Ludhiana, March 1
Before exchanging fire at Sarabha Nagar on Thursday, members of the groups led by Kaka Grewal and Kulwinder Kinda had picked up an altercation during the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally in Jagraon on February 23.

According to a source, both Kaka Grewal and Kinda have been at loggerheads over a piece of land at Malakpur village. Sarbi, who was injured in the shootout, had recently assaulted a member of the Kinda gang for teasing his girlfriend.

The rivalry between the two gangs deepened during Narendra Modi's rally in Jagraon. Both the groups were assigned the job of making arrangements at the rally pandal.

Ludhiana, March 1
The completion of the indoor stadium project is still a distant dream. In response to the March 25 advertisement for the completion of the second phase of the project, just one bidder has come forward. As work could not be allocated to a single bidder, the Municipal Corporation has put yet another advertisement in the local newspapers.

The fresh advertisement was put in the local newspapers on February 28. The construction of the stadium started in 1999. The work was awarded to the contractor after five years. The delay jacked up the cost of construction.

After 2007, the work on the project had remained suspended for about four years due to the paucity of funds. The cost of construction has increased to about Rs 26 crore from Rs 16 crore in 2007.

One of the MC officials said in the second phase, during which lifts, air-conditioners and other electricity equipment would be installed, a budget of Rs 29 crore had been sent to the state government, which slashed it to Rs 25.7 crore. The project came to a halt with the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct in 2007. "Now again, the project cost has reportedly increased to about Rs 60 crore (for the completion of the second phase). The MC has invited fresh tenders with the condition of completing the work within 15 months," said the official.

Once the work on the second phase is completed, a parking complex will be constructed. Apart from this, luxury and corporate suites, club, etc, will come up in the third phase. The officials expect all civil work will be completed by April, for which Rs 22 crore have been paid to the contractor. 

Ludhiana, March 1
The city police have arrested Baljinder Singh Jindu, a Youth Akali Dal leader, who allegedly fired at the president of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Gram, here last evening. A case under sections 307, 341 and 506 of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Division Number 5 police station.

Commissioner of Police PS Gill said preliminary investigations revealed a meeting was held at the gurdwara last evening with regard to the inauguration of a library scheduled for March 2. Many members were present during the meeting, which was chaired by president of the gurdwara Jatinder Singh Galhotra.

While the meeting was going on, Baljinder Singh Jindu, a resident of Model Gram, reached there. He entered into an argument with Galhotra that soon turned into a scuffle. Jindu allegedly fired at Galhotra with his licensed revolver. Galhotra was admitted to the Christian Medical College and Hospital with a gunshot wound in the left leg. He is out of danger.

Both Galhotra and Jindu harbour grudges against each other. The police have seized the .32 bore licensed revolver and six cartridges. The licence of the weapon will be cancelled, claimed the police. 

Ludhiana, March 1
Amid stringent arrangements to curb copying during the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) examinations, five students were caught cheating on the first day of Class XII examinations. Students from regular and open schools appeared for the English examination today.

A flying squad, led by Major Singh Ghudani, caught a student using a Bluetooth device during the examination at Government Senior Secondary School, Kubhe village.

Deputy District Education Officer Charanjit Singh caught three students, two at Government Senior Secondary School, Alamgeer, and one at Government Senior Secondary School, Jarkahr. The flying squad team removed the examination supervisor at Government Senior Secondary School, Alamgeer.

A team, led by Principal Anoop Pasi, caught a student at Government High School, Sarabha Nagar. Most students caught copying were appearing for the open school examination.

Meanwhile, the board failed to provide the required number of invigilators during the examination. Against eight invigilators required at the Indian Public School examination centre in the city, the PSEB has deputed only six. The Anti-Copying Teachers Association complained to the Chairperson of the PSEB, who deputed more invigilators at the centre.

Ludhiana, March 1
The revised schedule of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class X examinations has become a headache for students who will appear for Joint Entrance Test soon after the examinations.

They are worried as they will not get proper time for the preparation of the competitive exam. As per the revised schedule the PSEB Class X examinations will start on March 25 and will conclude on April 5. Earlier, the examinations were scheduled from March 10 to 25.

The Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training will conduct the Joint Entrance Test (JET) on April 20. As per the new date sheet of PSEB, the students will get only 14 days to prepare for the test.

Jagdev Singh, a student from local government school, said, “I have submitted the form for the JET examination. Now, I am left with only 15 days after the board examinations to prepare for JET.”

Meanwhile, managements of PSEB affiliated schools also condemned the decision taken by the board.

Rajinder Sharma, president PSEB affiliated Private Schools Association, said keeping in mind the previous schedules of the examination the students were freed from the schools for the better preparation of the examination. It is not possible for the school authorities to call them back to attend the school again as there is much time in examination according to the new schedule circulated by the PSEB.

IM Dutta, office-bearer of the association, said CBSE was conducting the examinations on time. So, its results will be declared much before the PSEB results, he said. Dutta added, “Consequently, the admission process in CBSE schools will be completed before the PSEB result, which is a great loss to the students of PSEB schools in Punjab. They will be deprived of admissions in Chandigarh and other state board schools. It will prove as a curse for the students who will not get admissions for further studies due to late declaration of the results by the PSEB.”

Ludhiana, March 1
Dhanpreet Kaur, SSP Nawanshahar, and Inderbir Singh, SSP, Kapurthala, have been appointed as Trained Master Trainers of police department by Chief Electroal Officer, Punjab for imparting training to police officers for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The trained master trainers held an interaction with all the SSPs and discussed their problems, requirements and provided them solution in the meeting.

During a one-day state level interaction-cum-training programme with all the Senior Suprintendents of Police of the State, here today, at the Bachat Bhawan, Mini Secretriat, Ludhiana, Dhanpreet Kaur SSP, Nawanshahar who was appointed as Trained Master Trainer of police department, along with Inderbit Singh, SSP, Kapurthala, said police personals deployed at polling stations are not supposed to check voter I-cards of voters.

It has been observed many times that police personal deputed on polling stations start checking voter I-cards of voters. Talking about checking of VIPs, during election, she said, "Luggage of VIPs can be chcked but there should be no checking of VIP in person."

They instructed the police officers that there should be more patrolling parties in the field than on the polling centres. Inderbir Singh, SSP, Kapurthala said, "Take action after as soon as a complaint is registered by the returning officer."

Arms licenses should be synchronised between DC office and police department. Some people do not inform police department after getting arms license. Such violators can be checked from Deputy Commissioner's office and action should be taken against them.

The SSPs demanded that the patrolling teams should be strengthened. There should be more number of police personals in it. To keep law and order situation under control, the police officers were also asked to share their own better initiatives with each other which they had adopted in previous elections.

Ludhiana, March 1
Despite the rain and cold the ongoing United India International Cycle Expo-2014 witnessed a good number of visitors here today. The office bearers of United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association demanded the exhibition hall to organise such events in bad weather.

During his visit at the expo, Manpreet Singh Ayali, SAD-BJP candidate for Lok Sabha elections, stated that state government is committed to promote the cycle Industry and to provide a permanent infrastructure on the lines of Pargati Maidan, New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Simarjeet Singh Bains, MLA and associated with SAD blamed that industry in Ludhiana has been facing the tough time due to negligence of Centre and Punjab governments.

Both leaders visited the stalls and inquired about their products. Shakti Sharma, chairman, Punjab Small Industry and Export Corporation (PSIEC) said government is very active to provide the industrialist plots and to develop the new Focal Points around the city.

Meanwhile, Avon Cyclogreen Rally was organized by Avon Cycle to spread the message of pollution-free environment and create sense of health consciousness by promoting cycling. This Rally was flagged off by Paramjit Singh Gill, Commissioner of Police in the presence of Kunwar Pal Singh, DIG Ludhiana Range, Onkar Singh Pahwa, chairman, Avon Cycles.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 1
The police have urged the authorities of various branches of commercial banks of the region to take preventive measures for keeping miscreants and robbers away.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) at Gill Gurpreet Singh Sikand and Amargarh deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gurmit Singh said it had been observed that a majority of bank officials were negligent about the security of their respective branches.

Opening branches beyond the working hours, deployment of security guards on other jobs and non-functional CCTV cameras were identified as the major security lapses at many branches of nationalised branches.

With intent to educate the bank officials about the modus operandi of the robbers and miscreants and required preventive measures, SHOs at Dehlon, Ludhiana Sadar and City police stations convened the meetings of bank officials, situated in their respective areas.

The bank managers and their representatives assured the police that tips provided during the meeting would be implemented in letter and spirit. 

Ludhiana, March 1
City traffic police along with students of the CT Group of Institutions initiated a signature campaign to make the residents aware of the problem of rising pollution levels. As many as 200 students visited various locations of the city for the campaign to reinforce the commitment of the residents especially school and college going youth.

In this campaign, 20 teams of students flanked by teachers visited various locations of the city like Ghumar Mandi, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Chandigarh Road, Model Town, Dandi Swami Chowk, Millar Ganj, College Road, Daresi Road and Jalandhar Bye pass. They got the signatures of residents especially young students, on large banners depicting the slogan "We shall not let Ludhiana remain the fourth largest polluted city in the world."

Around 20,000 signatures were obtained and 50,000 leaflets were distributed at shops, among residents.

The volunteers also interacted with the shopkeepers, general public and students. They also clicked their photographs so that a sustained campaign through social- networking sites can be continued. They urged the people to get pollution certificate of their vehicles and undertake service maintenance of their vehicles at regular intervals and to avoid use of mixed fuels.

A special highlight of the campaign was street plays by the students on anti-pollution themes. They visited Sarabha Nagar Market, Model Town and various other locations to create awareness about traffic violations and resulting pollution.

“When Ludhiana had been declared as the fourth highest polluted city in the world as per a UN study, it is necessary for each resident to feel sensitive about the issue and do something to get rid of this distinction, said Charanjit Singh Channi, chairman of the of institutions while flagging off a team of students.

Channi said in a survey conducted by Dr Harpreet Singh, director, CT Group of Institutions, it was found that almost 75 per cent cars on city roads have single occupant signifying flashy lifestyle of residents and thus causing pollution. There are far less number of trees on city roads than number of motor vehicles, the study revealed. More than 90 per cent vehicles were found with ignition on at traffic lights.

Ludhiana, March 1
Different non-government organisations including Matad Saathi Jagriti Manch Punjab, Navkiran Women Welfare Association, Haibowal Shopkeepers Association and Ludhiana Welfare Organisation held a protest against sand mafia here today at the Clock Tower. To make people aware about the ongoing sand mafia in the state, these NGOs opened a "mobile sand depot" and sold sand to the people in small packets.

AAP's Lok Sabha candidate from Ludhiana HS Phoolka also purchased one packet from this "mobile depot of sand". Addressing the gathering, Keemti Rawal, president of Matad Saathi Jagriti Manch, Punjab said, "Sand comes under natural resources but Badal government has made it a personal property. It would be very difficult for common man to construct home if things did not improve. "He invited candidates of all political parties to visit their "Mobile depot of sand" and buy sand packets from it.

The protest was attended by Anita Sharma, Pappi Nagpal, Trilochan Singh Bedi, Sarabjeet Singh Bunti, Shri Pal Sharma- members of different NGOs.

Ludhiana, March 1
The industrialists of the Focal Point asked the civic body to let them maintain parks lying in the Focal Point and the funds, allotted for the beautification of these parks with the Improvement Trust, could be diverted towards providing concrete roads and sewerage system in the area.

A meeting of the Industrialists with Mayor HS Gohlwaria, senior deputy mayor Sunita Aggarwal, PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and MLAs Manpreet Ayali and Ranjit Singh Dhillon was held here last evening.

Rahul Ahuja, president, Confederation of Indian Industry, said the industrialists asked the civic body to solve the problem of bad roads and poor sewerage system. "There are about 39 parks in the Focal Point area and around Rs 9 crores are lying with the Improvement Trust for the beautification of these parks. We have volunteered to take care of 11 such parks, which will be maintained by Industry and the funds kept for the parks could be diverted to provide us good roads and sewerage system", said Ahuja.

The Industrialists said roads were in bad shape and gave bumpy-rides, these had to be refurbished and work on these should be started at the earliest. The industrialists said though it was not easy to remove the permanent encroachments, still temporary encroachments need to be removed on regular basis.

Ludhiana, March 1
Although National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (which was later named as Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) came into existence in the year 2005, yet many people are not aware about it and thus unable to get benefit from the scheme. It was disclosed by Karnail Singh, education officer in the Central Board for Worker Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, Chandigarh. He recently chaired a district level meeting of MNREGS at Ludhiana.

In implementation of MNREGS, Mansa and Patiala districts are leading while Ludhiana has lagged behind.

Karnail Singh, who was in-charge of the meeting said, "Unawareness was found the main reason behind non-popularity MNREGS. Majority of Panchayats also do not take interest in implementation of these schemes. Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Block Development Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) revealed it during the meeting. We suggested them to motivate maximum opinion leaders, panches and sarpanches of these villages and involve them actively."

Rajguru Nagar, considered as one of the posh colonies in Ludhiana and developed by Ludhiana Improvement Trust, was transferred to Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for maintenance. A month later, it has been transferred back to the LIT for reasons unknown to residents. In the meantime, the maintenance of the area has received a serious setback as the colony has become nobody’s baby. The roads are in a pathetic condition for the last two years and most of the streetlights are non-functional posing problems to commuters during night hours and inviting anti-social elements to commit crime. Most roads in the colony are potholed. On their part, residents fill them with stones/pebbles or soil, which only aggravates the problem, particularly during night. Residents feel cheated as they have recently been made to pay property tax but the Administration has failed to provide even basic amenities in the colony. The authorities should resolve the problems at the earliest.

Ludhiana, March 1
Three judokas from Ludhiana participated in the Youth and Junior Judo Championship held at Delhi between February 20 and 24 secured medals to bring fame to the city. Munish Kumar, Manjot Kaur and Sweety Kaler finished among position holders in the national meet.

Munish, student of class eleventh of Nav Bharti Public School competed in the under-20 category of below 73 kg group and made his presence felt, winning a silver medal while another upcoming judoka, Manjot Kaur of Ryan International School performed well and won bronze medal in the below 78kg category in the under-17 years age group.

Earlier, Manjot Kaur had won a bronze medal in the same weight category during the National Schools Judo Championship, also held at Delhi in January this year.

Likewise, Sweety Kaler, a student of BA (I) of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, took part in the below 52 kg group in the under-20 category and clinched a bronze medal.

The judokas’ performance was appreciated by their coaches.