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Police chief throws spanner in Punjab government’s plans
Ludhiana, June 6 PUDA had decided to take over the residence, one of the last Victorian heritage buildings dating back to the British era. The prime property, valued at about worth Rs 100 crore, was to be sold off to the public under the state’s “optimum utilization of vacant government land” policy. PUDA proposed to demolish the house situated
on Rajpura Road, earlier the residence of the senior superintendent of police, claiming it had constructed houses for each of the top five police officials. However, commissioner of police Ishwar Singh asserted no house had been constructed for him. ‘‘The five houses are for officers of the level of SSPs and the other four are for those of SP level. After the commissionerate system was introduced they (PUDA officials) have to provide me with an alternative residence. I’ll not move into the house meant for an SSP. One of our deputy police commissioners will move in there”, the commissioner said. With Ishwar's refusal to move out it appears the heritage building will remain intact for some more time. However, it remains to be seen whether PUDA is able to provide him a new house or not. Ajoy K Sinha, chief administrator of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), which is an executive authority to construct the houses of police officials, said five houses were ready and they will provide four more to the police. ‘‘It depends on them now to accommodate whichever official they want to. PUDA has to get the house vacated, demolish it and use it for commercial purposes,” he said. According to the original plan only one acre of the 4.5 acres of land on which the police commissioner's residence is built was to be sold while the rest of the area would be used to construct five houses for police officers. Meanwhile, the commissioner's office being built by the public works department would soon be handed over to the police department. A relic of the British Raj
The police commissioner’s residence is a Victorian heritage building dating back to the late 1800s. The building housed high priests of one of Punjab’s oldest churches, Christ Church, which was built in 1834. The building was taken over by the Indian government after independence from Britain and used as a residence of police officials. The original structure remains the same while several modifications have been effected over the years. It’s a sad state of affairs that the government is selling all historical buildings to fill its
coffers. — R. Vatsayan, a city old timer DIG’s residence, too, set to go
Not only the official residence of the police commissioner's but that of the deputy inspector general (DIG), which was initially a PWD rest house, will be put to commercial use by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board
(PIDB) once it is vacated. The PWD had recently transferred a little less than an acre of land to the board. ‘We’ve written to the Punjab government to transfer the land measuring less than an acre to PIDB and it’s just a matter of time that will be done. As and when the house is vacated it will be demolished and put to commercial use.
-Gursewak Singh Sangha, executive engineer, PWD (provincial division)
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PSEB results: City bags 97 positions in state merit list
Ludhiana, June 6 MR Mehta, principal of BCM School, Jamalpur, Chandigarh Road, said, “Thirteen students from our school appeared in the exam in humanities stream, out of which 10 got their names registered in the state merit list. Similarly, in the commerce stream, 42 students appeared and eight have their names in the merit list.” The atmosphere at Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial Senior Secondary School, Shimla Puri, was all charged with celebrations, as its 24 students are in the merit list. Gurbachan Singh Grewal, school principal, said, “We are the only school in Punjab to have so many positions in the merit list. Last year, we could get only 12 and this time it is double.” However, as many as 18 positions have been scored by students of RS Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar. ML Kalra, principal of the school, said, “It is the hard work of students, teachers and of course parents.” While many others schools of the Ludhiana district like Government Senior Secondary Model School, PAU; Shri Harkrishan Public Senior Secondary School, Daba Colony; Sanmati Vimal Jain Senior Secondary School, Jagroan; Shakti Public Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal; Mata Hardei National Collegiate Senior Secondary Not a single position in vocational stream
It is for the first time that Ludhiana did not secure any position in the state merit list in the vocational stream. However, until last year, schools like Shaheed-E-Azam Sukhdev Memorial Government Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar and the PAU Model Senior Secondary School used to score high positions in the vocational stream. Commenting on it, Jaspreet Mohan Singh, who had been earlier teaching commercial arts at Bharat Nagar school and is presently serving as a principal at Principal Shaheed Karnail Singh Memorial Government Senior Secondary School, Issaru, said, “I think teachers are not skillful and to make children excel in vocational subjects is a teacher’s job. When I was a lecturer at Bharat Nagar, my students used to get merit positions.” |
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Ajay Kumar is 2nd in commerce
Ludhiana, June 6 Talking to The Tribune, Sanjna said: “I was expecting very good marks but missed the first rank in humanities in the state. Anyway my hard work as well as the guidance of my teachers and parents finally stood me in good stead." With a score of 940 marks out of 1000, she studied the However, Rajni Devi of the same school ranked second in humanities in the district and 7th in all steams in the state. She scored 934 marks while Vidya Chawla of RS Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, bagged the third position in humanities in the district with 933 marks and 8th in all streams in the state. In commerce Ajay Kumar, a student of Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial Senior Secondary School, Simlapuri, ranked second in the state and first in the district. However, secured 6th position in all streams in the state merit list and ranked second in the district in all stream, scoring 935 marks. He has also improved upon his scores as he secured 84.5% marks in class 10. “For me this result is beyond my expectations”, he remarked. Rakesh Kumar of the same school stood second in commerce in the district and 11th in all streams in the state with 929 marks. He said his “source of inspiration” was his father who is an accountant. Deepika of RS Model Senior Secondary School ranked third in commerce in the district and 29th in all streams in the state, scoring 916 marks. In science Sukhdeep Singh of RS Moel Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, stood first in the district and 28th in the state in all streams with 916 marks. “My first preference is to become an aeronautical engineer and the second to study computer engineering”, he said. Tanveer Singh Khatra of Shakti Public Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal, stood second in science in the district and 32nd in all streams in the state, scoring 915 marks. Shiwangi Sharma of RS Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, stood third in science in the district with 914 marks, ranking 34th in all streams in the state. Those who made it to top Sanjna Claim to fame: 3rd in humanities, 5th in all streams in state and first in all streams in district Aim: Wants to be a professor of English Success mantra: Study with concentration Stressbuster: Listening to music Parents: Father Sanjeev Kaplish is a businessman; mother Manish a homemaker
Ajay Kumar Claim to fame: Second in commerce, 6th in all streams in state and 2nd in all streams in district Aim: To become a chartered accountant Success mantra: Dedication and regular studies Stressbuster: Singing (Punjabi) songs Parents: Father Arjun Kumar is a labourer; mother Neelam Kumari a housewife Rakesh Kumar Claim to fame: 4th in commerce stream, 11th in all streams in state Aim: To become a successful chartered accountant Success mantra: Regular studies Stressbuster: Collecting photographs of nature and watching them Parents: Father Somnath is an accountant; mother Anita a housewife. Winning against odds
Success did not come easily for Ajay Kumar, a factory worker's son, who ranked second in commerce and sixth in all streams in the state. A student of Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial Senior Secondary School, Simlapuri, his father, Arjun Kumar, who earned a meagre Rs 5,000 a month, could not afford tuitions for him. As a result, Ajay depended on self study to score well in the class 12 examinations. ‘‘My father wasn’t even able to afford my school fees. Still he made sure I continued my studies. I’ve done him proud today. I wanted to be a state topper, but I put in my best. ‘I managed to remain in the school with the help of my schoolteachers and the principal, Gurbachan Singh Grewal. They remitted my school fees and also provided me books and some extra books free of cost”, he said. His father had tears in his eyes when he recalled how his son used to study himself while his classmates could afford tuitions. ‘‘I know it was really difficult for him to achieve such a big score. I didn’t even pass the matriculation exam. So I wanted my son to study hard. He has done really well,’’ said Arjun. Said Ajay’s elder brother, a shop employee: “I passed the matric exam with 84.5 percent marks from the GTB Mission School, Ludhiana and shifted to Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial Senior Secondary School, Simlapuri in class 11. This school is like a second home to me." |
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Sleek sports cars hold city residents in awe
Ludhiana, June 6 The rally began from Church Road, Sarabha Nagar and after an hour’s drive through Fountain Chowk ended with a dinner at Westend Mall on Ferozepur Road. Thirteen sports cars costing between Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore proved to be real headturners with Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, Porsche, Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class and BMW Z4 being the star attractions. Said Vishal Malhotra, a dealer of used luxury cars and the club’s founder: "Tyre Burners was formed three months ago and it has now 15 members. The idea of forming the group struck me one day to which all the members agreed readily. We have members not only from Ludhiana but also from Chandigarh and Jalandhar, with two members from each city. More people are expected join our group in the near future”. Though there are any number of swanky sedans and SUVs on the city’s streets owning a two-seater sports car is seen as a privilege for a few with only an estimated 20 to 25 such cars in Punjab. “We’re the proud owners of sports cars, which we generally don’t take out on the roads but drive them either on weekends or on special occasions like this. We enjoyed all the attraction we hogged during the rally," said Amit Kothari, one of the club’s more active members.
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Cong, SAD in credit war on road carpeting
Ludhiana, June 6 After just about an hour after area councillor Talwar had laid the foundation stone of the Rs 13 lakh project for carpeting the road from Khud Mohalla to Pothohar School near the Old Civil Hospital here this morning, Bindra also arrived at the site and performed the ground-cutting ceremony. Later talking to The Tribune, a flabbergasted Talwar disclosed that the project was conceived out of the general quota funds way back in 2008. However, the work was shifted to the projects to be executed under the funds received from the state government under the "Sangat Darshan" which failed to materialise. Sensing the need for re-carpeting of the road and problem being faced by area residents, the project was once again transferred to the general quota and work order was issued accordingly.Asserting that the funds were to be provided for the project from the general quota, Talwar also produced a photo copy of the item number 224 of the proceedings of the Finance and Contracts Committee of the MC held on May 6, 2011, which substantiated the claim that the project had nothing to do with “Sangat Darshan”, and hence the ruling party (SAD-B) could not take any credit for the same. "Even otherwise," Talwar added, "The general house of the MC has adopted a resolution to the effect that for the commencement or foundation stone-laying ceremony of any development project, the presence of area councillor is required." Even in the face of documentary evidence produced by the Congress councillor that the road work was being executed from general quota funds of the MC, Bindra claimed that the project was included in the works to be undertaken from the “Sangat Darshan” funds provided by the Punjab government. When asked that the funds for the Sangat Darshan projects had failed to materialise, and the work order for this particular project had been issued under the general quota funds, he asserted that the ruling SAD-B had every right to take credit for development projects being undertaken by the MC.
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‘UPA not serious on issue of graft, black money’
Jagraon, June 6 The BJP workers lead by block president Dr Shrishti Garg and Jagraon Municipal Council president Baldev Krishan Dhir raised slogans against the UPA government. The workers also sat on a hunger strike in support of the campaign launched by Swami Ramdev on the issues of corruption and black money. Addressing the protestors during the occasion, Garg said the police action against Swami Ramdev and his innocent followers at New Delhi had exposed the real face of the UPA government before the people. “There is no doubt that the police action against Swami Ramdev and his followers was taken on the orders of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. This act of the Central government has proved that it is not serious on the issue of corruption and black money”, said Garg. MC president Baldev Krishan Dhir said that the present UPA government was one of the most corrupt governments of the country so far. He also called upon the common people to join hands with the BJP to root out the corrupt government in power. The protestors also burnt an effigy of Congress president Sonia Gandhi during the occasion. Sit on hunger strike The workers also sat on a hunger strike in support of the campaign launched by Swami Ramdev. They said the police action against the baba and his innocent followers in New Delhi had exposed the real face of the UPA government before the people.
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Move to keep youngsters off water bodies launched
Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 6 Besides urging parents and teachers to take extra care of their wards and students, the activists will frisk probable victims from the vicinity of these water bodies. They have also appealed to the management committees of religious organisations to arrange divers for preventing incidents of drowning. Office-bearers and activists of social organisations like the Rotary Club have decided to launch a coordinated movement to prevent incidents of drowning, which have claimed the lives of many children in previous weeks. Referring to the decision taken during a meeting recently, SP Sofat, president of the Rotary Club, and Tarsem Garg, patron of the Social Welfare Organisation, said some activists had volunteered to keep a watch near rivers, ponds and streams. The activists would take the help of social leaders of the area in persuading children not to go near these water bodies. Bimal Kumar Sharma, chairman of the Shri Ram Mandir Committee, Jagjit Singh Jajjie, patron of the Kalgidhar Federation, and Manmohan Singh, president of the Gurdwara Bhai Nam Parbandhaki Committee, would supervise the functioning of their teams. “Though we know that the parents of children knowing swimming would not appreciate our move, we have taken this decision in the larger interest of society,” said Bimal, apprehending confrontation at some later stage. Manpreet Kaur Dhindsa said parents and teachers should come forward to make children aware of the risks involved. They should be provided safe facilities under the proper guidance of seniors, he said. Investigations revealed that a large number of children had drowned while trying to swim in canals and ponds at various places in the region.
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Cong workers stay divided in Jagraon
Jagraon, June 6 Moreover, the Jagraon Bhalai Manch also presented more than six local leaders, who were seeking party ticket to contest next elections from the Jagraon constituency, before the party workers. Apart from a large number of Congress workers, Congress MLA from Jagraon Gurdeep Singh Bhaini and Moga MLA Joginderpal Jain also attended the meeting. War of words has begun between the two factions of the Congress in Jagraon. The faction which is apposing the party ticket being given to an outsider like Meharban include local Congress leaders like Mangat Rai Pehalwan, Gopal Sharma, Rajeshinder Singh Sidhu, Jagdarshan Kaur and are promoting present MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini. On the other side the faction supporting Ishar Singh Meharban has leaders like Block Congress president Davinder Kathuria, senior Congress leader Inderjit Jhanji, youth leader Satinderpal Singh Grewal and is backed by present Congress MLA from Baghapurana Darshan Singh Brar, who still has a good support base in Jagraon. During a meeting of the Youth Congress here some days back, Ishar Singh Meharban had also targeted the local Congress leaders who were apposing him. At a meeting yesterday, Manch president Mangat Rai Pehalwan and chairman Gopal Sharma openly criticised Ishar Singh Meharban saying that Meharban was trying to overtake present Congress MLA from Jagraon Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, which they said would not be tolerated at any cost.
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Anxious moments for students as website not updated
Ludhiana, June 6 Many students were seen making rounds of bookstores and cyber cafes to know their result, but they were disappointed after being told the result would be be available online tomorrow. Saysha Aul, a non- medical student of BVM School, Udham Singh Nagar, said, “Since morning I am waiting for the website to update results, but to no avail. I contacted one of my classmates who told me that the result would be updated tomorrow. I am anxious to know my result.” The students were angered by the confusion spread by the PSEB authorities. “What was the use of declaring the result if the website was not updated. I am making rounds at a cyber café since morning to know the result, but it has not been updated yet,” said Upkar Singh, a student of humanities stream of Government Senior Secondary School. On the other hand, bookshop owners were also a harried lot. Sanjiv Gupta, a bookseller, said, “Many students returned with sagging faces since morning but what can we do? Strange are the ways of the education department, it declared the result but did not update their website.” Private schools shine
Private schools yet again outshone government schools, as out of 97 only five students of the government schools could manage to make a cut in the merit list declared by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) here today. Ashish Kumar, a student of Government Senior Secondary Model School, PAU, figured at 53 spot in the merit list. It was not the first time that the private schools have outplayed government school, even last year, the private schools had stolen the show. Harbhajan Ram, District Education Officer, said, “We have best of the faculty, but not the kind of students, who could figure in the merit list. Parents who are well educated prefer to send their wards to private schools. So best of the lot gets admission in private schools, while we are left with below average students. However, five of our students have figured in the merit list, which is an achievement. We are striving for better results next year.” On the other hand, a teacher on the condition of anonymity, said, “The financial condition of the parents also play a major role. While the students studying in private schools could manage to take tuitions, students of the government schools could barely arrange books for studies.”
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Girls outshine boys again
Ludhiana, June 6 Tandon said, “I think girls are more hard working and determined, so they score high.” In Ludhiana district also, out of 97, 70 girls got their names registered in the state merit list. A majority of girls scored high in humanities stream. A government school lecturer on the condition of anonymity said, “The students of humanity stream scored high because they opted easy and scoring subjects like fine arts, home science and Sanskrit.” However, some of the girls have also scored good marks and ranks in streams like commerce and science. Kusum Lata, a national award winner science mistress at PAU Model Senior Secondary School, said, “In our school, girls have been excelling in all fields. They concentrate more on studies and are also dedicated. However, boys are usually careless.” Meanwhile, Suresh Tandon said, “Only 90 cases are RLA (result late due to awards) and the online result will be available tomorrow on the PSEB website. The students who failed in either of the two semesters will be given one chance for qualifying the examination.”
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Online result available today
Ludhiana, June 6 This was said by DS Dhillon, chairman, PSEB Mohali. He said, “The result
will be available on the website www.pseb.nic.in tomorrow.” Since two years the board has stopped issuing gazettes and thus has given a good opportunity to bookshop owners to earn more. The shopkeepers have been charging four times higher as compared to the times when there used to be gazettes. An employee at Makkar Book Shop in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar said, “Tomorrow will be a busy day for us, as many students will come to see their result. We charge Rs 10-15 from each student, as we also provide them a hard copy of the detailed result.” While a bookshop owner said, “In the gazette, we used to spend less, so we charged less. But in the online result, we have to arrange Internet connection, along with computer, so we charge Rs 20 from each student. But a few students come to us to check the result, as these days many people have this facility at their own.” Asha Rani, mother of a Class XII student, said, “Now a days, to know the result has become a costly affair. The schools should do something needful in this regard.”
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Tanvir Singh is second in science stream
Sahnewal, June 6 Tanvir, who secured 915 marks out of 1000, said it was his 10 to 12-hour study and the help and support of his teachers and parents which had borne fruit. An elated Tanvir said he was determined to secure a merit position this time as he had faced hard luck twice in the VIIIth as well as Xth class examinations. He had missed his merit position by two marks on both occasions. He wishes to do B.Tech in computers. “I was sure to get a position, but such a good position I had hardly expected,” he said. His father Harjit Singh, a lecturer at Government Senior Secondary School Kubba, seemed to be on the top of the world. He said, “Today I feel I am the happiest father on this earth. The achievement of my son has given me such immense happiness which I am not able to express in words.” Manwinder Singh, principal of the school, said Tanvir had done the institution proud by securing such a commendable posititon. He said the child was a pushing one from the very beginning and he knew that he would perform differently from other students this time. Meanwhile, Prabhjot Singh of Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School Doraha, secured the 65th position in the state in the science stream by securing 907 marks.
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Principals’ body condemns PU, DPI
Ludhiana, June 6 During a meeting of the general house of the association recently, members shared problems being faced by them regarding the university, DPI (C) and by some managements in their colleges. “There has been ever-increasing interference by the university authorities in day-to-day working of the colleges. Besides, principals are facing wrath at the hands of several managements. We, the principals from all over the state, had met to discuss certain important issues and problems being faced by us,” said the principal from a city-based college. Dr Gurdeep Sharma, president of the Federation of Principals of Colleges affiliated to all three universities, told Ludhiana Tribune that while giving affiliation to certain programmes or courses, PU took, too, much time. And the expenses had to be borne by students by paying late fee with special permission by the Vice-Chancellor. “Secondly, while constituting an expert panel for the selection of lecturers at colleges, the PU authorities must act swiftly. The authorities take at least 25-30 days in constituting the expert panel due to which the students suffered in the absence of subject teachers,” said Dr Sharma. The college principals also condemned the unfortunate act of termination of principal, Dr Deepak Kaushal by the management of DM College, Moga. “The arbitrary termination of the services of a regular and approved principal, Dr Deepak Kaushal by the managing committee of DM College, Moga, on flimsy grounds is uncalled for,” said the principals. The executive committee decided to extend full support to the affected principal and take up the matter with the higher authorities. Two committees were formed to take up the matter with the management, Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and DPI (C), Punjab. Dr SS Randhawa, Dr Gurdeep Sharma and Dr Janmeet Singh will meet the authorities of Panjab University and DPI (C), while the second committee comprising of Dr Kuldeep Kaur, Dr Chandera Mohini and Dr Jasbir Singh will meet the management concerned to discuss the issue of terminated principal.
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Engineering students to help reduce road traffic fatalities
Ludhiana, June 6 After getting the training on data collection and basic analysis, the trained students will perform road-safety audits on these identified black spots and corridors for about two months, later they will compile a report on the same, which will be submitted to the district concerned and state-level authorities for further action. The key-trainer of the programme, Navdeep Asija, representing the road-safety division of Punjab Roads told Ludhiana Tribune that a training module and kit had been prepared, which would be handed over to the trained students, and later at district, city or regional level they will perform safety audits and inspections on about 400 identified "black spots". The student auditors will conduct a time -motion study at these spots. Besides intersection of classified traffic volume counts, road inventory, audible and visible driver’s aid, level of service for pre-medial and other trauma care need will also be taken care of by the engineering students while submitting their datas. In their surveys, the local police will also support them. Dr HS Rai, dean, consultancy and professor, at the department of civil engineering at GNDEC said that Punjab had about 70,000 km of extensive road network with over more than five million registered motor vehicles on the roads. The length of national and state highways in the Punjab road network was less than 5 per cent and 75 per cent of the road fatalities in state were occurring on these roads. "So far, we dealt with the road safety intuitively but in certain areas we observed that the results were counter intuitive, and it became necessary for all road-safety agencies to look forward to the solutions holistically more by using scientific approach than being mere judgmental” said Rai. A training workshop for the selected 100 students, on “Road Safety Management, Black spot Analysis and Role of Engineering Interventions” was held at GNDEC today.
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Rohit never flunked in school, says father
Ludhiana, June 6 Breaking silence for the first time following the tragedy, boy’s father Rajinder Kumar said: “My son was not good at studies but he did not flunk in any class. He was studying in St Merry’s School located near the Ferozepore road. We pulled him out of the school, as he used to play truant and play with his friends. We were upset at the complaints received from the school on a regular basis and got him admitted to Government Primary School located in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). According to the father, the teachers of the primary school had told him that they would first observe the student and after monitoring the aptitude of the child would decide whether to take him in class III or IV. “But little did I know that my child would end his life this way,” said Rajinder, who added that Rohit, being the youngest amongst the siblings, was the most loved. Rajinder admitted that he used to reprimand Rohit for not studying properly as both his elder brother and sister were good at studies. Lamenting his death, Rohit’s mother said the family had been surrounded by all sorts of problems ever since his death. “All hell broke loose. First, the police posed all sorts of questions. Then residents kept enquiring about the matter. So much so that my elder son and daughter have become paranoid and have stopped going out to play,” said the mother. Meanwhile, Anil Matharoo, district coordinator of the SSA, said the fact-finding report would be sent to the head office soon. PAU SHO Beant Juneja said inquest proceedings had been initiated under Section 174, CrPC. “The parents had earlier said that their child had flunked in the examination. We had based our investigation on their statement,” he added.
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City residents to be issued unique IDs soon
Ludhiana, June 6 Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said the district administration had completed the groundwork for the project. Two enrollment centres in ward Nos. 51 and 56 had been set up for the convenience of public and necessary equipment like advertising material, machines, etc., procured. “Private agencies have been engaged for the exercise, which is expected to be completed by September,” said Tewari. The food and supplies department has been given the responsibility of providing unique IDs to the people of the state. District food and supplies controller (west) Rakesh Bhaskar said an identity card with 12 digits would be provided to the bearer on the basis of their fingerprints, the colour of the eyes, besides other details, including name, address, date of birth, age, telephone number, etc. “People will have to fill out a form and attach a photocopy of either the ration card, passport, PAN card, gas connection or the drivers’ licence along with the form. These forms will be attested by a government official, sarpanch, retired teacher, etc,” said Bhaskar, adding that once the unique IDs were provided to people, bogus claimants of LPG connections and ration cards would be caught. Administration ready for the exercise l
Two enrollment centres at ward Nos. 51 and 56 ready l Machines, advertising material procured l Private agencies engaged l Each BPL member to get Rs 100 from government l Work to start after nod by the ministry of food and supplies l ADC (G) to be the district coordinator, DFSCs additional district coordinators l Migrants also to be covered l Bogus claimants of LPG connection/ration cards expected to be caught l Cards to be ready by September
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MC safai workers oppose privatisation
Ludhiana, June 6 Expressing their opposition to the move for privatisation of work for collection and disposal of garbage from the city, the employees led by activists of the Municipal Karamchari Dal today submitted a memorandum to the Mayor and the MC Commissioner to scrap the project. Claiming that there was widespread fear and resentment among the sanitation staff of the civic body over the move, Ashwani Sahota, chairman, and Lakshman Dravid, president of the body, said awarding the work of door-to-door collection and disposal of garbage to a private company would adversely affect thousands of poor members of the Valmiki community, who were earning their livelihood from collection of garbage from households. The memorandum pointed out that once the private company took upon the task of collection and disposal of garbage from the city, thousands of safai workers and their dependents would be hit hard. “Pushed to unemployment as a result of privatisation of the work, the affected persons could resort to criminal activities, which could create a huge law and order situation.” MC Commissioner AK Sinha, however, reiterated that the apprehension of safai workers were misplaced and unfounded. He said the task of door-to-door collection of garbage and its disposal in the city was huge, and contrary to the fears of the sanitation staff, the privatisation would open more employment avenues for members of the community. “We have already made it clear that not a single safai worker will be retrenched. The MC intends to shift the staff presently assigned to collection and disposal of garbage in the city to strengthen its sanitation network and give the city a cleaner look,” he asserted. According to Sinha, the financial bid of A to Z Infrastructure Private Limited for the work of collection and disposal of solid waste, being the lowest, had been accepted. The proposal will now be discussed in the finance and contracts committee, and thereafter will be sent to the mandatory state government for approval. “Only after the state government gives its assent, the letter of intent will be issued to the successful bidder,” he added.
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Ludhiana, June 6 Dr Mehta said: “We seized 3,500 intoxicating tablets, 646 capsules and 44 bottles of cough syrups from Drug Point. The Poly Medical Store owner could not show the record of sales.” — TNS
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Musical concert enthrals audience
Ludhiana, June 6 Madan Gopal Singh entertained the audience with the song “Khawaja ji tere ishaq nathhyaiyya kar thayya thayya”. Madan Gopal Singh kept the audience glued to the seats through his Sufi singing While Dhruv Sangari, who started singing Sufi at the age of 13, sang “Pehlan yaar nu mana je tu rab nu manauna”. It was followed by many other Sufi songs. Gurbhajan Gill, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, Harish Rai Dhanda, Dr Ravinder Bhattal, Dr Surjeet Patar and Cabinet Minister Heera Singh Gabria were also present.
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Ludhiana scan
Alleging poor quality of material and workmanship being used in carpeting of Radha Swami Road (Gill Road) in the Atam Nagar area in the city, area residents have urged the civic body officials to carry out thorough inspection of the work and the material being used by the contractor so as to ensure that it was executed as per the laid down specifications. Former president of District Congress Committee Krishan Kumar Bawa, who visited the site on Monday, said that the MC had become a den of corruption and there was no accountability on the supervisory officials, who, along with the contractors, were looting the public exchequer. He also blamed the SAD-BJP government in the state for closing their eyes to the gross irregularities and scams for their own vested interests. — OC Cong terms Ramdev
a fraud Former Punjab minister Rakesh Pandey and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Parminder Mehta have termed yoga guru Baba Ramdev a big fraud who is pursuing his political agenda under the garb of fight against corruption and black money. They said the baba was out to fulfil his political ambitions and he was rousing religious sentiments of the masses to further his political career. Supporters cry foul The Patanjali Yog Samiti and Bharat
Swabhiman, the outfits of yoga guru Baba Ramdev observed "black day" here on Monday in protest against the forcible eviction of baba and his supporters from the Ram Lila ground in New Delhi and disruption of the peaceful agitation against corruption and black money. In a memorandum submitted to the President of India through the district administration, activists of the bodies condemned the use of brute force on the midnight of June 4, comparing it with the mass murders committed by British in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 while demanding stern action against the guilty persons. BJP activists observe fast Activists of BJP led by district president Rajiv Katna and deputy chairman of Punjab State Planning Board Rajinder Bhandari continued their chain fast at Jagraon Bridge here in solidarity with Baba Ramdev for the second day on Monday. Speaking at the occasion, the BJP leaders said the repressive, corrupt and anti-people face of the UPA government had been exposed through its forcible disruption of a peaceful agitation led by Baba Ramdev. "The government must realise that agitation against corruption will not only continue but will be further intensified and no amount of lathicharge or brutal force will be sufficient to end the agitation, which has now become a mass movement.” — OC Concern over deteriorating environment The Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) has expressed concern over the deteriorating environmental conditions in and around the city while calling for immediate remedial steps. Speaking at a public function to mark the World Environment Day undertaken by the BJGVJ in coordination with the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Punjab State Council for Science and Technology at the Nehru Rose Garden here on Sunday evening, AITUC secretary Amarjeet Kaur said that only a sustained and concerted effort with a vision for technological applications keeping in view the environment needs was required at the global level to promote health and save the planet from ecological disaster. Dr Arun Mitra, BJGVJ general secretary paid homage to the victims of tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima (Japan) and demanded from the government of India to put moratorium on nuclear power plants as in the event of any accident these could have extremely hazardous effect on environment and health.
—OC Pharmacists protest for revised pay scales Under the banner of Punjab State Pharmacists Association, the pharmacists staged a dharna at the office of civil surgeon demanding revision of pay scales and enhancement of allowances. In a memorandum submitted to the authorities, the association demanded grant of revised pay scales for pharmacists and chief pharmacists, enhancement of various existing allowances and grant of new allowances, creation of more posts, re-designation of the posts of pharmacist and allocation of 50 per cent posts of drug inspectors to the cadre of pharmacists. —
OC Conference of BSNL staff concludes Bi-annual conference of the BSNL Employees Union concluded here. The conference gave a call to all the staff of Ludhiana to come forward for the overall development of BSNL and affordable quality services to the customers. The conference also decided to continue with the "Customer Delight Month" for one more month starting from June 6 to June 30. The conference elected 19 district office-bearers and nominated one auditor. Balwinder Singh and Paramjit Singh were elected to the post of district secretary and district president of BSNLEU Ludhiana for the next term. —
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From Schools
LUDHIANA: The summer camp began at Shifaly International School. Chief guest senior Deputy Mayor of Ludhiana, Parveen Bansal inaugurated the camp. The summer camp will help students learn various skills like dancing by Sam, drawing and painting by Arun Boudh, music and violin by Vikram, karate by Balwinder Kumar, sports by Balwinder Singh and photography by Surinder Singh. Principal Rozy Jain told students that the summer camps are important to ease the stress level and develop skills in the students. Laurels
Gary Walia, a student of GMT Public School, secured state Rank 701 in AIEEE. Principal Amarjit Dhaliwal congratulated him as he brought laurels to the school. Directors, SKS Thind and SJS Thind also congratulated him and his parents for the achievement. Rain dance party
The rain dance party was organised by the pre-nursery wing at Everest Public Senior Secondary School. The tiny tots came in swimming costumes. They also performed a colourful cultural programme. The rain dance party relieved the little angels from the summer heat. Cakes and sweets were distributed among them. Pooja Sharma, in charge pre-nursery wing, also explained the duties of students and told them how they should achieve their aim by following the noble path guided by their teachers. She emphasised on the physical development of the children, along with their mental development. Guru Nanak school
To cater to the inquisitive, creative and intellectual needs students, Guru Nanak Public School, Birmi, has initiated a summer camp for Classes Nursery to VII with a plethora of activities like karate, creative and performing arts, Indian and western dance forms and yoga. To add to the package, there are classes of glass and tile painting, art and craft, origami, “Bite the Byte”, calligraphy, fun cooking, rangoli and flower arrangement. The campus was decorated with bounties, balloons, flowers, toys and banners. The camp started enthusiastically with the kids participating in all activities to nurture their hidden talent and instill confidence in them so that they grow into perfect human beings. SDP school
Summer camp is being organised at SDP Senior Secondary School. Students enjoyed and participated in art and craft classes, spoken English, dance class, computer classes, karate classes, sports and band playing training. Nearly 250 students participated in the summer camp. Dance workshop Students of HVM Convent School are enjoying at the summer camp. Principal Santosh Bakshi said the students are showing great interest in all activities carried out during the summer camp.
In art workshop, they are learning how to make new things from waste material, while some are learning different dance forms in the dance workshop. Students are also being taught the basic tips of various games like cricket, badminton, volleyball and
kho-kho. Vedic karmayoga camp
A weeklong vedic karmayoga camp concluded here at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School. The camp was organised with a view to make the students aware of the basic teaching and principles of the Indian culture and vedas as well as to inculcate moral and spiritual values in them to lead a good and stress-free life. —
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Mutilated bodies of woman, son found
Ludhiana, June 6 According to the police, the mother and son had apparently died due to food poisoning. The deceased could not be identified. Area residents had no clue about who they were or from where they had come. Investigating officer said the woman appeared to be in her mid- 20s, while the child was seven to eight years old. Confusion prevailed over the jurisdiction of the case as the Focal Point police as well as the Sahnewal police remained at loggerheads, claiming the area did not come under their purview. After deliberation, the Focal Point police finally decided to initiate inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.
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JE caught taking bribe
Ludhiana, June 6 Mahajan approached Neeraj Chawla, national president of The Anti-Corruption Federation of India, over the issue. Chawla brought the matter to the notice of SS Mand, SSP (vigilance), who sent a team headed by DSP Gurcharan Singh. The team caught the junior engineer at the PSEB Focal Point Division while receiving the bribe from Ankur Mahajan. Chawla said: “When an official is caught red-handed, he not only deters other government employees from taking advantage of their power to get bribe but encourages general public not to bribe government officials.” Nitin Gupta accompanied Ankur Mahajan as shadow witness during the operation.
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