Amritsar, January 9
Even as the Education Minister had announced to extend the winter holidays for students and staff in all government and private primary schools in the state, a few of the private schools are violating the instructions.

Punjab Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka had extended the holidays in primary schools till January 13 due to intense fog and cold conditions.

Though most of the private schools have abided by the guidelines, few have not cared to follow the government instructions.

With the region witnessing heavy fog during early morning hours, students coming from far-off villages to schools in the city are at a risk.

Parents on the other hand said if they do not send their children to the school, it might be considered as a breach of discipline on the part of students.

Avtar Kaur, grandmother of a Class I student at a private school, here said, “Though we do not wish to send the small girl to the school by bus because of fog, we have no option.” She urged that the administration to force such orders.

Former health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla too criticised such schools. “It feels that primary students in these private schools are immune to cold. At six or seven in the morning, when even adults are afraid to go out on roads, these tiny-tots have to leave for school,” she said.

She also lashed out at the schools, which are allegedly forcing girl students to wear skirts in the name of school discipline and dress code. “It is highly inhumane to force these girls to wear skirts in bone biting cold,” she said.

Extension of holidays
Punjab Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka had extended the holidays in primary schools till January 13 due to intense fog and cold conditions.
Though most of the private schools have abided by the guidelines, few have not cared to follow the government instructions

Amritsar, January 9
In order to instil a sense of security among city residents, the police today launched new-look PCR teams by introducing 85 new motorcycles for the purpose.

These teams would work in three shifts.

The PCR teams have been equipped with sophisticated weapons to counter armed miscreants.

The new 180cc motorcycles would enable the PCR teams to chase snatchers and petty criminals who used to zoom away after committing crimes.

Earlier, PCR teams just had 20 motorcycles, which were in poor condition and usually remained in the workshop for repair. In absence of good bikes, the PCR teams found it difficult to chase and arrest the miscreants.

The city witnessed manifold increase in the snatching and petty crimes in 2012.

“The basic idea behind all this exercise is to improve the response mechanism of the force, which would ultimately prove as a deterrent for the unlawful elements. It would further create an environment where the common man, especially women and girls, will feel safe,” said Police Commissioner Ram Singh at the launch.

The PCR teams would have 270 police personnel, who have been selected from various police stations on their merit. They have been equipped with modern weapons like AK 47 assault rifles, revolvers and pistols to counter any attack by armed miscreants.

To have a proper communication with the control room, police stations and neighbouring beats, they have been provided with Walkie Talkie sets, said the Commissioner.

He said to reduce the reaction time on part of the police they have decided to intensify the patrolling system by increasing the number of beats from existing 27 to 85.

“Beats have been allotted after analysing the crime trends over the past few months. He said the location of PCR teams would be keep changing besides they would be on the move all the time,” he said while adding that all the SHOs and senior police officials have been directed to immediately respond to the personnel of PCR on priority. 

Amritsar, January 9
The much-awaited City Bus Service, the public transport project conceptualised for the city, is at least five months away from take off.

Official sources said though the technical bids have been finalised, the process to brush up the financial bids is still not complete.

Under the project, as many as 150 buses, including 30 low floor; 25 non-AC semi-low floor; 70 non-AC mini buses; and 25 mini AC buses, would be purchased. The tender would be floated by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation on behalf of the Amritsar MC.

Ironically, the MC has already received Rs 11.66 crore (Rs 8.33 crore from the Central Government under JNNURM and Rs 3.33 crore from the state government).

An amount of Rs 7.28 lakh on consultancy and Rs 12.57 lakh on releasing advertisements for the project has already been spent.

The project is hanging fire for a couple of years.

Aping the Ludhiana model, the SAD-BJP alliance conceptualised an idea of Amritsar bus service in 2007.

Importantly, the routes and the ticket fare were finalised. Even the trial run of the city buses was conducted with much fanfare by the then Mayor Shwait Malik. Subsequently, after getting a nod from the Urban Development Ministry, a project for 150 buses was sanctioned.

MC Commissioner Dharampal Gupta said, “Chances are that the buses may hit the roads in five months’ time. The technical bids have been finalised. There are some queries in the financial bids which need to be clarified. The Commissioner, Ludhiana, has already made communication to the bidding companies in this regard”, he said. 

Amritsar, January 9
The traffic police has gone on a challan spree to tighten the noose around violators. The Amritsar police, which recently increased the fine for traffic violations, collected around Rs 21 lakh as fine from violators in the month of December 2012. It had issued 4,970 challans during the month.

The police’s on-the-spot challan campaign has too bore positive results.

“Earlier, the fines were so less that the youngsters from well-off families indulged in arguments. They were least bothered about ‘meagre’ fine,” said a policeman. Provisions to cancel licences after a few challans would help tame such violators, he added.

The police issued 3,380 on-the-spot challans and collected Rs 10.38 lakh as fine. As many as 1,590 cases were settled in the court and Rs 9.61 lakh was collected as fine.

In December, 67 vehicles were challaned for pasting black films beyond permissible limits; 875 fined for not wearing helmet; 683 for safety belt violation; 257 for driving without licence; 157 for using mobile phone while driving; 44 for driving without registration certificate; 21 for using pressure horn; 165 for triple riding on two-wheelers; 492 for red light jump; 1,359 for wrong parking; 247 for driving without insurance papers; 34 for overloading; 71 for inappropriate number plate; 2 for using beacon on vehicle; 62 for wrong side crossing.

Besides this, around 450 challans were issued for violating other traffic norms.

ADCP Traffic Baljit Singh Randhawa said on-the-spot challan drive has worked wonders. “It gives little time to the ‘influential’ offenders to use their ‘contacts’ to influence the traffic policemen and go scot-free. Once we have written the number of the violators’ vehicle on the slip, he or she is bound to pay the price for the offence,” he said. 

Amritsar, January 9
Former Cabinet minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla today held a protest against the brutal killing of two Indian Army jawans by Pakistani soldiers in Mander sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

She along with a number of her supporters raised slogans against the Pakistani government and troops.

While condemning the incident, she said the Indian government should discontinue the ‘cricket policy’ and people-to-people contact in protest.

“What is the sense in boosting cordial relations with Pakistan which had behaved in such a brutal and irresponsible way,” she said. 

Amritsar, January 9
Train passengers gave a mixed response to rail fare hike, which would come into force from January 21.

A daily passenger, Iqbal Singh said the fare hike doesn’t matter much, but the Railways should get its trains and platforms clean. “Maintaining cleanliness does not cost much. The Delhi Metro and its stations are great examples of cleanliness,” he said.

Another daily passenger Prakash Chand said the hike in train fares would put additional burden on people. — TNS

Amritsar, January 9
A ban on mining and escalated price of sand has hit several government and private construction projects. It has forced many to halt construction and repair works of houses.

Suresh Kumar, a teacher, said with the sand price remaining high, he had to stop the construction of his new house at Green Field on Majitha road. He said it took four years to save money to begin the construction work.

It is alleged that sand mafia is thriving in the wake of ban on all kind of mining.

Those building their houses are perturbed with the government over skyrocketing of sand price. Coarse sand that was available at Rs 1,200 per 100 cubic feet now costs Rs 2,200 per 100 cubic feet. Similarly, price of fine sand has gone up to Rs 2,800 from Rs 800 per 100 cubic feet.

Arshdeep Singh, a resident of Palm colony, said he started constructing a house after living on a rent for years. "But now with the prices of construction material going sky high, it has upset my whole budget," he added.

He said gradually it is really getting difficult for the salaried class to go for construction of houses.

Dharam Pal Bhagat, General Manager, Amritsar, Department of Industries and Commerce, who also holds Mines portfolio, said gradually the situation was turning normal. He said the rate of sand, which had once touched Rs 3,500, is hovering around Rs 2,200 mark.

He said the state government would hold auction for 22 quarries on January 11. He added that no quarry from Amritsar would go under the hammer this time.

It has prepared a list of 13 quarries spread on less than five hectares of area besides a mammoth quarry spread on around 250 hectares of area in the Ajnala sub-division. He said a case for environment clearance of latter had been forwarded to the authorities concerned. He said the district has on an average daily demand of 6,000 to 8,000 tonnes of sand which can easily be met from these sites.

It may be mentioned that the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 18 imposed a ban on mining without environment clearance in all operational quarries less than five hectares in area. This order is in tandem with the Supreme Court's order of February 27. The order says that permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests is mandatory for quarrying of minor minerals on land less than five hectares.

Amritsar, January 9
Parents keen to admit their wards in leading schools of the country have got a rare opportunity to analyse these institutes during a two-day Premier Schools Exhibition that kicked off here today.

About 20 schools from Dehradun, Mussoorie, Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ambala, Amritsar and other parts of Punjab and Rajasthan are participating in the exhibition.

The exhibition showcased international, boarding and day schools catering to children in the age group of 2 to 18 years. Parents visiting the exhibition interacted with representatives of various schools, collected authentic and updated information. The participating schools showcased their academic excellence, performance, infrastructure and facilities, teaching methodology and fee structures at their stalls.
Residents enquire about schools at the exhibition in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal