Ludhiana, March 21
The UT and Punjab Mulazam Sangharsh Committee today staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. Employees from various government departments gathered at Bharat Nagar Chowk and raised slogans against the Punjab government.

The protesters said they were irked by the Punjab Chief Minister's failure to give the committee members time to meet on March 18.

Ramanjeet Singh Sandhu, convener of the committee, said they had been asking the government to regularise the services of daily wage earners and contractual workers in various departments. Sandhu said employees in various government departments were awaiting their salaries and instalment of dearness allowance.

District convener of the committee Gurmail Singh said: "If the government fails to respond to our long-pending demands, we will be forced to intensify the protest."

The committee has announced a state-level rally at Bathinda on April 18.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 21
Office-bearers and activists of the Class IV Government Employees Union threatened to launch an agitation in case their long pending demands were not accepted and implemented without any further delay.

Activists led by president Ram Avtar and Surinder Singh, secretary, alleged that the successive government had failed to implement reforms regarding welfare of Class IV employees of various departments.

Existing facilities provided to the employees were not adequate for leading dignified life, said the speakers who addressed the meeting held at Block Primary Education Office at Dehlon.

Merger of DA in salary, payment of arrears, enhancement of medical allowance and honourable wages for mid-day meal workers were the major demands.

Regretting that officials of various private banks bothered little towards problems related to delayed payment of salaries and pension.

The union leaders approached Sher Singh, manager State Bank of India, for discussing modalities of opening special salary package accounts at Dehlon branch. Singh assured that employees and pensioners opening such accounts would face no difficulty once the respective departments start crediting their salaries. — OC

Ludhiana, March 21
The municipal corporation has served a demolition notice on a local hospital for putting up a shed for parking of vehicles on the roadside.

Acting on a complaint lodged by city-based RTI activist Arvind Sharma, the Assistant Town Planner (Zone D) issued a notice to Sri Krishna Hospital, Model Town, under the provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, for demolition of the shed within three days.

The official stated in the notice that on the basis of the complaint, a site inspection was carried out by a team of the building branch of the MC.

“The report submitted by the MC team confirmed that a shed measuring 97-by-14.9 feet has been erected for parking of vehicles by the hospital management on the land which forms a part of public road. The structure amounts to encroachment and is liable to be demolished,” the notice mentioned.

The MC has further told the hospital management that if the shed was not removed within the stipulated time, the MC will pull it down.

Arvind Sharma, in his complaint lodged with the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, and the MC Commissioner, had pointed towards the increasing tendency of encroachments and the failure of the local hospitals of make proper arrangements for the parking of vehicles.

He alleged that the MC was already grappling with the issue of proliferating encroachments and the directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard were also not being followed. Citing specific examples, he said various hospitals in the city, including Sri Krishna Hospital in Model Town, were using parts of public roads and streets and other vacant pieces of government land for parking of vehicles.

The MC had recently issued show-cause notices to nearly 30 hospitals and nursing homes in the city which either did not have their own designated parking space or the parking area shown in building plans was being put to use for other purposes.

Ludhiana, March 21
Anita Sharma, a member of the Belan Brigade, while addressing a meeting of the brigade said today that women must take a stand against the drug mafia operating in the state.

She said though they have limited means and tools of communication against the powerful drug mafia, they were committed to act against it. Founder of the brigade Keemti Rawal appealed to the government to take steps to check the issue in the state.

All political parties should take responsibility to prevent the drug mafia from operating during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said.

Jagraon, March 21
The Mullanpur Dakha police have come under scanner for failing to arrest two youths accused of attacking and injuring three elderly persons, including two women, at Hassanpur village near Mullanpur Dakha over a property dispute more than a week ago.

As per the information, the incident took place on the evening of March 12 when the victim, Balwant Singh, his wife Pritam Kaur and sister Harbhajan Kaur were allegedly attacked and injured by two persons, including Balwant Singh’s own nephew Manpreet Singh alias Mani and one unidentified youth at their house in Hassanpur village.

Balwant Singh, Pritam Kaur and Harbhajan Kaur received serious injuries during the attack following which they were immediately rushed to Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, by their family members with the help of some villagers. Later, the doctors at Civil Hospital shifted all the victims to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Ludhiana because of their critical condition. Now, the condition of all the victims is stated to be stable.

After the attack, the family members of the victims approached the police and informed about the incident following which the police visited the hospital and recorded the statements of all the victims. In his statement before the police, Balwant Singh alleged that his family was attacked because he has a dispute over some property with his nephew Manpreet Singh, who wants to take illegal possession of the property.

“On the evening of March 12, Manpreet accompanied by an unidentified youth entered my house forcibly. They attacked me and my family members with lathis and rods before fleeing away from the place,” alleged Balwant Singh. He further claimed that he had all the legal documents to prove that he was the actual owner of the land in question. “But Mani had been pressing me to give up my claim over the property. He also used to threaten me of dire consequences in case I do not give up my claim over the property,” added Balwant Singh.

However, three days after the attack the police registered a case against Manpreet Singh and one identified youth at Mullanpur Dakha police station under Sections 452, 323 and 34 of IPC on the basis of the statement given by Balwant Singh. Though, none of the accused has been arrested by the police in this regard so far.

Irked over the delay caused by the police in arresting the accused attackers, the members of the family have alleged foul play on part of the police. “The accused are moving freely in the area but the police have not arrested any of them so far. Instead of arresting the accused, the police are trying to force us for a compromise with the accused under pressure of a political leader of the area,” rued Gurmit Kaur, a close relative of the victim family.

Investigating Officer ASI Amreek Singh denied the allegations of trying to pressurise the victim family for reaching a compromise with the accused. 

Ludhiana, March 21
According to the members of Inner Wheel Club more Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is needed from the city of industrialists.

Schools here hardly receive any grants or funds from the government, but are dependent on the donations by the city residents. Being a city of industrialists and corporates, there is a need for more corporate organisations to help schools and organisations such as Nirdosh, under the CSR activities, a member of the club said.

She said children at the club-run school for mentally challenged- Nirdosh School- were being trained to become self-sufficient.

The school has 50 mentally challenged children, nine teachers along with a couple of speech therapists and a physiotherapist. “Some of the children have become self-sufficient through training and setting up simple things to make a living,” a member said. Some of the children have set up juice-shop, or are making a living by preparing decorative envelopes, candles, etc.

Products made by children are showcased during the two-day carnival of joy- the fashion exhibition featuring garments, jewellery, decor items. — TNS

Ludhiana, March 21
Students and faculty of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) held a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Punjab Agricultural University last evening. The students raised the demand of providing jobs with the CM.

The delegation which held a meeting with the CM included Vice-Chancellor VK Taneja, director Students Welfare SPS Sangha, faculty members, students from fisheries and dairy technology colleges.

A dairy technology student of GADVASU informed that it was in 2008 when the state government felt the need of human resources in field of Dairy Industry in Punjab, so they decided to open the college of Dairy Science and Technology in GADVASU.

“The main idea behind this effort was to recruit skilled degree holders in dairy technology in Punjab Dairy Cooperative ‘Verka’, so that Verka can also uplift their position worldwide like AMUL. But, now IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) has started a correspondence-based diploma in dairy technology, with a duration of one year, with no in-plant training experience,” rued the students.

During the meeting with the CM, the students urged him to provide them with government jobs in this sector. “The CM has assured us that the needful will be done immediately after the code of conduct ends. Now, our college, college of Dairy Sciences and Technology is not taking an initiative to activate our college’s placement cell. Till now, out of two pass out batches, only three students have been placed in some good reputed jobs, that too with their own efforts. Initially, in the starting there was still a hope that may be some private firm will come to recruit our college’s degree holders, but now that one ray of light seems to last in the darkness as this year no firm is coming for the campus recruitments,” informed the students.

Ludhiana, March 21
Youngsters are using smartphones and tablets to exhibit their creativity.

Due to the easy availability of mobile apps for art and design in touch-screen gadgets, youngsters are using these to infuse creativity in their designs.

These have not only replaced the actual artistic tools, but have also motivated many to take to art.

With this, many youngsters have turned into amateur digital artists.

“I always like to infuse creativity into art. Now, I use mobile apps to make pictures look better,” said a student.

Many apps that are available on tablets have the actual tools of art.

A variety of virtual pencils, charcoals, oil colours, water colour brushes are available to draw and paint.

The wide range of surfaces allows one to be creative and experiment new designs.

“Though some of the virtual online tools were earlier available in different softwares, their availability on touch-screen gadgets have added to the realistic dimension. This is because one virtually paints and sketches with the hand, rather than using a mouse,” said Deepinder Singh, a student.

“This is of creative use. Art was never this easy,” said Arnav, a student. “There are umpteen tools and apps that one can download on their touch-screen tablets and smartphones. Though I was not into art and design earlier, now I create designs every day,” said Arnav.

Many artists have also started using apps to create a copy of the artwork on their touch-screen gadgets before creating the final draft.

“Smartphones and tablets have almost replaced paper and art in every manner. Whenever an idea strikes my mind, rather than getting hold of my sketch pad, I use the virtual sketching app on my tablet. I try different colour combinations and designs before giving shape to the actual artwork,” said Sameer, an amateur artist.

“For anyone getting into art, this is a great help. One can create art just about anywhere,” said Tulika, another student.

“The virtual canvass, brushes and online tools give an artist a free hand to do anything he wants to,” she added.

Ludhiana, March 21
City residents rue that they are not getting the LPG subsidy on time, despite their Aadhaar cards being linked to their bank accounts.

They said they feel cheated as despite following the rules, still they are feeling harassed.

The Union Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a notification on December 31, delinking the Aadhaar card with the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for LPG. A consumer was supposed to link his LPG connection and bank account with his Aadhaar card.

While speaking to The Tribune, Ramesh Kumar Sharma, a resident of the Mundian area of the city, alleged that he booked his domestic LPG cylinder in February, but was yet to receive the subsidy amount for it.

“I made the full payment to the agency, but I have still not received the subsidy. This is high time that the government should interfere and make sure law-abiding citizens should not suffer,” he said.

Another resident said they paid hefty amounts for purchasing LPG refills, but have failed to get the subsidy on time.

“There are several others like me who are not getting the subsidy transferred to our bank accounts,” said Surjit Singh from the Sant Nagar area.

DFSC Sona Thind said earlier, there was some problem in transfer of the subsidy amount to bank accounts.

“But from March 10 onwards, the issue has been resolved. Moreover, the matter is looked after by a different department,” she said.

Ludhiana, March 21
World Down Syndrome Day was today observed by Ashirwad, which is also a unit of the North India Cerebral Palsy Association (NICPA).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Neelam Sodhi, said down syndrome was not a disease but a genetic disorder that happens when a baby gets three copies of chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21), instead of the usual two.

“There are over a million people in the world with down syndrome and its estimated incidence is about 1 per 800 to 1,000 births. Children with this condition have special needs," Dr Sodhi said.

Ashirwad provides rehabilitation, support and therapy for individuals with down syndrome while offering day care services to children. We hope to create a support group for parents and doctors so that we can help children with down syndrome to reach their goals,” Dr Sodhi added.

A drawing competition was also organised for children with disabilities on the occasion. Children took active participation in the events.

Parents shared their experiences about their children.

Father of Karan, a boy with down syndrome, said there was a lot of improvement in his speech. Now, he interacts more confidently.

Sister of Jaskaran, another boy with down syndrome, said he knows how to use mobile phone and computer and also plays badminton. A social person, he was busy in various activities.

Gurjas, a little girl with down syndrome, has a lot of improvement in her physical condition after therapy. Children with Down syndrome also performed on a patriotic parody ‘Phir bhi dil hain Hindustani”. The programme was concluded with distribution of gifts.

Ludhiana, March 21
District and Sessions Judge-cum-chairman of the Legal Services Authority Karamjit Singh Kang today exhorted newly recruited paralegal volunteers to work with enthusiasm for spreading legal awareness among the masses.

The Sessions Judge was speaking on the concluding session of the four-day training workshop of paralegal volunteers at the conference hall of the district courts complex here today.

A large number of participants, including doctors, retired officials, youngsters, women, teachers and lecturers from Samrala, Khanna, Jagraon and Ludhiana, took part in the workshop.

He said the purpose for recruitment of paralegal volunteers was to reach to more and more persons belonging to the weaker sections of society in order to ensure that their legal rights were not infringed. In case of infringement, they must know that they have the fundamental right to have access to the justice delivery system.

They could knock the door of the judiciary and would be provided legal assistance and services of an lawyer free of cost. The fee of lawyer as well as incidental expenses would be borne by the legal services authority itself, the Judge said.

Later, he distributed identity cards among the participants.

Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary of the Legal Services Authority KK Singla asked the participants to take help of lawyers sitting in front offices established by the authorities at different places, if required.

Singla said after the completion of the workshop, the paralegal volunteers would be deputed in different areas for spreading legal awareness. Moreover, they would be deputed in different legal aid clinics.

He added that the participants were made aware about various laws, including Hindu Law, Domestic Violence and protection law, PNDT Act, Dowry Prohibition Act and laws relating to husband and wife and children. Lawyers Deepika Singh, Rama Bajaj, AS Chadha, Vishal Tiwari were among those who spoke on various topics of law.

Ludhiana, March 21
A couple from Juhada village, near here, have alleged foul play by the Community Health Centre (CHC) authorities and say that though they were expected to have twins, after the delivery the hospital authorities handed over only one child to them.

The couple has submitted a complaint to the Civil Surgeon and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jagraon, in this regard.

The couple, Simranjit Singh and Karamjit Kaur, alleged that either the hospital authorities or the Accredited Social Health Activists, who took the woman to the hospital, have sold off their one newborn.

"I got the ultrasound of my wife done in January that clearly mentioned that my wife was carrying twins. When we visited the CHC, Pakhowal, the authorities told us that there was only a single child and they could not hear the heartbeat of the second child. We asked them to go ahead with the operation as my wife was in labour. Later, they handed over one baby boy to us,” said Simranjit.

"When I asked them to at least show me my second child, they refused to do so, saying that there was only one child,” said Simranjit.

Harinderpal Singh, Senior Medical Officer, CHC, Pakhowal, who also operated Karamjit for the C section, said before delivery he clearly told the couple that there was only a single child and not twins as he could not hear the heartbeat of the second child.

Husband of the woman even gave us in writing that "though one baby is weak and the heartbeat of the other could not be heard, I am asking the doctors to perform the operation at my own risk," said Dr Harinderpal.

On the other hand, Dr Sunit Kumar Hind, who runs a private lab, and performed the ultrasound of Karamjit, said he stands by his report.

"I have checked my records and the report have been prepared by me and I stand by it," he said.

Civil Surgeon Subhash Batta said the couple had submitted a complaint with him and he himself had probed the matter.

"The staff of the CHC, Pakhowal, who were present during the operation, have confirmed that there was a single child. The SMO himself has performed the operation and there can be no laxity on his part,” he said.

When asked about the ultrasound report that the couple had, the Civil Surgeon said: "There is only one ultrasound done throughout the pregnancy period that shows that the woman was carrying twins. No ultrasound was repeated afterwards or done before. It is quite possible that the report could have been replaced by another report."

Ludhiana, March 21
Though, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) had rescheduled the Class X examinations but in a fresh circular the board has failed to change the dates for admission to Class XI.

The delay in the examinations would add to the woes of students getting admission to Class XI in the next session. As per the directions from the PSEB, the schools will start the registrations for provisional admission to Class XI from April 1 and it would be closed by May 15. Meanwhile, the PSEB examinations will now start from March 25 and will conclude on April 5.

To get the provisional admission to Class XI the students have to fill the admission forms during the examinations. There are several government schools in the city where students have to work hard to get admission. According to the Administration of Government Modal Senior Secondary School, PAU campus, more than 1,000 students apply for 140 seats at the school. A number of other government schools give the admission to students on the basis of Class X results.

The school authorities are also in a fix as the teachers would remain busy with the duties for conducting general elections. It would be hard for the school administrations to accommodate the applicants without having proper staff.

Gurpreet Singh, a teacher, said, “The board should extend the dates for admissions to next class. Now, the students will have to buy the prospectus and fill the forms during the Class X examinations. Otherwise they will miss the opportunity to get admission in reputed schools.”

Sanjiv Tahpar, principal, Government Modal Senior secondary School PAU, said, “It is true that students will face inconvenience during examinations. We will fill the seats on the previous record of students. When the results will be announced only then the students will be registered on the basis of merit.” 

Ludhiana, March 21
Punjab Agricultural University Students’ Association (PAUSA) today recalled writer Khushwant Singh’s association with the farm varsity. Khushwant Singh had inaugurated the museum of Punjabi heritage located inside the PAU campus on April 24, 1974.

The PAUSA representatives paid floral tributes to the eminent writer, who passed away yesterday at the age of 99.

Karanvir Singh Sandhu, president, PAUSA stated that not many people know that the museum located inside the PAU campus was inaugurated by Khushwant Singh. “That is why we decided to pay floral tributes to him as he was an author of international acclaim,” said Sandhu.

Silika Gupta, a student of MSc (Microbiology) at PAU, said Khushwant Singh was a wonderful personality who never had anything to hide. “He was always open to things and the same thing reflected in his writings. I have read so much about him and just a thought that the PAU museum was inaugurated by him fills me with joy,” she said.

Meanwhile, the PAU ECO Club today held a plantation drive inside the PAU campus. DSW Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal inaugurated the plantation drive which was coordinated by students.

Got the idea from crime shows on TV

Rakesh Kumar told the police that he got the idea of fleeing with the ransom amount after kidnapping and killing the victim from television crime shows. The accused, however, could not outsmart the police and was arrested.

Ludhiana, March 21
With the arrest of five persons, the city police claim to have busted a gang of highway robbers who used to target filling stations.

The accused—Gurmeet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Rajinder Singh, Deepak Raja and Yakub, all residents of villages surrounding Ludhiana and Moga—were arrested from outside a liquor vend in Sham Nagar.

Besides weapons that included a .12-bore pistol, the police recovered a Toyota Innova and a Tata Indica car used by the robbers while committing crimes.

The gang recently struck at a filling station and liquor vend on Hambra Road and decamped with cash after taking the employees hostage.

The police said the arrest would bring respite to commuters and people working at commercial establishments on highway.