Ludhiana, February 8
Not only to generate more revenue but also to streamline traffic, the Municipal Corporation has decided to earmark four parking lots in the city. These parking lots will come up in busy areas of Malhar Road, Ghumar Mandi, the Kips market and I Block of Sarabha Nagar. Minimal reserve prices have been proposed for these lots so that parking contractors do not have to charge exorbitant fees.

Initially, the contract will be awarded on a trial basis for three months through auction. For parking two-wheelers, residents will have to pay just Rs 5 and for parking four-wheelers Rs 10.

Additional Commissioner Isha Kalia said the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) had cleared the proposal and it would get the nod in the General House. She said these paid-parking lots would provide great relief to the residents from traffic chaos.

Meanwhile, the survey teams of the civic body have found on the Ferozepur Road-Shastri Nagar railway crossing stretch of Malhar Road, 150 cars and 200 two-wheelers can be parked. The MC can earn Rs 9 lakh annually from this parking lot. However, it has kept its reserve price at Rs 5 lakh per annum.

At Ghumar Mandi, which is one of the busiest areas of the city, about 200 cars and 250 two-wheelers can be parked on the stretch between Aarti Chowk and the ITI for Girls. The reserve price will be Rs 7 lakh annually for this parking lot.

The reserve price of the Kips market parking lot with a capacity of 300 cars and 200 two wheelers was Rs 20 lakh in 2011 when the fee was Rs 20. The survey teams conclude if a nominal parking fee was charged, then the civic body would earn Rs 14.40 lakh annually. So, reserve price for this parking lot should be Rs 10 lakh.

For the Sarabha Nagar I Block parking lot, where 50 cars and 50 two-wheelers can be parked, a reserve price of Rs 2 lakh has been proposed by the committee.

“Minimum reserve prices for the parking lots have been proposed so that contractors do not have to charge exorbitant fees. These parking lots will provide respite to the residents from traffic chaos caused by haphazard parking,” said Kalia.

Ludhiana, February 8
With the arrest of two persons, including a woman, the Focal Point police have claimed to solve the murder of a woman whose body was found near the Dhandari bridge on January 24. One of arrested persons is Vijay Kumar, who hails from Uttar Pradesh. Both lived in a “vehra” in the Daba area.

Vijay was in relationship with deceased Sonia (22), a resident of a “vehra” at Amardass Colony in Giaspura while his accomplice was her friend.

They allegedly murdered Sonia with the help of two other accomplices, Sumit and Sandeep, who have absconded.

Sonia’s body bore stab injuries on the face, throat and abdomen. A passerby had spotted the body and informed the police.

The in charge of the Dhandari police post, ASI Gurbakshish Singh, said Vijay was in relationship with Sonia. “His accomplice and Sonia were also good friends. As Vijay and his accomplice stayed in the same “vehra”, they were attracted. When Vijay proposed her, she said she wanted Sonia out of his life. Both of them, along with two others, hatched a plot to murder Sonia,” he said.

On January 23, Vijay invited Sonia to his room for drinks. “After consuming liquor, Vijay took Sonia towards the Dhandari bridge on his bike while the three accomplices followed them. They stabbed her near the bridge and dumped the body in a vacant plot,” the ASI said.

Meanwhile, both the accused were produced before a court that remanded them to police custody. The police have recovered the weapon used in the crime.

Ludhiana, February 8
The police have arrested BJP leader Gurpreet Singh, alias Kaka, who has been accused of attacking Radhe Krishan, BJP councillor from ward number 16. Five others wanted in the case have also been arrested.

At least 12 persons, including Focal Point SHO Gurtej Singh, were hurt after residents, who were protesting against the firing incident that took place outside Radhe Krishan’s office in Deep Singh Nagar, near Sherpur Chowk, pelted them with stones on Thursday evening.

Radhe Krishan’s supporters had demanded Gurpreet’s arrest withing 48 hours.

The firing incident had sparked a protest on National Highway-I, resulting in inconvenience to a large number of commuters.

Gurtej Singh, Station House Officer of the Focal Point police station, said Kaka, along with his accomplice Chhotu, was arrested today. “Two of them were arrested today while four of their accomplices were arrested yesterday. The other persons wanted in the case will be arrested soon,” he said.

The police had registered an attempt-to-murder case and slapped several sections of the Arms Act against Gurpreet and his 10 accomplices, including Mandeep Singh, Chhotu, Mona and Tubbay. This case was registered on Radhe Krishan’s complaint. He had alleged that Gurpreet had fired shots from his double-barrelled gun while he was going somewhere with a friend.

Radhe Krishan had won the MC elections from ward number 16 as an independent candidate and later joined the BJP. Gurpreet’s wife has been a councillor from the same ward.

Ludhiana, February 8
The district administration has begun preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. Training in handling electronic voting machines was imparted to returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) at Bachat Bhawan here today.

The Election Tehsildar of the Ludhiana district, Sukhdev Singh Bhangu, said: "This was the first training of returning officers and assistant returning officers that was attended by 14 ROs and 28 AROs. Now, they will further train supervisors and other staff to be deputed in polling booths."

Jagraon, February 8
The Eighth Progressive Dairy Farmers' Association International Dairy and Agriculture Expo began at Pashu Mandi here today. The chief guest, Punjab Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, inaugurated the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Ranike said the state government’s efforts of motivating farmers towards taking up dairy farming were yielding good results.

"The state government has been organising various kinds of animal fairs every year to develop the dairy industry in Punjab. These efforts have attracted thousands of farmers towards dairy farming in the recent past,” said Gulzar Singh Ranike.

The dairy industry had witnessed a growth of more than 10 per cent in the past five years, said the minister.

“The annual milk production of the state has gone up from 93.89 lakh ton to 97.24 lakh ton in the same period,” he said.

Within a year, the number of milk-producing cows and buffalos has increased by 35 and 4 per cent respectively in the state, said Ranike.

"Punjab is the leading state in the country as far as milk production is concerned. The state produces 961 grams of milk per person everyday,” he said.

The minister told the gathering that the state government was about to recruit 125 veterinary officers and 175 veterinary inspectors within a month and a half. He also spoke about various schemes being initiated by the Punjab government for the development of the dairy industry. He announced the setting up of a new veterinary college at Rampura Phool.

"The government is also planning to spend Rs 60 crore to upgrade the existing veterinary hospitals. We are establishing new veterinary dispensaries in all the districts of Punjab to provide best possible treatment to animals,” said Ranike.

On being asked about the increasing problem of stray animals, the minister said the government had set up a Cow Protection Board.

"The government will soon appoint the chairman of the board. It will monitor all the gaushalas in the state and keep a check on stray animals,” he said.

Local MLA SR Kaler, MLA from Mullanpur Dakha Manpreet Singh Ayali and PDFA president Daljit Singh Sadarpura were also present on the occasion.

Machhiwara, February 8
PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon laid the foundation stone of a 22-km-long wall to be constructed around forest area at Matewara.

To come up at a cost of Rs 12.70 crore, the wall would protect crops from being damaged by animals, said the minister. Also, farmers would be able to work without any fear of being attacked by wild animals, he said.

The wall, which would run around 2,000 acres of forest land, will also protect wild animals, whose number s dwindling day by day, said Dhillon.

The minister said the Forest Department would constitute a forest safari in the area. Also, a race course, third largest in the country, will be built, he said. Dhillon said the ongoing work on Matewara-Rahon Bridge would be completed by the yearend, and the bridge would become functional soon after.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 8
A number of patients attended an eye-examination camp at Kila Raipur village near here. Organised by Modan Singh Memorial Association, the camp revealed that environmental pollution was the main reason behind problems in vision.

A team of ophthalmologists, led by Dr Ramesh Mansooran, said environmental pollution and lack of knowledge about healthcare were the main reasons behind vision deterioration among the rural masses.

"The poisonous smoke emanating from agricultural wastes, including paddy stubbles, contributed most to visionary ailments in rural localities," said Dr Mansooran.

Ignorance about essential micronutrients and vitamins among the residents was also a major factor contributing to eye problems, said the doctors.

Ludhiana, February 8
Avtar Singh, CEO, Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society (LETS), today laid the foundation stone for doubling the effluent treatment capacity of the CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) at Phase VIII, Focal Point, Ludhiana.

The existing capacity of the CETP, being operated by JBR Technologies, will be raised from 300 kl to 600 kl to cater to the needs of industrial units of almost the entire Punjab.

According to a press release, international technology of latest European standards will be installed at the plant. The enhanced capacity will cover almost entire Punjab, especially industrial units in the districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda and Fathegarh Sahib.

Rajinder Singh, MD, JBR Technologies, said the CETP would start functioning on the enhanced capacity within two months.

RK Goyal, XEN, and Dr Surinder, a senior scientist, said the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) would extend full support for the timely expansion of the plant.

Among those present at the stone-laying ceremony were Rajinder Singh, MD, JBR Technologies, Vicky Bansal, SDO, PPCB, Ludhiana, JM Puri and Kamal Mehta, vice-president and technical adviser of JBR Technologies, respectively.

Fact file The existing capacity of the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), being operated by JBR Technologies, will be raised from 300 kl to 600 kl to cater to the needs of the industrial units of almost the entire Punjab, especially industrial units in the districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda and Fathegarh Sahib. An international technology of latest European standards will be installed at the plant.

Ludhiana, February 8
The Aam Aadmi Party contests elections on issues rather than against any party. This was stated by the party MLA from Karol Bagh constituency, Delhi, Vishesh Ravi, who was in the city today to 'thank' the Congress Workers Forum, a body of former Congress members, for its support in the AAP's election campaign in Delhi.

Regarding the number of seats that the party would contest in Punjab in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, he said, "The party high command would take the call on it. The AAP is more concerned about giving tickets to good and honest people, who are socially responsible and work for the betterment of society, rather than worrying about the number of seats it could win."

He said the party was committed to passing of the Lok Pal Bill. About the founder member Madhu Bhaduri quitting the party levelling the charge that women members were being mistreated, he said those were her personal views. — TNS

Ludhiana, February 8
Additional Commissioner Devinder Singh today directed the local Municipal Corporation (MC) officials to tow away vehicles found parked in Gian Singh Rarewala Market near the Preet Palace here.

The Additional Commissioner of the MC convened a meeting with the officials after the Punjab and Haryana High Court acted tough against the civic body on the issue of parking of cars in the market for the purpose of sale and purchase. Devinder Singh directed the officials to impound the vehicles parked in the market for trading purposes.

In the latest hearing of the case, the HC directed the MC officials to ensure that the car bazaar does not come up at the particular market again. The MC was further directed that the MC officials should send weekly progress reports to the court by post. The next date of hearing in the case is scheduled for May 12.

Ludhiana, February 8
About 33 per cent applicants for learner’s licence failed to clear the online test during the first week of its launch.

On January 30, the online application system for learner's licence began at the Children's Park. Under the system, an applicant has to score at least 60 per cent marks in an online test comprising questions related to traffic rules and symbols.

The technical executive of the online system, Jagmohan, said, "There are over 300 questions related to traffic rules. Each applicant is asked 10 questions and he has to give right answers of at least six."

District Trasnport Officer Anil Garg said, "The applicants, who failed to score 60 per cent marks, can take the test again after one week. Clearing the test is now mandatory for getting a learner's licence."

It may be mentioned here that Ludhiana is the second district after Mohali where the online system for issuing learner's license has been started. The aim is to make youngsters aware about traffic rules and symbols so as to prevent accidents caused due to poor awareness of traffic rules.

Ludhiana, February 8
The roads on the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus are in poor shape. Motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, find it difficult to commute on the potholed roads, which have not been repaired since long.

The morning and evening walkers at the PAU rue that every year, the user charges are increased but the authorities fail to provide them with facilities. PAU employees and students rue that they find it risky to drive two-wheelers on the roads, which are either bumpy or slippery.

Gurinderpal Singh Anchala, a student of BSc (Agriculture) at PAU, said a two-wheeler being driven by a girl skidded near the PAU market today. "As the coating of bitumen has come off on several roads, they have become bumpy as well as slippery. Every year, a number of accidents are reported but the authorities concerned are yet to conduct repairs," he rued.

A PAU employee said the condition of roads was worse when one goes towards PAU farms. "Besides, the road opposite the Thapar Hall is in poor shape. I wonder why the authorities concerned fail to get the roads repaired, which is a basic amenity," he rued.

Tarsem Singh, a morning walker, said, “While the PAU levied service tax on us and on the other, it failed to provide the basic amenities. The PAU boasts about being a world-class university but the roads on the campus narrate a different story.”

PAU estate officer Jaskaran Singh Mahal stated that a proposal to seek funds for re-carpeting of roads had been prepared and forwarded the same to the state government. "We require over Rs 5 crore for re-carpeting of all roads on the PAU campus and the work would start once we receive the funds," informed Mahal.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 8
Baradwal Kabbadi Club and Kalsian Sports Association emerged winners in the Butahri Rural Sports Fair 2014 which concluded at Butahri Stadium, near here yesterday. Jaggie Baradwal and Inderjit Kalsian were declared the best raider and stopper, respectively.

Football clubs of Mangli and Seelon villages bagged the first two positions in the open football competition.

Earlier, former minister Malkit Singh Dakha inaugurated the event organised jointly by Naujawan Sports Club and the village Panchayat.

Gill Sports Association president Surinder Toni Kalakh and Jagdeep Bittu gave away prizes to winners.

Amritpal Singh Kailaey, an office-bearer of the host organisation, said Ghaloti and Kot Fatuhi kabaddi teams had won the fist and second prizes in the 75-kg category and Reeta Ghaloti and Gaggu Baddowal were declared the best raider and stopper, respectively.

The football team of Nangal Khurad defeated Daumajra boys in the 55-kg category.