Ludhiana, November 26
A fresh scam seems to be brewing in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC). A local contractor has managed to get the contract of four construction works, worth around Rs 50 crore, by submitting a photocopy of the same solvency certificate in his technical bids of these works. After getting to know about this matter, MC Commissioner AK Sinha has marked a high-level probe to look into the matter.

For providing basic services to urban poor, the state government is constructing group housing flats at various localities in Ludhiana under the JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Rural Mission).

In the notice inviting tender (NIT) of the MC, related to these works, it was compulsory that technical bid of each bidder should consist of technical and financial capability of the firm, experience, detail of staff, equipment, balance sheet, ITCC, solvency certificates from its bankers and any other credential proofs.

As per the RTI information procured by a city resident Kuldeep Singh Khaira, contractor, M/s Deepak Singhal Engineers and Builders Pvt Ltd, got the contract for four groups, including Giaspura Group III worth Rs 9.38 crore, Dhandari Kalan Group I worth Rs 12.99 crore, Mundian Kalan Group I worth Rs 13.71 crore and Mundian Kalan Group II worth Rs 13.35 crore.

“The total work for Rs 49.44 crore had been awarded to M/s Deepak Singhal Engineers and Builders Pvt. Ltd. on the basis of their technical bid containing photocopies of the same solvency certificate of Rs 5 crore, which is against the rules. How can same solvency certificate be attached in files related to four construction works?” asked Khaira.

It is pertinent to mention here that the solvency certificate attached in the technical bid was issued in the name of Chief Engineer, PUDA, Mohali, for the construction work of block E GMC, Chandigarh. “The contractor must have been awarded the work by Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) on the basis of this solvency certificate, as the solvency certificate was issued in favour of M/s Deepak Singhal Engineers and Builders Pvt. Ltd. And that same certificate was attached for securing work at Ludhiana.”

Ludhiana, November 26
Residents here mourned the demise of the city's first Supreme Court Judge and country's first Lokayukta, Justice AD Koshal (retired), who passed away on November 22 in the city after a brief illness.

His “uthala” ceremony was performed at his residence at Anand Bhawan, opposite Old Courts. Following his retirement, Koshal was appointed Lokayukta of Karnataka, which was the first state-ever to designate this position in India.

Justice AD Koshal was born at Ahmedgarh, situated in the erstwhile Malerkotla state (now in Sangrur district of Punjab State), on March 7, 1917.

He had his schooling in SDSE High School, Patiala, and Public High School, Ahmedgarh, from where he passed the matriculation examination in 1930.

He went on to complete his FSc (non-medical) examination from Forman Christian College Lahore and obtained his arts degree two years later from Government College.

He graduated in law from Law College Lahore in 1936. In 1939, he became an advocate of the Malerkotla High Court where he practised till 1945 in which year he resumed his practice at Ludhiana.

He was enrolled as an advocate of the Punjab High Court in 1948 and practised as such at Ludhiana till February 1, 1960. He was appointed Additional District & Sessions Judge, Ferozepore, on February 2, 1960.

He worked as Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana till the June 27, 1976, when he was transferred to Madras. Koshal occupied the office of Judge in the High Court of Judicature at Madras from July 5, 1976, to July 31, 1977.

On his transfer to Chandigarh, he resumed charge of the office of Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana August 8, 1977.

Koshal was elevated to Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court on November 1, 1977. For the city the moment of glory came on July 17, 1978, when he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of India, the office he served till retirement on March 6, 1982.

District Sessions Judge SP Bangar and advocates from the Ludhiana District Bar Association attended the “uthala” ceremony and praised the Judge's contribution to the city and legal fraternity.

Ludhiana, November 26
After monopolising cable network industry of the state, the government-backed cable service provider Fast-Way (FW) is allegedly pressurising subscribers to install set-top boxes.

The matter came to fore following complaints that the network company was harassing the subscribers by frequently snapping signals.

As the assembly elections are drawing closer, the network company has allegedly started disconnecting the signals and posing inconvenience to subscribers.

Ludhiana, November 26
High drama was witnessed in the Model Town area here after a 17-year-old girl was found under the influence of drugs today.

The matter came to light in the afternoon when the girl cut veins of her hand by using a blade and sat near a hospital in Model Town.

When onlookers asked her about her injury, she started to walk. Residents informed the police and stopped the girl again.

According to the police, the girl resides on the Chandigarh Road.

She was under the influence of drugs and allegedly tried to cut veins of the hand with a blade. Belonging to a upper-middle-class family, she did not divulge any details from whom she purchased drugs and why she injured her hands. She was rushed to hospital and her parents were informed about the incident.

Ludhiana, November 26
The officials of the house tax department of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) had a tough time when they went to recover house tax from a factory owner yesterday. The factory owner not only misbehaved with the MC team, but also called the police. Later, after the intervention of senior MC officials, the matter was resolved and the factory owner made payment of his outstanding house tax amount.

Sources said the owner of a factory, near Vishwakarma Chowk, had not made payment of his outstanding house tax amount, despite several notices served to him by the MC. Yesterday; the MC officials from the house tax branch went to seal the factory premises.

But when they reached there, the factory owner started arguing with the team called up police control room alleging that the MC officials are threatening him.

Surinderpal Singh superintendent house tax branch of the MC informed that two PCR officials reached the spot. “In the meantime, our house tax inspector had also narrated entire incident to us. So we also sent Inspector Jaswant Singh from our police wing to the spot. The factory owner was adamantly not making the payment and kept threatening the MC officials. We told him that if he fails to make the payment, we would have to seal his factory. We also brought the matter to the notice of the MC Additional Commissioner Rupanjali Kartik,” he said.

Later, with the intervention of the senior MC officials and police officials from the MC, the factory owner was asked to make a payment of Rs 26,000. “The factory owner finally made a payment of Rs 26,000 after which the team left the spot,” said Surinderpal Singh.

Ludhiana, November 26
A multi-disciplinary exhibition was organised by the primary wing of BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar.

It featured creative works of nearly 2,000 students and each class was given a unique theme to explore intellectual and creative imagination of young students.

Students of class I exhibited a variety of activities under the theme “Kids Paradise” and presented various aspects of their world that is food, dresses, toon world, children park, kids traffic park and birthday party. Under “Oceans of Creativity”, students of class II showcased beautiful exhibits on many sub-themes, namely seasons, fauna, globe trotting, fibre to fabric, pearls of imagination and lungs of earth. Students of class III made models and charts on the city landmarks, including dry port, clock tower, tiger safari, Ludhiana stock exchange, rose garden and cycle industry. Highlighting the world of sports, students of class IV overwhelmed parents and visitors with a wonderful display of a bouquet of sports activities and games.

The main attraction of the programme was musical display of various exercises and activities by the students. Providing a window to the outside world, class V students focused on displaying history, culture and traditions of various countries of the world. “Such expos give students the much-needed confidence to express their talents and an opportunity to know and grow,” said principal Paramjit Kaur.

Ludhiana, November 26
There is significant scientific evidence available now, which shows beyond doubt that environment, which includes soil, water and air has been grossly polluted with highly poisonous and toxic substances. These toxic substances have already reached the food chain and human bodies. Their levels in human and animal tissues were high enough to disturb their physiology and cause and contribute to various diseases and premature deaths. Environmentalists from about 24 organisations expressed similar views while attending a seminar on “Environmental toxicity, its impact on ecological degradation and public health”, held here today.

“Natural resources, government institutions, economy, health and education, all have been put on sale to the super rich/corporate sector for earning super profits. Multiple types of environmental toxicity are playing havoc with delicate ecological balance. The whole crises is due to wrong governmental policies at the Centre and state level,” said Giani Kewal Singh.

Umendra Dutt from Kheti Virasat Mission said, “We are neck deep in toxic environment. The effects of this chronic poisoning on human health are not being taken note of by medical profession, health department and governments.”

The members said there was an urgent need that all organisations of the working people, youth, students, writers, scientists and intellectuals should rise up to the occasion and come up with their visions.

Ludhiana, November 26
The FCI Quality Control Staff Welfare Association has told the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, New Delhi, to relax the rice specifications for 2011-12 for Punjab.

In a letter written to KV Thomas, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, the president of FCI Quality Control Staff Welfare Association, Brij Mohan, said that this time the damage percentage allowed by the Government of India in raw rice was only up to three per cent as compared to four per cent in previous years.

In Punjab, mostly custom milled rice fell in the range of three to four per cent in respect to the 
damaged grains due to excessive use of chemicals and fertilisers, mixing of varieties at the time of sowing, harvesting and marketing, mechanical farming, and abnormal weather conditions at the time of crop development and marketing.

While the weather remained normal except in three-four districts of Punjab but due to other factors, the percentage of damaged grains exceeded three per cent. In order to get rid of the damage problem, many rice millers had installed sortex plants but these plants were able to sort only solid damaged or discoloured grains but pin damaged grains could not be removed, which ultimately resulted in higher incidence of damaged grain, mostly more than 3 per cent.

Ludhiana, November 26
The necklace that was stolen from a beauty parlour in Sarabha Nagar was miraculously found during search late last night.

According to beauty parlour authorities, the gold necklace belonging to Maya Dasgupta, wife of Col Dasgupta, was lying in a gown.

The parlour authorities said Maya might have dropped the necklace in the gown while changing clothes in the parlour. It was during the third search that the necklace was found.

An insider said the necklace was stolen by one of the employees and was hidden in a cosmetic sachet. It was after the police exerted pressure that the woman employee confessed before the parlour authorities that she had stolen the necklace.

In the meantime, staff expressed anguish over the incident and complained about the indifferent attitude of the parlour owner. One of the employees said the beauty parlour owner was not bothered about the incident and arrived three hours after the episode.

Ludhiana, November 26
As many as 201 policemen, including Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, Dr Sharad Satya Chouhan and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashish Chaudhry, donated blood to pay tributes to victims of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The camp was organised by an NGO, Salaam Zindagi Foundation, working for the cause of thalassaemia.

Dr Chouhan inaugurated the camp by donating blood and became the first donor of the camp.

Additional Commissioners of Police (ADCP) Sushil Kumar, Harmohan Singh, SS Cheema and Joginder Singh also donated blood.

Assistant Commissioners of Police, including Nilambari Jagdale, Jaswinder Singh, Raj Kumar, also donated blood to pay homage to the victims.

Dr Sharad Satya Chouhan appreciated the efforts of the NGO for inculcating a spirit of patriotism among residents.

A total of 201 units of blood were collected by blood bank teams of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), Civil Hospital, Karishna Hospital and Deep Hospital.

Phillaur, November 26
After six days of protest against the police for its failure to nab culprits responsible for killing of a minor, Ramandeep (5), the Goraya police today arrested three persons, including a duo of mother and son, under Section 302 of the IPC.

The arrested were identified as Usha Rani, her son Kuldip and his friend Amandeep, who were produced before the judicial magistrate who sent the accused in police remand for further interrogation.

The Tribune highlighted the news on November 21 when the body of the child was found from a well in Rajewal village on November 20. The child was missing since November 15. The police officials said that the duo accused had a land dispute with the victim’s father, Nirmal Chand, as a result they intoxicated the child, strangulated him and threw his body in the well.

Ludhiana, November 26
Sandip Singh, who gave a stupendous performance (157 not out and three for 10) to enable Ludhiana to emerge victorious against Mansa, excelled again with the bat and ball (67 runs and six for 68) to fashion his team’s win over Ropar on the basis of the first innings lead of 49 runs in the Minor Inter-District Zonal Cricket Tournament (U-19) for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy organised by the Punjab Cricket Association at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

Ludhiana scored 250 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their first innings in which Sandip Singh made 67 runs, while Chirag Maria contributed 52 runs.

Other notable scorers were Amritpal Singh (33 not out), Abhinav Bhatia (19), Paras Bharadwaj (18), Nitish (17) and Sunny Pandey (14).

For Ropar, Arjun was the most successful bowler, who chipped in with five wickets for 90 runs, while Sukhjinder Singh captured two wickets for 83 runs.

In reply, Ropar were bowled out for 201 runs. Arjun top scored with 56 runs, followed by Jaideep (28), Varinder (28), Shubhankar (22) and Lovelash (18).

For the hosts, Sandip Singh was the pick of bowlers who scalped six victims for 68 runs, while Amritpal Singh grabbed two wickets for 68 runs to contain the visitors innings.

In the second innings, Ludhiana were 64 for two after 26 overs with Sunny Pandey and Abhinav Talwar holding the crease with 37 and 15 runs against their names when it was called a day thus the hosts were awarded the match on the basis of the first innings lead.

With this victory, Ludhiana qualified to play in the elite group of major districts where they take on Bathinda to secure their berth for the next session.

Ludhiana, November 26
Green Land Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar bypass branch, defeated Saint Thomas School by one wicket to enter the final of the Ludhiana Sahodaya Complex Inter-School Cricket Tournament being held at Saraswati Modern Senior Secondary School ground, Hambran road, here today.

Saint Thomas School won the toss and chose to bat.

In the allotted eight overs, they made 75 runs after losing six wickets with main contributions from Himanshu and Jashanjot, who scored 29 and 20 runs, respectively.

For Green Land School, Rishab Thakur and Jatin Arora claimed one wicket each conceding four and 15 runs, respectively.

Chasing the target, Green Land School were struggling but eventually romped home victorious on the last ball of the match with just one wicket in hand.

Omesh Handa scored 18 runs off nine deliveries, while Jatin faced six balls and scored 13 runs, Rishab consumed four balls and made 10 runs.

For the losing side, Kushwinder and Jashanjot took three and two wickets, respectively.

Ludhiana, November 26
Jarkhar Academy pipped Sports School, Jalandhar, by 2-0 in the 57th Punjab State Hockey Tournament (boys U-19) being held at Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium of Jarkhar village near here today.

In other matches, Grewal Academy, Kila Raipur, prevailed over Moga 2-1; Ludhiana defeated SAI Centre, Patiala, by 5-4, while in the girls’ section, Ludhiana district drubbed Mansa 9-0; Kairon wing blanked Nehru Garden XI, Jalandhar, 3-0; Ludhiana district beat Nehru Garden XI, Jalandhar, 1-0; Kairon wing outplayed Ludhiana district 1-0.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria was the chief guest on the occasion. He handed over a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to organisers of Jarkhar Academy. Appreciating them, the minister assured all possible help in organising the annual sports festival slated to be held from December 15 to 18 this year.

Rupinder Singh Ravi, state organising secretary, along with sarpanch Dapinder Singh, Jagjeet Singh Sandhu, principal Amrik Singh, Karamjit Singh Grewal, Surinder Singh, Jaspal Singh, Sandeep Singh, Maninder Singh Happy, Mandeep Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Gurvinder Singh Kila Raipur, Jagroop Singh Jarkhar and Manpreet Singh were among other prominent persons who were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, November 26
Anna Kler, a 17-year-old student of class XII, brought laurels to the city in shooting. She won two gold medals in the National Shooting Championship held at Pune recently organised by the National Rifles Association of India.

Anna represented Punjab in the national championship. She won a gold medal in 10-m air pistol event in the individual category and bagged another gold medal in the team event.

She had also won a silver medal in the Punjab State Shooting Championship. In August 2011, Anna had bagged a gold in the Gun for Glory National Open Championship held at Pune.

Surprisingly, one-and-half-year ago, Anna was an athlete. “Year ago she had decided to join shooting. We did not criticise or appreciate her decision. Now, I am happy from her performance that she achieved a lot without our support. I think she will do better in future,” said her father Sandeep Singh, a businessman.

Talking about her dream, Anna said, “I want to be a part of the Indian team. It's my dream to represent India in Olympics.”

“It is hard to achieve something without the basic infrastructure of sports. The government should provide a shooting range for Ludhiana shooters,” she rued.

Coach Gurjit Singh on her success said, “Anna is a hardworking player. She got 365 points in the championship and doing good.”

Ludhiana, November 26
All seeded players wrapped up their respective matches to march into the next round on the first day of the Ludhiana District Chess Championship being held at the Pushpa Devi Aggarwal Bhawan, Tagore Nagar, here today.

Meenakshi and Raghav Bansal won their matches in the girls and boys’ U-8 category, respectively, to march into the third round, while in the boys’ U-14 section, Pankaj Bansal, Pratoosh Chitkara, Jayant Dang, Arnav Jain, Gaurav Sood, Sarthak Gupta and Lovish Khera scripted victories to qualify for the third round.

Players who made it to the next round in the open category include Gursher Singh, Amarjit Singh, Imanjot Singh Deol, Sanjeev Sood and Shubham Shukla.

Earlier, Vikas Sharma, president, Ludhiana District Chess Association, inaugurated the championship in which nearly 100 participants, including international-level players such as Gursher Singh, Anurudh Garg, Rajiv Verma and Raminderbir Singh, are participating.