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Goods worth Rs 4 crore gutted
Fire breaks out at Cremica godown; No loss of life reported in the incident
Puneet Pal Singh Gill & Ashok Kaura
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana/Phillaur, June 23
Goods worth crores were gutted in a fire incident, which took place at the Cremica godown, a leading food products company of the region, at Phillaur this morning. The fire brigade officials suspected that a short circuit could have been the reason behind the fire incident.

The fire started at the company’s godown, located on Talwan Road in Phillaur, around 11 am and it took the fire brigade officials from Ludhiana, Phagwara and Jalandhar around
nine hours to control it. No person was injured in this fire incident.

As per information, plastic and glass bottles, raw material, packaging material and cardboards of the Cremica company were stored in its godown located on Talwan Road area of Phillaur. It is learnt that goods worth around Rs 4 crore were gutted in the fire incident.

Krishan Lal Kakkar, fire officer of fire brigade, Ludhiana, said, “Two fire tenders from each Ludhiana, Phagwara and Jalandhar were rushed to the spot. It was around 11 am today when we came to know about this fire incident and the fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the godown. The reason behind this fire incident but the actual cause would be learnt only after thorough investigation,”.

General manager of Cremica said that the loss could exceed from Rs 4 crore.

The Phillaur SDM Jasbir Singh and Tehsildar Dharmeder rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Balkar Singh, Superintendent of fire brigade, Phagwara, said that it was due to hard efforts of the fire brigade officials that the fire could not spread to the adjoining godown.

While speaking to The Tribune, Anoop Bector, director of Cremica said that the actual amount of loss has not been ascertained yet.

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92 booked for illegal sand mining
Jaswant Shetra

Jagraon, June 23
The local police has booked 92 persons under three separate cases of illegal sand mining from Satluj river near Sidhwan Bet. From the total 92 persons booked by the police for illegal sand mining, four have been identified, while the remaining are yet to be identified. However, no arrest has been made in this regard so far.

As per the information, the action was taken by the Jagraon Sadar police following the complaint given by the Mining Department officials to the police. The mining department officials have also given the registration number of some vehicles used by these persons for transporting sand excavated from the river to the police.

The police has identified four persons on the basis of the registration number of the vehicles provided by the mining department officials. Out of the 92 persons booked, two have been identified as residents of Madhepur village and two have been identified as residents of Walipur village, while the remaining 88 are yet to be identified.

Confirming the development, Jagraon Sadar police SHO Rachpal Singh informed that the police has registered three cases against 88 unidentified and 4 identified persons under appropriate sections. "We are conducting raids to nab the accused who have been identified. The efforts to identify the remaining accused are also on," added Rachpal Singh.

It is pertinent to mention here that The Tribune had exposed the practice of illegal sand mining from Satluj river near Sidhwan Bet area some time back, following which the administration had launched a massive drive to curb the practice and arrested many persons apart from impounding several machines being used for excavating sand from the river illegally. After this the Mining Department officials and the local police had increased vigil in the area. But despite the strict monitoring to stop the illegal sand mining from Satluj river near Sidhwan Bet area, many persons are still involved in illegal sand mining.

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Three rape cases reported
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
In different shocking incidents, three rape cases were repored to the police during the past 24 hours here. In one heinous incident, a father raped her minor daughter in Hargobindnagar. A case was registered against Abdul Malik under Section 376-354 of the IPC at Police Division Number 4.

According to information, Sajida (name changed), the nine-year-old daughter of Malik complained to the police that her mother Rehana Begam had died and her father used to rape her. On June 7, while the man tried to molest his minor daughter, the neighbours saw him and rescued the minor girl. The matter was reported to the police. The accused has been arrested.

In another incident, a gymnast Bharti (name changed), aged 15, was raped by Nitish Kumar, a resident of Railway Colony here. Police Division Number 8 has registered a complaint against the accused on the basis of the statement made by the victim's father Govardhan.

According to information, on June 15 at around 1 pm, the father of the girl got a call from phone number 73551-59157 and the caller said that she was his daughter's gymnastics teacher. The caller asked the father to send his daughter to her as a team of girls was going to Shimla for 10 days. Later, the father came to know that no such team had gone to Shimla and Nitish Kumar had forcibly taken his daughter on the pretext of getting married to her. The accused has been arrested and a case under Section 363-366 has been registered against Nitish Kumar.

In another separate incident, Raavi (name changed), a 17-year-old class X student was raped by Sunil Kumar, a resident of Anandpuri, Basti Jodhewal, a married man having two kids. The girl was recovered by the police today and the medical examination was conducted at the Civil Hospital. The hospital authorities cofirmed the rape. Basti Jodhewal Police has registered a case under Section 376 against Sunil Kumar, who has been arrested.

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Hambran Road incident: 40 persons booked
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
The police has registered a case under Sections 353-186-148-149 of the IPC against about 40 unidentified persons who tried to disrupt the drive of the Municipal Corporation and Traffic Police of closing the cuts on the Hambran road here yesterday.

The police maintained that the case was registered against the unidentified persons, as they reportedly manhandled Surinder Singh, an SDO with the Municipal Corporation, who accompanied the police while closing the cuts. The police added that these persons against whom the case had been registered had obstructed the duty of the police and MC officials.

Deputy Commissioner Police Ashish Chaudhry said anyone who tried to disrupt the working of the police would not be spared. "We are doing everything to provide relief to the general public and any kind of obstruction in our duty will not be tolerated," said Chaudhry, adding that this was certainly not any political issue.

Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu, however, said that he was with the residents and would submit a memorandum against the erring officials to the Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh on Monday. 

"Lathi-charge was not the solution, which the police adopted. Now to save its skin, the police made Surinder Singh a scapegoat. The police could have given a patient hearing to the residents before cracking its whip," said Ashu. Meanwhile, the four councillors along with over 200 residents staged a dharna here today against the "inhumane" attitude of the police towards the Congress councillors and Rishi Nagar residents yesterday over the closing of the cuts on Hambran Road opposite Kali Maa temple. The agitated residents raised slogans against the police. Gurpreet Bassi, a Congress councillor, said the residents had no option but to show their anger towards the police, so they adopted this protest move today. "We are with the public who supported us during the Municipal Corporation elections. Their problems are our own problems and we need to find the solutions," said Gogi.

Meanwhile, ACP Traffic Navin said the police had a word with the councillors today, too. "We will visit the site tomorrow. Residents do not want the closure of the cuts on the road. Out of the three cuts, we will close two, while one will remain open for public's convenience. The residents will tell us tomorrow, which cut they want to remain open," said Singla.

Police move appreciated

Appreciating the drive initiated by the city police, Sham Singh Harike, former director,Fertilizer and Chemical Tranvancore Ltd, said the councillors should have behaved "responsibly". "The police is doing everything for the betterment of the public. One cannot take law into his hands. There are certain ways to convey your sentiments.

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26 travel agents booked in six months
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
The city police has asked residents here to thoroughly check the credentials of the travel agents before investing their money for immigration purposes.
The data available with the city police shows that from January 1 to June 21, 26 fraud travel agents have been booked by the police.

Ishwar Singh, Commissioner Police, said travel agents gave advertisements in various sections of media and had opened small offices in several localities like Salem Tabri, Basti Jodhewal, Jamalpur, Daba Road etc.

"Before making any kind of investment, people, especially youths, must check the credentials of the travel agents. They commit the fraud and dupe innocent residents of several lakhs of rupees," said Singh.

Another police official said many cases go unnoticed. "They do everything in a very planned manner. They take rented accommodation in many areas, give advertisements in the media and lure the residents, especially the unemployed youth, who could do anything to go abroad. A majority of the youths are not that literate and desperate to go abroad. They cannot understand the modus operandi of these travel agents. They even pressurise their parents to provide them immediate money as demanded by the travel agents", said the official.

The cases that have been reported from the city have been from Police Division Number 5, Meharbaan, Haibowal, Jamalpur, Daba, Dugri, Division Number 2, Salem Tabri, PAU Police Station, Model Town,
Jodhewal, Thana Sadar, Police Division Number 4, Ladhowal etc.

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Boy drowned in canal

Ludhiana, Jun 23
A boy drowned in a canal near Jawaddi bridge here last evening. The victim, Karan, 16, was son of Shiv Das, a resident of Jawaddi.

Karan had gone bathe in the canal when he slipped into it. His body was seen floating in the canal this morning. Some passers-by saw the body and informed the police.

The police fished out the body, which was identified by the boy's parents. — TNS

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Drug sale on rise
Addicted youngsters getting involved in supply of banned substances
Jaswant Shetra

Jagraon, June 23, 2012
The time when chemist shops were involved in sale of habit forming drugs is over. Due to strict vigilence by the police and health department, a majority of drug stores have given up the business of selling habit forming drugs.

Taking advantage of this situation, criminals have started selling habit forming drugs. Besides this, several youths, who are addicted to such drugs, are also getting involved in the illegal trade of selling habit forming drugs to their 'permanent customers'.

There are many localities in the town where the sale of these habit forming drugs has been going on unchecked. The prominent ones include Bagh Kheta Ram Colony situated near a college, Agwar Lopon situated on outskirts of Jagraon, and slum areas situated on Raikot Road and near local bus stand.

Banned drugs such as cough syrups including Rexcof, Recodex and tablets and capsules like Restyl, Alprex, Carrysoma, Parvon Spas, Spasmo Proxyvon etc are quite popular among youngsters and these drugs offer huge margin to the sellers.

One can often witness a large number of drug addict youths visiting and sitting idly in Bagh Kheta Ram Colony. In the absence of strict monitoring, the sale of these habit forming drugs is on the rise near the educational institutes of the town. There has been a considerable rise in the sale of habit forming drugs near the educational institutes in the recent past and the main target of the people involved in the sale of these drugs are the students of the schools and colleges.

According to sources, a large number of students of various colleges and schools are getting addicted to the habit forming drugs and they are on the target of these drug peddlers. With more and more youths getting addict, these drug peddlers have been more active in the areas near educational institutes.

When contacted, SSP Jagraon Gurpreet Singh Toor, stated that the police is doing its best and using all the resources to curb this menace. "On an average we are arresting two-three persons involved in illegal drug peddling everyday in Jagraon police district. Whenever we get information about such activity, we always take strict action," he added.

Stressing the need of more active involvement of NGOs and social organisations to curb this menace, Toor also appealed representatives of such organisations and local residents to come forward and help the police by passing information if they notice any such activity. 

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Health minister visits city
Anupam Bhagria
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
Health and Family & Social Welfare Minister Madan Mohan Mittal was in the city today. The minister attended about half of dozen functions and despite it being a holiday on Saturday, officers of health department were also accompanying him.

The minister started at 11:00 am with the inauguration of a medical mobile dispensary at Viklang Sahayata Kender and Polio Surgery Camp organised by NGO Bharat Vikas Parishad Charitable Trust and Jago. Suraj Jyoti, president of the trust, said that the mobile dispensary will be visiting slum areas of Ludhiana. Madan Mohan Mittal appreciated the NGOs for their efforts and also distributed artificial limbs to 60 handicapped persons. He also visited 11 patients who were operated with polio corrective surgery.

In the afternoon, the minister participated in a seminar on "Food Safety and Standard Act" at Gujjaranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Civil Lines. He spoke about different plans being implemenetd by the state government for better helath facilities to the people. Health minister also visited Mediways Hospital and congratulated the new management of the hospital.

The minister also participated in functions at Punarjot Eye Centre, BRS Nagar, and Rama Charitable Hospital Trust, Prabhat Nagar, in the evening. The visit ended with a meeting with the Chemist Association.

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People reel under Power cuts
Jaswant Shetra

Jagraon, June 23
Despite the tall claims of the Punjab State Power Corporation to provide uninterrupted power supply to all during the summer season, the residents of Jagraon and surrounding areas continue to grapple with long unscheduled power cuts.

Not only the domestic sector, even people employed in the the agricultural sector are not getting the eight-hour power supply as assured. The domestic power supply in rural areas has been affected the worst.

In Jagraon, power cuts varying from seven to nine hours are being imposed everyday. According to sources, the situation is more grave in rural areas where power cuts are imposed for more than ten hours daily.

The farmers have complained that they are not getting enough power supply, as assured by the PowerCom authorities before start of the paddy season. Joginder Singh, a farmer from the nearby Ramghar village rued, "We have been witnessing prolonged and unscheduled power cuts because of which we have been facing a lot of problems. The sowing of paddy crop has also been getting delayed due to power cuts.

In absence of electricity we have to depend on generator sets to water our fields for sowing paddy which costs much more than the electricity. If the situation does not improve in the coming days, we are bound to face heavy losses," he said.

Sukhdev Singh, district president of Bhartiya Kissan Union, said, "We were told by the Power Corporation authorities that they would provide at least six-hour power supply everyday. But they have failed to provide even six-hour power supply."

According to sources, the state was reeling under power crisis due to low levels of hydro-generation and a sudden spurt in power demand for last some days. Besides this, there are regular technical snags due to overload.

When contacted, Xen PowerCom, Jagraon, said that there has been a shortage of power supply from the power generation plants due to the difference in demand and supply which is the main reason behind the power cuts.

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Power duty, property tax will hit industry hard, says CICU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
The Punjab Industry will be hit hard by the proposed increase in electricity duty and levy of property tax, says Avtar Singh, general secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU).

He said that on the one hand the PSPCL has not been able to give uninterrupted power supply to the industry for the last 7-8 years and on the other hand the Punjab Government is considering increasing the electricity duty from 13% to 17%. Already there is an entry tax of 12.5% on diesel generating sets and 5% electricity duty from captive consumption from any source, and the power tariff is being hiked almost every year by the PSPCL.

With all taxes and duties in place, it is beyond imagination how the industry in Punjab will survive and compete in the national and international market, he said. All the policies framed by the PSPCL are anti-industry and the industrialists of Punjab are being supplied power at exorbitant rates as compared to all other Northern states. One cannot hope that any new industry will come up in the state.

Upkar Singh, joint secretary, CICU, said that MSMEs are at a cross road and the main issue of concern is how to survive in this competitive market. Soon after a tax free budget, the Punjab Government is set to levy hefty property tax on industrial, commercial and residential properties. He added that house tax is already imposed on industrial plots and therefore the proposed property tax will be an additional burden on the industry. This will adversely affect the already reeling MSME sector in this economic scenario, he said.

The industry, which is already suffering losses, would be unable to bear the proposed property tax. Instead of hiking the electricity duty, emphasis should be laid on reducing the transit loss of coal, T and D losses. He said that power theft should be made a punishable offence. 

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65 employees for 16 lakh residents
Fire department severely ill equipped; fire fighters even lack masks
Puneet Pal Singh Gill
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
Not just the offices of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, even the fire brigade department is ailing. With poor infrastructure and only 65 employees in the fire brigade, the department is ill equipped to tackle any major fire incident in the city.

The fire department, which should be one of the most advanced and up to date departments of the city, is sadly one of the most neglected departments of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.

For a city having a population of 16,13,878, there are just 65 fire department employees, including drivers. Besides this, the employees are ill equipped to the extent that they don't even have masks to cover their faces, leave aside any other safety equipment.

Even the firefighting vehicles, which are about 33 in number, are very old and the civic body gets them repaired regularly to ensure there is no shortage of vehicles. According to experts, the life of a fire engine is only ten years and the fire department is still working with the 1980s models. Only ten new models have been inducted into the fleet since 2002.

Not only drivers of fire engines, there is an acute shortage of firemen in the department. The department needs around 40 employees immediately. Presently, the department is working with just three leading firemen and 42 firemen.

Employees say that the MC had got the green signal to employ staff in the fire department, but due to political reasons, the matter got delayed. "Instead of an eight hour shift, we are working for 12 hours everyday for the last many years. I wonder why no official is giving preference to fire fighting arrangements for our city," rued a fire brigade official.

Due to the shortage of staff, there is a resentment amongst the employees who rue that they are forced to work overtime which is affecting their personal life. While the MC has been 'preaching' for a long time that they are in a process of recruiting new employees in the department, no fresh appointments have been made yet.

Firefighters say that sometimes the extent of smoke in buildings is so much that they are forced to use cloth to cover their faces. "Even in such conditions, we operate without hesitation because its our duty and we know that we would be saving someone's life. We have been told that the fire fighters in the western countries are highly paid and get the best of facilities. While in Ludhiana, all we get are assurances and false promises," a fire fighter said.

Senior Deputy Mayor Parveen Bansal claims that the process of recruiting firemen is already under process. "Very soon we would recruit firemen and the entire department would be modernised with the best of fire fighting facilities and safety equipment," he claimed.

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Civil surgeon office lacks fire safety
Anupam Bhagria
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
The Civil Surgeon Office Complex, housing many important offices relating to the health department had witnessed a fire accident about 16 years ago which destroyed several records. The fire safety arrangements in this premises are yet to see the light of day.

During a visit to the Civil Surgeon's Office premises, naked electricity wires were found hanging from the electricity panels. The narrow and dingy corridors posed a serious challenge for evacuating people in case of an emergency. As one enters the narrow corridor of the office, one feels suffocated with iron almiras kept on both sides, which of course makes the passage more dark and dingy. Naveen Chand, a visitor said, "More than half the people will die of suffocation in case a fire breaks out here as there is only one entry and exit point of the corridor."

One does not come across any fire fighting equipment except a defunct dry chemical powder-type fire extinguisher cylinder. Even basic equipments, like sand buckets, are also not available on the premises.

When asked about fire fighting arrangements, a staff member said, "This building was declared unsafe about 16 years ago, but still we are working here. You talk about fire fighting arrangements, but tell us what will we do if the roof comes down or a wall collapses?"

 

What does National Building Code of India-Part IV say?

  • For any office there is need of fire extinguishers
  • There should be a water tank of 10,000 litre capacity on terrace , with water pipes coming down
  • Fire extinguishers should be installed in staircase.
  • Automatic sprinkler system
  • Manually operated electric fire alarm system
  • Underground static water storage system

CMO speaks

We have discussed about the required fire fighting arrangements in our office as well as in different government hospitals. On that basis we have made a proposal and sent it to Punjab Health System Corporation for approval. We hope we will get the approval soon and get the things done accordingly.~

Dr Subhash Batta, Chief Medical Officer, Ludhiana

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Atm usage: avoid casual approach
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 23
Casual approach towards maintaining secrecy of password for operating the ATM cards issued by various commercial banks has emerged as most common factor behind incidences of swindling of money through automated teller machines.

Pickpockets putting their hands on credit and debit cards from pockets of educated men and women turned lucky as in majority of cases the password for operating these cards is either written on the cover or on a slip kept in side pockets of the purses.

Interestingly, some people, instead of destroying letter communicating the secret number, preserve the same in purse along with the card.

Bank officials, cops and businesspersons are no exception to the tendency as they maintain accounts in more than one bank and have equal number of the ATM cards.

Investigations revealed that incidences of swindling of money from saving accounts of depositors through unauthorised use of the ATM cards had increased during past times.

Contrary to earlier trend when only illiterate and elderly persons were duped by cheaters, by first knowing their password on pretext of helping them withdraw money for them and then replacing their ATM card with some stolen ones; members of elite class too are also at receiving end these days.

Baljit Singh, a school lecturer said some of his colleagues had asked him to help them get operation of their saving accounts stopped at odd hours as they had lost their purses, containing both the ATM card and password as well.

“Though one can afford to wait for the next working day in case only the ATM card is lost, it becomes necessary when the password in written form, is available in the purse,” said Singh, added he himself had kept his password in pocket for a long time. Now he has saved his password and account number in his mobile phone.

A retired security guard of a nationalised bank said that a large number of people used to seek his help in operation of their ATM cards, but then he had to decline to their requests, as the card might be stolen one.

Leaders and high profile officers too show casual approach towards maintaining secrecy of the password. In majority of the cases, when they want to withdraw money from accounts through ATM cards their personal aides are asked to operate the card.

Investigations further revealed that the ATMs issued to account holders are frequently used by their friends and relatives including spouses and kin.

Transporters and businesspersons normally give their ATMs and password to their employees when they go on touring assignments.

Acknowledging the tendency, officials of various branches of nationalised banks of the area maintained that in majority of complaints regarding unauthorised withdrawal through the automated teller machine, the account holder declined to get the matter probed as later on it was found that the money had been withdrawn by one of his or her relatives or friends.

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RBI increases foreign transactions

Ludhiana, June 23
The fact that the RBI has allowed more inward remittances to increase the inflow of dollars in a bid to help the sagging rupee has come as matter of relief to residents who get money regularly from abroad. The number of such transactions has been increased from 12 to 30 in a year now. An official said the customers can avail this facility from post offices, as the postal department has a tie up with Money Gram.

Jaswant Kaur, a resident, said she gets money from her son living abroad, she said she was relieved with the RBI move. Insiders, however, say that people who would want used to get money, were in any case violate the rule, by getting money by giving multiple proofs of identity or getting money on the names of various family members. But it would certainly cut down on the procedures and problems of having to submit different documents, and would certainly encourage more such transactions, a resident said. — TNS

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‘Take action against illegal colonies’
Puneet Pal Singh Gill
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
Feed Foundation, a local NGO, has today come out in open against colonisers who are developing illegal residential colonies without taking permission from the government departments. The NGO members today demanded from the state government that if any coloniser is found developing an illegal residential colony, the authorities concerned should register an FIR against him and the concerned department fine them.

For the past few days, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has tightened the noose around colonisers, who are developing unapproved or illegal colonies. GLADA has recently razed several such colonies.

While addressing a press conference here today, Jaspreet Singh, president of Feed Foundation, said that the NGO welcomes the step taken by the state government against illegal residential colonies as well as the colonisers developing such colonies.

“Few days back, the state government had issued orders that the colonisers, who have developed illegal colonies, would not be able to sell their plots. People invest their hard earned money in such colonies, after which the coloniser leaves them on the mercy of god. Once all plots are sold, the coloniser spends a lavish life while people suffer due to demolition drives of the government departments. It is the coloniser who is at fault and the state government has every right to take strict action against such colonisers,” said Jaspreet Singh.

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Bhatti satirises power cuts
Says it has become theme of his new movie
Gurvinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
Jaspal Bhatti, the spoof and satire king was in the city today. With banners of "We Welcome Powercuts" and "Power cuts zindabad" and holding handfans, Bhatti took a dig at the state of frequent power cuts. Coming to Feroze Gandhi Market, he said that he welcomes the powercuts and "enjoying" the situation. Taking a jibe at the ministers, he said that politicians come with folded hands guaranteeing 24-hour power. But by that they are referring to "uninterrupted power supply in their own homes," he quipped. As soon as power comes in their hands, candles and handfans come in the hands in the absence of power supply, he said.

Unrelenting in his mockery of the system, he said that power went off thrice during the speech of the Power Minister in the assembly, and it was a perfect opportunity by the government to give subsidy to candle and lantern manufacturing industries, and should have been promised 24-hour supply in manufacturing of these, as the state would need these badly because of frequent power cuts, he said. He even went on to distribute some handfans to people gathered there. The team sang a few satirical "boliyan" saying that powercuts are good for lovers in the dark, owls sitting on the poles, naked wires being harmless, usage of candles.

But he is "happy" and "thankful" to the government for only because of these powercuts have become the theme of his new movie named ‘Powercut’.

Talking about the movie, he said it is an entertaining love story. With the budget above Rs 2 crores, the movie stars actors including Prem Chopra, Rajesh Puri, Jaswinder Bhalla, Savita Bhatti. He, satirically, said that the heroine of the movie could not come along for the promotion of the movie, because, she was down with fever because of these hot weather conditions with air conditioner not working in the absence of the power.

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Surjit Patar’s ghazals spell magic
Gurvinder Singh
Tribune News Service

A singer recits poems by Surjit Patar at a function organised by the Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam to honour Surjit Patar at Guru Nanak Bhawan on Friday evening.
A singer recits poems by Surjit Patar at a function organised by the Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam to honour Surjit Patar at Guru Nanak Bhawan on Friday evening. photo: inderjeet verma

Ludhiana, July 23
Surjit Patar, sat on the left on the stage, while singers sang his ghazals and poems on the tunes of guitars, harmonium, tabla and sitar. "Ek Shaam-Surjit Patar ke Naam" was organised at Guru Nanak Bhawan by Ludhiana Sanksritik Samagam. The evening saw lovers of literature and poetry learn more about the celebrated Punjabi poet.

Patar shared that he had thirst for poetry and art from early age. During college, he had read all the books of poetry in the library. He still cherishes the first ever poem that he had published in Preetladi magazine. "On that day, I felt as happy as I felt when I received other awards later," he said. Even the reason why he went to Punjabi University for higher education were the big names in Patiala including Dileep Kaur Tiwana and Prof Kulwant Singh.

Patar gave glimpses into his life, poetry and context of some of his poems. Relating the inspiration behind one of his poems he shared that once he was going back home in the evening passing through the old courts in Ludhiana, and "all of a sudden, I felt that the trees standing around the courts were like men-who had been waiting for justice for years," and by the time he reached home, he had mentally written the poem-"Adaltan te bande birakh ho gye, faisle sunde sunde suk gye," which depicted the painful state across the nation.

He said that poetry was like a mirror of society and a kind of autobiography of a poet. During the tough times for Punjab, he captured the pain with "Laggi nazar Punjab nu". But optimism reigned as the five rivers that had become "matam, hinsa, khauf, bebasi, hathiyar" would turn into "rag, shayari, husan, mohabbat, nya" after the ordeals, in his poetry.

He shared about how he met his wife Bhupinder Kaur. His younger son Manraj Singh sang Patar's poem "Mere kolo kach da glass tuteya." His wife and elder son Ankur Patar present during the occasion.

He said that he never asked for anything from his poetry, except the joy of writing and appreciation for his poetry. He recounted that Prof Mohan Singh had once said that a tonga-driver only cared for the "joy-ride" that he got from his profession similarly Patar also cares only for the joy and "daad"(appreciation) for his work.

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Man commits suicide
Ashok Kaura

Phillaur, June 23
A car mechanic Ranjit Singh (25) of the nearby Garha village reportedly committed suicide just two days before his marriage by jumping before a 12446 Jammu-Delhi Rajdhani Express train near Phillaur Railway Station late last night.

The Government Railway Police incharge Vijay Kumar told this correspondent here today that deep mental depression was said to be the cause of suicide as Kuldip Singh, elder brother of the deceased was levanter of few persons who were repeatedly insisting him to returned back their loan amount of Rs 1.10 lakh and the deceased was in deep depression and took the extreme step. The GRP has registered a case and has sent the body for the postmortem examination to the Civil Hospital, Phillaur.

In a second mishap, Kamaljit Singh of Ali Mohalla, Jalandhar, fell down from a running train near Ladhowal between Phillaur and Ludhiana last night.

Kamaljit died on the spot. The victim was standing in the middle of the opened door of the train and fell down from the train due to sudden jerks.

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Pune firm to start project
Cleaning of Buddha Nullah
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked a Pune based firm, M/s Green Infrastructure, to start the project on the ecological and economical restoration of water quality of Buddha Nullah using an in-situ bio-remediation technique by building green bridges which involve formation of an ecological food chain for the removal of organic or inorganic pollutants from waters and to utilise them as nutrients in the ecological cycle.

The demonstrative project using this technique on the Buddha Nullah will treat about 600 MLD of sewerage water and the cost of project was Rs 15.28 crores, which also includes one year of operation and maintenance cost.

For this, Green Infrastructure, Pune has sought the help of Punjab Pollution Control Board and Punjab Government through various departments for obtaining permissions from various stake holders so that they can commence the work immediately and can start with the multifarious jobs in the implementation and successful completion of the demonstrative/pilot project on the cleaning of Buddha Nullah through bioremediation technique.

Permission sought by the firm from departments

  • Installation of metal screen and green bridges in Buddha Nullah (from the department of irrigation)
  • Construction of site office and site lab near the project site (DC Ludhiana/Department of irrigation)
  • Temporary power load of 10 KW for the site office/laboratory (Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd.)
  • Removal of solid waste from an area of about 5 kms on both the banks of Buddha Nullah beginning from village Khera Bet till confluence with river Sutlej (Department of irrigation/MC Ludhiana)
  • Fixing up of breaches in embankments on right bank and making an approach road on it (Department of irrigation)
  • Requirement of crane/dredge the Nullah Belt (MC Ludhiana/Department of drainage)
  • Picking up of solid waste daily from the metal screen to the designated solid waste disposal site (MC Ludhiana)
  • Installation of display boards at sampling locations and green bridges (MC Ludhiana/Department of drainage)

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from colleges
GGNIMT students perform well

Manupreet Kaur, a fourth semester MBA students of Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management & Technology, has secured the first position with 89.75 per cent marks while Vijender Singh was placed at the second position with 83.5 per cent. Pooja bagged the third position with 83.25 per cent marks. Director Kuldip Singh, principal Dr PS Khattra and co-ordinator Prof Gunwant Singh Dua congratulated the students and also appreciated the efforts put in by faculty members towards mentoring the students.

DIMT students bring laurels

Students of Doraha Institute of Management and Technology (DIMT) Himaxi Sharma stood first in the college while Amandeep Kaur stood second and Gagandeep Kaur stood third. In BBA sixth semester, Manpreet Kaur scored 79% marks and stood first in the institute. Ramanpreet Kaur and Jaspreet Kaur Dhaliwal stood second and third respectively by scoring 76% and 75% marks. In BCA final semester examination held by PTU, Manisha bagged the first position in the institute with 86% marks. Daya Singh and Renu captured the second and third positions.

GHG Khalsa students excel

BA-III students of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, have excelled in the Panjab University annual examinations held in April/May 2012. Ramandeep Singh stood first in the college by securing 74.71 per cent marks while Ramandeep Kaur and Sukhwinder Kaur stood second and third by securing 72.79 per cent and 69.17 per cent marks respectively. College principal Dr SS Deol and president of the governing council Manjit Singh Gill congratulated the staff and the students on their success in the university examinations.

Seminar

The hotel management department of GGN Institute of Management and Technology (GGNIMT) organised a seminar on "Food Safety Standard Act-2006" to discuss the provisions of the Act and to educate people about healthy food practices. Dr Karanjit Singh, Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, addressed the audience and explained the provisions and punishments pertaining to the Act. He highlighted the need, scope, magnitude and the guidelines of the Act. He also emphasised on the roles and responsibilities of the Food Safety Officers to cut off completely the weed of adulteration from the country. 

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ludhiana scan
Celebrated

Sethi Study Circle organised a celebration to mark the 32nd year of excellence. Sethi study Circle has been running classes for spoken English, personality development, IELTS and TOEFL in Model Town, Ludhiana, since 1980. The event was a perfect blend of prize giving, cultural items, dances, lucky draw and of course sumptuous food. CEO and chief faculty Prof Pritpal Singh Sethi, an international-level motivator, shared his views with the students.

Summer camp

Summer Dream, a summer camp at the Lodhi Club that started on June 10, would conclude tomorrow. The concluding ceremony would be organised in the evening.

Inaugurated

Head office of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Sewa Dal was inaugurated in the city today. MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, ex-minister of Punjab, inaugurated the office.

Subject introduced

The academic council of Punjab University has introduced "Road Safety" as a compulsory qualifying subject from this academic session. The subject will merge with another compulsory qualifying subject, Environment Education, that is to be changed to 'Environment Education and Road safety'. The modalities for the course work have also been finalized said Dr Soi, Vice Chairman, Punjab State Road Safety Council Government of Punjab.

Inspected

Northern Railway GM VK Gupta held an inspection of the railways on route from Jammu to New Delhi. Divisional Railway Manager NC Goyal said that the GM ordered clearing of the railway lines and removal of the material lying near the lines. He also took stock of the stalls and instructed that encroachments on the platforms should be removed.

Strike

Phillaur: The Punjab unit of the India Medical Association (IMA) will observe a one-day token strike on June 25 in support of the IMA's nationwide strike call in protest against the "anti-doctor and anti-patient" government policies. The IMA has given a call for a nationwide medical bandh on June 25 in protest against the Centre's "unilateral" decisions on the introduction of the National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH) Bill and Bachelor's Degree in Rural Health Care Bill.

Protest

Mandi Ahmedgarh: With an intent to make their demand of universalising of provision of subsidised food grains a success, activists and office bearers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have started mobilising support from other trade, social and political organisations. Led by general secretary Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, Baldev Latala and Sikandar Singh Jartoli, activists and office bearers called upon various organisations of the region to extend support to them when they organise protest dharnas at the district level throughout the state on July 10.

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Police seize habit-forming drugs
Jaswant Shetra

Jagraon, June 23,
The Jagraon Sadar police has arrested one person and seized a huge quantity of habit forming drugs from his possession. The accused has been identified as Balvir Singh, a resident of Mehal Kalan town near Barnala.

As per the information, the accused was arrested by a police team from Hathur police chowki near Lamme village. Hathur police post incharge Nidhan Singh revealed that a police party had set up a Naka near Lamme village and saw a person coming from the Hathur side. "On seeing the police party, the accused got afraid. On searching him, the police recovered 700 tablets of phinotol and 14 bottles of cough syrup from his possession," stated Nidhan Singh.

During the initial investigation, the accused has confessed of being involved in supply drugs for last many months. The police has registered a case against the accused Balvir Singh at Hathur police chowki and started the investigation.

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Softball players win medals
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana , June 23
Punjab softball teams participated in Sub-Junior National Softball Championship held at Cuttak from June 15 to 20.
Boys team won the silver medal, whle the girls team won the bronze medal in the championship.

The boys team lost to Delhi and the girls team lost to Madhya Pradesh in their final matches of the Sub-Junior National Softball Championship.

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