Ludhiana, October 8
One side of the Sidhwan Canal bridge on Ferozepur Road will be closed for vehicular traffic from tomorrow onwards. There will be some respite for residents of Sarabha Nagar and Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar as now the traffic will not be diverted towards these areas and instead one side of the road will be used for both "incoming and outgoing" traffic.

This side is being closed for the construction of an underpass for the Sidhwan Canal Expressway project. It will remain closed for three months and once it is complete, the other side of the road will also be closed for three months.

Earlier, the traffic police had decided that vehicular traffic going towards Mullanpur, Jagraon, Moga or Ferozepur will have to take a diversion. It was proposed that those going towards Mullanpur, Jagraon, Moga or Ferozepur will have to take a left turn opposite the PAU Gate No. 1.

After the traffic police diverted the traffic towards Sarabha Nagar and Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar areas, it led to traffic jams in these areas, leaving residents fuming. Both these localities are considered posh and that is why, the police decided to use one side of the road for traffic.

To help the police in managing traffic on this bridge, 15 to 20 personnel of Supreme Infrastructure, the company constructing the Sidhwan Canal Expressway project, have been trained in the Police Lines and they are now managing the traffic.

Pardeep Kumar, project manager of Supreme Infrastructure, said once one side of the bridge was closed, they would start construction work on the underpass. “We want to complete this project on time and for this purpose, we have to close the bridge from one side,” he said.

Speaking to The Tribune, Satvir Singh Atwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said afer the traffic was diverted towards Sarabha Nagar and Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar area on Saturday, there was traffic congestion in these areas.

“That is why we decided that one side of the Ferozepur Road can be used for both-way traffic as we have already widened it. Besides, we will also install information boards on the road so that people avoid travelling towards the Sidhwan Canal bridge. I urge city residents to take some alternative route while travelling towards Ferozepur to avoid traffic congestion on the bridge,” said ADCP Atwal. 

Ludhiana, October 8
Sarika (name changed), an employee of the Civil Hospital, Khanna, has alleged that a doctor at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, was "mentally and physically" harassing her for the past over seven years. Despite having submitted written complaints against the doctor, the health authorities had failed to take action against him, she alleged.

Accompanied by Satnam Singh Dhaliwal, chairman, and Ritu Pandit, president, Woman Justice and Equality, here, she submitted a complaint to Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh seeking justice. Sarika alleged that Dr Pradeep Sharma, working as a dentist at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, was harassing her for the past many years. She alleged that she belonged to a backward class and the doctor had passed "casteist" remarks against her.

The complainant alleged that perturbed over Dr Sharma's behaviour, she had complained against him to the health authorities, following which Dr Sharma had tendered a written apology.

"Since Dr Sharma felt humiliated after I complained against him, he started taking revenge in one way or the other. He got me posted to Sangrur. However, I was called back to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Dr Sharma again got me posted to Khanna to settle an old score using his influence. I am being penalised for no fault of mine," alleged Sarika.

Dr Pradeep Sharma has termed the allegations as baseless. "The woman served in the city for more than 18 yars and now she has been transferred. I had complained against her as she made several fictitious enteries. Besides, despite being subordinate, she misbehaves with me. If I had to exploit her, why would I make casteist remarks against her? Her statements are contradictory. The fact is that she wants to come back to Ludhiana. The matter should be probed to find the facts. I have not harassed her," said Dr Sharma.

Ludhiana, October 8
In a bid to provide common passage to an unauthorised colony being developed in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar near Jamalpur, a coloniser has pulled down the existing security wall of a public street and residents are also being threatened with dire consequences if they raise their voice against the intimidating tactics.

Residents of Street No. 3 of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar are living under fear and have lost their peace of mind ever since certain property dealers and developers purchased a piece of land, measuring around 3,000 sq yards, alongside their lane, for carving out a colony.

According to Pawan Sharma, Kulwant Singh, Paramjit Singh and many other residents of the lane (which is a dead-end public street), the said developer, with the intention of providing a passage to the colony that was being carved out without any approval or licence from the regulatory authority, had pulled down the boundary wall that separated their lane from the adjoining piece of land.

"The developer and his henchmen had the audacity to demolish the wall on September 25 using a JCB machine. He also issued threats to the residents despite the fact that prior intimation was given to the Jamalpur police station about the mala fide intentions of the developer," said the residents.

The residents had also submitted representations to the Deputy Commissioner, the Commissioner of Police and officials of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority as well as the municipal corporation demanding action against the unlawful activities of the developer. "However, none of the officials concerned listened to our pleas for timely action," said the affected residents.

Baljit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector at the Jamalpur police Station, said an application had been received from the residents. "Now that the wall separating the public street and the proposed colony has been demolished, we can take action against the culprits only on the intervention of the regulatory body (the GLADA or the MC), which has the authority to stop unauthorised development of a colony," he said.

Municipal Town Planner Raj Kumar and Assistant Town Planner of the area Monica said action would be initiated if the colony was being carved out unlawfully. "A team of officials of the building branch will visit the spot and take suitable action for violation of norms of colonisation and building regulations," they added.

The developer could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ludhiana, October 8
Members of the Special Trainer Teachers’ Union, Ludhiana, today held a protest against the state government by burning its effigy outside the mini-secretariat. The teachers also blocked the intersection outside the mini-secretariat for a few minutes.

The teachers are demanding that they should not be relieved from their duties and should be allowed to continue their jobs.

Sukhwinder Singh, district president, Special Trainer Teachers’ Union, said the state government was planning to relieve them from their jobs from October 10. “We had convened a meeting in this regard today and it was decided that we should burn the state government’s effigy for holding protest against this decision of the state government,” he said.

Mandi Gobindgarh, October 8
The five members of the steel trade and industrial associations commenced their fast to protest against the e-billing, imposed by the Excise & Taxation Department, Punjab. While two members are from the Furnace Association, three are from the Iron Scrap Traders' Association. Earlier, the associations had threatened to resort to fast if their demands were not met.

Ludhiana, October 8
Up in arms against A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Limited, a delegation of 100 private garbage collectors today held a meeting with MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma at the MC’s Zone A office at the Mata Rani Chowk.

The garbage collectors demanded that the company should be stopped from door-to-door collection of garbage and if the company hires them, a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 should be paid to them.

The private garbage collectors had gathered under the aegis of Valmiki Samaj Bachao Aandolan (VSBA) at the Zone A building.

Ever since A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Limited started door-to-door collection of garbage from ward numbers 68 and 69 of the city, the private garbage collectors and members of the VSBA have been opposing it.

During today’s meeting, members of the VSBA raised several issues in front of the MC Commissioner.

VSBA chairman Surinder Kalyan stated that the MC Commissioner has promised that soon a meeting will be organised between them.

“We will not allow the company to carry door-to-door collection of garbage in the city. And if officials of the company want to hire our services, they will have to pay a minimum salary of Rs 15,000 per month, else we will continue our protest,” he said.

MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma said all issues regarding the demands of private garbage collectors will be discussed at a meeting to be held soon.

Ludhiana, October 8
Geeta, a resident of the city, alleged negligence by a gynaecologist during a surgery, claming that she had been facing severe health problems after the surgery. Geeta Dewan, also a singer, alleged that her uterus and ovaries were removed during the surgery at Dr Rama Sofat Hospital without diagnosing properly.

The victim with her family members and activists of three NGOs met the Commissioner of Police and filed a complaint against the doctor couple.

In her complaint, Geeta alleged, “I was admitted to Dr Rama Sofat Hospital on July 7, 2008. The doctor told us the next morning that a minor operation is required. But they removed the uterus and ovaries without informing us. I was not suffering from any disease, as nothing came in tests done at the laboratory. So, I have failed to understand as why they removed my ovaries and uterus. After the operation, my health deteriorated and the surgery ruined my life and I was not in a condition to file a report earlier.”

When Dr Amit Sofat was contacted, he said, “The patient has been misguided. She was operated with her consent. We have removed her ovaries after conducting all required tests. We have all reports of the tests, which show that there were pre-cancer symptoms. She had stayed in the hospital for seven days after the operation and there was no complication during that period.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh gave Geeta and her husband Deepak Dewan an assurance to set up a panel of doctors to inquire in the matter and submit a report of the same to him.

Ludhiana, October 8
With the city expanding farther, it is also eating into open areas in the interiors of the city with little space for playgrounds.

Cricket clubs with the passion for the game are left with no choice, but to pay for these rare empty spaces like parks, plots and school grounds.

Clubs like Shakti Nagar Cricket Club, Darshan Cricket Club, Hunters, BBF Cricket Club and Ravinder Ghora Club have little choice but to pay for these spaces.

Most of these clubs have paid for the rare spaces in many of the congested city areas.

Members of the clubs have to make monthly monetary contribution, which is paid to owners of these spaces. Some of the clubs also seek sponsorships for these payments.

“It should be the administration that should be providing facilities for residents to play. On the contrary, it is the players and children interested in playing, who have to pay, just for the space for playing, let alone the facilities. How do you expect, the sports in the city to prosper, when we don't even have adequate space to play and have to pay for playing in private fields?” asked Aman, a member of the Darshan Cricket Club.

“Even Sachin Tendulkar, the world’s most famous cricketer, started playing in a park to begin with. But if there are no parks or grounds, how do you expect children to come forward and play,” says Sandeep, a resident.

“In India, already parents are not inclined towards encouraging their wards for sports, how do you expect them to pay just for the space to play?” asked another member from the club.

The sports clubs should be established in every ward. It should be the responsibility of every councillor to create at least one big park with the sports facilities in their ward for the development and encouragement of sports. This is paramount not only to encourage sports but also for healthy and progressive youth, said Aditya, a student.

Jagraon, October 8
The time has gone when chemist shops were involved in the sale of habit forming drugs. Due to the strictness of the police and the Health Department majority of the drug stores have given up the business. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the situation, some criminal-minded people have started selling habit forming drugs. Moreover, several youths, who are drug addicts, are getting getting involved in the illegal trade of habit forming drugs.

There are many localities in the town where the sale of these drugs has been going on unchecked. The most prominent areas where these drugs are being soled include Bagh Kheta Ram Colony, Agwar Lopon, situated on outskirts of Jagraon. The slum areas have become notorious for selling the drugs.

the banned drugs such as cough syrups, including Rexcof, Recodex and tablets like Restyl, Alprex, Carrysoma, Parvon Spas, Spasmo Proxyvon are quite popular among youngsters and the sale of these drugs is going on unchecked. A large number of drug addicts are also getting hooked to the sale of drugs to earn quick bucks. In the absence of strict monitoring, the sale of habit forming drugs is on the rise near the educational institutes of the town and the main target are students.

When contacted, DSP Jagraon Surinder Kumar, said the police was doing its best to curb the menace. "But such kind of persons often manage to escape as it is difficult for the police to monitor such kind of persons due to the lack of proper record," he said.

"On average we are arresting two-three persons, involved in illegal drug peddling, everyday. Whenever we get any information about such activity, we always take strict action," he added.

Doraha, October 8
The delay in bringing the bodies of the mother and her three children from Belgium to their native village has made the kin anxious. The mother and the children were murdered last week. "The Punjab Government had given the assurance that it would make arrangements for bringing the bodies to india as soon as possible but the delay is now giving ussleepless nights. We are in constant touch with the government officials but we are still waiting for their nod," said Jang Singh, the head of the family.

Gurpal Singh, the cousin of Jasvir who stays in Belgium, said the authorities in Belgium were not sure about the exact date on which the bodies would be sent to India.

Local MLA Charanjit Singh Atwal had come to sympathise with us and gave us the assurance that the government would

make all efforts for brining the bodies to India, a relative said. " As the time is passing and our relatives here and abroad are making rounds of the embassies, our strength is going down. We urge the government to help us as we have no other door to approach," said one of the relatives. — OC

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 8
Feeling isolated both administratively and politically after the reorganisation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies, the residents of the town have demanded to upgrade the local sub-tehsil office to subdivision level.

The residents said the town, which was situated on the border of Sangrur and Ludhiana districts, was made sub-tehsil four decades ago and the Block Development Office was later established at Amarpura. They said a circle police officer was also posted here but all these offices were later shifted to Malerkotla.

The situation worsened when the government incorporated some area of the town and surrounding villages in Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency and newly constituted Amargarh assembly segment due to which leaders of various political parties started ignoring the development of the area.

Accusing the successive governments of ignoring the genuine demands of the residents, Chapra and Phallewal, local leaders of the SAD, rued that leaders could not even maintain the name of the block in administrative records. "The authorities did not accede to restoring name of block as Ahmedgarh block. It is rather called Malerkotla II," lamented Phallewal and Chapra.

Jatinder Kumar Bholla, former president of the Municipal Council, regretted that it was shameful for the leaders and residents of the area that Amargarh village with less population than Ahmedgarh was made assembly constituency.

Interestingly, the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, and SDM Malerkotla look after the civil administration and the office of the DSP, Amargarh, is accommodated temporarily in a rented building at Malerkotla. 

Ludhiana, October 8
The Excise and Taxation Department has levied annual processing fee on traders with VAT number and will be collecting Rs 800 annually.

Although the traders have been notified to pay the annual processing charges for the financial year 2012-13 on or before October 30, the traders are still not clear about which form to fill.

“It is mandatory for every trader to pay the processing fee before October 30. The taxable persons not required to file returns during October shall also pay this annual processing fee within the stipulated time,” said A Venu Parsad, Excise and Taxation Commissioner.

The annual processing fee is to be paid in Challan Form VAT-2. This is to be filled in column 2 (e) of the Challan Form VAT-2 under the head “other deposits” and should be specified as “Processing fee” for the financial year 2012-13. The amount of processing fee shall not be added in column 2 (f) of the Challan Form VAT-2 meant for the purpose of deduction of the Punjab municipal fund, said Jatinder Khurana, a tax professional.

The entire proceeds of the processing fee shall be credited to the head of account 0040-taxes on sales, trade etc-102 state VAT, he added.

Although the department has issued a notification for the traders to pay the annual processing fee, it has failed to make the facts clear to the traders.

“I am unable to understand where to fill the annual processing charges in the form. Now, I will go to the department to make the things clear,” said Jagjeevan Singh, a trader.

Ludhiana, October 8
A minor fire broke out at a shopping complex opposite Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) telephone exchange at the Bharat Nagar Chowk this afternoon.

The fire began from the electricity board installed near the stairs of the building at around 12:30 pm and was doused in 15-20 minutes by using fire extinguishers installed in the building. Short circuit is believed to be the reason behind the incident.

Fire brigade officials informed that they had received a call from an employee of the BSNL exchange.

“But when we were about to dispatch our team, we got a call from the same person who stated that they have been able to douse the flames,” informed the fire brigade officials.

Parveen Kumar, who owns an office in this building, informed that the fire incident took place due to a short circuit. “But we managed to douse the flames and there was no loss,” he stated.

Ludhiana, October 8
For making residents of the city aware about female foeticide, a religious body has come forward and has started a signature campaign today.

This signature campaign was launched by the first citizen of the city, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria at Shri Geeta Mandir in Vikas Nagar, Pakhowal Road.

As a part of the campaign, a big board has been installed on the mandir premises where the residents can come and sign in support of curbing this social evil.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said even though the ground reality had improved a bit, the male-female ratio in the state as well as the city needed to be improved.

“While launching this signature campaign, I have decided that I will urge all 75 municipal councillors to make the residents of their respective areas aware about this social evil,” he said.

Area councillor Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal said he was a proud father of a girl child. “All of us need to work wholeheartedly in curbing the social evil,” he said.

Pardeep Dhall, general secretary of Shri Geeta Mandir Committee, said on one side, all of us perform “kanjak poojan” during Navratras, while on the other side, our society indulges in such social evils.

“To make people aware that boys and girls are equal, we have started this signature campaign,” he said.

Ludhiana, October 8
Jasbir Singh, a resident of Patiala, admitted at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), has been confirmed to be a positive case of H1N1 (swine flu).

According to district epidemiologist, Dr Puneet Juneja, “Two more patients have been found to be suspected cases of dengue. One of the suspected is Amritpal from Haryana and another one is Anu from Ludhiana.”

With this, the state has received 13 swine flu patients in this season. — TNS

Ludhiana, October 8
Judicial Magistrate Jagmilap Singh Khushdil has convicted Manohar Lal and his son Sakun Kumar of Miller Ganj, Ludhiana, in two cheque bounce cases. They have been sentenced to undergo an imprisonment of one year.

The court also ordered them to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 each. However, the court acquitted co-accused, Neelam Rani, wife of Manohar Lal. She had claimed that her signatures were forged on the cheque. In support of her contentions, she was also examined by a handwriting expert and the expert had given his report in favour of Neelam.

The orders were pronounced by the court while deciding the complaint filed by Manjeet Singh, a resident of the Pakhowal road, Ludhiana. The complainant had submitted that Manohar Lal and Neelam Rani had taken a friendly loan. Thereafter, the accused issued a cheque of Rs 1,60,000 in favour of the complainant in March, 2010, to repay the loan amount with the assurance that the same would be encashed on its presentation to his bank.

But when the cheque was presented to the banker of the accused, it was dishonoured with the remarks “account closed”. Similarly, Sakun Kumar’s cheque of Rs 1,80,000 was also bounced due to the insufficient funds. Despite serving a legal notice, the accused failed to make the payment, further added the complainant. On the other hand, the accused denied the allegations. After appreciating the evidence on record, the court found them guilty and sentenced accordingly.

Ludhiana, October 8
An incident of theft has been reported at an ayurvedic dispensary at Jawahar Nagar yesterday.

According to Dr Veenu Khanna, in charge of the dispensary, “Thieves stole away Rs 108 from the drawer, which were collected from patients as consultation fee.”

Apart from the money, there were some clinical instruments, a cooker, a few pans and a gas cylinder, which were stolen by breaking locks.

“We have five rooms in the dispensary. When we left the dispensary on Saturday, everything was fine, but when we came this morning, we found all locks were broken and things missing.”

The dispensary in charge has filed a complaint at the Kochhar market police station.

Ludhiana, October 8
An undertrial escaped from the court complex this afternoon while he was being taken back to the jail after being presented before the judge.

According to information, Amrik Singh, lodged at the Central Jail, was brought before the judge. After his appearance, he fled from the scene by giving the police a slip. According to Jaspal Singh, chowki in charge, the undertrial was lodged at the jail under Section 307 of the IPC and was a resident of the Guru Nanak Colony.

“The police is looking into the matter and a case has been registered so far,” said Jaspal Singh.

Ludhiana, October 8
The Mata Sahib Kaur Academy, Jarkhar, blanked Sangrur Academy 6-0 to storm into the final in the junior section of the eighth All-India Guru Gobind Singh Gold Cup Hockey Tournament being organized by the Ludhiana Sports Welfare Association at the Prithipal Singh Memorial AstroTurf Stadium at the Punjab Agricultural University campus today.

All goals came in the first session.

Jarkhar academy lads surged ahead in the fifth minute through Gurjeet Singh and made it 2-nil in the next minute when Darshpreet Singh sounded the board.

They added another goal three minutes later, as Darshpreet found the target again. Daljeet Singh and Ranjeet Singh Rinku pumped in two goals in the 23rd and 26th minutes, respectively, which sealed Sangrur academy’s fate 6-0.

The second match was played between the sports wing, Kila Raipur, and Moga Academy, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Kila Raipur players drew the first blood in the 21st minute through Sukhjeet Singh. He again struck immediately into the second half to read it 2-0.

Gagandeep Singh of Moga Academy reduced the margin in the 41st minute, while Kila Raipur’s Sukhchain Singh scored in the 52nd minute to make it 3-1.

As it appeared that the Kila Raipur boys would romp home winners, Moga Academy surprised their rivals chipping in two goals in quick succession (59th minute by Gurminder Jit Singh and Gurjant Singh in the 61st minute) to level the score 3-3.

Both teams earned three penalty corners, but all these opportunities went a begging.

Olympian and deputy director, sports, PAU, Ramandeep Singh Grewal, and prominent sports promoter Jagjeet Singh Sandhu were guests of honour today.