Amritsar, September 23
The Amritsar Municipal Corporation’s claims of launching the so-called drive to remove encroachments on public property and traffic obstructions in the holy city, under the pretext of High Court’s directions, was struck down following a landmark judgment delivered by the court on Thursday.

The case pertained to a structure belonging to Capt Saroop Singh, located on the Lawrence Road here, the approach staircase of which was demolished by the AMC team on April 24, 2010 in the presence of the SDM-cum Joint Municipal Commissioner. Capt. Singh challenged this act in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Holding it as an unethical proceeding by the government functionary, the HC directed the AMC to grant a provisional compensation of Rs 50,000 for demolishing the structure and another Rs 25,000 as cost of the writ petition, to Capt. Singh.

Summoning the AMC Commissioner, the SDM-cum Joint Municipal Commissioner, the MTP (Municipal Town Planner) and the Estate Officer, through the Local Bodies Department, the HC in its orders dated September 1, 2011, directed that its orders concerning the removal of illegal structures on the public land were misunderstood by the AMC and that no part of the said structure ever disrupted any public utility service like obstructing any street, channel, drain or road.

Even as it is a clause in the municipal law which prohibits the corporation from taking any demolition drive before 9 am and after 7 pm or on the day when a public holiday falls. This drive was also held illegal because it was conducted on a public holiday.

It is evident to mention here that a liquor vend (right on the pedestrian pavement) and a number of commercial firms on the same road that had done massive encroachments on the public land adjoining their establishments enjoyed immunity while the staircase of the structure under question (which was over 15 metres away from the road) was only targeted by the AMC.

Capt. Singh said that this had infuriated him and he had decided to go against this act in the court.

He had purchased this property in 2006 and it was free from all encumbrances. He had paid over Rs 20 lakh as house tax as applicable over this property.

“I had argued that if the AMC was accepting the house tax then did that mean that they were accepting the house tax for such a structure which did not comply to the norms? Second, I asked them that if I can pay over Rs 20 lakh as house tax, then I had no hitch in paying a few lakh to pay as penalty, had they approached me through a valid notice stating that the stairs of this structure were illegal. All of a sudden, they came and started demolishing the part of the structure just to harass me. And it was not acceptable, therefore I had no option but to knock at the doors of the court”, he said while heaving a sigh of relief that he had got justice at the end of the day. 

Amritsar, September 23
The 1,400 capacity Amritsar-Chandigarh Duronto Express has received a lukewarm response from people after its launch almost a month back.

The train is fast loosing its steam with the number of passengers from Chandigarh further dipping.

On an average, about 250 to 300 passengers board the train from Amritsar while it is 150 to 200 from Chandigarh. The number has once reached 600 a few days after its launch.

With the coming winter season, it is expected to fall further as the train reaches Amritsar late in the evening. During foggy winters when the minimum temperature touches zero degrees Centigrade in Amritsar, the arrival of the train may further be delayed, thus causing lot of inconvenience to passengers coming to the holy city.

Rising crime incidents in Amritsar also play a part making passengers preferring AC buses to reach the city during the daytime.

The railway authorities initiated several steps by opening unreserved current booking counter for passengers, that saw an increase in number, but this counter too was closed following the orders of higher authorities.

Another major reason affecting the numbers is no stoppage of the train at key stations like Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Mohali.

Railway officials, preferring anonymity, said the higher railway authorities had sent a proposal to change the name of the train from Duronto to express train.

“First and foremost, the Duronto train should be converted into Amritsar-Chandigarh express train and secondly its booking should be done in the train itself in order to make it economically viable,” said Amarjit Singh Asal, a communist leader.

“The government and railway authorities under the influence of strong transporter lobby are doing their utmost to make Duronto a failure. Dilly-dallying attitude of the authorities is a testimony to that,” alleged CPI leader.

The train, with two AC coaches and 12 non-AC chair car coaches, has a capacity of over 1,400 passengers.

Amritsar, September 23
The police has arrested over a dozen of notorious criminals and history-sheeters regarding a robbery incident in which a jeweller and his son was critically injured. They were also robbed of jewellery worth lakhs of rupees.

The police has claimed to have got vital clues of the incident that happened on Wednesday. Police Commissioner RP Mittal said, “We have got some vital clues regarding the incident. But it would take time to work on these clues.”

“We are working on different theories. As the family of the victim was in shock we could not investigate the case properly. Now, the family is cooperating with the police properly and hopefully we would soon get success in tracking the accused and arrest them,” said the Commissioner.

The Commissioner held meetings with SHOs and senior police officials and asked to step up the vigil in order to check the crime rate. Raids were being conducted to nab notorious criminals in order to get leads.

Meanwhile, both victims --- Ramesh Chander and his son Rahul --- are out of danger and their conditions are stable.

Amritsar, September 23
It is one of the fastest growing markets in India, exceeding Rs 20,000 crore with an annual growth rate of 12 per cent per annum. The annual branded kidswear market comes close to Rs 3,000 crore and the children merchandise industry stands at Rs 50,000 crore as a whole.

No kidding, children have become a potential consumer group for the big corporates. They are dictating market trends and calling the shots when it comes to children merchandise retail industry. Children are no more dependent on their parents for their shopping needs and they are also an aware and a balanced buyer. One look around the city at the branded kids’ apparel and merchandise stores will prove the point.

“Better education levels, media exposure and increasing interaction with technology have made kids more informed than their parents. They are choosing for themselves while shopping and parents are just there to help,” said Captain Gurdeep Singh, franchisee owner of Toonz. “Kids want genuine things and do not compromise on quality,” he added.

Toonz is a retail store that has opened recently at the Alpha One Mall. The store exclusively deals with kids’ merchandise, especially character merchandise.

“The rising disposable income and the influence of visual media accounted in emergence of children as an independent buyer group. Peer pressure has further made them self-conscious,” says Tenny, who works with Reliance trends. Earlier, if it was functional merchandise that the parents wanted for their kids, now, it is character-inspired merchandise that the kids want for themselves. The iconic cartoon and comic characters have found their way into children’s clothing and accessories. “It is one of the hottest trends in kids merchandise industry,” says Tenny. Cashing on the offline experience, many retail stores have transformed it into lifestyle shopping experience.

Reliance trends has come up with a ‘Toon Festival’ for kids, giving them a chance to meet their favourite cartoon characters, to get a makeover done and to buy personalised products like garments, stationeries, school gears or accessories.

Similarly, Toonz also provides branded character merchandise for kids from the age group of zero to 12. They used characters like Ben10, Doremon, Sponge Bob, Animal Planet, Ninja Turtles, Hanna Montana, Spider-man and Transformers in kids’ clothing.

Earlier, brands like Weekender had made an agreement with the Walt Disney and Warner Bros., whereby they can make use of their famous cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Tom and Jerry in kids’ apparel. Pantaloon and Gini and Jony have entered into a joint venture to set up a chain of retail stores for children's apparel. Going by the look of it, this self-shopping is proving to be healthy for the kids as well as the retailers. 

Amritsar, September 23
Tata Consultancy Services selected nine B.Tech students of Global Institute of Management and Emerging Technologies, who would complete their degree by May 2012. These students were selected in a PTU Campus Placement Drive held between September 19 to September 22.

These students successfully sailed through a 3-tier selection process and earned the offer letters for the position of ASE-Trainee with a package of more than Rs 3 lakh per annum.

Chairman of the Institute Dr BS Chandi congratulated the students and their parents on this achievement. He exhorted the students to work with excellence in their company. He said their feat would encourage other students to emulate.

Kho-Kho success

The kho-kho team of BBK DAV College for Women stood runners-up in Guru Nanak Dev University Inter-College Championship.

The college defeated two teams from Kapurthala and Amritsar in league matches.

As many as four players --- Pardeep, Pawan, Jagroop and Manmeet --- of the college were selected for university team to take part in the three-day camp for the All-India Inter-University competition to be held at Faizabad (UP) from October 3.

Amritsar, September 23
Dissatisfied with the deliberations held with the state Principal Secretary and Director Health Services, Chandigarh yesterday, the ANM (Auxiliary Nursing Midwives) and LHV (Lady Health Visitor) Association has decided to continue with the indefinite strike.

President of the workers district association, Tripta Kumari said, “The officials have told us to come again on Tuesday. So we would be continuing the strike till then.” She added that the next course of action would be planned after the meeting on Tuesday. The LHVs and ANMs had initiated an indefinite strike two days ago.

They have been demanding the implementation of pay grades suggested by the Fifth Pay Commission. Health workers have also been demanding revised washing, uniform and meal allowances. “If the government failed in deciding upon the demands put up by the health workers, we would also boycott the polio campaign starting from September 25 to 27,” threatened Tripta Kumari. The members of the association held a protest in the premises of the Civil Surgeon’s office here today. The members of the association demanded that with the increased number of schemes in the health services initiated by the state and the Centre, the workload on them has increased manifold. The members stated that Director Health Services was unjust in not recommending the pay commission’s recommendations about them.