Ludhiana, March 23
It is raining booze these days. In the wake of the contract for liquor vends expiring on March 31, tavern owners who failed to get a contract this year have crashed the prices of liquor massively with a view to exhaust their stocks before the expiry date.

According to the excise policy, they cannot carry forward their stocks into the new fiscal. Prices have been slashed by 20-25 per cent and more fall is expected in the coming days.

Most brands, as also country-made liquor, are being sold much below the rates fixed by the government. In an attempt to woo Bacchus lovers, contractors have displayed the slashed rate lists in big fonts outside their taverns.

Vends on the Pakhowal road, Ferozepur road, Civil Lines and many other areas are making all possible efforts to exhaust their stocks.

Brands like Royal Stag, Signature, Royal Challenge are being sold at 20-30 per cent discount while the prices of the country-made liquor have also been cut by almost the same.

Brands like Antiquity Blue and Rivera Wine, which were earlier available at Rs 530, are now available at Rs 450. Peter Scot and Antiquity Rare, which were earlier priced at Rs 430 are now being sold at Rs 320, while Signature and Blenders Pride has come down to Rs 300 from Rs 400.

A contractor who owns a tavern at the Ferozepur road said the next two days would see a further cut in the liquor prices. 

Ludhiana, March 23
Executive engineers, SDOs and junior engineers, besides the entire supervisory staff of the MC will go on a four-day casual leave from March 25.

This is sure to affect work as the government has yet to fill vacant posts of supervisory staff. Overburdened with field work and orders of superiors, the supervisory staff feels that it was heavy at the top while the entire work in the district had to be supervised by only 17 JEs.

The general secretary of the MC Engineering Association, Sunil Sharma, said all engineers would go on leave from March 25-28. He said the total strength of XENs, SDOs and JEs in the district was 48.

“Against 90 posts of JE in the city, there are only 17. You can judge from this how overburdened we are. Generally, an SDO gets services from three-four JEs, but here the services of a JE are being taken by three-four SDOs. We are also human, how can we justify if the work suffers?” he asked.

The president of the association, Joginder Singh, said the authorities had also written to the government to fill vacant posts as it was the need of the hour. But no attention was being paid to their request.

For the past three-four years, the supervisory staff has been plagued with the same problem. “In the past also, we had protested, but political leaders intervened and assured us that fresh recruitment would be made soon. Years have past, nothing has been done so far. On March 18, we had written to the authorities to call us for negotiations so that the mass leave could be avoided, but they are in no mood to resolve this,” he rued.

Another SDO, on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that several officials were there to issue orders, but there was limited staff to execute those.

“We have to do a lot of leg-work. We need to get more staff here. There is staff crunch in every MC in the state, but in Ludhiana, the situation is worse. We are ready for talks, but policy-makers don’t seem to be interested in providing a solution,” the SDO complained.

Raikot, March 23
Two persons died when a bus rammed into their car last evening. The deceased have been identified as Jagroop Singh (45) and his mother-in-law Mukhtiar Kaur (75) of Talwandi Khurd near Mullanpur. He was returning from Raikot after meeting his in-laws when the incident occurred.

She was sitting in the front seat and died on the spot. The wife of Jagroop Singh, Parminder Kaur and his daughter Pardeep Kaur, sitting in the rear, sustained serious injuries.

They were taken to hospital from where they were referred to the DMCH in Ludhiana. The impact of the accident was such that the window panes had to be ripped off to pull out the victims. The accident took place around 4 pm on the outskirts of Halwara village on the Bathinda-Ludhiana state highway.

The car was hit by a Bathinda-bound PRTC bus coming from Ludhiana. Harjinder Singh, driver of the bus, has been arrested under Sections 304-A, 338 and 427, IPC.

Khanna, March 23
The police arrested four persons for planning to commit robbery in a bank and confiscated arms and ammunition from their possession today.

The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Laddi, a resident of the Lalheri road, Khanna, Karan Sood of Jalandhar, Harbhajan Singh and Jasvir Raju of Ludhiana.

The police has recovered one .32 bore revolver with 13 live cartridges, .32 bore pistol with three live cartridges, a country made pistol with three live cartridges, 19 live cartridges of .315 bore gun and a sharp edged iron knife.

Police officials investigating the matter said the accused admitted of planning to commit a robbery in the city using these weapons. They added that the accused have earlier also committed heinous crimes.

The police was looking for accused Laddi in a car theft case wherein he had stolen the vehicle with his five accomplices. Notorious Laddi had also assaulted cops. Some days ago the Samrala police had also arrested Laddi, but he managed to escape from the clutches of cops.

The gang members had fired gunshots on a police party near Bhadson village and fled with one of their arrested gang members.

The police was taking the accused back to jail after producing him in Khanna courts. Mandeep was one of the accused who had fired at the police at Rajpura for which he was sent to jail.

Ludhiana, March 23
With the maximum temperature hovering around 35 degrees Celsius followed by minimum temperature around 18 degrees Celsius, experts at the department of agro meteorology, PAU, have termed the temperature as 7 degrees above normal.

In the recent years, the maximum and minimum average temperatures around March-end did not exceed 28 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Dr KK Gill, assistant agro meteorologist, said: “The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the second week of March this year was two degrees above normal which gradually escalated to 4-5 degrees above normal in the third week.”

Terming the western disturbances as the cause behind the rising temperature, he said there was only 25 mm of rainfall in February and no rainfall in March so far.

March was considered to be the most pleasant month in the year, but the rise in mercury this year has forced people to switch on coolers and air-conditioners.

Molly, a schoolteacher, said: “It has become impossible to go out in the sun. For March, this is rather odd.”

District epidemiologist GP Mangla stated that the department of health and family welfare had already chalked out a plan of action to combat dengue, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases.

“We are starting with area-wise awareness campaigns in low-lying localities as well as posh localities. We have already written to the MC to take corrective measure for the supply of potable water and proper disposal of waste,” Dr Mangla said.

Unable to deal with the sudden rise in temperatures, some people are suffering from insomnia and hot flushes at night. They have been advised to get maximum fresh air in the morning and evening, followed by exercise.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 23
Ranjit Singh, an MA, BEd, like thousands of graduates and postgraduates from Punjab and Rajasthan has made up his mind to work as a driver in the Delhi police.

Baldev Singh of Brau Wala at Mansa district is among those desperate parents, who are ready to send their educated daughters miles away from home in search of jobs for which even a matric pass is also eligible.

Gurmeet Kaur, another graduate, who has been teaching in a private school for several years, is now hoping for one out of 5,000 posts of constables in Delhi police entrance test, exam for which was conducted at various centres in metro cities yesterday.

Disappointed over “unconcern attitude of successive state governments towards providing them jobs as per their degrees, thousands of youths from the region thronged the Capital to appear for the entrance test for recruitment as drivers and constables in the Delhi police.

Hoping that there selection would be on merit basis, the candidates rued that local leaders of various political parties had been exploiting them and their parents for long, but failed to secure their future.

“Each time we remind them of their un fulfilled promises, but sadly they try to convince us that it’s not possible for everyone to get government jobs. Though some of our friends were picked up, we were not even called for an interview,” rued a local youth alleging one politician had duped him of Rs 1 lakh on pretext of getting him a job in the state government department.

Having cleared the physical test, he is now hopeful of getting a driver’s job at least without paying any bribe.

Ludhiana, March 23
The Punjab Government would initiate necessary steps for renovation and preservation of ancestral houses and buildings connected with martyrs and prominent freedom fighters in the state so that the younger generation could take inspiration from their sacrifices.

This was stated by Punjab minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs Hira Singh Gabria while paying floral tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on their martyrdom day at Jagraon Bridge here today. Gabria also visited the ancestral house of martyr Sukhdev Thapar at Naughara in Chaura Bazar, the commercial hub of the city, later in the day to offer floral tributes to the statue of Sukhdev.

He also announced a grant of Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of the ancestral house of Sukhdev in the city, saying the funds would be released very soon. Gabria said the state government had prepared a comprehensive plan for the renovation and preservation of the historical building and houses of the heroes of the freedom struggle. “All such places will be developed as tourism destinations and properly advertised to attract both domestic and foreign tourists to these sites,” he added.

Paying his tributes to martyrs, the minister said the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who laid down their lives for the sake of the country, had left a lasting impression in the minds of the people.

He said Punjabis had always remained in the forefront to make sacrifices for liberation and later defending the freedom of the nation.

Exhorting the people to follow the examples set by freedom fighters and martyrs, Gabria said fight against social evil like drug addiction, female foeticide and dowry, would be a real tribute to martyrs. He called upon the youth to refrain from drugs and intoxicants.

Activists of the District Youth Congress (DYC) observed martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru as “prerna diwas” (inspiration day) by taking out a peace march and offering floral tributes to the statues of the three martyrs on Jagraon Bridge here today.

Led by DYC president Dimple Rana, the party workers commenced the march from Congress Bhawan and passed through Clock Tower Chowk, Railway Station, before reaching Jagraon Bridge where statues of the martyrs were garlanded. The Youth Congress workers took a pledge that following the footsteps of the martyrs, they would always be ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of unity and integrity of the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Rana said people of Punjab could take genuine pride in the fact that a large number of Punjabis had taken part in the freedom struggle and made numerous sacrifices to attain Independence from the British rule. “Thousands of martyrs have shed their blood to earn the freedom and it is the bounden duty of each and every citizen to safeguard it at all costs,” said Rana.

Recalling the supreme sacrifice made by the trio -- Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru -- the DYC president said these martyrs chose to sacrifice all luxuries of life and went to gallows to mobilise the fellow countrymen for the fight against the British rule.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) paid homage to the martyrs in their own unique manner. While garlanding the statues of the martyrs at Jagraon Bridge, the functionaries of the Left parties rued that the dreams of these martyrs of building a society based on equality and social justice in an independent India, had failed to materialise. “Unfortunately, the policies of the present governments are contrary to those beliefs, leading to miseries of the common man and weakening the sovereignty of the country,” they observed.

Ludhiana, March 23
Schools goofed up today, as instead of observing martyrdom day, the city schools were seen celebrating by organising functions.

Some play-way schools in the city instead of paying homage to the freedom fighters- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev organised a dance and fancy dress competition.

Several kindergarten schools confused it with the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh and later took corrective measures when they were told that Bhagat Singh's birthday falls on September 28. "There is no harm in celebrating the day provided we don’t use the day to hog publicity," said senior Prof KBS Sodhi. Parents were left dejected when school authorities sent the invitation stating that they were celebrating martyrdom day and instructed the parents to send their ward dressed like Bhagat Singh.

Gori, mother of a three-year-old boy said: "It’s sad that this is the kind of education our children are receiving from schools that fail to differentiate between celebration and sacrifice."

Phillaur/Nakodar, March 23
State-Level Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was observed by the Punjab Youth Congress at Phillaur and Nakodar by organising a Peace March, solemnising mass marriages of 21 poor girls at Nakodar village and distributing 11 sewing machines to poor women at Phillaur here today.

Vikas Upadhyay, secretary, Indian Youth Congress and in charge of Punjab affairs presided over and led the peace march, which was attended by thousands of youth Congress activists.

Paying tributes to the martyrs, Youth Congress leader said the nation must respect the sacrifice of these freedom fighters and urged the youth workers to help educate at least one child thus helping to the society to fight illiteracy.

Youth Congress Secretary Vikas Upadhya spoke regarding the programme outlined by Rahul Gandhi to reach out to the most needy masses in the rural areas and infusing spirit into the youth cadre to fight the social evils.

Punjab Youth Congress president and MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, grandson of the Late Shaheed Beant Singh, urged the youth activists to fight illiteracy, anti-social activities and be a part in nation building.

Senior Congress leaders, former ministers- Santokh Singh Chaudhary and MLA Amarjit Singh were present.

Ludhiana, March 23
A fortnight after Voice of India - Ishmeet’s billboard was defaced and subsequently replaced by his family, miscreants were at it again by damaging the new poster on the chowk named after the singing sensation.

Not only the relatives, but the fans commuting through the chowk are peeved at the incident. Ishmeet’s uncle, Dr CK Singh, who is a rabies expert in GADVASU, was dejected over the incident.

“We are planning to raise the height of the poster so that it could be away from human approach. I fail to understand what kind of pleasure someone is getting by defacing the poster of Ishmeet, who lives in the heart of millions of Ludhianavis,” said CK Singh.

Gurpinder Singh, father of Ishmeet, who criticised the first occurrence of the incident, was seen visibly disappointed and refused to comment on the uncalled for episode.

On the other hand, commuters are quite vocal in their criticism and expressed regret over defacement of the poster. “Only a loser could do such an act. The miscreant can only tear the poster, but is forgetting that Ishmeet lives in our heart,” said Gurjot Singh, a resident of Model Town.

Renu Sethi, a housewife, said she made it a point to watch the poster of her favourite singer while crossing the roundabout. But today, she was shocked to find the singing icon’s poster being defaced again.

However, the family has not yet registered the matter with the police. In the meantime Nirmal Singh, SHO, Model Town police station, said a cop who regulated traffic at the chowk had been told to be vigilant.

Ludhiana, March 23
The 103 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army (SIKH LI) will organise a recruitment rally for the categories of Soldier (General Duty) and Soldier (Tradesmen) at GT Road, Millerganj, here from March 24 to 27.

According to sources, recruitment for candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Union Territory, Chandigarh, and Delhi will be carried out tomorrow, whereas recruitment for Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir candidates will be conducted on March 25.

The medical examination and checking will be held on March 26 and 27. The candidate should be 10th pass with 45 per cent marks except districts of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur of (HP) for which the eligibility is middle class.

The candidates appearing for tradesmen category should be a matriculate and between 18 to 42 years, weigh at least 50 kg, 160 cm in height and 77-82 cm chest. Preference will be given to ITI qualified, computer literates having a driving license of light and heavy vehicles/sportsmen who have represented at district/state-level and cooks with experience.

Ludhiana, March 23
The police has arrested an accused, his wife and an accomplice and claimed to have solved a murder cases in which the man had allegedly killed his younger brother following a property dispute.

The accused, Ramrai, his wife Rani and his accomplice Deepak were nabbed from Jodhewal here this afternoon.

The trio, along with their accomplices, were on the run following the murder of Dharminder (38). While Dharminder was killed, his wife Madhu (35) and two younger brothers Ramesh and Shashi sustained injuries in a fight.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon when the eldest brother Ramrai, along with his goons, attacked the family members with sharp edged weapons following a property dispute.

According to the police, both the groups were at loggerheads over a piece of land. The fight took place when Dharminder, along with his brother, tried to take possession of the disputed land.

Ludhiana, March 23
Ravi Kumar was declared the best athlete in the boys’ section while Anu and Amandeep Kaur were jointly named the best athletes among girls in the annual athletics meet at GMT College of Education, Jalandhar bypass, here today.

Kashmir Singh Thind, chairman of the college, inaugurated the meet in which over 200 participants took part in various games. Principal Dr HS Sidhu congratulated the position holders.

Results: Long jump (boys) - 1st Upinder Singh, 2nd Inderjit Singh; 100m race - 1st Ravi Kumar, 2nd Upinder Singh, 3rd Kulvinder Singh; 200m race - 1st Ravi Kumar, 2nd Upinder Singh, 3rd Kulvinder Singh; 400m race - 1st Ravi Kumar, 2nd Kulvinder Singh, 3rd Upinder Singh; javelin throw - 1st Harsimrat Singh, 2nd Kulvinder Singh, 3rd Pawan Kumar; discus throw - 1st Harsimrat Singh, 2nd Kulwinder Singh, 3rd Vikas Kumar; long jump - 1st Ravi Kumar, 2nd Upinder Singh, 3rd Inderjit Singh; shot put - 1st Harsimrat Singh, 2nd Kulwinder Singh, 3rd Vikas Kumar; spoon race - 1st Harpreet Singh;

400m race (girls): 1st Amandeep Kaur, 2nd Anu Thakur, 3rd Poonam; 100m race - 1st Amandeep Kaur, 2nd Pooja, 3rd Meenakshi; 200m race - 1st Anu Thakur, 2nd Renu, 3rd Raminder Kaur; javelin throw - 1st Raminder Kaur, 2nd Rishab Jindal; discus throw - 1st Danika Vohra, 2nd Mandeep Kaur, 3rd Pooja; long jump - 1st Anu Thakur, 2nd Amandeep Kaur, 3rd Raminder Kaur; shot put - 1st Aditi, 2nd Danika Vohra, 3rd Simran; three-legged race - 1st Jyoti and Monia, 2nd Poonam and Renu, 3rd Gurdeep Kaur and Vibha.

Ludhiana, March 23
The Ludhiana District Cricket Association (LDCA) conducted trials to select the players for the regional coaching centre run by the association here at Arya College.

A large number of upcoming cricketers u-12, 14 and 16 years attended the trials and as many as 83 boys were shortlised by the selection panel of the LDCA under the chairmanship of Chaman Lal Malhotra, chairman, selection committee, Punjab (senior).

The selected players have been advised to report to coaches Charanjit and Sirazuddin at Arya College on March 24 at 4 pm.

The district teams for the upcoming Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Championship will be picked up from these players.

The names of the selected players are (u-12)- Lovish Dhir, Gurjot Singh, Keshav Sharma, Mandeep Singh, Kawalpreet Singh, Jaish, Aayush, Shivang, Neeraj, Ishan, Anubhav, Abhijit, Pranav Bajaj, Ravirat Singh, Hitesh and Vishwas.

U-14: Varinder Pal Singh, Jaskaranvir Singh, Deepin Chitkara, Sumil Sood, Kanav Garg, Ramandeep Singh, Sumer Singh Virk, Harnoor Singh, Shubhendu, Raghav Sharma, Kunal Chopra, Rohan Gupta, Arshmit Singh, Rohit Verma, Simranjit Singh, Vishwanath, Kunwarjit Singh, Nitin Grover, Shivam, Shriram, Vidhant and Aakash.

U-16: Parul Mehndiratta, Sandeep Singh, Amit Yadav, Mayank Bhagaria, Rahul Talwar, Shubhankar, Munny Pandey, Angad Singh, Chirag Maria, Pushkin, Navdeep Singh, Gautam, Deepak Sharma, Jatin Arora, Amit Malhan, Deepak Mehta, Lovejot Singh, Sharaj Kapoor, Arshdeep Singh, Baljit Singh, Anirudh, Ajit, Mankaran Hara, Daljeet Singh, Nikhil Chowdhary, Jagmeet S Bajaj, Jaskaran Singh, Mohit, Vishesh, Anmol Bhardwaj, Gaurav, Omesh Handa, Sukhwinder Singh, Manpreet Gill, Pankaj Bali, Shubham Kwatra, Gurjot, Rishaw Maria, Yogesh Soni, Bunty, Rajneesh Pandey, Khushwinder, Prabhtej Singh, Parveen Kumar and Jatinder Singh.