Ludhiana, October 1
Lack of coordination between the administration and the police has again led to confusion, as hours after the incident, when an under-construction lenter collapsed at Rishabh Spinning mill located near Jodha here today. Administrative officials were not aware where the injured had been taken. Seven labourers died, while 23 sustained injuries in the mishap.

Karan, Dhaniram

SDM Prem Chand and ADC (General) SR Kler, who were camping at the Civil Hospital, were seen completely at loss. Prem Chand said he had no information about the injured and where they had been taken for treatment.

“We have just came to know about the incident and immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital. The Jagraon SSP is at the spot and knows the exact situation. He could tell where the injured had been taken for the treatment,” said Prem Chand.

The SSP said some of the bodies had been taken to a hospital in Sudhar, while the injured were admitted to Mohan Dai Hospital and Civil Hospital. Till the time of the filing of this report, six bodies had reached the Civil Hospital.

Tragic scene was witnessed at the Civil Hospital, as co-workers ,who had a providential escape, were inconsolable.

Karan, an injured, who was rushed to a hospital with minor bruises, was stated to be out of danger. Narrating the incident, he said he was digging the earth when the roof collapsed. He said he had no idea what happened and the entire structure fell with the thud.

Ludhiana, October 1
As the power banking and purchase agreements signed by Punjab State Power Corporations Limited (PSPCL) with different states and private agencies expired on the midnight of September 30, power cuts on mixed feeders in urban areas have once again been imposed. At the same time, compulsory off days have also been slapped on the industry, which had enjoyed a relatively comfortable power situation till a few months ago.

The mixed feeders in urban areas (predominantly residential ones) will have a scheduled power cut of four hours (two cuts of two hours each in the morning and afternoon). Similarly, category I and II feeders will observe one-compulsory weekly off while the arc induction furnace units and rolling mills will have two weekly off days with immediate effect.

PSPCL sources revealed that with the rainy season over, the demand for power had gone up to nearly 5,750 MW daily as against its availability, that is till September 30, of some 5,600 MW with the gap between demand and availability standing at around 150 MW. “With the availability of power under power-banking-and-purchase system no longer being available, there will be another shortfall of anything like 500 MW which indicates that the people are going to have a tough time ahead.”

In the wake of adequate availability of power in the state during the rainy season, eight units of thermal power plants at Bathinda and Ropar were shut down as a cost cutting measure. However, as the demand has now increased, six of them have resumed generation with one unit of 110 MW at Bathinda and another of 220 MW at Ropar still to become operational.

Even though officials were silent about this, but the state had been asked to provide 200 MW power to the NCR region to meet the enhanced demand for electricity during the Commonwealth Games beginning October 3.

If top officials of PSPCL are to be believed, the power scenario in the state does not look very promising at least in the immediate future as in every likelihood, the duration of daily power cuts will need to be further increased and the industry will also have to face still more restrictions.

Ludhiana, October 1
After remaining on toes for over a fortnight, the men in khaki finally got a chance to spend some quality time with their family.

The controversy surrounding the Ram Janamabhoomi-Babri Masjid kept them on tenterhooks all this while.

A majority of the these policemen could not meet their children, as they used to return home late in the night and had to leave home early morning. “Family members of these cops have heaved a sigh of relief, as the verdict did not spark off any communal tension,” said Darshan Singh, a retired police official.

When these policemen were guarding religious places, their family members could be seen praying for their well-being, added Darshan Singh.

Their wives kept them updated about the minutes of the verdict on phone.

With their father away from home till midnight, children of these cops expressed disappointment. “My son is frantically calling me up and warned that he would not have dinner unless I return home. How can I make him understand that I have been ordered to stay on duty till midnight.

I do understand my son’s state of mind, as I have not given him time since long,” said an SHO.

Today, the senior police officials ordered to pull out forces from sensitive areas.

Ludhiana, October 1
Panic spread at the local railway station after passenger spotted the body of a baby boy lying near the parcel center at 8 am today. The passenger raised an alarm and informed the government railway police about the incident.

According to ASI Des Raj, hounds had surrounded the newborn when it caught the attention of the passenger, who was walking near the track. The baby boy was wrapped in a red cloth. The GRP official said the child might have been abandoned at the track during the wee hours.

The cops took the body to the civil hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Ludhiana, October 1
Having failed to curb the mushrooming growth of illegal colonies all around the mega city through notices and registration of cases against the offenders under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has adopted tough stance against unlawful and unregulated development of such colonies.

In a crackdown against the menace, the GLADA authorities today demolished structures and part of a road in an upcoming illegal colony at Gill village on the periphery of the mega city. It was officially stated that a few days ago, the developer was a show cause notice was served on to suspend the construction activity, which had no effect. “We were left with no other option but to carry out demolition with JCB,” said GLADA additional chief administrator Indu Malhotra.

GLADA authorities determination to effectively check the development of illegal colonies is evident from similar demolition drives carried out in two other colonies at the Jassian Road in Haibowal a few days ago.

Malhotra made it clear that GLADA means business and those violating the provisions of PAPRA in carving out residential or commercial colonies without approval or completion of other formalities will not be spared.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 1
A large number of cheques being prepared by officials of various Punjab government departments, to pay the productivity bonus in lieu of the electricity bills paid by farmers for the consumption of agricultural pump sets, will remain unpaid as the payees mentioned in them died decades ago.

While a few innocent farmers misguided by mischievous elements might try to realise the amount by opening accounts in name of the deceased payees on the basis of fake documents, others will be shuttling between various offices and banks for getting the cheques rectified.

Tendency of the residents of the state not to get the power connections transferred in their names after the demise of the consumer has resulted in the present situation wherein thousands of connections are running in name of persons other than actual owner of the land. A large number of the consumers are dead now.

As the payment of these cheques can be withdrawn through a bank account only, amounts worth lakhs of rupees will remain unrealised due to technical reasons.

Sourced revealed that thousands of power connections, including those for running agricultural pump sets, were running in names of persons who died decades ago.

It is general tendency to get the ownership rights of land and property changed in revenue records after death of the original owners, but the heirs rarely bother to get the connections transferred in their names.

Though the authorities can stop supplying power to such connections, lack of formal information about the death of the consumer does not permit such action to arise.

The facility of free power for the agricultural pump sets was withdrawn in the beginning of the current year due to the drain on its resources. About 50 per cent farmers had started paying bills for consumption of electricity for running their pump sets while others were opposed to the government’s decision.

The Punjab government had recently decided to pay Rs 300 crore as the productivity bonus to the farmers, who had paid electricity bills to the Punjab State Electricity Board, now Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. Implementing agencies were directed to make the payments in accordance with directions of the Union government.

According to an estimate, amount of subsidy provided by way of free power to the priority sector was more than Rs 2,800 crore last year. The government had withdrawn the facility due to the drain on its resources as well as pressure from the World Bank and lending agencies. It was agreed upon to return the amount collected on account of power back to the farmers as a productive bonus.

However, years of popular subsidies took their toll. Only 50 per cent of the farmers paid their power bills after the withdrawal of the subsidy. Against a due collection of Rs 300 crore during the six months through three bill cycles, Powercom had collected only Rs 150 crore. It is only this section of peasantry, which will be getting productivity bonus through payees account cheques.

Office-bearers and activists of the Farmer Welfare Unions, led by Baldev Singh Latala, general secretary, Punjab Kisan Sabha, and Mohinder Seelon, president, Zamhoori Kisan Sabha, have urged the authorities to manage issuing of cheques in names of actual owners of land where the pump sets are installed. 

Ludhiana, October 1
Out-of-pattern mathematics question paper of PSEB Class X spread panic among students here yesterday. A large number of students, who sat in the examination, expressed their displeasure and annoyance against the Panjab State Education Board authorities, so did the teachers.

There were two questions related to graph in every set i.e. A, B and C but only single graph paper was provided by the board to the students for solving both questions. This led to confusion among the students, who failed to solve the questions.

In every set, in question number III, the equation was mentioned wrongly i.e. 7x - 8y = 05. Whereas, it should have been 7x - 8y = 5. The zero should not have been there before five. This, too, confused the students while multiplying the equation with another.

The teachers confirmed that as soon as the question paper was distributed among the students, there was panic and commotion.

“There was a lot of commotion as confused students started complaining about the questions being out of pattern. Similar reports were coming in from other examination centers as well,” disclosed a school head.

Meanwhile, Rajinder Sharma, president, Association of the Punjab School Education Board, Affiliated Schools, Punjab, said the questions were confusing for most of the students. He also demanded that the board should provide grace marks to the students.

Ludhiana, October 1
A rally was today taken out to mark the International Senior Citizens’ Day. It’s a special day for the "seasoned" population. Sometimes seniors can be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our busy schedules and this day earmarked for the elderly gives a chance to show appreciation for the their contributions to home, family and society.

"If you sit and talk to an older, retired person, you'll quickly realise that they've earned their wisdom over the years," said Gurman, while talking with his grandfather on this special day.

Gurman has planned a special evening for his grandparents and will be taking them out for a dinner at their favourite restaurant.

Gurbaksh Singh Gill, a senior citizen, said his day started as usual, but his grandchildern made it special. "My 10-year-old granddaughter wished me in the morning by giving me a hand-made card. After that a lunch was a real treat," he said.

On the other hand, Chet Sarup was not so lucky. His day started as usual in his room at the old age home. "It’s a usual day for me. My children live abroad and I am here alone," he added.

Meanwhile, a state-level function was held at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan where Chaudhary Swarna Ram, Minister for Social Security, Women and Children Welfare presided over. He told about the maintenance of parents and senior citizens Act.

Ludhiana, October 1
The District Bar Association today condemned the registration of a criminal case by the police against city lawyer Surinder Dogra.

President of District Bar Association (DBA), Naval Kishore Chhibber, declared to go on an indefinite strike till the case was withdrawn.

Chhibber said Dogra had been falsely implicated in a case of cheating and forgery.

A case under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120 of the IPC was registered against the lawyer and seven other persons on the compliant of Jagtar Singh, resident of Ayali Khurd, Ludhiana.

The complainant had claimed that he was attorney of Gurdial Singh, resident of Jabalpur, who had entered into the sale of land at Birmi village with Janpath Estates in November 2007. But they couldn’t make the payment and the sale was not registered.

It was alleged that the accused hatched a conspiracy and prepared a forged agreement to sell the land. On the basis of the agreement, a civil suit was filed in the court.

The lawyer was accused that he appeared in the case on behalf of Gurdial and filed a written statement. It was alleged that the signature on the statement were of the accused persons. Whereas, the fact was that Gurdial never came to Ludhiana for signing the statement in the case or furnishing affidavit, which was annexed with the written statement.

Those booked include Jagjit Singh, resident of Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, Chander Kant Jain, resident of Gurdev Nagar, Sukhdev Singh, resident of Hissowal village, Balbir Singh, resident of Barewal, Jasbir Singh, resident of BRS Ngara, Mahesh Goel and Mohinder Goel, directors of Japath Estates.

Ghulal/Ludhiana, October 1
Indifferent attitude of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to compensate Jasbir Singh and Amritpal Singh, both farmers from Ghulal village for the burnt crops and net house by the spark from high tension wires passing from their fields, has disillusioned the farmers pioneering in organic farming.

Contrary to the claims of promoting organic farming in the state, even the senior officials and ministers of Punjab have failed to redress the complaints of the duo, who lost their crops due to the fire, about a year-and-a-half ago.

They ventured into organic farming in 2004 under the banner of “Preet Golden Agro Farms” and having put in hard work for three years they had started enjoying the success when in March 2008, a spark from the wires coming from the power grid adjoining their fields burnt their net house and wheat crop spread over 2 acres.

“We forwarded a complaint to the then XEN in the distribution unit of Samrala following which senior officials visited the site but nothing was done,” rued Jasbir Singh.

Thereafter, the matter was also brought to the notice of the Chairman, Punjab State Electricity Board (the authorized body before PCPCL) and Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, but to no avail, they added.

The PSPCL despite having made the estimate of the loss failed to compensate the farmers, instead sent them a bill of Rs 45,000 for putting up a board outside their farmhouse.

Also, the wires passing from the fields are an obstruction for the combines, as a result we have to depend on manual labour that adds to our expenses, said Amritpal Singh.

Apart from organic vegetables, including cauliflower, carrot, coriander, tomatoes, gourds, the duo is also cultivating organic maize which is the most sought after produce for winters. “The dough kneaded from organic maize flour is so smooth that it is easy even for the amateur cooks to make chapattis,” said Satwinder Kaur, a regular buyer at the farm outlet.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 1
Students of Central School No. 1 at Halwara Air Force Station, showed their excellence in writing and communicating in Hindi during the Hindi fortnight celebrations organised by the Halwara branch of Indian Overseas Bank.

RK Swami, bank’s manager, was the chief guest. Shakuntla Malik, principal of the school, presided over the function.

Neeraj Khatak, convener of the project, said at least 200 students took part in various competitions organised during the fortnight celebrations that concluded on the school’s premises yesterday. Those who spoke on the occasion, while emphasising on the need of promotion the National language, maintained that such an attempt would help in inculcating traits of the national integrity and patriotism among region’s youth.

Ludhiana, October 1
National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), Ludhiana, organised a seminar-cum-CME on tuberculosis and HIV yesterday.

Dr Rohit Singla, a private practitioner and Dr Ashish Chawla, were guest speakers.

The doctors said tuberculosis was a fatal disease if not treated in time. More than eight million new cases of TB occur each year worldwide.

Anyone can get TB, but certain persons are at higher risk, including persons who live with TB infected individuals, poor or homeless persons are at high risk.

If a person is having cough for the around two-three weeks, should be examined for TB, the doctors added.

Main symptoms of TB are weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats, problem in breathing and chest pain.

In most cases bacteria infects the lungs, but TB bacteria may also infect other organs.

Dr Rajesh Thapar, president of NIMA, said TB was fatal if not treated with prescribed anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Doraha, October 1
The two-day Punjab State Conference of the MCPI (U) will commence tomorrow at Comrade Krishan Kumar Memorial Hall in Doraha.

Around 150 delegates from various districts of Punjab are expected to attend the conference.

The conference will begin with a flag-hoisting ceremony. Veteran Communist leader and freedom fighter Com Jagjit Singh Lyallpuri, national general secretary of the MCPI (U), will inaugurate the conference. International, national and state affairs will be discussed during the conference. Leaders will dwell on global recession and its world-wide impact.

Intervention of the US in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places would also be deliberated upon. The result of liberal and neo-liberal policies being pursued by successive governments at the national level will also be pondered upon. Other issues related to unemployment, de-industrialisation, poor health and poor educational conditions will also be taken up during the conference. Prices of all essential commodities, touching all time high, leading to a hole in the common man’s pocket, will form the core of the conference.

With suicide by farmers and labourers on the rise, leaders will chalk out a plan to tide over various problems. Land-acquisition by the government for setting up MNCs will also be dwelt upon. Leaders will appeal to the Union government to frame farmer-friendly policies.

“Resolutions related to the people of Punjab will be passed. The election to Punjab State Committee will be held on October 3,” said Lakhwinder Singh Buani.

Ludhiana, October 1
With a sudden change in weather, the hosiery industry is expecting a good season ahead.

The 100-year old industry with a turonover of nearly 85 billion has about 12,000 to 14,000 small-scale and large-scale units. “We are expecting a good season this year. Last year, the winter was delayed and we did not do a good business,” said Satish Mehra, a businessman.

Ludhiana accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the country’s hosiery industry and industrialists are gearing up to make a huge profit this year. “The winter has been delaying for the past couple of years, this year we have great expectations from the coming season,” added another hosiery industrialist Varun Aggarwal.

“Although the cost of yarn has increased by nearly 25 per cent, still we manage to earn a profit of 15 to 20 per cent. The industry is a major foreign exchange earner for India, and includes America and Russia among its clientele,” he added.

Another industrialist from the city said, “Prices of yarn are increasing, but we are hopeful of doing a good business this time. If the winter stays for long, it will definitely be a good year,” he said.

Khanna, October 1
President of nagar council, Khanna, Iqbal Singh Channi inaugurated the development work of laying sewerage line in ward No. 10 at Amloh road, Khanna. Khanna Improvement Trust chairman Rajesh Dally was the guest of honour.

While talking to mediapersons, Channi said, “The development works in all wards of Khanna are in full swing.” Channi said, “Khanna will get 100 per cent sewerage and water supply facility, as it has been selected in 44 towns of the state to be developed by the SAD (B) and BJP alliance government.”

Municipal councillor of ward No. 10, Dr Somesh Batta said, “By laying the sewerage line in the area, the long pending demand of residents of the locality will be fulfilled.”

The residents of Sant Colony, Guru Angad Dev Nagar and Theh Galwadi thanked the Khanna municipal council for fulfilling their demand.

Executive official of municipal council, Bhushan Rana, municipal councillors Jatinder Devgan and Saravdeep Singh Kalirao, Captain Sharma, Surinder Ghuman, Bhajan Singh, Comrade Jagdev Singh, Kaka Singh, Avtar Mourya and Raj Kumar Garg were also present on the occasion.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 1
A free medical check-up camp will be organised at Maharaja Agarsen Sewa Sadan on Sunday. According to Tarsem Garg, convener of the project, Dr Naved Aslam, cardiologist, Dr Rajinder Mittal, surgeon, Dr Rajinder Bansal, neurologist, Dr Sunil Gupta, dermatologist, and Dr Rajesh Mahajan will examine patients during the camp.

Kilaraipur MLA Jasbir Khangura will be the chief guest, while Prem Gupta, secretary, managing committee, DMC, Ludhiana, will preside over the inaugural.

Ludhiana, October 1
Power loom workers of Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri areas, have called off their 15-day strike.

A representative group of the owners of 26 factories held a meeting with the workers’ representatives for negotiations in the presence of Assistant Labour Commissioner and signed an agreement. As per the agreement, workers have been promised a hike of 11 to 12 per cent in piece rate/salary in different categories.

The agreement would be implemented in all 59 factories. After the agreement was signed, the workers resumed work.

The strike of the power loom workers of Ludhiana has entered its third phase. The strike was held under the leadership of Karkhana Mazdoor Union (KMU). Earlier, workers of 42 power loom factories at Shaktinagar, Tibba road, had forced factory owners to accede to their demands after a eight-day long strike from August 24 to August 31. This was followed by another successful strike in another textile factory. In the past 18 years, it has happened for the first time that the workers have achieved success against the combined might of factory owners.

“Workers have now managed to form a militant organisation. They use it as a weapon for ensuring proper implementation of agreements. It is like a platform for workers and also a medium through which they can air their problems,” said Lakhwinder, secretary of the union.

Sahnewal, October 1
Ahead of Sukhbir Badal’s visit in the town, the Congress leaders and workers have started criticising the BJP-Akali government for its “failure and malfunctioning”.

Vikram Singh Bajwa, member, PPCC, in a gathering organised here today criticised the BJP-Akali government saying that it is just building castles in the air. “The existing government has brought disappointment to the people at all levels and in order to suppress the public voice and voice of opposition, the existing government can stoop to any level,” he said.

“It has been four years now since the Badal government promised to start a metro in Ludhiana, apart from assuring basic amenities but broken roads, poor traffic arrangements and suppression and oppression at all levels speak volumes of the failure of the government,” he added.

“The assurance of constructing a bridge on the railway line at Sahnewal by the government seems to be a far fetched dream now and it seems that the government is befooling the people by showing them a coloured image through their tainted glasses. They blame the Centre for every issue, although in reality they are the originators of all problems,” rued the Congress leader.