Ludhiana, October 9
The ongoing flyover project at Gill Chowk has made it one of the worst bottlenecks of the city.

With no traffic lights, the chowk poses a major threat to commuters. Buses and private autorickshaws are also adding to the traffic chaos.

Barricades had been put up at the flyover to restrict traffic, but people removed it. In order to take a shorter route, commuters do not hesitate to risk their life and continue to drive through the construction site.

“What can we do? There is no better alternative route. We have to opt for Gill Chowk to reach our destination on time,” Rajinder, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, said.

Even the traffic police is facing the heat. A senior officer lamented that commuters blamed the police for traffic chaos even though delay in the construction of the flyover and the lackadaisical attitude of the MC had resulted in chaos.

“In a city like Ludhiana, the flyover project should have been completed in six months, but seeing the slow pace of work, I think it would take six years for completion. The condition of the slip road is also poor, leaving commuters no option but to take the construction site road,” the officer said.

Recently, the traffic police had instructed the flyover authorities to vacate 3-ft space as the builders had reportedly occupied more area, which resulted in frequent traffic jams. “Everyone waits for a tragedy to happen, only then they start working. The traffic police and the MC authorities are simply passing the buck. The motor market situated close by is also adding to the problem,” Rashpal Singh, who runs a scrap unit, said.

Meanwhile, the flyover authorities are complaining that the traffic was posing a major hurdle to the project. Shopkeepers said instead of blocking the entire chowk, the MC authorities should have employed a mechanism to ease the traffic flow.

Tarun Sachdeva, a resident, said: “Some senior MC official should get stuck in the jam here once. Only then would they realise the plight of commuters.”

The SP, Rupinder Singh, said the police was trying its best to regulate the traffic. Bus and autorickshaw drivers have been banned from parking vehicles in the middle of the road.

Ludhiana, October 9
In the absence of Class IV employees, students have to perform menial jobs in government schools. A majority of government schools are devoid of Class IV employees like peon, gardener and sweeper.

During a visit to a government school, students were found sweeping classrooms, serving water to teachers or visitors, watering plants, etc.

Students even collect garbage from the compound. In primary schools, the situation is worse. Small children are made to spread mats when the school opens and roll them back later, even though the government has sanctioned the post of a peon, sweeper and gardener for all schools. But in a majority of schools these posts have been lying vacant for nearly a decade.

The schools have not been given funds for recruiting sweeper, peon, chowkidar and waterman.

All arrangements are being made by the school authorities in collaboration with the parent-teacher association (PTA). All expenses are being met through the PTA fund. According to sources, each student contributes Rs 100 per annum to the fund and schools spend lakhs on the maintenance of buildings, electricity bill and workshops.

Earlier, schools heads could manage it since they were collecting more funds under the PTA, but now it is prohibited to collect extra funds.

Amarjit Kaur, DEO (secondary), denied that students were being made to do menial jobs.

Ludhiana, October 9
The prices of sugar have come down to Rs 29.50- 31 from Rs 33-35. Speculations are rife that the rates may fall further once the government holds the auction of hoarded sugar. Yesterday was the last date for the filing of objections over the sale of confiscated sugar through a public auction.

District Food and Supplies Controller HS Mokha said department officials would hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and decide how to go about the auction.

“The seized sugar is under judicial custody. We have to seek the court’s permission before announcing the auction,” he said.

As much as 1,15,000 tonnes of sugar worth Rs 40 crore had been seized from three hoarders in the district last month ahead of the festive season.

“One of the hoarders was involved in similar cases at Jalandhar and Amritsar also. Since it is a perishable commodity, we will try to auction it as soon as possible. The rates may come down further if sugar reaches the markets in bulk,” he said.

The general secretary of the local sugar association said if the government held the auction, the prices of would come down further.

A wholesale dealer of sugar at Kesar Ganj Mandi, Rajinder Kumar, said due to the crackdown on hoarders by the government in many districts, those working illegally in the trade have become cautious. “They are bringing the stored commodity in the market slowly, which is good for consumers,” he added.

Ludhiana, October 9
The police arrested a driver who decamped with Rs 3.60 lakh and 100 gm of gold jewellery from an industrialist’s house at Bhai Himmat Singh Nagar near Model Town on October 2.

The police also recovered the stolen amount from the accused, who has been identified as Balwinder Singh, a resident of Ganganagar in Rajasthan. It is learnt that a special team arrested him from the house of his in-laws at Ganganagar.

During the interrogation, he confessed to the theft. Paramjit, the owner of the house, and his family had gone to pay obeisance at a gurdwara in Uttarakhand. The accused entered the house by breaking the window and stole the cash 
and jewellery.

The police also recovered a Paramjit said since the time of the incident, the driver did not come for duty. When he was asked to come for work, he started making excuses, which raised their suspicion.

Ludhiana, October 9
KD Choudhry, member (distribution) of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), today stressed on the need for conservation of energy, tapping alternate sources of energy and curbing the menace of electricity theft.

During a seminar on "energy conservation and eradication of power theft" at Guru Nanak Public School here said discipline in saving electricity and curbing power theft could tide over the acute shortage of power that the state was facing.

Theft of electricity not only caused huge losses to the PSEB but also put additional burden on genuine consumers.

An inter-school photography competition and power point presentation contest was held. In a bid to spread the message of energy conservation, PSEB also displayed a few guest entries on the theme and to motivate people against wasteful and reckless use of electricity.

BS Bath, engineer-in-chief, central zone of PSEB, stressed upon the need for saving energy and promoting use of energy efficient electrical fittings and appliances.

"At the time when people in the state are facing a severe power crisis, the regimen of conservation and cutting down consumption of power ought to be followed by every one."

RS Gill, principal of the school, Jasbir Singh, chairman, and Surinder Singh, general secretary of the school managing committee, also exhorted the students to spread the message of power conservation.

HS Randhawa, Rachhpal Singh, Jagjit Singh, Kulbir Singh, Pradeep Gupta, MP Singh, HS Jogi, SK Gupta, PS Brar, CS Brar, Mandeep Singh, Harjit Gill, Sukhjot Sidhu and Sanjeev Prabhakar were present.

Winners:

Photo exhibition — 1st BCM School, Chandigarh road, 2nd Guru Nanak Public School, 3rd BCM School, Basant Avenue.

Power point presentation — 1st Guru Nanak Public School, 2nd BCM School, Basant Avenue and 3rd Sacred Heart Convent School, BRS Nagar.

Ludhiana, October 9
Lack of coordination among MC departments has once again come to fore as the town planning wing held another anti-encroachment drive at Gyan Singh Rarewal Market here today as the horticulture wing failed to develop the site as park.

Amid opposition from female residents of shanties, the demolition squad razed around 20 structures following orders of Municipal Commissioner AK Sinha.

Talking to The Tribune, ATP Kamaljeet Kaur said, "Temporary encroachments on the park were earlier removed by ATP Ramesh Chabbra around two months ago and a demarcation for development of the park was also given to the horticulture wing. However, it failed to take any action and the site was again encroached by some people belonging to economically weaker section of society.

Interestingly, the incident has left Municipal Corporation departments in blame game.

While Kamaljeet Kaur said it was the duty of the horticulture wing to install grills and construct a boundary wall, XEN Karamjit Singh, who has the additional charge of horticulture, said vice-versa. "It's the duty of the building branch to make the boundary wall and then the site will be developed with green plants, grass, etc by us. Besides, no estimate for the development of park has been approved, so spending on it is unquestionable."

He expressed ignorance over the development of the park and said no written orders had been received by him in this regard.

When Horticulture XEN JS Bilga was asked about it, he replied, "First of all, no such orders for the development of the park was received by me. Moreover, the charge of Ludhiana has been taken away from me.”

Calling the episode unfortunate, Congress councillor Parminder Mehta said, area councillors should take interest in such matters and ensure coordination among the departments. 

Ludhiana, October 9
Taking serious note of illegal construction going on in the city, MC Commissioner AK Sinha today directed officials of the building branch not to allow any construction without permission.

The directions were issued during a review meeting held this afternoon.

The draftsmen urged the MC Commissioner that it was not possible for them to discharge the duty of building inspector and their present charge concurrently.

Besides, the issue of shortage of staff in the department was also raised with Sinha, who in turn directed Municipal Town Planner Hemant Batra to take people from other branches like house tax department, etc. where there was enough staff.

Sinha also directed the ATPs to submit a list of buildings that were under construction and their status, whether they were approved or illegal.

Illegal construction in the city has become one of the hottest subjects with many contempt petitions under consideration in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In certain cases, the High Court this week issued bailable warrants against former MC Commissioner GS Ghuman.

Sources in the corporation said that if directions of the MC Commissioner were followed in toto, it would improve the system and working of the department.

Ludhiana, October 9
The department of health and family welfare in a raid conducted last evening sealed three sweets shops in Karimpura, near Lakkar Bazaar and another on the Kakkowal Road.

A team of health officials led by civil surgeon Dr Maninderjeet Singh seized 37 quintals of milk cake, 17 quintal patisa, 2.8 quintal khoya, 2 quintal balushai, 70 kgs barfi from a shop.

Similarly, 1.5 quintal of milk cake, 1.5 quintal khoya barfi, 33 kg of skimmed milk and 70 kg of poor quality sooji was seized from another sweets shop at Karimpura. The officials seized 50 kg of besan, a bag of ammonia and 7 quintals of matthis from the third outlet in the same locality. At least 25 kg milk cake, 325 kg skimmed milk, 50 kg liquid glucose and 150 bags of suji were seized from the shop on the Kakkowal Road. District health officer Dr US Sooch further said 13 samples of flour, maida, sooji and milk were taken which had been sent to Chandigarh for testing.

He said the sweets shop owners were selling these sweets in the name of "Pure ghee preparation" whereas they were priced half the actual market price. "The milk cake which is generally sold for Rs 160 per kg was priced for Rs 70 per kg," the DHO revealed.

Dr Fakir Chand Shukla, former professor and head, department of food technology, PAU, said the quantity of sweets was increased by adding mashed potatoes to the sweets, while “arrarot” flour was used to make the material which is not "hazardous".

But a large number of halwais used urea to prepare synthetic milk in festival season which is further mixed with detergent and oil to prepare synthetic khoya and it played havoc with the lives of people, Dr Shukla went on to add.

Dr Shukla further disclosed that some halwais also used flavour of diacetyl, when added to the vanaspati ghee gives the aroma of pure ghee, thereby fleecing the customers.

Doraha, October 9
A major tragedy was averted in the wee hours of today when the driver of a combine lost control of the vehicle and it tipped before getting stuck on the edge of the canal along the southern bypass.

The combine driver said he was going from Ropar to Khanna along the canal with two others, when he lost control of the vehicle due to some technical fault and it veered off road.

“The edge at that particular spot was slightly elevated and it prevented the vehicle from falling into the canal,” he added.

Commuters have been complaining of serious risk to their lives due to eroded edges along the canal.

A few days ago, a tempo driver had a narrow escape when a car driver took a sharp right turn at the turn to Harnampura village on the southern bypass and the tempo narrowly escaped falling into the canal.

The problem of eroding edges has been highlighted in the media for some time but to no avail.

“The canal embankments need urgent repairs to ensure the safety of motorists”, said Jaswant Singh Gill, secretary, Non-Government Colleges Management Federation, who commutes on the road frequently.

“A couple of sacks placed along eroded edges serve little purpose as motorists generally travel at high speeds on the particular stretch. Even the sacks give way with the passage of time”, said another motorist.

The condition is worse on the other bank of the canal as the earth has become loose at most places. Cattle that often graze there have played havoc with the edges.

“Things get really tough for motorists at night due to poor visibility and blind curves,” he added.

Ludhiana, October 9
Students of commercial arts in Shaheed-e-azam Sukhdev Thapar Government Girls Senior Secondary School today organised an exhibition to spread a message against "female foeticide" with the support of Jaspreet Mohan Singh, lecturer in commercial arts.

The event evoked tremendous response with large number of students coming out with creative entries on the theme.

Kamaljit Kaur, school principal, said there was a long way to bring out the hidden talent of the budding artists and spreading the message to the society.

Vijay Dhanda, who inaugurated the exhibition, expressed her concern over skewed sex ratio in Punjab, which was one of the worst among all other states of the country.

Ludhiana, October 9
The nationwide programme of “Aam aadmi ka sipahi” (AAKS), launched by the Youth Congress on the directions of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, is gaining momentum and the process is on to nominate 10 AAKS volunteers from party workers in each of the 75 wards in the mega city.

This was stated by Dimple Rana, president of the District Youth Congress (DYC), while addressing a meeting of the party workers in Sarabha Nagar, here, last evening. He also announced the nomination of party activist Sanjeev Arora as president of the ward number 57.

The DYC chief said besides propagating the policies and programmes of the party to the people, these workers would focus on activities of community welfare and eradication of social evils from the society. “The AAKS workers will undertake welfare works like medical camps, tree plantation and awareness campaigns against dowry and female foeticide.”

He said a two-day training camp would be organised here for AAKS volunteers, including presidents of block and ward units of the party. State president of the YC Ravneet Singh Kotli will preside over the camp and activists of the Indian Youth Congress will impart training to the participants.

Amloh, October 9
The SAD-BJP government has failed to protect the interest of farmers as the delay in procurement of paddy in grain markets has caused extensive loss to farmers, said local MLA Sadhu Singh Dharamsot while talking to mediapersons after a visit to the grain market here today.

The government had failed to supply power during paddy transplant season and now the late entry of procurement agencies into the market had exposed the hollow claims of Badal, he said.

Punjab Pardesh Congress secretaries Pargat Singh Anian and Jiwan Kumar Puri and other workers were also present.

Dharamsot warned the government that if the paddy was not lifted within two days from the market, he would launch a stir along with farmers and members of the Palledar Union.

Meanwhile, a deputation led by Kisan Sabha chief Sukhdev Singh Tibbi, Kulbir Singh Khanora, Harinder Singh Toor and Palledar Union chief Gursewak Singh 
met with heads of procurement agencies and secretary market committee and demanded speeding up of procurement process of paddy.

Jagraon, October 9
A special non-scalpel vasectomy camp organised by the health department at the Civil Hospital here yesterday turned out to be a big draw as 101 persons underwent the operation.

Besides providing the facility of free surgery and follow-up treatment, those undergoing the operation were also paid a cash incentive of Rs 1,100 under the government-sponsored National Family Welfare Programme.

Inaugurating the camp, Dr Hari Krishan Singla, SMO, said for quite some time now, the focus had shifted to vasectomy (sterilisation operation of males), which was comparatively simple, required no hospitalisation and had a better success rate than tubectomy of females.

With the introduction of non-scalpel procedure for vasectomy, the patients could simply walk home and resume their work almost immediately.

He, however, observed that a large number of men still had inhibitions about undergoing the operation. Any such apprehension was misplaced and based on wrong notions, he added.

No-scalpel vasectomy is one of the most effective contraceptive methods available for men.

It is more effective than the oral pill or injectable contraceptive. It is an improvement on the conventional vasectomy with practically no side-effects or complications.

The new technique is now being offered to men who have completed their families, as a special project on a voluntary basis under the family welfare programme.

Dr Maninderjit Singh, civil surgeon, Ludhiana, and Dr Reena Sandhu, district family welfare officer, also visited the camp.

The team of doctors comprising Dr Suresh Kaushal from Ludhiana Civil Hospital, Dr Harinder Pal Singh of the PHC, Malaud, and Dr Sandeep Singh of the Jagraon Civil Hospital performed the surgery.

In all, 140 registrations were made at the camp, out of which 39 individuals were rejected either for being overage and for having medical complications. An unmarried youth was also turned away.

The doctors said a large number of cases of underage men and drug addicts coming to the camp to get incentive declared by the government were reported at such camps.

A large number of individuals between the age group of 60-70 underwent the procedure and were given a certificate and cash incentive of Rs 1,100 each. Interestingly, the approved age group for the procedure is 20-60 years.

Ludhiana, October 9
Students home, favourite hang out of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) students, staff and outsiders is losing sheen, all thanks to dirty washrooms adjoining the canteen and the foul stench emanating from it that greets the visitors. So acute is the problem that it is impossible to sit in the canteen and the reading room of the students' home.

The stench has become painful for the canteen contractor as well as the staff who have to bear the foul smell throughout the day.

"The dirty washroom with chocked drains does not only pose a major health hazard to us and visitors but has also resulted in loss of business over the past few months," said a canteen staff member.

He added that all complaints to the concerned authorities on the dilapidated condition of the washrooms have fallen on deaf ears. "The washrooms have literally become a headache for all of us," he said.

He rued that they as well as the visitors were being denied the basic facility of a clean toilet. "Every time we need to use the washroom, we have to go to the adjoining departments," complained another canteen staff member.

"The foul smell which greets you just as you step inside the students' home is such a big turn off. It is impossible to sit in the canteen due to the smell.

The PAU authorities seem to be sleeping over the upkeep issue of the campus," said Simranjeet Singh, a regular visitor the reading room of the students' home.

Ludhiana, October 9
Having performed at Festival of India in Russia in 1986, Babu Khan Mangniyar, Sufi singer from Rajasthan is in the city to perform.

The programme organised by the Punjab Cultural Society will be held at Guru Nanak Dev Bhavan tomorrow evening.

Having performed in Hindi films, the artiste feels strongly about Sufi singing, as he adds that it is not a form, which should be exploited commercially. "This is the reason why Sufi singers in Rajasthan despite having lived in oblivion have been able to keep the form untainted," said Khan.

The artiste has sung with noted Bollywood singers in movies, including “Lamhe”, “Naik”, “Mr Romeo”, “Meenakshi” and the most recent “Luck by Chance”.

However, sharing his grievances the artiste said it was unfortunate that their talent had been lauded overseas whereas people in India had failed to give them recognition. "Many a times, people have used our songs in Hindi films without giving us any credit," said Khan.

He termed Hans Raj Hans and Wadali brothers as the top Sufi singers in Punjab. Rajinder Malhar is another singer who will perform tomorrow.

Jagraon, October 9
The Ludhiana rural police got a major breakthrough with the seizure of 11.45 kg poppy husk in three separate cases. One persons was arrested, while five others managed to flee.

In the first case, contraband weighing 10.78 quintal contained in 31 bags was seized after the accused fled the scene following a raid.

Jagraon city SHO Naveen Pal Singh along with SI Hari Mitter and ASI Jaspal Singh, who were on a routine patrol, got a tip-off around 12.15 am today that Paramjit Singh, Pipal Singh and Sarab Singh, all brothers, from Daulewal village, near Kot Isse Khan in Moga district, along with three others were camping on the Nanaksar-Gurusar Kaunke road to sell poppy husk.

It was further informed that the accused were in three vehicles, one black, one white Scorpio and a white Alto car.

The SHO registered a case against the accused under the NDPS Act and raided the scene along with Jagraon DSP Bhupinder Singh and seized 31 bags, weighing 34.80 kg each.

The accused, taking advantage of the cover of darkness, fled the scene in their vehicles.

The police was raiding the possible hideouts of the accused to arrest them.

In another case, ASI Charanjit Singh of Jagraon narcotics department signalled two scooterists to pull over at Jangpur village, near Mullanpur Dakha.

As they tried to escape, the scooter lost its balance and fell. The two men fled the scene, leaving behind 32 kg poppy husk and the scooter (PB 33 A 5611).

A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the Dakha police station.

In yet another case, SI Harbhajan Singh of the narcotics cell arrested Kulvir Singh of Kothe Sher Jung in Jagraon and seized 35 kg poppy husk from his possession during a routine patrol.

A case against the accused has been registered under the NDPS Act at the Jagraon police station.

Ludhiana, October 9
Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar, gave an excellent performance to bag 10 medals in the Punjab State Schools Tae kowon do Championship held at Bathinda, yesterday. They annexed one gold, two silver and seven bronze medals to make their presence felt.

Winners

Girls’ u-14 below 18 kg: Tamanna Sood- gold medal; below 24 kg- Pratibha- bronze medal

Girls u-17 - below 35 kg- Lovleen- silver medal; below 62 kg- Ridhima- silver medal

Boys u-14 - below 21 kg- Anmol Kanojia- bronze medal; below 24 kg- Pushkar- bronze medal

Boys u-17 years- below 35 kg- Vishal- bronze medal; below 60 kg- Parul Sharma- bronze medal; below 64 kg- Shubham Jain- bronze medal

Boys u-19- below 62 kg- Shashi Kant- bronze medal

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 9
Cricketers of the AML Club and Champions Eleven of Bhutta College of Engineering were declared winners and runners-up in inter-college cricket tournament that concluded at Bhutta village yesterday.

According to Prof Devinder Singh Grewal, convener of the event, 16 teams from various institutes and departments had participated in the tournament.

The tournament started with 16 teams on a knockout basis. The AML Club defeated Champions Eleven by 10 runs in the final match played yesterday.

Goldi Thakur and Sandeep Khatri of winning teams were felicitated by Dr V K Sharma, principal of the college. 

Ludhiana, October 9
The host, Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, stamped its superiority over others to clinch four out of six titles which were decided at the District Throwball Championship which concluded here today. The school also won the overall trophy.

Sargodha Public Senior Secondary School and Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School won one title each. Teams from 30 schools of the district competed in this two-day meet.

Results: Senior boys -- Sargodha Public School 1, Everest Public Senior Secondary School 2, and Ewing Christian School 3.

Junior boys -- Everest Public Senior Secondary School 1, Ewing Christian School 2, and GGS High School 3.

Sub-junior boys -- Everest Public Senior Secondary School 1, Ryan International School 2, and Navyug High School 3.

Senior girls -- Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School 1, Everest Public Senior Secondary School 2, and DD Jain College 3.

Junior girls -- Everest Public Senior Secondary School 1, Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School 2, and Sargodha Public Senior Secondary School 3.

Sub-junior girls -- Everest Public Senior Secondary School 1, Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School 2, and Government High School (Division no. 3) 3.

Varinder Singh Birdi, president of the Punjab Throwball Association, and Rajinder Sharma, organising chairman and president of the Association of Punjab School Education Board affiliated schools, Punjab, gave away the prizes.