Ludhiana, August 21
After inviting applications for admission to a course of stenography at the district-level centre of the Language Department (Bhasha Vibhag, Punjab) at Panjabi Bhawan here, the department has refused to accept applications at the eleventh hour on the plea that the centre is being wound up. Hundreds of students from the general and SC categories, who have applied for this free one-year course of stenography, have been left in the lurch. The reason for winding up the centre is acute shortage of instructors.

The last date for receiving applications from the general category candidates was August 20. More than 150 students from the general category applied for the 15 seats of this course. However, the employees at the district-level office of the Language Department, Punjabi Bhawan, were instructed by the higher authorities not to accept their application forms. Bhupinder Kaur, Senior Assistant, said: “We were issued instructions by the Director, Language Department, not to accept the forms for this course as the centre is being wound up. We got the instructions only two days ago.”

Tomorrow, i.e. August 22, is the last date for submission of application forms by candidates of the Scheduled Caste category. Navjot Singh, from Chakohi village, said: “After reaching here I got to know about some problem with this centre.” Similarly, Sarvjeet Singh and his sister Amandeep Kaur from Akalgarh village wanted to apply for admission but couldn’t. Saravjeet Singh said: “Yesterday, my father came to submit my sister’s application form but the authorities refused to accept it. Today, he sent me to submit both the forms. But, today again they are not accepting the forms.”

A postgraduate student said: “The government should not wind up this centre as this course provides government jobs to many unemployed youngsters. Where will we go if this centre is closed down? My all hopes have shattered.”

Centres closed in other districts

Sources said at many centres, senior students assist the instructors in teaching students of junior course. The centers at Mansa and Bathinda have been closed simultaneously. The Amritsar centre was closed a long time ago. It needs to be mentioned here that the Ludhiana centre had been running these courses for the past more than 40 years.

Ludhiana, August 21
Even as the rampant change of land use in violation of the terms and conditions of allotment of residential plots and built-up properties in colonies of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) is under the scrutiny of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the menace continues unabated with the authorities turning a blind eye to such violations.

The LIT officials, while admitting that residential properties were being put to commercial use which was not permissible under the terms and conditions of allotments of plots, said action as per the rules was taken against the offenders. However, the so-called action being taken against illegal change of land use and the violation of terms and conditions of allotment of plots was confined to issuing notices with no follow-up action, whatsoever, claimed insiders.

Residents of Rajguru Nagar, a posh colony developed by the LIT on the Ferozepur road (a national highway), said recently, several residential properties had been converted into commercial entities like shops, showrooms, nursing homes and coaching centres, which had become a big source of nuisance to those living around these houses.

“Movement of outsiders and vehicular traffic in the colony has increased manifold, which has disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of the colony. Not only this, haphazard parking of vehicles outside such commercial establishments obstructs the traffic and also puts residents, especially children and senior citizens, to risk of road accidents,” said Narinder Sharma, a resident of the colony.

While disposing of a CWP against illegal change of land use in colonies in the mega city, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued explicit directions to both the Municipal Corporation and the LIT to take action against illegal change of land use in colonies under their control. In this regard, the LIT had already issued show-cause notices to owners of shop-cum-flats in four colonies where the residential portions of the building were being put to commercial use.

An LIT official said complaints of conversion of residential buildings into commercial establishments were being looked into and action would be taken against the violations. It was also officially confirmed that as per the rules governing the allotments of residential plots, the allotment was liable to be cancelled for change of land use from residential to commercial.

Ludhiana, August 21
Three persons, including a father-son duo, were attacked by around 12 armed youngsters near the Neem Wala chowk in the Division No. 3 area last night. Personal enmity was stated to be the reason behind the attack.

The injured, identified as Davinder Singh, his son Harinder Singh and Arvinder Sharma, have been admitted to a multispeciality hospital.

The city police registered a case against Sunny, Rubal, Anku and their unidentified accomplices on charge of trespass with the move of assault.

Davinder said the incident took place last night when he and his son returned home from work. In the meantime, around 12 youngsters, brandishing sharp weapons, entered the house and attacked Harinder. He, along with his neighbour Arvinder, tired to tackle the attackers. The attackers injured them with sharp weapons and fled the scene.

Davinder said his son Harinder had a tiff with Sunny and Rubal in the morning.

Ludhiana, August 21
To tackle three major problems of the Industrial City, “vehras”, dairies and illegal slaughter of animals, the Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Aggarwal has constituted three committees headed by IAS/PCS officers. They have been asked to file their reports within one month.

To provide better living conditions to the migrants of city, most of whom live in dingy rooms of “vehras” with absolutely no facilities of toilets and safe drinking water, a committee has been constituted by Aggarwal under the guidance of Additional Commissioner Rishipal Singh. The committee will carry out a survey of these “vehras” and see how things can be improved there.

The illegal slaughter of animals is another major issue, which needs to be addressed at the earliest. According to information, barring a few (not more than 12) shops, all other meat shops are being run illegally. Animals are slaughtered in the open near railway bridges, Dhandari and on the outskirts. The Central Government provides a subsidy to the shopkeepers (dealing in meat/chicken) but none qualified for it in the city. A team, under the guidance of Additional Commissioner Neeru Katyal, will prepare a detailed report in this regard.

The third major issue remains the dairies scattered in the city, which allegedly discharge their waste into the sewerage of the MC.

“A committee headed by Additional Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori has been constituted. If possible, we will try to provide immediate solutions to the problems faced by the dairy owners. These teams will work towards bringing about improvement in the targeted areas. Everything cannot be streamlined at once, but at least by making efforts, we can start towards improving the things,” said the Commissioner.

Ludhiana, August 21
Despite daily fitment of about 500 High Security Registration Plates, more than 1.50 lakh applicants are still waiting for their turn and are feeling harassed. The authorities of the company hired by the Government of India for High Security Registration Plates said they had already prepared more than 1.60 lakh HSRPs but as there was no deadline for fitment, so it got delayed.

Nitin Singh, zonal operation manager of Agros Impex (I) Private Limited– the company which has been approved by the Government of India for issuing of HSRPs, said, “We have already prepared more than 1.60 lakh High Security Registration number plates. But earlier neither the applicants not the state government seemed to be in a hurry for fitment. But now as more and more applicants are becoming aware. So, all this is creating a lot of pressure on us.”

He added that the company had been daily issuing around 500 HSRPs. Nitin Singh said, “As more and more applicants keep applying daily. So, the number of fitments to be done remains at a saturation point i.e. around 1.60 lakh.”

Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, said he had already brought it in the notice of Anurag Aggarwal, principal secretary (Transport), Ludhiana. The DTO said, “Once the challan is generated i.e. an applicant deposits the fee for HSRPs, the plate is embossed within four days. Afterwards, the applicant can contact the company for getting the fitment done.”

Meanwhile, applicants who have been waiting since months together for the HRSPs fitment are at the receiving end. Malkit Singh Sidhu, an ex-serviceman who was at the DTO office, today said, “It is sheer harassment of the public. One has to make many rounds and waste a lot of time and energy for getting the fitment done, but all in vain.”

Surinder Singh, another applicant, said, “Government start new things without doing the ground work just to harass people. What is the use of all this? It is like inviting guests at home without arrangement of meals.”

Ludhiana, August 21
Activists of the BSP (Missionary) today blocked Ladhowal toll plaza to mark their protest against the delay in the completion of Expressway project on National Highway 1.

Ramanjit Lalli said while the work was yet to be completed, the toll plaza authorities were busy making money.

The activists lifted the toll barrier and let some vehicles cross the barrier without paying toll.

Lalli was accompanied by sarpanches of nearby villages and area councillors. He said the construction company did not provide basic amenities such as ambulances, potable water and urinals.

The protest continued for 30 minutes. The blockade was lifted following officials’ assurance.

Ludhiana, August 21
MC Commissioner Pradeep Aggarwal has written to the Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, asking him to suspend Assistant Town Planner of Zone C Bankey Bihari who was caught taking bribe by the Vigilance officials.

The letter written by the Commissioner stated: “On August 12, 2014, the ATP was caught accepting

Rs 1.25 lakh from a local resident for giving a nod to an illegal building in the zone. Since Bihari’s police remand has exceeded 48 hours, departmental action or suspension should be taken against him. As the post of the ATP comes under “Provincial Cadre (state)”, necessary action has to be taken by the Secretary, Local Government.

Bihari was arrested following a complaint by Baljit Rai, a resident of Shimlapuri. As per information, the complainant was constructing a building in Zone C. The ATP told the complainant that he was constructing an “illegal” building and that he would have to give Rs 1.5 lakh to the official to legalise the structure. Following this, the complainant paid the ATP Rs 25,000 while the remaining amount (Rs 1.25 lakh) was to be paid on August 12 near Clock Tower from where the ATP was arrested.

Ludhiana, August 21
As many as 45 Namdharis today extended support to the protesting Namdhari Panthak Ekta Action Committee. The devotees have been fasting for the past 21 days.

The fourth batch of five members sitting on the hunger strike today ended their fast.

Namdhari Bachhitar Singh’s indefinite hunger strike entered the sixth day today.

The Namdhari faction owing allegiance to Thakur Dalip Singh, elder brother of Satguru Uday Singh, wants to end the rift that deepened following the coronation of Uday Singh as the supreme leader of the community.

The faction has announced a sect unity convention outside the Mini-Secretariat on August 22.

Yesterday, Namdhari leader Thakur Dalip Singh met the protesters.

He said they would continue their protest until their demands are met.

Dr Sukhdev Singh cautioned the followers against the priest faction of Namdhari Darbar that was dividing the sect.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 21
Agitation by the employees of the local civic body having entered fourth week, residents of the local town were made to suffer for various reasons.

Though routine functions related with the registration of various facts, including births and deaths and issuance of documents were already hampered due to presence of permanent in charge, but now the residents were made to live under unhygienic conditions.

The conditions will deteriorate further, in case no efforts are made to persuade the activists of Safai Mazdoor Union to call off their strike. The scavengers had joined the agitation three days after other employees shunned their work on August 4.

As the shunning of work was preceded by public holidays, the problem became more serious. Forthcoming festival season, which necessitates extra cleanliness, is bound to aggravate the situation.

Activists of the Safai Mazdoor Union had decided to shun work after the office-bearers of the Municipal Employees Union appealed them to join statewide agitation of the civic body employees. Besides dumping of garbage on roads and streets, households witness stuffed dustbins as none of the sweepers came to take the garbage.

Office of the municipal council has also virtually lost its protocol with residents returning unheard. Burying difference in cadre and seniority, all officials sit on dharna killing their time playing cards and gossiping.

Black flag on official flag post of the office conveys mute answers to all queries as senior functionaries showed their inability to comment on the situation.

Ludhiana, August 21
To keep a tab on officials and employees of the Municipal Corporation, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria conducted a surprise check at the Zone D office today.

The Mayor reached the office five minutes before 9 am and gave grace time of about five minutes to the employees and officials. “A list of employees, who did not turn up till 9.30 am, was prepared. A bill distributor tried to reach his cabin through a window. Strict action will be taken against the employee,” said the Mayor. Gohalwaria also asked the Zonal Commissioner to visit offices to find who all were absent. It was the Mayor’s third visit.

Ludhiana, August 21
On the complaint of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, a non-governmental organisation, along with the District Task Force today rescued four child labourers from a factory at Sherpur.

Mohit Singla, assistant director Factories, Ludhiana, said, “Bachpan Bachao Andolan complained to Kanu Singh, assistant commissioner (Grievances), about the child labourers working at a factory. Following this, a team comprising representatives of education, health, police, NGO and the Labour Department raided RN Cycles, Sherpur, and rescued four child labourers.” After getting their medical done at Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana they have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.

Mohit Singla said the medical report would come after two days. He said in case any child was under 14 years, the court may punish the owners with a fine of Rs 10,000 to 20,000 or with an imprisonment of three months to one year.

Ludhiana, August 21
Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana, organised its first convocation here today. A total of 66 students of BA-LLB and LLB (2013 batch) of the University Institute of Laws and 43 students of MBA (since inception) from the University Business School, Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana, were conferred degrees.

Justice Jaspal Singh, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court was the chief guest. Arun Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh, also presided over the function at the Panjab University Regional Centre.

Speaking on the occasion, PU V-C Arun Kumar Grover said, “We have sent a proposal to the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to initiate a regional campus of the university in Ludhiana.”

He asked city-based industrialists to keep in touch with the university to inform them about the requirements in the industrial sector.

Prof Grover stressed on further developing the Panjab University Regional Centre as a research centre in collaboration with the government colleges in Ludhiana to undertake research in different fields.

He lauded the students of the University Business School for securing top positions in the university examination for five consecutive years.

Professor Navdeep Goyal, Dean Students’ Welfare, Panjab University, highlighted that in the recent past, five students of the University Institute of Laws had been selected as judges.

He also highlighted the achievements of the University Business School, which has achieved nearly full placements this year with its students getting hired by companies of repute.

Member of Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu also graced the function as a special guest. Bittu announced a grant-in-aid of Rs 10 lakh to the University Regional Centre.

Ludhiana, August 21
Karan Saggar, a IInd year student of Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College, Hospital & Research Institute, has once again brought laurels to his alma mater by bagging top positions in the state in the BDS IInd year examination (May-June 2014) conducted by the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, by securing 635 marks.

Elated on his achievement, Saggar, said, “I thank the Almighty and my parents for their support.” He also expressed gratitude towards his teachers for their guidance and motivation. “I’m indebted to our chairman, Baba Jaswant Singh, for providing us with a conducive environment to achieve academic excellence”.

LUDHIANA, AUGUST 21
The residents of Beant Colony, situated behind the School for Blind Children, Kullewal, are irked over the continuous pollution emitted by a factory in the area.

The residents today staged a protest while stating that they had written to the Pollution Control Board, District Administration and Municipal Corporation to shift the factory premises but to no avail. “The pollution generated through the factory is affecting the health of residents,” they added.

Ludhiana, August 21
The city police have booked five persons, including a woman, 11 days after they allegedly assaulted a few persons in the presence of a court bailiff.

The accused have been identified as Rajinder Singh, his son and wife, and Baljinder Singh and his son.

The accused have been booked for assaulting and threatening the persons and obstructing a public servant in discharging public duty.

Kulwant Kaur (55), a resident of Model Town, regret the day when he rented out a portion of her vacant house located in Model Town Extension to Amrik Singh about 15 years ago. She thought the extra income of Rs 7,500 as monthly rent would help her in her household budget.

She has stated in her complaint that after regularly paying rent for three months, the tenant suddenly refused to pay. According to Kulwant Kaur, no rent deed was executed. So, she approached the court to get the house vacated.

Finally, Kulwant Kaur won the case in a lower court, following which Amrik Singh approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Kulwant Kaur stated that on January 15, the High Court ordered Amrik Singh to submit the house rent in the office of Rent Controller till August 31. In the meantime, Amrik Singh further rented out the ground floor of the house to his brother Rajinder Singh and the first floor of the house to Baljinder Singh.

Kulwant Kaur again approached the court and got orders for the eviction of the alleged illegal occupants of her house. The judicial magistrate issued warrants in this regards to the court bailiff Sukhdev Singh.

On August 11, Kulwant Kaur, along with her relatives, including Tirlochan Singh, nephew Baljinder Singh and sister Perminder Kaur, accompanied the court bailiff Sukhdev Singh, to the house. When they reached the house, the accused reportedly attacked Kulwant Kaur’s relatives and obstructed the court bailiff in discharge of the court’s order.

Gurdev Singh, Model Town SHO, said the case was registered after a thorough investigation. None of the accused has been arrested yet.

Ludhiana, August 21
The police have booked two persons for posing as crime branch officials and robbing an employee of a courier company of four gold pendants on August 19.

The case has been registered on the complaint of Naresh Kumar, a resident of Sutlej Tower near Fountain Chowk. Naresh told the police that on August 19, he received a courier which was to be delivered to a jeweller. Naresh told his employee Jatinder to deliver the courier. Jatinder said when he reached Fountain Chowk, two persons accosted him.

The fraudsters said they were from the crime branch and asked Jatinder to show the valuables he was carrying in his bag. They took Jatinder to a corner and engaged him in conversation. In the meantime, one of the fraudsters took away four pendants kept in a jewellery box.

Ludhiana, August 21
The police have booked Ketan Mehta, a resident of Bagru Mohalla, for sending lewd SMSes to a 16-year-old girl.

The girl resides in Sector 32, Chandigarh Road. The girl’s father told the police that when he confronted the youth, the latter threatened him.

He said his daughter was unable to concentrate on studies. She was slipping into depression, he added.

The girl’s father demanded strict action against the youth.

A case under Section 66 E of the IT Act, Sections 354, 506 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused. Ketan is yet to be arrested.

Ludhiana, August 21
Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Doraha, stood out in the Boxing Championship of District School Games, Ludhiana. In the U-17, Harshdeep Kaur, Manjot Kaur, Rajni Gaheloth clinched gold medals while six students got bronze medals. In the U-19 category, Ramanjot Kaur, Kiranpreet Kaur and Avneet Kaur bagged gold medals. Two silver medals and one bronze medal was also fetched by the participants.

In the U-17 category, the team lifted the trophy. The Kho-Kho Tournament of Inter-Sahodaya Complex Ludhiana, East, will be held on August 22 and 23 at Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Doraha.

Around 34 teams in the U-17 and U-19 (boys and girls) categories will participate in the tournament. The school principal and management felicitated the winners.