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Jaundice outbreak claims yet another life
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City sitting on tinderbox
F&CC clears release of Rs 130-cr debentures
Aided schools’ teachers to go on mass casual leave today
Roads near railway overbridge cry for attention
Draw for Surya Enclave Extn plots tomorrow
Insurance firm told to pay
Rs 1 lakh for harassment
’84 riots’ victims sit on fast unto death
Prisoner flees from custody, cop booked
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Jaundice outbreak claims yet another life
Jalndhar, November 2 Master Gyanchand Raju, a retired teacher in the area, was the third person to fall prey to the disease this time. While the outbreak had earlier claimed lives in the Baba Budha Ji Nagar, it is fast spreading its tentacles across both sides of the Hoshiarpur road. Today, four cases of jaundice were confirmed from Ekta Nagar, seven from Baba Budha Ji Nagar and six from Joginder Nagar. Hospitals on the Hoshiarpur Road are flooded with jaundice and typhoid patients. Mahindro Kaur, a Joginder Nagar resident, said at least five members of her family are down with the disease and her entire street is full of patients suffering from jaundice. Her grandson and sister-in law are currently admitted to a private hospital in the area. While Ekta Nagar has lesser patients, the state of the area hints at the fact that the MC authorities might as well be waiting for an epidemic. Many streets of the area remain clogged with dirty, sewerage water all the year round. Residents say they are scared to step outside because there is a lot of grime and stagnant water. Rajesh Kumar Yadav who lives in Gali no. 10 of the Ekta Nagar area said, "It's been two months since water started getting collected outside our house. I work for a private firm. I come back home every night at 10 p.m. and the first thing I do is clean up the street outside the house. If my children get sick I won't even get a holiday. And this area stinks." Farther up the street is a puddle of stinking water with squirming worms. Some people of the area also showed allergies on their skin due to the dirty surroundings and water. Residents said their councillor, showed up today after the area hit headlines. Councillor Mandip Kaur Multani blamed it on to the MC officials. She said, "Its been many times that we have gone to them with complaints. Be it regarding backflow of sewerage, electricity or roads, MC workers either don't turn up or they are in a hurry to leave if they do. We are sick of the MC's attitude and I won't hesitate to say that the area is certainly paying the price for it. I have taken it upon myself sit on the road sites and get the work done, but the moment I get up, the MC officials are nowhere to be seen." Meanwhle, a meeting of Health Department and MC officials, including MC Commissioner AS Dhaliwal, was held on the issue today where it was decided that the water connection in the most-affected Gali No 2 (of Baba Budha Ji Nagar of the area) would be set up again. The existing sewerage connection of the area would be severed and new raised pipes will be laid. The sewerage manholes of the area also got new lids and Baba Budha Ji Nagar SDO Bhupinder Singh said new instruments, like scoring points (used for flushing pipes) and dozers (used for automatic water purification) have been set up in the area. A health team, led by DHO RL Bassan, also surveyed 332 houses in the area again today, covering a population of 3,000 people. As many as 6,000 chlorine tablets were also distributed in the area. On the issue of the contradicting MC and Heath Department samples, Bassan said, “We stick to our samples and believe the reports are right.” When asked what preventive measures are they taking to avoid further trouble in other areas, he said, “We come to action only when an outbreak is detected. Before that, it is the MC’s job to ensure clean water and sanitation for the people. We will be continuing educating people through camps and awareness programmes though.” When asked why the number of confirmed cases of jaundice by Health Department was so low when hundreds of jaundice cases had already been declared confirmed by private labs in the area, he said, “There might be people from other areas getting themselves tested in the Rama Mandi area.” Hundreds down with jaundice while health officials maintain its 63
There are five hospitals on the Hoshiarpur Road where patients are being diagnosed and treated on a regular basis. They are full of jaundice patients. So far, even as health officials have maintained that there are only 46 (till yesterday) and 17 (confirmed today) cases, the state of the area's hospitals belies their claims Doctors at all the hospitals unanimously say that they have been having at least 10 to 15 patients per day for the last three days (and even before that). A doctor at one of the labs in the area, on the condition of anonymity said the trend has been on for the past two months but the threat was taken seriously after the fatalities began happening. "For the past two months we have had at least 25 patients being confirmed everyday. Hundreds of patients have been confirmed so far in the area and I am sure the reason is contaminated water." There are four private hospitals and one charitable hospital in the immediate vicinity of areas mentioned, on the Hoshiarpur Road while 25 patients were admitted (collectively) in three of the private hospitals (10, 10 and five respectively) of the area, doctors in these establishments confirmed that the total number of patients detected with the disease was much higher. |
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Old, dusty records get new binding
Jalandhar, November 2 The administration has recently allotted a room to a private binder on the third floor of the Tehsil Complex. The work for binding of various records related to the Revenue Department and registration of marriages has already started. Most of the offices have not kept the records in file covers, because of which these are dusty with torn and brittle pages. Many offices, including those of Tehsildar, have kept the records in open in verandahs, allowing them to get exposed to the vagaries of weather. There are others who have kept them in open, but wrapped together in cotton sheets for years. Most offices, it is learnt, have felt the need to maintain records well after the residents have started shooting applications under the RTI Act too often. While many departments, including those of the land records and birth and death (in MC office), are getting their records digitised, they are all along also preserving the original records for the need of any validation, in future at any point of time. Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti said, “The records have to be maintained well for any future reference and that is why we are getting the job done.”
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City sitting on tinderbox
Jalandhar, November 2 Over a dozen localities, including Karol Bagh, Rail Vihar, Sangam Vihar, Preet Enclave, Mann Singh Nagar and Suchi Pind, are located just near the Indian Oil depot. Besides Guru Gobind Singh Avenue and Surya Enclave, both developed by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), are also not far away from the depot. Over one lakh persons are residing in these localities. So much so Lawrence International and DIPS Schools are also situated adjacent to the depot, whereas GND University Regional Centre is also located within half km radius of the depot. Interestingly, when Jalandhar Tribune contacted the Chairman of one of the schools, he demanded that the depot be shifted to some other place. Later, he called this correspondent to ask him not to publish the name of his school as it may affect the admission in the coming session. Meanwhile, Kulwant Singh of Vikas Motors near the depot and Surjit Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Avenue said, “There is always a fear of impending danger in case of eruption of fire at the depot among the residents.” Similarly, Gurdial Singh and Jarnail Singh of Sangam Vihar locality said, “The smell emanating from the depot is a nuisance for the residents and the students of the two nearby schools and GND University Regional Centre.” They demanded that the depot be shifted from the thickly populated area to avert any major mishap. Two years after the eruption of massive fire at the fuel depot of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in Jaipur, the Jalandharities fear the recurrence of the same incident at an IOC depot located in a thickly populated area of the city. Over one lakh residents live in over a dozen localities in the half km radius of the depot in Jalandhar. GND University Regional Centre and two schools are also situated near the depot |
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F&CC clears release of Rs 130-cr debentures
Jalandhar, November 2 Leader of the Opposition in the MC House Jagdish Raj Raja alleged that the proposal had been straightaway taken in the finance committee, without due approval from the MC House. “The Mayor has adopted F&CC as an alternate channel to get the contracts approved to his whims and fancies without getting the same cleared in the House meeting, which is unlawful. The Congress councillors are busy with the party rally scheduled for tomorrow. Once we get over with it, we will surely retaliate on the issue,” he added. Raja said, “The issue of release of debentures further proves the fact that the ruling body has failed miserably. The development works have come to a standstill.” Mayor Rakesh
Rathour, however, said, “The issuance of debentures was an urgent need. The matter, however, will be referred to the MC House, if required.” |
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On the demand of the MC contractors, the officials have decided to put off the tenders scheduled for this week to November 8. As the Mayor was to start a meeting of the F&CC, the contractors sat down in front of him in the
Contractors of the Municipal Corporation hold meeting with MC officials in Jalandhar on Wednesday. Photo: Sarabjit Singh
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Aided schools’ teachers to go on mass casual leave today
Jalandhar, November 2 Aided school teachers from city will also hold a demonstration at the Nehru Garden in this connection. Of the total 1,000 aided school teachers in the district, 525 are working and 500 got retired after May 2003, while 50 of the retired teachers died waiting for their pensions. The teachers had a gloomy festival season this year because some of them had not been getting their salaries since December 2010 while others were not getting it since April 2011. The retired aided school teachers had heaved a sigh of relief when, on September 12, the Supreme Court quashed two writ petitions filed by the state government restoring the pension of retired school teachers. But their joy was short lived as they now say the cases of none of them have been summoned by the government so far, for the release of pensions, even as the government said they would get it soon. Kulwarn Singh, president of the Punjab Aided School Teachers Association said, "The notification to release the pension of aided school teachers had been issued on July 28. Teachers have been expecting their salary for the last four months. Since the government was hard pressed we even agreed that the retired teachers will take their arrears in five instalments. The government is delaying the release of their money. The working teachers, too, are without salaries too." Teachers of as many as 17 schools in the district haven't received their salaries for the past 10 months. On 18 October, the aided school teachers of the district had sat on a dharna outside the treasurer's office, demanding the release of their salaries (which they were not getting despite the treasurer's claim that the funds had reached the office). Despite constant assurances by the treasury and finance departments, they are still without their salaries. The working as well as retired teachers will hold a dharna at Nehru Garden here on Thursday. While the working teachers will proceed on a mass casual leave, the retired teachers will join them. y The pension of the aided teachers had been stopped on May 1, 2003 during the Congress government and they had been without money since then. The pension of all the teachers across the state who retired after May 2003 is yet to be released. y Other demands of the teachers are medical and HR allowances at par with their new grades since right now they are getting them on the old pattern. Also, the primary aided school teachers haven't even started to get salaries according to the new grades because an order by the DPI (primary) on these lines hasn't been issued to them as yet.
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Roads near railway overbridge cry for attention
Jalandhar, November 2 Potholes can be seen at several places on the roads under Khalsa College ROB, BMC flyover, DAV College ROB, Maqsoodan ROB, Rama Mandi ROB, PAP ROB, Indian Oil ROB, Lamma Pind flyover as well as Pathankot Chowk flyover. Kulwant Singh, a resident of Urban Estate, Phase I, said the water comes down from the ROBs and flyovers on the road during rains. As a result, water gets accumulated at several parts under and around the ROBs and flyovers as no drainage system had been installed while constructing them, he said. The accumulated water damaged the roads badly. MC Commissioner BS Dhaliwal and Mayor Rakesh Rathod were unavailable for comments. Improvement Trust chairman Baljeet Singh Neelamahal said grass would be planted under the flyovers falling under its jurisdiction instead of setting up water harvesting system.
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Draw for Surya Enclave Extn plots tomorrow
Jalandhar, November 2 A decision in this regard was taken in a meeting of the Trust held this afternoon. Nearly 62.5 acre of land for the purpose in Santoshi Nagar, Qazi Mandi and other nearby areas was acquired yesterday. Nearly 2,520 applicants have filled forms for 431 plots. The draw would be conducted at Red Cross Bhawan at 11 am. — TNS |
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Insurance firm told to pay
Rs 1 lakh for harassment
Jalandhar, November 2 Dhiman filed a complaint with the forum in which she alleged that the insurance company refused to honour the policy, which was purchased by her husband Ashok Padam in 2008. Manisha said her husband paid the first premium of Rs 10,004 to the company on September 18, 2008, and the application for life insurance was accepted. Her husband died on January 19, 2010. After his death, she filed a claim before the insurance company along with requisite documents. However, the company sent her a letter on March 25, 2010, which said the company only agreed to refund the cash surrender value of the insurance policy as full and final settlement. In the letter, the company also said Manisha’s husband was suffering from hypertension and that was informed to the company at the time of purchase of the policy. Dismissing company’s claims, forum president Ashok Kumar and member Sushma Handoo directed it to pay the entire amount of the policy (Rs one lakh) along with Rs 3,000 as compensation on account of harassment and Rs 2,000 as the cost of litigation.
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’84 riots’ victims sit on fast unto death
Jalandhar November 2 Hakikat Singh, president of the committee, alleged that around 1,600 families of Jalandhar had been hit hard during the riots in 1984. “Our residential properties and commercial establishments were consigned to flames by miscreants in the riots. Since from that hapless day, we are living in an utter penury and are forced to reside in rented accommodations.” he said. Even the report of the Nanawati Commission advocated the rehabilitation policy for all the victims of the 1984 riots of the state, but the government had been disregarding its recommendations, Hakikat alleged. Even when the Congress government was in power, they met the then Chief Minister Captain Amariander Singh and also held a numbers of dharnas, Hakikat said, claiming that when Badals came to power, they also met the Chief Minister and apprised him of their demands, but now literally they had lost faith in all the politicians as everyone had taken them for a ridein the last 27 years. |
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Prisoner flees from custody, cop booked
Jalandhar, November 2 The accused Mahavir Singh alias Kaku, a resident of Damunda village near Adampur, was lodged in Kapurthala Jail for his alleged involvement in a case of abduction. A case under Sections 223 and 224 of IPC has been registered against the head constable and the accused. The incident occurred when head constable Bikar Singh was accompanying him to the police van after producing him at a local court this afternoon. Mahavir Singh ran away along with the shackles. A departmental inquiry will be initiated against the cop. — TNS
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The city is virtually sitting on a tinderbox, ready to explode anytime as an Indian Oil Corporation
(IOC)depot is located in its densely populated residential area. Two years after the eruption of massive fire at a fuel depot of the Indian Oil Corporation in
Jaipur, the local residents fear the recurrence of the same incident at an IOC depot located in the thickly populated area of the city.
Roads beneath as well as around most of the flyovers and Railway Over Bridges
(ROBs) in the city are badly damaged as water accumulates there due to lack of proper drainage system. Roads under almost every of the nine flyovers and ROBs are in a bad shape.
Alleging that the ruling state government has extending stepmotherly treatment to the hundreds of victims of the 1984 riots, four representatives, including a woman, of the Jalandhar Danga Peerat Sangharsh Committee today sat on a fast unto death outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding implementation of the rehabilitation plan for riot victims.
meeting hall. They demanded that their payment worth nearly Rs 13 crore pending since July be made at the earliest. The Mayor assured them that a financial help worth Rs 4 crore was expected from PUDA shortly and the office would be in a position to make some payment this Friday. The contractors, led Amrit Bajaj, said they would not be able to apply for fresh tenders as they did not have sufficient amount in hand to pay as earnest money.