Ludhiana, June 27
The police have arrested two persons for raping and killing a seven-year-old girl.

The mutilated body of the victim was found from a vacant plot at Jagirpur village near Rahon Road in the Meharban area on June 9.

The accused, identified as Mukesh (25) and Manoj (20), operate auto-rickshaws for a cloth manufacturing unit in the Salem Tabri area.

ADCP (Crime) MS Dhesi said the incident took place on June 6 when the victim, a resident of Guru Nanak Dev Nagar in Salem Tabri, was returning home after giving food to her father who was working in a factory unit located near the house.

Manoj and Mukesh, who had consumed habit-forming drugs, spotted the victim.

They intercepted her and told the girl that they would buy her chocolates and cold drink. The girl agreed to accompany the duo. After taking her to a secluded place in Jagirpur village, the duo raped her. Fearing that the girl would narrate the entire incident to her father, the duo strangulated her and dumped her body in a vacant plot.

Mukesh and Manoj, who were living in a rented accommodation at Tajpur Road, were nabbed today. The police have also recovered a piece of cloth with which the victim was killed.

Those, who were caught on a CCTV camera installed in the area when the girl was kidnapped, were asked to join the police probe.

The duo, both residents of Uttar Pradesh, was planning to flee the city when they were caught. During questioning, the duo confessed to have raped, killed and dumped the girl.

Sources said the police were planning to send semen samples of the accused for testing for a foolproof case.

The auction under way in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana, June 27
The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) today sold 11 commercial sites through a public auction which yielded more than Rs 2,34 crore.

Out of 66 sites offered for sale at different places in the city and elsewhere in the district (Payal and Kohara), eight shops were sold in pockets I and II at Old Jail Road while three booths in the Old Tehsil Complex, Payal, were taken.

PUDA executive officer Jaswinder Nafra conducted the proceedings in the presence of additional chief administrator Kuldeep Singh and superintending engineer RK Jaidka.

The highest bid for shops at Old Jail Road with a reserve price of Rs 60,510 per square metre went up to Rs 1,07,000 while the lowest successful bid stood at Rs 81,000 per square metre.

Similarly, the booth sites at Payal with a floor price of Rs 21,520 per square metre went for Rs 23,100, which was the highest bid and Rs 22,000, the lowest successful bid.

In all, 30 bidders, each of them having deposited an eligibility fee of Rs 50,000 (for shops and booths) took part in the auction.

Nafra said there were no bidders for shop-cum-offices (SCOs) at the Old District Courts (15 sites), Old Jail Road (four sites) and Kohara (eight sites). “Not even a single person deposited the eligibility fee of Rs 1 lakh to take part in the bidding process for the SCOs,” she said.

The commercial sites which had no takers included 15 SCOs and 15 shops at the Old District Courts, four SCOs and 10 shops at Old Jail Road, three booths in Payal and eight SCOs in Kohara.

Ludhiana, June 27
A 45-year-old man was found dead at a vacant plot near BCM School in Dugri, Phase II, today. The victim, identified as Ajmer Singh, a resident of Phulanwal, was spotted by morning walkers, who further informed the police about the incident.

Prima facie it appears to be a robbery killing, but the police have not ruled out personal enmity. The victim has suffered several stab wounds and his head was smashed with a brick. The victim’s purse and mobile phone were also missing. His brother Jarnel Singh said Ajmer was working in a cloth factory unit and used to take Dugri Road to reach home every day. Kulwinder, elder son of Ajmer, told the police that since yesterday evening his father’s phone was switched off. The family looked for Ajmer and even called up the victim’s friends to find out his whereabouts.

A portion of the road under construction near Subhash Gate in Jagraon.

Jagraon, June 27
Continuous delay in the ongoing construction work on Dalla Road has annoyed the area residents. The work is being carried out by Jagraon Municipal Council on a stretch between Disposal Road and Agwar Lopon but the delay in completion of the construction work has been causing problems to the area residents as well as the commuters travelling on this road.

As per the information, the condition of this road had been utterly bad for a long time. The local Municipal Council had started the construction work on this road more than one month back following repeated demands by the residents.

But even after more than one month has passed since the beginning of construction, but the work is not completed. As a result of this, the area residents and commuters have to face immense problems. The residents say they are fed up with the delay in road construction work.

“The road construction work has been going at snail’s pace. The delay in the construction work has been causing heavy inconvenience to the people. We have requested the authorities of Municipal Council several times to instruct the contractor for completing the construction work soon but all our requests seem to be falling on deaf ears”, rued Sameer, a shopkeeper.

The authorities have dug up the road and blocked the traffic on this road to carry out the construction work. The traffic of this road has been diverted to an alternative route but the alternative is quite narrow, which has increased the problems of the commuters further. As a result of this, one can often see long lines of vehicles struck in traffic jam on the alternative route.

“A lot of heavy vehicles including buses and trucks also pass from this road. We often got struck in traffic jams while passing through the narrow lanes of the alternative route,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a commuter. The residents say the delay caused was completely avoidable. The people have urged the authorities to complete the construction work soon to avoid unnecessary harassment to the common people. Jagraon Municipal Council Executive Officer (EO) Davinder Toor said the project included array of works like laying new sewerage pipes and spreading stones on the road which caused delay in the construction work. “Now these works had been done and the construction work would be complete soon. We have also instructed the contractor to step up the pace of construction work,” said Toor.

Khamano, June 27
A monthly meeting of Fatehgarh Sahib Social Welfare and Development Society was held at the BDPO office, Khamano. Speakers appealed to the youths to shun drugs for the welfare of society.

The meeting was presided over by Zila Parishad Chairman Fatehgarh Sahib Baljit Singh Bhutta.

In his address, he appealed the people to come forward to save the youths from drugs and declared that society will organise Nukkad Nataks in several villages of the district to create awareness about menace of drugs.

He said main aim of the society is to make society drug-free. He also distributed sewing machines to 11 needy women.

In his address, he appealed the people to donate time for social causes apart from their families.

He also gave information about schemes launched by Zila Parishad and told people to take benefit from these schemes. He further said the organisation will also fight against other social evils including female foeticide and dowry.

Kulwinder Kaur, Chairperson, Block Samiti, Khamano, Jagminder Singh Bhangu, organiser of the society, Parminder Singh Kang, SGPC member, Avtar Singh Ria and others also addressed the gathering.

After the meeting Chairman Bhuta and others visited the drug de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital and distributed fruits among patients.

Ludhiana, June 27
The strike of fishery students at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University entered 27th day, here today.

The missionary activists of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) extended their support to the protesting students. A delegation of BSP, led by Ramanjeet Lally, met the fishery students.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramanjit Lally said if government does not assure jobs to fishery students, then workers of BSP will gherao the mini-secretariat to press the government.

“If the government is not able to provide jobs to fishery pass out then they have to close the course. Why the government is misleading the students?” asked Lally.

Students have been protesting for last 26 days outside the veterinary hospital, gate No. 5, at GADVASU.

The students informed that they have planned the further plan of action to intensify the strike.

“Some of the senior political leaders asked us to stay calm as they were negotiating with government. We have not yet received any response from the government, so we are ready to intensify the strike,” said a student.

Meanwhile, some of the local leaders and MLA from SAD are trying to sort out the issue.

Ludhiana, June 27
A retired academician, professor Gurcharan Singh, has come up with an idea of creating city’s first Book Club.

The idea struck to his mind after having visited UK. He has named the club-Ludhiana Book Club.

Professor Gurcharan Singh, who has retired as the director of Government Science, Education and Research College, Jagraon, said, “Every year I visit UK and come across the book club culture there, wherein 10-12 members read a particular book and after the span of one month they pen down their reviews and critical analysis of that particular book. It is then followed by a discussion.”

He further said the main aim behind this book club is to revive the book culture in the city.

Interestingly, the founder members of this club are academicians, neurosurgeons, PCS officers, Afghan national and retired officers.

Professor Rajeev Verma, professor Krishan Singh, Kezhgai, Jaspal Singh, Sukhwinder Kaur, professor Gurcharan Singh, Jaswant Singh, Dr GS Walia, Jaswant Singh, professor Ravinder Singh Brar, Dr Deepinder Singh and professor Gurcharan Singh are the founder members of the club. English, Hindi and Punjabi books will be read, reviewed and analysed in the book club.

Dr Singh said, “In England there is one library for every 30,000 to 50,000 people of a locality. I also want to establish a library where people from all walks of life, irrespective of their age group, can come and enjoy reading books.”

The club meeting will take place on last Friday of every month.

Ludhiana, June 27
“I always saw him on 70mm screen and never thought that one day, I will be sharing stage with him. It is like a dream come true,” said Kalu Ram Chauhan, a resident of Islam Ganj, who got an opportunity to meet Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Chauhan won a lucky coupon from an automobile company and got a chance to meet the Bollywood actor.

Chuahan gifted Ranbir a Punjabi jutti with panna and tilla work from Pakistan.

“The jutti was exactly his size. Since I work at a Punjabi jutti store, I can judge shoe size by height and appearance. Ranbir wore the jutti for the remaining part of the event. He said he is wearing jutti for the first time and found it very comfortable,” said Chauhan.

Chauhan who works at a jutti store at Chaura Bazar said the panna of the traditional Punjabi jutti comes from Pakistan. “The tilla work is also done by the Pakistani artists. We only give final shape to the jutti. My sister who lives at Fazilka gives final touches to the jutti and sends them to Ludhiana,” said Chauhan.

Sharing the memories of his visit to Mumbai, Chauhan said the dinner treat with the actor was wonderful. “Ranbir is fond of Punjabi food and he really liked dal makhani. The dinner treat with the actor was the best part. He is a pure Punjabi by heart,” said Chauhan.

Ludhiana, June 27
“Rehri” and “farhi” vendors have encroached upon the roadside along Sidhwan Canal near Jawaddi Bridge, leaving commuters and pedestrians fuming and fretting.

Area residents say despite repeated complaints made to the tehbazari wing and senior municipal corporation officials, no action had been taken to remove the encroachments.

“For reasons, best known to them, MC employees are closing their eyes to encroachments on the roadside,” said Jaswinder Singh, a resident.

Arvind Sharma, a city-based RTI activist, said he had lodged several complaints against the “rehri” and “farhi” market without evoking any response from the authorities.

Besides causing nuisance to residents, the encroachments along the road and on footpaths were violating the 2009 orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The MC officials said action as per rules—impounding rehris and other articles stacked on the roadside—was being taken on a regular basis. They, however, admitted such markets were operational in every nook and corner of the city.

Officials of the civic body said the problem of street vendors called for a lasting solution with a wider perspective.

“The ‘rehri” and ‘farhi’ vendors cannot be denied their right to self-employment. What we need to do is implement the National Street Vendors Policy formulated by the Centre under which vendors need to be provided with spaces in every part of the city,” said another MC official.

The Rehri-Farhi Union, meanwhile, has accused the civic body of harassing the street vendors. Union president Vijay Gill said area should be earmarked in all parts of the city for setting up “rehris” and “farhis”.

He said vendors were prepared to pay the fee fixed by the MC for this purpose.

Ludhiana, June 27
The work on laying new sewers at an estimated cost of Rs 8.70 lakh commenced at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony, developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), here today.

Speaking at the occasion, area councillor Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal said with the completion of the project, the long-standing demand of the residents of G-block and surrounding areas would be met.

The new project would not only facilitate better drainage of sewage from the area but would also curb the disposal of sewage in now-abandoned city centre project which was a possible source of contamination of drinking water.

Dhaliwal said it was after a series of meetings with the officials of LIT that the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (the execution agency for this project) and the district administration finalised the estimate of the project and started the work.

Dhaliwal said in order to provide better electricity supply to the residents, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited had installed a new transformer in the locality.

“Work for replacement of all overhead power and streetlight cable with underground cables will also be taken up soon,” he said.

Ludhiana: A five-day Punjab Technical University sponsored Faculty Development Programme on ‘Latest emerging technologies for teaching and learning’ concluded in the Department of Business Administration at the RIMT-Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, on Friday. 

Ludhiana: A two-week National Sports Organisation (NSO) coaching camp for undergraduate students began at Punjab Agricultural University on Friday. About 160 students from different constituent colleges of the PAU will be attending the camp.

Ludhiana, June 27
The Punjab Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has urged the Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman to withdraw the new notification that has made it mandatory for all taxpayers to have valid contact details registered on the e-filing portal.

Association president Ashok Juneja and secretary general BR Kaushal said now all e-filing users are immediately required to update and authenticate their correct contact details so that communications may be sent to the valid mobile number and e-mail id.

The move is not being appreciated by many tax professionals.

Jatinder Khurana, a taxation advocate, said the low availability of internet facility, especially in villages and smaller towns, will be a hurdle in the implementaion of the notification.

“Most assesses do have mobile phones but only a few have personal e-mail ids at present,” said Khurana.

“Many times clients give us their details and we file the returns on our own afterwards. Now, every time I have to file a taxpayer’s return, I will have to ask him to log in from his account,” said Yashwant, a chartered accountant.

“One more difficulty may be the registration of non-residents, who do not have mobile facility in India. It is not known, if they can register with foreign mobile number,” said Arun Kanwal and Rupinder Kansal, secretaries of the PTBA.

“It is not possible for small traders and shopkeepers to have email ids. Earlier, professionals used their own e-mail ids for the purpose and all correspondence was received on the ids,” said PTBA joint secretary Tarlok Bhalla.

The PTBA members maintained that instead of simplifying the process of e-filing, the government was making the whole process more complex.

COURTS

Cultural fair courts controversy 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27
Government Primary School, Nandpur, has been decided as the venue for the playing card competition during a cultural mela on June 29.

The Education Department had, however, issued instructions that any non-educational programme in which students are not participating cannot be organised on the school grounds.

A local welfare society has been organising the cultural programme on school ground. According to information, the organisers have taken permission from the District Administration and District Education in this regard.

Ram Bhushan, District Education Officer (Primary), said the organisers have got permission to organise a medical camp on the school campus.

“I am not aware about the playing card competition. They have taken permission to organise medical camp. I will recheck it. The playing card competition cannot be held in a school,” said Bhushan.

While, Ravi Bhatia, one of the organisers, said, “We did advertise that we will be organising the playing card competition. But, we cancelled it later on. Now, we are going to organise medical camp and doctors will examine the schoolchildren. Students, who are good in academics, will also be awarded.”

However, in a recently issued poster of cultural programme, playing card competition will also be held. A number of duet singers will be performing in the mela.