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City wakes up to monsoon’s first
showers
Ludhiana, July 7 Experts at the agro-meteorology department of Punjab Agricultural University said the city recorded 10mm of rainfall today. Assistant agro- meteorologist, PAU, Dr KK Gill said: “It was the first rain of the season and we hope that this year state will witness an average monsoon.” Rain also brought cheer to farmers. Dalbeer Singh, a farmer of Joga village, said: “At last, God has heard our prayers.” Dr Gill said: “The rain is good for paddy crop as the farmers were dependent on groundwater for the transplantation of paddy, which causes water depletion and automatically increases the cost of cultivation. Now, the transplantation of non-basmati crop is almost over. But even now it is good as evaporation rate will decrease and rainwater will add up in the groundwater.” The morning showers brought smiles on the faces of residents. “Monsoon is my favourite season. It’s refreshing,” said Manpreet Kaur a city resident. “It was a pleasant surprise to see overcast sky in the morning. Soon, it started raining. I enjoyed the moments. The day was pleasant and I hope there will be no power cuts now,” said Rishi, a resident of Pakhowal Road.
Rain belies MC claims, several areas inundated
Ludhiana, July 7 Though the showers brought relief to city residents from sultry weather, it also caused misery for the commuters who had to travel on waterlogged roads. Rain lashed the city this morning leaving many areas inundated for several hours. The downpour started around 7.30 am and continued for around three hours. The interior parts of the city and the low-lying areas in posh localities were flooded with rainwater. In the old city, waterlogging caused a lot of inconvenience to commuters. The worst affected were the low-lying areas, including Domoria Bridge, Mata Rani Chowk, Gill Road, Transport Nagar, Civil Lines and Basti Jodhewal. Water accumulated near Mata Rani Chowk leading to a long traffic jam Commuters were seen stranded in the traffic jam for hours. The place where water accumulated at Mata Rani Chowk is a few meters from MC’s Zone-A office. The situation near Domoria Bridge was even worse and commuters were having difficulty in negotiating their vehicles in knee-deep water. Eyewitnesses said two-wheelers were completely submerged in rainwater and stranded vehicles further worsened the traffic situation. However, MC Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi had convened a meeting of the civic body officials on Tuesday for monsoon preparedness. Though the officials had assured Jaggi that they were ready to tackle monsoon, they were caught unaware today. Surinder Kumar, a resident of Model Town, who crossed Domoria Bridge in his car, said: “It was not an easy to drive. When I was crossing the bridge, I was praying that my car doesn’t get stuck in rainwater,” he said. Monica, a student of Punjab Agricultural University, said: “Though it was a holiday in the university today, we spent a lot of time enjoying in the rain on the varsity campus.” When contacted, MC Joint Commissioner and PS Ghuman, who is also the nodal officer for flood control measures, said though water got accumulated in some parts of the city, but it receded after a few hours. “We have made all arrangements so that there is no water accumulation in the city,” said Ghuman.
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Crime record cell: Details of criminals a click away
Ludhiana, July 7 Giving details about the newly formed cell, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashish Chaudhry said police had devised the novel system through which everything related to crime will be documented from now onwards. "Earlier, it was all memory based. But now, we have started entering records of criminals and individuals, their description, credentials, modus operandi and family background in our software. Since it will be an electronic feeding, we can get both the hard and the soft copy of the record. The ADCP (Crime) has been appointed the nodal officer of the cell,” said Chaudhry. On being asked how could it be helpful to the police in detecting crime, the DCP said it would give an edge to the police to check the past record of the criminals. "Like in a theft case, we will be able to check what kinds of tools were used, what was the modus operandi, or something similar was repeated earlier or not. The digital record will immediately provide us the photographs of criminals, their fingerprints, their property details, their passport number, their vehicle number etc,” said the DCP. He added that in case any police official was transferred, who knew the details of the crime, the replaced official will be able to get the same data through this software. |
Dairies trouble residents
Jagraon, July 7 There are several dairies located in the residential localities like Shastri Nagar, New Shastri Nagar, Disposal Road, Sant Nagar, New Moti Bagh, Old City, Karnail Gate etc. and the waste from these dairies have been causing a lot of trouble for the residents of these localities. Residents said that the waste of the animals has been causing inconvenience to them. They complain that the waste of the dairy animals is being discharged into the drains continually, which often chocks the drains and sewerage. The chocked drains and sewerage disrupt the flow of water due to which the stagnant dirty water accumulates on streets and causes trouble to the residents. "The workers of some of the dairies often dump the animal waste on the roadsides and streets. As a result of which we are forced to live under highly unhygienic conditions. This animal waste dumped in the streets has also been giving birth to mosquitoes and other insects which might lead to various diseases," rues Iqbal Singh, a resident of Old City area. The residents of Hira Bagh, which is considered among one of the posh residential areas of the town, are too facing a tough time due to the presence of a couple of dairies in their locality. The residents rue that the local administration is not serious about solving their problem. Residents said though they have taken up the matter with the dairy owners as well as with the local municipal council authorities several times during the past yet their problem has not been solved so far. "We are facing a much inconvenience due to the presence of dairies in the residential localities. Though we have requested the local municipal council authorities many times to shift these dairies out of the city but all our requests seem to be falling on deaf ears," says Inderpal Singh Randhawa, a resident of
Hira Bagh. The residents have now urged the local SDM, Gurmeet Singh, to intervene and issue directions to the authorities of the local municipal council to start the process of shifting of these dairies out
of the town as soon as possible. However, it will not be an easy task for the local municipal council to
get the dairies shifted out of the residential areas as they face strong resistance from dairy owners. The Jagraon Municipal Council president, Baldev Krishan Dhir, when contacted, stated that he
was aware of the problem being faced by the people due to the presence of
several dairies in residential areas.
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No junk food in schools: CBSE
Ludhiana, July 7 According to a circular from the CBSE, the schools would now conduct the awareness campaign for health and diet. To promote the healthy and homemade food, a diet chart would be provided to school students. The chart will suggest various nutritious food items to take. Students would have to bring their lunch according to diet chart. It would be mandatory for students to bring items prescribed in the diet chart for lunch. Otherwise students would be fined. The school health clubs would make the students aware about diet and health. Yoga tips would also be given to the students in these clubs. The CBSE has also instructed to conduct quiz competitions on diet and health. The Board will also start a helpline number from where students can get information about health related issues. Moreover, the CBSE affiliated schools have to display posters and banners to inform the students about harmful effects of smoking.
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Bank managers will be held accountable for any kind of security breach, says SSP
Jagraon, July 7 While presiding over the meeting, held at his office, the Senior Superintendent of the Police, Ludhiana, (rural) Gurpreet Singh Toor, exchanged suggestions regarding the safety of banks and the people visiting there with the bank officials. The SSP instructed the bank managers present during the meeting to beef up the security at their respective branches and make sure that the surveillance cameras and other security equipments installed in their banks are working properly. Stating that if there were any kind of theft, robbery or any other security breach in any of the banks in the area, the manager of that particular bank branch would be held accountable for that incident. Toor also directed the bank officials to make sure that at least one security guard must remain present at the bank branch during the working hours to strengthen the safety of the bank. Assuring full cooperation on part of the police to the bank officials in making the banking sector more secure, the SSP called upon the managers to inform the local police at least one day in advance if the security guard of any bank branch is not available for the security so that the police can be able to make security arrangements of that bank branch on its own level. Besides, he also instructed the PCR wing to increase vigilance in the areas where the prominent banks were situated. Among others present during the meeting included SP (D) Harjit Singh Pannu, chief lead district manager Jeet Singh and the managers of all the branches of various banks of the area.
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‘Punjabi cinema witnessing revival’
Ludhiana, July 7 Talking about the success of Punjabi movies these days, Rajwinder Sumal said that Punjabi cinema is witnessing a revival and is now going to a phase of "youth". It is good that people in the city like Punjabi movies and are giving competition to Bollywood and Hollywood movies the region-the budgets are increasing, production and technology are improving, he said. He said that people today want variation in subjects and also want the movies to be entertainers. Because of the increase of budgets of Punjabi movies, the audience has widened, as thus the star-value of Punjabi actors have also improved, and their stature as actors is also rising. Talking about the movie, he said that the movie is a complete family entertainer. He said that one of the highlights of the movie is the depiction of the father-son relationship. He shared that although the name of the move suggests that it is the sequel of “Yaraan Naal Baharaan”, but it is now, and "only after watching the movie, you would realise why it is named after the movie." The movie also has "stylised action," as the success of Rowdy Rathore and Dabangg proves that audience likes the action inspired from the southern movies, he said. Yograj Singh, the veteran actor is making a come back in the movie after a span of about nine years. Harjit Singh Cheema, popularly known as Jeet Hakam released debut music album titled after his name. The UK-based singer has learnt music from his elder brother Charanjit Singh, a classical singer following Patiala Gharana. — TNS
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‘No car bazaar from today’
Ludhiana, July 7 According to information, the traffic police had a meeting with the car bazaar shopkeepers last evening, which was chaired by ADCP (Traffic) SS Atwal. The shopkeepers have been warned that from tomorrow, no car bazaar will be put up in the market. Strict measures have been adopted by the traffic police, following a writ petition filed by a resident in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in which the traffic police has been one of the respondents. Another respondent, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has also been asked to file their reply to court in August on this matter. An official said, “Though the court has not issued any orders, we have to ensure that the residents do not face any inconvenience due to the car bazaar or any such bazaar. The strict measures are being taken by both traffic police and MC, as the court has asked the authorities to make sure that the general public has not suffered.” Both the MC and traffic police had not allowed the car bazaar to take place in the area since May 21 and this will be continued. “The traffic police had already issued 25 challans to the defaulters, whose vehicles were wrongly parked in the market. They can continue with their businesses anywhere, but not at any public place, blocking roads and footpaths, causing inconvenience and harassment to public and commuters,” said the official. Meanwhile, the shopkeepers said the traffic police was taking an action without waiting for the court orders. Harpal Singh Goldy, a shopkeeper, said the shopkeepers will adhere to the orders by the court, till then they should be allowed to continue with their businesses.
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‘Report dengue cases to health department’
Ludhiana, July 7 Dr Batta said the health authorities were prepared with all arrangements in case of any outbreak. On the other hand, it was IMA secretary, Dr Narjit Kaur, who requested the Civil Surgeon to get the effective spray and fogging done in all areas. She further stressed on the fact that the diagnosis of the disease is important and it should be done judiciously. Over diagnosis of a disease can create panic in public.
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Alert residents nab snatchers
Ludhiana, July 7 The woman raised an alarm, following which certain residents of the area and passersby caught the youths. The police was informed about the incident and the snatchers were handed over to the police. A resident of the area said such youths always targeted the women, especially when they were alone. In the recent past, too, the snatching incidents had taken place in the area. “But the alert residents and passersby were able to catch the culprits, who are now in the police custody,” said the resident.
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CPI attacks economic policies of Centre
Ludhiana, July 7 National general secretary of the party, Sudhakar Reddy, a member of the central secretariat, Shameem Faizee, and a member of the central executive committee, Dr Joginder Dayal, were among the main speakers at the rally. Attacking the economic policies of the Centre, Reddy said these were playing havoc with the life of common man. The economic growth had slowed down and the poor had been completely marginalised. Making mention of the steep rise in prices of essential commodities, petrol and CNG, he said the life of a majority of the people had become miserable. Batting for the masses, the CPI leader said while the gap between the rich and poor had widened, a major chunk of the population was devoid of even basic necessities of life like food, shelter, clean drinking water, health and education. There was rampant corruption and political system had been afflicted with the use of money and muscle power. Shameem Faizee charged the Congress-led UPA government with being hand in glove with the powerful lobby of traders, capitalists, corporates and monopolists. “As a result of the policies of outsourcing, privatisation and contract system, the unemployment has reached alarming level and labour laws are being flouted with impunity even in the public sector institutions,” he said. Faizee further observed that the public distribution system was in a state of collapse and the promised national security fund for the unorganised sector still remained elusive. He also maintained that a few, if any, were benefitted by cheap flour and pulses scheme, while the much hyped MANREGA scheme had also turned out to be a non-starter. Dr Joginder Dayal focused on the pathetic plight of farmers and farm workers, while also attacking the SAD-BJP government in Punjab for what he termed as holding monopoly over businesses of transport, electronic media and sand mining by close family members of the Chief Minister.
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MC’s new House not before Sept 7
Ludhiana, July 7 But legal experts claim that if the state government wants, it can issue a notification after which the term of present House will end automatically. Even as several new councillors were elected to the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation House on June 10, still they are not able to “serve” the residents. The reason behind this is a “technical” issue, as the ongoing MC House has not been dissolved and the newly elected councillors have still not been administered the oath. Due to this “technicality”, the councillors who lost the recently held MC elections continue to perform their duties as the councillors and are still attesting documents and are involved in such works. Even the city residents are a confused lot. “Our sitting councillor has lost the election and due to his loss, he is harassing the residents by not helping them with their problems. When we go to the winning councillor, he is unable to help us, as he is still not legally competent to sign our documents. I wonder why there is delay in administering the oath to the newly elected councillors,” rued a city resident. It is learnt that the state government is still busy in the Dasuya byelection and will take decision in this regard later this month. KS Kahlon, legal advisor of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, said after receiving the result of the election from the State Election Commission, the state government will issue a notification regarding the same. “Once this notification is issued, a general House meeting will be called where the newly elected councillors will be administered the oath,” informed Kahlon.
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Rwa, Residents at loggerheads
Ludhiana, July 7 The residents of the area rued that the gate remained closed most of the time and even if a gateman, deputed on the spot, does not let every vehicle to pass through the road, which is illegal. “How can someone restrict the entry of another person on a government street?” questioned Anita Sekhri, a resident of the area. She rued that the members of the RWA first installed a gate on the street passing through Sant Nagar. Even we paid Rs 2,000 per family for installing these gates, but suddenly they have closed them and are not allowing any person to use the street. As per the rules, they cannot close a street for their own reasons and we demand that the gate should be opened permanently, demanded Sekhri. Amit Monga, president of the RWA of the area, claimed that the gate has not been closed. We have deputed a gatekeeper, who does not allow anti-social elements to pass from this particular road. We have been forced to take this step because some youngsters used to indulge in vulgar activities in front of our houses. But when questioned whether the association has submitted a police complaint in this regard because closing a street is not the solution, Monga said, “No, we have not filed any complaint, but we will file it soon.” On the other hand, area councillor Gurpreet Singh Gogi said he had come to know about some altercation among the residents of Sant Nagar. Soon, we would sit together and sort it out.
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Patient needs financial help
Ludhiana, July 7 According to hospital, “The patient is poor, her outstanding bill is nearly Rs 1 lakh and her daily expenses are approximately Rs 5,000 per day. The cost of initiating hemodialysis is Rs 10,000 for three consecutive sessions and maintenance of hemodialysis for a period of one month is approximately Rs 25,000. She requires prolonged hospital stay and her family is in need of financial support for continuation of treatment.” Anyone willing to help her financially can contact Dr Navjot Singh at his cell number 9815543708.
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Tajpur road to be industrial area soon, says minister
Ludhiana, July 7 The minister was in the city for an interaction with representatives of various industries on the invitation of Praveen Aggarwal of Bharat Box Factory. Anil Joshi said people made hue and cry that the industry was shifting from the state, but it was just a mere rumour. He said they were sure that the state would be power surplus in the next one-and-a-half year. The minister said he had issued necessary directions to the departments concerned to identify land for the purpose. Besides that, the minister also assured that with an aim to facilitate investors, change of land use (CLU) would be made easy. Anil Joshi said the ministry was in talks with a German-based company for launching multi-skilled development programme. Anil further added that he had asked 111 principals of ITIs and polytechnics to rework their curriculum to train students, according to the changing requirements of the industry.
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