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Poor response to BHARAT bandh call IN
CITY
Ludhiana, May 31 Jaiparkash Aggarwal, a dyeing unit owner, said closing the unit would not have served any purpose. "We are already suffering huge losses due to the power crisis and we cannot afford to close the unit for even one day. Moreover, the petrol prices will not come down even if we close the shops," he said. Krishen Lal, a general department owner at Ghumar Mandi, said it had become impossible to drive petrol vehicles. "But bandh is not a solution to the problem. The government should intervene and ask oil companies to decrease the petrol prices," he said. Meanwhile, the All India Bank Employees Association held a demonstration against the hike. SK Gautam, general secretary, All India State Bank of Patiala Federation, said the reckless decision to increase the price of petrol by more than Rs 7 per litre was unprecedented, especially at a time when the economy was in crisis. Adding fuel to fire, the government is contemplating to increase the price of diesel, cooking gas and kerosene, which will further hit the common man. Petrol sale unaffected
Petrol stations in the city witnessed a steady flow of customers. "Petrol is an essential commodity and one cannot do without it even for a day. There was no decrease in the footfall of customers even as the bandh call was given against the petrol price hike," said a salesman at a petrol
station.
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Fewer patients turn up at OPDs
Ludhiana, May 31 Patients, particularly those belonging to the rural areas, faced difficulty in reaching hospitals as the local buses did not ply. Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent of the DMCH, said: "Although all departments and OPDs of the hospital were working as usual, the OPDs received about 40 to 45 per cent less patients compared to other days." Dr Kanwal Maseeh, Medical Superintendent of Christian Medical College and Hospital, said there wasn't much affect of the bandh at the OPDs. Dr Ashwani Malhotra, Senior Medical Officer of the Community Health Centre, Payal, said: "Our centre worked as usual, but the number of patients was less compared to routine days." |
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Engg exams put off to June 9
Although students were informed by the colleges concerned well in time, some were caught unawares today. It was only after reaching the exam centre that they came to know about the postponement of the exam. "It was only after coming to the centre that I came to know that the exam has been postponed due to the bandh. When I contacted one of my friends, he was aware that the exam
had been put off," said a student pursuing civil engineering. A teacher from a local engineering college said students of all streams were informed about the exam postponement on May 29. A notice was also put on the notice board of the college. |
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Rural commuters face the brunt
Ludhiana, May 31 Manpreet Singh, District Transport Officer, said: "Commuters from the rural areas suffered a lot due to the absence of mini buses. Pun Buses, Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) buses operated the entire day. Some of the private bus companies also ran their buses. Inter-city and inter-state commuters suffered less than periphery commuters." Resham Singh, a resident of Pakhowal Road, said: "My all plans were disturbed due to the call for Bharat bandh by some political parties. I had made plans to go to the grain market at Khanna to meet a commission agent. I had to reschedule the meeting." Sixtyfive-year-old Satpal Singh said: "Call for bandh hits the common man, who suffers the most. I support the cause of the agitators, but bandh is ineffective against the petrol price hike. Also, the common man faces the brunt." |
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Murder attempt
Ludhiana, May 31 The accused, identified as MP Jawaddi and Harry, son and nephew of Satwinder Jawaddi, respectively, along with their aides Iqbal, Mani and Nikhil allegedly attacked Shbeg Singh and Manjeet at Sarabha Nagar late last night. Old enmity is stated to be the reason behind the attack. It is learnt that Shbeg and MP Jawaddi were good friends, but had parted ways due to some dispute. Last night, Mani and MP Jawaddi allegedly challenged Shbeg Singh to visit the Sarabha Nagar market, following which Shbeg Singh and his friend Manjeet reached the market. Both groups indulged in a heated argument. In a fit of rage, MP Jawaddi and his friend attacked Shbeg and Manjeet with sharp-edged weapons. One of them, pulled out a pistol and fired three shots. Manjeet managed to escape, but Shbeg was shot in the arm. He was rushed to the DMCH, where his condition is stated to be stable. SHO Sarabha Nagar Manjinder Singh said the police had registered a case and the accused had been identified. The police was conducting raids to nab the accused. Political vendetta, claims Cong candidate
Congress candidate Satwinder Singh Jawaddi alleged that he was targeted due to political vendetta. “Just three days ago, I was responsible for the arrest of a proclaimed offender, Avtar Singh, who is said to be close to an Akali leader. Hence, my family has been targeted,” he claimed. Cong leaders in trouble?
On May 12, Congress councillor Sanjay Talwar was booked by the police under Section 120-B of the IPC for criminal conspiracy after "gamblers" attacked a policeman. The registration of a case against the son and nephew of Satwinder Jawaddi has increased the problems for the Congress. Both Sanjay and Satwinder are said to be the blue-eyed boys of MLA Bharat Bhushan
Ashu. |
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At 45.8°C, city hottest in decade
Ludhiana, May 31 The data available with the PAU shows that in May 2010, the temperature had risen to 45.4 degrees Celsius while in 2002, the maximum temperature in May had gone up to 45.2 degrees. Dr KK Gill, an agro-meteorologist, said today was the hottest day in May in the last 10 years. "The maximum temperature has touched 45.8 degrees while the minimum temperature has gone up to 26 degrees Celsius. Hot and dry winds indicate that in the next two-three days, residents will suffer more hot weather conditions as the temperature can rise further," said Dr Gill, cautioning that in such weather conditions, people must avoid going out in peak hours. "One can start the day early to avoid hot weather as chances of heat stroke increase with the increase in temperature. In case it is unavoidable to go out, then one must cover the head and body properly," Dr Gill said. Farmers were advised to irrigate crops frequently. The fields must be irrigated during morning and evening hours only. Due to the extreme weather conditions, city roads wore a deserted look as people preferred to stay indoors. But for daily wage earners, there is no option but to bear the severe weather conditions. Narain Yadav, a migrant labourer from UP, said: "Summer or winter, we have to work. It is very difficult to work in the scorching heat, but we have no option. I prefer not to complain. I do drink a lot of water." pau data
The data available with the PAU shows that in May 2010, the temperature had risen to 45.4 degrees Celsius while in 2002, the maximum temperature in May had gone up to 45.2 degrees. Dr KK Gill, an agro-meteorologist, said today was the hottest day in May in the last 10 years. |
MC POLL
Ludhiana, May 31 The Congress candidate, Parvinder Singh Lapran, has lodged the complaint against Kamaljit Singh Karwal, a sitting councillor, who is close to MLA Simarjit Singh Bains. In the complaint, Parvinder Singh Lapran alleged that Karwal and his family were having votes in two different wards- 47 and 66. “Kamaljit Karwal is having his vote in ward number 47 (serial number 79, part 10/47/1-29) and his name is mentioned as Kanwaljit Singh. Similarly, his covering candidate and wife, Komalpreet Kaur is having vote in the same ward (serial number 80, part 10/47/1-29). In votes of ward number 66, his name is mentioned as Kamaljit Singh (serial number 719, part 9/66/1-32) and his wife’s name is mentioned as Kamaljit Kaur (serial number 720, part 9/66/1-32). This clearly shows that the SAD candidate and his covering candidate are indulging in illegal things and their candidature should be cancelled,” alleged Parvinder Singh Lapran. When contacted, Kamaljit Singh Karwal refuted allegations. He said, “Maybe the Congress candidate is nervous because he knows he is going to lose. When I filed my nomination papers, I clearly mentioned that my vote in ward number 66 be cancelled because I don’t live in that area anymore. These votes (ward number 66) were made when I used to live in Shimlapuri, but we shifted to Model Town in 2000. If my votes still exist in the records, it’s the mistake of the BLO concerned.” Returning officer Babita Kler said the complaint had been sent for verification and action would be taken accordingly.
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Shot in arm for SAD candidate
Ludhiana, May 31 Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, SAD candidate from the ward, was facing opposition ever since his name was announced for the municipal corporation elections. But with
Pawan Puri, an Independent candidate, who holds great influence in the area, withdrawing candidature in favour of Bhupinder Singh Bhinda is termed as a shot in the arm for him. Earlier, infighting within the Shiromani Akali Dal in ward number 56 had come out in open. Senior Akali leader and observer for Ludhiana, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, had earlier organised a meeting with party dissidents at Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali's residence a few days ago. Bhupinder Singh Bhinda said, "This is one of the posh areas of the city and if I win, I will make sure that it is developed further," he said. 172 withdraw papers on last day About 172 candidates today withdrew their nominations for the coming municipal corporation elections. The Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Tiwari, said 172 candidates withdrew their papers on the last day. With this, 543 candidates from various political parties, including Independents, are in fray. Tiwari added that votes would be polled between 8 am and 4 pm on June 10.
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JET
Ludhiana, May 31 Son of Puran and Geeta from Barewal, who earn their livelihood by ironing clothes, Gautam always nurtured a dream to pursue a different career, but was not clear about which path to choose. It was Amarjeet Kaur, principal of Government High School, Barewal, who showed him the path and Gautam followed it with fortitude. "My principal told me about the examination and one of the teachers, Sanjeev, gave us coaching,” said Gautam. "My joy knew no bounds when I received a call from one of my teachers that I had acquired 16th position in Punjab in JET. It took some time for me and my family to get acquainted with the reality. My parents are proud parents today as I will be pursuing engineering while my elder brother is doing BSc (IT)," he said.
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Unhygienic sugarcane juice destroyed
Ludhiana, May 31 District Health Officer of Ludhiana Dr Kulwinder Singh said,"On receiving information that the vendor was selling unhygienic juice by adding artificial sugar to it, we conducted a check and destroyed the juice. As we reached there, one of the three juice vendors ran away." It has been observed many a times that hygiene is given a miss at these rehris. Vendors selling sugarcane juice mostly hail from Bihar and Utter Pardesh. An official of the health department
said, "Whenever a vendor goes to his native village, he hands over his rehri to someone else so that the sale of unhygienic juice continues."
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Auto driver stabbed to death
Ludhiana, May 31 He was an auto driver. The victim was tortured
to death. The investigating officer said the he was stabbed with iron rods. The body was spotted by a commuter around 5 pm,
who further informed the police about the incident. Old rivalry is suspected to be the reason behind the brutal murder.
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Gang of vehicle thieves busted, 2 held
Ludhiana, May 31 The two were planning to dismantle the car. The police conducted a raid and nabbed
the accused.
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cricket
meet
Ludhiana, May 31 Ludhiana skipper Geetansh Khera won the toss and opted to bat first. The hosts began their essay on a sedate note as the visitors exhibited some excellent fielding, coupled with accurate bowling. Ludhiana batsmen chose the right ball to punish and were gradually inching towards a big
total. Then, suddenly loss of concentration cost them dear as Geetansh (15) and Abhishek Talwar (0) got run out, leaving Ludhiana tottering at 126 for the loss of five wickets. The arrival of Nikhil Chowdhary and Davinder Sidhu at the wicket helped Ludhiana heave a sigh of relief as the pair
played their shots very judiciously. The duo shared a valuable partnership of 103 runs for the sixth wicket before Nikhil's departure. He executed 98 runs with the help of 11 hits over the ropes and three sixes. Davinder and Gurinder Hara added 150 runs for the seventh wicket. Davinder scored 112 runs which included 16 boundaries and two towering sixes while Gurinder was contributed 64 runs laced with eight boundaries. Ludhiana's last pair of Sandeep Singh and Sukhjinder Singh, too, excelled with bat (78 runs) in which the former added 62 runs. His hurricane innings included one six and 12 boundaries. Chandigarh began their reply on a sound foot as the visitors were 128 for two in 58 overs. At draw of stumps, Karan Goel (55) and Naveen Dhiman (22) were at the crease. Brief scores Ludhiana (first innings): 442 all out in 132.3 overs (Sunny Pandey 26, Nikhil Chowdhary 95, Geetansh Khera 15, Davinder Sidhu 112, Gurinder Hara 64, Sandeep Singh 62 and Sukhjinder Singh 20 not out; Rattan Singh 2 for 110, Gurvinder 4 for 100 and Abhilash 1 for 92). Chandigarh (first innings): 128 for 2 in 58 overs (Simranpreet Singh 29, Karan Goel 55 not out, Naveen Dhiman 22
not out and Himanshu 2 for 42).
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Ludhiana, May 31