Ludhiana, April 1
In the wake of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has claimed to have made fool-proof security arrangements at the railway station. But contrary to the claims, there is no check at several entry points. However, there is no proper boundary wall at the Ludhiana railway station but there are some entry points on both sides of the station from where the visitors enter the station.

Police personnel can be seen patrolling on the platform, but there is lack of security at other entry points apart from the main entrance. Officials of the RPF said the police were vigilant and regular search was being conducted at the station.

One can enter the railway station easily without being frisked or noticed by the police. There is no check near the office of the Government Railway Police, near the parcel room and the godown.

Yashwant Singh, in-charge, RPF, Ludhiana, said, "Due to the upcoming elections, we have made elaborate security arrangements at the railway station. Police personnel are keeping a strict vigil on the luggage of suspected persons and they are also being frisked".

"We have deputed policemen at all the entry points. We are making sure that all passengers are safe at the station. Our officials have been been keeping a watch on every activity at the railway station and on trains. In the absence of a boundary wall, the area becomes more sensitive, so we have to depute more policemen in such areas", added Yashwant Singh.

Rajinder Kumar, a visitor at the railway station, said, "India has suffered at the hands of terrorists who often take advantage of such security lapses. The railway authorities should depute more policemen here to keep security in place".

Ludhiana, April 1
In a major move, the Election Commission of India has transferred the Ludhiana Police Commissioner, PS Gill, today. He has been replaced by Sanjeev Kalra, a 1989-batch IPS officer.

Gill had been appointed as the Police Commissioner of Ludhiana in February itself, but after an alleged complaint by an Independent candidate, Simarjit Singh Bains, the Election Commission of India issued his transfer orders today.

Sources in the Police Department said that Gill received his transfer orders when he was busy in a meeting with the CIA staff.

Meanwhile, in a press note issued today, Bains, who is also contesting the Lok Sabha elections, thanked the election authorities for having transferred the “biased” Police Commissioner of Ludhiana, “who was favouring the ruling party candidate and harassing my supporters”. Bains said, "I also appeal to all government officials and government employees to be impartial during the elections and not create any hindrance in the process of free and fair elections. Any act of favoritism to one particular candidate and harassing of another will be brought to the notice of the Chief Election Commissioner for an appropriate action.” said the statement.

He further stated, “I will also request and remind the Election Commission to take action against the erring police officials who have detained my six supporters. The action must be taken against those police officials who fail to take action against anti-social elements, the note said

The note said the vehicles of Bains’ supporters were damaged outside the Sharaba Nagar police station, when they were sitting on a dharna against the arrest of six supporters. Meanwhile, ADCP Nilambari Jagdale has also been transferred as the SSP, Fazilka. 

Ludhiana, April 1
The District Electoral Officer-cum- Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, has taken up the issue of female staff being deputed on night duties with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEO), Punjab. He has asked him to exempt them from night stay at their respective polling stations.

Rajat Aggarwal, District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said, "I have discussed the matter with the CEO, Punjab. The female staff deputed as presiding officers can be exempted from night stay at their respective polling stations".

Aggarwal said that in principle the CEO had found merit in his plea and was taking up the matter with the Election Commission of India.

Aggarwal said, "We have deputed 14,148 employees on duty for the smooth running of the elections in the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency. We will try deputing female staff as alternative presiding officers and polling officers and not as presiding officers."

Meanwhile, the CEO of the state has allowed the female staff to be appointed for the election duty in their own constituency.

Aggarwal said," The female staff will be deputed at any polling booth in their own constituency except the one where they are registered as voters themselves."

Surabhi Malik, Nodal Officer for Poll Personal (Management) and the Poll Personal (Welfare), Ludhiana, said, "We have deputed 3,451 presiding officers, 3,451 alternative presiding officers and 7,246 polling officers at 2,636 polling booths in the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency."

Ludhiana, April 1
The Department of Governance Reforms has increased the cost of forms available at the Suvidha Centre, Mini-Secretariat.

In a press note issued by the district administration, only the forms being sold at the Suvidha Centre would be accepted.

Additional Commissioner (General) Shena Aggarwal said, “The form required for arm licences will now cost Rs 1,250. The form for renewal of arms licences can be bought for Rs 630, form for marriage certificate will cost Rs 500, death and birth certificate form will be sold for Rs 20, and for the registration of vehicle, Rs 50 will be charged. Prices of other forms have also been increased."

Ludhiana, April 1
City roads are fast turning into deathtraps, with several residents losing lives in accidents in the past few days. Many have even been injured while waiting at traffic signals while some have fallen prey to overspeeding.

Overspeeding goes unchecked in the city as the ill-equipped traffic police have no speedometers, which can check the speed limit of vehicles. The traffic police have only two speedometers and they too are not functional.

The data shows the laid-back attitude of the traffic police to curb overspeeding. As per the data, the traffic police imposed only 270 challans for overspeeding in 2013. Out of 270, 220 challans were imposed only in September last year, whereas, the traffic police have imposed challans with the average of three to five per month.

On March 30, a private mini-bus crushed an elderly man to death after he alighted from it near the Old Bus Stand. The deceased, identified as Surjit Singh (77), was a resident of Kucha Pandit Dhani Ram near Luxmi Cinema.

Similarly, a truck that was reportedly speeding mowed down a 26-year-old teacher and injured her sister after ramming into their scooter at the traffic signal near Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Gate No. 2 on the Ferozepur Road on March 8.

Surjit Singh, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, rued that even the traffic signals were not safe. “Few weeks ago, while I was waiting at the traffic signal in Bhai Wala Chowk, a bus hit me from behind. But thankfully, I escaped unhurt. The entry of heavy vehicles should be banned from the roads during the day,” he said.

Due to overspeeding, a 26-year-old youth was killed in a car crash on March 15 while the other youth, who was at the wheels, suffered critical injuries. The accident took place near MBD Neopolis on the Ferozepur Road while the deceased, Akshit Kharbanda, and his friend, were riding in the latter’s BMW Z4. Akshit was the son of Parveen Kharbanda, an owner of a leading sweets shop in the city.

There are several other accidents, which have claimed precious lives in the past one month.

A traffic police official admitted that they didn’t have proper equipment to check overspeeding vehicles in the city. “But we keep on challaning violators,” he claimed. 

Ludhiana, April 1
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation generated a revenue of only Rs 62.30 crore from the property tax in the recent financial year (till March 31, 2014). The civic body was able to generate nearly Rs 90 crore from the house tax last year, thus there has been a revenue loss of about Rs 30 crore to the already "financially starved" MC.

As per records of the MC, Zone D (which mainly comprises of Sarabha Nagar, Gurdev Nagar and Civil Lines) generated maximum revenue from the property tax. An amount of Rs 14.48 crore was generated by Zone D. About 27,000 properties that come under Zone D paid the property tax. While the Suvidha Centre of the MC was able to collect Rs 13.05 crore and Zone B came third with a collection of Rs 10.94 crore. Through online recoveries, the MC could get Rs 8.62 crore. Zone C of the MC was able to collect Rs 8.24 crore, while the collection of Zone A was about Rs 6.52 crore. The mobile vans could not cross the Rs 45.30 lakh mark.

Though in March 2014, the MC tried to generate maximum through the collection of property tax, yet not much difference could be made. The number of taxable properties till March 31, 2014, is 96,648 and the number of properties visited by the MC was 86,364. There was still a huge gap.

As the rebate given by the MC was till March 31, 2014, now the taxpayers will have to pay a penalty of 50 per cent of the total amount of the property tax, besides an additional amount of 18 per cent interest.

Ludhiana, April 1
Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu does not hesitate to blame the ruling alliance for the poor condition of roads, but when it comes to practising what he preaches, he chooses to look the other way.

The Congress candidate got a tent installed outside the party office on Malhar Road. The stretch was recarpeted only a few days ago. While pitching the tent, workers damaged the road. Dr Sumit Jarangal, Additional Commissioner, said, "Those who have damaged the road will be dealt with sternly. We will issue a show-cause notice."

Babita Kaler, ARO, said, "We allowed them to take out a rally, but they have to take permission from the Municipal Corporation and the police."

Jagraon, April 1
Residents of Kacha Malak Road in Jagraon have been facing a tough time due to continuous delay in the construction of the road. The construction work was started more than 6 months ago but it has not been completed till date, thus causing a lot of problems to the area residents.

The residents say they have been facing a lot of inconvenience because of the unnecessary delay. “The road has been in a bad shape from a long time. We were happy at the time when the construction work commenced following repeated demands by the area residents. Now, more than 6 months have passed but the construction work has not completed. I fail to understand why the work has not finished till now,” said Anil Verma, a resident of Shakti Nagar locality situated on the same road.

According to area residents, several minor accidents have taken place on this under-construction road during the recent past injuring many people. “The road becomes muddy when it rains and it becomes impossible for the people to travel on this road. Few days ago, my daughter and her friend, who were riding a two-wheeler, got injured after their vehicle fell on the road which became muddy after a little rain,” complained Major Singh, a retired school teacher.

The residents claimed that they had raised the issue of delay in construction work with the authorities of the local Municipal Council several times but despite this the work had not picked up pace. Irked over the constant delay being caused in the construction work of the road, the area residents are now planning to hold protest against the Jagraon Municipal Council.

Jagraon Municipal Council executive officer Davinder Toor said the construction work of the road got delayed as the work of laying sewerage pipes was undergoing. “Now, the work of laying sewerage pipes is almost complete. The road will be constructed very soon,” assured Toor.

Khanna, April 1
Senior Suprintendent of Police (SSP), Khanna, Harcharan Singh Bhullar held a meeting with the Chemist Associations of Khanna at DPO.

In his address, the SSP directed the chemists to avoid the sale of banned drugs without a description issued by a doctor.

He said it had come to his notice that some chemists sold banned medicines used as drugs at a huge margin. “This move is spoiling the lives of thousands of youths. So, the chemists should desist from such practices,” the SSP stated.

Bhullar said it was the duty of the Chemist Association to stop such chemists from the illegal practice. He added that the Khanna police had initiated a special move in this regard and if any chemist was found selling banned drugs, strict action will be taken against him.

Bhullar further stated that the district police would write to officials concerned to cancel the licence of such chemists. All chemists, present at the meeting, assured the SSP of supporting the cause.

Ludhiana, April 1
Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress candidate, opened his main office today in Ludhiana city. Making development his poll plank, Bittu said he would work to ensure all-round development of Ludhiana. He added that he would make efforts to provide health, education and industry-related infrastructure to the constituency. He added that potable water and sewerage for all areas would be the top most on his list.

He alleged that the state government had failed on the economic front and he claimed that soon after the Lok Sabha elections, the SAD-BJP alliance would install meters on submersible pumps and taps and would collect water bill from the people.

“Despite tall claims, the Akali Dal-BJP government has failed to lead the state to progress. It is very unfortunate that the state government has failed to provide even the basic amenities such as potable water to the people of Punjab.”

Among those present on the occasion included the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Rural), Chief Malkiat Singh Dakha, former minister Tej Parkash Singh, MLAs Surinder Dawar, Rakesh Pandey, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, former District Congress Committee president KK Bawa and Congress leaders Ashok Prashar Pappi, and Parminder Mehta.

The District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban), chief Pawan Dewan was not present on the occasion. It’s learnt that the Congress leaders who went to his house this morning were told that he was in Delhi. Last night, Dewan had reportedly told the local leaders that he would reach Ludhiana in time to attend the programme. Despite repeated attempts, Dewan could not be contacted as his phone remained switched off. Later around 10 pm, a press note was issued from Bittu’s office that said that Dewan had gone to Delhi to enquire about Member Parliament Manish Tewari’s health.

Ludhiana, April 1
Indian Radiologically Imaging Association (IRIA), Punjab, organised its first annual conference on ‘Musculoskeletal Radiology’ at Christian Medical College and Hospital. Dr AG Thomas, director, CMC, was the chief guest. About 120 delegates attended the session. Different speakers spoke on Pre-Natal Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique.

Office-bearers for IRIA, Punjab, were also elected at the general body meeting under the chairmanship of Dr SS Nijjer. Following were elected: Dr Kamlesh Gupta (Government Medical College, Amritsar) was elected as president, Dr Aditi Raina as secretary, Dr Subash Singla from CMC as vice-president and Dr Uttam George. 

Ludhiana, April 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has selected three boys and one girl from the city as Judicial Magistrates. Recently, they cleared the PCS Judicial Punjab exam.

The youngest among them is Harshbir Sandhu of 23 years. He has passed out LLB from Panjab University in 2012. Talking to the Ludhiana Tribune, Harshbir said the motivation for serving the society as a Judge was given by his father BS Sandhu (Sessions Judge, Pathankot) and his mother Jaswinder Kaur.

Another one to be selected was Tanishth Goel (24). His father VK Goel is posted in city as Additional Sessions Judge.

Bismann Mann, the only girl selected from city is daughter of Additional Sessions Judge SS Mann. The fourth one is Arun Shorie who is a practicing lawyer from city. His father AK Shorie had served in the Haryana Judiciary as Additional Sessions Judge.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 1
Responding to the movement launched by the State Bank of India to educate masses about the alternate channels of personal banking, constituents of various educational institutes of the area decided to open their accounts during the campaign. Account opening forms were filled and submitted on the website of the premier financial organisation.

Bank officials led by branch manager, Dehlon, Sher Singh and assistant manager Annapurna Arora organised camps and workshops at the Bhutta College of Education Bhutta, Bagga Computer Centre and Guru Har Krishan College, Phallewal.

Maintaining the payment of college and university fee through online modes, the bank officials motivated the students to do paperless transactions. — OC

Ludhiana, April 1
The policy formulated by the Punjab Government for compounding/regularisation of illegal colonies in the state seems to have created more problems.

Apart from unregulated and haphazard urban development that is bound to result from indiscriminate regularisation of plots, built-up properties and colonies, both within and outside the city limits, the policy has also posed a threat to the master plan of the city which was notified in July 2008.

It has been stated by the Town and Country Planning Department, Punjab, that the master plan was based on permanent features rather than khasra numbers entered in the revenue record. In other words, areas earmarked in the master plan for sector roads, ring roads, green belts and other restricted places have been shown without indicating their khasra numbers.

Officials of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) as well as the Municipal Corporation admitted that plots and built-up properties in illegal colonies were regularised and no objection certificates (NOCs) were issued to owners without taking the notified master plan into account.

They, however, added that applications submitted by developers of unauthorised colonies were sent to the District Town Planner (DTP) and these would be regularised only after it was verified that there was no violation of the master plan.

"The possibility of quite a few plots and built-up properties located in restricted areas in the master plan cannot be ruled out," admitted GLADA officials, adding that in the absence of khasra numbers of the restricted areas (in the master plan), they had no other choice, but to regularise the plots and properties as per the prevailing policy.

More than 48,000 plot/property owners had submitted applications for regularisation in the unauthorised colonies under the jurisdiction of GLADA while around 20,000 applications were filed with the MC. For regularisation of illegal colonies, GLADA had received more than 1,000 applications while 89 developers had applied to the MC.

As per GLADA officials, most of the applications submitted by the developers of illegal colonies were incomplete in various respects. "After the applicants failed to complete their documents and deposit another 15 per cent towards second instalment of the composition fee, a public notice was served on all developers in Ludhiana, Moga, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Phillaur sub-division in Jalandhar district and Ferozepur and Zira sub-divisions to complete all formalities and deposit the balance amount of composition fee till April 4, 2014, failing which their applications would not be taken into account," said a GLADA official. 

Ludhiana, April 1
Envisaging a smoke-free city, Civil Surgeon Dr Subhash Batta today issued instructions to restaurant owners.

In Punjab, 17 districts have been declared smoke free. The owners were apprised of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act.

The Civil Surgeon told the owners not to keep ashtrays and matchboxes in hotel rooms. He said hotels having more than 30 rooms and restaurants with a seating capacity of more than 30 persons will be required to form separate smoking zones. District Health Officer Dr Avinash Kumar directed hotel owners to put up a warning board on each floor. They were also told to put up boards displaying helpline numbers.

Dr Batta said hotels and restaurants should not promote or advertise tobacco products in any form.

Ludhiana, April 1
Awareness about autism is low. Society treats it as a disease. It was Aamir Khan starer movie 'Taare Zameen Pe' that made people acquainted with the term.

"The film taught how to recognise and interact with autistic children. It helped in picking up a little compassion for all special and challenged children," said Raavi Khanna, president of the Children Welfare Council. Bhawna, a parent of an autistic child, said, "The ignorance level about autism is very high in our society. It is treated as a social stigma. Taking children to public places has become difficult for parents as people stare back. It is not easy for parents to talk about autism to their colleagues or to people as it is misunderstood as mental retardation. The awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in India is low," she said.

Vijay A Patil, secretary, Autism Society of India (ASI), said, "Parents refuse to accept that their children have autism spectrum disorder due to social fear. There is a lack of awareness about ASD, which is an intellectual disorder."

"Early intervention and right kind of therapy may help children grow in a rather normal way. The need of the hour is training institutes either funded by the government or private agencies to equip autistic children with suitable skills. Extensive awareness campaigns about ASD and parents' cooperation in early intervention are needed," added Patil.

What is autism?

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in children by the age of three. It has a debilitating effect in the areas of communication, socialisation, cognition, imagination and intuitive thought. It severely inhibits a child's repertoire of interests and social interaction.

Awareness needed

Autistic children lack in development of communication, both verbal and non-verbal. They fail to put their needs in words. They are not socially active, they do not make eye contact, there is lack of attachment and they have little knowledge about the difference between living and non-living things. Another important characteristic of autistic children is that they have repetitive behaviour.

Let their be hope

Early intervention and right kind of therapy may help children grow in a rather normal way. The need of the hour is training institutes either funded by the government or private agencies to equip autistic children with suitable skills.

Ludhiana, April 1
Residents feel that books are important for children and youngsters in shaping their imagination and making them bond with literature as they grow up. Ludhiana Tribune spoke to residents as they recollect the books they read as children and if it was worth reading or not.

Khushwant Singh, who passed away recently, had said happy families were the ones that had books in their homes. That just underlines the importance of reading for people, and all the more for children. As a child, the sooner they develop love for reading, faster the doors of knowledge and understanding will open for them.

— Rohit, a resident

Reading books, allegories and children’s stories are some of the most vivid memories of my childhood. As a child reads, it helps in developing imagination. Books and comics like those of Panchtantra were really great. Children’s books and literature are also a great way of inculcating the right values amongst children. The morals and messages of stories such as Thirsty Crow continue to be great lessons for children, the lessons that go throughout one’s life.

— Narjit Singh, a student

It feels bad that children these days don’t read much. Reading is a beautiful thing, as one not only gets an experience of another world, but also learns language and communication. Also, it helps in developing an understanding of the world one lives in. The habit of reading can be inculcated in children. As a child, I remember reading stories by Mark Twain and other writers which made my childhood great.

— Juhi, a resident

Many children are missing the joy of reading due to the boom of television, gaming and mobile phones. The delight is unsurpassed, as watching television, cartoons give them temporary joy, but what children imagine by reading makes them more imaginative and develops reading habit in them at an early age, which remains with them throughout their lives.

— Jobanjit singh, a resident

I have penned down some children’s books. Reading early in childhood not only helps in overall development, it even develops great imagination power and better understanding of things. Moreover, children choose to read books they like and learn and remember better by doing so, as these are not imposed on them by school, but by their own choice.

— Karamjit Grewal, a teacher

Ludhiana, April 1
Panjab University (PU) is all set to conduct the examination in its affiliated colleges on April 2. According to PU officials, more than 3 lakh students will appear in the exams at 295 examination centres. The university has constituted 25 flying squad teams to keep a vigil on cheating during examinations.

The university has uploaded admit cards of all the students on its official website. As per the criteria, the college authorities can reject those students to appear in the examination, who have less than 75 per cent attendance or less than 25 per cent score during house tests.

Ludhiana, April 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has promoted Amrinder Pal Singh, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) as the Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Civil Judge (Senior Division).

He has been transferred to the Judicial Academy, Chandigarh, as a faculty member. Meanwhile, four Additional Sessions Judges have been posted at Ludhiana following transfers from different stations. Additional Sessions Judge Sarabjit Singh Dhaliwal joined in place of Sunil Arora, Gurmit Kaur in place of Paramjit Singh, AP Batra replaces VK Goel and Jaspinder Singh in place of AS Virk.

Three Judicial Magistrates transferred from Ludhiana includes Pushpa Rani to Bathinda, Jasvir Singh to Amloh and Lovdeep Hundal to Sunam. The judges will be replaced by Judge Jupinder Singh, Judge Ajay Pal Singh and Judge Mani Arora. 

Ludhiana, April 1
The senior batch of the Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) wrapped up all league matches to emerge champions in the 65th Punjab State Basketball Championship (boys) that concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium today.

Amritsar district and the LBA (junior) secured second and third positions, respectively, while Kapurthala district finished at the fourth place. In the last league phase of the championship, LBA (seniors) drubbed Kapurthala district 61-41, Amritsar district managed to scrape past the LBA (juniors) 71-70, Amritsar district prevailed over Kapurthala district 71-66, LBA (seniors) got the better of LBA (juniors) 88-67, LBA (juniors) Kapurthala district 73-66 and LBA (seniors) outnumbered Amritsar district 97-80. Vijay Chopra, vice-president, Basketball Association, Ludhiana, and Samita Ahuja, member of executive committee, Punjab Basketball Association (PBA), distributed prizes.

Punjab basketball squad players who secured the second position in the Senior National Basketball Championship held at Delhi were also honoured.

Palpreet Singh, Lovedeep Singh, Khushmeet Singh, Harmandeep, Abhishek Rai and Gurvinder Gill were felicitated.