Ludhiana, August 11
The industrial fraternity has ridiculed the assertion made by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal here yesterday that Ludhiana was the best business destination as per the World Bank’s survey for 2009.

The industry strongly feels that the industrial hub of the state, earlier known as the best, had now become the worst destination from business point of view.

“The industry in Ludhiana is dwindling and even as no new investment is coming in, there is no hope of any future investment. Industrialists here now prefer to invest in neighbouring states. Ludhiana was a favourite destination, but today it is the least preferred,” PD Sharma, president of the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated.

“Power pangs, cost of power and tax on power is the main cause for the shifting of industry. Shockingly, Punjab is paying the highest electricity duty which has resulted in the downfall of the industry,” he said.

Ludhiana, August 11
The youth who was arrested a few days ago by the police for snatching a motorcycle from a resident of Lodhowal was recently inducted into the Youth Congress and was reportedly appointed president of its ward no 9. However, though Congress party leaders admitted the suspect was a member of its youth wing it denied he was president of one of its wards.

Shahbaz Kohli was said to have been recently appointed as president of the youth wing’s ward no 9. Following his arrest Congress Youth leaders appeared to have clammed up, refusing to comment on the matter despite repeated attempts to contact them.

Finally breaking his silence, District Youth Congress president Dimple Rana said: "He was a member of the Congress party and not a ward president. As soon as we came to know about the incident we sacked him from the party."

The court of a judicial magistrate sent Kohli along with his accomplice, Dil Saroj, an engineering student, on judicial remand.

Kohli was inducted into the party nearly two months ago and was appointed president of the Youth Congress’ ward no 9 at a function in Guru Arjan Dev Nagar on June 26. Interestingly, Rana as well as former MLA Malkit Singh Birmi attended the function. However, Rana claimed he did not remember attending any such function.

Ludhiana, August 11
Up in arms against the authorities of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for non-disbursal of salaries for the month of July, teaching, non-teaching and Class IV employees today staged a two-hour protest outside the Thapar Hall.

The work on the PAU campus came to a standstill between 9 and 11 am, as even the classroom activities were suspended for two hours.

The Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association (PAUTA), PAU Employees Union and PAU Class IV Union joined hands to raise their voice against the inordinate delay being caused in disbursal of the salaries since April 2010.

Senior vice-president of the PAU Employees Union Lakhwinder Singh said, “If the salaries are not disbursed within 24 hours, employees will be forced to go on an indefinite strike, which will stall the work at PAU in every manner.”

As many as 4,000 employees of the university, including scientists, faculty, clerical staff and Class IV employees, did not get salary for the month of July. It is a catch-22 situation for couples working in various department of the PAU, as it has become impossible for them to foot even a single bill.

Jatinder Rai, a clerk, said, “I and my wife are working as clerks in the university and non-disbursal of salaries has become a regular problem this year. We are left with no option but to borrow money from financiers.”

Similarly, Tarsem Lal, an agricultural sub-inspector at Punjab Agricultural University, confessed to have borrowed money from one of his friends adding, “Eleven days without salary makes the going tough for the common man, as we do not have other sources of income. The government should find out a permanent solution to this problem.”

Harbans Singh Mindi, vice-president, PAU Employees Union, and senior vice-president Charanjit Singh Sekhon blamed the university authorities for having failed to pursue the “salary issue” with the government. Similarly, PAUTA general secretary Dr HS Kingra said repeated strikes not only bring bad name to the university, but also stalls the work, which he said is “unfortunate” for the agricultural university of the state.

Ludhiana, August 11
In an attempt to provide some respite to residents Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal yesterday inaugurated six projects aimed at improving sanitation and traffic conditions in the city yesterday. The combined cost of the projects, scheduled to be completed by the end of next year, is estimated at Rs 70 crore.

Ludhianvis have welcomed the move but aver all of the projects should be completed within the stipulated timeframe. They feel otherwise work on the projects would cause a great deal of inconvenience to the public as has been their experience with several earlier ones.

Ajay Kumar Arora

Ajay Kumar Arora, a local resident, said the eight laning of a 3 km stretch of Ferozepur Road would help in easing the traffic chaos at Bharat Nagar Chowk and Jagraon Bridge. 

“Traffic coming from Moga, Jagraon and Ferozepur will be diverted after the eight laning of this stretch. 

The only thing we are concern about is that the construction must not drag on, causing harassment to commuters”, he added.

Harpreet Singh

A shopkeeper at Bhadaur House, Harpreet Singh, said covering of the Ganda Nullah would be a major relief to residents. 

“The open drain has been a major source of outbreak of seasonal diseases as it has never been properly cleaned. Mosquitoes, flies and garbage spilling over on to the streets have always posed a health risk. 

If the nullah is closed the streets will become wider and residents of the city’s interior areas will get a big respite. Unfortunately promises by the authorities to complete civic projects within time are never fulfilled”, Harpreet rued.

Shalini Gambhir

Another city resident, Shalini Gambhir, feels the four bridges planned to be built on the Buddha Nullah - at Rahon Road, Vivek Nagar, Couple Park and GT Road near Chand Cinema - would be of great help to those residing in colonies on the city’s periphery.

"It was so difficult to connect with the main city. People had to travel several kilometers to reach the main city points, but with bridges it will become easier to connect to the city.

 We hope they will be completed by April 2011, the scheduled completion date announced by the authorities", Gambhir said.

Inderpreet Singh

A lawyer at the court complex at the mini secretariat, Inderpreet Singh, said a pedestrian underpath outside the district courts was the need of the hour.

 "We’ve come to know that a dozen shops (six on each side of the road) will be constructed on a 60 metres wide pedestrian underpath. Now we can avoid the maddening crowds on the main road and pass through this underpath”, he said.

“The ongoing construction of the Lakkar Bridge has been causing a great deal of inconvenience to the public. Once work on a project is started it should not be abruptly stopped in between. This has to be ensured by the junior Badal", Inderpreet added.

Ludhiana, August 11
With clerical and technical employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPRC) observing a day-long strike today to press for their pending demands, work in the PSPRC (erstwhile PSEB) offices came to a halt.

Officials, however, claimed to have maintained power supply in most parts of the city. Some of the cash counters remained functional and individual complaints were also attended to with the help of skeleton staff and contractual workers.

“About 84.2 per cent of the clerical and technical employees, presently on rolls in the central zone, joined the strike and participated in the rallies held at CMC, Sunder Nagar and Grid Maintenance divisions under the banner of Joint Forum of PSEB Unions and Technical Services Union (TSU),” claimed Ramesh Kumar, zonal secretary and Jagir Singh, zonal president of the TSU.

Pradeep Gupta, senior executive engineer, City West division, and official spokesperson of the PSPRC, told The Tribune that power supply in the city remained unaffected and supervisory officials of XEN and SDO level were deployed at 66 KV and 220 KV substations to ensure that power supply was not disrupted.

“At some divisional and sub-divisional offices, payment of bills was received and complaints regarding technical snags or line failures were also attended to with the assistance of skeleton staff and contractual technical workers,” Gupta said.

Activists of the joint forum flayed the Punjab government and the PSPRC management for their failure to sign a tripartite agreement with employees on service conditions post unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board.

“In the absence of such agreement, employees are insecure as they have been left at the mercy of the corporations which have been formed in place of PSEB.”

Focusing on other pending demands, trade union leaders demanded an increment of 3.5 per cent, restoration of two increments at the time of promotion, filling of vacant posts and restoration of recruitment on compassionate grounds for eligible family members of employees. Among others present were Ramesh Kumar, Jagir Singh, Som Nath, Raghbir Singh, Sukhjiwan Kumar, Jagat Sharma and Des Raj.

Ludhiana, August 11
In a city where nouveau rich parents spend lavishly on gifts and other enticements for their children to coax them into doing their school homework, there are thousands of other kids who stay awake till midnight selling various eatables to support their families and their studies.

For Honey, a student of Government Middle School located on College Road, existence is a desperate fight against the odds. He could be easily spotted selling sugar candies outside Khalsa College for Girls during the evening, persuading people to buy his items.

The boy, barely 11 years old, is a perfect example for those children who constantly nag their parents to meet their demands. While children his age were enjoying their weekend, Honey was seen working overtime to earn a few extra rupees.

When asked about his father’s occupation, pat came the reply: “My dad died when I was a kid. My mother is working as a maidservant and my elder brother and sister are also working and studying at the same time. All of us contribute to keep the kitchen fire burning.”

Sharing his daily routine Honey, who is studying in class 5, said soon after coming from school he finishes his homework and helps his mother in making sweet candies. At around 5:30 in the evening he starts selling the candies in the market and stays there till 11pm.

“Usually I have my dinner around noon. As my mom leaves for work early in the morning I wash my clothes at night in order to save time in the morning,” he said. Honey also dreams of enjoying the good life like several of his counterparts, but he immediately comes back to reality and reminds himself that such a life is not meant for him.

“I’m not a fortunate child - there’s no one who would buy gifts for me. Whatever I earn I hand over to my mother, who buys food and cooks for us,” he said, refusing to take an ice cream offered to him.

Before leaving, he said, “You’ve to buy one sweet candy now as you have wasted my precious time.”

Ludhiana, August 11
The rear entrance of Nathu Lal-Ghuddu Mal, a sweet shop, was sealed by the building branch of the municipal corporation (MC) here today following a complaint by residents of Malerkotla House, near Dandi Swami. This is one of the four major buildings to be sealed by the civic body in 15 days.

The residents had objected to the rear entrance since the area was residential and the owner of the sweet shop had created nuisance by making an entry at the rear of the shop.

A resident, Yogesh Aggarwal, said they had filed complaints to the Deputy Commissioner, MC Commissioner and Police Commissioner against the owner. “There was no privacy in the residential area. His workers would stare at women and they preferred to stay indoors. We are relieved that at last the MC has done something about it,” he said.

Assistant Town Planner (Zone D), SS Bindra said Clause No. 6 of the change of land use (CLU) stated that there could be no rear or side entry to commercial establishments, but the owner had installed a gate at the rear against the building bylaws. “Today, we sealed that entry,” he said, adding that prior warning had been given to the owner.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Aggarwal, owner of the shop, said he had met MC officials recently and had told them that they could seal the rear entry. “The rear entry was not being used. I had asked the officials to seal it if they wanted. I am in touch with residents and if the issue is resolved amicably, we might open it again,” he stated. 

Ludhiana, August 11
There are five paintings on the theme “Journey”, but for each artist, the journey is different. All five artists share the same title but depict the journey differently. Panting exhibition put by 18 young artists of Ellora Art Group from Nagpur is a visual treat to the eyes of every visitor.

Bhupendra M Kawadate, director of the group, said it is an artist who gives uniqueness to any simple topic. “One of my paintings titled “journey” depicts journey of a person. Facing the ups and downs of life, the central character of my painting faces the journey of life,” he adds.

All members of the group are the students of Sharad Pawar Chitra Kala Mahavidalaya and pursuing four-year

Diploma in art.

Another painting by Megha shows a girl without a face, while on the top she has shown three faces. One face depicts her being an infant, other face is of a child and the third is of a grownup girl.

“I have not painted the face and it will change further during the course of time. In the journey of life she will change further,” adds Megha.

Yet another painting by Abhishek shows the daily journey of a person. “Sitting in an auto-rickshaw, the central figure in the painting is giving a desolate look. Everyday he has to go through the same routine and his daily journey is depicted in the painting,” said Abhishek.

While Rupali in her painting shows the journey of music. “The girl playing the strings of guitar shows the journey of music,” she added.

Nature inspires the group. “We share ideas and beliefs and the final product which comes out is a masterpiece in itself,” said members of the group.

Sahnewal, August 11
Local bus passengers are passing through tough phase, especially this monsoon season, due to the poor drainage system and the lack of concern on the part of the nagar council. The situation has worsened to such an extent that the rainwater remains accumulated on roads not for hours but for days together. The situation deteriorates further till the next downpour.

The people who pass through such a horrific time complain that the nagar council is showing least concern for the genuine problem being faced by thousands of passengers who board the buses at different intervals. We are in such a tight position that there is practically no space for us to stand and wait for the bus. The arrival of the buses, too, leaves the passengers infuriated as these stop in the knee-deep water.

“It is problematic for us, what about the elderly and the children, who have to let go many a buses to finally catch one but in no case with ease,” commented a college student. “Moreover, majority of the private buses are in such a hurry that the situation gets complicated further,” the students added.

Another problem, which the passengers face is that the buses, in order to avoid stepping into the stranded pool of water, stop on the National Highway No.1 itself thus leading to traffic chaos.

The passengers or for that matter the residents have asked the council authorities to pay more attention towards this problem but to no avail. “The drainage system in the town seems to have shattered badly, as the authorities are paying least concern towards the civic problems being faced by the people,” the residents added. 

Ludhiana, August 11
Former Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Nahar Singh Gill, died today after brief illness. He was admitted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday following severe stomach infection. He was 62. Gill is survived by wife, a son and two daughters. The cremation will take place tomorrow at Jamalpur Cremation Ground (near Kuttiya Sahin Gurdwara).

Gill remained Mayor from 2002 to 2007. He was also Leader of opposition (Congress) from 1991 to 1996.

Manish Tewari, former minister Rakesh Padey, Malkiat Singh Dakha, Jassi Khangura, Malkiat Singh Birmi, Surinder Dabar, Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, Krishan Kumar Bawa, Jagjiwan Pal Singh Gill, Satwinder Singh, Amarjeet Singh Tikka and Sushil Malhotra paid tributes to the departed soul. 

Ludhiana, August 11
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal launched the first ever web portal of the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate and inaugurated the state-of- the-art Police Control Room at the police lines here yesterday.

He said it was the attempt of the Punjab police to reach to the general public and make various civil services accessible at the click of the mouse.

Now, common man will get the access to the latest information and updates regarding various services like transport, armed license, service and servant verifications besides police clearance and no objection certificates at the click of the mouse without having the need to visit any police station or office, he added.

Soon all districts will have their own web portals, which would be linked with each other. These portals have been designed in an interactive and informative manner. Badal said: “ Within six months police out reach centers will be established at each police post besides having more such centers at places like malls and multiplexes.

He said a civil cadre of the Punjab police specially being created to man these centers would man these centers.

Punjab would soon launch a drive to recruit professionally qualified youths for out reach centers. He said this cadre would be given specialised training to serve efficiently and the post would be non- transferable. 

Ludhiana, August 11
Problem of late refunds which has been haunting the industry since long was put forward before Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal during his visit to the city yesterday

Speaking on the occasion Badal said all developmental woks in the state were going on on the war footing and would be completed within a stipulated period. “Problem of the power for the industry will soon be solved as the work at thermal projects is going on a fast pace. Work at thermal plants in Bathinda, Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo is going on in full speed,” he added.

Flights have already taken off from the Sahnewal airport and they are surely proving a boon for the industry. “Now very soon flights to Mumbai will also be started. This will further benefit the industry,” he added.

The United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister. Manjit Singh Khalsa, chairman of the association, said the ASIDE scheme of the Central was giving subsidy on the exports to each state. Punjab also receives it. Last year Rs 7 lakh was given to the Municipal Corporation for carrying out developmental projects in the city.

“We demand that this time the amount shall be used for the development of the dry port. In addition to this, a separate lane for cyclists shall also be constructed while laying new roads,” they added. “When we are paying the VAT on time and are fined if fail to do so then in turn it becomes our right that we should get the refunds on time. Refunds have been pending for the past two months,” said Badish K Jindal, chairman, Punjab Chapter of the Federation of Associations of Small Industries of India.

Further the association demanded that a few officials in the Excise and Taxation department should be transferred as they were unnecessarily harassing the industrialists. Adding further he said the many firms have been fined heavily on the pretext of bogus billing. 

Doraha, August 11
A meeting of the state committee of the MCPI (U) was organised under presidentship of Comrade Labh Singh Bhangoo of Rajpura at Comrade Krishan Kumar Kaushal Memorial Bhawan here today.

Comrade Jagjit Singh Layallpuri, all-India general secretary of the MCPI (U), said the worldwide recession is far from over. The rich and developed countries were looking towards the developing countries of Asia to overcome the crisis,” he added.

Comrade Kuldeep Singh, state secretary of the MCPI (U), Punjab, said the rising prices had become matter of serious concern for one and all. He alleged that the Central government had miserably failed to control the price rise, rather in its attempt to run away from its responsibility, it had put the entire burden on the states, thus giving rise to an explosive situation.

Supporting the state convention against the gas pipeline recently organised at Punjabi Bhawan, the state committee has urged the Central government not to allow the drawing of these pipelines through cultivable and fertile lands.

Prem Singh Bhangoo, Zora Singh, Malkit Singh, Prem Singh Nanwa, Ajaib Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Bowani, Pawan Kumar Kaushal, Bal Kishan and Sukhdev Singh were among those present on the occasion.

Issru, August 11
Patriotism and respect for martyrs seem to have been confined to a mere organisation of a function and show of political strength on their birth and death anniversaries in the area.

This holds true at least in case of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, who along with other 20 revolutionists had been martyred by the Portuguese Army during an action in Goa on August 15, 1955.

None of the organisations or individuals has ever bothered to maintain the memorial to the martyr.

Wild grass around the Issru’s statue and animal waste littered on the compound reflect the respect the residents, who claim to have utilised grants worth lakhs in the name of the martyr in the past, have for their freedom fighter.

As the memorial is located in a building used as panchayat ghar, office-bearers of various social, religious and constitutional organisations pass by the statue on a regular basis.

However, none of the government officials visiting the place for periodical inspections has ever bothered to remind the local residents of their duty towards the martyr.

Arguing that it is the duty of the administration to maintain memorials, villagers admit that tributes are paid to Issru only on his anniversary, which falls on the Independence Day.

Besides the main function by the ruling party in the state, political conferences are organised by other parties too on that day.

Exploiting the occasion, outfits, include parties in opposition and other organisations, use it as a stage for show of strength.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 11
The state government has sanctioned a grant of Rs 9.45 crore for the construction of roads and other development projects in the area falling under Amargarh assembly segment.

The announcement was made by SAD leader Iqbal Singh Jhoondan, legislator from Dhuri, after inaugurating the beautification project of Green Avenue Locality here on Tuesday.

The inaugural function was presided over by Ravinder Puri, councillor of the area, while Amrik Singh Jandali, chairman, Market Committee, was the guest of honour.

Jhoondan assured that adequate funds would be provided for further beautification of the locality.

According to Jhoondan, Rs 415 lakh will be spent on construction of new roads in the region and Rs 2 crore will be utilised for constructing toilets in houses of poor families. An amount of Rs 160 lakh has been earmarked for repair of roads, while Rs 172 lakh will be spent on construction of houses for poor and development of schools.

Expressing concern over alleged misappropriation of funds meant for various development projects in the past, Jhoondan said strict action would be taken against those found guilty of swindling public funds. Besides announcing new development projects for the area, Jhoonda said residents’ demands would be considered. Improvement of sewage disposal system and water supply were the major demands raised by the residents.

Usha Sood, president, Bimal Kumar Sharma, Dilshad Khan, Avtar Singh Jassal and Manjit Devi were present on the occasion.