Ludhiana, February 18
Senior staff and the medical superintendent of Dr BL Kapoor Memorial Hospital, the accredited post-partum centre of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, has been charged with gross misuse of the grant-in-aid given by the department.

A group of hospital employees, having procured the information under the RTI Act, have alleged that medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Waheguru Pal Singh and some senior doctors were drawing salaries from the post-partum centre and were also getting paid by the hospital management under changed names.

The grant given to the post-partum centre of the hospital till 2007 varied between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 35 lakh. However, the hospital does not have separate staff for the same. Doctors, an auxiliary midwife nurse, a lady health visitor and an accounts officer shown in the records of the centre have “changed identities” as they are already working as regular employees at Dr DL Kapoor Memorial Hospital.

However, in an affidavit to the department of health, the hospital has mentioned that the staff is exclusively working for the post-partum centre.

Interestingly, Dr Waheguru Pal Singh and gynaecologist Dr Kiran, employed under the post-partum programme, are also getting non-practicing allowance (NPA) from the government, alleged hospital employees.

Making a mockery of the National Immunisation Programme, the hospital authorities are allegedly charging people for vaccines, including BCG, DPT and OPV, which are being procured free of cost from the civil surgeon office. Bills procured from two patients - Monu and Raj Kiran - clearly indicate that the patients were charged Rs 110 for the BCG/OPV vaccine.

When contacted, medical superintendent Dr Waheguru Pal Singh denied the charges. He said some staff members, who were dismissed from the hospital, were trying to malign his image.

“We are not charging a single penny for vaccines procured from the department of health and family welfare. Instead, we are providing the optional vaccine on subsidised rates. Moreover, the employees working under the post-partum programme, who are also working in Dr BL Kapoor Hospital, are handling additional charge and are not drawing any salary for the same,” Dr Singh said.

Ludhiana, February 18
The acute labour shortage that the industries were facing in the recent months after the Dhandari incident seems to have come under control, as migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand are back to work. In order to instill lost confidence in the migrant population the industry has increased their wages.

Chairman of Northern Region of Export Engineering Promotion Council (EEPC), SC Ralhan said not only the workers, who had left for their native villages in December, had begun returning but many new faces were also here to seek jobs in industry. "There is absolutely no labour shortage, now. It may be slow, but migrants are coming back to Ludhiana. They may be getting jobs in their states but they are being paid more here. Workers prefer to work in the industrial city for getting good returns", said Ralhan.

Badish. K Jindal, president of Federation of Association of Small Industries of India (FASIIsaid things had started improving, though there was still 10 to 15 per cent shortage. "It had become a cause of concern for the industry when labourers had begun leaving for UP, Bihar after December 3-4 incident at Dhandari. In order to dissuade them from going, industry started offering them increased wages. Now we can not decrease their salaries. So, our cost of production has also increased. Still, the industry is satisfied that migrants are coming back. Every industry in the city largely depends on migrant population", said Jindal.

Meanwhile, the workers' unions still feel that a lot had to be done to improve the condition of migrants by the state government. They confirmed that many new workers were coming to work in the industry. Representing the Karkhana Mazdoor Union, Lakhwinder Singh said continuous exodus of workers from Ludhiana in December and early January had given an impression that migrants were not interested in working here, not at the cost of their lives at least.

"As the situation in the city is coming back to normal, the workers have started coming back, giving much relief to the industrialists. But the conditions of workers are still miserable. Things will not improve unless the government shows genuine concern towards workers. A poor man, till date, can not get a complaint registered with the police. Secondly, we need to unite ourselves. The migrants should know their rights and reasons for being exploited", said Lakhwinder.

Ludhiana, February 18
Continuing its drive to tighten the noose around tax defaulters, income tax department officials led by Range VI additional commissioner KJ Singh today conducted surveys at seven establishments in the city, including two doctors and two hospitals.

Surveys were conducted at a privately run Sarabha Nagar clinic owned by Dr Parminder Singh, who also works at DMCH, and at Dr Balwinder Walia's clinic near the bus station. Khanna Hospital on Hambran Road and Walia Hospital in Sarabha Nagar also came under the IT department's scanner. A popular eating joint in the city, Khushi Ram & Sons, located on Ferozepur Road was also searched by the sleuths.

Another survey was held at Raghav Hosiery in Industrial Area-A at Focal Point and Rana Chawla Property Dealer in Dugri. Incriminating documents were seized and records of a large amount of undisclosed income are expected to be unearthed after the survey.

The surveys were still under way till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, officials of the excise & taxation department’s mobile wing, led by assistant excise and taxation commissioner Tejbir Singh Sidhu, conducted raids in various areas of the city today. Following a tipoff a team raided Nikhil Enterprises located in Randhir Singh Nagar. "After the raid we have shortlisted some firms having dealings with this bogus entity (Nikhil Enterprises). We also conducted a raid at Blessing Global-Kelvin Exim, Moti Nagar. The premises of this establishment were locked and it appears no business is being carried on from here”, said Tejbir.

Another raid was conducted at Top Traders in Khakat village. "There were no stocks there - only bills were prepared at the premises, though the firm was claiming input tax credits”, said Sidhu. Incrementing documents were seized by the department during the raids.

The team included excise & taxation officers Bhupinder Gupta and Pawanjeet Singh and inspector Bhupinder Singh.

Ludhiana, February 18
Famers from the region are a harried lot following the aphid attack on wheat. The Plant Clinic at Punjab Agricultural University is being flooded by queries regarding the same.

The farmers begin spraying insecticides in order to control the pest. However, PAU experts have advised that the pest is generally not very damaging, as the insect is seen on the leaves only and as such no spray is required.

However, the aphid can damage the crops when it shifts to earheads, the experts said. The control measures should be initiated only when the population of aphids reaches a threshold of 5 aphid/ earhead. Then 12 g of Dantop or 150 ml of Rogor 30 EC or metasystox 25 EC or Nuvacron 36 SL in 80-100 litre of water per acre is required to be sprayed.

It has also been noticed that the farmers spray TILT for the control of yellow rust in wheat. The scientists have informed that yellow rust has appeared in some sub-mountainous areas only. Rest of the areas is free from the disease.

The experts have advised the farmers to follow control measures on the appearance of the disease symptoms. The recommended control measure involves spraying of Tilt 25 EC @ 200ml in 200 l of water when attack of the disease is noticed.

The farmers are also advised to monitor their fields for the appearance of yellow rust regularly. Further, the information can be obtained from PAU experts on the telephone number 0161-2401960 (extension 417).

Ludhiana, February 18
Due to acute shortage in supply of cooking gas cylinders and the much-anticipated hike in their prices, the red-coloured canisters are suddenly becoming hot property for thieves and even snatchers. This can be gauged from the fact that five LPG cylinders have been stolen in the past three day from different parts of the city.

In the latest incident burglars broke into a house in the Salem Tabri locality today and carted away two LPG cylinders, gold ornaments and a few thousand rupees in cash. The house owner, Ramesh Kumar, noticed they were missing when he returned home after attending a wedding in Jaipur and saw his house ransacked.

"The thieves took away a microwave, gold and cash, but - amazingly -they also took with them two LPG cylinders that I had recently got refilled from the gas agency. While one was being used for cooking the other was kept in reserve," said Ramesh.

Another city resident, Sanjay, from whom snatchers seized a cooking gas cylinder only yesterday, said such incidents had become common in Sherpur and surrounding areas.

"Each day there are cases of cylinders being snatched fro residents of Sherpur and nearby localities. However, the police, instead of acting upon complaints, usually choose to look the other way," lamented Sanjay, who was told by the cops to trace the culprits on his own. He added several such cases go unreported.

Two days ago burglars broke into an electronics shop in New Kundanpuri and fled with appliances worth lakhs of rupees. In that incident too the thieves took away two LPG cylinders.

The city’s newly appointed police commissioner, Ishwar Singh, expressing surprise over the increasing number of incidents involving theft of LPG cylinders, said he would personally look into the matter.

Sources close to the police said as city residents were facing an acute shortage of cooking gas supply, thieves were making a fast buck by selling stolen cylinders at hefty premiums in the black market. They added there even appeared to be a nexus between the thieves and gas agencies for getting empty cylinders refilled.

Ludhiana, February 18
The teaching staff of Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital today called off their strike which lasted for three days.

The decision was taken following a meeting of teachers with the management, wherein it was decided that basic pay scales of the Fourth Pay Commission will be implemented.

Dr VK Thukral, president of the teachers’ association, said it was just a compromise keeping in view the future of students. He further added that only basic pay of the Fourth Pay Commission would be given to teachers, which did not include the DA, HRA or other allowances.

However all members of the association thanked the college management.

Ludhiana, February 18
The Marxist Communist Party of India (MCPI) has condemned the brutal murder of peasant leader and BKU (Ugrahana) activists Sadhu Singh Takhtpura, who was leading a peaceful movement against police repression.

In a statement issued here today, secretary of the state committee of the party Kuldip Singh termed the murder as an attack on the fundamental right of peaceful agitator and blamed the nexus of ruling party and police bureaucracy for such inhuman incidents. “The murder reflects poorly on the governance of the SAD-BJP government in the state,” he remarked.

The party demanded that culprits behind the ghastly murder should not be spared and ought to bring to books without any delay. Calling upon the organisations of farmers and farm workers, as also political parties to expose the unholy nexus of police and politicians in the state, the MCPI has sought adequate compensation for the family of the victim.

SAD (A) (Panch Pardhani) has expressed shock and grief at the murder of BKU activist Sadhu Singh while attributing the crime to goons and criminal elements enjoying patronage of the ruling party. The government functionaries and their henchmen have thrown the democratic norms and values to wind and the state had been handed over to musclemen.

Atma Singh, office secretary of the party, has demanded that police officials and their political masters, responsible for murder of the peasant leader, be arrested immediately.

Ludhiana, February 18
Residents of Sarabha Nagar witnessed the cops giving a suspected miscreant and his female companion a hot chase after he tried to give them the slip and raced away in his vehicle. He was later nabbed along with the girl. Sources close to the police said the couple was “making love” in the vehicle.

The incident took place this afternoon when the residents complained to the police about a black Suzuki Swift car with tinted windows parked in a deserted street near the locality’s mini market.

In a few minutes a team led by Sarabha Nagar SHO Beant Juneja arrived at the scene and told the cops to inspect the vehicle. Seeing them approaching the youth sped away in his car.

Juneja himself took control of the police vehicle and gave chase to the vehicle. The residential area, which usually remains quiet during the day, was suddenly abuzz with police sirens.

Finally, after a prolonged chase, the police managed to stop the vehicle. The sources said the youth, who reportedly has “political connections”, told the cops to “speak to a politician”. The couple was later let off following a warning.

Ludhiana, February 18
Silver furniture designed by Adarsh Gill caught attention of several visitors at an exhibition in the city’s Hotel Park Plaza.

Bringing the regal aura home is “Adarsh Gill Home”. Adarsh designs spaces that take you to the regal, fables life of Indian royals.

Silver sheeting on carved rose wood revives old dying techniques practiced in the royal courts of India. Capturing varying influences, from art deco to baroque, from Victorian to neo modern and from Rajputana to Mughal, everything is on display.

A bed in silver worth Rs 25 lakh has attracted everybody’s attention at the exhibition. The style-struck residents of Ludhiana are no doubt avid about style and grandeur. Silver has always been a guiding influence for Adarsh.

While the designed attires have captivated many, master of both structured, tailored silhouette of the west and the great Indian drape form of the east, Adarsh’s fashion sense is a fusion of oriental forms and western elements. A creator of veritable heirlooms, she tries to recreate the life lived by Indian kings of yore.

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 18
A few unidentified men murdered a canteen contractor in RIMT Polytechnic College here late last night.

Body of 55-year-old Pawan Kumar, the canteen contractor, was found lying in a pool of blood inside the canteen. As per the statements recorded by the police, victim Pawan Kumar had complained petty thefts in his canteen during the past few days.

Chanderbhan, son of Pawan Kumar, told the police that family belongs to the Daresi ground area of Ludhiana. For the past few days, petty incidents of theft had taken place in the canteen wherein cash or other material was found missing.

Fed up of this, Pawan decided to stay in the canteen at night to enquire about the thief who used to enter it and steal money and other things. When Chanderbhan came to the canteen today morning, he found his father lying in the pool of blood.

The police officials said either a few college boys or labourers working at a nearby construction site could have been involved in thefts.

Police officials did not deny canteen contractor Pawan Kumar having fought with a thief or thieves. During the scuffle he might have got hurt. He died after cold drink bottles were smashed on his head.

A case has been registered and efforts are on to nab the accused. Forensic experts and dog squad was pressed into service to find the clue.

Ludhiana, February 18
In response to a call given by the Revenue Patwar Union, patwaris deployed in Ludhiana East and West sub-divisions staged a dharna at the mini secretariat to protest the failure of the state government to remove anomalies in the pay scales recommended by the pay commission.

Rupinder Singh Grewal and Karan Jaspal Singh, who led the protest, along with other functionaries of the union, said even after implementation of recommendations by three successive pay commissions, allowances being given to patwaris since January 1986 like “basta allowance”, stationery allowance and office rent have remained unchanged.

“For the last 25 years, these allowances stand at Rs 25, Rs 25 and Rs 35, respectively, as against the demand of Rs 500, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Moreover, fixed travelling allowance of Rs 240, Rs 360 and Rs 480 should also be enhanced to Rs 1,500 for all patwaris,” protesting patwaris demanded.

They also sought more avenues for promotions by suggesting that for each five patwaris there should be one kanungo and a special allowance of Rs 1,000 per month be provided to the kanungos.

Kuldip Singh Mann, Sukhminder Singh Virk, Dalip Singh, Bhinderpal Singh Kohara, Darshan Singh Barsal, Gurmel Singh, Ajit Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Bhinderpal Sharma, Jaspal Singh, Vinod Kumar and Ali Sher were present.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 18
Eclipsing of traditional Indian values by the western culture has led to a situation wherein Punjabis known for their valor are not even safe in their homes. There has been a sudden spurt of incidents where women have conspired with paramours to get their husbands killed.

Worried over the state of affairs, office-bearers of a few social organisations have called upon religious leaders to impress upon their followers to live a pious life.

Though, extramarital relations of the tainted women were reportedly known to friends and relatives of victims and the accused, none of them dared to come forward to reprimand women who put a blot in the names of their parents and in-laws.

The social leaders have also urged the government to direct officials in women cells of the state police to take stock of situation and help save lives of those whose wives had been exploiting their helplessness due to obvious overprotection given to women in society.

Investigations by The Tribune revealed that incidents of marital discord had been on the rise in rural families of this part of Malwa. While peace of a few couples got disturbed after pre-marriage love affairs of women surfaced, many families broke due to extramarital relations after marriage. There were incidents where women got their husbands brutally killed by paramours. In majority of the cases relatives of the deceased and those of the accused had tried to paint the deaths as blind murders.

Had the police not used scientific methods to solve these otherwise blind murders, the accused, instead of being sent to the jail, could have started living with paramours after inheriting their share in the property.

Perusal or records revealed that in extreme cases of marital discords due to extramarital relations of the women their husbands had been brutally murdered.

Investigations by a team supervised by SSP Sangrur Harcharan Singh Bhullar have revealed that Mela Singh of Mangwal village was allegedly killed by his wife Jagdeep Kaur with the help of her paramour Major Singh only a few days ago.

Gurinderpal Kaur of Beer Rauke, is cooling her heel behind bars for allegedly conspiring to get her husband killed with the help of her paramour Resham Singh, a truck driver of Jhande village.

Appallingly, Gurinderpal Kaur had been exploiting pious tradition of tying ‘rakhi’ on wrist of Resham Singh to evade suspicion by her husband who ultimately had to lose his life for try to reprimand his wife. The accused had tried to conceal identity of the deceased by mutilating his body and removing tattoos inscribed on various parts of his body.

Earlier Hapreet Kaur of Kadon village, mother of three, had allegedly killed her husband Paritam Singh by serving him drug-laced liquor and throwing his body into a canal about five months ago.

Similarly Sandeep Kaur of Kothala village, who got married to Gurdeep Singh of Kasba Bharaal village on June 30, 2008, allegedly got her husband killed by her lover, Jagdev Singh Jaggie of Buraj Hari Singh, and his accomplice within five months of her marriage.

Kuldip Kaur of Gujarwal village in Ludhiana district, a mother of three children, connived with paramour to kill her husband, Baldev Singh, who was brutally clubbed to death. To materialise her illicit design she had taken her husband to a gurdwara situated over a kilometer away from the village in wee hours on the fateful day.

Kamlu of Raqba village and Manpreet Singh of Kanganwal were murdered by their wives a few months ago.

Ludhiana, February 18
More than 300 students were examined at a dental check-up and awareness camp organised by Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College, Hospital and Research Institute, Ludhiana, at Bhai Mohkam Singh Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Guru Arjan Dev Nagar, Ludhiana, today.

A team of senior dental surgeons comprising Dr Pawan Arora, professor and head, department of community dentistry, Dr Ashish Kumar, Dr Preetinder Singh Mokha and Dr Amit Joseph examined the patients.

Dr Pawan Arora said, “The oral health of children is important for their overall well being. Just as mouth cannot be separated from the rest of the body, oral health cannot be considered separate from the rest of children’s health. Dental and oral disorders can have a profound impact on children, and the burden of untreated dental health problems is substantial while cavities can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss, difficulty in eating or speaking, and poor appearance, all of which present challenges for maintaining self-esteem and attentiveness to learning,” the doctor added.

Emphasising on ways to prevent dental health problems in children, the experts called upon the schoolchildren to practice proper nutrition, minimise eating snacks between meals, avoid foods that stick to teeth, avoid foods and drinks containing excessive amounts of acid and sugar followed by regular brushing of teeth.

Meanwhile, the doctors asked the parents to practice preventive dentistry that would keep child’s teeth and gums healthy and minimise their chances of having to deal with oral health problems that can lead to extensive dental treatments.

Posters and charts exhibiting various aspects of dental hygiene, common dental ailments and prevention methods were also displayed and explained to students.

Team of senior doctors and paramedical staff diagnosed the students with the aid of mobile dental van equipped with latest diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Every student was given a “camp patient card” which is basically a report summary of the diagnosed problem and the recommended treatment plan. This card also entitles the patient to avail concession on follow up treatment charges.

Ludhiana, February 18
The Ludhiana Engineering Association has asked the state government to implement the industrial policy that was notified on October 7, 2009, at the earliest.

Coordinator of the Ludhiana Engineering Association Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma said any government notification means order issued by the state government. It needs to be implemented immediately. “But even after four months, the departments concerned are not willing to implement the instructions”, rued Vishivkarma.

KK Seth, general secretary of the association, said on its own industrial policy, on Chapter 6 of the VAT reforms, the government notified that “Time period of issuance of VAT refunds has been reduced from 90 to 60 days. Further, 75 pr cent of VAT refund has been allowed against indemnity bond of the units who are filing returns on monthly basis”. Seth added that on Chapter 5 of power reforms, it is stated, “In case load of an industry on a power feeder is more than 75 per cent, and it will be treated as industrial feeder”.

Seth said both departments concerned were not ready to accept these instructions of the notification. “We request the government to issue notification to these departments at the earliest to give a steady relief to the industry”, he added.

Jagraon, February 18
Twenty-three girls of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, won a US scholarship to pursue their professional courses.

The Sikh Human Foundation Inc of Bethesda, USA, provides scholarships to students after conducting a test on Punjab history and GK, followed by an interview through a Delhi-based NGO, Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council.

Thirty-eight students appeared in the exam and 23 managed to bag the scholarships ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 22,000. The foundation gives scholarships to students of professional streams, including studies in medicine, veterinary science, BCA, MBA, MCA, BEd and engineering.

A student scoring above 55 per cent marks in the previous exam and having family income not more than Rs 2 lakh can apply for the scholarship.

Ludhiana, February 18
Nanotechnology can boost farm research. This was stated by Dr MS Swaminathan, laureate, World Food Prize, and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), during his interaction with scientists at the electron microscopy and nanoscience laboratory, PAU.

Dr Swaminathan, who visited the university recently, takes keen interest in bio-pesticides, another ushering domain of nanoscience, which will be helpful in phasing out chemical pesticides in Punjab.

While interacting with researchers in the laboratory, he appreciated the university’s efforts in modernising agricultural research by using various sophisticated tools of nanoscience and electron microscopy.

He said Punjab would not be able to support India’s food needs without the advancement of research innovation techniques.

Dr Swaminathan expressed happiness to see young scientists taking part in the upcoming biotechnology and nanotechnology fields with zeal and enthusiasm. He said science should help the underprivileged section of society by evolving techniques to increase the crop productivity and launch an “Ever-Green Revolution”.

Ludhiana, February 18
The Training and Placement Cell and Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) Student's Chapter of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) organised an industrial visit for its MBA final year HR students to GS Radiators Limited.

Wing Commander SS Arora (retired), Training and Placement Officer, and Neha Mahajan, assistant TPO, accompanied the students during the visit.

Ludhiana, February 18
Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, organised a farewell party for Class XII students. The function started with the lighting of traditional lamp. Upasna Sharma, vice-head girl of the school, welcomed Ashwani Kumar, manager, KVM Managing Committee, Rajiv Nagalia, principal, Navita Puri, vice-principal; heads of various sections, teachers and students.

Students of Class XI entertained audience with a group song. A contest was held, in which Mr Charming and Miss Charming were adjudged.

Mullanpur Dakha, February 18
The Dakha police has booked four persons of Braich village for committing fraud with an octogenarian woman residing abroad. Those booked have been identified as sarpanch, a panch and her son, all residents of Bariach village and a property dealer of Mullanpur Dakha.

Surjit Kaur of Boparai Kalan near Sudhar, who has been residing in Thailand for over 40 years, had in her complaint to the SHO Sudhar had stated that she owed agricultural land at Boparai Kalan which she has disposed off in August 2009 for Rs 52.8 lakh.

She along with a relative deposited the entire amount in her account in Sudhar branch of the Axis Bank( A/c no. 197000100115643). After depositing the money she had stayed at Braich village with a relative Sukhwinder Kaur and her son Lakhvir Singh. Both of them knew that she had deposited the amount in the bank.

With an intention to commit fraud they stole two of her cheques No. 022522 and 022523 and left the cheque no 0522521 intact so that their deed could not be detected.

Surjit Kaur said after she left for Thailand, Sukhwinder Kaur (panch of Braich village) and her Son Lakhvir Singh in convenience with Hans Raj, a property dealer of Mullanpur Dakha, got Rs 52.8 lakh transferred in the account No. 197000100115643 by forging her signatures on the stolen cheque on September 17, 2009. They transferred Rs 25 lakh to the account of Harwinder Singh, sarpanch of Braich village. Rs 25 lakh was withdrawn in cash by Hans Raj himself. Rs 2 lakh was sent to someone abroad.

The accused wrote Rs 52.81 lakh in words and Rs 52.80 lakh in numerical figures on the cheque.

The bank authorities failed to notice it and passed the cheque and allowed the money to be transferred. Surjit Kaur said this act of bank employees clearly indicates that someone was involved in this fraud committed with her along with the accused.

After an inquiry, SSP Ludhiana Rural ordered the Dakha police to register a case against the four accused.

The Dakha police has booked the accused under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 379 and 120B of the IPC.

However the investigation by The Tribune revealed that in August, the complainant had accused the buyer of her land of committing fraud with her and transferring the land in his name much below the market price.

She had stated that along with the agricultural land, the buyer also got her residential house in their name frequently.

At that time accused Harvinder Singh, Sukhwinder Kaur and her son Lakhvir Singh used to accompany her whenever she complained the matter to any authority and fought for her cause. In that case, there was no outcome of the complaints made by her.

Phillaur, February 18
Two youths died on the spot when the motorcycle they were returning to Ferozepur from Jalandhar collided with a speeding truck near Chachrarri village between Phagwara-and Goraya on the national highway in this subdivision last night.

Those who died in the accident have been identified as Deepak of Abohar and Vikas Gill of Ferozepur. The truck has been impounded and the inebriated driver arrested.

Samrala
Cabin set afire: An unidentified man set a traffic police cabin erected near the main chowk of the city afire on Monday. A passer by noticed it and informed the police. The cops reached the spot and doused the fire. Furniture and other articles inside the cabin were also destroyed in the fire.

Khanna
Stolen: A few unidentified persons have been booked for stealing transformers’ coils. The Punjab State Electricity Board SDO, Samrala, stated that a few unknown persons stole 6.3 KVA transformer from Punia village and extracted copper coils embedded in it. The cost of the stolen coil in the open market is around Rs 12,000.

Amloh
Kid’s disappearance: The police is still clueless about the whereabouts of a Class IX student Pryya Dutt Sharma, who is missing since Saturday. Father of the missing boy Shastri Guru Dutt Sharma said his son went out of the house in Ward no 3, Takyya Mohalla, at around 2.30 pm. When he did not return till later in the evening, family members began searching for the boy and telephoned relatives and local acquaintances. After they failed to trace him, the matter was brought to the notice of the police and a case registered.

A deputation of Brahman Sabha, Shiv Sena Hindustan, Bharat Vikas Manch and other organisations met the SHO in this regard.

Kila Raipur, February 18
The 75th Kila Raipur Rural Olympics kicked off today.

A bullock-cart race was organised on the first day.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 18
Sports enthusiasts of the region are upset over alleged factionalism among organisers of the Kila Raipur rural sports, popularly known as Mini Olympics.

They have urged veteran sports enthusiasts, senior members and members of clans of founders of the event to intervene and save the pride of the area from falling prey to politicisation and commercialisation.

Barely a few hours before the commencement of the Kila Raipur rural sports at Grewal Stadium in Kila Raipur on Thursday, sports enthusiasts of the region are not clear weather to consider the scheduled games as traditional event or a new venture being organised by another committee.

Unlike earlier years they (enthusiasts) are yet to reschedule their programme to enable them watch the games.

“Though we used to reschedule our programme to suit roster of games announced by the organisers we are yet to decide weather to attend the even or not this time. We love encouraging sportspersons showing their valour in the ground but don’t want to be part of politics that has already eclipsed the rural sports fair,” said Baljit Singh, office-bearer of the Sports Club.

Showing concern over media reports about controversy over control of 1 kg Bhagwant Memorial Hockey Gold Cup and huge amounts collected from sports lovers last year, the vetrans regretted that none of the members of the sports club has come forward to resolve the issue.

“Instead of being silent spectators veteran members of the club and members of clans that laid foundation of the unique event decades ago, should intervene and save the event from falling prey to politics,” said Jasbir Singh of Chhappar.

Observations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that committees lead by Gurpinder Singh Grewal and Paramjit Singh Grewal has lodged claims and counter-claims regarding genuineness of their organisations. Claiming their organisation to be original, committee lead by Gurpinder Grewal have announced four-day programme according to which the formal inauguration of the games will take place on Thursday. However, the committee lead by Paramjit Singh Grewal, maintaining that Gurpinder Singh was even primary member of the committee, announced that GPA would not organise the event this year.

Political interference had also marred the success of Kila Raipur sports a few years ago as well.

Ludhiana, February 18
Naresh Kumari and Jasvir Singh romped home victorious in javelin throw and high jump events, respectively, on the first day of the two-day 90th edition of the annual sports meet of Satish Chander Dhawan (SCD) Government College, Civil Lines, here today.

In javelin throw (women), Naresh Kumari proved too good for her rivals to bag the title, while Amandeep Kaur and Ramandeep Kaur secured second and third positions, respectively.

In the men's section, Jasvir Singh pipped his immediate opponents to clinch the title in high jump. He was followed by Balwinder Singh and Ravi Kumar, who finished at second and third, respectively.

In long jump (men), Ravi Kumar finished ahead of others to win the title. Sunil Kumar had to contend with second position and Ranbir Singh secured third position.

In triple jump (men), Rohit Kumar, Rohit and Munish secured first, second and third positions, respectively.

Competition in various track and field events were held and qualifiers for the finals in different races were finalised today. The finals are slated for tomorrow.

Earlier, Harish Rai Dhanda, chief parliamentary secretary, Punjab, inaugurated the meet. The chief guest took salute of the march past, which was led by Harinderjit Singh.

Addressing the gathering, Dhanda said the state government was committed for development of sports and for this, sufficient funds had been allocated. He urged the colleges and university authorities to provide sports infrastructures to encourage the youth towards games.

Speaking on the occasion, college principal Jasbir Kaur Makkar said the institute had always believed in the holistic development of its students and encouraged a balance among sports, academics and cultural activities.

The chief parliamentary secretary also planted a sapling to kick off the plantation drive initiated by district forest officer Vishal Kumar.