Tributes paid

Some city-based NGOs held a prayer meeting to pay tributes to schoolchildren, who were killed on Tuesday in Peshawar, Pakistan, by lighting up candles near Gate Number 2 of the Punjab Agricultural University. The NGOs included Asian Club, Aadhar Foundation, Ludhiana Citizen Council and Anti-Corruption Crime Cell. Addressing the prayer meeting, Sukhminder Singh said it was a big tragedy and it had shaken up the whole world. Meanwhile, the Active Anti-Corruption Group held a candle march at Issa Nagri Puli to pay tributes to the children killed by terrorists. People from different social, political parties and different walks of life took part in it.

Protest

Activists of Shiv Sena, Punjab, held a demonstration at the office of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) to protest against the alleged bungling in the regularisation of colonies. They said the field staff of GLADA and the Municipal Corporation was conniving with the developers and causing huge loss to the government exchequer. They also said both the GLADA and MC were adopting pick and choose policy for acting against illegal colonies.

Demanded

Belan Brigade, an NGO, has demanded that strict action should be taken against the violators who drink and drive leading to road accidents. Anita Sharma, national president of Belan Brigade, said by opening large number of liquor vends the government has made the problem worse.

Inspection

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Supreet Singh Gulati carried out checking at different branches of the administration to check the cleanliness and whether the files, documents had been kept in properly and sequence-wise. He said cleanliness and keeping files and documents was imperative to provide public service in an efficient manner. He added that while checking, it was found that files and documents had been kept in an organised manner, but shortcomings were also found at some branches. A contest regarding these was organised amongst branches, in which Records Branch was adjudged the winner.

Meeting

SAD leader Madan Lal Bagga held a meeting with the marriage palace owners and listened to their grievances here on Wednesday. He also called the officials from the Excise and Taxation Department and instructed them to make sure that traders did not suffer unnecessarily. The marriage palace owners thanked Bagga for giving them a patient hearing.

Ban sought on plastic strings

Members of the Action Against Corruption staged protest outside Clock Tower here on Wednesday. They demanded stern action against those who were indulging in the sale and purchase of plastic strings. Chanderkant Chadha said the string was highly dangerous for humans as well as for animals. He said many incidents had taken place in the past where scooterists have suffered fatal injuries after string cut their necks. He said despite the ban, plastic strings were being sold in full swing.

Shramdaan Divas

Over 30,000 woodworkers and contractors are set to unite in a unique pan-India community initiative- Shramdaan Divas on December 20. The woodworkers and contractors will not charge labour for a day to repair and refurbish furniture at around 800 NGOs, beneficiary schools, hospitals and institutions for underprivileged children. Organised under the auspices of the Fevicol Champions Club, the exercise is expected to impact and benefit the lives of over 50,000 children in more than 180 cities across the country. — TNS