07042025-LT-01.qxd 4/7/2025 12:18 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MLA, MAYOR KICK-START PROJECT TO INSTALL SEWER LINES MLA Daljit Grewal and Mayor Inderjit Kaur inaugurated a project to install sewer lines in Karamsar Colony. P2 » MEET THE CELEBS WHO PREFER SPORTS OVER GYM A DELICIOUS SYMPHONY OF SUGAR AND STORYTELLING Despite suffering a fatal injury, Randeep Hooda has made a remarkable comeback to horse-riding and polo. P4 The City Beautiful witnessed an unforgettable affair with chocolate as Shivesh brought his new book. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 38°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.45 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:04 AM » MONDAY | 7 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA City importer gets ~50 lakh relief for perished kiwi consignment HC Bench calls for coordinated policy to prevent delay in perishable imports Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 6 Calling for a coordinated national policy to ensure timely release of perishable imports, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed payment of Rs 50 lakh compensation to a Ludhiana-based importer whose Kiwi consignment weighing 89,420 kg was destroyed due to red-tapism and bureaucratic delay. The court ordered compensation’s recovery from erring government officials responsible for the loss. “A policy needs to be formulated by the authorities concerned so that testing labs, shipping companies, and customs authorities work in tandem and an atmosphere is created so that imported goods reach the public as soon as possible,” the Division Bench of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sanjay Vashisth asserted. Holding the delay as an instance of bureaucratic obstruction, the court added: “We find that the present case is an example of red-tapism being fol- PRESENT CASE EXAMPLE OF RED-TAPISM: COURT Holding the delay as an instance of bureaucratic obstruction, the court added: “We find that the present case is an example of red-tapism being followed by government functionaries. The same needs to be checked as it would result in discouraging the import of perishable goods.” The Bench asserted that it was satisfied that the respondent, Customs Department, wrongfully and illegally withheld the perishable food item. lowed by government functionaries. The same needs to be checked as it would result in discouraging the import of perishable goods.” The judgment came in a petition filed by a company with registered office in Ludhiana through advocate Saurabh Kapoor. The Bench asserted that it was satisfied that the respondent, Customs Department, wrongfully and illegally withheld the perishable food item. “We noticed that in import cases of perishable goods, there is an inherent urgency, which needs to be noticed and considered by the stakeholders concerned. In the facts of the present case, we find that there has been a huge delay in compliance with the procedure,” the court observed. The Bench made it clear that the official apathy in releasing perishable food items had a direct bearing on citizens’ rights and public health. “The citizens also have a right to receive high-quality fruits, which are available in different countries. However, if the approach, as adopted by the respondents, is allowed to continue, the importers would toe their line and release rotten fruits, vegetables and perishable goods that have lost their freshness and ultimately the public would be the main sufferer.” Affirming the principle of accountability, the Bench observed: “Courts, in cases where there is deliberate and willful action of the state or its functionaries in depriving any person, ought not shy away from granting compensation.” The Bench noted that the respondents did not act promptly despite several orders passed for the release of the perishable fruit, resulting in complete destruction of the consignment. Allowing the writ petition, the Bench directed the Central Government and other respondents to release the amount paid as customs duty on the Kiwi for import, along with 6 per cent per annum interest. The court fixed the compensation at Rs 50 lakh after taking into account the fact that the consignment — comprising a high-value fruit — was imported after full payment had been made to the seller, but was destroyed on account of delay. c m y b Medicine specialist yet to join Civil Hospital State government had allotted stations to doctors 13 days ago Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 6 The Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, has been eagerly waiting for the medicine specialist but the wait seems to be getting longer. Even after thirteen days of the allotment of the station, the doctor has not joined the duty so far. With no medicine specialist in the hospital, the OPD is currently being run with the BR Ambedkar’s statue vandalised Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 6 A statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was vandalised at Dr Ambedkar Chowk in Jagraon on Saturday night. The incident occurred when an individual threw a stone, shattering the glass cover protecting the statue. DSP (City) Jasjyot Singh and SHO, City police station, inspector Virendra Pal Singh, reached the scene to initiate a probe into the matter. The Ludhiana rural police, in collaboration with social organisations, removed the broken glass and replaced it continued on page 2 help of two doctors who visit it on days assigned to them. The state government last month allotted stations/postings to 255 doctors as part of the bonded government service across various public healthcare institutions of the state, post-completion of their PG courses. Of the 255 doctors, the district got 13, of which one was allotted to the Civil Hospital. continued on page 2 Of the 13 doctors allotted for district last month, the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, got only one. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA Youth kidnapped, thrashed over old enmity, five booked Ludhiana, April 6 The Dakha police on Saturday registered a case against five persons for allegedly kidnapping and thrashing a 24-yearold youth over old enmity. The suspects were identified as Baljinder Singh and Ghuda, residents of Dakha, and three unidentified persons. The complainant, Bawanpreet Singh, a resident of Jangpur village, told the police that on the evening of April 5 when he was going towards his village on a motorcycle, Baljinder and Ghuda forced him to stop his bike. They were carrying sharp weapons and a baseball bat. They started beating him up and afterwards, they took him on their motorcycle by pointing a sharp weapon at him. When he opposed their move, they again thrashed him. “The suspects took me to a deserted village where Baljinder hit my leg with an iron rod. I also suffered serious injuries on my ankle and feet. Three more unidentified persons came to the scene with sticks and baseball bats in their hands. One of them hit his head with a baseball bat. Later, they left the place after threatening me,” he said. The police on Saturday registered a case under various sections of the BNS and launched a probe in the matter. Harjit Singh said an old enmity was the cause behind the attack on Bawanpreet. During the Hola Mohalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib, the suspects had a fight with the victim and then also, they thrashed him. Now, he was taken to an isolated place and again thrashed by them. Now, raids were being conducted to nab the miscreants. — TNS