Ludhiana, December 30
In a major development the Punjab Local Bodies minister today suspended 13 officials of the municipal corporation whose names have surfaced in the fake bill scam. Talking to The Tribune, minister Manoranjan Kalia said: “I have ordered suspension of 13 officials, including one SE, three XENs, three SDOs, two JEs, two DCFAs and two officials from the local audit branch. The action has come following preliminary enquiries conducted by the additional commissioner of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.”

The names of the officials who have been suspended are SE Arun Sharma, XENs HS Khossa, PK Chaddha, Karamjit Singh, SDOs Rahul Gagneja, Deepak Kocchar, Rakesh Sharma, JEs Rakesh Singla, Harjeet Singh, DCFA SK Gupta and Yashpal Anand. While action against DCLA SS Brar and VK Khanna have been ordered to examine local funds.

The minister said, “As far as action against three erring contractors Varinder Kumar, Kulbir and Sunny Gosain is concerned it would be decided after final report of inquiry underway by the local bodies vigilance cell is submitted. The embezzlement that had come to fore is a criminal breach of trust and no body in my department would be allowed to misuse public funds.”

The minister was of the opinion that the entire fraud in the fake bill scam was planned and it did not happened abruptly. “It took time for all fraud and I assure public that no one would be spared. Transparency in departments headed by me is my priority and they would witness winds of change,” Kalia added.

This is the second biggest suspension in the local bodies department. Earlier, 16 EOs were suspended by the minister on the reports of corruption. The scam came to light in November involving embezzlement of funds exposing official-contractor-politician nexus.

The fake bill scam revolves around three contractors and a few municipal corporation officials. The three contractors were given 13 works of lying cemented and premix roads in A and B zones. Out of total 13, 10 works were issued to Varinder, while Kulbir and Sunny got one and two works, respectively. The corporation issued work orders for construction of these roads in 2008 and the contractors started working on the projects. After completion of works, the contractors were given full and final payments for the work undertaken by them. However, contractors in connivance with the municipal corporation officials prepared forged bills for these 13 works and submitted it to the civic body, seeking more payments.

The total forged bills submitted by the three contractors were above Rs 1.5 crore and the civic body issued payments of around Rs 74 lakh to trio on these forged bills. The irregularity of paying money to the contractors for the work they had already been paid came to fore during probe done by Additional Commissioner KP Brar.

Ludhiana, December 30
The story of the city police behind cracking of banker Pran Ranjan Sinha murder case has come under a scanner with the Sinha family refusing to accept a gold bangle and a ring, claimed to be belonging to Pran by the police yesterday.

Pran’s brother, Uday Ranjan Sinha, while talking to The Tribune said today that he was surprised as the police had hinged its murder story around the gold jewellery that he never wore.

While thanking the city police for solving the two-month-old blind murder case of Pran Ranjan Sinha from Jharkhand, who was working as an Assistant Bank Manager at Union Bank, Feroze Gandhi Market branch, the Sinha family said they would not accept these ornaments.

‘‘He never wore any such bangle. In fact nobody in our family wears such an ornament. I don’t know why the police is saying he was wearing it, ’’ said Uday adding that they would also check whether the purse and the mobile phone recovered by the police belonged to Pran or not.

The Sinhas who want to preserve Pran’s belongings have declined to accept anything that does not belong to him.

“We are looking for his bag and 15 pairs of clothes which he brought from Delhi. If we could get hold of the clothes I would be grateful to the cops,” said Udhay. He further added that he used to visit Delhi once a week to get his clothes washed.

The police had claimed that the bag proved to be his nemesis on December 19, the gang of three snatchers posing as auto-rickshaw drivers thought that Pran was taking cash in the bag and managed to persuade him to sit in the auto-rickshaw.

Meanwhile, CIA-II, in charge, Harpal Singh, who cracked the case, said the family might not know that he was wearing the bangle. ‘‘The accused themselves told us that they recovered the bangle from them. He was a bank manager and he could always afford a gold ornament. What is so strange about it?’’ he added.

Uday, who is planning to visit the city next week said: “I want to meet the accused. If they were snatchers then why didn’t they let him go after snatching his purse and mobile phone, what was the real reason to kill him? I want to listen the entire incident. Since the time my younger brother died I haven’t slept properly. I want to know the real story.”

Pran, who sat in an examination conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), said: “It’s ironical that he is not here to celebrate the occasion”.

Ludhiana, December 30
Hooligans and drug peddlers beware of rowdyism and drug peddling on the New Year eve! For the man in stylish clothes, dancing next to you may be a cop on the lookout for eve teasers and addicts.

In a mood not to spare anybody, the city police is all set to crack a whip on those who would try to spoil the New Year jig of residents by passing nasty remarks and indulging in eve teasing. According to SSP SS Gill, cops will be deployed in muftis at some of the key spots to keep a check on drug peddling as well as eve teasing.

Besides, elaborate arrangements have been made to teach the boozers a good lesson. The police has identified key spots, which have witnessed some of the bloodiest brawls in the past. These are Sarabha Nagar Market, Model Town Market, Ghumar Mandi, Dandi Swamy road and surrounding areas.

The police has geared up for a special watch near the discotheques and a few hotels, which are organising New Year bash.

Special police check post will be erected at some of the key locations to fine people for drunken driving. The city has witnessed some serious accidents in the past few years, due to drunken driving.

To discourage this practice the city police will take strict action against youths engaged in fight and creating ruckus on the city roads. Strict action will be taken against the eve teasers as well, the SSP added.

The SSP has recently met officials of a few leading hotels and restaurants, who are going ahead with the New Year bash. “We have told them to conduct a thorough check inside their premises well before the function. They have also been told to arrange private security guards to evade sudden eventualities. Further cops will also be deployed at these spots,” the SSP said.

Ludhiana, December 30
The lunar eclipse that will start within minutes of the ushering in of 2010 may matter a lot to astrologers but is unlikely to affect plans of revellers who have booked pubs, lounges and restaurants in advance to party through the night.

This New Year the eclipse will play spoilsport. People will have to be careful and not view the eclipse through naked eyes directly between 12.22 am and 1.24 am. In view of the eclipse, temple will shut their doors early on December 31.

“There is no effect of lunar eclipse on this New Year celebrations. We have already booked our parties. People in the city love to party and such celestial changes don’t come in between their celebrations,” said general manager of one of the city hotels.

For Amanpreet Singh, the lunar eclipse is of no importance. When informed about the eclipse falling on this date after a century, he said, “It does not make any difference to me and I will be having a blast with my friends”. He is planning to go to his favourite destination Goa on New Year and has already made his bookings in advance.

“I think most people are not even aware of the lunar eclipse falling on this New Year’s eve. And of those who know, few are caring about it,” said Sumesh Chander, city based astrologer. It is advisable not to eat during the lunar eclipse and expectant mothers need to take extra care of themselves and avoid deliveries during the eclipse, added Chander.

But for senior citizens like Hem Raj Sharma lunar eclipse will mar the celebrations. “Every year I usher into New Year by praying in the temple. But since this year there will be lunar eclipse temples will be closed I will not be able to perform my pooja.”

Ludhiana, December 30
He took over the reigns of district administration when the department was under severe criticism for corruption. Be it politicians or public, all of them had pointed their guns at the deputy commissioner’s office; Vikas Garg managed the affairs well.

He not only made various departments under administration public-friendly by introducing facilities like Suvidha Centre, but also gave a respite to those visiting the tehsildar’s office.

Not deterred by violence that strike city thrice, he handled law and order in an impressive manner according to residents. In a chat with Jyotika Sood, he reveals his memories of 2009 and vision for 2010.

Q. Was 2009 memorable or forgettable?

Ans. The district administration is a department that is associated with public dealings. After joining the office, my first priority was to improve the governance and I feel my efforts have started bearing fruits. So the year was overall okay for me. There were some tough times, but we had achievements too. The four-lane of National Highway No. 1, development in rural areas with the help of NREGA grants and the Red Cross funds are a few that would give a new way to Ludhiana.

Q. Was the year disappointing or inspiring?

Ans. It was an inspiring year on the whole. I believe every event in your life teaches you something, if you are keen to learn. For me life is a learning experience and I feel inspired. When I get positive response from the public for introducing new projects, it inspires me and helps to add a new vision.

Q. Did anyone make you happy this year?

Ans. The team spirit among departments that I witnessed in Ludhiana is commendable. Generally projects hang fire due to frictions among bureaucrats, but I am lucky in this case. Be it the SSP or the municipal commissioner, all of them have extended support whenever I had asked for it. In fact, I try my best to discuss development projects with other departments so that they feel a part of district administration and make efforts to bring transparency in the administrative system. I also want to thank Ludhianvis for helping us to bring tough situations during the curfew to normal.

Q. Any ‘first’ during the year?

Ans. It’s tough to tell you at this point of time because I couldn’t recall any thing right now. But I do wish to highlight a positive thing I have found in residents here. Ludhianvis are vibrant and they want things to happen fast that are a great motivation force for a bureaucrat. I’ll try my best to channelise this energy in a direction that would make public more happy.

Q. What are your plans for 2010?

Ans. My priority list is huge. Public-friendly and clean governance is one of my targets for 2010 and I’ll try my best to come as a winner on public scale. More rural development through NREGA funds, developing city infrastructure, introduction of more service in Suvidha Centre, etc are some of the other projects on my work list. I need public support for make Ludhiana a better place and hope people too would help me.

The man who has been looming large on the horizon of Punjabi literary world for a long time has not received due recognition so far. The reason being his nature of remaining aloof so as to concentrate on his creative work. Besides, he has been a playwright, poet, prose-writer, critic, editor, biographer and translator, all rolled into one.

He is also the author of six original and four edited books in English and is still going strong.

Dr SN Sewak (1936) taught English to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for three decades and retired in 1996 as professor and head, department of journalism, languages and culture. Prior to that he had a stint in Iraq, from 1960 to 1964, as English teacher he befriended many like-minded persons, of whom he is very proud. He is a teacher first and littérateur afterwards. He has master's degree in English and Punjabi, besides PhD from Panjab University on “Dimensions of Realism in Modern Western Drama and their impact on Punjabi Drama”.

He passed through proverbial trials and tribulations to gain his status as a teacher and writer. He had to migrate with his mother and siblings in 1947 from Chichawatni (Pakistan), where a group of rioters attacked their house, brandishing bloodstained swords. Luckily, the presence of mind of his widowed mother saved the family and they reached Amritsar safely.

Later, they settled at Beas where the mother started her practice as health visitor and took care of her sons and daughters.

The young Satya Nand (Sewak), whose schooling had been disrupted at NAC High School, Chichawatni, resumed his studies at Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa High School, Baba Bakala, where he took admission in Class VII.

Thereafter, he rose like phoenix to find his rightful place. He has paid tribute to his mother in his biography “Maalan te Phulwari” which has been acclaimed as a remarkable biography. It’s the autobiography of the author himself.

Dr Sewak is at his best in literary and cultural seminars as well as book-release functions. The originality of his comments, supported by excerpts from the text, impresses the audience. He modulates his voice quite often so as to lay emphasis on a certain aspect of his observation. Many a time he steals the show like a great actor who is conscious of his time of entry and exit.

Ludhiana has a tradition of production of plays, mostly in Punjabi Bhawan.

Harpal Tiwana nurtured here, including Om Puri and Raj Babbar, who are now renowned actors. Later, the mantle of staging plays in the city passed on to Nirmal Rishi, a seasoned stage actor and cine artist. Nirmal Jaura has also done a lot in this field. The organisation LSS has been inviting thespians from all across the country to stage plays at Guru Nanak Bhawan, in the vicinity of Punjabi Bhawan. Amidst these activities, Dr SN Sewak has written, produced and directed such full-length plays as “Janam Din”, “Rishte” and “Dulla”, besides the poetic play Farhad and Nukkar Natak Madari. In these ventures, his wife Amrita Sewak played her role admirably, both as an organiser and actor.

Interestingly, he was has been deeply imbued with the teachings of Sikh Gurus as he was very fond of attending Dharam Siksha classes in Khalsa School at Baba Bakala. He says: "I can never forget the good old days at Baba Bakala, where I got an opportunity to learn about the 10 Gurus, the Sikh religion and culture. The Shlokas of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the hymns of Guru Gobind Singh exercised a great influence on me".

No wonder Dr SN Sewak's book "Guru Gobind Singh - Apostle of Universal Brotherhood" has received rave reviews in the national press. This is another dimension of his multi-dimensional personality. He may come up, in the coming years, with something still more unique in the fields of literature, religion and culture. — NS Tasneem

Ludhiana, December 30
There is good news for allottees of properties in various colonies developed by government agencies like improvement trusts, PUDA, local area development authorities or urban local bodies, as the Punjab government has further extended the date of registration of title deeds on reserve price till March 31, 2010.

Earlier, the facility was available till tomorrow i.e. December 31, 2009.

A notification issued by the department of revenue and rehabilitation of the Punjab government on December 15, says in the previous notification dated November 11, the date mentioned as December 31 may be substituted as March 31.

While extending the facility of registration of sale deeds at reserve price, the state government had notified the Punjab Stamp (Dealing of Under-valued Instruments) (Second Amendment) Rules 2009 framed under the Indian Stamp Act 1899 (Central Act No 2 of 1899).

Under the notification, it was laid down that the consideration amount fixed at the time of allotment of immovable property by any government/semi-government organisation would be deemed to be the collector’s rate and the stamp duty would be charged for registration of document upon the consideration amount fixed by the government/semi-government organisation, provided that document was got registered by the original allottee up to cut-off date (March 31, 2010 in this case) or within three months of payment of the last installment according to the schedule of payment of such allotment.

Hailing the further extension of the facility of registration of title deeds at reserve price, Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) chairman Ashok Juneja said even though a large number of original allottees of plots and properties of the trust had availed of concession being allowed since March, 2009, still another period of three months (till March, 2010) would provide immense benefit to those allottees who could not get their sale deeds registered till now for one reason or the other.

As far as LIT allottees are concerned, Juneja said nearly 90 per cent pending files for registration of sale deeds had been disposed of during the past six months after he assumed office and documents for registration had already been handed over to the allottees.

“We will take measures to clear all pending cases of registration of properties and, barring those cases where allotments are questionable or there is some legal hitch, all allottees will be handed over documents for registration well before end of March next year,” he asserted.

Ludhiana, December 30
For centuries humour has been the best medium for conveying messages and amongst the Punjabi comedians nobody does it better than Jaswinder Bhalla. People eagerly await his “Chankata” series for the past one-decade. The comedian, who is also working as the professor of the extension education in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), wishes to focus on “saving water” campaign in 2010.

Q. What is your message for fans for 2010?

Ans. This is the right time for people to act as whistle blowers against the corruption, manipulation, injustice and discrimination at all levels. Sitting back and cursing the system won’t work as people have to be up in arms against politicians and corrupt officials instead of going on rampage as witnessed in the city on two occasions.

Q. What is the best “jibe” taken by you against the ruling party in Punjab in “Chankata 2010”?

Ans. Akalis after coming to power had promised to bring back the Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule in Punjab and they did live up to their promise. There was no electricity during the Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign and the Akalis, too, ensured that the state remains without power during their reign.

Q. Which issues concerning Ludhiana do you plan to raise your voice against in 2010?

Ans. The “Chankata” team has pledged to fight against pollution in Ludhiana, be it of soil, water or “minds”. People are wise enough to understand the government’s motives and it is high time for the representatives to realise the gravity of situation and act accordingly. Pulling wool over the eyes of the people by promising to run Metro in Ludhiana will not get them anywhere “metro ki pathian te chalani hai” (metro can’t be run on dung cakes).

Q How do you plan to educate farmers on diversification in your capacity as PAU professor?

Ans. It is not easy to convince a farmer to adopt diversification but having worked with them for years I know their pulse well. I will ask a few NGOs to help me with the plan to organise comedy programmes with emphasise upon diversification of crops.