Amritsar, February 17
Protesting against the government orders, the Punjab Chemist Association has threatened to stop purchase and sale of six medicines from March 15.

Illegal trading of six drugs -- dextropropoxyphene, diphenoxylate, codeine, pentazocine, buprenorphine and nitrazepam --- is an offence under the NDPS Act. That’s why the government has made it mandatory for chemists to take special permission from the health department to sell these drugs. The strict policy was taken to check the illegal sale of drugs, which are widely used by addicts as intoxicants.

Surinder Duggal, president of the Punjab Chemist Association, said, “This is just to make things more complicated. We have decided not to purchase these medicines, few of which are very necessary.”

He said the entire responsibility for their lack of availability would lie on the state government. Duggal said at present the drug controller’s office uses a red stamp on the new licences and the ones that go for renewal. The red stamp on a licence means chemists can’t sell these six drug salts and their combinations until and unless they take special and separate permission from the health department, he said.

“The move is unfair on the part of the drug controller’s office as few of these drugs are necessary for medical treatments. One of the drugs, namely pentazocine, is needed in all kinds of surgeries,” said Duggal.

The association also criticised the national pharmaceutical pricing policy which would come into force on April 1.

Duggal said, “The policy aims at cutting profit margins of the chemists by 4 per cent.”

He said association members would submit a memorandum with all the civil surgeons to apprise them of their demands.

Amritsar, February 17
Two days after a family feud left four persons injured, the city police booked as many as 18 persons from both the sides, including former in-laws of a woman who was among the injured.

The woman was identified as Inderjit Kaur. Besides her, Lakhbir Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Harpreet Singh, all residents of Kartar Nagar, Chheharta, were injured in the incident.

Inderjit had got divorce from her husband Ravinder Singh five years back, but she did not move out of her former in-laws’ house after separation.

She alleged that Ravinder’s father and two brothers, armed with iron rods, attacked them on February 15 and physically assaulted her. She alleged her former brother-in-law Gurpreet Singh also threw a bottle of acid on her. Hearing her shouts, the people of the area gathered and rescued her, she added.

She alleged that the former in-laws wanted to throw her out of the house and grab the shop which was in her possession.

Among those booked include Lakhbir Singh, Satya, Gurpreet Singh, his wife Balwinder Kaur, Harpreet Singh, his wife Gurmeet Kaur, Lakhwinder Singh, Happy and Jagga.

Lakhbir, Gurpreet and Harpreet were rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital after they sustained injuries.

The Ravinder’s family had accused Inderjit Kaur, her brother and several other residents of the area of provocation and clashing with them.

Incidentally, Lakhbir Singh, Gurpreet and Harpreet were released on bail by the court on February 15, the day of the incident. They were lodged in a jail after Inderjit Kaur had filed a complaint against them in November month accusing them of trying to kill her.

Gurpreet’s wife Balwinder Kaur alleged it were Inderjit’s brothers and some residents of the area who attacked their family members.

A case under Sections 452, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered against both the parties.

Sub-inspector Shiv Naath, who is the investigating officer in the case, said the matter was being investigated. No arrest has been made so far.

Amritsar, February 17
Hike in petrol and diesel prices by public sector oil companies have dealt a blow to city residents.

A litre of petrol, which was available at Rs 74.98, now cost Rs 76.91. The price of diesel has gone up from Rs 46.66 to Rs 47.15.

Dr Hari Om Goel, a resident, said though the government-run Indian Oil Corporation posted 34 per cent profit in the third quarter, it has not stopped from going ahead with the price hike. He said diesel prices were hiked by 14 per cent in September. He said the government must spare a thought for the low and middle income groups.

Brajesh Kumar, an employee with a private concern, said the constant hike in petrol prices had overstretched his budget. Brajesh, who covers about 25 km on his bike daily, said the government had a provision to give its employees inflation allowance and hike it accordingly, but there is no policy for employees in the private sector.

Naresh Johar, another resident, said after every fuel hike, traders and transporters hike cost of merchandise as per their will.

An automobile dealer, Sanjiv Kumar, said the sale of vehicles had slowed down.

Amritsar, February 17
Mela Charkhe Da, which was celebrated at Butala village today, offered a rare opportunity to women from rural areas to showcase their talent in various art forms.

Baba Pallaha Sports Club, in collaboration with the Majha Punjabi Saath, orgainsed the fair for the tenth consecutive time. The fair aimed at promoting traditional Punjabi culture and values in contemporary generation.

Women unfolded their talent in gidda, Punjabi skits, and traditional songs and participated in charka competition by spinning it.

Baljeet Kaur, who participated in gidda and a Punjabi skit, said “I am lucky to get this opportunity to showcase my talent. I have been participating in the event every year. We all are thankful to organisers and promoters of the event.”

People rendering their services to society were also honoured. Folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, leading theatre and film artist Jatinder Kaur, environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh, founder of Punjab Naatshala Jatinder Brar, leading journalist Jatinder Pannu, Aalmi Punjabi Foundation president Bhupinder Sandhu were honoured.

“I feel proud to see such events being held in the village that promote the culture at its best and also acts a source of entertainment for villagers,” Kulwant Bal, an NRI, said.

Dr Kulwant Kaur from Patiala and Surjeet Kaur Bal from Butala, social activists, were honoured for promoting traditional social values and mother tongue Punjabi among masses.

“Mela Charkhe Da plays an important role and is not any ordinary event as it promotes the culture and traditions of Punjab,” said Swaran Kaur who heads the Majha Punjabi Saath.

Many eminent writers were also presented at the event. They expressed their views on fading traditions and culture of the state.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Nirmal Singh, founder of Punjabi Saath, said we must respect our mother tongue. Ignorance to the mother tongue would eventually erase the traditional values from the human memory.

At the end, like every year, souvenir of Mela Charkhe Da was released by its members.

Amritsar, February 17
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (Retd) JJ Singh and Punjab Secretary (Higher Education) Chander Gaind conferred degrees on 450 students of Khalsa College at the 107th annual convocation of the college held here today.

Addressing students , Gaind asked them to adopt professional approach in life. He said the lessons that the students have learnt would go long way in making them successful human beings. He also highlighted the programmes under taken by the state government.

Earlier, office bearers of the Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) and college principal Dr Daljit Singh welcomed Gen JJ Singh and Gaind. KCGC president Satyajit Singh Majithia, vice-president Charanjit Singh Chadha, honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina were also present at the function.

Majithia said the nation was proud on the ability of Gen Singh, who was the first Sikh General of Independent India and an inspiration for the youth.

Dr Daljit Singh presented an annual report of the college and highlighted achievements of the college in academics, extra-curricular activities and sports. The outstanding students were given gold medals and merit certificates.

In his vote of thanks, Chhina said students were lucky to have received degrees from such a soldier who rose to the pinnacle of glory in his career from humble beginnings.

The college also honoured Chhina and Dr Santokh Singh for their contributions to the KCGC and society at large.

Among others KCGC additional honourary secretary SS Kathunangal, joint secretaries Ajmer Sigh Heir, SS Abdal, SS Mannan, Nirmal Singh, Harminder Singh, Rajbir Singh, Khalsa College of Education principal Dr JS Dhillon, and other dignitaries were present at the function.

Amritsar, February 17
Folklore Research Academy, an NGO, today announced a march on National Mother Language Day (Tuesday) to create awareness among masses and generate support for Punjabi language.

Prominent literary names from Punjabi literature, Punjabi artistes like Surjit Patar, Parminderjit, Anoop Singh, Surjit Judge and other supporters will participate in the march, which will begin from SR Burman College and pass through various schools and colleges of the city before culminating at Virsa Vihar.

"Despite of many efforts, Punjabi has not yet got the desired status. It is our mother tongue and the younger generation has to accept it with all other modern notions. The march is an attempt to aware them about the status of the mother tounge, said Follore Researxh Academy president Ramesh yadav.

The cultural programmes will also be held to emphaise the message. Hans Raj Hans and Lakhwinder Wadali will be performing to support the language.

Amritsar, February 17
Activists of the Aam Aadmi Party took up issues of public importance and submitted a memorandum the Mayor, the MC Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner.

They highlighted problems like dilapidated garbage lifting and disposal process, traffic snarls, absence of public transport system and massive encroachments in different parts of the city.

Ashok Talwar, coordinator of the party, said the garbage collection system in the city had not improved despite the MC engaging private hands for the purpose.

“In the absence of professionalism, the garbage lifting tractor-trailers hired by the MC keep on dropping garbage on the roads. Mounds of refuse can be spotted on the roadside, in the streets and even in the Company Garden too. Five months have gone, but the MC House has not though about hiring a new garbage-lifting company,” he said.

Endorsing this, Vijay Mehta, general secretary of the party, said there was no check on encroachments on the roadsides as the authorities were not really serious about the issue. “We have requested the authorities to formulate stern policies against the wrongdoers,” he added.

The Aam Aadmi Party also raised the issue of expediting the process of introducing city bus service, which has been hanging fire for the past several years due to official rigmarole.

The party activists also demanded the MC to update its website. They said to maintain transparency, the MC should put data on development works (carried out in different wards) online and mention the names and contact details of councillor concerned of the ward. The activists also requested the administration to chalk out an efficient disaster management programme.

Amritsar, February 17
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed an insurance company to pay Rs 40,577, along with an interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the complaint, to a local resident.

The United India Insurance Company had earlier repudiated a medical claim made by policy holder Vipan Khanna, a resident of Gokul Vihar.

In his complaint, Khanna stated that he had bought a medical insurance policy by paying a premium of Rs 5,864. However, he later spent Rs 65,038 for a medical treatment.

He stated that he made a claim for Rs 65,038 as per the conditions of the policy. He complained that the company had paid only Rs 24,461 and thus repudiated his claim for Rs 40,577 without any reason or explanation.

However, the firm has stated that it has rightly repudiated the claim as nothing is due against it as per the policy. But the forum observed that there was no such clause in the policy which prevents the firm to make complete payment to the customer.

The forum has directed the company to pay Rs 2,000 as litigation expenses to the complainant.

Amritsar, February 17
With more and more youngsters taking to different sports professionally, the holy city is somewhat losing its place in producing top-quality players.

Reason: Absence of quality sports infrastructure has hampered the development of the raw talent available in the city. The government has paid little attention to construct and maintain world-class stadiums in the city.

Veteran sportspersons have criticised the government for not doing enough for the grooming the talented lot into world-class sportspersons.

Former national hockey player Baljinder Singh said, “The holy city is bursting at the seams, but neither the government nor administration has any plan to add to its sports infrastructure.”

He said after Independence, the city had produced innumerous international and national players in various disciplines. He said but now the city was producing less number of players who can compete at the national or international level.

Baljinder Singh said one of the primary reasons for the low number of city players at the national and international scene was poor sports infrastructure in the city.

The District Sports Department, responsible for providing proper sports equipment and infrastructure, has just one centre --- Guru Nanak Dev Stadium --- under its direct supervision, where its coaches impart training to youths in hockey, volleyball, athletics and weightlifting.

Besides, it has wrestling stadium at Gol Bagh and an indoor badminton hall on the Taylor road. It does not have any ground to train youngsters in gymnastics, wrestling, cricket, swimming and basketball.

The department takes help of Khalsa College for Boys to train its swimmers.

The worst-hit are hockey players who have to train on grass at GND stadium, but later face problems once they step on to the astroturf. The Guru Nanak Dev University has a turf, but it caters to players from the university and its colleges.

“Trainees bend more on grass and once they graduate to the turf where they have to keep their body erect, they are caught in a dilemma,” shared a hockey player.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said the government had understood the importance of the matter and it has delegated the responsibility to the Improvement Trust to create world-class sports infrastructure.

He said that as per the latest world standards, an outdoor field of the proposed sports complex would house a cricket ground, a hockey ground, a football ground, 250-metre synthetic athletic track, three lawn tennis courts, three kabaddi courts and two volleyball courts. While the indoor stadium would include three badminton courts, three table tennis, two wrestling/boxing units, two squash courts, a swimming pool and a skating ring, he added.

A basketball match in progress on the last day of Punjab police games at Khalsa College on Sunday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Punjab Police Border Range Games end
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 17
Amandeep Hospital, in collaboration with the local chapter of Indian society of critical care medicine, organised a one-day nutritional certificate course for critically ill patients.

Dr Pankaj Soni, head of anesthesia department, said nutrition is an important aspect in managing critically ill patients in the ICU. The aim of this course was to enlighten physicians, anesthesiologists and critical care specialists about working styles in different ICU settings. About 100 professionals, including critical care experts, surgeons, physicians, dieticians and PG students from the region attended the course and discussed the aspects of nutritional care with the experts in the field. — TNS