Ludhiana, June 4
Even though Powercom has installed half a dozen automated bill payment “sewak” machines in the city and also made arrangements for the payment of bills at cash counters of Powercom, 45 designated post offices and some commercial banks branches, it isn’t really helping consumers.

Consumers say that payments made at “sewak” machines are either not credited to their accounts or the amount is shown as unpaid in subsequent bills. At times, the machines reject genuine currency notes of high denomination and cheques. As a result, people have to go to post offices or stand in long queues at the cash counters of Powercom.

Also now, the facility of paying bills at the post offices has been withdrawn. Senior Superintendent (Post Offices) City Division JR Noor said Powercom officials had intimated their headquarters through a letter that the receipt of electricity bills at post offices had been discontinued with immediate effect. “The reasons cited were dwindling number of consumers coming to post offices and late payments,” he stated.

However, the postal authorities said the payments were still being received. “We are still to receive orders from the headquarters not to accept the payment of electricity bills.” they said.

Jaideep Singh, owner of an industrial unit, said the power bill of the unit was paid at an automated machine last month against a valid receipt, but the power supply to the unit was disconnected some days back for non-payment of bill. “It was only after I produced the receipt that the Powercom staff restored the supply,” he said.

Citing complaints of this nature as isolated cases, Powercom officials maintained that sewak machines were a huge relief to consumers.

An official with the computerisation cell of Powercom said these machines remained functional from 8 am to 8 pm all through the week. There were some minor problems with the machines which have been rectified,” he added.

Ludhiana, June 4
On the eve of World Environment Day (observed on June 5), administrative officials remain indifferent about the fast depleting green cover as is evident from their failure to initiate any plantation drives in the city and its periphery. This is notwithstanding the fact that Ludhiana district has attained the dubious reputation of being the most deforested in Punjab.

Ceremonial speeches made by the officials reflecting their “environment friendly” objectives are nothing but hollow promises. Over 2.2 million saplings nurtured in the forest department’s dozen nurseries are still waiting to be planted.

Widening of roads and construction of new housing colonies have cost the city 150,000 trees in the past one year alone. In order to compensate the loss 1.5 million saplings have to be planted as it takes eight to ten years for them to mature into fully grown trees.

District forest officer Vishal Chauhan stated the forest department had already submitted the ‘Greening Ludhiana’ plan to the municipal corporation commissioner and deputy commissioner.

"The administration has to earmark land for plantation of 70,000 trees within MC limits. We’re also waiting for support from the ‘zila parishad’ for plantation of saplings on the city’s outskirts”, Chauhan added.

The police department for once has taken the lead by volunteering for plantation of 4000 plants in the police lines Ludhiana. Not to miss the government schools and colleges, which have kept their promise to make the city green. However, majority of the government departments have not even bothered to plant a single sapling.

The forest department has urged residents to buy saplings at a nominal price of Rs 2.50 from its 12 nurseries functional at block level. Saplings of mango, guava, ‘jamun’, ‘neem’, bamboo, ‘pipal’, ‘dek’, banyan, teak, ‘mahua’, ‘sheesham’, jasmine and various other plant varieties are available for sale at the nurseries.

The forest department will plant 600,000 trees under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and nurture 400,000 more for the next year. Also, 50,000 saplings will be given free of cost to the public and NGOs during the first week of July.

Punjab Youth Forum, a city-based NGO working for the cause of a healthy environment, plans to plant 100,000 saplings this year with special emphasis on adoption of trees. Harmohinder Singh, its president, said: "Our aim is to ensure the survival of at least one-half of the saplings planted under our supervision. We’ve made arrangements for dense plantation on land in Payal and on Samrala road in July”.

Ludhiana, June 4
The controversy over the re-auction of 115,796 quintals of “expired” sugar seized in Seehra village, near here, by the food, civil supplies & consumer affairs department in September last year has taken a new turn. Demands from city residents for the health & family welfare department to intervene in the matter and conduct laboratory tests on the sugar are now rising by the day.

The department had seized 97,500 quintals of “expired” sugar hoarded by one Khubi Ram Johari Mal, 8,516 quintals from a godown belonging to Yashika International and 9,780 quintals from a godown owned by Chandi Mal Roshan Das in Seehra This was stated to be one of the biggest such seizures in Punjab.

The hoarders had specially rented godowns in the city to stock the sugar. Following raids the city police filed a case against them under the Essential Commodities Act.

The department’s officials auctioned the seized sugar stocks on February 26, 2010 asking traders to sell it in the open market within 72 hours. The officials had specifically declared the sugar was "good" and "safe" for human consumption.

Though it sounds strange, the traders, despite having paid for the sugar, failed to lift the stocks from the food, civil supplies & consumer affairs department’s storehouse. And now the department, without giving the reason behind the sugar not being lifted, has announced a re-auction for the same stocks on June 6, putting a question mark on its style of functioning.

In an application filed under the Right To Information Act, Arvind Sharma, a ‘social worker’ in the city, had demanded details of the auctioned sugar with reference to manufacturing and expiry dates. "The tags on the sugar bags carry 2007-08 as the manufacturing date followed by the message ‘best before two years’, specifying its date of expiry as 2010," he pointed out.

Sharma said the department had failed to provide him with the information under the RTI Act. "The Punjab health & family welfare department is authorized to take samples of expired eatables and send them for laboratory tests. Thus the sugar should not be sold in the market till the time it is declared safe for human consumption by undergoing such tests," he asserted.

Ludhiana, June 4
It is easy to make someone cry, but difficult to make people laugh. And, if by mere appearance, one can evoke laughter, it is no mean feat, says Shiv Kumar Srivastava. Working with magician Samrat Shankar for the past 16 years, Srivastava, who is 3.5 foot tall, is in no way less than his taller counterparts. He feels that the greatest satisfaction is in making others happy. “I make a living by making people laugh and am proud of it,” he says.

The 53-year-old “little man” belongs to Gorakhpur and started his career as a clown in a circus, but found magic shows more appealing.

“I am by nature a happy man and making people happy comes naturally to me,” he remarks, talking about his choice of career.

“I knew from my childhood that I was different and it pushed me to do something different. I was barely five when my parents got to know that I was a dwarf. But they never let me feel any different from my siblings, who are all of normal height,” he recalls.

“I completed Class VIII and decided to earn a living to support my family. I moved to the city at the age of 15, where I worked as a clown in a circus and liked to watch smiling faces,” he says. His wants to earn enough to give his five children and wife a comfortable life. For people like him, he says: “Being a dwarf doesn’t hinder life. We can do what regular people do if we have the will.”

Ludhiana, June 4
Ritika Thapar of Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management has brought laurels to her college by bagging the top spot in BCom III in Panjab University with 89 per cent marks. Out of 128 students of the college who appeared for the examination, 124 scored first division. As many as 19 students secured distinction and 97 per cent scored first division.

College managing committee SP Oswal, committee members, officiating principal Bulbul Singh and staff members congratulated Ritika on her success.

Also, the overall result of the Government College for Women in BCom III examination held by Panjab University in April 2010 is 98.8 per cent. Vanita Aggarwal stood first in the college by securing 83.33 per cent marks whereas Sonam Taneja came second with 83.11 per cent marks and Roohi Goel third with 82.50 per cent.

Kamla Lohtia SD College has achieved 98.83 per cent result in BCom III, the result of which was declared here today.

Satin Katyal stood first in the college with 75.88 per cent, Sumit Sood stood second with 75 per cent and Pankaj Malik third with 73.16 per cent marks.

Over 50 students have secured first division. Principal Dr Behl and college president Nain Mittal have congratulated the toppers.

Ludhiana, June 4
Of late numerous school and college students with disabilities have made a mark on the academic sphere with their brilliant performances.

Jaspreet Virk poses with her trophies that she has won for academic excellence in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Jaspreet Virk, a second-year BA student of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan campus, is one such student. Suffering from cerebral palsy since infancy, she has never let her handicap come in the way of her education.

Fighting all odds, she has managed to continue her studies despite the worst of circumstances. Seeing her determination and perseverance, State Bank of India has honoured her with an annual scholarship of Rs 3,000.

Born normal, Jaspreet suffered from high fever when she was only one. This resulted in a stroke and 75 per cent disability. Though she can now walk with the support of a walker, till three years ago she was completely confined to her wheelchair. She still has problems with writing and doing normal chores with her hands and had to face tough odds to secure admission in college.

With no institution prepared to enroll her regular classes, Jaspreet completed her education till Class XII privately with the help of a writer even as she went to Ashirwad Ek Prayas, a school and daycare centre for physically challenged children.

After scoring good marks in the Class XII board examinations, she decided to join college. However, seeing her disability no institution was interested in admitting her, citing lack of facilities for special students like her.

Jaspreet was keen on joining the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women. Seeing her determination to study further the college officials not only granted her admission but also shifted the classes from the first to the ground floor for her convenience.

"We’re very proud of her. She has gone through very difficult times including three surgeries and nine plasters, but our child never gave up. She’s a brave and happy child and is going strong because of her tenacity," said Jaspreet's proud parents, Capt Gurcharanjit Singh Virk and Sarabjeet Kaur.

Unable to conceal her happiness at SBI’s gesture, Jaspreet said: "The scholarship is an acknowledgement of my hard work. I’m very happy." She said the scholarship would be given to her on an annual basis till she completes her education.

"Earlier, the college officials wanted to waive Jaspreet's college fees as a mark of acknowledgment of her efforts but she refused. Instead, she told them to waive the fees of some other needy student whose family couldn’t afford the expenses of education. She made us very proud that day," smiled her father.

Jaspreet is fond of kids and plans to open a crèche after graduating. A keen painter, she loves to pour out her feelings on the drawing sheet. Watching movies and listening to popular Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann are her other hobbies.

The bicycles are now being supplied with ISI marking on major components. — TNS

Ludhiana, June 4
There is an immense scope in the food processing industry and the youths should come forward for setting up their own processing units. This was stated by Dr RT Patil, director, Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET).

Dr Patil was addressing a gathering at CIPHET today wherein a city youth Sham Sunder was awarded licensing technology of soybean processing.

Emphasising on high profitability in food processing as compared to other industries, Dr RT Patil said in no case quality should be compromised. “Anyone who is setting up an industry should

give top priority to quality and packaging. Otherwise, customer will not buy the product for second time.” Besides, the entrepreneur must have patience and urge to improve his product to succeed in his venture.

Encouraging youths to get training at CIPHET, he said they would also allow institute-trained entrepreneurs to use brand name of CIPHET and allow use of the pilot plants for production on nominal rent basis. “This will help them to market their products,” he added.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 4
Most of the roads and bridges here have become virtual deathtraps for want of repair but the authorities concerned continue to be indifferent towards their upkeep.

Main roads and link roads have become virtual deathtraps for those travelling early in the morning and in night.

Obstructions due to four-laning of the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road have further compounded the problem.

Drivers find it difficult to negotiate turns at the Jagera and the Kaind bridges thanks to the pitiable condition of the road here. A large number of people have died in accidents on these bridges.

The old bridges at Kaind and Jagera have since been closed for the traffic; blockades erected by the authorities concerned are positioned dangerously. Narrowing of road due to construction work has made the stretch accident-prone majority of which have been fatal in the past.

Sukhchint Kaur of Pohir was killed and her sister-in-law Gurmeet Kaur injured seriously when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a tempo coming from opposite side near the Kaind bridge yesterday. Viewers maintain that the accident took place due to confusion over the abrupt narrowing of road here. Similarly the turns on the roads at Pohir, Dehlon, Sarinh and Gill villages are also accident-prone.

Railings of many small and big bridges on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road and link roads have been damaged. A major accident is waiting to happen, as a small bridge near Jartoli village has no railing at all. Though the contractors have put up warning signs near sensitive points, drivers find it difficult to steer clear their vehicles at nick of time.

Residents demand that the contractors should be directed to take preventive measures to avoid accidents. 

Ludhiana, June 4
In the course of ongoing nationwide signature campaign launched by the BJP against unprecedented rise in the prices of essential commodities all over the country, and failure on the part of Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to curb inflation, activists of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today organised a meeting at the local railway station and got signatures of more than 2,000 city residents affixed on a huge memorandum.

President of the district unit of the BJP Rajiv Katna made scathing attacks at the Union government, charging it with total inaction on the price front. “The government has not only failed to take effective steps to curb the price rise, hoarding and profiteering, but senior government functionaries are under a shadow for their dubious role in the entire gamut of rising prices.”

Later in the day, the BJP mandals in Shivaji Nagar and Shingar Cinema Road organised similar meetings to seek signatures of the people on the memorandum.

Katna claimed that the party was aiming for at least one lakh signatures on the memorandum to have their voice against price rise heard and force the government into action.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 4
With an intent to curb crime in villages falling under Ludhiana district, the Dehlon police has launched a drive to identify and isolate anti-social elements engaged in the illegal trade of drug trafficking.

Sub-committees constituted at village level have been asked to help the police prepare list of petty suppliers of drugs and narcotics and idlers of their respective areas.

Acknowledging the impact of drive launched by the police against social evils in the area, office-bearers of some social, educational and religious organisations have urged the authorities to ignore those political leaders whose alleged interference in the administrative affairs had been annulling the outcome of crusades launched during the past years.

Maintaining that the war against anti-social elements could not be fought and won without the help of local people, Ludhiana’s Assistant Commissioner of Police Narinder Ruby called upon social leaders to act as a bridge between the administration and public and join hands with the police against social evils, including drug addiction and eve-teasing.

After addressing a police-public meeting at Dehlon village, near here, Ruby appreciated that a majority of office-bearers of social and constitutional organisations sincerely wanted to uproot evil of drug addiction.

“Now when people have understood that drug addiction was breeding almost all kinds of crime taking place in the rural areas, they have started cooperating with the officials in identifying and isolating anti-social elements engaged in the illegal activities,” said Ruby.

Dehlon SHO SP Singh was directed to ensure that in-charge of all beats submitted lists of idlers of their respective areas soon.

“With minimum force at our disposal, we have drafted ‘crime preventive project’, according to which in-charge of various beats will prepare roster of identified idlers. Those who could not explain details of their daily routine will be examined by senior officers for ruling out their involvement in anti-social activities,” elaborated Ruby.

Later, Ruby heard grievances of residents, including women and elderly persons.

Ludhiana, June 4
Punjab lads created history of sorts by winning the title for the seventh consecutive year in the 28th Junior National Softball Championship held at Puducherry in Tamil Nadu, recently.

In the semifinal, Punjab boys survived a scare against Maharashtra before romping home victorious with a narrow margin of one point (4-3).

The final too turned out to be a low-scoring affair, with Punjab managing to prevail upon their spirited opponents from Kerala, whom they beat 2-0 to bag the title for a record seventh time in a row.

However, in the girl’s section, Punjab failed to finish among position holders. In the semifinal, they went down fighting 5-6 against Delhi.

Pran Nath Passi, honorary secretary, Punjab Softball Association, appreciated the boys’ performance and wished them more success in future tournaments.