Ludhiana, January 9
The arrest of Kashmiri resident Bashir Ahmed with Rs 52,000 in fake currency has sent alarm bells ringing in the Police Department.

This is the second seizure of fake currency in the past one month. Earlier, on December 11, the police had arrested Mohinderpal and Major Singh with Rs 11.04 lakh in fake currency.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the city police have established contact with the Kupwara police in Kashmir and apprised them of the seizure of fake currency and Bashir Ahmed's arrest.

Sources said Bashir was an innocent Kashmiri garment trader, who was lured by fake currency agents. Bashir used to receive money for circulating fake currency notes.

The sources said Bashir had recently given Rs 4,000 in fake currency to a hosiery trader for purchasing garments.

The issue of fake currency being circulated in the market came to light when the hosiery trader went to a bank to deposit cash.

He was shocked to learn that the cash given to him was fake. He informed the police. Bashir again visited the trader and gave him fake currency. The police started keeping a watch on Bashir and finally arrested him yesterday, the sources said.

ADCP-I Nilambari Jagdale said, "I am bringing the matter to the notice of senior police officers in Kupwara so that we can arrest the persons who had supplied the fake currency to Bashir."

Asked whether the fake currency was being supplied from Pakistan, the ADCP said, "We cannot rule out anything at this point in time. We are investigating the case from all angles."

The sources said the investigation might meet a dead end since the area was insurgency prone and it was highly unlikely that local residents would cooperate with the police investigation.

Meanwhile, Mohit Sood, Youth BJP leader, met the ADCP and suggested that hosiery traders should be sensitised about the issue.

The ADCP said she would meet a delegation of the hosiery traders tomorrow over the issue.

Ludhiana, January 9
Teachers of aided schools in Punjab, who had gone to Chandigarh to meet the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, returned to the city disappointed.

According to the sources, the meeting was fixed for 11 am yesterday, but the officials allegedly failed to convene the meeting with the Chief Minister till 8 pm.

The president of the Aided School Teachers’ Union, Punjab, Gurcharan Singh Chahal, said as many as 40 teachers were made to wait for over 10 hours in this severe weather conditions. But, even the 10-hour wait did not bear any fruitful consequences, said the president of the Aided School Teachers’ Union, Punjab.

“During a function to celebrate Teachers’ Day at Patiala in the month of September, we were told by the DPI Elementary that a meeting will be convened on January 8 in Chandigarh to discuss the merger issue with the Chief Minister. We decided to put an end to the protest once we were given assurance regarding the issue. Andwhen all the office-bearers went to meet the Chief Minister, we were told at 8 pm that the Chief Minister had already left. It was so disappointing and the teachers had to return to their respective districts disheartened,” said the president of the union.

The press secretary of the Aided School Teachers’ Union, Punjab, Devinder Rehan, alleged that the government was taking the issue of aided schools lightly.

“We have not been paid the salaries since October and this is the main reason that we want the government to takeover the aided schools completely. They are making a fool out of us, but we are not going to tolerate this attitude of the state government,” said the press secretary of the union.

Owing to this, the teachers have decided to hold a state-level protest rally, to press their demands, at Rampura Phul on January 18.

“We are fair in our demands. Either the government should merge the aided schools with the government schools or they must ensure regular salaries to the staff as 95 per cent of the grant is already being given by the government in aided schools,” said the president of the Aided School Teachers’ Union, Punjab, Gurcharan Singh Chahal.

Ludhiana, January 9
The state government may be showing reluctance in meeting the long-pending demands of the staff working at the Deputy Commissioners’ offices in all over Punjab, the three-day strike of about 2,000 employees has brought to a halt land-deal registries in the state. Besides, the strike has caused a lot of inconvenience to the general public. The state is going to incur losses worth several crores due to the strike.

The registration of the land deals has come to a standstill and till Monday, no registry is expected to take place. Talking to The Tribune, Tarlochan Singh, a resident from Jagraon, said he had purchased a shop in Ludhiana and its registration was to be done today. But after coming at the Sub-Registrar's office on the Hambran road, he came to know about the strike. “Ït is simply harassment of the public,” he said.

One of the officials with the District Administration said there were around 150 employees in the DC office here and work pertaining to registration of land deals, domicile certificates, renewal of arms licences was bound to suffer due to the strike.

“The state government needs to pay immediate attention to the problem as these employees have been struggling for the past one year. During the meetings held in the past with senior officials, their demands were conceded by the government and these are just to be implemented. This dilly-dallying attitude of the government is causing a lot of problems to us in offices. There will be a backlog of work and in addition to that visitors are facing a lot of inconvenience due to the ongoing strike,” said the official, adding that the employees will occupy their seats by do not do any work during the strike period.

The president of the DC Office Employees Union, Punjab, Vijay Behel, said if the government was in no mood to meet the demands, then the employees would stick to their stand. “We will be holding another strike from January 20 to 22 but at the same time we do not want to harass the general public. We will make an announcement for an indefinite strike,” said Behel. 

Ludhiana, January 9
The ongoing chilly weather is making many fall an easy prey to chilblains and thus affecting their normal working. The people, who suffer mostly from this condition, are those who remain exposed to severe cold or cold water.

A city-based skin specialist, Dr Alka Dogra, who was earlier professor and head of the department of skin at the DMCH, said: "I daily get two or three patients with this condition. People come with swelling on hands, feet and sometimes with the swollen nose and ear tips. We prescribe them medicines and local creams which sooth their blood circulation and they feel better."

She said the patients, who were already suffering from peripheral vascular disease, thyroid or diabetes, should take extra precautions. They should start wearing woollens right from the advent of winter and continue wearing them till March. Although it is not usual, in some patients the disease gets converted into ganagrene, she added.

The Medical Superintendent of the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, said: "In routine, we get a few patients daily at the hospital OPD. People should keep their hands, and specially feet, warm."

Ludhiana, January 9
The Municipal Corporation (MC) is planning to acquire some portion of land of the DIG office and the Women’s Cell for the widening of the road leading to the old courts complex area.

The ACP (Traffic), Dhruman Nimbale, along with Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rahul Tiwari, visited the old courts area. Traffic expert Pritpal Singh was also accompanying them.

The MC Commissioner said: "The widening of the road under the Lakkar Bridge flyover is a proactive measure as one side of the flyover would be functional soon. We want the alternative routes are widened enough to cater to heavy traffic."

An official, accompanying the MC Commissioner, said there were many challenges ahead.

Tiwari was of the view that once the flyover was operational, it would ease traffic on the Jagraon bridge.

"First we have to think about clearing the stalls on the roadside and making adequate arrangements for their reallocation. Further, there is no surety that the police official will agree to vacating the land," said the official.

Ludhiana, January 9
The city witnessed foggy mornings and cold wave due to north-west winds. Meteorologists at the Agro Meteorology Department of Punjab Agricultural University said the maximum temperature is running below normal these days. Today, the Meteorology Department recorded the maximum temperature at 16.8 degrees Celsius, which is three degree less than the normal temperature. The minimum temperature was recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius, which is quite more than normal.

However, the day was sunny but the morning and evening witnessed shivering cold. According to the weather experts, the weather condition will sustain for some more days. According to the forecast, days will be clear and mornings will be foggy till the weekend.

Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill, agro meteorologist at the PAU, said: “We recorded 97 per cent humidity in the morning today. So we are expecting fog in the morning but the day will be clear tomorrow. The mountains experienced fresh snowfall and the north-west winds led to the chilly weather in the region. The night temperatures will dip further”.

The weather experts say there are no chances of showers next some days.

Though the cold weather is favourable for the wheat crop, farmers are worried about the fodder. The continuing frost in the countryside will affect the fodder and vegetable crops. 

Ludhiana, January 9
Though nine days of New Year-2014 have passed, many members of the Sutlej Club have started sending New Year greetings to their fellow members with a vengeance. All this not only because they are excited about New Year, but also they are eyeing posts of office-bearers of the club, elections to which are expected to be held in March or April.

"Last evening, I was contacted by four members who will be contesting the club elections this year. They introduced themselves to me and said they would be contesting the elections. One of them will be contesting elections for the first time. A couple of them said that they would contest the elections, but were not sure about the posts they would be contesting. However, they sought 'support' from me as well as my friends," said a member of the club. Although members are now warming up to the elections, the campaigning will pick up in the days to come once the election dates are announced, he said.

Another member, contesting the post of sports secretary, said although they couldn't openly start campaigning or throwing parties, with only a couple of months to go for the elections, it is time to start convincing members to vote for him.

"We say 'yes' to all candidates who come to us, but cannot reveal our cards," said another member. "As the elections are held every two years, and you have to meet all the members, you cannot offend others by revealing who you are going to vote for," he said. 

Doraha, January 9
National senior vice-president of the Youth Wing of the SAD and former legislator Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal today slammed the Congress for playing shoddy tactics to defame Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia by making criminals to malign his image.

Terming Majithia as the most energetic and dynamic leader of Punjab, Atwal said he had not only played a pivotal role in the formation of the Youth Akali Dal but also moulded the spirit of the youth towards positive and productive thinking. “His far-fetched ideas have given a whole new dimension to the progressive outlook of Punjab,” he added.

Atwal said the Congress was not able to digest the ever growing popularity of such a dynamic leader like Majithia. “Their inability to find faults with the ruling government has frustrated their egos to such an extent that they are at loss of ideas to counter them and have now shunned all the ethics to defame the towering dynamism of the beloved leader of the people of Punjab,” he said.

Ludhiana, January 9
The Department of Posts has released a calendar for year 2014. It is based on the theme of ‘Wild Flowers of India’.

Its theme is based on the set of postage stamps released by the department last year. The stamps comprised 12 stamps of wild flowers of India.

The flowers include Globe Thistle, Himalayan Iris, Rhondodendron, Bladder Campion, Cobra Lily, Himalayan Bellflower, Dibang Chirita, Kashmir Mallow, Himalayan Mini Sunflower, Himalayan Lantern, Roundleaf Asiabell and Blue Poppy.

Suresh Jain, a city-based philatelist, said this calendar was fine and of good quality. But rather than using the picture of the flower separately and the picture of the stamp in its original size, a blown up picture of the postage stamp would have looked much better to depict that the calendar was based on a stamp. But still, it looks good.

The calendar is priced at Rs 250.

Some residents said most of the corporate calendars were generally available free of cost and serve as publicity products, but this one bearing the logo of the Department of Posts should had been a little less expensive.

Ludhiana, January 9
The last date for the implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act -2006 is February 4. However, only 1,550 big eateries have got licences and 5,600 small eateries have been registered in the district under this Act so far. Many people are still hoping that the deadline for the implementation of this Act will be extended for a third time while others are still unaware of the Act.

District Health Officer Avinash Kumar said: "From yesterday, we have started holding awareness camps in different parts of the district. We held a camp at Kohara yesterday. Today, a similar camp was held at Bhadaur House where there are maximum hotels and restaurants."

The Act has been aimed at ensuring the sale of hygienic and quality food items. The DHO said: "All big and small eateries will be covered under this Act."

Before issuing a licence to any big eatery, a team of the Health Department is supposed to visit the eatery to see whether it is following all norms or not. On the basis of its adherence to the norms, the licence is issued. However, in reality, no one visits eateries. The DHO said: "It is not possible to visit every eatery. We can visit eateries that we are suspicious about”.

Ludhiana, January 9
Ann Jal Sewa Trust, an NGO, celebrated Lohri with jail inmates of the women jail here today.

Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-secretary Legal Service Authority KK Singla was the chief guest. A legal awareness camp was also held for the guidance of women inmates.

The NGO distributed eatables among all inmates and celebrated Lohri in a traditional way.

Shiv Ram Saroy, founder of the NGO, said 250 woollens and eatables were distributed among the jail inmates.

A bonfire was lit by Singla on the occasion. Jail Superintendent Snehjit Kaur, Dr Sandeep K Jain, convener, Vishwa Jain Sangthan, Punjab chapter), Sanjeev Jain, RK Resham and Deepak Kumar were among those present. 

Khanna, January 9
The Khanna Police today released a sketch of the person suspected of opening fire on a chemist in Khanna last night.

The SPD, Rajwinder Singh Sohal, during a press conference at the Khanna police office, said the sketch had been drawn on the basis of the information given by the injured chemist, Devinder Singh Mann.

“The police are working on different theories to nab the suspected person at the earliest,” said the SPD.

Sohal appealed the people of the area to help them trace the accused on the basis of the sketch released.

The SPD, Rajwinder Singh Sohal, gave assurance to the people that the police will sort out the case soon and urged them to cooperate with them to catch hold of the accused at the earliest.

Raids are being conducted in the area to catch hold of the accused, said the SPD, Rajwinder Singh Sohal.

Notably, some unidentified person had opened fire on Devinder Singh Mann while he was on his way to his house on the night of January 7.

The victim had just reached Lalheri Chowk when the incident took place. Devinder was seriously injured and was referred to Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana, where he is currently recuperating from his injuries.

The chemist is stated to be out of danger.

Jagraon, January 9
A youth, wanted by the local police in a theft case, reportedly took poison outside the local police station last evening and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana. Relatives and family members of the youth staged a protest outside the Jagraon city police station this evening.

The youth, Manjit, alias Meeta, a resident of Rayia, was wanted by the local police in a theft case registered against him and four other persons a couple of days ago. The police had conducted raids to nab the accused.

According to sources, the police had also raided Manjit's house following which panchayat members and some other people of his village brought him to Jagraon to produce him before the police yesterday.

"While the panchayat members were speaking to police officials in the police station, Manjit was standing outside. Suddenly, he took poison. The police took Manjit to a local private hospital from where he was reffered to the DMCH, Ludhiana, in a critical condition. Manjit died while undergoing treatment at the hospital late in the night," said a source.

Following the incident, infuriated family members and relatives of the youth assembled outside the Jagraon city police station and staged a dharna today. However, the matter was resolved following the intervention of police officials.

Jagraon SSP Ashish Chaudhry said the youth took poison outside the police station. "The police wasted no time and rushed the youth to the hospital. Unfortunately, the youth died while undergoing treatment. There was no negligence on the part of the police as the youth took poison outside the police station," said the SSP.

Ludhiana, January 9
The Punjab Agricultural University Employees Union elections will be held tomorrow from 10am to 5pm on the university campus.

Today, none of the groups organised any rallies. Activists of all contesting groups were seen carrying a door-to-door campaign.

There are 1,370 votes of permanent non-teaching employees at the PAU. As per the previous record, over 90 per cent employees use their right to vote.

Earlier, two main groups - PAU Employees Forum (Amb group) and the PAU Employees United Front (Mundi group) - used to contest the elections. But this year, elections become more interesting as another employees’ group - PAU Employees’ Democratic Front - emerged.

Kewal Krishan Sachdeva, an employee, from the PAU Employees Welfare Front is also contesting the elections for the post of president.

From this group, Sachdeva is the only candidate who is contesting the poll.

Ludhiana, January 9
As many as 300 participants arrived on the campus of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to take part in the 18 National Youth Festival. The youth festival will be held from January 12 to 16.

The Deputy Commissioner, Rajat Aggarwal, said the administration has completed making all the necessary arrangements for the mega event.

“The participants will gather on the campus by January 11 as the inauguration is scheduled for January 12,” said the Deputy Commissioner.

About 68 participants from Tripura, 39 from Nagaland, 64 from Daman and Diu and 97 contestants from Dadra Nagar Haveli reached at PAU today, said the Deputy Commissioner.

Ludhiana, January 9
While scores of students studying in government schools are gearing up for the board examinations, for Classes X and XII, from March 1 onwards, the students in the city are suffering the apathy of the education department as the department concerned is sending its teachers to attend some mandatory seminars and are giving them the responsibility of carrying out the survey duties of Atta Dal Scheme.

At a time when revisions and mock tests should be conducted at schools, the teachers have been put on survey duties of Atta-Dal Scheme after the regular school hours. Teachers are allegedly facing numerous problems while locating the beneficiaries. To add to the woes, the department has issued further instructions to the teachers to attend seminars, being conducted for them in all the districts.

Sarabjit Singh (name changed), a teacher at Government High School, said, “Both the months, January and February, are the most crucial months as far as the studies of students are concerned as all their queries and doubts are catered to during these months. Besides these are the months in which we thoroughly revise the syllabus. Since these students do not get any holidays before exams for preparations, these are the two months when they do lot of revision at schools. But now teachers we have been asked to attend the seminars.”

“Even today, about 200 teachers teaching Punjabi have gone to attend a seminar at a government school. Since the seminars are mandatory for teachers, they will remain busy attending these throughout the month of January and students will definitely suffer in schools,” rued another teacher.

The Director General of Secondary Education Kumar Rahul said, “Students should not suffer. I will definitely look into the matter and find a suitable solution to the problem at the earliest.”

Ludhiana, January 9
A row over parking took an ugly turn on Gill Road, leaving two drivers of a travel company injured here today.

The drivers, identified as Harpreet and Sonu, who were working for Khaira Tour and Travel Company, were allegedly attacked by a taxi stand owner and his accomplices. They were taken to the Civil Hospital after suffering critical injuries caused by sharp weapons.

Ludhiana, January 9
A 30-year-old man of Maur Mandi near Bathinda was killed while his wife, two-month-old son and mother-in-law were seriously injured when their car collided head-on with a private bus on Ferozepur Road near Baddowal village here today.

Nearly 30 passengers travelling on the bus had a miraculous escape. All passengers sustained minor injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Bhagwati Prasad. According to Jasdeep Singh, emergency medical technician of 108 Ambulance, Bhagwati Prasad died on the spot. His wife Monika, mother-in-law Vrinda Devi and two-month-old son were taken to the hospital in a critical condition.

He said the trio had suffered serious head injuries and multiple fractures. Besides, the child had suffered cuts all over the body as he was tossed on to the windscreen during the accident.

The impact of the collision was so strong that the car got badly damaged. The incident took place when Bhagwati Prasad was heading back home on his Hyundai Santro car after meeting relatives in Ludhiana.

According to eyewitnesses, an overspeeding private bus collided head-on with Bhagwati's car. The driver of the bus escaped from the spot.

The police have impounded the vehicle and have started the investigation.

Ludhiana, January 9
Thieves have struck at three shops situated on the Chandigarh road. Besides mobile phones and recharge coupons, they decamped with a huge amount of cash.

The incident came to light when Deepak, owner of Anand Telecom, arrived at the shop and was shocked to find the shutter uprooted.

Deepak said thieves also struck at a grocery store. Ved Parkash, owner of the store, said the thieves had made good with a huge amount of cash he had kept in the collection counter at the shop.

Ludhiana, January 9
Inderjit Singh, an undertrial who had fled from police custody on October 21 last year, has been arrested by the Division No. 5 police from Delhi.

Ludhiana, January 9
The counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police has arrested two persons and recovered Rs 25.4 lakh of suspected hawala amount from their possession.

A team, led by Inspector Kanwardeep Singh, laid a naka near the Ladhowal toll plaza and signalled a car to stop. However, the driver of the car (PB 10 CY 3127) raced away.