Ludhiana/Khamano, September 12
The kingpin of the notorious Davvy gang of highway robbers, David, alias Davvy, was arrested in the wee hours today by the Khamano police. Following a tip-off from the Ludhiana police, nakas were laid on various roads to nab the robbers. However, two of Davvy's accomplices, Arjun Kumar, a resident of Ajamgarh, and Rahul, a resident from Mullanpur, managed to give the police the slip.

The gang had an encounter with the Khamano police in which seven rounds were fired by the police party and the highway robbers near the Khamano police station. Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Hardial Singh Mann said on a tip-off, the Khamano police had laid a naka near the Khamano police station and another near the grain market, Khamano, on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road last night.

When the police party spotted a Verna car, they informed the SHO who had laid a naka in front of the police station and started following the robbers. When the robbers noticed the police, they tried to take a U-turn, but their vehicle banged into the vehicle of the DSP, Khamano. The driver fled to the nearby fields and started firing on the policemen. An encounter followed and finally the police nabbed the robber with a 9-mm revolver and five live cartridges in the wee hours today.

A case has been registered under Sections 307 and 427 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act against Davvy, a resident of Salem Tabri, Ludhiana.

The SSP said the Verna car, looted from a resident of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, was recovered from David. It bore a fake number. Maan said the gang was planning to strike on September 13 in Ludhiana. However, with the arrest of David, their plan had been foiled.

Meanwhile, DCP, Ludhiana, GS Toor said David was wanted in more than 100 incidents of looting, robberies and rape in various districts of Punjab and his gang was involved in several cases.

The SSP said the gang had also looted Rs 8 lakh from Gobindgarh and Rs 42 lakh from employees of the Bonn bread company in Ludhiana at gunpoint. Members of the gang had looted Rs 20 lakh from Kanganwal village. They had robbed Rs 20 lakh from Rajiv Bhalla of Sherpur Chowk, Ludhiana, and Rs 28 lakh from employees of the Kitty bread company near Mangarh village.

The SSP said policemen showed bravery during the arrest of the dreaded gangster and would be suitably rewarded.

Ludhiana, September 12
The district task force today challaned 12 persons for smoking at a public place under the Tobacco Control Act. Following instructions from the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, and the Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, the team challaned these persons near Khalsa College, Ghumar Mandi, the Government College area, Kitchlu Nagar, the PAU area and Maharaj Nagar. It also challaned people selling gutkha and tobacco under Section 6 of the Anti-Tobacco Act, 2003. The team collected a fine of Rs 2,200 from these defaulters.

The team included the District Epidemiologist, Dr Anil Verma, Food Safety Officer Harpreet Kaur, ASI (Anti-Narcotics Cell) Kapil Kumar, Drug Inspector Sukhbeer Chand and Havildar Kuldeep Singh.

Dr Kulwinder Singh, District Health Officer, said, "We will continue this campaign."

Meanwhile, a team of the Health Department today collected four samples of eatables from dhabas. The team comprised District Health Officer Kulwinder Singh and Food Safety Officers Ravinder Garg and Harpreet Kaur.

Ludhiana, September 12
The CPI and the CPM today held a demonstration in support of their demand for "food security for all". Activists of the two parties marched in procession from Chattar Singh Park to the Mini-Secretariat in protest against the rise in the prices of essential commodities and corruption.

Addressing a rally, Joginder Dyal, member of the central executive of the CPI, said despite tall claims of growth by the government, around "380 million citizens of the country" suffered from hunger and malnutrition. "With the ever-increasing prices of food items, an expected 150 million more are expected to meet the same fate," he said.

He said women and children were the worst affected. "As many as 60 million children are malnourished with low weight," he said, adding that India had over 160 million hectares of fertile land, which was more than that of China. According to government's reports, 2,50,000 farmers had committed suicide during the 1995-2010 period, he claimed.

Other speakers at the rally said the Union Government now proposed to place a "half-baked" Food Security Bill in Parliament. "This Bill, instead of bringing a universal public distribution system will split society into two categories - below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line," they said.

The leaders called upon the government to provide cheap and good quality rations to all citizens through the public distribution system and not divide society into the BPL and APL categories.

They demanded strict action against those indulging in profiteering and hoarding of food items, a minimum of 35 kg of grains at Rs 2 per kg to the eligible families, rejection of the "erroneous" definition of the BPL and the APL as given out by the Planning Commission of India, supply of clean drinking water and implementation of the Dr Swaminathan report on MSP of food crops.

Among other speakers at the rally were Kartar Singh Bowani and Sukhminder Singh Sekhon, district secretaries of the two parties, Arun Mitra, Sukhminder Lotey, Jagdish Chand, Raghbir Benipal, DP Maur, OP Mehta, Gulzar Goria, Vijay Kumar, Gurnam Sidhu, Nagina, Shiv Rattan, Gurnam Gill, Kewal Singh Banwait, Amarjeet Singh Mattu, Jatinder Singh, Ramadhar, Devraj and Surinder.

Ludhiana, September 12
After starting a drive against illegal auto-rickshaws, the traffic police is set to start a campaign against overloaded school auto-rickshaws in the city. According to traffic police officials, they have conducted meetings with the authorities of various schools and auto-rickshaw owners to apprise them of the norms.

The police has issued a circular to parents of students through the school authorities to make alternative arrangements in case the police impounds any of the school auto-rickshaws.

Beant Juneja, SHO, Traffic police station, said, "We will start this campaign within a day or two after getting confirmation from the schools that the parents have been informed about it. We have chosen some schools in the first phase of the drive."

School auto-rickshaw drivers have reportedly been carrying more than 15 students in an autorickshaw. According to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, auto-rickshaws cannot carry school students as the vehicle should be covered with grills and have windowpanes. However, around 3,000 auto-rickshaws have been carrying school students in the city.

According to police officials, they have spoken to some parents in this regard. However, most of the parents are helpless as they have no time to drop and pick up children from school. So they depend on these auto-rickshaws.

"We know that our drive will increase the financial burden on the parents as auto-rickshaws will start charging more to meet their expenses. However, safety of students is our priority and we cannot compromise on this aspect," Juneja said.

Ludhiana, September 12
Former BJP minister Balramji Dass Tandon today questioned the state government for ignoring the rising power subsidy bill being given to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for providing free power to the farm sector. He was in the city to address an industrial conclave organised by the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal.

Opposing free power to big farmers, Tandon said they did not need any government help. He said the government should help small and marginal farmers owning land up to 5 acres by paying them subsidy in cash.

Other problems discussed during the conclave were the newly introduced e-trip system and property tax levied by the Excise and Taxation Department. "A meeting will be held on September 16 at Pathankot where we will chalk out the future course of action as the e-trip system is not feasible for traders," said Mohinder Aggarwal, general secretary of the mandal.

Ludhiana, September 12
The attack of leaf folder on the rice crop has been reported in various parts of the state. According to the survey, conducted by the entomologists of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), “It has been observed that the damage is below the economic threshold level (10 per cent damaged leaves),” divulged Dr Balwinder Singh, head, department of entomology, PAU.

Noting that the insect-pests attack reduces with the rain, he said the young larvae feed on unfolded leaves but the older ones fold the leaves longitudinally inwards from the sides and eat on the green matter within the folds, as a result, of which the longitudinal white streaks appear on the attacked leaves. The damage is highest during the months from August to October, informed Dr Singh, saying that the pest damage is comparatively more in fields, receiving higher dosage of nitrogen fertilisers and in the crop remaining under the shade of big trees. Therefore, the fertilisers should be applied as per PAU recommendations only, stressed he.

The crop should be regularly examined to check the attack of the pest, advised the expert, adding that it should be controlled, when randomly selected plants from different places show more than 10 per cent damaged leaves.

Informing that the attacked leaves show white streaks even after death of the larvae, Dr Singh emphasised that the leaves must be inspected for the presence of surviving larvae, before taking any control measure.

For the control of leaf folder on rice, PAU expert, Dr Singh advised the farmers to apply 350 ml of sutathion 40 EC (triazophos) or one litre coroban/durmet/force 20 EC (chlorpyhriphos) or 560 ml of monosil 360 SL (monocrotophos) in 100 litres of water per acre. Dr Singh stressed that no spray should be given against adult moths (having light yellow coloured forewings with three brown stripes) of this pest, when seen flying swiftly on/in the crop because they do not cause any damage to the crop. Only the larvae (emerged from eggs laid by the female moths) causes damage to the crop, said he, while urging the farmers that management measures should be taken as per recommendations and that too, when required.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 12
Residents see a ray of hope for getting their long-pending demand of construction of an over bridge or under bridge at certain crucial level crossings on the Ludhiana-Dhuri line after Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal sent a high-power team to inspect these crossings today.

A team of officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) led by sectional officer AS Brar after inspecting the railway crossings at Pohir Road, Jagera Road and Jandali Road assured the SAD and BJP leaders, led by legislator Iqbal Singh Jhoondan and president, municipal council, that the final report recommending an under bridge at one of the crossings would be sent to the office of the Deputy Chief Minister soon.

“We have studied traffic problems related to frequent closure of the crossing at all three roads leading to the town and will be submitting our report to the Deputy Chief Minister’s office through our seniors,” said Brar, adding that the team had recognised the need of construction of at least one under bridge for solving problems related with frequent closure of the railway crossing.

Iqbal Singh Jhoondan said he had taken up the issue with the Deputy Chief Minister a few days ago and the latter had promised to get the problem solved without further delay.

Though the process for construction of an over bridge at Pohir Road had been started earlier, too, it could not reach a conclusive end for want of funds from the state government. “Though the Union government had agreed to construct the bridge earlier, too, the process could not be completed as the state government had declined to pool the cost. Now the Deputy Chief Minister has assured that the state government will deposit its share when required,” said Jhoondan.

Frequent and undue closure of level crossings at the Pohir, Jandali and Jagera roads had not only become a nightmare for commuters but also for residents, shopkeepers and pedestrians, who suffer due to traffic jams on both roads.

The residents alleged that officials cared a little for the rule-governing operation of level crossings and as a result there had been frequent scuffles with railway employee manning the level crossing over the issue of closure of gate for longer durations.

Owners of shops and workshops located on both sides of the Pohir and Jagera roads had alleged that their business was affected adversely due to the frequent closure of the level crossings during daytime. Finding it difficult to negotiate the traffic jams, clients had stopped coming to these shops.

The menace had also given rise to the law and order problem for the police. At times, it takes hours to clear the jams and resolve dispute arising out of the situation.

Ludhiana, September 12
As the High Court deadline (September 30) for vacating 19 houses allotted to the original ‘Danga Peerats’ in the Dugri area draws closer, the authorities concerned have reportedly asked the state government for guidance in the execution of the court orders. The "illegal occupants" of these houses are expected to create obstacles in the implementation of the court order.

In strict instructions to the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, and the Commissioner of Police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked them to evict persons who had unauthorisedly taken possession of around 19 houses, which have been allotted to the original ‘Danga Peerats’ in the Dugri area here.

The High Court, in its order dated July 10, 2012, has said, "We direct the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, to proceed in the matter in accordance with the law and ensure that unauthorised possession is removed. In case any resistance is showed by the unauthorised occupants, law will take its own course. No sympathy should be allowed to them contrary to the rule of law".

According to information, these 19 houses are part of 611 houses allotted to the riot victims at Dugri about two years ago. A particular group had "illegally occupied" these 19 houses. Following this, the original allottees had moved the High Court with a writ petition (number 7178 in 2011), saying that certain illegal occupants had already taken possession of the houses allotted to them.

Though the state government is still to allot 1,008 and 599 more LIG/MIG flats to riot victims, the petitioners said they must be given the possession of the houses allotted to them originally.

On the other hand, the group, which has forcibly taken possession of the 19 houses, refuses to vacate these on the plea that they (the original allottees) may be given flats in the newly constructed buildings.

Ludhiana, September 12
On one hand the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) is acting tough against unauthorised colonies to ensure regulated growth in and around the city, on the other it chooses to be a mute spectator to the denial of the promised amenities to the residents of even approved and licensed colonies.

The case of GSB Apartments, an approved colony on Manakwal Road here, is a classic example of the developer caring the least about the conditions laid down in the license obtained from GLADA under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, and the provisions of the agreement. On its part, GLADA has failed to take any regulatory or punitive action against the builder except for sending letters to him.

Quoting an inquiry report submitted by the superintending engineer of GLADA more than an year ago, a copy of which was obtained by the affected residents under the Right to Information Act, the residents have alleged that the promoters of the colony were to construct six blocks of residential apartments, of which only two blocks were fully constructed while the third one was still incomplete even after seven years of grant of licence.

"Not only this, the front and one side of the boundary wall has been pulled down, 15-foot wide green belt in front of the shops in A-block has been earmarked for parking, the area shown as balconies in the approved plan of flats has been merged with the residential portion, open area meant to be left in front of the shops has been covered and even the common passage adjoining stair cases has been merged in to the flats," the residents maintained.

They further complained that disposal of sewage from a treatment plant was not done properly and the supply of potable water to the residents was also poor. The promoter has also been charged with partial development of the colony and carving out an unauthorised colony in the rest of the area by way of selling plots instead of constructed flats, according to the provisions of the licence.

Ludhiana, September 12
Led by activists of the Northern Railway Men Union (NRMU), employees of the Railways today staged a dharna in front of the sub-divisional railway hospital demanding grant of health and medical facilities to serving employees and pensioners through any reputed private medical institution on billing basis. Addressing the protest, NRMU divisional secretary Daljit Singh said earlier the railway employees and pensioners were entitled to seek diagnostic and therapeutic medical care from private hospitals like SPS Apollo Hospital, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and Christian Medical College and Hospital.

“But for the last two years, the facility is no longer available to them in the city,” he added. He further said the railway employees had resorted to a division-level chain hunger strike in January 2012 to press the demand for grant of recognition to a private medical institution for the railway staff and a two-month ultimatum was also served upon the railway authorities. But even after eight months, no action has been taken.”

“In the intervening period, a large number of employees and pensioners had sought treatment from private hospitals, spending money from their own pockets and the Railways was not processing their claims for reimbursement,” the NRMU leader said. Rajinder Singh, divisional vice-president of NRMU, who presided over the rally and other speakers, including Paramjit Singh, divisional secretary of All-India Loco Running Staff Association, spoke about other demands like privatisation of Railways, new pension bill, corruption and rising prices. — OC

Ludhiana, September 12
Normally, power cuts during evening hours bring joy to the faces of children as this is the time when they could play hide-and-seek, but whenever there is a power cut at Attal Nagar, which is located near Jodhewal Basti Chowk, during the evening, children rush inside their houses.

"Children's life has changed ever since a six-year-old girl was raped and abandoned in a vacant plot to die. A month has passed since the incident happened, but the children of the locality have not forgotten the fateful day of August 9 when the six-year-old girl was picked up by two persons and raped in a vacant plot," said Purshotam, president of Attal Nagar Colony.

The girl, who was operated upon and got 18 stitches, is yet to come to terms with the tragedy. She gad been bedridden for nearly 20 days after the incident.

"I have started going to school along with my three siblings. My mother accompanies me to the school and I do not go out of the house to play during the evening. Those two men were cruel and very bad people," said the victim while breaking into tears.

The six-year-old girl was picked up by two men, who have been identified as Chand and Raja. They worked as tailors at a factory in Attal Nagar, which is located in front of the victim’s house.

The victim said there was a power cut and she, along with other children of the locality, was playing on the street.

The victim's mother said taking advantage of the darkness, both the accused took her to a vacant plot where they raped her.

"We still shiver with fear when we recollect the day. My daughter was lying unconscious and was bleeding. No one can understand the pain she had been through all those days," said the victim’s father.

The victim's family had to pay a heavy price for seeking justice for the girl.

"I was thrown out of job by the factory contractor as the prime accused, Raja, who rapped my daughter, was his relative. I have been living in penury for a month," said the victim's father, who has four children.

He criticised certain leaders for snowballing the issue and giving it a communal colour.

The family thanked the residents of the locality, including Prem Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Krishan Lal, Gyan Kaur and Bhajan Kaur, for helping the family in the hour of crisis.

"They police is keeping us in the dark and do not tell us about the proceeding of the case. While one accused has been nabbed the other accused was still on the run. I have suffered enough now I want justice," said the victim's father.

Ludhiana, September 12
One more patient suffering from gastroenteritis has been hospitalised today at Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital. District epidemiologist, Dr Puneet Juneja, said, “The health department organised a medical camp today, in which we received only 10 patients suffering from mild gastroenteritis. However, a majority of the patients who were under treatment at Krishna Charitable Hospital and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital have been discharged.”

It was on Monday when the district health department collected as many as 10 samples of water from Jawahar Nagar camp area, but the report of these samples has not come yet.

Dr Puneet Juneja said, “The report is yet being awaited.”

Meanwhile, two samples of swine flu patients have been sent to Chandigarh for testing today. Both patients are under treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and are from Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, September 12
Former state president of the BJP Rajinder Bhandari said today that while rising prices were affecting the public in general, corruption has become a matter of shame for the whole nation.

Bhandari was addressing a press conference here today. He said, "The Congress has cast doubts on the CAG report. The leaders, who have been benefited, are now getting exposed. In the 2G spectrum case, when the BJP raised the issue vociferously in Parliament, the Communication Minister had to resign. Now, the Prime Minister will have to resign, only then Parliament will function. This struggle will last till the Congress government is removed from the Centre. The coal scam is a big issue".

Ludhiana, September 12
With Punjab Local Bodies Minister Bhagat Chuni Lal indicating that the improvement trusts in the state might be reconstituted by the end of this month, the race for the coveted post of the chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) among the aspirants from the BJP has hotted up and hectic lobbying is on with the party high command.

In a surprise move, the SAD-BJP government dissolved all the 28 improvement trusts in the state on July 11 this year, leaving the political appointees high and dry.

Initially, senior government functionaries had attributed this decision to the exercise for cutting down on administrative expenditure in the cash-strapped state government. There are indications that the improvement trusts, with a few or no new schemes in their hands, would be merged with local area development authorities, which were carrying out almost similar work in the urban areas.

However, there seems to be a change of mind now, and perhaps the coalition government has realised that except for improvement trusts in towns and cities, there are no other avenues available where such a large number of political persons, one chairman and six or 10 trustees, could be adjusted.

Sources in the SAD say top leadership of the senior coalition partner might go for cutting down the quota of the BJP in the posts of chairman depending on the performance of the party in towns and cities where improvement trusts are to be reconstituted. However, for the time being, the BJP leaders are quite hopeful that any change in the quota of posts of the two parties is not on the agenda.

Among front runners for the post of the chairman of the LIT are outgoing chairman Madan Mohan Vyas, who has had two successful tenures of two years and one and a half years, and Ashok Juneja, who was nominated to this post during the previous term of the SAD-BJP government but had to quit before the completion of his term citing health and personal reasons.

If the local party circles are to be believed, the district president of the BJP Parveen Bansal is also a strong contender for the post of chairman. Having won the civic elections for three consecutive terms and worked as senior deputy mayor in the House, which completed its tenure earlier this month, Bansal had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections from Ludhiana North.

The insiders in the party say once the ongoing political exercise to decide mayors, senior deputy mayors and deputy mayors of the Municipal Corporations in five major towns of Punjab is over, the government will take up the reconstitution of improvement trusts, which might come anytime towards end of this month.

Ludhiana, September 12
Fourth of the seven Kisan Melas of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will be held on September 14 at PAU Regional Research Station, Rauni (Patiala).

GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab, will be the chief guest while Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, will preside over the farmers’ fair. The mela will lay major thrust on the conservation of precious natural resources including air, water and soil health through its theme “Pawan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahatt.”

Dr MS Gill, Director of Extension Education, said the PAU farm experts will equip the farming community with the technical know-how of progressive farming in addition to advanced farm technological practices for upcoming rabi season. He said the subject experts would respond to all the queries of the farmers pertaining to agriculture and its allied activities. An exhibition will be put on this occasion, which will highlight new farm innovations and scientific techniques and technologies for forthcoming rabi season, he added.

Meanwhile, the Rauni (Patiala) mela will be followed by the fair at Ludhiana campus on September 21-22, Amritsar (Usman), on September 25 and Bathinda on 
September 27.

Results out
Ludhiana: A student of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujharkhan Campus, Model Town, brought laurels to the institution by scoring first position in the Panjab University examinations. Nandini Arora secured first position in advance diploma course of functional English by securing 146 marks out of 200.

Plantation drive

The National Cadets Corps (NCC) of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Camps, Model Town, Ludhiana, organised a plantation drive. Over 25 saplings were planted in the college campus.

Auditions

Gulzar group of institutes will organise auditions for a Punjabi film on its premises for the aspiring actors of the city. The auditions will be held here on Thursday. Jaswinder Bhalla, a well known Punjabi actor and theatre personality has already been roped in for the film titled “Stupid Seven”. Play writer Pali Bhupinder from Moga has written the script of the film. The story of the film is based on the life of seven students. The film is set to go on floors from last week of September. Few scenes of the film will be canned in London too. Stupid Seven is slated to release in the month of December.

Seminar at GGNIMT

With the intent of providing an interface between the industry and academics, GGN Institute of Management and Technology (GGNIMT), Civil Lines, Ludhiana, organised a seminar for BBA and MBA students here on Wednesday. The students were taught to learn the theories well to apply them later in their professional careers. He emphasised on eliminating the myth that ‘theories learnt in the class rooms do not contribute in industry practices.’ The later part of the session focused on queries where issues related to oil price hike, oil conservation strategies, alternate backup plans to be followed in the event of depletion of resources, the current research and developments in the fuel industry and many such topics were discussed 
in length.

Interactive session

A session with Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna was organised at Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, Khanna, delivered his speech on “Water Conservation” and appealed the audience to save at least one litre of water everyday. — TNS

Celebrating Vivaha-12

Exposition, Celebrating Vivaha-2012 and Vivaha Luxury Homes, is now ready to give Ludhiana its bridal makeover, as it takes place from September 14 to 16. Exhibition spokesperson Tarun Sarda while addressing a press conference said, “When we launched Celebrating Vivaha in 2003, I decided to test the wedding markets of the country. I have endeavoured to redefine the concept of weddings and wedding exhibitions in India. My aim now is to reach out to more and more people and get a variety of entrepreneurs directly involved in the business of weddings.”

Protest

Congress workers on Wednesday held a protest against the state government for imposing taxes by tying black clothes on heads under the leadership of former president of District Congress Committee (Urban) Krishan Kumar Bawa and president of Congress Sewa Dal (Urban), Ludhiana, Nirmal Kaira at Gill Road.

Blood donation drive

The Terapanth Yuvak Parishad will hold blood donation camps at Iqbal Ganj, Aggarwal Dharamshala in Sunder Nagar and Dandi Swami Tapovan Ashram on September 17 under a mega blood donation campaign being launched worldwide by the community under which some 650 blood donation camps will he organised. During the blood donation camps, public would also be motivated for eye donation, body donation and to work against drug addiction.

Raid condemned

The Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) has condemned the action of Adobe software on conducting a raid with the help of Ludhiana police on Gagan Photostat on Tuesday. Association general secretary Kamal Chopra said, “The company needs to give a prior notice rather than conducting raids all of a sudden.” The police arrested Gagan Kalra for using pirated software and also confiscated their nine computers. Kamal Chopra, however, said this was no way to sell the product, they need to come for a table talk rather than creating a panic among users. Gagan Kalra’s family complained that due to this action, Gagan is under a state of shock.

Musical programme

The Punjabi Sabhyachar Academy would organise a programme on Sufi music at the Punjabi Bhawan on September 15 to promote constructive cultural values. Sufi singer Chaman Lal Phillaur would perform in the programme, this was stated by Dr SN Sewak, president of the academy.

Sand mine auction on Sept 25

Auction of three groups of sand mining of Parzia Biharipur village, Ludhiana district, will be held on September 25 through e-auction. This was disclosed by mining officer-cum-general manager Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday. Details were available on the official site, www.pbindustries.gov.in. Sharma further added that reserved price was also kept for all three groups. The reserved price for Parzia Biharipur Group-I was Rs 29.80 lakh, while for Parzia Biharipur Group I-A, the reserved price was Rs 38.60 lakh and Parzia Biharipur Group I-B, the reserved price will be Rs 43.28 lakh. Besides, there will also be token money and processing fee for the same, said Sharma.

Interactive session

Harpreet Soin, chairperson, Women Forum of Ludhiana Management Association (LMA), organised a programme “Ten mantras for connecting our desire with destiny” on Tuesday. The speaker was Dr Harbeen Arora, an entrepreneur, author and a designer. Dr Arora conducted an interactive session on how to connect body, mind and soul. She covered topics like desire and destiny, creative living, noble desires and greater destiny. She also discussed some mantras for a successful life like gratitude, forgiveness, staying away from grudges and resentment, enthusiasm, how to use sleep, silence, surrender and patience.

Memo submitted

The Ludhiana District Congress Committee (DCC) on Tuesday sought fixing of responsibility for the spread of gastroenteritis in the city. The party demanded that guilty officials must be punished. In a memorandum submitted to the municipal corporation Commissioner, DCC president Pawan Dewan said while the state government was claiming to be starting Metro rail in Ludhiana, it had not been able to provide basic civic amenities to residents of the city. He alleged that the drinking water supply pipes had not been changed for decades and quite a number of these had been broken, leading to sewage water getting mixed with drinking water. He claimed that every year this problem recurred and the administration stayed quiet, while people suffered. The Congress demanded free treatment for all patients.

Meeting

The Rehri Phari Federation met under the chairmanship of federation president Jagdish Walia. The main agenda of the meeting was that members of the Rehri Phari Federation will not tolerate anyone’s “interference” and “atrocities”.

Rations given

The first ration distribution function was organised by the Shri Bawa Lal Dayal Sewak Sangh on Monday. More than 21 families were given ration.

Kirtan darbar

The Sikh International Club organised kirtan darbar, which was organized in memory of Baba Deep Singh. Baba Harpal Dass from Panipat said the Sikh International Club was doing great by spreading the message of Sikhism amongst masses. Through kirtan darbar, preaching of the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, was spread to society. All kirtan jathas were honoured by the Sikh International Club on the occasion.

Obeisance paid

Emanuel Paul Gill, a member, Punjab State Minority Commission, visited the Mahavir Bhavan to pay his obeisance and regards to all-India head of Shwetamber Stanakwasi Jain Saints, Acharya Dr Shiv Muni Maharaj. He discussed various aspects of the welfare activity by NGOs of minorities’ community and lauded the Jain community to come forward for progress through education and awareness towards its rights.

‘Provide insurance cover’

The Punjab State Medical Lab Technicians’ Association has urged the state government to provide insurance cover and risk allowances to all lab technicians working in the civil dispensaries and hospitals of the state. A decision in this regard was taken at a state-level meeting held in Ludhiana on Tuesday. Jhirmal Singh Bhinder, state press secretary of the association, said one joint seniority list should be made of all lab technicians working under the directorate health services, Punjab, and of all medical colleges and vacant posts may be filled soon. Bhinder said Chanan Singh Nawanshahar was unanimously elected the state president of the association.

Conference on Sept 23

An all-India three-day conference of the All-India Centre of Trade Unions (AICTU) will be held from September 23-25 at the Kisan Bhavan, Chandigarh, in which about 300 delegates from Kerala, Orrisa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and other states will participate to discuss the problems of globalization, privatisation and liberalisation being pursued by the government at the Centre and as well as at the state level.

Cops chalk out time-bound plans

New SSP, Khanna, Ravcharan Singh Brar, said he had drawn a time-bound plan under which the common man would sense security and criminals would be rooted out from Khanna. He said new techniques were needed in peace-time policing, so that common man should be able to walk freely without any fear of criminals. He said he would assure that the police would reach out to the citizens to redress their grievances. The SSP further added that he had chalked out a plan for the first six months, in which the faith of the public in the police will be maintained.

Memo submitted

A deputation of marriage palace owners of Khanna on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to former MLA Ranjit Singh Talwandi and apprised him about their problems. They brought in the notice of Talwandi that they will be forced to shut their marriage palaces if change of land use (CLU) is imposed on them. A spokesman of the owners, Paramjit Singh, said they were already fed up with the increase of luxury tax from 4 per cent to 8 per cent, but the state government was going to impose CLU and this will be a big blow to the palace owners, as they have taken debts for the construction of the palaces. They cautioned that with the closure of the palaces, the government will also suffer heavy losses of taxes. Talwandi assured that he will took up the matter with the Chief Minister and other concerned and will try to find out an amicable solution of this problem.

Vehicle tracking system

To make your vehicle safer and tracked, Chandgothia Associates, the direct marketing associates for automobiles, has launched a live vehicle tracking and fuel management system. The system helps in vehicle live monitor and tracking. One can even get SMS alerts if the vehicle is over-speeding, going to restricted areas, visiting “out of bounds” locations, vehicle being used at odd hours of the day or night, daily activity report, etc. The key functionality of the system included live vehicle tracking, SMS alerts, GEO fencing, speed check, out-of-hour usage and tow-away alert. The system also helps in the vehicle misuse by giving an alert if the driver is sitting in the vehicle with the AC on and vehicle recovery when the vehicle is stolen or broken down. The other benefits of the system are daily, weekly and monthly usage reports, total distance travelled and free updates.

Special camp

A special camp will be organised by the state government at the Bachat Bhawan on September 14 to listen to the grievances of freedom fighters. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said Sarvesh Kaushal, principal secretary, would listen to the grievances of freedom fighters. Tiwari while extending an invitation to the freedom fighters said they should come and tell the problems to the government, so that immediate remedies could be provided. — Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, September 12
Students of Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, had an eventful day as they scored victories in the under-14 as well as under-16 categories in the Punjab Schools Zonal Cricket Tournament (PAU Zone) being organised by the Punjab Education Department at GRD Academy, Hambran road, and MGM Public School, Dugri, respectively here today.

In the match (u-14) played at GRD Academy, Kundan Vidya Mandir routed Green Land School, Sector 32, Chandigarh road, by 58 runs.

Batting first, Kundan Vidya Mandir scored a huge total of 110 runs without losing a wicket in the allotted 10 overs.

The openers, Bhuvnesh and Shubham Dyal Singh, remained unconquered on 66 and 25 runs, respectively. Bhuvnesh's score included two mighty sixes and three hits to the ropes while Shubham's patient knock included three boundaries.

Facing an uphill task, Green Land School's innings folded at 42 runs in 9 overs. Only Bhavya was able to reach double figure. He made 13 runs while Faizal and Kamran scored 4 and 3 runs, respectively.

For KVM, Parth Sharma was the most successful bowler who grabbed three wickets for 8 runs. He was followed by Vaibhav Kalra who took 2 for 5. Kartik Joshi and Akshit Bhardwaj claimed one wicket each conceding 6 and 4 runs, respectively.

In the match (u-16) played at MGM Public School, Dugri, KVM beat Guru Ram Rai School by 54 runs.

KVM scored 115 runs losing six wickets in which the main contributors were Anmol Sharma Danny (34), Kumud (23) and Manan Jain (24).

For Guru Ram Rai School, Ajay took two wickets while Daman Singh and Salil accounted for one wicket each.

In reply, Guru Ram Rai School were bowled out for 61 runs in 10 overs. Daman scored 21 runs, followed by Ajay and Sunil who contributed 10 and 4 runs, respectively.

KVM's Raghav Sharma chipped in with three wickets while Manan Jain and Anmol Sharma grabbed two wickets each. Nishant and Kunal Gautam took one wicket each to help KVM to wrap up the opponents' innings.

Ludhiana, September 12
Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, defeated Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, by six wickets to emerge the champions in the Punjab Schools Zonal Cricket Tournament (u-14) organised by the Punjab Education Department at MGM Public School, Dugri, here today.

Put into bat, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School could muster just 69 runs after losing five wickets in the stipulated 12 overs. The main contributors were Rishab and Akshit Kapoor who chipped in with 31 and 13 runs, respectively.

For Sacred Heart Convent School, Nihal Wadhera was the pick of bowlers who grabbed two wickets for 14 runs in his quota of three overs. Vinayak Bansal, Sunedh Sharma and Shaurya scalped one victim each to help their team to contain opponents to a meagre total.

Chasing the target, Sacred Heart Convent School scored 70 runs at the loss of four wickets with four balls to spare. Parth Katyal scored 23 runs off 19 balls while Sumedh Sharma scored 17. Nihal Wadhera also excelled with the bat as he remained unbeaten at 14. For the losing side, Arpit sent down three overs and captured two wickets for 20 runs and Anshul took one for 2.

Bharatiya Vidya Mandir enter semis

Bharatiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar, beat SDP Model School, Quila Mohalla, by 35 runs to secure a berth in the semifinals of the Punjab Schools Zonal Cricket Tournament (u-14), PAU Zone, being organised by the Education Department at GRD Academy, Hambran road, here today.

BVM won the toss and elected to bat first. In the stipulated 10 overs, they scored 69 runs after losing 9 wickets. The main scorers were Tanroop (20), Paras (8), Raghav Goyal (8) and Hitesh (6).

For the opponents, Rohit, Sahil and Tarsem bagged three wickets each

Requiring just 62 runs, SDP School were shot out for only 34 runs. Rohit top-scored with 13 runs while Lalil and Sahil contributed 7 and 6 runs, respectively.

Tanroop and Parth claimed two wickets each for the winners while Hitesh captured three wickets to steer their team to the last-four stage.