28122024-LT-01.qxd 12/28/2024 12:40 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune UNDERAGE DRIVING STILL A CHALLENGE FOR AUTHORITIES POTATO FARMERS IN DOABA ENJOY A PROFITABLE SEASON Early varieties of crop, including Kufri Pukhraj, are fetching a remunerative price for Doaba farmers. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 19°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 19°C | MIN 9°C DEEP SEHGAL CAPTURES HEARTS WITH HER CHARM Enforcing the traffic rules prohibiting underage driving has remained a challenge for the police. P3 FORECAST Deep Sehgal’s debut movie, Je Jatt Vigad Gaya, has generated a buzz, and her excitement is palpable. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7:18 AM » SATURDAY | 28 DECEMBER 2024 | LUDHIANA Man nabbed with 5.1 kg of heroin Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 In a major operation, the Ludhiana police seized 5.1 kg of heroin from a suspect. The smuggler was identified as Kanwarpal Singh, a resident of Salem Tabri, here. The police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and began further investigation in the matter. Inspector, CIA, Sohan Lal, said the police were patrolling the Jalandhar Bypass area on Thursday when they received a tipoff about a man selling heroin near Khajoor Chowk. Following which, the police team swung into action and apprehended Kanwarpal. On searching the suspect, the police found 5.1 kg of heroin, Rs 10,400 in cash and a mobile phone. He said now, the police remand of the suspect would be sought for his further questioning so that entire drug supply line could be busted and big suppliers involved in the drug racket also be arrested. Notably, the Ludhiana police have been cracking down on drug peddlers in the city and this seizure is a major success in their efforts to curb the drug menace. City residents pay tributes to former PM Manmohan Singh Remember contribution of visionary economist to nation, society Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 The alumni association of SCD Government College here paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday. The alumni of the college, including entrepreneurs, bankers, teachers, retired bureaucrats and exservicemen, paid rich tributes to Dr Singh. Sharing pictorial memories with the former Prime Minister, SS Bhogal, Onkar Singh Pahwa, Jagdish Singla, TC Jain, DS Chawala, Gurmit S Kular, Dalbir S Mauli and other entrepreneurs described him as a visionary economist and a statesman whose policies benefitted the country in competing with the world economy. The bankers, including KB Singh, Brij B Goyal, AK Thaman and Shashi Bhushan, stated that the former PM’s banking initiatives benefited the common man immensely. Teachers Prof PK Sharma, Prof J S Sidhu, principal Manjit S Sandhu, Prof P D Gupta, Prof Geetanjli and Prof Narinder Mason lauded his scholarly pursuits, which will inspire generations. Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, IAS (retd), MP Arora IAS (retd), SCD alumni association members with ex-PM Manmohan Singh. FILE Jolly and Col Pardeep Jawanda talked about his bewitching humility and honesty. Brij Bhushan Goyal, organising secretary of the alumni association, recalled about initiatives taken by Dr Singh which include National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), Civil Nuclear Agreement with the United States, National Food Security Act, 2013, Aadhaar Project, Mandatory CSR from companies. The alumni said youth should emulate passion for hard work, honesty and humility of Dr Manmohan Singh, who rose from a commoner to a well-known economist across the world. FICO observed silence and paid tributes to the former Prime Minister. In a joint statement, FICO leaders, including Gurmit Kular, KK Seth, said Dr Singh had served as the RBI Governor and the Union Finance Minister. He presented the milestone Budget of 1991, which liberalised the Indian economy and inaugurated nation’s journey as a major world economy. “He did so much for rural wages and handled global financial crisis for which he was praised across the world. He was a true soul who worked quietly. Dr Singh put India on path where it is emerging as a major economic power in the world. Former US president Barack Obama called him Guru and said when Manmo- han Singh speaks, people listen,” Kular said. The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) legal cell has mourned the death of the former Prime Minister, describing him as the architect of India’s economy during a period of global financial crisis. They credited his visionary leadership and economic policies for safeguarding India’s economy and steering the nation towards growth and stability in turbulent times. In a statement, PPCC legal cell’s former state chairman PD Sharma, district chairman Dharamjeet Singh Khera, convener Ashok Bhakri, Satwinder Sharma, Ajay Johar, Kamaljit Sharma and Vishal Tewari expressed sorrow over the loss. They called Dr Singh’s demise a monumental loss to the nation and highlighted his contribution as a statesman whose humility and intellect inspired millions. They emphasised Dr Singh’s role in shaping modern India, stating that his tenure as Prime Minister and Finance Minister laid the foundation for India’s emergence as a global economic power, adding that his life and legacy would continue to inspire generations to serve the nation with dedication and integrity. Bidding process for operating airlines from Halwara to begin soon: Bittu Tribune News Service ‘COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS TO START WITHIN 6 MONTHS’ Ludhiana, December 27 The bidding process for operating passenger airlines from the Halwara international airport will commence soon, announced Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries. During a high-level review meeting with stakeholders, he emphasised that commercial flights from Halwara were expected to commence within six months, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation set to initiate the process shortly. He also assured to approach the Union Minister of Civil Aviation to expedite the matter. Following his inspection of the airport along with senior officials from the Indian Air Force, airport and the Punjab Government, Bittu confirmed that the terminal building construction would be completed by February 2025. All stakeholders have committed to adhering to this timeline. Key infrastructure works, including the boundary wall, taxiways and runway, are progressing well. Updates on construction include taxiway A overlaying 95 per cent completed, taxiway D overlaying During a high-level review meeting with stakeholders, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries emphasised that commercial flights from Halwara were expected to commence within six months, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation set to initiate the process shortly. He also assured to approach the Union Minister of Civil Aviation to expedite the matter. The minsiter confirmed that the terminal building construction would be completed by February 2025. 60 per cent completed, new link taxiway on the IAF premises 80 per cent completed, runway overlaying (handled by the IAF) nearing completion and security equipment installation and final security vetting are scheduled for January 2025. Concurrently, the process to identify the airline operator will be initiated. Once finalised, the construction of the main terminal building, with an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore, will commence. Till then, the airport will operate from the interim terminal. To ensure seamless connectivity, the minister announced plans to approach the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to construct a direct access road from the national highway to the airport. The existing road is inadequate for increased vehicular traffic once passenger operations begin. A wider and more efficient route will enhance traveller convenience, he said. Highlighting the strategic importance of the Halwara airport, the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries noted its central location in the state. The airport will serve not only Ludhiana but also the entire Malwa and Doaba regions, fostering business and passenger connectivity nationwide and, eventually, internationally. Additionally, a large cargo terminal will be developed, providing a significant boost to state businesses, traders and industries. The minister was accompanied by Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Secretary of Civil Aviation, Punjab; SK Gupta, General Manager, AAI; Pankaj Kumar, CEO of LIAL; SK Sinha from the Indian Air Force, Halwara, and officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and other departments. Reconduct ‘unfair’ MC poll: BJP Pay property tax by December 31 to avoid penalty Ludhiana, December 27 The district unit of the BJP has alleged that 1.5 lakh voters in Ludhiana could not cast their votes in the MC elections as their names were not on the voters’ list. Though three supplementary voter lists were released by the authorities, there were thousands of missing names in the same, said president, Ludhiana BJP Rajneesh Dhiman. , Holding a press conference, Dhiman said intentions of the AAP were clear as for the past two years, they had adopted a dilly-dallying approach in holding the elections on the pretext of delimitation of wards. Even after buying ample time, proper delimitation did not take place, despite the fact there were total 95 wards only. It was only after strict directions were given by the Pun- Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 With December 31, 2024, last day to pay property tax for the current financial year (2024-25) without any penalty, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to keep its Ludhiana BJP president Rajneesh Dhiman addresses the media. jab and Haryana High Court that the AAP government decided to hold the elections. But before, during and after the elections, there was total highhandedness by the ruling party. The voters’ list did not have the names of thousands of voters, which has also been endorsed by AAP MLAs themselves when their wives lost the elections from their respective wards. Dhiman said had it been free and fair elections, the BJP could easily win in many wards, adding that AAP had seen defeat in many wards and the people’s verdict had conveyed that they were fed up with the party, its false promises and now wanted a change. AAP has even failed to secure required seats to appoint its own Mayor, he said. He appealed to the Election Commission to reconduct the elections. — TNS MC suvidha kendras to remain open on weekend zonal suvidha kendras open on Saturday (December 28) and Sunday too. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal has given these instructions to facilitate residents so that residents could deposit their dues on time. It is pertinent here to tell that 10 per cent penalty would be imposed if property owners failed to submit property tax for the The MC will impose 10 per cent penalty if property owners fail to deposit tax by December 31. current financial year by December 31. Civic body officials said residents could avail 10 per cent rebate on payment of property tax for the current financial year, if the same was done by September 30. No penalty would be imposed on payment of tax from October 1 to December 31 while the department imposes a 10 per cent penalty on payment of tax from January 1 to March 31. The penalty is increased to 20 per cent and 18 per cent annual interest is also imposed, if residents fail to pay the tax for the current financial year by March 31. The MC Commissioner said to avoid standing in long queues, residents could also submit the pending dues online by visiting the website mcludhiana.gov.in of the MC. He appealed to the residents to submit their pending tax in time to avoid penalties as the collected amount was used for providing basic amenities to them and for taking up development works in the city. Chilly morning, rainfall greet city residents 12 booked for attacking MC’s Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 Residents woke up to a chilly morning on Friday with low visibility and mild rain, which started around 7:30 am. Fog engulfed the city and its periphery areas and clouds were scattered when it started raining, forcing residents to stay indoors. Weather to remain cloudy, foggy till Dec 30, says Met Girls carry an umbrella to protect themselves from rain in Ludhiana on Friday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN If predictions are to be believed, till December 30, the weather will remain cloudy and foggy and there are no chances for sunny days. Seeing the snowfall and extreme cold wave conditions in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Punjab weather department has also released an advisory of the prevailing weather conditions, asking people to take precautions amid low visibility and chilly winds. The rain was accompanied with chilly winds. The maximum temperature of the city was hovering around 17-18°C while minimum was recorded at 7-8°C in the wee hours. To save themselves from the biting cold, many underprivileged people were seen lighting bonfire with dry waste and wooden sticks by roadsides. However, farmers maintained that this spell of rainfall was much needed and c m y b awaited and it was good for all crops. Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior farmer from Samrala, said problems related to crops and trees would vanish with rain as it had given much-needed respite to farmers. For all crops, rain was beneficial and the growers were waiting for the same for long. There was a thin attendance of morning walkers at the PAU, Rose Garden and other places due to chilly winds. Roads in the city were almost deserted till 9:30 am as the visibility was also poor due to fog and rain. Narendra Puri, a morning walker at the PAU, said experts have suggested to avoid morning walks in the open in cold wave and he was seriously thinking about taking a break from the same. anti-encroachment team Ludhiana, December 27 The Ludhiana police on Thursday registered a case against 12 persons who attacked the anti-encroachment team of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, at Mochpura Bazaar here. The incident occurred in the market when the team from the MC’s Zone A office was confiscating goods kept on the road by shopkeepers. The attack was unexpected as the team was conducting a routine drive to clear encroachments from the area but the situation escalated when shopkeepers’ goods were seized and the latter turned furious. Tehbazari Inspector Vipin Handa said the drive was part DRIVE WILL BE CONTINUED: OFFICIAL Tehbazari Inspector Vipin Handa said the drive was part of a broader initiative to remove obstacles from roads and markets. Two MC staff were injured and rushed to Civil Hospital. Despite the disruptions, the official vowed that drive will be continued in coming days. of a broader initiative to remove obstacles from roads and marketplaces during the foggy weather season. Though most shopkeepers cooperated during the drive, a few resisted violently, attacking the team’s vehicle and assaulting municipal staff and police personnel. The situation turned ugly when the officials started confiscating goods, prompting some shopkeepers to attack the MC vehicle, loot it, and use sharp objects to assault the team members. Two municipal employees were injured and rushed to the Civil Hospital. Despite the disruptions, Handa vowed that anti-encroachment operations would be continued in coming days. The suspects were identified as Manoj Garg, Ashok Kumar, owner of RK Shawl and Hosiery and nine unidentified assailants. A case was registered on the complaint of Sunil Kumar Beldar, an employee of the MC’s Zone A office. — TNS