Ludhiana, November 12
Total transaction loss in Ludhiana district due to today’s bankers’ strike stands at Rs 500 crore. More than 60,000 cheques were not cleared due to the one-day nationwide strike of the public sector and old private sector banks.

Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Small Industries of India, said the government did not give salaries to the bank employees on the day of strike and similarly it should also waive one day’s interest on loan.

“While the government is saving its own money by not giving salaries to the striking employees, why should the public be at loss. On one hand the government is not able to handle its banking sector properly and on the other it is opening mass accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana,” said Jindal.

Akhilesh, a city-based hosiery manufacturer, said even the bank-to-bank online transactions were not done. “The banks should not stop online banking facilities,” he said.

In the evening, some of the ATMs also went dry. A security guard outside the ATM of one of the public sector banks said cash was not filled in the ATM today due to the strike. Many customers had to return empty-handed.

“I had come here to deposit the money urgently for one of my orders and on reaching the bank I found it closed. They should at least announce the strike in advance or put a notice, so that the public doesn’t have to suffer,” said Harish Verma, a city-based industrialist.

Ram Naresh, a migrant also had to return disappointed without making a transaction in a bank. “My father is ill back home and needs money urgently. I came to the bank to deposit money in his account. But on coming here, I found the bank branch closed. Now, I will have to wait for another day to deposit the money,” he said.

“While rounds of negotiations have taken place, there is no satisfactory progress in the talks because of the negative attitude of the Indian Bank Association (IBA) and the government,” added Gaur.

“The IBA is adamant. It refused to listen to our genuine demands in the recently held meeting and only appealed for the deferment of strike, but without any improvement in their offer. Thus, the conciliation meeting ended without any positive result. The callous attitude shown by the IBA has forced the UFBU to go ahead with its strike programme as also intensify the agitation,” said JP Kalra from the All-India Bank Officers’ Confederation.

Ludhiana, November 12
As part of the ongoing drive against traffic violators, the city police issued 350 challans across the city today. As the police drive has been focusing on the unauthorised auto-rickshaws, 20 autos were impounded and 73 challans.

The traffic police have set up 15 special nakas for the drive. As many as 87 challans were issued for speeding.

While 68 persons were challaned for not wearing helmets, 40 four-wheeler drivers were challaned for not wearing seat belt. Yesterday, the traffic police had issued challans to 13 persons for speeding and impounded 19 auto-rickshaws. Fortyfour auto drivers were issued challans.

Vinod Kumar, traffic in charge, said: “We are strict against the traffic violators. The special drive will continue.”

A large number of “jugaru” (unauthorised) auto-rickshaws have been plying on the city roads. The traffic police initiated a drive to curb the movement of such unauthorised auto-rickshaws.

In the wake of recent accidents due to speeding in which people had lost their lives, the police have gone tough on speeding.

“A number of residents have lost their lives due to speeding in the recent past. We keep a vigil on all roads to discourage speeding. None of the violators will be spared,” said Vinod Kumar, traffic in charge.

Ludhiana, November 12
It is an endless wait for old age pensioners and beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, who have been eagerly waiting for their pensions and wages, respectively, for the past more than 10 months.

Around 1.75 lakh old-age pensioners have not received their pension for the past five months. Kailash, a senior citizen, said: “We get a meagre amount under the old-age pension scheme. Only Rs 250 per month is given. Imagine, it is not even sufficient to pay one-time consultation fee of a doctor.”

The state government has not been able to pay this meagre amount to the beneficiaries for the past five months.

Gulzar Goriya, general secretary of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, said: “On one hand the government claims there is no financial crunch in the state, on the other even meager old age pension is not paid on time.”

A officer of the district administration said: “The state government has released the funds for the old-age pension scheme. We have sent online bills as also hardcopies of the bills to the treasury office. We are waiting for the clearance of these bills from the treasury and the bank.”

Not only the old-age pensioners but also the beneficiaries of the MGNREGA scheme have not received even a single penny since January 2014. There are 84,127 job card holders working under the MGNREGA scheme in Ludhiana district alone. A payment of Rs 2.64 crore is pending for the financial year 2013-2014. The beneficiaries did not get payment for January, February and March 2014. However, none of the beneficiaries has been paid even this financial year. An amount of Rs 9.85 crore is yet to be released for the disbursement of salaries.”

An employee of the district administration said: “Now, the funds from the Centre are transferred direct to the state government. The state government further transfers these funds to workers through the electronic funds management system.”

In October, the MGNREGA scheme employees went on a month-long strike to press for increments and early payment of pending wages. Goriya said many poor children had not even received scholarships for the past many months. To raise the case of students, MGNREGA scheme workers and old-age pensioners, a state-level rally will be held at Ludhiana on November 28.

Ludhiana, November 12
Four more patients today tested positive for dengue. With these fresh cases, the count of dengue patients diagnosed in the Ludhiana hospitals has reached to 191. But according to the figures provided by the Health Department, the spread of dengue is less severe this year as compared to last year.

“Till last December, the total patients diagnosed with dengue were 1,033. As compared to last year, the situation is under control this year. In December, the temperature will drop further and dengue cases will also decrease,” said the District Epidemiologist, Dr Anil Verma.

Ludhiana, November 12
Despite the launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign, the local railway station has not witnessed any major change in cleanliness. According to the railway officials, they have received Rs 4,00,000 extra for cleanliness this month. The authorities have got installed a few new dustbins on platform no. 1. So, only this platform is neat and clean. The remaining part of the station is yet to see any significant change as far as cleanliness is concerned.

The railway tracks no. 2 and 3, which receive maximum trains, are littered with filth. The workers deputed for cleaning the tracks hardly get the time to clean the tracks due to continuous movement of trains.

The filthy tracks are safe haven for rats. After the cementing of the track no. 5 and 6, the increasing number of rats could be controlled. However, in the absence of pest management, the rats can be seen even in offices at the station. The railway authorities have engaged a private contractor for the cleanliness of the tracks.

Accumulation of water at certain spots at the station is one of the major sanitation problems. There is no proper garbage dump. The heaps of garbage can be seen outside buildings.

During a visit to the station, it was observed that visitors were urinating in the open. There are no urinals outside the main building. The station has three urinals on platform no. 1 and in the circle area. The open yard between both entry gates is in a pitiable condition. One can’t bear stink passing the spot.

The visitors also face the problem of stray dogs at the station. The railway employees said in the absence of a boundary wall, it was difficult to check the stray dog menace. Sumittar Singh, a passenger, said: “Dogs can be seen roaming around on platforms and lying in offices too.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Nov 12
Farmers and traders of the area have demanded compensation for losses incurred by them due to delay in payment against paddy procured by government agencies. Organisations fighting for the rights of farmers have also threatened to launch an agitation in case the payment for the procured produce was delayed further.

Farmers, led by office-bearers of Punjab Kisan Sabha Baldev Singh Latala and Sikandar Singh Jartauli, alleged that a majority of the farmers had to suffer losses due to the delay in payment as they not only have to pay interest on bank loans but may have to forgo subvention and rebate, which is permissible on certain conditions only.

Cultivation of wheat crop for the next season has already been affected adversely due to the delay in preparation of fields and purchase of inputs, including seeds and fertilisers.

Fearing that further delay in payment might affect the yield of the next crop, Latala and Jartauli warned that they may resort to agitation.

Ludhiana, November 12
The recently held police-public meeting, in which a senior Akali Dal leader along with some party workers is learnt to have participated, has snowballed into a controversy. Even as the police is drawing flak for “politicising” its public meetings, ADCP-1 Joginder Singh said the police-public meeting was open to all and whosoever wanted to participate in it was welcome.

Interestingly, the Facebook page supposedly of the Shiromani Akali Dal Ludhiana (Urban 1) president, Madan Lal Bagga, reads: “Police-public meet specially organised for Ludhiana (Central) chaired by Madan Lal Bagga, president, SAD Ludhiana Urban.” The page also shares four pictures of the meeting.

The Congress Economic Cell Chief, Ishwarjot Cheema, said: “Two innocent Dalit brothers in Jamalpur were killed by a Jathedar in connivance with the police. It appears that the police officers have not learnt any lesson from the incident.” Cheema said the alleged “collusion” of the police officers with Jathedars was a serious issue. “The nexus is leading to increase in crime in the state. The menace needs to be plugged at the earliest,” he added. ADCP-1 Joginder Singh said the objective of the meeting was to address public grievances and it had no political agenda. He said any city resident could be part of the meeting. Baggacould not be contacted. 

Ludhiana, November 12
“Round Table India”, Ludhiana chapter, has extended help to the civic body for carrying out a 10-day cleanliness drive in Zone D.

While launching the drive under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the NGO today held a seminar which was attended by MC officials, including Pardeep Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.

Ayush Jain, manager of the NGO, said: “During the drive, we will urge residents to keep their surroundings clean. We will create awareness and visit 19 wards falling under Zone D. As many as 369 parks will be spruced up with the help of the residents.”

Appreciating the gesture, the MC Commissioner said, “Such initiatives yield good results. The residents and civic officials will work with dedication.” After the drive is over, awards will be given to the workers on November 23 at the Sarabha Nagar market.

Winner of the sanitation inter-ward competition will be felicitated. Prizes will be given to the best park management committee, best park management worker (supervisor and gardener), best zonal in charge and organisations contributing towards the beautification of the city. Ayush Jain said the NGO had been working since 1968. “It has carried out drives in 90 cities.

The organisation has 3,500 members and has spent an amount of Rs 139 crore on the construction of 4,865 classrooms in 1,757 schools.

Ludhiana, November 12
A state-of-the-art 100-bedded Mother Child Hospital will be opened soon.

The hospital has come up at a cost of Rs 17.5 crore and is located at Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital. Emergency health services will be provided to pregnant women.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said the hospital was fully air-conditioned and the Punjab Health Systems Corporation would deploy specialist gynaecologists and paediatric doctors.

“Pregnant women will be able to avail free healthcare services before and after the delivery for one year and in case of girl child, the facility will be provided for five years,” said the DC.

He said the hospital would be well-equipped, adding that tests such as X-rays, scans and ultrasound would be conducting at affordable prices. Besides, the hospital will also have an intensive care unit (ICU) and a special newborn care unit (SNCU), which will be instrumental in reducing the mother-child mortality rate during delivery.

There will be a blood bank, private rooms, a library, a waiting hall, food court, Internet, fax and fruit shops on the premises. The DC said another 30-bedded hospital was under construction on Chandigarh Road near Vardhman Mill.

Ludhiana, November 12
The first phase of the Save Punjab Campaign will be launched in five Assembly constituencies — Majitha, Qadian, Sannaur, Chabewal and Ludhiana (West).

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to the state in October, had announced the campaign.

MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu said door-to-door campaigns would be launched, adding that this would help them to know the ground reality.

Each volunteer will create a data base of the contacted family and will transmit it to the PPCC data centre. During the interaction, the volunteers will try to gather information about the causes pushing people into drug addiction and the Congress will try to create awareness. Congress AICC secretary Harish Chaudhary said the volunteers would cover each and every household.

The party held a workshop which was attended by Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Ishwarjot Cheema, chairman, PPCC economic cell, DCC president Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, councillors Balkar Singh Sandhu, Narinder Sharma, Sunny Bhalla, Sanjay Talwar, Maharaj Raji, Dr Jayparkaash and Mamta Sharma.

Ludhiana, November 12
To deal with the heavy rush of visitors, the Suvidha Centre authorities have asked employees working with other departments to join the centres.

Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said: “Nine employees working with the arms licence branch and the District Transport Office have been called back.”

Her said six contractual employees had been appointed. “Five are data entry operators while the sixth employee will work as the assistant,” he said.

Jarnail Singh, district system manager, Suvidha Centres, Ludhiana, said: “We have issued appointment letters to the employees. Soon, they will join us.”

There are 155 employees working in 25 Suvidha Centres in Ludhiana district. At the Mini-Secretariat, there are more than 40 counters where data entry operators provide services to the visitors.

Jarnail Singh said: “We received 1,500 applications at the counters and 500 at the other centres in the district.”

For arms licences, marriage registration, SC/BC certificates, birth and death certificates, affidavits, traffic challans, Aadhar cards, PAN cards and counter sign services, one can go to the Suvidha Centres.

Due to a snag in the server at Chandigarh, visitors used to face a lot of inconvenience.

The problem has been resolved now.

Ludhiana, November 12
A book on Punjabi poetry, titled ‘Raaz Mar Jaana’and penned by Dr RS Bhatia, was released here today.

In the book, the poet has touched the different facets of life, human beings and the Creator. Among those present on the occasion were Baljit Singh, Tarandeep Singh and Dr Rajbir Singh.

Meanwhile, a seminar, “Prawas Atte Vikas De Punjab Atte Punjabiyat Te Prabhav,’ was organised by “Meri Ma Boli Punjabi Adara” here. Many eminent personalities from different walks of life attended the seminar. 

Khamano, November 12
Several thinkers have demanded that the advertisements played during the screening of Chaar Sahibzaade, a religious film, should be religious and not of lower standard.

A number of people visit malls and cinemas to watch the emotional religious movie and term it very good. But people face an awkward situation when, while watching the movie along with their children and family members, B-grade advertisements are shown before the start of the film and during the interval.

Gurneet Singh Bhambri, Gurdeep Singh Chari, Jasmer Singh Badla, Inderjit Singh Romi, advocate Jaspreet Singh Kalalmajra, advocate Narinder Sharma Samrala and Vipan Kumar Biza highly appreciated the movie as it gave information about the history of Sikhism, especially the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. However, they say that they feel ashamed when trailers of other movies having obscene scenes or derogatory advertisements are shown. They demanded that during the screening of this religious movie, only advertisements that are clean or religious should be shown. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Nov 12
Leaders of various organisations, led by Darshan Singh Shivalik, the legislator from the Gill constituency, felicitated Manmohan Singh Pappu Kalakh, the newly appointed chairman of the Market Committee, Kila Raipur, during a function organised at the grain market in Kila Raipur village near here today.

Manmohan Singh assumed the charge of his office in the presence of hundreds of SAD activists. The chairman, Punjab Service Selection Board, and SAD district (rural) president, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, chaired the function while Cabinet Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal were guests of honour.

Addressing a mammoth gathering, SAD leaders, including legislator Manpreet Singh Ayali, reiterated the stand of the state government to continue its fight against corruption. The leaders called upon the rank and file of the administration to bring transparency in their routine work.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed chairman assured that the Market Committee would make all efforts to redress the grievances of farmers and commission agents. Zila Parishad vice-chairman Parminder Rangian, Punjab Agro former chairman Jagjit Singh 
Gungrana, MC vice-chairman Mohinder Singh Latala were among those present on the occasion. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Nov 12
Author and social activist Dr Rajinder Kaur Dhindsa, who participated in the World Alliance of Religious Peace (WARP) Summit held at Seoul in South Korea recently, says spreading awareness on causes and consequences of communal hatred by roping in educational institutes can do wonders. She plans to hold peace marches by students and children, debates, declamations and poetical recitation contests in association with the Rotary Club and NGOs in the area.

Maintaining that children participating in peace marches organised in Seoul had a great impact on all the delegates, Dhindsa said she has decided to rope in social, religious and educational organisations for holding awareness events, in which students will take part and elders will be present.

“Having observed that a majority of delegates attending the WARP meet were most impressed by children participating in the world event, I have decided to dedicate the rest of my life to create a path for everlasting peace among various communities by roping in students,” said Dhindsa while interacting with office-bearers of social organisations of the town, led by Social Welfare Organisation patron Tarsem Garg and Rotary Club president Lalit Kaura.

Referring to observations made at Seoul, Dhindsa said there was not a single delegate who was not moved with “We love peace” and “We want peace” slogans raised by children carrying banners and peace flags during the final phase of the summit.

Quoting contents of a research made by some Korean organisations, Dhindsa said at least 4,250 religions were being practised in the world and all of them advocated peace, though their symbols and rituals were diverse.

“Roars of lions and wars are not welcome always whereas tranquillity and dove representing peace are sought universally,” said Dr Dhindsa, maintaining that there was a dire need of making children and youth of all nations realise this truth.

Stressing on the need for organised efforts to spread teachings of Indian saints and Gurus among NRIs, Dr Dhindsa said sheer guidance by parents inspired children living outside India to learn more and more about their origin and cultural heritage.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 12
Laureates and thinkers of the region have urged writers and poets of the border state to focus their attention on restructuring of society based on love and without hatred.

Led by former director of Punjab Bhasha Vibhag Dr Bhagwant Singh, writers and poets regretted that commercialisation of publishing sector had resulted in a situation wherein readers had started shying away from books and journals.

Appreciating role played by Jago International in paving path for a crusade launched to spread awareness about causes and consequences of social evils, speakers said republished literature by prominent writers and poets had helped to rejuvenate cultural heritage of Punjab. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 12
The education department has geared up to embody students as ambassadors of Cleanliness Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendera Modi on the occasion of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, last month.

Birthday of first Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru, which falls on November 14, has been scheduled for the rechristening on commencement of Child Cleanliness Mission. The event will conclude on November 19—‘World Toilet Day’. Having recognised the role of students in making the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ a success, the education department has announced to launch Child Cleanliness Mission (Bal Swachhata Mission) on the Children Day.

Director General School Education GK Singh has directed heads of all government and private schools to motivate students of their respective organisations to maintain cleanliness at their schools, homes and surroundings.

“Students should be motivated to keep cleanliness at their schools, houses and surrounding so that they can act as ambassadors of cleanliness in the society,” reads the communiqué circulated by the office of DGSE among heads of all schools of the region. Krishana Devi and Balwinder Singh Grewal, principal, Government Senior Secondary Schools, Bilasapur and Dehlon, respectively, said they had advised in-charges of various classes to persuade students of their respective classes to take active part in the mission.

Appreciating role played by students in making the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ a grand success through essay competitions, painting competitions, discussions besides manual contribution. GK Singh said heads and teachers should ensure that all students should adopt cleanliness as an element in their lifestyle. The students will also take pledge on the concluding day which is being observed as World Toilet Day, signifying need of stopping defecation in open.

The department has also announced calendar for the week according to which first day will be dedicated to physical cleanliness of schools and anganwari centers and last day for cleanliness of toilets.

Intervening days have been specified for cleanliness of surroundings, personal hygiene, hygienic food and pure drinking water. 

Ludhiana, November 12
Students representing Maharaja Ranjit Singh House were declared the overall winners in the 38th Inter-House Annual Athletics Meet of Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, which concluded today.

Tarneet Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur were adjudged the best athletes (girls) in the U-14 and above 14 categories while Utkarsh Singh and Paramvir Singh were named the best athletes in the U-14 and above 14 categories, respectively.

Anil Kumar Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, was the chief guest at the prize distribution function.

Final day’s results

Boys above 14 800m race: Gurlalpreet Singh 1, Ripu Daman Singh 2 and Jappanjot Singh 3; girls above 14: discus throw: Harmahik Kaur 1, Manvir Kaur 2 and Muskan 3; boys above 14: discus throw: Jaivir Singh 1, Napinder Singh 2 and Shubhkaran Singh 3; boys Class VI 400m race: Imroj Singh 1, Haripal Singh 2 and Paramjot Singh 3; girls (U-14) 200m race: Tarneet Kaur 1, Yashpreet Kaur 2, Diljot Kaur and Navreet Kaur 3; boys (U-14) 4x100m relay race: Maharaja Ranjit Singh House 1, Shaheed Bhagat Singh House 2 and Bhai Veer Singh House 3; boys (U-14) 4x400m relay race: Maharaja Ranjit Singh House 1, Shaheed Bhagat Singh House 2 and Prof Mohan Singh House 3; girls above 14 4x100m relay race: Prof Mohan Singh House 1, Maharaja Ranjit Singh House 2 and Bhai Veer Singh House 3; boys above 14 200m race: Jogeshwar Singh 1, Ishupal Singh 2 and Paramveer Singh 3; girls (U-14) 4x100m relay race: Bhai Veer Singh House 1, Shaheed Bhagat Singh House 2 and Maharaja Ranjit Singh House 3.

Primary section

Class I boys 100m race: Manraj Singh 1, Manvir Singh 2 and Gursidak Singh 3; Class I girls 100m race: Sehaj Grewal 1, Harnoor Kaur 2 and Hargeet Kaur 3; Class I girls obstacle race: Harsimrat Kaur 1, Jaskirat Kaur 2 and Simranjeet Kaur 3; Class I boys obstacle race: Joytroop Singh 1, Sahibdeep Singh 2 and Tejveer Singh 3; Class I boys 50m race: Jaiaditya Singh 1, Harkirat Singh 2 and Vardaan 3; Class I girls 50m race: Tapleen Kaur 1, Rehat Kaur 2 and Gursheen 3; Class V girls 100m race: Taranpreet Kaur 1, Gurleen Kaur 2 and Harpreet Kaur 3; Class V boys 100m race: Amberpreet Singh 1, Siddak Sehgal 2 and Damanjot Singh 3; Class V girls 50m race: Amritleen Kaur 1, Gurleen Kaur 2 and Ashneet Kaur 3; Class V boys 50m race: Harrehmat Singh 1, Jaskaran Singh 2 and Namanjot Singh 3; Class V girls 200m race: Harpuneet Kaur 1, Harmahik Kaur 2 and Harleen Kaur 3; Class V boys 200m race: Harman Singh 1, Arshdeep Singh 2 and Mehma Singh 3.

The achievers

Utkarsh Singh and Paramvir Singh were named the best athletes in the U-14 and above 14 categories, respectively. In discus throw, Harmahik Kaur stood first, Manvir Kaur secured the second position while Muskan finished third. In the boys above 14 category, Jaivir Singh stood first while Napinder Singh and Shubhkaran Singh secured the second and third positions, respectively.

Ludhiana, November 12
Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, scored an emphatic 3-0 victory over Tagore Public School, Birmi, in the boys’ U-14 category in the Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex (West) Football Tournament 2014-15 for Boys today. The tournament is being organised by the district education department. Teams from different schools are taking part in the U-14, U-16 and U-19 categories.

In the U-16 section, Sacred Heart School, Jagraon, defeated GHG Academy, Jagraon, 2-0 while the hosts, GNPS, recorded victory in the U-19 category to assure themselves a place in the final.