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National-level woman athlete thrashed
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Just two days before the Kabaddi World Cup final, a national level woman athlete was thrashed by her male counterparts at Guru Nanak Stadium here this morning.

The spat took place at around 7am, when someone among the athletes tore the seat cover of the scooter belonging to Harpreet Kaur.

She said while she was returning home after practicing session she spotted that someone had deliberately scratched her scooter with a sharp-edged object.

Eyewitness said Harpreet was miffed and raised an alarm but one among the athletes took the responsibility.

The athletes alleged that Harpreet started abusing everyone and damaged their vehicles.

This agitated Satinder Singh, Inderjit Singh and fellow athletes and they allegedly beat up Harpreet Kaur.

She alleged, “The athletes used to tease me but I never complained to the authorities and went on with my practice. Today, the athletes crossed their limits and tore the seat cover of my scooter and when I protested they thrashed me.”

Fortunately, she did not sustain any serious injury. Following the incident, Harpreet registered a complaint with the division No 8 police station against three national-level athletes.

One of the athletes, Inderjit Singh is a national record holder and viewed as promising talent, while Satinder Singh and his accomplice are employed with the Railways.

The sports department was divided over the issue. While, a few athletes demanded action against the players who beat up the woman, a sizable number of others alleged that Harpreet’s abusive language led to the fight.

The sports department officials, on the condition of anonymity alleged that several complaints of misbehaviour had been lodged against Harpreet Kaur in the past as well.

Sources in the department said Harpreet took up a fight with fellow athletes during a national camp in Patiala.

Athletes alleged that she used to hurl abuses at them during the practice session and the players tore the seat cover of her scooter in order to settle the score.

SHO division no 8 Maninder Bedi said the woman athlete came in the morning and lodged the complaint, but later she retract from her earlier statement and told that the senior factionaries of the sports department would effect a compromise on Monday.

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Verka milk dearer by Re 1 from today
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Verka milk is set to get dearer by Re 1 per liter from tomorrow. However, the hike will only be applicable to the full fat and medium-fat milk while the skimmed milk price remains unchanged.

The price of full-fat milk (red pack) will now be Rs 29 per liter while that of the medium-fat milk will be Rs 26 per liter. The skimmed or no-fat milk, which comes in yellow pack, will continue to cost Rs 21 per liter.

Talking to The Tribune, Chairman, Verka milk plant, Ludhiana, Ajmer Singh Bhagpur, said: “The milk production has become a very costly affair these days. And maintaining quality has become a challenge for us. In order to ensure quality as well as keeping the marketing strategies in mind, we have raised the milk prices by Re 1 per liter, which is quite reasonable.”

He added that keeping in view the welfare of the consumers, Verka had just raised the prices of the “elite-class milk” whereas that of the “milk of the masses” has remained unchanged.

“Full-fat and medium-fat milk have become a luxury of the healthy and wealthy section of the society, while the skimmed variety caters to the need of the poor, sick and old. Thus, not raising its cost was a conscious step by us,” Bhagpur stated.

He added that in the coming few days, Verka might have to further hike the milk prices in order to help the producers recover the cost of milk production, which is “rising with each passing day”.

Meanwhile, city residents expressed their displeasure over the constantly rising milk prices.

Anuradha Singla, a housewife, rued, “Milk prices have gone up many a times over the past few months. Soon, it will become a luxury for the middle class.”

Another city resident Shallu Shukla, added, “Milk is perhaps, the best source of essential vitamins. But its spiraling cost is soon making it out of reach for the common man.”

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Diesel Pilferage
Two firefighters chargesheeted
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
The “novel” idea adopted for stealing diesel from fire tenders landed two employees of Sunder Nagar fire station in trouble today. Departmental inquiry has been ordered against the “erring” employees and they have been charge-sheeted for pilfering.

Fireman Purshottam Lal and driver Ramesh of the Sunder Nagar fire station drew 10-liters of diesel from a fire tender parked at the station and kept it in the water cooler as “chilled water”. When one of the employees opened the water cooler’s tap for drinking water, he was shocked to find that it was filled with the diesel. On making enquiry, the employees found that both- Purshottam Lal and Ramesh- were involved in stealing/selling of the diesel in the open market.

One of the employees disclosed that they must have been doing this since long but were caught today. They used to take the diesel home after finishing their duties. “Now, when they have been caught, we have come to know that they were stealing diesel from vehicles since long,” the employee said.

Chief Fire Officer Kartar Singh confirmed that both of them were involved in the pilferage of diesel “No one can imagine that an employee could do such a thing. Necessary action will be taken against them”, he added.

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Three held for man’s murder
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
The police has arrested three persons who had allegedly murdered a man and thrown his chopped head in the fields situated on the outskirts of Ladhowal village near here about 10 days ago.

However, the police is tight lipped about the identification of suspects as well as the victim.

Sources revealed that an SIT constituted to investigate recovery of a chopped head from the fields of Ladhowal village, had nabbed three suspects wanted in the case.

Though, the identity of the nabbed suspects is yet to be established, the sources claimed that they belong to Jalandhar.

The sources said even the victim also belong to Jalandhar and was murdered to evade suspicion. The police has also recovered the parts of the victim’s body from a canal located near the Jalandhar road.

Illicit relationship was stated to be the reason behind the killing.

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Liquor vend near school
500 students, parents stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Students of Government High School, Ambedkar Nagar, today took to streets to protest against a liquor vend that has recently come up in the vicinity of the school. They staged a dharna near the police station at the Model Town Chowk and disrupted traffic for over 30 minutes.

Over 500 protestors, including the students, their parents and staff members of the school, along with area residents, staged the dharna demanding immediate removal of the liquor vend, which they termed as a “major source of nuisance”.

“The vend, located in the residential area, has become a constant source of harassment for the girl students, who have to pass through it after the school gets over,” said social worker Dr Surjit Singh, who is also chairman of the residents’ welfare association of the area. He was supporting the school authorities in their protest.

He added that students today came to the school, especially to participate in the dharna in spite of it being a holiday today.

The school authorities threatened that in case their demand is not fulfilled immediately, they would intensify their protest. They also added they would appeal to the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner as well as the Excise and Taxation Commissioner to intervene in the matter.

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Cops release sketch for smooth flow of traffic
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, April 10
The city police has chalked out a plan for the smooth flow of traffic on the day of the final match of the ongoing World Kabaddi Cup scheduled to be held here at Guru Nanak Stadium on April 12. Certain measures have been taken so that the locals as well as the travellers do not face any difficulty on that day.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police(ADCP), Ludhiana I, Harsh Kumar Bansal released the plan here today which highlighted the traffic route and parking lots earmarked for the event.

Giving details of the plan, the ADCP said the entry for the heavy cargo vehicles in the city would not be allowed on Monday between 8 am and 1 am midnight. However, the passenger buses will be allowed to ply as usual.

"People have been advised to follow certain diversion plans to be put in place to avoid any discomfort since a large number of spectators from across the state are expected to visit the city on April 12," he added.

He further said that the entry to the railway station from its rear side, near Guru Nanak Stadium, besides its parking would remain closed and the public had been asked to use the main entrance and parking places on the GT Road.

Similarly, the road stretch from Fountain Chowk to Durga Mata Mandir Chowk, near Jagraon Bridge will also remain closed on that day, the ADCP said.

The ADCP also gave details of the parking lots earmarked for the event, which include, the Deputy Commissioner Office at Mini Secretariat, Guru Nanak Bhawan complex and old courts.

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Educationists call for stress-free learning
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, April 10
RIMT College of Education, Mandi Gobindgarh, organised a seminar today on “Stress free Learning: A Step Towards Quality Education” under the guidance of principal Dr Rajwant Kaur. RIMT Group of Institutes chairman Dr Hukam Chand Bansal was the chief guest of the occasion inaugurated the seminar by lighting a lamp. The keynote was addressed by Prof Meenakshi Gupta, Department Of Education and Community Service, Punjabi University, Patiala. Bansal appealed to the teachers and parents to provide more freedom so that they can identify their unique capabilities.

Eminent educationists Professor Dr Meenakshi Sharma from Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr SN Ghosh from the Department of Psychology, HP University, Shimla, Dr Kulwinder Singh, Head of the Department of Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Sangeeta from the Department of Education, KU, Kurukshetra, and principal of DS Gurukul College of Educaiton, Dera Bassi, Dr Satinder Dhillon voiced their concern over how today’s educational system was suffocating the young minds with their over-expectations and over reactions leading them towards drugs, depression and suicides.

The effort should be made to find practical ways through which the teaching and learning process can he made student friendly.

Every parent is ambitious to see his child coming out of the school with flying colours, In making their ambitions come true, the children are being sent to schools which offer more demanding instructional programmes with stress on marks/grades rather than on learning and child’s own progress. There is no doubt that such an enforced instruction only deadens the will of the child.

It was also pointed out that the quality of our education system had suffered a set back mainly due to the collective conspiracy of the entrepreneurs, politicians and educationists to extract maximum with minimum efforts. The sharp, sensitive and active mind of a child today wants to run away from the tyranny of bookish and theoretical world of knowledge.

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RTI
Transparency will eliminate graft: Ramesh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Chief State Information Commissioner Ramesh Inder Singh called upon officials, faculty and employees of Punjab Agricultural University to practise transparency and openness under the RTI, which he said would lead to efficiency and elimination of corruption.

He said any organisation getting financial assistance directly or indirectly from the government or its instrumentalities is a public body and comes in the preview of RTI, said the Information Commissioner.

Singh elaborated that only information available in material form had to be supplied and in no way the information should be newly created.

"Confidentiality and secrecy words have no place in the system of RTI as the transparency and clear access to information have been provided in the law. However, if the information in some way or the other endangers life of a person, or the free competitiveness of say an examination system it may be denied," the Information Commissioner stated.

Giving examples about the circumstances for information about the third party for which he said a notice was to be given to the third party before providing information to the seeker. Singh said the content and context of decisions, if available materially had to be shared with the information seeker by following the prescribed rules.

Singh discussed the consequences of withholding information unnecessarily. That would lead to providing information without charges-financial loss to the institute followed by a penalty of Rs 250 per day up to the maximum of Rs 25,000 to be paid by the Public Information Officer to the state treasury.

If the default is persisting, the departmental proceedings may be initiated against PIO and (c) compensation to the information seeker without any upper limit.

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e-book on industrial competitiveness released
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Dr MA Zaheer, a keynote speaker, while speaking during an international conference on the “Industrial competitiveness” organised at the Gulzar Group of Institutes here today said in the economic turbulent period when most of the corporate concerns either faced difficulties to sustain their business or saw their profitability receding, the companies needed a holistic approach and comprehensive effort.

Chief guest, Dr Rajneesh Arora, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, released a souvenier and an e-book on the industrial competitiveness. The book contained research papers and articles written by eminent authors from the US, Canada, Fiji and South Africa and from reputed institutions of India.

Dr Arora while interacting with industrialists, teachers and students of various institutions who attended the conference called upon the importance of frequent interactions among academicians and corporate professional for reshaping the economy, especially driven by the technical education.

He congratulated the authors for their work and advised that books were permanent and the most valuable asset for the betterment of society.

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From Schools and Colleges
Bhangra marks Baisakhi fest

"Baisakhi Festival - 2010" was organised at Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, here today. Rajinder Sharma, president, Association of PSEB Affiliated Schools, Punjab, was the chief guest. A fancy dress competition was organised on the occasion. The students presented a colourful programme of song and dance and also performed gidha and bhangra. Speaking on the occasion, Principal Asha Sharma told the students that Baisakhi was also the festival of wheat harvesting in Punjab. Prizes and sweets were also distributed among the students.

Adventure Camp

Students of Class VIII had a gala time during a one-day adventure camp held on the school campus here today. The camp helped to develop social and emotional skills of the students along with building of physical strength and stamina.

Visit

The Training and Placement Cell and Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) Students' Chapter of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) organised an industrial visit for its MBA II semester students to Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana. — TNS

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Roadside encroachments causing accidents
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Mandi Gobindgarh, April 10
Unchecked encroachments on the Mandi Gobindgarh-Amloh road has resulted in several accidents, some fatal ones, in the recent past. Three teenagers, all residents of Jammu and Kashmir, were recently killed when their bike was run over by a speeding truck.

The students were on their way to take their examination at Desh Bhagat Institute on the Amloh Road.

The incident happened as they tried to overtake a truck but came under its front wheel.

Besides parking of trucks by the roadside, a large number of unauthorised temporary shops have come up along the road, leaving little space for vehicles to move.

“It is nearly impossible to overtake even slow-moving trucks,” said Suresh Dharur, a resident of Amloh. He said every day one or two accidents took place on the 5-km stretch from the GT Road in Mandi Gobindgarh towards Amloh.

The commuters rued that the road became narrow due to encroachment by roadside vendors and obstruction by parked trucks.

Besides encroachment, smog in the area created poor visibility on the road, making things tougher for motorists.

Traffic police officials said the sudden increase in the volume of traffic has also led to a rise in the number of accidents on highways.

A majority of fatal accidents involved SUVs, which had higher occupancy than other light vehicles.

Gursewak Singh, an analyst, said most accidents took place due to negligence on part of the driver or engineering fault on roads.

Since the number of vehicles had gone up, the police and the administration must check roadside encroachment, which is a major hurdle in the way of reducing accidents on roads.

Also, there are around 10 weighing scales on the road, prompting trucks and tractors to remain parked by the roadside and creating a bottleneck on the stretch, said the traffic officials.

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Railway health unit being upgraded
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 10
There is a ray of hope for serving employees, pensioners and their dependents who have been crying over poor medical and health care facilities in the sub-divisional railway health unit (RHU) here.

If a communication received by Sher Singh, chairman, Northern Railway Pensioners’ Welfare Association, from chief medical superintendent (CMS), Northern Railway, Ferozepur, is any indication, the process for upgrade of the RHU has already been set in motion and posting orders of specialist doctors have been issued, who are expected to join their duty in the next few days.

In the letter, the CMS says the railway authorities have taken many other steps to provide better health care facilities to serving and retired employees.

“The laboratories in the existing RHU have been recognised for diagnostic investigations like ultrasound scan and lipid profile. Also, preventive health check-up camps will now be organised at regular intervals at the RHU for timely diagnosis of undetected diseases, their treatment and follow-up.”

Sher Singh says beneficiaries of the railway health scheme have been eagerly awaiting the upgrade of the RHU, which will more infrastructure, equipment for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and delivery of better medical facilities.

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Yarn prices head north
Manav Mander
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
The prices of yarn have inched up by 13-14 per cent in the past one month. Within the past 15 days alone, the prices have gone up by Rs 25 to Rs 30 a kg. The hike in the prices of yarn is being attributed to an increase in the prices of raw material. Weaving units fear they will have to discontinue with their operations if the prices go up further.

The spiralling cost of cotton and polyester has forced units to up their yarn price.

“The hike in the prices of raw material and anti-dumping duty levied on acrylic yarn are the main reason behind the constant increase in the prices of yarn,” says Vinod K Thapar, president, Knitwear Club.

“The yarn market is wild and wooly,” adds another yarn manufacturer.

With the prices of raw cotton going up, it has become difficult for the yarn market to survive. The increase in the prices of the raw material is complicating the situation for yarn manufacturers,” he says.

It is learnt that the prices of cotton have increased due to negligible arrival of the crop in the market.

Vibhor Sharma, a yarn dealer, says they have been facing a grim situation with the increase in labour cost and cotton prices.

Also, mills have been hit by power shortage. “The yarn prices are likely to go up further as mills try to sustain their operations,” he adds.

Garment exporters stay put

Though the price of yarn has gone up, exporters have not yet increased the rates of garments. Manufacturers are adopting a wait-and-watch policy before taking any decision on the prices of garments. Since it is too early to say whether the current cotton yarn prices are going to hold or not, the rates of garment have not been raised

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Doctor raises awareness on arthritis
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Accredited for having performed a hip replacement surgery of a 103- year-old woman, now leading a normal life, Dr Harsimran Singh called upon the people to volunteer for the knee and the hip replacement surgeries through computer-navigated minimally invasive surgery.

He was recently in the city to apprise people of the incidence of arthritis, its causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. “The risk factor is drastically reduced in this procedure as there is minimum blood loss and at the same time the post-operative complications, too, are curtailed which makes it safe for the obese patients.”

While speaking on the differences between the conventional surgery and minimally-invasive surgery through computer navigation, Dr Harsimran said: “As per the study conducted by the National Health Service, United Kingdom, the success rate of the conventional surgery is 80 to 85 per cent followed by 90 to 95 per cent in the minimally- invasive surgery.

After 48 hours of the surgery a patient can easily walk with the help of a walker, can climb the stairs after two weeks, walk without walker or a stick after three weeks and can return to the job in four weeks.

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Illegal hoardings to be removed soon
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
The illegal hoardings in the city will soon be removed. Municipal Commissioner AK Sinha met councillors, senior Deputy Mayor and officials on this issue recently.

Giving details about the meeting, senior Deputy Mayor Parveen Bansal said the committee had identified roads and areas where the illegal hoardings were installed.

The committee would soon recommend for the removal of such illegal hoardings and an action would be taken accordingly. The meeting was attended by the committee members, including HS Dang, Pal Singh Grewal, Sanjay Talwar, GS Neetu, Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Joint Commissioner Mahinderpal Gupta.

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Free yoga camp on April 14
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 10
To celebrate the festival of Baisakhi, the Patanjali Yog Samiti and district unit of Bharat Swabhiman Trust headed by Swami Ramdev will organise a free “yog vigyan” camp on April 14 at Rakh Bagh here.

Giving details, samiti district president Pramodh Sharma said here yesterday that participants would be given training on various techniques of pranayam, asanas and vyayam, as also knowledge was imparted about effects of yoga towards the prevention and cure of different ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, skin ailments and joint pains.

He informed that after the yog sadhna, experts would also examine patients at the venue and to suggest them particular yog asanas and kiryas to get rid of the diseases. “The participants will also be educated about the importance and authenticity of ayurvedic medicines by the experts.”

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Rise in Steel Prices
Small-scale units hit hard

Ludhiana, April 10
Avtar Singh, general secretary, CICU, exclaimed that after presentation of the Union Budget 2010-11, there has been unprecedented hike in the prices of steel products affected till date in 3-4 doses.

In a press note issued here today, he said during a short span of less than two months, Indian steel makers comprising SAIL, Essar, Ispat, TATA etc. had hiked prices of steel products by more than 30 per cent i.e. Rs.7,500 to Rs.12,000 per tonne.

Now, domestic steel prices were hitting the ceiling, a ruthless gain had begun sending already committed supply of steel-based manufactured products into a tailspin. This hike had given latitude to unauthorised hoarding and had created artificial scarcity in the domestic market. This had put the MSME sector at stake by eating away their sizable working capital funds. Exporters, who had been hit hard, were unable to keep their commitment with foreign buyers.

Upkar Singh, joint secretary, CICU, has appealed to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Government of India, to take appropriate measures to shield the MSME industry from the impact of rising steel prices. — TNS

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Board of small enterprises holds meeting
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
From July 1, the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector will be charged at BPLR (base prime lending rate) and it will be the lowest rate of interest as compared to all other sectors.

It was announced by VK Sharma, executive director, Reserve Bank of India, during the seventh meeting of the national board of the MSME under the chairmanship of Dinsha Patel, minister of state for MSME.

Badish K Jindal from Ludhiana, secretary of the Punjab chapter of the Small Industries Associations, attended this meeting.

“The bank rate of interest to the MSME from July 1will be between 8 per cent and 10 per cent. And banks will charge higher rate of interest form all other sectors,” he said.

During the meeting, the minister for MSME announced that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had allowed the MSME sector to form separate stock exchange for the sector and now the sector could also enter the equity market.

Demands

  •  Diesel generators be covered under the CLSS
  • CLSS limit be enhanced from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore
  • A regulatory authority for banking on interest rate and other charges be formed
  • Mechanism to provide raw material at cheaper prices to this sector
  • Recommendations of the PM’s task force on MSMEs be implemented soon

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400 conferred degrees
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
The Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) organised its annual convocation function here today. Degrees were conferred on 400 students from various courses. Dr Rajneesh Arora, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, presided over the function and gave away degrees to the students. Dr Devi Singh, director, IIM, Lucknow, was the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.

Dr KNS Kang, director general, PCTE Group of Institutes, Wg Cdr HS Gill, chairman, Punjab Management Education Trust, Dr OP Sahni, dean, academics, Prof R Kumar, dean, computer science, PCTE, dignitaries, guests and parents of the meritorious students were also present.

Dr Devi Singh in his address said the world was changing fast and young professionals required managerial skills and ethical values necessary to lead life, which was professionally and socially satisfying. He also highlighted the importance of taking responsibilities and supported that the new age had opened new avenues and this was the right time to be an entrepreneur.

Dr Kang presented the college report. He also applauded the sincere and dedicated efforts of faculty, staff and students for making the achievements a reality.

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Drive against anti-social elements
Police seeks help from social bodies
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 10
Acknowledging the impact of movement launched by the Ludhiana police against social evils in the area, office-bearers of a few social, educational and religious organisations urged the authorities to identify and isolate political leaders whose alleged interference in the administrative affairs had been annulling the outcome of crusades launched during the past years.

Maintaining that war against the anti-social elements could not be fought and won without the help of local people, the authorities called upon these leaders to act as a bridge between the administration and public and to join hands with the police against the menace of social evils, including drug addiction and eve-teasing.

Addressing a police-public meeting organised at Sarinh village near here, the office-bearers and activists of various organisations acknowledged that a few gangs of miscreants had undergone hibernation shortly after the implementation of new system of the police administration governed by Commissioner of Police Ishwar Chander.

Regretting that a section of political leaders had been sheltering the anti-social elements and drug peddlers, Mohinder Singh Seelon, an office-bearer of Zamhoori Kissan Sabha, urged the authorities to identify and isolate those whose interference in the administrative functioning might annul the outcome of sincere efforts of the cops on duty.

In his keynote address, ACP Narinder Singh Ruby, said the lawlessness of any kind was dangerous. Though, the police had been trying hard to curb the social evils, these could not be eradicated without an active participation of the social organisations that served as a bridge between the administration and people.

He claimed that special teams had been constituted to identify those who were minting money by supplying poppy, opium and smack to youths. “These teams will always remain on standby and act on the basis of information provided by the office-bearers of the social and religious organisations. We have been directed to keep the names of our ‘crusaders’ secret,” said Ruby adding that the “helpers” would be felicitated.

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Anti-encroachment Drive
Shopkeepers allege pick-and-choose policy
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Shopkeepers at the Akalgarh market, whose encroachments were removed by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) on April 6, have alleged that the latter adopted pick-and-choose policy while removing the encroachments and those “well connected” with the area MLA were spared by the team.

The shopkeepers association met MC Commissioner AK Sinha on this issue yesterday at his office.

Giving details, Akalgarh Market Bachao Sangharsh Committee chairman Kartar Singh Patna, said had MC officials chose a uniform policy to remove the encroachments, no objections could be raised. “But they adopted a pick and choose policy. The influential shopkeepers, who are well connected with the elected representatives managed to keep their stocks inside their shops and tehbazari team did not lift their stocks/materials. While, the stocks/materials of hundreds of others was impounded by the wing,” alleged Patna.

The shopkeepers further complained that one particular shop was situated near the entrance of the Akalgarh market. The shop was just 10 feet in size, while 20 feet extra space was encroached upon by the shopkeeper for keeping his goods.

“The moment the team entered for removing encroachments, the shopkeeper called up an elected MLA, who asked the officials to provide him enough time to keep his stocks inside. While, others kept on pleading to give time, nobody listened to them. More shocking and painful is that the stocks of the particular shopkeeper are still lying outside on the encroached land, but the authorities seem to have closed their eyes,” rued Amarjit Singh, another shopkeeper.

Patna informed that the association members had met the Commissioner. “He gave us a patient hearing and has assured us that nobody will be spared and a suitable action will be taken against the particular shopkeeper by tomorrow,” said Patna.

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Gandhian Study Chair for SD College

Luhdiana, April 10
Kamla Lohtia SD College has been awarded the Gandhian Study Chair by University Grants Commission under its XIth Plan. A grant of Rs 9 lakh was also granted to the college.

Dr Behl also said he was committed to be a step ahead in research-oriented activities. He stressed that the spirit of teamwork was important for the success of the organisation. Prof Chanana said their team would organise a number of activities like seminars, conferences, workshops, lectures, etc. President Naveen Mittal, Mahaveer Nahria, Brij Mohan Ralhan, Sunil Aggarwal, Dr DV Jindal and Sandeep Aggarwal congratulated the principal, team of the Gandhian Chair and college staff. — TNS

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Organic cotton catches fancy of health freaks
Manav Mander
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Organic cotton is winning over new ground both on the farm and in the marketplace these days. It is produced without the use of harsh chemical bleaches or dyes, and is allergy free. Organic cotton clothing, unheard of a few years ago, is now fast catching the fancy of health conscious youths.

With the growing demand of organic cotton clothing, the trend is soon catching on in the not-so-environment-friendly city as well with already two exclusive stores dealing in organic cotton wear doing brisk business.

Divya Khanna, store manager of UV&W, said there was a lot of demand of organic cotton clothes in the city. "The company is planning to open more stores soon," she said.

"We received huge response during the exhibition "The Woman 2010"," she added.

A customer buying an organic T-shirt said: "Organic cotton wear is both healthy for us and also for the environment. It is better than synthetic clothing, which is made from harsh chemicals and often causes allergies. I prefer wearing organic cotton clothes as they are skin friendly and safe."

Another youngster Deepika said designs were fantastic and they were eco-friendly as well. "The growing craze of organic apparels in domestic market has come as a boon for organic cotton growers in the state," she added.

"During the exhibition, I came across organic cotton clothing. I think it’s a boon for those who care for their well being as well as for the environment. An array of products, including bags, T-shirts, socks, pants, bed sheets, bathrobes and towels, made from organic cotton, are available. These clothes are environment friendly and easy on pocket as well," added Gurkiran, a home-maker.

Use of organic cotton clothing helps the society as a whole by giving us a cleaner and in every way better environment.

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Capt takes a dig at Badals, praises development in Gujarat
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Former Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh today went gaga over the growth rate of Gujarat and sang paeans of the government without naming saffron leader Narendra Modi.

While taking a dig at Badal-led state government, Singh said while Gujarat had shown an amazing growth rate, Punjab was left far behind under the leadership of father-son duo, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal respectively.

“Electricity is available for 24 hours in Gujarat while in Punjab people are reeling under acute power supply shortage. It is a matter of shame, “ he said.

He said scenario was dismal in Punjab. Industry was shifting and the state that helped country usher in era of green revolution was facing agricultural crisis. At the same time he said he was not responsible for the existing scenario be it power, industrial, economical or agricultural.

“During my tenure, there was no power crisis. We bought power from Bhutan during that time. What are they doing now? The situation is there for anybody to see,” he said.

Coming out openly in support of chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), Amarinder said he was forced to buckle under political pressure while selecting rural doctors allegedly at the behest of Badals.

He said during his regime he had cleansed the PPSC of its evils and ensured a free , honest, upright and merit-based working for this very important constitutional body. “I do not want to say anything more about it as the matter is sub-judice,” he said. 

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Residents sans water for 7 days!
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Residents of ward No. 63, Preet Nagar, Shimlapuri, have been facing an acute shortage of water without for the past seven days. Agitated residents condemned the callous attitude of municipal corporation authorities in rectifying a snag in the tube-well motor.

Hundreds of residents, including women, had approached former Mayor Nahar Singh Gill for help.

Gill said the residents had approached the authorities concerned and the area councillor but to no avail.

“During summer, it becomes hard to remain without water for long. I have spoken to the Commissioner, who has asked the official concerned to look into the matter. The residents have got some relief, as a water tanker from the municipal corporation has reached the area,” said Gill.

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Con man nabbed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 10
Watch out before subscribing your newspapers and magazines copies, as the man who claims to be the employee of the newspapers agency might be a con man. The police said such con men were having a field day by giving one false receipt to people on the pretext of yearly subscription. The Jagatpuri police today nabbed a man who was issuing fake receipt of a circulation agency on the yearly subscription of magazines.

According to the newspaper circulation agencies, these fake representatives have become constant head ach from them.

Several complaints have been pending at various police stations against these con men. The accused identified as Raman Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar, was nabbed following a trap laid by the police and the newspaper agencies.

The owner of a reputed newspaper agency based in Chaura Bazar said, "We are receiving several complaints from all parts of the city. These fake representatives are take money from the people in lieu of giving them yearly subscription of newspaper and magazines. They are even issuing bogus receipts. After the newspaper or magazines are not delivered to the customers they complain and the cheating comes to light."

He said the best way of taking a subscription was to visit the shop of a newspaper seller.

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City to get Golf Club soon
Anil Datt
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 10
Ludhiana is about to get its own Golf Club and the project comprised an 18-hole Nicklaus design championship golf course and a premium residential development with villas and a luxurious clubhouse. This development is slated to be first of its kind in Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Pradeep Jain, chairman, Silverglades, said the group in association with the Israeli group, Brack Capital Real Estate (BCRE), had promoted Emerald Lands (India) Private Limited for the development of a golf-based mega township project called the “Imperial Golf Estate” off the Ferozepur road, Ludhiana.

Indian Operations for BCRE principal Ariel Podrojski said, “The promoters believed that their development would put Ludhiana and Punjab on the global golfing circuit where many international players and golf tournaments would be attracted to Punjab as a golfing destination. The project would not only bring enormous employment opportunities to Punjab, but also encourage young people to take up the sports through the Imperial Golf Academy and Driving Range, which is under construction and is expected to open in July.”

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