Ludhiana, June 3
The People Forum for Transparency and Social Concern, a city-based NGO, has served a 60-day notice on the ministry of health and family welfare, Punjab, to take action against retailers and wholesalers whose samples of sweetmeat, khoya, paneer, milk, milk products and other grocery items had failed in 2009.

In the notice, forum president MS Gill stated: “If no action is taken against the guilty within 60 days of the receipt of this notice, the forum will file a public interest litigation against the state government in Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.”

Taking the district health authorities to task, the NGO has demanded departmental action against the official in charge for having failed to conduct even a single check on hotels and restaurants from April, 2009 to November, 2009 under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act.

The local civil surgeon’s office had admitted to “no checks” on hotels and restaurants in 2009 in the reply given to the forum under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Gill said: “The officials are trying to safeguard the interest of hotels and restaurants as they take monthly remuneration for not conducting checks on these eateries. These establishments violate every rule in the law book as not only are they dirty but there is no proper ventilation. Also, a large number of outlets serve stale food but the health department has closed its eyes to all the anomalies.”

The forum has also taken into account the “missing action” against 45 medical stores found guilty of selling habit-forming drugs without prescription by the Ludhiana drug inspector.

A girl sits in the lap of her mother as she is taken to the police station in Ludhiana on Thursday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Out of six, two women were of Nepalese origin.

Two gangsters arrested

In another incident, two gangsters were nabbed by the police from the Jalandhar bypass. The accused have been identified as Pawitter Singh and Ajay Kumar. While Pawitter Singh is wanted in eight criminal cases, Ajay Kumar was absconding in an assault case.

Both were arrested during the checking of vehicles at the bypass last night.

Missing boy found

Vikram (11), who went missing on April 26, was found from Ganna village, 15 km from the city. The boy was caught while stealing a mobile phone. He gave the police the slip and fled from custody. He was later handed over to his family.

Ludhiana, June 3
Their love for magic brought them close and tied them in holy matrimony. For Rosy and Rakesh Tiwari, troupe members of Jaadugar Samrat Shankar, life is magic.

Married for three years, Rosy and Rakesh seem very much in love even now. While Rakesh is the personal assistant of Samrat Shankar, his wife is the lead performer of the troupe. She is a commerce graduate from Delhi University and a diploma holder in advanced computer science.

The two met in the magical world of Samrat Shankar. Rosy said she met her husband four years ago when she joined the troupe as a performer. “I had seen uncle’s (Shankar) show in Delhi and was mesmerised. I knew that this is it! I joined the troupe and started performing with him, little knowing that I will find my life partner here,” she smiled. Acquaintance turned into friendship and later Cupid struck, they said, adding that it was magic at first sight.

“When we decided to get married, it was like magic. Contrary to our fears, no one from our families protested,” Rakesh stated.

“Rest as they say is history. We work together, which is an advantage as it gives us opportunity to spend more time with each other,” he said.

“With my husband around and troupe members almost like an extended family, official trips are not really official. We have never felt homesick,” Rosy said.

At home, they are like any other couple. “I cook and clean the house while he spends time reading newspaper or watching television like a typical husband,” Rosy laughed.

Ludhiana, June 3
Students of Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women brought laurels by winning top positions in Panjab University in BCA I and II.Srishti topped the university in BCA I with 85.13 per cent marks, while Manpreet Kaur stood seventh with 81.75 per cent marks. Chahat secured 10th position in the PU obtaining 81.13 per cent marks.

In BCA II, Ankia got sixth position in the university with 81.75 per cent marks, Priya Vij stood seventh with 81.61 per cent marks, Neha Narula finished eight with a score of 81.13 per cent marks while Shilpa Jyoti came ninth with 81.12 per cent marks.

MTSM: Students of Mater Tara Singh Memorial College for Women have made the college proud by achieving excellent results in BBA II and BCA II, the annual examination of which were held by the PU in April, 2010.

Nandini Sharma of BBA II bagged the first position in the college by scoring 78.20 per cent marks. She is placed fourth in the 
district.

Radhika of BBA II came second in the college with 76.41 per cent marks and Fiza Jain of BBA II third with 76 per cent marks.

Pass percentage of the college was 100 per cent and 84 per cent students achieved first division.

Barinder Kaur of BCA II came first in the college with 74.25 per cent marks, Manpreet Kaur of BCA II second with 74.1 per cent marks and Deepika of BCA II third in the college with 74 per cent marks.

Eighty-six per cent students scored a first division.

SDP: Rupa Sharma of SDP College for Women brought laurels to the college by bagging the first position in the college, securing 79.75 per cent marks in BCA II, the result of which was declared by Panjab University today.

Cherry stood second in the college with 77.12 per cent marks, while Ambika came third with 76.81 per cent marks.

Eleven students got first division out of 23 who appeared in the exams. The overall pass percentage of the college was 100 per cent.

In BCA I, Lovee came first in the college with 75.5 per cent marks, while Anu Bala stood second with 75.12 per cent marks. Kanchan finished at third position with 72.37 per cent marks.

GNG: The declaration of BBA II and BBA III results by the PU was a matter of great pride for Guru Nanak Girls’ College, Model Town, as the college achieved a pass percentage of 100 per cent. Pooja Singla, Preeti Garg and Rupali of BBA III brought laurels by standing first, second and third in the college with 75.20, 74.93 and 74.55 per cent marks, respectively.

In BBA II, Simranjot Kaur stood first with 78.34 per cent marks, Isha Singla secured the second position with 77.31 per cent marks and Simranpreet Kaur third with 77.24 per cent marks.

SAC: The first batch of BBA students of Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management brought laurels by scoring a perfect 100 per cent pass percentage in the university examination.

Eighty-two per cent students scored a high first division. Swati Thapar stood first in the college and third in the university with 86.67 per cent marks.

Neha Jaitly came second in the college with 75.6 per cent marks and Rahul Chhabra third with 75 per cent marks.

Doraha, June 3
As part of the environment day celebrations, students of Green Grove Public School held an awareness rally on environment at Mohanpur village here today.Students from classes V to XI participated in the rally.

Eco club in charge Meenu Dhiman organised a poster making competition on environment.

Fifteen students from each house participated in the competition. The students later carried their posters in the rally.

The students visited houses in the village and explained to residents the consequences of environmental degradation.

Jaskirat of class IX and Jaskiran of class XI delivered speeches, while Aastha Metha of class XI created awareness on cleanliness and hygiene.

Simranjeet of class IX entertained villagers with a poem on environment.

Savreen, Ashnoor and Ankita of class VI told the villagers to plant as many trees as possible.

Avreen of class XI later thanked villagers and said the students of the school would join hands with the villagers to create a better tomorrow for children.

School president JPS Jolly appreciated the efforts of the in-charge and students.

The results:

Poster making competition: Junior group: 1 Akansha Puri (class VIII) and Heena (class VII), 2 Jasvir of class IX.

Senior group: 1 Rupinder of class XI and Aastha of class XI, 2 Jashan Boparia of class IX and Amritveer of Class IX.

Doraha, June 3
A seven-day NSS camp for girls of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, concluded with a cultural programme here today. Dr Gursaran Sidhu, the chief guest, spoke on adolescent health.She discussed the physical, social and physiological changes witnessed during adolescence and the ways to manage these with the support of parents and society. The volunteers later presented a cultural programme.

A first aid trainer from the Red Cross Society, Ludhiana, imparted knowledge on first aid to be given during accidents, etc. She also demonstrated the use of different types of bandages and artificial respiration in cases of asphyxia. The volunteers were taught face painting and nail painting by a teacher of fine arts at DAV Public School.

Dr Sidhu gave away prizes to the winners of creative writing, mehandi applying, pot painting and embroidery competitions organised during the camp.

Programme officer Amarjit Kaur welcomed the guests and gave an account of the activities carried out during the camp.

Director Jaswant Singh Gill was also present.

Ludhiana, June 3
Emphasising the judicious use of pesticides with reference to food security and sustainability , Dr CD Mayee, chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi, said in view of the increased use of seeds and balanced fertilisers and water, special attention on managing crop pests, diseases and weeds and saving the production losses was needed at farmers level.

Dr Mayee was addressing agricultural scientists, farmers and agro-chemical dealers and distributors during a one-day meet on “A golden march towards food security and sustainability” at Punjab Agricultural University here today.

Pesticides enhanced food production and were an integral part of the crop protection and there was a need to manage crop pests with innovative and safer solutions, said Dr Mayee.

He added that in view of huge losses to food grain caused by diseases, insect pests and rodents, effective eco-friendly management technologies based on the window approach were needed.

“The era of hope for pest management will include integrated pest management (IPM), insect resistance management (IRM), supervised control and genetic engineering. The pest management technology should have the convergent use of transgenic, biological, need-based pesticides and information technology modules.

“It is rather shocking that the cotton is grown in just 5 per cent of the agricultural land in the country but the pesticide use is over 40 per cent, which points towards the indiscriminate use of pesticides,” observed Dr Mayee.

Expressing his concerns about the sustainability of agricultural production and the resultant food security, Dr MS Kang, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said India must increase its outlay for agricultural research and development (R&D) and simultaneously take urgent and effective measures to reduce the population growth.

Dr Kang emphasised that the private sector could play a vital role through the public-private partnership (PPP) programmes for agricultural growth and development in the country.

Stressing the significance of the PPP, Dr Kang appreciated the efforts of Dhanuka Group which had been operating its projects in different states.

He also released a booklet on biogas plants prepared by Dr SS Sooch and Dr Shashi Pal.

BS Sidhu, director of agriculture, Punjab, in his keynote address said India’s position was becoming precarious in food production because of erratic rainfall patterns.

He said wheat and paddy were still the predominating cropping sequence followed in 78 per cent area. Dr Sidhu said the increase in temperature this season had led to a reduction of wheat production from an expected level of 16 metric tonne to 15.3 metric tonne.

He said the state was facing a serious problem of water table depletion in central areas and deteriorated water quality in south-western districts.

The state had decided to promote basmati through the Basmati Development Board and suggest district-wise fertiliser use through the Rastrya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY).

Dr MS Aulakh, dean, college of agriculture, said climate change and environmental pollution adversely affected agricultural and horticultural productivity and influenced food and nutritional security.

He briefed the farmers about the newly started BSc (Hons) six-year programme for matriculate students in agriculture and home science.

Dhanuka Group chairman RG Agarwal and Dr MS Gill, PAU director of extension education, termed the PPP the need of the hour in the state and country at large.

Ludhiana, June 3
An 11-day free Yog Vigyan Training Camp for teachers and staff of RS Model Senior Secondary School was started by District Patanjaly Yog Samiti and Bharat Swabhiman headed by Yog Guru Swami Ramdev at Shashtri Nagar today.

Over 100 teachers and staff members are attending the camp. Krishan Lal Gupta, state president, Patanjali Yog Samiti, presided over the function.

Gupta exhorted the teachers to learn yoga (pranayam kriyas, yog asaans and vyayam) and adopt them in their day-to-day lives.

He told them to educate students about the importance of yoga in keeping them fit and sharpening their memory.

Experiments had established that all diseases could be cured through yoga, he added.

He asked the teachers to teach students about the sacrifices of martyrs and freedom fighters during the freedom movement and about their dreams of a prosperous and strong India.

He advised them to use ayurvedic medicines in case of ailment along with yoga. He added that ancient treatment system based on yoga and ayurveda was fully effective to treat ailments, whereas most of allopathic medicines had side-effects on the body.

Pramodh Sharma, president, PYS, and Darshan Singh Shankar imparted training in different pranayam kriyas, yog asaans and vyayam to the participants and informed that more such camps would be conducted in different educational institutions in the district by the PYS to create awareness about yoga among the masses.

A cultural programme based on patriotic songs was also presented by school students.

School principal Mohan Lal Kalra said another Yog Vigyan Training Camp for NSS cadets would be organised at the school in association with the PYS from June 6.

Ludhiana, June 3
In the absence of action either by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), district administration or the municipal corporation, the noise generated by diesel generators in residential areas is playing havoc with the lives of city residents.While the pollution board claimed that it dealt with industrial noise pollution only, the administration maintained that complaints were referred to the municipal corporation to confiscate the generators under the Public Nuisance Act. The corporation felt that it could take action if it was empowered to do so.

However, the noise pollution generated by generators without acoustic enclosure has been causing problems like sleep depravation, hypertension, palpitation, etc.

Creating nuisance, thousands of non-silent generators have been installed by residents in every nook and cranny of the city while the authorities conveniently look the other way.

Ujjwal Gupta, a student of Punjab Agricultural University, complained that he had been fighting a lone battle against noise pollution caused by generators but had failed to get a satisfactory reply from the authorities. He rued that the noise generated by generators had made the lives of residents a hell.

The notification issued by the ministry of environment and forests, under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, says: “The increasing ambient noise level in public places from various sources, including industrial activity, construction activity, generator sets, loudspeakers, public address systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices, has deleterious effect on human health and psychological well-being of people. It is considered necessary to regulate and control noise pollution and generating sources with the objective of maintaining ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.”

The pollution control board maintains that under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the authority for enforcement of noise pollution control measures and compliance of ambient air quality standards in respect of noise was a district magistrate, police commissioner or any other officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police.

While Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said whenever any complaint came under the Act, the administration referred it to corporation for action under the Public Nuisance Act.

“The corporation could also confiscate the generators causing noise pollution,” added Tewari.

MC Commissioner AK Sinha, however, said the civic body was not delegated any powers to confiscate the generators. “But we will definitely take action if we are empowered to do so,” he added.

Ludhiana, June 3
A delegation of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association today met with MC Commissioner AK Sinha regarding the problems faced by members during anti-encroachment drive.

During the meeting, members of the association said they had built cycle sheds outside factories with the permission of municipal corporation.

Now as per the instructions of the High Court, all factory owners had removed the sheds.

“We have requested the municipal corporation to allow us to park cycles outside the premises along the boundary wall within permissible limits,” said Harpal Singh Bhamber, vice-president.

It was also requested to stop the removal of pavements by the municipal corporation as it gave a shabby look to the area.

Other issues like encroachment by jhuggis, small vendors, truck-trailers, stockists of raw material and containers by shipping line in focal point area were also discussed.

It was also informed that association is planning a “Go Green” drive and will plant trees in the city starting on the Environment Day.

Ludhiana, June 3
Charging the state government with pursuing anti-worker policies and throttling the state transport at the cost private transport operators, the Contract PRTC Workers’ Union has alleged that efforts were on at the highest level to wind up the Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC).

Jasmer Singh, state president, and other functionaries of the union, said in a statement here today that while the Punjab government was giving a raw deal to state transport workers, the government in the adjoining state of Haryana had taken a historic decision to regularise ad hoc employees while also adding a large number of buses to the state transport fleet.

They said the government had been making false promises with transport workers, who were being denied justice and their genuine demands had been pushed to the back burner.

The union urged the government to follow the Haryana pattern by regularising the services of contract and ad hoc workers in the state transport as also strengthening the fleet of state transport buses.

“The workers will resort to agitation by staging dharnas in response to the call given by the National Transport Union of India from June 7,” the trade union leaders added.

Ludhiana, May 3
For manufacturers of air conditioners this summer is turning out to be a money-spinner. With mercury rising, sales of air conditioners has also gone up by almost 100 per cent as compared to the last year. Even the sale of star- rated products has gone up by 40 to 50 per cent.

Star-rated air conditioners are the first choice of every customer. There has been an unexpected rise in the sales of air conditioners as these are available on easy installments.

With the Central government and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) making it mandatory for manufacturers of a few electronic products, including air conditioners to star rate their products based on their power consumption, there has been a growing demand for high-rated products. All top brands like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Voltas, Panasonic, Carrier and Godrej have switched to star-rated products.

“Customers are going in for the star-rated products. These energy- efficient products are topping the list of every customer," said a salesman of LG store at Ghumar Mandi. Nowadays customers prefer split air conditioners to the window Acs. Voltas has launched an extensive range of 50 air conditioners for 2010, which includes new models as well. 

Ludhiana, June 3
Ludhiana MP and national spokesperson of the All-India Congress Committee Manish Tewari has underlined the need for strengthening the regulations in the banking system to ensure that no economic turmoil takes place due to the financial mismanagement.

Delivering his lecture during the session on “practical answers for overcoming political and economic obstacles” at Doha, copies of which were released by his office here yesterday, Tewari maintained that the Indian banking system could withstand the recent sub-prime crisis because of the nationalization of the major banks in 1969. He pointed out, even in the USA the government had to pump in money to save the crumbling edifices of huge financial institutions. However, not a single bank closed down in India, he added.

At the same time he sought to clarify, “Indian government doesn’t believe that nationalisation alone can boost the economy. It is clear in its perception that it is not the duty of the government to do business but it is certainly its duty to check the greed of financial institutions.”

Calling for more regulation in the financial system, he called for sterner steps while granting licences to the banks and other financial institutions. “Such concerted steps will eventually help in strengthening the economy,” he added, while observing that transparency in corporate dealings is a necessity and in the ongoing crisis it is more felt than ever before in many countries.

Highlighting the importance of the Gulf countries in diversifying their economies, Tewari said such initiatives would stand them in good stead in the event of a fall in the prices of the oil.

Emphasising the importance of the Gulf countries in the Indian economic scheme of things, he remarked, “Let me emphasise that the stability of the Gulf region is very much in the interest of India. The region collectively hosts the largest expatriate Indian community”. Citing the Indian example he said, “Our government’s approach to the banking and financial sector has been to ensure robust oversight and regulation while expanding financial access and deepening markets. The merit of this balanced approach has been borne out in the recent experience, as the turbulence in the world financial markets has left the Indian banking and financial sector relatively unaffected”.

Suggesting measures for improving the system, he observed, the authorities should reinforce oversight of the risk management practices of those institutions, adopt tighter conditions for granting licenses, introduce a proper criteria for the appointment of managers and board members and enhance the disclosure. These steps, if strictly enforced, would enhance soundness, encourage consolidation and provide a quality hurdle to entry, leading to fewer and well-managed institutions.

Concluding his speech, he said, with this degree of openness in the economy today, developments in international markets are bound to affect any economy and policy makers have to be vigilant in order to minimise the impact of adverse international developments on the domestic economy. It is, therefore, essential that nations work in tandem with each other and develop a framework to prevent the financial crisis from turning into a humanitarian crisis.

Ludhiana, June 3
A car caught fire in front of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gate No. 1 at the Ferozepur road here yesterday. The incident took place at around 7.10 pm when a Hyundai Accent car heading towards Aggar Nagar suddenly caught fire. The cops suspect that the fire might have erupted due to unauthorised LPG kit installed in the car. 

Three people were travelling in the car when the incident took place. Fortunately, all of them escaped unhurt.Those travelling in the vehicle refused to disclose their identity to the media.

Ludhiana, June 3
Residents of Hargobind Nagar near Janakpuri today accused the Janakpuri police of not taking action against a man who had thrown acid on three stray dogs.Till now, two dogs have died while the condition of the third one is stated to be critical.

Kamlesh and Rajinder Bhatia, both pet lovers, had rescued the dog and rushed the canine to a veterinary hospital.

The vet doctor said the bones were visible, as the dog’s skin had got badly burnt. There was a minute possibility of the dog walking ever again.

Kamlesh Rani, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, said a youth identified as Shiva, who resides in the same locality, used to throw acid on dogs and attack them with icicles.

She alleged that Shiva had reportedly thrown acid on three dogs. While two died of burns, the third one is under critical condition.

The matter was reported to the Janakpuri police station, but no action has been taken against the attacker so far.

The residents have also contacted the authorities of the Doggie Lanes Foundation (DLF), who are conducting the sterilisation programme.

DLF president Himmat Singh rushed the dog to animal husbandry department in Jamalpur for procuring its medico-legal report for lodging an FIR against the youth for attacking the dogs.

On the orders of Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh the Jankpuri police has arrested the 
accused. 

Ludhiana, June 3
In reply to Patiala’s first innings total of 405 runs, Ludhiana were tottering at 179 for nine on the second day of the final of the Punjab State Inter-District U-22 Cricket Tournament being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, today.

Resuming at their overnight score of 346 for eight after 95 overs, Patiala were bowled out for 405 runs in 111.3 overs.

Yesterday’s not out batsman, Preet Kamal went on to score 147 runs, while Amninder contributed 49 runs.

For Ludhiana, Deepak Bansal captured three wickets for 128 runs and Jashan Sidhu grabbed two wickets for 66 runs.

Ludhiana began their reply on a dismal note, losing wickets at regular intervals. They were struggling at 179 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 76 overs.

Only Bharat Malhotra, Gagandeep and Sunny Pandey put up some resistance. They scored 50, 30 and 31 runs, respectively.

At the draw of stumps, Baltej Singh and Rahul Singla were at the crease with nine runs each against their names.

For Patiala, Kunwar Raina, Amninder and Robin Dhillon shared the bowling honours.

Kunwar scalped three victims for 23 runs, followed by Amninder who chipped in with three wickets for 27 runs, while Robin Dhillon accounted for two wickets after conceeding 43 runs.

Ludhiana, June 3
Mangat Rai Sharma, an NIS trained coach from Ludhiana, has been appointed coach of the Indian badminton squad to tour Indonesia to take part in an international tournament.According to a communique from the Badminton Association of India, Sharma will accompany the Indian team for the Tangkas Alfamart Junior Challenge Open Badminton Championship to be held from June 7 to 12 at Jakarta in Indonesia.

A four-member team comprising Sameer Verma from Madhya Pradesh, Rohit Yadav from Andhra Pradesh, Tanvi Lad from Maharashtra and Daya Elsa Jacob from Kerala has been selected to compete in the tournament.