Ludhiana, November 5
At least 40 office-bearers of the Ludhiana District Congress Committee today tendered their resignations to the party President Sonia Gandhi, protesting against the "arbitrary and uncalled for" expulsion of the former district president Pawan Dewan and four block presidents.

In a letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, the office-bearers urged her to revoke the decision as it had not only set a "bad precedent" but also "demoralised" the rank and file of the party across Punjab.

They said it was quite surprising that the Pradesh Congress Committee President Partap Singh Bajwa had to resort to such "desperate measures to assert his authority". They claimed since Bajwa had "failed to assert his authority in strengthening and stabilising" the party, he was now trying to "misuse" it against the district and block presidents who had only disagreed with him.

The office-bearers urged her to replace Bajwa at the earliest as otherwise the party might go the UP and Bihar way in Punjab also. They said Bajwa had failed to carry along the people.

Among those who tendered their resignations today were district office-bearers and ward presidents. They include Balwinder Singh Bedi, Inderjeet Tony Kapoor, Navneesh Malhotra, Sunny Kainth, Dr Omkar Chand Sharma, Gopal Kishen Garg, Sanjeev Sood, Ravinder Arora, Vinod Kumar Pammi, Harbhagat Singh Grewal, Rohit Pahwa, Sunil Mehkik, Ramesh Handa, Rajesh Soni, Amritpal Singh, Jasbir Gill, Sanjeev Sehgal, Amandeep Singh, Madan Lal Madhu, Rajneesh Chopra, Narender Singh Sra, Harjinder Singh Om, Kamal Kishen Sharma, Avtar Singh Kanda, Bahadur Singh Ryat, Sunil Shukla, Praveen Sharma, Sadhu Ram Singhi, Daljeet Rai Bhardwaj, Mani Bhagat, Lakhbir Chand, Bodh Raj, Pawan Shukla, Gian Chand, Baljinder Singh, Gaurav Chopra and others. Meanwhile, Maninder Pal Singh Teetu, who claimed to be the DCC Ludhiana Urban vice-president, has shot off a letter to Sonia Gandhi, urging her to replace Bajwa. In the letter, he claims that Bajwa is facing rebellion from the party workers across the state.

Slam PPCC chief for ‘misuse of power’
They claimed since Bajwa had "failed to assert his authority in strengthening and stabilising" the party, he was now trying to "misuse" it against the district and block presidents who had only disagreed with him.

Ludhiana, November 5
The fund crunch has brought the Mata Kaushalya Kalyan Scheme to a standstill as beneficiaries have not been given cheques for the past one month. A notice displayed at the Civil Hospital says: “No cheques are being given”.

The scheme, started by the Punjab Government, was aimed at promoting safe deliveries and minimising child and mother mortality rate. Under this scheme, each mother is given Rs 1,000, along with Rs 200 as transportation charges. An additional Rs 600 and Rs 700 are given to women from below poverty line families and those from the reserved categories (urban and rural areas).

The money is to be given to a patient on the day of her discharge from the hospital. Approximately 20 deliveries are done every day at the Civil Hospital. Last month, 490 deliveries were done but no beneficiary was given cheques by the authorities concerned.

“I have been doing rounds of the hospital for the past one month to get the cheque, but in vain. Every time I come here, I am asked to come back after a few days,” said Karamjit Kaur.

Ashok Kumar, who was accompanying his wife, had to return empty-handed once again. “I think we will end up spending Rs 1,000 on travelling, equivalent to the amount we are to get under the scheme. Today, the hospital authorities have pasted a notice outside the ward that says cheques are not available. Only God knows when we will get the money,” he said.

One of the staff nurses at the gynaecology ward said people were coming every day to get their cheques and they would argue with us when we told them to come again. “Now, we have put up a notice outside the ward, announcing that cheques are not available,” she added.

Senior Medical Officer RK Karkara said they had not received money while a budget had been sent to the department concerned. “Payments have been pending since last month. Approximately 500 deliveries were done and Rs 5 lakh is to be disbursed among the beneficiaries. We have not got money under this scheme for the past some time. We have exhausted all funds lying with us. We have written to the department and waiting for the budget money to arrive,” said Dr Karkara.

Ludhiana, November 5
The wait for allottees of 114 residential plots, measuring 125 square yards each at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony, developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), seems unending. Even after more than two years after the draw of lots were conducted to finalise the allotment, physical possession of the plots have not been given to them as the resolution (no. 59) adopted by the LIT in this regard in October 2013, is yet to be approved by the state government.

The affected allottees have, in the meantime, moved every quarter concerned, including Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Local Government Minister Anil Joshi, Principal Secretary (Local Government) Ashok Kumar Gupta, the Director (Local Government) and senior officials of the LIT, to seek possession of the plots.

In fact, these 114 allottees have been kept waiting for more than 30 years as originally they had deposited earnest money for allotment of plots in 1982. A draw was held and plots were allotted to them in 1999, but they were not handed over the plots at that time since the land in question was acquired for the City Centre project of the Trust, which was subsequently abandoned.

Devinder Rehan, Rajinder Singh, Ranjit Singh and other allottees said after waiting for more than 20 years for allotment of alternative plots, they had finally sought relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “It was on the directions of the court that two draw of lots were conducted in September and October 2012 for allotment of alternative plots to us,” they said.

However, the hopes of the allottees to get residential plots were dashed as the Local Government department has since been sitting over the resolution adopted by the Trust for confirmation of the draw of lots. “The Trust can issue allotment letters and hand over plots to the allottees only after the resolution is approved by the Local Government Department, which is a statutory requirement,” said an official of the LIT.

Rehan and other allottees said they would meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the next couple of days to apprise him with their problem and seek justice. “A contempt petition for not carrying out the directions of the HC is also pending against the state government,” they added.

Talking to The Tribune, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, said the matter was being examined and a decision on the pending resolution of the LIT would be taken soon.

Ludhiana, November 5
After unsuccessful attempts to either get a convincing reply from hospitals or make them provide enough parking space on their premises, the Municipal Corporation authorities have served a second reminder to them. These hospitals have violated the parking norms.

The notices were issued by the ATP of Zone D SS Bindra recently. The hospitals and private nursing homes have been given 15 days’ time to earmark parking space at their respective premises as per the MC rules. In case, they failed to do so, action as per the MC rules will be taken against them.

Prior to the second reminder (notice) served on the hospitals and private nursing homes, the authorities had served notices on them and given them three months’ time to submit their replies. But the hospital authorities, who are well aware of the lackadaisical approach of the MC, did not bother about paying attention to the notices. Neither did they earmarked parking space nor submitted their replies to the MC.

In fact, the doctors seem not much bothered about the issue as they felt the civic body’s demand was “unjustified”. They said after decades of practice, it was not possible for them to provide parking space on their premises now. One of the leading doctors said a few months ago, they had met Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria. They told him that since the areas adjoining nursing homes and hospitals were not for sale now, providing parking space at their premises was not viable.

Meanwhile, Bindra, who has been transferred to Zone C, said: “I am going to take strict action against the hospitals in Zone C if violations are not removed. They have to adhere to the corporation’s directions on parking,” said Bindra.

Ludhiana, November 5
An illegal structure was demolished by the building branch, Zone D, at Model Town here today. The ATP concerned, SS Bindra, said a structure raised by Friends Medical Hall was demolished as it was being constructed in violation of the building bylaws.

Bindra said earlier, there were two shops at the site, which were demolished as the site falls in the residential area. Then the owner got the building map of a residence approved.

An RTI activist filed a complaint, following which the building branch officials inspected the construction site and found violations. “Today, we demolished the construction. Unless an affidavit by an Executive Magistrate is submitted, we will not let any construction take place at the site,” said Bindra.

Ludhiana, November 5
This year’s Inter-College Youth Festival of Punjab Agricultural University is in the news for a unique effort of students. The Social Workers Association, a body of the PAU students, has been raising funds for thalassaemic patients during the youth festival.

The association, led by Gurshaminder Singh, a student of BSc (Agriculture), has put up charity stall, “Gift of Hope”, near the open air theatre of the PAU for helping thalassaemic children. The entire earning of this stall selling eatables will be used for the treatment of such patients. The students have also kept donation boxes for visitors.

Established in 2011, the association helps the needy patients suffering with chronic diseases. At present, it has been focusing on helping thalassaemic patients.

“Last year, we organised a blood donation camp on the PAU campus. The doctors from the DMCH tested the blood samples of 15% of the blood donors and found many were suffering from minor thalassaemia. So, we decided to make students as well as the public aware about it. Under the guidance of Dr Anil Sharma, Assistant Director, TV and Radio Communication, PAU, we have adopted four children, who have been suffering from major thalassaemia,” said Gurshaminder Singh.

The association provides financial aid, bears expenses on investigation testing and arrange blood for five-year-old Khushi, 14-year-old Shiv Kumar, 12-year-old Siti Kumar and 12-year-old Rohit. Association members arrange one unit of blood for each student after every 20 days.

The association has 17 executives and 995 students, teachers and employees of the PAU associated with it. In the past three years, it has organised four blood camps and one free eye checkup camp.

“We conduct blood donation camps twice a year. To make the students aware of minor thalassaemia, we conducted an awareness lecture by experts from the DMC Hospital a few months ago,” said Gurshaminder Singh.

The association motivates students and the masses for the thalassaemia screening.

The association will hold a mega thalassaemia screening and blood donation camp on November 19. The students, including Gurpreet Singh Gogi, Kunal Singla, Gagandeep Singh Aulakh, Sumita Bhaala, Alokika and Jagreet Singh Virk, manage the food stall.

Ludhiana, November 5
The unearthing of fake molestation complaint case racket has brought to the fore some startling facts.

It has come to light that the police, including high-rank officials, were reluctant to take action against tainted advocate ND Sharma and his accomplices due to the fear that they may also get implicated in some false case.

ND Sharma and his accomplices have dragged the names of 24 innocent officials, who simply refused to take action on his fake complaints, into the legal mesh.

The officials, who resisted several forms of legal pressure from advocate Sharma, rank from the DC, Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of police, ADCPs, DSP and right down to five SHOs and one PWD official. There are other low-rung officials who are not officially named, but have faced the same nuisance from ND Sharma.

Joginder Miglani, on whose complaint the case was registered, said after running from pillar to post for over a year, he had almost lost hope, before he met Commissioner of Police Pramod Ban.

Before the Commissioner, the then ADCP, Swapan Shamra, had conducted a probe into the matter and filed a report directing legal action against Sharma and his accomplices.

The Commissioner, who was instrumental in bringing the case to light, directed his officials to conduct a free and fair probe.

Joginder, who has been implicated in 40 molestation cases filed by Kulwinder Kaur and her daughter Prabhjot Kaur, said, “Every morning, I along with Perminder Singh, who is also facing the same amount of cases, used to visit the courts complex to find out whether any new cases have come up against us. After that we would do a round of police stations to pursue our complaints. Our work had taken a complete setback and life had turned into a hell.”

Joginder added he was not alone. ND Sharma and his accomplices had not even spared an 85-year-old war hero Bhupinder Singh and implicated him in a false molestation case.

“Although justice was delayed, it was not denied. The action has restored out faith in police and the legal system,” said Miglani.

Jagraon, November 5
The Lions Club, Midtown, Jagraon, took out a cycle rally to create awareness against the drug menace in the town today.

A large number of students from the Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College of Education for Women, Kamalpura, and Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Jagraon, took part in the rally.

Sukhdev Garg, president of the club, flagged off the rally. The cycle rally started from the campus of Khalsa Senior Secondary School and passed through Kamal Chowk, Sadan Market, Rani Jhansi Chowk, Tehsil Road, Railway Road and Lajpat Rai Road and concluded at Khalsa Senior Secondary School.

The students taking part in the cycle rally were carrying placards with messages against drug addiction.

Garg said the motive behind organising the rally was to create awareness among the masses against drugs.

“The menace of drug addiction has ruined the lives of thousands of youths. The objective of the rally was to create awareness among people about the ill-effects of drugs. There is a need for creating awareness to eradicate the evil. Every section of society should make combined and continuous efforts to wipe out this peril from society,” said Garg.

Other members of the club, including principal Charanjit Singh Bhandari, Amrit Goyal, Rakesh Jain, Manohar Singh and Vinod Kumar Dua, and prominent persons of Jagraon were among others present.

Ludhiana, November 5
The Association of Computer Entrepreneurs held a demonstration against online shopping, here, at Kochar Market. The members opposed the wrong policies of companies due to which retailers had to suffer huge losses.

Deepak, an office-bearer of the association, said customers were getting discounted rates on online shopping sites whereas we could not afford to give them heavy discounts as policies of companies were different for online purchases and retailers.

“We are suffering due to the wrong policies of companies. Either they should stop providing discounts on online sites or they must provide us such profit margins,” he said.

The members of the association took a march and met company dealers and submitted a memorandum to them.

They also went to the Sales Tax Department to submit the memorandum.

They alleged that their businesses had witnessed a downfall of about 40 per cent due to the same.

Ludhiana, November 5
The parents of two Dalit brothers who were allegedly killed by a SAD leader during a fake police encounter on September 27 visited the office of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP-IV) Satvir Atwal.

Satpal Singh, father of victims Harinder and Jatinder, demanded the arrest of the then SHO, Machhiwara, Manjinder Singh.

“I fail to understand why they are not arresting Manjinder. The police are also not letting us meet Simran, the owner of the house in whose presence the murder took place. I want to listen from her what had happened on that fateful day,” said Satpal.

Ludhiana, November 5
Rough estimates state that there are more than 5 lakh migrants (from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand) in the city.

The city, where prices of land are sky-rocketing and rental accommodations are expensive, “vehras” (small, dingy rooms in different areas constructed to cater to the migrant population by city residents) remain the only option.

The residents have built rooms in three-storeyed buildings at Sherpur, Giaspura, Dhandari, Dholewal, Jalandhar Bypass, Janakpuri and Vijay Nagar near the level crossing.

Most of the vehras are located on the outskirts. On an average, three to four persons share a room.

For 24 migrants, there are three toilets. The migrants are paying anything up to Rs 1,000.

Sanjay Kumar, a native from Bihar, residing in Vijay Nagar near the level crossing, said he was paying Rs 700 as rent and the room was being shared by four persons. “Two toilets are there for over 20 persons and one has to wait in queue to use it,” said Sanjay.

Most vehras being run by politicians/councillors

A majority of the vehras have been constructed by politicians and councillors. Around most of the vehras, grocery stores have been opened by owners. At a few places, shop owners collect rents and hand it over to the landlord on a monthly basis. As these vehras belong to the influential, the migrants do not dare to go against the owners even if they face problems such as water scarcity, lack of toilets, no ventilation and unhygienic surroundings.

Awareness being created

“I share my room with just one person. In case, we face any problem, we bring it to the notice of the landlord. We are paying for the accommodation and we have the right to ask for basic facilities”, said Farukh, a native from Bihar.

No records maintained

The worst part is there are no records pertaining to the vehras or tenants. Parminder Mehta, spokesperson for Congress councillors, said there was no check on occupants and no records were maintained. “Anyone can take the room on rent. The authorities need to keep a check on the vehras.

Houses being converted into vehras

Owners have started converting their houses into vehras. With a few alterations, rooms are given on rent to the migrants.

Ludhiana, November 5
Deepak Hospital has got a clean chit in connection with the BMW accident that took place on October 25.

Anyone willing to contribute can contact the paediatrics department, CMCH (0161-5026999/ email: care@cmcludhiana.in). Cheques or DD can be sent in favour of “Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Society” payable at Ludhiana. Behind the cheque, write “For treatment of Krishna, hospital unit No. C 7549903”. — TNS

Ludhiana, November 5
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) hired a private security firm for the surveillance at the entry gates of the university. The firm would provide 15 guards to the PAU.

According to information, 12 private guards have joined the duty a day before yesterday.

Initially, the PAU authorities have deputed these private guards at the entry gate No. 2 to keep a vigil on the outsiders. The PAU has hired this private security under some policy of the state government.

Officer-bearers of the PAU Non-Teaching Employees Union, said: “More than 60 posts of the security personnel in the PAU are vacant. The university is having 50 security guards on permanent rolls and 92 daily wagers (contractual) for handling the security on the campus”.

The contractual security guards and PAU Non-Teaching Employees Union opposed the decision of the university authorities to hire private security. The existing guards rue that instead of hiring new staff, their services should be regularised.

Harbans Singh Mundi, president, Non-Teaching Employees Union, said: “We oppose the privatisation of the security department of university. Private firms can’t be alternative to regular staff. The authorities should recruit security personnel on a regular basis”.

“There are some contractual workers who have been working for the past 10 years as daily wagers. Their jobs should be regularised on a priority basis. The workers are overburdened as the number of buildings and students has been increasing. How they can work if the authorities will not pay them good salaries? The university should recruit the employees on a regular basis”, said Mundi.

“We have been working from several years on low salaries with a hope that the university will regularise our jobs. But the university found a way to neglect our services. It is unfair,” said a daily wager security guard.

Dr Prabjot Singh Sandhu, security officer, PAU, said: “As many as 12 security personnel have joined the duty, while others will join soon. We have deputed them on the gates to learn the system. After training, we will give them some other tasks”.

Ludhiana, November 5
The Inter-College Youth Festival at Punjab Agricultural University concluded with the performances of folk dance items here today. The dance events kept the audience spellbound at the Open Air Theatre of the PAU.

The students displayed their theatrical skills during one-act play, mime and mimicry events held yesterday evening.

Dr Om Gauri Dutt Sharma, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar, was the chief guest, while Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, presided over the function in the evening.

Dr Om Gauri Dutt Sharma, a PAU alumnus, said: “The university has earned recognition for producing great scientists, sportspersons and artists across the country and the world.”

The theatrical events presented a true picture of society, he said adding that students had enacted extremely well in all events. The audience must learn a lesson from these events for peaceful society.

He asked the youths to have strong determination and work hard in order to achieve success in life.

Dr Dhillon urged the students to work with dedication and carve a niche in diverse fields.

“Our alumni have bagged honours across the globe,” he said.

Results

Mime: 1 College of Agricultural Engineering; 2 College of Basic Sciences; and 3 College of Home Science

One-Act Play: 1 College of Agriculture; 2 College of Basic Sciences; and 3 College of Home Science

Best Actor (male): Narjit Singh (College of Agricultural Engineering)

Best Actor (female): Silika Gupta (College of Basic Sciences)

Mimicry: 1 Karamjit Singh (College of Agricultural Engineering; 2 Amandeep Talwar (College of Agriculture); and 3 Dipanshu (College of Agriculture)

Jagraon, November 5
The Ludhiana Group of Colleges, Chaukimann near Jagraon, organised a star evening with Popular Punjabi singer Ammy Virk yesterday.

Vice-Chairman of the college Surinderpal Singh Sachdeva was the chief guest on the occasion, while renowned author Kunda Singh Dhaliwal was the guest of honour.

Kunda Singh Dhaliwal said extracurricular activities hold uttermost importance for students.

Surinderpal Singh Sachdeva advised the students to draw inspiration and benefit themselves from the rich educational environment of the institution in order to attain excellence in the field of education.

Following this, singer Ammy Virk enthralled the students with his popular Punjabi numbers. A lot of enthusiasm was witnessed among the students during the function.

Later, the college management felicitated guest of honour Kunda Singh Dhaliwal. College Director JK Chawla extended a vote of thanks to all guests. — OC

Ludhiana, November 5
The second day of the 5th Youth Festival of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) today witnessed clay modelling, photography, collage-making and rangoli-making competitions.

Dr Darshan Singh Barhi, organising secretary of the festival, said topics for clay modelling were “Punjabi Culture” and “Movement of Jung-e-Azadi”.

In photography competition, the topics were ‘Colour of Life’ and ‘Best of GADVASU’. For collage making, the topics were ‘Natural Disaster’ and ‘Any Festival’.

Dr Sushil Prabhakar, Controller of Examinations, was the chief guest for the morning session, while Dr SNS Randhawa, Director of Research, was the chief guest in the afternoon session. Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Director Students Welfare, PAU, was the chief guest in the evening session.

In all competitions, colleges of the university - College of Veterinary Science, College of Dairy Science and Technology, College of Fisheries - School of Animal Biotechnology, participated along with affiliated colleges, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, and Veterinary Polytechnic, Kaljharani.

The students presented their best during the competitions. The onlookers appreciated the efforts made by the students on all topics.

Dr NK Sood, president, Dance Drama and Music Club, said installation, debate, elocution, creative writing, extempore, poetic recitation and has ras poem competitions would be held on November 6 at Student Home, Punjab Agricultural University.

Jagraon, November 5
An extension lecture on ‘Career Opportunities in Journalism’ was organised at Lajpat Rai DAV College today.

Dr Harjinder Singh Walia, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Punjabi University, Patiala, was the resource person during the extension lecture organised by the Career Counselling and Guidance Cell of the college. College Principal Dr Karan Sharma welcomed the resource person and other dignitaries.

A large number of students were present during the occasion. All students keenly listened to the views expressed by the resource person.

Dr Harjinder Walia threw light on various career opportunities in the field of journalism. He told the students that any student who had completed graduation in any stream could pursue career in journalism after doing diploma or degree course in journalism and mass communication.

He also informed the students about various types of media such as print media, radio, electronic media, cyber media, etc, during the occasion. — OC

Ludhiana, November 5
Office-bearers of the Class IV Government Employees Union, Punjab, today alleged that the principal of the Government College for Girls had been harassing Class IV employees of the college.

Jora Singh, president of the Class IV Government Employees Union, said they wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner about the attitude of the principal.

Gurminder Kaur, principal of the college, denied the allegations and said the union members and the employees were harassing her.

The principal said the union activists had been persuading her to do some work, which was in violation of the rules.

Office-bearers of the union alleged that the principal had sacked two employees from the college and did not pay their dues.

Amarjeet Singh, general secretary of the union, said the principal was reshuffling the employees from one department to another to harass them and marked the absentees of the employees present on duty.

The union activists staged a protest around a week ago. Now, they have decided to start a hunger strike against the principal.

Gurminder Kaur said: “The union is pressuring me to do some, which is in violation of the rules. I did not harass any one of them. I am authorised to dismiss the services any of the daily wagers. We have hired two workers for the youth festival. After the festival, we dismissed their services. The employees who don’t want to work create nuisance. If they want any inquiry against me, I am ready to face it. I will ask the employees to work and I will not go against the rules”.

Ludhiana, November 5
An “International School on One Health: Integrated view on infectious Diseases, Food Safety and Zoonoses” was inaugurated at the School of Public Health and Zoonoses, GADVASU, here today.

Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, inaugurated this event and said the use of ‘One Health’ concept had ushered new hopes for resurrection of Veterinary Public Health in India.

The ‘One Health’ concept assumes huge significance in developing countries such as India.

He informed the audience that the lack of an integrated approach between medical, veterinary and environmental health agencies was the major hindrance to solve the complex problems affecting human, animal and environmental health. In the modern era, zoonotic infections and epidemics could only be averted through combined efforts of medical and veterinary scientists.

He said interdisciplinary approach would definitely provide an answer to these highly integrated public health issues.

He said diseases like Ebola, rabies, tuberculosis, SARS, avian influenza and anthrax required a joint approach of different disciplines.

Dr JPS Gill, organising secretary of the event, and Director, School of Public Health & Zoonoses, said this international event was being organised to discuss and promote the concept of “One Health”, which takes into account the combined health of humans, animals and environment. This event would focus on the issues of environmental pollutants, emerging infectious diseases and food safety issues. More than 100 international and national delegates are taking part in this mega event.

Dr Gill said hands-on training was imparted to participants on detection of antibiotic, pesticide and heavy metal residues, aflatoxins from food of animal origin especially milk, meat and their products. The participants were also provided hands-on training for diagnostics of infectious diseases such as brucellosis and rabies.

On this occasion, Dr Douglas Freeman, Dean, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, gave an insight view on the efforts being made at the international level to promote the idea of “One Health” across the globe.

Dr Baljit Singh, Associate Dean Research, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, discussed the ongoing collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and GADVASU.

Dr Hugh Townsend from Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organisation discussed with delegates about effective designing of research experiment for proper surveillance and epidemiological research.

Dr Gagandeep Singh, Head, Neurology, Dayanand Medical College, in his lecture gave emphasis on the role of sanitation and slaughter house hygiene practices to control the emergence of neurocyticercosis.

Dr Kamini Walia from the Indian Council of Medical Research gave an overview of the emergence of antibiotic resistance and role of government agencies to combat resistance.

Jagraon, November 5
Sidhwan Educational Institutions, near Jagraon, celebrated Gurpurb with a lot of devotion today.

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of Sikhs, was celebrated jointly by the Khalsa College for Women, GHG Institute of Law for Women, HGH Harparkash College of Education for Women, and Sikh Girls Senior Secondary School on the campus gurdwara.

After Bhog of Shri Akhand Path, a kirtan was recited to pay homage to the first Sikh Guru. The students and staff members listened to the shabad kirtan patiently.

The students of all four institutions run by the Sidhwan Education Trust recited poems, speeches and shabads relating to Guru Nanak Dev during the occasion.

Principal Dr Paramjit Kaur advised the staff members and the students to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev to make their lives better.

Trust president Dalbara Singh, secretary Surjit Singh, manager Kirpal Singh Bhattal, principal Dr Baljit Kaur, Dr SK Nayak, Gurinder Kaur and Satinderjit Kaur were also present during the occasion. Guru Ka Langar was also served to all at the end.

By this notice, the Punjab Government was again taking advance consumption deposit (ACD) of electricity from industrialists on the revised rate. The members said in 2011, the ACD was given by all industries for the consumption of electricity. Now again after 3 years, it had been revised i.e. Rs 6.33 per unit, which was shocking. If the advance consumption deposit was recovered this way, whenever the rate of electricity will increase the capital will go to the government in the form of advance deposit, which was totally wrong. It would create a problem for the owners to run the industries properly. The government had promised that in the advance consumption deposit, which was deposited in 2011, they would give an interest of 12 per cent. But till date, not a single payment was received by several industries. United Cycle Parts Manufacturers’ Association members protested against the problems faced by them. — TNS

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Phillaur, November 5
About six Scorpio vehicle-borne unidentified persons ransacked an electronics shop and set it on fire. They also tried to burn alive the shop owner, Vijay Kumar, at Apra village of the Phillaur sub-division today.

The miscreants set the shop afire after sprinkling petrol on it.

SHO, Phillaur, Harinder Gill, who rushed to the spot, said Vijay was also present at his shop during the incident. However, he escaped unhurt.

The police are investigating the matter. They did not rule out any possibility of personal enmity as the victim’s son Anil Kumar was arrested under Section 302, IPC (on murder charges). No arrest has been made so far.

Ludhiana, November 5
The three-day Reliance Foundation NBA Basketball Tournament began at Guru Nanak Stadium today. The NBA legend and three-time champion, Bruce Bowen from California (USA), was the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

Teams from different schools from across the state are competing in the 3x3 and 5x5 championship in the girls and boys sections during the tournament.

In the 3x3 girls U-13 section, Government School, Mall Road, Amritsar, got the better of Bhawn’s SL School, Amritsar, to advance into the next round. Earlier, Amritsar girls outplayed KVM, City campus, Ludhiana.

In the 5x5 (boys), Nav Bharti Public School, Ludhiana, along with KVM, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, Green Land School, Jalandhar bypass, Ludhiana, and Police DAV School, Amritsar, wrapped up their respective matches to enter the semifinals.

Nav Bharti Public School beat Shri Guru Har Kishan Public School, Ludhiana, while KVM outwitted Shri Guru Har Krishan School, Amritsar, Green Land School outnumbered DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, and Police DAV School defeated Government Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana.

In the girls’ section (5x5), Khalsa Girls School, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, beat Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, and Police DAV School, Ludhiana, outclassed Apeejay School, Jalandhar, while Government Girls School, Mall Road, Amritsar, pipped Doraha Public School, Doraha, to assure themselves berths in the last-four stage.