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A year on, police yet to vacate tanning institute hostel
Families of accident victims await full compensation
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Nakodar handloom dari industry loses sheen
News of jaundice outbreak leads to panic
Young World
Girls in party mood during the tech fest ‘Incognito 2011’ at the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology in Jalandhar. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Bholath residents seek more trains
Consumer forum terms insurance firm’s policy ‘against public’
RCF players to get world-class facilities
Inter-state gang busted, 2 arrested
Shop burgled
House burgled
6 hurt in clash
Abhishek Kumar
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A year on, police yet to vacate tanning institute hostel
Jalandhar, March 15 However, instead of shifting their base to some other place, the Bhargo Camp police has rather settled permanently in the hostel building, thereby causing inconvenience to the hostellers. This despite the fact a case in this regard is going on in the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) while Principal Secretary Technical Education and Industrial Training Suresh Kumar had taken up the issue with DGP PS Gill asking them to pass instructions to vacate the hostel. The officiating in charge of the institute, Gurvind Kumar Chahal, said the police seems to have settled permanently in the hostel. “Though we appeared before the PSHRC but the police party failed to turn up, despite a notice issued to them in February. The next hearing of the case will be held in June,” he added. “The police station is a major cause of inconvenience to the students who are putting up in rooms just adjacent to it. While anti-social elements keep thronging the police station, the inside hostel premises are being used for parking abandoned vehicles by the police,” Chahal maintained. It is pertinent to mention here that last year the police encroached eight staff quarters of the hostel and segregated themselves from rest of the building. The police party preferred to utilise the building as per their need and threw the furniture of hostel in another unsafe building situated inside the hostel premises. The then principal of the institute Baljeet Singh had taken up this issue with the senior education officials but to no avail. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Raj Pal Sandhu said, “We are about to shift the Bhargo Camp police station to a new place within a week’s time. Two new buildings have already been constructed near Dal Dal Chowk close to the Ravidass Chowk in this area. We will shift police station division number 5 and Bhargo camp in this building,” he assured. Sandhu also said the police had preferred to take over a part of the hostel building, as it was lying unused. “However, the hostel premises will be vacated soon as the police station is about to be shifted,” he claimed. |
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Families of accident victims await full compensation
Nakodar, March 15 Amarjit Singh Samara, Nakodar MLA, on behalf of then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced Rs five lakh compensation for the families who lost their daughters, Rs 50,000 for seriously injured while Rs 10,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. Belonging to Pasla, Avtar Kaur, mother of Kirandeep Kaur, who died in the mishap, while holding the picture of her daughter, says they received only Rs one lakh out of Rs five lakh announced. She was still unsure whether the political bosses would release the remaining amount or not. “My only daughter was very intelligent in studies and she always said, one day she will become a judge and will wipe out all our financial worries,” Avtar Kaur says with tears in her eyes. Even to get Rs one lakh, they had make hundreds of rounds to the government offices. And after two and a half years, they finally got only a partial amount, she said. Dalbir Kaur, who lost his daughter Ashia in the accident, also seemed depressed with the political system in the country. She said, “When the accident took place, the Congress was in power and we didn’t get the compensation despite the announcement. After the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) came to power, we just got just a partial amount.” Dalbir, who was also the panch of Pasla village, said the government did not learn from the earlier mishap at the same spot in 2009, which claimed eight lives, including seven schoolchildren. Surinder Kaur, mother of Sandeep Kaur, who sustained injuries on the head in the accident, claimed that she had even received only Rs 20,000 out of Rs 50,000. “We have spent lakhs of rupees on the treatment of my daughter and government has really played with our emotions,” said Ratan Kaur, Sandeep’s grandmother, adding that even the railway officials promised to reimburse expenses of treatment but in vain. Nakodar MLA Amarjit Singh Samra could not be contacted.
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Nakodar handloom dari industry loses sheen
Nakoder, March 15 Shoban Jain, owner of Bhola Nath Dari factory, in existence for the past seven decades, rued that the emergence of power loom had eclipsed the once flourishing handloom industry. “Power loom forced hundreds of handloom manufacturers to shut doors of their units and move to some other business,” Shoban said. Introduction of power loom not only amputated the dari industry’s progress but also rendered thousands of people unemployed, Jain said. He said earlier there were thousands of handmade units (khadi) in the adjoining villages where large number of people prepared daris in their houses. But now they have been rendered jobless. He also claimed that labour crisis has also hit the industry badly. Earlier, the labourers mainly came from UP and Bihar but as they turn up in less numbers and youngsters in villages are more interested to go abroad rather than working on less wages, the industry has suffered. When asked about the power loom’s productivity and quality in comparison to handloom, he said quality and production wise power loom had an edge over handmade dari. Power loom manufacturers also required less workforce. Even in terms of wages, a hand weaver can only earn Rs 150 to Rs 200 in one shift while in the power loom industry wages are not less than Rs 300 per day. “I used to produce 3,000 to 4,000 daris daily. Now the number stands at just 300,” Vinod Kumar, another handmade producer, said. He had around 250 looms and with the sharp decline in demand of daris, he had been left with only 17 looms. Vinod claimed that cost of production had risen due to the sharp increase in the prices of its raw material (cotton) but the selling price had remained stagnant. He said until 1984, the industry was working in full swing but with the onset of terrorism, the well-established units opted to shift to Panipat and Ambala. Another reason of the shift was the helpful policies of the Haryana government, which gave subsidies and low interest loan to the handloom industry. Displacement of dari industry not only affected its production in Punjab but all export orders also went to the neighbouring state. “Due to its proximity with the national capital, producers of Panipat and Ambala got easy recognition worldwide,” he explained. Even the State Trading Corporation (STC), set up to promote handmade daris worldwide, seemed to be defunct now, he lamented. Though dari production is tax free, the government needs to give subsidies and interest free loans to the dari producers to revive this traditional industry in the state, manufacturers demanded.
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News of jaundice outbreak leads to panic
Phagwara, March 15 The NHAI, which is involved in six-laning of the national highway, is blamed for the damage and blockage of sewerage pipes. Taking serious notice, Phagwara SDM Amarjit Paul has instructed Senior Medical Officer Dr Rajiv Gupta to act speedily and send teams of the Health Department in the affected localities. He has also advised the people to take boiled water for prevention of the jaundice outbreak. The SMO said a team of the department visited the affected localities and distributed chlorine tablets. Though no patient reported at the civil hospital, the SMO said there are six people down with the disease who are getting treatment from private doctors. Phagwara Nagar Council President Balbhadhar Sein Duggal said NC officials had been sent to the affected localities to assess the situation. Though the sanitary condition is worsening due to the strike of municipal employees, efforts are on to control the situation, added the Phagwara Nagar Council President.
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Nek Chand exhorts youths to put waste to creative use
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 15 Chief Guest, Nek Chand, the creator and director of the famous Rock Garden said it was quite possible to transform even a useless considered thing into something beautiful and useful. “Rock garden is a living example, which shows how rags and useless things can be transformed in aesthetic riches”, he added. The seminar was jointly organised by the PG Department of Geography and Department of Environmental Studies of the college, which saw the presentation of 45 research papers along with participation of over 60 delegates of the stream. While professor, AK Thukral, Director, Research, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in his keynote address highlighted various strategies and methods to handle solid waste. Dr Tariq from Toxics Link, New Delhi, demonstrated environmentally sustainable model to handle domestic and biomedical waste. College principal Dr Jaspal Singh Randhawa emphasised on the need that environmental studies should be made a part of the curriculum right from the beginning, as environmental awareness is a key issue. “Such attempts will help in instilling a sense of responsibility in the citizens towards environment protection. Guest lecture
An extension lecture on ‘Global Punjabi media’ was conducted by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Guru Nanak Dev University, Regional Campus, Ladhewali, here today. Key speaker Dr Swaraj Singh, a prominent columnist from the US, interacted with the journalism students and discussed issues of Punjabi media in the global sphere. He advised the students to remain close to their roots and fight against culture imperialism of the west. While Baljit Singh Brar, a senior journalist, said journalists should transcend all barriers and remain impartial in their approach. Gurbhachan Singh, a veteran journalist, who also spoke on the occasion, added that philosophical understanding of ideas should always be a requisite for good journalism. Head of the department Dr Kamlesh Singh Duggal said such extension lectures with veteran journalists provide peep into the media world to the budding journalism students. Farewell party
The Department of Mathematics of the local DAV College organised a farewell party ‘Sayonara’ for its outgoing students. On this occasion the junior students presented a colorful cultural programme. Pallavi was declared Miss Farewell while Saurabh was adjudged Mr Farewell. Workshop held
A team of Balaji Telefilms, Mumbai, visited the Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara, and participated in a daylong workshop on the topic of ‘Career Avenues’. The team comprising of Santosh Patil, Abhishek Aggarwal, Mansi Batra and Kanchan Chaudhary held a counseling session with the students highlighting various avenues in television production, media and the entertainment industry. Essay writing
Gurleen Kaur, a student of BA-II Honours School in English, bagged second position in the All-India Essay Writing Competition organised by Shri Ram Chandra Mission in partnership with United Nations Information Centre for Indian and Bhutan. She stood second in the whole of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh region. As many as five lakh students participated in the event. Multimedia seminar
A two-day seminar on ‘Multimedia: Fifth Dimension of Computer Science’ was held at the local Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, which concluded on March 12. During the seminar topics pertaining to graphics, animation, 3D MAX, fundamentals of light and the use of Auto Desk MAYA software were discussed at large. While Dr Jaspal, a lecturer of Fine Arts from Government College, Hoshiarpur enlightened the students about the growing industry of multimedia from an artist’s perspective. An inter-college photography and poster making competition was also held on this occasion in which students from various colleges took part. Results: Photography: Shifali Radhi of BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar (first) and Manpreet Kaur of HMV Jalandhar (second). Poster Making: Sumeet of BBK DAV College Amritsar (first) and Balwinder of HMV (second). Conference
GNA Institute of Management and Technology organised a one-day national conference on the topic “India Inc-Challenges Ahead” on March 12. Around 75 participants from the different colleges and management institutes participated in the conference and presented their research papers. The conference provided a platform to discuss the current practices and challenges faced by the corporate world in generating excellence. Gursaran Singh, MD, GNA Group, welcomed all the delegates and said competition and global competitiveness will be the key challenge that business leaders will have to face and overcome in future. Dr Subhash Chander, Professor, GND University, said the WTO regime has brought changes in the total set up of business all over the globe and developed countries have learnt that they can’t grow in isolation. Therefore, the organisations must emphasise on value creation for all stakeholders, he added. Dr MA Zahir, Director, Synetic Business School, Ludhiana, Dr Pushpinder Singh Gill, Professor, Punjabi University, School of Management Studies, Patiala, MC Munjal, MD, Majestic Auto Ltd, Dr BS Bhatia, Director, RIMT, Mandi Gobindgarh, and Dr Lakhwinder Singh, Head, Department of Commerce and Business Management, GND University, chaired the sessions. Science Week
The students of Cambridge International School, Phagwara celebrated ‘Science Week’. Different days were marked with various activities and competitions. Classes VI and VII visited Plant Nursery in Jalandhar accompanied by their science teacher Salwinder Kaur and Kamlesh Tandon. The students of Classes I to III performed the activities of seed germination to learn how the plants grow from seeds. Students of Classes IV and V participated in the collage making competition on medicinal plants. Using OHP (over head projector) classes VI and VII presented their views on topics “Holes in the Ozone Layer” and “Phonological events of the Plants”. In the end, the Principal of the school Jorawar Singh applauded the efforts put up by the students in organising such a wonderful presentation on OHP. |
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Bholath residents seek more trains
Jalandhar, March 15 Jagir Singh, a Bhogpur resident, a retired superintendent says, “I belong to Bhogpur and my father also worked in the Railways there. The rail connectivity was much better during the pre-Independence days here.”
“Before Independence, 10 trains used to stop in the town. Things were good till the 1970s. But after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, they started reducing the stoppage time of trains and then gradually reduced the number of trains. On the demand of residents, promises were made in 1971 that the number of trains stopping at the town would be increased but nothing has happened so far,” he rues. “The Ahmedabad Express had been making a stoppage in the town for about 20 years. However, it does not stop at the town station now,” says Singh. Located at a distance of 27 km from here, Bhogpur has many offices and many of its commuters also travel to this city on a daily basis. To add to it, commuters from Bholath and Bullowal area also board the trains from Bhogpur station but they also suffer due to the lack of stoppage of main trains. “Many of men from Bhogpur are also in the paramilitary forces. They have to come to Bhogpur all the way from Jalandhar with their heavy baggage,” says Singh. Talking about the first passenger train that arrives at the town from Jalandhar, Singh says, “Earlier it used to reach at 7.50 am and now it arrives at 8.50 am. How can people reach their offices in time, if they start at nine in the morning?”After the 8.50 am, the next train arrives at 5 pm in the evening. There isn’t even a reservation counter at Bhogpur, so people have to go all the way to Jalandhar to get their reservation done. “Some trains that even stop at Tanda, Dasuya and Mukerian, don’t stop at Bhogpur,” Singh says. An association of residents at Bhogpur also submitted a memorandum to the manager, Uttar Railways, Delhi, one-and-a-half year ago but nothing has been done so far. “The manager was travelling in a special train across Bhogpur. Some people from the town stood in front of the train. When it stopped they talked to the official about the matter. He had assured that more trains would put on this section. Even two-three people of ours were arrested but were later released at Jalandhar,” says Singh.
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Consumer forum terms insurance firm’s policy ‘against public’
Jalandhar, March 15 “It seems that such types of policies do not come to the knowledge of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) set up by the government. How these types of policies are floated is everybody’s concern?” the forum has commented on the complaint of Lajpat Nagar resident Prabhjit Kohli, widow of Gurdeep Singh Kohli. It has further written, “In case the policy holder deposits Rs 5000 per month in a bank in a recurring account, even in that situation he will earn more interest and the entire amount would be at the disposal of the depositor. But in the present policy, there is nothing in the hands of the policyholder or in the hands of nominee. As such it is a clear cut case of deficiency in service.” Interpreting the provisions of HDFC Savings Insurance Plan SL, the forum has mentioned, “Suppose a policy holder pays 10 installments at the rate of Rs 5,000 per month, the total amount comes to Rs 50,000. If the policyholder dies at this stage, the amount refunded will be 80 per cent of the amount, which will come to Rs 40,000. There is no justification as to where Rs 10,000 goes and where the interest of this amount goes.” The forum said, “Considering the second provision wherein a policyholder pays the entire premium for 10 years, he would have paid Rs 6 lakh at the end of the term. By calculating interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum on each premium compounded, it comes to Rs 1,81,500 and total comes to Rs 7,81,500. As per policy, the insured would get only Rs 4,66,318. It is a matter of great concern, where Rs 3,15,000 goes. Again the answer is to the coffers of the insurance company. If these calculations are made to understand to a common man, we hope that no prudent man will purchase the policy. With any stretch of imagination, it is not beneficial in any manner to the policyholder.”The members have also stated, “In India, more than 75 per cent people are uneducated or semi-educated and they cannot understand the terms and conditions of these types of policies which are always printed in small letters.”The forum directed the company to pay Rs 1,54,713 along with Rs 20,000 as compensation and Rs 3000 as litigation expenses. — TNS
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RCF players to get world-class facilities
Jalandhar, March 15 This was stated by newly appointed president of the Rail Coach Factory’s Sports Association, Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer Gurdev Singh here today. He was presiding over a meeting of officials, coaches and players belonging to various disciplines, including athletics, football, wrestling, basketball, golf and hockey (both men and women). Interacting with sportspersons, he said the hockey Astroturf, golf course, athletic track, lawn tennis and basketball courts would be soon equipped with floodlights. “This will enable RCF players to practise even during the night hours. Conducting international sports events in floodlights will also be possible then,” he added. Gurdev Singh assured players that various problems being faced by them would be addressed on priority. “The coaches and players should look forward to make RCF a name to reckon with in various sports disciplines at the international levels,” he said. Gurdev was accompanied by RCF Sports Association Secretary DS Jangpuri, Senior Sports Officer Ajmer Singh, Assistant Sports Officer Ram Kumar among others. |
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Inter-state gang busted, 2 arrested
Jalandhar, March 15 The arrested were identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Judge, and Sahibpreet Singh, alias Sahib, both residents of Amritsar. DSP (Detective), Jalandhar Rural, Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh said the duo was arrested on a tip off from Bhogpur during a routine naka at Beas village while they were coming towards Jalandhar. “Both of them were coming on a motorcycle. On being stopped at the naka they tried to run away but were nabbed,” he said, adding that they have recovered a 7.65 mm pistol, a magazine, live cartridges and the motorcycle from their possession. During further investigations, it was learnt that the duo along with five others had looted Rs 16 lakh from a trader loot at gunpoint at Majitha Mandi in Amritsar on March 5. The gang is wanted by the Amritsar city police in that case. Other members of the gang have been identified as Jasvir Singh, alias Lucky, Bhola Singh, alias Bhola, both residents of Amritsar, Vicky, Pappu and Ballu, all residents of Bihar. Khakh said they have given the details of this gang to the Amritsar city police. While cases under various sections have been registered against the duo. “Further investigations are on to nab the other accomplices,” he added. The nexus
The criminals from Bihar get in touch with the Punjab counterparts, who help them provide arms and ammunition to carry out various crimes. Once the crime is committed the criminals from Bihar go back to their state with the weapons and money charged for the crime. |
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Shop burgled
Phagwara, March 15 Mall employees caught stealing
Phagwara: In another incident, six employees of a shopping complex, Arjun Mall, were caught red-handed by the mall owner Arjun Bhanot, while stealing and selling the goods from the mall. He handed over the employees to the local police. The accused confessed to their crime. Bhanot disclosed that they admitted stealing goods worth Rs 50 lakh from the mall during the past two years.
— OC Fresh case against PO
Nakodar: After a Nakodar court declared Delhi resident Davinder Sharma a proclaimed offender, a fresh case has been registered against him under Section 174(A) of the IPC (failure to appear in specified time and place required by proclamation) at Mehtpur Police Station. The court had also issued non-bailable warrant against his wife Seema Sharma. The couple was facing a trial in different criminal cases. SHO Bimal Kant said Davinder had got registered a case of attempt to murder (307) against Harbhajan Singh Chopra and his son Parminder by creating a fake story.
— OC |
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House burgled
Jalandhar, March 15 He found the locks of all the rooms broken and household things scattered on the floor. The police said has recorded the statements of the family members and registered an FIR in the case.
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6 hurt in clash
Phagwara, March 15
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Abhishek tops in state maths exam
Nakodar, March 15 Dharma, father of the student, said, “We are proud of our son’s performance and we are sure that in future also he will perform well.” Block Primary Education Officer Parjinder Kaur and sarpanch Baldev Singh Chatta honoured the budding student. |
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Jalandhar, March 15
