Ludhiana, January 12
Notices have been served on both the SAD and Congress candidates from the Dakha constituency for violating the model code of conduct.

The notices served on these candidates have been mentioned in the model code of conduct (MCC) register. If these candidates are served with a second notice, the chief electoral officer has the right to freeze their (party) election symbols.

District election officer Rahul Tewari has received 42 complaints from the Dakha constituency so far. Out of these, 32 have been dismissed as frivolous.

Among the three violations mentioned in the register, one pertains to SAD candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali while the other concerns Congress candidate Jasbir (Jassi) Singh Khangura. The third is regarding a sarpanch from Phallewal village who had started digging a pond after the code of conduct had come into force.

The complaint against Ayali pertains to promise of funds at Birgagra village in the Jagraon block of the constituenc while the complaint against Khangura is related to the distribution of pamphlets not bearing the name of the printer and publisher at Latala village in the Pakhowal block.

With the Election Commission is taking stringent measures to check any violation of the code of conduct, both the candidates and their supporters are keeping a “watchful” eye on any possible violation by their opponents.

While the allegations of the violation of the code of conduct are flying thick and fast, there is also a concern that the rival party may build up false cases of “violation”.

A particularly “worrisome” clause in the code of conduct that the candidates fear may be misused is the one that says “no political party or candidate shall permit its followers to make use of any individual’s land, building, compound wall without his permission for erecting flag staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices and writing slogans”.

When contacted, Khangura said, “I will comply with the Election Commission guidelines.”

Ludhiana, January 12
With candidates wooing voters through Facebook, door-to-door election campaigning has now become passé.

As a majority of voters seem to be least bothered about rallies, meetings and “nukkad” meetings, the candidates are leaning on information technology to keep residents updated.

Prof Rajinder Bhandari, BJP candidate from Ludhiana West, is wooing his voters through Facebook and You tube. His PRO Harvinder Malik said, “Through Facebook, we are making voters and supporters aware of our campaign schedule, including meetings, photographs of meetings and rallies. We have also posted blogs. As a majority of residents in the area are well educated, it is easy to reach out to them through Facebook, blogs and You tube.”

DP Maur, Sanjha Morcha (CPI, CPM, Akali Dal Longowal and PPP) candidate from Ludhiana West, said, “I have been on Facebook for a month but started sending messages to voters only two days ago.”

Some candidates are using You tube for screening video clippings of various political activities in the form of a collage. Navneet Sharma, who is campaigning for Maur, said, “We have uploaded clippings and photographs of various meetings on You tube. We use Facebook only to keep residents updated with the day-to-day political activities. Blogging is used for apprising voters of poll promises.”

Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is also on Facebook, has no time for blogs. One of his supporters said, “Ashu is busy with other things. It is his supporters who have been posting blogs and uploading his everyday poll activities on Facebook.

A candidate, who did not wish to be quoted, said, “This is one way to remain in touch with residents as it hardly consumes time, money and energy.”

Ludhiana, January 12
The filing of nomination papers by candidates for the coming Assembly elections, scheduled for January 30, ended here today with a total of 260 candidates putting in their papers from 14 constituencies in Ludhiana.

District election officer Rahul Tewari said today was the last day of the filing of nomination papers at all the 14 constituencies. The scrutiny of their papers will be done.

Ludhiana, January 12
Policemen and criminals have something in common. While some policemen were transferred out of the city so they could not influence voters, notorious criminals have been nabbed and sent to jail to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.

In the latest incident, the police has nabbed seven persons, including notorious criminals and small-time thieves, who were on the run for the past few months.

The police has nabbed Deepak Sidhu, alias Ghuggi, from near Jassian village. A .12 country-made pistol and a cartridge was seized from his possession. He was wanted in a criminal assault case registered last month.

In the second case, the Division No. 4 police team led by SHO Amandeep Singh nabbed Mohni Gagat and his accomplice Sanjeev Kumar. Mohni was wanted in an attempt to murder case. Recently, he had “picked” up a rival gang leader identified as Talli and thrashed him before making him strip. He then made an MMS of the entire episode and circulated it online.

The police recovered a weapon and two cartridges from his possession.

Babbla, who had been evading arrest in an attempt to murder case, was also nabbed from Hargobind Nagar.

The police also nabbed a pickpocket, Pappu Yadav, from the Kotwali area late last evening. According to the police, he was active in Chaura Bazar and the surrounding area. Another alleged criminal Raj Kumar also fell in the police net. Raj Kumar was involved in stealing swing machines in the old city area. He had been giving the slip to the police for long. The police has recovered swing machines and other important material from his possession.

Another member of the Sachin gang, Sarjeevan, also landed in the police net. He was nabbed from the Daresi area. He allegedly arranged money for gangsters. A motorcycle and illicit liquor has been recovered from the suspect. 

Ludhiana, January 12
The development and business interest of small-scale sector will once again be the winning formula in the Ludhiana-South constituency.

The constituency will witness a triangular contest between the SAD, Congress and an independent candidate, who are promising the moon to woo the voters.

The Ludhiana-South constituency notorious for becoming the breeding ground of all evils, be it crime, outbreak of deadly health disease or growing menace of habit-forming drugs has not seen development in all these years.

All thanks to delimitation, the constituency has turned into a maze not only for the contestants but also for the voters. The confusion can be gauged from the fact that a majority of the residents have no idea about their constituency and the candidate they have to vote in the ensuing assembly elections.

With over 10 Municipal Corporation (MC) wards and villages, including Jugiana, Dhadari, Choti Dhandari, Gyaspura, Lohara and Sherpur, this ultra confusing area is spread across the other side of National Highway - I and it also includes some part of Moti Nagar.

Canvassing in the constituency will pose a Herculean challenge to 
the contestants.

Predominantly a constituency of Ramgharias, who pioneered the revolution of small- scale nut- bolt units in the city, will hold the key to success in the constituency.

The constituency has a huge population of migrant labours, who have now settled in the city. Travelling in the dingy lanes of Dhandari and Gyaspura gives an impression as if one is visiting mini- Bihar or Uttar- Pradesh. The deafening sound of iron strikes is the circle of life in the smoke-emitting constituency and development seems to be the last on the priority list.

Narrow unobstructed streets, polluted water supply, heaps of garbage and filth, lack of sewerage system and total absence of quality educational institutes give a clear idea as to why this area is considered to be the breeding ground of all ills. In the name of development, the rain water dump at Gyaspura village was converted into a rose garden.

"But the oasis in the concrete jungle turned out to be just eyewash. Whenever there is rain, the water runs down stream and accumulates in the rose garden. This is happening because we do not have a strong sewerage system in the area. What irony, the Mayor of the city belongs to the area and still it remains under-developed," said Nirmal Singh (75), a resident of Gyaspura village.

Post delimitation, the area used to fall under the Ludhiana- rural constituency and rarely witnessed a glimpse of development. In 2002, Cong candidate Malkit Singh Birmi won the seat, but in 2006-7 assembly elections, Hira Singh came back strongly and won the seat for SAD. The topography of the place is different as compared to any other constituency in the city. The hub-centre of small-scale industry in the state, it is said that there is a nut- bolt factory unit in every house of the area. Considering the huge migrant population, the contestants are keeping the cards close to their chests as one poll promise could be counterproductive of the other community.All candidates are fighting core issues like food, cloth and shelter. SAD candidate Hakam Singh Giaspura is a veteran politician and a four-time councillor of his ward in the Gyaspura area, who is standing in the elections. Ashok Prashar alias Pappi Shahpuria from the Congress is carrying forward the political legacy Independent candidate Balwinder Bains is also fighting the elections.

Ludhiana, January 12
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate from the Dakha Assembly constituency, Manpreet Singh Ayali, filed his nomination papers with SDM (West) and Returning Officer Kuljit Pal Singh Mahi.

Ayali's younger brother, Harbir Singh Ayali, filed his papers as the covering candidate.

Manpreet Singh Ayali's total assets, both movable and immovable, are worth Rs 17, 7140493, while his liabilities, which include loans from banks and other financial institutions, are to the tune of Rs 47,05,742.

His spouse's movable assets are worth Rs 12,62,005.

Ayali owns 260 gms of gold, while his wife owns 480 gms. 

Hakam Singh Giaspura: Development and improving civic amenities are some of the problems, which are still plaguing the area.

Ashok Prashar: The Congress has always worked for progress and development. My motto will also be the same.

The drug menace is rampant in the area. The young generation especially the first-time voters feel that they will vote for the candidate who will ensure that the menace of drugs will not spread its tentacles in the area.

The sale of the habit-forming drugs, hooch, poppy husk, and opium is at its peak. But the entry of smack and charas has raised concerns. The politicians are aware of the problem, but instead of nipping the problem in the bud they are allegedly encouraging the menace and making full use of the weakness of voters. The seizure of huge quantity of poppy husk, marijuana, charas and hooch is enough show how the contraband is being distributed to woo the voters.

According to the police, the contraband was meant to be distributed among residents, particularly among youngsters for the ensuing election.

"I am going to vote for the candidate who will promise that the menace of drugs will be eradicated from the area. In the name of education, the area has nothing to offer, but evil activities like drug menace is thriving in the constituency," said Gurvinder Singh.

Charan Kamal Singh, a resident of Kot Mangal Singh area, echoed the same sentiments and said that successive government has done nothing for the development of the area. Harpreet Singh, who is working as a motor mechanic, said that pseudo promises during the time of elections will not work. Either perform or let someone else perform in the constituency. "We want better jobs, better education, and batter civic amenities," said Harpreet Singh. 

Ludhiana, January 12
Congress candidate Gurmel Singh Pehalwan and rebel SAD councillor Daljit Singh Grewal were among seven candidates who filed their nomination papers from the Ludhiana East segment before returning officer Daljit Kaur here today.

Pehalwan and SAD candidate Ranjit Singh Dhillon are facing revolt from within their own parties while former DCC president Jagmohan Sharma is challenging the candidature of the official Congress nominee as a representative of trade and industry, Daljit Singh Grewal, a SAD councillor.

The presence of Leena Taparia, president of the District Mahila Congress (women wing of the party), at the time of filing of papers by the Congress nominee, assumes significance in the wake of reports that after Jagmohan Sharma and former District Youth Congress chief Dimple Rana, the Mahila Congress president was also thinking of joining the electoral battle as an Independent. But it seems, Pehalwan has been able to win over the support of Leena Taparia, which will obviously stand him in good stead in the tough battle ahead.

Like his Congress opponent, SAD candidate Dhillon will not only fight a battle against party rebels like Grewal and two other councillors who are openly supporting him, but it seems that Bains factor would, in all probability, also play a crucial role in the poll.

The rebellion by Bains brothers-Simarjit Singh, SAD councillor and former district president of the Youth Akali Dal and his brother Balwinder Singh Bains, a member of the SGPC, who are contesting as rebel candidates from Atam Nagar and Ludhiana South segment, respectively, is casting its shadow on other segments in the mega city as well.

It has been authoritatively learnt that the Bains brothers, who stand expelled from the SAD now, have assured support to party rebels in other segments, including Ludhiana East. 

Jagraon, January 12
There seems to be no end to the woes of shopkeepers as well as residents of various localities situated on the Tehsil Road, Jagraon, from frequent traffic jams. Be it morning, afternoon or evening, one can always see vehicles stuck in a traffic jam on the road.

The Tehsil Road is one of the busiest areas of Jagraon. Apart from offices of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), police lines and Government Senior Secondary Schools for boys and girls, there are a number of other educational institutes, private hospitals, banks, petrol station, offices of different government departments and a number of commercial buildings situated on the road.

Frequent traffic jams have become a common phenomenon on the road and vehicles can be seen stuck in traffic jams throughout the day.

The situation is more drastic near the Main Chowk and Galib Complex where the Railway Over Bridge (ROB) begins. The main reason behind the frequent traffic jams on the road is haphazard parking of vehicles by visitors and existence of taxi stands.

Though there is the office of Jagraon DSP situated near the Main Chowk and traffic policemen remain present there the whole day, yet the visitors often park their vehicles on the roadside in an uneven manner, which leads to traffic jams. Though there is a signboard of no parking put up outside the DSP’s office, visitors continue to park their vehicles there.

Besides, a large number of vehicles belonging to different taxi stands always remain parked on the roadside, thus making the situation more complex. The residents have also urged the administration to move taxi stands from the Tehsil Road to some other place.

Area residents said the visitors coming from various villages often parked their vehicles on the roadside. “The visitors coming to the town often park their vehicles on the roadside in an uneven manner which obstruct the smooth flow of traffic. When we try to stop the visitors from parking their vehicles on the roadside, they often pick up fights,” says Parlad Singla, a shopkeeper.

The visitors on the other hand lamented that they were forced to park their vehicles on the roadside as there was inadequate parking space.

Similar is the situation on the other side of the ROB where vehicles remain stuck in traffic jams near Rani Jhansi Chowk and Sadan Market.

The residents have urged the municipal council authorities to turn the space under the ROB into a parking lot.

“The space under the bridge has been encroached upon. If the municipal council turns the land into a parking lot, it will not only solve the traffic problem but also generate good revenue for the council,” said Avtar Singh, a retired teacher.

Jagraon municipal council president Baldev Krishan Dhir, when contacted, said, “Turning the space under the ROB into a parking lot is a good idea. We will discuss the issue during the general house meeting.”

Ludhiana, January 12
An interactive session on resource conservation agricultural technologies “Leaf Colour Chart (LCC), Laser Land Leveller, Happy Seeder (HS) and Tensiometer” was held here today.

Experts laid emphasis on the judicious use of fertilisers, harmful effects of paddy straw burning, saving environment and use of LCC for maize, rice and wheat crops. Farmers’ feedback and queries were also taken up by experts.

Director of Extension Education, Dr MS Gill said the PAU had evolved several agri-technologies and new innovations for the benefit of farmers.

He said farmers should adopt these technologies for profit and efficient resource use.

“The PAU has and will continue to serve farmers with lucrative agriculture,” he said. Farmers should continue to give their feedback to the university for re-orienting the research as well as transfer of technology programmes, he added.

He stated that PAU experts were available on the main campus and district headquarters.

Referring to the PAU recommended LCC technology, Dr Varinderpal Singh, PAU soil scientist, stated, “Unmindful of the consequences, the state farmers are making excessive use of fertilisers to get more yield. The injudicious use of nitrogen (N) leads to escalated cost of production, enhanced insect-pest attack, lodging of the crop and increased nitrate in the sub-soil water. Advising the farmers to optimise nitrogen application in crops, he stressed on the supply of nitrogen in right dose and at right time.

Ludhiana, January 12
To help farmers in taking sowing decisions regarding sunflower, the Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre (AMIC) of the department of economics and sociology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has gathered and analysed market intelligence from various sources.

As per the centre, the prices of sunflower will range between Rs 2,800 and 3,000 per quintal during May and June, 2012.

Dr Jagrup Singh Sidhu, in charge, AMIC, PAU, said Punjab produced 25,000 tonnes of sunflower from an area of 15,000 hectares during 2010-11.

Farmers grow sunflower after harvesting potato and prefer different hybrids developed by private seed companies. He said the sunflower prices were affected by the demand and supply of oil, international prices of edible oil, government import policy in respect of edible oil and production and export policies of leading exporting countries.

Dr Sidhu said the exporting countries like Indonesia and Malaysia were encouraging export of refined palm oil at a higher price instead of raw palm oil to develop their refining industry.

The current import duty on refined edible oil is 7.5 per cent.

The government increased the minimum support price of sunflower from Rs 2,350 per quintal in 2010-11 to Rs 2,800 per quintal in 2011-12. He told the farmers that the prices of sunflower in major markets of the state ranged between Rs 2,500 and 2,600 per quintal during 2010-11.

Dr Sidhu advised them to use the information to plan their area under sunflower vis-a-vis other alternative crop enterprises like spring maize, moong and early summer vegetables by comparing their relative returns.

It was stated that, sunflower production was about 30 million tonnes from about 23 million hectares of area during 2010. Ukraine was the largest producer of sunflower followed by Russia, Argentina, China, France and the USA. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 12
Dairy farmers of the area took a pledge today to help the administration deal with issues such as adulteration of milk products and the widespread power crisis. The farmers decided to increase the use of biogas micro and mini power generators and to increase milk yield by checking malnutrition of their milch cattle.

The pledge was taken in response to a call given by a group of veterinary physicians led by Dr Parminder Singh, an animal nutritionist, during a seminar organised at Chhanna road yesterday. Dr Ravinder Sharma, a dairy farmer, presided over the seminar. Veterinary physicians claimed that extra attention by owners and managers of these farms could enhance their income manifold.