Jagraon, January 29
A middle-aged man of Jagraon allegedly tried to rape a seven-year-old minor girl living in his neighbourhood. The incident came to light last night around 10 pm when family members and other residents of the locality heard the girl’s cries while the accused was allegedly trying to rape her. They went to the suspect’s house and caught him while allegedly trying to rape the minor girl. They beat him up and then handed him over to the local police.

The accused, Gurpreet Singh, hails from Moga and was staying in a rented accommodation in the Indira Colony area of Jagraon for the past few months.

The victim is a daughter of a sweeper, who works for the Jagraon Municipal Council.

Jagraon SHO Mohammad Jamil said the accused had been arrested and a case under Sections 376 and 511 of the IPC had been registered against him on a statement given by victim’s grandfather last night.

In his statement to the police, the victim's grandfather said after having dinner last night, his granddaughter was playing with other children of the locality. "After sometime, she went missing and a few minutes later we heard her cries from Gurpreet’s house. When I reached there along with some other residents of the locality, we found him trying to rape her and caught him," he said.

The victim’s family members have demanded that the accused should be tried in a fast-track court.

Ludhiana, January 29
Two persons were found dead at the railway station here today. According to the Government Railway Police (GRP), both persons had died a natural death.

GRP sources said the body of an unidentified person, believed to be around 55 years old, was found from a railway platform. He had slept on the platform last night and was found dead this morning.

In the second case, the body of Shiv Kumar, a resident of Subhash Nagar, Dhuri, in Sangrur district, was found from platform No. 1. Dilbag Singh, Head Constable at the GRP station, said, "We have informed Shiv Kumar’s family about his death. The body will be handed over to the family tomorrow. We are trying to 
establish the identity of middle-aged man who was found dead.”

"We have examined the bodies. Both deaths were natural. We have registered cases under Section 174," said Dilbag Singh.

Ludhiana, January 29
Health Department services remained paralysed for the second day today due to the strike of the clerical staff. The staff began the strike yesterday on a call given by the Punjab health Department Subordinate Offices Clerical Association.

Employees working at the Civil Surgeon's office, the Civil Hospital, community health centres and ESI Hospital observed a pen-down strike and held a protest against the state government.

The agitating employees were supported by the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, Ludhiana, and employees of the Agriculture and Irrigation departments.

President of the association Sukhwinder Singh said if their demands were not fulfilled, the association would gherao the office of the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Ashok Nayyar, at Amritsar and the office of Health and Family Welfare Minister Madan Mohan Mittal.

Ludhiana, January 29
Traffic was disrupted at several places in the city during a BJP rally today. The rally was organised to welcome Kamal Sharma, state president of the party. Commuters were inconvenienced as cavalcades of vehicles and supporters of the party passed through the city.

"I was moving through Chaura Bazar and was stuck in a long traffic jam caused by the rally," said Neeraj Kumar, a city resident.

Another resident said he had to take an alternative route to avoid the traffic jam, but it still took him a long time to reach his place as the route was long. "I had to board a train, but missed it as I reached late due to the rally," complained another resident. Several party supporters had set up canopies and tables on the road during the rally, which further led to traffic snarls. District BJP president Parveen Bansal said there were no traffic jams. "We made sure that there weren't any traffic jams. Unlike other rallies, we gathered near Chand Cinema instead of Daresi to prevent traffic jams."

Traffic in charge Buland Singh said there were a few minor traffic snarls. Traffic got disrupted at a few places for a couple of minutes, but it was cleared as the traffic had been diverted, he said.

Crackers burst
Enthusiastic supporters of the BJP burst crackers to give a rousing welcome to state BJP president Kamal Sharma. This sparked off rumours of shots being fired into the air. Ludhiana BJP press secretary Neeraj Verma said the road show went off well. City people welcomed the leader with enthusiasm. He said crackers were burst by supporters to extend welcome to Sharma.

Ludhiana, January 29
Gone are the days when women in Pakistan would clad themselves in a burqa. Against the notion of the conservative society, women from across the border have made their presence felt in every field today. Apart from running fashion houses, they are also entering non-conventional professions and successfully running construction, marble and pharmaceutical companies.

Qaisra Sheikh, president of the Central and North Punjab Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNPWCCI), is successfully managing a company that manufactures packaging machines and assembles power gensets.

Sharing her journey into the entrepreneurial world, Qaisra said her husband used to do a lot of research work and it was in 1997 that she thought of putting his research work in practical practice.

"In 2007, when there was an energy crisis in Pakistan, I started my company, "Pact Generators". I thought instead of importing gensets, we should make them in our own country," she said.

In 2004, she joined the CNPWCCI. "Our chamber believes in economic empowerment of women. All the members of our chamber are successfully running their own enterprises. We do not have any sleeping members, who are only in name the owners of units while actually these are run by their husbands," she said.

Giving a striking example of women managing a slaughter house, she said one of the members of the chamber, Dr Azmat Safi is managing a slaughter house. "Even the employees working in her slaughter house are women. Dr Shela Zawed is running a pharmaceutical firm. Women in Pakistan are today running their construction companies and are exporting rice as well," she adds.

Dr Shehla Javed Akram, who is the founder president of the chamber, is into fashion business. She says: "India is way ahead of us and we have learnt many things from this country. Trade between both the countries should flourish, which will prove beneficial for both the nations".

"Our chamber regularly visits rural areas and ask people to be self-reliant. "Five women are chosen by the chamber and their skill is modernised so that they can become self-reliant," she added.

Ludhiana, January 29
Ludhiana industry is in a cheerful mood after India has joined hands with a European Union body to provide a platform for domestic companies, mainly small and medium enterprises, to explore business opportunities in Europe.

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) has been launched in India with the motive of helping micro, small and medium enterprises, which want to expand their business 
in Europe.

"The Ludhiana knitwear industry exports summer wear to European nations and this pact will give a boost to the local industry, especially small-scale units," said Darshan Dawar, president of the Knitwear Club.

Promoting the MSME sector is the need of the hour and this is a step taken in the right direction. The MSMEs are growing very fast but there is a need to support them in terms of new, modern and clean technologies, added Santosh Jain, a garment exporter.

Another hosiery manufacturer, Manish Singla from Ludhiana, said the launch of EEN would help in developing a direct contact with the European counterparts as also technology upgrade in the MSME sector.

"The MSME sector in India is lagging behind due to a lack of technology upgrade. Finance is the other main hurdle before this sector. If given a chance and shown the right direction, the MSME sector can work wonders and produce world quality products," said Singla.

Enterprise Europe Network would be operated in India by three agencies namely the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

Ludhiana, January 29
"Inflation" has become a common word which people read every day. The overall increase in the cost of products and services is called "Inflation" and it is spelling doom over the common man. The cost of all the daily needs like rice, pulses, vegetables, etc. have increased in such a way that the common man has to think twice, before buying even vegetables.

Costs of almost all things are increasing. But the income is not increasing according to it and many are under debts due to the inflation.

"After economic reforms, India has developed but not its people. Price of pulses has gone up by 50 per cent, which is an indicator how price rise is affecting us. Expenditure is consuming all the income and hence no saving is possible," points out Harpreet, an economics student.

"If diesel prices are raised every month, that will push up inflation expectation as the second round impact of such continuous price increase will also be high," said Sanjeev Khanna, a banker.

"Earlier, I used to buy ration together for one month. But now with the price of every commodity going high I prefer buying whatever, I need in small quantities," added Reeta, who works as a domestic help.

The rising price of cooking gas is giving sleepless nights to Ram Krishan, a daily wager and now his wife prefers to serve food to everyone together so that LPG is saved. "I try to see if everyone is ready for lunch and dinner at the same time as this saves LPG, whose price has gone up in three years from Rs 250 to Rs 430," said Savitri.

Meena, a Shimlapuri resident added, "We used to cook whatever, we like for breakfast, but now, bread butter-tea seems a better option". Meanwhile, a ration shop owner from BRS Nagar said: "The amount of ration sold has lowered. Earlier, those who used to buy five kg rice now take only two kg."

Repaying loans easier
A higher rate of inflation can make repaying loans easier because they can end up paying back less money if the interest rate is lower than the rate of inflation.

Ludhiana, January 29
In the extreme cold weather, people tend to become little inactive and skip daily their routine. They go for readymade food and do less physical activity. But, this change in daily routine and meals can them fall prey to problems related to muscles and joints.

Dr Shukdev Sharma, a city-based orthopaedician said: "One should remain active during winter to stay fit. In winter, inactive muscles get stiff, leading to pain in joints. Problems of neck pain, backache and joint pain usually increase in this season. I suggest people should go out for a walk as walking is an exercise, which keeps them healthy." People should also drink a lot of water as dehydration also makes a person fall sick.

It has been observed that in winter, people take very rich diet and hardly do exercise. Dr Ravinder Vatsayan, a city-based Ayurvedacharya, said: "Stretching and bending exercises are a must for one and all. If one does not remain active and don't do exercise, his or her muscles get spasm."

Dr Ashwani Chaudhary, Professor of Neurosurgery and Medical Superintendent at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said: "Walking is essential for people during winter. However, elderly persons should avoid going out in the cold weather. One should not fiddle with his normal routine."

Burn calories
Roma Singh, a dietician with the Christian Medical College and Hospital, said: "It is a must to stay active in winter. During the cold season people tend to eat more. So to burn these calories, they must do exercise or yoga at home."

Diet also plays a big role in keeping you fit. She said: "One should take vegetable soup, tomato soup, etc. It acts as filler."

Ludhiana, January 29
Sharing a packet of biscuits with his two younger siblings, a student of class IV, Rakesh says: "Have it. I got it with tea from the mess. I didn't beg for it." The very sentence uttered by Rakesh reflects that he wants to lead his life based on self-respect.

Rakesh and his two siblings, who belong to Tarn Taran district, live and study at Bal Bhawan run by the District Red Cross. When asked if he missed his parents, he replied: "No, not at all. I enjoy a lot here and get very good meals too." But, suddenly he became sad at the thought of his parents. He said: "They are beggars, as they have been suffering from leprosy."

His sister is in nursery while brother studies in LKG. Rakesh, who aspires to become a doctor, said: "Sab kuchh theek hai yaha." He took a leave and started playing with the other students.

Bal Bhawan has 65 students, who live in the hostel. Chandermohan, superintendent of Bal Bhawan, said: "Interestingly, we have 50 children of lepers from Punjab and other states. These children are hail and hearty and study very well."

Rinki and Pinki, both real sisters, were enjoying their lunch in the mess. Rinki, who studies in class VI, said: "We belong to Sarasa in Haryana. We are here as our parents suffer from leprosy and do nothing. But, they want us to study, so they left us here. We have more than 10 friends here. We also play a lot."

Hailing from Beas in Amritsar district, Jyoti, a student of class III, said: "We are four siblings. I live here and pursue my studies. My siblings are very young. I want to be a mathematics teacher. I have been studying here since I was admitted to nursery. I go to meet my parents during holidays and sometimes they also come to meet me. I wish they had not suffered from leprosy, but I am happy as the facilities provided by the authorities are good here."

Ludhiana, January 29
To make people aware about Rashtriya Swasthaya Beema Yojna (RSBY), the health department organised health mela here. On the occasion Additional Deputy Commissioner (development), Dr Rishi Pal, was the chief guest. He spoke at length about the RSBY.

Addressing the gathering, State Nodal Officer, Dr Saroj Nain, said if any smart card holder (covered under RSBY) faces any problem, he might contact Deputy Medical Commissioner, Ludhiana, Dr AK Handa. Ludhiana Civil Surgeon, Dr Subhash Batta, said that as many 13,600 families have been covered under this scheme in the district.

ASHA workers and students of nursing college also presented skits and sang songs related to RSBY. An exhibition about different schemes of health department was also held.

Ludhiana, January 29
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Muneesh Arora, has summoned the owner of Santabanta.com.ltd, Chandigarh, in a case of alleged evasion of the TDS amounting to Rs 1,90,002.

Finding sufficient grounds for proceedings against them, the court ordered the Jeewandeep Singh Ghai, managing director, and Manveen Ghai, director of the company, to appear before the court on April 15, for facing trial.

The court passed the orders on a complaint filed by Income Tax Officer (TDS-II) Harvinder Kaur of Aayakar Bhawan, Civil Lines, Ludhiana.

The complainant had submitted before the court that the company failed to deposit the deducted income tax to the credit of the Central Government within the prescribed period.

It was alleged that the accused persons kept the tax deducted at source for the period of more than 12 months with malafide intention by putting the government money to their own use, which was an offence.

It transpired during the scrutiny of the record that the income tax amounting to Rs 1,90,002 was deducted by the company during the year 2010-11, 2011-12. But the same was not deposited with the Income Tax department in compliance of the provisions.

Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS) even issued a show cause notice to the company through its directors, calling upon them to explain why the prosecution be not launched against them for not depositing the tax deducted at source within time. But no reply was received from the side of accused persons, says the complaint.

However, at a later stage they appeared before the CIT through their chartered accountants. But their pleas were declined by the department.

The court exempted the presence of the ITO and allowed the department to be represented through its counsel Jasbir Singh Bindra.

Jagraon, January 29
The Jagraon police has arrested a woman for drug trafficking . The police has recovered a huge quantity of habit forming drugs from her possession.

The accused woman has been identified as Manju, wife of Dilbagh Singh alias Dara, a resident of Deep Nagar locality of Mullanpur Dakha. As per the information, the accused was arrested by a police team lead by ASI Baldev Singh from near Malak Chowk Jagraon.

According to police, during the preliminary investigation, the woman confessed that she was going to hand over the drug to her undertrial husband who had come to appear before the Jagraon Court in a case registered against him. Her husband is currently in Ludhiana Central Jail.

Investigating Officer ASI Baldev Singh, while giving details of the incident, said the woman was arrested near Malak Chowk during a routine patrolling by the police .

“On seeing the police, the accused tried to hide behind a kiosk which made the police suspicious. During checking, 980 toxic tablets and 252 capsules were recovered from her possession following which she was arrested,” said ASI Baldev Singh.

He said the police has registered a case against the accused woman under the NDPS Act at Jagraon Bus Stand Police Chowki. Later, the accused woman was presented before a local court. She was then sent to a one-day police remand.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 29
The police has booked a youth of Dullo village under Section 376 of the IPC for molesting a Dalit girl.

The girl is a resident of Sehzad village. The investigation team is yet to verify charges leveled by the complainant and arrest the suspect.

The accused had allured the victim to accompany him on pretext of marriage. The victim is a postgraduate student. She was detained in a house at Amarpura locality on Monday. She was later rescued by the residents of the area led by councillor Avtar Singh Jassal.

The circle officer Sukhdev Singh said special investigating team led by SHO Jasbir Singh had been constituted to verify allegations leveled by the complainant.

Ludhiana, January 29
The Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex Chess Championship today began at Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, here. Rajesh Rudhra, chairman-cum-director of the Chain of Green Land Schools, along with general secretary Usha Rudhra, president Shabad Rudhra and Vijayata Rudhra and Baldeep Pandher, Principal of the school, inaugurated the championship. Around 170 students from CBSE schools participated in the event.

The following are the results on Day1.

Round I (U-14 Girls): 1.Green Land Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, beat Green Land Convent School, Civil City (4-0); 2 BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar, beat Green Land Convent School, Sec 32,Chandigarh Road, (4-0).

Round II:1. Green Land Convent School, Sec 32, Chandigarh Road beat Shivalik Wala Doon Public school (2.5-1.5); 2. BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar, beat Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass (2.5-1.5); and 3. Green Land Convent School, Civil City.

Round I (U-14 Boys): 1. Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, drew with Green Land Convent School, Subhash Nagar (2-2); 2. BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, beat Guru Nanak International, Ludhaian (3-1); 3. BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar, beat Green Land Convent School Civil City (4-0); 4. DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, beat Shamrock Christian Public School, Ludhiana (3-1); 5. Green Land Convent School, Sec 32, Chandigarh Road, drew with Green Land Convent School, Dugri, (2-2); 6. Bal Bharti Public School, Ludhiana, beat Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad (3-1); 7. Shivalik Wala Doon Public school.

Round II: 1. Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass beat DAV Public School, BRS Nagar (3-1); 2. BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar, beat Green Land Convent School, Sec.32, Chandigarh Road (3-1); 3 .BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, beat Bal Bharti Public School, Ludhiana (4-0);

4. Green Land Convent School, Subhash Nagar, beat Shivalik Wala Doon Public School (4-0); 5. Green Land Convent School, Dugri, beat Shamrock Christian Public School, Ludhiana (4-0); 6. Guru Nanak International, Ludhiana, beat Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad (3-1); 7. Green Land Convent School, Civil City.

Round I (U-19 Boys): 1. Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass beat Green Land Convent School, Sec.32, Chandigarh Road (4-0); 2. BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar, beat Green Land Convent School, Civil City (4-0); 3. BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, beat Green Land Convent School, Dugri (3-1); 4. Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad, beat Bal Bharti Public School, Ludhiana (2.5-1.5); 5. DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, beat Guru Nanak International, Ludhiana (3-1); 6. Green Land Convent School, Subhash Nagar, beat Shamrock Christian Public School, Ludhiana (4-0); 7. Shivalik Wala Doon Public school.

Round II: 1. Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, beat BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar (4-0); 2. BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, beat Green Land Convent School, Subhash Nagar (4-0); 3. Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad, beat DAV Public School, BRS Nagar (2.5-1.5); 4. Bal Bharti Public School, Ludhiana, beat Shivalik Wala Doon Public School (3-1); 5. Green Land Convent School, Dugri, beat Guru Nanak International, Ludhiana (3-1); 6. Green Land Convent School, Sec.32, Chandigarh Road, drew with Green Land Convent School, Civil City (2-2); 7. Shamrock Christian Public School, Ludhiana.

Round I (U-19 Girls): 1. Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, beat Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad (4-0); 2. BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, beat BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar (3-1); 3. Green Land Convent School, Sec. 32, Chandigarh Road.

Round II: 1. BCM Public School, Sec-32, Chandigarh Road, lost to Greenland Sr. Sec. Public School, Jalandhar Bypass (0-4); 2. Green Land Convent School, Sec. 32, Chandigarh Road, beat BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar (2.5-1.5); 3. Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad.