|
|
|
|
Work hit as face-off between lawyers, DTO staff intensifies
Civil Surgeon’s office staff ‘exploit’ school kids
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Hotels throw fire safety norms to the wind
Canadian doctor forms society to spread awareness on dental hygiene
Dr Navdeep Singh and Dr Ishtpreet Kaur inspect students during a dental check-up camp at DAV Senior Secondary School in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar Initiative by administration Young World Shiksha Rattan Puruskar for Dr Anish Dua Heroin worth Rs 30 lakh seized |
|
Work hit as face-off between lawyers, DTO staff intensifies
Amritsar, February 4 Similarly, work at the courts was severely hit as a large number of lawyers on the call of the Amritsar Bar Association carried out a protest march from the Judicial Complex to Cantonment Police Station and offered arrest after learning that a daily diary report (DDR) has been filed against them. Raising slogans against the district administration and the state government, the agitating advocates entered the police station. President, Amritsar Bar Association, Pardeep Saini claimed that they had gone for court arrest but the police refused. He announced that 11-member executive of the bar association would initiate an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow morning. On the other hand, the Punjab State Ministerial Service Union (PSMU), an umbrella organisation of clerical staff for various government offices, held a sit-in outside the office of District Transport Office against lawyers today. President of the PSMU Sartaj Singh said his union was against the lawyers for breaking furniture of the transport office. Thus, they posed a danger to the lives of clerical staff. He said such violent acts must not be repeated and erring people must be punished. He said the staff of District Transport Office and adjoining Food Supply office abstained from work and participated in the protest. Deputy Commissioner K.S Pannu in a communication to Commissioner Jalandhar Division had requested to appoint an IAS officer outside Amritsar to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry. It may be mentioned that advocate Arvind Sharma alleged that he had been thrashed by DTO Jasbir Singh and police officials accompanying him after he raised an alarm over some persons getting out of turn services in the transport office on February 2. Like many, he was in the queue to get his license prepared. On the other hand, DTO Jasbir Singh, claimed that the advocate misbehaved with him in the office. He said following this a large number of lawyers barged into his office, held him hostage and also smashed office furniture. 2 DDRs registered
The cantonment police registered two DDRs here today. One was filed against lawyers and another against District Transport Officer. Vikram Sharma, SHO, informed that as both the factions had forwarded complaints against each other, which also involves a PCS officer, a report has been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu through his senior officials. The report requested the Deputy Commissioner to conduct an impartial inquiry into the controversy. |
|
Civil Surgeon’s office staff ‘exploit’ school kids
Yesterday, its officials made schoolchildren (between 12-14 years of age) lift heavy steel almirahs, huge wooden boards, iron frames and ladders. The material was to be shifted to its adjoining building. When questioned, the office staff maintained that the children were not asked to do such a risky task “forcefully”, but were “requested” to do so, as there was a shortage of Class IV staff in the office. It is pertinent to note that as per the orders of the district administration, a portion of one of the sub-offices of the CSO in Ram Bagh was to be vacated to accommodate the students of this school, which at present is running from a temporary shed, near the almost defunct building of the CSO. Nevertheless, before giving possession of the building to the school, the CSO was to shift its storage material and infrastructure. When The Tribune team reached the spot, the schoolchildren, one with his bandaged hand and another with a wounded leg, were loading the heavy iron boxes on a truck, as per the instructions of the “supervising” staff, led by Daljinder Kaur. The schoolteachers maintained that they had already been conveyed in the morning by the Civil Surgeon’s office to arrange for some schoolchildren to shift their material lying in the building. Denying it, Daljinder Kaur said she did not seek any such help from the schoolchildren. “It was the children only who volunteered to shift the material, otherwise a four-member Class IV team was there to do the job,” she said. Her colleague, Makhan Singh, a pharmacist, while admitting that it was wrong on their part to make children do such a risky task, yet he came to her defence. “Actually, we just requested the schoolteachers to spare some children for shifting the material, but did not force them. The chief pharmacist described the shortage of Class IV staff as the main reason for taking “help” of the children. Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu, when apprised of the lapse, described it as an unpardonable mistake. “It is pity that the step of providing shelter to these underprivileged children started on such a sorry note. I will inquire into the matter,” he said.
|
|
Hotels throw fire safety norms to the wind
Amritsar, February 4 Resource person, Disaster Management, Surjit Sharma, also Deputy Chief Warden, Civil
Defence, said the situation was alarming considering high number of hotels had come up in the congested residential areas. “It’s a matter of grave concern that the owners of these commercial establishments do not bother about fire safety measures. They pretend that accidental fire could never take place,” he said. With a view to cash in on the record number of pilgrims and tourists visiting the Golden Temple, a number of hotels, lodges and guest houses have come up in arterial roads around the shrine. Politicians and influential persons have raised a majority of these commercial structures violating building bylaws, fire safety norms, pollution, parking and the Sarais Act, 1867. They entice visitors by offering rooms at as low as Rs 200 to Rs 800 per day. Although the number of hotels, lodges and stay houses inside the walled city was about 80, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation had issued notices of violations of building bylaws to about 28 such commercial buildings in the past. Mushrooming growth of the illegal hotels in these areas have added to the threat of fire incidents. The disaster management agencies would have an uphill task to carry out operations in event of any fire breakout, Sharma warned. These areas are always clogged with traffic. Besides, many people park their four-wheelers on roads during night. The practice was also prevalent in the Civil Lines areas. He said in these areas, it would be too difficult for the disaster management teams to reach the affected buildings. He said majority of these commercial buildings had not installed smoke detect alarms and sophisticated fire extinguishers. He advised that staff members of these high-cost buildings must be trained to respond and combat fire accidents. “Hotels must display escape routes and contact numbers of four fire brigades in the city,” he said. He wondered that many high rise hotel buildings came up but these fire brigades did not have long ladders to carry out rescue operations. The rescue would be extremely slow and tardy as these hotels are located in congested and arterial lanes. As per the norms, building plan, for any commercial building above 500 square yards, was to be approved by the
MTP. Meanwhile, for construction on a commercial area less than 500 square yards, the approval was to be sought from the corporation. When contacted, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Tarlochan Singh said no hotel had sought no objection certificate
(NOC) from the department. |
|
|
Canadian doctor forms society to spread awareness on dental hygiene
Amritsar, February 4 The urge to visit India especially Punjab, where she was born, Dr Ishtpreet decided to complete her internship programme at local Sri Guru Ramdass Institute of Dental Sciences and Research. During the internship, she came in contact with Dr Navdeep and that’s how their association, repeated interaction worked and ended up forming the society. “At the time of internship, we realised that endeavours in the society are as important as accomplishments in the clinical settings. Upon visiting various schools during the period we found that younger generation is completely unaware of the dental hygiene. That’s why we decided to form this society and work for spreading awareness,” said Dr Navdeep Singh, who originally belonged to Karnal (Haryana) and has completed his internship. “I have great attachment with India especially Punjab and this grows further during my one year internship at the college. My parents migrated to Vancouver, Canada, when I was just one and half year old. After much insistence my family allowed me to do my internship in India,” said Dr Ishtpreet. “Dental health is directly related to heart and stomach diseases besides leading to infections. When we visited the schools we found that the children even don’t know how to brush. We came across several students who could not even afford a brush,” she said. Till now they have visited 10 schools in various parts of the city. “We try to educate them about various aspects of dental hygiene by directly interacting with them or by organising seminars during the camps”. “We are trying to approach companies dealing in dental health care like Colgate and Pepsodent to provide us with such material which could be distributed to needy persons for maintaining dental health,” added Dr Navdeep. “We would also visit various areas in Haryana after the completion of internship period,” said Dr Ishtpreet. “Even if I return to my native country, I would make it a point to visit India every year so that our association runs and we contribute our society as long as possible,” she added. After getting recognition we would also sought the help of other non government organisations besides making official members, they said. Another aim of launching the society was to explore and research conducted at the community level which could help in advancements in clinical dentistry.
|
|
Initiative by administration
Amritsar, February 4 After offering to own this specially designed rickshaw on subsidised package through banks, the district administration has entered into a pact with various firms to exhibit their advertisements on the specially erected display board at its backend. The revenue generated from these advertisements would be merged in the monthly installment (Rs 600), if loan is raised against the rickshaw. Nevertheless, it has been decided to charge Rs 500 per month for single advertisement on a rickshaw. Similarly, the rickshaw puller would be covered under accidental insurance scheme wherein the company would be liable to pay Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of the beneficiary and Rs 50,000 to the beneficiary, in case he meets with any road mishap while plying the rickshaw. Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said with this arrangement, it would be ‘almost free ownership’ of the eco-rickshaw in a span of one and a half years. “This rickshaw would cost a little over Rs 10,000. The banks like Punjab National Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce, have been further incorporated as facilitators to finance them. Both banks have agreed to extend loan amount of almost the entire cost of the vehicle at the rate of just 4 per cent. With this calculation, the rickshaw’s cost as well as the annual insurance premium of Rs 40, get compensated out of the income, generated through this advertisement scheme”, told Pannu. With such a lucrative offer, this new rickshaw, which is lighter in weight and safer in comparison to the conventional cycle-rickshaw, is catching up in the holy city fast. As per official records, over 100 eco-rickshaws have been plying in the city. When Avtar Singh, who have been plying an ordinary cycle rickshaw on rent basis for the past over 20 years, was told about this new offer of the administration, he seemed to be interested for this offer. “I have to shell out Rs 45 daily as its rent. Though I liked the new rickshaw, I was hesitant to raise a loan for switching over to it. But now with this offer, I suppose, I can give it a thought to own it,” he said. Another 55-year-old Jagtar Singh said he had been plying old rickshaw for the last over 35 years in the city. “I have a family of four to support. Due to spiraling prices, I could not spare enough money to own a rickshaw in my life. But, if such a scheme is in the offing, I think, it is not a bad idea to go for it. Moreover, accidental insurance cover too, is an additional benefit for the dependents”, he said.
|
||
|
Young World Amritsar, February 4 Meanwhile, another student of Khalsa College Tajinder Singh has set a new record in an event. Others who grabbed gold medals in various events included Gurjeet Singh (10,000 metres race), Simranpal Singh (decathlon) and Palwinder Singh (half marathon) during the meet. Principal Dr Daljeet Singh said the college team had garnered a total of 65 numbers to bag second place. Science fair The Department of Science, BBK DAV College for Women, organised a science fair on Friday. The fair was inaugurated by Prof Gurcharan Kaur, Department of Biotechnology, GND University. Various activities such as model display, collage making, extempore and debate competitions were organised during the fail. She encouraged the students to develop scientific temperament and encouraged them to participate in such activities. The fair was attended by eight schools and colleges and students presented models and collages. The valedictory function was attended by Dr Anish Dua, Department of Zoology, GND University. The first prize in extempore was won by Ridhima, DAV Public School, Lawrance Road, in the junior category and by Yashika, DAV College, in the senior category. In model presentation, the first prize in junior category was won by Dhruv Sharma and Akshima of DAV International School and in the senior category by Geetika, Vijay and Jenny of DAV College. In the debate competition, recipient of the first prize was Ravneet Kaur, MKD DAV School, Attari, and in senior category Ashima, DAV College. The first prize in college making was won by Sanskriti Seth, DAV Public School, in the junior category and by Neha Thakur, BBK DAV College for Women, in the senior category. Workshop The Postgraduate Department of History of DAV College organised a UGC-sponsored workshop on the topic of “Widening horizon of history”. After the formal introduction of the subject matter by Dr Vishav Bandhu, Dr H.C. Sharma from GND University, presented the keynote address. Prof S.N. Joshi acquainted the audience of his observation about the increasing trend among the students to opt history as main subject at the UGC and postgraduate level. Dr Sukhwant Singh delivered a talk on “1857 - A revolt or sepoy mutiny”. Dr Sulakhan Singh from GND University presided over the afternoon session during which delegates from other institutions presented papers. This was followed by question-answer session. Foreign scholar Sarab Sarang Singh Khalsa from the USA presented a talk on “The role of women in Guru Granth Sahib”. Chris Mckenzie, a novelist from Australia, who has undertaken a bicycle tour worldwide, displayed an exhibition of paintings expressing his experience during the journey. During the valedictory session, Principal K.N. Kaul advocated that teaching and learning were constant processes. RD Parade It was a honour for the BBK DAV College for Women when NCC cadet Navdeep Kaur participated in Republic Day (RD)Parade in New Delhi. Under the guidance of NCC coordinator Dr Jiwan Sodhi and Harsimran Kaur, Navdeep attended eight training camps and then headed for the March on the
Rajpath.
|
||
|
Shiksha Rattan Puruskar for Dr Anish Dua Amritsar, February 4 This award was presented to him by Dr Bhisham Narain Singh, former Governor and former MP, in a special ceremony held in the Constitution Club of Parliamentarians in New Delhi recently, during the seminar on “Role of Education in Modern India” hosted by the society. The society is an international NGO that recognises Indians for their role and contributions in various fields. Dr Anish Dua is a specialist in rivers/wetlands conservation and management advocacy tools in relation to population & development issues. He has 35 publications and a book to his credit. Currently, he is working in the field of river and wetlands ecology and has successfully generated baseline data about the rich biodiversity resource of wetlands and rivers of North-West India.
|
||
|
Heroin worth Rs 30 lakh seized
Amritsar, February 4
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Amritsar, February 4
Amritsar, February 4
Amritsar, February 4