Ludhiana, November 16
Taking a strong view of the encroachment on land owned by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation in Sunet village, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari today issued orders asking the MC Commissioner to get the encroachment removed and take possession of their property at the earliest.

The DC categorically mentioned that a godown was constructed on the MC land (khasra number 106), in possession of one Jaspal Singh, son of Hardial Singh.

Interestingly, when the district administration through the district revenue officer had conducted an inquiry into the matter (the report was submitted on October 26), stated that khasra number 106 of Sunet village was in the possession of one Jaspal Singh while Khasra number 105 was in the possession of Veeran Bedi and her mother Surjit Kaur. But as per the “jamabandi” (land mutation) of khasra number 105, there was no mention of Veeran Bedi or her mother Surjit Kaur.

Jaspal told the district revenue officer that the land was purchased by him from Surjit Kaur, wife of Maan Singh, a resident of Khanna, and also submitted an affidavit in this regard. “But Jaspal Singh failed to provide any documents regarding the purchase of land (khasra number 106), but claimed that he was in possession of the same land,” read the district revenue officer’s report.

Jaspal Singh is believed to be the supporter of Veeran Bedi because when the voter list of Ward Number 57 was checked, Jaspal’s vote was registered at Bedi’s residential address. The voters' list, in possession of The Tribune, shows Jaspal Singh, son of Hardial Singh (serial number 1234) as a resident of house number 984, BRS Nagar, and Veeran Bedi, her husband Harpreet Singh and her sons Gurpreet Singh and Kamalpreet Singh, besides seven other persons are having their votes registered at the same address.

But the recent report prepared by the Deputy Commissioner, which is in possession of The Tribune, mentioned Jaspal Singh as the encroacher, but instead of recommending any action against him, the DC stated in the report, “The contention of the petitioner (read Maha Sabha Ludhiana) that Jaspal Singh is a front man of Veeran Bedi and she be disqualified from the post of municipal councillor is something which cannot be decided by me in a summary report which has to be completed in a time-bound manner. The appropriate forum to agitate the removal of Veeran Bedi from the post of Municipal Councillor is before the Election Tribunal concerned and the petitioner is free to approach it as and when he may so desire.”

Ludhiana, November 16
Amidst protest by shopkeepers, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation’s Tehbazaari Wing today carried out an anti-encroachment drive in different parts of the city.

At the Bharat Nagar Chowk, some of the shopkeepers even tried to stop the MC truck by blocking its way, but later when the MC officials told them that if they did not let them perform their duty, an FIR would be registered against all of them. And later, the shopkeepers decided to give in, and the anti-encroachment drive was carried out.

Officials of the Tehbazaari Wing of the Municipal Corporation load a wrongly parked two- wheeler in a truck near Bharat Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana on Friday. Photo : Inderjeet Verma

The drive started from Bharat Nagar Chowk, and later moved towards the bus stand where the MC officials confiscated six motorcycles, LPG cylinders, pillows, mattresses, and other such goods, that were displayed by the shopkeepers outside their shops.

It was here that the shopkeepers misbehaved with Tehbazaari superintendent Naveen Malhotra. When contacted, Malhotra informed that some persons tried to block passage of the truck which was full of confiscated goods.

“They tried to block the way and so I immediately informed the Mayor, who spoke to the Police Commissioner about it. Meanwhile, I asked my staff to click photographs of all those blocking our way and sensing that, they soon left the spot,” informed Naveen Malhotra.

The Tehbazaari officials then confiscated around 150 farhis and seven rehris from the Jawahar Nagar Camp area and five rehris from the Midha Chowk area.

As many as five illegal hoardings were also removed from Dugri, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Pakhowal Road Octroi post, Aggar Nagar and Rajguru Nagar. Around 60-70 banners were also removed and the persons who had installed these banners were challaned.

Ludhiana, November 16
It seems to be a classic case of too late and too little. The Northern Railway authorities have yet again failed to foresee the huge rush of passengers intending to visit their native places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and other states for the festivals of Dussehra, Divali, Durga Puja and Chhath Puja. Even the 44 pairs of festival special trains, besides the regular train services, turned out to be far too inadequate if the prevailing rush in the trains even now is any indication.

It is utter chaos at the city railway station when trains bound for UP, Bihar and West Bengal reach here. Those travelling on unreserved (general) tickets) have to jostle for space in general coaches, most of which are locked from inside by other passengers occupying seats and berths. In many cases, children are separated from their parents or one of the family members is left behind on the platform while others board the trains.

On Thursday, the men of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had to intervene to get the doors of several general coaches in the Amrapali, Jansewa and Jallianwala Bagh Express opened. They also helped passengers, including elderly persons, women and children, board the trains.

The Northern Railway authorities remain insensitive and indifferent to the problems being faced by a sizeable migrant population in the city is evident from uncertainty surrounding the timetable of festival special trains.

Several migrants waiting at the railway platform along with their families to travel to different towns in Bihar on Friday complained that a special Ludhiana-Saharsa train, which was scheduled to depart at 10.45 am, had been delayed for several hours. "We have been waiting at the railway station since morning. Now the railway authorities say that the train will leave late in the evening,” rued a passenger.

With the festival special trains being grossly disproportionate to the number of passengers during the festival season, the regular train services are bearing the brunt of the huge rush.

“Most of the long route trains are full to capacity and reservation for at least next two weeks is not available on any of the trains bound for UP and Bihar," said Pashupati Nath, who had not been able to travel to his native place in Bihar for the festivals in spite of making efforts to get reservation in "tatkal" category also for six consecutive days.

Ram Vilas, a construction worker hailing from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, said the migrant population was being treated as second-class citizens by the railway authorities.

"We have to travel like cattle in the trains even after paying like other passengers. Why can't the railway authorities make timely and adequate arrangements of special trains and additional capacity during the festival season when they fully well know that the passenger traffic goes up manifold," he asked.

Senior railway officials at divisional headquarters at Ferozepur said they had received several representations for more festival special trains and creation of additional capacity in existing trains for this particular season. "There are operational constraints, but the matter is being discussed at the highest level to take a policy decision in order to address this problem," they said. 

Ludhiana, November 16
Those visiting Mini Secretariat or District Courts Complex for work will heave a sigh of relief as now they will be able to cross the busy Ferozepur Road outside Mini Secretariat easily.

After a wait of more than four months, the pedestrian underpass opposite Mini Secretariat has finally been opened today. Despite getting completed on time, the underpass was locked for the past more than four months.

The foundation stone of the Rs 3.5-crore project was laid by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in November 2010.

One Satnam Singh, who had come for some work at District Courts Complex, said earlier they had to wait for the traffic signal to turn red before crossing Ferozepur Road opposite Mini Secretariat.

Ludhiana, November 16
A 32-year-old sewer man with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation died due to asphyxiation while another is struggling for life at a local hospital after debris fell on them while they were cleaning a chocked sewerage at Phase 7 in Focal Point today.

The victim has been identified as Naresh Kumar, a resident of the Shimlapuri area. His colleague Shiv Kumar, who is a contractual employee, was rushed to the Civil Hospital where his condition is stated to be serious.

The incident took place this afternoon when the duo dug up a 10 feet pit to clear a choked sewer. "They were replacing a choked sewer and loose soil fell over them. While Naresh died due to asphyxia, Shiv Kumar was rescued and rushed to the Civil Hospital. We have initiated investigations," said MC spokespersons and Zonal Commissioner Kamlesh Bansal.

An employee, who was part of the rescue operation, said the loose sand and sewage turned the pit into a quagmire. This delayed the rescue operation, he added.

Vicky Sahota, who was also part of the rescue operation, alleged that the incident took place due to the negligence of MC officials. "The MC officials have put the life of two employees in danger as it was the job a technical team," added Vicky Sahota. 

Ludhiana, November 16
This Diwali saw rampant import of cashew kernels by under-invoicing from Vietnam and Brazil. Not only this, considerable quantities of undeclared cashew kernels are being imported under the guise of cattle feed / poultry feed.

Sources said the under invoiced cashews are entering through Mumbai and Chennai ports and making way into the local markets as a result the local cashews are facing a tough competition for survival. Under-invoicing refers to a bill that lists a price that is lower than what was actually paid. This is done to reduce the payable taxes.

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CECPCI) has shot a letter to the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and customs department to take tough measures to curb the imports.

Import of under-invoiced cashew kernels, especially brokens and splits are affecting the domestic processors and is also leading to a considerable revenue loss by way of import duty for the government. The import duty on cashew kernels is 36.9 per cent. One of the members of CECPCI said they had written to the customs department to be more vigilant about the under-invoicing of cashew kernels coming to India.

"There is no domestic consumption of cashew kernels in Vietnam, which is mainly exporting its kernels to the USA. As the USA is not taking splits and broken kernels, Vietnam is exporting them to India, which has huge market for such products. It is in turn affecting the domestic cashew processing industry," added Ramesh Chopra, a cashew processor.

"These are not only ruining our domestic cashew processing industry, but also helping our competitors in the international market as there is no demand for their broken grades. Indians prefer imported stuff over the domestic one, since these cashews are imported they are quickly capturing the market," said Dashmesh Singh, a trader.

Ludhiana, November 16
The pending value added tax (VAT) refunds are giving tough time to the industry. Some tax payees have refunds pending for the last three years. With large amount of money stuck with the department, the industry is finding it difficult to survive.

"When we pay our taxes on time then why is the department not releasing the refunds on time. In case the tax is deposited late then we are imposed with a penalty, but the department itself releases refunds at its own sweet will. Fine should also be imposed on the department for late releasing of refunds. In some cases, VAT refunds are pending for the last three years," said Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association.

Adding Badish Jindal, president of Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, said that according to the Excise Act, it was mandatory for the department to release 75 per cent of the VAT refund within 60 days, but it was rarely followed by the department.

"Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal's recent announcement to start a star grading system has further created panic among the traders. When everybody is paying taxes it is injustice to rate them under a system and release the refunds accordingly. Such a system will not work practically," he said.

Gurbir Singh, an industrialist, whose refunds have been pending for the last two years with the department rued," Business is all about give and take of money and moves a full circle. The department is taking the money from us but not paying the refunds back. From where should we generate the capital for investment? I am facing acute financial crunch and even the department is not releasing my refund," he said.

Sarabha, November 16
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, has invited legislators from Sarabha to the state capital for finalising the programme to address long-pending demands of the villagers and residents of neighbouring localities.

Manpreet Singh Ayali, MLA, said the Chief Minister had accepted the demands in principle and grants worth Rs 25 lakhs would soon be sanctioned for development projects.

Ayali in his speech on the occasion of martyrdom anniversary celebration of Kartar Singh Sarabha today, had impressed upon the Chief Minister to accede to demands raised by villagers. The villagers alleged that successive governments had failed to develop the native village of the martyr.

Construction and maintenance of streets and drains, opening of medical stream at Government Senior Secondary School, rechristening of Pakhowal Road as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Marg and declaration of November 16 as a gazetted holiday under negotiable instrument Act were the major demands raised before the Chief Minister.

Responding to the demands raised by Ayali, the Chief Minister advised him to visit Chandigarh so that modalities to fulfil and implement the demands could be started without any further delay. 

Ludhiana, November 16
Sore over the dilly-dallying attitude adopted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in getting the DVOR (an equipment installed for better visibility for the plane landing at Sahnewal) functional at Sahnewal Airport, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari has written to the Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Government of Punjab, 
to take up the matter with the AAI to get the equipment functional as soon as possible.

In a detailed letter written to Vishwajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Punjab, Tiwari also said that in the last few days, many flights had been cancelled, even when there was adequate visibility at the airport because the flights had been deviated to other locations by the Air India.

He said Ludhiana had great potential for air-travel and many passengers had to go back from the airport when such unscheduled cancellations were done by the Air India.

The Principal Secretary has also been requested to take up the matter with Air India and ask them to avoid frequent cancellations and look at the possibility of starting a flight daily as with the functional DVOR and with the night landing facility in place, regular flights would be a boon to the residents here. Since other airlines like Spice Jet had also shown keen interest in starting operations from Ludhiana, the DC has written to take up the matter with them, too, for the benefit of residents.

A meeting of the officials from the administration and AAI was held yesterday on the functioning of DVOR at the Sahnewal Airport and the AAI officials had told that it would require at least three more weeks to get it operational. 

Ludhiana, November 16
Ludhiana’s population is not just increasing in numbers, but also in its diversity. Like a big city, the city is getting more cosmopolitan, assimilating and incorporating people from different regions, cultures and religions.

"The city's industry has been instrumental in attracting people from different places to the city," says Sarabjeet, an industrialist. People from different religions live here amicably and harmoniously.

The city has become a home to Malayalis, Bengalis and people from various other regions of the country. Due to its industry, migrants from UP and Bihar come here in large numbers, and now the city has become a home to them.

"The city has been a great place to live in and earn," says P Pillai, who runs his business here. "There is a good number of Malayalis in the city and we celebrate festivals together with the local people," he says.

"I recently came to work here, and it is great to see such an accommodating local population and people from different regions settled here," says Rahul from Karnataka, who works at a mall in the city.

"Every community settled in the city celebrates their own festivals in the city and other communities participate in the festivities. This is the mark of a healthy, multicultural and growing city," says Subhash, a resident.

"If the city and its people get richer, and becomes more modern, it is going to attract people from different places. To grow further, people of the city have to attract and assimilate people from different regions," he says. 

Ludhiana, November 16
Continuing their protest today, the Workers of the United Forum of BSNL Unions went on strike today. The forum comprising BSNL Employees Union, SC/ST Employees Welfare Association of BSNL and National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees demanded action against Adesh Kumar Gupta, GMTD, Ghaziabad, in the death case of Sukender Pal Singh, district secretary, BSNLEU, Ghaziabad.

The non-executive employees gathered in front of office of the GMT BSNL, Bharat Nagar Chowk. Balbir Singh, circle secretary, BSNLEU, Punjab, alleged that Sukender Pal Singh was allegedly murdered in the chamber of GMTD Ghaziabad, on October 22. The members alleged that the GMTD was allegedly involved in the murder. Balbir Singh said that even after meeting Kapil Sibbal, Telecom Minister, on October 10, no action was taken against anybody.

Ludhiana, November 16
The joint action committee comprising of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teacher Union and Retired Teachers and Principals Federation organised a candlelight march to protest against non-implementation of pension and gratuity scheme here today.

A number of retirees assembled outside the Gurdwara Model Town Extension and submitted memorandums to Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal.

During the candle light march, Dr MS Komal, district president PCCTU, said: "The employees of aided colleges are the only ones who are not getting the benefits of pension and gratuity. All other employees of the educational institutions are getting the benefits. A very large number of retired private college teachers are facing hardships because of this.”

Ludhiana, November 16
One side of Sidhwan Canal Bridge would be closed for commuters from Sunday. The move has been taken for the construction of the expressway project.

"One side of the Sidhwan Canal Bridge on Ferozepur Road will be closed for vehicular traffic from Sunday onwards. We are not completely closing the route. One side of the road will be used for commuting," said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) J Elinchazhian.

The plan of imposing traffic diversion was delayed keeping in mind the festive season.

"The route would be closed in phases according to the progress of the construction work. In the beginning, the side from Ferozepur towards the city will cater to the two-way traffic and the other side will remain closed for three months. Once the work is completed, the other side of the road will be closed for three months," said the ACP.

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.

As influential people reside in both these localities, the police reportedly reversed the decision and decided to use one side of bridge instead.

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

They are presently managing the traffic.

Ludhiana, November 16
Dayanand Medical College in collaboration with Arpita Cancer Society is organising a three-day-long “PHOCON-2012” — 16th Annual Paediatric Haematology Oncology Conference under the aegis of PHO Chapter of Indian Academy of Paediatrics that commenced here today.

Organising chairperson Dr Daljit Singh said one in every 10,000 children in India was suffering from cancer. According to statistics, the reported incidence of childhood cancer has increased in India over the last 25 years. The conference is aimed at providing a good scientific programme by international and national faculty which will cover a wide range of topics of interest to paediatricians, haematologists, oncologists, postgraduates from paediatrics, medicine, pathology and to nurses and paramedical staff.

The highlights of the conference include scientific sessions by distinguished international and national faculty, case-based discussions for paediatricians, postgraduates, debate for postgraduates on controversies in haematology oncology, workshops for nurses on central line care, and workshop by international faculty on endocrine abnormalities in Thalassemic patients.

On the first day, three workshops were conducted. Dr Vincenzo De Sanctis from Italy, Dr Mohamed El Kholy from Cairo and Nicos Skordis from London spoke on the occasion.

Other international speakers included Dr Heba Elsedfy and Dr Ashraf Tawfik Mohamed Soliman Other speakers included Dr Neelam Verma, Dr Man Updesh Singh Sachdeva, Dr Amita Trehan and Dr S Radhika from the PGI, Chandigarh.

Ludhiana, November 16
International Students' Day is held annually on November 17, known for celebration of multicultarism of the international students at various universities.

On the eve of this international observance, this correspondent caught up with students from other countries who are pursuing studies at Punjab Agricultural University. They had a lot to tell about their experience in the city.

Mohammed Ahmed Mansoor from Sudan, who is pursuing postgraduation in food technology has been in the city for the last few months.

“It has been a great experience. I am impressed with the hospitality here. Communication is a bit of a problem, but I somehow manage,” he says.

“Once I was sitting with friends and an elderly woman came up to us and starting talking in Punjabi. When we called a friend to interpret what she had said, we were really touched when we found that she had invited us to her home to have food,” Mansoor says.

He is fond of bhangra, gidda and Indian movies. He has also learnt some Punjabi. “I watched the movie Carry on Jatta and really enjoyed it. I was really saddened at the demise of Jaspal Bhatti as I had met him when he was in Ludhiana a couple of days before he passed away,” he adds.

Mansoor lists Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn as his favourite actors.

Mesmerised by the festivities all around, he appreciates the fact that religion is an important part of life here. “I have visited Gurdwaras, temples and mosques in the city. It has been great to see so many festivals here. Divali was great. It was fun and I really loved all the Indian sweets. I also like the food, but it is too spicy for me. I enjoyed sarson da saag as well," he says.

Moti Arega from Ethiopia has been in the city for just three months and is already floored by the warmth and hospitality of the local population. He is pursuing postgraduation in agricultural economics.

“I am happy to be in the city. I have adapted to the Indian food. Although I can't eat spicy food, the food here good and people are very supportive.”

Arega, however, does not approve of wastage of money during Divali. “Although I enjoyed Divali, but was saddened to look at the amount of money that was wasted for burning of crackers. On one hand, there are so many poor people in the need of money, and other people were just burning money, instead of giving it to people in need,” he says.

Meanwhile, Theophilus P Baah from Liberia, who is pursuing postgraduation in agronomy, has been in the city for more than a year. Like others, he too finds local people very helpful and welcoming.

“Whenever I go for a walk alone or with friends, people walk up to me and offer tea. People even insist when I say no. It is a very close-knit society and it is good that people here have close family ties.”

Baah was amazed to see fireworks during Divali. “Although we too play with fireworks on Independence Day but I had not seen such festivities,” he says, adding, “On Divali, traditional diyas looked beautiful.”

Baah also remembers his visit to Golden Temple. “It was really spectacular and peaceful. I am planning to go again on the birth anniversary of the first Guru. The spirit of service there was good to see.”

Anoop Adhikari, who is pursuing postgraduation in agricultural economics, comes from Nepal, due to which he faced lesser cultural differences.

"It has been great to come to study and live in the city. There aren't many cultural differences between my country and India. We have the same religion in Nepal. People here are warm and friendly and the food is also nice. The city is well-developed and studying at one of the most reputed universities here is great."

Bissessar Persaud, whose great grandfather moved to Guyana to work on sugarcane plantations during the British era, feels good to be back to the land of his forefathers. He is pursuing MSc in agriculture.

“Forty-six per cent of the population in Guyana has roots in India, and we celebrate all the Indian festivals like Holi and Divali there as well. A lot of fireworks are used here to celebrate Divali but the use of fireworks is prohibited there. We celebrate the festivals in the traditional way there. This country is much more developed than Guyana. It feels good to be in the city. People here are very cooperative and helpful." 

Ludhiana, November 16
Tension gripped the Civil Hospital and the surrounding area after the man, who was thrashed during a group clash at the Migrant Colony near Samral Chowk on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries here today.

The victim identified as Zakir, who was in a critical condition, was undergoing treatment at the CMC Hospital. Following his death, his relatives and supporters arrived at the hospital and demanded capital punishment for the accused persons.

Heavy police force was deployed on the hospital campus and the surrounding area to maintain law and order. In the meantime, two persons identified as Sonu and Pintu have been arrested in the case, while hunt is on to nab their accomplices.

The group had clashed while partying at a the migrants quarters recently.

The injured was admitted to the CMC Hospital in a critical condition.

Ludhiana, November 16
The city police nabbed a proclaimed offender (PO) who was wanted in 6criminal cases and fled from police custody last year.The accused identified as Baljit Kumar Bangar was nabbed by the Division No 4 police from Dhobhi Ghat here today.

Baljit, who was lodged in Patiala jail, had escaped from police custody when he was brought to the court in Ludhiana for hearing in a criminal case.A school dropout, Baljit, entered the world of crime at an early age. He was working as property dealer and was involved in land grab cases.In 2000, Baljit was booked for trespassing house and assaulting a resident in Sarabha Nagar. In 2003 he was booked for planning decoity.A resident of Peeru Banda Colony in the Salem Tabri area, Baljit was also booked for possessing illegal weapons.

Ludhiana, November 16
Thieves struck at a house of a banker in the Moti Nagar area and decamped with cash, gold ornaments and home appliances.

The incident came to light here today when Devi Dayal, a manager of the local branch of the State Bank of India, returned from Jharkhand and was shocked to find the house ransacked.