Sehat bima yojana extended

Ludhiana: The state government-run Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana has been extended till March 31, 2018.  The scheme is running since 2015 and was to expire in October 2017. Civil Surgeon Hardeep Singh Ghai said under the scheme, 2,15,299 small farmers and labourers have been given blue cards. The same old cards would be valid for availing of the benefits during this extended period. All benefits would be extended afresh for the extended period. Ghai said 16 government hospitals and 27 hospitals are empanelled under the scheme. The scheme-related information is also available at www.BPSSBY.com. Beneficiaries can also call at tollfree helpline 104 for more information and help.

Complete ban on plastic, synthetic strings 

The police on Monday banned the use of synthetic and plastic string (also known as Chinese string) in kite flying. These kind of strings are very dangerous as they can easily cut the skin of animals and humans. Police Commissioner RN Dhoke has banned selling, using and storing of such harmful strings under Section 144 of the CrPC. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier banned the use of nylon and synthetic “manjha”, the string used in kite flying. The use of such strings has claimed several lives and left many injured. TNS 

AICMA members meet 

Director Industries DPS Kharbanda held a meeting with the members of the All-India Cycle Manufacturers’ Association (AICMA). The need for technology upgrade was felt. Eight AICMA members attended the meeting. After the discussion, it was decided that bicycle leaders would explore the possibility of likely tie-ups with Japanese bicycle manufacturers. There was unanimity on upgrading existing Bicycle Research and Development Centre. The Director Industries agreed to facilitate the Cluster Development Programme Scheme related 20% share in kind of Bicycle R&D Centre as required under the scheme. The issues of cycle valley were also taken up and resolved for rolling out the road map.   

Shankar is AAP spokesperson

Darshan Singh Shankar, who has been appointed the spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, in a new list of state party office-bearers released last evening, has extended thanks to party president Bhagwant Mann, co-president Aman Arora, state secretary Gulshan Chhabra, head organisation building Garry Barring and chief spokesperson Harjot Bains for assigning the responsibility in the state body. Shankar assured that he would try his best to live up to the expectations of party high command and put in all efforts to take the policies and programmes of the party to the people up to the grassroots level.

2 held with 400-gram heroin

The STF arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 400-gram heroin from them.  The accused have been identified as Ravi Kumar, alias Raghu (19), of Maha Singh Nagar and Harmanpreet Singh, alias Badshah (23), of Shimlapuri.  STF Ludhiana Unit in-charge Harbans Singh said during a routine patrolling near PUDA Park, Sector 39, Chandigarh Road, two youth were stopped for checking. During the search of their belongings, 400-gram heroin along with Rs 70,000 was recovered from them.  Ravi said he had been into the notorious trade for the past two years and around five months ago was arrested by the Model Town police in drug smuggling case and after getting bail, he again started smuggling drugs. Harbans said even Harmanpreet was arrested in a drug case in 2014 and he, too, continued with the notorious profession after getting bail. Harbans said the accused had been receiving drug supply from a person named Neelo at cheap rates and was selling the same to clients at a handsome commission. Now, the STF was making efforts to nab Neelo. TNS

CICU cricket tourney

Jasvir Singh excelled with the bat and ball (58 runs and 5 for 20) and steered Asian Cranes XI to defeat the Arisudana Industries Ltd XI by 43 runs in the 4th Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) Corporate T-20 Cricket Tournament being held at the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College ground here on Sunday. The Asian Cranes XI posted 173 runs for the loss of four wickets. Jasvir Singh was the main scorer chipping in with 58 runs with the help of six boundaries. In reply, the Arisudana Industries Ltd XI could muster 139 runs with nine balls to spare. Jasvir Singh again stole the limelight by capturing five wickets in 3.3 overs. He was declared the man of the match. oc