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Crores of rupees for city development
Ludhiana, September 21
Extensive renovation and landscaping of Rakh Bagh at an estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh, construction of a new fire station in the Mini Secretariat district administrative complex at an expenditure of Rs 23.19 lakh, and the construction and paving of an open drain in Hira Nagar at a cost of Rs 27.70 lakh were among some of the development projects that were approved by the Finance and Contracts Committee (F and CC) of the Municipal Corporation that met here yesterday.

Ahmedgarh kidnapping case solved
Four arrested, kingpin still at large
Ludhiana, September 21
In a significant breakthrough in the Abdesh Kumar kidnapping case, the Khanna police today announced the arrest of four persons, who allegedly committed the crime. The police also claimed that the kidnapping was masterminded by the owner of an akhara (wrestling club) in Mandi Ahmedgarh town in Sangrur district.

Abolition of octroi to hamper development: Mayor MC employees threaten agitation Ludhiana, September 21

The city Mayor, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal has urged the state government not to push through the proposal for abolition of octroi since the decision would adversely affect the financial health of the local bodies all over the state and disrupt the development works. Employees of various nagar councils and municipal committees of Punjab hold a demonstration in protest against the abolition of octroi, in Ludhiana on Thursday.  — Photo Inderjit Verma

PSEB financial crisis deepens
Ludhiana, September 21
The financial crisis in the Punjab State Electricity Board is deepening to such an extent that if something is not done immediately, the state may be plunged into darkness. The PSEB owes heavy amount of arrears to central power generating agencies, Coal India Limited and the Railways and the cash starved board has no money to pay them.

PAU faces serious financial crunch
Ludhiana, September 21
Going by the plans of the state government, Punjab Agricultural University is in for a financial crunch with the Punjab government deciding to cut the grant to the PAU by 10 per cent every year for the next five years. The PAU authorities are understood to have written to the state government that the activities of the university would be crippled if such a proposal was put into action.

1,650 MT of paddy purchased Ludhiana, September 21

With the commencement of procurement of paddy by the government agencies, 1,650 metric tonnes of paddy was purchased in all major mandis in the district today. This was stated by Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner. Last year, the first day of procurement had registered a purchase of 800 MT. Mr G. Vajralingam, Director, Food and Supplies, Punjab, accompanied by Mr Parveen Vij, DFSC, visited the Ludhiana mandi to oversee the procurement operations on Friday. IV

Teachers to block traffic, court arrest
Ludhiana, September 21
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union has decided to intensify its struggle against the dilly-dallying attitude of the Punjab government over the implementation of demands of lecturers of private colleges of Punjab.

COMMUNITY

Political leaders seek ban on controversial granth
Ludhiana, September 21
Tension between the followers and opponents of Baba Piara Singh, author of the controversial ‘Bhav Sagar Samundar Granth’ continued in the district for the fourth day today in the form of protest marchs in the city and observation of a complete bandh in rural areas especially the Pakhowal belt.

Parties flay act of sacrilege
Ludhiana, September 21
The Youth Wing Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), The All-India Sikh Students Federation (Badal), The District Youth Congress and several trade associations have condemned the act of sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib.

SHSAD charges Badal with inaction
Ludhiana, September 21
The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal has said that it holds Mr Parkash Singh Badal responsible for creating the controversy over the burning of the granth of Baba Piara Singh at Ludhiana and the retaliatory torching of the ‘Bir’ of Guru Granth Sahib at a Ropar village recently.

Enforce ban on female foeticide, says sabha
Girl child should be given due importance
Ludhiana, September 21
The core group of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Punjab, which met here recently, has given a call against female foeticide in the country in general and Panjab in particular. The meeting, held at Arya Samaj, Dal Bazar, passed a resolution which said that as a result of the ultra-sound examination and killing of the female embryo, a serious problem had raised its head which would lead to disastrous consequences in the future.

CRIME

4 booked in dowry death case
Sahnewal, September 21
A case of dowry death was registered at the Sahnewal police station on Thursday. Kuldip Kaur, daughter of Jaspal Singh of Pawa Khakat village was married to Rajinder Singh of Dharaur village on February 21,1995 and she was allegedly tortured, beaten and harassed for not fulfilling the demands of her in-laws. On September 19 she was reportedly fed up and consumed some poisonous substance and died. She leaves behind a four-year-old son.

• Killed

• Minor girl abducted

• Motor cycle stolen

Burkina Faso minister visits city
Ludhiana, September 21
A delegation comprising Mr Swastian Kuarago and Mr L.C. Kimde, Minister for Employment and Ambassador of Burkina Faso respectively, visited the city during a study tour to make a through survey of the small-scale industrial units to gather technical know-how, infrastructural requirements and the style of workmanship being put in by the local industry. This visit was organised by the Director of Industries, Punjab, and represented by Mr Harbhajan Singh, General Manager, District Industry Centre, Ludhiana.

Industry opposes house tax bills
Ludhiana, September 21
The Knitwear and Allied Industries Association in a meeting held here today has opposed the imposition of house tax bills for the years, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01, by the Punjab State Hosiery and Knitwear Development Corporation in the focal point area.

Seminar on post-Green Revolution
Ludhiana, September 21
Mr C. Roul, Secretary, Finance, called for the deregulation of India’s agricultural business and facilitating private trade and investment in the agricultural and marketing sectors. Mr Roul was addressing a seminar on “Post-Green Revolution: production and marketing strategies for India” organised by the Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University.

Disha declared Ms Fresher Ludhiana, September 21 To welcome the first year students of B.Com, a freshers’ party was organised at Khalsa College for Women here last night. A cultural programme was held in which students presented skits and songs. Folk dances of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana were presented. A choreography titled ‘Professor Rangeela’ was applauded by all. Rajasthani dance being presented by students of Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, at a freshers party for B.Com students on Thursday evening. IV

Freshers’ nite
Ludhiana, September 21
A freshers’ nite for hostelers of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women was organised here yesterday. A cultural programme was organised which began with the recital of a shabad, ‘Deh Shiva bar’, followed by a prayer dance by Aman and her team. Students presented various group dances on songs including, ‘Jise dhudta hun mein’, ‘Rabba rabba’, ‘Udde jab zulfen teri’, ‘Mehboob mere’ and ‘Mujhe mast mahaul mein jine de’.

College staff on strike
Ludhiana, September 21
Demanding payment of arrears and revision of scales, the non-teaching staff of Arya College has gone on a strike. Over 25 members of the staff association have demanded immediate acceptance of their demands.

NIFD programme
Ludhiana, September 21
The local branch of the National Institute of Fashion Designing organised a “Week for technical excellence”, which started here on September 18. Mr Arvind Gupta, director of the institute, said that Ziwan Kalia from Delhi would provide knowledge on concept design, page layout, user interface, global navigation, information architecture, loge designing and composition to the students throughout the week.

COURTS

Forum penalises transport company
Ludhiana, September 21
In an ex-parte order, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Shree Mohan Road Lines to pay Rs 23,255 to the United India Insurance Company on account of short delivery of goods of a consignment sent to Jabalpur by Oswal Woolen Mills Limited. The forum further directed the transport company to pay interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from March, 31, 1999, (the date on which the claim of short delivery was settled by the insurance company), till the actual payment.