 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Bank services come to a halt
Ludhiana, August 24 Mr Sudesh Kumar, chairman, Mr H.S. Grewal, patron, Mr Naresh Gaur, city unit secretary, Mr Ashok Awasthy, city unit president of the PBEF, Mr P.R. Mehta, general secretary, All-India PNB Employees Federation, Mr D.P. Maur, president, PAU Employees Union, and Mr S.K. Garg, district secretary, All-India Bank Officers Association, also addressed the rally. The speakers regretted that the wages and service conditions of the bank employees and the officers were last revised in November 1997 and the term of that settlement had expired in October 2002. Hence, the next wage revision had become due from November 2002, they added. They criticised the IBA’s unjust and unfair attitude in not offering a fair wage increase and expediting the settlement, leading to unwarranted delay and unrest among employees and officers. Khanna: On the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions, employees of nationalised banks in Khanna and nearby villages went on strike today. More than 500 bank employees gathered in front of the Indian Bank branch where they hoisted a red flag in protest. They organised a rally there, which was addressed by Mr B.K. Jethi, zonal secretary, Punjab Bank Employees Federation, and Mr Satwinder Singh, secretary of the federation’s Khanna unit. Both speakers condemned the negative attitude of the Bank Mahasangh and the Central Government towards the demands of bank employees. Samrala: Strike was observed here on Tuesday by employees of nationalised banks here, causing great inconvenience to the general public. On Monday in this connection a rally was also held. The employees raised slogans against the Indian Bank Association and the Union Finance Minister. |
|
Village in grip of superstition
Machhiwara, August 24 As the sun begins to set, the whole village gets preparing to ward off trouble . Children and men have garlic cloves on their wrists whereas branches of the neem tree can be seen hanging from doors of the village houses. Resham Singh, son of sarpanch Swarn Kaur,says he got married four months ago. On the night of August 15, when the couple was about to sleep, his wife heard the sound of running water. She told her husband about it. But Resham Singh ignored it. Afterwards, he was stunned when a "giant"
in black caught both of them from their neck and let them free after five minutes. A similar incident happened with Satpaul Singh, a worker at the Hambowal petrol station, on the night of august 22. Satpaul Singh says he was overpowered (caught)
by some force who shook him up mercilessly. He was so bewildered that he became unconscious after the incident. The same night Ranjit Singh and his grandmother Pritam Kaur were
shaken up by this mysterious force. Nirmal Singh and his wife became the victims when they were watching a cricket match. When the following
day, Sukhwinder Kaur had a similar experience she left for Khokhran village to stay with her parents. Hans Raj Malhotra of the village fears that if such terror prevails all woman would flee the
village . When this correspondent reached the village to take stock of the situation in the morning today, members of the Gram Panchayat and all residents sat together in a dharmshala. Some villagers favoured calling a tantrik whereas
others, not superstitious, wanted to invite "taraksheels". But they could not arrive on any solution to the problem.
|
|
Battlelines drawn for PAUTA poll
Ludhiana, August 24 Dr Hari Singh Brar and Dr Ranjit Singh Brar of the Department of Agronomy and Agrometeorology, respectively, are vying for the post of president of the body. As many as 1,168 voters, including 208 members from outstation centres, will exercise their franchise amidst allegations of discrepancies in the voters’ list by the latter group. According to the returning officer, Dr Gurdev Singh Deol, three candidates of the Dr Hari Singh panel — Dr Jatinder Singh Brar of KVK, Bathinda; Dr Satpal Sharma of KVK, Sangrur; and Dr Jaswinder Kaur Brar of the College of Home Science — have been elected unopposed. A formal declaration will be made after the completion of the process, he added. Highlighting achievements of the Dr Hari Singh Brar group during the past five years, a former president, Dr Amardeep Singh Joshi, said they got the election duty of teachers cancelled besides getting Rs 24 crore sanctioned from the government. Similarly, a sum of Rs 12 lakh was also incorporated in the budget of the university for the repair of staff houses on the campus. He said various objections raised by the Audit Department too were removed by them. The faction was instrumental in the grant of a special allowance to Heads of department and station directors of the university besides providing favourable condition to teachers going abroad for official work. Dr Joshi added that special increments were got sanctioned for teachers who had completed their doctorate before January 1, 1996. A faculty club was set up at the Sukhdev Singh Bhavan. The condition of getting leave sanctioned before pursuing PhD too was waived off due to the efforts of the group, he added. He said in case of their victory, they would work towards getting two per cent On the other hand, Dr Ranjit Singh Brar claimed that his team would work for the welfare of the teaching fraternity on the campus. He regretted that over the past five years, a large number of teachers had been subjected to victimisation on untenable grounds, while PAUTA leaders had maintained a studied silence. He also accused PAUTA leaders of not taking teachers into confidence over decisions of the Board and Academic Council, the two decision-making bodies of which the PAUTA chief is a member. Thus, the very purpose of seeking PAUTA’s representation on these bodies had been defeated. He assured the teachers of taking up cases of victimisation and harassment on priority basis. The contestants for Dr Hari Singh Brar panel are: For vice-president — Dr Amrik Singh Sohi; secretary — Dr Inder Mohan Chhiba; joint secretary — Dr Harmeet Singh Kingra; treasurer — Dr Amrit Lal Saini; and councillors — Dr Jagjit Singh, Dr Mukesh Siag, Dr Swaran Singh Randhawa, Dr Jaswinder Kaur Brar, Dr Jit Singh Sandhu, Dr M. Javed, Dr Jatinder Singh Brar, Dr Satpal Sharma, Dr Bhupinder Singh and Dr Parampal Singh Gill. Those in fray from the Dr Ranjit Singh Brar group are: for vice-president — Dr G.S. Bains; secretary — Dr K.N. Sharma; joint secretary — Dr K.S. Sandhu; treasurer — Dr S.C. Sharma; and councillors — Dr H.S. Baddesha, Dr Tejdeep Kaur, Dr S.K. Gupta, Dr J.K. Chawla, Dr Apminderpal Singh Brar, Dr Digvijay Singh, Dr Baljinder Singh Rana, Dr S.P.S. Brar and Dr Parminder Singh.
|
|
Verification of tenants begins
Ludhiana, August 24 Fixing September 1 as the deadline for the verification drive, the SP City, R.K. Jaiswal, addressing mediapersons, said the district police had decided to pursue the matter seriously as migrants were becoming increasingly responsible for the rise in crime in the district. Mr Jaiswal said during investigations, of various crime incidents, it had come to light that while most were committed by migrants putting up as tenants in the city, the landlords did not know much about them. He said the police was issuing verification forms and the residents were supposed to fill and submit these by September 1. A case under Section 188, CrPc, would be registered against those who did not provide details of their employees to the police. The forms would be made available at the single window in the Mini Secretariat from tomorrow. In case of difficulty, senior police officers could be contacted.
|
|
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has been caught on the wrong foot as it is finding it difficult to defend itself after the inquiry conducted by the district administration found it responsible for the spread of gastroenteritis in the city. It is a known fact that the gastroenteritis mainly spreads due to contaminated water. Instead of admitting its lapse the MC is trying to find a way out. It should better utilise its energies in doing its job well so that the need of such inquiries does not arise. It is apparent that certain vested interests have started a vilifying campaign against the inquiry officer. Cop(ing) with news Front page fixation has gripped city police officials, especially chowki in charges and SHOs, who think that by arresting any one they can make page one news. So much so that when even a cycle thief is arrested, a press conference is convened in which special invitations are sent to TV channel reporters, who find themselves in a fix because if they go then it is sheer wastage of time and if they don’t they loose contacts. May be some kind of media refresher course for these policemen at the Punjab Police Academy may help them in understanding the news value of their claimed success. Knowing truth the hard way Trade unionism is the constitutional right of a worker but misusing it can cost one dearly. This lesson was learnt by the activists of the Bharti Mazdoor Sangh here the hard way. Adopting a hard line after a workers’ rally, the MC administration confronted the trade union leaders, saying that the workers with the Horticulture Department were not performing their duties. As the sangh leaders disagreed with the allegation, a spot inspection was conducted at the Rakh Bagh and a few days later at the Rose Garden. At both places the parks were found neglected and in a poor state of maintenance. Acting on the basis of the inspection report, the MC suspended 10 workers while nine others were issued show-cause notices. With the tables turned upon them the virtually red-faced trade union leaders were scurrying for cover. Hate gives way to amity
We are one At least for the time being majority of the councillors belonging to the ruling party and the Opposition have sunk differences for denouncing the inquiry report of the SDM (West), Mr M.S. Jaggi, on the out break of gastroenteritis in the city. Following a rebuttal by the City Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, that the supply of contaminated water was not the cause of the outbreak, scores of councillors cutting across party lines have joined him. Almost in similarly worded statements they have termed the inquiry as biased, vindictive, one-sided, discriminatory. But city residents hope that the councillors for a change will come together on the issue of development as well. Improving public relations The public relations wing of the government leaves no stone unturned for ensuring proper coverage or publicity of ministers, officers and their policies. They virtually use all forms of communication for sending the daily handouts. First the office sends an e-mail, then they inform the papers that a mail has been sent and again check if it had arrived. By that time a faxed copy of the hand out also arrives. When the journalist is almost through his job, a messenger of the office arrives to personally handover the pressnote. In a span of few hours the old and modern methods are put to test just for giving a handout. The modern technology is aimed at paperless work but the office is yet to realise it. Laying pipes in monsoon The Municipal Corporation and the Water Supply and Sewerage Board never fails to remain in news for wrong reasons. While the monsoon showers inundates roads and streets, the departments have chosen this time of the year for laying sewerage. The trenches dug up for the purpose get filled up after a few showers, causing harassment to passersby. One wonders why the authorities had to chose this time of the year for laying the pipes. — Sentinel
|
|
BJP raps Centre for inflation
Ludhiana, August 24 The state secretary and media in charge of the Punjab BJP, Mr Anil Sareen, in a statement said here yesterday said lack of coordination between different ministries of the Union Government had proved that the experiment of coalition between the Congress and the Left parties had flopped. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had not been able to make his presence felt in the government for the simple reason that many of his Cabinet colleagues, both in the Congress and constituent parties of the UPA, considered themselves senior to the Prime Minister. Mr Sareen further remarked that different constituents of the UPA were functioning to cross-purposes and the dictatorial attitude of the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, had made the matters worse. The BJP leader said it was clear that the ruling Congress was factionridden and brewing discontentment would further tell upon the working of the government. He claimed that within two months of the UPA government coming to power, the poor people were finding it difficult to make both ends meet. Prices of many essential items like petrol, diesel, cooking gas, vegetables, pulses, edible oils and steel were touching an all-time high. The inflation, which was kept within check during the regime of previous NDA government to a level of around 5 per cent, had almost touched 8 per cent. The BJP functionary charged the government with being indifferent and apathetic towards the common man. “If the government find it beyond its reach to curb inflation and bring down prices of essential commodities, it should quit and make way for an alternative government,” he added.
|
|
A bumpy ride amidst serene environ
Doraha, August 24 The road, constructed on the bank of the Sidhwan canal, serves as a bypass for traffic from Ludhiana and Jagraon or beyond to reach Doraha without passing through the polluted, congested roads of the city. Motorists from Jagraon and Moga to Chandigarh also take this route. After the coming up of a toll tax barrier near Doraha on National Highway No. 1, a number of motorists from the city heading towards Khanna have started preferring this route to save themselves of paying the tax. The route is also preferred by many because of low traffic as well as tranquil surrounding. But over the past several months, the ride has become bumpier. No repairs have been undertaken and the monsoon rains have deteriorated its condition to such an extent that potholes have developed on its surface. In fact, the road surface has completely vanished and it has become gravelly. The Ludhiana Tribune had been received numerous complaints from commuters regarding the condition of the road. On a visit, our team got a firsthand experience when its vehicle got stuck at three different places. Even trucks faced difficulty in maneuvering through deep potholes. Due to heavy rains this weekend, the road foundation had given way at some places. The canal water had eroded the soil beneath the road due to seepage. The state government has not been able to find any solution to the damage caused by seepage. A few years ago, a scam had surfaced over the alleged misappropriation of funds for relaying the road. Some of the accused officials were recently caught in the bitumen pilferage scam. It was hoped that an investigation into the Doraha canal road misappropriation case would be reopened but nothing happened. Sources said the seepage needed to be stopped to prevent further damage to the road. For this, the southern bank of the canal needed to be strengthened and widened. But “cash-strapped” government prevented any repair work on a large scale.
|
|
Migrant woman succumbs to burn injuries
Doraha, August 24 According to the information, Sumitra Devi, wife of Vinod Giri, residing in the labourer quarters at Kaddon Chowk here poured kerosene oil on herself, and set herself ablaze. Her husband made an attempt to save her and in the process of their eight-year-old child also received burn injuries. The husband of the deceased said he took her immediately to Sidhu Hospital from where she was referred to CMC Hospital at Ludhiana. Since he could not deposit the money required before the admission there she was admitted to Civil Hospital where she breathed her last today. Vinod, whose hand and face were burnt in an attempt to save her, receiving treatment at the local hospital. He has claimed that their married life was peaceful and there was no rift between them. The migrant couple had arrived in Punjab three months ago.
|
|
|
PSEB employee held
for graft
Ludhiana, August 24 According to vigilance sources, Ajay Singh, a Revenue Accountant in the board office at Giaspura was caught while he was accepting a bribe from Gurbachan Singh. The PSEB had imposed a fine for stealing power on the complainant and he had deposited money more than the required amount. Ajay Singh had allegedly demanded an amount of Rs 1500 for refund. The “deal” was finally struck at Rs 1,000. He was nabbed by the DSP, Vigilance, Narinderpal Singh Ruby. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him.
|
|
Insurance officers hold dharna
Ludhiana, August 24 Mr Ashok Bali, regional secretary, United India Insurance Officers Association, said a memorandum was submitted to the Regional Manager to be forwarded to the Head Office. The officers would stage a dharna on September 1.
|
|
One arrested for running car over man
Ludhiana, August 24 The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 337, 427 and 304-A of the IPC. House burgled: Fraud alleged: The complainant stated that he had paid Rs 9.50 lakh to the accused on the pretext of sending him abroad. But the accused neither sent him abroad nor returned his money. Assaulted: The woman stated that because of a monetary dispute, the accused forced their way into her house on Thursday, beat her up and threatened her. She was admitted to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital. Fake currency seized: A police party raided a place in Deep Vihar Colony at Bhattian village and arrested the accused who were printing fake currency with the help of a computer. Fake currency worth Rs 1 lakh was recovered from their possession. Knives seized: The Sahnewal police yesterday arrested Dashrath Parshad, a migrant from Uttar Pradesh living on the Machhiwara Road, near Takhran village, and seized a knife from his possession. The Division No. 7 police yesterday arrested Parladh Singh and seized a knife from his possession. Liquor
seized: The Jodhewal police yesterday arrested Kishan Kapur of Sekhewal village and seized 12 bottles of liquor. The Division No. 7 police yesterday arrested Babal and seized eight bottles of hooch and arrested Pappu Kumar from Dhandari Kalan village and seized nine bottles of liquor.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Nothing in life is permanent, five years ago when India went to war with Pakistan over Kargil, a Pakistani national in India would be mauled if found here. But as times change paving a way for better relationship between the leaders and people of the two nations, Pakistani nationals are received with so much love and affection that none can say the two countries have fought three wars over Kashmir. On Monday a delegation of Pakistani judicial officer visited the Punjab Police Academy at Phillaur where they were provided a ceremonial reception by the police band, equating their status to celebrated dignitaries, proving once again that life is a dynamic process.
