Ludhiana, June 27
An unidentified youth reportedly drowned in the Sidhwan Canal here this evening. The incident took place around 6 pm near the Zone D office of the municipal corporation.

Eyewitnesses said some people residing in shanties alongside the canal tried to save the youth, but failed. An eyewitness said the youth appeared to be in his mid-twenties and had gone into the canal to take a dip.

Raka, an eyewitness, said, "I was hardly five metres away from him. He entered the canal to take a dip. Within no time, he drowned. I heard him shout 'save me, save me'. A man swimming nearby tried to save him, but he failed in his attempt."

The police visited the spot, but no one has lodged a complaint so far.

Ludhiana, June 27
The body of a 16-year-old boy, who was missing since Sunday, was found in the Sidhwan Canal yesterday. The deceased has been identified as Deepak, a resident of Prem Nagar in the Islam Ganj area.

According to Deepak's father Lakshmi Sah, his son had informed them that he was going to the church along with his friends on Sunday. After that, he did not return.

His friend Natraj said Deepak drowned in the Sidhwan Canal at Dugri. According to Natraj, instead of going to the church, Deepak, along with three friends, went to the canal for swimming. Despite not knowing how to swim, he entered the canal waters.

Natraj claimed that he advised Deepak against jumping into the canal, but he did not listen. Deepak's family had lodged a complaint at the Dugri police station on Sunday.

Satwinder Singh, SHO of the Dugri police station, said, "We searched for Deepak, but could not find him. Today, a body was spotted in the canal following which we called the parents of the missing boy who identified the body as that of their son Deepak. We have handed over the body to the parents."

Ludhiana, June 27
About 20 per cent of the employees deputed for the panchayat elections on July 3 remained absent from the rehearsal. They will be issued notices by the respective SDMs shortly.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development)-cum-Assistant District Election Officer Kamalpreet Brar said about 20 per cent of the staff had failed to make it to the rehearsal on June 26 and 27. The rehearsal would be held tomorrow also.

Brar said the department was busy with the poll preparations. A meeting on the panchayat elections would be held by the Deputy Commissioner on July 1.

"We are holding meetings to discuss the arrangements for the staff, their transportation and stay of returning officers and the other staff so that by July 1, everything is ready," said Brar.

Ludhiana, June 27
High drama was witnessed at the office of the Commissioner of Police when two girls and their mother alleged that policemen at the Salem Tabri police station had harassed them and had registered false cases against them. One of the girls alleged that the policemen misbehaved with her and thrashed her in custody.

The Salem Tabri police had registered a case against Lakhveer, Sarbjeet and their mother Swaran Kaur under Sections 107 and 151 of the IPC for a scuffle with their neighbours.

Ludhiana, June 27
The Salem Tabri police has failed to make any headway in the robbery bid case in which two miscreants had shot at a worker on the Jalandhar bypass yesterday.

Though the police had managed to trace the number of the bike (PB 5125) used by the robbers, investigation revealed that it was a fake number.

No CCTV camera was installed near the crime spot, which could have given some clues to the police.

Dharampal, SHO, said, "We are investigating the case from all angles. We have got some information regarding the miscreants from the victim. We hope to arrest them soon."

Two robbers had opened fire on a worker of a fruit entrepreneur in the Salem Tabri area yesterday. The injured worker, Vinay Kumar, was taken to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Ludhiana, June 27
The Civil Hospital that caters to a number of patients is in a state of utter neglect.

A generator set, which is being used for some construction works, has been kept in the middle of the hospital complex by the contractor concerned.

The smoke being spewed by the generator set has become a cause of constant irritation and inconvenience to patients and their attendants.

The diesel genset with all its cacophonous noise has been placed right in the middle of the complex showing lack of concern on the part of hospital authorities.

Ranju Devi, who had brought her ailing mother for a check-up, said the smoke was causing a lot of inconvenience as her mother was already suffering from asthma.

"The exposes the apathetic attitude of the hospital authorities and the contractor. The generator should have been placed outside the hospital complex," said Rakhi, an attendant.

"Even though honking is prohibited near hospitals, it is sheer indifference of the hospital authorities to have allowed the contractor to keep the noise-creating generator set in the middle of the complex," said another patient.

Dr RK Karkara, Senior Medical Officer, said they had asked the contractor to keep the generator set out of the hospital complex, but he kept it there again.

Ludhiana, June 27
Even as the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Rural), alleged the use of influence and adoption of unfair means by the ruling coalition, 162 sarpanches and 2,074 panches were elected unopposed in Ludhiana. Besides, 127 panchayats (in entirety) have been elected unanimously.

District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Rural), chief Malkiat Singh Dakha alleged that in some villages of Dehlon and Khanna blocks, the Akali Dal attempted to influence the junior administrative staff. Many candidates were stopped from filing their nomination papers, he alleged. "While the role of the senior officials of the district administration has been impartial, some candidates faced harassment during the allotment of symbols," he said.

Striking an upbeat note, Dakha added that the Congress remained undeterred and it was committed to its 'pro-people policies'.

Refuting the allegations levelled by Dakha as baseless, district president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Ludhiana (Rural), Santa Singh Umaidpuri said, "Such allegations are nothing more than political propaganda. This only shows that the Congress is not ready to accept its defeat (in the poll)." He added that the electorate knew who the best candidate was. "Besides, the elections are not being contested by political parties on party symbols."

Ludhiana, June 27
A list of over 20 schools, which do not pay proper salaries to the teachers, will be sent to the Central Board of Secondary Education Chairman Vineet Joshi. The staff members of these 20 schools have directly reported to Harmeet Kaur, Director, Sahodaya Schools, who had been asked by the chairman to do the needful and send the list.

Harmeet Kaur said, “The staff is meagerly paid in these schools. They had contacted me and I have received feedback from them. Many private schools hire staff on contractual basis for three years (probation period). Then after that, they get two years of extension. And after five years of service the teachers are told that their services are not satisfactory by the school managements. This is exploitation of teachers. They must be paid as per fifth pay commission,” said Harmeet Kaur.

Harmeet said, “Apart from five schools in the city, almost all other managements were paying low salaries to the teachers. The condition of teachers is bad, particularly in these 20 schools. As per the CBSE, earlier one year was considered as the probation period, which now has been extended to two years.”

Harmeet said she would send a proposal to the CBSE Chairman that all the schools affiliated with the board must send the bank statement of their employees/teachers to the board every three years.

"This way, the CBSE can keep a check on the schools and in case any school managements are found exploiting their teachers, they could face disaffiliation from the CBSE,” said Harmeet Kaur.

Sahnewal, June 27
Harjit, a resident of Paddi village, who was on a pilgrimage to Hemkunt Sahib, narrates how his trip was ravaged by floods.

Harjit was accompanied by seven others. "We reached Gobind Ghat on June 15. The next morning as we set out for Gobind Dham, it started raining heavily.I decided to stay back while my friends marched ahead."

"I saw buildings and cars being washed away. I was worried for the well-being of my friends. I ran for my life, leaving my car behind. On the way, I saw a number of dead bodies."

"I could hear people crying for help. I managed to reach Ramnagar, where I boarded a bus for Ambala. I wanted to find it out whether my friends were safe. I had completely given up the hope of their survival. It was on the third day of my return that all of them showed up at my place."

"My prayers were heard. I kept chanting for their safe arrival," said Harjit.

Ludhiana, June 27
This season, tickle your taste buds with different flavours of honey.

"A variety of flavours such as dense forest, organic and cinnamon are available in the market," said Radhika, a resident of Sukhmani Enclave.

Ritu Kapoor, director of a Kashmir-based company, said, "Flavours such as tulsi, ginger, lemon and neem are a hit with city residents."

Ritu said people mixed honey with ginger or tulsi to get relief from bad throat or cold but mixing the wrong proportion could be harmful.

Ludhiana, June 27
Officials of the Health Department has collected 12 samples of eatables from different places in the city.

The officials collected samples of aam papad from a shop near Bharat Nagar Chowk, besan, chane and biscuit from BRS Nagar, chum chum, gulab jamun, khoya barfi and laddu from a sweetmeat shop at Haibowal, soft drink and juice from Vrindawan Road, soft drink and juice from a Mall on Ferozepur Road.The officials collected 19 samples of drinking water in the past two days. These were collected from Shanti Nagar, Harnam Singh Nagar, Maan Singh Nagar, Lakman Nagar, Gurmel Park, Gagan Nagar, Makkar Colony and Maha Singh Nagar.

Ludhiana, June 27
A day after an executive working with the Aadhaar Card Enrolment Agency was thrashed by police officers, the work remained suspended at the post office today.

Applicants had to return without getting their work done.

An employee said senior post master Swaraj Kaur was on leave and would join office tomorrow.

Subhash Chander, superintendent of circle stamp depot, is holding the additional charge of the senior post master.

Yesterday, a resident approached Subhash Chandra saying the executive was refusing to enrol him. Following this, Subhash went to the official asking him to do the needful, but he refused to listen to the superintendent.

Sources said Subhash called the executive to his cabin where an ASI who was on duty allegedly beat up the executive. The executive was made to sign a paper stating that he misbehaved with Subhash Chander.

Ludhiana, June 27
Members of the Northern Railwaymen's Union (NMRU) held a protest outside the office of carriage and wagon at the railway station today.

A large number of employees joined the protesters and took out a rally.

The union leaders said they were forced to protest against the carriage depot officer (CDO), SK Sharma, as he was not addressing their problems.

Ashok Kumar, divisional secretary, NRMU, said the union members had decided to gherao the carriage and wagon department.

The members said the CDO was deputing Grade I technicians as peons with inspectors in the C&W department which was against the rules.

Another union leader said as many as 567 posts were lying vacant in the department.

Paramjit Singh, president, NRMU, said, "If the CDO will not revoke his decision, the union will intensify the agitation."

Ludhiana, June 27
The second edition of engineering expo being organised by the Ludhiana Machine Tool Industries (ALMTI) and Consortium of Ludhiana Machine Tools Manufacturers (CLMTM) commenced today at Hotel Le Baron.

Events such as vendor development meet, discussion boards to highlight the growth and problems of the manufacturing industry, whistle-stop road shows, credit rating support, bringing experts from outside Punjab and providing networking will be held.

The exposition is being supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation- International Centre for Advancement of Manufacturing Technology, Consortium of Ludhiana Machine Tools Manufacturers, National Small Industries Corporation, Association of Ludhiana Machine Tool Industries and Federation of Indian Export Organisations and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Ludhana, June 27
The seventh biannual district conference of the BSNL Employees Union, Ludhiana, kicked off today. Homage was paid to the departed leaders MK Pande, Jagjit Singh Laylpuri, Satpal Dang and Vidya Charan Shukal, who died in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh. Homage was also paid to the leaders and workers of working class movements and others who left during the period. The deaths of thousands of innocent pilgrims who died during the floods and landslides in Kedarnath, Hemkunt Sahib and other parts of Uttrakhand were also condoled.

The conference was presided over by Paramjit Singh Disrtict President. A very lively debate took place on the occasion. Report was unanimously adopted after certain additions/amendments.

Open session was addressed by CS Bhanot, Senior General Manager, Telecom.

He called upon all the employees of the BSNL to come forward to improve the services.

He said that Ludhiana BSNL has earned revenue of Rs 119 crore in financial year 2012-13 and the expenditure has come down to 78 per cent. Ludhiana has earned operational profit in this financial year. He appreciated the entire work force of Ludhiana BSNL for the achievement.

Jatinder Pal Singh, Vice-President, CITU, Punjab, appreciated the struggle of the BSNL Employees Union against the policies of the UPA Government under the dictates of multinational companies and Indian corporates. He called upon the BSNL workers to come forward to save the public sector from disinvestment and privatisation.

Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, while addressing the open session, said: “Forum of the BSNL Unions/Associations has requested the CMD BSNL to deduct one-day salary for Prime Minister’s relief-fund.”

He said the deducted amount will be around Rs 50 crore. He said, “The forum of BNSL Unions/Associations has given clarion call to improve the financial position of the BSNL and its services. An All-India level Convention to motivate the entire executive and non-executive is being held at New Delhi on August 3.”

SP Singh, Circle Secretary, NFTBE, and Pritam Chand, District Secretary, NFTBE, also addressed the open session.

Mandi Gobindgarh, June 27
The local police has booked All-India Hindu Suraksha Samiti chief along with his party activists for causing hindrance to the traffic flow on the national highway. SHO Savinder Pal Singh said municipal council secretary Ranjit Singh Sandhu has alleged in a complaint that the council has given contract of sanitation of some wards of the city but the labourers of the contractor had failed to perform their duties causing unhealthy condition in the city.

Ludhiana, June 27
Zonal Commissioner Isha Kalia has ordered Vijay Kumar ATP Building Section to stop construction work at a park in Joshi Nagar.

Ludhiana, June 27
With the beginning of monsoon season, one needs to stay alert from Conjunctivitis. The eye specialists say that many a times people in rural areas visit quacks and make their problems from bad to worst.

Dr GS Dhami a city-based eye surgeon said, "The viral infection (eye flu) leaves a permanent spot on your cornea which decreases the vision. Because of immune reaction it is important to consult a doctor in this phase."

Dr Satish Thomas, professor of Ophathalmology at Christian Medical College and Hospital said, "Cases of viral conjunctivitis have started pouring in. It spreads by contact. Its incubation period is of two to three days. It takes five to seven days for proper healing."

Ludhiana, June 27
The audience is upbeat about the graduation of Punjabi cinema.

Film makers have started venturing into other genres.

"It is great that genres other than comedy are finally being preferred," said Rohit, a resident.

"Movies like Stupid Seven, Sadda Haq and Sikander that highlight social issues are being made nowadays," said Amandeep Singh, a resident of Chandigarh Road.

"The movies lack quality content. Movies on serious issues should be made," said Sarabjit, another resident.

Ludhiana, June 27
The unemployed Teacher Eligibility Test (TET)-passed teachers will hold protests and burn the effigies of the state government in all the districts on July 7.

A meeting in this regard was held at Chatar Singh Park today.

Deep Raja, president of the union, said it’s been over 10 months now since the state government had advertised for 5,178 posts. No teacher has been recruited so far. The teachers said, “On one side, the state government is minting money under the garb of the TET by conducting tests and on the other side, the government is not providing employment to the teachers.” The TET candidates said, “For the last two years, the state government is not providing employment to them whereas over 40,000 posts for teachers are lying vacant in government schools.” “On July 14, protest rally will be held at Bathinda,” said the TET teachers.

Ludhiana, June 27
Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari has asked the youths in villages to give “theekri-pehra” from 8 pm to 5 am.

“They must keep a vigil on the drains, rivers and bring it to the notice of authorities in case of any threat,” said the DC. The orders will be implemented till August 25.

Ludhiana, June 27
Despite tall claims by the managements of different educational institutes, providing essential facilities to the aspirants who swarm for counseling and admission there, certain institute were found wanting.

A visit to the Punjab Agricultural University Campus revealed that a large number of parents accompanied by their children were caught unaware in inclement weather.

In the absence of proper arrangements or shelter for the visitors, the parents of applicants had no other option but to stand under the trees in the space outside the examination hall.

Punjab Agricultural University conducted the counseling for eight courses of College of Basic Sciences and College of Agriculture at the examination hall and the PAL Auditorium. Today, 534 applicants along with their parents were present on the campus.

The management permitted the parents to enter the examination hall only when there was a downpour outside. The hall got full and suffocated with the huge number of people.

Dr Balwinder Singh, director, student welfare, said: "We had make proper arrangements for the aspirants and the people who accompanied them. The counseling is being conducted under the respective deans of colleges." —TNS

Ludhiana, June 27
The Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, including Democratic Teachers' Front, BEd Teachers' Front, Government School Teachers' Union and Maths Teachers' Union, have condemned the attack on Director General of Secondary Education KS Pannu, a senior IAS officer. The teachers' associations have demanded a probe into the matter by the High Court.

Ramanjit Sandhu, on behalf of the associations, said the attack on Pannu was an unfortunate incident. The attackers must be having some vested interest and the attack on the officer was pre-planned.

"Had it not been pre-planned, how could the incident have been video-graphed? Pannu has done an excellent work in bringing reforms in the education system and a few persons must have not liked his popularity. Pannu is a clean official and the teaching fraternity is with him in this hour of trouble," said Sandhu. —TNS

Khanna, June 27
A newly married woman of Mohalla Ravidas, Khanna, committed suicide by hanging herself from a fan.

Kavita (19), a resident of Ludhiana, had married Rahul about three months ago. She committed suicide when her husband had gone to work. Her mother-in-law raised the alarm and reported the matter to Rahul and some neighbours. Later, she was rushed to the Civil Hospital by her family members where she was declared brought dead. SHO Harjinder Singh said, "The investigation is under way. No case has been registered in this regard." —OC

The examination was conducted by the ICAR on April 21. Venus Bansal, Anurag Singla, Pritpal Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh Benipal, Rishi Kumar Puri and Gurbir Singh are the students of BTech Dairy Technology Programme (2009-13 batches) who brought laurels to the college and university with their hard work and dedication. Venus Bansal secured third rank and received Junior Research Fellowship for master's degree in dairy technology discipline. Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor of the university and Dr SPS Sangha, Dean, College of Dairy Science and Technology, congratulated the students. —TNS

Second camp was organised at Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, E-Block, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana. Nearly 200 students participated in this camp. In these camps, students were give training of tabla, turban, harmonium, art, craft and cooking. On the closing day of the camps, participants were awarded with mementoes and certificates by Jaspal Singh, Zonal Secretary and Hardeep Singh, zonal president of Ludhiana. —TNS

Jagraon, June 27
A youth allegedly jumped before a moving train at the Jagraon Railway Station late at night in a bid to end his life but he escaped with minor injuries due to the presence of mind of the train driver who saw the youth jumping before the train and stopped the train immediately.

The youth has been identified as Om Singh, a resident of Hathur town.

As per the information, Om Singh had been suffering from depression for a long time due to the week financial condition of his family and he took this extreme step due to the week financial condition of his family.

The injured youth was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Jagraon, where he is undergoing treatment. The condition of the youth is stated to be out of danger.

The police has recorded the statement of the youth and said the investigation is under way. No case has been registered. "We have been investigating the matter and a suitable action will be taken against the guilty after verifying various aspects of the incident," said Railway Police Investigating Officer Jagdev Singh.

Ludhiana, June 27
The matches scheduled for today in the ongoing Chaman Lal Malhotra Cricket Cup Tournament (U-14) and the annual Hot Weather Cricket Tournament (U-18) could not be completed due to rain and inclement weather.

The match in the Chaman Lal Malhotra Tournament that started at Arya College ground and the match in the Hot Weather Tournament which began at SCD Government College ground were abandoned after just over half an hour of the play because of heavy showers. — OC