Ludhiana/Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
The likelihood of violence between activists of Muslim organisations and Christians here following the Malerkotla incident kept the police on its toes today.

This part of the state has a sizeable population of Christians and a few radical Muslim activists.

While reports of protests and demonstrations, including burning of effigies of leaders of two confronting communities kept pouring in from various parts of this area falling under Ludhiana and Sangrur districts, no untoward incident was reported till the filing of this story.

Officials, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana Narinder Singh Ruby and Deputy Superintendent of Police at Amargarh Gurpreet Singh Sikand called upon leaders of various religious, social and political organisations to impress upon office- bearers and activists of organisations of the both communities to ignore rumours and maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

Investigations revealed that activists of a few radical Muslim organisations and those of the Christian community had organised protests against each other in their respective areas.

Accusing the US government of shielding those elements who had shown disrespect to the holy Quran, activists of some radical Muslim organisations, led by the Muslim Action Committee, organised a protest march in Dehliz Road and Vishwakarma Mandi localities. They burnt effigies of American leaders, including the US President.

However, timely preventive action and alertness of the authorities prevented the situation from turning ugly.

Similarly, activists of Christian organisations were motivated to realise gravity of the situation and help the administration maintain peace and tranquillity in the region.

The police had swung into action immediately after receiving information about alleged attack on a Church at Malerkotla by some unidentified miscreants. The administration had to impose curfew in certain parts of the erstwhile Malerkotla state this morning.

A partial bandh was also observed in certain parts of the region. Transport services between Malerkotla and Ludhiana were also affected due to the imposition of curfew and protest march by radicals.

Ludhiana, September 13
The department of food, civil supplies & consumer affairs (DFSC) appears to be oblivious to the large scale smuggling of diesel from fuel stations located outside the municipal corporation limits, which has badly affected the business of petrol pumps in the city.

In order to reduce diesel expenses, small industries and commercial establishments get loads of drums in tempos from the fuel stations located outside the city without paying octroi, saving between Re 1 to Rs 1.5 per litre of diesel.

Apinder Grewal, chairman of the District Petroleum Dealers’ Association, said the owners of fuel stations in the city are suffering on account of the malpractice. “The government should keep a strict vigil at octroi posts as it’s not only petrol pumps that incur losses but the state the exchequer as well”, he added.

Said the owner of a city fuel station: “The DFSC has failed to nab any of the culprits till date as their inspectors side with the offenders so as to facilitate them. We have lost almost 50 percent of the business in the last one year but the department despite having been apprised of the matter has failed to initiate any check in the direction”.

A senior department official, requesting anonymity, revealed most fuel stations located outside the MC limits belonged to politicians, which he said was the main reason no departmental action had been taken.

DFSC (W) Rakesh Bhasker said: "I’ll definitely look into the matter and ask the inspectors to keep a check on the octroi posts so that we can nab the culprits red handed”.

Ludhiana, September 13
Any new notification or notice issued by the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department is now just a click away. The department will now send the notices and new notifications to the traders through e-mail. Earlier, these were sent by hand or through registered post by the surveyor.

Now all correspondence will be done through e-mails. Although it will lessen the burden on the department but the new move has evoked mixed response from the traders.

While some have welcomed the step but others who are not so net savvy are not so happy with the department's move. Harbans Singh, a trader, said most of the times he was on tour and it would not be possible for him to check his mail while travelling. "I do not have a mobile with net connection neither a laptop. In such circumstances, it will become impossible for me to check my mails and I may miss on something really important and urgent," he said.

Jatinder Khurana, lawyer, commenting upon the new notification, said now sending notices and notifications sent through e-mail will be considered valid. "Although it is a welcome step but it can create problem when any trader fails to check his mail," he said.

Adding another trader, Subhash Aggarwal, said although it is a welcome step but he is a bit apprehensive about the same. "If I failed to check my mail it may result in heavy penalty in some cases.”

Ludhiana, September 13
With traffic here worsening with every passing day, Delhi resident had a first hand experience of the mess when he got out of his car while driving in the city and regulated vehicular flow on the street for a while.

Suresh Kumar, who remained caught in a traffic snarlup for nearly an hour, finally took upon himself the task of regulating traffic at Jagraon bridge for nearly an hour during the afternoon before leaving for his destination.

He immediately grabbed the attention of commuters. While some smiled at him, taking him to be a fool, there were others who thanked him for easing the traffic chaos.

"I don’t care what people think of me. My concern right now is to ease this jam. It took me nearly an hour to reach Jagraon Bridge from Bharat Nagar Chowk and I then realised there would be no respite from traffic snarlups unless someone regulates the traffic. So I took upon myself the task of managing vehicular flow," said Kumar.

Surprisingly, there was no traffic cop at the scene to control the vehicular flow.

While thanking him, a commuter said: "Not many people come forward and help the commuters in regulating traffic. Thanks for saving my time as I have to attend an emergency meeting."

Kumar said similar traffic jams were seen in the National capital. “Autorickshaws are adding to the city’s traffic”, he added. He left after the traffic in the Jagraon Bridge area was cleared.

Ludhiana, September 13
Day after the alleged canecharge and detention of local chapter of ETT teachers at Kartarpur, around 300 teachers gathered at the Zila Parishad office here today and demanded the release of the arrested teachers.

The ETT Teachers Union, Punjab, today launched a statewide non-cooperation moment and demanded that till the time their demands were not met they would continue their strike.

Paramjir Singh, presidents of local chapter of ETT Teacher Union, Punjab, who was reportedly detained along with 200 teachers yesterday, said the police released them late last night, due to which they could not attend the state-wide protest in front of the house of Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Bramhpura.

He further said that from today around 13,000 teachers working in 5,700 schools, went on strike against the policies of state government.

Later during the day, the protesting teachers burnt an effigy of Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Bramhpura.

The teachers also condemned yesterday's incident of the police canecharge on ETT teachers and said that they would legally persue the matter.

"Yesterday's incident of canecharging was a gross violation of human rights. The women teachers were allegedly abused by a man who was accompanying the cops in civil dress," said Paramjit Singh.

While Balraj Singh Ghaloti, vice-president of ETT Teachers Union, said no ETT teacher would join duty till the time the teachers would not be taken under the wings of the Education Department.

Ludhiana, September 13
Keeping with the convention of honouring “progressive” agriculturists in Punjab at the PAU Kisan Mela, seven farmers will receive the state award at Tuesday’s function.

They include Sukhdev Singh Bains of Shadipur village in Jalandhar district; Surinder Singh Dhatt of Brindpur village, Kapurthala; Amarjit Singh Gill of Ferozepur district; Gurmel Singh of Sekha village, Barnala; Davinder Singh of Nakodar of Jalandhar district; Gurbir Singh of Bakala village, Amritsar; and Sukhminder Kaur of Tohra village, Patiala.

In order to guide the farmers on the issues concerning progressive agriculture, the experts of department of soils will emphasize on proper use of fertilizers followed by test basis to realize high crop yields.

The scientists will also address the problem of micronutrient deficiency in wheat, use of leaf colour chart in rice for need- based nitrogen application as well as use of tensiometer in rice to save irrigation water and application of phosphatic fertilizers in ‘rabi’ crops.

To with the issues of plant pathology, management of the foot rot disease in the ‘basmati’ rice crop using biocontrol technology, method of seed treatment for ‘rabi’ crops and fungicidal management of diseases affecting ‘kharif’ crops in fields will also be highlighted.

Recently developed and evaluated farm machines will be exhibited at the Kisan Mela. There will also be a farm produce competition for vegetables, fruits, flowers and field crops.

The fair will have displays by various departments of the College of Basic Sciences & Humanities as well as the College of Home Science.

Ludhiana, September 13
The protest of ETT teachers and subsequent action by the police has taken its toll on one-year-old child.

Rabia, who would turn one on September 20, was seen sobbing at the Zila Parishad Bhawan, the venue of ETT protest.

According to her mother she was inconsolable since the time her father, an ETT teacher, was arrested and sent to jail.

Sanjiv Kumar, who is currently languishing in Central Jail in Tajpur along with other teachers since Friday, after they were caught by Samrala police for taking part in the state -level protest against Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Bramhpura.

Archna, wife of Sanjiv, who is also an ETT teacher said, "It has been over three days that have been shuttling between court and jail along with my 11- month- old daughter. There is no one to look after my baby in my absence so I have to take her at the protest venue."

Archna is currently praying that her husband should be released before September 20 so that the couple can celebrate the first birthday of their daughter together.

She said after attending the protest of ETT teachers, she would visit jail so that the girl could meet her father. According to Archna, the girl was restless since the time her father was arrested by the police.

Ludhiana, September 13
The stir by power loom workers continued even today. Workers of 44 units located on Gaushala Road, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri participated in the protest today.

The agitating workers demanded a hike in their salaries and those working on the per piece system also wanted a raise in their emoluments.

The workers also demanded that the pact which was signed between the unit owners and workers of Shakti Nagar should be brought into practice.

Workers of a textile unit on the Gaushala road are on strike for the past six days. Workers said they would return to work only if their salaries were hiked. "Prices of all essential commodities are increasing and in this scenario, our salaries should also be hiked," said a worker.

Lahkwinder, secretary of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union, said they had handed over a memorandum to the Labour Commissioner. "Workers of one of the units were attacked by the owners, which will not be acceptable. Every person has a democratic right to raise his voice against the injustice done to him. We will not tolerate this in future," he added. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 13
The Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) has quashed the demand of Rs 70,357 raised by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (Powercom) from a consumer on the charges of stealing of electricity with the observation that the same were not proved.

Chairman of Permanent Lok-Adalat Sukhdarshan Singh Khaira and its members R S Khokar, Nand Lal also ordered the Powercom to adjust the amount of Rs 35,000 deposited by the consumer out of demand of Rs 70,357, in his future bills.

The PLA pronounced the order while deciding the complaint moved by Sushil Kumar of Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana.

Pronouncing the order, the PLA held that the meter was neither packed nor sealed in a cardbox as per instructions. When meter was not duly packed and sealed at the time of replacement, the checking report of ME Lab could not be relied upon, as the same becomes meaningless.

The meter which was replaced was not produced in court inspite of categorical instructions issued by the court due to reasons best known to the respondents (Powercom) thus inviting adverse inference against it, remarked the PLA.

Moreover, the bill to the applicant just prior to the replacement of meter was issued under status code OK and the meter was required to be returned by the ME Lab without carrying checking in the ME Lab, as per rules and regulations of Powercom.

The complainant had submitted that in his absence the officials of Powercom changed his electricity meter with the new one. The meter was removed in violation of the sales regulations of Powercom itself.

Interestinlgy, the officials took signatures of his minor son on some papers. Later they sent a provisional order of assessment stating therein that the meter of the applicant was checked and it was found that there was a hole in the lower part of the meter. It was construed that it was a case of theft of energy.

The complainant claimed that all this caused him a lot of harassment, as he never indulged in theft of electricity. He gave reference to his previous bills claiming that all was well.

On the other hand, Powercom officials justified their action. They stated that the demand was rightly raised in the account of consumer.

After appreciating the evidence on record, the PLA debarred Powercom officials from realising the amount raised in demand from the complainant.

Ludhiana, September 13
A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities. The pleasure becomes infinite when the cradle is teaming with triplets, as was established after Paramjit Kaur of Bhattian village delivered triplet girls at Brar Hospital in Khanna yesterday.

It was one of the rare cases wherein the triplets were delivered normally and not with the Caesarian section. The infants had respective birth weight of 1.7, 2.3 and 2.5 kg and are keeping good health.

"Having been refused admission in many reputed hospitals in the area, I pleaded with Dr Amrish Brar, the gynaecologist at Brar Hospital, to admit Paramjit to which she agreed on humanitarian grounds," said Tejinder Singh, the father of the girls.

The couple has four daughters already and with these three newcomers, Paramjit and Tejinder have become the parents of seven daughters.

Dr Amrish Brar said Paramjit Kaur’s was a high-risk pregnancy, as she had jaundice, high blood pressure, anaemia and rare blood group of O-ve. " "On top of that, it was the seventh pregnancy, as the lady had a case history of aborted twins. But I could not go ahead with Caesarian due to jaundice and had to opt for normal delivery," said Dr Brar.

The gynaecologist tasked her husband Dr PS Brar, an intensive care physician, with taking care of the medicine aspect of the case.

Not to miss the collective efforts made by the hospital staff to see to the well-being of the mother and the triplets, as right from the nursing staff to the ward boys, every healthcare personnel was in love with the "infants" soon after their birth.

"I just wish that the triplets are treated with love, tenderness and compassion," said a senior staff nurse at the hospital.

Ludhiana, September 13
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has summoned a report from the Municipal Commissioner and the Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board on the allegations of violation of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000.

The commission took the notice of a complaint filed by local activist, Arvind Sharma, who had alleged that the corporation had failed to effectively handle solid waste in the city.

He had stated that the garbage was threatening the health of the residents whereas the corporation was looking the other way.

With this the municipal corporation was violating the Management of Solid Waste and (M and H) rules 2000, which provided that the garbage should not fall from tippers and the vehicles carrying it should be covered.

Not only the corporation had failed to handle garbage but it had also failed to send annual reports regarding the existing number of residences and the arrangements made for waste management to the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

After taking cognizance of the complaint, the commission has asked for a report.

The case comes up for hearing on December 12.

Sharma had even alleged that as the corporation failed to help the residents even the PPCB failed to act against it for the violation.

The handling of garbage by the corporation has often invited criticism from many quarters.

The civic body fails to lift it from several places everyday. The tippers are in such bad condition that they keep on littering the garbage on the roads.

Ludhiana, September 13
The Pashu Palan Mela of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, will be a very useful event for people of all walks of life. Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, Ludhiana, expressed these views on Pashu Palan Mela, which is to be held on September 14 and 15 here.

He said that it would not only be a centre of attraction for the livestock, fisheries and poultry farmers but for children, youth, senior citizens as well as women also, because different items would be on display for different age groups, sections and nature.

Taneja revealed that whereas cattle, buffalo, goat, rabbit, different species of fish would be the main attraction for children, country-side scenes of university wouldl be a special attraction for urban children. He further stated that Pashu Palan Mela would be more useful to students of vocational courses studying animal husbandry and rural culture as they would get more valuable information about the latest interventions in the field of animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries.

The experts of the university will provide on-the-spot knowhow through discussion and practical demonstrations regarding upkeep, vaccination and other timely cares of small pets like dogs, cats, etc. The pet owners will also get information about the latest products, which are now available in the market.

Beside this, the university had done commendable work on ornamental fishes. Those interested in keeping ornamental fishes in their houses/work place can also get the latest information about feeding and management practices. He added that different species of coloured fishes kept the mind fresh and helped in relieving mental stress.

The housewives who have independently taken up the livestock profession can also interact with the experts of the university to get the latest information about the livestock products and their usages. There would be a provision to taste and know about the different mouth-watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies like sweetened and salted lassie, sweet milk, meat patties, different types of meat pickles and good quality cheese prepared by the College of Dairy Science & Technology and the Department of Livestock Products Technology.

Some unscrupulous elements have developed synthetic milk, which is in the market. The university has made arrangements to create awareness about this aspect and demonstration on quality evaluation will be made.

The exhibition depicting latest interventions in the field of animal husbandry will also be very helpful for the unemployed youth of the state who are especially interested in setting up their own business in livestock sector with minimum finances.

The financial institutes like banks, insurance agencies etc. and experts of the university will provide them the up to date knowledge. The food processing machinery will also be on display in the mela to educate the masses about the latest interventions involved in the preparation of hygienic, fast and good quality food products. It will be beneficial for the common man as well as an entrepreneur.

University publications containing information related to livestock diseases, their remedial measures and also regarding training courses to set up new units in livestock will also be available.

Ludhiana, September 13
Punjab Agricultural University dedicated its Wheat Auditorium to Dr Norman E Borlaug, the Nobel Laureate for peace, who worked with a mission to create a world without hunger and poverty. The wheat auditorium will now be known as Borlaug Wheat Auditorium.

A special function was organised in the auditorium today on his first death anniversary. Tracing down the close connection between Borlaug and PAU, Vice-Chancellor Dr MS Kang stated that Borlaug was touched by the excellent progress that the PAU scientists had made in wheat. "The best way we can honour Dr. Borlaug is by continuing his fight against hunger and poverty with vigour, around the globe and naming the wheat auditorium after him is a small gesture of honouring him", said Kang.

The PAU, recognising his contribution became the first university to bestow an honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Dr Borlaug in March 1969. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1970.

Earlier, the university had named its one of the wheat field laboratories as Borlaug Laboratory and dedicated its September Kisan Mela at Bathinda to him. The PAU tributes to this great scientist were published in various journals.

The popularity of Borlaug is established from the fact that the title cover of the magazines "Progressive Farming" and "Changi Kheti" in October 2009 carried his portrait.

The president of PAU Kisan Club, Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, speaking on behalf of the farmers said that holding of monthly meetings in the Borlaug Wheat Auditorium would be matter of pride to them adding, "His exemplary works are a lesson for every progressive farmer and agricultural scientist, which set him apart from the rest of the world." On this occasion, the director of extension education, Dr MS Gill, Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, additional director of communication, were also present on the occasion.

Harnam Pura (Ludhiana), September 13
Taking a lead in energy conservation and saving environment, the civic body at this nondescript village has installed at least 20 streetlights running on automatic solar energy panels.

Advocate Prem Singh, sarpanch of the village panchayat, said at least 20 solar streetlights, each costing Rs 17,000, were installed at suitable places in the locality. The posts were so erected that no corner of the locality remained in dark during night.

Claiming that the maintenance cost of the project was almost negligible, Prem Singh said the Punjab Energy Development Agency authorities, the sponsoring organisation, had undertaken to take care of technical feasibility of the solar panels.

Unlike conventional streetlights, these are regulated automatically. The inbuilt system will switch on light at dusk and switch off in the morning.

The leaders claimed that besides conserving energy and environment, the project would also cut down on power consumption of the village.

“As the light emitting from these lamps will reach compounds and premises owned by residents, they need not use their lamps at these places now,” said a village resident.

Ludhiana, September 13
Having achieved eminent positions in various organisations engaged in the welfare and development of the industrial sector, Padam Bhushan SP Oswal, chairman and managing director, Vardhman Group of Industries, has been recognised as the crusader for taking up various women empowerment and employment awareness programme launched recently by the government.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Minister for Industries and Commerce Manoranjan Kalia are among those who have appreciated his role in restoring esteem of lakhs of women working in the industrial sector dominantly in textile mills situated all over the state.

“Lakhs of employees working in the units headed by Oswal feel secured under his umbrella. We have seen the arrangements made by the management for comfort and overall development of all members of families associated with group and don’t hesitate that conditions ideal for everyone irrespective of gender and age,” commented dignitaries visiting work places and hostels accommodating women employees and trainees.

Women associated with the group felt emotionally attached with the Oswals and appreciated their role in making them self-dependents.

Maintaining that the women had natural talent for learning and demonstrating art of knitting and textile technology Oswal appreciated that research in the human resources development had proved beyond doubt that they (women) were more dutiful and sincere than the males.

Reiterating his commitment toward restructuring of society, Oswal claimed that both employers and the employees would benefit if more women were persuaded to associate themselves with the industrial sector in general and the textile industry in particular.

Born in 1942, Oswal passed his master degree in commerce with gold medal from Panjab University, Chandigarh. The Vardhman Group established in 1962 has today blossomed into one of the largest textile business houses in India. It has the largest yarn manufacturing capacity in the country with over 7, 50,000 spindles. The group achieved a turnover of Rs 3,200 crore in 2008-09 and employs at least 23,000 people at its various plants, offices and branches.

Village adoption programmes, imparting technical training, involvement in educational and technical institutes and working for control of pollution are already in credit of Oswal.

Doraha, September 13
Irked over the non-implementation of the non-practicing allowance (NPA), veterinary officers of the state animal husbandry department are up in arms against the Punjab government and would be staging a dharna in Jalandhar on September 17 in this regard.

“There is widespread resentment among the doctors. Now, we are in no mood to sit and watch mutely the ultimate decisions of the government nor can we be pacified by their hollow assurances. We are mobilising the vets for staging dharna so that the government could be pressurised,” said Dr Darshan Kheri, district president, Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association. He further asserted that the fifth Punjab Pay Commission had strongly recommended the allowance for the vets as admissible to medical doctors. “But ironically, the government has issued the much sought after notification of allowance only for the medicos so far. This disparity has resulted in strong resentment among the vets. While the pay commission report has already been accepted in toto in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the council of ministers, many such important notifications for the employees have not been issued so far”, he added.

Dr Paramjeet Singh, state press secretary of the association, lambasted the dilly dallying attitude of the Punjab government towards their justified demand. He also stressed the role of vets in generating rural self-employment and diversifying the state’s economy. “Vets have key role to play in the in the flourishing dairy sector in the state,” he added.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Procuring country made pistols is not a difficult job for drivers plying between the Punjab and eastern states of the country. Besides being sold by manufacturers and arms dealers these are easily available at roadside dhabhas and repair and mechanical workshops situated along the highways.

The weapon used by a farmer of Jaspal Bangar village for killing his married cousin sister a few days ago was also procured by him from West Bengal when he was working as a truck driver a long time ago.

Meanwhile, the Sudhar police has recovered .315 bore pistol and scooter used in the crime and a mobile phone belonging to the deceased. These articles were recovered from various places at the instance of Amarjit Singh, the accused who was arrested by cops led by Gagan Singh SHO Sudhar yesterday.

Suspecting his married cousin sister of instigating his wife for indulging in immoral activities, Amarjit Singh had allegedly killed his cousin Baljit Kaur a few days ago.

Baljit Kaur of Butahri village, a mother of two children, who was living at her paternal village after deserting her husband, was allegedly shot dead by her cousin Amarjit Singh. Amarjit suspected her of instigating his wife to partner her in her alleged immoral activities.

Investigations revealed that the accused had barred Baljit Kaur’s entry into his house fearing that his wife’s association with her would bring a bad name to the family. When Baljit Kaur continued meeting his wife by visiting the house in his absence, Amarjit decided to eliminate him and bought a country made pistol from a roadside dhaba during his visit to West Bengal a few months ago.

On the fateful day, he lured Baljit to accompany him on the pretext of earning a handsome “commission” through matchmaking and allegedly shot her dead.

After receiving information about the recovery of the body bearing a bullet injury, Ludhiana (Rural) police chief Gursharan Singh Sandhu instituted an SIT headed by Sudhar SHO Gagandeep to probe into the matter.

On the basis of mobile call details of the victim, the police identified Amarjit Singh as the main suspect and arrested him while he was trying to leave the area yesterday.

Phillaur, September 13
The Noormahal police registered a case against a deceased truck driver Gulab of Sherpur village, Firozepur district, under the NDPS Act after recovering 37 bags of puppy husks from the mini truck, which collided with a car near Noormahal on Saturday.

The accused truck driver was killed on the spot in the collision. It was learnt that the vegetables-loaded mini truck overturned and dashed against a bank wall, and the police recovered 37 bags of puppy husks kept under the vegetables baskets.

The police said that the police was bound to register a case under the NDPS act against the vehicle driver who was killed in the accident and the body of the deceased was lying in Noormahal Hospital for post-mortem examination.