Ludhiana, July 28
The Department of Local Government, Punjab, has cancelled the allotment of 3,556 square yards land for Community Centre in J Block of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar for persistent failure of the residents society to make initial deposit of 25 per cent of the cost of land, and thereafter making payment in installments as per the schedule.

Further, taking note of the unlawful construction raised long ago in some part of the said land, the government has asked the officials of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust to take action as per rules and also fix responsibility of the officials and field staff for this grave lapse under intimation to the Local Government Department.

According to the report of an inquiry conducted by the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the Local Government, Punjab, on the complaint of a city-based RTI activist, Arvind Sharma, the said land was allotted by LIT to the Welfare Council in September 1985 at the reserve price of Rs 51 per square yard. The allottee society failed to deposit 25 per cent of the initial amount payable on allotment and balance payment in installments as per the schedule despite repeated notices served by the LIT.

Surprisingly, the possession of the land was handed over to the allottee body of the residents and a structure was also raised in part of the land more than 15 years ago without approval of a building plan or obtaining any permission from the LIT authorities.

After going through the relevant record of the allotment of land and making a spot visit to the location of the Community Centre, the CVO in his report, submitted to the Local Government Department, recommended that the allotment of land be cancelled in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Improvement Trust (Utilisation of Land and Allotment of Plots) Rules 1983. On the unlawful building constructed in the piece of land, the CVO had recommended that action be taken as per rules to demolish the structure and responsibility of the officials and field staff be fixed for this irregularity. 

Ludhiana, July 28
The city administration is turning a blind eye to the increasing menace of stray cattle on city roads and streets.

They are seen loitering freely and their presence on the middle of the roads and the outskirts is jeopardising lives of residents as well as the cattle itself.

“Cows have increased in the city and their presence on the roads is a threat to the lives of the residents," says Alpana Parmar, a resident. “I am an animal lover myself, but the cattle need to be taken care of in some way so that these do not come on the roads, and do not roam freely like this,” she says.

Some residents feel that gaushalas should play a better role in managing the stray cattle. “Although it is written outside all gaushalas that they give shelter to all stray cows, but they accept only those that give milk while others are abandoned on the streets,” she says.

City-based veterinarian Dr Jaspreet Singh said, “The problem arises due to littering on the roads. Care should be taken of the animals and a proper system should be in place so that both the animals and the residents are not harmed.

Those running the gaushalas, however, say that all cows are given shelter there. “Anybody who has any doubt can come and check our gaushala and see for themselves that there are 400 old and ageing cows, but only about 20 milk-giving cows,” says Dinesh Singhal from Krishn Balram Gaushala.

Stray cattle can be seen sitting on the middle of the roads, particularly on the Ferozepur Road, posing risk to commuters, said another resident.

MC Commissioner RK Verma said that there weren’t many stray cattle in the city.

He said they are removed from the roads if any complaints are received, but he has not come across any such complaints. Problem might be occurring in the peripheral areas, but the stray cattle are not an issue as such within the city limits, said the MC Commissioner.

Ludhiana, July 28
The editor of a vernacular daily, who was arrested and further sent to judicial custody for publishing objectionable pictures of the first Sikh Guru, was shifted to Pathankot jail following threat to his life.

The move was discreetly taken on July 25. While confirming the shifting of the undertrial editor of a vernacular daily, Superintendent of Central Jail, SP Khanna, said, "Yes we have shifted Rajesh Sharma, the controversial editor of a vernacular newspaper, primarily for two reasons. Firstly, we already have 3,000 inmates and there is no provision to house a new inmate. Secondly, the editor was shifted due to security reasons. There were intelligence inputs that the Sikh radicals sitting inside the jail would attack Sharma once he was lodged in jail.Sources said that as suspected the group of men had manhandled Sharma in jail, which prompted the jail authorities to shift him to some other jail. Rajesh was arrested following a protest by the supporters of various Sikh organisations who vandalised the office of a vernacular daily on Gill Road today. An article and objectionable pictures of the first Sikh Guru published in Rajesh's vernacular daily sparked protest. Sharma had published a controversial picture of first Sikh Guru which is currently being circulated on Facebook and Twitter.

Ludhiana, July 28
Spat over langar (free meal) took an ugly turn and led to a clash between two groups at Abdullapur Basti near the bus stand area today.

The groups opened firing. The youths threw soft drink bottles at each other and fired three shots, said the police.

It said the groups belonged to Pardeep Verma and Surinder Vij. Pardeep Verma, organiser of the langar, alleged that Surinder's son Neeraj entered into heated arguments with him and manhandled his father.

On seeing Surinder's men gathering at the spot, Neeraj fled the scene and later came with his accomplices. One of them fired gunshots, claimed Pardeep.

Surinder, whose house is under construction, said the workers had gone to partake of the langar when Pardeep and his men started thrashing them. "When Neeraj tried to intervene, Pardeep's accomplices opened fire on them," he said.

Ludhiana, July 28
One male patient belonging to Dhandari Khurd tested positive for Dengue. He took treatment from Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Disrict epdemiologist Dr Anil Verma said, "Pyrethrum spray in and around the house of the patient has been done.”

This is the second patient from Ludhiana district who has tested positive for dengue this season. Earlier, a patient from Koomkalan had tested positive for dengue. 

Ludhiana, July 28
The helpline number set up to facilitate residents suffering from water-borne and vector-borne diseases keeps receiving complaints on matters unrelated to the diseases.

Many residents end up calling the number (0161-2444193) for complaining about issues that come under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation, and not the Health Department.

A Class IV employee, Amrik Singh, who is on duty at the control room said, "We receive many calls related to drainage and sanitation problems. We try to convince the residents that they should inform the MC about the problem, but they hardly listen to us. Seeing no way out, we simply inform the officers concerned."

Another employee, also deputed at the control room, said: "Sometimes we have also received calls from persons reporting about scuffles between two groups."

These callers do not spare senior health officials as well. Chief Medical Officer, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta said: "Such callers keep bothering me time and again. A few days ago I got a call that a hospital running in a locality did not open its main gate in the morning. I can hardly sleep due to such calls.”

The CMO said nearly half of the calls received by him were mischievous or had no basis at all. People also call me to complain about people smoking in public places, asking me to challan them. Sometimes the health department officials rush to the spot to do the reality check, but find nothing out of place, said Dr Batta.

The CMO appealed to the public to use the number for the right purpose only.

Dehlon, July 28
The Bihar mid-day meal tragedy seems to have brought the scheme in virtual doldrums in this region of the state .

While the higher authorities in the Education Department has started tightening a noose around school heads and those responsible for preparing and serving meal to students, the in charges of the scheme teams have started showing inability to continue working as in charges under present circumstances. Insufficient funds, delay in payment of bills and busy schedule were cited as major factors behind the trend.

Many observations show that teachers of government-aided and private schools, who earlier used to take pride in undertaking preparation and supply of the mid-day meal among their students are a disappointed lot after the tragedy.

Having been grilled by their seniors for lapses during the procurement of ration and cooking of meal, a majority of the teachers has shown inability to continue working as in charges of the scheme.

Sharad Pal Kaur, head of Government Primary School, Shankar, had to face an awkward situation when district education officer Paramjit Kaur labelled the meal prepared at the school as substandard and unfit for consumption of students. Admitting that the quality of food could not be further improved with available resources, Sharad Pal Kaur regretted that the higher authorities, instead of supporting the teachers, were forcing them to spend thousands from their own pocket to keep the kitchen running.

"I have already spent over Rs 21,012 from my own pocket and I have not got salary since May," reads explanation given by Sharad Pal Kaur to the district education officer, Ludhiana, and other authorities. Kaur urged the authorities to free her of the responsibility and depute some other senior teachers as in charge of the scheme at her school.

A teacher from another government high school of the block said he had conveyed his inability to continue as the in charge of the scheme as the grocer had stopped supplying ration due to delayed payment of the bills during the past months. Maintaining that a lot of energy and time got wasted in bargaining during the procurement of ration, he regretted that office-bearers of social and constitutional organisations had also started harassing the teachers after the recent Bihar tragedy.

Meanwhile, Block Primary Education Officer Rajinder Kaur claimed that the scheme was running fairly well in 44 schools of the block. Prompt and appropriate action was taken immediately after receiving any formal or informal complaint, said Kaur.

Director General Secondary Education (DGSE) Anjali Bhawra had also directed rank and file to use extra care whilereceiving foodgrains from officials or contractors. "The foodgrains at the godown of the Food Corporation of India should be inspected by committees constituted by the Deputy Commissioner of respective districts," reads the communication sent to all DEOs from the DGSE. The DGSE directed the in charges to ensure that foodgrains were free of pests, fungus and mould. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 28
Over 50 teachers from various government-aided and private schools vowed to work for developing the personality of the students by taking care of their normal health, including vision.

The oath was administered during a seminar on techniques and methods of eye-testing and normal vision, which was organised jointly by the district education and health departments at MGMN Senior Secondary School here today.

Principal Pardeep Sharda presided over the seminar and Pardeep Bharti, ophthalmic officer, and Pardeep Chawla, district programme officer, National Program for Control of Blindness, were keynote speakers.

The speakers claimed that no programme for the control of blindness among children and youth could yield desired results unless teachers took special care during classroom teaching.

Maintaining that teachers were in a better position in detecting earlier stages of ailments regarding vision, the speakers suggested that students should be allotted seats in the class in rotation. As students sitting near blackboard were in a better position to read even small letters, eye defects were detected at very late stage in these students. 

Ludhiana, July 28
To mark World Hepatitis Day, Zindagi Live Foundation organised its 22nd voluntary blood donation camp at Pindi Dyal Dharmshala. As many as 205 units of blood were collected by a team of doctors from Christian Medical College and Hospital and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

The NGO supports 58 children suffering from thalassaemia by bearing the cost of transfusion, filter and medicines. Manager of the foundation Rajesh Kapoor requested the state government and private blood banks to carry out necessary tests, so that clean blood could be provided to the children and other patients.

Vice-chairman of the foundation Balram Mehta said the NGO would keep organising such camps. The foundation is planning to adopt another 15 children soon.

Yesterday, Rotary Club, Ludhiana Midtown, organised a blood donation camp at Shri Krishna Charitable Hospital, Model Town. Around 20 club members donated blood.

Khamano, July 28
A meeting of the Punjab State Ex Servicemen Welfare Association Block, Khamano, was held at Gurdwara Sahib Ranwan.

The meeting was held under the leadership of Colonel (retd) Gurdeep Singh Grewal, president of the Punjab wing.

Speakers flayed the Central Government for not introducing ‘one rank one pension’ scheme and demanded immediate approval of the scheme by the government.

They also demanded some other facilities, including free travel in trains, health services in the neighboring health centres, provision of material from nearby canteens, and other similar perks for the ex-servicemen.

The speakers criticised the state government for the taxes imposed on the facilities provided to ex-servicemen.

A proposal to honour the ex-servicemen who recently participated in the panchayat elections was also kept during the meeting.

Jagraon, July 28
Four days after a resident of Birmi village near Mullanpur Dakha was allegedly beaten by some other residents of the same village due to an old rivalry, the police has registered a case against seven persons. The victim identified as Sukhwinder Singh, a government employee with the Revenue Department at Ludhiana, received serious injuries on his head and other parts of the body during the attack.

Presently, the victim is undergoing treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, where he was admitted following the attack. His condition is stated to be stable. The police has registered a case against the accused under various sections of the IPC after recording the victim’s statement.

Investigating officer ASI Malkiat Singh said the police had booked seven persons including Jassi, Lucky, Money, Kala, Sonu, Bunty and one unidentified youth on the charges of attacking Sukhwinder Singh. None of the accused has been arrested so far.

In his complaint to the police, Sukhwinder Singh alleged that he was attacked near the village bus stand after he returned from his office on Tuesday evening. Singh alleged he was attacked due to an old rivalry with the family of a youth involved in the attack.

"I had just reached the bus stand in my car, when I received a phone call from a friend. As I stopped my car to receive the call, some youths arrived there in a car and started beating me with bats and sticks. When some of the villagers rushed to rescue me, the attackers fled in the car,” said Sukhwinder Singh.

"All the accused youths are absconding since the incident. The police has been searching for them, and they would be arrested soon,” said the ASI.

Ludhiana, July 28
A programme in the memory of literary personality Surinder Hemjoyti and leader of student movement Prithipal Singh Randhawa was organised by Punjab Lok Sabhiachark Manch at Punjabi Bhawan today.

A discussion on the social and political contradictions in the Punjabi society was conducted during the event.

Speaking on the topic ‘young generation and cultural pollution’, keynote speaker Daljit Ami called for the revival of values in the society for making better human beings. He said the young generation got influenced by the cultural and social activities in the society. The culture was today being defined by lewd songs, drug addiction, defamation of women and promotion of weapons, he said. There was a need to work on alternative social and cultural fronts to counter the mainstream media, said Daljit Ami.

He said the music composers who were churning out lewd songs and the corporate sector that marketed these songs were working hand-in-hand to pollute the Punjabi culture.

Showing concern towards the violence and unethical acts abound in the soceity, Daljit Ami flayed the government for repressing any kind of anti-established movement.

Tributes were paid to Surinder Hemjyoti and Prithipal Singh Randhawa on the occasion. A number of personalities from film and literary fields attended the function. 

Ludhiana, July 28
Spouses of patients suffering from psychiatric problems lead a stressful life. This was revealed by the caretakers themselves during a seminar organised to discuss their problems by Manas Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

These caretakers not only have to take care of the patient, but also become victim to the blame game by the patient’s relatives. They feel mentally and physically exhausted, and thus need to take a good care of their own health.

Dr Rajiv Gupta, president of the foundation and a consultant psychiatrist, said: "If a person suffers from any psychiatric problem after marriage, the caregiver, i.e. the partner of that patient, is blamed for the patient’s condition by the relatives. Some accuse the caregiver of not taking proper care of the patient, while others say the spouse forgot to give medicines on time. All this can be take a toll on the caregivers’ health.”

The experts, including Dr Ajit Awasthi and Dr Sandeep Grover from the PGI, Chandigarh, and Dr Sandeep Chaudhary from Subharti University, Meerut, discussed many misconceptions regarding the treatment of patients suffering from psychiatric problems.

The experts said due to regular stress, the caregivers of chronic patients suffer from the burnt out syndrome, i.e. they feel totally exhausted.

Keeping in view the problems faced by caregivers of psychiatric patients, Manas Foundation will start a group activity for them.

Dr Rajiv Gupta said the foundation would prepare a list of caregivers and distribute their phone numbers among each other, so that they could meet each other and share their problems without any hesitation.

Ludhiana, July 28
Microbreweries and pubs are offering draught and freshly brewed beer and these are being liked by residents.

"The beer comes in many fruity flavours and has a different taste," said Ravi, a businessman. "

"It offers a lot more variety," said city-based chef Vishvesh Khanna.

Fruit flavours can be added to the beer.

"Draught beer is less expensive and tastes great," said Rohit, a resident. "Nothing beats the foam and colour of the beer," he said. "Less sugar alternatives are also available for youngsters," said another resident.

"I love the set-up and the idea of the beer being brewed there and then," said another resident.

"Beer is generally taken by people of different age groups, but it is more popular among youths," said Khanna.

Youngsters visit pubs in groups and take beer. "Beer is the drink to beat the heat. We keep savouring different flavours of the beer. Apple flavour is my favourite," said a 20-year-old. 

Ludhiana, July 28
Even at the age of 102, Fauja Singh exemplifies enthusiasm and buoyant attitude towards life.

He was in the city to attend a programme organised by Pingalwara Charitable Organisation and visited a couple of media houses, including The Tribune.

The enthusiastic demeanour and sense of humour have not faded beneath those wrinkles as he shares anecdotes and often breaks into laughter while making a jest, even now.

When asked if he would like to get a biopic made on his life like that of Milkha Singh, he laughed saying at this age, he would not suggest to anyone to make a movie on him, but if someone would want to make a film on his life, he wouldn't say no, he grinned.

Talking about drug addiction among the youth, he said it was the biggest tragedy of Punjab. Youngsters are an asset and they should take care of their health.

His running and walking even at this age is perhaps God's way of compensation, as he had barely started walking at the age of five due to some ailment, he said. But he started farming early and used to irrigate the land manually and never used tractor in his entire life.

He regrets not having been able to attain any formal education.

He said, "Education is invaluable. But education and wisdom are two different things and formal education doesn't ensure practical wisdom. These are two different paths. So many well-educated people remain stuck in the rut of life while there are some uneducated people who enjoy life through their wisdom," he said. Talking about his daily schedule, he said he walked four hours a day, which acted as a medicine for him. "Although he has been advised not to walk long distances in India as he can be kidnapped for ransom," he joked. 

Ludhiana, July 28
Members of the ASHA Workers' Union, Punjab, met Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari at his residence last evening.

The members told Tewari that despite the Punjab Chief Minister and State Health Minister accepting their demands, the government was not revising their service conditions.

Tewari assured the members of taking up their demands with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The demands of ASHA workers include a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500, a hike in TA and DA.

They demanded that they should be given mobile phones.

Tewari disbursed funds worth Rs 1.24 crore yesterday. Tewari said the Ludhiana South constituency lacked civic amenities. He laid the foundation stone of a tubewell to be built at a cost of Rs 15.50 lakh.

Ludhiana, July 28
A protest by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha snowballed into a controversy after the Congress leaders claimed that the Yuva Morcha activists allegedly vandalised the house of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari.

A CISF sub-inspector suffered an injury in hand as some activists attacked him with the serving spoons they were carrying.

Taking a potshot at the police, District Congress Committee (Urban) president Pawan Dewan said while the house of the minister was being vandalised by a bunch of goons operating in the garb of Yuva Morcha activists, none of the Punjab Police personnel reached the spot on time despite having been called repeatedly.

He said the incident had taken place only a day after acid containers were found from outside Tewari's house in Chandigarh. He said the BJYM activists were stopped by the CISF guards and the Congress workers present there while Tewari was touring the constituency at the time of the attack.

Dewan said the Yuva Morcha had no reason to protest outside Tewari's residence and that they had no reason to pelt stones and throw bottles and party flags at the minister's house.

Dewan was highly critical of the local police which, he alleged, seemed to be in league with the Yuva Morcha activists. He said despite repeated calls to the police, no police personnel turned up for about an hour. He disclosed that Tewari had himself called up the Ludhiana Police Commissioner and despite that the police did not turn up on time.The BJYM activists, including Pushpinder Singhal, Amit Gosain, Kamaljit Singh, Deepak Goya and Jatinderpal Singh, alias Sunny, were leading the protesters. Amit Gosain lambasted Dewan's allegation and claimed that it was a peaceful protest and no one had taken the law in their hand.

The Congressmen were levelling false allegations, said Amit.

Ludhiana, July 28
Over 100 students from across the city converged on the Sarabha Nagar market to pay tributes to Mansimran Kaur, a Class XI student, who passed away on July 10.

Mansimran Kaur, a resident of Model Town, was electrocuted after she fell off her scooter and came in contact with loose electricity wires laid outside a house in BRS Nagar. The students took out a peace march holding placards in an attempt to sensitise city residents in particular and society in general to be more responsible towards their duties as citizens.

Only an awakened citizenry could ensure safer society and longevity of lives. Through placards, they highlighted the state of affairs.

"Stringent laws should be implemented to bring the defaulters to book. It's sad that the owner of the house whose did not even express a word of regret, "said a friend of the deceased.

Starting from the Sarabha Nagar market, students walked past a church and a gurdwara. They passed through DAV Public School, BRS Nagar.

En route the rally halted outside the house at BRS Nagar to express their anguish before the owners who had remained callously indifferent by neither expressing sorrow nor condolences to the bereaved family.

Mansimran's father Sukhminder Singh Bhangu was touched by the solidarity expressed by the students for the family in their hour of grief. He said, "We should realise our duties and responsibilities. The rally culminated at Gurdwara Sarabha Nagar where students lit candles to pay homage to their departed friend and as a symbol to dispel darkness that engulfed insensitive society." 

Ludhiana, July 28
With the arrest of five persons, the police has claimed to have busted a gang of thieves and recovered 10 motorcycles and a car from their possession.

A cooking gas cylinder and an LCD were also recovered from them.

The accused have been identified as Gurwinder Singh, alias Bunty of Khanna, Jagjit Singh Jagga, Gzurpreet Singh, alias Goppi, Harpreet Singh alias Billa, and Jaswinder Singh, alias Babblu, a resident of Sahnewal.

Sub-inspector (CIA) Sarabjit Singh said the accused were nabbed from Sahnewal Chowk last evening following a tip-off.

He said the accused had stolen the motorcycles and the car from different places.

The police said the gang was also striking at houses and decamping with household items and other valuables. 

Ludhiana, July 28
The police has arrested a person for posing as OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and duping a city resident of Rs 50,000 on the pretext of providing him a job.

Ludhiana, July 28
Eight karate players from the city have been selected for an international karate event. The players were a part of the North India karate team and attended a camp in Thailand from July 12 to 16.

The selected players are Shivem Sharam, Rishi Bandari, Jaskirat Singh, Sukhvir Singh Dhillon, Kulwinder Singh, Jaspret Singh, Jagdep Singgh and Pritpal Singh.

The players are being trained by Rahul Singh.