Ludhiana, February 24
The General House of the Municipal Corporation today passed a jumbo budget of Rs 1315.37 crore for the next financial year amid uproar by the Congress councillors who asserted the budget estimates were unrealistic.

The cash-strapped MC has apparently taken a quantum jump from its revised budget of Rs 778.16 crore for the current financial year with a lot more dependence on loans, share in taxes and Central grants.

Interestingly, as per the figures made available at the budget meeting by Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and MC Commissioner Shruti Singh, actual income of the MC till December 31, 2013, was nearly Rs 557 crore while expected income in the last quarter of this financial year was projected at Rs 221.16 crore, which was termed as a tall order by the councillors.

According to the budget estimates for 2014-15, the MC expects to generate an income of Rs 330 crore from its share in VAT, Rs 90 crore from house tax and property tax, Rs 38 crore from octroi on electricity, Rs 15 crore from composition fee, Rs 25 crore from sale of land and property, Rs 40 crore from user charges (water rate and sewerage) and Rs 30 crore from additional excise duty.

Among other sources of revenue generation were advertisement tax, licence fee, rent of properties, tehbazari, recovery of loan from employees and the slaughter house fee.

While the MC had targeted to generate a total income of Rs 600.37 crore from its own sources, the rest of the funds were expected to come as its share in taxes, grants (Rs 530 crore) and loans to be raised from commercial banks and HUDCO (Rs 185 crore).

On the expenditure side, the MC has earmarked Rs 305.60 crore (23.23 per cent) for the establishment and Rs 54.35 crore (4.13 per cent) for contingencies while the major part of funds, Rs 955.42 crore (72.64 per cent), will go towards development and other committed expenditures.

The two-hour meeting was marked with regular disruptions by the Congress councillors who lashed out at the ruling SAD-BJP for presenting “highly inflated and unrealistic” figures in the budget to draw political mileage.

Hem Raj Aggarwal, Leader of the Congress councillors, along with Sanjay Talwar, Gurpreet Singh Gogi and Rakesh Parashar said the ruling combine had presented a jumbo budget without making any concrete provision for generating more income.

Ludhiana, February 24
Ludhiana City Bus Service Ltd has put into service five air-conditioned buses in the city. This is for the first time that air-conditioned buses have been launched in the city.

Of these five AC buses, three have been put on the route from the bus stand to the Jalandhar bypass and two on the Bus Stand-Ferozepur Road octroi post route.

With the addition of these five AC buses, the buses running in the city bus service fleet has hit the 80 mark. These 80 buses are plying on the nine routes of bus stand-Jalandhar bypass, bus stand-Ferozepur road octroi post, bus stand-Gurdwara Alamgir Sahib, bus stand-Dugri, Sahnewal-Jalandhar bypass via Vishwakarma chowk, railway station-Clock Tower, bus stand-Kohara, bus stand-Tajpur Road octroi post, railway station-Haibowal and bus stand-Pakhowal road.

Baljit Singh, manager, Ludhiana City Bus Service Ltd, said the fare of these buses is double the fare of the non-AC ones.

“The fare for travelling up to 5 km is Rs 10, from 5 km to 10 km Rs 15, from 10 km to 15 km Rs 20 and for travelling more than 15 km the fare is Rs 2 per km. We have received a good response from commuters and during the summer season, we will start more such buses,” said Baljit Singh.

Ludhiana, February 24
The involvement of two policemen in the kidnapping and murder of Rajpura resident Gulzar Singh Chaudhary (60) has yet again brought to the fore corruption in the Police Department.

Parminder Singh and Deepak Kumar, head constable and a Home Guards jawan, respectively, allegedly took the victim to the office of Bhupinder Singh Soma, a private financier, where he was beaten to death.

It was not the first time when policemen were found to be involved in criminal activities.

Last year, Narinder Singh, in-charge of the Raghunath Enclave chowki, and head constable Harnek Singh were booked for torturing a nine-year-old boy. Sources said during investigation, it was found they had used a pair of scissors (taking them close to his private parts) to scare him.

In another case, Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI) Ram Singh and constable Jaspal Singh were booked on a complaint lodged by a city resident, Nirmal Singh. The victim had told the police that the two policemen accosted him and took out Rs 900 from his pocket. When they demanded more money, he withdrew money from an ATM and gave it to the policemen.

The issue was brought to the notice of high-level police officers who investigated the matter. Later, the two policemen were booked for extortion and assault.

Ludhiana, February 24
A 37-year-old patient from Mundian Kalan in Ludhiana district died of swine flu today. He was admitted to the Christian Medical College and Hospital.

Two patients from other states had died of swine flu earlier this year. Seven cases of swine flu, including three from Ludhiana, have been confirmed to date.

Medical experts said the disease spread through the air. The symptoms include high fever, sneezing, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting and breathlessness.

As a precautionary measure, hands should be cleaned thoroughly. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose with unwashed hands, said the experts. — TNS

Ludhiana, February 24
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been without a security in-charge for the past more than a month. Though “outsiders” are thoroughly checked at Gate Number 2, their number on the campus has been increasing day by day.

Students said as there was no security in charge, the security personnel were not performing their duty properly.

A student said earlier when Capt Ravinder Singh Grewal (retd) was the security in-charge, not many outsiders were found on the campus. “But now, several outsiders can be seen standing near the library, the Students’ Home and in other places on the campus. Our girl classmates told us these outsiders often pass lewd comments about them,” he added.

Another student said: “Earlier, no outsider was allowed to stand in groups anywhere on the campus. But ever since the post of security in-charge fell vacant, the activities of outsiders have suddenly increased on the campus,” he said.

Registrar of the PAU PK Khanna said the case was under his consideration. “We will take the final call in a day or two. The PAU campus will have a full-time security in-charge,” said Khanna.

Ludhiana, February 23
A progressive farmer has scripted a success story by shifting from farming to agro-processing. Jagwant Singh Rai (45), a farmer from Narike Khurd village in Sangrur district, now owns a company, New Era Foods, which manufactures a popular product, ‘Pure Punjabi Tadka’.

The product is prepared with onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies, salt and other secret ingredients. It is free from any edible colour, chemical or preservative.

The business of Jagwant, who starting the company with an initial investment of about Rs 2 lakh, has increased manifold. Now, he earns much more than what he used to earn from his ancestral 35 acres of land.

“It started as a pastime and now it’s a full-fledged business. Advice given by professors from Punjab Agricultural University and technical know-how provided by the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) gave wheels to my venture,” said Jagwant while speaking to The Tribune.

Jagwant’s wife Amritpal Kaur read the recipe of ‘Tadka’ in some book several years ago. “As I wanted to shift from the conventional agriculture to agro-processing, I felt ‘Tadka’ could be the best bet. I owned a shop in Malerkotla where we used to sell turmeric and other spices. Later, I decided to manufacture ‘Tadka, which was an instant success,” he said.

As ‘Tarka’ is a hot-selling product in Malerkotla and the nearby villages, Jagwant wanted to launch it professionally. “I visited Punjab Agricultural University where experts helped me in branding my product. They even got my product tested from the Department of Microbiology and Food Science Technology. The department certified the product fit for consumption. The experts from CIPHET helped me find the company from which I could get the packaging technology,” he said.

Dr Ramandeep Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Business Management, PAU, helped him sell the product in a professional way. “We help all farmers entering the agro-processing business so they can compete with the national brands. If Jagwant Singh Rai can script a success story in agro-processing, other farmers can also follow in his footsteps because agro-processing is the need of the hour,” said Dr Ramandeep.

“We are basically targeting those families where both partners are working. People don’t have time to prepare ‘tadka’, which is an essential part of Indian cooking,” Jagwant said.

Ludhiana, February 24
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today announced Kulwinder Singh Khosa as its candidate from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency. All-India general secretary of the party and Rajya Sabha member Narendar Kashyap made this announcement during the BSP Workers’ Sammelan organised here. Khosa, who claims to be a former Congress joint-secretary, is from the Jat Sikh community.

Addressing the gathering, Kashyap said the BSP would contest from all the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Punjab.

Talking to The Tribune, he said the time was ripe for the emergence of a third front as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP. He dismissed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a bubble that might burst any time. Commenting on the third front, he said it was still premature to say with certainty how this front would shape up.

“The political permutations and combinations can become clear only after the Lok Sabha elections are held and the results are out,” he said.

Asked as to why the BSP was extending outside support to the Congress-led UPA government, he said it was to keep the BJP out of power.

“The BSP does not want communal forces to gain the upper hand,” said the party’s general-secretary.

He said the people were fed up of the “anti-people policies” of the Congress and the BJP. The people had lost confidence in both the parties and they wanted a change, he said.

The BSP leader also accused the Congress of being involved in scams. He charged the BJP with playing divisive politics and flaring up communal passions. He also accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of making false promises.

Kashyap refuted the charge that the Bahujan Samaj Party was nominating “parachute” candidates like Khosa for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

“There’s no rule book or a Constitutional guideline that stops any party from nominating a candidate to contest from a constituency that is not the latter’s place of residence,” he said.

The decisions on the nomination of the candidates were taken after consultation with the state and district party leaders, he said.

Among the leaders who attended the sammelan were the BSP state unit coordinator, Parkash Bharti, and the party’s state president, Parkash Singh Jandiali.

Jagraon, February 24
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi spoke at the Fateh Rally organised at Sugar Mill here on Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers led by the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from the Ludhiana constituency HS Phoolka carried out a cleanliness drive at the venue

The party volunteers, carrying party's poll symbol, broom, removed used plates and glasses spread all over the ground.

Phoolka alleged that during the cleanliness drive, a large number of pouches of habit-forming drugs and tobacco were found.

He said, "The presence of pouches of habit-forming drugs at the venue a day after the rally is an ample proof of how the ruling SAD-BJP alliance lured the people into attending the event. The current ruling alliance wants to win the coming Lok Sabha elections by distributing money, liquor and drugs among the voters.”

Phoolka said contrary to rallies organised by other political parties on Sunday, people attended the AAP rally at Rohtak (Haryana) on their own accord.

Making it clear that the Aam Aadmi Party would not distribute drugs, liquor or money to woo voters, Phoolka said other political parties were aggravating the problem of drug addiction and devastating lives of the youth.

The SAD candidate from Ludhiana constituency, Manpreet Singh Ayali, termed AAP’s cleanliness drive an eyewash.

"AAP leaders often speak of cleaning the political system. Today's cleanliness drive, however, was nothing more than a political drama to hog some limelight,” said Ayali.

After the drive, heaps of garbage could still be seen at the venue.

Ludhiana, February 24
The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, released a book on the Right to Information written by Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, currently serving as the Deputy Inspector-General, Ludhiana Range.

The book titled "Right to Information: Law & Practice" will cater to the needs of law students and also appeal to laymenbecause of its simple language, said the DIG.

He said the RTI was an emerging field with laws pertaining to it at the developing stage, by means of statutory amendments, interpretation by the Supreme Court, High Courts, Information Commissions and executive guidelines.

In this endeavour, he said he had consulted noted jurists, information commissioners, bureaucrats, police officers, academicians and RTI scholars.

The DIG, who holds a PhD in police administration from GNDU, Amritsar, has recently graduated in law from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He has earlier authored a book on cyber crime besides a one on Kabir’s teachings.

Ludhiana, February 24
Kehar Singh has been appointed as the new Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP- II).

He will replace senior PPS officer Harmohan Singh, who had taken the additional charge from Bhupinder Singh, who was transferred to the NRI cell as the AIG.

Ludhiana, February 24
A painting exhibition titled ‘Rasamanjari’ was inaugurated today at MS Randhawa Art Gallery, Punjabi Bhawan.

The paintings of 30 artists, who participated in the spot painting workshop organised by ARS Group yesterday, would be displayed at the art gallery for three more days.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Kulwant Singh, former fine arts professor at Government College for Girls.

“The best part of the exhibition is that the fine arts students and teachers from colleges and schools worked on the paintings all together,” said Richa Khanna, a teacher.

As there are lesser opportunities for artists to work together, it is great to learn and teach at the same time, said another artist.

So, exhibitions like these go a long way in promoting art and helps in learning from experienced artists and youngsters with fresh ideas at the same time.

All the paintings were based on different themes. Most of them were abstract paintings.

Ludhiana, February 24
The recently opened MS Randhawa Art Gallery at Punjabi Bhawan has brought a wave of happiness for amateur artists of the city. They now have a new place to exhibit their artistic works and creations.

A few amateur artists said the city was in dire need of new and good art galleries. They said the city lacked enough art galleries and for art to flourish more galleries were required for artists to display their works and to promote it in the city.

Jagdeep, a fine arts student, said it was good that a new art gallery at an open space had been opened. As more the space, better will be the display, he said.

Although, some of the artists said brighter lights were required for the display of art works here as well. Preeti, an artist, said the art galleries should be bigger and better. Another artist said, “The place should be more prominent and better lighting should be used for increasing the visibility of the art gallery.”

There are so many art galleries in Chandigarh and people have a taste for great art there, said an artist. “One of the reasons for the great taste for art is because people get a lot of chances to go, see and get inspired from art at the various galleries, but here there aren’t enough places to do so. International level art galleries should be opened for people to develop a good taste for art, he said.

Janmeja Johl, from Punjabi Sahit Akademi, said opening of the art gallery was just a starting step, as it would be improved further. Johl said with the passage of time, it would be turned into a cultural centre, a rendezvous for artists and art lovers to meet every weekend. A place for them to come, paint and learn together, he said.

Johl added, “With an open theatre and the Punjabi Sahit Akademi housed in the same building, the art gallery will serve as a great place for young and veteran artists and writers to work together.”

rendezvous with artists
With an open theatre and Punjabi Sahit Akademi housed in the same building, the art gallery will serve as a great place for young and veteran artists and writers to work together.
— janmeja johl, artist, punjabi sahit akademi

Ludhiana, February 24
Major General GS Chima, VSM, ADG (Punjab Directorate) visited Ludhiana NCC Gp HQ today.

Having recently taken over the coveted appointment, he was on a familarisation visit to the city-based NCC group. He was received by Brig RPS Sandhu, SM, Group Commander Ludhiana NCC group, at the group headquarters in Sarabha Nagar. After a guard of honour presented by NCC cadets, he was introduced to all officers of various units under Ludhiana group.

Brig Sandhu, in his presentation later on, familarised the visiting dignitary with the various training and social activities being undertaken by the city NCC group. The ADG appreciated the efforts put in by Ludhiana group and especially for the recently held RDC competition. The ADG also interacted with the training staff and later on visited 1 R and V Sqn (in PAU) as well as Number 4 Punjab Air Squadron NCC at Sarabha Nagar.

During his visit to Number 4 Punjab Air Squadron, he appreciated the efforts put in by the unit in preparing the training room and other facilities available for the cadets.

Ludhiana, February 24
“Expansion of conservation technology and proper use of pesticides are the major challenges in contemporary agriculture.” This was stated by Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), while inaugurating the two-day ‘research and extension specialists’ workshop for kharif crops’ on the campus today.

Chief agriculture officers, deputy directors, joint directors and other agriculture officers from the State Department of Agriculture, Punjab, along with the directors of regional research stations, associate/deputy directors from krishi vigyan kendras and subject-matter specialists from Farm Advisory Service Scheme are participating in the workshop. The senior officials of the PAU were also present at the inaugural session.

Dr Dhillon said the competition with the private sector and abrupt climate changes call for the attention of farm experts, saying that experimental proceedings need to be enhanced. “The need of the hour is to expand and conduct adaptive trials with precision, and involve all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras located across Punjab,” he said. Expressing concern over the misuse of agro-chemicals by farmers, Dr Dhillon said, “Don’t look at present, look at the future. Don’t look at income, look at the profit.” He hailed the ‘Krishi Karman Award 2012-13’ conferred upon Punjab for record wheat and paddy production.

Dr Mangal Singh Sandhu, director of Agriculture, Punjab, spoke on the targets, production and problems of kharif crops in Punjab. He said at the grass root level, PAU and the State Department of Agriculture were working collectively for the benefit of the farmers. Many issues are cropping up in agriculture and there is an urgent need to sustain natural topography, he emphasised.

Doraha, February 24
The College Development Council of Panjab University has decided to organise four seminars in four different colleges affiliated to the varsity in order to sensitise the students, teachers and masses on the issue of ‘domestic and sexual violence’.

Four colleges, which have to be accorded grants for the purpose include GGN Khalsa College, Civil Lines, Ludhiana; Dashmesh Girls College of Education, Badal; DAV College, Abohar, and Guru Nanak National College, Doraha.

The seminar shall entail presentations of papers and discussions by resource persons on the topics, including domestic violence against women and children, creating awareness among students regarding domestic violence and sexual violence against women and children.

Dr Naval Kishore, Dean, College Development Council, PU, informed that the objective to organise the seminars was to raise awareness on the issue of gender-violence; to analyse the causes and factors of violence against women; to analyse how the violence against women impacts the lives of victims, their families and society, etc.

Dr Kuldip Singh, Senator, PU, who is organising one such seminar in his college on March 5, shared the seminar would throw light on varied perspectives and issues, including overview of the Domestic Violence Act 2005, curbing sexual harassment at workplace, role of voluntary organisations and social welfare departments, patriarchal society and sexual violence against women, etc.

Dr Narinder Sidhu, principal, Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, who is also the director of the seminar, said the college chose the theme of creating awareness among students on the issue. “The seminar will focus on some vital issues reflecting crimes against women and children as there is need to break the silence and ensure that violence against them be combated if government and society join hands to yield positive results,” he added.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 24
Even as the chain hunger strike launched by activists and office-bearers of over two dozen local organisations has entered its 40th day, the administration seems to be totally unmoved by the agitation.

Upgrading the town to sub-division, establishment of a government degree college, construction of at least one over-bridge, plying of buses to local bus stop and improvement in basic civic amenities are cited as the main demands of the protestors.

Though the elected representatives, including Member of Parliament Sukhdev Singh Libra and legislator Iqbal Singh Jhoondan had assured the protesters of acceptance and implementation of their genuine demands, the Sub Divisional Magistrate shirked away his responsibility saying he had already forwarded the charter of demands to the higher authorities.

Unfortunately, none of authorities and leaders could succeed in persuading the protesters to end their agitation.

Having failed to get their voice heard, the protestors took out a torch (mashal) march in the town last night. Women outnumbered men at the march.

The march passed through Gandhi Chowk, Railway Road, Jawahar Nagar, Green Avenue, Dr Kundan Lal Road, Mahavir Road and Chaura Bazar before concluding at Bhagat Singh Chowk. The protesters who carried placards and banners raised slogans against the administration and the Punjab Government. Probably it was for the first time that the protesters raised slogans against the local legislator.

Led by Vicky Sharma and Vikas Tandon, the protesters complained that successive governments had failed to provide basic amenities to the residents. The protestors said office-bearers of various political parties, who should have impressed upon their senior leaders to support their movement, had tried to torpedo the movement.

Though a delegation of protestors had met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to seek his intervention, the alleged indifference of the local leaders could produce nothing but disappointment, they alleged.

They said the agitation would continue till the protest reached its logical end. They also threatened to intensify the stir in the coming days.

Ludhiana, February 24
A 21-year-old youngster from Pandori village has entered into the field of Punjabi music with the recording of his first single. Gurjeet Pandori, the son of a security guard deployed at Punjab Agricultural University, wants to make it big in the Punjabi music industry.

A diehard fan of Punjabi singers Gurdas Mann and Satinder Sartaj, Gurjeet Pandori completed his Class XII from Government Senior Secondary School, Dakha, and is now doing his Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) from Guru Ram Dass College, Halwara.

“I have been into singing ever since I was a small child. My Ustad, Niyamat Ali, from Sidhwan Bet, polished my talent and urged me to venture into professional singing,” said Gurjeet.

The high point in this budding singer’s life came recently when he got a chance to perform in the Lishkara programme on channel DD Punjabi. “My song ‘Soorme Sir Jhukauna Jaande Na Mooh Mor Den Talwaran De’ has been well received ever since it was aired on the channel. I am ready with two more Punjabi songs, whose music has been composed by Kainth Brothers. These songs would also be released soon,” he said.

Gurjeet Pandori has been performing at PAU Kisan Mela’s for the last couple of years. “I want to follow the footsteps of legendary singers Gurdas Mann and Satinder Sartaj, and that is why I write my own songs,” the youngster said.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Feb 24
The organisers of blood donation camps have been receiving a good response from donors. Screening of blood to check infectious diseases was the major factor for the success of blood donation camps.

While the recipients get germ-free blood during golden hours of emergency treatment, donors get their blood tested for probable infection by pathogens of dreaded diseases.

Introduction of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) by some organisations has drawn people from the elite class towards regular donation at these camps.

Sources said donating blood had become an element of lifestyle among people of middle and higher strata of urban and agrarian society.

Acknowledging the trend, office-bearers and activists of social and religious organisations led by former president of the Municipal Council, Ravinder Puri and former councillor Bimal Sharma, said more and more people had started coming forward to donate blood at camps as it provided an opportunity to screen the vital fluid for presence of pathogens of infectious diseases.

Many precious lives were saved by timely detection of dreaded diseases following blood donation at camps organised by Social Welfare Organisation (SWO) as a number of donors were found carrying pathogens of dreaded diseases in latent form, they said.

Chairman of the SWO Dr Rajinder Mittal said confirmatory tests were conducted on fresh samples of blood of suspected cases and follow-up of poor patients was undertaken by the organisation. Sources said at least nine tests were conducted on each unit of donated blood, which included tests for hepatitis B, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2), human T-lymphotropic virus and the hepatitis C virus.

Ludhiana, February 24
The city police have booked five persons for opening fire and robbing a youth of his mobile phone and wallet in the Civil City area on Jassian Road yesterday.

The accused have been identified as Ganga, Shalaudin, Praladh, Rajesh Kumar and Lakhwinder Singh. The Division No. 4 police have booked the accused under Sections 382, 336, 148, 149 and 506 of the IPC, besides various other sections of the Arms Act.

Narrating the incident, victim Ravi Kumar said the incident took place last evening, when he was playing cricket along with his friends on a plot on Jassian Road. He said the accused came on two motorcycles and suddenly fired a shot in the air. Then, the accused pointed a pistol at him and threatened to kill him, said the victim.

Samrala, February 24
Two unidentified youths robbed a Fortuner car by threatening its owner with pistols last night at Samrala. As per information and statement with the police, Dalvir Singh of Rohle village was sitting in his vehicle near the bus stand. Suddenly two youths came with pistols and threatened him to give the key of the vehicle. They took the car and fled away towards Samrala Chowk.