Paying the price for blind faith
Shopkeeper faces police action
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
A Pakhowal-based shopkeeper’s blind faith in a self-styled saint in Malerkotla instead of the police regarding the search of his lost VCR has proved too costly for him. He is facing police action as on the advice of the ‘Siana’ (as such person is known in local parlance), the shopkeeper along with some friends forcibly searched a house, where the saint had told him the VCR would be found.

The shopkeeper and his friends received a good beating and a case is likely to be registered against him in the Sudhar police station. According to sources, the incident took place recently. A video-library owner in Pakhowal village, 20 km from here, gave his VCR on rent to some person. However, when the persons did not come on the scheduled time to return the VCR, he checked from the given address but to his utter shock, found that the address was fake.

Instead of reporting the matter to the police, the shopkeeper went to a Malerkotla-based self-styled saint, famous for locating, lost or stolen articles. He told the man that his VCR was kept in a large trunk in a yellow-coloured house near a gurdwara in Kailey village near Pakhowal.

The credulous shopkeeper along with some friends immediately went to the village and found the house similar to the description given by the saint. He raided the house in which only the womenfolk were present. The house was ransacked but there was no sign of any VCR. Meanwhile, the women raised an alarm at which the male members of the house and other neighbours came and beat up the shopkeeper and his friends.

Later, a complaint was filed with the Sudhar police, the complainant is likely to lodge an FIR, police sources said. Meanwhile, the Taraksheel Society of Pakhowal has stepped in and claims to have got relevant evidence of exposing the self-styled saint. 

MC releases funds for projects
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
With the release of funds to the tune of Rs 9.20 crore by the state government to the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, as first monthly instalment to compensate it for the loss of octroi income, there has been a sea change in the general mood of depression and gloom, which has now given way to an upbeat attitude of the MC top brass.

To clear the misgivings about the financial condition of the civic body and dispel the general impression that development work would be affected as a consequence of abolition of octroi, the Commissioner, Mr R.L. Kalsia, today disbursed cheques worth about Rs 1.82 crore to agencies, executing the projects of Dhuri Line flyover, Dhandari flyover and the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. In addition, another Rs 3.14 crore were released towards pending bills of the contractors.

Mr Kalsia asked representatives of various agencies and contractors that they should have no apprehension about any delay in their payments for execution of development projects. He made it clear that there would be no compromise on quality and the Engineering Wing had been specifically directed to maintain stringent quality control and get the material tests done at prominent laboratories.

Disclosing that the preliminary work related to construction of a flyover to replace the existing Lakkar Pul, which would subsequently be linked to the proposed elevated road, has been completed, the MC Commissioner said the project would go on stream in January next year and the PWD, the executing agency, had been instructed to commence work from the Old District Courts side without any further delay. The MC had recently made another payment of Rs 2.36 crore to the Railways as the cost of land, which would come under the flyover. A sum of Rs 4 crore already stood deposited with the Railways as cost of the construction of a part of the flyover, crossing over the railway tracks.

According to Mr Kalsia, almost 65 per cent of the work of Dhuri Line flyover project has been completed and the executing agency, Ms Gammon India, had assured to finish the pending work by April, 2002. Some delay had been caused in the completion of flyover due to delayed clearance by the Northern Railways, but it would be covered up . The work on Dhandari flyover was also running behind schedule due to work being done by the Railways for the proposed Chandigarh-Ludhiana railway line.

Lok Morcha to contest 70 seats
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
Punjab Lok Morcha, a conglomerate of eight national and regional political parties, has decided to contest 70 assembly seats in the forthcoming elections.

The convener of the morcha, Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala, and the chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) said, it had kept the option of alliance and adjustment with non Congress and non Akali-BJP parties still open.

Today’s meeting was attended among others by Mr Harish Khanna of the Janata Dal (Secular), Mr Teja Singh Tewana of the Samajwadi Party, Mr Jagjit Singh Lyalapuri of the CPM, Mr Balwant Singh of the Nationalist Congress Party, Mr Mukhtiar Singh Arshi of the Republican Party of India and Mr Darshan Singh of the Samajwadi Janata Party.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the leaders told a joint press conference that although their communication channels with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthic Morcha) were still open, nothing had been finalised so far. “Let them first decide among themselves whether they are going to fight it alone or forge unity with Mr Badal only then can we make some progress”, Mr Wadala remarked.

Notwithstanding their limited reach in the state, the morcha leaders claimed that they were going to provide an “efficient and effective” alternative, other than the Akali-BJP and the Congress, to the people of Punjab. Elaborating, Mr Lyalapuri said in response to a question: “It is not necessary that we contest all seats and win all of them. We can mobilise people outside the assembly as well”.

While ruling out any possibility of an alliance with the CPM, they said the Morcha might reach an understanding with the Communist Party Marxist, Punjab led by the rebel Communist leader, Mr Mangat Ram Pasla. They asserted that there was no question of aligning with Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, who had started acting just like an agent of the Congress.

The Morcha leaders said they would contest elections on various issues of public importance. They disclosed that corruption and nor performance would remain on top of their agenda. Mr Harish Khanna pointed out” no section of the society, whether the common man, the industrialist, the farmers, students or the educated youth, everyone is disillusioned with the government”. He added it was the worst government Punjab could ever have.

The Morcha leaders maintained that they would have a decisive role in the post election scenario as they predicted a hung assembly after elections. They said no single party would get absolute majority and “our role would be crucial”. 

Forum directs BSNL to investigate
 Issuance of inflated bill
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to investigate how a telephone subscriber, Mr Ram Kishan Singh a resident of Bhutta village, was issued a bill for Rs 3,904.06 on October 18, 2000, while his bill never exceeded Rs 500. The forum further directed that after proper investigations, the consumer must be given proper relief along with Rs 500 as the cost of litigation.

According to the complaint, the consumer used to get the bill between Rs 300 and 500, but on October 18, 2000, he was issued a bill for Rs 3,904.06 for the period August 1, 2000, to September 5, 2000. The consumer stated before the forum that after that he received another inflated bill of Rs 1,124 for the period from October 1 to November 31, 2000.

It was alleged that both bills were excessive and wrongly raised by the respondent just to harass him. He disclosed that a few months ago, late in the evening, the SDO concerned with some other BSNL officials was passing by his village in a vehicle and a villager tried to stop him for identification, but he drove away. Later, the villagers got suspicious and stopped the vehicle. After proper identification, he was asked to go. He stated that it might be possible that being a sarpanch he was penalised for this act. He demanded proper action against the BSNL officials.

The BSNL pleaded before the forum that the allegations levelled by the complainant were false and defamatory and had nothing to do with the said telephone bill. It was admitted that the said bill was issued. The respondent disclosed that at the end of June, 2000, a serious fault had occurred in the Lehal telephone exchange in the evening. That was why the SDO, Dehlon and Amarjit Singh had gone there. On the way, both of them were stopped by residents of Bhutta village, who asked them to go after some questioning. But that incident had nothing to do with the bill of the consumer, the respondent added.

The BSNL maintained “the consumer is a sarpanch of the village and an active politician and it is quite possible that he would have used the telephone excessive during the said period. It further stated that the bill was rightly raised and the complaint was liable to be dismissed.

The forum observed that the consumer was never issued a bill of more than Rs 500 before issuing the excessive one on October 18, 2000. The forum stated that as per the rules, there was a sudden increase in a telephone bill of a consumer, the BSNL had to investigate the matter. But in the present case no such reason had been explained. 

Landlord harassed by migrant labourer!
Manoj Kumar
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
In a bizarre incident of the growing clout and assertiveness of migrant labourers settled here, another case of highhandedness with a local landlord has come to light. However, the district administration has declined to intervene apparently due to its perceptions regarding the innocence of labourers and the lack of authenticity on the part of the complainant.

The complaint of an autorickshaw driver was summarily rejected by the authorities at the Sangat Darshan held here yesterday. Mr Satish Kumar Bhandari, who is living in a small quarter in EWS colony of PUDA on Tajpur Road, has alleged that a migrant labourer had constructed a jhuggi in his backyard, and was now forcing him to vacate the house, with the support of his associates.

In his complaint he said: “I have been residing in house no 2437, EWS Colony, for the past seven years, and had purchased the house from Mr Gobind Ram, about two years ago. However, Mainudin, a migrant labourer, has forcibly constructed a hut in my backyard, and is now asking me to vacate the house or be ready to face the music.”

He alleged that on May 21, 2000, Mr Mainudin along with his 20-25 colleagues had forcibly possession of his plot and had constructed a jhuggi in the backyard of his house. On complaining to the Vardhman police station, a compromise was reached between them. Mainudin had reportedly agreed to vacate the land within a week, but without any result.

Mr Bhandari lamented that on July 29, last year, Mainudin along with his friends, attacked him at his home. When the matter was reported to the police, it registered a case against both of them, Mr Mahabir Aggarwal, vice president of the South Mandal of the BJP and some of his party members, tried to convince both the parties to come to a compromise. Some members of the Shiv Sena are allegedly supporting Mainudin and have threatened the administration not to take any action against him.

Ms Karan Bala, wife of Mr Bhandari, pleaded that they have five daughters and two sons, and her husband remained ill. However, due to a majority of the migrant labourers in the locality, Mainudin used to abuse them often and threatened them a number of times. The couple alleged that instead of providing them any justice, the police was supporting the migrant labourer.

It is also learnt that Mainudin had earlier argued that he was the original allottee of the plot, however, he could not produce any documents to support his claim. Mr Bhandari has urged the administration to dismiss the false case registered against him and instruct the labourer to vacate his backyard.

Two held for extortion
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
An employer’s refusal in increasing the salary led an employee of the company along with three other youths to steal vital records of the company and blackmail the employer. Two of them were arrested in a raid by the CIA police from a house in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar yesterday.

Police sources revealed that the main accused, Amandeep Singh, and his accomplice, Ramesh Chand had been arrested while two others were on the run. Amandeep Singh has been accused of hatching the conspiracy of stealing the records and then blackmailing the owners of the Fast Choice Service company. He has confessed his crime and told the police that he did so as he was putting up hardwork for the company but his salary was not being increased. 

Show of unity at Cong rally
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
As the elections draw closer the Congress leaders seem to be keen on closing ranks to ensure better performance. These leaders, belonging to different factions presented a united show today at a rally organised by the District Congress Committee (DCC) Ludhiana, at Sufian Chowk under the leadership of Mr Surinder Dawer.

Among others it was attended by the Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary, Mr Jasbir Singh, (Ludhiana North), Mr Rakesh Pandey, chairman of the Indian Youth Congress (Urban Development Cell), Mr Pawan Dewan, District Youth Congress president, Mr Parminder Mehta, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mr Prem Mittal, Mr Ajit Singh Ahluwalia, Ms Usha Malhotra and several local councillors.

Mr Dawer and Mr Pandey, who belonged to different factions led by Capt Amarinder Singh and Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal respectively, so far would not see eye to eye with each other. They vowed to oust the Akali-BJP government and defeat all the alliance candidates in the city. The area, which falls in Ludhiana East, from where Mr Dawer is seeking the Congress nomination is represented by the Deputy Speaker in the assembly, Mr Satpal Gosain.

Although Mr Gosain is said to have a strong following in the area, it was quite an impressive show by the Congress as they had put in joint efforts. Mr Dawer and Mr Pandey resolved to ensure the defeat of Mr Gosain, who has been elected from this segment for two consecutive terms.

The PCC president, Capt Amarinder Singh, who was also scheduled to attend the rally had sent his message through Mr Jasbir Singh. The PCC president, in his message, assured that the Congress would provide a corruption free government to the people. He lauded the efforts of local leaders in organising a good rally against the policies of the state government.

Kite sales picking up 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
As the Lohri and Basant Panchami festivals fall early next year, the sale of kites has started picking up in the city. The wholesalers have already filled their godown with a wide variety of kites and strings to serve the taste of kite-flying lovers of all age groups.

Though there are some localites which made kites and strings, a large stock of kites and strings are transported for the city consumers from distant places like Kolkatta, Muradabad, Barielly, Jaipur and Lucknow. A retailer in Meena Bazar, Mr. Surjit Singh, says that we have to keep a variety of kites because Ludhanivis always demand some special kinds of kites like Jaipuri Chajja, Tugal, Lucknow Khat, Bombay Khat etc.

The prices of kites range from 50 paisa to Rs 20. However, the kites with price tag up to Rs 5 are in great demand. Still people buy big and colourful kites of different shapes and sizes which cost from Rs 6 to Rs 15. However, one can get 30-metre-long string in Rs 7, but if someone really want to beat every other competent whose kite is in the sky, he can purchase 6,000-metre-long string for the purpose in Rs 500.

Some of the famous kite shops in the city which came into existence about more than 30 years ago, are Bodh Raj Di Hatti and Gulshan Di Hatti in Field Ganj Area, Ladho Di Hati in Iqbal Ganj Chowk and Surjit Kite Shop in Meena Bazar.

A retailer, Mr Surjit Singh, says that the moment winter vacations start, the rooftops would become perfect places for all college and school-going students to improve the skill of flying kites. 

Young Voice
Master Microsoft computer engineer
Our Correspondent

Sant sammelan
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
A sant sammelan will be held on December 23 at the New Grain Market near Ambedkar Chowk on the Jalandhar bypass by the managing committee of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Basti Jodhewal , and other city-based Ravidass and Valmiki organisations.

Among the saints who would grace the sammelan are Sant Sarwan Dass, Sant Niranjan Dass, Sant Bhagwan Dass, Sant Mehnga Dass, Sant Puran Nath, Sant Nirmal Dass, Sant Surjit Singh and many other saints.

According to Mr Resham Lal Sidhu, general secretary, Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Managing Committee, a large number of intellectuals and people from all over Punjab would attend the sammelan..

“Run for fun”
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
Mr Kuldeep Singh, SDM, will be the chief guest at a ‘run for fun’ race for men above 60 which will take off at 10 a.m. from Shiv Mandir on Bindraban Road, Civil Lines.

Mr Amarjit Singh, chairman, Shiv Mandir Sewa Samiti, which is organising the event, said here today that the purpose of the race was to promote world peace, mutual love and brotherhood.