Ludhiana, February 28
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has launched voluntary disclosure scheme (VDS) for all categories of consumers to enable them get their electrical load extended on the basis of actual connected load.

The scheme will remain open for three months - March 1 to May 31, 2014, and will be open to domestic supply (DS), non-residential supply (NRS/commercial), small power (SP), medium supply (MS) and agricultural power (AP).

As per a commercial circular issued by the Chief Engineer (Commercial) of the PSPCL, the field staff will not check the connected load during the period the VDS remains open and further no penalty will be levied on unauthorised extension of load disclosed voluntarily.

The PSPCL has also decided to allow a 20 per cent rebate in the service connection charges to the DS and NRS consumers. For DS connections, the service connection charges have been fixed at Rs 300 up to one KW, Rs 360 up to 3 KW, Rs 600 upto 7 KW and Rs 900 up to 100 KW. The charges for the NRS consumers will be Rs 300 up to one KW, Rs 600 up to 3 KW and Rs 900 up to 100 KW.

Similarly, the DS consumers will have to pay initial security of Rs 500 per KW for load up to 50 KW and Rs 370 per KW for load up to 100 KW. For the consumers covered under spot billing, the amount of initial security will be Rs 370 and Rs 185 per KW for total load up to 50 and 100 KW respectively. The amount of initial security for the NRS consumers will be Rs 700 and Rs 470 per KW for the load up to 50 and 100 KW respectively while those covered under spot billing will be charged Rs 470 and Rs 235 per KW. According to the circular issued in respect to the SP and MS (industrial) consumers, the service connection charges for these consumers have been fixed at Rs 1,900 per KW under the VDS on which a rebate of Rs 20 per cent will be allowed. The rate of initial security recoverable will be Rs 500 per KW for the SP and Rs 750 per KW for the MS consumers which will be calculated for the extended load only.

The circular further says the AP consumers (power supply for tubewells will have to pay service connection charges of Rs 3,000 per BHP as against the prevailing rate of Rs 4,500 per BHP and the initial security recoverable on additional/extended load will be Rs 200 per BHP.

Senior PSPCL officials said the VDS scheme had been reintroduced at a very appropriate time. Now, there was adequate power supply in the state to meet the demand of all categories of consumers after the new thermal power plants at Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo become operational.

“Once the consumers disclose their actual connected load and get the same extended voluntarily when the VDS remains in force, the PSPCL will be in a position to install additional distribution equipment to bring about qualitative improvement in power supply,” said an official.

Ludhiana, February 28
Finally, District Trasnport Office is going to start the online auctioning of vanity numbers from March 6. Ludhiana will be the first district in Punjab to start online auctioning. This was revealed by Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, while talking to the Tribune.

Garg said, "From March 6, anyone who is interested in getting vanity numbers can apply for online auction. One can apply for this through the website of the Punjab Transport Department - www.Punjabtransport.org.com. After opening the website, click on e-auctioning and then click on user login and create ones ID here. Enter particulars along with the bidding fee for the particular vanity number. After one week, the bidding will be closed and the numbers will be assigned to the highest bidder. Following this, the bidder will have to pay final amount through the online system."

He further said that in case a person failed to deposit the highest amount for the vanity number within one week, then the next bidder would be given that number. If no one comes forward to take that particular number even in the next week, then that number would be automatically transferred to the general category."

Ludhiana, February 28
A day after the shooting incident at Sarabha Nagar G-Block market, there is panic among area residents.

The residents of the G-Block market feel that the place had become haven for warring groups to settle personal scores.

Yesterday's incident was not the first case where two groups had opened fire at one another.

Similarly on April 23, 2009, two groups had indulged in fierce gun battle, in which an innocent barber, Jeevan Mattoo, was shot dead. Besides, several clashes had taken place in the market that have gone unreported.

The residents claimed that the firing went on for nearly 15 minutes yesterday. The place where the shooting incident took place housed the residence of senior SAD leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi. Some police officers also live in the same area. During the incident, the armed assailants took shelter in the houses of few residents and damaged their valuables lying in the house.

The residents complained that had the police acted on time the incident could have been averted.

"We went through hell yesterday. There was lawlessness. Those involved were firing indiscriminately and a stray bullet could have hit any one of us. We were really worried about our children and hid them in safe places. Was the police sleeping? Why didn't they act on time? Where were the police vehicle and PCR motorcycles?" said the angry area residents while showing damaged valuables.

In the meantime, sources said that the police had rounded up two Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) students for questioning. They were picked up from a private hospital on Ferozepur Road following the shooting incident.

Ludhiana, February 28
Political parties condemned yesterday's shooting incident at Sarabha Nagar. HS Phoolka, Lok Sabha candidate of AAP from the Ludhiana constituency today met the Police Commissioner, Ludhiana, in this regard.

In a press note issued, Phoolka said that he had urged the Commissioner to instil confidence among the people of the area so that they could feel secure and move around in the markets freely. A demand was made that some action against the SHO and the beat constable of the area be taken. After discussion with supporters, Phoolka said that AAP after a referendum would decide whether the beat constable and the SHO should be suspended or not.

Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today condemned the incidents of violence occurring in the state and blamed the leaders of the Youth Akali Dal (YAD), headed by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

In a joint statement issued here today, PPCC general secretary Major Singh Bhaini, MLA Surinder Kumar Dawar and president District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban), Pawan Dewan condemned the incident of indiscriminate firing in the city.

The Congress leaders said that many incidents went unreported due to political pressure on the police. They said that they would take up the matter with the Governor of Punjab and the Election Commission of India to take preventive steps to avoid violence during the Lok Sabha elections.

Artar Singh Bowani, district secretary, Arun Mitra and DP Maur assistant secretaries of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in a statement released here said that the incident had exposed the Akali BJP government who had failed to check the deteriorating law and order in the state.

They demanded that the incident should be investigated by a high-powered committee of professionals without any political intervention. 

Ludhiana, February 28
Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, today ordered officers of all the departments not to leave station without prior approval till Sepetmber 3. He issued the orders while holding a review meeting of officers organised here today to take stock of the preparations for the monsoon season.

He asked the officers to be ready to combat any flood-like situation in the coming monsoon.

The DC asked the District Revenue Officer and SDMs concerned to keep in contact with prominent persons, leaders, sarpanches and panches, ex-servicemen, numberdars, divers and youth clubs of villages adjoing sensitive areas of Satluj and prepare a list of their cell numbers so that in case of any emergency they could be provided help. He instructed the Health Department to constitutes teams of doctors and provide all details to the DC Office. While instructing the Police Department, the DC said that wireless systems should be installed as sometimes cellphones don’t work during such situations.

He ordered the officers of the Drainage Department to ensure cleaning of drains before the monsoon season. He said that JE rank officer of the department should file his report by March 31 about verification of Satluj River with all the details as to where the maintenance work was required. He said that nambardars of villages adjoining the river should maintain a register about points that are already checked.

He also ordered the PWD Department to maintain all the roads and paths leading to these villages. The Forest Department officers were asked to arrange electrical cutter with the help of Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, from private organisations so that in case of emergency it could be used for cutting down trees and use them in damaged part of “dhussi bandh”. He said that the department should also procure required JCBs, cranes, tractor-trailers, other vehicles, ropes and man power etc with the help of the MC, GLADA, DTO office and SDMs and sand bags etc should also be arranged.

Khanna, February 28
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal laid the foundation stone of Rs 145.7 crore sewerage and water supply project here today. The projected is expected to be completed in one-and-a half year.

While addressing a gathering at the GTB Market, he appealed to the people to make India free from the Congress rule in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He termed the Congress party as the enemy of the people and said the people should vote for 
the NDA and its prime ministerial candidate Narinder Modi.

He said the Congress had no vision for the country and it only indulged in mall-practices and corruption. Sukhbir said Modi had a profound vision for the country and he had done a great job in Gujrat.

He said the Punjab Government had initiated the work of sewerage and water supply in at least 150 cities and around 52 grain markets. He claimed that there would be no need of generators and inverters in the coming summer.

He introduced Kulwant Singh, candidate from the SAD for the Fateh Garh Sahib constituency.

Earlier, halka in-charge, Ranjit Singh Talwandi, highlighted the development works done by the SAD-BJP alliance at Khanna and appealed the voters to support their candidate. He laid two foundation stones - the first one of water supply at the GTB Market and the other on Lalheri Road.

Doraha/Sahnewal, Feb 28
The LPG consumers feel cheated because of the confusion created by the new mode of giving subsidy through banks. They say they end up paying more through this new process.

The rate of a subsidised cylinder, at present, is Rs 435 while that of a non-subsidised one is Rs 1203. The subsidy being deposited in the accounts of the consumers is Rs 736.98. Consequently, the cylinder costs them Rs 466, instead of Rs 435.

“The difference of Rs 31 costs us all the more dearer apart from this mess of subsidised and non-subsidised cylinders. The consumers are disappointed at this new system. Instead of levying VAT on the original price, the government, it seems, is making the best use of the new situation by charging VAT on the non-subsidised rates. All those who ignored the government instructions are the gainers while we, who followed the government orders, are the ultimate loosers,” said Harbans Singh Sains of Sahnewal.

“It seems that the declaration made by the Central Government of reverting to the earlier mode of purchasing cylinders is nothing but a cruel joke on the consumers,” said Amana Baba of Young Citizens Association.

“The governments are just looting the common man. They would reduce him to a pauper, unable to meet his daily requirements and die in a state of utter penury. It has been generally observed that hike in rates is implemented from midnight but when it comes to a pro-consumer decision, it takes weeks and sometimes months to implement it,” said Jandeep Kaushal, a social worker of Doraha.

Pawan Kumar Kaushal, the State Secretary of MCPI (U) said if it was declared then the government should immediately instruct the owners of the agencies to revert to the original mode.

“Moreover, the subsidy must be given in cash instead through banks as the consumer has to pay Rs 30 to 40 more than the cost of subsidised cylinder, in the form of VAT. Is it possible for a daily wage earner to leave his work to make rounds of the banks to enquire about the subsidy?” he said. 

Ludhiana, February 28
The Ludhiana chapter of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS), in collaboration with Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), conducted a one-day workshop to commemorate 25 years of successful operational services of the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) programme for natural resource management.

Director of Agriculture, Punjab, Dr Mangal Singh Sandhu, said remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) could play a major role in preparing crop diversification plans to maximise returns in farming. He appreciated the work carried out by Punjab Remote Sensing Centre.

Chief guest Dr PG Diwakar, deputy director, National Remote Sensing Centre, Department of Space, Hyderabad, highlighted the history and success of the IRS series.

President of ISRS, Ludhiana, Dr VK Verma, gave the overview of the ISRS activities. Head, ACM and Secretary ISRS, Ludhiana, Dr Anil Sood, conducted the proceedings of the workshop. About 125 officers from different departments/organisations of the state enriched their knowledge pertaining to recent developments in remote sensing.—TNS 

Khanna, February 28
The newly appointed Senior Superintendent of Police, HS Bhullar, said criminals and drug peddlers would be dealt strictly. Implementation of law and order and action against anti-social elements would be on the priority list of the Khanna police, he said.

Talking to mediapersons at his first introductory meeting, the SSP said the drug menace must be stopped at all cost. He said special teams would be formed to crack the firing cases that occurred at Khnana in the last few days.

Before joining as the SSP, Khanna, Bhullar had worked as SSP Barnala and SSP Sangrur, twice. He had worked as Joint Director of the Vigilance Bureau and also as SP (D) Fatehgarh Sahib.

Recruited as a DSP in 1993, he also worked as DSP, Rajpura. He said his main focus would be to give protection to the city residents and to maintain their confidence in the police.

Ludhiana, February 28
The decision of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) authorities to hire private security has not gone down well with the existing contractual security guards. The existing guards rue that instead of hiring new staff, their services should be regularised.

For manning the university campus, PAU is having 50 security guards on permanent rolls while 92 daily-wagers.

Sources informed that PAU plans to hire 15 security guards as per some policy of the state government.

“We have come to know that the security guards would be deputed on trial basis at gate number 2 and 4 of the university because outsiders are allowed to enter from these two gates only,” informed a guard, preferring anonymity.

The security guards rue that on one side the PAU authorities claim that they don’t have funds for regularising their services, while on the other they are hiring new staff. “The contractual staff is paid around Rs 6,000 per month and it’s becomes difficult to make ends meet in the time of inflation,” rued a contractual security guard.

Attempts were made to contact Jaskaran Singh Mahal, PAU Estate Officer, but he did not answer the calls despite several attempts. 

Ludhiana, February 28
The Association of Private Unaided Schools of Punjab justified the fee structure and regular fee hike in schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Association (CBSE).

In a meeting of the office-bearers at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, president of the association Rajesh Rudra said running private schools had become a herculean task due to mammoth pressure from parents and the government.

While justifying the fee hike, Rajesh Rudhra said, "Even the High Court has given us the permission to raise fee and demand development charges every year. The schools can increase monthly fee by 10-15 per cent and the development charges can be increased as per the existing infrastructure. However, this amount cannot be deposited in the account of the trust and society."

According to the office-bearers of the association, parents get confused with the unclear and confusing instructions of the government and the CBSE. The instructions regarding fee waiver under the Right to Education Act and for a single girl child are major examples.

"The latest hue and cry about the books and uniform sale on the school premises has led to harassment of the school authorities. All parents send their consent for setting up books and uniform counters in the schools for their convenience every year. A notice will be displayed on the board informing parents that books and uniform can be bought from outside the campus as well. It is not compulsory for them to buy it from the school counters," said Rudhra.

Alleging that the CBSE adopts double standards, Rajesh Rudhra said, "Every year, the board increases its fee for affiliation and sports and instructs us to organise commercial programmes. Otherwise, the commercial activities in the school have been banned by the board."

Ludhiana, February 28
Opening of a number of international-level restaurants and food joints have not really suppressed the street food culture of the city. In fact, the culture is proliferating and continues to offer great taste to city residents.

Many people find it tastier and cheaper. “Not only the taste is great, but standing or sitting out in the open and having food is fun. It cannot be matched to sitting arrangements in closed or formal setting at a restaurant or high-end food joint,” said Mandeep Kaur, a resident.

Hygiene may be questioned in case of street food. But people consider the preparation and service at street food counters as more ‘transparent’. “In restaurants, you don't know how things are prepared. Step into their kitchens and those are generally no different from street side. Rather street-side food counters maintain a minimum level of hygiene for food is made in front of everyone, in the open,” says Rahul, a student.

There is a strange love for both kinds of food for some of the residents. “I go to top-notch and fine-dine restaurants almost every weekend. But I cannot do without non-vegetarian street food,” says 31-year-old Harneet. “The taste is totally different and loveable. Street food has its unique taste and cannot be matched even by five star hotels,” he says, chomping the food at a street-side cart.

These food joints offer a great variety too, says street-food enthusiasts. “Quick tikki, dosa, chicken tikka, soup, pav bhaji, you name it and you have it in a moment,” says another resident. “Nowadays, soya champs have become immensely popular. These taste super and are mostly available at street-side food outlets and carts,” he said.

Ludhiana, February 28
The Municipal Corporation (MC) will be holding its General House meeting on March 3.

Till recently, most councillors used to complain that the MC did not hold General House meetings regularly.

Contrary to the prevailing practice, the civic body has called yet another General House meeting, which will be third in the last one month.

The meeting has been convened to approve the items on the agenda approved by its Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC). Besides, other important issues are to be given nod before the Model Code of Conduct is imposed by the Election Commission of India, maintain MC officials.

A top MC official, wishing anonymity, said another General House meeting was being called as in the last meeting, only the MC budget was passed while there were many other important issues, which were to be discussed in detail, were left out. "Then, it was decided to hold another meeting soon so as to discuss the pending items on the agenda,” said the official.

Sources said apart from the agenda items of the F&CC, another major issue of bringing amendments in the Master Plan would be discussed during the General House meeting.

A councillor said the Punjab Government wanted to modify the Master Plan of the city, following which many new areas would come under the mixed land use.

"This will be for the betterment of city and its residents. The Shingar Cinema road or Kashmir road are wide enough to be declared as commercial areas. This can be done only when the General House gives its approval. Besides, the civic body has to clear other items before the Model Code of Conduct is imposed,” said the councillor.

The other items to be discussed during the meeting include providing service to the kin of deceased on compassionate grounds, giving the work of beautification of rotaries (about 11 in the city) to industrialists and converting a house in Sardar Nagar, which belongs to the civic body, into an old-age home.

"The approval of the General House was required to convert the house into the old-age home, said an MC official.

Ludhiana, February 28
Perturbed over the problem of waterlogging every time it rains, shopkeepers at the Bhadaur House and AC market have written to the MC to provide a permanent solution to the problem which existed due to blocked sewers in the area.

It is learnt that the shopkeepers have sent a written communication to the Senior Engineer (Technical), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Wing, Municipal Corporation (MC), to look into the matter at the earliest.

The shopkeepers maintained that after every rain, water gets accumulated in the market and gets mixed with blocked sewerage water.

“The stagnant water emits foul smell throughout the day. It has made our lives hell as even after regular complaints, the choked sewerage has not been cleaned by the MC. The sewerage water gets clogged for several hours but authorities are yet to find a permanent solution to the problem,” lamented a shopkeeper.

Another shopkeeper complained that the whole parking lot becomes a pool of sewerage water and buyers feel reluctant to visit their shops. "The problem of stagnant water does not only pose inconvenience to us but is also affecting our business,” he maintained.

Following the rain last night, rainwater entered the low-lying shops and it took hours for shopkeepers to drain it out. In the area, rainwater is logged for the past 12 hours but the authorities concerned are yet to resolve the problem.

The in-charge of the O&M wing, Kamlesh Bansal, said the problem persisted as there was no stormwater sewer system.

"Talks are being held with the World Bank for laying a stormwater sewer in the city. However, we will find a solution to the problem at the earliest,” said Bansal.

Sahnewal, February 28
The Atta Dal scheme will now benefit as many as 48,000 beneficiaries in Sahnewal. This was stated by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon while addressing a gathering at Koom Kalan village here today.

"Hitherto, the scheme was catering to 20,000 people in the town. Now, 28,000 more beneficiaries have been registered under the scheme. It will cost the state exchequer Rs 1.45 crore to provide benefit under the scheme to beneficiaries in Sahnewal. Also, rather than providing wheat at different intervals, it would now be made available twice a year - in June and December. It would be ensured that no one is left unattended and unserved," said the minister.

Speaking on the occasion, PWD Minister Sharanjit singh Dhillon said, "For the past three months, a grant of Rs.7.5 crore has been disbursed for development projects in the villages of Sahnewal Assembly constituency and Rs 5.5 crore have been spent on increasing the power network in the area."

"Sahnewal town has always been dear to me and its development is my priority," he said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Dhillon alleged that the party had been in power at the Centre for more than 50 years and did nothing for the overall development of the country.

"The poor is becoming poorer day by day and Congress leaders are busy in making scams," the PWD Minister said.

Among those present were Gurpartap Singh Kairon, Simarjit Singh Dhillon, Director Food Supplies Department Satwant Singh Johal, Dr Sona Thind, Lokesh Shara, OSD to PWD Minister Sehajpreet Singh Mangat, Rachpal Singh and Bhag Singh Mangarh. 

Ludhiana, February 28
The United India International Cycle Expo-2014 saw a variety of cycles and e-bikes.

Hero Cycles displayed its Jaguar 3.0 costing a whopping Rs 1.65 lakh. Meanwhile, Firefox Cycles exhibited its Domane 4.3 priced at Rs 1.63 lakh. Organisers said the cost of bicycles displayed at the expo began at Rs 2,500 and ran into lakhs.

Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, president, United Cycle and Parts Manufactures' Association, said, "The variety of products was the main attraction for visitors."

Entrepreneurs and manufacturers from Japan, Taiwan, Holland and China have showcased their products at the expo.

Yolada, the export manager of a Chinese company, said India was the major market for bicycles and people love to try their hands on new cycles and e-bikes. "The electric vehicles are not common in India as compared to China. There is an immense scope for e-bikes in India," Yolada added.

Apart from the residents, folk singer Malkiat Singh aka 'Golden Star' also visited the exhibition. He recounted how he enjoyed riding bicycle during his childhood. "Despite having luxury cars, I still prefer to cycle around. It helps you keep fit. I even praised riding bicycle in my songs," said Malkiat Singh.

There are 250 stalls of cycle, cycle parts and e-bikes at the expo.

Ludhiana, February 28
The hospitals, whom the Municipal Corporation (MC) had given 15-day notices to fulfill the parking norms, will have to adhere to the instructions or they will have to face the music. The 15-day deadline ended yesterday.

Mayor HS Gohlwaria said the High Court had given strict directions for compliance of parking norms. "The civic body has slapped notices on about 30 medical facilities in the city to provide proper parking space outside the hospitals/nursing homes and submit their reply to the MC. Strict action will be taken against the hospitals that continue to flout the parking norms," he said.

The Assistant Town Planner (ATP), Zone D, Rajinder Sharma, said he would make a list of hospitals, which have sent their replies by Monday, and further action would be taken accordingly.

The MC had served notices to about 30 hospitals falling under Zone D, in the posh areas on the city, to provide ample parking space outside their premises.

The MC swung into action after it received an RTI application seeking information regarding parking arrangements made by about 42 hospitals in the city. The MC replied that about 30 hospitals and nursing homes did not have proper parking space/facilities. Later, the MC served notices on them.

Ludhiana, February 28
The heavy rain late on Thursday evening played a spoilsport at the United India International Cycle Expo-2014, which kicked off on the grounds of Government College for Girls here today.

Although canopies were installed by the organisers, rainwater got accumulated inside the exhibition area and affected the movement of visitors. The car and scooter parking area wore a muddy look. Visitors faced inconvenience while parking their vehicles.

"I had learnt that the international cycle brands exhibited their products at the Expo. I wanted to buy a cycle. I came here and found rainwater accumulated in the parking area while the area where exhibition was being held was swampy. Either the venue should have been covered with waterproof sheet or it should have been held indoor," said Gundeep Singh, a visitor to the Expo.

Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association said, "Despite hailstorm and heavy rain, we managed to organise this Expo in a good manner. It is our long-pending demand that the government should provide us with an exhibition hall."

Meanwhile, the chief Guest on the occasion, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, personal adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister, announced that the government would help the industrialists construct an exhibition hall. 

Ludhiana, February 28
Jasjeet Kaur was adjudged the best athlete among girls while Bhagwant Singh was declared the best athlete among boys in the 60th Annual Athletics Meet of Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa (GGNK) College held here today.

Arjuna Award winner and Olympian Baljeet Singh Saini was the chief guest on the occasion while an international athlete, Hakim Singh, was the guest of honour. They encouraged the students to continue their efforts in channelising their energy in the right direction and for meaningful purpose.

Prof Prithipal Singh and Prof Sohinderjit Singh, president and general Secretary of Gujranwala Khlasa Education Council, respectively, welcomed the guests and presented them college souvenirs. College principal Prof Manjit Singh Chhabra congratulated the winners and proposed the vote of thanks.

Results

Boys: 1500-m race: Jagdeep Singh 1, Bhagwant Singh 2 and Hardeep Singh 3; discus throw: Harsimrat Singh 1, Jasmeet Singh 2 and Bhagwant Singh 3; and 100-m race: Baljinder Singh 1, Dinesh Kumar 2 and Sanjay 3; Girls: 400-m race: Jaspreet Kaur 1, Bandhana 2 and Priyanka 3; and Long jump: Jaspreet Kaur 1, Shilpa 2 and Jaspreet Kaur 3.