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ATM frauds: Security lacunae make it easy
Probe seed distribution: Cong
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Drug abuse: SC advocate to launch people’s movement
Aviation club gets new wings
Ward 23
Nigerian nationals make it big in Punjab smuggling circuit, cops baffled
Dr Neki donates blood to his patient
Showing Anguish
Rotary Club holds seminar on astrology
Shivraj Patil pays obeisance at Golden Temple
Bhattal seeks Central rule in Punjab
Young World
Marriage, party halls flout norms with impunity
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ATM frauds: Security lacunae make it easy
Amritsar, January 29 Taking into consideration the alarming number of fraudulent withdrawal of money from ATMs in the city, The Tribune team investigated this issue and zeroed in on the fact that most of these thefts have occurred at unmanned ATMs or those having their mechanical shutters open due to their wall-mounted sensors being non-functional. A majority of the cases have taken place during the late evening hours or the wee hours. At many ATM locations, the telephone numbers of help desk/contact persons were not displayed, causing difficulties in lodging complaints. Customers using other bank ATMs were also unclear as to the bank with which complaints on account of failed ATM transactions are to be lodged. Another startling fact which came to light was that most of the doors of the ATM cabins were found unlocked and obviously in the absence of any security guard, the unscrupulous elements gain easy entry into ATM cabins and get ample time to misappropriate the money withdrawing mechanism. It was reportedly noticed that this lapse was found with the ATMs of the nationalised banks, the most, apparently due to their complicated policy matters. Ironically, despite the Police Department’s insistence, the bank managements care two hoots to make their ATMs safe. An ATM installation costs the bank between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh, but decoding the sensors of the lock of the ATM counter is being overlooked. Each bank disburses nearly Rs 100 crore to Infosys each year, for utilising the ATM operating software developed by it, but their policies fall flat when it comes to the security of ATMs. Another reason for the unconcerned attitude of the bank managements was that they secure their risk factors by getting the cash loaded ATMs fully insured. A senior official of a nationalised bank, on condition of anonymity, said security was such that its locks could even be opened by swapping any credit card. “Even if the door is locked, it can be opened by swapping an ordinary plastic card of a store,” he commented. While looking into the modus operandi of the ATM frauds, the most common and convenient way was to exchange the original card of the client with an identical card. This becomes easy to materialise when strangers too gain entry at the same time. This method was revealed recently when a culprit, in his teens, was nabbed by the city police.
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Probe seed distribution: Cong
Amritsar, January 29 The seeds should be scientifically examined from time to time by the technically trained staff from sowing to packaging before handing it over to the farmers. But due to inadequate technical hands in the seed certification authority department this practice is being overlooked, alleged Shelly. Talking to the media here, he pointed out that the seed certification authority was facing an acute shortage of staff and how come it manages to get the laborious work of laboratory testing and quality checking done right from its sowing, he questioned.
However, rebutting the allegations, Kabal Singh, regional seed certification officer, Jalandhar zone, talking to The Tribune termed the allegations wrong and devoid of any facts. He said the department supervised the whole process from sowing to packaging and grading of seeds. “About nine lakh quintals of seeds were produced in the state during this year and department is fully responsible for all the bags with blue tag containing the seeds that passed through various scientific and laboratory tests under the supervision of our officials,” said Kabal Singh.
The Youth Congress leader said the production had reduced considerably due to distribution of substandard certified seeds. He alleged the same was true in the case of pulse seeds also. He said the Agriculture Minister should resign on moral grounds as distribution of substandard certified seeds amounted to deceiving the farmers. |
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Drug abuse: SC advocate to launch people’s movement
Amritsar, January 29 Named as “Kirat Lehar”, this movement, the objective of which is to encourage people of the state to shun idleness, social vices, raising education standards, would be commenced on Baisakhi on April 14 from Anandpur Sahib. Meanwhile, a pre-launch march has been scheduled from Khadur Sahib on March 31 while reaching Anandpur Sahib on April 14. This novel concept, especially focusing on the farming community, would offer a programme to educate them new modern techniques and methods to enhance their produce, multiply their income. It would also apprise parents about keeping their children away from drugs, and provide rehabilitation centres in connivance with Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle at Ludhiana, besides creating coaching centres for farming in collaboration with the Punjab Agricultural University. Elaborating further, H.S. Phulka said the basic mindset of people of the state had to be changed and they had to be discouraged from social evils like drugs, decline in education and health graph and pollution of river waters. “The basic character of being hardworking class for the people of Punjab has to be restored. It has been observed that idleness and apathy has been rampant among the Punjab youth, this attitude has to be washed out primarily. Our plan of action would be to apprise them about self employment programmes, approaching parents to adopt steps for refraining their children from drugs, teaching farming fraternity by way of modules and films to enhance their produce,” said Phulka. |
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Aviation club gets new wings
Amritsar January 29
“We got the aircraft as we met all of the stipulated specifications,” said Pannu.
The club, it was learnt, had as many as 28 students and two aircraft. With the induction of the Beechbaron , the total number of aircraft has gone to three. “We are going to get another aircraft for training shortly,” said Pannu. He said the club was functioning in top gear for past three years. |
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Makeshift urinals, encroachments, choked sewerage…
P.K. Jaiswar Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 29
Narrating his woes, a resident, Sameer Bajaj, said, “It is an irony that the most important part of the city, which leads to the Golden Temple, is being overlooked by the authorities.” While seconding it, Aman Arora rued that this place, which is frequented by foreigners while on their way to Darbar Sahib, had become more of a neglected spot where there are no parking provisions. While visiting the spot, it was found that the area was burdened by massive encroachments by illegal expansions of shops and haphazard parking by traders and commuters. Astonishingly, when The Tribune team reached the spot, it found people urinating on the walls of a public park near the Katra Sher Singh area. “It is most inconvenient especially for ladies to cross over from the street due to this menace,” complained Rajni Sharma, an inhabitant. The residents urged for the construction of more public toilets as it had become a big nuisance for the inhabitants. Other areas which fall in Ward number 23 include Hathi Gate, Ram Bagh, parts of Katra Baggian and Jawahar Park. The sewerage system, in several areas of the ward, is also not up to the mark and requires regular de-silting. The often-blocked sewerage irks the residents who fume that this needs immediate rectification. Parveen Kumar, another resident, pointed out that during rains, life goes totally out of gear as a pool of filthy water gets accumulated on the roads.
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Nigerian nationals make it big in Punjab smuggling circuit, cops baffled
Amritsar, January 29 While admitting it, senior police official preferring anonymity, maintained that the matter has already
been under discussion with the Home Ministry in New Delhi. “The matter is grave in the sense that the security aspect too is being hit and this needs to be looked after on priority,” the official said. The SSOC has confiscated 8 kg of heroin from a Nigerian national, Felix Odemole, who was residing in Santighar Tilak Nagar in New Delhi, where a well-knit gang of smugglers, majority of them from Nigeria, have reportedly been traced.
According to police officials, the modus operandi of these mischievous Nigerians has been to procure a stay in the country on student visa. It is an irony that in the absence of any stringent measures to keep a check on them, it has been found that they continue their stay here despite the expiry of their visa tenure. Sources in the Narcotics Department confirmed that they not only pollute the areas where they reside but also have been involved in thefts, snatchings and other petty crimes.
“They get scot-free because of the advantage of their incomplete credentials,” they said, while adding that they lure their customers with the help of their lady gang members. Police records speak volumes about their involvement in anti-social activities. Besides drug-trafficking, several Nigerians were involved in SMS and e-mail lottery frauds. The police officials said the booty they chunk out is further put back to get the narcotics trade flourishing. According to data with SSOC, about a dozen Nigerians have been nabbed in Punjab, who were involved in drug-trafficking. Incidentally, as per reports of various agencies, the state, due to its proximity with Pakistan, has proven to be a big support for the survival of these unscrupulous elements. Punjab recorded maximum heroin seizure, of about 500 kg, last year. Police sources confirmed that India, being sandwiched between the two nations, which have reportedly been known for producing the banned crop, has become a transit point for smuggling it to the European and other Asian destinations. |
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Dr Neki donates blood to his patient
Amritsar, January 29 Leaving nothing to chance, I myself decided to donate blood”, he said. A regular donor himself, Dr Neki has donated blood 27 times. |
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Showing Anguish
Amritsar January 29
In a statement issued here, Satnam Singh said the Indian security agencies should refrain from harassing people who have suffered in prison for years and who have spent long time away from their family and friends for decades together. Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib, who was involved in hijacking of the Indian Airlines Delhi-Srinagar flight in 1981, was released from the Pakistani prison after the completion of his sentence in 1994. He went to the US and was deported back to India in 1999. He was let-off within a day of his arrival in India in August 1999.
He said, “Apparently, the Government of India has no case against the 46-year-old, former activist of the All-India Sikh Students Federation. He has already served more than 10 years imprisonment in Pakistan for the hijacking act.” Seeking his immediate release, Satnam Singh slammed the Indian authorities for detaining Parminder Singh in the Tihar jail in Delhi. Citing his own example, he said the legal machinery in India was aware of the legal concept of double jeopardy, under which, no person could be punished twice for the same offence. “This has been upheld by the Indian courts too,” he added. Parminder Singh, along with others, had hijacked an Indian Airlines’ Srinagar-New Delhi flight on July 5, 1984, to protest against Operation
Bluestar. Satnam Singh said Parminder’s deportation was a violation of the laws of the international convention on refugees. |
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Rotary Club holds seminar on astrology
Amritsar, January 29 Advocating the scientific study associated with the astrology, Kiranjit Kaur said astrology could not be applied as such. Kiranjeet, an expert in Vedic, medical astrology and vastu shashtra and teaching astrology at DAV College, Katra Sher Singh, Amritsar, spoke on the various aspect of astrology and its impact on the destiny of a person.
In the interactive session, she answered various queries and doubts raised by the audience. The seminar was organised by Shemsher B. Singh, one of the directors of
the club. — TNS |
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Shivraj Patil pays obeisance at Golden Temple
Amritsar, January 29 Accompanied by his son Sailesh Patil, his Secretary M.P. Singh, the Governor visited the Golden Temple where he was greeted by SGPC chief Avtar Singh and other SGPC functionaries.
Patil undertook the full round of the “parikarma” and seemingly got swayed away by the spiritual ambience at the place. After paying obeisance inside the sanctum sanctorum, he was honoured inside the Information Office of the Golden Temple. Avtar Singh presented him with a shawl, a replica of the Golden Temple and a set of religious books.
Patil, while giving his impression about his visit to the Golden Temple, wrote in the visitors’ book: “It is always inspiring to visit this place. The holy place expands the vision of man and makes him more inclusive. It means it takes man nearer to God. I am happy to have been able to come here.”
Talking to mediapersons, the Governor said it was a “thanks giving visit” to the holy place and to obtain the blessings of the Almighty so that he could discharge his responsibilities according to the constitutional rules.
Sharing his experience pertaining to his visit to the Golden Temple, Patil said the place enabled a person to transcend onto a higher pedestal, made him more spiritual and less mundane.
Replying to a query regarding his future plans for Punjab, Patil said he would put in his utmost for the betterment of Punjab and Punjabis.
The Governor visited the historic Jallianwala Bagh and placed floral wreaths at the Flame of Liberty. The Governor wrote in the visitor’s book: “India is free because of the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of India. This place is a symbol of spirit which emboldens man to sacrifice his life for the supreme cause. I pay my humble tribute to the memory of the martyrs.”
Later, Shivraj Patil paid obeisance at Durgiana Temple and was honoured by the members of the
Durgiana Trust. Earlier on his arrival at the Circuit House, a police contingent presented guard of honour to him.
The Governor was welcomed by Prof Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, and was introduced to the officers of the district.
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Bhattal seeks Central rule in Punjab
Amritsar, January 29 It is a matter of great concern and the SAD-BJP combine is responsible for such a sorry state of affairs,” said Bhattal. She alleged that the SAD-BJP government was “misusing” central grants for development of the state. “We are also going to seek a special package for the Punjab industry during our meeting with the PM,” said Bhattal. |
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Different Strokes for future journos
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 29
Talk on environment
The Chemistry Department of Khalsa College organised a seminar on “Environmental Relation and Solution” here today. Dr M.S Hundal, Dean, College Development Council, Guru Nanak Dev University, said environment related concerns were drawing worldwide attention. He felt that the industrial houses needed to check the outflow of effluents. Prof D.S. Arora from Microbiology Department of the university elaborated various ways to optimum usage and minimum waste of water. Khalsa College Principal Daljit Singh stressed on the need to save precious natural resources. |
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Marriage, party halls flout norms with impunity
Amritsar, January 29 During marriage functions and parties, these halls use DJ systems to play music, which creates noise pollution.
These marriage and party halls woefully lack parking provision. Hence, the visitors freely park their vehicles outside these buildings, which result in blockade of traffic and prolong traffic jams.
However, so far no noticeable action has been taken against these party and marriage halls by the Municipal Corporation.
A resident of Majitha Road, Naresh Kumar, said, “The Municipal Corporation should strictly enforce compliance of rules on these halls, especially those located close to educational institutions and hospitals. Besides, new applications must be issued only after verification of availability of proper facilities and safety norms.” Many of them were built irrespective of their proximity with educational institutions and residences, thereby creating a nuisance for residents and students.
Majority of them are deficient in norms framed for the palaces after the devastating fire in Dabwali, near Sirsa, and Uphar cinema in New Delhi that prompted the government to issue strict guidelines.
Hardly any of these places have requisite minimum of four exits, emergency door ventilation, fire alarms and extra sanitation facilities. Almost all marriage palaces that have open spaces use shamianas made of combustible material.
Till now, no concrete action has been initiated against these palaces that have come up infringing all norms of constructions and the guidelines framed for them.
The situation has come to such a pass that some of these have even encroached upon adjoining roads. Apart form creating noise pollution and traffic nuisance, these marriage halls create sanitation hazards, brawls and drinking bouts.
When contacted, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, D.P.S Kharbanda said the government promulgated new rules in September, 2009, as per which party halls could be opened in residential non-scheme areas after depositing the change of land use (CLU) fee with the MC. He said the provision of parking facility was taken care of by the building bylaws, which these buildings have to get approved before constructing them.
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Amritsar, January 29
The Amritsar Aviation Club has recieved another latest Beechbaron – G-58 aircraft for studnets training.
The aircraft was dedicated to the club by Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh
Pannu. The Amritsar Aviation Club, according to Pannu, was the first aviation training facility in the country to have got the Beechbaron aircraft as the club conformed to the stringest standards set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Amritsar, January 29
