All for EU, these car drivers

Jalandhar: Britain might have decided to leave the European Union, but that has not stopped some local youngsters from flaunting EU-style vehicle registration plates. The plates bear a logo representing the EU flag with the abbreviation ‘IND’, as if India has joined the Union. It’s mandatory for vehicle owners in the EU to display the logo along with the abbreviation of the member country. A registration plate maker, Raju, said he made about 10 such pieces daily, charging Rs 500 to Rs 650 each. District Transport Officer RP Singh said such use of the plates was not permitted by the motor vehicle laws. Traffic cops, are you reading this?

SSP in VVIP mode

Muktsar: In the Badals’ home district, it’s not only the politicians who enjoy VVIP status. Whenever SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill travels in his official Innova along with an escort Gypsy, the traffic cops at the Kotkapura chowk here use barricades to ‘clear the way’ for the officer. The chowk is located en route the SSP’s office and residence. Recently, when the traffic cops asked the commuters to stop, they were heard saying, “An officer should not forget that he is a public servant.”

Reading the Sino signs

Chandigarh: Ludhiana’s industry has been making a hue and cry over the impact of cheaper imports from China. Last week, a 62-member team of the Ludhiana-based Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings visited the China Machine Tool Industry Exhibition in Beijing. The delegation observed that Chinese machinery and equipment could be used to upgrade SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in the industrial city and also help in reducing production costs. Hope the industry will pull up its socks and make the most of Chinese technology rather than making noises.

Toll-free plea runs into PWD barrier

Chandigarh: State journalists’ plea seeking exemption from toll payment has hit a roadblock. Replying to a query by the Chief Minister’s Office, the Public Works Department (PWD), which manages the allotment of state-run toll plazas, said it was not keen to foot the bill of the 4,000-odd scribes. This is another blow to the fraternity after various insurance companies cold-shouldered the state government’s initiative for providing medical cover to the journos.

Axing trees to prop up sand bags!

Faridkot: The Canal Department came up with an eco-unfriendly way to strengthen the fast-eroding banks of the Rajasthan and Sirhind feeder canals in the town. Department employees axed many trees on the canal banks and used these to prop up a wall of sand bags raised to curb erosion. A local environmentalist lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner, who has ordered an inquiry.

Labourer’s daughter merits praise

Abohar: Sonu Bala, daughter of Ami Chand, a farm labourer of Lakhewali Dhab village, travelled 60 km daily for classes at DAV College here. Her hard work has paid off as she has secured the second position on the Panjab University merit list in the BBA-II (Bachelor of Business Administration). Ami Chand, who is illiterate, has battled financial odds to provide education to his children. Sonu’s elder sister has done MA and BEd, her brother is doing BA and her youngest sister is studying in Class XII.

(Contributed by Gagandeep Singh, Archit Watts,  Vijay C Roy, Rajmeet Singh,  Balwant Garg and Raj Sadosh)