13042025-LT-01.qxd 4/13/2025 12:24 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune STUDENT ENROLMENT TAKES ‘BACKSEAT’ AMID SIKHIYA KRANTI NEW VERSION OF ICONIC FILM THE BODYGUARDIN THE MAKING PAMMI BAI ANNOUNCES THE WORLD BHANGRA LEAGUE After state government launched Sikhiya Kranti drive, AAP leaders are on an ‘inauguration’ spree in schools. P3 Warner Bros. is set to bring a new version of the iconic 1992 film The Bodyguard to the big screen. P4 Introducing bhangra as a sport, aim is to have the same format — making teams &auction of artistes.P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 34°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.46 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:00 AM SUNDAY | 13 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA Mann interacts with farmers during ‘Sarkar-Kisan Milni’ at PAU Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 12 In a path-breaking initiative, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the state government had decided to start cultivation of paddy from June 1 for which the state had been divided into three zones. He said paddy cultivation in Faridkot, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts would start from June 1 and in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Tarn, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur districts, it will start on June 5. He said in the remaining districts of Ludhiana, Moga, Jalandhar, Mansa, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Patiala, Barnala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Kapurthala, it would start on June 9. The Chief Minister was at the PAU on Saturday to interact with farmers during the ‘Sarkar-Kisan Milni’. He said it would help save power in all districts of the state during the paddy season. It would avoid complications for farmers in selling their paddy harvest due to high-moisture content in October. Mann said the zone-wise cultivation of the paddy crop would be ensured in the state and necessary planning and arrangements were already being made by the state government for the purpose. CM Bhagwant Maan addresses farmers at the PAU in Ludhiana. The Chief Minister said the state government was contemplating to ban the cultivation of water guzzling Pussa 44 variety of the paddy. The cultivation of this variety needs around 152 days and it requires 64 lakh litres of water per acre and costs Rs 7,500 per acre to the government for power. Likewise, the farmers had to bear expenditure of nearly Rs 19,000 per acre for cultivation of the variety and it produces paddy straw 10 per cent more than other varieties. The Chief Minister said the state government would ensure minimum eight hours of regular power supply to the farmers during the paddy season. In areas where the canal water supply was available, power would be supplied during night for eight hours. Mann further said previ- ous governments never bothered about making any effort to save the groundwater and the farmers remained hit as they failed to get proper supply of water. However, the Chief Minister said after assuming charge, his government had revived 15,947 water courses in the state due to which water had reached even remote villages. He said at the time when he had assumed the charge of office, only 21 per cent canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, he said it was a matter of pride and satisfaction that today 75 per cent of the canal water was being used for irrigation purposes. The Chief Minister said canal water was a boon for irrigation as the mineral-rich water enhances fertility of Rich traditions soil on the one hand and reduces pressure on groundwater on the other. It also reduces the burden on the power sector, thereby enabling the state government to provide uninterrupted electricity to every sector. The state government was making strenuous efforts for providing adequate marketing and MSP on alternate crops such as maize to bring farmers out of the rut of wheat/ paddy circle. He said the sole motive of organising the interaction was to reduce the gap between decision makers and stakeholders so that policies were designed as per needs of the farmers. The CM said the state produces 80 per cent of the total basmati in the country, adding that the production would be further enhanced in coming days. He said it would further give a fillip to the Basmati industry and supplement the income of farmers, besides saving the precious natural resource in the form of water. Mann gave a clarion call to the farmers to adopt basmati cultivation across the state and assured them that the state government would make every effort to ensure that they did not suffer any losses during cultivation of basmati. He said every effort would be made to ensure that assured prices were made available on Basmati produce. Three of robbers’ gang arrested Ahead of Baisakhi, kids dressed in traditional attires in a wheat field in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, April 12 The Dugri police claimed to have busted a gang of robbers and arrested three of its members. The police recovered 10 mobiles and three two-wheelers from them. The suspects were identified as Jobanpreet Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Harmandeep Singh of Dugri. Dugri SHO inspector Paramvir Singh said the suspects used to surround migrant workers and loot cash and mobiles. They had recently robbed Munna Verma, who stays in UP After getting infor. mation, the police nabbed them on Friday. — TNS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 12 Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AS Rai led a robust night domination operation across multiple locations in Ludhiana late on Friday evening to maintain law and order and enhance public safety. Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma accompanied the ADGP during the operation. Rai personally inspected a checkpoint at the railway station, overseeing thorough searches of private vehicles to ensure tight security for residents. Engaging with police teams on duty, he commended their efforts and urged them to continue serving with unwavering dedication and professionalism. He emphasised that all entry HIMANSHU MAHAJAN ADGP spearheads night domination op ADGP AS Rai and CP Swapan Sharma during a surprise checking at a naka in Ludhiana on Friday night. points to the city were sealed, with no vehicle allowed to pass without rigorous inspection. He highlighted that a roundthe-clock surveillance was in place, supported by dedicated patrolling units actively monitoring the city to maintain peace and order. Reaffirming the police’s commitment to public safety, the ADGP stated: “The Punjab Police have a proud legacy of valour and sacrifice. We are resolute in providing a secure environment for all citizens. No one will be permitted to take the law in their own hands and strict action will be taken against anti-social elements.” The CP said the operation involved 12 strategically placed hi-tech nakas, each supervised by a gazetted officer, with a total of 240 personnel deployed from 10 pm to 4 am to ensure comprehensive coverage and vigilance across the city. c m y b Minister lays stones for projects worth ~47.30 cr ed-canal-based water supply project on Saturday. While overhead water reservoirs would be constructed at a cost of around Rs 7.30 crore, the associated water supply pipeline would be installed at a cost of around Rs 40 crore. Councillor Jaspal Singh Grewal, MC Chief Engineer Ravinder Garg, Executive Engineer Parshotam Singh, PIU Executive Engineer Amarjeet Singh, AE Jarnail Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 12 Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and Mayor Inderjit Kaur kickstarted projects worth around Rs 47.30 crore for the construction of two overhead water reservoirs and installation of associated pipeline in the Bhamian area (Ward 22) under the World Bank fund- Singh and Maninder Singh and communication specialist Jaspreet Singh were among those who were present. Mundian said the two overhead reservoirs, with a capacity of around 31.40 lakh litres, would be set up in Trikona Park, Bhamian and Ansal Enclave. He said overhead reservoirs were also being constructed in other areas of the city under the water supply project. 138 recovered mobiles handed over to owners Ludhiana, April 12 The Ludhiana Police Commissionerate on Saturday returned snatched and stolen mobiles to owners. AS many as 138 mobiles were returned to them after getting their identity cards and other formalities completed. The phones, looted from people or lost by them, were lying in police stations as case property for the past one year. Leading an event organised for returning mobiles, Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma said there were a lot of people’s items in police stations and police posts related to different cases. Now, a drive had been started to hand over the HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Zone-wise paddy cultivation will help save power, bring relief to farmers: CM CP Swapan Sharma hands over a mobile to its owner in Ludhiana. case properties to the owners by following the due procedures. “Now, instructions were issued to the police station heads and in-charges of various wings. If they recover any mobile or valuables from criminals, belonging to people, try to return the same to owners in minimum possible time,” he said while addressing mediapersons. Sharma urged the public that in case they lose their mobile or it was snatched, they should lodge a complaint with the police. — TNS He said a world class water treatment plant (WTP) would be constructed at Bilga village (near Sahnewal) from where treated surface water would be supplied to the city. The first phase of the project is being taken up at a cost of around Rs 1,300 crore (civil works). Mundian appealed to the public to stop wastage of water and support the authorities in keeping the city clean and green. Shots fired outside complainant’s house over animosity Ludhiana, April 12 After verbally abusing a woman’s father, three shots were fired outside her house. The sound of the firing created a panic in the area. In the case, the Koom Kalan police, based on the complaint of Khurshida Khatoon of Bhagpur village, on Friday registered a case against Vikramjit Singh of Bhagpur, Jassi and Harpreet Singh, residents of Bhamian Kalan village, and four unidentified persons. In her complaint, the woman said Vikramjit called her father and verbally abused him over some animosity at her house. Later, he came with his accomplices outside the house and fired three shots in the air.A case has been registered. — TNS