24022024-LT-01.qxd 2/24/2024 12:57 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SHOBHA YATRA TAKEN OUT AHEAD OF RAVIDAS JAYANTI MALERKOTLA REELING UNDER MENACE OF STRAY CANINE SURESH WADKAR RECEIVES LATA MANGESHKAR AWARD A shobha yatra was taken out in the city ahead of parkash utsav of Guru Ravidas from temple located at Basti Chowk. P2 Stray dogs feeding on carcasses and leftover food have become a source of inconvenience for residents. P3 Veteran playback singer Suresh Wadkar has been honoured with Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 22°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.17 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:53 AM SATURDAY | 24 FEBRUARY 2024| LUDHIANA Body found in Salem Tabri Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 23 A half-burnt body was found in a vacant plot in the Peeru Banda area of Salem Tabri here on Friday. A resident of the locality, who went to answer a nature’s call in an empty plot in the morning, saw some dogs eating the body. The deceased was yet to be identified. Cops from the Salem Tabri police station reached the spot and started probe. Giving information, an area resident Raj Kumar said today morning a resident of the locality saw dogs eating something in the empty plot. When he went closer, he was stunned to see dogs eating a dead body. He immediately raised an alarm and residents gathered at the spot. Later, the police was informed about the body. The police suspect that the man was first killed and then an attempt was made to burnt his body. Assistant Commissioner of Police Jayant Puri said it was too early to comment whether the deceased was killed or burn alive by some suspects. The footage of the CCTV cameras was being scanned to find clues about suspects involved in the crime, he said. The body was shifted to the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination, he added. Woman smuggler among two held with illicit liquor Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 23 The Dakha police yesterday arrested two smugglers, including a woman, with 120 bottles of illicit liquor. The suspects were identified as former woman sarpanch Mahindrapal Kaur and Paramjeet Singh, alias Pamma, both residents of Ramgarh Bhullar village in Jagraon. A Swift car used for liquor smuggling was also impounded by the police. Already facing several cases of liquor smuggling, the woman after coming out on bail started the notorious trade again. The woman was caught yesterday when she was coming towards Mullanpur in a car with her driver. When the police stopped the car and searched the vehicle, 120 bottles of liquor were recovered from it. A case was registered against the woman and her driver at the Dakha police station. Sources said the woman had been into liquor smuggling for a long time. The woman’s driver had also been helping her in the notorious trade. Earlier on January 18, she was arrested by the Ludhiana (Rural) police with 30 bottles of illicit liquor. As March deadline nears, new Narrow escape for schoolteacher as speeding car rams into transformer int’l airport gets closer to take off After Centre called for early completion, ongoing work expedited Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 23 With the fresh deadline of March approaching, the upcoming international airport at Halwara in Ludhiana is getting closer to take off, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has said. The ongoing work on the Rs 47-crore much-awaited and much-delayed big ticket project has been further expedited after the Union Government had last month asked the AAI to ensure early completion of the new international airport. It was following a demand raised by the Rajya Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Sanjeev Arora, that the Union Civil Aviation Secretary, Vumlunmang Vualnam, had issued directions for early completion of the Centre-state joint venture. While the integrated civil enclave and cargo terminal building, sub-station and toilet block at the Air Force Station in Halwara, which is one of the oldest frontline airbases of the Indian Air Force (IAF), close to Ludhiana, had already come up, the allied works of the major civil aviation project have progressed to advanced stage of completion. After receiving all the pending nods, the work on all other components, which were stalled since long, had been put in top gear to ensure that the new international airport takes off by March 31. Sharing details, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member in the Upper House from Punjab, Sanjeev Arora, The upcoming new international airport at Halwara in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN CURRENT STATUS TASKS CLEARED COMPONENT PROGRESS TIMELINE ■ Terminal building 100% NA ■ Sub-station 100% NA ■ Toilet block 100% NA ■ Apron 40% March 31 ■ Taxiway 40% March 31 ■ Internal roads, lighting, 75% March 31 public health works ■ Approach road to 55% March 31 airport campus ■ Bridge at entry of 15% March 31 approach road ■ Works inside IAF 5% March 31 premises told The Tribune on Friday that the ongoing construction work had already reached the advanced stage of completion with the overall progress of the mega project crossing the 98 per cent mark. Arora, who reviewed the progress of the project recently, disclosed that the construction firm had committed to complete the ongoing works by March. He said the state government had so far released a sum of Rs 30 crore to complete the ongoing balance Ludhiana, February 23 A woman had a narrow escape after she rammed a speeding car into the power transformer near bus stand here on Friday. After the collision, the transformer fell on the car and the vehicle got completely damaged. Passersby rescued the woman. As per information, one Rajinder Kaur, a government schoolteacher in Sahnewal, was heading towards Bharat Nagar Chowk from bus stand. She was reportedly driving at high speed and lost control over the car which rammed into the transformer. Cops from the bus stand police post reached the spot The car that met with an accident near bus stand in Ludhiana. for investigation. The police, however, said officials of the PSPCL and the woman had reached a compromise as the latter had agreed to com- pensate the department for the loss. Hence, no legal action was taken against the errant car driver, the police said. — TNS ■ Airport’s peripheral road crust finalised. ■ Apron and taxiway designs approved. ■ Specified designs for the IAF-governed areas submitted. ■ IAF nod to widen internal taxiways. PROJECT REPORT ■ Total area: 161.28 acres ■ Terminal area: 2,000 square metres ■ Awarded cost: ~3,876.65 lakh ■ Boundary wall, approach road cost: ~309.33 crore ■ Missed deadlines: January, June 2022; June, July, August 15, August 30, September 30, October 30, 2023; February 2024 ■ Fresh deadline: March 31 work of the upcoming international airport and the demand of balance funds had already been forwarded to Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and the Civil Aviation Department, which had been mandated to jointly bear the financial burden of the project. Divulging the componentwise status, the Rajya Sabha MP said the construction of the interim terminal building, sub-station, and toilet block had been completed. All these three components of the new airport were being given finishing touches before handing these over to the AAI. He said the balance work, which was allotted on April 13 last with a time limit of completion in five months, was scheduled to be completed by September 12, but due to the bad weather and delay in the mandatory nods, this job would now finish by March 31. The components of balance works, including apron and taxiway had been completed Continued on page 3 Two inmates injured in clash at Central Jail Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 23 Two inmates were injured in a clash at the Ludhiana Central Jail. The duo suffered head injuries in the clash and were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment on Thursday night. As per information, the two inmates hurled abuses at each other over a dispute on some issue. Things got worse and they attacked and injured each other. Jail staff had to intervene to separate them. Yesterday night around 9.30 pm, inmate Harpreet Singh was brought to the Civil Hospital for treatment. Harpreet had suffered a head injury. After administering stitches on his head, he was admitted to the hospital for four hours. Later, he was shifted back to jail. Second inmate Amandeep Singh also suffered serious injuries. He was taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment. Officials of the Jail Department have launched an investigation into the matter. This was not the isolated incident. Earlier too such scuffles have taken place on the Central Jail premises. Questions are being raised over security arrangements in the jail. Mobile phones and drugs have been recovered from jail inmates. A video of the birthday party celebrations on the jail premises had gone viral in the past. 3snatchersheld,21 cellphones seized Ludhiana, February 23 The Sarabha Nagar police today arrested three snatchers and recovered 21 mobile phones from their possession. The arrested suspects have been identified as Gurdev Singh and Nitin Sharma, both residents of the Tibba road, and Gursewak Singh, a resident of Sahnewal. Apart from snatchers, the police also arrested one Kapil Dev, a resident of Sahnewal, who used to buy snatched cellphones from the suspects. Paramvir Singh, SHO, Sarabha Nagar police station, said the suspects committed mobile snatchings in various areas of the city in the recent past. He said their police remand would be sought so that more members of the gang could be arrested and looted valuables recovered. A case was registered against the suspects. — TNS Man, parents booked on Two interstate gangs of drug peddlers 40-year-old mentally chargeofdowryharassment busted; heroin, 54-kg poppy husk seized challenged woman raped, security guard arrested THE COMPLAINT Ludhiana, February 23 The Machhiwara police yesterday registered a case of dowry harassment, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation against a man and his parents. The case was registered on the complaint of his wife. The suspects were identified as Gurpreet Singh, his mother Paramjit Kaur and father Baldev Singh, all residents of Amloh. Complainant Harpreet Kaur told the police that she got married to Gurpreet in 2021 and enough dowry was given by her parents. Despite this, her husband and in-laws had been torturing her for not fulfilling their more dowry demands. The woman alleged that recently, when her husband and in-laws went abroad, Our Correspondent Harpreet Kaur told the police that she got married to Gurpreet Singh in 2021 and enough dowry was given by her parents. Despite this, her husband and in-laws had been torturing her for not fulfilling their more dowry demands. She alleged that recently, when her husband and in-laws went abroad, they threw her out of the house. they threw her out of the house. The victim alleged that her husband and inlaws did this to make her realise that their dowry demands were not fulfilled. Investigating officer Assistant Sub-Inspector Karnail Singh said after registering a case, further investigation had been launched into the matter. — TNS Mandi Ahmedgarh, February23 The police claims to have busted two interstate gangs of peddlers who had been smuggling drugs from neighbouring states under the guise of transporting goods. The police recovered 30 gm of heroin and 54 kg of poppy husk and impounded two trucks bearing Rajasthan registration numbers and a motorcycle from the five suspects. Two separate cases have been registered at the Ahmedgarh Sadar and Amargarh police stations. Malerkotla SSP Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh said cops led by DSP (D) Kuldeep Singh intercepted two trucks bearing Rajasthan registration numbers on a tip-off. He said 54 kg of poppy husk con- Our Correspondent Two of the suspects in custody of the police. TRIBUNE PHOTO cealed in secret cabins of the trucks was recovered by the police. The arrested suspects, were identified as Jaswant Singh, Gurpreet Singh Guri and Santokh Singh, all residents of Ahmedgarh. In another case, registered at the Amargarh police station, the police arrested Mulakh Raj and Harjot Singh of Malerkotla district when they were going to deliver a consignment of 30 gm of heroin to their regular clients. Their third accomplice, identified as Simranpreet Singh, managed to flee. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were smuggling drugs under the guise of transporting goods. “We have brought suspects on remand to establish their forward and backward links,” said Khakh. Sahnewal, February 23 A mentally challenged woman was raped by a suspect of Giaspura last night. The victim is 40-year-old Shanti Nagar resident. She was allegedly raped by Jatinder Bittu (60 years) of Sua Road, Giaspura, at his shop last night. Passersby heard victim’s screams from the closed shop. As the crowd raised shutters of the shop, they found the man and the woman in an objectionable position. The onlookers informed the Giaspura police and the victim was taken to a hospital where she was undergoing treatment. The suspect worked as a securi- ty guard in a factory and lived alone. His wife and children left him due to his wrong behaviour. Giaspura chowki in-charge Dharminder Singh said the suspect was brought to the police station for interrogation. He said the police was not in a position to register a case as no complaint was filed or statement recorded in this regard. “The victim is not fit to give her statement. She will undergo medical check-up after her condition stabilises. Till then we have no option, but to wait,” he said. A police party went to the spot and asked nearby residents to share what had actually happened, but none came forward to utter a word, he said. Bizmen raise issue of ‘illegal’ import 15 Aam Aadmi Clinics under lens for discrepancies in record of Chinese knitted fabrics with DC Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 23 A delegation from the city hosiery and textile industry met Deputy Commissioner (DC) today and apprised her of the losses being incurred by both the industry and the government due to the alleged illegal, undeclared and undervalued import of Chinese knitted fabrics. “The delegation has told DC Sakshi Sawhney about the proposed agitation and rail and road roko plan of the textile industry on March 1, in case a satisfactory solution to the problem is not provided by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry,” a member of the delegation said. The delegation member said the DC advised them not to proceed with the rail or road roko plan as it would inconvenience the general public and further harm the industry. Sanju Dhir, chairman, Ludhi- ana Woollen Manufacturing Association, who led the delegation, said, “The DC patiently listened to our problems. She has assured us to immediately send the memorandum of demands to the ministry concerned,” said Dhir. Tarun Jain Bawa, president, Bahadur Ke Knitwear and Textile Association, Ajit Lakra, president, FICO, and Ashok Jain were present on the occasion. — TNS Ludhiana, February 23 The issue of inflated OPD entries has been rocking the Health Department in the past and instances of same have been found in Ludhiana as well. Fifteen Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) are under the scanner of the Health Department while a show-cause notice to two is on the cards. Presently, there are 75 AACs in the district. During the audit, it came to c m y b the fore that multiple entries of the same patient had been made to increase the patient count. It was also learnt that doctors were repeatedly calling patients suffering from chronic diseases like blood pressure to the clinic after every three to four days. The record of some patients was found in the doctor’s entry register, but not in the pharmacists’ record. Fifteen Aam Aadmi Clinics that came under the scanner are at Star City Tibba Road, Bhagwan Nagar, Haibowal Kalan, Corporation Office near Durga Mata Mandir, Indra Park Giaspura, Dharamsala New Kuldip Nagar, Sufia Chowk, Salem Tabri, Qilla Mohalla, Dugri, Lalheri Road Khanna, Dhandari Kalan, Jassian Road, Corporation Old Age Home and Partap Nagar. Civil Surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh said out of these 15 Aam Aadmi Clinics, the audit report of two was complete and discrepancies in OPD data had been found. “We will be issuing a show-cause notice to the Aam Aadmi Clinic at Star City Tibba Road and Bhagwan Nagar soon. We have sought a reply from officials concerned. In case they are unable to give a satisfactory reply, then services of medical officers can be terminated,” he said. Doctors are given emoluments as per the patient count. The empanelled doctors are paid according to the OPD entries. There need to be 50 minimum entries. It had come to the fore that some doctors were drawing emoluments more than Rs 1.5 lakh per month. In June last year, the then Civil Surgeon Dr Hitinder Kaur had also ordered prescription and medical audit of the Aam Aadmi Clinics twice a month after doubts were raised regarding the high number of OPD entries in a day.
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