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Pending projects to be ready in 2014
Ludhiana, December 31 Besides these, several new projects which will directly benefit the residents will also start. These include the eight-laning of Ferozepur Road (from Sidhwan Canal till Jagraon Bridge), fleet of 200 buses under the City Bus Service project will also start, besides some others. The project for constructing an indoor stadium on the piece of land (playground of a government school) was started in 2004 when Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was posted here as the MC Commissioner. At that time its cost was estimated at Rs 16 crore. The construction of the project was stalled in 2007 only to resume in May 2010. Delays in the project have raised its estimated cost from Rs 16 crore to Rs 40 crore. The work on the project is going on at a snail's pace as the MC could not provide adequate funds. But it was only few days ago that Rs 10 crore was sanctioned by the MC, while the remaining Rs 30 crore was likely to get sanctioned in the next couple of months. The Lakkar Bridge project is also facing the same problem. The 933.162-meter long project is hanging fire since 1997 and it is a clear reflection of the sad state of affairs in the state government as well as the Railways Department that even after 15 years a civic project that was aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the city remains incomplete. Ironically, even the cost of project has escalated from Rs 13 crore to Rs 58 crore, now. A portion of this project is likely to be thrown open to the public from February. The much awaited Sidhwan Canal Expressway project is also likely to be completed by June. Although the contractor claims that the portion of project passing through the city (starting from Gill Road till Ferozepur Road) would get completed by March. The Rs 328.16 crore project is 26.9 kilometer long with carriage way on each side Doraha to Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road, providing a bypass for the traffic going towards Ferozepur. OFFICIAL’S TAKE
The Ferozepur Road eight-laning project will ease out traffic on the busy road and is expected to start in a couple of months. The project to cover Ganda Nullah in the old city will also get completed by 2014. We already have a fleet of 75 buses under the City Bus Service project and we will have a fleet of 200 by the end of next year. We will be able to complete most of the pending projects as well as some new projects next year - Rahul Tewari, MC Commissioner.
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Footbridge inauguration put off
Ludhiana, December 31 Railway officials said the ongoing construction work of the railway foot overbridge will take 10 days more to be completed. The officials of the Northern Railways said that the construction work was still in progress and there was no hope for it to be inaugurated on January 1. Earlier, the officials at the railway station had said that the bridge was nearing completion and the higher
authorities would inaugurate it on January 1. The Divisional Railway Manager, NC
Goyal, had visited the station and had assured that the work would be completed by December 31. Ravinder Sharma, Station Superintendent, said, “The construction work of the foot overbridge will take some more time. There are some technical errors due to which
the work is delayed. Now, we hope that the construction work will be completed by January 10”. No facility for physically-challenged
The railway authorities have spent Rs 2.50 crore
to construct the foot overbridge, but they have not shown any concern for the physically challenged. No separate way has been
constructed to ferry wheelchairs. Station superintendent's
take
We have a proposal to install escalator on Platform No 1 to facilitate the physically challenged. It will materialise
soon — Ravinder Sharma, station superintendent |
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Six MC employees caught reporting late on duty
Ludhiana, December 31 During the surprise check, nine MC employees were found absent from duty without any intimation to seniors. While speaking to The Tribune, Mayor Gohalwaria said that he had reached the MC Zone B office at 9.20 am. “Despite reaching 20 minutes after the MC offices begin work for the day, six employees reported late and the first latecomer reported at 9:25 am and they kept pouring in till 9:40 am, which is shameful on their part. They should understand that if their colleagues can report on duty on time, why can’t they? I have asked the Zonal Commissioner to take departmental action against the latecomers,” informed the Mayor. He further stated that 2014 would be dedicated to development. “We will celebrate 2014 as the year of development. We will launch several projects in the city,” he said. |
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Some party hard, some pray to ring in New Year
Ludhiana, December 31 "This is the best time of the year, perhaps the only day which is celebrated across the world. It’s time to party and dance," says Himani, a resident. Many said that they welcomed the New Year by praying and meditating. "We spend time seeking blessings of God so that the year goes off well for us," says Gurjot Singh, a resident of Dugri. "I along with my family go to offer prayers at gurdwara and come back after the New Year begins," he added. "Although we party, but we make sure we offer prayers at the temple at midnight. Seeking blessings and grace of God for the coming year should be the way to welcome the New Year," says Abhishek, another resident. Religious places, including gurdwaras and temples decked up for the New Year. Markets are decorated and the city wears a festive look. "The New Year should start on a good note, so I start the New Year working, because I want to work through the year. I consider work as worship," says another resident. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal wished the residents for the New Year. He said that the youth should come forward and fight against evils such as drug addiction, dowry and female foeticide and direct their energy and thoughts towards development of the society. |
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Single-stage taxation system a problem for traders
Ludhiana, December 31 The notification states that if any subsequent dealer makes any inter-state sale of single stage tax goods the tax liability will be nil and at the same time the input tax credit (ITC) available will also be nil. "The government cannot deny ITC on tax paid on purchase of single -stage tax goods. So if subsequent dealer makes inter-state sale of single stage tax goods against the 'C' form then the government is bound to give refund of excess tax collected as inter-state sale against the 'C' form is liable to tax at the rate of 2 per cent," said PC Garg, Advocate. He further said, "It will cause huge losses to the revenue when a subsequent dealer at the third, fourth or the next stage makes the inter-state sale of such goods, it will be difficult to verify at which first stage the tax is paid and the government has to refund the excess tax paid at the first
stage without proper verification," added Garg. “Many goods which have already been mentioned in schedule 'A' or 'B' have also been mentioned in these notifications. So these goods are taxable at the rate applicable to those schedules. There was no use of mentioning those goods in these notifications”, said Gurmukh Singh, a trader.The single stage taxation system should be postponed until these illegalities are removed and the difficulties which the traders visualise are addressed to, added Garg. Legal view
The state government has not been given the power to change the stage of tax. The power is given only to change the rate of tax. So the notification numbers 116 and 117, both dated December 13, 2013, are not legal in this respect. |
Year ender 2013 Judicial officials remained active on social fronts Rajneesh Lakhanpal Our Legal Correspondent
Ludhiana, December 31 Judges were seen moving in villages, school and colleges to involve the younger generation and channelise their energy in a positive manner. All this helped the authority making an impressive presence in society. Legal Services Authority became vibrant With the appointment of the Chief Judicial Magistrate-rank official (full-time) as the secretary of the Legal Services Authority, the authority has become more vibrant. CJM KK Singla remained on toes and left no stone unturned in order to create legal awareness among the masses. As many as 68 legal literacy seminars were organised in villages, colleges and low-lying areas under the supervision of Sessions Judge-cum-chairman Legal Services Authority GS Matharoo. Several legal literacy clubs were opened in colleges. Even the authority put up stalls at the Kisan Mela at the PAU and the Kila Raipur Games to reach more people, displaying various schemes run by the authority. 3,250 needy people
got legal aid Around 3,250 needy persons were provided free legal advices as well as services of lawyers without any cost to pursue their cases. The figure was much more than the legal aid provided to the persons in the past seven years. Law students, docs made paralegal volunteers A large number of law students, jail inmates, doctors, etc, were made as paralegal volunteers to create awareness among the masses regarding the legal issues and guiding the needy section of society to avail free legal aid. In the words of Superintendent Central Jail SP Khanna, “there was no under-trial who has not been provided free legal aid, if he requires so”. Attention towards missing children cases As per the guidelines of the Supreme Court, paralegal volunteers were especially deputed in all police stations to see that whenever any parent lodges a report regarding the missing of his ward, an FIR should be registered to trace the child. These volunteers have been instructed to inform the authority if any police official not lodges the FIR. Move to empower
girls, women A drive was undertaken to create self-confidence among girls and women to fight against the sexual harassment incidents. 21 legal aid clinics set up Five more legal aid clinics were set up in different villages, colleges as well in the local Central Jail to provide firsthand legal information and guidance to the needy people for availing free legal services from the Legal Services Authority. With this, the number of legal aid clinics went up to 21. Energy of youths channelised The Legal Services Authority made efforts to use the talent and energy of youths in constructive work by organising youth festivals, declamation contests on burning topics and involving jail inmates in sports activities. Lok adalat settled
over 46,000 cases More than 46,000 cases were settled in lok adalats involving an amount of Rs 68,84,40,778.3 in different lok adalats held at the District Courts Complex. One mobile lok adalat was organised in August to resolve the issues of people. In one pension mela, 82 persons were provided senior citizen pension on the spot and several cases were recommended for pension.
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Congress giving raw deal to riot victims: Sikh migrants
Ludhiana, December 31 Kanwaljit Singh Monga and Ajitpal Singh, president and secretary, respectively, of the board, said the Centre had failed to take action against allegations of misappropriation of funds to the extent of some Rs 200 crore out of the Rs 440 crore Central grant released by the Union Government for disbursement among the riot victims. Continuing with its policy of alienating the Sikh migrants, their lone representative in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Kartar Singh Patna had not been included in the reorganised PPCC, the functionaries of the body said. They said Patna, the chairman of the board, had mobilised a vast majority of the Sikh migrants in the city and elsewhere in the state to carry on the fight to safeguard their rights and the highhandedness of the SAD-BJP government and the bureaucracy. “However, the cold shoulder given by the Congress leadership to the migrants has once again proved that the party is still in a denial mode where dispensation of justice to the migrants is concerned.” Monga said if the claims of the Sikh migrants were not given due consideration for representation in the reorganised PPCC, they might have to be forced to take a stand against the Congress in order to safeguard their larger interests.
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Theft incidents on the rise in Jagraon
Jagraon, December 31 During the past one week, more than half a dozen theft incidents have taken place in Jagraon town alone. Apart from this, several theft incidents have been reported from the rural areas. As a result of which, a feeling of insecurity prevails among the common people. Some unidentified thieves broke into three shops on the Raikot Road area of Jagraon on the same night a few days ago and ran away with valuables and cash. The theft of electricity transformers from the fields in the rural belt of Jagraon has become a common phenomenon. Fearing the theft of electricity transformers from the fields, many farmers have started using mobile transformers. These farmers have fixed power transformers on the tractor-trolleys and carts and they shift them to the fields when the need arises. “Due to the fear of theft, we have fixed the power transformer on a bullock-cart. We bring the power transformer fixed on the bullock-cart to our fields every morning and take it back while returning home,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a farmer of Jandi village. The local residents blame the deployment of police force on VIP visits for the problem. “For the past one month, a majority of the policemen were deployed on the security of VIPs who visited the Jagraon area on different occasions. With only a few policemen and community police officers left for the security of the general public, the common man is left on the mercy of thieves,” said Kanwaljit Khanna, general secretary of Inqulabi Kendra, Punjab. Though the police have increased the vigil during the night, theft incidents are taking place at regular intervals. Recently, a motorcycle belonging to a journalist of a vernacular Hindi Daily newspaper was stolen from outside his office located on the Tehsil Road in broad daylight. Surinder Kumar, DSP, Jagraon, said the police have increased vigil in the entire area in view of the rising theft incidents. “We have already issued instructions to all police stations to increase vigil in the area to stop theft incidents. Special police teams have been formed to keep a tab on the theft incidents,” said the DSP.
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Rain plays spoilsport on New Year’s Eve
Ludhiana, December 31 The partially cloudy weather resulted to a raised minimum temperature. The Agro-Meteorology Department of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recorded minimum temperature of 8.4 degree celsius. According to weather expert Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill the western disturbance was the reason behind the sudden change in weather. Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill said, “The heavy snowfall on mountains led to western disturbance which further resulted in rain in the city. The rain would have a little effect. There is sharp dip in maximum temperature as the city witnessed 15.2 degree celsius temperature. The weather will be clear and sunny in next few days.” Meanwhile, the shivering cold forced the residents to remain in their houses on the New Year’s Eve. Most of the residents preferred watching TV programmes while staying at home. Ramandeep Singh, a resident of old city, said, “The rains in the morning intensified the situation. I had a plan to visit market in the evening but due to shivering cold I preferred to stay in the house.” Hardeep, a resident of Maya Nagar, said, “It is quite tough to go outside in this cold so we have organised a party at our home to celebrate the New Year’s Eve.”
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Men in Khaki alert as city celebrates
Ludhiana, December 31 Children of policemen were a disappointed lot. Like every year, applications of their fathers to spend the New Year with the family were cancelled. Displeasure was writ large on the faces of the families of the policemen. “It becomes frustrating. On every occasion, while everyone else enjoys the festivities, we are left at the home anxiously waiting for our husbands and they remain on duty till late night,” said police officers’ wives at the Police Lines. The women said it was very difficult to handle children. “They are extremely annoyed. They give us hundreds of examples that parents of their friends, who are businessmen, spend every occasion with their family. On the other hand, their fathers are out on road on every festival. It becomes a task to make the children understand about the responsibility of the profession of their fathers,” said the group of women. Policemen have their own bundle of anguish to share. “We are also human being. We are being scorned by society, but no one thanks us for the sacrifice we make to ensure that the people celebrating on the streets reach home safely,” said the group of policemen.
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It’s time to make New Year resolutions
Ludhiana, December 31 My New Year resolution is to serve the city residents with utmost sincerity. Solving the traffic problem and curbing crime tops the list of my New Year resolutions. We are making sincere efforts to ease the traffic problem. The city residents will witness results in the coming months. On the crime front, we have a dedicated team of officers to keep a check on the anti-social elements. Snatchers will be dealt with an iron
hand. Nirmal Singh Dhillon, Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana I will give 100 per cent in whatever I do. The young generation is falling prey to drugs. Keeping this in mind, I plan to open drug de-addiction centres in the city. Ludhiana, being an industrial city, is losing its green cover and the level of pollution is also high. I aim at planting more and more trees during the monsoon season, which will make the city clean and
green. Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner We are always here to serve the sick. To provide health facilities to all patients on time will be my first priority. For monitoring this, I will personally make frequent visits to government hospitals. I will continue to curb the menace of food adulteration and will keep a strict vigil on it. Strict action will be taken against the violators. Different ways will be adopted to keep a check on female foeticide. More people will be made aware of this social evil. For controlling diseases like dengue and malaria, networking with other departments will be strengthened further. Punctuality of staff and availability of medicines will also be taken care
of. Dr Subhash
Batta, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana I have been posted in the city for about four years now. I want that the residents visiting the MC offices should be treated with dignity and humility by MC officials. I will also work hard on issues such as traffic, sewerage, providing best road infrastructure, checking pollution, besides finding a solution to several other problems. I will also work on bringing more transparency in the functioning of the MC and will make sure that a corruption-free atmosphere is created. I will also start a competition in the MC offices where prizes would be given to those branches that maintain cleanliness in their respective
offices. Rahul Tewari, MC Commissioner Natural resource conservation, especially water management, will be our priority in 2014. We will work on the drip irrigation and other water management techniques. Stubble burning is also a major challenge to the state agriculture. We will work to develop mechanism to provide a viable alternative of stubble burning to the farmers. Moreover, we will strengthen the biotechnology, soil health and extension
education. Dr Baldev Singh
Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU We are developing the Vision-2030 for holistic growth in animal husbandry. We need to develop short and long-term action plans with focus on generating technologies and practices for improving livestock productivity with efficiency and better economics through structured and meaningful research, academic and extension programme.~ Dr Vijay Kumar
Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU Being an education officer, studies are always on my mind. Since exams of students are approaching near in March, my whole concentration will be on the exams so that they fare well and our district once again shines. I will take every step that is required to raise the standard of education in the
district. Paramjit Kaur Chahal, District Education Officer (Secondary)
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Accused's parents in damage-control mode
Ludhiana, December 31 Sources said the police had summoned the hotel owner and the manager but neither of them turned up to lodge a complaint. Youth Congress leader Lucky Kapoor said the parents of all four youths, whose thrashing act was caught on camera, were exerting political pressure on the hotel owner to effect a compromise. “It has become a routine of sorts. While the youngsters involve in clash, their parents beg before politicians and the
police to hush up the matter. But it is a wrong practice. The youngsters do not take any lesson and further went on to commit a bigger crime,” said Lucky. The four youths, who hurled blows at the hotel manager, Shivam, were caught on the CCTV camera installed in the hotel. Shivam, the
manager of Sunder Hotel, had said the four youths entered his hotel during the
wee hours and asked for a room. Since they were the local residents, they were denied a room in the hotel. On being declined, they started abusing him
and then assaulted me Shivam. Shivam informed the hotel owner, Ashowk Kakkar, about the incident, who further informed the police and handed over the CCTV footage. The four accused are the residents of the Brown Road and the surrounding areas. Thrashing incident
The four youths, who hurled blows at the hotel manager, Shivam, were caught on the CCTV camera installed in the hotel.
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Tension over demolition of pavement at Thrike Colony
Ludhiana, December 31 Both groups hurled abuses at each other. Finally, the police intervened and controlled the situation from taking an ugly turn. The incident took place this afternoon when workers led by the present sarpanch, Jarnail Singh, demolished a structure and axed the trees
located outside the house of ex-sarpanch Manjeet Singh. Panchayat member Gurpreet Kaur Grewal said the ex-sarpanch had encroached upon the land, which was leading to frequent accidents. She said the encroachment was removed following the permission of the Irrigation and Forest Department. A member of the Manjeet Singh group said the motive behind removing the structure was to harass him and to belittle him in front of other residents of the colony.
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Left parties protest in Jagraon
Jagraon, December 31 More than 500 protestors, including a large number of women, were present during the protest march. The protestors raised slogans against the state government and the police department. The protestors were demanding the cancellation of allegedly false cases registered by police against innocent poor labourers. The protest march commenced from Main Chowk, Jagraon, and concluded near Kamal Chowk after passing through various parts of Jagraon. The protestors carrying anti-government and anti-police banners raised sharp slogans against the ruling alliance and police officials. Later, the protestors staged a dharna at Kamal Chowk blocking the road traffic for around half an hour which led to a traffic jam. Long lines of vehicles were witnessed on all the four roads connecting to the Kamal Chowk. Earlier, the protestors also staged a dharna outside local court complex. While addressing the protestors, Inqulabi Kendra Punjab general secretary Kanwaljit Khanna said it was a high time for all political parties to learn from the workings of the Aam Aadmi Party and to improve their functioning. “The political parties of Punjab would have to pay a heavy price if these parties fail to improve their style of functioning,” said Avtar Singh of Pendu Mazdoor Union.
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No more winter treat for weaker sections
Doraha, December 31 “Peanuts are considered to be a winter treat and are hard to resist.
Earlier, with a mere five rupee note, you could get a handful of them, good enough to satiate your hunger for nuts but as time passed the small paper bag, in which one is supplied nuts, reduced in size to a considerable extent. You have to shell out a 100-rupee note or even more to buy one kg of peanuts. There was a time when the same could be bought at half the rate. But when each and every commodity is becoming dearer day-by-day how could the poor man’s almonds be left out?” rued a daily wager. “Earlier a poor man could just try his hand on peanuts but now even these have gone out of his reach. Children no longer wait for their fathers to bring home these nuts while returning after work,” he added. “There was a time when in winters I used to wait for my father in the evening, as he would generally bring peanuts for me, which I would relish sitting in our quilt. But this year it has happened seldom as he says times have changed now. I yearn for the nuts like anything,” said a factory worker’s child. “Peanuts are good for beating the winter chill but if ones pocket begins to freeze, what’s the use of these? We people are always hard-pressed and generally find it difficult to make both the ends meet. Moreover, when buying of peanuts has begun to make a hole in our pockets, we have no other option but to pass by the big heap with a heavy heart. While the ones who can afford can relish other nuts as well,” rued another labourer. “On the one hand, it is said that peanuts are good in proteins, fats, energy and minerals. Dieticians too suggest that they should be consumed; doctors on the other hand, say they are good for health and even elders believe that a fist full of almonds help you fight cold and guard you against winter ailments. But it is really sad that even a middle-class person like me, has to think twice before stopping at a peanut heap for the quantity matches poorly with the money paid,” expressed a clerk. One of the peanut sellers said, “There is a considerable reduction in the number of buyers every year. Many a times, people come to the shop, show interest in buying, ask the price, but return disheartened. Others just try to satiate their urge by tasting one or two and leaving empty-handed. We understand their situation but cannot sell it at a loss in any case as we too are in a situation no better than the buyers.”
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Binge on calorie-rich food during winters
Ludhiana, December 31 City people are known for their love for the food and during winters their strict gym and exercise routine also takes a backseat. A dash of pure ghee and butter is all what they want during winters. "I am a pure Punjabi and if you tear my skin you will find white butter flowing out of it. I love eating ghee and butter and to compensate that I exercise regularly. Winters is the time when I love to binge on butter laden paranthas and naans and nothing matches them in this world," said Gagandeep Singh, an engineering student from a local college. "Nothing is more divine than an extra spoon of ghee in hot bowl of 'sarson ka saag'. Calorie counting is replaced by extra dollops of ghee and butter in winters and I do mind indulging in rich foods as winters are short lived," said Gunjan, a regular gyming-freak. "Winters bring along the habit of munching. I cannot resist munching peanuts and ghachak during winters. Worst part is that the exercise also takes a backseat during winters. Whatever weight I loose in summers is gained back during winters," quips Gunjan, a city resident. "It is assorted teas and assortment of coffee flavours which keeps me up during winters. Enjoy winters by eating hot and spicy food but all one has to do is choose wisely. Instead of paranthas you can binge upon besan pura or dosa. I prefer foods like idli, poha and besan pura. While for the evenings it is a bowl of soup with grilled vegetable sandwich. It is the choice of food that matters," added Nitika, a dietician from city. Navneet's love for the food goes beyond the ordinary. "It's my mom made gajar ka halwa and khoya pinni that I love to eat during cold winter days. Homemade foods keep me warm and going and nothing matches the taste of my mother's hands,"
says Navneet, a graduation student. Home-made recipes
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More than 100 stamps released in 2013
Ludhiana, December 31 Another set of 12 stamps on the Wild Flowers of India was released in
September. City philatelists said in 2013, a few stamps related to personalities from Punjab were
particularly memorable for them. Postage stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi released in 2013 has a special place
in the hearts of Ludhianvis, said another philatelist. “It is not often that a postage stamp is released on a personality belonging to Ludhiana. It was an honour for the city that a postage stamp on Sahir was released and a true tribute was paid to the great poet,” he said. Another stamp, including Hari Singh Nalwa, the Sikh warrior, who was instrumental in the spread of Sikh Empire in early 19th century, was released also this year. Another postage stamp on the former Chief
Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh, was released this month. “Most of the philatelists collect postage stamps on a particular theme. I
have started collecting postage stamps on the theme of Punjab. The stamps on
personalities from Punjab would be a part of my collection,” says
Satnam, a philatelist. A postage stamp on PGIMER, Chandigarh was also released this year. Postage stamps on the 100 years of cinema arrived in the city
post office after months of wait. The set of postage stamps had various film personalities. “The postage stamp
on Balraj Sahni, who was from Punjab, also forms a part of the set of postage stamps released in May to
commemorate the 100 years of the Indian Cinema,” says Mukesh, a philatelist.
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Water supply project takes a backseat
Khamano, December 31 Some villagers, including panches Jaswant Singh, Bhinder Kaur and Jasvir Kaur, in a letter to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Fatehgarh Sahib, had alleged that the village sarpanch and some other members were setting up the water supply tank in the village sports ground instead of the land approved for the purpose. The ADC had forwarded the complaint to the SDM, Khamano, for further enquiry into the matter. On the other hand, sarpanches have moved an application to the local police stating that some persons were harassing village sarpanch Ajaib Singh and were stopping them to set up the tank at the place identified by them. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Arina Duggal said they would enquire the matter and appropriate action would be taken as per the enquiry report.
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shifting of PSEB EXAMINATION CENTRES Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, December 31 On the occasion, Rajinder Sharma informed the Education Minister that PSEB is going to shift the examination centres of Punjab Open School students to the colleges, which is a burden on the meagre resources of the students and their parents. MD Sabbarwal said there were almost 4,000 PSEB affiliated schools in urban areas of Punjab and more than 65 per cent students were studying in these schools. All the affiliated schools are independent schools. They are not getting any grant/aid from the board or from the government. But the government has imposed the property tax on these affiliated schools. On the other hand, government-aided schools are exempted from the payment of property tax. It is a step-motherly treatment by the government with these affiliated schools. It is also a burden on the resources of the affiliated schools those are charging nominal fees from the students and providing quality education. Rajinder Sharma said according to the government’s notification dated February 14, 2000, schools run by public bodies and not having any monetary gain, were exempted from the payment of house tax. The minister assured that the examination centres for the Punjab Open Schools would not be shifted to colleges. “The examination for these students will be conducted at the same school where they have got admissions, Maluka said. He further said the Punjab Government would help the affiliated schools in every sphere as these schools were providing education to lakhs of students in Punjab. Also, the minister asked the members of the delegation to sort out their problems as early as possible.
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New Year celebrated
Ludhiana: Maple Bear Canadian Playway and Nursery School organised New Year celebrations for the tiny tots. Their faces were painted with New Year messages. Principal of the school Veena Aggarwal wished the students a very ‘Happy New Year’. Healthy junction activity Bal Bharti Public School organised a ‘Healthy Junction’ activity. All the children of Montessori block were apprised of the significance of eating healthy food. Students of pre-nursery were dressed up as important nutritional elements of balanced diet. They were briefed about the significance of proteins, vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorous, etc and were motivated to include them in their daily diet. The students of Mont-I and Mont-II left the audience spellbound with their melodious parodies made on famous Bollywood blockbuster songs like ‘Aachi baat’, ‘Healthy diet’, ‘My name is vitamin C’ and ‘ This is my healthy body’. The students came forward with their categorical approach towards intake of nutritious food. They enhanced the significance of vitamin A, B- Complex, C, D, and K through picturesque presentations. Principal Punam Dogra said the main idea of the activity was to encourage the children to eat nutritional food. Prize distribution
Amrit Indo Canadian Academy organised its 8th annual prize distribution function. President of Punjabi Sahitya Academy was the chief guest. Students mesmerised the gathering with their performances in Shabad Gayan and Kavishri. The principal of the school, Jaskiran Kaur, read out the annual report highlighting the achievements of the school in various spheres. About 150
meritorious students from various classes were felicitated for their achievements in curricular and co-curricular activities. The President of Amrit Educational Society,
Harminder Singh, was also present on the occasion. The function concluded with ‘Guru Ka Langar’. NSS camp
Volunteers of NSS camp of the Kamla Lohtia SD College went to Mother Teresa old-age home and greeted children and elderly people. In the 6-day NSS camp, the volunteers worked whole-heartedly. Students at the camp cooked their own food and even presented it to the principal and management, who highly appreciated the efforts. The camp held a valedictory function on
Monday in which the co-ordinator in charge, Dr Mohammand Saleem, and Kavita Arora took a decision with the management of the college to donate cycles to the
needy students. Honoured
Gurmant Kaur Gill, principal of Guru Nanak International Public School, Model Town, was conferred upon with the honour of excellence in education at a felicitation ceremony organised by the Council for Education Standards of India with the support of Gurukul Vidyapeeth at the Law Bhawan, Dakshin Marg, Sector 37-A, Chandigarh. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister, Punjab, awarded her for the administrative skills and contribution to curricular activities.
— TNS
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Welcoming New Year
Ludhiana: New Year celebrations were carried out by residents of Phase II, Dugri, with great pomp and show here on Tuesday. The Association of Residents’ honoured senior citizens and took a pledge to serve elders with respect and humility. Songs were sung by ladies and a music performance by teenagers was organised. This was the first-ever celebration in the area in which every resident contributed wholeheartedly.
Sankalp Diwas
Safai Karmachari Andolan observed New Year eve as ‘Sankalp Diwas’. The day was observed by the
Punjab unit of the organisation at Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk, Jalandhar bypass. The gathering was presided over by the convener of the Punjab unit of the organization, Subhash Disawar.
— TNS
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Man dies in road mishap
Ludhiana, December 31 The incident took place this afternoon when his motorcycle was hit by a car from the rear side. Eyewitness said, a car hit his motorcycle from behind. Surjit lost control and fell on the road.The car driver managed flee with the vehicle. Surjit was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead. — TNS
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