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3 held with heroin worth
Rs 20 cr
Bruised pride: Man kills self
Segregation of waste: GND hospital staff |
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Rs 52,000 looted at petrol pump
End to doctors’ strike brings relief to patients
Raid at gambling party: Probe shifted to Jalandhar IG
Effluents, water gulp 15,000 sq feet land
The land filled with water and effluents from industrial units at the new Focal Point in Amritsar. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
MC House meet today, many sparks to fly
MC to frame pet bylaws
Ex-MC commissioner enters poll fray
PITEX brightens trade hopes of city industrialists
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3 held with heroin worth
Rs 20 cr
Amritsar, December 7 The accused include notorious smuggler Swarn Singh of Gumanpura village here. He was recently released on bail from Tihar Jail, Delhi. He was lodged there on similar charges. Other accused have been identified as Mukhtiar Singh alias Mukha and his brother Sukhwant Singh alias Sukha, both residents of Bhora Kareem Pura village close to the India-Pakistan border in Khemkaran sector of Tarn Taran district. Swarn Singh has allegedly been operating his network from Guru Nanak Dev Hospital for last 10-days. He got himself admitted there for treatment of some spinal problem. Earlier, he as caught by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) with 15-kg heroin and after spending four years in Tihar jail, he was released on bail six months back. The other accused Mukhtiar and Sukhwant were his conduits who used to work as couriers. They used to bring the consignments from the international border and deliver it to the designated person besides handling the accounts of Swarn Singh.
Mukhtiar was also involved in smuggling of gold and had served sentence for several year before jumping into the smuggling of narcotics. Sources said Swarn adopted this modus operandi to continue his illegal trade through Mukhtiar and Sukhwant. He used to get himself admitted to hospitals on the pretext of some illness and operate his network through his mobile phone. Till now, he got a huge quantity of heroin smuggled through his contacts in Pakistan from the India-Pakistan border during his stay in hospitals. Satinder Pal Singh, officiating AIG of SSOC said acting on a tip off, a team headed by Harvinder Pal Singh arrested the accused from near Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where they were going to deliver the consignment on their motorcycle. A case under Section 21/25/29/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered in this regard. They were produced in the court which remanded them in two-day police custody. Satinder Singh said the consignment seized was part of a bigger consignment smuggled from Pakistan recently. More arrests are likely, he added. Jail no bar
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Rigorous imprisonment is proving no deterrent in smuggling of narcotics from across the border, if the recent arrests of notorious smugglers are anything to go by. Almost all the smugglers arrested by various agencies, including the police, the Border Security Force, DRI etc have past criminal records and had undergone imprisonment on similar charges at one point of time or other. However, they resume their illegal activities as soon as they get bail or are released from jail.
n “The reason is that huge money is involved in the illegal trade. A majority of the smugglers belong to the border villages and due to close proximity with the Pakistan border they become easy target of vicious traps by anti-social elements,” said a senior official of Stat Special Operation Cell. Official speak
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Bruised pride: Man kills self
Amritsar, December 7 Daljit Kaur, wife of the deceased, in her statement to the police alleged that her husband Dilbagh Singh committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan in their house. She also alleged that the accused had abused her husband besides brutally thrashing him on December 4. A case under Section 306, 34 IPC has been registered in this connection. The accused are absconding.
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Segregation of waste: GND hospital staff
Amritsar, December 7
Bandages, needles, syringes and plastic were put in the same bag. Clearly the employees assigned the duty of segregating the waste are negligent. Sources said things have worsened after staff nurses at the hospital went on a strike 10 days ago. Previously the nurses were assigned the duty of putting the biomedical waste into the correct bags. Nurses Association vice-president, Narinder Buttar, said, "The nurses were responsible for proper segregation of the bio-medical waste into various bags. As they are on strike these days, the work has been affected." She said there were provisions under which a nurse could be fined for negligence. “These days we do not know who is segregating the waste and how trained they are,” she said. Medical Suprintendent of Guru Nanak Dev hospital Dr Karnail Singh said, “The strike by the employees has affected work. We are facing a problem in the collection of waste these days.”goes colour blind What is biomedical waste?
Any waste generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of human beings as well as animals is considered biomedical waste. What do the guidelines say?
As per the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest under the Environment Protection Act also known as Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, the biomedical waste needs to be segregated into different kinds at the point of generation prior to its disposal. The hospitals are then required to segregate the waste into yellow colour bags for human anatomical waste and animal waste, blue or white for waste containing sharp objects and plastic tubing and black for discarded medicines, incinerator ash.
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Rs 52,000 looted at petrol pump
Amritsar, December 7 According to the police, the accused had looted two more petrol pumps – one at Tangra and second in Subhampur area - on the same night and fled after committing the crime. Beas police has registered a case under Section 392 IPC and 25 of the Arms Act. The accused arrived at Bhullar petrol pump past midnight and put a gun on the head of Sham Singh, a resident of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and an employee at the filling station. They snatched Rs 52,278 besides damaging the camera. Ravinder Pal Singh, SHO, Beas police station, said one of the accused was turbaned. “They had looted two petrol pumps on their way to Amritsar,” he said.
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End to doctors’ strike brings relief to patients
Amritsar, December 7
Junior Resident Doctors Association (JRDA) representatives had held a meeting with Minister Tikhshan Sud last night after which they resumed their duties in the morning today. JRDA vice-president Vivek Tomar said the minister has assured them of a notification in regard to the stipend hike with in next 10 days. Tomar said, "The minister listened to our demands and agreed that the junior doctors should be given grade pay and house rent allowance as applicable." He added that the doctors have put off their strike in view of the assurances. With doctors joining their duties, the medical services for the public are expected to come to normal. Earlier, the doctors had withdrawn from all services, including at the emergency ward and the ICUs. Kultar Singh, attendant of a patient said, "It is good to see the doctors back on duty. The patients have already suffered a lot." He said they expect that doctors would not have to go on strike once again for the same reason. Meanwhile, nurses at the hospital continued with their protest. They too are demanding regularisation of contractual employees. However, as the doctors are back, the public had to face inconvenience as the pharmacists had today proceeded on a mass casual to attend a protest rally at Bathinda. Because of the absence of the pharmacists at hospitals, including ESI Hospital, Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital, and all primary health centres (PHCs) and mini PHCs the pharmacies at remained closed.
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Raid at gambling party: Probe shifted to Jalandhar IG
Amritsar, December 7 The Punjab government had suspended six police officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bahadur Singh and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jaswant Singh in this connection following preliminary investigations into the allegations of siphoning off of a huge amount of money seized during the raid. The ADCP and ACP had then approached Punjab Governor pleading innocence in the case. They had urged him to transfer the probe to some other senior police official. Jaswant Singh while pleading innocence had stated that the raiding police party was headed by the then SHO of Gate Hakima police station, Jagbir Singh. He said he was asked to bring some documents necessary for further action. "However, when I came back I found the money seized as well as many persons missing from the spot," he stated. In a complaint to the Governor he had alleged that several senior police officials were involved in siphoning the money. The senior police authorities had said that the raiding party had seized Rs 7.50 lakh only during the Diwali fest wherein the who's who of the city, including wards of businessmen and political leaders were allegedly involved while the speculations were rife that more than Rs 1 crore had been seized in the raid. This was later corroborated by police sources. The programme was organised under a charity organisation and the presence of Russian bar dancers was also reported. The police had registered a case under the Gambling Act against 44 persons, including the organisers of the party who were later released on bail. Alleging that the city police was shielding influential persons who had been rounded up during the Diwali fest, the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), headed by its chairman Justice (retd) Ajit Singh Bains, had taken up the issue and had demanded the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case besides immediate transfer of Mittal in a letter to the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. Official speak
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Effluents, water gulp 15,000 sq feet land
Amritsar, December 7 Several vacant plots and a park of the NFP have been submerged in the water discharged by various industrial units. Out of the total capacity of 400 industrial units, over 100 industrial units are operating from here. Punjab Small Scale Industry Development Board director Raman Gupta, operating one of his units from the area, said it was very difficult to say which unit was discharging effluents. However, the presence of water on huge patches of land was fast turning the land into a swamp. He claimed it was following his efforts that stones for a road and a 66-KV power station were laid last month. NFP Industries Association president Darshan Kumar said the presence of water on a large portion here attracted cattle from nearby areas resulting in road blockages. As a result these animals delayed the loading and unloading of merchandise as well as a smooth movement of traffic. He said this also led to the fear of epidemics as the area had become breeding ground for mosquitoes. The PSIEC had infringed its original plan of the NFP, which was set up in 2004, in later years. As per the original plan, industries only category-wise industrial units were to be allowed to be established here. But, a mix of industries was established. Against norms, some of the industrialists have expanded their units by purchasing agriculture land, sources said. PSIEC vice-chairman Sukhwinderpal Singh said a renovation plan of Rs 102 crore has been sanctioned for all focal points in the state under which Common Water Treatment Plant (CWTP) will be set up, parks will be beautified and other development works will also be initiated. Punjab Pollution Control Board executive engineer (XEN) Kuldeep Singh said he was aware of the inundation of over 10,000 square feet of land, including, an acre park, discharged by the industrial units. He said he had already visited the area and contacted the PSIEC officials to learn the reason behind it. He said he came to know that the motor of a drainage disposal pump had developed some snag and was not functioning properly. He admitted that the New Focal Point does not have CWTP. He said as per the original plan no red industry, which produce pollution, was to be established in it. However, later some of them were allowed. Now, he said, it has become necessary to install the CWTP and a notice regarding the same will be issued to the PSIEC.
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Several vacant plots and a park at the new focal point have been submerged in water and effluents discharged by industrial units. n
Water on a large portion of land here attractes cattle from nearby areas resulting in road blockages. n
As per the original plan, no red industry, which produces pollution, was to be established here. n
The area has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes leading to the fear of an epidemic. official speak "A renovation plan of `102 crore has been sanctioned for all focal points in the state under which Common Water Treatment Plant (CWTP) will be set up, parks will be beautified and other development works will also be initiated"— sukhwinderpal singh, vice-president, psiec
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MC House meet today, many sparks to fly
Amritsar, December 7 This house meet is significant as it may be its last meeting before the introduction of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Assembly election. Hence, the ruling coalition government aims to display its best works. It was learnt that the official agenda, which is to be debated in the house, is yet to be distributed among the members of the house. The Congress, the opposition party in the House, will challenge the SAD-BJP combine on every development issue in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. Sources said the Akali councillors are all set to raise the issue of being ignored by the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) before taking up the developmental works in their wards. The AIT is headed by a BJP councillor Sanjiv Khanna, who is close to MP Navjot Singh Sidhu. The house would debate the ambitious Rs 200 crore drivers-less pods to ferry pilgrims to and from the Golden Temple to bus stand and railway station. This system has been conceptualised on the line of transportation system at the Heathrow Airport in London. The project was passed by the state government on December 5. Some of the councillors are anticipated to raise the issue of less utilisation of elevated road, during the meeting. Currently, a portion of the elevated road from Ram Talai to Dharam Singh Market, near Golden Temple, is exclusively being used by pilgrims arriving in four wheelers. Besides, many pending issues like road repair, sewerage blockade and other infrastructural roadblocks are expected to come up. Senior Deputy Mayor Ajaybir Pal Singh Randhawa said that the matter regarding inauguration of the driver-less transportation system by Deputy Chief Minister would come up during the meeting. Meeting time
n The house meeting has been twice deferred due to official reasons. After a delay of nearly six months, the meet was scheduled to be held on November 30. However, it was again postponed on December 7 and will eventually be held on December 8. n
Congress councillors had issued an ultimatum saying they would conduct the meet themselves if the ruling SAD-BJP alliance fails to hold a meeting. n
Now, the councillors of the ruling alliance are also in favour of holding the meet at least once in 30 to 45 days.
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MC to frame pet bylaws
Amritsar, December 7 Following deliberations over dog bites complaints in the Vidhan Sabha, a circular has been sent to all corporations by the government to implement pet bylaws. Unlike Chandigarh and Ludhiana, these bylaws could never find place on the agenda of the Amritsar civic authorities. Despite making the registration of dogs mandatory by the government of India, the AMC has not registered even a single pet dog till date. As per the norms, aspirant has to appear before a committee, headed by the MC Health Officer, after obtaining a certificate from veterinary officer stating that the dog has been vaccinated. He has to assure the committee that he would not be cruel to the animal and has to pay an annual fee of Rs 250. He also has to state the dog’s breed and age. A token would then be issued to the dog owner with the owner’s name and address inscribed, which would be tied around the neck of the dog. The token would be valid for one year, from April to March. The pet should not be found roaming in the streets, beyond the enclosure of owner’s house, unattended. A penalty of Rs 50 per day and Rs 250 each day, for subsequent offence, would be charged. MC health officer Yogesh Arora said these bylaws, after getting nod from the House, would come into effect immediately. Once implemented, this would also encourage the owners to be more particular about vaccinations. In case pets bite someone, it would be the liability of the pet owner to compensate the victim. Similarly, if a pet defecate in public place, it would be the responsibility of the owner to clean it. AMC Commissioner Dharampal Gupta said actually the act is very old but it was never adopted by the corporations. Now that a fresh notification has been received by the government, we would table it in the upcoming House meet. The defaulters would be penalised for not complying with the stipulated norms. The exercise would also help the AMC to detect the growing population of stray dogs.
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Ex-MC commissioner enters poll fray
Amritsar, December 7 Former Amritsar Municipal Corporation (AMC) Commissioner KS Kang threw his hat in the political ring. He released his manifesto today by two children from BPL families, Roshni and Sukhjit. He is yet to name his party. Unlike manifestos of political parties, promising mega plans and sweeping changes, the eight-page manifesto of Kang promises that election would be fought on issues relating to the problems of the residents. The manifesto also promised that the vision for betterment and development of Amritsar would be discussed on a common platform. A special development plan would be prepared for his constituency to get grant from the Union government. Though he refused to divulge the name of constituency from where he would like to contest, Kang said he would make sure that provision of tram system would be put in place within the walled city and around it as early as possible. He also promised that women in his constituency would be able to walk without fear even at late hours.
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PITEX brightens trade hopes of city industrialists
Amritsar, December 6 PL Seth, president, Shawl Club of India, said there was a great need to broaden the scope of PITEX from "businessmen to consumers" to "businessmen to businessmen" model. He said in order to achieve this, the PHD Chamber officials would have to put in extra efforts to inculcate links with manufacturers and whole sellers of interested participating countries. He said only this would ensure sale of bulk merchandise. Seminars on investment opportunities in the UAE, trading opportunities in Africa and others educated a large section of the city's industrialists regarding a host of opportunities to grow. Raman Gupta of Hindustan Pharmaceuticals said the trade fair would be beneficial to the city industry, especially units dealing in engineering goods and pharmaceuticals. He said there were about 10,000 units producing engineering goods and 45 of pharmaceuticals. He said the Union Government's extension of tax-free status to the neighbouring hilly states had severely affected these industries. He anticipated that these trade fairs would subsequently pave way for the bigger transaction to take place following the opening of the integrated check posts (ICPs). He said there were many cities in the world where economy rest on trade fairs. He said these were vital platforms for convergence of traders and manufacturers. Kamal Dalmia, proprietor of a leading synthetic manufacturing unit, said majority of the visitors at the exhibition were retail consumers. "As long as manufacturers and whole sellers do not sit across the table to make a constant trade link, the real success could not be ascertained". He added that adequate trade logistics like operationalisation of the integrated check posts on the both sides of the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post must be in place and governments of India and Pakistan must introduce a procedure to immediately granting of visas to industrialists. Neeraj Khanna, director, Everest and Sant Engineer Private Limited, said his group manufacturing service station equipment gained contacts and information to do exports in Africa. He said his group, which was already supplying goods across the country and many SAARC countries, was now contemplating to sale its products in African countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Botswana. Similarly, he said idea of listing in the BSE SME Sensex propounded during the seminar on the subject in the PITEX was terrific. He said his company would certainly evaluate the entire procedure.
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The counter intelligence wing of Punjab police, state special operation cell, today seized 4 kg of heroin worth Rs 20 crore in the international market
Amritsar, December 7
