Ludhiana, November 30
In a relief to residents, the state government today extended the last date of property tax returns rebate of 10 per cent till December 10.

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had started its recovery drive of property tax on October 2. Since the tax is based on the self-assessment method, the residents can calculate the amount they will have to pay as property tax on their own.

Earlier, the MC had stated that residents who would have to file their property tax returns before November 30 and get a rebate of 10 per cent, but the date has now been extended to December 10.

“This evening, orders in this regard were received. In the past two months, as many as 23,000 residents have filed their property tax returns worth more than Rs 23 crore,” Rahul Tewari, MC Commissioner, said while speaking to The Tribune.

To avail the 10 per cent rebate, a large number of residents had thronged the MC offices. “The residents were keen on filing their property tax returns before November 30. But now, since the date has been extended, we hope that more residents will file their returns because everyone wants to avail the 10 per cent rebate,” informed an MC officer, who was dealing with the property tax.

For the easy payment of tax and complete information regarding property tax, one can also log on to www.mcludhiana.gov.in and get essential information. The residents can enquire about the tax and calculation through helpline number 97800-22410.

The residents, who will file their property tax returns before December 10, will get a rebate of 10 per cent and those who file their returns by December 31, will not be given any rebate. After December 31, they will have to pay tax with 25 per cent penalty and those who will not clear the tax amount by March 31, 2014, will be levied with 50 per cent penalty and 18 per cent interest.

Will have to pay penalty after Dec 31
Residents who will file their property tax returns before December 10, will get a rebate of 10 per cent and those who file their returns by December 31, will not be given any rebate. After December 31, they will have to pay tax with 25 per cent penalty and those who will not clear the tax amount by March 31, 2014, will be levied with 50 per cent penalty and 18 per cent interest.

Ludhiana, November 30
Despite all the efforts put in by the state government to revive the real estate business in Punjab, the collections in the Revenue Department have been affected due to the prolonged slump in the market. The lackadaisical approach adopted by tehsildars and naib tehsildars has added to the miseries of the department, as Rs 18 crore are still to be recovered by the department. The recoveries have been pending for the past four to five years.

If datas available with the Revenue Department are any indication, then from April to September 2013, the department was given a target to collect Rs 295 crore as stamp-duty collections, but due to the slump in the market, the department was able to achieve the target of just Rs 253 crore.

The District Revenue Officer, Mukesh Sharma, admitted that the department was about Rs 40 crore behind the target. He cited the overall slump in the market as the main reason behind the fall in revenue collection. On recoveries, Sharma said that the department was acting tough against officials and pressure was being built on them to make the recoveries as soon as possible. “We will be able to make the recoveries if the officials show some interest”, said Sharma.

Satbir Singh, a property dealer, said that there was no money in the market for new investments. “The real estate business had experienced a boom a few years ago, but now, the business was facing a slump. There are neither any buyers nor any purchasers.

The state government has not increased the collector rates in the last one-and-a -half year. Apart from that, nominal fees is being charged to regularise the illegal colonies, still this has not generated any interest among the general public to buy properties.

no buyers of properties
Satbir Singh, a property dealer, said that there was no money in the market for new investments. “The real estate business had experienced a boom a few years ago, but now, the business was facing a slump. There are neither any buyers nor any purchasers.

Ludhiana, November 30
In a jolt to Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has asked them to vacate their 32 acre of prime land located near Sidhwan Canal on Ferozepur Road by December 31.

The state government wants to develop a "downtown" on this chunk of land, where a theme park, shopping malls, multiplexes, luxury corporate apartments, besides other such things will be developed. The downtown project will be developed by a private company and the land will be auctioned by the state government.

The chunk of land is around 32 acre in size and PSPCL offices, including the office of Chief Engineer (Central), Ludhiana, and residences are located here along with the Anti-Power Theft police station. The PSPCL land is worth hundreds of crores.

The decision has left the PSPCL employees fuming as they have been asked to vacate their houses and find an alternative accommodation somewhere else on such a short notice. “We got the notices in November, in which we were told to vacate our houses by December 31. In such a short period, it is impossible for us to shift out,” rued a PSPCL employee.

After the idea was first mooted by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, GLADA conducted a survey in the city and found this particular land suitable for the project.

But now, the notices sent by GLADA to the PSPCL have left the staff worried. The notice, a copy of which is in possession of The Tribune, reads, “Kindly refer to the meeting held on the subject on September 13 and October 7 under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister, where it was decided that the project will be developed under 80:20 scheme of the Department of Housing and Development. The project site presently occupied for the office and residential purpose by the PSPCL should be handed over to GLADA by December 31 for further necessary action.”

Interestingly, the downtown will be developed on 100 acre of land, but the PSPCL is in possession of around 32 acre. On the first chunk of 10.82 acre are the PSPCL offices and 16 residences of group A employees. On the second chunk of 21.07 acre, there are 600 houses of Group B, C and D employees. The minutes of meeting chaired by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on September 13, a copy of which is with The Tribune, reads, “It was decided that the site would be handed over to GLADA for its commercial exploitation. The Chairman, PSPCL, was asked to handover the possession of this area to GLADA by December 31. The employees will be asked to shift into rented accommodations at the earliest. Similarly, office space will be hired to house the offices of the PSPCL.”

Offices to shift to vacant commercial complex
Sources in the PSPCL informed that the PSPCL offices will be shifted to a vacant commercial complex. The complex is located near Westend Mall on Ferozepur Road.

Officialspeak
Out of 600 houses meant for PSPCL employees, around 60 per cent are already vacant. The remaining can easily shift to rented accommodations before December 31. GLADA is looking for an office space for us and we can also shift there before the deadline.
— Rachhpal Singh,
Chief Engineer (Central), Ludhiana

We sent notices to the PSPCL on the basis of the decision taken during a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. Even the Chairman of the PSPCL was present at the meeting.
— Rakesh Kumar Verma,
Chief Administrator, GLADA

Ludhiana, November 30
In another incident of theft, thieves struck at a showroom of branded garments and decamped with woollen garments worth Rs 15 lakh in Old Court Chowk on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The incident happened in the Casabalanca showroom on the main road near the Old Court Chowk.

The owner of the shop, Roomil Sood, informed the police of Division No 4 about the incident this morning.

Sood said that he came to know about the incident when the employees of his showroom came in the morning and found the locks of the showroom broken.

“The employees at the shop informed me about the incident. When I went inside the shop, I found that it had been burgled. The thieves decamped with all the woollens and garments that were branded from the shop. I have suffered a loss of more than Rs15 lakh”, Sood said.

The police reached the spot and a case has been registered against the unidentified thieves. Bitten Kumar, Station House Officer, Division No 4 police station, informed that the police were investigating the case.

The police are also trying to get the footage of the CCTV cameras installed on the nearby building. It is not the first incident of theft in the area, as in the past one week, many shops have been burgled by unidentified thieves.

However, the city police have failed to make any headway into these incidents. The theft took place in the showroom, which is very close to the official residence of the Police Commissioner.

Ludhiana, November 30
Another dengue death was reported here yesterday. The patient was 38-year-old and was under treatment at DMCH.

He was a resident of Daad village. He was admitted to the hospital for the past four days. District Epidemiologist Dr Anil Verma said, "The case will be reviewed in the Dengue Death Monitoring Committee."

Meanwhile, three more cases of dengue have been confirmed at different city hospitals.

These include two from the city and one from rural area.

With this, the total number of cases in Ludhiana district has gone up to1003, 468 from other districts and 141 from others states.

Ludhiana, November 30
On the second day, students of Devki Devi Jain Memorial College again held a protest outside the college and demanded police action against the accused who allegedly raped a Class VII student.

More than 100 girl students gathered on the road outside the college and tried to hold a rally. Police officials pacified the girls, following which they changed their decision to hold the rally.

Meanwhile, some anonymous boys and girls of other colleges also joined the protest. The students raised slogans against the college management and the principal.

The girls leading the protest alleged that the principal and the management were suppressing their voice against the crime.

The police team led by Deepak Hilori, Assistant Commissioner of Police, promised the students that they would take necessary action in this case till Monday. Deepak Hilori said: “We have already registered a case and we are investigating the matter. We did not reach any conclusion. We will sort out the matter soon”.

Yesterday, the police had registered a case against an unidentified driver for rape and the principal for threatening students. The management of the college organised a press conference to express its version in the evening.

Sarita Behal, principal of Devki Devi Jain Girls College, said: “I did not threaten any girl. I had requested the girls to maintain discipline, which is the part of my duty. Now, the police have been investigating the case. We are cooperating with the police in the investigation. Someone might have been misleading the students”.

Mridha Abliash, principal, Atam Devki Nikaten, a school located on the college premises, said: “We have sacked a driver five days ago as he used to embezzle the diesel by jumping the meter of vehicles. Parents of one of the students of Class X also complained against him for his rude behaviour. But, we did not receive any complaint of any driver in the past four years regarding such issue. We don’t know how the 55-year-old driver became a part of the ‘rumours’”.

“The protesting college girls named a student of Class VII that she had been raped by the driver. But when we called the parents of the girl, they said nothing of the sort had happened. We don’t know who spread the rumours,” said Mridha.

Doraha, November 30
A Verka booth in Doraha has been allegedly selling off products past its expiry date, and that too at relatively higher prices.

A local customer complained that he purchased cheese, milk and ghee from the booth yesterday and found the products emanating foul smell. “Initially, I did not bother to look at the expiry date, but when I opened the packet of cheese, a foul smell emanated from it. Later, I found out that the cheese was supposed to be consumed by November 23. My kids were insisting on opening the packet and eating it, but luckily, my timely intervention saved them from food poisoning,” said the customer.

“The print rate on ghee was Rs 270, but I was charged Rs 280. As far as milk is concerned, the salesman was about to charge Rs 19 per packet, but I insisted that the print rate was Rs 18. So he had no other choice, but to relent on the print rate,” added the irked customer.

“It is sheer loot by the shopkeeper. Such a person must be taken to task,” said the customer.

Meanwhile, customers have, on earlier instances, complained of overcharging by other shopkeepers as well, both in Doraha and Sahnewal.

If, by chance, a customer tries to point out to the malpractice, the shopkeepers, instead of admitting their fault, say if the customer is not interested in buying it at the rate fixed by the shopkeeper, he is free to look for the item in some other shop, alleged a resident of the area.

Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Payal, Dr JP Singh said, “I will ask the doctor posted in Doraha to check the products by tomorrow itself. A surprise inspection will also be carried out at the earliest. A strict action will be taken against the booth owner, if found guilty.”

The defaulter will also be heavily penalised, said the Senior Medical Officer.

Khanna, November 30
The Congress workers led by MP Sukhdev Singh Libra and former minister Tej Parkash Singh Kotli staged a dharna at Samrala Chowk, against the murder of a chemist in Khanna.

The protesters demanded an immediate arrest of the killer.

Effigy of the state government was also burnt on the occasion. Several slogans were raised against the government for allegedly having failed to maintain the law and order in the state.

Speakers alleged that the state government is fully responsible for the sale of drugs in the state.

They further alleged that youths are falling prey to drugs at an alarming rate and drug addicts are more likely to commit crimes. “This is all due to the inaction by the state government. They must take preventive measure to face this menace,” alleged the protesters.

Notably, a chemist was shot dead by some unidentified person on November 26. The chemist was sitting in his shop. when the incident took place. The police administration is yet to nab the killers.

The protesters were also addressed by the Youth Congress leader, Munish Khanna, and Block Youth Congress president Dr Gurmukh Singh Chahal on the occasion.

Ludhiana, November 30
The genetically engineered crops are neither safe for health nor do they solve the problem of food security, instead they contribute to lower yields, increased use of herbicides/insecticides, unpredictable performance, poor economic returns, and a progressive monopoly on food by big corporations. They also encourage herbicide-tolerant weeds and pesticide-resistant super bugs, belying their purported goal of ‘feeding the world’. Major food corporations are actually the cause of world hunger at present. This was stated by internationally-renowned scientist Padma Shri Dr Suman Sahai, founder of the Gene campaign, while delivering a talk at a function organised by the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ), in coordination with Environment Society and Science Society, Government College for Girls, with the cooperation of Punjab State Council for Science

Sahai further warned that the GM crops could be an environmental disaster and pose as bio-terrorism. The scientist urged the government to reconsider its policy towards the GM food.

Agriculture Development Officer Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh said organic farming was the only answer for a healthy food. The yield may be low initially, but after two to three years the results are ought to yield good results. Reckless uses of insecticides and pesticides have added to the health problems. The general secretary of BJGVJ, Dr Arun Mitra, said, “In some of the western countries, the GM foods are separately labelled and grown. But in indigenous conditions it would be impossible to do it. Therefore they have to be shunned.”

The principal of the college, Gurminder Kaur, said, “Such events apprise students of newer issues.”

Ludhiana, November 30
On the guidelines of the Central government, the state government has initiated the process of e-governance, under which government officers of different departments are being trained.

With the commencement of this facility, significant documents such as license, birth and death certificates, revenue-related papers will be available online as per the requirement of the general public..

To train the officers, recently a workshop on ‘Capacity building and E-governance’ was organised by the National Institute for Smart Government at Chandigarh.

Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director Health and Family Welfare, said, “The aim behind this step is to improve government services and deliver results with transparent system of functioning.”

Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta said, “Officers of different departments including transport, health and revenue are being enlightened about it.”

No one will have to run from pillar to post for collecting the documents as all the government departments will provide information online itself, said the Cicil Surgeon, Ludhiana.

The sensitisation workshop was attended by Civil Surgeons of district Tarantaran, Gurdaspur, Moga, Barnala.

Dr Ashok Nayyar said, “In next phase, the training will be imparted to officers of other districts as well, who will then disseminate the knowledge further to the whole staff. In next six months it will be functional and with this, there will be no delay in getting to know the status of an individual’s documents.”

“As far as the departmental fee is concerned, it will be deposited online through RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) -online banking transaction,”said the director of the Health and Family Welfare, Dr Ashok Nayyar.

Ludhiana, November 30
The striking Non-Teaching Employees working under Sarva Shikhsa Abhiyaan (SSA) / Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan (RMSA), who have been served notices by the education department to join back their duties within a time span of three days, are in no mood to adhere to the instructions given by the department.

Employees said their protest will continue and they will move places, especially where Kabaddi World Cup was being organised, and distribute pamphlets to the masses to apprise them of the alleged poor treatment being given to them.

The general secretary of the union, Ashish Kumar, alleged leaders were playing dirty politics with employees. On one hand, messages are being sent through the officials that the employees must stop marking their daily attendance in registers, while on other hand they are using this against us. “Now, the minister says that since we have not marked the attendance, we should be terminated. But we are not going to bow to their tactics,” said Kumar.

Employees on protest are demanding to regularise them on priority. Besides, they have demanded that there should be no disparity in salaries and that they should be given revised pay scales equal to counterparts.

Ludhiana, November 30
Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, bagged top five positions in examination held for post graduate diploma in fashion design in Panjab University.

Gazal Dewan is the topper in the university. Dewan secured 91.1 per cent in the course. Satinder stood fifth in the university with 88.1 per cent. Sonal Puri secured 87.1 per cent and secured sixth position, followed by Radhika who bagged 86.8 per cent. Radhika stood seventh in the university. Uma Gupta with 85.8 per cent notched ninth position. — TNS

Ludhiana, November 30
After serving the Health Department as the director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Dr Ashok Nayyar retired today.

He said: “I will be settling down in Amritsar and after that, I will be taking a call on my future plans. Of course, I will serve the humanity and society with my best ability”.

Dr Nayyar had earlier applied for an extension in his services. He said: “I withdrew my application for the extension due to family circumstances”. Dr Nayyar had visited Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital several times and suggested many positive changes to the staff and officers. Following his visit, the hospital also witnessed some positive changes in routine functioning. — TNS

Ludhiana, November 30
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Ludhiana, conducted a CME on “Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Practice” here today in the Guy Constable Auditorium, CMCH.

The meeting of the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of Northern India was held under the guidance of Professor and Head Dr Sunita Goyal and support from the director of the institution, Dr Abraham G. Thomas.

A wide array of issues in obstetrics and gynaecology were discussed. The CME was attended by nearly 100 local practitioners as well as medical fraternity from the nearby medical colleges. The gathering was addressed by chief guest Dr Kim J Mammen who congratulated the department for organising the conference. The occasion was also graced by Dr Arun Mitra, member of the Punjab Medical Council.

The conference covered debatable issues in obstetrics ranging from “1st trimester ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound and near miss maternal mortality”.

Burning issues in gynaecology providing an insight into “infertility, adhesions prevention and genital tuberculosis” were covered. Eminent speakers from all over the North India deliberated on the same.

Samrala, November 30
A person was killed, while another was injured in a road accident near Malwa College, Samrala, on the Ludhiana- Chandigarh road.

According to information, a canter, travelling towards Samrala, collided head on with a Polo car, which was coming from the opposite side. The canter, after the collision, hit a car, which was decorated with flowers, and in the mean time, another Swift car collided with the collided vehicles. The driver of the Polo car, Pawittar Singh Pappi (42), a resident of Hedon village, died on the spot, while his co-passenger Jasvir Singh, a resident of Todarpur village, was injured. The injured was rushed to Civil Hospital, Samrala, where he is presently undergoing a treatment.

The occupants of the Polo car were returning after attending a marriage at Samrala. A case has been registered in this regard at the Samrala police station.

Ludhiana, November 30
Harveer Singh was adjudged the best athlete among boys U-14, while Ramaninder Kaur and Diljot Kaur shared this honour in the girls U-14 section in the 37th Annual Athletics Meet of Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, which concluded here today.

Similarly, in the above 14 years category (boys), Gurmanpreet Songh was declared the best athlete and in the girls section, Nitika Ryait and Gurpreet Kaur were jointly named the best athletes. Maharaja Ranjit Singh House bagged the overall trophy.

Jugdip Singh Kalsi, managing director, SPS Apollo Hospital, was the chief guest during the prize distribution function. Mona Singh, principal of the school, congratulated the winners. She highlighted the achievements of schoolchildren who excelled in the district and state-level competitions.

Jasbir Singh and Surinder Singh, president and general secretary, respectively, of the GNPS committee, and its other members were present on the occasion.

Results

Boys (above 14 years) high jump: Harkirat Singh 1; Karandeep Singh 2; and Jagatjit Singh 3

Discus throw: Gurmanpreet Singh 1; Avitej Singh 2; and Harsimranjot Singh 3

100m race: Manikpreet Singh 1; Hanumant Singh 2; and Gaganjot Singh 3

400m race: Manikpreet Singh 1; Abhinoorpreet Singh 2; and Jasmandeep Singh 3

800m race: Paras Chander 1; Ripudaman Singh 2; and Rajvir Singh 3

200m race: Ishupal Singh 1; Paramvir Singh 2; and Jaikirat Singh 3

Boys (U-14) 100m race: Ramanjit Singh 1; Amritpal Singh 2; and Parmeet Singh 3

Girls (above 14 years) high jump: Lovleen Kaur 1; Divnoor Kaur 2; and Jaspreet Kaur 3

Discus throw: Shubneet Kaur 1; Harmehak Kaur 2; and Divnoor Kaur 3

Girls (U-14) 50m race: Ishmeet Kaur 1; Arshjot Kaur 2; and Ashwin Kaur 3

200m race: Simranjeet Kaur 1; Harleen Kaur 2; and Sukhmandeep Kaur 3

100m race: Ramainder Kaur 1; Diljot Kaur 2; and Harsimran Kaur 3