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2 drug peddlers in police net
Ludhiana, June 4 Senior police officials said the police got a tip-off about the movement of drug traders. They set up a check post on Hambran Road. The police recovered 20 gm of heroine from the pockets of Sandeep Kumar and Ram Pal. Ravinderpal Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West), said: “During investigation, the accused confessed that they were involved in the drug trade. They also confessed that they had hidden more heroin near the Hamabran Road area. The police recovered 940 gm more heroin from the spot. Ravinderpal Singh said both the accused had been into the drug trade for a long time but no case had been registered against them earlier. Sandip Kumar used to work at a cloth shop while Rampal is unemployed. Sandip is a drug addict. The police officials said the accused were produced before a court that remanded them in four-day police custody. “We will trace their links,” said the ACP.
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Little effort to curb rising pollution levels in city
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 Take the road leading to Focal Point, and the only way to come out without getting a layer of black particles is by travelling in a vehicle with its windowpanes rolled up. According to a report of the World Health Organisation released last month, Ludhiana ranks 16th among the most polluted cities in the world in terms of air pollution. As per the WHO data, the particulate matter (PM) levels are much higher here than the safe limit of 25 micrograms. Particulate matter 10 (particles with a diameter of 10 microns) is 207 micrograms per cubic metre whereas PM 2.5 (particles with a diameter 2.5 microns) is 91 micrograms per cubic metre in Ludhiana. The city was rated the world’s fourth most polluted cities by the organisation three years ago. The organisation had rated the city as the fourth most polluted city of the world and the most polluted city in the country. Unregulated vehicular traffic is a common sight in the congested areas of Chaura Bazar, Field Ganj, Old City, Jagraon Bridge and many other parts of the city. Despite the claims of the police on keeping a regular check on vehicles causing pollution, one just needs to get on any city road to see the havoc wreaked by smoke-producing vehicles on the city air. Go for a morning walk and smoke rising from burning garbage will choke your lungs. Rather than collecting garbage and disposing it of in the MC bins, many residents burn it, adding to the pollution. Rajinder Singh, a resident, said people of the city and the government needed to work hand in hand to safeguard the health of the present and the next generation by curbing pollution in the city.
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Pollution is in the air
Manav Mander Tribune News Service
Ludhiana is home to bicycle, knitwear, electroplating, automobile parts and dyeing units while Mandi Gobindgarh has steel and forging units. “Known as the industrial hub, the city has achieved greater heights. Steps should be taken to check rising pollution levels,” said Davinder Singh, a senior citizen. During a visit to Mandi Gobindgarh, which is known as the steel town, it was found that smoke emitting from around 600 chimneys contained air pollutants. “Breathing had become difficult due to excessive smoke billowing out of chimneys and the soot was falling on passersby. People are falling prey to heart and lung diseases due to excessive pollution,” said Mohinder Kaur, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh. At Mandi Gobindgarh, dust particles in the air result in breathing problem,” said Jagdev Singh, a resident.
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Corporate houses yet to do their bit
Ludhiana, June 4 Although there are several corporate houses in the city, the work from corporate sector in carrying out cleanliness drives is negligible. According to legal provisions, public listed companies must spend at least 2 per cent of their average net profits made during the three immediately preceding financial years on the CSR activities. There are several of these listed companies in the district, but so far not many of these have come forward to curb the pollution levels and dedicated their CSR activities to improving the environment in the city. “It is the responsibility of the industry to find a solution to the problem of pollution in the city. If they are using the soil for their profits, it is their responsibility to not only keep in check the pollution they might cause, but also to contribute and give back to society. They can make a great contribution just by making the city clean and green,” said Sarabjit Singh, a city-based industrialist. Although the CSR activities are mandatory for big corporate houses, given the state of pollution in the city, all industry owners, big or small, MSME, cottage industries or listed companies must work not only to not let even an iota of pollution from their premises, but also to work together to carry out cleanliness drives and beautification work all together, said Harjit Singh, a senior citizen.
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Dengue cases on the rise in city
Ludhiana, June 4 Dengue is caused by mosquito bite. Researchers are working on dengue vaccines but the best preventive measure is to check mosquito breeding in the areas where dengue fever is common. “Dengue fever is caused by any one of four dengue viruses spread by mosquitoes that breed in residential areas. When a mosquito bites a person afflicted with dengue, the virus enters it. When the infected mosquito bites another person, the virus is transferred to that person’s bloodstream,” said Dr Chitvin Malik, a medical practitioner. Symptoms Many people, especially children and teenagers, may show no symptoms during mild dengue. The symptoms usually occur four or 10 days after the person is bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms are:
Precautions
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Woman found hanging
Ludhiana, June 4 Investigation Officer Sukhwinder Singh said no suicide note was recovered from the house. A few hours before committing suicide, the victim was watching television with her mother and brother on the ground floor of the house. At around 7 pm, she went upstairs in her room where she used to stitch clothes. She told her mother that she had to complete the pending work. At around 10 pm, members of the family asked her to come downstairs. But, the girl didn’t respond to their repeated calls. Her mother and brother knocked on the door of her room but she didn’t open the room. Her brother broke the door and found Priya hanging from the ceiling fan. The family informed the Punjab Agricultural University police. Investigation officer Sukhwinder Singh said: “The members of the deceased’s family said she was normal till 7 pm. We did not find any suicide note on the spot. We handed over the body to the parents after post-mortem.” |
On a high, they play with their lives
Ludhiana, June 4 All this came to light following a visit to the Central Jail. A doctor attending to drug addicts said some of them were HIV positive. When asked to give the number of such addicts, the doctor refused saying, “We are not allowed to disclose the number, but there are HIV positive addicts.” YRG Care, Chennai, conducted a study on drug addicts in two cities of Punjab. The study was conducted in Ludhiana between January 2013 and May 2013 on 1,000 drug addicts and it was found that 255 (almost 26 per cent) of them were HIV positive. Vijay (name changed), a 21-year-old addict from Mullanpur, said he preferred taking a new syringe, but at times, he would use the same syringe twice or thrice. “It is not possible to buy the syringe again and again, so at times, I use the same syringe,” he said. While another youth said he had four friends. “If I don’t have money, my friend comes to my rescue and when he does not have enough money to buy drugs, we all share the dose. We help each other and at times, use the same syringe,” said the addict lodged in the Central Jail here. When asked if he wanted to quit the habit, he said: “I really want to.” At present, there are more than 350 drug addicts lodged in the jail in Ludhiana. These are not just from Ludhiana district but from places such as Banga and Nawanshahr. At the hospital, they are kept under observation. For 15 days, they are rehabilitated and then they are shifted to the de-addiction centre for recovery. For getting their HIV test done, a team of doctors visit the jail
every Tuesday. Factfile
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Amputation resulting from illness, mishaps Manav Mander Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 Modern medicine, surgery and rehabilitation procedures give amputees every chance of returning to a relatively normal life. The life of amputees will be even better if the Indian government frames policies for the population so that amputation is not treated as a curse and such people can also lead a normal and productive life. Dr Amit Saraf, working as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in Swami Vivekanand Hospital, said after amputation, a person becomes psychologically and socially dependent on others. “If such a person is given love, affection, care and support, he can lead a normal life,” he said. This was based on his study “Effect of Postoperative Ambulation On The Quality of Life in a Transtibial Amputee”. He added that in middle income group countries such as India, where people worked day and night to make two ends meet and where there were not enough government policies to support amputees, the group was often ignored. Dr Saraf attended a conference in Germany recently and delivered a lecture on the quality of life a person leads after his/her body part is amputated. Dr Saraf said, “At the conference, one of my counterparts in Europe told that every citizen there was economically insured by the government. Therefore, if any person loses a limb, he is not only helped by society, but the government also plays an important role in rehabilitating him to lead a normal life.” Not a curseAfter amputation, a person becomes psychologically and socially dependent on others and if such a person is given love, affection, care and support, he can lead a normal life
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Administration fails to prevent fatal mishaps
Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 4 Records revealed that a number of persons had lost their lives in accidents taking place due to faulty construction of the road between Ludhiana and Malerkotla. A number of makeshift passages on the road by breaking central verge and uncontrolled traffic at Gill and the Pohir roundabout continue to be the contributing factor towards the accidents. Sources said certain amendments were made at Gill and Pohir villages after reports were published in these columns, but these were not sufficient to prevent accidents. The authorities have also failed to check the breakage of central verges at various places, even after the Gill circle police forwarded reports received from various police stations. Unauthorised establishments along the highway have compounded the problem. Jagera Road, Kup Chowk, Bhogiwal Chowk, Sarinh and Sayan Chowk are among the most vulnerable points. Residents urged the higher authorities, including the Chief Minister, to impress upon the officials concerned to take preventive measure to prevent accidents. Acknowledging the tendency, Assistant Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Sikand said he had already advised SHOs at various police stations to ensure that nobody was allowed to establish vends at or near vulnerable points. “We will also write to officials of the PWD to repair dividers on the Ludhiana Malerkotla road,” said Sikand.
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Drivers told not to violate traffic rules
Ludhiana, June 4 Ghanshyam Thori, chairman, Safe Vehicle Committee, told the drivers about the directions of the High Court. He asked them to comply with the directions. The name and driver’s licence number should be mentioned on the name plate of every driver. The drivers and helpers should be in uniform. Permits and other required papers should be kept in the vehicle. Usha Chopra, instructor, First Aid Society, said the drivers should keep a first aid box in their vehicles. Rajinder Sharma, District Fire Officer, said the vehicles should have fire extinguishers. Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, told the drivers not to violate the rules. Motor Vehicle Inspector Naresh Kaler inspected the buses.
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Notice to MC inspectors
Ludhiana, June 4 They were asked to submit the report on hospitals (after surveying parking-related issues). “Three days time has been given to them to answer why they had failed to submit the report despite being asked by the department. Once they file the replies, action will be taken,” said Rajinder Sharma. Forty-two hospitals had “failed” to provide adequate parking space to vehicles. Following an RTI application filed by an activist, notices were served on 40 hospitals in February and 15 days time was given to them to submit their replies. The hospital authorities had maintained that since their buildings were constructed long time back, it was not possible to provide adequate parking space. A few submitted their replies to the civic body while the others did not take the notices seriously. The hospitals are being run by doctors who are well-connected. Some hospital representatives met Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, who had assured them of doing the needful.
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RTI activist files complaint against shop-cum-flat owners
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 In his complaint, Sabharwal said in the markets, shops were allotted under the shop-cum-flat (SCF) scheme. However, with the passage of time, the owners opened restaurants and showrooms in their flats without getting approval from the competent authorities. At all these places, about 75 per cent of owners had illegally changed the land use and started using the flats as a source of entertainment and income. About 60 per cent of them had violated the building bylaws. “Commercial activities being carried out in the residential plots attracted many outsiders and anti-social elements posed a threat to residents,” said Sabharwal, adding that the unplanned commercial activities such as showrooms, restaurants, hotels and banquet halls increased the unexpected vehicular movements leading to routine long traffic jams. The RTI activist said the parking of cars by visitors in front of houses often became a cause of brawl between the owner of the car and the resident of the area. Besides, late night activities in hotels/banquets and loud music disturbed students preparing for their exams. He demanded that action should be taken against the defaulters at the earliest.
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Schemes fail to make a mark
Manav Mander Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) are some of the programmes that have failed to attract prospective beneficiaries. “There are several reasons responsible for poor response to these schemes. For example, to avail themselves of the JSY, beneficiaries need an Aadhaar card,” says Usha Rani, an accredited social health activist (ASHA). The JSSK scheme, meanwhile, entails free medical services to pregnant women and ailing newborns at rural and urban health centres. Services are provided to the mother and child up to a month. “Since mothers opt to leave health centres within a few days of delivery, they fail to draw benefits from this scheme. They cannot get entitlements such as free diagnostics, drugs and consumables due to their early discharge,” says the in-charge of one of the primary health centres. “The percentage of mothers leaving early is very high and this in turn increases the risk of neonatal mortality (NMR). Two-thirds of our infant mortality cases are that of NMR,” she says. The VHSNC, meanwhile, has fallen prey to the lack of awareness among villagers. The committee requires participation of the rural population, with the equal strength of men and women. They are to be trained to carry out programmes such as cleanliness and sanitation drive. However, the VHSNC is falling short of its mission as untrained villagers contribute little to the scheme’s implementation. The scheme aims at decreasing neo-natal and maternal deaths by promoting institutional delivery of babies. It is a 100 per cent Centrally sponsored scheme and integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. Its success rate is determined by the increase
in institutional deliveries among poor families. The scheme provides free and cashless services to pregnant women, including normal deliveries and caesarean operations, and care for sick newborns up to 30 days after birth in both rural and urban government health institutes. Beneficiaries get free drugs and consumables, free diagnostics and free diet during the stay in the health institute. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee
The scheme is an expansion of the Village Health and Sanitation Committee (VHSC). By adding “Nutrition” component to it, the scheme sought active participation of anganwadi workers, ANMs and ASHAs. Its main objectives are creating awareness on nutritional issues; carrying out surveys on nutritional status and nutritional deficiencies in the village, especially among women and children and facilitating early detection of malnourished children in the community.
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demand for recruitment as fishery officers Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 4 Students took out the march from the university campus to Aarti Chowk. The final-year students of the Bachelor of Fishery Sciences along with students who graduated in previous years have been protesting for the past three days to press the state government to advertise vacancies of fishery officers. Around 12 students will be graduating in a week. There are several students who graduated in past two years but are still unemployed. Students sitting on an indefinite strike outside the Veterinary Hospital, Gate No. 5, accused the university authorities of threatening them. “We don’t have any conflict with the university authorities, but they keep pressurising us to withdraw the protest. The authorities denied us potable water and issued a notice ordering us to join classes. They also threatened our parents on phones,” said a protesting girl. Rajinder Kaur, an alumna, said: “We have no option than to protest against the state government. No one from the government and the administration has come forward to listen to our demands. We will intensify the protest in coming days.” “We met the minister concerned, who said the government had no funds to give salaries to employees. They, however, have funds to organize star nites during kabaddi matches. If they are unable to give us jobs, then when did they start this college?” reasoned another girl.
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City students fare well in PU exams
Ludhiana, June 4 Scoring 82.18 per cent marks, Sadaf has stood first in the university. The college governing body and the principal, Manjit Kaur Ghuman, congratulated the students and the members of the faculty for their outstanding achievement. Cheezi Preet Kaur, a student of the Government College for Girls, has secured the third position in the varsity by scoring 80.87 per cent marks. Rhythm has got the fifth position in the university with 79.93 per cent marks and Amrit Kaur has secured the ninth position with 79.37 per cent marks. The Khalsa College for Women, meanwhile, has achieved a 100 per cent result in the exams. Securing 80.87 per cent marks, Shaina Jain has bagged the third position in the varsity. Mehak Sehgal has clinched the sixth position with 79.62 per cent marks. Shaina and Mehak attributed their success to hard work and punctuality. They thanked the college principal and faculty for their support. The managing committee members congratulated the principal, Dr Varinder Kaur Thind, and the computer science department for their sincere efforts. They applauded the students for maintaining the tradition of the college in achieving excellent results. Kamla Lohtia SD College students, too, shined in the examination. Darpan Arora bagged the eighth position in the university by securing 79.5 per cent marks. Doing so, he not only topped in the college but also among male students in the city. Doraha: Jaskeet Kaur, a student of Doraha-based Guru Nanak National College stood seventh in the BCA-II examination conducted by Panjab University, Chandigarh. Congratulating Jaskeet (79.5 per cent), college principal Dr Narinder Sidhu said: “Our students generally belong to rural areas. Extra efforts have to be put in to bring them on a par with others.
— OC
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IIT expert gives tips on ethical hacking
Ludhiana, June 4 During the workshops, Mahesh Rakheja, a malware analyst from the IIT, Mumbai, will give live demonstrations on creating malwares for Android platform, smishing malware, call spoofer, SMS blocker, call jacking and conference call malware, DNS spoof malware system hacking module, sniffers, trojans and backdoors module, session hijacking, SQL injection, hacking web and wireless applications. Rakheja had successfully completed many spy applications on the Android platform for the Indian Army and supported Indian cyber cell for solving various cases. Around 40 professionals are attending these workshops. Dr KNS Kang, director general of the PCTE Group of Institutes, said such workshops were the need of the hour to train security consultants and create a cyber force for our nation. Dr Kang said that such workshops enhance not only the technical skills of the students but also
help in their overall personality development.
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Cycle, parts importers misusing SAFTA
Ludhiana, June 4 To keep a check on the “flooding” of Chinese bicycles, the Centre—in its last annual budget—had raised import duty on bicycle parts and components from 10 to 20 per cent and on “fully built” bicycles from 10 to 30 per cent. “After the government increased the import duty on cycles in the last budget, importers have started bringing them through other countries. These cheap imported bicycles are giving a tough competition to the domestic industry,” said Gurtej Singh, a local cycle producer. Not only bicycles, cycle parts such as basket, spoke, air-pumps, hub-cup, hub-kone, carrier, bicycle chain, handle bolt and brakes are also imported from China. These bicycle parts are 15 to 20 per cent cheaper than locally manufactured parts. “Although the government took steps to save the local industry, importers are giving us a tough time by adopting escape routes to bring imported cycles into the country,” said a cycle parts manufacturer, Keshav Singla. Industry experts say importers are misusing the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) by importing bicycles and parts from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at lower import duties. Bicycles and parts are also being imported from Malaysia and Thailand. “We used to manufacture cycle baskets and pedals. After the influx of cycle parts from China we have stopped manufacturing and started outsourcing these from China, because cycle producers here prefer Chinese products,” said Pritpal Singh, a cycle
parts manufacturer.
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Training programme ends
Ludhiana: A three-day training programme on capacity building concluded at Punjab Agricultural University today. The programme was organised by Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI). Officials from the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Balachaur and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, attended the training programme that aimed at apprising them of the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. Dr HS Dhaliwal, director, PAMETI, inaugurated the training programme and discussed the scheme and its objectives. Dr RS Sahota, Director of Extension Education, GADVASU, gave tips on the management of dairy animals. — TNS
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Service centre inaugurated
Ludhiana: In its endeavour to invest in infrastructure, DHL Express inaugurated a new service centre facility in Ludhiana. The new centre is spread over 3,200 square feet and has a capacity to handle a volume of over 1,00,000 shipments a year. The facility was inaugurated by RS Subramanian, SVP and MD, DHL Express India, and Mridula Jain, CMD, Shingora Textile Ltd, and chairperson, Shawl Club, Ludhiana. Subramanian said: “DHL has been servicing customers in Ludhiana for over 25 years. The new expanded facility will enable us to provide greater efficiencies in meeting the supply chain requirements of our customers and support in delivering our promise of offering best performing transit time for all import and export shipments from this belt.” Interest rates modifiedThe Central Bank of India is offering an interest of 4.62 per cent for USD deposit of 5 years. For GBP deposit of same period, an interest of 4.99 per cent is being offered, while for Euro deposit, it is 3.77 per cent. Canadian Dollar deposit of 5 years is fetching 4.93 per cent interest and Australian Dollar 6.38 per cent. Emergency meeting
Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma presided over an urgent and emergency meeting of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers’ Association. The meeting was called to discuss the charge on small power connection factor. Since the industry was not aware about these charges, members suggested that at least one month notice should be given to consumers, so that they are able to install the power factor instrument. Luxurious housing
Imperial Golf Estate, a golf club-cum-residency with an 18-hole Nicklaus Design championship course, is all set to place Ludhiana on the international sports map. It will also offer a one-of-its-kind solution for luxury and indulgent living. With nearly 75 per cent of the township being green, residents will get world-class living conditions. Brick-kilns to be shut down
During a meeting of the Ludhiana District Brick Kiln Owners’ Association, it was decided to shut down brick kilns for an indefinite period. The step was taken as problems are being faced by the owners in getting environmental clearance.
— TNS
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Kidney transplant programme
The kidney transplant programme at SPS Apollo Hospitals has completed two years. Over past two years, many patients have undergone a successful kidney transplant surgery and now enjoy an improved and better quality of life. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kapil Chib, deputy director, medical services, SPS Apollo Hospitals, said: “The successful completion of two years of the programme exhibits the high quality, safety, reliability and affordability of our healthcare services. Our world-class kidney transplant programme has not only benefitted people of Punjab, but also caters to the needs of those requiring kidney transplants from the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.” Students seek blessingsThe bhog of Sri Akhand path of Guru Granth Sahib was solemnised at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The ceremony took place to mark the graduation of the 2009 and 2010 batches of the College of Dairy Science and Technology. Students and staff partook of langar after the bhog. Memorandum
Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena and Ludhiana Youth Foundation jointly submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner regarding the rehabilitation of child labourers rescued from factories. In the memorandum, the volunteers stated that children rescued from factories should be rehabilitated so that they do not fell prey to anti-social elements. They also demanded action against owners of factory units employing child labourers. Meeting
A meeting of Bhartiya Kissan Union will be held on June 10. The members will hold discussions regarding the coming crop season. The union members have appreciated the government for taking steps to curb drug menace in Punjab. “Inflation is the next major issue the government should take into consideration,” said the members.
— TNS
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Snatching: Youth targets elderly woman in Jagraon
Jagraon, June 4 In her complaint to the police, the victim, Indubala Malhotra, said an unidentified youth approached her from the rear and fled after snatching her earrings. The victim received minor injuries and was
taken to a private hospital for treatment. Station house officer, Jagraon, Daljit Singh said the police had registered a case against an unidentified person after receiving a complaint.
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Ludhiana, June 4
Janani Suraksha Yojana
Janani
Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
Doraha student clinches seventh position