Ludhiana, December 8
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today and other VVIPs, including Governor of Punjab Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Union Minister Manish Tiwari, attended the event, the entire government machinery was put on "high-alert". Right from receiving the Prime Minister at the Halwara Airforce Station till the time Dr Singh left for Delhi, the political leaders and higher officials from the Police Department, Administration, Intelligence, etc, had been on their toes for more than three hours.

At the Halwara Airforce Station, 33 persons were there to receive and see-off the Prime Minister. They included MLAs, Congress leaders and officials from both the Police Department and Administration. The Prime Minister's plane landed at the station at around 10:05 am and from there, Dr Singh and officials accompanying him, including Special Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, reached the PAU in three helicopters.

On reaching at PAU ground, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by VVIPs, including Patil, Badal, Maheshinder Grewal, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari, Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh, Mayor HS Gohlwaria and Chairman of the Zila Parishad Manpreet Singh Ayali.

Sources said about 31 Magistrates, including IAS Officers and PCS Officers, were put on various duties at different places while Dr Manmohan Singh stayed in the city. About 110 official vehicles were on duty to make various arrangements. Besides, 309 officials from government departments, including the PWD, Health, Fire Brigade and the BSNL, were on their toes to make sure that duties entrusted to them were performed diligently.

As if this was not enough, more than 1,200 policemen were put on high alert in the city. Around 20 higher officials from the Police Department were there to see the security arrangements in and around the PAU. An official said many officials were asked to perform duty in plain clothes.

Confusion over name

Meanwhile, there was a little confusion at the PAU grounds while VVIPs received the Prime Minister. According to the protocol, apart from the Governor, Chief Minister and a few other leaders, the Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner Police, Mayor and the Chairman of the Zila Parishad were to receive Dr Manmohan Singh at the PAU grounds. Inadvertently, instead of Manpreet Singh Ayali's name, who is Chairman, Zila Parishad, the name of Amandeep Gujral, secretary, Zila Parishad, was mentioned in the list of persons who had to receive the PM. The list was sent from the PMO office last night. Over this confusion, the Prime Minister's Office in Delhi was reportedly contacted late last night and the officials were instructed to inform the Special Protection Group (SPG) about the mistake. Ultimately, Ayali’s name was cleared by the SPG, who accompanied others while receiving the Prime Minister. 

Ludhiana, December 8
Even as Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called upon the Centre to provide a regular, permanent grant to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the varsity as the chief guest during the Golden Jubilee Convocation today did not promise any special grant/funds to the fund-crunched university.

In his speech during the convocation, Badal, while referring to the PAU as the "Mother of Green Revolutions", said like agriculture in the state, this university was facing a financial crisis. He said a regular, permanent grant to the PAU would not only benefit Punjab but also the entire country. He added that the state's contribution to the PAU had been hiked from Rs 103 crore to Rs 270 crore.

Though the PM, in his convocation address, acknowledged the contributions of PAU in making Punjab the food bowl of the country, the promise or assurance of financial aid from the Centre eluded the university. The PM said the university was at the forefront of developing new agricultural technologies and practices. "It was the pioneering work of Punjab Agricultural University, combined with receptivity and hard work of farmers of Punjab and other states, that made the Green Revolution possible and gave the country food security," he added.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders, including the CLP leader Sunil Jakhar, submitted a memorandum to the PM, requesting him that funds are provided to the university for research work. "The research work at the varsity has suffered due to the paucity of funds. Resource crunch has compelled the university to rationalise staff strength even below the required teacher-taught ratio. This has caused serious bottlenecks in quality research work," said Jakhar.

It is in the interest of the nation that funds are earmarked for the PAU in the Union Budget and the same is monitored by the Prime Minister Office or the highest echelons of the Ministry of Agriculture, the memorandum stated.

PAU cash-strapped

The varsity has been grappling with the paucity of funds. There were expectations of financial help from the PM's visit to the varsity, said Paramjit Singh Gill, president of the PAU Employees' Union.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon said he had no expectations as the decisions at the prime ministerial level have to be taken with a national perspective in mind.

Ludhiana, December 8
Keeping in view Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s busy schedule during his visit to Punjab Agricultural University, his relatives chose not to meet him. The families of Gursharan Kaur’s sisters stay in the city.

"I had a word with the Prime Minister last evening and he told me about his schedule. Since he was very busy and it was a short visit, we decided not to disturb him. We can meet him any day and our families are very close to each other," said Mohinder Singh, husband of Gursharan Kaur’s sister, Sawinder Kaur.

Meanwhile, Charankamal Singh, who is also related to the PM, said his family decided not to disturb him while he was busy discharging his official duties. "We would have loved to meet him but it was not the right time to bother him by doing so. We can meet him anytime, so others should be given time to meet him and discuss important issues. We are proud to be associated with the PM, who is a humble and pious man and doing his job dutifully," added he.

Guneet Kaur, who is also related to the Prime Minister, said: "It has always been a pleasure meeting our uncle who is the Prime Minister of our country but I do not think it is good to disturb him when he is busy with such events. We are a family and apart from meeting him during special occasions, we can meet him whenever we want to.

He was in the city but it was not sensible to meet him while as he was busy. We meet him and his family every time we visit New Delhi."

Ludhiana, December 8
The house of Bhagwan Singh, a local businessman, was abuzz with activity since early morning today. The reason being Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was staying there, it was his birthday and Bhagwan Singh’s family had arranged a surprise party for Badal. The Chief Minister cut his birthday cake at around 8 am at Bhagwan Singh’s house in the Civil Lines area here.

It was after several years that the Chief Minister was in the city on his birthday and the local Akali leadership did not want to let go this opportunity.

While Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria decided to celebrate Badal’s birthday in a greener way, other leaders had planned cake-cutting ceremonies.

Ravinderpal Singh Minku, Bhagwan Singh’s son, had planned this surprise party. As the Chief Minister stays at our house whenever he visits the city, his (Minku) children treat him as their grandfather. They were the ones who asked him to arrange for a cake. They wanted to keep it a surprise as the Chief Minister is a very simple man. Had they informed him that they needed to celebrate his birthday, he might have even refused. But when the cake was kept before him, he was very happy and cut it along with all the children in our house, said Minku.

Certain leaders were also present at Bhagwan Singh’s house when Badal cut his birthday cake.

Gohalwaria said to celebrate this occasion, he had planned to plant 86 saplings in different parts of the city. While the Chief Minister planted the first sapling at Bhagwan Singh’s house, the remaining 85 saplings were planted in other parts of the city. “I will make sure that these trees don’t dry up. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation will be starting a comprehensive plantation drive in which thousands of saplings will be planted in the city. We all know that the green cover in the city has depleted over the years and now, I will make sure that Ludhiana turns into a greener city once again,” claimed the Mayor.

Former Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria also celebrated the CM’s birthday by cutting a cake at his office in Labour Colony here.

• A Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Kalkat was the first Chairman of the Punjab State Farmers Commission and held several prominent positions during his illustrious career including that of Senior Agriculturist with World Bank, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Agriculture Commissioner with Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and made important contribution for the development of agriculture in the country.

Ludhiana, December 8
The Golden Jubilee Convocation of the Punjab Agricultural University was held here today wherein Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, Dr RS Paroda, former Secretary, DARE and former Director General, ICAR, and Dr JS Kanwar, former Deputy Director General, International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, were conferred with the degrees of Doctor of Science (honoriscausa) by the Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the university, Shivraj V Patil. In his convocation address, the chief guest, Dr Manmohan Singh congratulated the PAU for completing its 50 years of dedicated service to the farming community.

Governor Shivraj V Patil said that for all round agricultural development, the PAU could play a pivotal role by helping in framing policies, developing new technologies, advising industry and farmers, and generating new knowledge. "This university is one of the reputed universities of the countr," he remarked, saying that the PAU can be instrumental in ushering in perpetual "Green, White and Yellow Revolution." Niotechnology, a developing science, along with genetics, information and communication technology can help to use natural resources in a best possible way, he noted. The extension system needs to be strengthened by adopting various methods of communication, he emphasized, while urging the scientists to make agri-system knowledge intensive.

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, highlighted the research, teaching and achievements of the university. Dr Dhillon revealed that PAU has developed more than 700 varieties of crops, out of which, 117 have been released at the national level. During last one year, 14 varieties and hybrids have been released for cultivation in the state and 11 at the national level.

CM Parkash Singh Badal was also present on the occasion. During the Golden Jubilee Convocation, 26 students were awarded PhD degrees. Three students of the university were awarded gold medals.

Ludhiana, December 8
Industry representatives today met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on his visit to the city and discussed the problems faced by them. Memorandums were also presented to him by various associations.

The main issued discussed during the brief meeting included city's air connectivity, setting up of freight corridor, freight subsidy, special package for industry and making of cycle tracks throughout the country.

Members of the Knitwear Club discussed about the excise duty on hosiery and textile garments. Levy of excise duty on branded goods of small-scale industry has put a question on its survival, which is already fighting against increased raw-material costs, labour shortage, infrastructural problems etc. United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association made the Prime Minister apprised of the difficulties being faced by the cycle industries at present specially the competition faced from the Chinese products that are poring in India in a bulk.

Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of UCMPA, suggested that an import duty on these products be charged to the tune of 40 per cent. Amritsar Bombay freight corridor should be started immediately. It was also made known that the bank loan interest be decreased from 13.5 per cent to 6 per cent to save the MSME units who are already reeling under recession. Ashok Makkar, managing director of Punjab Dyers Association, demanded a special grant for setting up of a common effluent treatment plant in Ludhiana.

Another important issue that was discussed at the meeting was the air connectivity. "As the industrialists have to travel to the metropolitan cities like Bangalore, Kolkatta and Mumbai for business purpose and they have to hire the flights from Chandigarh in spite of Sahnewal Airport as they do not have the direct flights to these cities except Delhi, causing time wastage," said the industry representatives.

Industry is a great revenue and employment generator; but in spite of all these facts, industry is facing problems like the absence of an exhibition hall. In the absence of a stable and spacious place, Ludhiana industrialists have to put up temporary setups to organise the events and exhibitions, which consume both time and money.

It was suggested that the 100 days employment under the MNREGA could be extended to the industrial sector for entry-level workers, where in addition to the eligible amount under the MNREGA, the industry can also contribute. The number of days under the MNREGA can cover the training and skill development period for entry-level workers, which may be subsequently regularised as normal workers. — TNS

Ludhiana, December 8
The food prepared by the catering department at Sutton House where the Prime Minster had a meeting with the industrialists in anticipation of the PM's visit untended as the PM only took tea during his stay here.

Ludhiana, December 8
Three students, who won gold medals at the Punjab Agricultural University, were excited about receiving the medals from the Prime Minister of India.

Apart from her, 27-year-old Kulbir Singh Dhindsa, who pursued MSc Agronomy and 24-year-old Pooja Manchanda, who is pursuing PhD at the university, received Kartar Singh Kahlon gold medal and Avtar Singh Atwal gold medal, respectively.

"It was amazing to receive the award and I feel on top of the world," said Pooja.

"Only a top few receive gold medals at the university level, but very few people are able to get it from the Prime Minister. I am on cloud number nine," beamed Mandeep Kaur Toor, who got PN Thapar Gold Medal for her all round performance in BSc Agriculture.

Kulbir has recently joined as Agriculture Development Officer at Ahmedgarh, while Pooja and Mandeep, want to pursue further studies, and become professor and scientist as a career.

Pooja has received the medal for being the best student in MSc programme in the university and Mandeep won it for being the best graduate student.

"When we got the letter that the PM would be the likely chief guest during the convocation this year, we were expectantly excited," said Kulbir.

Jagraon, December 8
The residents of Jagraon and surrounding areas are thrilled at the beginning of Shatabdi Express from Moga to New Delhi.

It was a long pending demand of the residents, particularly the traders of Jagraon for a direct train from Jagraon to New Delhi. Now with the start of Moga-New Delhi Shatabadi Express, this long pending demand of the residents was finally materialised.

A lot of enthusiasm was found among the residents of Jagraon when Shatabadi Express arrived at Jagraon Railway Station for the first time.

Jagraon MLA SR Kaler greeted the Shatabadi Express when it arrived at Jagraon Railway Station today.

Several political leaders as well as a large number of the local residents were also present during the occasion.

According to railway officials, Shatabadi Express will travel twice a week between Moga and New Delhi. The train will start its journey from Moga and will have a 2-minute stoppage at Jagraon Railway Station.

There is a total 400 km distance between Moga and New Delhi and the new Shatabadi Express will pass from Ludhiana, Sangrur, Dhohana and Rohtak before reaching New Delhi.

The train will start its journey from Moga at 3 pm and will arrive at Jagraon Railway Station at 3:24 pm every Saturday and Monday before its departure after a stoppage of 2 minutes at Jagraon Railway Station.

The ticket fair of Shatabadi Express from Jagraon to New Delhi would be Rs 607 per person for chair car category while the fair for business class would be Rs 1,155 per person.

However, the ticket fair from New Delhi to Jagraon on the return journey would be Rs 529 per person.

The local residents, specially the traders and businessmen have expressed delight over the beginning of Shatabadi Express from Moga to New Delhi.

"Earlier we had to travel to Ludhiana to board Shatabadi Express but now with the beginning of Moga-New Delhi Shatabadi Express we will be able to board the train from Jagraon," said Raj Kumar Bhalla, a Jagraon based trader. 

Ludhiana, December 8
The Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Indian Pharmacological Society conducted a CME on “Advanced Pharmacovigilance Workshop” here today.

Dr Abraham G Thomas, director, CMC, emphasised on the need of reporting adverse drug reactions in a hospital. Dr Jugesh Chhatwal, vice-principal, Christian Medical College and Dr Kanwal Masih, Medical Superintendent of CMC added that effective programs on adverse drug reaction reporting can decrease the overall disease burden in a healthcare setup.

Dr Dinesh Badyal, HoD, Department of Pharmacology, and organising secretary outlined the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI) which is being governed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad, UP. He explained the importance of reporting adverse drug reactions for all doctors. He explained the need to create national data base on adverse drug reactions. He highlighted how the ban on some drugs has been revoked in the absence of database.

As many as 100 delegates attended the workshop. Manoj Prabhu from Knowledge Academy, Mumbai, introduced an electronic format of reporting adverse drug reactions, which makes it easier to report adverse reactions. Dr Bikash Medhi, coordinator of Pharmacovigilance Centre at PGI, Chandigarh, explained case series examples to show how it is determined that the reaction has happened due to drug. He discussed methods to find out the relationship between suspected adverse reaction and the drug used.

Ludhiana, December 8
New Swan Enterprises (Agro Division), Ludhiana, has been honoured with the Best Stall Award in the Agro Tech 2012 fair organised by CII at Chandigarh.

In the event more than 75,000 visitors registered their presence, including industrialists, traders, farmers, shopkeepers and local residents.

Being an agro-tech event, 50 per cent of the participating organisations were with their agriculture related products out of approximately 100 world-wide based companies which exhibited their stalls during the event.

"The endeavour of New Swan Group is to provide its customers world class machinery at a low price. New Swan Group started its agro division in 2008," said Upkar Singh Ahuja, managing director, Swan Group.

The best stall award was presented by Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, and was received by the Upkar Singh Ahuja, Managing Director, and Kanwardeep Singh of New Swan Group.

Ludhiana, December 8
A lifestyle and wedding exhibition was organised at a hotel in the city today.

The three-day exhibition saw the participation of fashion designers, jewelers and caterers. As many as 50 stalls of various designs, home decor and accessories were also on display.

Natural skin care products

Inclination towards natural products for skin care and cosmetics has been on the increase with increasing awareness.

One of the exhibitors at the exhibition was selling a range of natural products including natural soaps, creams and cosmetics. The only chemicals that are being used are for the preservation of the ingredients.

“As many chemicals enter the body through skin, great care should be taken while applying the skin care products and soaps,” said Shashi Kumar from Nature Bound. “Natural products are better for good skin and have fewer side effects,” she said.

Painted jutti

The popular Punjabi jutti is getting a makeover with hand painting in different colours. One of the exhibitors had interesting designs painted on the jutti.

Dubai designers

Sanam Tamanna and Anchal Chanda, designers from Dubai, had an exquisite collection of suits both Indian and Pakistani designs on display. The special wedding collection was an attraction for visitors.

(Clockwise from left) A woman takes a look at designer suits; a woman tries natural skin care products; jewellery showcased during the “ Wedding Asia” exhibition in Ludhiana. photo: himanshu mahajan

Ludhiana, December 8
To celebrate the ‘Visitor Week’, under the campaign of save water, save electricity, Suvidha Centre Gill organised a painting competition today.

The students from Gupta Model High School took part in the competition and interacted with the police officials.

The organisers urged the students to make judicious use of water and electricity. Besides, the children were also informed about the Right to Information Act.

The students were also awarded on this occasion. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Dec 8
With vendors and shopkeepers trying to encroach the front area of their establishments, the municipal council continues its 'operation clean-up'.

The vegetable and fruit venders on movable carts were allowed to continue their business provided they do not hinder the vehicular traffic.

Braving the resistance from certain trade organisations and political outfits, special committee constituted by the municipal council to remove encroachments continued to remove materials causing inconvenience to the vehicular traffic in various markets of the town.

Despite being a staff holiday of the municipal council, Chetan Sharma, executive officer, undertook clean-up operation on Saturday.

Appreciating positive attitude of majority of the office bearers of various trade organisations; president Ravinder Puri said: “The operation had been conducted in compliance to the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.”

Referring to the observations made by office bearers of certain trade organizations, Puri said: “The exercise has helped the shopkeepers and the local residents.” 

Ludhiana, December 8
An NGO, Nikhil Singal Noble Trust, has opened a homoeopathic dispensary on the premises of Baba Nand Singh Memorial School, Shimla Puri.

The dispensary was inaugurated by MLA Smarjit Singh Bains. VS Jindal, General Manager of the Trust, said: "Dr HS Sandhu will treat patients from 10 am to 4 pm daily at the dispensary."

The trust came into existence in the year 2008 after the death of Nikhil Singal, a commerce graduate. The Ludhiana based Eastman Impex Group launched a trust under the name of Nikhil Singhal. It aims at providing educational facilities and medical aid to poor. It also helps various ashrams to look after the education and well being of the disabled persons and also organises free medical camps."

The trust also provides free medicines to all the patients at Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana

Ludhiana, December 8
It seems that the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has turned a blind eye to the safety of residents, as the city roads are fast turning into death traps. Several ditches and potholes are a common sight, besides in some parts; garbage bins and iron bins are also lying in the middle or along the dividers, posing danger to the lives of residents.

Even as the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has uprooted trees from the city roads around 15 days ago, but it seems that y the MC, a ditch has developed near petrol pump opposite local MP and Union Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari's house on Pakhowal Road, a pothole has they have "forgotten" to repair them. In the absence of repair of these roads, it seems that the MC is waiting for a tragedy to happen, before taking corrective measures.

Moreover, its not the only that potholes have developed from uprooting of trees, but also there are several spots on the roads, where potholes have developed for one reason or the other and the civic body seems to look the other way around.

After a tree was uprooted near Sarabha Nagar Pully along the Pakhowal Road, from the point from where one turns towards Malhar Road. Even when one travels on Malhar Road, an iron bin has been placed along the divider opposite Chaurasia Pan Bhandar.

In some parts of the city, even garbage bins placed along the roads pose danger to the lives of motorists.

Ironically, opposite Manish Tewari's house, only a red coloured flag has been installed in the ditch in the name of safety measures. Even though one can spot this flag during daytime, but it's not visible during the night.

Its not that such danger spots have developed at these places only, but similar ones could be spotted easily in various other parts of the city as well. Despite the fact that many people have already fallen victim to such deathtraps yet the civic body has not paid any heed to the safety of residents.

When contacted, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria confirmed that some roads from where trees were uprooted are yet to be repaired. "I have already issued orders to my staff to repair these roads so that no untoward incident takes place. Safety of the city residents is foremost," claimed the Mayor.

Ludhiana, December 8
During winters, people usually fall sick with cough, cold followed by fever and in some cases, chest infection is also reported. Medical experts are of the view that people usually fall sick when their immunity level is reduced.

To keep fit in winters, Ayurvedic herbs play a vital role. Dr Monika Malhotra, Ayurveda Medical Officer, at a government dispensary, Haibowal, said, "To keep oneself warm, people should take anjeer, dates, munakka, kesar milk etc on alternate days. Soak dry anjeer in water at night and eat it in the morning along with water in which it is soaked. It enhances immunity level and also saves from ill effects of cold weather.

Similarly, having 5 to 7 dates or 7 to 8 pieces of munakka throughout the day also help in enhancing immunity level. Taking kesar milk at bed time also relieves body from tension and increases body strength."

While tulsi in tea is all time good. A city based ayurevdacharya Dr Ravinder Vatsayan said, "What gold is to minerals, amla is to herbs. It increases immunity. People usually love to eat heavy and fried food including saag, makki ki roti, dry fruits, desi ghee, butter etc. But it should be taken only if one does for regular exercise.

To enhance digestion of rich diet, digestive herbs like ginger and garlic are must. While herbs like cumin seeds (zeera), fenugreek seeds (metthe), cloves (laung), cardemum (eliachi), cinnamon (daalcheeni) etc helps in better digestion."

He further said during winters, sunrays are week and metabolism rate of the body is set up gaining. He said that tulsi is a very good anti-oxidant and one should take tea having tulsi, laung and daalcheeni to save from ill effects of winter.

Sahnewal, December 8
The PSPCL seems to have plunged headlong into spreading awareness regarding the conservation of energy, which they shall be starting from the schools itself. For this purpose, the City West Circle of Panjab State Power Corporation Limited shall be organising various debates, discussions and competitions in different educational institutions of the area, the first of which was held at Tagore International School.

The chief guest of the occasion, Chief Engineer (Central) KL Sharma shared, “Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption which can be achieved through increased efficient energy use or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources. This can lead to increase in capital, environmental quality and economic security. Considering the need to make the next generation more aware regarding efficient use of energy resources, it is necessary to educate the kids first. In this regard, promotion of energy efficiency in schools has been initiated by the power com through which the students of schools, colleges shall be made aware about the energy crisis we shall be facing one fine day if we do not contribute our share towards the conservation of this precious energy,” he further said.

“In SE Circle alone here, 20 such programmes are going to be organised,” shared Harpreet Singh Sandhu, Sub-Divisional Officer of Sahnewal. “We shall be educating the students regarding very small seeming but crucial things related to energy conservation as turning off lights when not in use, forming an energy patrol to ensure that lights are out there is nobody in, removing unneeded light fixtures, using energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs,” he added.

A number of schools from the city and the periphery participated in the paper reading, declamation and painting competitions organised by the department in order to make students aware about energy conservation. Deputy Chief Engineer (west) Tarlok Singh and other officials of the department were especially present.

Mandi Gobindgarh, Dec 8
The local police has booked a transporter for selling 14.46 tonnes of steel to a Morinda resident instead of transporting to the goods to a Mohali based buyer.

The police said that the owner of the Kirandeep Khatra, alias Karan, owner of Akash Steel Corporation, at Gobindgarh, a resident of Khanna, in his complaint to the police had stated that 14.46 tonnes of steel was loaded on a truck owned by Balwinder Singh alias Billa, a transporter. The consignment was transported to Mohali, however, when the goods did not reach its destination he on his own investigated the matter and came to know from the sources that Billa had sold the steel to Neela, decamped with the cash. The police, after investigating the matter Neela for purchasing the stolen steel. — TNS

Khanna, December 8
The Khanna police has registered a case of rape against a man who allegedly raped his minor daughter.

As per the complaint lodged by the victim, who is 12-year-old, they live in Friends Colony, a locality of Khanna. She alleged that her father had been raping her for the past four months. She said she had also told about it to his other family members but no one was ready to believe her.

The complainant further alleged that it become the routine matter that whenever, her father found her alone, he would raped her. When the circumstances became out of her tolerance, she decided to complain to the police.

The police has registered a case under Section 376 of the IPC against Prem Kumar, the accused who is still at large.