Jalandhar, November 4
Confusion over the “definition” of spectacles has rendered the Excise and Taxation Department and opticians of the state at odds with each other.

Actually, as per the state VAT Act, spectacles, contact lens and their accessories fall under the 5 per cent VAT category.

Similarly, as goggles and sunglasses are considered luxury items, the department has recently sought to charge VAT at 12.5 per cent on such items.

Interestingly, taking advantage of the textbook definition of spectacles, the opticians across the state are causing huge loss to the state exchequer and are still paying only 5 per cent VAT on goggles and sunglasses.

Opticians justify their resentment by quoting the definition of spectacles as given in some textbooks, which say, “A frame with two temples, which rests on nose to correct the vision and to protect the eyes from bright sunlight.”

They hold the view that by this definition spectacles and goggles (used for protection) fall under the same category and, therefore, there is no rationale to charge different amount of VAT on these items.

Asked in this regard, A. Venuprasad, Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Punjab, however, confirmed that goggles and sunglasses were luxury items and VAT would remain high (12.5 per cent) for such items.

He confirmed that the practice was prevalent in the entire state and the department was put on the alert in this regard.

“We are still into the investigation. The approximate depth of VAT evasion across the state would be ascertained soon,” he added.

B.K. Virdi, Assitant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Jalandhar-II, who first uncovered this modus operandi behind tax evasion, also confirmed that huge financial losses had been incurred by opticians through this evasion.

On the other hand, Subhash Bansal, president, Punjab Optical Association, said the department was unduly harassing opticians only through its verbal orders and had given them no written directions in this regard.

“We have applied for written directions based on the definition of spectacles in this regard under section 85. Even if they provide us written orders to pay 12.5 per cent VAT on goggles and sunglasses, we would file a petition in the High Court,” said Bansal.

Pathankot, November 4
The traffic problem of the town is becoming acute in the absence of strict checks.

Autorickshaw drivers are largely responsible for the traffic chaos. They park their vehicles randomly to wait for passengers. Many streets and corners have been turned into unauthorised stands for these vehicles.

Youngsters in their early teens can be seen plying autorickshaws, that too without any valid driving licence.

The traffic police seems to have joined hands with such law breakers as it sees no harm in allowing teenagers to ply vehicles. To top it all, the autorickshaw drivers charge exorbitant rates from passengers in the absence of fixed fares by the local administration.

As per information collected, more than 3,000 autorickshaws ply in town.

Ravinder Pal Singh Walia, who, after taking charge as the SDM here, had taken this problem on priority basis and issued prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC, said that only those autorickshaws would ply which would have valid permits.

Talking to The Tribune here today, he said the entry of cars into the Gandhi Chowk area had strictly been banned, and to regulate traffic in the town, strict action would be taken against violators.

He said he had prohibited the burning of remnants and other organic waste and the construction of buildings, including marriage palaces, boarding schools, professional and/or educational institutions and resorts within a radius of 1,000 yards of the Army ammunition depot with immediate effect.

Bursting of fire crackers within a radius of 1,000 yards of the ammunition dumps had also been banned.

Nawanshahr, November 4
“Though I am fully aware that the path which I am treading is full of thorns, yet I would not relent till the mission of restoring the pride and prestige of Punjab is achieved.” This was stated by former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal while addressing well-attended public meetings at nearby Karyam village and the local Bar Room organised by his supporters and the District Bar Association, respectively, here today.

Manpreet Badal, who has been visiting different parts of the state to mobilise public opinion in his favour in the changing political equations, was here to seek the cooperation of the people in his mission to make the state free of the burden of the debt and corruption.

Though in his emotive and philosophical speech, Manpreet did not name any one from the SAD, including his cousin and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, but while elaborating the episode which led to his ouster from the SAD as well as the Cabinet, he said that some leaders from his party were apprehensive that if he would succeed in making Punjab debt-free, his political stature would become larger than them. This was the reason that his loyalty towards the people of Punjab was termed as “anti-party activity” and a misleading propaganda was launched against him that he was against the pro-poor policies of the party.

“For them, loyalty means being a ‘yes man’ but for him the true loyalty means to make the party and people aware of the ‘potholes’ in the path to realise the dream of making the state a prosperous one,” said Manpreet while stating that as the Finance Minister, it was his duty to make efforts to bring the economy of the state back on track and he had done his duty with utmost honesty.

“He has pleaded the case to make the state debt-free so that the Punjabis could hold their head high with pride again,” said Manpreet reiterating his resolve that he would not let the people down by leaving the boat in the turbulent water. “I need your support to realise the dream of a prosperous Punjab and would not mind the hassles and hurdles coming in the way ahead,” said Manpreet.

Manpreet Badal was accompanied by MLA Jagbir Singh Brar and his former OSD Charanjit Singh Brar.

Jalandhar, November 4
In what may be termed as Divali gift by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, he announced various development works of Rs 91.96 crore to be carried out in different parts of the Bholath Assembly constituency.

Confirming this, Bibi told The Tribune that she had met Badal in Chandigarh regarding different development works of Bholath on Thursday.

Badal announced Rs 54.72 crore for sewerage, water supply and roads in all the three Nagar Panchayats of Bholath, Begowal and Dhilwan falling in the constituency, she said, adding that Rs 18.75 crore was allotted for laying sewer pipes and for remaining water supply works in the Bholath Nagar Panchayat.

Similarly Rs 11.97 crore and Rs 15 crore were allotted for sewerage and water supply works in the Begowal and Dhilwan Nagar panchayats, respectively, she said, adding that Rs 3 crore was allocated for constructing and repairing roads in each of the three nagar panchayats.

Also chairperson of the Kapurthala district development committee, Bibi Jagir Kaur stated that the CM declared Rs 10 crore for a new grain market at Damulian village. The similar amount was announced for lanes and open drains at rural areas of the constituency, she added.

Apart from this, Rs 7.5 crore were allotted for constructing and strengthening link roads in the constituency, she said, adding that Rs 3.82 crore and Rs 5.92 crore were declared for Subhanpur to Kapurthala and Subhanur-Nadala-Bholath plan roads.

Gurdaspur, November 4
At last the beleaguered Civil Hospital, which recently has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, has now something to cheer about. The newly installed set of dialysis machines is proving to be boon for locals, particularly villagers coming from adjoining villages as they now have to pay less to get renal treatment.

Earlier, villagers had to go to hospitals in far-off areas like Jalandhar, Pathankot, Jammu and Amritsar. People in the vicinity of Tibri cantonment, Puranashala, Chawa and Pahra villages also used to visit the Civil Hospitals at nearby Dasuya and Mukerian since treatment there is not as expensive as it is in private hospitals.

Dr Rajesh Lakhanpal, in charge of the dialysis unit in the Civil Hospital, claimed that there had been a spurt in patients coming to the hospital for dialysis. He supports his statement by giving figures which proved that in June the dialysis unit got eight patients while the figure rose to 45 in October.

“People living on kidney dialysis now have a low priced option. We offer treatment at Rs 750 per session as compared to Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per session in private hospitals at Jammu, Pathankot, Jalandhar and Amritsar,” he remarked. The two machines have been acquired from Germany at a cost of Rs 24 lakh.

Civil Surgeon Dr Dalip Kumar added, “We offer kidney replacement therapy at a cheap cost but we have maintained high standards as far as providing treatment is concerned. About 90 per cent of the patients are from rural areas.

Hoshiarpur, November 4
To spread awareness about AIDS and its preventive measures, the Red Ribbon Express train would reach here on November 10 at 9 am.

A function would be organised where Minister for Medical Education and Research, Forest and Wildlife, Parliamentary Affairs and Labour Tikshan Sud would flag off publicity vans for various villages.

Giving details of the programme, Deputy Commissioner Dharam Dutt Ternach said the Red Ribbon Express train would stay at the railway station from November 10 to 12. To spread awareness among people, the publicity vans would visit more than 24 villages of the area.

Batala, November 4
SSP Gurdip Singh said here today that the Batala police arrested two accused Sikandar Singh, son of Harbhajan Singh of Magian village, and Charanjit Singh, alias Channi, son of Deo Singh Jat of Pakhoke village, on Monday. The accused had looted Rs 5,000 and one motorcycle (PB-18F-5615). The money and the motorcycle had been looted from Mahesh Hospital, Dera Baba Nanak.

The accused were fugitive so far but the police swung into action and nabbed both of them and recovered the looted amount and the motorcycle along with the knife used in extortion. — OC

Hoshiarpur, November 4
With the arrest of three persons, identified as Sohan Kumar, alias Sona, resident of Mohalla New Azad Nagar, Ludhiana, Harjit Singh, alias Happy, resident of Patti Momana, and Sanjiv Kumar, alias Bittu, resident of Chhabewal, the district police has claimed to have busted a gang of robbers who used to commit burglaries during night.

According to a press note issued by the police here today, during special checking at a canal bridge at Parsowal village, the police signalled the three persons along with their one more accomplice coming from Lehali Khurd village side to stop. Instead of stopping, all of them started running in different directions.

After a brief chase, the police caught the three and recovered one country-made .12-bore pistol along with two live cartridges, dagger, spear, 25 mobile phones, recharge coupons of various companies and Rs 1,738 from them.

Their one accomplice, identified as Amandeep, alias Deepa, managed to flee.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in various burglaries, including thefts in mobile phone shops at Chabbewal and Mahilpur and in a general merchandise shop at Mahilpur.