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MC demolition drive takes backseat
On Thursday, the MC had carried out its demolition drive on Jalandhar Bypass side. The MC was accused of adopting a biased approach, as it had demolished structures owned by common residents, while some factories owned by influential persons were given some “extra time” so that they could demolish the structures themselves. On Friday, the drive was not carried out on the pretext that MC officials were “moved” on seeing small children requesting the MC staff for not going ahead with this drive. MC Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi, at that time, had claimed that now the drive would be carried out in patches. But even after the passage of four days, the MC has not gone ahead with the drive and it doesn’t seem to go ahead with it in coming days as well. A senior MC official said due to the MC elections, almost entire staff of the civic body was under serious political pressure. “Even the state government as well as councillors of wards where this drive would be carried out don’t want us to go ahead with this drive. But the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed us to carry out this drive and that is why it has now become difficult for us to go ahead with it. It is the timing of this drive which is creating problem for us,” claimed a senior MC official, who did not wish to be identified. MC Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi clarified that the demolition drive would be re-started in the next few days. “Even as the MC elections are scheduled for June, this does not mean we would not go ahead with the drive. We would carry out this drive as planned,” claimed Jaggi. As per the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the MC is to demolish illegal buildings that are a violation of the PUDA Act. Through this anti-encroachment drive, the MC would demolish all structures that are within 5 m from the main roads. The MC would be carrying out this drive on roads from Jalandhar Byepass Chowk till Sherpur Chowk, from Sherpur Chowk till Delhi Road Octroi Post, from Samrala Chowk till Chandigarh Road Octroi Post, from Jagraon Bridge till Ferozepur Road Octroi Post, from Jalandhar Byepass Chowk till Jalandhar Road Octroi Post and from Gill Chowk till Gill Road Octroi Post. HC order
As per the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the MC is to demolish illegal buildings that are a violation of the PUDA Act. Through this anti-encroachment drive, the MC would demolish all structures that are within 5 m from the main roads.
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Woman was poisoned: viscera report
Ludhiana, April 23 Though Rubish Rai and his family members maintained that Ruby had died due to food poisoning, the viscera reports stated that the victim had died due to poisoning. The report that was gathering Dust caught the attention of SHO Daba Jatinderjit Singh, who took stock of old cases registered in the police station and contacted Arvind Rai, brother of Ruby Rai. Jatinderjit told the victim's brother that the viscera report had found a poisonous substance in the body. "The SHO has told me that he was discussing the viscera report with doctors before registering the case. I was suspecting from the very beginning that my sister was killed and did not die a natural death," said Arvind Rai. Arvind said Ruby was the youngest among fours brothers and two sisters. She was just like a child to us. The day I heard of her death, I was devastated. Her death was kept a secret by her husband Rubish Rai." He further added that his sister’s condition deteriorated on the morning of November 12, but her husband Rubish Rai did not inform any of the family members about Ruby's health. It was after the death of Ruby that the victim's brothers and sister were told about the death. "I suspected foul play and intimated the police about the death of my sister. The police launched inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the Cr PC and sent the viscera of the victim to a special laboratory following the postmortem," said Arvind Rai. Though Rubish was claiming that Ruby had died due to food poisoning and even said that he took her to the doctor but she died on the way. "I was not convinced as domestic quarrels had become a routine affair between Rubish and Ruby Rai. She often told me about domestic violence incidents, but since the couple had two children (four-year-old daughter and nearly two-year-old boy) from the wedlock, I used to console Ruby by saying that things would change soon. Little did I know that Rubish would kill my sister," said Arvind Rai. He further added that extra marital affair of Rubish Rai could be a reason behind the killing of Ruby. Rubish Rai works as an auto-rickshaw driver and ferries schoolchildren. Both Ruby and Rubish hail from district Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Jatinderjit Singh, SHO, Daba, said, "Poison has been detected in the viscera report, but we have to take medical opinion before arriving at any conclusion." The death of Ruby Rai has again brought to fore the changing trend of dowry death cases. Instead of setting women on fire, people are poisoning them, said the SHO. The incident
Ruby, who was married to Rubish Rai nearly eight years ago and was residing near Jain Ka Theka on Daba Road, had died under suspicious circumstances on November 13, 2011. Though Rubish Rai and his family members maintained that Ruby (the woman) had died due to food poisoning, viscera reports stated that the victim had died due to poisoning.
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Health department notice to 30 scan centres
Ludhiana, April 23 This was stated by Dr Subhash Batta, Chief Medical Officer, Ludhiana, here today while holding a meeting of the PNDT Act Advisory Committee. Dr Kumkum Avasthi, chairperson of the committee, said,"There are 256 scan centres in Ludhiana district. Last month, we checked 65 centres and found irregularities at as many as 30 scan centres. Following this, we issued them show-cause notices." According to sources, eight scan centres filed their reply within the stipulated time i.e. one week. The remaining will be given reminders to reply at the earliest." She further said that the checking of scan centres was done every three months to ensure that they followed all rules and regulations of the PNDT Act. Meanwhile, a team of the health department today raided a drug store at Kochhar Market and seized habit-forming drugs worth Rs 10,000. Drug Inspector Sukhveer Chand said, "We conducted this raid on the directions of Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta. We raided Ahuja Medicos at Kochhar Market and seized 83 Rexicoff cough syrups, 4,813 tablets of Phelotil and 400 capsules of Proxivon. The chemist shop belongs to Jagmohan Singh. We will send the seized habit-forming drugs to State Drug Inspector for further action." |
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Big eateries ignored in food sampling
However, the district health officer, Dr Kulwinder Singh, said that only a few months ago they had already collected samples from famous eating joints. Talking to The Tribune, DHO Dr Kulwinder Singh said, "We keep checking eating joints from time to time in routine when we go out for random sampling. Only a few months ago, we collected samples from a famous hotel on Ferozepur Road, a noted club and also from a restaurant at BRS Nagar. "When asked as there are so many big hotels in the city and if the health department was sure that these served hygienic food, the DHO said, "Whenever we get any complaint, we do collect samples and send these to laboratory for testing." Passing the buck on food safety officer, Manoj Khosla, he said, "He can tell you the exact details as to when we collected samples from the big hotels. But if anyone in the public has any complaint, he can always contact us." When contacted Manoj Khosla, he said, "I think it was about two-three years ago, when we had collected samples from one of the famous hostels of the city. Whenever the DHO orders us we go and do our job then and there." Ten samples collected
On the directions of the Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta, the health department today collected 10 samples of eatables. The food safety officer, Manoj Khosla, said, "Today we collected sample of raita and cold drink from a restaurant at Dugri and eight samples from two department stores, including Khanna and Rikhi department stores. These samples were of namkeen, cold drinks, sherbat, besan powder, tomato juice, sooji and two samples of gatram masala. |
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Drug addict creates ruckus
Ludhiana, April 23 The incident took place here this afternoon when Gaurav snatched the purse of Suman Sethi, a teacher in SAN Jain, who was returning home. Suman said she reached near Circular road, when a motorcycle borne youth came from behind and snatched her bag, containing keys of locker, bank documents, Identify Card and cash. She reported the matter to Daresi police station. The police further launched a combined search operation in the area, but the suspect fled the scene. However, Gaurav could not escape for long. He entered Besant Nagar Street No 5 and started emptying the bag. The residents suspected his activities and informed the police immediately. In no time the Salem Tabri police reached the spot and nabbed Gaurav. But little did the police know that the smack-addict Gaurav would be too tough to handle. When he was being taken to the police station Gaurav, in a bid to escape from the vehicle, he manhandled the cop. So much so that the driver of the police vehicle lost control and was about to ram the vehicle in the electricity pole. On being alighted from the police vehicle, Gaurav threatened the police that the police would pay the price for arresting him. Gaurav then banged his head against the police vehicle and started bleeding his head to scare the police. Later, Gaurav’s father, a former bank manager, also reached the spot. What he further told shocked the police. Gaurav's wife was pregnant and had been admitted in the DMC. He had left from the hospital and stole the motorcycle. After which he snatched the teacher’s bag so that he could buy some drugs. It further came to the light that Gaurav was previously booked in similar cases of snatching.
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‘Regularise safai sewaks’
Ludhiana, April 23 The Punjab State Municipal Karamchari Dal held a protest outside the civic body’s Zone A office located in Mata Rani Chowk and demanded that the safai karamcharies and sewer men working in the MC on DC rates should be regularised within 15 days. The association members stated that around 1,850 safai karamcharies and sewer men have already been regularised by the state government, while around 350 of them are still working on the DC rate, which is very less. Vijay Danav, chairman of Punjab State Municipal Karamchari Dal, said the safai karamcharies and sewer men working on the DC rate have been providing their services to the MC for a long time. “There is a long pending demand that all safai karamcharies and sewer men should be given regular employment by the state government, so that they could also lead good life. But this demand is getting delayed for a long time and we demand from the state government that all remaining safai karamcharies and sewer men should be regularised at the earliest,” demanded Danav. Later, office-bearers of the Punjab State Municipal Karamchari Dal submitted a memorandum in this regard to Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura and MC Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi. When contacted, Jaggi said a committee in this regard had already been formed, which would prepare their case and send it to the state government.
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It’s Indian vs Chinese cycles
Ludhiana, April 23 Initially, the Chinese cycle was the first choice of customers, but now, with the price gap diminishing, people have started opting for Indian cycles, most of which are manufactured in Ludhiana. It has brought back the smile on faces of cycle manufacturers. “We are very happy as the price disparity between Indian and Chinese cycles has been somewhat bridged. People coming for buying cycles, especially in the kids section, are opting for Indian cycles,” said Mahesh, salesman at Gill Road cycle market. Cycle manufacturers are also happy as the price disparity is being plugged. “Finally, we got some respite from the price disparity that existed earlier between Indian and Chinese bicycles. The price gap has narrowed down and customers are showing more interest in buying Indian cycles as these come with a promise of quality and durability,” said Kamal Malik, who deals in bicycles. Meanwhile, customers are also opting for local cycles. “With hi-end cycles from Hero and Avon available in the market, who wants to go in for the Chinese ones, that too for almost similar prices? For my kid, I opted for a Hero cycle as the price gap between Chinese and Indian cycles was very less,” said Tripti, mother of a school-going kid.
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Uneasy calm among MC councillors
Ludhiana, April 23 Since Saturday, several councillors have been making efforts to get information about the notification because their political stakes depend on it. As per rules, the women candidates have 33 per cent reservation in the 75-member MC house. Going by the rotation pattern likely to be followed for the reservation of one-third wards reserved for women, every third ward of the MC, starting from Ward Number 2 would now be reserved for a woman. But in the year 2008, there was a government notification which stated that for the MC elections 2012, the ward immediately next to the one which is now reserved for women would be reserved for women. For example, presently ward number 1 is reserved for women, and for the upcoming MC elections, ward number 2 will be reserved for women. One such “updated” list of wards has been making rounds amongst the MC councillors since yesterday. As per this list, the contents of which have not been confirmed yet, there has been no change in the wards reserved for the Backward Class (BC) candidates. The SC wards, which were earlier reserved for women, have now been reserved for men candidates and vice versa. It is likely that the state government will not change the rotation of wards reserved for the Scheduled Castes. Which means that if any ward is presently reserved for a SC candidate and as per the presumed new rotation, it has to be reserved for women, the immediate next ward will then be reserved for women. For example, as per the presumed new rotation, ward number 50 is reserved for an SC candidate and as per the presumed new rotation, it has to be reserved for women. But a government notification of the year 2008 says that in that case, the immediate next ward, which is ward number 51, will then be reserved for women. And then the rotation will move on keeping ward number 51 as the base. Presently, ward numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 70, 73 are reserved for women.As per the new unconfirmed list, which has been making rounds in the city, ward numbers 2, 5, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 47, 51, 54, 57, 62, 66, 71 and 74 will be reserved for women, ward numbers 6, 9, 24, 26 and 44 for SC Women, ward numbers 7, 43, 50, 58 and 60 for SC, ward numbers 65 and 68 for the BC, while the remaining for the general category. The Tribune contacted several senior officials in the Local Bodies Department, but none of them confirmed this list. But sources within the department claimed that the actual list would be issued on similar lines.
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Prices of fruits, vegetables burning a hole in pocket
Even fruits are costly and people prefer to cut down on fruits rather prefer drinking fruit juice. Vegetables are being brought in the city from the neighbouring states due to which the prices are touching the sky. “Most of my salary goes in managing the funds for the kitchen. With everything priced between Rs 80-100. I do not understand what to buy. It has become very difficult to manage the kitchen budget. Government should at least keep a check on the spiraling prices of vegetables as these come under the essential commodities and everybody need to buy them,” said Esha, a schoolteacher. While Suleman Mina, a vegetable vendor, said that the prices of vegetables are increasing with each passing day. “Since the crop in the state got damaged, vegetables are brought from the neighbouring states due to which they are priced highly,” he said. Tomatoes are brought from Mumbai and are priced at Rs 40 per kg. In the coming days it is expected that the prices of tomatoes to rise further, he added. 
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Traffic menace to be checked
Ludhiana, April 23 Addition Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP-Traffic) Harmohan Singh and ACP Swapan Sharma conducted a meeting with the market committee members and truck workshop owners to find a solution to the traffic problem. Following the meeting, a four-phase programme was initiated. In the first phase, the police of the respective areas would warn the vendors, shopkeepers and workshop owners not to encroach upon roads. The area traffic in charge would ensure that the residents follow the guidelines. In the second phase, the police would ensure smooth flow of traffic on seven chowks that are considered to be the main bottleneck of the city. The police is also going to install close-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) on roundabouts. The police also conducted a meeting with the municipal corporation officials to discuss the issue of creating more parking lots to ease traffic problem on main roads.
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Health awareness camp
Ludhiana, April 23 Addressing the students, Dr. Ashwani Malhotra, senior medical officer stressed on the need for personal hygiene, clean environment, prevention of water logging and safe drinking water to prevent the spread of these diseases. Principal Vinod Kumar, Dr Navneet, RMO, and BEE Daljit Singh also addressed the students.
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Fix teacher-student ratio, says ex-VC
Ludhiana, April 23 The seminar was organised by the Punjab Educationists Forum and was presided over by Dr SS Johl, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University. Dr SS Johl said an unsatisfied teacher could not deliver its best and added that a teacher-student ratio should be fixed. He discussed that at present only 6 per cent youth are getting higher education and the national target is to increase it to 20 per cent. He suggested that the purpose of the seminar should not be limited to passing of a few resolutions but the forum should prepare a detailed document that could be reassessed by organising a workshop and then the finding should be submitted to the government through a committee. Principal Tarsem Bahia (former fellow president, general secretary PCCTU) said the unaided colleges, without getting any financial assistance from the state, were performing their duties. Dr Kuldip Singh said the state should strengthen higher education, so that Punjab may be a developed state. He desired that the teachers working on the unaided posts should be brought under the Service Security Act again.
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Poetry book released
Ludhiana, April 23 The function was organised by Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi in collaboration with Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana. Dr SN Sewak, president of the akademi, said the poems in Shayad bring out the uncertainty prevailing in the modern society. He appreciated the style of the poems that recall the blank verse of professor Puran Singh.
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SIT men awarded with posting of SHOs
Ludhiana, April 23 Prem Singh, member of the SIT has been appointed as an SHO, Sarabha Nagar, while Gurpreet Singh has been posted as SHO, Dugri police station. SHO Mandeep Singh has been transferred from Dugri to the PAU police station. Ramninder Singh who was posted as an SHO, Kum Kalan, has been transferred to Jamalpur. Gopal Krishan has been given the charge of the SHO NRI police station. Bant Singh, another member of the SIT has been appointed as an SHO, Kum Kalan. Varunjit and Lovedeep Singh have been sent to the police lines.
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Youth stabbed following clash
Ludhiana, April 23 The irked residents of the colony later staged a dharna and demanded police action against the assailants. However, the police maintained that it was a group clash between residents of the Railway Colony and a private colony located near the bus terminus. Heavy police was deployed in the area to control the situation.
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Students flock to PAU government school
Ludhiana, April 23 In the beginning of the session, the school is flooded with admission application as 1,650 applications were received for 370 seats of XI class. Moreover, the people approached politicians to reserve seats for their children. But the school authorities claimed that school gave admission to the students only on merit basis. School principal Sanjeev Thapar said, "We do not know why a huge number of students is interested in taking admission in the school. We received same grants form state government, which other schools get. Even we are facing number of problems due to over strength". "We select the students on merit basis. We adopt transparent system because if anyone challenges our selection then it will strike our reputation. Right Information Act gave a freedom to everyone to check the selection criteria," said he.
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At 84, he is still a student
Ludhiana, April 23 The 84-year-old has been the proponent of original raag-based recital of Kirtan all his life. His zest for teaching and bringing and propounding Gurbani keertan in the original form of ragas, saw him change his career as a devotional kirtan singer to a teacher at the age of 40. After teaching music at Malwa College of Education, he joined as the head of department at Guru Nanak Girls College and taught there for 28 years. He is unappreciative of any form of commercialisation of kirtan. That is the reason why he has not brought out any CD's for selling his music. His has brought out comprehensive study in his five books on Gurmat Sangeet Darpan, detailed studies of Ragas, their history, Gurbani sangeet. The books include 1200 compositions in the ragas. He is writing another book on Gurbani by Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb. Besides scholarly works, he says that he is still a student. "I was a student in 1941, and I still am a student of music. "I learn from my students as well and learning goes on," he says. He added vilambhit khyal and introduced compositions of swai (1/4), paun (3/4) and dedh (11/2) matra taals, which were not done prior to this. He started kirtan with tanti saaz at Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar and even now, those performing kirtan there with stringed instruments are his students, he says. He has performed at various momentous occasions including Commonwealth games 2010 in New Delhi Desh Parv, festival of music, during the visit of Prince Charles at Anandpur Sahib. He has been conferred numerous prestigious awards including Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Gurbani Sangeet for the year 2008 by Presidnet Pratibha Patil.
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Ludhiana scan
The Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena has demanded the municipal corporation Mayor and Commissioner to take steps for the prevention and spread of dengue in the city. Praveen Dang, president of the organisation, said the administration should fix responsibilities of officials for the prevention of dengue and these should be held responsible in case of breakout of the disease and actions should be taken against them. Earth Day Nearly 600 students from Classes VIII, IX and X participated in the Earth Day celebrations organised at Government High School, Mundian, by the Rotary Club Ludhiana Greater. Dr Sanjiv Uppal, president, Rotary Club Ludhiana Greater, said all individuals and institutions had a mutual responsibility to act as trustees of earth, for elimination pollution, poverty and violence, foster peaceful progress. Poster making and quiz competitions were also organised apart from saplings plantation. District PRO Subhash Gupta has joined as district public relations officer at Ludhiana. Teja Singh has joined as the assistant district public relations officer. Rally The Moulder and Steel Workers’ Union carried out a rally for the benefits of the victims of Seetal Fibres scandal. They demanded medication, compensation, government job and punishment for the accused. Personality development Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle organised a personality development two-day camp at Punjab Agricultural University. May Day Democratic Employees’ Front Punjab president said May Day would be celebrated on May 1 at Government High School with the support of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sabhyacharak Kender and BEd Front. Contest The display board decoration competition was held at Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Doraha, on Monday. Students showed their innovative and artistic skills through the display boards of their respective classes. In this competition, class XII Commerce (A) obtained first position among senior classes. The second position was secured by class X (A). Classes XII Commerce (B) and X (B) secured third position. Among junior classes, class III (B) took hold on the first position. Classes IV (A) and I (B) secured the second and third positions, respectively. School principal DP Thakur felicitated the winners. Vice-president Harpartap Singh Brar and director S Jaswant Singh Gill appreciated the work of the students. — Tribune Reporters
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Woman attacked, hurt
Ludhiana, April 23 When she reached near Dr Hira Singh road, some unidentified assailants came from behind and attacked her and fled the scene. She suffered injury on her arm and was immediately rushed to a clinic. According to investigating official Navreet Singh, the woman was panicky and was reluctant to register a complaint. — TNS
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Ludhiana, April 23
Ludhiana, April 23
Ludhiana, April 23