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Encroachers gobble up MC areas again Ludhiana, December 20 The vast open tract in front of the market was got vacated by the Kotwali police in early August in the wake of a blast in a market close to the Ghanta Ghar. Security on the eve of Independence Day was also cited as one of the reasons behind the move to remove all roadside encroachments. But roadside vendors who had been waiting to re-occupy their respective places since then have once again started to encroach upon the open spaces, unmindful of the misery being caused to pedestrians and shoppers in the area. A number of vendors who sell fast food items on cheap rates are literally converting the place into an open-air eating house. It is not only the vacant space in front of Guru Tegh Bahadur Market but the periphery of the Ghanta Ghar has also been gobbled up by encroachers. The ambitious plan to beautify the area around the historic monument, which was chalked out about four years ago , seems to have gone into the deep freezer. Observers say that the tehbazari wing of the Municipal Corporation, which is supposed to check all roadside encroachments, should be disbanded and a more powerful anti-encroachment authority be formed. |
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Dense fog throws life out of gear Ludhiana, December 20 The question assumes significance in the view of the dense fog that started falling on Wednesday, causing a sudden drop in day and night temperatures. However, there was some relief when the fog dispersed around noon on Wednesday and the sun came out, in all its brightness. But the blanket of fog has become thicker since then and is showing no signs of abating, forcing people to shiver all the time. Already one can see groups of poorly-clad people, huddled around bonfires, trying to keep themselves warm with whatever heat generated by heaps of wooden scrap and discarded plastic material. And in homes and offices, heat convectors are humming for most part of the day. Weather observers, who have already predicted a tough winter on the basis of severe heatwave this summer, feel that the 31-year-old record of hostile cold conditions may well be in for an overhaul this time. However, city residents heaved a sigh of relief today as the sun came out of the foggy sky in the afternoon, giving much needed respite. The dense fog is also creating problems for hundreds of railway passengers, stranded at the local railway station for the past two days, as several mail and passenger trains are running behind the schedule. The Madras-Janta Express, on its way to Jammu Tawi, arrived late by four hours yesterday morning. It was late by three hours this morning. All passengers trains on the Jakhal-Ludhiana section have been running late by two to four hours for the past two days. Inquiries made at the railway station revealed that the Jan Nayak Express, running between Amritsar and Darbhanga, arrived late by more than three hours. The Shaheed Express, running between Darbhanga and Amritsar, scheduled to reach here last evening, arrived 18 hours late at 12.30 pm today. The Guwahati-Jammu Tawi Express was also running late. Similarly, the Swaraj Express, running between Mumbai Central and Jammu Tawi, was running late by more than three hours. The Shan-e-Punjab from Delhi to Amritsar was late by 20 minutes. The Jansewa Express from Amritsar to Barauni was also running late by more than three hours. The Amarpalli Express, running between Amritsar and Barauni, scheduled to arrive here at 9.45 am, was running late by more than three hours. The Dhanbad Express from Ferozepore to Dhanbad was also running late by nine hours. Meanwhile, road accidents due to poor visibility are also on a rise. Three persons, including two women, were killed and another two injured when a bus hit a Tata Safari near Ramgarh Majra village on the GT road, near Khanna yesterday. According to information, the bus hit the Tata Safari at a bend. The deceased have been identified as Ranjit Kaur, Gurdial Kaur and Gurmel Singh, all residents of Heran village in Ludhiana district. In another fog-related accident on Thursday, Ranjit Singh, a resident of Rakba village and Bahadur Singh, a resident of Hassanpur village, who was working as a security guard in the DMC Hospital, died after a speeding truck hit their cycle near Baddowal village. While Ranjit Singh died on the spot, Bahadur Singh succumbed to injuries in the DMC Hospital last night. Another accident victim, Santosh Kumar, a resident of Samrala, succumbed to injuries at the Civil Hospital here yesterday. |
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Cut in interest on civic charges in the offing ? Ludhiana, December 20 A few days ago, the general house meeting of the MC had unanimously resolved that in the wake of heavy reduction in the rates of interest by banks and other financial institutions, 18 per cent compounded interest on arrears of water supply, sewerage and house tax was not justified and the rate be slashed to 6 per cent simple interest. The move, involving financial matter was, however, subject to ratification by the state government. To impress upon the state government the need to provide relief to the city residents and give a boost to the recovery of mounting arrears and interest thereon, the Mayor Mr Nahar Singh Gill, accompanied by over 10 party councillors met the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, and the Minister for Local Government, Choudhry Jagjit Singh, to put forth the demand for slashing the interest to a realistic level.
Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Gill maintained that the response of the government was positive. |
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Tension over possession of house Ludhiana, December 20 Armed with heavy police force of Model Town, a team of the DIT arrived to take possession of 303 yards of house 32-33, Shastri Nagar and began breaking the boundary walls of the house. Mr Sanjeev Sharma, a son of Mr Brij Mohan Lal Sharma along with other relatives
arrived on the scene and sought to stop the work claiming they had the stay orders. Mr Iqbal Singh, an NRI, who claimed to have bought the portion of the house in an auction was accompanying the team. His supporters were seen breaking the wall. He claimed that he had bought the portion of the house in an auction in little over Rs 17 lakh and the family of the other claimant Brij Mohal Lal Sharma was present at the auction. An official of the DIT team who refused to be identified said the family of Brij Mohan Lal Sharma was given seeking time for the past four years but had not cleared the debt with the Punjab National Bank. He said after waiting that long the team came today after taking police protection and legal orders. On the hand Mr Sanjeev Sharma claimed that they had stay orders. |
City gets pollution monitoring system Ludhiana, December 20 The PPCB Chairman clarified that the main problem in the city was not industrial pollution but vehicular pollution. He stressed the need for concerted and coordinated efforts in this regard. Mr Rana said the system will monitor round the clock four main pollutants in air. There will be no specified radius within which the system will operate, according to Mr Varinder Singh, Executive Engineer, PPCB, Ludhiana. A number of people, including those from the industry and district administration, were present on the occasion. |
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Johar hails Sinha's removal Ludhiana, December 20 Mr Johar refused a straight answer as to whether he considered the issue still unresolved. He maintained that the ball was in the court of the high command. “We have already placed our petition before Ms Sonia Gandhi and she will decide about it,” he said. Talking to The Tribune here today after his arrival from Delhi, Mr Johar disclosed that he had raised the issue before the AICC President much before the Assembly elections in the four states. But at that time he was told to wait till the elections were over. He claimed that he had campaigned along with 45 MLAs from Punjab in Delhi. He stated that after the completion of the elections, he was summoned to Delhi by Political Secretary to Ms Gandhi Ahmad Patel. He said he met Mr Patel, Mr Manmohan Singh and Ms Mohsina Kidwai and the issue was ultimately referred to the AICC President.
— TNS |
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He has the world’s longest nails Ludhiana, December 20 Mr Romesh was in the city, courtesy Spice Telecom that has a stall in the CII fair, currently under way here. When this correspondent met him during the fair, he was having lunch while his nails were rested on a chair beside him. In an exclusive interview with Ludhiana Tribune, he said, “At present, my five nails measure 11 metres. I wrap my nails with tape to protect these. I started growing these in 1962. I did not apply any lotion or anything else, but I have been very careful to ensure that these do not break. My efforts have paid up. I was invited to participate in the Special Surprise of the World Show—1971 in Tokyo, which paved my way to enter in the Guinness Book of World Records.” He says he has no problem with such long nails except at night. His thumb nail is the longest. One of his nails has curled up. He says, “After every half an hour, I have to get up and take a turn, and move my nails carefully from one side of the bed to the other side. However, I do not face any problem while bathing or dressing up.” He has travelled to Canada to show his nails and is planning to go to Italy, Spain and Canada next year. “Generally, corporate houses and film production companies sponsor me. When I travel by air, the whole row of seats is reserved for me. One seat for me and two seats for placing my nails. During shows, I expose only that part of my long nail which people ask me. While travelling by car, I sit in the front seat and place my nails in the rear seat.” He says he has a printing business, but earns more money on account of his nails. He avoids crowds lest somebody bumps into him and damages his nails. Mr Romesh was the centre of attraction at the CII fair. When he walks, he has to lift his arm so that the long serpent-like nails stay clear of the ground. Asked whether other people got inspired by him to grow nails, he said a man in Pune was growing nails, “but the length of his nails is only 6.25 metres where as that of my nails is 11 metres. So till now , I am the unbeaten champ.” |
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Readers Write “A nation is judged by the quality its men possess,” said Nehru. In today’s scenario, quality is defined by corruption and illegal ways to mint money. The going is sad for SAD. Behind the bars was the man during whose reign was nothing on merit. Not only this, he gave free electricity to farmers, distributed public money in Sangat Darshan programmes — a mockery of the system — but also imbalanced the economy of the state. The situation in the state is worrisome. The crime graph is on the rise, because the common man inspite of working hard is unable to run his life. When the truth is transparent, why should our brethren come on in the state to stage dharnas like chakka jam, Ropar chalo, etc? Have faith in the judiciary. Judges are more educated and sensitive than us. I wonder why the SGPC is taking part in the political activities related to the state. The SGPC is meant to spread the positive attitude of the highly scientific religion. Don’t cash and aggravate political rivalry. Its right time for the people of Punjab to wake up and save Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat from the clutches of corrupt people who always play with the sentiments of millions by coining slogans that religion, faith and honour of Punjab is in danger. Dr Jasvinder Singh Limiting size of
miniseries A pat for the Vajpayee Government for approving the Bill to limit the size of ministries to 15 per cent of the size of the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha of the state. The passage of the Bill by Parliament will put an end to the era of jumbo-sized miniseries. Since the Constitution is silent over the size of the miniseries, Chief Ministers have expanding their miniseries not to speed up the development work but to garner the support of the legislators just to keep themselves in saddle. This has been the misfortune of the country during the last 50 years. Yash Paul Ghai A reminder for help I want to bring the problems faced by people who are praying to the President, the constitutional head of India, for justice. I observed the process adopted with complaints without anytime bar period to deal with these. I have personally experienced with this problem. I wrote to Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on September 6, 2003, for ordering a CBI enquiry for justice into the involvement of BSNL officers for non-supply of incoming SMS details which would shed light on the reasons why my son, Ashish Hansi, committed suicide on February 20, 2003. I received a response from Rashtrapari Bhavan vide PI/D-60517 dated 15-9-03 that my communication dated 6-9-03 has been forwarded to the Secretary, Ministry of Communications, for appropriate action. On October 8, 2003, I sent a reminder that there was no development in the case since no response has been received from BSNL till date. Again, on 17-11-03, I sent a reminder that how an ITS officer of BSNL at Mani Majra, Chandigarh, is avoiding to supply details of incoming SMS. On 5-12-03, I rang up Rashtrapati Bhawan and came to know that after first response to me, all other reminders have been sent to Secretary of Communications from where I have not got any reply till date. But for a favourable response from Rashtrapati Bhawan, how can anyone poor like me afford to get justice? N.M. Hansi Traffic congestion It is a matter of relief for the general public that under the able guidance and management of SP (Traffic), Mr Gurdial Singh, the traffic at Domoria bridge has been regulated during the peak hours. It is really worth of appreciation. Through this column we are inviting the attention of Mr Gurdial Singh towards another part of the city which needs his urgent attention. It is Haibowal’s main road. This is a single road and is the worst affected during 8.30am to 11.30 and then 3 pm to 9 pm. The main bottleneck is from ‘Budha Nala’ bridge to Jassian road, particularly and in general upto GT road leading to Jalandhar. Shopkeepers, particularly dealing in TVs, refrigerators or washing machines, keep empty cartons stacked outside their shops in such a way that it is like a wall right upto the metalled road. Traffic jams sometime take half-an-hour to clear. Tractor-trolleys carrying sand for sale in the city which ply on Jassian road and Haibowal add to the miseries of the public. Nirmal Singh Senior citizens assert right for priority The members of the Northern Railway Pensioners Association have complained about waiting in long queues with the general public. Only the Railways are maintaining separate counters for senior citizens in the reservation of seats which, too, has been clubbed with other categories like ladies, invalids etc. thus making the senior citizens to wait for long. The Ministry of Social Justice and Welfare has given directions to all departments that wherever there is a queue system for depositing bills or getting payments from the banks, senior citizens should be given priority over others. A resolution to this effect was presented and was passed by the association by voice vote. It was prayed that all banks and other departments like post offices, corporation offices, PSEB counters etc. should have specific instructions for giving priority to senior citizens in view of their age and should not face hardships as such. The association further urges all the government departments for taking such steps for the convenience of senior citizens. K.L. Chitkara |
2 killed in road mishaps Ludhiana, December 20 The Sadar police has also registered a hit -and- run case under sections 279,337,338,427 and 304-A of the IPC on the statement of Mr Darshan Singh, a resident of Rakba village , against an unknown driver of a container. The complainant had stated that while his father, Mr. Ranjit Singh and Mr. Bahadur Singh, a resident of Hassanpur village, were going on a cycle, the accused hit them near the ITBP camp near Baddowal village on the GT Road on Thursday. While his father died on the spot. Mr Bahadur Singh was seriously injured and admitted in the CMC Hospital.
Woman held The Civil Lines police arrested another woman carrier of poppy husk in two days yesterday from near the general bus stand and booked her under the NDPS Act. The police said today that the woman, who had been identified as Parwati, wife of Dalip Singh, a resident of Sodiwala village falling under the jurisdiction of Sidhwan bet police station, was arrested following the recovery of 11.5kg of contraband from her possession. The woman was picked up from outside the Dhian Singh Complex near the bus stand, added the police.
Forgery alleged The division number 3 police yesterday registered a case under sections 468 and 471 of the IPC on the statement of Mr. Sukhwinder Singh Bedi, a resident of Mohalla Fateh Ganj, against Gurcharan Singh, sale officer working in Yuvraj Motors. The complainant had stated that the accused had financed a three-wheeler bought by one Nazar Singh. But the accused got the documents of the vehicles prepared in his own name following which Nazar Singh stopped paying the installments of his loan, added the complainant.
Dowry case On the statement of Ms. Darshana Rani, daughter of Mr. Rattan Chand, a resident of Mohalla Sardar Nagar, the Jodhewal police yesterday registered a case under sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC against her husband , Som Lal, father-in-law Channi Lal and mother-in-law Binder Kaur, all residents of Mothada Kalan village falling under the jurisdiction of Phillaur police station . The woman had alleged that the accused subjected her to mental and physical harassment and demanded more dowry from her.
Shop burgled The division number 6 police yesterday registered a case under sections 457 and 380 of the IPC on the statement of Mr. Brij Lal, a shopkeeper running shop in Vishwakarma Colony, against unknown person(s) who broke open the lock of his shop on the night of December 17 and decamped with one LPG cylinder, a gas stove and two kerosene stoves. |
Singaporean cuisines delight gourmets Ludhiana, December 20 According to Mr Romen Bose, Area Director of the board, in order to give people of Ludhiana a feel of Singapore, the board in association with organisers of the festival decided to host events like the “most well-dressed couple in traditional Singaporean attire”, chopsticks competition and a Christmas tree competition for children. To spice up the event, a cooking competition was also organised. The participants cooked traditional Singaporean cuisines after a demonstration by a renowned chef. The Singapore Pavilion presents some of Singapore’s signature dishes like vegetarian fried bee hoon, clay-pot vegetables, vegetables lemak, chatterbox chicken rice and Singapore chilli prawns. Commenting on the Singapore’s participation in the Food Expo, Mr Bose maintained: “As the food capital of Asia, Singapore offers a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. The main objective of participating in the expo is to share with residents of Ludhiana, Singapore’s unique food culture and the many styles and influences that makes dining an exquisite experience.” The Singapore Pavilion at the expo provides every guest with a dining discovery to remember. These perennial favourites are proving to be a gastronomical treat. Besides, the board is also holding a special travel counter. Residents visiting the expo are being offered special packages to travel to Singapore and enjoy more such amazing cuisines first hand. Mr Bose said the Singapore Tourism Board was established in 1964. It set up its operations in Mumbai in 1993. The board envisions Singapore as a tourism capital, as not only a memorable tourist destination but also a premier business centre and a key tourism hub. Recently, they extended their portfolio and are promoting education and healthcare in India. Meanwhile, on the second day of the Food Expo 2k3 today it was mad rush with crowds thronging almost all stalls. The three-day extravaganza features some top names like Supreme Agro Foods, California Prunes, USA Pears, California Grapes, Hafed, President Spices, Pillsbury from the west and the local Poonam Cakes and Crunches, Cremica Foods and others. For the past two days Mini Singapore and Soy Pavilion staged by the American Soya Association remained main attractions. The nature of the concepts and the participants emphasised the expo’s focus on diversification. Live demonstrations were also given to the consumers. A unique feature of the expo was the range of new products. California Prunes and Grapes was popular among the visitors. Poonam Cakes and Crunches also showcased innovative styles of baking and cooking. Another highlight of the exhibition are the competitions organised in various food making processes. Yesterday, a salad- making competition was held on these lines. The teams which won the first and second price were Ms Jyotsana Mittal and Ms Anshala and Ms Archana Chatley and Ms Monica Mittal, respectively, while the third prize was jointly shared by the teams comprising Ms Vandan and Ms Chitra and Ms Manju and Ms Alka. |
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Govt committed to providing relief to industry: Johar Ludhiana, December 20 This was asserted by Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Higher Education Minister, Punjab, while addressing industrialists at an annual function of United Cycles and Parts Manufacturer’s Association (UCPMA) here today. He said all genuine problems of the industry would be solved by organising high-level meetings with their representatives. Problems pertaining to the Union Government would also be taken up on priority basis at the appropriate level. The minister assured that in order to redress the sales tax problems, deemed assessment system would be restored at the earliest. “Local industry has strived hard to establish a good name at the international level and has enhanced the quality of products to compete with top producers in the world. The industry has done well to fully modernise their units, which has led to total export of industrial goods to the tune of more than 10,000 crores.” Mr Johar said the Punjab Pollution Control Board had agreed to extend the last date for shifting of small scale industrial units, equipped with the required pollution control measures from the residential areas, by two more years. He claimed that the state government was according accord top priority to fast industrialisation of the state and in the new industrial policy the govt had already announced substantial facilities and concessions for the new as well as existing units. Mr Jagmohan Sharma, president, DCC (U), demanded immediate resumption of deemed assessment and formation of a high power advisory committee to discuss the problems of the industry from time to time. Representatives of industry, while addressing the function, pleaded for effective measures to bring down the rising prices of raw material, including that of steel and nickel, revival of deemed assessment of sales tax, simplification of procedures for shifting of power connections and extension of load, relief in water rate and house tax to industrial sector. |
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Now, cheap mobile phones from China Ludhiana, December 20 The Chinese handsets are said to be relatively cheaper than the existing brands. Bird, which claimes to be the largest selling mobile handset in China, was launched in Ludhiana. According to Mr Marc A. Dambrines, country manager, India, Bird International, they entered India about two months ago. He claimed that the handset had received good response in the Indian market. Seeking to allay the apprehensions about Chinese-made goods and gadgets’ durability, he pointed out, “Even the top brands are assembled in China only.” |
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