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Declaration of private roads as public
VB clean chit to head of Local Bodies Dept
Rajneesh Lakhanpal

Ludhiana, March 6
The Vigilance Bureau (VB) has given a clean chit to the Local Bodies Director on the charges of helping a coloniser, husband of an MC councillor, for declaring private roads as public and allegedly causing loss of Rs 4 crore to the state exchequer.

THe VB's recommendations for the cancellation of the FIR were today accepted by the court of Sessions Judge SP Bangarh when the complainant of the FIR DSP Gurcharan Singh made statement that he was having no objection if the FIR was cancelled.

Apart from Local Bodies Director SK Sharma (former MC Commissioner Ludhiana), Senior Town Planner Balkar Singh Brar, Assistant Town Planner Kanwaljit Kaur and the director of Veer Colonisers have also been given clean chit. Earlier, they were booked under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and Section 13 (D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vigilance Bureau Ludhiana in the first week of March 2009.

Interestingly, DSP Gurcharan Singh of the VB had got registerd the FIR at the VB after conducting an enquiry. But now he gave a statement before the court that he was having no objection in the cancellation of the case, as the matter had been probed by the headquarters of the VB at Chandigarh.

The investigation at the headquarters was conducted by DSP Mohan Lal with the orders of Director, VB Sumedh Singh Saini. None of the accused had filed any anticipatory bail application in the case.

According to an FIR registered by the VB, the officials allegedly declared the roads of a colony developed by Veer Coloniers public without taking development charges and throwing to wind all norms. A drain passing through the city, too, was covered without even informing the drainage department and levelled land worth crores was passed on to the coloniser.

It was alleged that the roads and streets were declared public under Section 242 without taking money for the state exchequer. As per rules, the action should have been taken under Section 241. This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 4 crore to the state exchequer.

The FIR states that ATP Kanwaljit, too, accepted bribe for giving reports in contravention of rules. No publication announcing the development was made in any newspaper. Local Bodies Director, Sharma, too, was accused of flouting the norms to favour the coloniser. But after inquiry, the VB has held that no charges were proved against the ATP Kanwaljit Kaur.

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MC told to keep resources in mind while spending
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6
Principal Secretary, Local Bodies, C Raul, has asked the municipal corporation here to spend on various development projects keeping their own resources in mind.

He has said efforts should be made by the MC to generate more resources so that the state government does not cut the sanctioned budget, as was done last time.

Raul was in the city today to conduct a survey on various ongoing projects related to the MC, the improvement trust and the sewerage board.

He stated that the MC must spend wisely on several ongoing projects and the least burden should be put on the state government.

On the fake bill scam, Raul refused to divulge details but said an inquiry was on and the truth would come out after the submission of the report. He said that nothing could be finalised on property tax.

Accompanied by officials of the MC, the improvement trust and the sewerage board, Raul conducted a survey of various ongoing projects in the city. He visited the Rani Jhansi Road to see the LIT complex.

Work on the Lakkar Bridge was also surveyed. The Gill Road flyover and the Giaspura Housing Project for weaker sections were also visited. Satisfied with the projects, he asked the authorities to speed up work.

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‘Illegal practice by docs rampant in residential areas’
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6"
If information gathered under the RTI Act 2005 from the Improvement Trust here is any indication, a majority of doctors in the city have been practising "illegally" in residential areas.

As per the sale-agreement of the Improvement Trust, an allottee can use the space for residential purpose and not for any commercial activity.

President of the Kitchlu Nagar Residents Association Varinder Bhakoo, who took the information under the RTI Act on March 3, 2010, said the "purely" residential areas in city, including Kitchlu Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Udham Singh Nagar and Civil Lines etc were dwelt by respectable families of industrialists, educationists, retired/serving intellectuals and civil servants. And these localities were hassle-free from traffic jams, pollution and any sort of social panic.

"Of late, certain serving medical professionals have started practising medicine in these residential areas, destroying the peaceful atmosphere. Till late evening hours, outside these clinics, patients park the vehicles haphazardly, create traffic chaos and disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Attendants/drivers roam about in the areas, intrude on the privacy of neighbours/residents," alleged Bhakoo adding that most of the covered areas of doctors were being used for clinical purposes.

Several area residents have filed written complaints to Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chairman Improvement Trust and Director Local Bodies against practice by medical professionals in residential areas. President of the Udham Singh Nagar Welfare Association Sat Pal Bhumbla said the authorities must restrain doctors from commercial activities. "Because of this, the homemakers can not move freely in the locality and small children cannot play outside. The residential areas are meant for residing and not for any commercial activity. There is a need to safeguard the rights of citizens," said Bhumbla.

Col KS Gill, another resident, complained that biomedical waste generated by certain medical professionals was being dumped in nearby vacant plots/areas, which posed danger to the lives of neighbours. "But the authorities do not bother to keep a check. Despite complaining to the authorities several times, nothing has come out in our favour," said Col Gill.


IMA stand
President Indian Medical Association (IMA) here Dr Narottam Dewan said a recent notification of the state government maintains that doctors can use up to 30 per cent of their land (resident) for clinical purposes. He said, "This was announced by Manoranjan Kalia during the inauguration of the IMA's House here recently. Now we have requested the government to allow us to use up to 75 per cent of land for clinical purposes. There may be variations in areas but we are allowed to practise in residential areas. We are serving humanity/patients. The prices of land have become out of reach, if we practice at residence, one should not crib," said Dr Dewan.

Improvement Trust says
Chairman Ashok Juneja said the residential property (under Trust) could not be used for commercial activities. Trust will take a stern action if specific complaints were brought to their notice. "But many of our schemes have been shifted under the municipal corporation now. In their limits, they have to see the change of land use," said Juneja

MC view
Additional Commissioner Municipal Corporation Kamalpreet Brar said as per the MC building bylaws, doctors or anyone can use only 10 per cent of the total covered area (on ground floor only) for such activity. "If any commercial activity is involved, doctors become liable for paying House Tax," she said

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Murder case cracked
Victim’s brother nabbed
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6
The city police claimed to have cracked a murder case by nabbing a man who killed his elder brother following a property dispute.

Currently in police custody, Talvinder (32), was cursing the moment when he committed the crime.

Talvinder, a resident of Sarinh, killed his brother Darshan Singh in a fit of rage after the latter accused him of removing an iron gate from his house.

He told the police that someone had deliberately removed the gate installed at the residence of his elder brother, knowing that it would lead to confrontation between the two brothers.

DSP Narinderpal Singh said the accused was nabbed following a tip-off.

Victim Darshan Singh and Talvinder Singh, alias Billu, sons of a farmer Mall Singh of Sarinh, were at loggerheads over the transfer of a small piece of agricultural land.

The parents were reportedly siding with Billu. It is learnt that some relatives were adding fuel to fire and were instigating both groups, which ultimately resulted in the death of the elder brother.

The incident took pace on the evening of February 26, when Darshan Singh had gone to his workshop in the city.

According to the police, Billu allegedly dismantled the gate fixed at the main entrance to his house.

Unable to bear the insult and agony, Darshan Singh decided to lodge a protest against his brother.

He, along with his wife Simrat Jit Kaur, went to Billu's house.

Billu, instead of realising his fault, attacked his brother with an axe.

Besides hitting him on his head, he inflicted several injuries on other parts of his body.

The victim was rushed to a multi-specialty hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

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Fashion show wrapped in myriad hues 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6
“Avant Garde-2010”, the fourth annual function of the Sportking Institute of Fashion Technology (SIFT), wrapped in myriad hues and vibrant SIFTIANs, was organised at Guru Nanak Bhawan here today.

Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Satpal Gosain was the chief guest.

The SIFT students mesmerised the audience with their innovative creations presented by charismatic young men and graceful girls on the ramp.

The event was a festival of drama, dance and music. The creative SIFTIANs, apart from displaying their creations, also presented a touching tale of “lost childhood”, bringing alive on stage, the pathos and poignant story of the underprivileged children. This emotional performance moved every single person in the audience.

A fantastic presentation by Sanchit redrafted the adage “Where there is a will, there is a way”.

The power-packed performance brought forth, strong emotions in many-a-heart.

Pseudo Gurus, the so-called “dhongi babas” are slowly and steadily eating into the very plinth of society. The students, through a play “Baba Ghot Ghotala”, tried to enlighten the audience about the trap that they lay to befool the innocent.

The stage was set on fire when young boys and girls of the institute swayed to the tunes of foot-tapping beats in “flexibility personified”.

A spellbinding Salsa performance brought Queba alive on the stage.

The venue resounded with “dhol” and “boliyan”, in a befitting tribute to the rich Punjabi culture.

Prize distribution was also held wherein the hardwork of the students was appreciated by the management. The chief guest gave meritorious students trophies. 

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Development 
Sidhwan Bet gets Rs 15 lakh 
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, March 6
Manpreet Singh Ayali, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Ludhiana, handed over a grant worth Rs 15 lakh to sarpanch Paramjit Singh and others of Sidhwan Bet village near here yesterday evening.

The basic of the government is to uplift the rural infrastructure and provide basic amenities in the rural areas.

Out of this, Rs 5 lakh is to be spent on construction and repair of streets, sewage lines and sanitation. Rs 10 Lakh is for renovating a village pond under the natural treatment plant system.

Ayali said the grant was being released to complete the pending developmental works undertaken in the village. 

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Shopkeeper attempts suicide
Our Correspondent

Mullanpur Dakha, March 6
A shopkeeper, who was unable to sustain himself, tried to commit suicide by piercing a screwdriver into his chest. The shopkeeper, who was also an active social worker, took this extreme step, as he was unable to run his business successfully.

Harsharan Singh, an electrician by profession, also runs an electrician shop near the local post office here. Son of a retired PSEB official Harsharan Singh was getting regular pocket money from his father to pay the rent and bear other expenses. They had paid even paid fees of a computer centre so that he could switch over to some other trade. Married for just one year, he spent all money and did not paid the rent to landlord Bakshish Singh.

On Thursday afternoon, Bakshish Singh visited his shop and demanded Rs 12,000 of the pending rent. The shop was rented at Rs 1,300 per month. Unable to pay the rent he tried to seek excuse on some pretext but the landlord threatened to visit his parents to realize the rent. With the feeling of guilt and unable to face the family Harsharan Singh locked himself in the shop and pierced a screwdriver in his chest to commit suicide.

Another shopkeeper sensed the trouble and broke open the shutter of his shop. He was rushed to a hospital. He condition is stated to be stable. 

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Jain guru in city
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6
Jain guru, Shri Gachadhipati Jain Acharya Vijay Nityananda Suri visited the city and gave sermons to his followers in the Clock Tower chowk today.

The entire area was beautifully decorated. He was given a rousing welcome by beating of drums and blowing of bugles.

A shobha yatra was also taken out from the Clock Tower Chowk to the Girjaghar Chowk, Chaura Bazaar, Ghaas Mandi, Nikka Mal Chowk, Chaawal and Daal Bazaar, Purana Bazara and culminated at Purana Bazaar.

Later he went to the Congress Bhawan and addressed workers. Congress leaders Jagmohan Sharma and Dimple Rana welcomed him. 

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Truck rams into traffic pole
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 6
A major tragedy was averted when the driver of a speeding truck lost control over the vehicle and damaged a traffic light pole near Agar Nagar on the Ferozepur road here today.

The incident took place this afternoon when the truck, heading towards Jagraon- Ferozepur, hit the traffic light after the driver of the vehicle reportedly failed to apply breaks and rammed it into a traffic light pole. The incident resulted in traffic jam on one side of the road for at least half an hour.

The driver fled from the spot. The police has compounded the vehicle and started investigation.

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Lepers home being renovated
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, March 6
Upset over the pathetic condition in which inmates of the local leprosy home, a few NRIs yesterday started construction work of 13 new rooms for accommodating 13 families. These rooms will come up in the place of old ones in three shifts and will just be like a one room apartment along with kitchen, toilet and courtyard.

Four rooms will be demolished in the first stage. The old rooms used to leak during the rainy season and were irreparable. A few NRIs, who visited the leper’s home, had assured to construct new rooms.

Bhai Nichavour Singh, an NRI, laid the foundation stone of the under-construction room. 

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Seema adjudged best athlete
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 6
Seema, a student of BA Ist year, was declared the best athlete in the 40th annual athletics meet organised at Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, here today.

A large number of participants vied for top positions in various disciplines besides fun games. Banita hogged limelight by annexing two titles. She emerged victorious in the 100m-sprint as well as in the 200m-race.

Ranjodh Singh, president, Ramgarhia Educational Complex, inaugurated the meet. Students took part in an impressive march out, followed by PT show and aerobics. Manmohan Kaur, officiating principal, read out the annual report highlighting the achievements of students in different tournaments.

Results: 100m-race: Banita 1st, Gurpreet Kaur 2nd, Seema 3rd; 200m-race: Banita 1st, Seema 2nd, and Gurpreet Kaur 3rd; 400m-race: Gurpreet Kaur 1st, Harpreet Kaur 2nd and Ramanjeet Kaur 3rd.

Trolley race: Ramanjeet Kaur and Harpreet Kaur 1st, Navneet Kaur and Harjinder Kaur 2nd and Amanpreet Kaur and Jaspreet Kaur 3rd; Spoon and potato race: Manpreet Kaur 1st, Jyoti 2nd and Pooja 3rd; Skipping on the spot: Babita 1st, Laxmi 2nd and Amandeep Kaur3rd; Chatti race: Karamjeet Kaur 1st, Payal 2nd and Pawandeep Kaur 3rd; Three-legged race: Jaspreet Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur 1st, Nirmaljeet Kaur and Ramanjeet Kaur 2nd and Manpreet Kaur and Preeti 3rd.

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Bodybuilding trials today
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana,March 6
The Punjab Amateur Bodybuilding Association will organise trials for selecting the Punjab squad at Flex Bodyliners,Dugri,here tomorrow from 10 am onwards.

According to its vice-president Navneet Singh,the aspirants have been advised to report at the venue on time. Those selected bodybuilders will represent the state in the forthcoming Mr North India championship and Federation Cup, scheduled to the held in the last week of this month.

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