Amritsar, March 9
Mayor Shwet Malik, the first citizen of the city, seems to be setting standards for others to emulate. His family-run marriage palace, Rajindra Garden, located on Court Road uses a highly inflammable tarpaulin as a cover for roof while a large piece of polythene dangles over the front portion of it.

The entrance has many flex boards, also combustible in character. The second gate of the marriage palace falls inside the adjoining street, which is hardly 3 feet in width.

Inside the hall, curtains function as a wall. Though amply spacious, it does not have its own parking lot and the service lane is turned into a parking lot during functions.

Besides, the footpath outside the marriage palace also serves as a parking space for vehicles.

For stationing police guards, deployed for providing security to the Mayor, a tiny police post has been set up on a corner of the footpath.

Certainly, this is not an isolated case. There are many marriage palaces which blatantly flout norms.

It is pertinent to mention here that following the infamous Dabwali fire incident, which devoured 442 persons at Rajiv Marriage Palace on December 23, 1995, the government formulated regulations to avoid recurrence of such mishaps.

The Department of Local Bodies issued instructions to all the municipal corporations in the state in 1996.

RTI activist Naresh Johar procured a copy of the guidelines from the MC Commissioner. The guidelines stated that marriage palaces should have a parking lot on its premises, whereas no marriage palace in the city has a parking lot of its own.

A majority of the palaces have only one gate for entry and exit purposes.

Besides, many marriage palace owners have put up flex boards for advertisement purposes in front of their buildings, which are combustible.

The guidelines also state that emergency battery, illuminated exit point equal to the capacity of a restaurant or banquet hall and rooms on each floor are required.

At least one door for 300 persons, subject to the condition that the line of travel is not more than 15 metres and the staircase opening outside the building should not be less than 1.5 metres in width. It would be ensured that the staircase and the door should be made of fire-resistant material.

Johar said keeping in view these guidelines, a majority of the marriage palaces, including the one possessed by the Mayor’s family, hardly follow these guidelines.

Undoubtedly, stringent rules and regulations for marriage palaces are in place but a little effort is made to implement them. Despite repeated attempts, Mayor Shwet Malik could not be contacted on the issue.

Amritsar, March 9
Though there has been stringent prohibition act against defacing or damaging the precious historical monuments by the government, yet the act is being ignored, with hardly any guilt, by the authorities.

Ram Bagh, an 84-acre summer palace set up by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819, is a prime example to testify the couldn’t care less attitude of the authorities concerned in preserving the rich heritage.

The sorry state of saga starts right from the Deori, Ram Bagh, the main entrance to the summer palace complex.

The leftover “prized possession”, as major part of the Ram Bagh has been occupied by three socialite clubs, has at present been transformed into residential complex of labour, apparently, engaged to renovate the historical monument. With all their courtesy, the walls of the monument are being damaged because of smoke and oil emanating from the stoves or gas burners, which the labour or the caretakers use to prepare their food.

Archaeological experts view that the regular smoke and oil which settle on the “originally built” crust of walls, especially the roofs of the monument, which is made of wood, undoubtedly, destroy them and they cannot be restored. This act should have been stopped immediately.

“This heritage, which, for its artistic and architectural importance, has been declared as protected monument of national importance, hardly seem to carry any importance for the local authorities,” said an official of the Archaeological Survey of India, while preferring anonymity.

Another pathetic situation is that in the absence of any check, stray animals, which include dogs and other abandoned animals like horses and cows, can be seen anytime in the complex.

When The Tribune team visited the area to take stock of the renovation work being undertaken for a museum, it appeared to be a “convenient place” for dogs to breed, for stray horses and cattle to graze.

The residents, who used to stroll here in the evenings, said due to laxity on the part of the authorities concerned, the place had also become synonymous with unscrupulous elements. “Every evening or early morning you can find people enjoying “forbidden pleasures” like smoking intoxicants, couples sitting in objectionable manners, etc. This has refrained us from coming here. It is ridiculous?” said Unkar Singh, a resident of city for the past over 55 years.

What does the official notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner say:

This monument is protected under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act-1964. Any person who destroys, deface or imperils this monument in any manner is liable to punishment with a fine which may extend up to Rs 5,000 or with imprisonment, which may extend to six months or both.

Tarn Taran, March 9
The Municipal Council demolishing an ‘illegal’ four-storey building, situated on the bypass, today raised many eyebrows.

Manmohan Singh, Executive Officer of the MC, said the operation was carried out on the instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The EO said the High Court had instructed to take action against 10 such buildings, but he refused to give details of other buildings.

The EO said the action has been taken against the buildings situated on the National Highway. Surprisingly, the demolished building was situated on the bypass not on the NH.

The Executive Officer of the MC said the council had already served a notice to the owner of the building in this regard.

Besides the EO, Duty Magistrate Kuldip Singh, a large number of officials, employees and a police party was the part of the 50-member team deputed for the demolishing act. The building was constructed about three years back.

Meanwhile, the Congress workers termed the action as political motivated. They reasoned that there are more than hundred such illegal buildings but no action has been taken against them.

They also said no action has been taken against the people, who have encroached the government land besides bazaars, streets, roads of the town besides in the heart of the town.

It is worthwhile to note that half of the Noodri Bazaar had been encroached since past some time. 

Amritsar, March 9
The daily-wagers of industrial focal point on Amritsar- Mehta road dare not to go out alone in the dark alone.

Reason: The area has become a den for snatchers who loot the wagers returning to their homes after their work in various industrial units situated in huge industrial complex.

Ironically, even the police has turned a blind eye to this menace. The victims rued that the law enforcing agency did not register complaints of such incidents.

The daily-wagers, most of them are migrants from other states, who get their payments during evening hours prefer to return home before sunset.

“Usually, we prefer to be at home before the sunset. But the problem is for those who works in afternoon and evening shifts and had to return home in the late evening or night hours,” said one Ram Parshad, a migrant labourer of a factory. Though we don’t possess any bigger amounts, it hurts a lot when the earnings are looted, said the labourers.

It is believed the unscrupulous elements are mostly drug addicts and drunkards. Even ration items, equipments and clothes are not spared by the culprits. Sometimes they snatch away their cycles, said another migrant Prabhu while telling his woes.

It is pertinent to mention here that the focal point is just half a kilometre from Maqboolpura locality infamous for rampant drug addiction and bootlegging.

Veteran communist leader Buta Ram alleged that whenever these migrants approached the police, they get little attention what to talk about registering the FIRs. He said the police should organise regular patrolling in plain clothes to stem the problem.

“It is really a big disappointment that the police had miserably failed to end the menace of drug peddling and bootlegging prevailing in the area for decades,” he pointed out.

Police Commissioner Varinder Kumar, when asked, said the matter was not in his knowledge adding that he would look into the issue besides taking necessary steps in ending the menace.

Amritsar, March 9
Unemployed ETT teachers today held a protest dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here in protest against the arrest of their colleagues who were lifted and lodged in various jails.

They were protesting in front of the residence of Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur when they were lifted by the police and lodged in jails.

The Unemployed ETT Teachers Union today submitted a memorandum to be forwarded to the state government. The agitating teachers raised slogans against the government for not fulfilling their demands, which include release of their colleagues without any conditions. — TNS

Amritsar, March 9
The new age bio-technology food would insert genes of animals into plants, revealed Prof Ashok Goel while expressing doubts and apprehensions about the dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods for human consumption at a seminar on “Food safety concerns of GM products”.

This seminar was organised by the Food Science and Technology Department in collaboration with Mission Agaz, an NGO, here today in Guru Nanak Bhavan Auditorium.

Citing examples, Dr Goel, professor and head, pharmacology wing, Government Medical College, Amritsar, said tomatoes might have genes from fish, potato from pigs, brinjal from bacteria, etc.

Such unnatural changes would have ecological implications relating to bio-diversity, increased out-crossing, detrimental effects on beneficial insects, soil organisms, will create pest resurgence, new diseases would come into existence. He emphasised that since the process was not evolutionary and the experimentation results in new kind of proteins and chemicals, their effect on human beings can be devastating.

Talking about the first GM tomatoes in the USA called FlavrSavr, Dr Ashok said even rats and other animals, including cows, pigs, geese, squirrels, elk, deer, raccoons, etc. refused to eat them.

He said, however, after force feeding for 28 days, seven out of 20 rats developed stomach lesions and seven out of 40 died within two weeks.

He said at least 65 documented adverse health effects of genetically modified (GM) foods and non-food crops.

Dr A.K. Thukral, Director, Research, said every science took its time to grow and mature.

He said, “Biotechnology is a science in its nascent stage and we should wait for it to mature before deciding to use it on the food products we consume.”

Talking about the legal aspects of laws relating to food security and safety, social activist Hemant Goswami said the Food Adulteration Act and the Food Safety Act, 2006, assured the right of citizens to have safe food.

However, commercial interests are trying to gain backdoor entry in the name of genetically modified crops and food by discarding all precautionary principles of food safety and security.

“Genetically modified food requires multi-generational tests as they have not evolved naturally. He said it would be dangerous to adopt anything as food until and unless it has been found to be safe for a minimum of three generations of any animal, at least the mice,” he said.

Umendra Dutt said belying the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill (BRAI) the corporate firms would gain exclusive control over food which would increase hunger, poverty, death and disease.

Prof Jagmohan Singh of the Association of Democratic Rights said, “In the name of food security, GM foods are being introduced which will endanger the nutritional security and hence future of mankind.”

Dr Dalbir Singh Sogi, coordinator of the seminar, said any food, the safety of which was doubtful, should not be allowed for human consumption.

Amritsar, March 9
The CPM today threatened to gherao the civil line police station in protest against alleged police inaction against several persons involved in illegal activities and who had been booked under attempt to murder besides other criminal charges.

Demanding immediate arrest of the accused, they also urged the authorities to take action against the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and in charge, Sardar Bazaar chowki, who deliberately failed to arrest them.

Jagtar Singh Karampura, secretary of the Fauja Singh Bhullar Memorial Trust, associated with the CPM, alleged that they would gherao the police station on March 12 and only the police would be responsible for any repercussions.

While detailing, he said Kamal, his brother-in-laws, Mandeep Singh and his father Karnail Singh, all residents of Gwal Mandi along with Sunil, Nikki and several other unidentified persons made murderous attack on CPM worker Sham Lal on January 13 evening.

While another resident of the area Balwinder Singh tried to rescue him, he was also brutally thrashed by the accused persons. A case under relevant sections was registered at Civil Line Police Station in this regard.

He said the same accused made a similar attempt and attacked Shiv Kumar, son of Sham Lal, on January 29 and another case was registered at Civil Line police station against them.

“In both the cases ASI Mukhtiar Singh, the then chowki in charge of Sadar Bazaar police chowki neither made any attempt to arrest the culprits nor probed into the matter,” alleged Karampura. He said he along with other senior party members approached to SHO Civil Line and SP (Headquarter) but it also proved a futile exercise bearing no result while the accused roaming freely trying to intimidate the victims by hook or by crook.

Refuting the charges, Mukhtiar Singh, who has now been transferred to Kambo police chowki, said continuous raids were being conducted to nab Bori and his accomplices who were at large since the registration of case.

He said a cross case has been registered on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the complainants in the above case. He said the matter was in the knowledge of his high officials and moreover, an enquiry is being conducted in the case by the concerned police official due to which no arrest could take place.

Police Commissioner Varinder Kumar said he did not have the knowledge of this particular case and would look into the case besides ensuring the arrests of culprits. The role of ASI would also be investigated, he added.

Amritsar, March 9
An open choked drain in Ward 32 is the biggest worry. It not only contains sewage but poisonous chemical waste, coming out of various industrial units of East Mohan Nagar and focal point, too.

Though there is no evidence, it is believed that this drain might have affected the ground water too, rendering it unfit for human consumption.

What is sure is that the drain is a perfect breeding ground for various insects, and the authorities are just waiting a disease to outbreak.

“At some points, the water supply pipes pass through this nullah that is now drowned in the drain as it has reached to its capacity,” said Prabhjot Singh Anand, a resident of New Partap Nagar area, situated on the backside of Maqboolpura police chowki.

The choking of drain also leads to frequent blockage of sewage.

“This is main entrance point (of the city) and therefore should be one of the most beautiful parts of the city. But the reality is the just opposite,” he said while pointing towards the dilapidated conditions of the greenbelt. In 30-year history of the area, there is only few meters of premix was laid, said another resident Aman Arora.

“The politicians here spare not a single moment to boast of the ‘so called development works’ in the locality but we can all see what development work they have done,” said another resident while pointing towards the open drain.

While major part of the drain has been covered, this portion was left uncovered for the reasons best known to the authorities. Our repeated requests meted out with negative response, he added.

The two major greenbelts falling in the ward and situated on the main GT Road tells a sorry tale of affairs of the Municipal Corporation.

“The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered to remove the encroachments erected by people in name of religion, yet the authorities have turned a blind eye towards a religious shrine that has come up on this greenbelt. Shanties have also cropped up adjoining this shrine,” said a resident preferring anonymity.

In the absence of proper upkeep of these places, they have become a den of drug addicts and other miscreant elements, he added.

The other areas which fall in this ward include Partap Nagar, New Partap Nagar, Dashmesh Avenue, Amrik Singh Colony etc.

The ward also faces water shortage due to absence of adequate tubewells. Majority of residents have installed submersible pumps to fulfil their water requirements.

“I have been living in the area for last five years and paying all taxes, but what I am getting in return, perhaps nothing,” said Jagtar Singh, a resident of Partap Nagar. He said acute water shortage is an order of the day while snatchings and drug addiction is rampant in the area. “No body is there to listen to our genuine problems,” he said.

Shamsher Singh, councillor of the area, was busy in a marriage function while repeated attempts to contact Mayor Shwet Malik for his comments proved futile.

Amritsar, March 9
The Improvement Trust is finding it tough to locate owners of 3.03 acres of land around Durgiana Temple. The land is needed for the beautification of the area around the temple under the Durgiana Temple beautification scheme.

The Punjab Government notified ambitious Durgiana Beautification Scheme in 2007 at Rs 36 crore with a view to provide more destinations to tourists visiting the city.

The progress of the scheme has been hampered owing to a few owners coming forward. However, it is learnt that there are less number of owners and a large number of tenants in the area to be brought under the beautification plan.

Chairman, Improvement Trust, M.P. Arora said Rs 29 crore had been deposited with the Land Acquisition Collector, a position which he happens to hold.

He said another area of concern was fixing ownership of lands belonging to mahants. He said such matters would be forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner for final decision.

He said in case of arising out of any dispute the matter would be forwarded to the District Session Judge, who would act as the Land Acquisition Tribunal.

As per the established norms, the owners of residential area would be paid at the rate of Rs 18,000 per sq yd, 30 per cent “solatium” and 12 per cent rate of interest from the date of notification in 2006. He said it translated to Rs 30,000 per sq yd. Following the same pattern, proprietors of commercial space would be compensated at about Rs 60,000 per sq yd.

A shopping complex is proposed to be built on the place of post office and police chowki. Arora said he had written to the headquarters of the Local Body office to take up the matter of shifting out the post office from the temple complex with the Department of Post. He said similar measure would be adopted with the police chowki.

Spokesperson for the Shri Durgiana Committee Harish Taneja said some property of the temple also came under the beautification scheme. The management of Durgiana Temple had authorised its general secretary Satpal Mahajan to execute all documentation to receive the amount in lieu of the property to be acquired by the trust.

Taneja said the Shri Durgiana Committee sought from the state government for inclusion of its demands in the master plan. The demands were removal of encroachment from Bhandari Bridge till Qilla Gobindgarh, Vacant lying ground at Qilla Gobindgarh be turned into park, covering of both nullahs located near the temple, removal of slum close to it, construction of a new bridge on the place of partially closed Mahavir (Rego) Bridge.

Amritsar, March 9
The idea of establishing schools and service-oriented business presents bright opportunities in Amritsar, if the opinion of Franchise India Holdings Limited (FIHL) is any indication. FIHL, Asia’s largest integrated franchise and solution provider, brought in business opportunities “Apke Ghar” by organising a show presenting over 100 business houses, through a counselling-cum-seminar organised in the city today.

“Amritsar has prime business prospects and investing options for local business seekers. According to a survey done by us, it was the schools or service businesses like property brokerage and gymnasiums which have good prospects here, somewhere between 15 and 20 per cent margin,” said Ritu Marya, editor, FIHL. While describing business options, Ritu said FIHL had plans for starting business with a meagre investment of Rs 1 lakh. FIHL has received around 25,000 individuals from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Bathinda and Ludhiana who aspire to invest in some kind of trade.

“Our endeavour would be to bring back the confidence of the common man to be self-reliant, besides investing in safer and respectful business options. As far as the trend is concerned, a majority of the women and youngsters, between the age group of 32 and 35, showed interest in starting their own business,” said Ritu.

Meanwhile, the show made a good start on the first day and around 500 visitors underwent counselling.

Similar shows are on the cards for cities like Jalandhar (March 10), Ludhiana (March 11), Ambala (March 12) and Panipat (March 13).

Amritsar, March 9
A four-year-old girl today became a part of the Panghura scheme, run by the District Red Cross Society here.

Mehak, the child, was found roaming near Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib some months ago when one Harpal Singh spotted her.

“When inquired, it was found that the child was abandoned by some person near the gurdwara. Leaving nothing to chance, I brought the child to the Red Cross Society, which runs the Panghura scheme,” Harpal Singh said.

“An advertisement in newspapers and TV channel to find her parents too did not yield any results,” added Harpal.

Except for her name, the child was unable to recall anything about her parents and residence. The child, after medical examination, has been sent to legal adoption centre at Shishu Greh Trust, Nari Niketan, Nakodar Road, Jalandhar, this morning.

Balwant Singh, secretary, Red Cross, said their new guest came in at about 3.40 pm on March 8 through the gurdwara management.

“With this addition, the total number of children received under the Panghura scheme now stood at 19,” he said. It is the third girl child which was abandoned within a span of around two months.

Balwant Singh opined that looking at the records, it had been found that out of 19 children only two children were males. “This figure shows ‘little acceptability’ of girl child in the families. It is the basic mindset, which needs to be changed to narrow down the ratio between male and female children,” he said.

Amritsar, March 9
The Amritsar Aviation Club (AAC) here today inducted multi-engine Beach Baron G-58 in its fleet of aircraft for advance flying training.

Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu said the Aero Club of India handed over the aircraft procured from the funds provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation at Rs 7 lakh. The club now boasts of four new aircraft and an old Pushpak in the fleet.

He informed that one more new aircraft Cessna 172 R would be added to the fleet in the next financial year.

The new aircraft has been indigenously manufactured by the National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, and is fitted with Rotex 914 F3 engine. The engine, made in Austria, has a low fuel consumption and is considered economical trainer aircraft. The cost of the aircraft is Rs 70 lakh and is given free of cost to the club by the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Capt Rachhpal Singh of the AAC said presently the club had 21 students from across the country undergoing training for aircraft maintenance engineering. The club would conduct refresher course for flying instructors, which is mandatory for renewal of air crew licences.

The course would be conducted four times a year for pilots who would be coming from all over India. For this, the services of ex-Chief Ground Instructor of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy Air Commander S.S. Sobti along with two other former Wing Commanders of the Indian Air Force were being taken, he said.