Ludhiana, November 30
Differences among SAD leaders forced Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to cancel the meeting of the district grievances committee, to be held here tomorrow.

Highly placed sources said news about the infighting among SAD leaders, who wanted the problems of their areas taken up on priority, reached the Chief Minister, who postponed the meeting indefinitely.

The first meeting of the committee was to take place nearly three years after the constitution of the committee.

The residents were waiting for the meeting eagerly so that they could air their grievances in front of the Chief Minister.

The sources further said many leaders wanted that the problems of their areas should be taken up on priority.

It was not possible for the Chief Minister to take up all the problems of the city in an hour-long meeting.

Somebody had to adjust with this fact, but nobody was willing to do so, the sources added.

‘‘The Chief Minister decided to stay away. Nobody has suffered except the common man, whose problems were to be taken up in the meeting tomorrow, ’’ said a SAD leader, praying anonymity.

He added that it was a shame that the Chief Minister was coming to the city, but was forced to stay back.

The Chief Minister had announced the first meeting recently, when the Tribune had highlighted the issue in these columns recently.

After the news item, the Chief Minister had decided to come to Ludhiana and chair the meeting.

Many officials of the city, however, were relieved as they were anxious that they would be held accountable for the delay in public works.

They were feeling that they would be at the receiving end as political leaders would not leave any stone unturned to make them accountable in front of the Chief Minister.

Ludhiana, November 30
SAD councillor Tarsem Singh Bhinder and his friend were assaulted by eight persons while they were returning from a wedding last night.

According to information, the incident took place on the Rahoan Road around 10:45 pm, when Bhinder and his friend were on their way back.

While they were in a car, another car hit their vehicle, that led to a spat, and they were allegedly beaten up. Talking to The Tribune, Bhinder alleged that the youths were drunk. They were travelling in two cars, a Swift and a Lancer.

After the collision, the youths came out and started abusing them. They also had weapons like swords with them, attacking and injuring the duo.

While the SAD leader sustained injuries on his head and hand, his friend received wounds on his hand. He added that the attackers were from Mangat village.

A case was registered under sections 307 and 324 of the IPC at the Basti Jodhewal police station against eight persons. Of the eight persons, two were arrested, identified as Aman Dhaliwal, a veterinary student, and Gopi, residents of Mangat village.

Ludhiana, November 30
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) may have issued a circular to gas agencies not to force customers to buy additional products with new gas connection, but the malpractice goes unabated in the city.

For a new gas connection, gas agencies usually ask customers to buy products like gas stove, lighter, apron and rubber pipe, or else no connection would be issued.

As per a circular issued by the IOC to all distributors, it should be prominently displayed that: “While you are welcome to purchase an LPG stove/cooking range and other products from the range available with us, we would like to make it clear that it is not obligatory for you to purchase the same from us. You are at a liberty to buy the LPG stove/cooking range from any source so long as it bears BIS mark or is of an approved quality/make.”

But a majority of distributors don’t care about the circular and are forcing customers to buy the products from them. The president of Guru Kirpa Seva Sangh Society, FC Gupta, said malpractice was being done by a majority of distributors. “Certain distributors are selling gas stove for Rs 1,900, which otherwise was available in the market for Rs 500. Many people do not feel like buying things like lighter or apron, and they should not be forced by agencies to purchase unnecessary products from them. The practice is going on under the garb of higher officials. It should be immediately stopped as in inflation, the common man should not be burdened,” he said.

Meanwhile, an attendant at a gas agency in the Civil Lines said new connection was available for Rs 3,600 and included regulator, lighter, gas pipe. Asked if the additional products were not needed and only regulator and cylinder were required, the attendant said it was the company’s recent policy and all things had to be purchased by the customer. “Otherwise you will not be issued a new connection,” she added. 

Raikot, November 30
An overspeeding Orbit bus mowed down two persons at the Jalaldiwal bus stop on the Raikot-Barnala road here today. The deceased have been identified as Chand Singh (65) and his grandson Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Jalaldiwal village.

They were crossing the road on their cycle when the Jalandhar-bound bus hit them, killing them on the spot. The victims were going to the village dairy to sell milk. Gurdeep Singh was a student of Class VIII.

After the accident, the driver and conductor of the bus fled the scene.

Mohan Das, in charge of the Jalaldiwal police post, took the bodies in custody and handed over the bodies to the family after a postmortem. A case has been registered under Sections 304-A, 427 and 279, IPC, and the bus impounded.

Doraha, November 30
Two buses, one of the Punjab Roadways and the other of the Khatra bus service, hit a stationary tanker on the national highway here this afternoon.

No serious injuries were reported. First-aid post employees reached the spot and provided first-aid to 15 passengers of both buses who received minor bruises.

The Khatra bus (PB11AE-9925), which according to sources, was overspeeding, hit the Punjab Roadways bus (PB10U-9704) of the Ludhiana depot while it was trying to overtake the tanker (HR56-9895), which had a flat tyre, from the other side.

The passengers, 25 in the private bus and 15 in the roadways bus, got a sudden jerk and were pushed off their seats. The passengers of the private bus were annoyed at the driver. They alleged that while the roadways driver was swift to act, theirs proceeded otherwise.

One passenger rued that there had been numerous such incidents till date, wherein drivers and conductors, particularly of private buses, had ignored rules and regulations.

In an earlier incident, the driver of an overspeeding private bus had jumped a red light and allegedly crushed a teenaged girl in Ludhiana.

The passengers had often complained that drivers and conductors of the private buses were always engaged in a competition with their fellow drivers.

They would keep their buses parked at the bus stands waiting for passengers and then, to make up for lost time, drive recklessly, they alleged.

While car drivers were frequently challaned for crossing the speed limit, private bus drivers were seldom stopped in spite of being regular defaulters and if stopped at all, were let off with verbal warnings.

Ludhiana, November 30
Continuing with its anti-encroachment drive, the MC today removed around 270 encroachments in the form of extended stairs, footpaths, etc. in the old city area.

The civic body removed the fish market where around 20 sellers used to block the area, annoying residents.

The demolition squad, along with the police, began its work from Mata Rani Chowk and went on to Pratap Chowk, Daresi and Shivpuri, where JCB machines removed structures extending beyond the building line.

Talking to The Tribune, MTP Hemant Batra said: “The drive was peaceful and no confrontations were witnessed. People have become supportive of us. It’s good to see them cooperate with us.”

On action at Chaura Bazaar, he replied that the decision on it was yet to come from the Municipal Commissioner. After a long time, A-zone of the city limits is witnessing a demolition drive by the building branch. The zone is often described as “volatile”.

Area town planner Harpreet Singh Ghai said: “When we undertook the operations of marking encroachments, shopkeepers in various areas like Bijli Market extended their support by removing the irregularities on their own.” He added that regular patrolling would be undertaken to ensure that encroachments did not come back.

Ludhiana, November 30
A doctor at the CMCH has tested positive for swine flu and was admitted to the isolation ward yesterday.

One of his contacts has also been hospitalised and put on preventive medicine. The doctor probably acquired the infection from his recent visit abroad.

The increase in swine flu cases in the past month has added to the worries of the district health authorities and the medical fraternity. Medical experts have stated that the H1N1 virus thrives in cold temperatures, which could result in the multiplication of cases in the coming weeks.

Dr Sandeep Puri, medical superintendent at the DMCH, stated that the symptoms of common cold (influenza) and influenza H1N1 were similar and hence, it was important to exercise caution if one developed cold, cough, high fever and respiratory problems after coming in contact with a swine flu positive case or even a suspected case.

The CMCH has kept 10 beds ready for emergency in case of swine flu, Dr Kamal Massih, the hospital medical superintendent, said.

SPS Apollo Hospital on the other hand has one isolated room to accommodate patients. It was complying with the district health authorities which who asked hospital authorities to shift patients to the Civil hospital after getting positive H1N1 sirology. 

Jagraon, November 30
The sarpanch of nearby Chakar village has been suspended for tampering with the caste certificate on the basis of which he contested and won the election.

The complaint in this regard was lodged by his aide with Gurdev Singh Sidhu, director of rural development and panchayat department.

BDPO Harjinder Singh, an aide of sarpanch Piara Singh, stated in his complaint that the caste certificate used by Piara Singh to contest the election actually belonged to Gurdeep Singh and the sarpanch tampered with it and put his name on it.

The BDPO spilled the beans after they developed some differences. Another resident of the village filed a case in this regard and lodged a formal complaint with the department.

After hearing both parties, the director suspended Piara Singh under Section 20(4) of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. A letter regarding this decision has been delivered to the BDPO, Jagraon, and the panchayat officer.

When contacted, Piara Singh claimed that he was known by both names -- Piara Singh and Gurdeep Singh. He said all his school certificates were in the name of Gurdeep Singh while in the other documents his name was Piara Singh.

He said he was poor and not even interested in contesting the elections. He was made a tool by some persons who completed all documentations at the time and made alterations in his caste certificate, of which he had no information.

Ludhiana, November 30
The Punjab Agricultural University employees’ protest against the non-implementation of revised scales entered the fifth day today.

A group of five executive members - Harbans Singh Mundi, president, PAU Employees’ Union, Dr KN Sharma, president, PAUTA, Avinash Kumar Sharma, general secretary, PAU Employees' Union, Ashwani Kumar Nauriyal, cashier, PAU Employees' Union, and Dr Harmit Singh Kingra, vice-president, PAUTA, sat on a dharna today.

Lakhwinder Singh Sandhu, senior vice-president, PAU Employees’ Union, informed that the protest would continue till December 4.

The agitation would be intensified further if the demand of the implementation of revised pay scales were not met, Sandhu said.

A protest rally was also held which was jointly addressed by HS Mundi, president, PAU Employees’ Union and Dr KN Sharma, PAUTA president, Avinash Kumar Sharma, Dr Sangha, Dr Kingra, Lakhwinder Singh Sandhu, senior vice-president, Charnjit Singh Sehkkon, Jasbir Singh and Bikar Singh Kalsi, secretary.

The Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) and PAU Class IV Workers’ Unions also participated, including non-teaching and teaching employees from various departments of the university.

All the leaders condemned the negative attitude of the Punjab government especially of the "Badal trio".

The protesting employees of PAU raised slogans against the state government and demanded immediate release of grant.

The employees of PAU have been protesting against the apathetic attitude of the state government with regard to the non-implementation of revised pay scales for PAU employees even as revised pay scales had been implemented in the rest of the universities of Punjab and even for Punjab state employees.

The delay is attributed to the fact that the state government failed to sanction grants to PAU for the payment of revised pay scales to its employees as recommended by the 5th Punjab Pay Commission.

Owing to the non-implementation of revised pay scales, there is resentment among PAU employees, who have been protesting. Numerous representations and memorandums have also been presented to state and Central government.

Ludhiana, November 30
Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings in association with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh conducted a one day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)for MSMEs at CICU Complex yesterday.

CICU president Inderjit Singh Pardhan and chairman of Small Industry Development Board, Punjab, emphasized that Indian industry is passing through hard times. He informed CICU is regularly conducting seminars, so as to provide innovative and empowering solutions, crucial for development of MSME industry.

CICU General Secretary Avtar Singh said MSMEs are to be encouraged for enhancing awareness of IPRs so that they could develop the right skills to face the challenges head-on.

Dr Neelima Jerath, Executive Director, PSCST, Chandigarh, in her address said the objective of this initiative is to impart skills to industry professionals to manage intellectual property on day-to-day basis.

She further said IPR needs to be intertwined with all technology interventions to enable Indian industry to face global competition. She stressed India has a very good patent law and it needs to be enforced properly.

A series of technical and operational sessions ranging from the role of IPRs in MSMEs, overview of IPR and some case studies, IPR related schemes of ministry of MSMEs, experiences of MSMEs in Punjab and brand management were dealt in detail by Dr R. Saha, Director, Patent Facilitation Centre (TIFAC).

Upkar Singh, Joint Secretary, CICU, in his concluding remarks, said the Workshop will foster IP culture, exchange of best practices, enhance knowledge regarding comparative analysis of IPR enforcement techniques and it will help in learning methods for strengthening legal framework and chalk out strategies for industry action.

Ludhiana, November 30
The Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT), organised a workshop on “Latest Trends in Information Technologies” for MCA students.

Ashok Rayat, administrator and center head, TCIL-IT, Mohali, and Sumeet Kalra, business head, from HCL CDC, Ludhiana, were the resource persons.

Rayat enlightened the students about employability scope of MCA students in the IT industry. He also threw light on the various job opportunities available for fresh graduates.

Sumeet Kalra delivered a presentation on "IT Advancement and How to Excel in IT Field".

Wg Cdr SS Arora (retd), training and placement officer, and Dr (Col) HS Singha, institute director, stated that these types of informative workshops were conducted regularly to benefit students.

Ludhiana, November 30
Dean, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University Dr Milkha Singh Aulakh has been chosen for the first FAI Golden Jubilee Award for excellence in research 2009 by the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) - a body responsible for the promotion of fertilisers production and consumption in India.

The FAI instituted the Golden Jubilee Awards this year to commemorate its golden jubilee. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 20,000, a gold medal and a citation.

Dr Aulakh has been chosen for the award in recognition of his contribution for research in the field of integrated nutrient management. Earlier, he received FAI Silver Jubilee Award (1987).

Dr Aulakh has evolved scientific information on the judicious use of mineral fertilisers integrated with organic sources in cereals, oilseeds and pulses in cropping sequences, which have important bearing on improving the fertiliser - use efficiency, soil fertility, crop productivity and environmental benefits by reduced groundwater nitrate contamination and emissions of greenhouse gases.

He provided a comprehensive package on balanced nutrition of field crops, better understanding of how to manage soil nutrients in relation to yield and quality while minimising environmental pollution.

The FAI Golden Jubilee Research Award will be presented to Dr Aulakh by MK Alagiri, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers and Dr K Rosaiah, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, during the inaugural session of FAI Annual Seminar 2009 on "Fertiliser Policy for Sustainable Agriculture", in Hyderabad on December 3, 2009. Dr Aulakh is also invited as an honorary delegate to participate in the deliberations of seminar from December 3-5.

Ludhiana, November 30
Senior expert from Netherlands Dr Anne-Marie Reinders, DVM, imparted a two-week training on veterinary echocardiography and abdominal ultrasonography at the department of veterinary surgery and radiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana.

As many as 24 scientists and postgraduate students took part.

Dr Reinders is a senior expert working with PUM, which is an international organisation with headquarter at Hague, Netherlands.

Lectures, practical demonstrations and hands-on practice on veterinary echocardiography and advanced techniques in abdominal ultrasonography in small animals were conducted.

Dr Reinders delivered presentations on echocardiographic diagnosis of various diseases of heart like mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency, dilated cardiac myopathy, aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiac disease.

Faculty members and postgraduate students of the department were provided training to diagnose heart diseases in dogs and cats.

Presentations and hands-on-training were also given on diagnosis of various diseases of kidneys, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, spleen, urinary bladder, uterus and ovary by ultrasonogarphy.

Dr Narinder Singh Saini, professor-cum-head, who is also the principal officer reporting for the project, thanked the PUM for granting the project and giving opportunity to acquire knowledge about echocarediography and abdominal ultrasonography in small animals and the faculty has been enriched with the practical experience.

However, he felt that the department needs the help of PUM for strengthening the capabilities of scientists for advanced echocardiographic and abdominal ultrasonographic procedures.

Dr Saini further said the department of veterinary surgery and radiology has ultrasound machines suitable for abdominal and cardiac ultrasonographic examinations in small and large animals that cater the need of animal patients coming for diagnosis and treatment to the department from all over Punjab and adjoining states of Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, J & K and Rajasthan.

Dr Simrat Sagar Singh, dean, College of Veterinary Sciences, GADVASU, commented that training imparted by Dr Reinders would go a long way to develop the field of veterinary diagnostic imaging.

Jagraon, November 30
As many as 22 persons of Bhundri village has been booked by the Sidhwan Bet police for encroaching about 30 acre of village land.

The Sarpanch of the village has complained to the BDPO Sidhwan Bet that despite repeated requests the accused were not vacating the land and they were trying to sow wheat on the encroached land to continue their illegal possession.

After the inquiry, the Sidhwan Bet police booked all the 22 accused including Roop Singh, Sucha Singh, Prem Singh, Kundan Singh, Balbir Singh, Mohinder Singh, Karnail Singh, Surjit Singh, Rano Bai, Parkash Kaur, Pyara Singh, Surjit Singh, Mohinder Kaur, Surjit Singh, Lakhvir Singh, Anwar Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Amritpal Singh, Budh Singh Bikar Singh, Gurnam Singh all of Bhundri Village and Kartar Singh of Bharowal Kalan under sections 447, 149 of IPC. No arrest has been made so far.

Machhiwara, November 30
The missing wife (Shivani Bansal) of a Bhadson-based businessman was found dead this morning near Samrala.

Shivani Bansal was missing for the past five days with Rs 25 lakh cash.

Her mutilated body was recovered when some passerby informed the police about the body lying near Samrala.

While the police booked Shivani’s husband and other family members on the complaint of Shivani’s family members, a search was on to trace the missing woman.

It was suspected that she took away money from her husband’s house and allegedly eloped with someone.

The police said during the investigation it was found that the unknown man was identified as a Ludhiana resident Sunil Kalra.

The police said Sunil came with another man identified as Umesh Pathak to take Shivani from near her house in a car.

When her friends found that Shivani was carrying Rs 25 lakh they strangulated her and threw the body in bushes adjoining Garhi bridge.

The police said a board of doctors would be constituted to conduct a post-mortem.

The police said efforts were on to nab the culprits.

Ludhiana, November 30
Body builder and Mr Universe-1988, Prem Chand Degra, today asked the aspiring bodybuilders to depend on natural diet rather than packaged supplements if they wanted long-term gains in the field.

After inaugurating a gymansium in the city today, Degra said he was hurt to see the youths depending on various nutritional supplements to make it big in the world of bodybuilding.

‘‘This is not going to help them in any manner. They have to work on their muscles by depending on natural food,’’ said Degra. Expressing concern over the drug menace, Degra said youth should rather exercise and channelise their energy for the country.