Ludhiana, April 28
As the election campaign drew to a close this evening, the contesting candidates from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency signed off their respective campaigns with road shows and public meetings. Late in the evening, some candidates went for door-to-door campaigning in different areas.

Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is the grandson of late Chief Minister Beant Singh, travelled across villages in Dakha, Jagraon and Gill Assembly constituencies to address public meetings. He was accompanied by former minister Tej Parkash Kotli and many senior Congress leaders, including Amarjit Singh Tikka and Malkiat Singh Dakha. Bittu promised the all-round development of the constituency.

In the city, the road shows and meetings held in support of Bittu were handled by legislator Gurkirat Kotli (Bittu's cousin), former minister Gurkanwal Kaur, apart from local Congress leaders.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters took out a motorcycle rally in support of AAP candidate HS Phoolka. Phoolka led the rally on a bike. Assuring the youth that the AAP will provide them job opportunities and a life free from drugs, he said the vote for the AAP would be the vote for positive change.

Later, Phoolka said AAP volunteers would not let any party or candidate use unfair means to influence voters. "AAP volunteers and supporters have promised to be present at the polling booths in large numbers and they will be ready to stop any illegal activity," said.

Unlike other candidates, who were content to reiterate their party's achievements and promises to usher in a period of progress and development in the constituency, Phoolka went a step further. He said the AAP had 'geared up' its volunteers with spy cameras and appropriate training to carry out sting operations against the distributors of liquor, drugs and money. "All sections of society have appreciated this initiative and have promised to help catch the wrongdoers." He termed it as an activity that will strengthen the Indian democracy.

Among the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP supporters, the claim of "Modi wave" dominated. In the public meetings held in various parts of the constituency, the SAD-BJP leaders, including the District BJP Chief Parveen Bansal, claimed that the Akali Dal-BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali will register a win because of the Modi wave and Ayali's contribution to the development of Ludhiana. The leaders of the Istri Akali Dal also campaigned for Ayali in different wards of Ludhiana.

Independent candidate Simarjit Singh Bains concluded his campaign with an emotional appeal to voters, urging them to listen to their conscience. "Do not sell your vote. Do not sell your conscience," Bains urged the voters. "Whosoever 'buys' you today, will sell off your dreams for five years," he added.

At his public meetings, Bains alleged that all possible ploys were being used to misguide the voters. He also claimed that "Missionary workers of the BSP", led by Ramanjit Lalli, had extended their support to him.

Meanwhile, among the voters in the constituency, the discussions veered around the "winnability of the candidates". Among the youth, NOTA (None Of The Above) as an option also continued to be discussed.

Ludhiana, April 28
As SAD-BJP Lok Sabha candidate Manpreet Ayali and Independent candidate Simarjeet Bains renewed efforts to woo voters after campaigning came to an end today, the city police are gearing up to tackle any untoward incident.

While the supports of Congress candidate Ravneet Bittu and HS Phoolka of the AAP are making their last-ditch efforts to woo voters, the possibility of a clash could not be ruled out.

Meanwhile, as many as 183 polling stations that fall under the Police Commissionerate have been declared hypersensitive. Of these, 82 polling stations (50 at Atam Nagar and 32 in the South constituency) fall in the area represented by Akali detractor and Independent Simarjeet Bains. Forty polling stations in the Gill constituency have been termed hypersensitive.

As many as 264 polling booths have been declared sensitive while 185 stations have been declared non-sensitive.

Information procured from the Police Commissioner's office states 2,907 personnel of paramilitary forces will provide security at 632 polling stations. A posse of 259 personnel has been deployed at 41 polling booths in South while 325 personnel have been deployed at 53 polling booths in Atam Nagar.

To tackle any possible trouble in the Gill area, 603 personnel have been deployed to safeguard 154 polling booths.

Thirteen companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed across the city following inputs that there is a high possibility of liquor distribution to woo voters.

Intelligence sources said supporters of all political parties could clash in the hypersensitive areas.

The areas, including Shimlapuri, Daba, Gill, Hibowal, Janakpuri and those surrounding Basti Jodhewal, have been put on high alert following the inputs of a high possibility of clash between supporters.

While liquor vends followed the orders of the administration and put down the shutters well before 6pm, there were reports that liquor was being distributed at some places.

On receiving information that liquor was being distributed to woo voters, the police and election observers visited a liquor vend on Dugri Road and talked to its employees. However, no action was taken. 

Ludhiana, April 28
After having been caught in the procedural tangle of administrative control between the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) and the Municipal Corporation for almost a year, five colonies developed by the Trust are now faced with the threat of disruption in water supply and sewerage.

The Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) which maintains water supply and sewerage disposal facility in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Maharishi Valmiki Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, Sant Isher Singh nagar and Bharat Nagar extension schemes of the LIT, has made it clear that it was not prepared to continue operations and maintenance of water supply and sewerage facilities in these colonies if dues worth Rs 157.95 lakh were not cleared without delay.

In a DO letter (no. PWSSBCL-14-B-1693-94 dated April 21, 2014), the Superintending Engineer (Ludhiana Circle) of the PWSSB has asked the Engineer of the LIT to arrange a payment of Rs 90.21 lakh on account of access expenditure incurred on operations and maintenance of water supply and sewerage in the five schemes during the period from 2007-08 to 2013-14.

In the letter, he has also demanded Rs 67.74 lakh against the annual estimate for the operational cost of water supply and sewerage in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar scheme for 2013-14. According to the PWSSB official, the board had spent Rs 43.91 lakh on it during the last financial year.

The PWSSB has made it clear through the memo that in case the outstanding amount was not released immediately, the Board will no longer be able to continue with the operations and maintenance of water supply and sewerage facilities in these schemes.

The Trust Engineer, SS Jakhar, however, rubbished the charges of the PWSSB while asserting that all payments, as per the final technical approval for the maintenance cost of water supply and sewerage in the trust schemes, had been made.

He said the preliminary estimates provided by the PWSSB were pruned at the time of technical approval by the head office of the Board while the local officials kept raising demands on the basis of initial estimates. Jakhar said payment for water supply and sewerage facility for seven months during 2013-14 was the liability of the MC when these schemes were handed over to the civic body, and later transferred back to the Trust.

Ludhiana, April 28
Around 15 workers had a providential escape after a shot-circuit caused a major fire at an export unit in Kanganwal last night.

Gurcharan Singh, owner of Prominent Export, said a suspected shot-circuit led to the fire.

It is learnt that when the fire broke out, 18 tonne of highly flammable petrochemicals were kept in the factory, which caused massive explosions.

All workers managed to escape on time.

Gurcharan Singh said the incident took place at 10pm. Four fire tenders put off the fire at 1am.

The police have initiated a probe into the outbreak of fire.

Ludhiana, April 28
Snakes are giving sleepless nights to patients and their relatives at the Civil Hospital. Grass and weed grown near the casualty ward has become a breeding ground for snakes. According to sources, at least eight snakes were seen on the premises of the hospital.

Snakes were first witnessed in the kitchen where food is prepared for patients. Workers had a tough time shoo them away.

A snake was spotted at the outpatient department (OPD). "I was scared to see a snake on the hospital premises. I immediately informed one of the ward boys on duty but he reacted very casually, saying that it was a routine affair here. I wonder if it is the state of affairs at the Civil Hospital what service can we expect here?" said Gurnam Singh, one of the patients.

Senior Medical Officer RK Karkara said he was not aware of the presence of snakes on the hospital premises. "We are cleaning the surroundings and removing unwanted grass," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the staff members said: "A huge tree grown on the hospital premises is a home for these snakes. At least eight snakes have been spotted on the premises. The hospital authorities are not paying any attention towards this problem. They are waiting for some unfortunate incident to occur before ridding the hospital of these serpents," he said.

Ajay Singla, a patient, said wild grass and weed growing on the Civil Hospital present an ugly look. "The hospital should be neat and clean. Wild grass not only gives the hospital a shabby look, but also provides snakes and insects a perfect habitat," he said.

A case against the accused was registered under section 304 B and 120-B of the IPC in June 26, 2009, at the Model Town police station following a statement of Kamlesh Maggo, the victim’s mother. The complainant had alleged that her daughter had been harassed on account of bringing less dowry since her marriage in April 2007.

However, the accused pleaded the victim died of heart attack and she was provided proper medical treatment at Deep Hospital, Ludhiana. 

Ludhiana, April 28
Rajat Aggarwal, District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, has declared April 28 (from 6 pm), 29 and 30 (till 10 pm) dry days under Section 54(1) of Punjab Excise Act, 1914.

Vends stopped selling liquor from 6 pm today. Aggarwal directed owners of hotels, restaurants and clubs not to serve or store liquor.

Apprehending violence, the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, issued the orders, said Aggarwal.

The District Electoral Officer has asked the authorities of schools, including government, aided and private institutions (where polling centres have been set up) to make available water, electricity and other facilities on the polling day.

He instructed school principals and heads to display names, designation and mobile numbers of employees on notice boards.

Election Commission acts tough

Taking serious note of violations, the Election Commission of India has decided to take strict action against those who fail to report to poll duties. Rajat Aggarwal said: "More than 100 officials and employees did not turn up for rehearsals. Following which, their employers have been asked to lodge an FIR against them. 

Postal ballots to be kept secret

DEO-cum-DC, Ludhiana, Rajat Aggarwal said postal ballots to be sent to officials and employees would be kept secret. He said on April 29, Postal Ballot Paper Facilitation Centres would be set up at sites from where polling parties would be sent to their respective booths. “After the polling process, election officials or employees can drop their ballot papers in boxes at these centres. They can also send the ballot papers to Assistant Returning Officers by post or can drop those in a box kept at room number 123 (the office of the District Electoral Officer). The DEO has instructed the assistant returning officers to ensure that the ballot papers reach the counting centre before 8 am on May 16.

Ludhiana, April 28
It seems that BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has weaved a web around children.

One can see little ones wearing his masks and playing alongside roads. On Ferozepur Road, a child attired in a yellow shirt enlivened the otherwise dull evening.

While some children are seen aping political leaders. Standing on a bench in a park at Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, a Class VII student was seen addressing his friends.

While he said: "Bhaiyo aur behno, aap sab ko pata hai ab ki baar Modi sarkar, his friends gave him a big round of applause.

Another child said: "Faisla aapke haathh mein hai, abhi nahin to kabhi nahin." His speech could not draw the attention of his friends who started playing "pitthu garam".

His eloquence of public speaking reminded one of Abraham Lincoln who polished his skills at an early age. In the Model Gram area near Kochhar Market, children were seen running behind the vehicles belonging to supporters and workers of different political parties. The children were heard saying: "Jituga bhai jittuga, topi wala jittuga".

They also collected pamphlets, stickers and masks.

Youngsters too are seen wearing caps with "Mein hoon aam aadmi" written on them. 

Jagraon, April 28
The Jagraon police today took out a flag march. To maintain law and order and ensure fair and peaceful elections in the area, the officials visited various areas such as Lajpat Rai Road, Kamal Chowk, Sadan Market, Rani Jhansi Chowk, Tehsil Road and Raikot Road.

A large number of police personnel led by Jagraon DSP Surinder Kumar and SHO Daljit Singh Sidhu took part in the flag march. The officials told people not to not indulge in violence.

They asked residents to approach them if they noticed any suspicious activity.

"The residents play an important role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections," said Surinder Kumar.

The officials also appealed to various NGOs to cooperate with them.

Khanna: The police today took out a flag march in the district. Khanna SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar said all arrangements had been completed. He said that aim of the flag march was to instill confidence in residents. He said 2,300 police personnel were deployed on election duty. Bhullar stated that 60 patrolling parties were formed to review security arrangements. He added out of the 370 polling booths, 12 were declared sensitive. 

Khanna/Samrala/Khamano, April 28
Garnering support for Aam Aadmi Party candidate from the Fatehgarh Sahib constituency Harinder Singh Khalsa, the party today organised a roadshow. The main attraction of the event was Gul Panag.

A large number of people gathered to catch a glimpse of Gul Panag.

The road show started from Khamano and passed through the main bazaar.

At Samrala and Khanna, people were seen waiting for Gul Panag alongside roads.

At Samrala, Gul Panag said the party would make a clean sweep. She interacted with residents and listened to their problems.

She said people would choose the AAP, this time. The convoy passed through Malwa College Bondli, Bondal Road, Guru Nanak Road, Dabbi Bazar, Main Chowk and Khanna Road.

Gul Panag appealed to the residents to vote for Harinder Singh Khalsa on April 30. AAP leaders Gurpreet Singh Ria, Sujan Singh Manjali, Bant Singh, Ajwant Singh and Malkeet Singh claimed that the AAP wave was strong in Punjab.

MCPI (U) extends support to AAP

Doraha: The Punjab State Committee of Marxist Communist Party of India (United) has decided to support the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in these elections. It has decided to design the party's strategic and tactical line in favour of the AAP and work for the defeat of both Congress and Akali-BJP alliance.

On learning that the Congress and the BJP are spending a huge amount of money on campaigning, Pawan Kaumar Kaushal, state committee secretary, MCPI(U), said, "We should guide the common man to think rationally and vote for the right candidate. The state committee of the MCPI (U) has decided to extend support to the Aam Aadmi Party.

Kuldip Singh, all-India general secretary, MCPI(U), appealed to the people of Punjab not to be misled and influenced by false promises, drugs distribution and other 
dirty tricks. 

Khanna, April 28
Supporters of Akali Dal-BJP candidate from the Fatehgarh Sahib constituency Kulwant Singh organised a roadshow.

The convoy passed through Biza, Bhamadi, Chakohi, Ikolaha, Rasoolra and Majri. Kulwant Singh said the party would win in Punjab. 

Ludhiana, April 28
Candidates are visiting gurdwaras, temples, mosques and churches to ensure their win. Spiritual gurus are also being "secretly" visited by their near and dear ones.

Prabhsahai Kaur, daughter of Aam Aadmi Party candidate HS Phoolka, said the objective of the party was not to use religion, caste or creed for its benefits. "My father visits gurdwaras and temples on a regular basis," said Prabhsahai, adding that her father had gone to Harmandir Sahib after joining the AAP and if he won the elections, the family would go to Golden Temple.

Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali said being a Sikh, he believed in Guru Granth Sahib, but he visited temples, churches and mosques as well. He said if he won the Lok Sabha elections, he would pay obeisance at religious places.

An astrologer said supporters of the candidates approached him asking the "future" of their candidate. "I gave them a black thread. It will yield good results," he said.

Chairman of the Election Canvassing Committee for the Congress Parminder Mehta said Ravneet Singh Bittu believed in secularism. He sought support from all communities. He goes to religious places without any security cover. For his win, the supporters are praying. Some have decided to perform havans while others have announced to organise langars. "If the God is with you, you can achieve anything," said Mehta.

Despite repeated attempts, Independent candidate Simarjit Singh Bains could not be contacted. But his supporters said he wanted to uplift the poor. 

Doraha, April 28
The last day of campaigning today was like any other normal day. At other places the poll activity might have been consistent and hectic but in Doraha, the candidates, rather than creating a mess of the things and disturbing the normal routine life, preferred to launch a door to door campaign and humbly convince the voters to vote for them.

“Orders were issued by the Election Commission earlier also but strict compliance was observed this time. No loudspeaker was played, no undue rallies were planned, practically no election campaigning was visible ever since the campaigning actually began in other parts,” shared Jandeep Kaushal, a social worker of the area.

“No candidate or any of the supporters, gathered at public places to pose problems for others. It can be said that the administration did its duty well,” he added.

Shalini, who is appearing for her B Com exams in a local college shared, “The main issue which was more burning for the students was their final examinations. I was really afraid that as the elections are going to be held in the same month and that I will definitely suffer loss of concentration but thanks to the election commission and the enforcing authorities that there was no distraction, disturbance or mess of any sort felt as had been the case in the past.”

“Even if the candidates held road shows and took out rallies, they did it in a modest way and no undue pressure was put on anybody to coax them, to vote in their favour,” shared Prof Madan Singh Bhandari. The elderly too seemed to be satisfied as a Pritam Singh Jaggi, a senior citizen of the area said, “The orders of the Election Commission were strictly implemented and no candidate dared to cross the reasonable limits. There was no wooing by wrong means and each one tried to convince voters in healthy style.”

SDM, Payal, Ghanshayam Thori said, “At the very outset, I had activated the teams to be vigilant enough. Around 1,000 defacements in the form of posters, stickers were removed. In addition to it, 9 FIRs were registered. Political parties, if crossing their limits, had been issued notices. Without any formal complaints, I had made rounds of Payal and the surrounding areas so that no party or person creates nuisance.” 

Ludhiana, April 28
Though the municipal corporation authorities had claimed that the project to sterilise stray dogs will start by the beginning of May, the shelter being constructed to house these animals for the sterilisation and postoperative care is no where near completion. Even after the identification of land and beginning of work, not much headway has been made.

"The construction will take some time. The boundary wall has to be built, roofed kennels have to be constructed and tiles are to be installed. Also, pipes for water supply and sewage disposal have to be laid besides all the work for power supply. It will take at least two to three months to start the project,” said Dr YP Singh, veterinary officer with the municipal corporation, who is taking care of the project.

On being inquired about the earlier claims, he said, “The contractor has to speed up the work. We are monitoring it regularly, as MC Commissioner Shruti Singh, too, wants the project to start at the earliest. However, there are several initial hiccups that are beyond our control.”

Around Rs 35 lakhs will be spent on the construction of kennels. Once the shelter is built, it will be handed over to a Hyderabad-based company that has been assigned the project by the MC. The need to initiate the project was felt after a spate of incidents involving stray dogs, whose population had crossed 30,000, as per a survey done two years back.

Ludhiana, April 28
Indian Medical Association (IMA) will be joining hands with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to sensitise doctors on the issue of child abuse. The Indian Medical Association will be taking up the responsibility of identifying and reporting cases of child abuse.

This will be its first nation-wide initiative to protect and safeguard children. The programmes planned under this initiative include sessions on how to identify cases of child abuse, workshops and an information booklet.

"There has been an alarming rise in the number of child abuse cases. The most difficult part is handling of cases. Even doctors are sometimes not sure of the correct questions to ask such as how to document and collect evidence, reassure the child/parents and then the procedure to inform the correct authorities to take action. This joint initiative of the Indian Medical Association and UNICEF will surely prove to be a step forward in helping the cases of child abuse," said Monika Khurana, president of Children and Women Welfare Council.

This programme hopes to educate doctors and the main aim is to identify and report cases of child abuse as early as possible to ensure that the safety of children. Cases of children being subjected to abuse even within institutional set-up, including schools have also been reported, said Dr Manoj Sobti, president of IMA, Punjab.

Despite ban on corporal punishment, complaints of children being subjected to this kind of abuse that hits them physically, mentally and emotionally have also come forward in the past.

Welcoming this latest initiative by doctors, Sukhpreet Kaur, a parent said, “Every one in society has the responsibility to ensure care and protection of children. It is a step in the right direction.”

Ludhiana, April 28
Students of various government schools took part in a district-level poster-making competition at Government (Multipurpose) Senior Secondary School here today. Students from all 19 blocks and winners of block-level competitions made posters on the theme World Book Day.

Jagdeep Kaur from Government Senior Secondary School, Raikot, stood first in the competition. Sandeep Singh from Government Senior Secondary School, Miller Gang, came second, while Sanjay from Government Middle School, Kailash Nagar, and Prabjot Kaur from Government Middle School, Nawan Pind, Khanna, shared the third position.

The winners will participate in a state-level competition on May 5.

District Education Officer (Secondary) Dr Charanjit Singh said: "The competitions are being organised to make the students aware of the importance of various events and days. It is an opportunity for students to explore their talent.”

The competition was organised under the guidance of district resource person Subodh Verma. Surchana Pandher, Sonia Pardeep Kumar and Kewal Singh adjudged the entries.

School principal Jagdev Singh Sekhon appreciated the students who took part in the competition.

Ludhiana, April 28
The Income Tax department has fastened the process of identifying tax evaders. The department has decided to set up a major data centre of classified information on the lines of the already existing centres for e-filing and TDS information.

The department’s new wing has been named Centralised Processing Cell-Compliance Management (CPC-CM) and will have its base at New Delhi. This is the project of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and aims at enabling the IT department to use technical data to check cases of non-compliance and non-filers of taxes.

"This will enable the department to move from physical verification of a taxpayer to a smart approach of data-based monitoring and checking. The main idea behind this is to ensure voluntary compliance by taxpayers through the use of intelligent data at the disposal of the IT department," said a senior official. Department has already started issuing polite letters to erring taxpayers as soon as they obtain information in this regard and hence to streamline this process the CPC will act as an important tool, the official said. 

Ludhiana, April 28
With the beginning of the new academic season, parents of children studying in private schools are worried about the revised fee the school authorities may demand in the name of annual fee, readmission fee, development fund and building fund.

In a recent incident, parents were in for a shock when a private school sent them the fee booklet mentioning a hefty hike in the annual fee for Class I students. The parents sought Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal’s intervention in the issue.

Parents of children studying in various schools have been staging protests against fee hike. They say most private schools do not give them opportunity to meet the school administration or the accounts branch for making any appeal. The parents end up submitting the revised fee mentioned in the booklet.

Rajan, a parent, said, "Once the schools send the fee structure, there is no means to raise an objection. Meeting the Deputy Commissioner and politicians is easier than arranging a meeting with school principals as they are never available to discuss the fee structure."

Gurmeet Singh, another parent, said, "The schools do not follow any recommendation of the Central Board of Secondary Education regarding the fee hike. The district administration is unable to take any action against them. Parents are left with no option."

Ludhiana, April 28
The ninth batch of the Department of Business Administration at the RIMT Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, was bid adieu during a farewell function on the campus. Shine Jain, a first-year MBA student, began the function with a prayer. Department head Kavita Sharma, director Dr Harsh Sadawarti and chairman Vijayant Bansal wished all the students luck.

The graduating batch of management and IT at the Punjab Institute of Management and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, was also given a warm send-off. The budding managers and technocrats were seen in a joyous mood. The junior students entertained their seniors with a plethora of performances.

Ludhiana, April 28
Panjab University, Chandigarh, is holding an entrance test for filling 40 seats of the MCom (Business Innovations) running at the SCD Government College on June 13.

The last date of submission of online application for the entrance test, to be held at Chandigarh, is May 20.

The test will be open to all candidates who possess the following qualifications—a bachelor’s degree in BCom/BCom(Hons)/BBA/ BA (with honours in economics or mathematics or statistics or commerce) with not less than 45 per cent marks in the aggregate, or graduation with 50 per cent marks in the aggregate in any other discipline of the university, or other qualifications as prescribed in the prospectus available on the website: cetpg.puchd.ac.in.

Ludhiana, April 28
Two brothers, students of Guru Nanak International School, were injured after the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in collided head on with a local bus on Dhandra Road this afternoon.

The incident took place when Kuldeep Singh, driver of the auto-rickshaw, was on his way to drop the schoolchildren to their homes. He was allegedly overspeeding.

When he reached near Satguru Nagar, he reportedly lost control over the vehicle and rammed it into the bus.

While one of the brothers, Hritik Dhiman, who was sitting in the front, sustained critical head and shoulder injuries, the other child, Ankint Dhiman, too, was hurt.

According to the eyewitness who rescued the children and rushed them to hospital there were four other children in the auto-rickshaw. Since, they received minor injuries, they were taken away by their kin.

The auto-rickshaw driver, too, was injured and was taken to hospital.