NEIGHBOURHOOD

Forum urges govt to control price rise
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, December 31
The local consumer protection forum at its meeting, held here today, urged the government to control the prices of essential commodities, so that the common man could meet both ends smoothly.

Kirpal Singh Sethi, president of the forum, in a press release issued here today said members expressed concern over the rise in prices of essential commodities. He said the rates of pulses and flour are touching sky and it’s difficult for the middle class to meet its expenses. He urged the government to encourage the farmers to sow pulses and other seasonal vegetables instead of paddy and wheat rotation.

He also demanded that government should make arrangements to provide quality seeds and to ensure smooth sale of their produce, only then the sufficient quantity of pulses could be produced and rates could come down.

They urged the government to keep a check on hoarders, so that traders may not fleece the public.

Ropar, December 31
District magistrate-cum-deputy commissioner of Ropar, Priyank Bharti, today appointed tehsildar Gurnam Singh as investigation officer to look into the prisoners’ death.

The DC said it was brought into his notice by the Ropar jail superintendent that Sandeep Kumar of Morinda was sent to the Ropar jail after being booked by the police under the NDPS Act on December 25. He got ill on December 29 and was admitted to the Ropar Civil Hospital from where he was referred to the PGI on December 30 where he died in the wee hours today. The DC said inquest proceedings have been uninitiated and tehsildar has been appointed to inquire into the death of the prisoner.

Chandigarh, December 31
Two persons were arrested for allegedly setting afire an auto-rickshaw.Ganga Parshad of Sector 52 alleged that Kuldeep Singh and Sushil, alias Shera, both residents of Colony No. 5, beat him up and tried to rob him of his money near the T-Point in their colony on Wednesday afternoon. They also put his vehicle afire.

Chandigarh, December 31
A fine performance by Pranjay helped LIC Juniors beat MCM Blue Caps-36 by 74 runs in the first U-13 BTS Gold Cup Cricket Tournament being organised by BTS Cricket Academy, Sector 48, here today.

After winning the toss MCM Blue Caps-36 elected to bowl first. Bowlers of the team failed to restrict LIC team from putting up a modest total of 171 runs for the loss of three wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Pranjay excelled with the batting hitting 83 runs in just 49 balls, which included 13 boundaries. Shivam (27) and Aakhil (27) were the other batsmen, who contributed to the LIC total. For MCM team, Udey was the only bowler, who did not allow any liberty to the batsmen and took two wickets by giving away 14 runs.

In reply, MCM Blue Caps-36 could not face the accurate and tight bowling of LIC bowlers and could score only 97 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Arjun (2 for 19) and Aman (2 for 7) runs were the main bowlers, who did not allow any liberty to the MCM batsmen.

Brief scores: LIC Juniors: 171 for 3 in 20 overs (Pranjay 83, Shivam 27, Aakhil 23 and Udey 2/14). MCM Blue Caps-36 : 97 for 8 in 20 overs (Mayank 24, Rakshat 20, Arjun 2/19 and Aman 2/ 7).

In the second match of the tournament, Shri Shri Cricket Academy beat DAV, Ambala, by six wickets.

After winning the toss DAV, Ambala, elected to bat first. However, its batsmen could not face the tight bowling of Shri Shri Cricket Academy and were bundled out for 80 runs in 18 overs. Sidharth was the only batsman, who showed some courage to face the accurate bowling of the opposite team and scored 36 balls off 39 balls, which included five hits to the fence. For Shree Shree academy, Shourya (3 for 3), Shivam (3 for 13) and Shaksham (2 for 10) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, Shri Shri Cricket Academy achieved the target in 14.2 overs. Gurdeep 32 (4X4, 23 balls) and Kanwar 16 (4X3, 16 balls) were the main scorers. For the LIC team, Davish was the main bowler, who impressed with his bowling spell of (2 for 9).

Score: DAV (Ambala): 80 all out in 18 overs (Sidharth 36, Shourya 3/13, Shivam 3/13 and Shaksham 2/10). Shri Shri Cricket Academy : 82 for 4 in 14.2 overs (Gurdeep 32, Kanwar 16 and Davish 2/ 9). Next fixtures: Semifinal on January 2, at BTS Cricket Academy, Sector 48. — TNS

Chandigarh, December 31
Arya College, Ludhiana, won the Panjab University Weightlifting (men) Championship.MR Government College, Fazilka, and GKSM Government College, Tanda, secured the second and third positions, respectively.

In the men’s 62 kg category, Gurpreet Singh of Arya College, Ludhiana, stood first, Mohinderpal of MR College, Fazilka, secured the second position, while Kuldeep Singh of Arya College claimed the third position.

In the 77 kg category, Kulbir Singh of Arya College grabbed the first slot, while Jagmeer Singh of SGGS College, Sector 26, and Parminder Singh stood second and third in the championship. Harinder Singh of Arya College bagged the first position, while Lakhvir Singh of MR Government College and Lovepreet of Arya College won second and third slots in the 85 kg category.

In the 95 kg category, Sharandeep Singh of GKSM College, Tanda, won the first position, while Gurjeet Singh and Surinder Kumar stood second and third, respectively.