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A ‘VIP’ councillor & unfinished development agenda
Overqualified ready to pick up broom
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Three killed in accidents
Constable injured in attack on police party
One held with 2.2 kg of charas
Tribune
Impact
Malls go scot-free as MC doesn’t keep their house tax records
PowerCom won’t face trouble handling crisis months, says chairman-cum-MD
Semester exam from May 7
From
Schools and colleges
Speaking
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A ‘VIP’ councillor & unfinished development agenda
Amritsar, May 2 The Ward number 51 represented by him comprises posh areas such as Kennedy Avenue, Green Avenue, Anand Avenue, Jaseen Road, Majitha House, Mohinder Colony, etc. Many feel that the areas established much later such as Tanga Colony and Janata Colony lack the basic amenities as compared to the other areas. Some feel that all other areas were established well before Malik came into the picture. Residents also feel that the councillor is inaccessible. The residents of Jaseen road, Janata and Tanga colonies rue that they have not seen him in their areas ever since he took over as the Mayor. The deteriorating law and order situation is a major problem they face. Majority of theft and snatching cases occur in this part of the city. A food joint being run from the Green Avenue area has also become a major nuisance for the residents. They allege that since the owner of this restaurant has close proximity with Malik, the police have so far turned a blind eye to the liquor or food served here, they allege. They complain that despite approaching the police as well as City Mayor repeatedly, no initiatives were taken by them. Even as the ward has been declared reserved for women candidates for the ensuing MC polls likely to be held in the first week of June, and Mayor Malik will have to choose another ward if he wants to contest again, yet Malik assured that he will be committed to the ward as he belongs to the ward. Qualifications Mayor Shwait Malik is an engineer (B.E-Electronics) from Thapar University, Patiala. He did his specialisation in medical diagnostic equipments after pursuing the master degree from Tokyo, Japan. He came into politics due to his father Late Rajinder Malik, who was an ardent activist of the RSS. He joined as the district president of the BJP Youth, Amritsar, in 1993 (1993-1995 and 1995-1997) before becoming the district vice-president of the BJP, Amritsar (1999-2002). He was elected as councillor for three consecutive terms (1997, 2002, 2007) and Mayor in 2007. Councillor
speak A random round of my ward can tell about my success as a councillor for three consecutive terms. In 2007 when the SAD-BJP alliance took over the reins from the Congress, there were negligible projects and plans to provide quality life to the residents. At present development works worth more than Rs 1,500 crore are underway in city. The residents complain about your inaccessibility? I admit that some resentment must be there because I get over occupied as being a Mayor I have to look after the interests of the entire city, yet as far as development is concerned, no part of my ward was ever ignored. Basic necessities like drinking water and sewerage system was revamped at Janata Colony and Tanga Colony during my tenure. It's just a false propaganda by political rivals, but it does not hamper my determination. What about the deteriorating law and order problem in your ward? I agree that this area is a soft target of miscreants because the most affluent classes live here. But, we are initiating steps to ensure safety of the residents such as surveillance cameras will soon be installed and a police beat system too will be revamped to keep a strict vigil. On what agenda do you want people to vote for you again? I have never faced defeat in the elections. The first elections can be won through influence or something else but this theory cannot work for the second or the third time. You have to know your people, which is my forte. I will have to vacate the present ward and I will fight from wherever the party deems it fit. My agenda will be to focus on the fundamental needs of the residents and provide them quality life.
He has even failed to maintain the system which was in place earlier. The parks and green belt is full of wild weed, the streetlights remain out of order and the sewerage system often gets choked. These conditions prevail despite the fact that Shwait Malik won the seat last time. The roads too have been re-laid before the
Assemblypolls. Kusum Manchanda: Unruly traffic and parking in the markets can never find any place on their agenda. Illegal encroachments add to woes of the residents here. Sometimes it becomes impossible to park our cars in the market.
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Overqualified ready to pick up broom
Amritsar, May 2 Survival brought them to the recruitment rally organised by the MC. It was tough to think of them in the role of a safai karamchari after having worked hard at studies but the need to fend for their families took over, they say. The crowd of aspirants was so big that the police had to resort to a mild lathicharge. Yadvinder Singh has been coming here from Dhupai for past two days. Though over qualified, he says his B.Sc degree failed to get him a job over the past five years. “My almirah is overflowing with application forms I have been sending out to various departments over the past five years. I worked in the fields for a living. Few days ago, someone told me about the recruitment of safai karamcharis. Primarily, it took me some time to prepare myself for the Class IV post, but the question of fending for my wife and small kid left me with no other choice but to be ready to clean the streets,” he said. Another face in the crowd is Rajni, her qualification is Class XII and to top is she has represented the state in judo events at Pune, Kerala and Mumbai. But the medals and certificates do not pay her anything. “Being a state-level player, my parents had high hopes from me, but the truth was bitter,” she said. Karan Khosla and Nirvair Singh, students of Class XII at a government school, feel, “We realised that there is no guarantee of getting a job even if we complete our graduation degree. It’s better to try at an earlier stage, so we chose to apply for the post. We can improve our qualifications later.” A majority of the applicants objected that the recruitment drive was a mere eye wash as the AMC employees were charging Rs 200 to register the applications. The AMC officials said submission of the applications can be made till May 30 and after the scrutiny, they will be done by the designated committee before a final interview.
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Three killed in accidents
Amritsar, May 2 The police has booked the car driver, identified as Sawarnjit Singh of Bhattike village, under Sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC. Daler Singh, the deceased’s brother, in his statement to the police alleged that they were returning to the village when the car hit their motorcycle head on. Both Suraj and Harpal died on the spot. The accused fled leaving the car behind. In another accident, Kashmir Singh of Behla village was killed when his motorcycle was hit by an unknown vehicle near Bandala village. The police has registered a case.
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Constable injured in attack on police party
Amritsar, May 2 He has been booked on charges of attempt to murder. The accused attacked the policemen when they were trying to search his person. The accused allegedly sold drugs in the area and when Diwan Singh tried to put his hand in his pocket he took out a sharp-edged weapon and attacked the police party. Sohan Singh, SHO Cantonment police said when ASI Mangal Singh and head constable Major Singh tried to catch him he attacked them too. A pouch containing smack, three photos and three ATM cards fell at the spot. The accused fled from the spot. A few hours later, Rameshwar Singh, the father of the accused and his son Parshotam Singh allegedly barged into Gumtala police chowki and manhandled police officials present there. They tore their uniforms, alleged Sohan Singh. He said the police has arrested Rameshwar and Parshotam while Sukhwinder is absconding. Taxi snatched; four booked
Mehta police has booked four unidentified persons on the basis of a complaint lodged by a Ludhiana-based taxi driver whose alleged that his vehicle was snatched last night. The accused had hired the taxi from Ludhiana to go to Beas. In his statement to the police, the victim Sukhdeep Singh, the driver of the vehicle and a resident of Majjuke village in Barnala said the four had hired his taxi from the taxi stand near the bus stand in Ludhiana. He said when they reached near Gaggarbhana village near Mehta, the accused pulled out and tied his arms. They then threw him out of the Innova vehicle (PB-CL-0060) and fled.
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One held with 2.2 kg of charas
Amritsar, May 2 The police allegedly seized 2.2 Kg charas worth more than two lakhs from his possession. He was arrested at a naka set up by the police at Chamrang Road. The police has found that the accused procured the contraband from Karan, a resident of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. He said Karan delivered the consignment of charas near the railway lines of the vegetable market at Vallah near Maqboolpura. “He used to sell the contraband to his clients in Maqboolpura which is notorious for drug peddling,” said Vikram Sharma, the in-charge of the CIA staff. Investigations have also revealed that the accused entered the racket 7 to 8 months ago. The police had received information that he had a consignment of 8-10 kg of charas with him. “Either he had sold the remaining quantity of drug or hid it somewhere,” the police said. A case under Section 20/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered at B-division police station in this regard. He was produced in the local court which sent him in two-day police remand.
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Tribune
Impact GS Paul Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 2 Initiated by Additional Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal, the task of house tax recovery has been distributed among the four superintendents --- Sushant Bhatia, Daljit Singh, Sher Singh and newly appointed Pardeep Kumar. To streamline tax recovery, the MC has divided the areas among the four superintendents. They would be liable to collect house tax from properties falling in their jurisdiction. It has been decided that Sushant Bhatia would take care of Ranjit Avenue, Hussainpura, Daburji, GT Road (left), outside Chabbal road area and the area surrounding the Golden Temple. Daljit Singh would be responsible for Hall Bazaar, Mall Road, railway station, Putlighar, Pink Plaza and around Chabbal road. Sher Singh would handle Batala road, Guru Bazaar, Sultanwind Road, GT Road (right) and Tarn Taran road. Pardeep Kumar has been given properties on Lawrence Road, some portions of Chheharta, Khasa, Ajnala road and Sultanwind road. The MC took the decision keeping in view the low revenue collection. Except Superintendent Sushant Bhatia, the contribution of other three superintendents in tax recovery was negligible. Additional Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal said the decision was taken after taking Commissioner Dharampal Gupta in confidence.
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Malls go scot-free as MC doesn’t keep their house tax records
Amritsar, May 2 It is estimated that tax amounting to over Rs 15 crore has not been collected due to laxity and lack of coordination in the house tax department. There are 15 malls, which owe the MC in crores for house tax and as CLU charges. Interestingly, sources said the MC could not realise taxes as it did not have specific information on taxes due against these business houses. Those whose tax records are missing include Celebration Mall on Batala Road; Central Mall, Alantra Mall, JK Towers and Croma Mall, all located on Mall Road. Councillor Bakshi Ram, the chairperson of House Tax Recovery Committee, felt he was always discouraged whenever he demanded the details of taxes due against the big giant houses in the city. "It certainly needs to be checked if some big houses were exempted from paying tax. I could never procure the details. I was given lame excuses whenever I asked for tax details. I will raise the issue again," he said. Additional Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal assured that no discrimination would be meted out to any individual or a firm when it comes to taxes. "To remove discrepancies in the house tax department, we have drafted a programme under which the superintendent concerned, under whose jurisdiction a particular mall or any establishment falls, will be answerable," the Additional Commissioner said.
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Amritsar, May 2 The four-storey school building having 27 classrooms in 67,000 sq ft area will come up at a cost of Rs 5.7 crore and its kar sewa will be performed by Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale. Makkar said the school building will be constructed within a year. He said Baba Kashmir Singh will also construct a five-storey langar hall Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheedan. He said the SGPC plans to construct a “sarai” (inn) at the old location of the school near Kotwali to facilitate comfortable stay for the devotees visiting the holy city. The old school campus is better known as Bhai Gurdas Hall in the city. He said the construction work on the ‘sarai’ will begin once the school is shifted to its new location after a year. He also inaugurated four operation theatres at an SGPC-run hospital in Vallah area of the city. — TNS
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PowerCom won’t face trouble handling crisis months, says chairman-cum-MD
Amritsar, May 2 Chowdhry said the corporation has already arranged for the power to be disbursed to various sectors. He said the corporation has taken stringent measures to check theft of electricity which have yielded results. He further said around 98 per cent of electricity bills pending against influential persons and various police stations in the state have been recovered. He said PSPCL has also got cases registered against those allegedly involved in power theft. Chowdhry claimed that transmission and technical losses too have gone down. The officials made Chowdhry aware of the problems faced by them. The officials rued that sewak machines installed by the corporation for collection of electricity bills have become a burden for them as these lie defunct for most of the days. Chowdhry pulled up various officials for negligence on their parts. The meeting was attended by senior officials of corporation from Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts.
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Semester exam from May 7
Amritsar, May 2 Prof RK Mahajan, professor, in charge (examinations), said about 10,000 students would appear in various examinations being held in 105 centres established by the university. He said the roll numbers to all the eligible candidates have been sent. “If any candidate doesn’t receive his/her roll numbers till May 3, he or she can approach personally to examination branch-2 of the university along with passport size attested photographs and other requisite documents of the lower examination to collect duplicate roll number”, he said.
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From
Schools and colleges Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 2 Addressing the workshop, Dr Ravneet Singh Grover, a chest specialist, instructed teachers about causes, symptoms, treatment of respiratory allergy, its disorders and side effects. As many as 80 teachers and Principal Sangeeta Singh attended the workshop. Dr Grover said pollution, change of season, hay, pets, dust mites and some drugs could cause asthmatic allergy. Best principal award
The DAV College Management Committee conferred the Best Principal Award on DAV College Principal Dr KN Kaul for his contribution in the field of education and social welfare. DAV committee president Punam Suri gave away the award during a programme held to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Arya Samaj. He joined DAV College here in 2010 and added new courses on vocational education. Earlier, he taught chemistry at DAV College Jalandhar for 28 years and was elevated to the post of Principal DAV College at Dasuya in 2005. Besides, DAV Senior Secondary School Principal SK Luthra was also honoured for his services in education, cultural and sports activities. He was decorated with a gold medal and a citation. Earlier, he was awarded with an award by the state government last year. Seminar held
The Chief Khalsa Diwan Institute of Management and Technology organised a seminar for Class XII students. Director Dr Dharam Veer Singh urged the students to opt for management courses and widen their scope. Subject expert in the management stream Prof Sudesh Kumar informed students about various MBA, BBA, BCom (Prof), BCA, BSc (ATHM) etc.
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Speaking
Out Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 2 The prices will come down but the prices in Chandigarh and Haryana are much lower. The state government should provide more respite to the residents. Taxes on fuel are the reason behind the high prices of petrol and diesel in the state. The state should lower the prices further in view of
inflation The prices will come down only marginally but we cannot question the intentions of the government as the move has made people happy. The government should initiate more such moves. We have only seen prices increasing over the past two years but it is perhaps for the first time that the prices have been
slashed The decision would not affect much. The central government is planning to increase the prices and the happiness is short lived. The prices should not be changed so frequently. Lowering of the prices by merely three fourth of a rupee is nothing. The government should have lowered other taxes such as
VAT The government has offered a respite to the people. The prices should come down further. The fuel prices are unbearable. If the state government can lower the prices further, the public will be very happy. Petrol and diesel are commodities, the prices of which have an impact on the prices of all other
commodities
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Amritsar, May 2
Amritsar, May 2
What are your achievements?
Shiv Dayal: The dilapidated condition of the only park and the broken swings in it reveals how often the Mayor visits Jaseen Road here. The garbage lifting was never a routine here, mounds of refuse keep lying in the streets for days.
Veenu Seth: The law and order situation of Anand Avenue is bleak. It is unsafe to move out of our houses especially in the evening hours. The newspapers are full of stories on snatching incidents in this part. Many instances of snatchings took place near my house.
Ajay Kumar Aggarwal: I do not give any credit to the present councillor because the areas have been developed for the past more than 35 years. 
