Ludhiana, May 23
Winds blew away the canopies installed by the Mandi Board at Guru Nanak Stadium ahead of the 4th edition of World Cup Kabaddi.

A few days ago, winds blew away a major part of the canopy over Block “F”. The coaches of the Sports Department didn’t allow players to practise at the stadium.

The District Education Officer wrote to the higher authorities of the Sports Department and the Executive Engineer of the Punjab Mandi Board for the repairs of the canopy damaged by winds.

The contractor of the Mandi Board again installed the sheets last week. But today again winds blew away many sheets over Block F, A and Block B.

“A few days ago when some sheets were blown away by winds, we stopped the practice and sent the players to home. But we can’t suspend our practice every day. If the weather conditions sustain for the next some days, then where will we practise? We need a permanent solution to this problem. We avoid going close to the damaged canopies as flying pieces can cause injuries to practising players,” said a coach at Guru Nanak Stadium.

“The sheets were blown away just six months after the installation of canopies. An inquiry should be initiated into the matter,” said a sports veteran.

Ludhiana, May 23
One person was killed while another injured after their two-wheeler collided with a speeding Toyota Innova at Jandali village, near Dhandari Khurd, here last night.

The deceased has been identified as Arun Kumar and the injured Ghaniya Lal, who was riding pillion. He has been admitted to the hospital.

Arun, along with his employee Ghaniya Lal, was returning home on a scooter after work. When they reached near Jandali village, a Toyota Innova (PB-10- J- 5900) collided head-on with the scooter.

Arun died on the spot while the commuters rushed Ghaniya Lal to the hospital.

In another incident, a woman was killed in an accident while her husband suffered injuries when a car hit their bike at Lehra village, near Dhelon.

The deceased has been identified as Paramjit Kaur. Her husband Narinder Singh was rushed to the Dayanand Medical Hospital.

Baldev Singh, Narinder's brother, who was tailing them on another vehicle, said a Maruti Alto hit the motorcycle from behind.

Narinder lost control over the bike and the couple fell on the road. The speeding car ran over Paramjit Kaur.

Both were rushed to the hospital where Paramjit Kaur was declared dead on arrival.

Ludhiana, May 23
The Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency has topped Punjab with regard to complaints made to the Election Commission of India. Around 1,000 complaints were made to the Election Commission of India by voters of the Ludhiana constituency during the general elections 2014.

Shena Aggarwal, Ludhiana in charge of the complaint cell for the Lok Sabha elections, said: "We received around 1,000 complaints related to voter lists, voter identity cards, candidates, officers deputed on election duty, etc. We redressed a majority of these complaints."

Rajat Aggarwal, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, said: "Barring a few, most of the complaints have been redressed."

An employee of the district administration said Ludhiana is a big constituency with 15,59,851 voters. Such a high number of complaints from the constituency has not come as a surprise for him, he added.

Though many residents had voter I-cards, they could not cast vote as their names did not figure on the voter lists. Most complaints pertained to the defacement of private property.

An officer of the administration said: "The high number of complaints shows people of this constituency are aware of the election norms."

The Election Commission of India had announced a toll-free number for making queries or complaints. There are a total of 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab.

Ludhiana, May 23
Employees of the district election office have heaved a sigh of relief after the election process got over. These employees had worked till late nights during the Lok Sabha elections.

Sandeep Joshi

Talking to The Tribune, an employee said: "We are feeling very relaxed now. Our strained nerves have got relief after a long spell of hectic work. It gives us a good feeling that we did everything with dedication and within the stipulated time."

Compiling some data of the recently held elections, another employee said: "It was like as if we were busy preparing some examination and passed it successfully. Now, we are working but there is no stress."

Sitting comfortably in his chair in an air-conditioned office, another employee said: "All of us are contractual employees. In each district election office, there are one programmer, one junior programmer and three data entry operators. All of them are on contract. The government should regularise our services."

Sukhdev Singh Bhangu, Election Tehsildar, Ludhiana, said: "Many employees, including kanungos and data entry operators, worked really hard. After the model code of conduct was pun in force, our daily routine became very hectic. We used to start our day at 9 am and end at 11pm or 11:30 pm. It had remained so for about two months. I am thankful to all of my staff members for cooperation."

He said the details of election expenditure had been sent to all candidates and they had been asked to deposit by June 16. Although we are yet to get the schedule of the Expenditure Observer’s visit, we are expecting him any time in the second week of June."

Jagdev Singh, who has been working in the office as Data Entry Operator for the last more than three years, said: "The government should recognise our hard work and regularise our services at the earliest."

Rajat Aggarwal, District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said: "It is true everyone worked hard. The Expenditure Observer will visit the district within 30 days of the declaration of the Lok Sabha results. So the election office is busy compiling all the records."

Ludhiana, May 23
Unadjusted advances outstanding against officials and employees of the Municipal Corporation have reached more than Rs 302 crore over the years. The audit wing of Local Fund Account has pointed out till the end of March, 2013, the total unadjusted temporary advances in the MC stood at Rs 3,02,13,39,078.

A copy of the audit report for the financial year 2012-13, obtained under the Right to Information Act by Rohit Sabharwal, president, and Arvind Sharma, secretary of the Council of RTI Activists, indicated the auditors had taken note of this financial irregularity while directing the MC top brass to take immediate remedial steps.

The audit note further says despite repeated memos issued to the MC officials during the last four years, no effective action had apparently been taken for adjustment or reconciliation of the temporary advances.

“Temporary advances that remain unadjusted for a long time could lead to financial loss and chances of misappropriation,” noted the auditors while asking the MC to fix the time limit for the adjustment of temporary advances. Till the adjustment of previous advances, no fresh temporary advances should be given to the employees and officials, they say.

Citing section 2.10 (B), clause 5 of the Punjab Finance Rules, the audit note has pointed an accusing finger at the MC officials and employees. The auditors observed the said rules clearly laid down that temporary advance should be taken only in cases of urgency and further that the funds obtained in such a manner should be adjusted/reconciled within a period of one month from the date of release of funds.

According to the auditors, as far as the long outstanding temporary advances were concerned, the civic officials were also violating the directions issued by the Local Government Department vide its memo no 4/DLG/MLG-96/1456-1610 dated January 10, 1996, which specifies that cases of long outstanding temporary advances be reported to the Director, Local Government, Punjab, for necessary action as per rules.

Ludhiana, May 23
The Municipal Corporation has started an awareness drive against the outbreak of waterborne and other diseases prevalent in hot and humid weather conditions.

Dr Charanjit Uppal, Municipal Health Officer, said he had convened a meeting of owners of restaurants, dhabas, tea stalls and other eateries in the city to impress upon them the need for sanitation, cleanliness, personal hygiene of the staff and other preventive measures against the outbreak of such diseases.

Those present at the meeting were told to maintain cleanliness on the premises and keep separate dust bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. They were also directed to ensure that the staff, especially those deployed for cooking and serving food items, had their nails cut and also wore gloves and disposable caps as headgear. Among other preventive measures that the owners of eateries are required to take are installation of fly killers, ventilated and clean cooking area, marble or tile flooring and table tops of such material that can be easily cleaned up.

Making an appeal to the owners to scrupulously follow rules and regulations, Dr Uppal said all employees of eateries ought to have medical fitness certificates, establishments should get themselves registered under the Food Safety Act and refrain from employing child labour.

Dr Uppal said the field staff of the MC had been directed to ensure that dhabas, restaurants and other eateries followed the norms, rules and regulations and took necessary preventive measures against waterborne diseases. "Any lapse or failure to abide by the directions will attract strict penal action," he added.

Jagraon, May 23
A day after the employees of Jagraon Municipal Council were allegedly attacked by A SAD leader and his supports, during an anti-encroachment drive, a large number of employees of the Municipal Council held a protest today.

Demanding the immediate arrest of the persons involved in the attack, the protesting employees blocked the traffic on ROB for around two hours. As a result of the traffic blockade, a long jam of vehicles was witnessed on Tehsil Road and the common people had to face inconvenience.

The protestors raised slogans against the local police for not arresting the accused. While addressing the protesting employees, Municipal Council employees’ leader Rajinder Singh alleged the police is trying to shield the accused as he belongs to the ruling party.

After some time, SHO Jagraon Daljit Singh reached the spot and tried to pacify the protestors but they refused to lift the dharna till the attackers are arrested by the police.

SDM Jagraon Apneet Rayat also reached the spot. She assured the protestors to get the attackers booked and arrested within a day following which the protestors lifted the dharna.

However, the issue was resolved when both the sides reached a compromise following an intervention by some senior leaders of both the sides late in the evening. The shopkeepers who had attacked the Municipal Council employees apologised for their action following which the Municipal Council employees took back the complaint lodged against them with the police.

The police said as both the sides have reached a compromise, no case had been registered against anyone.

Ludhiana, May 23
Despite the Education Department’s instructions, the District Education Office has failed to upload the list of vacant posts on the official website.

In fact, the domain name of the office website has expired, and teachers are left with no option but to visit the office to get information about vacant posts in order to apply for transfers.

Meanwhile, most districts have, reportedly, uploaded the lists of vacant posts on their respective websites.

The District Education Office had no website till a few months ago. Although, the information and communication technology cell of the office started a website, its domain name has expired now.

“Today, I visited the official website of the District Education Office, Ludhiana. The website could not be opened as its domain name has expired. All other districts have uploaded their respective lists of vacancies. In Ludhiana, however, we have to visit the office to get the list,” said a teacher.

District Education Officer Dr Charanjit Singh said: “There was a technical error on our website. Also, the list of vacant posts is not ready yet. We will upload it soon.”

Ludhiana, May 23
The two associations of Punjab Agricultural University pensioners are at loggerheads over claiming credit for the release of grants meant to pay pension to the retirees.

Today, the PAU authorities informed the retirees that the grant for their pension and arrears had been received and would be disbursed soon.

The newly emerged PAU Retirees’ Welfare Association staged a three-hour protest on the campus today. At noon, the office-bearers announced that due to the pressure exerted by them, the government and PAU authorities were going to release the pensions and grants.

Yesterday, another body, PAU Pensioners' Welfare Association, claimed that they were instrumental in getting the grant released.

Earlier, president of the Confederation of PAU Pensioners’ Association Dr SS Gill and PAU Pensioners’ Welfare Association head Jaswant Singh Zirakh had announced that pensions would be released soon, after Dr Gill reportedly met Vice-Chancellor Dr BS Dhillon.

Leaders of both the associations criticised each other for playing politics and misleading the pensioners.

Ludhiana, May 23
Two weeks ago, the health department had instructed government, private, government-aided and affiliated schools to submit a report on water stagnation every Monday, but not even a single school has updated officials so far.

The school authorities were told to check water accumulation and submit reports to the District Education Officer, Charanjit Singh, who was supposed to forward the same to the health department.

Officials of the education department were also supposed to inspect the schools.

Dr Anil Verma, District Epidemiologist, said, “We have not received even a single report from any school. A reminder will be sent to the schools. Fearing an outbreak of water-borne diseases, we had asked the authorities to take preventive measures.

The District Education Officer had written to all government, private, government-aided and affiliated schools to take steps in order to prevent diseases such as dengue and malaria. The school authorities were also told to spread awareness on such diseases and instruct students to keep themselves covered. They were asked to carry out fogging.

The District Education Officer has served notices on some schools in and around the city for not complying with the norms and failing to submit the reports.

Ludhiana, May 23
The starcast of Punjabi movie "47 to 84 - Hun Main Kis Nu Watan Kahunga?" was in the city. Director Rajeev Sharma, apart from actors Nattasha Rana and Zaffar Dhillon and other crew members, promoted the movie.

Sharma said the movie highlighted the plight of a woman who lost her husband during the Partition and children during riots.

Babli Singh said he was busy doing another assignment, but when he learnt that the movie was about the 1984 riots, he accepted the offer.

Nattasha Rana, who plays Sukhmani, said the new generation should know about the riots. "Most of them only know a little from what they have heard, but the movie not only revisits the past, but also gives a message that if any injustice happens to anybody anywhere, all of us should stand together to fight for justice," Rana said.

Sharma said, "If people decide to launch a crusade against injustice, many problems will be solved."

Zaffar Dhillon, who has acted in Bollywood movie "Ishaqzade", said it was his first Punjabi movie. He plays a journalist in the movie.

Shot in Canada, Delhi, Chandigarh and surrounding areas, the movie is set to release on May 30.

Ludhiana, May 23
A cycle rally by students of Government Model Secondary School, Cemetery Road, marked Dengue Awareness Day today. Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr KS Saini and SMO Dr Manjit Singh flagged off the rally.

Dr Anil Verma, District Epidemiologist, Anoop Passi, principal, Government Model Secondary School, Cemetery Road, and officials of the health department joined the rally. The health department is gearing up to deal with dengue cases.

"Fogging has been started in the city and health officials are spraying larvicide on stagnant water," said Civil Surgeon Dr Subhash Batta.

A poster-making competition was held at Government Model Secondary School. The health officials sensitised the students against dengue and told them about its transmission, spread, symptoms, test and management.

Students, who stood first, second and third in the competition, were given mementos. Participants were given certificates.

Ludhiana, May 23
Around paintings of artists from different parts of the country were exhibited at an exhibition here today. The exhibition, titled “The Journey Begins”, showcased paintings on various themes.

Davinder Singh displayed his paintings on the space and greenery of Chandigarh; while Dhiren Sasmel’s intricate strokes had layers of meaning.

Paintings of Ashok Khant were photographic, and Rakesh Singh used a myriad of colours in his creations. Pradeep Paul’s paintings of bamboo explored the visual depth, while Anand Das showcased the morning view of the holy city of Banaras.

Nabin Das from West Bengal put on display a series of paintings showing the journey of life depicted through electric poles.

Varun Khanna, founder of Banyan Art Gallery, said all artists had their unique style of painting. He said abstract art was one of the most difficult genres to create and understand as well.

“There can be many interpretations of abstract art,” he said.

Curator Neepa Sharma said many paintings had been sold before the inauguration in the evening.

Ludhiana, May 23
The Northern Railways employees have decided to launch a stir against poor medical and healthcare facilities available to them.

Addressing a meeting of the divisional executive committee of the Northern Railwaymen’s Union (NRMU) here today, divisional secretary Daljeet Singh said the railway employees would hold a protest against senior officials during their visit to Ferozepur.

He said the Northern Railways authorities had recognised not a single private hospital where the employees could seek emergency medical services. Also, no ambulance service was being run by sub-divisional railway hospitals besides no system in place for purchasing medicines at local level, he said.

The NRMU secretary also focused on the pathetic condition of quarters, roads and sanitation in railway colonies.

General secretary of the All-India Railwaymen’s Federation Shiv Gopal Mishra outlined the line of action for a sustained agitation to press for the acceptance of other pending demands included scrapping the new pension bill, filling up vacant posts, expansion of voluntary retirement scheme and revocation of proposed privatisation of the Railways.

Earlier, the retired divisional president of NRMU, Ramesh Singh Thakur, was given a warm send-off, and railway guard Shiv Dutt (Ferozepur) was elected the new president.

Kuldip Rai (Ludhiana) was elected divisional vice-president while Jagjit Singh (Ferozepur) was named the divisional assistant secretary.

Ludhiana, May 23
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Punjab, organised an interactive session with Dr HAC Prasad, senior economic adviser and additional secretary with the Department of Economic Affairs in the Union Ministry of Finance.

Dr Parsad presented a statistical presentation on India’s position in foreign trade. While showing India’s dismal performance in all sectors compared to China, Taiwan and Singapore, the expert said India, which stands on the tenth position in the “ease of doing business”, was quite slow in exports.

Dr Parsad said positive measures should be taken to boost exports. He said the growth of real GDP was on the decline since the first quarter of 2011-12. He said the global slowdown had posed several challenges to India.

FIEO regional chairman SC Ralhan said the body would submit a report to the Prime Minister’s Office on the core issues the new government needed to address.

Ludhiana, May 23
The FICCI Ladies’ Organisation in association with the Vogue School of Style organised a workshop on latest trends to share fashion tips with city women.

Resource person Bandana Tewari talked about different body types and the kind of styles that can enhance them.

She also gave tips on various aspects of dressing—be it work wear, party styles, dinner outfits or other occasions.

The gathering was also informed about the right kind of accessories to be used with different attires.

Around 100 members of the organization, accompanied by their friends, attended the event.

After the workshop, Bandana Tewari said she was surprised to see how beautiful and fashion-conscious the women of Ludhiana were.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 23
Permanent solid waste garbage depot is a distant dream for the residents of the town. Delay in hiring some space for dumping garbage has further compounded the problems and residents apprehend epidemic in case necessary action is not taken before onset of the rainy season.

Garbage dumped on a road in Mandi Ahmedgarh. A tribune photograph

MLA Amargarh and former associate member of municipal council Iqbal Singh Jhoondan said he had already alerted authorities of the civic body against the threat and advised the executive officer to ensure that sufficient arrangements are made without further delay.

Residents alleged that the civic body authorities had failed to make sufficient arrangements for disposal of solid waste of town and surrounding localities.

In absence of any permanent garbage depot, the council had been hiring space for the purpose from owners of fields situated on outskirts of the town. Councillors and the office bearers of the council had to use their clout to hire landlords to rent out their land for dumping garbage.

Even after hiring pieces of land, the council officials and councilors had to face ire of residents' livings near dumps. Residents alleged that council authorities had failed to take technical measures at the time of disposal of garbage.

Residents led by social activists led by Prince Sharma lamented that alleged unconcern of council officials towards proper and prompt disposal of garbage had proven hazardous for health. "Situation worsens during rainy seasons when pathogens of dreaded diseases thrive on heaps of garbage and spread infections among residents," alleged Sharma regretting that the authorities had not bothered to float tenders for hiring land after dissolution of elected council.

Acknowledging the problem Ravinder Puri said hiring land for dumping garbage had always been a difficult task and the civic body had initiated process for constructing dump yard according to laid down instructions of the local bodies department.

"We have requested MLA Iqbal Singh Jhoondan to bring grants for purchase of land and construction of solid wastage treatment plant, which will solve the problem permanently," said Puri.

Jagraon, May 23
The Jagraon police have launched a special cleanup operation to control the problem of drug peddling. Under this special drive initiated by the police, the police teams from various police stations and police posts under Ludhiana (rural) police district have arrested several alleged drug peddlers and seized massive quantity of drugs from them.

During the last two days, the police have arrested more than 20 persons allegedly involved in various kinds of drugs like heroin, smack, synthetic drugs, opium and poppy husk. The police have seized more than 1 kilogram heroin from the accused during this operation so far.

According to sources, the police have also rounded up several persons suspected to be involved in drug peddling in Jagraon and nearby areas. Though the police have not confirmed of rounding up suspects, but the police department sources revealed that the police have been questioning the suspects.

SSP Ludhiana (rural) Ashish Chaudhry said drug peddling will not be tolerated at any cost and anyone found involved in this trade will be put behind the bars. "We have launched an intensive drive against drug peddlers and this drive will continue till the trade of drug peddling is eliminated completely from the area", he added. — OC

Ludhiana, May 23
The city police have booked three persons for manhandling the staff of power corporation and obstructing them from performing government duty.

The accused have been identified as Hardial Singh, Harpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh, all residents of New Shakti Nagar in Jodhewal Basti.

The complainant, Navtej Singh, who is working as an assistant engineer with the power corporation, said that Hardial Singh had filed an application to snap electricity connection allotted in his brother's name. Hardial Singh had told the department that his brother, Laxman, was living abroad. After receiving the application, the department employees disconnected the power supply.

Soon after, Laxman's wife, Rani, approached the corporation and requested the officials to restore power supply. Rani said she was living on Laxman's property and Hardial had applied for disconnecting the supply without consulting her.

Yesterday, when the power corporation employees visited Laxman's house to restore power, Hardial and his men allegedly manhandled the staff and did not let them do their work.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 23
The local police have arrested alleged drug peddler, identified as Navjot Singh alias Jot of Butahri village. The police said he work as courier for a gang of drug peddlers.

The police have recovered 1 gm of smack and motorcycle from his possession.

The investigating team has received vital information from the accused about the source of supply of the contraband but did not disclose the same as it will affect the investigation adversely.

DSP Gurmit Singh said a police party nabbed Navjot Singh when he was going to supply smack among drug addicts in Jagera Road area.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had been supplying drugs and narcotics among drugs addicts of the region by procuring small quantities from members of a notorious gang operating in villages of Ludhiana district.

"Though we have extracted vital information from the accused we can not disclose it as that would affect progress of the case," said Gurmit Singh.