Ludhiana, November 16
With the arrest of two persons, the police claims to have busted a gang of the ‘peti’ mafia which is causing the state exchequer losses worth lakhs of rupees everyday by evading taxes and smuggling hosiery goods.

The accused, identified as Sanjiv Kumar, alias Raju Lamba, and Sandeep Kumar, alias Lucky, are also wanted in an attempt to murder case by the GRP police. They were nabbed last night.

However, their accomplices, including Harsh Thapar, Ajay Kumar and five others, managed to flee.

Besides a knife, the police has recovered a country-made pistol and three cartridges from the possession of the accused.

ACP Swapan Sharma said a police party led by Jaswinder Singh nabbed the duo when they were patrolling the railway station. The accused were planning to send hosiery goods inside the railway station. The crackdown was made at around 11.30 pm.

“They are involved in all kinds of anti-social activities. The GRP police had booked them in an attempt to murder case. There have been complaints that the accused were taking ‘hafta’ every week from vendors who had put up makeshift stalls near the railway station,” said the ACP.

Ludhiana, November 16
A 25-year-old salesman working at a bridal wear showroom was caught on camera while allegedly stealing dress material and saris.

The salesman, identified as Deepak Kumar, was caught on a close-circuit television (CCTV) camera while stealing dress material. The Station House Officer said the owner of the showroom was upset over the frequent theft of dress material. A security guard would frisk salesmen before they left the showroom, but even he was clueless how expensive dress material and saris were going missing.

The showroom owner then installed a hidden camera and was shocked to detect the novel way of theft. Deepak would put an elastic strap around his leg and when the other salesmen would be busy attending to customers, he would quickly take an expensive dress material from the shelf and tuck it it the elastic strap.

He told the police that the guard used to frisk them only around the waist. He would sell the stolen material to a boutique at throwaway prices.

Ludhiana, November 16
Even as the much-hyped bio-remediation project to clean the Budha Nullah was launched amid much fanfare by the then union minister for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, on April 23, the project remains only on paper. about seven months have passed, and the project is still stuck in technical glitches.

The company, which was allocated the Rs 16-crore project, has not been able to start the work as it has failed to submit a bank guarantee to the Central government.

The nullah ecological economical restoration project was inaugurated by Jairam Ramesh by releasing four pots of microbial culture into the waters.

He had said the project would be closely monitored by the environment ministry and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), but seven months have passed and the work is still to begin.

MP Manish Tewari said he met union minister for environment Jayanti Natarajan today. “She has assured me that the project will start soon. The company is yet to submit a bank guarantee to the Centre. I have suggested that the CPCB could start the work and other things can be sorted out at a later stage. The project might start by next week,” he said.

Bio-remediation is cost effective and cheaper than conventional treatment, and is easy to handle. It does not need highly skilled manpower and electricity. It will have eco-technological horizontal filtration which will remove, suspended and dissolved impurities. Filters at the five “green” bridges will reduce the biochemical and chemical oxygen demand by aerobic degradation and formation of an ecological chain.

Ludhiana, November 16
Parents and teachers at playway schools are apprehensive even as the admission process began in “premier” schools here today.

Anxiety levels have increased among children, parents and playway teachers regarding the interview. Many parents accompanying their wards were seen asking other parents about questions being asked in interviews being held in schools. Though formal interviews of tiny-tots have been banned in schools, parents were seen making their wards “understand” the procedure.

A teacher at a playway school near the CMCH said it was a testing time for playway schools as parents had high expectations from their children and teachers at the time of interview in regular schools.

“Today is the first day of the interview at a leading school and we are worried. Three of our students have to go for the interview, but we don’t know what questions are being asked from the parents and the kids. If we had any idea, we could have prepared them for it. At the same time, we don’t rely on other parents as they

can provide a different picture to secure a seat for their own ward,” said the teacher.

Ritu (name changed), owner of a playway, said parents in their school were required to reach the venue separately while the wards were sent with the class teacher in a separate car. “We ask the teacher and driver to provide a comfortable environment to the child during the drive. If a child panics, he or she will not be able to handle the pressure of the interview,” she said.

Ludhiana, November 16
When it comes to pleasing “favourite” contractors, one should take a cue from the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC). The contract of advertising unipoles from Fountain Chowk to Dholewal Chowk was given to a contractor in October 2006. Even after the contract expired on September 31 this year, the MC has not removed the unipoles and the contractor is still renting out the unipoles.

Though the MC had invited fresh tenders, which were to be submitted on November 14 and to be opened on November 15. But later, the process was cancelled and now the tenders would be opened on November 30.

“The contractor has been making payment from October 1 and till the tender is allotted, either to him or some other person, he will keep paying a monthly rent of Rs 16,161 per unipole to the MC. The tenders will be opened on November 30,” informed MC Joint Commissioner PS Ghuman.

But MC Commissioner AK Sinha said the advertising sub-committee had decided that the contract of the contractor should be extended. “I had proposed that the finance and contract committee (F&CC) should decide on the issue. So, the case has been sent to the F&CC for approval. We are not favouring any contractor as even after the expiry of the contract, the contractor is paying his dues,” he said.

Ludhiana, November 16
More than 12 folk artistes from Barmerh, Jaisalmer and Rajasthan enthralled audience at Delhi Public School here today.

The artistes, including two women, presented “Mangniyar Langa” and “Kalbelia”.

Khete Khan, a 35-year-old artiste leading the troupe, said the group members always felt “at home” here.

“People are wonderful here and they keep encouraging the artistes. An artiste always wants an appreciation and if he gets it, nothing like that. This is our ancestral profession. Our parents, grandparents, great grandparents used to perform the art. We don’t get any training, our kids start learning it at a tender age of two or three by just watching our performance. We always get an excellent response from Punjabis,” said Khete Khan.

The troupe members are aged between 16 and 70.

“The dance or music gives us immense pleasure and energy. Some of us sing while others play musical instruments, including khartal, dholak, kamancha, sarangi and martang. This folk form is too old. Gypsies used to roam around singing and dancing, holding black snakes in their hands. Now the dance form “Kalbelia” has changed, girls or women wear black dresses, dance excellently like naagins (snakes),” said Khan.

The programme was organised by Spic-macay. Besides performing in India, the troupe has also performed in countries like the UK, the USA, Australia, Germany, Canada and Japan.

Talking particularly about Punjabis, the troupe members said the former had a great liking for Sufi kalam. “They love art and appreciate it to the fullest and it is more than enough for an artiste,” said Khan.

Doraha, Nove0mber 16
The students of private aided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh continue to suffer due to the ongoing strikes and protest rallies by the teaches, the latter, in turn, are in no mood to relent till the government accepts their long pending demands. The strike has affected teaching in the colleges as the students feel it is the peak time for finishing off syllabus when December exams are round the corner.

“When the teachers do not take classes, the students tend to become non-serious which is sure to affect grades, especially in the December exams. It is must for us to score good in these exams, since our internal assessment for the final exams is sent primarily on its basis,” said Amritpal Kaur of BA-II.

Reema, postgraduate student, said, “Why are we made the victims every time? It is our study that is going to be seriously affected. The colleges charge so much in the form of fee and when it comes to teaching, the teachers go on strikes."

"We had just finished with our zonal and inter-zonal festivals and had made up our mind to devote full time to studies. But the strikes have really disturbed our routine and our regularity,” rued another student studying in a local private college.

On the other hand, the teachers of these colleges seem to have taken a stiff stand this time. Annoyed over the wavering stance of the Punjab government as far as the implementation of demands of the college teachers is concerned, the members of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union have planned to continue with their protests and campus rallies in their particular colleges.

VK Bhardwaj, state vice-president of PCCTU said, “The protest of two-hour strike everyday began on November 11 and shall continue till November 15. On November 16 and 17 the teachers of all the private- aided and unaided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh shall cease work to organise campus rallies. Earlier on November 8, the teachers proceeded on mass casual leave to mark a protest rally at Batala.”

Dr Sukhwinder Singh Virk, executive committee member said: “The rally and protest is being conducted in order to entreat upon the government, to release the arrears at the earliest. The non-payment of arrears of UGC Pay Revision from January 1, 2006 shall remain the main focus of our protest. The retirement age should be raised to 65 as per the UGC pay revision. Ban on recruitment of teachers should be lifted at the earliest. Implementation of the pension and gratuity scheme, relaxation of refresher and orientation courses for the teachers up to July 31, 2010 are some of our other demands,” he added. Kuldip Singh, former general secretary of PCCTU, said, “It is for the government to look into the severity of the situation and the way the teaching work is being affected. We have entreated upon the Punjab government innumerable times but to no avail. We were forced to adopt the mode as the government has turned completely deaf to our pleas and requests.”

Ludhiana, November 16
Paying tributes to Kartar Singh Sarabha on his martyrdom day here today, activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) called upon the people to unite in strength to save the gains, secularism and democracy, which were achieved after a hard struggle and sacrifices during the freedom movement.

After garlanding the statue of the martyr at Bhai Bala Chowk, the CPI leaders observed that the policies being pursued by the Centre and state governments had caused misery to a majority of the people.

Among others present included party secretary Kartar Singh Bowani, OP Mehta, Dr Arun Mitra, Ramesh Rattan, Gurnam Singh Sidhu, Ramadahr Singh, Charan Singh Sarabha, DP Maur, Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, Jatinderpal and Raghbir Singh Benipal.

Doraha,November 16
Pensioners in the town are a harried lot. They alleged that they were being ignored and treated badly by officials of the State Bank of Patiala as a result of which they faced a multiple number of problems.

“If you wish to clarify any doubts, you will never be given a satisfactory answer, rather the half baked information further increases our problems and doubts,” he said. “Earlier, I had to complain to the head office in Patiala to get the details of my pension. We called a meeting to discuss the matter on Sunday,” added Kaushal.

Pensioners drawing pension from banks located in Doraha, especially from the State Bank of Patiala, have a number of complaints. They alleged that the Punjab government had granted an instalment of DA at the rate of 7 per cent to its employees and pensioners thus increasing it from 51 per cent to 58 per cent with effect from July, 2011, vide letter No. 3/2/97/FP1/742 dated October 24, 2011. They are to receive the arrears of DA for four months i. e. from July, 2011, to October, 2011, in the form of cash. Pensioners, who are drawing pension from the Doraha branch of State Bank of Patiala, have been paid DA arrears for three months instead of four,” said Kulwant Singh, a member of the Government Pensioners Association, Doraha.

“As per notification No. 2/23/09-3FPPC/885, the department of finance, the Punjab government, dated August 17, 2009, it was stated, “Dearness relief shall also be admissible on the additional pension/family pension available to old pensioners and family pensioners in accordance with the orders issued from time to time.”

“Even against the letter of the finance department, the Punjab government, it seems that the State Bank of Patiala has withdrawn the dearness relief being already given on old age allowance with effect from July, 2011. The pension we got recently has DA on basic pension excluding old age allowance pension,” said Pawan Kumar Kaushal and Ram Murati Bhanot.

“They even refuse to pay the pension arrears, if any, to a nominee registered by the pensioner before his death and demand all formalities to be completed, as required from the legal heirs of the pensioner. If the formal legal formalities are to be carried, then what is the good sense in getting a nominee registered for the same?’’ lamented Ram Murti Kaplish.

“We are not being given the arrears of the travel concession allowed under the said notification,” complained Pritam Singh, a member of the pensioners’ association.

“The additional allowance and arrears. At this stage, when we are entirely dependent upon our pension, the loss of even a penny matters to us and if we are denied pension as per the instructions of the government or for that matter not told about the actual position of our present status of pension, then what will the pensioners do? For months pensioners have been returning without getting their work done,” said Darshan Singh.

RK Sharma, branch manager, said, “Ours is a centralised system. Therefore, no discrepancy can arise on any account. All pension payment orders are based on a central command and the branch cannot do anything at the individual level. There is no manual intervention of anybody. It is the direction of the government that the pension should be paid to the legal heirs and not the nominees. Moreover, the travel allowance becomes automatically due after two years and the bank has nothing to do with it. I have not received any complaint and if there is any of the person concerned can contact me anytime.”

Hardev Singh Dhaliwal, an official of the Central Pensioners’ Processing Cell, Patiala, said the non-payment of DA of one month was due to an error in the system and once it got rectified, everything would be fine.

“We have uploaded information on our website. Pensioners at some branches do complain about the misconduct,” he added.

Amloh, November 16
An inter-school quiz competition, ‘Bharat-ko-jano’, was organised at Amloh Public School, Amloh, here today. Bharat Vikas Parishad. Project in-charge Ashwani Abrol and parishad chief Anil Goel inaugurated the function. Nine schools of Amloh sub-division in junior group and six schools in senior group participated in the competition.

Principal Meena Goyal, Headmaster Mukesh Kumar Sood spoke on the achievements of the parishad. Chief guest, Arashdeep Singh Gill, Deputy Superintendent of the police distributed prizes to the winners. Junior Group-Government High School, Khanian, stood first and St Farid Public School, Amloh, second. Senior group-St Farid Public School first and Government Secondary School (Boys), Amloh, second.

Ludhiana, November 16
Even though the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has been taking regulatory measures to stop the development of unauthorised colonies in the city and the state government has also come out with a revised policy for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies, the mushrooming of illegal colonies in the periphery of the city makes it obvious that the action being taken by GLADA is not acting as a deterrent to unscrupulous developers.

The business of partially developing unauthorised colonies, selling plots to unsuspecting buyers, and then doing the vanishing act, leaving the buyers in the lurch, is thriving if the data available with the GLADA on applications filed by colonisers seeking licences for the development of residential colonies during the last three years is any indication.

While hundreds of colonies are in various stages of development all around the city, the construction of internal streets and roads is under construction, the GLADA authorities say that just about less than a dozen developers had applied for licence under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act. And even out of those, quite a few had defaulted in making deposits of the stipulated fee.

The regulatory staff of the GLADA does take action against violators with a “symbolic” demolition drive here and there or puts up signboards on unauthorised colonies to caution buyers against investing their money in such colonies, but the action seems inadequate. The stakes of developers going in for carving out colonies without obtaining a licence or clearance from GLADA are so high that they find ways to circumvent the ban on provisions of electricity connections, water and sewerage connections as well as registration of sale deeds in illegal colonies.

Then there is another category of developers who obtain a licence for the minimum area (say 10 acres) stipulated in the policy, put up huge boards, advertise heavily to woo buyers and investors to purchase plots in “GLADA approved colony”. But here also a vast majority of buyers could be in for a lot of trouble because these developers carve out plots in an area many times more than stipulated in the licence, leaving gullible buyers to fend for themselves. Kartar Singh, a small-scale industrialist, and Surinder Bansal, a shopkeeper, (names changed) had fallen for the claims of the developers or property agents when they purchased plots in colonies located on Pakhowal Road and Sahnewal-Dehlon Road under the impression that they were investing in approved colonies. The GLADA officials, without being specific, said regulatory measures against development of unauthorised colonies were being taken on a regular basis.

Ludhiana, November 16
With the PAU Employees’ Union elections scheduled for December 2, different groups have started campaigning.

Candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters, with most of them preferring not to disclose their cards to any group at this stage.

The major groups, expected to fight elections include group represented by Paramjit Singh Gill, which is being backed by DP Maur, former PAU Employees Union president, and another group is represented by Harbans Singh Mundi, present president of the union.The group claims to have the support of KK Sachdeva group.

The nominations will be filed tomorrow and withdrawals will be held on November 18. An employee of the university, working here for the past 20 years, said he had seen enough of the politics among employees.

“Each time, we are given assurances, false promises by the respective candidates fighting elections. Though some of the leaders really worked hard for the welfare of employees, a majority of them believed in their own vested interests. We want the leaders who can actually work for our betterment and benefits,” said the employee.

Paramjit Singh Gill, fighting for the post of president, said, “Employees want a change now. In the past four years, not much has been done for the betterment of employees. The pay-revisions have been badly affected, the arrears have not been provided to the employees. Had there been a strong leadership, works could have been done in an effective manner. We are not here to address the administrative issues alone, everything has to be taken care of. We will make sure that we come up to the expectations of employees.”

Harbans Singh Mundi, present president of the union, said, “A number of employees got promoted during our tenure. The process had stopped in 1988, but we got it done. We will continue to fight for the demands of employees. We want our representation in the PAU Board of Management, we will fight for it. Besides, our team will keep pending cases of technical assistants before the authorities. We have already worked for the benefit of employees for four years and got many pending works done.”

Ludhiana, November 16
Additional Sessions Judge Paramjeet Singh has convicted Vinod Kumar, husband of Seema, and Neelam Rani, her mother-in-law, in a dowry death case.

Seema had died following the administration of some poisonous substance four years after her marriage.

Pronouncing the verdict, the court held: “The accused have caused a dowry death. The greed for material articles was so intense that they harassed her to such an extent that she eventually died. “They created surcharging circumstances in the matrimonial home by harassing Seema on account of which she was found dead under mysterious circumstances with bruises on her body and organo phosphorous (pesticide) in her stomach,” the judge observed.

“There is certainly a requirement for punitive punishment to such criminals who are involved in the killings of innocent brides and that too for the sake of dowry,” remarked the judge while declining the plea of leniency raised by the accused. A case under Section 304-B of the IPC was registered on October 12, 2009, against the accused at the Division No. 4 police station following the statement of Hukum Chand, father of the victim.

The complainant had stated to the police that her in-laws would harass her on the pretext of bringing less dowry. “We had fulfilled their demand for Rs 1 lakh, but even during her pregnancy, my daughter was harassed and beaten up,” he said.

Seema delivered at her parents’ house, but the accused never visited her there. An application was moved in the women’s cell. In April 2008, a compromise was effected and the victim was sent back to her in-laws’ house. But the behaviour of the accused did not change. The prosecution examined 14 witnesses to prove the guilt of the accused. The accused pleaded innocence and claimed that Seema was under depression on account of deportation of her brother from England. It was claimed that she was suffering from a heart problem and died on the way to hospital.

Ludhiana, November 16
All arrangements have been finalised for the final of second edition of the World Kabaddi Cup scheduled to be held at Guru Nanak Stadium on November 20. The final in the men’s and women’s sections besides the match to decide the third position in the men’s section are slated for Sunday.

A meeting was held here today at the venue which was chaired by Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari to review the arrangements. Top officials of the local administration, district police and municipal corporation attended the meeting.

The DC said various sub-committees had been formed to look after the preparations.

“As a number of dignitaries will be present to watch the final, the local police will be assisted by the force from other districts of the state and for the convenience of spectators, more than three dozen of temporary urinals will be set up at different points around the stadium, said Tiwari.

Since a number of VVIPs would be in the city, the vehicular traffic route would be announced on Saturday. Big TV screens would be installed in the stadium and at about 12 vantage points in the city for the benefit of those who would not be able to see the action at the stadium,” added Deputy Commissioner.

Ludhiana November 16
She sets an example for many budding athletes in the city. Her efficiency helped her win the title of “best athlete” during the inter-college athletic competition which was held at Panjab University in Chandigarh.

Nainy Balla bagged four gold medals in 200m, 400m races and 100m and 400 m relay races.

Nineteen-year-old Nainy Balla is a student of BA first year at Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, and is now practising hard for the inter-university competitions. Nainy always dreamt of becoming a police officer and she felt that if she would perform well in the competitions, she would surely attain her goal soon.

On her achievement, she said, “I used to practise everyday at Guru Nanak Stadium. I woke up at 5 am and entered the stadium before 6 am.”

Nainy has won a number of district and state levels competitions. A few months ago, Nainy won silver medals in 200m and 400m races in the state-level women festival. Nainy gives all credit to her coach Sanjeev Kumar, who motivates her to practise hard.

Nainy said her mother wanted her to become a doctor. Shinderpal, Nainy’s father said, “Our happiness cannot be expressed in words.”

Ludhiana, November 16
Sangrur Academy registered a 4-2 victory over Shivalik School, Mohali, to begin their campaign on a sound note in the 9th All-India Gold Cup Hockey Tournament (boys U-21) being organised by the Doraha Hawks Club at Mehta Gurukul Public Senior Secondary School, Doraha, near here, today.

It were Shivalik School boys who gained lead but Sangrur lads neutralised it immediately. Sangrur Academy pumped in two goals to earn the lead (3-1).

Shivalik School reduced the margin to make it 2-3, however, Sangrur Academy sounded the board once again to complete the tally 4-2.

In other matches, Gill Academy, Mohali, defeated Grewal Hockey Academy, Kila Raipur, 5-1; Star XI, Shahjahanpur, outplayed Sudhar Academy 6-5; SAI, Patiala, beat Roomi Academy 5-3, while the match played between Dhar Hockey Academy, MP drew 2-2 with Gazipur Hockey Academy, UP.

BS Gill, Deputy Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, inaugurated the tournament in which top outfits of the country are competing. Olympian Suvir Singh, Manmohan Singh, Gurjit Singh Maghar, BK Mehta, Anil Prabhat, Shingara Singh and Principal, GTB National College, Doraha, Gurinder Singh were present on the occasion.