Halwara, November 20
As the eyes searched the skyline, the sonic boom of fighter jets shook every single nerve.

Spectacular aerobatics of Su-30MKI aircraft held President Pranab Mukherjee and audience in awe during an air show at the Air Force Station, Halwara.

The flypast commenced with three Mi-17 IV helicopters in a victory formation with the lead aircraft carrying the national flag and the other two aircraft carrying the Indian Air Force flag.

The President, who was here to present Standards to the IAF's Frontline Fighter Squadrons — 220 Squadron and 32 Squadron — was seen applauding the breathtaking maneuvers of fighter jets.

The fly-past of three Mi-17 helicopters greeted the President.

The fly-past commenced with three Mi-17 helicopters in a victory formation with the lead aircraft carrying the national flag and the other two aircraft carrying the IAF flag.

The setting was apt to set the ball rolling for an impeccable air show. Three Sukhoi 30 MKI and Bison aircrafts ripped through the air at over 800 km per hour in a victory formation, sweeping the audience off its feet.

Then three Su-30MKI aircraft paid tribute by forming a Trishul in the sky over the parade ground as the uniformed personnel saluted the President's Standards being marched out of the parade.

The fly-past was followed by an impressive display of low-level aerobatics by a single Su-30MKI aircraft. Just like the flypast, the Air Warrior Drill team mesmerised the audience by its precise and coordinated drill movements.

Ludhiana, November 20
Quite often, the Industrial hub remains abuzz with activities with VIPs and VVIPs visiting the city, but it was an "extra-cautious" day for the government machinery here as the President of the country, Pranab Mukherjee, was to present flags to two Squadrons at the Halwara Air Force Station here today. The President was to arrive at the Halwara Air Force Station at 10:30 am.

Higher officials of the district administration have been on their toes for the past several days looking into the arrangements being made for the President’s visit. The top officials from Ludhiana and Jagraon had already visited the station twice, to see that all the arrangements were foolproof.

Meanwhile, visitors to the Mini Secretariat had to suffer, as both the SDMs (East and West) were on duty for the President's visit. Jagroop Singh, a visitor, said that had he known that he would not be able to meet the SDM concerned, he wouldn't have taken a half-day leave from his office to get his file cleared. "Now I will come tomorrow again to get my work done", said Jagroop Singh.

The visitors to the Sub Registrar (East)’s office were the worst sufferers as a majority of the staff had left for their respective duties early in the morning.

The President was to come at Halwara and was to return to Delhi from there itself. The necessary arrangements for the teams of officials accompanying the President were made and they were minutely observed by the top officials of the district administration. Apneet Riat ,SDM, Jagraon, and Ajay Sood, SDM (East), were on duty at the Halwara Air Base Station while KS.Mahi, SDM (West), was to look after the stay of the VIPs in Ludhiana (if anyone was to stay). One of the officials, on condition of anonymity said that it was a very important visit and the team led by Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal was personally monitoring everything, keeping in mind the safety and security of the VVIPs. The official further added that at the PAU Grounds, too, helipad was made for the emergency landing of the President and good number of policemen and Black Commandoes were deployed on the PAU campus. 

Ludhiana, November 20
The ‘lackadaisical’ attitude of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) authorities towards the Right to Information (RTI) Act is well known.

After having been rapped on the knuckles by the State Information Commission, Punjab, for violation of statutory provisions of the Act, the LIT has now earned the wrath of the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — the Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies — for delay in supplying information to the applicants.

In an official memo to the Director, Local Government, Punjab, the FAA has pointed out that the Public Information Officer-cum-Executive Officer of the LIT was not supplying information to applicants under the RTI Act within the stipulated period of 30 days. As a result, the office of the FAA was flooded with appeals.

The Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, has noted that the LIT authorities had failed to comply with the provisions of the RTI Act even after repeated written reminders.

Disposing of the first appeals filed by city-based RTI activist Arvind Sharma, the FAA has called for appropriate disciplinary action against the officials concerned of the Trust for their failure to provide information within the stipulated time period about no objection certificates of 132 booths in the Truck Stand scheme and illegal change of land use in shop-cum-flats in the Rishi Nagar and Rajguru Nagar schemes of the LIT.

"The LIT authorities not only failed to provide information to the applicants within 30 days, which is a statutory requirement under the RTI Act, but repeated notices sent to the PIO of the Trust by the FAA to comply with the directions also failed to evoke any response which speaks volumes about the indifference of the LIT officials towards the provisions of RTI Act," the Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies observed in the memo. 

Ludhiana, November 20
A team of the Health Department collected 15 samples of eatables from the Air Force Station, Halwara, today where the President of India, Pranav Mukherjee, had refreshment on the occasion of presenting standards to the Indian Air Force frontline fighter squadron 220, Squadron 32.

District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar said, "We collected as many as 15 samples of eatables. These include samples of snacks like different types of cookies, tarts, tea, coffee, sandwitch, brownies (chocolate cake), water etc".

Sources said that the President had snacks . The team which collected the samples included Food Safety Officer Harpreet Kaur, Manoj Khosla and District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar. 

Ludhiana, November 20
Volunteers of National Service Scheme of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, supported the Cycle Rally 2013 based on the theme of ‘Building India Safe for Women’.

The rally started on November 9 from Srinagar and will conclude on November 25 at New Delhi. It has been organised by Jamia Millia Islamia University and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (NSS), New Delhi, and was sponsored by ONGC Videsh, ONGC, Steel Authority of India Limited, media partner- Take News, which covers 1,121 km passing through the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh (UT), Haryana and Delhi. GADVASU acted as participating members of the rally.

Dr Syed Shabih Hassan, NSS programme coordinator, and more than 75 volunteers of GADVASU NSS units welcomed the rally.

Dr SS Hassan stressed on the need to work for the safety, security of women in general so that increasing number of rapes, molestation and atrocities can be eliminated and India becomes a safe heaven especially for the women as well as men.

Dr Hassan also highlighted the work done by NSS volunteers of GADVASU on various social issues, community welfare, plantation, blood donation, health care and environment preservation activities.

Dr Abid Zaidi, assistant director, revealed about the response of public related to awareness message on women related problems from Srinagar to Ludhiana.

The chief guest of the interaction session Tara Singh Sandhu, deputy controller, interacted with the organising members and participants of the cycle rally. Sandhu also addresssed volunteers about women`s safety and security.

Khamano, November 20
The whole country has been divided into seven zones in order to impart training and to acquaint the members with the collection of iron for the Statue of Unity. This was stated by Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal, National Secretary, BJP Kisan Morcha.

Talking to the media persons here today, he said a workshop in each region would be held from November 24 onwards by our national coordinator of Iron Collection Committee Om Prakash Dhankar. He said all members of the state committees and district co-coordinators’ would participate in these workshops. Grewal said the meeting of the Southern region consisting of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshwadeep, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be held at Hyderabad on November 24 from morning till evening.

Grewal said the workshop regarding Western region, including Maharashtra, Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadar Nagar Haweli and Gujarat would be organised at Mumbai on November 26.

He said similarly, the workshop pertaining to North-East region i.e. Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam would be held at Guwahati on November 28.

He said the Eastern region workshop consisting of Sikkim, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar would be held at Patna on November 30. Grewal said the regional workshop of Northern region i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana states would be held at Chandigarh on December 9.

He said the workshop in respect of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand would be held at Lucknow on December 10. Grewal further added that the similar workshop in respect of election bound states would be held after the results were declared on December 13.

Grewal said the resource persons from Gujarat and senior ministers as well as the members of central committee would participate in these workshops to pertain training. — OC

Bija, November 20
At least seven branches of the State Bank of India, including Khanna, Samrala, Machhiwara, Sahnewal, Dehlon, Katani Kalan and Ladowal, falling under non­BPR region of Ludhiana organised a credit-cum-recovery camp at Daudpur village near here today.

PK Malhotra, Deputy Managing Director (National Banking Group) and Lingaraj Mahapatra, Chief general manager, Chandigarh Circle, chaired the function and handed over approval letters worth Rs 3.95 crore to 148 beneficiaries.

In a rare gesture shown by the organisation the organisers felicitated prompt paying borrowers and exhorted upon others to follow the suit so as to avail benefits of interest curtailment.

While speaking on the occasion Malhotra expressed bank's concern and commitment for expeditious credit delivery for a wide range of activities at the most competitive rates.

He impressed upon the villagers to approach the SBI branches for opening of accounts as also for their credit requirements, if any. Recalling his old association with the region, he appreciated the progress made by the region with hard work and dedication.

Mahapatra also emphasised on the bank’s commitment of providing prompt delivery of its products by all the branches.

He acknowledged the hard work and competitive spirit of people of the state which has resulted into the upliftment of economic conditions not only of the state but other parts of the nation and abroad.

Ludhiana, November 20
To avoid last minute rush, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated 29 bank branches, including public and private banks, to collect income tax payment in advance.

State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Allahabad Bank, Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Bank of Baroda are among the banks that have been designated to collect advances from tax payers.

Among others are Andhra Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab and Sindh Bank, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, United Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Patiala.

RBI has appealed to income tax payers to remit their income tax dues sufficiently in advance of the due date, which is March 31. These will obviate the inconvenience involved in standing in long queues at the Reserve Bank offices.

“Pay IT dues in advance at RBI or at authorised bank branches. It is observed that the rush for remitting income tax dues through the RBI has been far too heavy towards the end of March every year and it becomes difficult for the RBI to cope up with the pressure of issuing receipts although additional counters to the maximum extent possible are provided for the purpose,” RBI said in a circular issued.

Jagraon, November 20
To make the masses aware about the causes of cancer, Jagraon-based NGO ‘Roko Cancer Society’ conducted a cancer check-up and awareness camp at Over Seven Seas marriage palace near Jagraon today.

BJP MLA from Amritsar (East) and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Health and Family Welfare Punjab Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu visited as the chief guest and inaugurated the camp. More than 1000 people were examined by a team of expert doctors during the camp. An awareness camp was also organised during which the health experts informed the people about the main causes which are responsible for cancer.

While addressing the gathering during the occasion, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu appreciated the efforts made by NGOs in health sector. She also called upon the NRIs to come forward and join hands with non-governmental or governmental organisations to promote health and eradicate diseases from Punjab.

Terming the consumption of tobacco products and alcohol as the main reason behind various kinds of cancers, she urged the people to not consume tobacco products and stay away from drugs to live a healthy life.

Criticising the poorer quality of health services being offered by the public health sector, Dr Sidhu said it is unfortunate that the common people are not receiving quality health services at government hospitals. The BJP MLA did not even spare the public sector doctors saying that there was lack of dedication among the public sector doctors. “During my tenure as Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, I have observed that the common people are not being treated properly by the doctors at the government hospitals,” said Dr Sidhu.

Asked about the surprise visits conducted by her in the government hospitals to check the public health service, the CPS said she is just performing her duty.

The BJP MLA also warned the government doctors to perform their duties with dedication and honestly or face action. “There are still several government doctors who prefer to treat patients visiting them privately to earn some quick bucks. But if any doctor is found neglecting his duty, a strict action would be taken against that doctor,” said Dr Sidhu.

Ludhiana, November 20
In a relief to educational institutions, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has exempted them from paying service tax.

The board clarified that no service tax would be charged on services provided to the educational institutions.

Notably, the educational institutions have been relieved from paying service tax on the services availed by them which provide assistance in running the institutions. These services are termed as auxiliary educational services, which mean any services which provide supplementary or additional help and support.

These include canteen and security services, which provide additional help to the educational institutes to concentrate on their core area of education.

“The decision will allow educational institutions to save funds which may be used for the betterment of educational services. Everything charged by us and facilities provided by us are ultimately paid by the parents. So, this is a welcome step as it will not add to the burden on parents," said Paramjit Kaur, principal, BCM Senior Secondary School. 

Ludhiana, November 20
The state government will hold yet another Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) for the candidates on December 28 in Punjab and the online registration by the candidates started today.

The online registration will be on till the first week of December. But terming it to be a "mere-eyewash", the TET-passed teachers said that it was another attempt made by the state government to collect money, while no outcome was expected from it.

Miffed over the state government's decision to hold yet another test for teachers, Deep Raja, the district president of TET Passed Unemployed Teachers' Union, said that there was no fun taking the tests under the Right to Education Act when about 40,000 posts were lying vacant in the government schools of Punjab.

"It will be the third batch of TET. The test is given by lakhs of candidates and not more than 5 per cent clear the tough test. Still, after clearing the test, the candidates are unemployed in Punjab. Thanks to the lackadaisical approach adopted by the state government that on one side, the unemployment is being increased while on the other side, the future of students is bleak in the absence of teachers in the government schools", rued Deep Raja adding that the government was minting money under the garb of conducting the test, as no recruitments were made despite of vacancies in schools.

From the first batch of candidates, who cleared the test, about 7,000 teachers are still looking for jobs and from the second batch, about 9,000 candidates are unemployed. The TET unemployed teachers have been saying that they be employed, especially when assurances have already been given by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka in the past.

Ludhina, November 19
Today, 19 more patients tested positive for dengue from different hospitals of the city.

As many as 13 patients are from Ludhiana, eight from the city, five from the rural area, while six cases belong to other districts. Two patients are from Jalandhar, one each from Kapurthala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala. Under the directions of Civil Surgeon Dr Subhash Batta and under the supervision of District Epidemiologist Dr Anil Verma, a team comprising Bhag Singh, Amarjit Singh, Raghubir Singh, Manpreet Singh, Muni Ram and Krishan Dev along with anti-larva teams visited the Grain Market, Arora Palace, Ashok Nagar Salim Tabri, Jalandhart Bypass, and held 10 group meetings. A total of 39 coolers and 117 containers and 120 tyres were checked and no larva was found. Health education was imparted on Dengue. — TNS

PhD student awarded

A PhD student (Soil Science) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Naveen Gupta, has been conferred with the ‘International Plant Nutrition Scholar Award 2013’ for his excellence in academics, co-curricular activities and international relevance of PhD research. The award, carrying a cash prize of US $ 2,000 and a Certificate of Excellence, was presented to N Gupta during the regional workshop on ‘Precision Agriculture’, jointly organised by the PAU and International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), Norcross, USA, on the university campus. Naveen Gupta is one of the four recipients of this award in South Asia.

The chief guest, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, PAU Vice-Chancellor; Dr BS Sidhu, agriculture commissioner, Government of Punjab; Dr SS Gosal, director of research, PAU; Dr Steven B Phillips, director, IPNI, Southeast region, USA; Dr Kaushik Majumdar, South Asia programme director, IPNI; Dr ML Jat, senior scientist, CIMMYT and Dr HS Sidhu, research engineer, BISA, bestowed the award on the university student. As a part of the collaborative project, N Gupta is presently pursuing his PhD in Soil Science under the guidance of Dr SS Kukal, professor of Soil Conservation, PAU. He has earlier worked as research associate at PAU and Assistant Project scientist with IPNI. Dr US Sadana, Head, Department of Soil Science, lauded Gupta for this achievement and said that he had done excellent work in the field of soil and water conservation during his MSc at PAU.

Appointed

The Board of Management of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), during its meeting held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, at the university campus office, Mohali, made new appointments to various key posts. Giving information, Dr PK Khanna, PAU registrar, said Dr Jasvinder K Sangha has been appointed as Dean, College of Home Science; Dr RS Sidhu as Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities; Dr PS Aulakh as Additional Director of Research (Horticulture); Dr RK Gumber as Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement) and Dr Pankaj Rathore as Director, Regional Research Station, Faridkot. He informed that Dr Sidhu had served earlier also as Dean of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities. All the appointees have joined their respective posts, he said. Dr Sangha has been actively engaged in teaching, research and extension in the discipline of Food and Nutrition for the past 33 years. She has taught undergraduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG) courses; and contributed towards restructuring of UG and PG course curricula, and the strengthening and quality of research. Dr Aulakh has extensively worked on the development of improved cultivars, rootstocks, propagation of horticultural techniques, post-harvest handling of various fruits and development of technology for rain-fed horticulture in Punjab. Based on research work done under different agro-climatic zones of Punjab, he has made 31 recommendations for cultivation of fruits. Possessing a vast experience of about 27 years in agricultural research, extension and teaching, Dr Gumber has been instrumental in the development and release of 20 different crop varieties like ML 613 and PBM 1 of mungbean; AL 201 and PPH 4 of arhar, etc. Dr Rathore has made significant contributions to the development and release/identification of five crop varieties, including F 1378, F 1861 and LH 2076, and F 2164 and LH 2108 at national level; one hybrid FHH 141 of American cotton; one variety FDK 124 and three hybrids PAU 626H, and FMDH 8 and FMDH 9 of desi cotton; and two varieties of chickpea L 552 and L 556 at national level. — TNS

Literacy campaign

NCC cadets pledge to eradicate corruption

Three Girls Punjab Battalion NCC Cadets of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir (USN) celebrated the NCC day enthusiastically by making posters on the theme of curbing corruption from the contemporary society under the guidance of the school ANO, Geeta Mishra. The students pledged to stand against all evils and to construct a healthy environment in the society for the coming generations. The principal Bandana Sethi appreciated the efforts of the students and motivated them to enroll other students also for the same.

Annual sports fest

It was an eventful day during the Annual Sports Festival of Manav Vidya Mandir. Wing Commander SS Kaila (IAF) was escorted by principal Preetam Singh and faculty members. He interacted with the students and cadets in an inspiring attitude. Kaila showed much interest in the exhibits of cadets and scouts. He witnessed physical endurance exercises and recreational activities and cheered the students for their sense of co-ordination. In his address to students, he exhorted them to take care of their health, to be devoted to their studies and to develop an attitude of smiling.

Educational trip

An educational visit to PAU Museum was organised for the Heritage Club students of Classes VI to VIII of Guru Nanak International Public School, Model Town, on Wednesday to create awareness about the cultural heritage among the students. A group of 56 students and 2 teachers visited the museum. The students were shown the glimpses of the cultural heritage of Punjab such as musical instruments, traditional handicrafts, coins, old utensils, etc which enhanced their knowledge. On the whole it was an informative and educative trip.

Also, Government Senior Secondary School, Hassanpur, too organised an educational trip to Verka Milk Plant and PAU Museum on Wednesday. The students of Classes VI-VIII visited the places. The students were accompanied by principal Jaspreet Mohan Singh and other staff members. The students got to know about the process of pasteurisation of milk. They also saw the process of packing of milk, curd, kheer, etc. They also visited the PAU museum and saw things such as terracotta toys, coins, agricultural tools, etc.

Painting competition

Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) organised Sahodaya School’s Painting Competition and Sanil Khanna Yadgar Kala Pratiyogita in which around 300 students from different schools of the city participated. As many as 40 teams participated in the Sahodaya School’s Painting Competition and 12 teams in the Sanil Khanna Yadgar Kala Pratiyogita in various categories. The competitions were successful in bringing out the latent talent of the students. It was widely appreciated by one and all. The judges had a tough time preparing the result. Dr Lajpat Rai, the chairman of the school managing committee, and principal Navita Puri gave away the prizes to the winners of the painting competition. Parents of Sanil Khanna, an ex-Kundanite, whose life was cut short by a tragic accident in 2010, gave away prizes to the winners of the Sanil Khanna Yadgar Kala Pratiyogita.

Awarded

Ryan International Group of Institutions added another feather in the cap when 13 of its schools, bagged the prestigious International School Award, a Global Collaborative Learning Competition Organised by British Council recently. Ryan School, Ludhiana, was one amongst them. The school initiated the projects through collaborating with schools from the US, London, Nepal and Canada. The students enthusiastically conducted projects on topics related to environment.

Workshop

Under DAV College Managing Committee, DRV DAV Centenary Public School, Phillaur, hosted a two-day training workshop for Pre-Primary and Early Primary Teachers. Inder Mani Jain from DAV CAE and Manmeet Sharma from Kulachi Hans Raj Model School, Delhi, were the resource persons. The teachers of the host school, DAV Bilga, and DAV Atta, Goraya, attended the workshop to learn the innovative techniques and methodologies to make education stress free.

Cycles distributed

Under Mai Bhago Scheme, about 1,237 cycles were distributed to the girl students at Shaheed-e-Azam Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Girls Senior Secondary School, on Wednesday by the speaker, Punjab, Charanjit Singh Atwal. He said the state government was taking various steps for women empowerment. By providing cycles, it would be easier for the girl students to reach their respective schools. Besides, by getting higher education, they will become self-reliant, which was the need of the hour. Atwal also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the school on the occasion. — TNS

Development works

Daljit Singh Grewal (Bhola), councillor of ward no. 8 falling in the Ludhiana East Assembly segment inaugurated the work for carpeting of roads in the area at a cost of Rs 24 lakh on Wednesday. He said very soon work would also be taken up for carpeting of other major roads in the ward and laying main pipes for sewerage and water supply.

Business seminar

A workshop-cum-seminar was organised by business organisation Action Tesa on Wednesday. During the workshop, dealers were given information regarding the products. Parveen Kumar from the company’s side told the dealers about the products which include particle board and other value added products. “These products help people to decorate their homes and furniture industry will also get new innovative products,” he said.

Meeting

A meeting of United Cycle and Parts Association members was held in Ludhiana on Wednesday under the presidentship of Charnajit Singh Vishivkarma. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that since the property tax has become a law and it is mandatory so, UCPMA has decided to facilitate its members with the cooperation of administration to hold a property tax Assessment camp at its registered office at Gill Road. This will benefit the members in terms of assessing and depositing the property tax at same place saving their precious time.

Music competition

Ludhiana November 20
The city police have arrested two persons and recovered 20 gram of heroin from their possession yesterday.

The accused have been identified as Kulwinder Singh, a resident of Burj Littan, and Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Barmi Raikot village of Ludhiana District.

Police officials said that both the accused were nabbed by a team of police from the Ladhowal police station, when duo was making small packets of heroin in their car on Tuesday evening. Investigation officer Rajinder Singh informed that a police team was on patrolling in the Hambran area last evening. The policemen got a tip off and they raided the spot and found that both were preparing small packets of heroin in their parked car near Hambran village. The police recovered 20 gram of heroin from their possession. The police has also impounded the car of the accused. The police officials said that the recovered heroin was of Rs 10 lakh in the international market.

The police said that the accused were involved in drug business. At the time of arrest, the accused were on their way to sell the heroin to their customers. They used to buy the heroin at cheaper rates and sell it to their customers in villages on high rates.

The Ladhowal police has registered a case against the accused under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. “We are investigating the case and trying to find out about the network.

Ludhiana
Miscreants decamp with furniture, cash
Some miscreants stuck at a furniture shop near Shingar Cinema and decamped with furniture worth Rs 20,000 and cash Rs 1,200 on the intervening night of November 18 and 19.

In his complaint, shop owner Subash Chander stated that he closed his shop at 8.30 pm on Monday. When he came the next morning, he found the locks of the shutter were broken and the furniture was missing. The miscreant also broke the cash box. The complainant said that the thieves also targeted some other shops in the market the same night. A case against unidentified persons has been registered at the Division No 3 police station.

Attempt to murder case registered

The city police have registered an attempt to murder case against vegetable vendors for attacking a tehbazaari team of the municipal corporation yesterday.In his complaint, Surinderpal Singh, Superintendent of tehbazaari wing Zone B stated that when the team led by Davinder Singh, Additional Commissioner, went to remove the illegal vegetable market established opposite Aarti steel in the Focal Point area then the vegetable vendors attacked them. Surinderpal Singh stated that the vegetable sellers pelted stones on them. In the attack, driver of an eartmoving machine suffered injuries and was admitted to a hospital. The Focal Point Police has registered a case against the accused persons. 

Ludhiana, November 20
Taking a stern note of varied offences, including criminal conspiracy with respect to norms of parking along side Ferozepur Road and other areas of the city, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has threatened to initiate prosecution proceedings against senior functionaries of the district administration, police and the municipal corporation.

Placing on record the report submitted by the local commissioners who visited the parking sites in the city on the directions of the court, the double bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Surinder Gupta came down heavily upon the civic and police authorities for brazen violation of directions issued regarding parking facilities in CWP No 18139 (Dr Balbir Singh versus State of Punjab).

The orders passed by the HC on November 8 say: “The report submitted by the local commissioner clearly unveils the collusion, connivance and inaction of the local police authorities, traffic police and the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. As a result, there is complete mismanagement of service lanes, parking places and smooth flow of traffic.

The silent victims of this melee are the residents of nearby localities as the entire illegal parking is being made behind the commercial establishments and in front of their residential houses. The report further reveals that contractors of parking lots are violating the conditions imposed by the court which can not happen without the connivance of the MC officials."

The judges further observed that the directions issued by the HC from time to time are being flouted with impunity.

“It appears that except for initiating prosecution proceedings against senior district, police and MC officials, there is no other regulatory measure left with this court. However, before passing any such order of prosecution under the direct supervision of this court, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Additional Commission of Traffic Police and Commissioner of Municipal Corporation are directed to show cause their response to the report submitted by the local commissioners,” the order reads.

Posting the case to come up for next hearing on December 4, 2013, the judges issued the orders that the local commissioners would make one more visit before the next date of hearing again in-cognito and submit their supplementary report. 

Ludhiana, November 20
A national-level lok adalat will be held at the District Courts Complex on November 23 for resolving the disputes of litigants through amicable settlement.

Divulging the details, the District and Sessions Judge-cum-chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), GS Matharoo, said around 60 benches had been constituted to hear the litigants.

Each bench would be headed by a judge and assisted by two members from legal fraternity and social workers.

Matharoo said the lok adalat would help in providing speedy justice to the people and reducing the pending number of cases.

He said the authority had made best efforts to create awareness amongst the masses through various channels, including government agencies as well as para-legal volunteers.

He further apprised that any aggrieved party could approach the District Legal Services Authority or the court concerned for listing their case before the lok adalat for amicable settlement.

The dispute stands settled finally and no party can file appeal against the order of the lok adalat, said the judge.

He apprised that the legal services authority was providing free legal assistance to the needy people through its panel of lawyers as well as front office manned by retained lawyers at district court complex.

Khanna November 20
The NRI United Sports Club, Khanna, will organise a village sports tournament at Mahaun village from November 25 to 27 on the village ground.

Stating this, Mohan Singh Dhillon, the president of the club, said that the tournament would be held under the leadership of NRI Surjit Singh Grewal and Jaswant Singh Pappi Gill, in which events like kabaddi, dog races, playing cards and girls kabaddi will be held. 

Ludhiana November 20
Budding swimmer Sahib Singh Sidhu has brought laurels to the city by winning two medals in the National Swimming Championship. Participating in the under -14 (boys) category, Sahib has won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle event and one silver medal in 50m freestyle event during the CBSE National Swimming Championship at Sonepat.

Proving his mettle, Sahib completed the 100m freestyle event by clocking his best timing of 1min ute and 1second and 50m freestyle event in 28 seconds.

Earlier, Sahib Singh had won four gold medals in the Punjab State School Games held at Ropar in the U-14 age group. Sahib was declared Punjab's best swimmer in U-14 age group at the Punjab State School Games.Sahib is studying in class VIII at DPS School and practices under the guidance of swimming coach Viasakha Singh at a private swimming pool at Iyali village. Viasakha Singh said that he was still a beginner in the sport but was performing well. "Sahib has the potential, so we are preparing him physically as well as mentally so that he performs better. In the school games he has performed well?

On his achievement Sahib said, “I am happy that I performed well in the school nationals. I will practice more to improve my timing.”

Ludhiana, November 20
A strokeful innings of 72 runs by Deepin Chitkara and an equally useful contribution with the ball by Anmol Sharma and Parul Mehndiratta, who chipped in with three wickets each, enabled Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM), Civil Lines, to trounce MGM Public School, Dugri, by a huge margin of 134 runs and storm into the semifinals of the Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex Cricket Tournament being organised at Green Land Convent School Stadium, GT Road, Manj Phagowal, on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar road here today.

KVM's decision to bat first after winning the toss, turned out to be a wise one as they hoisted a big score of 179 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

The main architect of their innings was Deepin Chitkara, who took the opposition bowlers to task. He exhibited a magnificent batting display, playing the shots all over the ground and contributed 72 runs. Other run getters were Parul Mehndiratta (26), Hartejasaw Kapoor (23) and Manan Jain (20).

For MGM Public School, Gurpreet Singh, Akash and Ganga shared the wickets among themselves, scalping one victim each after giving away 35, 27 and 32 runs, respectively.

Chasing a daunting task, MGM Public School failed to cope up with the burden of mammoth score and wilted under pressure as their innings culminated in just 11 overs with 45 runs on the board.

Amit top scored with 19 runs, followed by Aayush and Sachin who made 5 and 4 runs, respectively.

For KVM, Parul Mehndiratta and Anmol Sharma shared the bowling honours. Parul grabbed three wickets for five runs while Anmol claimed three for eight runs. Viabhav Kalra, Raghav Sharma and Jaskaran Singh took one wicket each that helped their side to contain MGM Public School to a paltry total of 45 runs.