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Punjab trucks ply; strike fizzling out
Ludhiana, August 25 A short trip along the GT Road revealed that most of the stationary trucks belonged to other states and most of the trucks belonging to Punjab were on roads. Those stranded were mostly from outside states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Balak Ram Guha, a truck driver from West Bengal, who has parked his truck near Sahnewal since August 20, said he had seen a number of local trucks plying on the roads carrying load. He observed that only the outside truckers were forced to halt their vehicles to participate in the strike. He maintained that though he was not against the strike, he still wanted to go home so that he could spend his time with his family. But he was not prepared to take any chance. Most of the trucks seen on the roads were bearing the Punjab registration number only. The reason was obvious as the outside truckers did not want to take any chance to antagonise the local truck unions. Sher Singh, a truck driver from Jasalmier in Rajasthan, also stated that he was stranded for the past five days and did not know when the strike would be over. He said although the service tax which was being imposed on the truck operators was quite unjustified, yet the truck operators should also not resort to undue strike for long. “This way we are losing our own work days and the amount we lose because of the strike, may be far more than we will need to pay as service tax for a full year”, he pointed out, while hoping that the strike may soon be called off. As the truck movement started partially, the movement of goods also resumed thus providing a relief in the market. The prices of essential commodities, which had started showing marginal rise during the past couple of days, have stablised.
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Man gets 7-year RI in rape case
Ludhiana, August 25 An FIR was registered against the accused on October 16, 2002, under Sections 363, 366, 376 and 506 of IPC at the Division No. 6 police station, following complaint by Ms Balbir Kaur, mother of the girl. The complainant had stated that the accused used to reside in the house of Sodhi Ram, brother of her husband, as a tenant. Once, he teased her girl and the room was got vacated from him. On October 12, she went to attend her duties, leaving her daughter behind. When she returned in the afternoon, she found her girl missing. It came to her knowledge that the accused had kidnapped her daughter with the intent of marrying her. After six days, the police arrested the accused from near the railway station and recovered the girl. Thereafter, the girl levelled allegations of rape on the accused. However, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed it was a ‘love story’. He claimed that the girl had voluntarily come to his quarter and said that she wanted to enter into wedlock with him. He left for his native village in District Unao, UP. He denied having raped the girl during this period. He claimed he was arrested by the police from his native village. However, the police had showed his arrest at Ludhiana. After going through the evidence on record, the judge held that even if it was assumed that the girl was a consenting party, she was below 16 years of age and her consent carried no relevance in the eyes of the law. The judge declined the contentions raised by the defence counsel that the prosecution had failed to prove that the girl was minor.
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Disciplinary action likely against Birmi
Ludhiana, August 25 The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) is learnt to have taken a serious note of the attempts by Mr Birmi to hold a parallel function to observe the death anniversary of former Chief Minister Beant Singh on August 31. Talking with reporters here today, Mr Singla said the PCC had taken a serious note of the activities of Mr Birmi, which had been referred to the Disciplinary Action Committee of the PCC. He pointed out that though Mr Birmi was free to air his grievances within the party, he could not harm the interest of the party. The Finance Minister also criticised Madhya Pradesh’s former Chief Minister, Ms Uma Bharti, for trying to flare up communal passions in the country. He alleged that Ms Bharti had resigned with the motive of dividing people along communal lines. Mr Singla alleged that the BJP and the RSS were still pursuing the divisive agenda, which was not acceptable to the people of the country. Mr Singla alleged that the Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was aligning with the same communal and divisive forces. He pointed out that Mr Badal was associating RSS leaders with the quadricentennial celebrations of Guru Granth Sahib. He maintained that the role of the Punjab Government was only limited to its cooperation extended to the SGPC to ensure that the celebrations were a success. He regretted that Mr Badal was trying to politicise the issue and accuse the government of interference. Asked whether the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who belonged to Punjab had promised any special package for the state, Mr Singla said nothing of such kind was in the offing. But he hoped that the Prime Minister would take due care of the state. Earlier, addressing students after attending the first-ever satellite-based tele-education
by Punjab Technical University at a remote education centre here today, he said the youth would be the greatest beneficiaries of the IT revolution. The Finance Minister said Indian IT companies had captured a big market at the global level and students getting training in Punjab would avail of enormous job opportunities worldwide, as they would get quality education through satellite. He said Information Technology would also help in strengthening the economy of the state, as Punjab was the first state to provide technical education available in big cities to students enrolled with more than 350 remote education centres of the university. Mr Singla added that the state was all set for a biotechnology revolution and a new biotechnology institute of a global standard was likely to be set up in the state, which would open employment opportunities for the youth. He urged the students to avail of the opportunities available to access the vast information on the Internet and update themselves with latest techniques so that they could compete at the international level. Mr D.S. Sekhon, managing director of the remote education centre, said the satellite-based tele-education would be provided to more than 60,000 students studying in 350 such centres of the university in the country where latest technical education relating to IT, designing, computer education, etc. would be provided. He said it would usher in a new era of education in the state. Among others present on the occasion were Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr. Jagpal Singh Khangura.
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City emerging as major cricket centre
Ludhiana, August 25 After the likes of Chaman Lal Malhotra, former Punjab Ranji captain and chairman, selection committee Punjab (seniors), father figure of Punjab cricket Rajinder Mahajan, and Vinod Chitkara taking charge of office-bearers of the LDCA, city lads have shown results at the state as well as national level tournaments. In fact, Ludhiana’s name now shines not only in the state but also the country. The LDCA, under the aegis of the Punjab Cricket Association, has been running its regional coaching centre for boys in various age groups at the local Arya College for Boys ground. It has engaged qualified coaches to guide young players. The hard work put in by the present team of the association has begun to bear fruit. One of the recent achievements was the entry of the Ludhiana team, under the captaincy of Ankur Kakkar, into the final of the Inter-District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield after a gap of 16 years. Also, seamer Gagandeep Singh Toor represented the state in national tournaments and was also selected for the camp organised for fast bowlers by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from which the Indian team was shortlisted for the Sri Lanka tour recently. Gagandeep became the first pacer to score a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy, in the year 2002 at the PCA Stadium, Mohali. And Ankur Kakkar has been leading the PCA Colts XI in the matches being played in the Buchi Babu Cricket Tournament in Chennai. Another local lad, Luv Abhlish, is also a member of the team. Last year, in a national-level under-22 tournament, the state team had three Ludhiana cricketers, namely Gaurav Marwaha, Luv Abhlish and Kuldeep. Due to excellent performance of these lads, the Punjab squad finished runner-up. Gaurav Marwaha, with one century,
emerged the second-highest run getter in the tournament. This year, city players repeated the history as two cricketers from Ludhiana, Karan Goel and Bharat Malhotra, were selected for the National Cricket Academy, run by the BCCI for under-15 boys at Bangalore. Moreover, for the past five years, four-five players from the city had been representing the state in various age group tournaments. The parent body, PCA, is happy with the LDCA for the performance shown by the boys and its adminstrative ability. Ludhiana is the first choice for allocation of inter-district matches. This is despite the fact that the LDCA dose not have any cricket ground of its own. Mr Rajinder Mahajan, president, LDCA, said they were negotiating with the Punjab Agricultural University authorities to allow the LDCA to build a stadium on the campus. Mr A.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity and Mr M.P. Pandove, secretary, PCA, had met twice to chalk out modalities for the stadium, Mr Mahajan said. “Cricket lovers should feel proud that Hindustan Lever Limited has decided to set up its Lifebuoy Cricket Academy here. The academy will work under the ageis of the BCCI,” he said. The association, in order to promote the game at grassroot level, has been organising a cricket tournament for under-14 boys for the past eight years.
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Claim on VAT far from truth: Bar members
Ludhiana, August 25 Mr P.C. Garg, president and Mr Jatinder Khurana, press secretary of the association challenged the statement of Mr S.K. Ralhan, Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab, in which the officer had claimed that with the introduction of VAT, the taxation laws relating to sales tax would be simplified and “inspectors raj” would be curbed. The functionaries of the association maintained that the claim of simplification of taxation structure after the introduction of VAT Act in Punjab was far from truth. It would not only increase the burden of the traders but would not yield any additional revenue to the state exchequer. “The draft of Punjab VAT Act was released to public on October 2003 and since then it has not been discussed either with the members of trade and industry or with the representatives of taxation bar.” Commenting on the proposed VAT Act, Mr Garg and Mr Khurana claimed that there were quite a few unfriendly provisions in the proposed act which needed to be removed. “Provisions like powers to the officers to check cash, seizure of stock by the department, audit provisions, maintenance of stock register and curtailing the right of appeal in some cases ought to be discussed and debated at length and required to be rationalised.” The taxation bar urged the government and the Taxation Department to initiate an open dialogue on the proposed VAT Act so that those specific provisions which were unnecessary, arbitrary and involved no loss of revenue, could be removed or suitably amended. The issue as to whether the introduction of VAT would simplify or complicate the sales tax structure, itself was open to debate and unless the public were fully apprised of the VAT proposals, the officials should refrain from making any claims on this subject. 
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It will simplify tax structure: Ralhan
Ludhiana, August 25 Speaking at a workshop organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry with an objective to spread awareness regarding VAT among traders and industrialists, Ms J.J. Kaur, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, while explaining the Punjab Draft and Rules for VAT, pointed out that with the ushering in of VAT the plethora of exemptions and exceptions would automatically disappear and the enforcement as also the recovery of dues would become much easier. Dr A.K. Vashisht, Professor, University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh, said VAT helped in simplifying the indirect tax system, reduce tax evasion, bring transparency and enhances tax neutrality. He said the multiplicity of taxes, lack of transparency and the cascading effect often make Indian product uncompetitive as compared to foreign goods even when the actual cost of production might be lower. Mr Jagjit Singh, taxation consultant, said the existing practice of monitoring of inflow of goods at the check posts was an archaic method of the tax administration. “VAT is an important initiative which must not and cannot be defeated through faulty implementation and the measures be introduced by all states which should not be in patchwork”, he said. He said the implementation of VAT would help to bring down the incidence of tax evasion in various sectors of economy and improve the cost competitiveness of the industry on the whole. The chamber also anticipating that the introduction of VAT should ensure that all other local taxes like octroi and entry tax should be done away with, otherwise the very purpose of the new system would stand defeated.
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Youth SAD to have political affairs panel
Ludhiana, August 25 State SAD Youth chief and MP Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said the committee, to be constituted shortly, would have 11 members initially, which would be raised to 21 later. An approval to the proposal had been accorded by the party. It would be an important institution for the unit and would act as a think tank for framing and pursuing programmes and policies of the party. He said one of the major grievances of the youth workers was the feeling of alienation by many promising leaders who were not being adjusted in the party’s organisational setup. This would open avenues for deserving persons who attend party function with their supporters and work selflessly even after being overlooked for one reason or the other, he pointed out. Mr Dhillon said the youth wing had performed well in the parliamentary elections and it was time that certain changes were made in the organisational setup wherein senior leaders could be accommodated in the PAC, while new blood could run party affairs. He said the Youth Akali Dal would participate in the celebrations to mark the 400 years of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib in Amritsar on September 1. All district presidents had been directed to turn up with supporters from across the state. In this context, a meeting of office-bearers of the state unit would be held in Amritsar on August 31 at 5 pm. Youth workers would act as volunteers to regulate traffic and maintain discipline within and outside the Golden Temple complex. They would also man information centres for devotees who arrived from outside the state. They would also maintain decorum around the main “pandal” and the stage, he said. In addition to this, the youth workers would perform other duties allotted to them by the SGPC, he added. He appealed people to arrive in Amritsar in large numbers to pay their obeisance on the historic occasion.
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LJP rally deferred to Sept 23
Ludhiana, August 25
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March against use of tobacco
Ludhiana, August 25 The members began their march from the head office of the Guru Nanak Gobind Singh Study Circle, Model Town, at 9 am. According to members of the circle, the growing use of drugs by the youth, majority of whom are school and college students, was a major cause for concern to them. They said they had been holding rallies and processions against the sale of tobacco products in the past as well. The circle members said students of primary classes were getting hooked on tobacco products unknowingly. Even young children were getting addicted to these, they lamented. They said though under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Control Act, no shop selling cigarette or tobacco could run within 100 metres of any school or college, vendors were selling these right outside educational institutions. The Supreme Court of India has already banned both the use and sale of cigarette, tobacco, etc. at public places or near schools and colleges. To protest against this and to make residents aware, circle members marched the streets carrying placards and banners. At the culmination of the march, the circle members handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma, in this
regard.
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PFA abhors move to kill blue bull
Admitting that herds of these animals were known to cause havoc to crops of farmers, the president of PFA, Dr Sandeep K. Jain, said the move would put the existence of these animals in danger. Dr Jain alleged the state government was planning to issue permits to poachers to shoot the animal on the pretext of saving crops. He added that it was a shy animal and came out of forests only due to lack of sufficient food and water due to human activity and encroachments on their habitat. Punjab has only four per cent forest cover against the mandatory 27 per cent. Commonly known as blue bull or “roz”, the male has a silky, steel grey coat with a bluish tinge all over except one white patch under the chin, which extends to the neck and a white ring above all four fetlock. Just below the white throat patch, a stiff tuft of black hair resembling stylish beard is present. Its shiny black horns are usually 10 inches long. There are two white spots on each cheek. The female is smaller, sandy brown on the upper body and white below. Normally, a single calf is born in one year, with twins taking birth occasionally. In Punjab, these are present in the Kandi region, Shivalik foothills, Bathinda, Ferozepore, Ludhiana, Sangrur and others. This animal has vanished from South India due to bad management of forests and wildlife. Dr Jain said the animal needed to be protected as only 3,000-4,000 members of these species were left in the forests of state. There were other means, than poaching, to safeguard the interests of the faming community, he said. He advised the growing of millet and grasses like guinea grass in the forest areas and availability of enough drinking water to prevent wildlife like sambar and black bucks from venturing out of the forests. He added that human activity needed to be minimal in forests. He said the Wildlife Department, which is already low on manpower and technical knowhow, needed to keep encroachments on forest land in check. The plan to issue permits to shoot the animal was not a wise move as it would ensure easy access for poachers to forest areas, said the PFA activists.
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Six booked for rape of minor
Ludhiana, August 25 The complainant stated that Anita was trying to push his minor daughter into prostitution. About a week ago, Anita lured his daughter who was allegedly raped by Shakti and others. Cyclist killed The Division No. 8 police yesterday registered a case under Sections 279, 427 and 304-A of the IPC on the statement of Harish against Surinder Singh, a resident of Chhoti Haibowal. The complainant stated that the accused, who was driving an auto, hit Parful Kumar Malik, a relative of the complainant, while he was going on cycle near the Dhobi Ghat chowk on Tuesday. Parful died on the spot. Abducted The Focal Point police yesterday registered a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC on the statement of a resident of Dhandari Kalan village against Satish, also a resident of the same village. The complainant stated that the accused had kidnapped two of his granddaughters on July 5. Charas seized The Focal Point police yesterday arrested Nathni and seized 1 kg of charas from his possession. He was booked under the NDPS Act. Theft case The Jodhewal police registered a case under Sections 380 and 506 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Darshan Singh Chawla, who runs a nursing home at Jodhewal, against Rajinder Gupta, who lives in Dabar Colony, Meharban village. The complainant stated that he was living in rented accommodation owned by the accused. Since he had failed to pay an outstanding rent of Rs 18,000, the accused stole his household items. Assaulted The Sarabha Nagar police yesterday registered a case under Sections 323, 324 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Gurnam Singh, who lives in Sanet village, against Amarjit Singh, Karnail Singh and Avtar Singh. The complainant stated that the accused intercepted him in the village on Sunday and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. The Division No. 7 police yesterday registered a case under Sections 323, 324, 341, 506 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Tavinder Kumar, who lives in Sector 32 of PUDA Urban Estate, against Vishal Kataria and three others. The complainant stated that the accused intercepted him near Vardhman Mill on Saturday, beat him up and threatened him. Liquor seized The Jodhewal police has arrested Lekh Raj, who lives in Sekhewal village, and seized nine bottles of liquor from his possession.
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Steel consumer not benefited by cut in prices
Ludhiana, August 25 The steel prices have fallen by about Rs 1,000 per metric tonnes. The steel consumers are not very happy at the turn of events as the steel suppliers have not reduced the rates of steel products . Mr Avtar Singh, general secretary of the chamber of industrial and commercial undertakings, Ludhiana, said today that the agents of main steel producers maintained that the prices would be slashed only when they received fresh supplies of finished products. The government would have to take more stringent measures to check the lot of the main producers and their agents, he added. Sources close to the steel re-rolling mills association of India said that cracks had appeared among the Indian steel alliance (ISA), an organisation of main producers, as a result of which they had reduced the prices of the steel. Mr R.P. Bhatia, senior vice- president of the association, said that the pries of ingot had fallen by Rs 600 per tonne and it was being sold for Rs 23,000 per tonne. Mr Avtar Singh maintained that the prices of cold rolled steel should have come down by Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per tonne but this had not happened as yet. Enquiries show that the main steel producers have announced reduction in prices but they are not supplying finished goods to the domestic market. The export of steel continues and unless export is banned, prices will not fall. The benefit of reduction in customs duties and central excise duty have not been passed on to the consumer. The government waived the custom duty on scrap and the international prices of scrap have touched US 260 dollars per tonne from 250 dollars per tonne. The local scrap was also being sold for Rs 17,000 per tonne.the prices of MS rounds have witnessed a fall of Rs 1000 per tonne during the past two days. Cold rolled companies are selling their products at the rate of Rs 35,000 to Rs 36,000 per tonne. Mr Avtar Singh demanded that the export of steel should be banned completely for at least two months and then the prices would come down.
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New car models
Ludhiana, August 25 The Managing Director and President Ford India, Mr David Friedman, claimed the Ford Ikon sales growing by 50 per cent over last years.
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Ludhiana, August 25