20032026-LT-01.qxd 3/20/2026 12:57 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune RAIN THREAT LOOMS OVER KISAN, PASHU PALAN MELAS Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to inaugurate the two-day events on Friday. P2 » INT’L BADMINTON STAR STEPS ONTO NEW COURT ON INT’L DAY OF HAPPINESS, DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY Pradnya Chopra is now coaching next generation of shuttlers at Ludhiana Badminton Academy. P3 Celebrities share what real happiness means in today's fast-paced world. P4 » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 19°C | MIN 13°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:25 AM » FRIDAY | 20 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA NGT notice to Environment Ministry, DM, PPCB over green belt encroachments Action comes over plea by PAC against repeated violations in public parks Petitioners Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh alleged that despite over six months having passsed, the committee had failed to comply with the Tribunal’s directions. Multiple representations, including WhatsApp messages to the DM on Sep- tember 14, 2025, and January 10, 2026, and an email, dated November 21, 2025, addressed to all committee members elicited no response. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Mohit Saggar highlighted that fresh construction of a tehsil office had recently begun within the same green belt along Old GT Road, which they termed as a blatant violation of environmental laws, the city’s master plan and the directions of the NGT. Taking serious note of the continued and wilful noncompliance, PAC members filed an Execution Application before the Tribunal. The matter was heard on Wednesday by the Chairperson Bench, which issued notices to the District Magistrate, PPCB and the MoEF&CC. The authorities have been directed to file their replies or a compliance report at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for July 7. City witnesses lowest maximum day temperature on March 19 in 56 years Stepson held for murdering farmer; second wife among three at large Shivani Bhakoo Mahesh Sharma Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 19 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the District Magistrate, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) over alleged non-compliance with its order regarding encroachments on city’s green belts. The case originated from an application filed by the public action committee (PAC) against repeated encroachments on green belts and public parks by government bodies, including the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana Improvement Trust and GLADA. Petitioners Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh pointed to illegal constructions along the Old GT Road near the Buddha Dariya, adjoining the Sarabha Nagar (Zone D) Office, Model Town Extension, and around several other parks. A vending zone constructed by the MC in a green belt near Chand Cinema in Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA On July 31, 2025, the Tribunal had disposed of the matter by constituting a joint committee comprising the regional officer of the MoEF&CC, the member secretary of the PPCB and the District Magistrate, as the nodal agency. The committee was directed to verify whether identified areas were earmarked as green spaces and in case of encroachments, initiate remedial and punitive action within three months. An action-taken report was sought by the Tribunal. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 19 The maximum temperature on Thursday fell to 20.2°C, which is the record lowest temperature on March 19 since 1970. The head of the Meteorological Department at the PAU, Dr PK Kingra, said the university had got weather records since 1970 and March 19 was the coldest in the past 56 years, when the maximum temperature has fallen to 20.2°C while the minimum was 16.2°. “There are cloudy conditions and incessant rainfall since morning and 2.4 mm of rain has been recorded. The chilly weather conditions will prevail till Friday,” said Kingra. Meanwhile, residents felt chill in the air on Thursday as rain and cloudy weather were witnessed since the morning. Many residents said they had to take out lightweight jackets due to the change in the weather. March has witnessed change in the temperatures. In the first fortnight, the temperatures were increased 6-7 Girls walk amid rain in Ludhiana on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN degrees above the normal during the daytime and there was a sudden onset of summers and in the past 48 hours, the maximum temperature decreased by 10 degrees. The residents, however, have expressed happiness over sudden fall in the temperatures. “At least, March will be comfortable now. Otherwise, we had switched on ACs due to the sudden rise in the temperature,” said Akash Malhotra, a bank employee. At the same time, it was a cause of concern for exhibitors at the PAU who have to put stalls during the two-day Kisan Mela beginning on Friday. Jagraon, March 19 The police claimed to have solved a blind murder of a farmer, Harjinder Singh, of Jandi village in the Sidhwan Bet area of Ludhiana district whose body was found lying in a pool of blood at his house on Wednesday afternoon. While the key suspect, identified as Jaskaran Singh, victim’s stepson, was arrested within hours on Wednesday, the investigating officials, supervised by SSP Ludhiana (Rural) Ankur Gupta and SP (D) Rajan Sharma, are searching for the three other suspects. The police said Jaskaran, the prime suspect, was the son of the second wife of Harjinder Singh while other suspects included his (Jaskaran’s) mother, deceased’s servant and another villager. Kuljinder Singh, a nephew of the deceased, had informed the police on Wednesday afternoon that some unidentified persons had killed Harjinder when he was alone at home. continued on page 2 Panels formed to streamline LPG supply, check black marketing Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 19 The district administration has claimed to be streamlining the supply of LPG cylinders to consumers. At the same time, many consumers complain of delay in receiving cylinders after booking. The window of getting a cylinder booked after 25 days and then about six days for the delivery is a cause of concern for consumers having large families. Dhiraj, a resident of the Civil Lines area, said they were seven members in the family and a LPG cylinder was needed after about 20 days but due to the shortage, getting the same was not possible before a month. “To cope up for a week or 10 days, we have purchased an induction plate but cooking on the single cooktop was not viable,” he said. AS per state government directions, the district administration has formed committees on Wednesday evening to deal with the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. The administration has adopted a strict approach for the supply of cylinders and check black marketing and has also issued guidelines for the same. As per recent directions, six commercial cylinders of five kg will be provided for any marriage. Consumers have to book the same four days in advance for wedding. The commercial cylinders will be released only after complete verification. The state government has given priority to weddings of Many complain of delay in receiving LPG after booking. FILE girls. Besides, the government has asked agencies to increase the supply of five kg cylinders so that more people can get the same. Committees headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) have been formed to monitor the supply of commercial cylinders. The DC said the daily supply and distribution review meeting would be held at 10 am. The committee would take feedback from all companies. The firms, IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, would have to release LPG quota daily. If there was no supply on any day, the next day carry forward will be done. Supply of 5 kg cylinders would be given priority. It would be mandatory to have sufficient stock available in advance. Essential categories The state government has put hospitals and educational institutions, including hostels, in the essential category for the supply of commercial LPG cylinders. Industry expresses concern At the same time, a delegation of FICO, led by Gurmeet Singh Kular, president, along with Jatinder Mittal, chairman, UCPMA, and others met the DC and submitted a memorandum regarding the shortage of LPG supply for industries and industrial canteens. It said due to the recent Israel–Iran war and its effect on oil and gas supply, the government has restricted LPG use, mainly to domestic, hospitals and defence sectors. Industries facing serious issues FICO highlighted that industries work on a “just-in-time” system and do not keep extra stock such as households, due to which, many industries in Ludhiana were facing serious problems. continued on page 2 Five get life term in murder case Legal Correspondent Ludhiana, March 19 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Dr Rajneesh, Ludhiana, has sentenced five accused to rigorous life imprisonment in a murder case. The convicts have been identified as Dharamjit Mishra, alias Kaka, Vishal, alias Kala, Anuj Kumar, alias Sahil, Sagarpal and Amit Kumar, alias Pannu, all residents of Ludhiana. According to the prosecution, the case pertains to October 25, 2022, registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC at the Daba police station. The matter came to light when the police received information about a dead body lying in a vacant plot at Maha Maya Nagar. Upon reaching the scene, they found the body of a young man, later identified as Jham Kumar, with visible injuries and blood oozing from his body. His father and brother were crying. Their statements could not be recorded as they were in a trauma. Later the deceased’s father, Din Dyal Chaudhary, revealed that on the intervening night of October 24-25, 2022, he witnessed the accused assaulting his son in the vacant plot behind their house. He, along with another son, rushed to the scene, after which the accused fled. Jham was found lying dead. Counsel for the com- plainant, Simranjit Singh Gill, said the accused had brutally attacked the victim with bricks, leading to his death and the prosecution successfully proved the case through 12 consistent eyewitness as well as medical evidence. In its judgment, the court observed that the prosecution has successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt. However, the accused pleaded innocence but failed to convince the court. After appreciating the evidence and hearing the arguments, the court held all five accused guilty of committing the murder in furtherance of their common intention and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life. Ludhiana village couple US-based city siblings scale Mount Kilimanjaro wins ~3-crore lottery Benipal sisters nurtured passion for trekking, mountaineering since childhood Anil Datt Ashok Kaura Phillaur, March 19 A couple from Jassian village in Ludhiana district won Rs 3 crore in the Punjab State Lottery, bringing an end to the speculation surrounding the unclaimed ticket. The winning ticket was purchased from Phillaur, which initially led to some confusion about the winner’s place of residence. The results were announced after the draw on March 14. The first prize of ?3 crore corresponded to ticket number 791016. Despite the widespread media coverage indi- cating that the winner had not yet come forward, the couple did not realise initially that they held the winning ticket. In a statement, the winners explained that they had come across news reports and television broadcasts mentioning the unclaimed prize but assumed it did not concern them. It was only two days later, while passing by the lottery vendor in Phillaur, that they were told about their win. Upon verifying the ticket number, they confirmed that it matched the announced result, leading to an overwhelming moment of joy. The ticket had been pur- chased by the man, who reportedly presented it to his wife, suggesting it could be worth Rs 3 crore. At the time, the remark was taken jokingly, with no expectation that it would turn into a reality. The couple, who are parents to three married children at present residing abroad on study visas, stated that they have not finalised plans regarding spending of the prize money. However, they showed intention to spend the same responsibly, prioritising family needs, while also setting aside a portion for social and charitable initiatives. Ludhiana, March 19 In an incredible achievement that has brought laurels to the state, Harshdeep Kaur Benipal and Roopleen Kaur Benipal from Ludhiana have successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjao (Uhuru Peak), the highest mountain in Africa, standing tall at 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) in Tanzania. Settled in the United States, the Benipal sisters have remained deeply rooted in their culture and spiritual heritage, proudly showcasing the spirit of Punjabiyat on an international platform c m y b Harshdeep Kaur Benipal Roopleen Kaur Benipal through their mountaineering accomplishments. Their achievement was celebrated on Thursday during a special felicitation ceremony held at the residence of their father Kulwinder Singh Benipal, president, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Phase I, Dugri. Prominent community leaders, including Jatinderpal Singh Saluja, Ranjit Singh Khalsa, Sonia Alag and Puneet, honoured the sisters. Kulwinder shared that Harshdeep and Roopleen completed their early education at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, before moving to San Francisco, USA, to pursue higher studies, where they have settled now. He highlighted that they had been academically brilliant since childhood and nurtured a deep passion for trekking and mountaineering. Prior to conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, the duo had already demonstrated their mountaineering capabilities by reaching the Everest Base Camp and successfully scaling Grays Peak in North America. Their latest feat of summiting Africa’s highest peak marks a significant milestone in their journey as emerging mountaineers. Their mother Karamjit Kaur Benipal expressed heartfelt joy over her daughters’ accomplishment. She said though they were staying far from their homeland, they continue to uphold values and teachings of their heritage, carrying forward the message of the Sikh religion across the world.