Ludhiana, October 11
All hopes of Ludhiana City Bus Service Ltd (LCBSL) of generating additional revenue by selling advertising space on buses were dashed when they could not complete the quorum at the opening of tender bids today. Of the four applicants, only two could qualify the technical bids as the other two bidders failed to deposit the earnest money of Rs 11 lakh.

The LCBSL had floated tenders for auctioning advertising space on its low-floor buses. At present, the LCBSL is running a fleet of 50 low-floor non-air-conditioned buses on different routes and by February next year, it plans to add 160 buses to its existing fleet in a phased manner.

Through the auction of advertising space on these buses, LCBSL plans to generate a revenue of around Rs 1.5 crore annually. The reserve price for the auction was kept as Rs 6,000 per month per bus.

Baljit Singh, General Manager, LCBSL, said a total of four firms, Lead Ads, Pioneer Advertising, Azad Advertising and Kerry Thakur, participated in today's bidding process.

"Azad Advertising and Kerry Thakur had not attached earnest money deposit (Rs 11 lakh) papers along with their bids and that is why, the two other firms qualified for the tendering process. As we required a minimum quorum of three bidders, the auction was postponed," informed Baljit Singh.

The bidders were to deposit their bids by 3 pm today, but they were surprised to see that the LCBSL staff had not made proper arrangements. "There was not even a box where we could put our bids and when we enquired about it from the LCBSL staff, they told us to hand over the tender documents to them, which we refused. It was later when we brought this matter to the notice of senior LCBSL officers that the box was placed and all bidders put their bids in it," said one of the bidders. 

Ludhiana, October 11
The move of the Excise and Taxation Department to collect a lump sum amount of Rs 2.35 lakh as tax from big marriage palaces has not gone down well with marriage palace owners.

Officials in the state have received verbal orders from the government to differentiate between big and small marriage palaces in their respective cities. Big marriage palaces will now be required to deposit a lump sum amount of Rs 2.35 lakh, which includes Rs 1 lakh as luxury tax, Rs 1.25 lakh as VAT and Rs 10,000 for liquor licence.

"Any kind of tax is ultimately paid by consumers. There is no criteria for labelling one marriage palace as small and another as big. It is just another method devised by the government to extract money from people," said Balwant Singh, the owner of a marriage palace situated on Ferozepur Road.

Gulshan Kumar, former president of the Punjab Marriage Palace and Resorts Association, said it would completely ruin the industry. This mechanism is not in favour either of marriage palace owners or customers," he added.

Meanwhile, the move has worried consumers as well. "If someone is holding a party at a posh resort or palace that does not mean he/she has to pay more tax. Taxes should be the same for every individual. Salary can be made the basis for tax calculation but dividing resorts between big and small with no genuine basis is completely injustice to people," said Sukhminder Kaur from Rajguru Nagar. 

Ludhiana, October 11
A 28-year-old staff nurse of the Civil Hospital in Amlargarh was killed by a speeding bus near Cheema Chowk here today. The victim, identified as Minakshi, a resident of Kuldeep Nagar, near Basti Jodhewal, was going towards the bus stand on her scooter to catch a bus. She was four months' pregnant.

The incident came to light this morning when the commuters spotted Minakshi lying on the road. Her scooter was badly damaged. She was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared here dead on arrival. The commuters informed Minakshi's relatives about the incident.

Initially, the police suspected that a speeding car had hit her vehicle. But, the truth came to light when the police scanned the footage of the CCTV cameras installed on a nearby factory.

The footage showed that the speeding bus hit Minakshi's scooter from behind. The colour of the bus was yellow, but the registration number plate was not legible.

A case has been registered against unidentified persons under section 304- A of the IPC for causing death by reckless driving. 

Dr Batta also reached the spot and checked the "paneer".

The DHO said for the time being, the seized "paneer" had been been kept in a cold store and action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standard Act after getting report from the laboratory.

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Payal/ Raikot, October 11
Following orders by the Police Commissioner, Ludhiana, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sangrur, and SSP, Ludhiana (Rural), recently, the police has claimed to have beefed up security with aim of avoiding any untoward incident ahead of festival season.

Ahead of the festival season, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Gill, Gurpreet Singh Sikand, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Amargarh, Gurmeet Singh, circle officer at Payal, Balwinder Singh Bhikhi, and Raikot DSP Satnam Singh Bains, have claimed to have enhanced the security in and around religious places, educational institutes and busy markets, at their respective regions.

Anti-sabotage teams, constituted especially on the occasion of Diwali and Dasehra, have been advised to keep a vigil on strangers and anti-social elements.

The police has also set up special check posts and intensified patrolling, besides strengthening the night vigil throughout the area.

With intent to minimise loss, in case of any eventuality through prompt rescue operations, beat officers have been advised to keep in touch with the authorities in the fire department and health centres.

Teams of policemen supervised by station house officer (SHO), Sudhar, Rajesh Sharma, SHO, Sadar, Amandeep Singh Brar and Jasbir Singh, SHO, Dehlon, Inderjit Singh Boparai, SHO, Ludhiana, Mandhir Singh, undertook combing operations in localities positioned under their jurisdiction.

Maintaining that the exercise was done to boost the morale of residents and ensure their safety during the festival season, ACP Gurpreet Singh Sikand and DSP Balwinder Bhikhi said beat officers have been directed to ensure that no stranger sneaks into the area under the guise of a relative or a friend of locals.

Amloh, October 11
A former block samiti chairman, Abninder Singh Grewal, was cremated at his native village Nanoki (Bhoadao) today. The founder of Young Farmers’ Club and a renowned social worker, Grewal passed away last evening.

Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation patron Prof Jagdev Singh Jassowal, Lok Sabha member Ravneet Singh Bittoo, MLA, Khanna, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Malkit Singh Dakha, ADC to Governor Rajbeehan Singh Sidhu , singer Harjeet Harman, Ravinder Grewal, SAD vice-president Makhan Singh Lalka, Sheller Association chief Suba Singh Jatiwal, and panches and sarpanches of the region were present on the occasion. —OC

Ludhiana, October 11
Activists of the forum of BSNL Executives and Non-Executives Unions/ Associations comprising the BSNL Employees Union, Sanchar Nigam Executives Association, All-India BSNL Executives Association, AIGETOA, National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees, National Federation of Telecom Employees and SC/ST Welfare Association of BSNL held a massive demonstration in front of the office of the General Manager, Telecom.

Addressing the gathering, Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, and Gurpreet Singh, Circle President, SNEA (I), said the contractors were looting BSNL in the name of ‘housekeeping’ to the tune of several lakhs of rupees. Unions and associations are fighting against these malpractices.

Addressing the gathering, Jasbir Singh, CWC member, Punjab Circle, said he had taken up the issue with the Circle Union and the entire Executives/Non-Executives were united on this issue. He demanded the immediate cancellation of all contracts. Harjinder Singh, District Secretary, SNEA (I), declared that their agitation would continue till any action was not taken and the loot of BSNL was not stopped.

The demonstration held by the BSNL employees led to traffic blockade for sometime at the Bharat Nagar Chowk. The protesters left the burning effigy in the middle of the road, which also caused inconvenience to the commuters.

Later on, a memorandum was also given to the Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner, Ludhiana. 

Ludhiana, October 11
The Income Tax (IT) Department has issued instructions to all its officials to use official e-mail IDs for all official communication. All those officials who were seeking tax details from other private e-mail IDs have been instructed by the department to strictly adhere to the instructions and use official e-mail IDs for official communication.

In a circular issued recently, the Directorate of IT has said: “Since official IDs are available with most of the departmental officers, it is instructed that hereinafter all official communication(s) on e-mail shall be only through the official email IDs detailed above. In the event that an official email is required to be sent urgently and the official e-mail ID not available, the official IDs of the Commissioners of IT (CsI-T) or directors of IT (DsI-T) may be utilised for the same”.

In the past, one of the IT officials has sent a reminder to a wealthy individual to pay his advance tax in time and send details to his gmail email address.

A senior official conforming this said that they had received instructions from the department.

“We make very less use of the mail. But, we are provided with the lotus notes so whatever official communication is to be done is done through notes,” he said.

Ludhiana, October 11
To mark the World Arthritis Day, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mohali, organised a 2 km walkathon - Walk for Healthy Joints - at GLADA, Ludhiana, wherein around 300 community members from all segments, ex-patients and employees participated.

The walk was led by Director and Head, Max Elite Institute of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Dr Manuj Wadhwa. Ludhiana DC Rajat Aggarwal flagged off the walkathon.

The highlight of this walkathon was that brand ambassadors were the patients who had knee and hip joint replacement surgeries. They were once crippled with arthritis but today they had won over disability and convey to people suffering from arthritis that life ahead of joint replacement surgery is beautiful.

About 200 post operative knee replacement patients also enthusiastically participated in it.

Talking about arthritis Dr Wadhwa said contrary to the misconception that arthritis only affects elderly this disorder is increasingly found in the younger population. Earlier, patients around 65 years and above suffered from arthritis and underwent surgeries. But now the younger ones in age group of 40-45 years, who are in their golden years, are increasingly turning up for surgery. Higher levels of stress coupled with modern day lifestyles are increasing incidence of arthritis. 

Ludhiana, October 11
Already upset with the late VAT refunds, traders are upset over the levying of advance tax in place of entry tax. The traders have termed the government’s decision as “unviable”.

The case related to entry tax was pending with the High Court and now the government has devised a new means to forcibly extract tax from the traders by converting it into advance tax. When it comes to collecting money, the government leaves no stone unturned. But when the turn comes to return back our dues, it takes a long time, which is not justifiable,” said Darshan Dawar, president of the Knitwear Club.

“A large amount of industry’s money is already blocked with the government in form of VAT refunds and now capital will be blocked as advance tax. Instead of supporting the industry or giving it a boost by announcing some subsidies or schemes, the government is adamant to make the industry weaker by levying taxes,” said Vinay Kansal, a garment manufacturer.

“The move to amend the VAT Act makes it unviable to do business in the state. As a result, traders are expecting to shift to other states and Punjab will suffer revenue losses. The industry is left with no other option but to move out of the state,” said Kansal.

The Punjab Cabinet recently approved a decision to amend the VAT Act to replace “entry tax” leviable on certain commodities with “advance tax”, aiming at plugging leakages in tax collection.

“The state government is levying new taxes on industrial sector everyday. This is making the state inconducive to business. If the government does not stop this, the little business that Punjab has will also go to other states. This will only affect the state’s revenues,” said another small-scale unit owner. 

Jagraon, October 11
With the police acting tough against drug abuse, the peddlers active in the area have discovered some new tricks to dodge the police and carry on their operations.

This was revealed when the police was carrying out a search operation in the house of a father-son duo, who was arrested by the police on the charges of smuggling poppy husk two days ago. During the search operation, the police was astonished to find a secret bunker constructed in their house at Akhara village.

The police said the bunker was built in the kitchen of the house of the accused.

“The bunker was designed in such a way that it was quite difficult to detect it. This secret bunker was being used by the father-son duo for storing poppy husk,” said Surinder Kumar, DSP, Jagraon.

He said the accused used to smuggle poppy husk in an oil tanker to evade the police. “The accused used to live a low-profile life and presented themselves as simple and innocent individuals before the villagers to avoid suspicion,” said the DSP.

The police had seized 80 bags of poppy husk from an oil tanker, a jeep and a Toyota Innova SUV near Akhara village two days ago. The police had arrested Charan Singh and his son, Sanpreet Singh, of Akhara village in this regard, while their another accomplice, identified as Balvir Singh, a resident of Kurar village near Mehal Kalan in Barnala district, escaped from the police.

Currently, both the accused are in police remand. The police has been trying to extract further information about their activities and connections with other drug peddlers from them. Some major revelations are expected during the course of investigation in the coming days. 

Ludhiana, October 11
Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today said that by “ignoring” the elected representatives on the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the PGI’s Satellite Cancer Treatment Centre being set up on 25 acres of land provided by the Punjab Government, the UPA government had shown that it has “no respect for democratic values”.

Claiming that the Punjab Congress was a divided house, he alleged that Congress MPs had failed to protect the interests of the state.

He slammed the Centre for its “anti-farmer” policies. He also held the Congress-led UPA government responsible for drug trafficking in the state as he claimed that the Centre had “failed” to check the flow of heroin from Afghanistan via Pakistan. Majithia claimed that the state police had launched a focused drive against drug trafficking and had recovered 278.536 kg of high-grade drugs like heroin till date.

Earlier, Majithia paid obeisance to the ‘Ramayana Path’ being held at Kitchlu Nagar by Bhagat Hans Raj Ji Gohane Wale and Krishan Vij.

Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Adviser to the Chief Minister, Punjab, Hira Singh Gabria and Parveen Chaudhary were also present on the occasion.

Raikot/ Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 11
Sheen of silver seems to have stolen craze for other items normally distributed by middle class people among their friends and relatives on occasion of festival season. Besides being presentable, silver coated sceneries and frames are comparatively affordable and have higher shelf life. Magnitude of gesture behind the souvenir also varies with the brand of the counter from where it is purchased. One wrapped in envelops bearing names of renowned jewellry shops conveys warmer feelings of festivity.

While majority of residents of the region are yet to plan their budget for celebrating festivals including festival of lights the Diwali, owners and managers of commercial and professional organisations have started process for procurements of articles to be distributed as gifts among their clients, friends and relatives.

Novelty, easy availability and comparative economy are major considerations behind selection.

Dr Puneet Hind, director of a tertiary medical center of the town said officials of the organisations have asked to seek quotations for good items which could be presentable and durable besides being economical. Silver coated sceneries and frames emerged as the best choice among the friends contacted for arriving at a decision, said Puneet Hind.

Paramdeep Singh Deepa and Jagrup Singh of Dehlon said they already purchased gifts for distribution among their friends on occasion of festival season. "Though we have purchased a variety of items including wall clocks, souvenirs and silver coated sceneries, the latest have been appreciated by majority of our friends," said Deepa.

Pawan Garg, office bearer of a social organization, said steep rise in prices of traditional items being presents as gifts had discouraged the buyers from spending money on those items which had short life span. Instead they want to get compensated by realize the value of their money through longer life of the item selected.

Tarsem Lal Verma, a jeweler said owners of some industrial houses had approached him for purchasing bulk quantities of silver coated items including idols of Hindu deities. Silver coated items were available in wide range of variety and cost ranging between Rs 500 and 2500. 

Ludhiana, October 11
The residents of railway colonies had been facing sheer inconvenience due to growth of weeds in the vacant areas of residential colonies. Harmful congress Grass can also be seen flourishing in the colonies. The residents complained that weeds are breeding ground for snakes and other insects. According to the residents, they have complained several times to railway authorities but no action has been taken.

According to the activists of the Northern Railway Men’s Union the situation is almost same in the workshops and rail yards at the station. Due to negligence of authorities and shortage of workers the weeds has been grown wildly in the rainy session.

“A few days ago, a worker had a narrow escape from snake bite as the snake was sitting on the foot stairs of an engine. The authorities should cut the weeds,” said an employee.

Congress grass can cause serious health problems to the residents. We can’t allow our children to play outside. The authorities did not respond to our several requests,” said Rakesh, a resident of colony.

Daljit Singh, general secretary, NRMU said, “We have discussed the issue of wild growth of weeds in the various areas of the railway station with divisional railway manager, during his visit at railway station. He promised us that a cleanliness drive will be initiated soon. However, no action has been taken on ground level till the date.”

Ludhiana, October 11
The treatment and collection charges for treating the waste material at Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Plant has been hiked by 15 percent which has become a cause of concern for the industry. Members of Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organsation have opposed the hike by the company.

"The private company which has the contract for treating the wastage has increased the charges without intimating us. They should have informed us before implementing the hike. No discussion was held on the revised rates and inflated bills were sent to us," said Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organsation (FICO).

In the recent months more than 150 new members were enrolled so rates should be slashed but instead of doing so they increased the prices. Rates should be revised and hike should be rollback because the quantity of effluents has increased then cost of treatment and transportion should be less," he added.

The plant is governed by Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society (LETS). Director of LETS Jagatvir Singh said even they were not aware about the hike. "The company has hiked the rates without informing us. I have contacted the company's management and asked them to hold discussion regarding the same. Discussion will be held and we will try to work out the things," 
he said.

Ludhiana, October 11
Expressing annoyance over the issuance of notification of new Rent Act, the city lawyers today observed a strike and demanded withdrawal of notification. As per the new act, the rent cases will be tried by the respective SDM's of the districts instead of Judiciary. Lawyers oppose the decision of setting up appellate authorities at Bathinda, Amritsar and Mohali.

Khanna, October 11
The Adhikar Rally, undertaken by Punjab Youth Congress president Vikramjit Singh Chaudhry in several parts of the state, was welcomed at Khanna today. The rally has been organised with an aim to spread awareness among the masses about the various schemes of the Central government.

A number of Youth Congress workers led by MP Sukhdev Singh, Libra, MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli, and Block Congress president Dr Gurmukh Singh Chahal, welcomed the rally at Khanna.

Chaudhry in his address said main motive of this rally is to interact with people directly and apprise them of the people-oriented schemes. President Dr Chahal, Block Youth Congress, thanked the gathering for participating in the rally.

Sudhar, October 11
During an inaugural session of a five-day residential INSPIRE workshop, students from over 20 schools of the region vowed to adopt scientific temper as an element of their lifestyle.

The workshop is organised by the department of science and technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, at GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sudhar.

The oath was taken in response to the call made by Vice- Chancellor of Punjab University, Chandigarh, Dr Arun Kumar Grover, who was chief guest during the event which was presided over by the principal, Dr SS Deol.

Recollecting contribution of Indian scientists in research and development at international level, Dr Grover said these scholars brought laurels to India, because they had developed scientific temper during their learning phase.

Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma from Kurukshetra University highlighted causes and consequences of infection by HIV and elaborated on their development at a molecular-level. A souvenir on the project was also released. — OC

Ludhiana, October 11
The week long Inter-college Youth Festival of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) concluded with a note of gaiety. Rahul Tewari, IAS, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, was the chief guest on the occasion while Dr VK Taneja presided over the function.

The youth festival started on October 5 under the guidance of Dr Satinder Pal Singh Sangha, Director Students Welfare (DSW)-cum-Estate Officer (EO) of GADVASU.

There were as many as 30 events in which over 200 students participated.

Students showcased their talent in different fields such as fine arts, theatre, singing, dances and literary events, said the organising secretary, Dr Darshan Singh Barhi.

Various students from different colleges such as, College of Fisheries, College of Veterinary Science, College of Dairy Science and Technology, School of Animal Biotechnology, Veterinary Polytechnic College, Kaljharani, Bathinda, and Khalsa Coillege of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, participated in the events.

A score of important dignitaries attended the function. Teachers, employees and officers of GADVASU were also present for the ceremonial treat.

For the events held the previous day, the results are as the following:

Results

Quiz

Ist - College of Veterinary Science

IInd - College of Dairy Science and Technology

IIIrd - Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar

Mimicry

Ist – Rahil, College of Veterinary Science

IInd - Alisha Chabra, College of Fisheries

IIIrd - Navjot Singh Sidhu, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar

One act play

Ist - School of Animal Biotechnology

IInd - Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar

IIIrd - College of Veterinary Science and College of Fisheries

Best actor

Harmanjeet Singh Sandhu, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar

Best actress

Harpreet Kaur, School of Animal Biotechnology

Mime

Ist - College of Fisheries

IInd - Vet Polytechnic, Kaljharani, Bathinda

IIIrd - College of Dairy Science and Technology

Rath yatra

Rath yatra will be taken out by the district Valmiki Sabha on October 15. A meeting of the sabha was held in this regard to discuss the arrangements. Tableaus depicting the life of Valmiki will also be prepared and taken out during the yatra.

Dasehra celebrations

The Urban Estate Ram Lila Dasehra Committee, Dugri, will be celebrating Dusshera in Urban Estate, Phase-I, Dugri. Effigy of Ravana will be burnt by the area councillor.

Grievances aired

Members of the Un-employed linemen met MLA Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and discussed long pending recruitments of the linemen on Friday. Members apprised the minister of grievances and said as many as 4000 linemen have not been given appointment letters and they have been struggling from the past 15 years.

Dharna staged

The Sangharash Committee against tax staged a dharna at Giaspura Chowk, against the levy of property and regularisation of tax on residential and commercial establishments, on Friday. Members accused the government of burdening the common man. — TNS

Khanna, October 11
Mystery shrouds the death of a 30-year-old woman who was found dead by her husband today. The deceased has been identified has Pushpa, a resident of Bank Colony.

As per the information, Pushpa had gone to assist someone with marriage preparations at a house in the colony. In the evening, her husband found her missing and searched for her, but in vain. She had allegedly left the house she had visited last evening at 6 pm. Her whereabouts could not ascertained even after repeated attempts by her husband to find her.

It was only today, that her husband, Arvind Kumar, found her lying unconscious beneath a car in the colony and reported the matter to the police. Her throat was allegedly tied with some cloth.

Station house officer, Khanna, confirmed the incident and said they have registered a case against unidentified persons. Investigations were on to nab the culprit, said the SHO.

Jagraon, October 11
The local police has arrested two alleged drug peddlers and seized 30 kilogram of poppy husk from them in two separate incidents. The accused have been identified as Jasvir Singh, a resident of Sohian village, and Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Hans Kalan village near Jagraon.

According to the CIA staff incharge, inspector Prem Singh, Jasvir Singh was arrested near Sidhwan Khurd village by a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Manjit Singh during a routine patrolling.

“The police was patrolling near the Sidhwan Khurd village when they saw a person who was carrying a bag. The police stopped the man and when searched, recovered 10 kilogram of poppy husk from his bag,” said the CIA staff incharge. He was arrested following the revelation.

Meanwhile, after getting a tip-off, a police party led by Sub-Inspector Malkiat Singh arrested another alleged drug peddler Sukhdev Singh near Bardeke village and seized 20 kilogram of poppy husk from him.

The police has registered separate cases against both the accused under the NDPS Act at Jagraon Sadar police station. Further investigations were on.

Ludhiana, October 11
The city police has nabbed a con man who had duped financial firms of Rs 2.8 lakh. The accused has been identified as Kulwinder Singh of Aliwal village. Giving details, Gagandeep Singh, in charge, Economic Office Wing, said the accused first created four fake driving licences and on the basis of these licences, he opened four accounts in different banks.

He soon procured four credit cards and then purchased four LCDs by submitting the minimum down payment.

After sometime, he stopped paying instalments. On probing the matter, the financial firm found that the LCDs were purchased on fake documents.

The matter was reported to the police. During the investigation, the police found how Kulwinder Singh conned the financial firms.

The police has not ruled out the involvement of any bank employee in helping Kulwinder in procuring fake documents.

Kulwinder has been booked under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC for frauds and forgoing documents.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 11
Teams of U-14, U-16 and U-19 of Nankana Sahib Public Senior Secondary School, Kilaraipur, emerged victorious in Sahodya Hockey Tournaments of central zone of schools affiliated with the CBSE, held at Kilarapur today.

The event was inaugurated by Kuldeep Singh secretary of the trust and principal Jaskaranjit Kaur, Captian Gurbachan Singh and Rajwinder Singh distributed prizes to the winning teams.

U-14 team of Delhi Public School, Jhamat and Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, bagged second and third positions respectively. Second and third prizes in U-19 category were bagged by Green Convent School, Ludhiana and Sacred Heart Schools, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, October 11
The controversy involving the Knitwear Club is getting murkier with each passing day. On one hand the “employees” of the club allege that they have not been paid their salaries for the past three months, while on the other, the club president claims that these employees are no longer on the payrolls of the club. Meanwhile, the employees continue to claim that they have not resigned, but are still working.

Darshan Dawar, president of the club, said the club had five employees. He had informed them to join the club on the new premises on the Mall road. Only the office boy had joined the Textile Park office.

“I have not resigned from my post but still working. I have been actively taking part in the meetings of the club. Recently when the Textile Minister came to the city, I arranged everything for the club. Had I not been working for the club why would have I gone there? But I have not been paid my salary,” said Davinder Pal, one of the employees.

Taruna Khaneja, another employee, said she never resigned from her post. “The club premises has been locked and where should I go to office. I was just waiting for the things to settle down so that I can join back. But if the club premises is locked, it is not my fault and my salary should not been blocked,” she said.

“The club was locked on July 25 by both groups. One lock has been put by the Dawar group, while the other has been put by the Thapar group. The staff was assured of reopening the club within 3-4 days, but it didn't happen till date. Our salary should be given and, of course, our job too because the club has not been locked due to the staff but it is just because of the ego of some office-bearers,” said Davinder Pal.

Meanwhile, Darshan Dawar said he had sent messages and also letters through post to all five employees but none of them, except one, joined the club on the new premises. “How the club will function when the premises is locked," he questioned?

Ludhiana, October 11
Budding shuttlers from the city, Lakshaya Sharma and Arnam Jain gave a stunning performance in the Open Punjab State Sub-Junior Badminton Tournament held at Mukandpur in Nawanshahr district, recently.

After making waves in the sports arena during the Ludhiana District Badminton Championship about a month back where Lakshaya pocketed four medals including top honours in the singles as well as doubles categories in the under-10 category besides securing second position in the doubles (U-13) and finishing at third spot in the singles was again at centre of action in the state meet.

In the championship, Lakshaya (8), a student of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, clinched title in the singles and doubles also. In the singles final, Lakshaya got the better of his senior Gaurv Preet of Amritsar in straight sets. He sweat it out in the first set to tame his rival 21-16 but faced a little resistance in the next one to win it 21-12 that also fetched him the title.

Later, in the doubles final, Lakshaya teamed up with Arnam Jain, student of Sat Paul Mittal School, Dugri, Ludhiana, to beat the pair of Jasmehar Virdi and Chirag Sharma, also from Ludhiana.

They won the first set by a whisker 21-19. However, the pair went down in the second set 17-21. In the third and final set, Lakshaya and Arnam survived a scare before wrapping it up 22-20 to etch their names on winner's trophy.

Mangat Rai Sharma, who imparts training to this duo, appreciated these young players and expressed hope that they would represent the Nation one day.

"Lakshaya has great in-born qualities such as variation in strokes, extra-ordinary speed, unbelievable confidence and foot work that help him to keep even his seniors at bay," said the coach.

One day, I would win gold medal in Olympics and also defeat world no 1, Lee Chong Wei of Malayasia, dreams Lakshaya, added Lakshya.

Ludhiana, October 11
The swimmers from Ludhiana made the city proud by winning maximum medals in Punjab Women Games recently concluded at Bathinda. They won 9 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 2 bronze medals.

Ironically, the sports departments do not have any swimming pool in the city. The municipal corporation has one pool which is in a pathetic condition. Not only this, sports department do not have any swimming coach for male swimmers. However, the department has a permanent coach for women swimmers but the trainees under sports department do not have any significant achievement. The Municipal Corporation initiated to construct an all weather swimming pool several years ago but failed to complete it.

Most of the swimmers, who made new records or brought laurel to the city, are trainees of a private pool at Ayali village.

Vishaka Singh, coach, said," the authorities failed to provide any infrastructure for swimming in the city. Earlier the MC, had a good infrastructure but they failed to update it with time. The city has produced a number of good swimmers in past. The youth in city is very talented but we need to make proper infrastructure to achieve more."