Ludhiana, November 23
A private company today bought PB-10-DG, 0005 number for Rs 13 lakh during an auction of fancy numbers, conducted by the District Transport Department (DTD) here. This is the highest ever bid for a vanity number.

Talking to The Tribune, MS Chatwal, District Transport Officer, said that it came as a surprise for the department, too. The series PB-10-DG 0005 was bought by one Pure Milk Products for a Land-Cruiser. “Earlier, the numbers were bought for maximum Rs 5 to 6 lakh, but today, all previous records have been broken”, said Chatwal. He further said that the auction would take place till the evening and the department was hopeful that this time the revenue collection would be the highest.

The complete series of PB 10 DG was auctioned today. The 0001 number of the series went for Rs 5 lakh, 0002 for Rs 2.5 lakh, whereas 0003 fetched Rs 1.45 lakh while 0004 of the same series raked in Rs 1 lakh at the auction. The number 0007 was another number that generated Rs 2.25 lakh.

An eye-witness said that it had become a “prestige-issue”, and the residents would go to any extent to get these numbers. “Since they have the money they should have no problem in paying to get the number of their choice”, said a resident present at the auction.

On coming to know about the incident, Parminder Mehta reached the spot and brought the matter to the notice of MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma, who was out of station for a meeting at that time.

The civic body, which otherwise keeps dilly dallying over making due payments to the contractors, immediately swung into action and prepared a cheque of Rs 5 lakh in Puran Singh’s name.

“At around 7 pm, I received a call from Parminder Mehta who told me that my cheque had been prepared and it would reach today itself. No person wants to end his life but the MC official had left me with no other option,” said Puran Singh.

The shortage of funds are hurting the MC in a big way and due to non-payment of dues, several contractors have stopped the ongoing development works.

When contacted, MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma confirmed about the incident and termed it unfortunate. “We don’ want to keep money of the contractors but we are short of funds right now. But still we have made a payment of Rs 5 lakh to Puran Singh," said Verma.

Ludhiana, November 23
In a new experiment, the Judiciary under the banner of the State Legal Services Authority has launched a campaign for creating legal awareness among the youth and sensitising them about social evils by organising youth festivals.

Preparations were being made by the Legal Services Authority for organising a state level youth festival here in the city at Guru Nanak Bhawan on Saturday. Students of different colleges across the state will participate in it. Justice S S Nijjar, a judge of the Supreme Court, will be chief guest in tommorrow's function. Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, A K Sikri, will preside over the function.

Justice Jasbir Singh, executive chairman, Legal Services Authority, Justice S K Mittal, Justice S S Saron, Ravneet Kaur,Secretary of Higher Education, will also attend the function. "This is for the first time that the Legal Services Authority has taken such a initiative to directly interact with the youth and for pushing them to play a constructive role for society," stated Sessions Judge Gobinder Singh.

Ten Chief Judicial Magistrates, including CJM K K Singla, Shatin Goyal, Jaspal Verma, Arun Aggarwal, G S Dhillon Rakesh Mittal, Vijay Kumar, Ram Kumar Singla, Gopal Arora has been deputed for the mega event. Drug addiction, corruption, ragging, legal literacy as an instrument of social change, rights of women and children, cruelty against women, female foeticide, environment protection, fundamental rights, child labour, rights of senior citizens, degradation in moral values are the topics that will be discussed during the event. 

Ludhiana, November 23
With the onset of winter season and dry weather, patients with skin diseases have started increasing. The patients who are already suffering from skin allergies complain that their problems have aggravated many folds. While many patients are pouring in at skin clinics with complaints of cracked heels, dry eczema, dry lips, dandruff in hair and eye.

Dr Emy Thomas, professor, Dermatology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, said: "It is all due to the dry and cold weather. People who are more prone to skin problems need to be extra careful. We are getting more patients suffering from skin allergies and less with infections. Cases of Psoriasis and dry eczema are being received. However, Atrophic dermatitis (Eczema) in kids is also being observed. It is recommended that everyone should apply oil before and after taking bath. And if possible one should apply glycerin with rose water after taking a bath.” Dr Alka Dogra, head, skin department, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said: "People should apply coconut or olive oil before and after having bath and again pour water on body. With this, oil gets trapped ten times more in the skin. On face, one (above the age of 12 years) should apply sun screen lotion as it saves skin for two to three hours from any problems. “

She said to keep the skin glowing and disease free it is must be kept hydrated. So, one should drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables.

Ludhiana, November 23
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation’s financial condition seems to have gone from “worse” to “critical” mode. Such is the state of the MC’s finances that the civic body owes more than Rs 3.5 crore to the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Interestingly, this payment is due only for the maintenance of three sewage treatment plants (STPs) running in the city. These STPs are installed at Bhattian, Jamalpur and Balloke villages, located on the outskirts of the city.

The sewerage board officials rue that the MC has not made the payment and their work is suffering because of it and due to it the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board fails to pay salaries to its staff. The Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board is executing and maintaining the STP’s on the behalf of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for several years.

The issue of shortage of funds due to non-payment of dues by the corporation resurfaced once again when the transformer installed in one of the STPs at Bhattian village developed a snag and sewerage water from several areas overflowed.

Its not for the first time that the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board has taken up this matter with the MC. Last month, superintending engineer of the board had shot a letter to the MC Commissioner, requesting him to take charge of the STPs because in the absence of funds, they were “helpless” in running the affairs. However, after receiving the letter, a payment of Rs 20 lakh was made. Another payment of Rs 20 lakh was made before Divali and yesterday Rs 10 lakh were given to the board officials.

“ The monthly cost of running all three STPs is Rs 32 lakh, which excludes electricity bills, which are being paid directly by the civic body. If the MC officials can pay electricity bills on time, I wonder why they don’t pay the board on time,” rued a senior Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board official.

When contacted, S D Garg, superintending engineer, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Ludhiana, confirmed that the MC was yet to clear payment of more than Rs 3.5 crore. “This payment is regarding maintenance of three sewerage treatment plants installed in the city. Due to non-payment of our dues on time, our work is suffering and we are not even able to pay salaries to our staff,” stated Garg.

MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma confirmed that the board had not been paid for the past some years. “The reality is that the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is critically short of funds. We are making real efforts to generate income and hopefully, we will make payment soon,” claimed the MC Commissioner.

Ludhiana, November 23
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is finding it difficult to make recovery of electricity bills from government departments pleading non-availability of funds to pay their energy bills on time. If mounting arrears against various departments of the Punjab government, falling under the central zone are any indication, payment of energy bills is among least of the priorities of these departments.

The arrears of unpaid electricity bills of the state government departments, which stood at Rs 252.66 lakh at the end of the last financial year (March 2012 ) had increased by nearly 45 per cent to Rs 365.20 lakh at the end of October 2012.

The average monthly billing and payment pattern of most of the departments indicate that they were not in a position to clear their current energy bills, as a result, the outstanding amount against them kept going up.

Information collected from the officials of the central zone of the PSPCL reveal that the department of Health and Family Welfare, Municipal Water Works, Public Health and the Punjab Police were among the biggest defaulters as far as the payment of electricity bills are concerned.

The government hospitals and dispensaries which owed a sum of Rs 95.25 lakh at the end of March 2012 by way of unpaid electricity bills had total outstanding amount of Rs 106.51 lakh against them by October 2012. During the same period, unpaid electricity bills of the Municipal Water Works had gone up from Rs 15.09 lakh to Rs 42.15 lakh, those of Public health from Rs 58 lakh to Rs 83.89 lakh while the arrears against the Punjab Police had mounted from Rs 34.01 lakh to Rs 52.29 lakh.

Among other government departments, who had failed to clear arrears of electricity bills were the offices of SDMs (unpaid bills Rs 21.74 lakh), civil courts (Rs 11.93 lakh), PWD *Rs 2.42 lakh), Government Schools and ITIs (Rs 1.50 lakh), revenue department ( Rs 2.20 lakh and panchayti raj institutions (Rs 5.15 lakh).

Requesting anonymity, senior PSPCL officials said unlike other domestic, commercial and industrial consumers, the power supply to most of the government departments could not be disconnected for non-payment since the emergency services would be affected.

"With a few exceptions, major portion of the arrears is cleared before the end of the financial year. In case of persistent default, the bills are recovered through inter-department transfer of funds at the government level." 

Ludhiana, November 23
Contrary to the land mafia, who does not leave an opportunity to grab any land available easily, some families in Dakha constituency have set an example by voluntarily handing-over the "shamlat" land to the government. Although, they were in the possession of the land for more than four decades, yet due the efforts of the district administration, the families vacated the land, which is worth Rs 45 crore.

To honour the families, a small function was organised at Dakha today. "We told the families to vacate the land. Initially, they were not ready but a few days ago all of them agreed to vacate the government land. We have not applied any force. They voluntarily handed-over the land and today we honoured them," said Manpreet Singh Ayali, MLA and chairman of zila parishad.

In another attempt, the district administration got possession of about 16 acre in Mattewara village today. Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Rishipal Singh said it was basically 20 acre and they got possession of about 16 acre today. "For the last eight months, we were trying to get the land vacated. Initial the occupants resisted but the officials managed to get the possession of the land," said the ADC.

It may be mentioned here that the cost of the land at Mattewara village is in crores and its value is expected to increase further as the state government has proposed built an amusement park here.

Ludhiana, November 23
About 35 staff members of the seven aided-primary schools in Ludhiana have not received their salaries since April.

According to a source, 95 per cent of the grant is being provided by the state government and 5 per cent is given by the private management of a school and rules are same for the aided schools and the government schools.

Narinder Arya, block president, Punjab Aided School Teachers Union, said: “It is unfair on the part of the government to not give salaries for months together. The salaries should be given as soon as possible."

Teachers of these schools have proposed a merger of the government and the aided schools as a solution to the delay in salaries.

"As the government is already paying salaries to teachers in aided schools, the merger would benefit as the vacancies in the government schools can be filled through rationalization. Such merger has already been done in Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh,” said a teacher. Teachers admitted that not receiving salaries affects their teaching.

"How is it possible to work efficiently without getting any salaries? The government is unfair for not releasing salaries on time," said another teacher.

According to the District Education Officer (Primary), Ranjit Singh Malhi, the education department is responsible for the delay and he would look into the matter. 

Ludhiana, November 23
Schoolchildren in the government schools will get knowledge about cancer, its causes and prevention.

The health department is going to start a statewide campaign to spread awareness about the disease from the next month. The campaign is aimed at spreading awareness about cancer to each household across the state. The information regarding the symptoms of the disease will be given to everyone. The absence of breast-feeding, smoking, intake of tobacco, drinking alcohol, intake of contraceptive pills above the age of 45 can lead to cancer.

Principal of a government school said, the information will be provided to schoolchildren during the morning assembly.

The day was observed with devotion at Green Land Public School, Jalandhar bypass. Students and staff paid obeisance to the Guru by singing hymns. The students were told about the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur . Tributes were paid to Bhai Mati Dass, Bhai Sati Dass and Bhai Dayala who were martyred one day before the martyrdom of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur. Principal Baldeep Pandher advised the students that they should seek inspiration from the great Guru.

Students perform during an annual day function at BCM Arya Model School in Ludhiana. tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Spring Dale School

Students delivered speeches on the life and sacrifice of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur during the morning assembly. School Shabad Gayan Jatha presented shabads, ‘Guru Teg Bahadur simriya, ghar nau nidh aave dhai’ and ‘dharam het saka jin kia, sees dia par sirar na dia'. Students also recited poem, ‘tere khoon di data ji, mehak aj chandni chonwk vicho aave’. Principal Kamalpreet Kaur stressed upon the students to follow the footprints and take inspiration from the great Guru who sacrificed himself for the sake of mankind.

SDP Model School

Martyrdom day of ‘Hind ki chaadar’, Guru Teg Bahadur, was observed at OP Gupta SDP Model School. Essay-writing and portrait-making competitions were organised at the school.

Drug-addiction awareness drive

An anti-drug addiction drive was carried out by the students of GMT Public School. They organised a campaign to protest against the menace of drug addiction. An exhibition of posters was also organised at the school campus highlighting the adverse impact of the drugs.

Anti-drug rally

Around 3,000 students of BCM School, Sector-32, along with 75 teachers participated in a rally to spread awareness among public about the hazardous effects of drugs’ consumption. A street play and a power point presentation were also presented on the occasion.

Making learning joyful

Students of Indus World School, Ludhiana, took up a project 'making learning joyful for all'. The project is aimed at making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged children. Students of the school helped in making making learning joyful at a school 'Santushti Vidya Niketan' running at Dandi Swami at Hambran Road. The students created storyboards, flash cards, maths lab kits and also introduced music, colour and greenery in the school. — TNS

Ludhiana, November 23
The police arrested a person and recovered huge quantity of psychotropic drugs, including injections, capsules and cough syrups today.The accused has been identified as Santokh Singh, a resident of Raikot, who was was currently staying at Chimney Road in Shimlapuri.

The accused was nabbed from Janta Nagar area late last night. According to Jaswinder Singh, SHO, Shimlapuri, the accused was travelling in a Hyundai Accent car and was asked to stop at a police check post in Janta Nagar but he tried to escape. The police chased him and he was arrested . the police recovered cough syrups, 18496 capsules, nearly three lakh tablets and 240 injection during the search.

A case has been registered under Section 22,61,85 of the NDPS Act. 

Jagraon, November 23
The Jagraon police has arrested one person and seized 108 bottles of illegal liquor from his possession. The accused has been identified as Amarjit Singh, a resident of Kothe Khajura near Jagraon. Though another person, who was accompanying Amarjit Singh, managed to escape from the scene. Mohammad Jamil, SHO, Jagraon City Police Station, said the accused was arrested by a police party from Raikot road last night when he along with another person was going on a two-wheeler.

"The police had set up a checkpost at the Raikot road. At around 11 pm, the police stopped them and during the search recovered 108 bottles of liquor from the bag they were carrying," said SHO Mohammad Jamil. Following this the police arrested Amarjit Singh while the other person fled from the scene. Though the police party chased him but he managed to escape. The accused, who fled from the scene, has been identified as Natha Singh, a resident of Kothe Khajura.

The police has registered a case against both the accused at the Jagraon City Police Station and investigation is on. "During the preliminary investigation, Amarjit Singh had confessed that he and Nattha Singh had been smuggling liquor for a long time," the police said. The SHO said the police was conducting raids to nab the other accused. 

Khanna, November 23
Due to a land dispute, a father shot his son dead at Roul village near Payal today. The deceased has been identified as Balwinder Singh (35) while the accused has been identified as Kulwant singh. Balwinder Singh died on the spot.

Harbans Kaur, mother of the deceased, said the police that her husband had left her in 1983 when the deceased was just seven-years-old and married again. She said since then the accused was living with his second wife in Ludhiana while she and her son lived In the village, where they owned 20 bigha land. Harbans Kaur alleged that after the second marriage her husband wanted to capture the land while she and her son were not ready to leave the land and a case regarding the issue was already pending with the court.

She further alleged that at the time of the incident her son had come to see the land as he had received the information that his father along with some of his relatives had started marking the poplar trees, those were grown on their land.

The grieved mother alleged that as soon as her husband saw her son, he became irritated and opened fire on him.

DSP(D) Ranbir singh said the accused had opened fire on his son when the deceased tried to stop his father from marking the poplar trees.

The DSP said the land was in the name of the accused and the deceased was pressurising him to transfer the land in his name. After the incident, the accused fled from the spot. The police has registered a case in this regard.

The deceased is survived by a year and half old daughter, wife and mother

Ludhiana, November 23
The economic offence wing of the city police nabbed a travel agent who had duped nearly 16 youths of Rs 50 lakh. The accused, identified as Gopi Ram, a resident of GK Vihar in Mundian village, was running a travel agency. Shamsher Singh, in charge EO wing, said the accused was duping the innocent youngsters, who were not well educated and did not posses any degree.

His modus operandi was simple. Gopi Ram used to place advertisements in vernacular newspapers to allure youngsters. He was running the travel agency at business complex in Mundian village. He had built a business complex by taking nearly Rs 50 lakh loan from bank and was paying instalments by duping innocent youths. Shamher Singh said beside EO wing there had been several complaints against him in different police stations across the city.

He used to charge Rs 3 to 5 lakh from youngsters according to their financial condition. His modus operandi was simple. His targets were less educated youths. He used to tell the youths that there were plenty of class IV jobs in various offices and stores in Canada where they would be paid $1,300 and 2,300 per month. He was even arranging meetings of youths with fake company executives through videoconferencing. The police is looking into the details whether Gopi Ram had any link outside India.

Ludhiana, November 23
The Inter-Zonal Athletics Meet, organised by the District Education Department concluded here toady. Around 400 players from various schools of the district participated in this athletics meet.

Ajitpal Singh, Assistant Education Officer said, "These events are the part of the ongoing school games. All the participants played with dedication. Winners of the meet will represent the district in the state competition".

In the 3000 m (U-19) race event Beant Kaur stood first, Rinki stood second and Rajinder Kaur got the third position.

Gurmeet Kaur bagged first position, Lakshmi Second and Kamal Preet stood third in the under-17 3,000 meter race event. During the (Under-17) 3,000 m (boys) event Gursewak Singh stood first.