Jalandhar, February 24
Up in arms against PUDA for allegedly not complying with rules laid down in certain judicial verdicts and charging high extension fee, the Jalandhar Welfare Society has lodged a complaint with the secretary, department of housing and urban development, Punjab.

Led by a retired additional sessions judge Shamsher Singh Johal, the society members have reportedly stated that PUDA had illegally enhanced the rates of extension fee. He said the amendment made by PUDA in rule 13 of Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development (general) Rules 1995 was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the court had declared it illegal. Besides, even the Supreme Court had upheld the high court’s decision.

Talking to The Tribune, Johal said the complaint says, “Despite the judicial verdicts passed in separate cases of Tehal Singh and Sant Kaur which directed PUDA to charge extension fee only at the rates fixed in rule 13, the officials were charging higher extension fee under coercion and threats of resumption of plots at higher rates.”

Terming PUDA as violator of laws, Johal said there were thousands of allottees who were bearing the brunt of enhanced rates. He said according to the rule 13 of the PUDA Rules 1995 the extension charges were 
Rs 1.5, Rs 2, Rs 2.5, Rs 4, Rs 5 and Rs 6 per square metre for the first five years, respectively, after three years from the date of allotment. “However, the rates levied are quite high. They are 2 per cent for residential plots and 2 per cent of auction price for commercial plots in the fourth year and fifth year, 2.5 per cent in the sixth, seventh and eighth year and 3 per cent in the ninth and tenth year,” he added.

Johal said the complaint also mentions that allottees who came to know about the law had challenged the demands and recoveries before the consumer forum. Interestingly, the plaintiffs have been granted relief by relying on the judgment passed in cases of Sant Kaur and Tehal Singh.

He said the state government has been vested with the power to issue directions to PUDA and government should direct PUDA to refund the excess amount charged.

Johal said in a reply to the RTI application filed by him, the state public information officer-cum-chief administrator had said the concerned officials have been asked to refund the amount to petitioners for cases pertaining to those from August 22, 1995 and October 7, 2001.

However, additional chief administrator Kulbir Singh feigned ignorance as he said that he was not aware of any such matter.

Jalandhar, February 24
Contrary to the expectations of city residents, cricketer turned politician and Amritsar MP, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Guinness record holder, Fauja Singh failed to turn up at the much publicised 2nd CT Half Marathon, 2008, which concluded amidst much fanfare here on Sunday.

Cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu telephonically flagged off the marathon from the Shahpur campus. He congratulated the CT Group of institutions for conducting the 2nd Half Marathon for the noble cause of helping the Red Cross Society and Pingalwara and hoped these kind of events would continue in the future as well.

Later on the half marathon was flagged off by city mayor, Rakesh Rathore, comedian Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, Punjabi singer Satwinder Bitti and others. As many as 7,000 participants from all walks of life including school and college students, army personnel and senior citizens participated in the race for charity.

Nakodar based, 82-year-old athlete, K.K Bhanot says, “It is real fun to see city residents participating in such events. Perhaps it is only sports through which we can help youngsters to stay away from social evils like drug addiction. Half marathon should be made an annual feature”.

Youngsters were present in large numbers. Some college girls covered a distance of 10 kilometres while boys managed to reach the Maqsudan campus.

The 21 km half marathon which began at the Shahpur campus passed through Partapura, Nakodar Road, Ravidass Chowk, Manbro, Model Town, Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Mahavir Marg, Workshop Chowk, DAV College and ended at the final destination, the Maqsudan campus.

The authorities had made all the necessary arrangements for the hassle free movement of the athletes.

Apart from this, a special 400 metre race for disabled children was also held at the Maqsudan campus. As many as 50 students from Pingalwara and Prayas School participated in this race.

Renowned Punjabi singer Jazzy B too reached the maqsudan campus and enthralled the runners with some of his hit Punjabi numbers.

Meanwhile, the winners were given cash awards. In the male category, the first prize of Rs 21,000 went to last year CT Half marathon winner Tejinder Singh (RCF, Kapurthala), followed by second prize of Rs 11,000 to Rashpal Singh (Army) and third prize of Rs 5,100 to Jasbir Singh.

In the female category, the first prize went to Jasbir Kaur, second prize was awarded to Parminder Kaur and third prize to Kiranjeet Kaur followed by seven consolation prizes of Rs 1,100 in each category.

The chairman of the CT Group, Charanjit Singh Channi said, “We are the first ones in Punjab to incorporate a half marathon culture in the state and wish to make it a grand success. This is the only way through which we can contribute something towards the lives of underprivileged people of the society.

Though this is the beginning but we have a dream to make it synonymous with the half marathons organised in the metros”.

Nawanshahr, February 24
With a view to regulating traffic as well as to curb the rising incidence of road accidents in the town, SSP Shashi Prabha Dwivedi has taken the services of a Khanna-based NGO SAATH (Society for Accident Aid and Traffic Help).

Naresh Mehta, an expert from SAATH, accompanied by SSP Shashi Prabha 
Dwivedi, SP (HQ) Jagtar Singh Kainth and MC president Lalit Mohan Pathak (Ballu), on Thursaday conducted a survey of the main roads, chowks and bazaars. The quantum of traffic, entry and exit points, traffic bottlenecks were studied by the expert and some suggestions were given to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Mehta, while talking to The Tribune, said SAATH had experience of regulating traffic at Khanna and adjoining towns. A master plan to solve the problem of traffic chaos on main roads and chowks would be prepared. “The need to redesign traffic lights at the Chandigarh and Ambedkar chowks in the town has also been felt and the MC president has been asked to arrange a meeting with the representatives of the company which had installed the traffic lights”, said Mehta, adding that the redesigning of traffic channels at Ambedkar Chowk and removal of encroachments to get rid of the traffic bottlenecks was needed to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Amritsar, February 24
While expressing concern over the moral degeneration which has crept into the social and political life in the age of globalization, people are under intense pressure to uphold their traditional values. Therefore, the ethical values of the religions of the world hold great relevance to usher in an era of peace.

These views were expressed by eminent scholars who took part in the deliberations of the two-day national seminar on “Ethical Concerns of the World Religions” organised by the Department of Guru Nanak Studies of the Guru Nanak Dev University which concluded here on Sunday. The valedictory session was presided over by Paulachan Kochappilly, dean, faculty of theology, Dharamaram College, Bangalore.

Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon, seminar director said panel discussions on Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism were held in which more than 30 papers were presented on the theme of the seminar by different scholars of national and international repute from India, Canada, Turkey and Germany.

Dr Abdul Ali, director, Islamic studies of Aligarh Muslim University, presided over the panel discussion on Islam while Dr Surjit Kaur Chahal, professor, department of philosophy, Pune University, chaired the panel on Sikhism.

Dr Roop Kishore Shastri of Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar presided over the panel on Hinduism while Dr AN Sinha, former professor of Jainism of Punjabi University, Patiala, chaired the panel discussion on Jainism and Buddhism. — TNS

Nawanshahr, February 24
Taminder Kaur, a student of class XI at the Kirpal Sagar Academy, has brought laurels, by representing Punjab in the "horse-riding squad" at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

Interestingly, there were only two girls in the squad. She added another feather to her cap by winning a gold medal in the 'tent-pegging' competition during the horse-riding show at the national level Republic Day function. Taminder has been felicitated by the Governor, Punjab.

Taminder who strikes as a suave teenager at the first glance, becomes an altogether different person, exhbiting tremendous audacity as well as agility when she takes on to riding. She owes her success to the academy, where her skills have been recognised and are being honed. — OC

Amritsar, February 24
Punjab assembly speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon exhorted girl students to work hard and make significant contributions in the nation building. He was speaking during the annual award function of the Sarup Rani Government Girls College here on Saturday.

Stressing on the need for recognising and strengthening assets, Kahlon said, “The time has changed and now girls are moving ahead of men in all fields. So, it is necessary for women to achieve success in their careers so that they become inspiration for the coming generations.”

He said girls should work hard to excel in fields like academic and sports. Besides, they should inculcate leadership qualities in them. Giving example of India’s first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi, former DGP Uttaranchal Kanchan Chaudhari and film actress Kavita Chowdhari, the speaker said these women should be considered as role models.

Lauding the efforts of college principal Jasmeet Kaur Nayyar and staff the assembly speaker announced a grant of Rs 22 lakh for the development of infrastructure in the college.

Kahlon also presented roll of honour for post graduation to Amanpreet Kaur, and cultural roll of honour to Megha Kaushik. The award for the best scholar undergraduate went to Maninderjit, while for post graduation was won by Harpreet. Shiwani was adjudged as the best athlete, whereas the award for best all round student went to BA III student Ramanjeet Kaur. 

Jalandhar, February 24
The problems being faced by the residents of the Cantt area were discussed in detail during a meeting between the members of the Citizens Welfare Association and Station Commander, Jalandhar, Brig BB Patil, here on Sunday.

Various issues like wearing of helmets and passes for milk vendors were brought to the fore. It was decided that helmets would be made compulsory only for two wheeler riders. The pillion riders and ladies would be exempted.

Regarding the issuing of passing to milk vendors Patil said it was necessary to issue passes to the vendors and 22 passes had already been made. However, the milk vendors would be allowed entry into the Cantonement only after they showed their proof of identification, he said. Any one facing a problem in this regard could directly approach him, he added.

The Citizens Welfare Association appreciated the concern showed by the Station Commander and assured full support to the army. They also criticised the protest which took place on February 20. The association wished the Vajra Corps all the best on the occasion of the forthcoming raising day. — TNS

Jalandhar, February 24
They came, they saw, they conquered. It was virtually a feast for city dog lovers as canines, preened to perfection, came in different shapes and sizes at the All Breed Physique and Gait Show, organised by the Kohinoor Kennel Club, here today. The event was held at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium.

More than 285 dogs of 46 breeds, including dogs Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, Great Danes, St Bernards, Beagles and Basset Hounds, made the show a gala affair. Pomeranians and Pugs were also seen prancing around, as the crowd gazed in admiration.

Local jeweller Vikram’s Dialon, a boxer, won his third challenge certificate and the champion’s title. His Rotweillers, Pugs and Bull Mastiffs were also among the competitors. “I have 10 dogs and a pair of love birds. I am constructing a separate house with a swimming pool on Kapurthala Road for them,” said the elated man.

The three feet tall Greta Danes, owned by Ajit Singh from Nakodar, were special highlight of the event. “I have never seen such a huge dog before,” exclaimed a young boy standing in the crowd. Owners were seen pampering their prized possessions, cuddling them and giving them last-minute tips. The latter too thoroughly enjoyed the affection and attention. It was also a field day for dog sellers as several families turned up to buy pups.

Special stalls, displaying various dog accessories, including designer beddings, multicolour leashes, collars, steel combs, chew sticks, bones and shampoos, were also put up. Dog trainers were also seen approaching their prospective clients.

Amritsar, February 24
Taking a strong exception to the BJP’s statement over the installation of Sant  Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s portrait in the Sikh Museum, the Dal Khalsa today slammed the party leadership for unnecessarily raking up the issue.

Commenting on the statement made by BJP national secretary Balbir Punj asking the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) to remove the portrait of Bhindrawale, Dal Khalsa  general secretary Kanwar Pal Singh pointed out  that it was none of  his business.

He said the installation of Sant Bhindrawale's portrait in Sikh Museum was purely a Sikh affair and added that parties like BJP and Congress should stop airing their views.

Batala, February 24
A Santro car (PB 02 AK 899) caught fire on the Batala-Amritsar GT road, here on Saturday. The car, parked on the roadside, was fitted with an LPG kit. 

According to sources, welding work going on at a nearby garage caused the accident.

A fire tender from Batala reached the spot and extinguished the fire after sometime. During the process a fire man sustained some fire injuries on his neck but was stated to be out of danger. The police is verifying the cause of the accident.