Ludhiana, July 28
With both the municipal corporation and the state water supply & sewerage board refusing to acknowledge the area in Madhuban Enclave, where a motorbike on which three of a family were riding got stuck in an open manhole, falls in their jurisdiction, it now appears no official will be held accountable for the mishap.

Last Tuesday, Viji Raj along with his wife Ritu and four-year-old daughter Ananya were going on their bike to meet someone in the Madhuban Enclave area. When they took a turn from Barewal Road towards Madhuban Enclave, there was no streetlight and an open manhole stood right in the middle of the street. The bike’s front tyre got stuck in the open manhole and the vehicle tilted towards one side. However, Raj somehow managed to maintain his balance and all three were unhurt.

Civic officials claimed the area did not fall in their jurisdiction as the sewerage board had laid the sewer lines there and had not handed over their maintenance to the MC. On the other hand, a senior engineer at the board insisted the area was not under his jurisdiction so he could not take any action against an official of his department.

However, late on Wednesday night, a cover was installed on the open manhole after both government departments refused to acknowledge responsibility.

However, MC commissioner AK Sinha said the sewerage board was responsible for the lapse as it had been allotted the work of laying sewer lines in the area. “After they (sewerage board staff) completes any work there is a proper procedure for hand over the area to the MC. But in this case, they have not handed over this area to us. So they are responsible for this lapse and I’ve already written to the state government to take stringent action against a senior engineer of the board, RP Gupta”, Sinha added.

Meanwhile, Gupta said: “All that I can say is this area isn’t under my jurisdiction.” When asked under whose jurisdiction this area fell, he replied: “That I don’t know but it’s definitely not under mine, so we can’t take any action against any of our officials”.

Ludhiana, July 28
City residents, especially families of those who died after falling into open manholes, have accused officials of the municipal corporation as the state water supply & sewerage board of evading responsibility whenever such accidents occur. “It’s a sad state of affairs and the government should ensure the officials concerned are held accountable”, they said.

Said Viji Raj, a local: “I’m shocked to know no government department is willing to take responsibility for the latest incident in which three of a family had a providential escape when the motorbike they were riding fell into an open manhole. Why do people continue to get injured or even lose their lives in such mishaps? It’s the government’s responsibility to identify the officials involved in the lapse and take strict action against them so that no such incidents take place in the future”.

Anand Sagar Ahluwalia, 69, who lost his wife Sarita when she slipped into an open manhole on April 18, 1999, said he was not surprised by the refusal of civic and sewerage board officials to acknowledge responsibility for the latest mishap.

“The MC is in the habit of evading responsibility in such incidents so this isn’t something new for me. Even in my case civic officials first tried to misguide the courts but later softened their tone,” averred Ahluwalia, who is still involved in litigation against the civic body.

“After my wife’s death I’m living with anger directed against the civic authorities. I don’t want any compensation for my wife’s death but I want those responsible for the mishap should be brought to book for their negligence. What was her fault? What was my fault?” he asked.

Another victim, Rakesh Talwar, who was paralyzed after tripping over an open manhole in year 1998, shared similar views. The MC recently awarded him compensation of Rs 8.5 lakh on a court’s directions.

“Its sad the civic body isn’t taking responsibility over this incident. If the MC can collect taxes from Madhuban Enclave area, then why is it evading responsibility over this incident? I’m thankful Viji Raj and his two family members escaped unhurt in the latest mishap,” rued Talwar.

Teej celebrated: The Sarabha Ladies' Club celebrated Teej at Friends Regency today. Women dressed in Rajasthani attire danced to the tune of “Rabba Rabba Meeh Varsa”. “The festival is always celebrated in a traditional manner,” said club member Bindiya Sood. The theme of the day was green. A lucky draw was held. The club members enjoyed tombola and put up various stalls. The club has more than 400 members. “We all meet once a month and organise counselling sessions on health and parenting,” Bindiya added.

Ludhiana, July 28
Continuing its drive against unauthorised colonies in and around the city, officials of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) today demolished structures, roads, sewerage lines and electricity poles in six colonies in the periphery of the mega city.

Led by GLADA Additional Chief Administrator Jaswant Singh, the men and machines of the regulatory body commenced demolition operation at a colony on Noorwala Road where roads were dug up and a few electricity polls were pulled down.

With police force from Meharban police post accompanied GLADA officials, there was not much resistance in the way the demolition operation barring the one on Noorwala Road by a property dealer who was said to be developing the colony along with the owner of the land. The officials told him to produce the documents required under the relevant laws, which he failed to do.

The demolition team conducted similar operations at Kanech village, where a signboard was also put up saying the colony under development was illegal to caution the gullible buyers.

The action was followed up in two colonies on Seerha-Manak Road and another on Mangat-Rahon Road.

Jaswant Singh said the total area under development at the five unauthorised colonies was around 130 acres. He said GLADA was committed to enforce the provisions of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act along with the Punjab Town and Country Planning Act in letter and spirit. "Development of a colony without obtaining a license and fulfilling the conditions laid down in the relevant laws is illegal and violators will have to face the consequences."

Ludhiana, July 28
Even as brick-kiln owners (BKOs) in the state are grappling with high coal prices, labour shortage and repressive labour laws, unrestricted entry of cheaper variety of bricks from neighbouring states is making things difficult for them.

Making these observations at a press conference here on Wednesday, the Ludhiana Brick-Kiln Organisation president Inderpal Singh Walia said need of the hour for the organisation was to come together on a single platform and fight a concerted battle to save the sector from annihilation.

Asserting that labour shortage had hit the production and the state was facing acute scarcity of the essential building material, he said the situation was further compounded by labour laws, especially the one about bonded workers, with opportunist elements as well as the district administration causing harassment to the BKOs. “The laws which come in the way of smooth working of brick-kilns ought to be amended even as the government is duty bound to safeguard the rights of the labour,” he said.

Walia said as on date, some 2,500 brick-kilns in the state, including 300-odd in Ludhiana district, had been able to produce only about 25 per cent of their total capacity due to labour shortage and the workers having taken advance money, ditching the kilns due to official patronage. "The direct result of the shortage of bricks is adverse impact on development works while at the same time, the state is virtually flooded with cheaper, but poor quality of bricks from Rajasthan and other adjoining state."

The suppliers of inferior quality of bricks, he added, were not only changing less by compromising on quality of construction, but were also causing a big drain on the state exchequer by evasion of VAT and other taxes. However, the government continues to turn a blind eye to it.

Walia urged the state government to take swift and effective action to amend the repressive and one-sided labour laws as also take regulatory steps against entry of cheaper and inferior bricks into the state so as to keep the brick-kilns in the state of Punjab afloat. 

Ludhiana, July 28
Boy of Green Land Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar bypass branch, stamped their superiority by clinching titles in the under-17 and under-19 categories, while those from BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar branch, came out triumphant in the under-14 category in the Inter-School Chess Tournament organised by the Punjab education department that concluded at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar branch, here today.

In the under-17 section, Green Land school players proved too good for St Thomas School whom they beat 2-0 to wrap up the title. Divanshu Jain, Shubham Shukla, Jashanpreet Singh, Samyak Jain and Pulkit Budhiraja played well to score 12 points and enabled Green Land school to fetch top honours.

KVM, Civil Lines, overpowered Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar branch, 3-1 to secure the third place.

In the boys’ U-19 final, Green Land school defeated Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar branch, 2-0 to win the title in which the main contributions came through Binny Khera, Manav Sharma, Dilbagh Singh and Akash Verma.

For the match to decide the third position, KVM, Civil Lines, outplayed Teja Singh Swatantar School, Shimla Puri, 3-1.

In the under-14 category, BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, outclassed Green Land school, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road branch, 3-1 to emerge as champions, while DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, beat BVM School, Chandigarh Road branch, 3-1 to finish at the third place.

Ludhiana, July 28
Tall claims of the District Transport Department (DTO) of imparting training to the staff of government and private college managements in preparing learner’s licences have fallen flat as none of the college has so far been contacted by the department to start the process.

Till now, the department seems to have been waiting for the “consent” of colleges, but neither the colleges nor the department itself has made any move to initiate the process.

A number of college principals maintained that after two to three meetings, none of the department official had contacted them. Some of the college managements have been waiting for the “trainers” who will provide necessary tips to college managements to start making the licences. Jasbir Kaur Makkar, principal, SCD Government College, said after the meetings with department officials in June and July, the college had not been intimated about anything. “In fact we are waiting for the next step. The department was supposed to send persons to train our staff, but we have not been contacted so far,” she said.

Principal of Arya College for Boys TL Joshi, however, said the college authorities had not been told to start the process. “We just had two meetings with the district transport department. The officials had promised to send their representatives to impart training to the staff, but no one has turned up so far,” said Joshi.

Meanwhile, Dr AS Ghuman, principal of GTB College, Dakha, said, “We have no idea about making learner’s licenses in colleges. Our college was never invited to attend any such meeting.”

The department had claimed that learner’s licenses would be made in colleges in order to unburden the department. State-level meetings of transport department on the subject were held in Chandigarh and about 50 private/aided and government colleges were roped in to do the job. 

Ludhiana, July 28
There is ray of hope for deaf and dumb children of the city as Deep Hospital has successfully treated a six-year-old by cochlear implant surgery.

Dr Rajiv Kapila, an ENT specialist of Deep Hospital, said: “Cochlear implant is a boon for such children and can now be done in Ludhiana too. A six-year-old patient, Kashni Bhagat, became deaf and dumb about two years ago after suffering from meningitis. She has been successfully operated upon on July 18 under the guidance of Dr Isha Tyagi, faculty from SGPGI, Lucknow. This has been done for the first time in private sector in Ludhiana."

He said there are many children like Kashni who are deaf and mute and are living a life without much hope. Such children were usually referred for cochlear implant to bigger cities like Delhi, but now they can get the same advantage in the city.

The ENT specialist said Kashni would be able to hear after one month of the surgery, as her cochlear implant would be made functional through an external device. Once she starts listening, she would need rigorous speech therapy so that she starts speaking again.

Ludhiana, July 28
The district health department today organised a dengue awareness rally, which was flagged off by district health official (DHO), Dr Kulwinder Singh.

The DHO said this month was being observed as the anti-dengue month, in which meetings, seminars and workshop related to dengue were being held.

During the rally, people were made aware about dengue. They were told about preventive measures of dengue and its symptoms. People were told that the treatment of dengue is free of cost in the Civil Hospital and one can contact control room number 0161-2444193 whenever required.

Meanwhile, on the directions of the Punjab government and Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, staff of the Community Health Centre, Payal, led by senior medical officer, Dr Ashwani Malhotra also organised the awareness camps against vector-borne diseases.

People were told about diseases like malaria, dengue, chikangunia and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, hepatitis and typhoid in various schools of the block.

Dr Malhotra addressed the students at five government schools. He stressed on the need to observe cleanliness in homes and surroundings, prevent water logging, emptying of water coolers and pitchers, keeping food covered, boiling hand pump water before drinking and washing of hands before eating and after defecation.

Ludhiana, July 28
To apprise of the difficulties faced by schools affiliated to Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), a deputation met Punjab education minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Dalbir Singh Dhillon, chairman, PSEB, Mohali.

The deputation under the presidentship of Rajinder Sharma informed that the schools up to Class VIII and affiliated to the board must be upgraded to Class X. Those affiliated up to Class X must be upgraded to Class XII. They demanded that the rules for getting affiliation from the board should be amended so that private schools can get affiliation easily.

Education minister Sekhwan said the stipulated conditions would be upgraded soon, further adding that in the beginning, upgradation will be permitted only in arts and commerce streams.

IM Dutta said one of the drawbacks of the semester system was that if a student had a compartment in a subject in the first semester, he had to appear in the compartment paper examination on the same day, along with the second semester exam for the subject. He said it was difficult for students to appear in two papers on the same day. PSEB chairman Dhillon said this problem would be sorted out and compartment paper would schedule before or after the commencement of the second semester examinations.

Sharma said PSEB had charged Rs 50,000 as late fee for the renewal of study centre of the Punjab Open School. It is a heavy burden on the meager resources of the schools.

Dhillon said it would be reconsidered and genuine renewal fee would be charged from the next session and pointed out that it is the duty of the school authorities to fill the renewal performa within the specified time period. He further said admission dates for Classes IX, X, XI and XII has been extended up to August 1 so that more and more students can get admissions. The registration return and examination forms will be submitted with late fee up to August 3 at the head office of the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali.

Ludhiana, July 28
Headmasters and principals of government schools in the state are in a tizzy as the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, did not issue subject-wise result of all subjects for Classes X and XII.

Principal of a government high school said, “Earlier we used to compare Classes VI and VII with Class VIII of the board, the result of Class IX with Class X of the board and Class XI by comparing with Class XII while filling the annual confidential report (ACR) performa of teachers. But from this year, Class VIII examinations were also conducted by the schools and not by the board. So with which class we should compare the result of Classes VI, VII and VIII now.”

Another government school headmistress said, “Either the education department should change the performas on which it has been written that fill the ACR of teachers of Classes VI and VII while comparing with Class VIII or should provide us some solution for filling the ACRs, which are still lying pending.”

Ludhiana, July 28
Dr VV Upmanyu, a professor in the department of psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, while reading the behaviour of aspiring students of MCom business innovations here found that students lacked focus on their goals and behaviour. Their attitude towards life was also not focussed, he added.

The observations were made by the psychologist while interacting with the students of MCom business innovations here at SCD Government College. Dr Upmanyu stressed that students needed to bring professionalism in their career, otherwise survival in the fast changing life was difficult.

The expert from Chandigarh conducted a “Thematic Apperception Test” (TAT) on students to know their qualities, needs, behavioral aspects, motivational aspects and the leadership qualities. Dr Upmanyu interacted individually with the students and even suggested several measures to improve their behaviour.

The college had conducted a workshop in this regard and the students took keen interest. Jasbir Kaur Makkar, the principal of SCD Government College said as a part of the course, a report would be generated by Dr Upmanyu regarding the attitude and preferences of the students, which would be helpful to chalk out a detailed training programme.

Ludhiana, July 28
The dairy sector spends about 60-70 per cent of the total expenditure on feeding of animals. But this diet of animals has to be balanced and nutritional if dairy farmers need to get good returns.

Making certain suggestions, PAU scientists from krishi vigyan kendras (KVK) from all over the state said the dairy industry was growing fast in Punjab and commercial units having hi-tech and mechanised facilities were being developed in the state. For being successful, dairy farmers must be aware about the economical and balanced ration formulation, stressed the scientists.

Educating the dairy farmers, Bharat Singh from KVK, Sangrur, said water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins were well-organised feed nutrients.

Ludhiana, July 28
Dr HK Verma, head, veterinary and animal husbandry, extension education, GADVASU, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, has sanctioned an eight-day “model training course” to the department on “Eco friendly and modern dairy farming practices” for field personnel and funds will be released soon.

In a press note issued here today, Dr Verma said the department had recently organised twin animal welfare camps in Umadpur and Akalgarh villages of Ludhiana district.

Further, the department will organise a knowledge updating programme for dairy farmers from different states like Rajasthan, Bihar and UP and the skill updation training programme for veterinary officials of other states from August 1. 

Ludhiana, July 28
Paddlers from Shimla and Delhi divisions dominated the proceedings and moved into the quarterfinals of Life Insurance Corporation of India North Zone Table Tennis Tournament being conducted by LIC of India, Ludhiana division, at the Punjab Agricultural University here today.

Senior divisional manager, LIC, Ludhiana division, SK Aggarwal, inaugurated the tournament in which over 40 participants from 16 divisions of the north zone of the LIC are participating. The following players recorded victories in their encounters and entered the quarterfinals.

Results: Men: Satnam Singh from Shimla division, Anil Bhatnagar from Delhi division, Deepak Dass from Jaipur division, AK Paul from Delhi division, SK Jain from Ajmer division, Ram Singh from Bikaner division, Charanjit Singh from Shimla division and Rajinder Lahoti from Udaipur division.

Women: Ripu Daman from Jalandhar division, Preeti Kapoor from Ajmer division, Deepa Narang from Delhi division, Pritima Jain from Udaipur division, Anita Agnihotri from Delhi division, Rekha Khullar from Delhi division, Saroj Purohit from Jodhpur division and Resham Dhanwani from Ajmer division.