aas na deveen Nahi dena je paani taan labaan nu pyaas na deveen Then there are the concepts of Ishq Majazi (worldly love) and Ishq Haqiqi (divine love), which Davinder Preet expresses so beautifully- Mera dilbar mere dil vich rehanda hai Meri sunda hai te apni kehanda hai Main na jaandi Mander, Masjid, Girje vi Mera rubb taan mere dil vich rehanda hai.
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City Concerns
The recent hike in power tariff by 17.5 per cent for the domestic sector by the Punjab State Electricity Board has affected common man. Besides this, the hike that has been implemented from back date is being termed as unjustified. The summer months have already been cruel due to power cuts. And even after suffering long hours of cut people would have to pay arrears of the electricity bills from April onward. This is what a cross section of people has to say on the issue The news about the steep hike in the power tariff came as a bolt from the blue. Already shattered by the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and frequent power cuts during torturous summer months, this hike in power rates has certainly added the last straw to break their backs. Instead of resorting to austerity measures and curtailment of wasteful expenditure by bureaucrats and politicians, government has chosen to play the Shylock by demanding another pound of flesh from the groaning multitudes of Punjab.Recently, MLAs shamelessly accepted the unprecedented raise in their emoluments which can be termed as consensual robbery of public money. Nero was fiddling while the Rome was burning, so are the SAD leaders indulging in five-star luxuries at the Shimla Conclave while the Punjab is in a state of turmoil. The need of the hour is the formation of an NGO watching the interests of the consumers and fighting against legalised robberies of the state exchequer by callous and conscience lacking politicians. KBS Sodhi Plug the loophole
It is strange that after facing erratic power supply during the entire summer, the consumers will have to pay for it! What a paradox! Adding fuel to the fire, this announcement has come at the orders of those who claim themselves to feel the pulse of the common man, and also claim to be the true representatives of the laity. Worse, this comes close to the heels of announcements of unbundling of the PSEB, which will result in further power hike, as feared by the critics and intellectuals. The power hike has been proclaimed when the PSEB employees were protesting against the dissolution of the board. I personally feel that the hike in power tariff is not justified in any way, as the power production is not so high as it is sold. But it does not mean that the board is trying to earn big bucks. It is at a loss, as it is reported and this has also fostered the government to dissolve it, bucking under the pressure of Centre. But, this policy of penny wise, pound-foolish is faulty in itself. Even as the PSEB is crying foul over the scarcity of power, the bitter fact is that it is failing to check the power pilferage, which is at such large scale in Punjab, that every Tom, Dick and Harry is indulging in it to overuse the same. When they get the free power through kundi connection, they feel free to keep any number of lights, TV sets, fans and heaters switched on. Let us plug this loophole and the problem of power can be thwarted too much extent. After that let us behold how much more power is necessary, if really, it will be, and then we can think of using other methods (nuclear et al) of power generation. HS Dimple
Financial setback
The recent hike in power tariff by 17.5 per cent for the domestic sector is a great financial setback to the middle class families besides citizens below the poverty line. The power crisis is not a new one and prevalent particularly during summer seasons since decade on one reason or the other grounds particularly lack of accountability on the part of the technocrats besides rampant corruption from lower to the higher level and unplanned usage of public funds and poor management of respective infrastructure of plants and equipment. The tall claims of the government for inaugurating of mini thermal plants are merely on the papers and cheap publicity. The promises made in the election manifestoes that there will be not power cuts to the domestic and industrial units in the ensuing season are merely vote catchers. Worse still, the Badal government has provided farmers free electricity as a vote bank and to take mileage at the cost of urbanities. Only Badal village enjoys 24 hours power supply when the rest of state suffered drastic power cuts. It is generally felt by the masses of the state, that the Punjab state electricity regulatory commission, instead of imposing the increased power traffic on the consumers may recover the entire loss from the Badal government besides the PSEB, may be unbundled immediately in the overall interest of the state to maintain the foolproof efficient functioning and corrupt free department. Ram Katyal
Unjustified decision
Reacting to this unjustified and anti-people decision of hike in power prices, MIG Welfare Society, Ph-II, urban estate, Dugri, strongly condemns it. People are already facing the hardships due to the increasing high rates of all essential commodities day by day which have made them highly difficult to keep themselves survive and their domestic budget has been badly shattered and disturbed. This hefty hike in power rates for domestic power will further put them in trouble economically. This shameless increase has come at a time when there were both scheduled and unscheduled power cuts of long duration affecting the domestic circle. Instead of making the plans to generate more power state government is planning daily to increase their own sources of incomes to fill up their own packets and has no sympathy to the plight of people. The most pinching thing is that the decision is implemented with effect from April; 1which is totally unjustified and cruel whereas it should be applicable since the date of its announcement. This would be an additional on consumers for which PSEB has no right to get it in installments in future bills. Due to it, there is a big resentment amongst the poor domestic consumers. KS Kareer
Review VAT
on power
It is mere irony, 17.5 per cent hike in the power tariff and the Centre announcing rate of DA to increase by 5 per cent have raised the electricity tariff. I am sure all politicians will be getting free electricity. We should wake up from our slumber and protest against the high electricity rates, that we are forced to pay for the power consumption. We all should send letter to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister requesting a speedy review of the new Electricity Supply Act here, which should include solar energy. No country can progress, if it doesn’t provide electricity at the minimum and should call the government of the day to take a decision in consumers’ interest. With the whole question of PSEB raising electricity on the backs of the consumers of this country and we should say to the government of the day, that they need to take a decision in our interest. The Value Added Tax includes the electricity rates, has added to the overall cost of power. The VAT has increased electricity on the backs of the consumers of this country. The government that they need to review the VAT on the electricity bills because it has increased the whole question of electricity. PSEB should look into how to stop the 30 per cent to 40 per cent transmission losses. The ill planned and haphazard laying transmission lines should be corrected. Good quality Transformer should be used and overloading not to be permitted. Maj KS Sidhu
Lacks planning
The news about the power tariff hike by 17.5 per cent came like a bolt from the blue for the common man who is already at loggerheads for controlling his expenses on the account of the rising prices of essential commodities. It has created a hole in the already empty pocket. Though it’s not for the first time that the government has committed the folly and the common man is paying the price. The ruling government has bankrupted itself by providing free power to the farmers. The lack of planning and inability of the government to install new power plants has resulted in the purchase of power at exorbitant rates from other states putting unnecessary burden on consumers. This hike will further deteriorate the financial condition of the people who have already cut down the items of daily use due to inflation. But why should we pay for the thing that is not ensured us regularly? The hike in tariff is not the only solution. The government introduced this because it was the easy way out. Instead of this, it should have looked for implementing other power reforms. There are many other ways of increasing the state revenue.eg.cutting down the salaries of the MLA’s, reducing their security and unnecessary expenses. If the government has committed the fault then let it bear the brunt of its policies. Why should the common man? Birkamal Kaur
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Bank reduces interest rates on home loans
Ludhiana, September 20 Iqbal Singh Bhatia, zonal manager, said the reduced rate of interest for all new home loans up to Rs 20 lakhs would be 8.25 per cent per annum for first 24 months. Similarly for all fresh home loans above Rs 20 lakh and up to Rs 30 lakhs, the revised rates would be 8.50 per cent per annum for the first 24 months. For new auto loans, the bank has reduced interest rates by 50 basis points for loans up to Rs 10 lakh.
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Spares dealers seek uniformity in VAT
Ludhiana, September 20 Subhash Bajaj was elected chairman of the association. Members stressed the need to make VAT uniform in all states, stop the sales of spurious goods and get white paper well in advance so that the dealers could understand it.
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Varsity chair in Pt Phillauri’s name sought
Ludhiana, September 20 Presiding over the meeting of the society at Circuit House here, Krishan Kumar Bawa also emphasised the need to set up a suitable memorial in the name Pandit Shardha Ram, who, he added, had participated in the first freedom struggle of 1857. An acknowledged Hindi and Punjabi writer of his time, Pandit
Phillauri, wrote his first Hindi novel “Bhagyawati” in 1878. His other publications included “Sikhan de raj di
vithia” and “Punjabi baatcheet”. The meeting also chalked out a programme to celebrate the 172nd birthday of Pandit Shardha Ram, who was born at Phillaur town near Ludhiana in 1837. Prominent among others present at the meeting were Ashok
Makkar, Rachna Sharma, Dr Manoj Sobti, Suresh Gupta, Madan Lal Chopra, Madan
Gopal, Nirmal Kaira.
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Kids celebrate Grandparent’s Day
Khanna, September 20 Municipal council president Iqbal Singh was chief guest during a
function. Grandparents were presented with gold medals and puppets. Principal Anju Bhatia welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of elderly in lives of children. Fun games and tombola were organised.
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Workshop on fabric studies
Ludhiana, September 20 Seerat Gill, an expert in clothing and textiles, conducted the workshop. She briefed students about the importance of fashion designing studies and discussed the importance of fabric selection. She talked about the forms of fabrics, their structure, colour, texture, design, and how these factors were be considered while using a particular fabric for a dress.
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Land-grab Bid Our Correspondent
Jagraon, September 20 Rajinder Kaur of Kila Raipur had complained to the police that Malwinder Singh of Sahoke village, Dalip Singh and Lakhwinder Singh of Ubhawal village, Jagshir Singh of Budrukhan village and advocate Hardial Singh, all of Sangrur district, tried to grab the land that was in the name of her late husband at Kila Raipur. She alleged that the accused had made a false sale deed by forging the signature of her husband and had shown that they had made an agreement to buy the land for Rs 22 lakh and had paid Rs 15 lakh as advance on January 2005. They had shown that the agreement was executed at Sangrur. They had also gone to court to obtain a decree of specific performance and get the sale deed executed in their name. Rajinder Kaur, however, complained to the police, which found that the signature of Kapoor Singh had been forged and booked the accused under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B, IPC, and arrested Dalip Singh. The other accused are at large. In yet another case, Nachhatar Kaur of Humbran village accused her brother Jagjit Singh and his wife Kulwant Kaur of forging the power of attorney to sell the property in her name at Aitiana village. In her application to the SSP, Jagraon, last year, she had stated that the accused had got a false power of attorney and tried to dispose of her land. She said she had given a general power of attorney to her brother, but suspecting his intentions, she had cancelled it. The police has booked the accused under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B. IPC. No arrest has been made in the case yet.
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Two women held for aiding blackmailers
Jagraon, September 20 Karamjit Kaur confessed that the gang used to bring innocent rich men at her house and then they used to make their blue films with Pinki (another accused) or other women of the gang on mobile phones and then blackmail them. She said they had acquired mobile phones capable of shooting good quality video clips for this purpose. In the evening the main accused Pinki was also arrested from the Gill Road crossing while she was about to board a bus for New Delhi. Earlier, the police was tipped off about her presence in Hebbowal Kalan. At least six persons were booked, for blackmailing rich farmers by forcibly making their blue movies, on September 10. Those booked have been identified as Jagdish Singh, alias Deesha of Fangwal under the Ladhowal police station, Amrik Singh, alias Bhikhi of Salem Tabri, Ludhiana, Balraj Singh of Meani village near Machhiwara, Pinki of Ludhiana and two other women under Sections 382, 384, 328, 365, 342 and 120B of the IPC. The Raikot DSP, however, maintained that the raids were still being conducted. The remaining members of the gang would soon be arrested.
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Theft at Police Colony
Mullanpur Dakha, September 20 They had planned to pick up two other motorcycles, but failed to take them along and dumped them near the boundary wall of the colony. Constable Pritam Masih found his motorcycle worth Rs 30,000 missing. The colony has a boundary wall, besides armed guards. A part of the boundary wall at the rear of the colony had got demolished sometime ago, but was not repaired. The thieves made this their passage for escape along with the motorcycle. They had tried to take away the motorcycles of Harpal Singh and Raj Kumar also. SHO Sudhar Tehel Singh said head constable Jagroop Singh is inquiring into the matter and would recover the motorcycle. A case under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC has been registered.
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Thieves strike at Lajpat Nagar
Ludhiana, September 20 They entered the house at midnight and stole Rs 60,000 cash and gold worth Rs 2 lakh from the house. According to the owner of the house, Jatinder Kumar, they came to know about the theft only in the morning.
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Man found dead
Ludhiana, September 20 The deceased, who appears to be in his mid- 30s, bore stab wounds on his body. Bystanders spotted the body on Friday. Later on, they informed the police about the crime.
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