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Garbage plan may run into trouble
Ludhiana, August 31
Officials of the MC and A2Z Waste Management Ltd maintained that the door-to-door collection of garbage could be undertaken even if the rates for the purpose had not been approved. "The company is the successful bidder for the work and it is just a procedural formality that the rates quoted by it have to be approved by the Finance and Contracts Committee of the MC," a senior MC functionary said. However, activists of safai workers' unions are not taking kindly to the proposal for the privatisation of the work of garbage collection from households. Vijay Danav, chairman of the Punjab Municipal Karamchari Dal, who is also the chairman of the Punjab Dalit Vikas Board, said if the MC went ahead with assigning the task of garbage collection to the private firm, it would be against the assurance given by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. "Both the senior and junior Badal had assured representatives of safai workers at a meeting that they will continue with their work of garbage collection from the doorstep of city residents and the private firm will pick up garbage from designated collection points for further disposal," he claimed, while making it clear that the safai workers would oppose the proposal tooth and nail as it would be a huge threat to the security of their jobs. Manoj Mishra, deputy general manager and head of C&T (collection and transportation) of A2Z confirmed that the company had everything in place to undertake door-to-door collection of garbage. "We shall commence our work in a positive manner as we have been assigned the task of keeping the city clean. If the safai workers choose to oppose the scheme, it is for the MC administration and the Punjab Government to tackle the situation," he added.
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Announcement to stop water supply triggers panic
Ludhiana, August 31 As panic-stricken area residents made frantic calls to officials, they learnt to their horror that the announcement was made on the instructions of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB), which is entrusted with the task of providing water supply and maintenance of the sewer network in four colonies of the Trust, which were yet to be handed over to the municipal corporation for maintenance. While officials of the PWSSB claimed that the Trust authorities owed the board Rs 55 lakh on account of the O&M for 2011-12 and Rs 199.63 lakh for the current financial year, LIT officials contested the assertion. Talking to The Tribune, Trust engineer SS Jakhar said taking into account the electricity bills paid during 2011-12, the LIT had paid a total amount of Rs 167.98 lakh to the PWSSB against its total demand of Rs 178.87 lakh. Towards the O&M charges for the previous year, only a sum of Rs 10.89 lakh was outstanding, which was also in the process of being paid. He said as far as the O&M charges for 2012-13 were concerned, the PWSSB had submitted total estimates of Rs 199.63 lakh, that too on August 16, which were received in the Trust office on August 23. Even against these estimates, the LIT had paid electricity bills totalling Rs 32.04 lakh during the current financial year as well. Pointing an accusing finger towards PWSSB officials, the Trust engineer said the matter was being brought to the notice of the PWSSB authorities as well as the district administration to identify and proceed
against the official who had acted in a most irresponsible manner in resorting to a public announcement which created panic and caused harassment to thousands of area residents. Executive Engineer of the PWSSB AK Jindal said he had assumed charge of office only today and was looking into the issue. He, however, confirmed that the matter of outstanding payment would be amicably settled between the two departments and there was no question of stopping the water supply to any of the Trust colonies. Meanwhile, Arvind Sharma, secretary of the Council of RTI Activists and resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, has filed a complaint before the Punjab Human Rights Commission to take cognisance of the matter and take strict action against the guilty officials who had issued threats to stop the water supply to the localities where residents were paying user charges to the LIT. "The non-payment of the O&M charges by the LIT to the PWSSB is a matter to be sorted out between the two government bodies, and the residents should not have been dragged into this controversy," he asserted in his complaint. o&M charges x |
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Residents up in arms against erratic parking
Ludhiana, August 31
Soon, the traffic police reached the spot and launched a massive tow-away-and-challan drive. The residents, including Dr Tirlok, Jyoti, Vicky and Jasjit, stood outside the college and told the students not to park vehicles outside their houses. In the meantime, SHO, Traffic, Beant Juneja sent two recovery vehicles and nearly 10 traffic policemen near the college. It is learnt that the residents, led by councillor Narinder Sharma (Kala), spoke to college Principal Gurdev Singh and demanded action against the students for often creating a ruckus on the road outside their houses. The Principal told the traffic police to impound the vehicles that were parked outside the college premises. "We are paying the price for constructing a house near the temple of education. We are facing a lot of problems due to the erratic parking of vehicles. Now, we have decided that we will not allow vehicles to be parked outside our houses," said Jyoti, a resident. Another resident said students often did not attend classes and kept sitting on their vehicles outside the college. He said some anti-social elements, posing as college students, also remain sitting outside the college. They either indulge in fights or commit snatchings. Prof KBS Sodhi (retd), who lives on Dr Sham Singh Road, said, "The road which links the Rani Jhansi area with the Ferozepur road witnesses a lot of traffic during the day as the road located near Friends Regency Hotel and Batra Hotel have been encroached upon. GGN Khalsa College
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GLADA sells 10 plots for
Rs 10.75 cr
Ludhiana, August 31 GLADA Additional Chief Administrator Baldev Singh, who conducted the auction proceedings with Estate Officer Jeet Ram, said on offer were five plots measuring 250 sq yards and a similar number measuring 400 sq yards. Against the reserve price of Rs 21,700 per sq yard, the highest bid was made at Rs 40,000 per sq yard whereas the minimum successful bid Rs 27,000 per sq yard, he said. The GLADA official said more than 60 persons, each having deposited an eligibility fee of Rs 50,000, participated in the auction and offered bids for the residential plots.
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NGO wants meat shops near religious places shifted
Ludhiana, August 31 In a memorandum submitted to Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari, president of the NGO Jaspreet Singh Hobby alleged that in several city localities, including Cinema Road, Jamalpur Chowk on Samrala Road and Samrala Chowk, meat shops, eateries serving non-vegetarian food and drinking places (ahatas) were located close to places of worship. "The owners of these shops, eateries and drinking places are not only flouting the law of the land but also hurting the religious sentiments of devotees visiting temples or gurdwaras," the memorandum pointed out. The activists of the NGO said in case the authorities failed to act against the "anti-social and unlawful elements", a peaceful struggle would be launched with the cooperation of city people and members of the "sant samaj" against this social evil.
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Child labour goes unchecked at
pau
Ludhiana, August 31 He migrated from Bihar about a year ago to find work and to meet the financial requirements of his family. He might not be aware of the fact that he will never be able to fulfill his dream while working at vend. Ironically, PAU, which has fulfilled the dreams of thousands of students and farmers, might be playing a contradictory role for several children working at the campus. A number of children are working in various canteens at PAU campus. Three children are serving at a workshop canteen and some are working at vends. Most of the children serve food, but some of them can be seen cooking, too. Most of these children are migrants from Bihar and UP and never visited any school. According to a child labourer, the canteen contractor pays him Rs 1,500, including food. “Students often ask me ‘Oye tu school kyon nahi janda’ (Why don’t you go to school)? I don’t know why everyone asks me the same question. It is understood that I am working, so I can’t go to school,” said a child working in a canteen. Jaskaran Singh, estate officer, PAU, said, “We have given clear instructions that canteen contractors cannot hire child labourers. All contractors are aware about the conditions. We don’t allow child labour in the campus and we keep a check on them time-to-time. We will check it again.”
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Traders to pay processing fee
Ludhiana, August 31 The department will be collecting Rs 800 as annual processing charges from traders. The fee will be collected for 'C' forms and assessment of the VAT returns filed by traders. Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association condemning it said on the one side, the traders are hiring man power to maintain their records and spending money on infrastructure and still the department wants them to give processing charges for the work done by them. "We strongly condemn this and I think the fee has been imposed to overcome the charges of the department has spent on developing website for the e-trip," he added. Commenting upon this Mohinder Aggarwal, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal said officials are working for the government and they are paid for it. "They are not a private agency that they are charging processing fee from the traders. It is their work and they cannot ask for money from us. We will be seeking a legal opinion on the matter and if things work out we will be moving to the court against this," he added. "It is for the first time we have heard a department is charging fee for doing its work. The new policies of the government will completely ruin the trade and industry in the state. First it was e-trip system and now traders will have to give processing fee for the work done by the department," said Kamaljeet Singh, another trader. A Venu Parsad, excise and taxation commissioner, said the department will be charging a processing fee from the traders and this is the first time that processing fee has been levied by the department.
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Problems of e-billing system discussed
Ludhiana, August 31 “The e-billing proposal is disturbing to the industry and trade,” said PD Sharma during the It was explained to the Financial Commissioner (taxation) that dispatch of goods from the industry in particular is sensitive and should have no control of the taxation department. There are numerous reasons, which can arise spontaneously and can cause delays and disruptions. “It is becoming a practice by the industry to keep the inventory as minimum as possible all over the world. The stock of inventory increases the cost of production, as it involves interest-bearing capital. The interest rates are low world over, but in our country they are four to five times higher than the average bank interest rate in the world. So, no industry can tolerate delay in the dispatch of goods,” added Sharma. “A large section of the Industry in Punjab works as vendors to major companies and if there are delays in the supply of goods from the vendors, the vendor will loose its customer,” added Romesh Goel, general secretary of the chamber. “It is a well-known fact that servers of the computers often remain down. The power supply in Punjab is irregular. Thus, timely dispatch is not possible and delays can be of any duration. The computer culture has yet not developed in Punjab and disruptions are possible,” said Ranjish Ahuja, public relation secretary of the chamber. “It is a common knowledge that computer hacking is on the increase. Many frauds in ATMs are detected daily. Cyber crimes are on the increase and matching solutions to such crimes are lagging far behind,” added Sharma during discussion with the Commissioner.
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Lawyers observe strike
Ludhiana, August 31 Lawyers were of the view that they were already overburdened in view of the action plan of Punjab and Haryana High Court and the cases were being adjourned for short periods which has resulted into stress. DBA vice-president Ashok Sharma, joint secretary, Aman Sharma, claimed that the strike was successful.
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Legal-aid clinic at Gungrali village
Ludhiana, August 31 He stated that any woman, a person belonging to schedule caste or schedule tribe, physically challenged, any person in custody or a person having income less than Rs 1 lakh is entitled to availing free legal services being provided by the authority. Samarla Sub-divisional incharge Judicial Magistrate, Vipindeep Kaur, and several panches, sarpanches of the nearby villages were also present on this occasion. Two legal-aid clinics were also set up in Galib Kalan and Kaunke Kalan villages. Singla said the authority provides legal aid to ensure that the needy section of the society may not be deprived of their legitimate rights.
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CKU VC visits vet varsity
Ludhiana, August 31 Dr Mishra revealed he was of the opinion they may replicate a number of models from GADVASU. He emphasised that in the changing scenario of farming, combination of agriculture and that of the animal husbandry is must for survival and growth. — TNS
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Marital disputes dominate NRI sammelan
Ludhiana, August 31 IG-Jalandhar zone, Gurpreet Deo, who chaired the sammelan said most of the complaints pertained to property disputes, followed by abandoned brides. Besides, we have received some interesting cases also. In one such case, marriage solemnised by a 72-year-old NRI father led to a property dispute between him and his son, said Deo. Darshan Singh (72), a native of Ludhiana, who lives in the USA, got married to an American citizen recently. Darshan Singh’s son, Jatinder Singh (45), who was unhappy at his father’s marriage, filed a complaint against his father, stating that the septuagenarian had broke open the locks and took illegal possession of the house located in Rajguru Nagar, which is estimated to be worth over Rs 2 crore. “Jatinder Singh demanded registration of a case against his father. Since Darshan Singh is the legal owner of the house, he can break the locks. It is a dispute between a father and a son, the police cannot intervene in the issue,” said IG Gurpreet Deo. In the meantime, three youths appeared before the IG and stated that they were duped by an NRI woman, who fled with lakhs of rupees on the pretext of marrying them and taking them to Canada. The trio, who were from Jagraon area, said a woman, identified as Gagandeep Kaur, an NRI from Canada, duped them of lakhs of rupees. They said the police had even registered a case of fraud against her, but failed to nab her. Raminder Singh, Kulwinder Singh and Sukhwinder Singh said Gagandeep took the token amount of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 17 lakh, respectively, for taking them to Canada. The trio said she fled after taking the money. A woman, who is working as a Head Constable (HC) in the Punjab Police and posted in Jagraon, is shuttling from one office to another after she was abandoned by a Canadian NRI. While requesting anonymity, the woman said she received a shock of her life when she came to know that the person with whom she got married had many criminal cases registered against him. The application filed by the woman constable for permanent residency in Canada, which was rejected by the Canadian High Commission reads, “It doesn’t make sense to me that somebody who works in the law enforcement would get married to someone who has a criminal record.” “My husband turned out to be a drug addict and has a criminal record,” lamented the woman. Gurpreet Deo said, “Moga topped the chart with 22 complaints, while Ludhiana (City) has 16 pending NRI cases, 12 cases are pending in Jagraon and four cases are in Khanna.” She said recession had also led to jeopardizing of several marriages.
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Catching them young for selfless service
Ludhiana, August 31 Shruti Bansal, project director of Nishkam Sewa Ashram, said, "Our aim is to motivate people towards selfless service and keep them away from any type of social evils." With more than 60 members, this samiti came into existence about two months ago. These members have been categorised into four groups, namely Prem, Aman, Shanti and Pavitarta. The students of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, DAV Public School, Aurbindo College of Commerce, Devki Devi Jain College and other institutions are its members. Prarthna Bansal, a student of class VIII, said, "On every Sunday we go to help the needy, sometimes at the Nishkam Sewa Ashram and sometimes at Shishu Sewa Sadan. Last time, I went to a school in one of the slums being run by the Nishkam Sewa Ashram and taught some subjects to the children. I felt good by teaching them." However, it was Muskan, another school student, who was in a hurry to reach Shishu Sewa Sadan, as she was to take part in a get-together with the children of the sadan. She said, "We will go to Shishu Sewa Sadan and play some games with the children there and also help them in kitchen work. I cannot express my experience in reality, as it is service to society." Sharwan Kumar, founder chairman, Nishkam Sewa Ashram, said these students also helped sick people by attending to them overnight at hospitals. He said, "Suppose a person is admitted to a hospital and has only one person to take care of him or her during the night. These students stay with the patients throughout the night and this way the patient's attendant gets relief for some hours." How do they know as to who needs their help at a hospital? Sharwan Kumar said, "We come to know about needy persons through our links in mohallas and through our friends and family friends." He said by keeping them busy in selfless service, these students and youngsters would stay away from evils like drug addiction, violence, etc. Feel-good factor
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Free delivery scheme resumes
Ludhiana, August 31 Confirming the same, Ludhiana Civil Surgeon, Dr Subhash Batta, said, “Under the SJY scheme, the beneficiaries can undergo delivery in any government or government accredited private hospital free of cost. The state government pays Rs 2,500 for each delivery to these accredited private hospitals, who have signed a memorandum of understanding with the state health department.” In Ludhiana district, there are six government accredited private hospitals, including Christian Medical College and Hospital, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Mata Kaushalya Devi Pahwa Charitable Hospital, Hambran, Brar Hospital, Khanna, Karma Hospital, Ludhiana, and Bawa Hospital, Ludhiana. Earlier, it was in June when this scheme was stopped by the state government as the Central government did not send approval of funds for the same. The aim behind the scheme is to promote institutional deliveries. 121 deliveries performed last year
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Moral policing draws vehement reactions
Ludhiana, August 31 Jaswant Zaffar, a city-based writer, says the concept of morality is edging on hypocrisy today. “We are not as moral as we want to portray ourselves to be as people,” he says. “There are bigger issues to deal with at every level in the country for the administration rather than playing the role of a grandmother telling children how they should behave in society. Unable to curb crimes and problems, which continue to grow, the police is doing something that is not under their purview,” he says. “I think it is right for the police to ask and enquire. If someone doesn’t need their help and can manage their affairs, the police should not interfere. If a girl and a boy can sit and talk in office, why can’t they do so outside? The police is there to help citizens and not interfere in the lives of people,” says Pappo Abnash Singh, a social activist. KVM School principal Navita Puri said the police was wrong in intruding in the personal lives of people. “It is only if someone is complaining to them, they should step in to solve the situation. But if someone is sitting and nothing indecent is going on, the police shouldn’t impose themselves,” she added. “The police should respect the privacy of people. We are living in a democracy and every citizen has the right to have freedom to enjoy their private lives. Why should there be a compromise on that freedom, if they are not doing anything illegal or indecent. They were adults and we should respect their privacy. It is up to the families to provide moral values and not the police,” says Harjit Singh, a parent.
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Market clash: Case registered
Ludhiana, August 31 Surinder Mohan said, "Talks are being held between both groups. Since both groups are from the same party, there is a possibility of a compromise".
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Vet varsity student to present papers
Ludhiana: Dr Emy Elizabeth Varughese, M.V.Sc student at the department of veterinary, gynaecology and obstetrics, was selected to present two papers, one at the 17th International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR) and the other at 7th International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction (ISCFR) in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, respectively. She was one among the ten to be awarded the “ICAR Student Travel Award” from a total of 62 applicants for her study entitled “Uterine blood flow at various stages of pregnancy in buffaloes using Doppler ultrasonography”, co-authored by Dr Parkash Singh and Dr Shahbaz Singh Dhindsa which included a sum of USD 1000. Title of second study was on “Successful management of metastasis of transmissible venereal tumour to lung and mammary region” co-authored by Dr VK Singla, Dr VK Gandotra and Upasana R. Dr Ajeet Kumar, assistant professor in the same department was one of the award recipients of the “Travel award for young scientists from developing countries” and was selected for his paper entitled “Fertility prediction in buffalo bulls on the basis of sperm motion traits, fertility associated antigen (FAA) and HSP70 expression” co-authored by Late Dr Jagir Singh, Dr GR Kumar, Dr P Singh, Dr Ranjana Cheema, Dr SS Ghuman and Dr VK Gandotra. Dr Parkash Singh Brar, Professor-cum-head of the department was also selected for his paper entitled “Species variations in success of treatment of endometritis and conception rates following infusion of Lugole's iodine in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cows” co-authored by Dr Emy, Dr Sushil Prabhakar, Dr AK Jain and Dr ML Mehra.
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PAU kisan mela on Sept 5
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 31 The Deputy Commissioner of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Tanu Kashyap, will highlight the district development plans with special reference to farmers of Kandi area. Giving programme details, Dr MS Gill, Director of Extension Education, said the farmers’ fair will provide an opportunity to the participating farmers and farm women of the Kandi area. It will also equip them with scientific know-how for scientific farming. Besides, an exhibition, showcasing of latest farm techniques and technologies, relevant to Kandi region, will also be put up to update the knowledge of the farmers about innovative-agro-practices, he told. Informing that the technical session will begin at 11.30 am, Dr Gill said the PAU experts will shed light on the improved varieties of different crops for Kandi area, role and importance of farm literature, management of crop pests and diseases and scope of horticulture, agro-horticulture, forestry and agro-forestry in Kandi area. In addition to the livestock management, the farm scientists will dwell upon vegetable production and crop production technology with particular reference to Kandi region and home science management and nutrition, he said, adding that the experts will respond to all the queries of the farmers during the interactive session. The Ballowal Saunkhri Kisan Mela will be followed by that at Faridkot (September 7), Gurdaspur (September 11), Rauni-Patiala (September 14), Usman-Amritsar (September 25), Bathinda (September 27) in addition to the two-day Kisan Mela at PAU Campus, Ludhiana, on September 21-22.
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Ludhiana Scan
'Flame of Truth' reaches Ludhiana
While speaking on the occasion, Pema Jungney highlighted the objectives and the reasons of organising the 'Flame of Truth' rally. He said situation in Tibet was very critical and the number of self-immolations was continuously increasing, which was a grave concern for them. Pema appealed the participants, the media and the local residents of Ludhiana to support the cause and sign the petition that would be submitted to UN on December 10, 2012. Oath to end illiteracy Students to get free accommodation The announcement was made in a meeting of social activists, which was led by Rajinder Goyal, the president of local unit of Rotary Club, and Bimal Sharma, councillor, today. Goyal and Sharma said some poor students had shown inclination to join special coaching classes for the preparations of civil services examination by the study centre at Patiala. Business
fair In this backdrop, FICCI will also hold road show in the city to apprise the participants about the highlights of India-ASEAN Business Fair and Business Conclave. The event is expected to witness the participation of manufacturers and service providers from ASEAN and India. The authorities are also expecting the participation of technology and equipment providers, investors, importers and exporters, ministers, policy makers from India and ASEAN countries. Delegation meets Mayor MoU signed ‘Resume City Centre project’ Rationalisation
policy opposed Action sought Development drive Banking facilities on the doorstep — Tribune Reporters
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6 held under Immoral Trafficking Act
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 31 The Deputy Superintendent of Police at Amargarh, Sukhdev Singh Virk, said a police party led by Gurdev Singh, SHO City, nabbed the accused involved in immoral trafficking in a house at ward number 11 last evening. Investigations revealed that Manjit Kaur, the kingpin, was into the trade from many months and residents of the area had been complaining against her since she started residing in the area. Though the police had tried to nab her earlier, too, she used to evade the action by winning sympathy of social activists. It was last evening that the police nabbed the accused in a compromising position and arrested them.
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BVM continue winning streak
Ludhiana, August 31 In the boys’ under-19 category, BVM School, Kitchlu Nagar, bagged the top honours in the 30-second double endurance team event. The school team comprising of Achintya, Devyank, Kanav and Devansh got the better of its rivals, while DAV School, Jagraon, with its members, namely Rahul, Parth, Nishant and Prabhjot, secured the second position. In the simple jumping one minute event, Gaurav of Ryan International School, Chandigarh road, proved his mettle to clinch the title and was followed by Manveer of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar branch. Virat of Shifaly International School proved too good for his immediate opponents, as he clinched the title in the 30-second double endurance single event. Arvind of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar, had to content with the second place. Results: Kickboxing (below 44 kg): 1st Lakshit of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar; 2nd Harpreet of BBS, Sidhwan Bet. Below 48 kg: 1st Vidhu Anand of BVM, Udham Singh Nagar; 2nd Pranav of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar. Below 75 kg: 1st Navdeep Singh of Convent School, Jagraon; 2nd Kashish Garg of DAV Public School, Jagraon. Below 80 kg: 1st Nitesh Garg of DAV Public School, Jagraon; 2nd Gurpreet Singh of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar.
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Ludhiana, August 31