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P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 18°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 16°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7:18 AM » SUNDAY | 29 DECEMBER 2024 | LUDHIANA A first: MC to adopt fiscal reforms to augment revenue generation State’s Fiscal Affairs Adviser meets civic body officials to prepare road map for more tax collection Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 28 In a first, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) will soon adopt fiscal reforms to augment revenue generation. The biggest, largest, and the richest civic body in the state, in terms of area, population and budget, has been facing fiscal ill-health despite having an annual Budget of almost Rs 1,000 crore. The process to bring the much-needed fiscal reforms began with the Adviser (Fiscal Affairs) to the Punjab Government, Sebastian James, meeting senior officials of the MC here recently. Professor of practice in the Sanford School of Public Policy and faculty affiliate of the Duke Centre of International Development, James took stock of the current financial situation of the civic body to prepare a blueprint for the augmentation of revenue and resources. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal briefed the Fiscal Affairs Adviser that the MC limits of Ludhiana were spread over 159.39 sq km with an estimated population of 20 lakh. Being the largest industrial hub of the state, the city has a large number of migrant population. With roads and lanes network spreading over 4,000 km, the MC limits cover areas falling under seven Assembly constituencies — Atam Nagar, Ludhiana Central, East, North, State’s fiscal affairs adviser Sebastian James (extreme left) with MC officials in Ludhiana. REFORMS ON ANVIL ■ Reclassification of areas under MC limits ■ Revised property tax regime for industries ■ 5% increase in property tax rates for rented properties on a par with all other property categories South, West and Sahnewal. Divided into four municipal zones and 95 wards, the MC has a Commissioner, Additional Commissioner and three Joint Commissioners and three Assistant Commissioners. Of the total 4,34,751 properties registered with the MC, a maximum of 2,90,996 were residential, 47,556 commercial, 11,205 industrial, 41,468 mixed land use, 41,068 vacant plots, and 1,361 agricultural properties, besides 1,097 parks. Dachalwal apprised James that the state government had classified the city into three separate areas/ categories in 2014-15 on the basis of socio- CITY AT A GLANCE AREA: 159.39 sq km POPULATION: 20L estimated ROADS, LANES NETWORK: 4K km MC LIMITS COVERAGE: Seven Assembly segments MC LIMITS DIVISION: Four MC zones, 95 municipal wards economic profiles, infrastructure availability and developmental parameters. While the Area 1 encompassed highincome zones, Area 2 comprised middle-income zones and Area 3 represented lowincome zones. Tax rates were accordingly determined for these areas separately. “Over the past decade, Ludhiana has undergone significant urban development, with notable changes in infrastructure, socio-economic demographics and property values,” the MC Commissioner said while suggesting increase/ revision in tax rates determined in 2014-15. Two dupe city man of ~1.45 cr Ludhiana, December 28 The Moti Nagar police on Friday registered a case of fraud against two persons who duped a city resident of Rs 1.45 crore on the pretext of investment. They were identified as Sunil Aggarwal of Sector 39, Chandigarh road, here, and Mohit Sharma of Chandigarh. The complainant, Kanwaljit Singh of Focal Point, told the police that both suspects had met him and asked to make an investment. They promised that if he would give money to them, they would double it in a short period. Believing the duo, he gave Rs 1.45 crore to them but as assured, they failed to give any return. “As the suspects failed to double my money, I asked them to return the amount but they only made hollow promises. Upset over the matter, I lodged a police complaint, which led to the registration of an FIR against them,” he alleged. ASI Vijay Kumar said after registering a case, further probe was launched. — TNS MC TOP BRASS: Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, 3 Joint Commissioners, 3 Assistant Commissioners TOTAL PROPERTIES: 4,34,751 (residential 2,90,996, commercial 47,556, industrial 11,205, mixed 41,468, vacant plots 41,068, agricultural 1,361, parks 1,097) He said several areas categorised under Area 2 and 3 have witnessed substantial growth and now, align more closely with characteristics of Area 1. He said the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act empowers the committee, headed by the Local Government Secretary, and comprising Local Government Director, MC Mayor and Commissioner, and the Deputy Commissioner, to review the area limit from time to time to update and revise the categorisation, if required. The Fiscal Affairs Adviser was also informed that in 2013, a new property tax regime was introduced, which led to decline in tax collection from industries as compared to the pre-2013 levels, indicating that the revised rates had an adverse impact on revenue generation from industrial properties. From 2021-22 onwards, a 5per cent increase in property tax rates had been implemented for all property categories except rented ones. The MC advocated the application of the same increase rule for the rented properties as well to augment tax collection. James, who on an honorary basis and in his personal capacity, will advise the government regarding financial resource mobilisation, reviewing capital and revenue expenditure and its rationalisation, augmenting the state’s finances, and restructuring fiscal debt, deliberated with the MC officials on the current fiscal health of the civic body and assured them to present his report with suggestions on bringing possible fiscal reforms for tax augmentation to the state government for formal nod before their implementation. Revenue augmentation main concern: MC chief “The main concern and agenda of the meeting were how to augment revenue generation. It was a preliminary discussion during which we presented detailed facts and figures of our fiscal health for consideration and further action at the government level,” said Aaditya Dachalwal, MC Commissioner. One booked for raping woman Ludhiana, December 28 The Moti Nagar police have registered a case against a local resident who sexually exploited a woman. The suspect was identified as Sachin Pal, a resident of Bhagat Singh Colony here. The complainant told the police that on December 26, she had gone to the colony for some work. When she was passing in front of the room of the suspect, he forcibly dragged her into his room and raped her. Later, he also threatened her of dire consequences, if she reveals about the sexual exploitation to anyone. ASI Sahib Kumar said after registering a case, a raid was being conducted to nab the suspect. — TNS Passengers faced trouble due to railway station upgrade work Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 28 Throughout the year, rail passengers have been facing inconvenience as construction material is lying scattered on platforms and other places around the Ludhiana railway station due to the ongoing construction work. City residents are expected to get a revamped railway station in the coming year. There are also chances that the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF), which are facing shortage of force, will also get additional force in the next year. HIGHS Upgrade work in advanced stage of completion With the work on several components almost complete and the finishing job in progress, the redevelopment and upgrade of the railway station at a cost of Rs 528.95 crore is in the advanced stage of completion, the Northern Railway (NR) has said. The work on the big ticket central project has gained further steam as the architectural design for the new-look junction has already been approved, the geotechnical investigation, survey and relocation of existing structures have already been completed. The project, which was awarded at engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode to a local firm on December 19 last, has been targeted to be completed by August 2, 2025. State-of-the-art facilities for employees Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Northern Railway, Ferozepur, Paramdeep Singh Saini had visited the railway station to apprise employees of the upgraded state-of-theart facilities being offered to loco pilots and railway guards. He also talked about further upgrade of facilities in the near future so that the employees have the best time to relax after tough duty hours and could prepare themselves for fresh shifts. Vande Bharat train halt The residents also got the gift of Vande Bharat train, which Redevelopment work in progress at the city railway station. woman, the police have failed to get any clue in the case. Stone-pelting incident runs from Delhi to Katra. The train has a stoppage at the city railway station. LOWS Jammu youth thrown out of moving train A 23-year-old Jammu-based youth, Tushar Thakur, an Army aspirant, who was on the way to Ahmedabad from Jammu to appear in an interview after clearing the SSB exam on May 19, was pushed off the moving train by three miscreants. His only fault was he objected to smoking by three youths inside the train, following which arguments occurred and they threw the victim out of the moving train. Tushar’s lower limbs were paralysed due to serious injuries. His spine also suffered a critical injury. No headway in child theft case The Government Railway Police have failed to trace the seven-month-old girl child who was stolen from the city railway station on the night of June 30. The police got a clue that a woman had committed the crime and even a CCTV footage had also been recovered by the police from the railway station which showed the suspect taking the child out of the station. Though Rs 1 lakh cash reward had also recently been announced by the GRP for providing any information about the In a late night incident on September 5, some mischievous elements pelted stones at Sutlej Express at Baddowal, around 12 km from the Ludhiana railway station. The incident rendered serious head injuries to a fouryear-old child, Prince, who was travelling with his parents. He was initially taken to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, from where he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. A few other passengers also reportedly suffered minor injuries in the incident. Earlier also, similar incidents took place but the rail authorities have failed to trace suspects in such cases. Protest against Centre’s Agnipath scheme On June 18, protest against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme took a violent turn when over 36 masked youths carrying sticks and iron rods vandalised the railway station. They smashed windowpanes at the main entrance of the station and broke LED signboards. The protesters also smashed windowpanes of a train stationed on the platform. The GRP initially failed to control the mob due to shortage of force. Initially, the protesters held a protest at Bharat Nagar Chowk. Later, they marched towards Durga Mata Temple Chowk where they damaged a PCR vehicle. Soon, an alert was sounded but a few police personnel present at a naka could not stop the protesters, who then entered the railway station. Manmohan credited PAU, state farmers for Green Revolution 5.1-kg heroin seizure: Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 28 “It was PAU’s pioneering work combined with the receptivity and hard work of farmers of Punjab and other states that made Green Revolution possible and gave the country food security,” the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had said during his presidential address at the Golden Jubilee convocation of Punjab Agricultural Uni- Varsity recalls ex-PM’s benevolence, ~100-cr grant, three visits versity (PAU) here in 2012. He had exhorted experts to replace paddy and suggest some alternative crops, including maize, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables. “The PAU should be a leader in this respect also. The state government, farmers, farm scientists and entrepreneurs of the state must pool their knowledge, wisdom and experience to In the early 1980s, the then Governor of RBI Dr Manmohan Singh having a look at PAU-developed flower crop varieties. FILE make this happen,” the former PM had said. Dr Singh had also demanded special attention towards education and skill development to create a productive workforce. Remembering the attachment, benevolence and immense contribution of Dr Singh to the PAU, the entire fraternity comprising senior officials, teaching and nonteaching staff as well as stu- dents, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, have expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. They remembered 92-yearold former Prime Minister, who breathed his last on Thursday night and was cremated with full state honours in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon, as an unsurpassed economist known for his erudition and scholarship as well as blessed with exceptional virtues of sharp political acumen and sheer honesty, simplicity, humility and dignity. Dr Singh visited the university thrice in 1980s, 2006 and 2012 — twice during his stint as the PM and once as the RBI Governor — and gave a special grant of Rs 100 crore to the institution. He was also conferred a DSc degree at the Golden Jubilee convocation, which he had presided as the country’s premier in 2012. He left an indelible imprint in the history of the country as well as the PAU, the VC said while leading the tributes to the former Prime Minister. Heads of various departments of the PAU paid tributes to whom they revered as the most honourable man with the purest soul. “Dr Singh shared an impeccable relationship with the university,” the VC said while paying tributes to the highly-revered economist and politician. Dr Gosal saluted the tower- c m y b ing figure for being the most upright, generous and benevolent human being at the helm of affairs. “A large-hearted and noble soul, Dr Singh set an extraordinary example of being a blend of well-educated, wellinformed, well-deserving and well-respected man, winning the title of ‘welldone’ in all aspects. Truly, India did marvel and won stellar accolades under his able stewardship of Prime Ministership between 2004 and 2014,” he recollected while recognising his monumental contributions to the country and the PAU. Recalling pleasant gestures and pivotal contributions of Dr Singh to the PAU, Dr Gosal said: “The former PM visited the university to preside over the annual convocation in the early 1980s during the tenure of the then PAU VC Dr Sukhdev Singh and allocated a special grant of Rs 100 crore in 2006 during the stint of the then PAU VC Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh and presided over the Golden Jubilee convocation of the PAU on December 8, 2012, during the tenure of the then PAU VC Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon.” “The special allocation of Rs 100 crore by the Central Government to the PAU, in recognition of its exemplary contributions to the Green Revolution as well as the promotion of excellence in basic and strategic research, has enabled the university to come up with the biggest auditorium, named after the most accomplished politician, Dr Manmohan Singh, besides investing in the creation of the state-ofthe-art infrastructure in the university,” he added. The construction of Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium began during the tenure of former PAU VC Dr Manjit Singh Kang and was completed during the stint of former PAU VC Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon. Dr Manmohan Singh was also awarded DSc degree at the Golden Jubilee convocation of the PAU in 2012. Pak smugglers sent drug to suspect Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 28 The questioning of the suspect, who was nabbed and 5.1 kg of heroin was seized from him, has led to a startling disclosure that he was in touch with Pakistan-based smugglers. Even the huge quantity of heroin seized recently from him was sent by them. DCP (Investigation) Shubham Aggarwal, ADCP (Investigation) Amandeep Brar, CIA in-charge inspector Rajesh Kumar addressed a press conference in this regard. The DCP said on December 26, Kanwarpal Singh, alias Mintu, of Salem Tabri was arrested by a CIA team and initially, 255 gm of heroin was recovered from him. During questioning, he admitted that he had a huge stock of heroin concealed at his house. Following which, the CIA team conducted a raid at the house of the suspect, which led to the recov- ery of 4.755-kg more heroin. He said the suspect was also a drug addict. Earlier, he had been buying heroin from a person, Sam, staying in Peeru Banda, who had links with Pakistan-based smugglers. Sam used to contact the smugglers through phone, who would send consignments near border in Amritsar through drone or other illegal means. Sam initiated talks between Pak smugglers and Kanwarpal and now, the latter had directly striking deals with them. Even the seized 5.1 kg of heroin was sent by Pakistan-based smugglers and it was collected by Kanwarpal from some miscreants, about two km away from Wagah Border in Amritsar on December 21. Later, he brought the drug to Ludhiana. A two-day police remand of the suspect was obtained for further probe. The seizure of over 5 kg heroin is the first major recovery by the Ludhiana police in 2024.