Ludhiana, October 27
Every year the MC spends over Rs 10 crore on roads, but it doesn’t have a mechanism to ensure that the roads are built in accordance with the guidelines of the PWD and the ministry of surface transport.

The agreement with contractors mentions that the road shall be built as per the PWD/MOST guidelines, but the MC does not ensure that the quality is as per the guidelines since MC officials never conduct most of the prescribed 30-odd tests.

The fact came to the fore after a complaint was filed by an NGO, Resurgence India, before the Punjab State Information Commission for non-provision of information where MC officials said the road testing laboratory of the MC had been lying abandoned ever since its establishment more than a decade ago. This was because there was no laboratory technician to conduct the tests and equipment worth lakhs remained unused.

A visit by The Tribune team to the laboratory revealed that it was dilapidated and most of the machinery was non-functional. The equipment was rusted and cloaked with dust.

Under the RTI, the MC officials told the NGO that the laboratory was established in 1998 and there were nine equipment -- weighing machine up to 3 kg, weighing machine up to 5 kg weight, weighing machine up to 100 kg weight, crushing strength machine, impact test machine, centrifugal bitumen extractor etc.

They confessed that they had no guidelines for BIS/IRC, MOST about periodicity of calibration. They have never got their equipment or instruments calibrated and neither do they have any certificate for calibration.

They also said they had not used any equipment for tests and only five bitumen content tests had been conducted since January 2008. Initially, the MC had denied having a laboratory.

It is only after the NGO produced five test reports issued by the laboratory before the information commission that they changed the stand.

Talking to The Tribune, NGO general secretary Hitender Jain said: “The state of affairs in the municipal corporation is shocking.

Lakhs spent on the purchase of instruments have gone down the drain. The Commissioner should fix responsibility and take action against the guilty officials.”

Ludhiana, October 27
Allottees of 162 HIG and HIG super flats at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar have not got the possession even after three years, even though they have made full payment to the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT). Infrastructure development at the Rajiv Enclave Housing Complex has been delayed due to red tape.

The LIT had launched the housing complex with fanfare in February 2005 when Paramjit Singh Sibia, who later earned notoriety in the infamous City Centre scam and had to quit unceremoniously, was the chairman of the trust.

The HIG and HIG Super flats, priced between Rs 14.6 lakh to Rs 15.6 lakh depending on the floor, were offered under the self financing scheme, with intending buyers paying 10 per cent of the cost with application, 15 per cent within 30 days of issue of allotment letter, and the remaining amount in equated half-yearly instalments over two-and-a-half years, by which time the construction was scheduled to be completed and possession handed over to the allottees.

Information obtained by The Tribune from the engineering branch of the LIT revealed that work began in May 2005, with the estimated time for completion being two years. However, the work remained suspended for nearly eight months with upward revision of estimated cost of construction from approximately Rs 16 crore to Rs 19.95 crore. The resolution forwarded by the LIT with regard to the revised estimate was caught in bureaucratic red tape at the local government department at Chandigarh for over eight months and the construction was completed in July 2008.

Now, the flats are ready, but the ordeal of allottees is far from over since the government has not yet approved resolutions for infrastructure development, construction of internal roads and electrical works.

“The resolution for infrastructure development in the housing complex at a cost of Rs 44.87 lakh was sent to the government on October 22, 2007, and it took the local government department a year to approve the resolution, after which the work was allotted,” an LIT official said.

With the promised installation of elevators in the complex still to materialise and infrastructure development a couple of months away, the allottees continue to pay interest to banks on housing loans.

Ludhiana, October 27
The rich heritage of books with the MC is going to get a new lease of life as the civic body has decided to shift its library to Guru Nanak Bhawan.

Established in 1870s, the library had been lying in the state of neglect for the past seven years as its building near the old bus stand was demolished to give way for the construction of the fire department. The infrastructure and books were shifted to the building on the Gill road, where the library staff failed to find any readers.

However, with the finance and contracts committee approving the submission of Rs 8.4 lakh to the district administration for getting rooms at Guru Nanak Bhawan, there is a ray of hope. The civic body would be paying Rs 2 lakh to the administration as rent for the premises.

Library in charge Anurag said the library had around 20,000 books. Since it was a public library, one would find more of fiction, but they had encyclopedias, magazines, literature etc. which were popular among the masses,”she stated, adding that 28 newspapers were also available. Books that were in a pitiable condition would be covered again. The yearly subscription is only Rs 15 and one needs to deposit Rs 50 as security fee, library officials, who have been taking care of it for the past three decades, said.

Ludhiana, October 27
The role of the police has come under a scanner as it has allowed a childless couple to adopt an infant girl child without following the procedure for adoption. The SHO of the police station concerned was not even aware about the child's gender as he maintained that the abandoned child was a boy and not the girl.

Kamal Bahadur, working in Nahar Spinning Mills, and his wife, Sita, found a day-old girl child from the bushes near Jeevan Nagar, Focal Point, on Sunday. They immediately took the child to Vardaan Hospital where she was kept under observation for almost 24 hours. Thereafter, the couple took the girl home.

Dr Amit Khurana of Vardaan Hospital expressed ignorance about the infant girl being an abandoned child as he stated that the couple had registered the girl as the baby of Sita. However, a cop from the local police station had come to inquire about the couple's residential address, said Dr Khurana.

When contacted, in charge of Focal Point police station said the infant was at the hospital. He, however, he changed his statement when told about Dr Khurana's statement of having discharged the child from the hospital.

On the other hand, the childless couple, unaware of the lengthy legal procedure that follows the adoption, is elated on their newfound status of "parents". Sita revealed her plans of organising a small ceremony to baptise the girl. "I have started calling her Sita as we found her from mother earth, but we will give her a proper name after the ceremony,” she said. When asked about the legal adoption, she said they had been called at the police station and were told to take the child home.

As per the adoption rules, the couple can only get the legal custody of the child through the court. The adoption deed followed by a declaration by both the parents has to be kept in the police records so as to safeguard the rights of the child.

SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill, when apprised of the situation, said the couple would be allowed to keep the child in the capacity of caretakers but the legal procedure for adoption will follow. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 27
Compromising with the security of the people, the cash strapped state government has squeezed the budget for plying of police vehicles, including motorcycles on patrolling duty.

Four-wheelers and motorcycles, which used to comb the areas without any restriction on fuel consumption during fight against terrorism, will now get little more than eight litres and one litre of fuel, respectively, on daily basis.

The state government had further squeezed funds for running vehicles being used by the station house officers and the beat in-charges working round-the-clock for security of residents of their respective areas.

“Due to cut in budget, drivers of all four-wheelers are directed to ensure that they will not consume more than 250 litres of fuel in a month. Motorcycles will get 30 litre of petrol every month,” read the orders passed on to all police stations.

Though the cops heading police stations situated near their district headquarters might succeed in managing affairs with the curtailed budget, it will be almost impossible for those whose offices are situated in far-off places. There are some police stations and chowkis in Sangrur and Ludhiana (Rural) police districts, in-charges of which have to travel 60 kilometres to reach their headquarters.

Only 10-12 rounds to the headquarters in a month will exhaust the fuel budget, thus leaving no or little space for keeping a vigil on anti-social elements of the area. SHOs of rural police stations have to travel at least 50-60 km daily in order to make their presence felt to anti-social elements.

Investigations revealed that there was no limit on fuel consumption during the terrorism days and later a limit of 500 litres was fixed. It has gradually been lowered to 250 litres a month.

Residents apprehend that the decision to cut the budget will either prompt cops to manage fuel by illegal means or force them to compromise with the security of area. 

Ludhiana, October 27
To overcome the acute financial crunch, the police has decided to rope in industrialists to finance the infrastructure required for proper traffic management in the city.

In return, the industrialists will be given income tax waiver under Section 80-G of the Income Tax Act. If every thing goes as per the plan, big industrial houses of the city will pump in funds to change the city skyline. The city traffic police will be self-sufficient and will not have to seek monetary help of the government for infrastructure development, said sources.

Pritpal Singh, a traffic management expert, said industrialist would donate money to the Community Policing Resource Centre (CPRC), which provides tax waiver under Section 80-G of the Income Tax Act.

“We are planning to handover the documents to the SSP for approval. We assure that there will be no dearth of traffic equipments once the government sanctions tax rebate under Section 80-G,” echoed a delegation of the core group of entrepreneurs during a workshop organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on behaviour and stress management for traffic police at police lines here today.

Talking to the media, the delegation said: “We are preparing the document and will hand it over to SSP SS Gill for consideration. We are offering help. It’s up to the police to decide.”

The delegation said they would install canopies at all the major chowks and provide new shelters to the cops with all the required comforts. Besides, cones and dividers will be installed in various parts of the city.

“We will spend money where police want us to. We are ready to do our bit for the development of the city,” said the delegation.

There is huge dearth of traffic infrastructure, leave alone canopies and dividing cones, even traffic lights are not functional at majority of the chowks in the city.

The police has also shown encouraging signs at the proposal. “Till now, I have not received any such document from the industrialist. As soon as I receive it, I will look into the matter and would send it for approval,” said the SSP. 

Doraha, October 27
With both the grain markets flooded with produce brought by farmers to the market each day, those bringing the fresh produce have started unloading it on roads due to lack of space in the markets.

As the procurement process is moving at a slackened speed, roads here are blocked with the paddy causing inconvenience to commuters.

Roads at the back side of Khalsa School and near the government school have been blocked. The blockage has made the smooth passage almost impossible, said a resident.

He said out of 2,24,376 quintal paddy, about 68,009 quintal paddy was purchased by the warehouse agency, 75,883 by Markfed, 80,422 by PUNSUP and 82 quintal by private purchase agencies. In Dana Mandi, out of 6,41,075 bags, nearly 2,59,733 bags were lifted, while 3,81,342 bags were still lying in the mandi.

Ludhiana, October 27
Having realised her childhood dream, Mehak Chahal has a delighted smile on face. "I always wanted to join films and I am contented at heart," says Mehak Chahal, who was in the city, along with fashion designer Ashley Rebello, to give special tips and suggestions to budding fashion designers of International Institute of Fashion Designing (INIFD).

"During our childhood days we used to visit India and have fond memories of the same," she quips.

Mehak was seen in the recent releases "Wanted" and "Main aur Mrs Khanna" and "Dil Apna Punjabi".

"I want to do a Punjabi film every year. Punjabi is my first love and would love to be a part of the Punjabi cinema. My role in the movie "Dil Apna Punjabi" was appreciated by audience," she added.

Fashion designer Ashley Rebello added that he felt great whenever he saw his name on the silver screen. He started his career from "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar".

“Craze of having a zero size among girls and trend of bodybuilding in boys is high among youth, all thanks to films," he added.

While initiating the campaign for selection of INIFD designers for the Gen Next category at Lakme Fashion Week, a platform that every budding designer aspires for, Mehak Chahal and Ashley Rebello discussed the latest trends and fashion fads with INIFD students and gave specialised inputs on what it takes to be at the fashion week forum.

Ludhiana, October 27
On the third day of youth festival at BCM College of Education, events like drama, histrionics, mimicry, mime, quiz, skit and creative writing were organised.

Results:

Skit: Doraha College of Education, Doraha, 1, GMT College of Education, Ludhiana, 2 and Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Chandigarh, 3; individual skit prizes: Isha Mehta of BCM College of Education, Ludhiana, 1, Meenu Khullar of Doraha College of Education, Doraha, 2 and Shabnam of Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Chandigarh, 3; consolation: Sunita of Sant Baba Hari Singh Memorial College of Education, (Mahilpur), Hoshiarpur, 1 and Inderjit of GMT College of Education, Ludhiana, 2; mimicry: Aaina Arora of Gobindgarh College of Education, Alour, 1, Anjali Sharma of Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Ludhiana, 2 and Jyoti Devi BKM College of Education, 3; Nawanshahr mime: BCM College of Education, Ludhiana, 1, Government College of Education, Chandigarh, 2 and Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Ludhiana, and Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Chandigarh, 3; quiz: Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Chandigarh, 1 and DAV College of Education, Hoshiarpur, 3.

Ludhiana, October 27
A few Indian universities make it to the several ranking schemes that exist internationally. As per SCOPUS (http://www.scopus.com) research on Indian universities, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been ranked 18th and contributes towards 18.31 per cent of India’s research done by top 25 universities in India (selected according to the international standards).

This analysis of research performance is based on quantum of output and quality of research of different universities using data from SCOPUS.

SCOPUS is the research tool of choice for 60 per cent of the world’s top 20 ranked universities, providing access to more than 5,000 international publishers across the scientific, technical, medical, social sciences and arts and humanities fields. Based on this analysis the PAU tops among agricultural universities. It has made 1,685 papers during 1999-2008 with a citation of 1.0 and its 202 papers resulted from international collaboration.

The 25 universities were chosen using the total number of papers published according to the Scopus database.

The publication share of the selected universities to the total output by India showed an increase from 17.48 per cent in 1999-2003 to 18.31 per cent in 2004-08. The citations received by papers are considered for first three years (three year citation window) from the date of their publication, says the report.

The results have been published by Gangan Prathap and BM Gupta in current science (volume 97, No.6). According to the report, only two agricultural universities namely the PAU and CCS Haryana Agricultural University have mentioned in the list. 

Ludhiana, October 27
The dyeing industry in the city is hopeful of reaching a favourable conclusion with the state government on the issue of installation of two common effluent treatment plants in the city.

The much-awaited meeting of industry representatives with the Chief Minister and other higher officials will be held tomorrow at Chandigarh. The dyeing industry has been in dock for polluting Budda Nullah. The installation of treatment plants has been a long pending demand of industrialists.

Ashok Makkar, president of the Dyeing Association of Ludhiana, said they had prepared an agenda to be discussed with the CM.

He said 32 acres of government land at Tajpur road should be allotted for setting up of the treatment plants. After treatment, the standard bio-oxygen demand (BOD) of 100 should match with the Central Pollution Control Board norms and not with the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

Chairman of the association Tarun Jain Bawa said it was the responsibility of government to provide suitable land to the scattered 50 dyeing units in the city. “We have recently been asked by government to make their own arrangements to shift the units, which is not viable. We have to be given land by state government at subsidized rates so that another cluster could be formed,” said Bawa.

The recent announcement that 50 scattered units should start with their shifting process has left the affected industrialists high and dry.

Ludhiana, October 27
The Moulder and Steel Workers Union, Lok Ekta Sangathan and Inkalabi Kendra, took out a protest rally against the government’s "anti-worker" policies outside the Mini Secretariat here today.

The agitators blamed the SAD-BJP government for inflation.

Vijay Narayan, president, Moulder and Steel Workers Union, said the rising cost of basic commodities had dented their monthly budgets. On top of it, factory owners were "exploiting" the industrial workers. Ration cards of migrant population were not being made by the department concerned.

Commodities like kerosene oil and sugar should be equally distributed by the government and stern action should be taken against hoarders, he added.

Narayan said the inflation had burnt a hole in pockets of the common man. The rise in prices of basic commodities, including pulses, sugar, rice, wheat flour, edible oils and vegetables had added to their burden.

"If a worker becomes sick, he will not be able to bear the expenses of costly treatment. Instead of getting eight hour services from labourers, employers were making them work for at least 10-14 hours a day. This is nothing but exploitation of poor workers,” alleged Narayan.

Leader of Lok Ekta Sangathan Galar Chauhan said the government should take the moral responsibility of providing employment. Workers should be given an identity card by the government, which would help them buy ration from any nearby depot. Labour laws should be strictly implemented in the state.

Besides, labourers should not be asked to work for more than eight hours a day, Chauhan added.

Ludhiana, October 27
The district-level committee formed to implement Punjab State Language Act today directed all the government officials to get the nameplates outside their offices in Punjabi within 45 days.

The committee headed by Minister for Jails Hira Singh Gabria expressed concern over the step-motherly treatment being given to the language by public schools.

The members said the public schools were known to fine students who spoke Punjabi in their classrooms. They were issued strict instructions to speak only in English.

The committee decided to appeal to the schools to start a mass movement for Punjabi language that was fast losing popularity. It was also decided to take up the matter of public schools with Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal.

The committee also took a serious notice of the absence of Deputy Commissioner, who is a chairman of the committee, and other members from the meeting.

Gabria said that Punjab Vidhan Sabha had unanimously passed resolutions that would help promote and preserve the Punjabi language.

He said the Punjab government had passed a Bill making use of Punjabi mandatory for all offices and Punjabi would be compulsory for government and private schools up to Class X.

He said to promote and respect Punjabi language, the government had constituted district-level committees. 

Ludhiana, October 27
A state convention of the Punjab State Karamchari Dal, to be held here on October 30, will focus on the pending demands of the employees.

The employee leaders will also chalk out a strategy to press the government for early acceptance and implementation of their demands. The district unit of the employees union, which met here today under the leadership of Hari Singh Tohra, state chief of the body, reviewed the preparations for the proposed rally and dwelt upon the core issues which would be taken up in the convention.

Speaking at the occasion, Tohra said the gathering of the employees will make out a strong case with the government for regularisation of daily-wage employees, grant of 5 per cent assured increment, filling of all vacant posts, release allowances as recommended by the pay commission and fulfil all other commitments made with the employees.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 27
Despite apprehensions about degradation of standard of education due to contractual employment of teachers, potential teachers of the state maintained that dedication, commitment and efficacy of teachers were least affected by their alleged physical, social and psychological exploitation.

However, they appealed to the state government to review the education policy and change priorities and preferences while preparing budgets.

“Is birthday of Dr Radha Krishanan celebrated for his cultural and social values as a teacher or handsome salary or perks that he got? questioned Jaspreet Kaur, a BEd student of Government College of Education, Chandigarh, while speaking against the motion during the Zonal Youth Festival of Punjab University, Chandigarh. She said the system to appoint teachers on the contract basis did not mean exploitation of teachers.

Jaspreet Kaur, another potential teacher, said nothing on this earth could kill an educator inside a teacher.

“A teacher cannot be termed temporary or permanent. Teaching is a mission and we have decided to adopt it as a missionary profession and not a business,” said Jaspreet.

Maintaining that only eligible and meritorious candidates were being appointed as teachers, whether temporary or permanent, Vibha Sood said the system to appoint contractual teachers was rightly adopted to resuscitate the depressed national economy while solving unemployment problem.

Jasleen Madan, another proponent of the system, said contractual teachers had exhibited better sense of responsibility and accountability than their counterparts appointed on the permanent basis.

Maintaining that the system violated rules of natural justice by not paying equally for equal work, Manasvinee of BCM College of Education, Ludhiana, and Sharan Kaur of Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh, contended that contractual teachers were being harassed physically, mentally and socially.

Shilpa Kaura of DD Jain College of Education, Ludhiana, and Jaswinder Kaur of Malwa Central College of Education, Ludhiana, said teachers were being treated as labourers. “With sword of uncertainty of future hanging always over their heads, it’s difficult for these teachers to develop an emotional bond with their institutes and pupils emotionally,” said Kaura and Kaur.

Disclosing that even the house had voted in favour of contract system, Viney Sofat, a judge for the contest, said the system needed certain modifications.

Jagraon, October 27
The zonal youth and heritage festival of Moga-Ferozepur B Zone concluded at GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura village, recently.

Results: Short stories writing: Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 1 and 2; Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, and Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2; drama: Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 2, SDS College for Women, Lopon, and SD College for Women, Moga, 3; drama (individual): SD College for Women, Moga, 1, DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 2, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, and SDS College for Women, Lopon, 3; Historical event: DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 1, Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 2, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, and GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 3; elocution: DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 1, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 2, Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 3; Essay writing: Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, SDS College for Women, Lopon, 2, Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 3; Debate: Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, Jagat Sewak Khalsa College for Women Mehna, Moga, 2, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 3; Poem recitation: SDS College for Women, Lopon, 1, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2, Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 3; Poem writing: Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, SD College for Women, Moga, 2, Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 3; Vaar-kali: GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 1, SDS College for Women, Lopon, 2, SBBS Memorial Girls College, Sukhanand, Moga, 3; Vaar-kali(individual): Amandeep Kaur of Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 1, Gurbinder Kaur of SBBS Memorial Girls College, Sukhanand, Moga, 2 and Lakhvir Kaur of SDS College for Women, Lopon, 3; Kavishri: Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 2, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 3;

Kavishri (individual): Rupinder Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1 and Inderjit Kaur of Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2; Ladies traditional songs: Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 1, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, and SD College for Women, Moga, 3; Ladies traditional songs (individual): Kakhwinder Kaur of Mandeep Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, Sukhjinder Kaur of Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 2, Sukhpal Kaur of SBBS Memorial Girls College, Sukhanand Moga, and Harpreet Kaur of GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 3; Rangoli: Jagjit Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, Harpreet Kaur of Jagat Sewak Khalsa College for Women, Mehna, Moga, 2, Harmandeep Kaur of GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, and Ravneet Kaur of Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 3; Quiz: Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 2, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 3; Group dance: Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 2, Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 3; Group dance (individual): Swaranjit Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, Amandeep Kaur of GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 2, Navpreet Kaur of DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 3; Giddha: GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, 1, SD College for Women, Moga, 2, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City, 3; Giddha (individual): Parneet Kaur of Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 1, Manjinder Kaur of DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cant, 2, Amandeep Kaur of SD College for Women, Moga, 3; Dasuti and cross stitch: Jagat Sewak Khalsa College for Women Mehna, Moga, 1, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2, SBBS Memorial Girls College, Sukhanand, Moga, 3; Pakhi designing: Kiranveer Kaur of Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 1, Ramandeep Kaur of Jagat Sewak Khalsa College for Women, Mehna, 2, Harpreet Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 3; Phulkari: Amandeep Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, 1, Jaspal Kaur of Jagat Sewak Khalsa College for Women, Mehna, 2, Mandeep Kaur of SBBS Memorial Girls College, Sukhanand, Moga, 3; Folk dance: GGS Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura, Moga, 1, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 2, Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, Raikot, 3

Ludhiana, October 27
The Vigilance Bureau nabbed a clerk of the Industries Department for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 7,000 from an office-bearer of a non-governmental anti-corruption organisation.

The accused, Krishan Gopal Singh, had allegedly demanded the money from the organisation for renewal of registration of organisation under the Registration of Societies Act. Their registration expired in 2003. As per the rules, the organisation needed to deposit Rs 300 as late fee for renewal.

But the clerk demanded Rs 1,500 per year. The deal was finally struck at Rs 7,000. The organisation complained to the Vigilance Bureau which laid a 
trap and caught the clerk red-handed.