Ludhiana, May 4
With the power crisis in Punjab worsening in summer and the demand going up with each passing day, the city’s inhabitants, especially those living in residential areas, can now look forward to some respite from daily load shedding. The ongoing work to upgrade the existing 66 kV Ferozepur Road substation to 220 kV is now expected to be completed by June.

Giving details of the project, PS Gill, chief engineer of the central zone of Punjab State Power Corp (Powercom), said the substation, being upgraded at a cost of about Rs 15 crore, will become operational in about two months’ time.

"Once the new substation goes on stream it will take a lot of load off the existing 220 kV unit at Humbran Road. As a result frequent load shedding, which had to be resorted to every time the substations got overloaded, will be done away with”, Gill claimed.

"To support the transmission line 36 towers are in the process of being erected from Ayali to the existing substation on Ferozepur Road. Four towers have already been set up and plinth for 26 others has been constructed. Laying the transmission line will take little time once all the towers are in place”, he stated.

“Frequent load shedding could then be reduced to a minimum in most of the city’s residential localities”, he added.

"Although we’re making great effort to cut down the load on a large number of overburdened transformers in the city, the substations also need to be upgraded to take on the additional load and avoid failure in the power distribution network," Gill said.

Ludhiana, May 4
Punjabi folk singer Pammi Bai today found himself caught in a controversy as contestants of a dance competition accused him of favouritism and foul play against him.

Participants of "Pechcha Bhangre Da", a dance competition, being aired on Punjabi channel PTC, today protested against the folk singer, who is judging the contest; accusing him of bias and foul play during the contest. The protestors burnt his effigy and raised slogans against him.

Pammi Bai is the grandmaster judge of the contest along with a panel of six judges, comprising Punjabi singer Sukhwinder Sukhi, PAU swimming coach Ajay Sharma, Dolly Malkiat, singer Daler' Mehndi's brother Jindi Bai, Balkaran Brar and Ramneeq.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Gurbaksh Singh, member of the bhangra team from Ludhiana "Rangla Punjab", said, "Our team participated in the semi-finals of 'Pechcha Bhangre Da' held at DPS School, Jalandhar, on May 1."

"We had performed very well in the contest and had won it with 44 marks. We were to go in the finals to compete with the winning team of the other semi-final, which was a children's bhangra team. However, there was a tie between us and a team from Government Mahindra College, Patiala, which had scored 44 marks," said Gurbaksh.

He added, "At the time of the announcement of results, Pammi Bai first announced our team's name but when he saw that the other team was from his hometown Patiala, he immediately apologised for the "slip of tongue" and announced the team from Patiala's name as the winning team."

The protestors alleged that the show's compere Ranbir Rana intervened and insisted that "Rangla Punjab" was the winner, as did the other judges. "However, Pammi Bai walked down the stage saying his decision was final as he was the grandmaster judge," alleged the team members.

They also alleged that the event sponsor Pepsi's general manager Amarjot Kaur was Pammi Bai's niece and she too refused to listen to them. "She said her uncle had taken the right decision," Gurbaksh added.

Besides the "Rangla Punjab" team members, other participants of the contest, including bhangra teams from local colleges and other institutions, also protested against the singer today. They threatened that they would not let the final of the dance competition take place on May 8 in Ludhiana.

Meanwhile, singer Pammi Bai dismissed the allegations as baseless. "Some people cannot digest defeat. That is exactly the case with these youngsters."

"I suggest that they sit in front of their television sets when the episode is aired and judge for themselves, their own performance and then speak," he fumed.

He added that it was the unanimous decision of all judges and was "crystal clear".

"The slip up on stage, however, was during the declaration of the giddha results, not during the bhangra results as alleged by these youngsters," said the singer.

Ludhiana, May 4
Gone are the days when people used to quake at the mere sight of the men in khaki. With nearly five incidents of cops being thrashed by the public reported in a fortnight it appears venting anger on them is becoming a frequent occurrence.

A recent incident in which two youths who claimed to be the “close relatives” of an MLA were booked for roughing up a police subinspector has brought to the fore the vulnerability of cops who, even if they are at the receiving end, have to bow before their political masters.

On April 21 relatives of a SAD leader, who were reportedly in an inebriated condition, manhandled traffic cops at Bhai Bala Chowk after they were fined for jumping traffic lights. What is more, supporters of the politician sat on a ‘dharna’ (sit-in) and blocked traffic to protest against the fines.

Spoilt brats of the nouveau rich and influential people have been particularly nasty with lower rung policemen. On April 23 two young men roughed up traffic cops and even aimed a pistol at them. Both were overpowered by commuters and subsequently booked for manhandling a public servant.

On the next day two youths, apparently drunk, who gate crashed into the Orient cinema theatre, thrashed the cops who had gone to arrest them. The policemen were beat up so badly that they had to be taken to a hospital for treatment.

A few months ago then superintendent of police (headquarter) Harish Kumar sustained serious injuries while mediating in a dispute between an industrialist and a doctor.

Senior police officials admitted, on condition of anonymity, that such incidents had dented their self-confidence.

Interestingly, in most of the incidents in which cops on duty were manhandled the suspects were later booked for cognizable offences. However, in the vast majority of cases the offender gets away by furnishing a bail bond or serves a short prison term.

Ludhiana, May 4
Those who failed to file VAT return on April 30, the last date for filing the returns, are now in a tizzy as the department has locked the VAT registration numbers. Those who failed to file their return would be charged Rs 100 a day and the maximum penalty could go up to Rs 10,000.

Also, there are some traders whose passwords are not working and they are now making the rounds of the department to rectify it.

The department has received 1,65,000 returns in this quarter against 1,23,000 received during the last quarter. While the department was expecting 1,60,000 returns, the number has exceeded their expectations even as more late returns would be pouring in.

Tarsem Singh, a trader, said he got late by one day in filing the return and the department had locked his VAT registration number. “Since I was in Delhi, I could not file the return. I am left with no option but to make rounds of the department to get it unlocked,” he said, complaining that he would be charged Rs 100 a day for late filing.

Another trader said he had failed to file his return on time as his password was not working. “I had filed the return in the last quarter with the same password, but this time it did not work. Now, I am being fined for submitting it late,” he said.

Vijay Bajaj, a member of the tax lawyers’ forum, said VAT numbers should not be locked immediately. “At least a week’s time should be given after the last date. Traders who failed to submit their return are facing great difficulty as the VAT numbers have been locked,” he said.

Press secretary Jatinder Khurana said while the department slapped a penalty if one got late for filing the return, the refunds had not been not being issued for the last six months.

“Refunds should be released within 60 days. When the department is so strict during the filing of returns, it should also issue the refunds on time,” added Kulbir Singh, another lawyer.

Ludhiana, May 4
Yesterday's incident in which a couple set themselves afire over possession of mobile phones has brought to the fore the fact how a gadget meant for communication which promises to make our lives easier and more fun, has blurred the boundaries between work and home and caused stress and tension in family relationships.

Even the cops admit they receive several complaints of family disputes pertaining to the use of cellphones. Sources close to the police’s women’s dispute redressal cell say it is flooded with complaints in which family members of a husband and wife are at loggerheads over the ‘misuse’ of mobile phones.

"In a majority of cases it’s the boy's mother who complains her daughter-in-law is misusing a mobile phone and spends most of her time speaking to her parents rather then helping the family with routine chores," said an official in the cell.

Like many other electronic gadgets a mobile phone has become a necessary dowry item given to a bride at the time of her wedding.

Some psychologists say cellphones have become instrumental in ruining interpersonal relations. Rajiv Gupta, a psychiatrist, said, "Overuse of mobile phones by newlywed girls has resulted in a rise in marital disputes”.

Citing an example he said, "Recently, a couple approached me after their family members got embroiled in a major dispute over the use of a cellphone. The boy complained by the time he arrived at his office his mother-in-law came to know what kind of clothes he was wearing and what food items he had taken for breakfast”.

"It’s natural for the parents of the girl to be overconscious and that is the core reason they call their daughter more often and ask her about the treatment she is receiving at her new home," said Gupta.

"The problem begins when the girl gives a brief commentary of everything that takes place in her new house. Accordingly, her mother passes her judgment and the girl follows the latter’s direction. Earlier, if any dispute between the bride and her mother-in-law or between the couple took place it used to get over by the evening. However, nowadays girls call up their parents in the heat of the moment. Further, parents - instead of pacifying the girl - add fuel to fire and aggravate the problem," Gupta added.

Assistant commissioner of police Bupinder Singh said overuse of mobile phones was one of the major factors in marital dispute cases. “The tolerance level among people is declining, aggravating the problem”, he added.

Ludhiana, May 4
Raised manholes have become a traffic hazard here. Commuters who drive at night often skid on these manholes.

Due to poor construction and maintenance work, sharp iron rings on the manholes puncture tyres of vehicles.While navigating the manholes, two-wheeler drivers often lose balance.

According to sources, the MC had re-carpeted the Hambran and Rajpura roads about two months ago. All manholes were covered under a thick layer of premix while carpeting the road.

Realising the mistake, the manholes that were to match the level of the road, were constructed again. This time, the level was raised by 3-4 inches. Not only was the material substandard, but also the mixture of concrete was not right.

These manholes are like speed-breakers without any marking. “There is no concrete to bind them. In the absence of the concrete, the manholes are like sharp-edged knives and puncture tyres. These should be brought to the level of the road to prevent accidents,” Harpreet Singh, a GADVASU employee, stated.

A commuter, Amritpal Singh, said had the authorities constructed the manholes in a proper manner, there would have been no problem. “Two days ago, my scooter lost balance and I fell on the road. I commute daily and try to be cautious, but visibility is affected in evenings,” he stated.

Ludhiana, May 4
Illegal unipoles on national highways will be removed as these come under preview of the National Highways Authority of India and not under the Municipal Corporation.

Besides, unipoles and advertisements on the rooftops of private buildings will also be removed as the Advertising Reforms Committee today decided to act tough on illegal hoardings. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the presidentship of Mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura at the camp office here today.

According to sources, the matter would be sent to MC Commissioner AK Sinha for implementation. Two legal advisors were also called at the meeting for their opinion on the issue. "The illegally erected unipoles on rooftops will be removed but authorities have to decide how to go for it. Nobody will allow workers to enter their premises for removal of advertisements,” said a committee member. He added that unipoles/advertisements on wall structures of private buildings were legal but their fee was increased to Rs 40 per square feet and the owners would be asked to deposit fee for two years in advance.

Meanwhile, the committee members were of the view that most of the unipoles/advertisements in the city were legal. A private company has reportedly asked the committee to listen to its grievances. The committee has fixed May 10 for negotiations with the company.

Councillor of Ward Number 56 Amrit Varsha Rampal was called by the committee to discuss the issue of unipoles erected in the Sarabha Nagar market since she felt that being the happening place in the city, the rates in particular market were high and it should be made clear which poles were legal and which were not. "Greenline company has been called before making any conclusion, but there is a provision to erect about 20 unipoles in the Sarabha Nagar market,” said a committee member.

Jagraon, May 4
The Jagraon municipal council authorities got a piece of land in the Agwar Lopon area demarcated following orders of the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner.

Daljit Kaur, a councillor of ward No. 7 of the council, had been demanding the demarcation of the land as a major portion of the council property falling under her ward had allegedly been encroached upon by Bachitter Singh.

The council had tried to get the land demarcated on many earlier occasions but had to return empty-handed due to protest by the encroacher and his neighbours.

The matter was brought to the notice of Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, who ordered the Jagraon revenue officials to demarcate the disputed land and hand over the possession to the municipal council.

Yesterday, kanugo Pawan Kumar Kakar and patwari Surinder Singh reached the spot along with a posse of police under the instructions of tehsildar Mohan Lal and demarcated the land under the possession of Bachitter Singh.

The land actually belonged to the Jagraon municipal council.

Area residents tried to resist the demarcation process but soon their protests died down due to the presence of the police.

After the demarcation, municipal council’s executive officer Satya Jit was handed over the possession of the land and was asked by revenue officials to construct a permanent structure to identify the land.

On the other hand, Bachitter Singh protested against the process and stated that he had been in possession of the land for over 30 years.

He said, earlier also, the municipal council had harassed him on the pretext of demarcating the land.

He alleged that he was being targeted due to some personal enmity with the councillor, as the council had turned a blind eye to encroachment on other properties of the council.

Satya Jit said the council owned 4 kanal 17 marla of prime land in the area, of which a major part was encroached upon by Bachitter Singh.

Unable to get the land vacated on their own, the council vide its letter to the Deputy Commissioner dated February 24 last year, had demanded the interference of the district authority to get the land vacated.

A number of councillors and employees, besides local residents, were present during the process, which was completed in the evening.

Ludhiana, May 4
The state government has set up a defence tribunal in Chandigarh for the early disposal of grievances of jawans and ex-servicemen regarding pensions. With this, they will no longer need to go to the High Court.

This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari while addressing a quarterly meeting of the District Sainik Welfare Board at Bachat Bhawan today.

Tiwari said the problems of ex-servicemen and their families would be solved on priority at government offices and in this regard, instructions had already been issued to them. To encourage the younger generation to join the armed forces, Tiwari said the government had introduced incentives of Rs 1 lakh every year to successful cadets from Punjab to get admission in the Indian Military Academy and the National Defence and Officers Training Academy for three years. He appealed to the youth of the state to avail of the opportunities initiated by the Punjab government.

The Deputy Commissioner handed over three appointment letters to widows and wives of incapacitated jawans who had been given government jobs in different schools as class IV employees.

They included Balwinder Kaur, wife of shaheed constable Inderjit Singh; Parveen Kaur, wife of shaheed naik Sukhchain Singh; and wife of ex-havildar Ram Singh.

Ludhiana, May 4
Even as the World Asthma Day is being observed today with the theme “You can control your asthma”, over 300 million people are suffering from the disease worldwide. The day is a yearly event structured by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to perk up asthma alertness and concern around the globe. Dr Jagdeep Whig, vice-principal, professor and head of the department of pulmonary medicine at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) says, “There are an enormous number of people who suffer from asthma and its abrupt attacks. As per the WHO, some 300 million people suffer from asthma around the world and the condition has claimed nearly 2.55 lakh human lives in recent years.”

Asthma, he says, is not just a civic health problem for high-income countries, it crops up in all nations irrespective of the level of development. Over 80 per cent of asthma deaths come about in low and lower-middle income countries as the disease is under-diagnosed and under-treated, generating a considerable load to persons and perhaps limiting individuals actions for a lifetime. The hallmark of the disease is widespread narrowing of the airway that varies in severity. Clinically, the disorder is manifested by episodes of cough and wheezing, which generally occur together, he adds.

Dr Daljit Singh, principal and professor of paediatrics at DMCH said, "General survey of random sample of adult population in western countries indicate the prevalence to be 2-6 per cent and in children (5-11 years) to be 10-15 per cent. On an average, in a classroom of 30 children, about three are likely to have asthma. The prevalence of the disease is less in underdeveloped countries. Estimated incidence of asthma in India is around 15-20 million cases and is growing at an alarming rate."

According to Dr Whig, "Asthma can be effectively controlled in most patients and the victims can lead normal or near normal life. The dust mite found in house dust in beds, carpets, sofas, and curtains is an important allergen. Grass pollen, fungal pollen, dogs, cats, cockroaches and rodents also act as allergens. Asthma can be effectively controlled in most patients. Aims of management should be to recognise asthma, abolish symptoms, restore normal or best possible long term airway functions, decrease risk of severe attacks and have minimum adverse effects of drugs."

Ludhiana, May 4
In an endeavour to spread awareness and to campaign against asthma, the World Asthma Day was observed at Sat Paul Mittal School here today. To mark the day, a special assembly session was organised. Dr Sonia Bangia, infirmity in charge of the school, made the students aware of the symptoms of asthma and advised the patients to take regular medication, proper diet and avoid stress. She also gave a presentation on various exercises that can strengthen lung. Damini, a student of Class VII, gave a demonstration on pranayam, which could be beneficial for asthmatics.

Meanwhile, a special assembly session was also held on "summer season" for students of class II.

Ludhiana, May 4
The police booked a local small savings agent, Dinesh Narulla, after the latter allegedly called in his men who attacked Dr Narlottam Dewan, president of the district wing of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), along with his three brothers and two sisters-in-law on the evening of May 2.

On that day Dewan had reportedly gone to Narulla’s home with his brother, Pratap Dewan, who had to settle some financial accounts with the agent.

Pratap claimed that he was giving a stipulated amount for small savings to Narulla but, being a close friend, did not bother to check the accounts. “However, when I checked the accounts recently an amount of Rs 7 lakh that I had given the agent was not deposited in my account”, he alleged.

Pratap said thereafter he demanded his money back from Narulla who called him to his house in Gurdev Nagar to settle the accounts. However, the situation took an ugly turn after both exchanged heated words. “The agent then called up some of his men who arrived at his home and attacked Narottam and my family members besides me with sticks and sharp-edged weapons”, Pratap stated.

Narottam Dewan and his brothers - Pratap, Bharat and Ashok - as well his two sisters-in-law, Neetu and Renu, received injuries in the attack. After obtaining a medico legal report on the incident the police registered a case against Narulla under sections 323, 506, 341 and 255469 of the IPC.

The families of Dewan and Narulla, who have been residing in the same neighbourhood for many years, were said to be on very good terms before Sunday’s incident.

“It’s shocking too see how the greed for more money can turn a good friend into an enemy. Dinesh was a good friend for the past two decades and his wife has been a teacher to the children in our family. But what he did last Sunday was uncalled for. He should have simply apologized and paid back the money he wrongly appropriated my brother,” said Narottam.

Ludhiana, May 4
A day after high drama was witnessed between a couple at Government College for Women, the husband was booked on charges of thrashing his wife.

The incident took place when the man went to the college to pick up his wife but the latter refused to recognise him.

Rajiv Kumar, the husband, claimed that he had solemnised marriage with Rajni, a resident of Field Ganj, at the High Court and demanded police protection from his in-laws.

The complainant, Rajni, alleged that her husband Rajiv had thrashed her while she was coming out of the Government College for Women after taking her examination.

She admitted that she had married Rajiv but said they had been living separately for the past 18 months.

On the other hand, Rajiv alleged that girl’s relatives had thrashed him when he reached the college to pick up his wife.

He added that Rajni had buckled under pressure of her parents and lodged a false complaint against him.

The division No. 8 police has booked the husband under Sections 420, 354, 341, 323, 506 and 120, IPC.

Rajiv was reported to have been operated yesterday was currently recuperating at the CMC Hospital.

Mullanpur Dakha, May 4
The Dakha police arrested a youth with 60 kg poppy husk from his possession here today.

The CIA had received a tip-off that a transaction of poppy husk was to be made near Jangpur village.

ASI Jaspal Singh from the local CIA, SI Swaran Singh from the Dakha police along with a police team raided the place and arrested the drug-peddler, who was hiding in a drain on the Jangpur-Mohi village road.

The accused, Surjit Singh of Huzra village, had hidden two bags of poppy husk weighing 30 kg each along with his motor cycle (PB 10 CD 5518) in the drain.

Surjit Singh confessed that a vehicle had delivered the consignment to him at the spot for further delivery to a party of Noor Mahal town, near Nakodar.

The police waited for the prospective buyer of the consignment for some time but when no one showed up went to the police station.

SI Swaran Singh said the buyer might have got a whiff of the trap and failed to show up.

The police has booked the accused under Sections 15, 61 and 85, NDPS Act, and impounded the motor cycle of the accused.

The police was questioning the accused for his involvement in other cases also.