An ill-maintained flower bed. Tribune Photos: Himanshu Mahajan

Landscaping Officer Surinder Kumar said 'genda' flower and leaves were used in doing rangolis. "We don't use much flowers for the purpose," he claimed.

Competitions galore

The two-day flower show has been divided into six parts, including competitions for government departments and institutions, residents and for schools and colleges. A baby show for children below five years of age, a gardening competition and an on-the-spot paining competition will be held tomorrow.

Commuters pass a hole after a portion of the Pakhowal Road in Ludhiana caved in on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Ludhiana, March 2
A portion of the main Pakhowal Road caved in near Imperial Hotel here today. The road caved in due to an underground cable line. Pakhowal Road is one of the busiest roads of the city.

Dharam Singh, Additional Commissioner (Technical), Bridges and Roads Branch, said the road caved in because there was some problem in an underground cable line.

"After we came to know about this incident, the officials were rushed to the spot and the damaged portion was repaired," he added.

Ludhiana, March 2
Goods worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a hosiery unit on Kakowal Road here today. A short circuit is believed to be the reason behind the fire. No person was injured.

It was at around 1:30 pm when a fire broke out at Mohit Hosiery, which is located in street number 6 of Gagandeep Colony in the Kakowal area. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and it took two hours to put out the fire.

Fire Safety Officer Krishan Lal Kakkar said five fire tenders were pressed into service. "We suspect that the fire was caused by a short circuit. We managed to control it in two hours. The exact loss will be assessed at a later stage," he added.

Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan said: “The farmer’s case will be recommended for compensation. He also suggested farmers should not store pesticides, fertilisers and other poisonous sprays near fodder. They should get their cattle insured, for which the government pays half the amount.” 

Ludhiana, March 2
The "drafted" rates of property tax will be announced within a day or two by Chairman of the related committee Rahul Tiwari and a period of one month will be given to residents to file their objections. But, the "exorbitant" rates, which have been proposed by the representatives of various committees and the Municipal Corporation have been giving the local residents the blues. They feel it is like "duping" them by charging hefty amounts whereas in reality the market price of the land was much low.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Baljinder Kumar, a resident of the Civil Lines, said his residence had come under Zone A while the rate of land in his locality is about Rs 50,000 per square yard. "If the government charges us property tax by declaring the market rate of the land as Rs 2 lakh per square yard, it will be unfair. The land rates in the area are certainly not about Rs 2 lakh per sq yard. The justification that for the next five years, the rates are not going to be increased is also not acceptable. There is an overall slump in the market and property rates are down," he said.

A leading doctor of the city, Dr SC Ahuja, said according to the market rates fixed by the government, the value of my residence should be around Rs 20 crore. But, in reality it is much less as the market value of the land is not Rs 2 lakh per square yard. "If they have decided to put Zone A in the Rs 2 lakh slab, then they should be ready to purchase our properties at the same rate. But that will not happen. The government just wants to put the common man under unnecessary financial burden," said Dr Ahuja. 

Ludhiana, March 2
Central Excise gazetted officers have decided to intensify their stir by going on hunger strike and submitting mass resignations in case the government fails to fulfil their demands. The All-India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers had observed a nationwide protest week, which ended yesteray. They protested against the government's non-serious attitude towards the address of their demands.

During the protest week, all officers of the department attended offices wearing black badges as a mark of protest and held gate meetings during the lunch hours. The officers also stayed away from Central Excise Day celebrations on February 24.

President of the All-India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers AK Sharma said the protest was very successful. According to a communication received from the all-India body of the association, an emergency meeting of all the 36 Zonal Units in the country has been called for March 17 in New Delhi to chalk out a strategy to intensify the agitation.

The proposals include going on chain fast/fast unto death at the Jantar Mantar, pen-down strike and advancing the plan to submit mass resignations on March 31.

"According to the guidelines, cadre-restructuring to remove stagnation and to make avenues for promotions in all the cadres should be done every five years, but these instructions are hardly taken care of as last restructuring in the department was done in 2002. We want to emphasise that in today's democratic setup, everybody is responsible," added AK Sharma.

Boota Singh, general secretary of the association, said the association wanted a time-bound action from the government on the finalisation of cadre-restructuring in the department. The Inspectors' Association, comprising around 18,000 members, has extended its moral support to the ongoing agitation. Bhagwan Singh, general secretary of the Inspectors' Association, said they fully supported the agitation.

Ludhiana, March 2
Youths in universities and colleges need to be told about the difference between good and bad music, said singer Satinder Sartaaj, who was in the city for his concert “Afsaane Sartaaj De”. He released his music album comprising 10 songs with the same title.

“Such things cannot be imposed on youngsters as young blood gravitates towards what is prohibited, so they need to be told about the difference and harmful effects of listening bad music,” he said.

Talking about the ways to stop spread of vulgar music, he said it can be done only if listeners boycott such music. One can impose a ban, and make a censor board but if there are listeners who like such type of music, it would keep spawning more such singers and music.

“Good singers and those who represent the culture through songs must get recognition,” he said.

Poet Surjit Patar, who was present on the occasion, said the kind of music available for listeners is causing cultural pollution. Education of music and art should begin at primary school level, so that children could inculcate and understand the taste of good music and art.

He said Sartaaj has won plaudits with power of his art, and is a testimony to the fact that good poetry and music will be appreciated.

Sartaaj said a percentage of the income from the sales of the album would go to the cancer foundation started by cricketer Yuvraj Singh. 

Ludhiana, March 2
A galaxy of Urdu poets descended to the city for the 41st annual Jashn-e-Sahir Mushaira organised here today.

“There is a perfect ambience for mushaira in Punjab and people here always appreciate good poetry. It is always nice to come here,” said Moien Shadab.

Dr Waseem Rashid said she had always heard about the hospitality of Ludhianvis but this time she got a chance to experience it. "I have started my career by writing romantic poems but now I also write about social issues. The literature is a reflection of society.”

A fan of Sahir Ludhianvi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Nasir Qazmi, she says that mushairas are helping Urdu to flourish, as it connects youngsters with the language. Another poet Aslam said poetry is a picture of life. He said he used to read Kabir, Tulsidas and started writing early in his life. He was elated to participate in the mushaira.

Ludhiana March 2
Although the Prime Minister and other central ministers showed their concern towards diversification of crops during their visits to Punjab yet in the general budget, the Union Government allocated only Rs 500 crore for the diversification of whole country.

According to the economists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the fund allocated for diversification in union budget is insufficient. The Punjab Government has submitted a report to the Union Ministry of Agriculture to allocate Rs 5,000 crore for Punjab to shift 12 lakh hectare area from paddy to other crops.

Ironically, Punjab Agricultural University was expecting an increase in the grants for the universities under centre sponsored schemes to strengthen the agriculture research but there is no such announcement in General Budget.

Dr MS Sidhu

Dr MS Sidhu, Head of Department said, "There is nothing Punjab specific in the budget. State requires more money to implement diversification plan. We appreciate some decision of budget. Matching equity grants to the registered Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) up to Rs 10 lakh per FPO to enable them to leverage working capital from financial institutions is a right step in right direction. It would be beneficiary for the farmers of state. The flow of agriculture credit has increased from Rs 5.75 lakh crore to 7 lakh crore and crop loans can borrow from private scheduled commercial banks are the appreciable decisions."

While Dr Sukhpal

While Dr Sukhpal another economist from PAU said, "Punjab also requires the aid as government allocate the funds for eastern states for improvement of agriculture sector. Nothing has been done for the marginal farmers. In Punjab, over two lakh small farmers have left the farming. A package was required for the non-farmers and marginal farmer crisis. Public banks should make more efficient than subsidies the private banks for crop loan.

Dr Amarjit Singh Bhullar

Dr Amarjit Singh Bhullar, an economist at economics department, PAU, said, "Finance Minister P Chidambaram started his speech by mentioning sustainable management. But he announced nothing for sustainable agriculture. Punjab is in deep crisis due to resource degradation but government did not allocate any fund for such problem. Funds were required for the water logging in western Punjab.

Dr Jagroop Singh Sidhu

Dr Jagroop Singh Sidhu, a market expert at the economic department, PAU, said, "The amount of Rs 5,000 crore allocated under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NBARD) bard to enhance the storage by constricting ware houses and grain stores is appreciable. But the provision in which Gram Panchayat will construct and maintain the warehouse is not practical for Punjab as the production of crops is much more. Cooperative system should be needed to strengthen the state.”

Ludhiana, March 2
Punjab Youth Congress demanded an immediate arrest of Jasvinder Singh, son of Ranjit Singh Mangli, SGPC Member (Sahnewal), who is allegedly the main accused in Mohali firing case in which Amanpreet Singh Advocate was shot dead on February 27 and two were seriously injured.

State chief of the Youth Congress Vikramjeet Singh Chaudhary during his visit to Sahnewal today alleged, “In most of the heinous crimes, ruling party goons are found involved in Moga, Amritsar, Ludhiana now in Mohali. How can Sukhbir Badal and Sumedh Singh Saini claim that the law and order is in place?” He demanded immediate arrest of the main suspect in the Mohali shootout case. He added, a case should also be registered against Ranjit whose vehicle bearing a fake number was confiscated by police from the crime scene. — TNS

Jagraon, March 2
The Jagraon police has arrested two persons for allegedly robbing an ex-serviceman while he was returning to home on his motorcycle after paying his obeisance at Gurdwara Nanaksar, around 5 kms away from Jagraon.

As per the information, the incident took place on January 25. Both the accused were arrested by the police yesterday late evening.

The accused have been identified as Amandeep Singh and Kuldip Singh, both the residents of Bassian village situated on the Jagraon-Raikot road. The police has also recovered some goods stolen by the accused from the victim ex-serviceman Mohinder Singh, a resident of Taragarh village in Amritsar district.

In his complaint to the police, Mohinder Singh stated that he had visited Gurdwara Nanaksar on the morning of January 25 to pay his obeisance. "When I was returning on my motorcycle, a youth requested me for lift which I obliged. We had travelled a distance of 4 to 5 kms when he youth asked me to stop the mobike. Immediately, another youth appeared before me and both of them robbed me," stated Mohinder Singh.

Mohinder further claimed that both the youths robbed him of a gold chain, two finger rings and cash. After the incident, Mohinder Singh lodged a complaint with the police about the incident following which the police launched a massive manhunt to nab the culprits. However, both these youths were finally arrested by the police yesterday evening.

Jagraon city police SHO, Mohamed Jamil, said during the preliminary investigations, the accused have confessed of executing around one dozen thefts and robberies. "Both the accused are members of a thieves' gang which has been active in Jagraon area for a long time. The accused have also revealed the names of the other members of the gang and the police have been conducting raids to nab the other gang members," said SHO.

Jagraon, March 2
The Sidhwan Bet police has arrested two alleged drug peddlers in two separate operations. The police has seized a huge quantity of habit-forming drugs from their possession. The accused have been identified as Gurmit Singh and Sanjiv Kumar, both residents of Sidhwan Bet near Jagraon.

As per the information given by Sidhwan Bet police station SHO, Jangjit Singh, the first accused, Gurmit Singh, was arrested by a police team from the Link road connecting Kiri and Madarpura villages during a routine checking.

SHO Jangjit Singh, the police has registered two separate cases against the accused under the NDPS Act at Sidhwan Bet police station and started the investigation. During the preliminary investigation, the accused confessed before the police that they have been involved in drug peddling for last several months. The police has been now trying to find out from where these youths brought the drugs. — OC

Ludhiana, March 2
15th annual athletic meet was organised at BCM College of Education. Students of BEd and MEd participated in the meet. Dr Jagdish Kaur Bains (principal, Dev Samaj College of Education, Ferozpur) was the chief guest on the occasion.

Students proved their mettle in different sports event such as shot put, long jump, 100m race, 400m race, chatty race, sack race, slow cycling race, 2oo m race etc.Jaswinder Singh was declared the best athlete among boys and Sonia was adjudged the best athlete among girls. Venus House was declared the overall best house.