Ludhiana, October 21
High drama was witnessed at Sharma Sweets, Model Town, today when the owner of the sweets shop locked a team of the Health Department and the district administration along with himself inside the shop to prevent the from taking take the sweets samples from his shop. A case has been registered against the shop owner, Jaspal Singh.

Mukesh Sharma, Executive Magistrate, who was also accompanying the health team, said when they went to Sharma Sweets located at Model Town for collecting sweets samples, the owner of the shop did not allow them to do their duty.

“He started making calls but did not allow the health team to collect samples despite our requests for cooperation. We told him that we were there on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner and also showed him the papers but still he did not allow the team to collect samples. He instead asked one of his employees to put up the shutters, thus locked the raiding team along with himself inside the shop. We contacted the police, who reached the spot, after which the shop was opened and the samples were taken,” said Sharma.

Food Safety Officer Ravinder Garg said although he signed the documents confirming that the samples were taken from his shop but he did not sign the samples. He has absconded. “We collected the samples and sealed them. It is mandatory for the owner of the shop to sign the samples to confirm that these belong to his shop. Though the police were also present at the shop, he managed to flee from the scene,” said Garg.

The District Health Officer, Dr Abnash Kumar, said the raids were conducted with the sole motive that people got pure sweets during the festivals.

DC Rajat Aggarwal said he had ordered the collection of samples from the shop. According to information received by him, the owner was not allowing the team to collect samples on the plea that he was planning to close down the shop soon. “If he is planning to close down the shop that does not mean he will not give the samples,” said the DC.

Six samples were collected from Khushi Ram, three from Lovely Sweets and four from Dhodha Sweets.

Ludhiana, October 21
In the sexual abuse case, the police have got a four-page letter in which the woman tutor has admitted to having developed physical relations with the victim, a 14-year-old boy. The letter has a mention of some politicians and other bigwigs frequenting the house to meet her father, who is a government contractor.

The tutor, in the letter, has stated that she would implicate the boy in a false rape case if he confided their relationship to anybody.

The police were in the process of verifying the authenticity of the letter.

The victim has reportedly told the police that the woman tutor had written a letter to him when he told her that he would narrate the entire episode to his parents.

The police have stepped up effort to arrest the woman tutor and her two brothers as there were strong indications that the trio has links with an international racket dealing in paedophile pornographic movies.

The woman tutor has also stated in the letter that the boy used to make lame excuses of having pain in the stomach in order to avoid developing physical relations with her.

Sources said the police have seized around 17 porn movies. In three movies, the tutor is shown abusing the 14-year-old boy.

Yesterday, some well-wishers of the accused approached Sukesh Kalia, vice-chairman of the Protection of Children’s Rights Commission, and stated that it was a monetary dispute, which had been blown out of proportion. They said the woman tutor’s father had lent money to the victim boy’s father.

However, the boy’s father failed to return the money and concocted a story to implicate the woman.

Kalia said: “I slammed the theory of monetary issue as baseless. Even if the boy’s father had borrowed money, does it mean that the woman could sexually abuse the child? The videos showing the woman abusing the child are in police custody. How one can belie that fact.”

The woman tutor is an Master of Business Administration (MBA) while one of her brothers is an engineering graduate.

The police have sent the laptop, computer and the Central processing unit (CPU) recovered from the tutor’s house to the Central Forensic Lab in Chandigarh.

Nobel to Satyarthi gives courage to victim’s family

The Nobel prize awarded to Kailash Satyarthi, founder of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), has come as a ray of hope for the family of the 14-year-old boy who was subjected to sexual abuse. On learning about the work Satyarthi had done for child welfare, the family shot off a letter to his NGO’s headquarters in Delhi. The BBA activists helped the family to formally lodge a police complaint.

Ludhiana, October 21
An ASI and a constable have been booked for taking a bribe of Rs 1.2 lakh from a resident of Aggar Nagar. The case has been registered following an inquiry conducted by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nilamberi Jagdale.

The accused, identified as ASI Gurkewal Singh and constable Jaswant Singh, have been booked under sections 7 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both the accused, deployed in the EO wing, have absconded.

The complainant, Umesh Kumar of Aggar Nagar, said the duo demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from him for cancelling the cases registered against him. Finally, the deal was struck at Rs 1.2 lakh.

Police sources said after receiving a clean chit, Umesh approached Commissioner of Police Pramod Ban and sought justice.

The Commissioner directed the (DCP) Nilamberi Jagdale to probe the matter. During the probe, both the policemen were found guilty of taking bribe and harassing Umesh.

Ludhiana, October 21
City markets were today thronged by shoppers eager to buy cars, silver coins and utensils on the occasion Dhanteras. While the sale of cars and two-wheelers surged compared to the last year, gold lost to silver in the Dhanteras sales.

Eleven Mercedes were delivered on the occasion of Dhanteras. The only dealership in the city saw an increase of nearly 20 per cent in sales on this day compared to the last year.

“We will be giving deliveries of 11 Mercs on the occasion of Dhanteras today. Some of them have been delivered. The number can also increase, as we are expecting on-the-spot customers. Compared to the last year, we have witnessed an increase of 20 per cent in the sales on Dhanteras,” said Preet Thapar, head of department of sales at Mercedes-Benz Joshi Autozone.

Meanwhile, jewellers saw a decrease of 25-30 per cent in the sale of gold. It was silver coins that were much in demand today.

The rate of pure gold was Rs 27,900 per 10 grams today. Not many turned up to buy the yellow metal. “The demand of gold on Dhanteras was low this year and not many people came to buy gold on this auspicious occasion due to flexibility in the gold prices. Compared to last year, there is a fall of 25-30 per cent in the sales on Dhanteras. It was silver which stole the show today,” said Anand Parkash Sikri, president of the Ludhiana Jewellers Association.

Prem Kumar, a jeweller dealing in silver, was all smiles as he had sold nearly 12 silver coins of 100 grams each by the evening. “People this year preferred silver over gold and 100 gram silver coins worth Rs 4,500 each were much in demand. The rising price of gold can be a factor behind the decline in the sale of gold,” he said.

Apart from cars and silver, people also bough two-wheelers on this auspicious occasion. “Till afternoon, we had sold more than 50 vehicles and we are hopeful to reach the mark of 100. Last year, we sold 70 vehicles on Dhanteras and this year we are expecting about 30 per cent increase. The exact figure will be known by late evening as many people come for shopping after finishing their day’s work,” said Amandeep Singh, proprietor of NS Hero Motocorp.

“The sales of domestic appliances have also picked up during Dhanteras. Many modern households prefer buying electronic appliances like television, refrigerator, microwave oven, washing machine and gadgets like mobile phones, tablets, laptops on this day,” said a salesman of a showroom.

Ludhiana, October 21
Pleas made and awareness created by social organisations and educational institutions have played a vital role in bringing down the air and noise pollution levels in the city during the festival of Diwali in the past three years.

The data available with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) here has shown a considerable decline in the pollution levels.

The levels of major air pollutants, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (So2), have come down in the city during Diwali in 2013 compared to 2011 and 2012.

The Senior Engineer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Harbir Singh, said awareness created against crackers had definitely left an impact on the minds of the masses. The data proves compared to 2011 and 2012, the pollution levels came down in the city on Diwali in 2013.

In 2013, the RSPM level before Diwali was 263 in commercial areas, 240 in residential areas and 229 in the sensitive areas. On Diwali, it was 505, 335 and 308 in commercial, residential and sensitive areas respectively. In 2011, the RSPM levels on Diwali night were 489, 365 and 403 and in 2012, these were 648, 390 and 321 respectively.

Similarly, the nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide in the air on Diwali night in 2013 was low compared to 2011 and 2012. “In the past three years, both the air and noise pollution levels were the highest in 2011. In 2012, the levels came down but in 2013, there was more improvement as the pollution levels came further down,” said the Senior Engineer.

Ludhiana, October 21
Although a variety of firecrackers have flooded the local markets, shopkeepers are apprehensive of low sales this Diwali.

Gurdeep, who runs a stall at the cracker market at Dana Mandi, says with a couple of days to go for Diwali, they generally sell out most of the crackers and have to buy additional stocks.

But this year, about half of stocks of most cracker sellers is yet to be sold, added Gurdeep.

The sales are slow because more and more people are deciding to go for an eco-friendly or greener Diwali, said Gaurav, another seller. It is the impact of increased awareness against firecrackers, he says.

Now, people want crackers that create lesser noise, says Gurdeep.

This is the reason why the pollution-free ‘dolas’ are much in demand this year, he says.

“With schools holding awareness campaigns in and around the region on a pollution-free Diwali, our children have stopped demanding crackers,” says Taranjit Singh, a resident. 

Jagraon, October 21
The Jagraon police observed Commemoration Day today to remember the martyrs of the Police Department. Several senior officials of the Police Department, including Jagraon SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar, Jagraon DSP Surinder Kumar, SP (Headquarter) Bahadar Singh Saggu and DSP, Raikot, Satnam Singh Bains paid homage to the martyrs of the Police Department during a function organised at Police Lines, Jagraon.

SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar said the police officials who laid down their lives while performing their duties is a great source of inspiration for all the police officials.

“We salute the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs for the sake of their fellow countrymen,” said SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar.

Jagraon MLA SR Kaler also paid tributes to the martyrs. While speaking during the occasion, Kaler said, “The martyrs who laid down their lives to protect our countrymen from internal as well as external forces have played a great role in maintaining national integrity besides cementing the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood.”

The family members of the martyr cops were also present during the occasion.

SSP Brar and MLA Kaler jointly felicitated the family members of the martyrs. Later on, SSP Brar also listened to the grievances of the family members of martyrs and assured them of resolving their problems on priority basis.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 21
The Panjab University Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival at GHG Khalsa College, Sadhar, witnessed excellence in folk arts and creativity today.

Jagraon, October 21
Sidhwan Educational Institutions celebrated their Foundation Day in the memory of Bhai Narain Singh, Mata Ram Kaur and Bibi Harparkash Kaur, who devoted their lives to the cause of women education in the rural areas.

Dr Harshinder Kaur, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Dr Harshinder Kaur, who was declared Woman of the Year 2012 by the UNO, paid rich homage to all the three personalities who played significant role in setting up Sidhwan Educational Institutions. She also appreciated the efforts being made by the institution for imparting education to women in rural areas.

After the commencement of bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, students recited shabad kirtan.

On the occasion, scholarships were also awarded to the meritorious students for their excellent performances in academic, sports and religious activities.

The principal of the GHG Harparkash College of Education for Women, Dr Baljeet Kaur Gill, thanked the chief guest. In the end, guru ka langar was served to all those present.

Ludhiana, October 21
Staff of the Excise and Taxation Department today confiscated 125 parcels from the railway station. The parcels, which were dispatched without bills, were unloaded at the local railway station from Janta Express coming from Delhi.

The parcels were being shifted on carts through escape routes when the team of the department noticed them. The raid was conducted on the directions of the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Randhir Kaur.

Excise and Taxation Officer Manmohan Singh said the parcels were unloaded from the Janta Express coming from Delhi and these were without bills. “All the 125 parcels have been confiscated by the department. These contained decorative lights, garments and other retail goods. The approximate value of the goods is around Rs 10 lakh. The exact value will be ascertained after their verification,” he said.

Meanwhile, the department has intensified vigil at the city railway station ahead of Diwali and put up barriers at the escape routes.

The raiding team consisted of ETO Manmohan Singh, ETO Narjit Singh and Inspector Amit Garg.

Ludhiana, October 21
The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) today sold two booth sites, two flats and two residential plots in different localities through public auction for Rs 2.63 crore at a premium of around 12 per cent over their reserve price.

The auction proceedings were conducted by GLADA estate officer RK Popli under the supervision of additional chief administrator Kuldeep Singh. In all, 22 bidders took part in the auction after having deposited eligibility fee of Rs 1 lakh for booth sites, Rs 2.5 lakh for residential flats and residential plots.

Two booth sites with an area of 22.69 square yards each in Sector 32-A on Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road were sold for Rs 1.74 lakh and Rs 1.47 lakh per square yard, respectively, as against their reserve price of Rs 1,36,112 per square yard.

Two residential flats (2 BHK) in Dugri Phase II were sold for Rs 32.6 lakh and Rs 30 lakh against their reserve price of a little over Rs 26.28 lakh each.

Similarly, two residential plots measuring 305.85 and 237.5 square yards in Sector 39-A on Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road attracted a bid of Rs 23,500 per square yard, marginally above their reserve price which stood at Rs 22,512 per square yard.

In the offer document, GLADA had intended to put 74 sites and properties – 45 commercial and 29 residential, under the hammer at today’s auction. However, bids were offered for only two booth sites, two built-up flats and two residential plots.

Among the sites and properties which found no buyers were three shop-cum-offices (SCOs), five shop-cum-flats (SCFs) and 15 booth sites in Sector 32-A, three SCFs and 17 booth sites in Dhandari Kalan, six residential plots in Dugri Phase II, nine residential plots in Sectors 38-39, one partially built-up HIG flat in Sector 40 and nine residential plots in Sector 39-A.

Ludhiana, October 21
The Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BHAVADAS) has asked for immediate stopping of disrespectful propaganda against the Valmiki community on the Internet. A meeting of members of the samaj in this regard was held at the Circuit House here today which was well attended by them.

Ashwani Sahota, a senior member of BHAVADAS, said on October 17, they got an FIR registered under Sections 295 A and 66 A of the Technology Act, 2000, in which objections were raised against a few sites, which were doing disrespectful propaganda against Valmikis.

Sahota said a delegation would also meet the Home Minister and Information Broadcasting Minister in New Delhi over the matter.

They said it was unfortunate that certain sites and blogs used derogatory words against Lord Valmiki. A bad picture of Lord Valmiki was being portrayed on the Internet which cast a bad impact on the minds of the youngsters and.

They added that if such acts were not curbed, they would be forced to protest.

Ludhiana, October 21
Having a reputation of being a tough cop, the Police Commemoration Day saw a humane side of Police Commissioner of Police Pramod Ban.

The top police personnel spend nearly over an hour with the families of martyrs who were expressing their grouse against the “bureaucratic red-tapism” of the department.

From walking down to asking about the health of elderly women, to addressing various issues encountering the families of martyrs, Ban gave a patient hearing to every family member of the martyr.

He also dwelled on the technical aspect which was posing a hurdle for the family members of martyr in getting jobs in police.

Ban also suggested a way and directed the officers in the department to speed up the process for their recruitment.

Earlier in the day, a parade was held in which contingents of the Punjab Police, led by ACP (North) Dharuv Dahiya took salute to the martyrs. A police band also performed.

Jaskirat Singh, Assistant Commissioner Police (Headquarters), Ludhiana, read over the names of police martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of nation during September 1, 2013, till August 2014.

Presiding over the function, the Commissioner of Police lauded the sacrifice of brave men and their families for restoring peace in the state that was once reeling under the dark days of militancy.

Ludhiana, October 21
Soon after the state government dropped the much-hyped Integrated Park and Water front City project citing paucity of funds with the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), another project for the proposed development of the urban estate at Sahnewal, it seems, has met a similar end.

With the notification issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, with the intent of acquisition of 1125.42 acre land having lapsed due to the delay in pronouncement of the award, the project has practically been abandoned for the time being.

Confirming the news, Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, A Venu Prasad, said the formal decision to this effect would be conveyed to GLADA authorities soon.

With this, the proposed expansion of Ludhiana airport has also been stalled as the proposed Sahnewal Urban Estate project had envisaged the transfer of nearly 300 acre land to the Department of Civil Aviation for the extension of the existing runway and creation of necessary infrastructure at the airport.

As per the notification issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, on June 5, 2013, the integrated urban estate at Sahnewal was to be developed at a total area of 1,125.42 acre. It was to have a dedicated industrial park, commercial pockets and residential areas.

The initial layout plan had envisaged the acquisition of land falling in villages, including Gobindgarh (117.31 acre), Khakat (122.213 acre), Nandpur (165.913 acre), Pava (5.262 acre), Sahnewal Kalan-I (119.3 acre), Sahnewal Kalan-II (117.825 acre), Mangli Neechi (26.094 acre) and Mangli Unchi (415.8375 acre). Sources in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, as well as GLADA indicated that while the Sahnewal Urban Estate project had practically been dropped in entirety basically due to resource crunch with GLADA and also due to legal implication of the notification having lapsed, the state government might go ahead with necessary action to acquire just about 300 acre land for the expansion of Ludhiana airport as a face-saving measure. However, even if the proposal for the land acquisition for the airport matures in the due course, the whole exercise of issuing notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act and subsequently carrying out a survey would have to be carried out afresh, sources said.

Ludhiana, October 21
A technical team deputed by the Principal Secretary, Governance Reforms, visited the Suvidha Centre sin Ludhiana today to assess the server-related problems.

Ludhiana Tribune in its news item “Suvidha Centre server tests visitors’ patience” published on Tuesday highlighted how the work had come to a standstill at various counters of the Suvidha Centre at the mini secretariat yesterday.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said: “The Chief Secretary issued the orders taking the note of the news carried in The Tribune today. The team discussed corrective measures to remove peak load-performance issues in the system. They said technical glitches would be removed in the next two weeks.”

Staff members of the Suvidha Centre apprised them of the problems being faced by them in operating the system.

As services for the system are hosted at the state data centre in Chandigarh, the technical team is already working to analyse the glitches which occasionally occur during peak load hours.

The team spent the entire day at the Suvidha Centre and observed that the system was functioning properly and citizens were being delivered hassle-free services.

Ludhiana, October 21
A 49-year-old patient (hospital unit no C-7496037) admitted to the Christian Medical College and Hospital here needs financial help. He was admitted to the hospital on August 25 and had underwent a surgery in the form of anterior cervical corpectomy (C6 level) and at present admitted to the Neurosurgery ICU and requires intermittent ventilatory support.

The approximate total cost of treatment, hospital stay and medicines will be Rs 5 lakh. The patient’s relatives are struggling hard to meet the treatment expenses. The Christian Medical College and Hospital has made an open appeal to all generous citizens to come forward and donate for the cause. Persons interested in making donations can call at 0161–5026999.

If the land is given on lease, one gets Rs 40,000 per acre, per year, as rental income. Even the finest poplar wood is sold for Rs 5 kg only, he added. Treasurer Dr Jagvinder Singh said the Punjab Plywood Factories are cheating the farmers by paying them Rs 100, Rs 150 per quintal, less in comparison to Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. He said if the state government and the factory owners do not pay attention to the farmers’ woes, then farmers will stop sowing poplar, which would, resultantly, affect plywood industry as well.— TNS