Ludhiana, March 7
Continuing row between the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) and the Municipal Corporation over the maintenance of five colonies has the residents of these colonies fuming as there has been no maintenance of parks, roads and streets for more than a year.

The LIT had transferred five of its colonies, Rajguru Nagar, Maharishi Valmiki Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sant Isher Singh Nagar and Bharat Nagar Extension, to the MC for maintenance under the provisions of the Punjab Town Improvement Act. Accordingly, the MC had also got a proposal approved at a General House meeting. The Punjab Government had vetted a resolution adopted in this respect in June, 2013.

However, before the MC could take in its hands maintenance and development in these colonies, the government stayed the process of transfer without assigning any reason. Finally, on January 24, 2014, the Punjab Government reversed the transfer of the colonies and directed the LIT to continue with the maintenance work. The MC was also directed to refund Rs 321.15 lakh, which was deposited for maintenance works.

The harassed residents of these colonies complain the maintenance of the colonies remains neglected. Even minor development projects have not been taken up for more than a year.

Arvind Sharma, a functionary of the Residents Welfare Association of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, said the roads and parks in the colony were in a pathetic condition, streetlights remained non-functional and sanitation left much to be desired.

Residents of Rajguru Nagar, Maharishi Valmiki Nagar and other colonies under the Trust have similar complaints. “It seems these colonies do not exist for the government, which had taken a year to decide on the fate of lakhs of residents. The conditions prevailing in almost all the colonies have to be seen to be believed,” said Parminder Singh, a resident of Rajguru Nagar.

MC Commissioner Shruti Singh, who is also chairperson of the LIT, said the Trust had assumed control of these five colonies. Orders have been issued for carrying out routine maintenance works, which will commence soon. 

Ludhiana, March 7
Maya Devi (40), the only woman porter at the local railway station, has some resentment with the public in general. Most passengers shy away from hiring her services.

Despite all odds, she is determined to continue as a porter, not only to earn a livelihood, but also to set an example. She has been doing the job for the last seven months. She reaches the station in the morning and stays there till late in the evening.

Maya feels lonely but never gets tired. "Men porters sit together and gossip in leisure time. But I have to sit alone," she said.

"Most passengers hesitate from hiring her services. They think I can’t carry a heavy load. Even most women passengers have the same attitude," said Maya.

Appreciating her men colleagues, she said: "Some of them are very cooperative and even convince passengers I am able to carry their heavy luggage."

As if the torture of her rejection on account of being a woman porter was not enough, Maya is paid less compared to men porters. She said: "Many a time, I have to settle for less than the porter charges fixed by the authorities."

Maya took the job after the death of her husband, Ram Kumar, who was a licensed porter at the station. With all courage, she carries a porter's badge (number 56) on her upper arm.

Kumar at Redau village, Sonepat district, Haryana, about 14 years ago. She said: "We used to live in Ram Kumar’s house near the Jagraon Bridge."

They have a son, Guarav, who is a Class VI student. Ram Kumar died in March 2012.

Despite all hurdles and resentment, Maya is enthusiastic about working as a porter. "It is quite difficult to climb stairs carrying luggage. But I do it, not only for survival but also for the education of my son. I want to see him stand on his own feet. Besides, I want to set an example that woman can do all odd jobs". 

Ludhiana, March 7
Mystery shrouds the death of a 24-year-old youth who died at a pre-wedding function in Basant Avenue last night. While the hosts claimed the victim had died due to liquor overdose, his father alleged his son was killed by youths who attended the function. The incident took place last night.

The deceased, Ajay Khanna, son of Deepak Khanna, was attending a pre-wedding function at a house in his colony. Deepak said it was around midnight when he received a call from some residents who told him that Ajay had consumed liquor to excess and was unwell. Soon after receiving the information, he reached the house. The hosts entered into an argument with him and did not let him enter the room where his son was kept. He said the hosts did not call the ambulance on time.

Deepak said it was nearly after an hour he managed to enter the room and was shocked to find his son lying dead on a bed.

He informed the police. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-III Satvir Atwal reached the spot. He said the body was shifted to the Civil Hospital where a post-mortem examination was conducted by a team of doctors. The autopsy report has not been received yet.

Deepak claimed his son was killed following a fight. He blamed the neighbours for hiding the truth. 

Ludhiana, March 7
Don't be surprised if during the intermission, a brief video related to the elections is screened at a cinema. On the instructions of the Election Commission of India, all cinemas will show the video till April 29.

A senior officer of the District Administration said: "A video clipping of about 20 seconds will be shown during the intermission at all cinema halls of the district. The aim behind this move is to motivate voters to exercise their franchise. In the clipping, voters are appealed to cast their vote to the right candidate."

There are more than 50 cinema halls in the district.

Meanwhile, the Chief Election Commissioner of India and his Punjab counterpart have started holding interactions with the administrations through videoconferencing. Election Tehsildar Sukhdev Singh Bhangu said: "Though videoconferencing is a routine feature, we now have frequent interactions in view of the elections."

Ludhiana, March 7
They may be seen tough from outside but they too face “tough” situations in their lives. Being a part of the fair sex also gives them hard times sometimes, but then again they are the crusader of faith among their fellows and have to rise above these situations and held their head high against all odds.

It was the police uniform that attracted Seema Kumari, an alumna of local Ramgarhia Girls’ College. She is at present serving as a woman PCR personnel.

"I was always fascinated by the police uniform and whenever I use to see any police personnel, especially woman, I want to be like her," she said.

“After putting on this uniform, I realised that it carries with it a lot of responsibility and accountability,” she said.

While sharing the difficult situations she faced during her job hours, Seema said: “It is the outlook of society that has to be changed. Though we are policewomen, we also face eve-teasing sometimes."

“Nobody dare to say us anything to our face but they do pass a comment or two when they are little far away," Seema said.

Amandeep Kaur, another woman police personnel belonging to Patiala and posted here, said she had taught lessons to many self-styled romeos while she was posted at the Sarabha Nagar market.

Amandeep is like a “son” in her family and back home she has been ploughing tractor in the fields.

Her younger brother and sister look towards her and also want to don a uniform like their elder sister.

Sukhdeep Kaur, another PCR personnel giving message to the fairer sex on the eve of Women’s Day, said: "We are no longer a weaker sex but are working hand in hand with our male counterparts. Society will not change but we have to change it and act tough, under any given situation," she said.

Ludhiana, March 7
The District Education Officer (DEO), Ludhiana, relieved the Deputy Superintendent of duty and shifted the staff deputed at Government Senior Secondary School, Basian, for negligence.

The action was taken following an incident which took place at the centre on Wednesday. Two students had allegedly fled the premises during the political science examination, along with the answer sheets.

The District Education Officer had initiated an inquiry into the matter and had directed the officials concerned to submit a report in the matter.

Paramjeet Kaur, District Education Officer, Ludhiana, said, “We have already sent a report to higher authorities of Punjab School Education Board to decide on the further course of action.”

Staff had earlier said the answer sheets and question paper were both taken away by the two students. But later, it was found that the missing answer sheets were dumped in a dustbin on the school premises itself.

As per the inquiry report, both the students, who were appearing for the political science examination, went missing from the examination centre soon after the question papers and answer sheets were distributed to them.

“A police complaint was not filed against the students, because we found the answer sheets dumped on the premises itself. We have, however, relieved the Deputy Superintendent, who was on duty as the Superintendent was on leave. We have also shifted the staff that was deployed at the examination centre for negligence in duty,” said Paramjeet Kaur.

“We don't know why the students ran away from the examination centre. But they have committed a big blunder. We have written to the PSEB authorities to decide on the further course of action,” said the Paramjeet Kaur, District Education Officer (DEO) of Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, March 7
Commissioner of Police PS Gill probing the case of renewing weapon license of YAD leader Kulwinder Sharma alias Kinda, the key accused in the Sarabha Nagar shooting incident, may have to eat a humble pie.

Sources revealed that the then Licence Department officer had given nod for renewing of his license in 2012. It has further came to light that the file for renewing the weapon licence was moved on the recommendation of a high rank police officer.

Till now, it was suspected that the then Station House Officer of the PAU police station will face the ire for renewing the weapon licence as Kinda lives in the flower enclave.

ADCP (Detective) MS Dhesi said he was not aware of the fact as the ADCP (Headquarters) looks into the issuing of licence.

The Commissioner of Police had launched a high-level probe on March 4 to find out how Kinda managed to renew his weapon licence.

The probe was launched after the Police Commissioner learnt that the Khanna police had strongly recommended cancellation of his weapon licence.

Kinda, who once faced rape charges, was also facing charges of murder attempt on SAD councillor Tanvir Dhaliwal.

It was on February 25 that the groups, led by Kaka Grewal and Sarabjit Singh Sarbi, clashed with the group of Manpreet Singh Bhattal and Kinda in the posh Mini Market of Sarabha Nagar. Both groups opened fire and created panic in the area.

Later, the police swung into action and so far arrested 24 youths out of the 35, who were involved in the shooting incident.

Ludhiana, March 7
A relative of a police officer, who was flaunting the blue beacon, landed in soup and received a hefty challan for the offence.

The incident took place this afternoon when the police stopped a grey Tata Indica car near the Jagraon Bridge. The car was flashing a number plate with Inspector written on it.

A blue beacon was also installed atop the vehicle. Jagraon Bridge traffic in charge Pritam Singh spotted the vehicle when it reportedly tried to jump the traffic lights.

When asked to show the documents, the car driver reportedly refused to it and threw his weight around the police personnel claiming that he was son of a police inspector.

“I told him that as per new guidelines, his father was not allowed to carry the blue beacon. We questioned him about his father and where he was posted,” he said.

“The boy, identified as Gurpreet Singh from Bholath in Kapurthala, said his uncle was a police officer and he was flaunting his name to evade police nakas and toll barriers. We have confiscated his licence and issued a challan," Pritam added. — TNS

Chandigarh, March 7
Punjab’s Baani Singh won the title of girls’ (U-16) category after defeating Vaidehi Chaudhari of Gujarat on the concluding day of the HTA-AITA Super Series Tennis Tournament at Harvest Tennis Academy, Jassowal, here.

In the final of the girls’ (U-16) category, in form Baani Singh outplayed her rival in straight sets (6-2 and 6-2). Mritunjay Badola, another trainee of the same academy, defeated Parikshit Somani of Assam to win the title of boys' (U-16) category. He won the title with a score of 6-2 and 6-4.

Baani partnered with Sarah Dev, fellow trainee of Harvest Tennis Academy, and claimed the girls’ doubles (U-16) title after defeating second seeded pair of Vaidehi Chaudhari of Gujarat and Yubrani Banerjee of West Bengal (6-1 and 6-4).

Results

Boys’ U-16 (final - singles): Mritunjay Badola (UTK) bt Parikshit Somani (ASM) 6-2, 6-4; girls’ U-16 (final - singles): Baani Singh (PB) bt Vaidehi Chaudhari (GUJ) 6-2, 6-2; girls’ U-14 (final - singles): Vaidhehi Chaudhari (GUJ) bt Sarah Dev (PB) 6-2, 6-2; boys’ U-14 (final - singles): Digvijay Pratap Singh (CH) bt Himanshu Mor (HAR) 6-1, 6-1; boys’ U-16 (final - doubles): Mritunjay Badola (UK) & Gurjot Singh Sidhu (PB) bt Amit Beniwal (HAR) & Adil Kalyanpur (AP) 6-4, 6-2; girls’ U-16 (final - doubles): Sarah Dev & Baani Singh bt Vaidehi Chaudhari (GUJ) & Yubrani Baneerjee (WB) 6-1, 6-4; boys’ U-14 (final - doubles): Vipul Mehta (DLI) & Sacchhit Sharrma (DLI) bt Naman Sherawat (DLI) & Ishan A Sethi (UTK) 6-3, 6-3.

Ludhiana, March 7
Renowned singer Nitin Mukesh was in the city today to perform at a musical evening, ‘Jashn-e-Sahir: Ek Shaam Sahir aur Mukesh Ke Naam’. The event will be organised at the Guru Nanak Bhawan by the Nehru Siddant Kender Trust tomorrow.

He visited Amritsar in the morning before coming here and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. He also visited the Wagah Border for the first time. He said coming to Punjab was always great because of the hospitality and the warmth of the people here.

“Someone gave him a microphone and the huge gathering there sang along with him 'Jis desh mein Ganga behta hai’. It was one of the most unique experiences of my my life," he said.

The singer also enjoyed Punjabi meals at a roadside dhaba and also a heritage restaurant. He said it was an honour for him to perform at the evening dedicated to Sahir Ludhianvi and Mukesh. He had immense respect for Sahir.

“It is a matter of pride for Ludhiana, that Sahir was a son of this soil,” he said.

Nitin said he came to the city about 30 years ago to perform at a wedding ceremony. It was a memorable event.

Given a chance, he would like to sing in Punjabi, if someone approaches him to sing within his range of voice, Nitin said.

Ludhiana, March 7
The due date of filing of the tax deducted at source (TDS) or tax collected at source (TCS) statements for the financial year 2012-13 (2nd to 4th quarter) and financial year 2013-14 (1st to 3rd quarter) has been extended to March 31, 2014 for government deductors.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had received several petitions from various deductors requesting the same, said official sources.

Last year, the department had announced that a failure to deposit correct TDS or TCS would invite a penalty ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1 lakh. — TNS

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 7
The Local Bodies Minister, Punjab Government, Anil Joshi, has announced to send a team of experts to plan a transitory remedial action to improve the sewerage system at the local town.

The experts are to plan an action till the Rs 25.43 crore modernisation project is commissioned.

The announcement was made in response to a question raised by the Amargarh legislator, Iqbal Singh Jhoondan, in Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.

Owing to the poor and ill-maintained sewerage system in the region, the deplorable condition of low-lying roads at Jawahar Nagar, Amarpura, Dhulkot Road, Jandali Road and Dehliz Road has been leaving residents hapless. They had recently threatened to boycott polls if the needful was not done at the earliest.

Officials in the Sanitation, Sewerage and Water Supply Departments of the local Municipal Council have put the blame on the damaged pipes in the disposal system as the major reason for the setback. While on the other hand, former councillors accused the Punjab Sewerage and Water Supply Board of delaying the work of laying main drains in the area. They claimed that the Municipal Council had taken up the issue with the officials concerned, but the supplementary projects could not be undertaken due to the dissolution of the civic body.

The Tribune had carried a series of stories in its columns describing the plight of low-lying areas and protests held against the alleged government inaction.

Taking cognizance of the reports and after being approached by several office-bearers and activists of various organisations, led by former president of the Municipal Council Ravinder Puri, the legislator of the segment, Iqbal Singh Jhoondan, raised the issue in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.

Joshi, said a draft plan for Rs 25.43 crore sewerage plant has been sent to the Union Government for approval. A team of experts would be sent to the town for exploring possibilities of solving the problem with present setup, said Jhoondan.

Ludhiana, March 7
The Central Board of Secondary Education has rescheduled the date of examinations of four subjects (Class XII) due to general elections.

The board has rescheduled the examination dates of music Hindustani vocal, graphic designs, computer and life insurance administration and graphics. The Controller of Examinations, MC Sharma, said the examination dates of other subjects will remain the same as notified earlier.

As per the revised datesheet, music Hindustani vocal exam will be held on April 25. It was earlier scheduled for April 9. The graphic designs examination, scheduled for April 10 earlier, has been rescheduled for April 21 now. The computer and life insurance administration examination will be held on April 19, instead of April 12. And the graphics exam, which was scheduled for April 17, will be held on April 22.

Sarabha, March 7
Social organisations of the area have threatened to launch an agitation if justice was not provided to kin of martyr Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. Members of organisations accused the Administration of shielding land grabbers.

Sukhdev Kaur of Timberwal in Payal sub-division, claiming to be a granddaughter of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, and sister Dhan Kaur have accused residents of the village of grabbing land belonging to her husband Nirmal Singh.

Having failed to get the needful done from revenue officials at Malaudh and Payal, Sukhdev Kaur, the complainant, had urged the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, to get the land vacated from the alleged grabbers at the earliest.

The Deputy Commissioner had directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to probe into the matter at the earliest.

The complainant was told that officials concerned would examine records on the spot and do the needful to give the possession of the land to the kin of the martyr. A senior officer, however, after marking the land, according to the map, refused to proceed further on the pretext of a stay order produced by the defendant party.

Refuting charges leveled against the Administration, SDM, Payal, Ghanshyam Thori maintained that defendants, represented by Jasmail Singh and others, had produced a stay order in connection with the land in dispute. The needful would be done only after court’s orders, said the SDM.

“Both the complainant and the defendant belong to the same clan and investigations have revealed that they have been using the land as common path for many years,” said Thori. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 7
The Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) at Dehlon, Iqbal Singh, urged in charges of various schools to not to make cash payments to beneficiaries.

The payments should either be made through crossed cheques or materialised through e-transfer services being provided by the banks.

The appeal was made during a concluding session of a workshop at the State Bank of India, Dehlon branch. Sher Singh, manager, presided over the session and Iqbal Singh was the chief guest on the occasion.

Besides checking corruption and misappropriation of funds by officials concerned, the initiative will also put an end to thefts and snatching cases, said Iqbal Singh.

The gesture would help the government officials to make optimum use of funds, received under various schemes, said the BPEO.

Annapurna Arora, assistant manager, and Darshan Singh, cash officer, illustrated various modes of fund transfer and cash payments. Organisers also felicitated Iqbal Singh and Maninder Pal Singh on the occasion. — OC

Ludhiana, March 7
Bal Bharati Public School organised an Inter-House Badminton Competition from Classes 1 to V on the campus. About 56 students were selected from Classes 1-V, who competed in the final round of the competition.

In the boys’ doubles U-13 category, Gursahib Singh (V-B) and RajKawar Kang (V-B) of Mercury House bagged the first position, while Somansh Gridhar (V-B) and Gurnoor Singh (III-A) of Venus House stood second.

In the boys’ single U-13 category, Manas Shukla (IV-C) of Mercury House defeated Krish Dhoopar (V-A) of Mars House and bagged first position. In the boys’ single U-10 category, Mehardeep Singh (II-E) of Mars House emerged victorious by limiting Ekam Khullar (II-B) of Mercury House to second position.

In the girls’ doubles U-13 category, Aarzoo Sharma (V-A) and Ashmeet Kaur (IV-A) of Venus House became the star of the show by scoring the first position. Seerat Kaur and Gauravi Sood (V-A) of Earth House bagged the second position.

In the girls’ single U-13 category, Bavneet Kaur (V-B) of Mercury House emerged victorious by limiting Prisha Soni (IV-B) of Mars House to the second position. Principal Punam Dogra congratulated the students on their achievements.— TNS

Ludhiana, March 7
Sanjeev Sood, who performed consistently for more than two decades, added another feather to his cap when he bagged a silver medal in the 21st Veteran National Table Tennis Championship held at Dharamshala in HP last week.

Sanjeev, working with the State Bank of Patiala, has sorts of records against his name. During his heydays, Sanjeev retained the title for seven years in the Punjab State Table Tennis Tournaments, besides winning top honours in the North Zone Table Tennis Championship for a couple of years.

Sanjeev’s dominance was evident from the fact that he represented Punjab in the National Table Tennis Championship for 25 years. Thereafter, Sanjeev started taking part in the veterans’ group where he again hogged the limelight. Last year, Sanjeev performed exceedingly well and helped Punjab to clinch the title in the National Veteran Table Tennis Championship held in Srinagar. Punjab wrapped up the title, outplaying Maharashtra (3-0).

In Dharamshala, the Punjab team comprising Sanjeev Sood, Pankaj Sharma and Ajay Sharma, both from Jalandhar, outnumbered Chhattisgarh (3-1), and overpowered Madhya Pradesh (3-1) to assure a berth in the final. However, in the final, Punjab failed to cope up with their opponents from Maharashtra who came out triumphant (3-0) and avenged their defeat they suffered in the last edition in Srinagar.

Sanjeev and his teammates qualified for World Veterans Table Tennis Tournament to be held at Auckland in New Zealand in May this year.

Ludhiana, March 7
The myth associated with swine flu was put to rest by experts confirming that it does not spread from pigs. The name “swine flu” came from a strain of the virus that is also found in pigs. In 2009, a new strain of the swine flu virus that also affected humans was identified.

“Human swine flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a strain of influenza virus. It is also known as human swine influenza or H1N1 Influenza. We should stop calling it swine flu and should instead call it H1N1. This year, we are calling it H1N1-2014 as the strain of virus changes every year,” said Dr Vikas Suri from Chandigarh.

A person caring for someone sick with human swine flu can become infected from inhaling infected sneeze or cough droplets. This is known as direct contact.

The human swine flu virus can live for about two hours outside of the body. Infection can occur when a person touches a contaminated object (such as a dirty tissue) and then touches his or her own nose, eyes or mouth. This is known as indirect contact.

In some cases, human swine flu is asymptomatic, which means the infected person feels fine and has no symptoms. However, he/she can still infect other people.

Pig farmers can be infected directly from infected pigs. For example by handling sick pigs and not washing their hands.

Dr Ashish Bhalla from Chandigarh said people from high risk groups were especially encouraged to have the human swine flu vaccine. The high risk group includes pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, neurological disease and people with suppressed immune. Parents and guardians of infants under six months old are advised to get the kid vaccinated against flu.

The vaccine can also be taken by anyone else who wishes to protect himself/herself from the human swine flu, including healthy people.

Self-care instructions for a person with human swine flu are the same as for seasonal flu.

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay at home and get plenty of rest.

Ludhiana, March 7
Students of the GHG Harparkash College of Education for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, near here, brought fame to their alma mater in the Panjab University Inter-College (BEd) Competitions.

In kho-kho, girls from the college got the better of the Doraha College of Education, Doraha, by innings lead of 9-0 to emerge champions. In volleyball, the GHG Harparkash College of Education bagged a silver medal.

In athletics, Narinder Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur, two students from this college, finished among position holders. Narinder won a gold medal in 800m race, in addition to a bronze medal in 400m race. Kirandeep won a bronze medal in javelin throw.

Dr Baljeet Kaur Gill, principal of the college, congratulated the students and Swarna Saini, lecturer, Physical Education, on this outstanding performance.

Ludhiana, March 7
A large number of students representing different houses competed in various sports events in the 14th Annual Sports Meet of the Partap College of Education, Hambran Road, here today.

The event began with the unfurling of the college flag, release of balloons and pigeons by the chief guest. It was followed by march past and PT show.

Manpreet Kaur of BEd was adjudged the best athlete among girls. She was awarded with the Jagvir Kaur Grewal Yadgari Sarvotam Khidaran Award. Balwinder Singh was declared the best athlete in the boys’ section.

The Chenab House bagged the first position, while Satluj House won the second position in march past among the six houses.