Ludhiana, November 11
The MC would begin its first phase of demolition drive from Ferozepur Road tomorrow, covering Mall Road, Fountain Chowk, Cemetery Road and Rani Jhansi Road.

It is, however, not clear how many areas would be covered tomorrow.

Talking to The Tribune, Zonal Commissioner PS Ghuman said: “We are ready to undertake the work from D zone. The corporation has asked the police to depute 100 cops, including 50 commandos, for the purpose. Assistant Commissioner Mahinder Pal Gupta has been appointed Duty Magistrate and the clearing would begin from Ferozepur Road.”

As far as resistance from residents or shopkeepers was concerned, the final decision would be taken on the spot, Ghuman said.

Besides, police support, the MC squad would be accompanied by 100 labourers, five JCB machines, eight tippers and ATPs, besides tehbazari superintendents, under the supervision of Ghuman.

Ferozepur Road is part of the national highway and comprises the elite area of the city. It falls in the constituency of SAD MLAs Darshan Singh Shiwalik and Harish Rai Dhanda.

It would be an acid test for the MC as the list of encroachers includes the CMCH authorities, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran and Oswal Mill.

In a 300-page document to a city-based NGO under the RTI Act, the corporation has already admitted that there are more than 6,300 encroachments. It stated that most of these were pucca constructions and could be broadly classified as both commercial and residential.

Ludhiana, November 11
The failure of the District Transport Office (DTO) to check the plying of private buses has given a free hand to bus operators.

The fleet of private buses owned by politicians is growing and rules are being violated. Overloading, overspeeding and undercharging is rampant.

Coaches with LCD screens plying on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana route accommodate up to 55 passengers, against the capacity of 45. In one video coach, six extra seats had been arranged in the aisle, inconveniencing passengers.

A passenger brought it to the notice of the bus conductor, only to be told to get off. “This is a private bus and we can do whatever we want. If the arrangement doesn’t suit you, you are free to get off the bus,” the conductor simply stated.

Some bus drivers and conductors seem to be promoting local singers and in the process, passengers are forced to listen to non-stop songs.

Overspeeding and overtaking from the wrong side are also common and are going unchecked.

In what could be termed as a smart move, private bus operators are drawing passengers by charging “low fare”, thereby causing huge losses to the PRTC.

The fare from Ludhiana to Chandigarh is Rs 60 while private buses charge Rs 40. General Manager Punjab Roadways Rajeshwar Garewal said: “Undercharging is an offence and it is not just the duty of government officials to check it, but passengers must also say no to such offers and report the matter to the authorities concerned.”

Despite repeated attempts, the District Transport Officer, Ashwani Sharma, could not be contacted for comments.

Ludhiana, November 11
The CIA-I police has arrested four persons for running a fake lottery racket at New Kundanpuri and seized Rs 4.92 lakh from their possession.

The accused have been identified as Narinder Kumar and Rajul Kumar, both residents of Jassiya road, and Rakesh Kumar and Love Gandhi of Durga Puri and Rahon road, respectively.

Gurpreet Singh, in charge CIA- I, said all four were arrested while distributing money among one another. According to the police, the accused were running a fake lottery racket, causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the government exchequer. The police said instead of giving lottery tickets, they were distributing slips among people.

Ludhiana, November 11
Until now, only women would complain of domestic violence, but this time around two men, Sukwinder Singh (45) and Jeet Singh (60), have claimed that they have been subjected to violence and driven out of the house by their wives.

They said the police was also siding with their wives and not registering their complaint. They even alleged that third degree torture was inflicted upon them by the police. Homeless, they are braving the weather and spending the nights on the streets.

Interestingly, Sukhwinder’s father is also supporting his daughter-in-law. However, Sukhwinder alleged that he was even thrashed by the police when he tried to enter his house.

“All this was done at the behest of a councillor who is trying to usurp my house and he is provoking my father against me. It was due to his provocation that my father, along with my wife, has thrown me out of the house,” said Sukhwinder, a former hockey player.

“Last night I could not sleep due to the cold as I don’t have warm clothes. Before dying, I just want to meet my daughters, but the school authorities are not allowing me to meet them. I love my daughters. I do not know why my wife and my father are doing this to me. I am neither insane nor a drug addict,” he said, sobbing.

Meanwhile, Jeet Singh is also in a state of shock and alleged that he was thrashed and thrown out of the house by his wife’s relatives.

His neighbours said Jeet was an ex-serviceman and after retirement, went to Korea. He saved enough money and constructed a house, but was later thrown out.

“Now in the fag end of my life, where would I find shelter?” he asked, showing the wounds allegedly inflicted on him by his wife and relatives.

Ludhiana, November 11
“The art and science of surgery, imaging and anaesthesia have made a significant progress in recent years. Thoracic, abdominal, orthopaedic, ocular and laparoscopic surgeries in human beings as well as animals are now routine procedures,” said Dr RCM Kaza, chairperson, Foresee India, department of surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, during the 33rd Annual Congress and International Symposium of Indian Society of Veterinary Surgery (ISVS) on “Current trends in Diagnostic Imaging and Management of Surgical Affections in Dairy Animals” today.

Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, presided over the inaugural function. He observed that introduction of ultrasonography, endoscopy, computerised/digital radiography, CT scan and MRI had opened new vistas in diagnostic imaging in veterinary practise.

He said veterinary surgery and radiology in India had made significant strides. Early diagnosis of dairy animals was important to minimise losses in terms of production, reproduction and health of animal. With the development of newer and safer diagnostic imaging techniques, it had become possible to make quick and early diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.

He said the department of veterinary surgery and radiology had all facilities like equine surgery unit, dental surgery for small and large animals, ultrasound and echocardiography machine, small and large animal anaesthesia machines. This department had the distinction of successfully performing the diaphragmatic hernia repair in buffaloes, repair of ruptured urinary bladder in bovines and repair of ruptured prepubic tendon in the past.

During the last five to six years, scientists and surgeons had contributed to the ultrasonographic diagnosis of stomach disorders in the dairy animals. Introduction of interlocking technique for fracture repair in small and large animals was a unique distinction. GADVASU has planned to establish independent surgical and medical facilities for dairy animals, equine and pets.

Dr Richard Murray, professor at University of Liverpool, the UK, presented the theme paper in ruminant surgery session and audience enthusiastically listened to the noted academician and surgeon. Dr NS Saini said in the long run, the proceedings of conference and recommendations made by scientists would improve the animal health through appropriate and precision techniques. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 11
Accusing his senior of trying to implicate him in a false case, Dr Avinash Jindal, formerly posted at the Pakhowal civil hospital, has demanded a fresh inquiry into the allegations made by Rajinder Singh, a resident of Chaminda village. Jindal was issued a charge sheet for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.

Denying Jindal’s charges, Dr Rajinder Singh Kochhar, SMO at the hospital, reiterated his inquiry report submitted to the then civil surgeon was based on the sequence of events narrated by various people, including members of the hospital staff.

In a communiqué addressed to senior government officials including the chief minister and the health minister, Jindal demanded a fresh probe into the allegations made by Rajinder about five months ago.

Refuting the charges of pocketing a bribe by inflicting “friendly injuries” on the body of Gurpreet Singh of Chaminda on May 7, Jindal maintained the medico legal report had been prepared by a panel of three doctors including him.

Perusal of copies of hospital records showed Gurpreet and Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Dhaipaie, were brought to the hospital with injuries on the said day.

Though the incident had taken place sometime in the afternoon, medico legal reports regarding both cases were prepared either late in the night or the next day. One of the injured men, Gagandeep, returned from the Civil Hospital, without getting examined and was later admitted to a multispecialty hospital in Ludhiana.

The issue surfaced after The Tribune carried a story on the tendency of people to settle scores with rivals by inflicting self-sustained injuries on their bodies.

While looking into a complaint filed by Rajinder, Kochhar had had found Jindal guilty of flouting medical regulations and ethics by assisting in preparing misleading medico-legal cases and injury reports.

However, Jindal, who had accused his rivals of falsely implicating him, has now demanded an inquiry be held again by officials from outside the district.

There has always been a tendency to go to a foreign land for better prospects. It can also be the case of greener pastures across the hedge. Leaving the land of one's birth is like passing through a dark tunnel with the eyes fixed on the glimmering light at the other end. The dream world provides new incentives, accompanied by new expectations. When things fall into a pattern and the aching limbs get the needed repose, the mind gets into the nostalgic mood. Then the situation is akin to-“And we are here as on a darkling plain swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight”.

Kanwaljit “Dhudike” has come up with his second collection of poems Koonjan “The Swallows” wherein he depicts, apart from the feelings of Punjabi diaspora in Canada, his own assessment of the true position of the Punjabis in that land. He visited Canada some years ago but refrained from expressing his views shortly afterwards. Now, like William Wordsworth he has "Recollected emotion in tranquillity". The poems in this collection are in fact distinct images that leave lastings impressions on the mind of readers. Mostly he conveys his ideas through anecdotes, which have the urgency of maxims-My son, a student of first standard, scribbles on his notebook his name as Sandy instead of Satvinder Singh perhaps it is his silent protest-“See us through our eyes".

In a foreign land, a visitor finds many things turned the other way round. In the poem "Sub Kuchh Puthha", he tells that in Canada, the steering of the car is on the reverse side, people keep to the right on the road, the electric switch is operated by pushing it up and the water tap is opened from the other side. But the person who is an immigrant comments on bafflement of the visitor in a bit sarcastic way- You have come here as a visitor, so you find everything upside down. Here we are doing a Sheershasan, so we find everything in the correct posture.

Kanwaljit is an assistant professor in the electronics department of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana. Apart from this profession, he has variegated interests in such avocations as cartooning, photography and poetic composition. His is a familiar face as a newsreader at Jalandhar Doordarshan since 1989. Lately he has been broadcasting news and reports in Punjabi at the radio stations in Canada and America. He has held photo exhibitions “Photo Frames” in Ludhiana and Chandigarh.

Likewise, he has held a photo exhibition “Meri Dharti Mere Lok”, in Toronto, Canada and also at Punjabi University Museum, Patiala. His debut collection of poems “Bina Pate Wala Khat” was published in 1997. He received the Punjab State Award (Art) in 2007 and Punjab State Fine Arts Academy Photography Award (Indian Academy of Fine Arts) in 2004.

Like a frozen frame, images in the mind of an immigrant stand still in the memory even after decades, as he had witnessed them at the time of his leaving the village for a foreign land. His homecoming will reactivate those images, like the touch of a magic wand, so as to allow the things to fall into a pattern, eliminating the intervening period of time-On revisiting the village, I shall wind the timepiece, Lala will tell Kartari the weight of wheat, Bhaijee will restart reading the holy scriptures, the snake charmer will exhibit the dancing cobra, Veda will fix the puncture of the master's cycle, Geli, the child, will shout in glee when the buffalo's milk is poured into his mouth directly. Let all of these be liberated. They have been waiting for me since long.

NS Tasneem

Ludhiana, November 11
Panic has gripped the traders as the last date for the filing of annual Value Added Tax (VAT) return is November 20 and still Form C, H and F are not available to them.

Heavy additional tax is being charged if they fail to submit the return on time.

Initially filing of Form C with the quarterly VAT returns were not necessary. It was allowed to file Form C annually at the close of the year. Similar relaxation was also granted for filing of Form H.

But now it has been made mandatory to fill Form C and H along with the VAT refund application. Avtar Singh, general secretary of Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, said it was not viable and possible at all to fill the forms along with the VAT return.

Another trader Jagjeevan Singh said they had not been able to get the forms till date and how would it be possible to submit them along with the return. "All traders have not received the required forms from their parties. If the date is not extended we have to pay extra tax,” he said.

Jatinder Khurana, president of Taxation Young Lawyers Association, demanded that the last date for the submission of forms should be extended to June 30, 2010.

“From the past many years, the last date for filing the forms was extended by many years. But this year no such announcement has been made by the ministry and now traders will have no other option but to pay additional tax for late filing of the forms,” added Khurana.

The chamber has urged the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter immediately and direct the excise and taxation department and ministry of finance to continue the old practice of filing such forms at the close of the year and the present circular should be withdrawn immediately.

Ludhiana, November 11
Under the guidance of director of factories Raminder Singh, Punjab, a two-day training programme was organised by the Punjab Industries Safety Council in collaboration with the Directorate of Factories, Punjab, here today in which more than 55 participants took training on the first day.

General manager JS Bakshi, HR-Nicks (India) Tools, inaugurated the training programme. He stressed on safety in day-to-day life at home as well as at workplace.

He advised the participants to follow the safety norms. The participants from various industries i.e. Aarti Steels, Vardhman Spg & Gen Mills, Nahar Spinning Mills, Malwa Industries, Highway Cycle Industries, Munjal Casting, etc. participated in the training programme.

As per area official MP Beri, deputy director of factories, the main objective of the training programme was to bring safety awareness among the industrial workers. He advised the workers not to wear loose clothes at the workplace and follow Punjab Factories Rules, 1952.

He also stressed on electrical safety and disaster management. By providing electrical earthing on electrical equipment and lighting arrestor on high building, a mishap could be avoided, added Beri.

He gave lecture on electrical hazard and disaster management. JS Saini, safety executive Nestle, Moga, gave lecture on fire safety, LPG safety, ammonia safety and Parveen Mahajan from Red Cross, Punjab, Chandigarh, gave the lecture on first aid.

The safety exhibition regarding fire-fighting equipment, personal protective equipment (gum boots, gloves, apron, masks, etc.) were also displayed by Rajindra Fire Services.

Raminder Singh, Labour Commissioner, Punjab, will be the chief guest on the valedictory function. He will distribute certificates to the participants.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 11
Timely action by the police averted a major clash between two factions of members of the Cooperative Agricultural Service Society of Dhulkot and Jurahan, who had confronted each other on the election issue of the executive body today.

The election process could not be completed, as the faction led by the SAD supported members had left the venue of polling after snatching records of the society forcibly from the presiding official of the cooperative department.

According to a complaint lodged by Jaswant Singh, returning official, some members of the society led by Sarpanch Amolak Singh had allegedly left the venue after snatching the record pertaining to poll process.

The Congress supported members led by president Bhupinder Singh Thunia alleged that the officials had deliberately staggered the election process with an intention to appease the SAD leaders of the Dhaka constituency.

Terming sequence of events as attack on democracy, Thunia demanded a stern action against the officials who had stage managed the attempt to postpone the election.

The members supported by Amolak Singh accused the president of making 46 fake votes, as records were already with him.

Jarnail Singh, who had played an active role in diffusing the situation, said a probe into the incident had been initiated.

Sirhind, November 11
Encroachments galore at the GT Road, which passes through Sirhind. Construction of this road was initiated by Emperor Sher Shah Suri from Kolkata to Peshawar in Pakistan. Though he failed to complete this road, it was completed by Mughal Emperor Humayun.

The road is nearly 12 miles long in Sirhind and is now declared as government land, but people have encroached upon this road at many places.

As per the information gathered from the PWD and elderly villagers, this road has now been blocked at many places due to encroachments.

They said this road was nearly 90-feet wide, but no traffic was plying through this highway for the past many years and villagers used it to reach their fields adjoining the Aam Khas Baag of Sirhind and at other places.

At many places farmers have also annexed this road with their farms and hence reduced its width. Ancient monuments and other structures were also constructed on this road and many of them could be seen today as well. But these are in dilapidating condition due to lack of care. This road is passing through Madofal, Dheerpur, Shahpur Patarsi villages and reaches up to Nisal and Rajpura.

The villagers said British rulers had modified this road as per their requirements before the Independence. People have now started using the new road and nobody ever takes care of this road. Wells for commuters and rest houses were set up and saplings were planted adjoining this road which are now on their last legs and many of the ancient monuments have got completely destroyed with passage of time.

However, some government officials claimed that encroachments were removed from the GT Road few months back and encroachers from nearly 3 to 4 km were removed and new milestones were erected to get rid of new encroachers.

Ludhiana, November 11
Twenty-five years after getting displaced following the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, most of the victims who were promised shelter, jobs and financial help, are still awaiting the promises to be fulfilled.

The state government had promised that all the 22,000 identified victims, who were issued red cards, would be compensated. However, 12,000 were paid a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each in 2006.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Punjab Sikh Migrants’ Welfare Board president Jaswinder Singh Patna said the remaining 10,000 families were not compensated on trivial grounds although the Government of India had clearly stated that simple norms were to be adopted while granting relief to the riot victims.

He said in 1987, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had allotted shops to some of the riot victims, but till date the possession of the same has not been given. The state government also allotted 240 booths in Dugri, but no norms or criteria were followed in the process.

“It is a matter of concern as to why only 240 booths have been allotted wherein approximately 7,000 red card holder families are residing in Ludhiana and nearly 22,000 families in Punjab?” questioned Jaswinder Singh.

He added that in 2007, once again Punjab government sought applications for the riot-affected families without red cards. About 4,000 applications were submitted in Ludhiana alone. Even after two years, nothing has been done in this regard, he added.

The board demanded that all the remaining affected families, who have been deprived of relief, be compensated. Booths and shops should be allotted to each cardholder with proper norms and procedures. Those victims who have possession of plots but not allotment letters should be allotted the property.

They also demanded that applications pending in various DC offices in the state should be taken up on priority and formation of new committees be done with fresh members from every victim society.

Meanwhile, taking up the case of Bibi Harbans Kaur, a riot victim, the board members said the officials concerned misplaced her file for compensation thrice. The septuagenarian riot victim had to make rounds of various offices to get permission for submission of the file again. There are several other families who are suffering from the similar problems, said the board members. 

Ludhiana, November 11
A 15-member team of technocrats from Orissa visited Punjab Agricultural University here today.

The team was led by Satya Narayan Mishra, agriculture information officer and president, Orissa Agricultural Services Association.

The group visited various departments and field areas of the university. Dr SPS Brar, director, Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute, spoke on the role played by extension agencies in Punjab agriculture.

Dr RS Sidhu, head, department of economics and sociology, delivered a lecture on “Crop production scenario and marketing in Punjab”. The delegation was apprised about the working of plant clinic.

The team visited the Museum of Social and Rural History of Punjab on the PAU campus and got an insight into the culture of Punjab.

They visited the Centre for Communication and International Linkages and bought farm literature published by the university.

Satya Narayan Mishra said the team appreciated the university for its achievements.

Ludhiana, November 11
An election meeting of PAU field staff was organised near tube well number 5, in which a large number of field staff, tractor drivers and other employees of PAU attended the meeting regarding their long pending demands.

The tractor drivers' association of PAU today declared their support to Maur Group.

Comrade Joginder Ram, a contesting candidate for the post of senior vice-president, while addressing the meeting said the implementation of personal promotion policy, left out categories for G1-G IV, demands of laboratory attendants, grant of pay scales and arrears to stenographers had not been fulfilled till date.

Another meeting of PAU Employees’ United Front was also held at the campus today. The candidates led by Harbans Singh Mundi met the employees of engineering college, press, food science, agronomy building, horticulture and vegetable crops for their support.

Mundi said the employees had promised to provide their support to the group this time also.

Ludhiana, November 11
The World Education day was celebrated at Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Doraha.

Principal Dharam Paul Thakur said the teacher's bodies and students’ organisations should express their views.

Ludhiana, November 11
Under the technical supervision of Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, women members of the PAU kisan club namely Gurdev Kaur Deol, Karmjit Kaur, Bhagwant Kaur, Harmit Kaur and Harinder Kaur Saini, along with their in charge Dr Rupinder Kaur Toor, will be attending a training programme on "low cost napkins from cotton refuge" from November 12 to 14 at Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.

Club president Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli said the visit was sponsored by the Agricultural Development Agency. — TNS

Doraha, November 11
The Non-Government Colleges Management Federation of Punjab and Chandigarh has decided to join hands with the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union to protest against the government with regard to their long-pending demands.

SC Sanwalka, president of the federation, said, “The revised pay scales have been recommended by the UGC and the Central government. The Punjab government has not sanctioned a single penny for the payment of revised pay scales. Universities like Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, are not in a position to pay the revised salaries to teachers.”

Jaswant Singh Gill, secretary of the federation said, “We appeal to teachers to join hands with the managements.”

Jagraon, November 11
The Jagraon police yesterday held a grocery shop owner for selling habit-forming medicines from his shop illegally.

SDP Bhupinder Singh got a tip off that Sanjeev Kumar Arora alias Tiwari used to sell the psychotropic medicines to addicts from his grocery shop located at Agwar Lopon near the Dalla Octrai point. Balwant Singh, in charge of Raikot police chowki of Jagraon, immediately took positions near the shop and held Sanjeev Kumar when he was bringing scheduled medicines for retail sale.

The police recovered 17 bottles of cough syrups of various brands, 400 Netizepam 10 mg tablets, 126 capsules of various brands and salts and 430 tablets of 5 mg Alprex tablets. These are the medicines, which the drug addicts buy at multiplied rates for their consumption to get intoxicated.

DSP Bhupinder Singh said this was the first time that a grocer was held for selling the psychotropic medicines along with the restricted medicines. The accused, however, did not disclose the source of the medicine, which was most probably some local wholesale medicine dealer.

On the other hand, the chemists are upset over the frequent raids of the police on the chemists’ shops and yesterday a meeting of local chemists was held, which was presided over by Jagmohan Mittal, president of the Chemists’ Association, Jagraon. It was resolved that the police was unnecessarily raiding their shops and were humiliating them though they had extended unconditional support to the police for their anti-drug drive “Jago”.

It was unanimously decided that a deputation of the chemists along with the representatives of Punjab State Chemists’ Association would meet SSP Ludhiana Rural, Harinder Singh Chahal and apprised him of the situation. 

Mullanpur Dakha, November 11
The two-day athletics meet of Sahodaya Schools (west zone) Ludhiana championship concluded here at the Baddowal Stadium.

The championship was hosted by Peace Public School. Thirteen CBSE schools had participated in the meet. S Teja Singh, secretary, All-India Handball Federation, and vice-president of All-India Basketball Federation, had graced the occasion by declaring the meet open as the chief Guest yesterday.

Capt Daljit Singh (Olympian and Asian Games record holder), Gurpreet Singh and Satinderpal Singh (both Asian Games record holders) were also present today among others.

The players of Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, bagged the overall championship by winning 18 gold medals in the athletics meet followed by Eastwood International School, Mullanpur, and Sacred Convent School, Jagraon, at the second and third place, respectively.

In under-14 boys’ category, Avneet Singh of Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, was adjudged as the best athlete whereas in girls, Jasdeep Kaur of Eastwood International Public School, Mullanpur, was declared as the best athlete.

In the under-16 boys’ category, Hardev Singh of Eastwood International Public School, Mullanpur, was adjudged as the best athlete whereas in the girls, Depinder Kaur of Sacred Convent School, Jagraon, was declared as the best athlete and the in under-19 boys’ category, Harpreet Singh and in the girls, Navneet Kaur, both of Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, were declared the best athletes.

Mullanpur Dakha, November 11
Guru Teg Bahadur National Public Senior Secondary School girls, Diljot Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Rupenjeet Kaur and Simranjeet Kaur, who represented Punjab in the Under-14 Football National Games, were felicitated by the school management committee on their return today.

Principal Amarjeet Kaur Gill, however, attributed the success of the girls to their hard work along with the coaching provided to them by their coaches Narinder Kaur Toor, Jaskaranjit Kaur and Sukhdev Singh.

The nationals were held recently in Goa.

A total of eight girls had represented Ludhiana district in the state-level games of Punjab school sports.

Out of these eight, seven girls were selected for the selection camp of the players to play in the nationals, including Diljot Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Rupenjeet Kaur, Simranjeet Kaur, Harleen Kaur, Jaspreet Kaur and Parminder Kaur. 

Ludhiana, November 11
The players, who were waiting for the sports kit scheduled to be distributed among them in April, would have to wait for some more time.

According to sources, the material worth crore of rupees purchased by the Punjab sports department for the distribution among sportspersons of the state would be presented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.

It is learnt that Sukhbir would visit the city on November 16 and distribute these sports kits, which were lying dumped for over two months.

Meanwhile, the players are ruing over the lackadaisical attitude of the sports department, who in order to please the Deputy CM, delayed the distribution of the sports kits, which was scheduled to be given on the National Sports Day celebrated on August 29.

It is learnt that the distribution function was delayed in the wake of Sukhbir’s busy schedule.

As per information, the department bought approximately 6,000 kits for various games, including hockey, volleyball and badminton, which would be distributed during a function organised on November 16.

The kits, which were meant to be distributed among the players of the government schools and universities, would be of no use as a majority of the school and university-level tournaments are over and only national tournaments are left.

A hockey player said on the condition of anonymity that the sports kits were meant to be used during practice and these equipment were of no use during the time of the tournament.

“What we will do with these kits at the end of the season. I fail to understand when the sports department would organise itself and start realising our problems rather then pleasing the politicians,” he said.