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It gets hotter without power, water
Ludhiana, May 9 The current transformer (CT) at the sub-station was replaced and the power supply was restored today. Senior officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) claimed that power supply was partially restored after about two hours by shifting the load to other 220 kV sub-stations and rotation of load shedding through the night. A minor fault in the 66 kV Model Town sub-station around the same time compounded the problem, said the officials. Rachpal Singh, chief engineer (central zone), PSPCL, told The Tribune that the CT at Lalton Kalan sub-station had burst which led to a minor fire and failure of transmission. "The sub-station was made partially operational by creating a bypass around the defective CT and the supply was restored to most of the city localities at around 10 pm. However, the load shifting necessitated by the snag led to power failure in some areas for half-an-hour or more till the new CT was put in place this afternoon," he added. Erratic power supply, which led to disruption in the water supply in many localities in the morning and at noon, added to the misery of residents who were already reeling under the scorching heat. Residents in quite a few localities across the city complained that with the power playing hide and seek since last night, they had to go without water. Ravneet Kaur, a resident of Upkar Nagar, said the power went off at 8 pm and even after restoration of the supply after about two hours, power failed at regular intervals all through the night till this afternoon. As a result, we had to make do without water last night and in the morning too. "Hot weather added to our woes,"she said.
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Ludhiana ranks 15th among cities with worst air pollution
Ludhiana, May 9 The city has repeatedly been rated as one of the most polluted cities in the world, but nothing has been done to reduce the pollution levels. Toxic chemical gases and particulate matter being released from industries have polluted the air.
As per WHO data, the particulate matter (PM) levels are much higher here than the safe limit of 25 micrograms. PM 10 (particles with diameter of 10 microns) is 207 micrograms per cubic metre whereas PM 2.5 (particles with diameter 2.5 microns) is 91 micrograms per cubic metre in Ludhiana. Increased and uncontrolled vehicular traffic, constant traffic jams are aggravating the problem. As per data available with the District Transport Office, there are about 15 lakh vehicles in the city (registered motor vehicles). Dr Akashdeep Singh, associate professor, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said apart from particulate matter, toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, oxides, ozone, polycyclic hydrocarbons and other toxic gases were emitted from automobiles and industrial plants. The situation has gone from bad to worse, with the number of patients from respiratory diseases increasing. Senior Medical Officer Dr RK Karkara said he attended to a number of patients suffering from asthma and bronchitis every day. Dr Singh said 60 patients suffering from respiratory diseases visited the OPD every day. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said a lot needed to be done to control pollution. He said common effluent treatment plants and air filters for industries were being set up. "To reduce vehicular pollution, CNG autos are being introduced. The Bus Rapid Transport System will address the problem," he said. Ravinder Singh, chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said common effluent treatment plants (CETP) were being set up at various places. "At Bahurdke Road, a zero liquid discharge CETP is being constructed. At Tajpur and Rahon Road, an STP will be set up. More than 200 industrial units have tied up with GAIL to switch over to re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG)," he said. District Transport Officer Anil Kumar Garg said pollution certificates of vehicles were checked on a regular basis. "Those flouting emission norms are challaned," Garg said. Grave situation
As per data available with the District Transport Office, there are about 15 lakh vehicles in the city |
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Victim’s father receives threats
Ludhiana, May 9 The family of a man, who tried to rape his eight-year-old daughter, has locked his house. The accused, identified as Kuljit Singh (55), owner of the house in Guru Nanak Colony, where the victim was living along with her parents in a rented accommodation, was arrested on May 5. He was sent to judicial remand. Four days after the incident, the girl's father said the portion they were living in was locked by Kuljit's family. "Not only have we been told to look for a new house. But the relatives of Kuljit Singh are threatening me to withdraw the case. They are trying to intimidate me by stating that they will implicate me in a false case. But I am not threatened and I will keep pursuing the case so that no other girl falls prey to such a person," said the victim's father. He said when he went to the house he was shocked to find his portion locked. "Since the day of the incident, we have been staying with our relatives. I was in a state of shock and was worried about my eight-year-old girl. Yesterday, the relatives of Kuljit Singh refused to give me my belongings," said the victim's father. Area residents said Kuljit Singh stayed away from controversies. The incident
The incident took place on May 5 when the girl returned home from school. The victim’s mother was bathing. The victim told her father that Kuljit Singh took her to the bedroom and tried to rape her. The girl raised the alarm, following which her mother came out of the washroom. She narrated the entire incident to her parents. The police was informed and a case of rape under Section 376 of the IPC was registered. |
Buddha Nullah to be cleaned on priority
Ludhiana, May 9 This was stated by Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Ravinder Singh, one of the members of a high-level delegation that visited the city today to review the condition of many areas along Buddha Nullah. Ravinder Singh said: “The stretch of Sutlej from Nangal to Hari Ke Pattan besides Buddha Nullah will be cleaned properly. The state government aims to construct sewage and effluent treatment plants in 50 cities of Punjab that lie on the banks of the Sutlej by 2015." He said the river was getting polluted by chemicals being discharged by the industries besides the domestic waste. The underground water was also getting polluted, making it hazardous for human consumption, he said. He said after visiting various areas including Koom Kalan, Jamalpur, Shivpuri, Tajpur Road and Transport Nagar, it was observed that wastewater was still being discharged into the river. “Three teams have been constituted to collect data on amount of wastewater being discharged into Buddha Nullah between Nangal and Hari Ke Pattan besides its sources. Reports will be filed by the end of May, on the basis of which a final report will be prepared, identifying the target areas,” said the PPCB chief. The delegation was led by Seema Jain, Chief Secretary, Science Technology and Environment Department.
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No decision on MCI poll
Ludhiana, May 9 Scrutiny and counting of votes in the MCI elections were postponed after 50 per cent members in Punjab failed to receive ballots. The counting was scheduled for April 11. One member is elected and one is nominated from each state to the MCI. The counting was halted after members across Punjab raised the issue of not receiving the ballot papers and those who got, received them through ordinary post while it is mandatory to send the ballots through registered post. Members of the India Medical Association (IMA) has demanded for the cancellation of the elections and sought fresh proceedings in this regard. Meanwhile, Dr Parminder Singh Brar, one of the contestants, has even filed a writ petition in this regard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Dr GS Grewal, member of the Punjab Medical Council, said they were hopeful that the decision of the High Court would be in their favour.
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Politicos condemn drive
Ludhiana, May 9 Former minister and chairman of the District Planning Board Hira Singh Gabria came down heavily on the top brass of the civic body for what he termed “selective, biased and unwarranted” demolitions in Giaspura and other localities falling under Zone C of the city. Talking to The Tribune, he said many properties and structures razed by the MC staff were neither encroachments on government land nor were included in the list of encroachments submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the course of hearing of a PIL. He said the Zonal Commissioner (Zone C) and other officials accompanying the demolition team of the MC refused to listen to the pleas made by owners of the properties that were bulldozed in a “brute and ruthless manner” without going into the titles of bonafide owners. Gabria charged the MC officials with working in such a manner that would bring disrepute to the SAD-BJP government in Punjab. He said the affected property owners would file suits in courts for defamation and also seek compensation for damage caused to their properties. Hakam Singh Gyaspura, former Mayor of the MC, too, condemned the move. He accused the officials of demolishing “wrong” buildings. “The buildings meant to be demolished were at a distance of half a kilometer. We asked the officers to give residents one day, but they did not agree to it. We will file a case of defamation against two officers of the MC who led the demolition drive." Simarjeet Singh Bains, an Independent candidate for the Lok Sabha seat and MLA from the Atam Nagar Vidhan Sabha constituency, and his brother Balwinder Singh Bains, MLA from the Ludhiana South constituency, held a meeting of councillors of their group, former councillors and senior leaders at their Kot Mangal Singh office. After the meeting, Simarjit Singh Bains said, "The municipal corporation has crossed all the limits under the leadership of Mayor HS Gohalwaria. The demolition drive carried out soon after the elections has left many people homeless.” He said, as per law, before demolitions, it was mandatory to issue a notice asking the affected people to shift their household items. The Bains brothers plan to file a case in the Panjab and Haryana High Court. Councillor Kamaljit Singh Karwal said a meeting of the House should be called immediately so that the officers and politicians responsible for “this injustice” could be identified. He said the people rendered homeless should be rehabilitated soon besides being given compensation. Councillor Parminder Singh Soma, too, condemned this move of the MC. The district unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) slammed the civic body for its “indiscriminate” anti-encroachment drive, saying the displacement of people in such a manner was “inhumane”. In a joint statement here today, party leaders, including Dr Arun Mitra, DP Maur, Ramesh Rattan, and Gurnam Sidhu, demanded alternative arrangements for the displaced people. They said the failure of successive governments to provide affordable housing to people had led to such a situation that people were resorting to encroachments and illegal building activities. “The government should firmly curb the land mafia and frame a housing policy for the poor and middle-income group,” they said.
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Rising pollution in city: Who is to blame?
Ludhiana, May 9 Residents should act responsibly
People have turned Buddha Nullah into a dustbin. We cannot control the rising pollution until both the government and people work hand-in-hand. The government is doing its part. The people, too, should understand their responsibility and take a step toward making Ludhiana clean and green. — Ashok
Makkar, Dyeing Association
Government fails to implement laws The onus lies both on the government and people. While the government makes laws and forgets to implement them, people don’t give two hoots about these laws. For instance, a ban was imposed on the use of polythene. For a few days, the authorities kept, but then everything was forgotten. — Jasmeen Gill, student Onus lies on everyone
Every individual should take the responsibility of saving the environment. We, at the Sarabha Nagar
Gurdwara, are doing our bit by adopting trees in the area. A coordinated effort on the part of the administration and people can work wonders. — Dr Jatinder S
Sandhu, secretary, Sarabha Nagar Gurdwara Committee Can’t leave everything at government’s mercy
We should not leave everything at the government’s mercy. It is our social responsibility to decrease the rising pollution. If we can keep our home clean, we should also keep our surroundings clean. — Neetu
Dhawan, doctor Need an attitude change
The main problem here lies with the attitude of the people. Industrialists do not want to take remedial steps and keep polluting the environment, bribing the officials at times. Talking about our city, Buddha Nullah is a major cause of concern. Both the government and the people should take up the responsibility of keeping it clean. — Ashoo
Jain, industrialist |
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Duped by financier, man seeks justice
Ludhiana, May 9 The man, identified as Pinku, today started a “dandvat” (prostrate) march from his residence on Jamalpur road to the office of the Commissioner of Police in order to seek justice. Pinku alleged a financier duped him of his property worth lakhs of rupees after promising to arrange a bank loan for him. “I pledged my plot to the financier as a guarantee and kept paying regular instalments. I was shocked when the financier told me to vacate the plot,” said Pinku. Later, Pinku lodged a complaint with the police, following which the financier allegedly started threatening him and his tenant. Pinku said if the police failed to give him justice in the case, he be allowed to immolate himself.
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Residents fail to digest Khanna’s rank
Ludhiana, May 9 A recent report of World Health Organisation places Khanna on the twentieth position among the most-polluted cities in the world. Residents are surprised as there are no major industries in and around the town. Punjab Pollution Control Board official Ashok Kumar said as Khanna and Mandi Gobindgarh fall under the same cluster, the pollution levels may have been recorded for the latter. Bipan Devgan, president of the Seed Factories Association, said it was difficult to digest the fact that Khanna has featured among the most-polluted cities. Seed factories that are in a plenty in the area are not considered to be polluting, he said. Senior Medical Officer Manohar Lal said there had not been many cases of respiratory diseases in the area. The air pollution is much higher in Mandi Gobindgarh as it houses the steel industry, said a resident. Another resident said although Khanna had Asia's largest grain market, it remained active only twice a year. "It is difficult to imagine so much pollution can be caused by agriculture-related activities,” he said.
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KK to perform in city today
Ludhiana, May 9 On his arrival, KK said it was great to be in Ludhiana, where people loved music and performing arts. He said having lived in Delhi, he understood Punjabi to some extent, and if he got an offer to sing a Punjabi Sufi song, he would love to give it a shot. All praises for Sahir Ludhianvi, KK said he was a great poet the soil of Ludhiana had given to the country. “The folk culture of Punjab is loved by all,” he said. Talking about his style of singing, KK said he got absorbed in the theme and meaning of the song before singing it. This would be his first performance in the city. Earlier, he has performed at Patiala and Chandigarh. An organiser said actor-comedian Rana Ranbir would also be a part of the programme. He said KK would be singing some of his famous songs during the concert.
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Massive fire engulfs Plywood factory at Khanna
Khanna, May 9 As per the information available, the owner of the factory, Vipan Garg, was informed by he factory workers in the midnight after which he reached the spot. Garg immediately informed the fire brigade. The factory owner claimed that the loss could be assessed only after the fire was doused completely, but in prima-facie the loss of plywood would be around Rs 50-70 lakh and that of the machinery in crores. Garg said all kinds of fire-fighting equipments were in the factory but the fire broke out all of a sudden. While on the other hand, Yash Pal Gomi, fire officer, said they got the information around midnight and he along with his team rushed to the spot. Gomi said six fire tenders from Samrala, Mandi Gobind Garh and peripheral areas were pressed into the service to control the fire. He claimed that even after 12 hours, they were still struggling to control the fire. However, no loss of life was reported.
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Training in agro-based industries ends
Ludhiana, May 9 Dr Amarjit Singh, senior extension engineer and coordinator of the course, told that participants were equipped with the basic knowledge about processing of agricultural produce and the required machinery. — TNS
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NGO rescues 9-year-old labourer
Ludhiana, May 9 Saroj Rani, project coordinator, filed a complaint to DC Rajat Aggarwal regarding the child working in the house as a domestic help. Rani informed that the child was a native of Bihar and was working in the same house for several months. District Child Welfare Officer informed the parents of the child. The Sarabha Nagar police sent the child to Child Home, Ropar. — TNS
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Govt upgrades schools, forgets to depute teachers
Ludhiana, May 9 Nav Chetna Bal Bhalai Committee, an NGO working for betterment of infrastructure in government schools and education standards, issued a report regarding such schools here today. As per the report, the state government upgraded Government Primary School, Mehrban, last year to accommodate upper primary classes in the new academic session. The staff at the primary school admitted 90 students in Class VI. Ironically, the Education Department has not deputed any teacher to teach students of the upper primary class so far. Similarly, Government Primary School at Churahwal was upgraded as Government Middle School recently. The school admitted 23 students in Class VI but is awaiting a teacher. Further, 135 students at Government Middle School, Boothgarh, and 41 students at Government Middle School, Mangali, too are awaiting teachers. Office-bearers of the NGO said all these schools were running without teacher. The primary school staff has been taking care of the students. Flaying the state government, Sukhdir Singh Sekhon, president of Nav Chetna Bal Bhalai Committee, said, “The students have no future in these recently upgraded schools as there are no teachers to teach them.”
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DEOs intervene to sort out issue
Ludhiana, May 9 A team of the District Administration, including Dr Charanjit Singh, DEO (Secondary), Gurjot Singh Deputy DEO (Secondary) and Ram Bhushan, DEO (Primary) interacted with the school students, parents and school management during the visit. A meeting of parents and school management was also organised. The District Administration recording all the activities of the day. According to the officials, there are possibilities that the issue will be sorted out soon. Dr Charanjit Singh, DEO, informed that the team interacted with the school students to confirm the allegation of harassment by the school management. During investigation, the accusations levelled against the school of denying the students to appear in the house tests proved false. All the students appeared for the examination. Officials from the Education Department listened to the grievances of the parents as well as the school management. The parents raised the issues of fee hike, annual fee, harassment of students who could not deposit the fee, no representation of parents in Parents Teachers Association, commercial activities by schools along with hidden charges in monthly and annual fee. The DEO said they had submitted the report to Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal. “He is taking personal interest to sort out the issue. We hope that it will be sorted out at the earliest,” added the DEO. Officialspeak
Initially, the school management intervened in our inquiry, but after some time they cooperated with our team. They admitted to the hidden charges and announced fee relaxation up to
Rs 1,000. The issue can be sorted out but the school doesn’t want to exempt the annual
fee — — DR Charanjit Singh, District Education Officer, Ludhiana
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DEO vows to rid city of drugs, dowry and dirt
Ludhiana, May 9 Dr Charanjit Singh, DEO, Ludhiana, stated that students should be made aware of these social evils at an early age. “Human beings learn more during childhood. So this practice would be very effective to make them aware about the ill-effects of drugs,” the DEO added. The students will pledge to keep the city clean and green. Meanwhile, DC Rajat Aggarwal also instructed the school heads to ask the students to pledge to drive the vehicles only if they have a driving license. Dr Singh said, “We have asked the school heads to implement the instructions on the priority. The schools will send the report to cluster in-charges after the implementation of the orders.”
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City schools salute motherhood
Ludhiana, May 9 Babies Paradise
Playway School
Mothers of the students studying at the Dugri-based school were invited to the school. They recited rhymes, some sang songs for their kids, some danced and others shared their feelings of being a mother. GRD Academy
The pre-primary section celebrated the occasion in which tiny tots tried to show their appreciation towards their mothers. GMT Public School
Inter-house competitions were organised for students to mark the occasion. The students of KG block participated in a class activity of preparing colourful greeting cards to show their love to their mothers. Blossoms Convent School
Beautiful greeting cards were made by students for their mothers to wish them on the occasion. Ryan International School
The two-day celebrations at the school included poem recitation by the students of Classes I-II, card making by the students of Class III and preparation of flower baskets by the students of Classes IV and V. Green Land
Convent School
The day at the school started with a morning assembly where children presented group songs, dances, poems and speeches expressing their deep love, affection and respect for their mothers. Maple Bear Canadian Playway and Nursery School
Mothers came dressed in traditional wedding, classical and folk dresses and presented various songs which depicted their love for their wards. Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School
Special invitations were sent to mothers to be a part of the celebrations. They enjoyed a bonanza of cultural items, including choreography prepared on the topic- ‘The strength of women’- along with a song ‘ma hundi aye ma’. GGN Public School
A large number of children along with their mothers presented action songs, dances and recited poems to mark the day. Rose Playway
Students of the school presented hand-painted invitation cards to their mothers. Director of the school Tarannum Fatma discussed the importance of mothers in the lives of their children. Cherubs The Preschool
Various games and competitions such as musical chair, tambola and one-minute paper games were organised for mothers on the occasion. Also, stories on the topic of ‘meri maa jaise koi nahi’ were enacted by teachers at the BCM Kindergarten, Basant Vihar while BVM School, Udham Singh Nagar, organised a feast of activities. Students at Kangaroo Kids saluted the mothers and the spirit of motherhood. At Mother’s Pride School, it was a time of great enthusiasm for both the mothers and teachers as the celebrations included interesting activities for both.
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Protest
The staff of the Community Health Centre, Sahnewal, protested against the non-payment of their dues. While some employees have not received their salaries for past three months, others are awaiting arrears. The employees threatened to intensify their struggle. Govt flayed
Senior Congress leader KK Bawa, in a statement issued to the press, has said that tall claims of the Punjab government regarding the uninterrupted power supply had fallen flat with power cuts on the rise after the elections. He also opposed the frequent hikes in power charges. Honoured
The Youth Akali Dal honoured Sehajpreet Singh Mangat on being elected as a member of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi executive committee. — TNS
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Snatchers attack elderly couple
Ludhiana, May 9 The victim, identified as Charanjit Lal (65), who was attacked by a sharp-edged weapon, suffered a cut on his left hand. His wife Sudesh Rani was also hurt while trying to rescue him. The incident took place during the wee hours of Thursday when the couple was returning home after attending a wedding in Jalandhar. Charanjit Lal stated that after reaching the city, they took a rickshaw to reach home. On reaching Gaushala Road, they alighted from the rickshaw. When they were a few metres away from home, two youths came on a motorcycle and accosted the couple. They pointed a knife at Charanjit Lal and asked them to hand over the cash and gold ornaments they were wearing. When the couple resisted, the accused sitting pillion attacked Charanji Lal. Fortunately, watchman Krishan Bahadur reached the spot on time and rescued the elderly couple by raising the alarm. Charanjit Lal was then rushed to the hospital where he was operated upon. Sudesh Rani said when her husband refused to hand over the cash and gold ornaments, the assailants tried to hit his head. Charanji Lal fended the attack with his left hand, in order to save himself, and thus got injured. Sudesh Rani said had the watchman not reached the place on time, the assailants would have killed them. In the meantime, the assailants were caught on a CCTV camera installed outside a house. No stopping snatching incidents It is not the first incident. On April 6, snatchers robbed a couple of gold ornaments and valuables at Madhopuri Chowk. The victims, Sunny, a resident of Balmiki Mohalla, and his wife, were returning home after attending a “jagran" at Amarpura. Sunny stated that when they reached Madhopuri Chowk, two motorcycle-borne youngsters accosted them and placed a knife on his wife's neck. They asked Sunny to hand over their valuables to them. Sunny said the assailants took away a gold chain, a purse containing ~2,000 and a debit card. The police have failed to crack the case even after a month. They said the same snatchers might be behind Thursday's snatching attempt.
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Man held with 20-gm smack
Samrala, May 9 As per information from ASI Nachatar Singh, chowki in-charge Bardhalan, a police party was patrolling in the area when they spotted a person walking near Seh. When the police party signaled him to stop he tried to escape but was overpowered. During his search 20 gm of smack was recovered from his possession. The accused has been identified as Jeet Singh (28), a resident of Bondal road, Samrala. As per the ASI, the alleged accused was presented in a court at Samrala from where he was sent to 14 days police custody at the Ludhiana jail.
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Cement theft: Accused arrested after one year
Jagraon, May 9 As per the information given by PO Wing in-charge ASI Jaspal Singh Chopra, Mohini Singh was wanted regarding a theft that took place around one year ago at Ajitwal town of Moga district. “The accused was involved in a theft in which he along with his other two accomplices broke into a cement store in Ajitwal town of Moga district and stole 33 bags of cement. While two of the accused were arrested by the police few days after the incident, Mohini was absconding since then,” said ASI Jaspal Chopra. Yesterday, we received secret information that Mohini Singh was seen at Moga. Following this, we conducted a raid at the Moga Railway Station and arrested him, informed ASI Jaspal Chopra.
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