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Civic body finds it hard to meet its expenses
1 of looters’ gang held with pistols, cartridges
Police officials show two pistols recovered from a looters’ gang in Amritsar on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
Woman commits suicide
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Teachers up in arms against govt move
Traffic violations order of day in city; offenders cock a snook at law
Admn’s claims fall flat as farmers face problems at grain market
KCW’s Amandeep bags first position in GNDU
Seven students get placements
MS Hundal felicitated as Dean Academic Affairs
Thin presence of visitors marks Graphic Art Exhibition
Visitors have a look at paintings during the week-long Graphic Art Exhibition in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Seerat beats Rhythm in AITA girls U-14 series
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Civic body finds it hard to meet its expenses
Amritsar, April 2 This amount includes Rs 7 crore to be recovered from the last fiscal target of around Rs 22 crore and about Rs 8 crore pending from the assesses who have differences over some issues with the MC. This would be the last recovery under the house tax, as it would be replaced by the property tax in the current fiscal itself. MC Commissioner Bhupinder Singh today held a meeting of officials of the house tax department and passed instructions to expedite the recovery of taxes and resolution of the disputes to recover in all about Rs 15 crore in the current fiscal. Its House Tax Sub-Committee is tasked to redress disputes of nearly 2,000 assesses and has an uphill task up its sleeve to recover about Rs 8 crore from these assesses. Notably, many of these cases
have piled up for as many as 10 years. The sub-committee comprises three members, including two councilors Sukhminder Singh Pintu and Surinder Singh Sultanwind, besides a
Superintending Engineer (SE) Jaswinder Singh. They would look into the matter. SE Jaswinder Singh said the house tax department aimed at recovering about Rs 60 lakh from property tax which would take its total income to Rs 75 crore in 2013-14. He said in order to expedite the resolution of dispute cases, a meeting would be organised every week and all cases would be hopefully resolved this year. At present, there are about 40,000 assesses in the net of house tax and their number is expected to swell this year with the implementation of the property tax. Sources said big malls and business establishments in the holy city have still been enjoying immunity due to political patronage when it comes to paying taxes. Though the MC’s House Tax Department claims to be tightening its noose around defaulters, it has been turning a blind eye to big shopping malls on this count, said an official pleading anonymity. Terming the MC’s tax recovery drive as a farce, an official said it was only the small traders against whom the MC had carried a “rigorous campaign”, whereas the big fish were still out of its reach. “The small traders who owe between Rs 12,000-Rs 25,000 are being taken to task. If the MC had tightened the noose around big malls and shopping complexes, it could have got over Rs 5 crore in one go. I am afraid if the target could be met,” the
official said. It has been estimated that tax amounting to over Rs 10 crore is being pilfered due to laxity and lack of coordination between the officials of the House Tax Department. Almost similar was the case with the water supplies department, which is lagging behind its target by over Rs 1.5 crore. However, its meeting could not take place today and the Commissioner said it would be held soon. The worst offenders are none other than malls that have mushroomed around the city. There are over 15 malls which owed a huge amount in terms of house tax and change of land use (CLU) estimated to be between Rs 4-5 crore per annum. The MC was unable to realise the
dues for want of specific information. Bhupinder Singh, MC Commissioner, said, “No individual or organisation, howsoever big it may be, will be spared from paying their dues. We are plugging the lacunae in the system to stop the escape route being used by big business houses and malls in particular. We are quite confident to recover a substantial amount of dues from the offenders.” A tall order
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1 of looters’ gang held with pistols, cartridges
Amritsar, April 2 The investigating officer said Surjit used to procure the illegal arms from Uttar Pradesh. A case under Sections 379, 411 of the IPC and 25/54/59 of the Arms act has been registered against him. He was arrested with arms and 4 bullets of .32 bore. The police also impounded the motorcycle PB-46-H-4483. . The accused allegedly used to sell the arms in Amritsar and adjoining areas. Drug peddler held with 650 gm of charas The Rambagh police here today arrested an alledged drug peddler Shankar, a resident of the Majitha road, for possessing 650 gm of charas. He was arrested from Kashmir Avenue following a tip off. The investigating officer said he had been in the illegal business for quite some time. He also used to run an auto-rickshaw. But owing to poor economic condition, he took to the drug peddling. Investigations revealed that one Nimma used to supply the charas to him for distributing in various parts of the city. A case under Sections 20/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Rambagh police station. He was remanded in one-day police remand.
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Woman commits suicide
Amritsar, april 2 A case under Section 306 of the IPC (abetment to suicide) has been registered against Swarn Nath. Heera Nand said his daughter was married to the accused around 18 years ago. He alleged that the accused used to beat and threaten her. He said he had received a call from Swarn Nath that Rani was at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. He said when he reached there, his daughter was no more. No arrest has been made so far. The police is investigating the matter, said a senior police official.
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Teachers up in arms against govt move
Amritsar, April 2 Various teachers' organisations have threatened to start an agitation from April 7 if the merger was not stopped. The Elementary Teachers Union Punjab and the BEd Teachers Front Punjab served the ultimatum to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka through Deputy Commissioner today. The union president Harjinder Pal Singh Pannu said the state government's move had irked the teachers and parents of the primary students. He alleged that the government under the ruse of merger of 690 primary schools in the state, including 140 in this district, would be closed. He said the students would have to travel a long distance to reach their schools and it may adversely impact the ambitious target of 100 per cent literacy in the state. Similarly, future of teachers working on various posts, including head teachers, CHT teachers would be in a jeopardy. The teachers organisations have flayed the state government's move of handing over schools at Bathinda and Mansa to a private concern.
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Traffic violations order of day in city; offenders cock a snook at law
Amritsar, April 2 Instead of wearing helmet on head, most prefer to wear it on their sleeves and use it only when they see a traffic cop standing on road. Once past the check-post, the helmet again comes on sleeve. Even wrong side driving seems much popular, as people hardly like taking a U-turn and coming back. Triple-ridding and that, too, along with small children, is not uncommon. Rash driving and not using signals while taking a turn is again not uncommon. In all, as the traffic situation is a real mess in the city, is it the responsibility of traffic cops only or residents too share a responsibility in this regard? Bal Ram Sharma, a senior citizen, said, “The police alone cannot set things right. Neither they have the strength nor capacity to monitor driving of each and every driver.” He said he had stopped driving on city roads as he failed to understand why youngsters were driving as if they were participating
in a race. Perhaps, city drivers need to learn that traffic rules, as wearing helmets and tying seat belts, are not meant only for evading traffic challans but for safety. Another resident, Sukhjit Kaur, said, “The driving licences should only be given after ascertaining that the person has learned it. There should be a test, not in paper, but in the real sense too. The driving licence issuing authorities have to judge the
driving skills and knowledge about traffic rules before issuing it." Meanwhile, as traffic policemen can be seen challaning violators on all big junctures, underage driving is common inside the lesser common lanes. A few youngsters revealed that instead of taking
to the major roads ,they stick the lanes to avoid being challaned.
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Admn’s claims fall flat as farmers face problems at grain market
Amritsar, April 2
The farmers said the biggest and foremost problem during the previous season was availability of food items. They had complained that the food served at the dhaba inside the mandi was not hygienic besides being expensive. The farmers had complained that their grain was stolen last season from the mandi and they had to face great hardship due to the foul smell emanating from the Bhagatawala garbage dump. It was found that water from pumps was continuously running. Rats have dug the place around the pillars of iron sheds. Rajwinder Singh Gill, grading supervisor, Punjab Mandi Board, said they were making adequate arrangements for procurement. About grain theft, he said, “A wall has been erected on the side from where thieves and beggars would enter. Yes, the quality of food served at canteen is not proper. A contractor has been hired for running the canteen.” The Health Department should check the food and ensure quality, he said, adding that arrangement for installing 22 stand posts of drinking water had also been made. The market has three water coolers which prove insufficient given the rush of farmers during procurement. The grading supervisor said all arrangements for providing electricity for cleansing of grain and fans had been made. A tent to provide shade to the visiting farmers and a complaint office would be set up in the coming days, he added. Matter of concern
* Farmers had complained last year that the food served at the dhaba inside the mandi was not hygienic besides being expensive *
They had also complained of grain being stolen from the mandi and the foul smell emanating from Bhagatawala garbage dump *
The market has three water coolers which prove insufficient given the rush of farmers during the procurement season
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KCW’s Amandeep bags first position in GNDU
Amritsar, April 2 Principal, Khalsa College for Women (KCW), Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal said they achieved excellent results in the examination as five other students of the same class secured over 70 per cent marks. Amandeep said she wanted to pursue computer science as she wished to become a researcher in IT sector. Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal congratulated the students for the achievement and motivated them to achieve greater success in life and appreciated. The principal also appreciated the hard work and dedication of the head of PG Department of Computer Science MS Gill and faculty members of the department.
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Amritsar, April 2 The selection process consisted of prescreening round, written test, group discussion and final interview. The selected students are Dilpreet Kaur, Manoj Kumar, Navneet Kaur, Priyanka Sehdev, Deepika Rampal, Geetu Sharma and Neha Seth. Dr Singh said with this placement drive the Global Institutes has placed over 200 students in various reputed companies. — TNS
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MS Hundal felicitated as Dean Academic Affairs
Amritsar, April 2 Dr Hundal thanked the association for its support. Dr HP Singh, patron, Mukesh Sharma, vice-president, Piara Singh, joint secretary, Renu Puri, treasurer and other executive members were also present on the occasion. VC constitutes committees
Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ajaib Singh Brar has constituted committees for the smooth functioning of the university till the year ending March 31, 2014. Prof Amarjit Singh Sidhu of the Department of Commerce and Business Management has been nominated as chairman of the Press and Publication Committee. Prof Vikram Chadha, Punjab School of Economics, Prof Shashi Bala, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Prof Balwinder Singh Randhawa, Chemistry Department, Prof BS Chadha, Microbiology Department and Prof Paramjit Singh, Sociology Department, have been appointed as members of the committee. Prof Balwinder Singh Randhawa, Chemistry Department, will be the chairman of the Campus Committee while Prof Anish Dua, Zoology Department, Prof Jagroop Singh Sekhon, Political Science, Executive Engineer, will act as conveners; security officer Col Harbans Singh will be the landscape officer. Prof Sukhdev Singh of Molecular Biology and Bio-Chemistry has been nominated as chairman of Medical/Health Committee and other members of the committee include Prof RK Mahajan of Chemistry Department, Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, senior-most medical officer, president of Non-teaching Officers Association and president of GNDU Teachers' Association and senior medical officer, Incharge, Health Centre has been made its convener. Prof MS Hundal, Dean, Academic Affairs has been made the chairman of the Farm and Landscape Committee with the landscape officer as its convener. The Dean, Students Welfare, Dr PK Shejpal, Registrar, Dr Inderjit Singh, Director Sports, Professor Incharge (Finance and Development), Dr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Prof Amarjit Singh Sidhu (Commerce and Business Management) and Dr Arwinder Kaur, Associate Professor, Zoology Department, Dr Karamjit Singh Chahal, Architecture Department and Dr Harvinder Singh Saini, Microbiology Department have been nominated as members of this committee.aThe Cultural Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Dean, Students Welfare Dr PK Shejpal and Director, Youth Welfare, Dr Jagjit Kaur will act as the convener of the committee. Other members of the committee are Prof Sohinderbir Singh, School of Punjabi Studies, Dr Geeta Hundal, Chemistry, Dr Mandeep Kaur, Commerce and Business Management, Rajbir Bhatti, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ashwani Kumar Luthra, Guru Ramdas School of Planning and Prof BS Bajwa, Physics Departement. Prof Avinash Nagpal, Botanical and Environmental Sciences Department, has been nominated as the chairman of the Foreign Students Advisory Committee. Prof Gurcharan Kaur, Biotechnology, Prof Daljit Singh Arora, Microbiology Department, Prof Palwinder Singh, Chemistry Department and Prof Ratan Singh, Law Department, have been appointed as members of the committee.
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Thin presence of visitors marks Graphic Art Exhibition
Amritsar, April 2 Even as Indian Academy of Fine Arts’ (IAFA) endeavor to promote art and artists from the region through this exhibition-cum-sale of over 200 works is generating response from even the common man, many feel artists need more than just morale-boosting to take up graphic arts. “Graphic art is not everyone’s cup of tea,” says graphic artist Mandeep Singh Manu. The city-based artist, who is also physically challenged, is one of the very few graphic artists whose works have been a part of international exhibitions. “It is a very technical and expensive art form. It consumes time since one has to work on various equipments and techniques to get the desired prints. Also, not many artists pursue it since the temperament is missing,” he says. Mandeep adds that Bhopal and Delhi are hubs of digital and graphic arts since they have studios where lithos and prints could easily be made with proper technology. “This art needs a strong understanding and proper printing of colours used along with technical stuff. Internationally, graphic art is quite popular among artists as it gives them wide space to experiment. China and Japan are leading in graphic art. But here, it still needs encouragement and support,” he says. The IAFA exhibition is bringing the art form to centre stage by nudging art lovers towards this with a large display of interesting lithographs, woodcut technique prints and illustrations. “Visitors find many of these works interesting as most of them are unaware of the complex techniques used in graphics. For a layman, graphic art means digital art but complex techniques like woodcut need more attention. Modern techniques, digital forms like computer collages and colour compositions are impressive. It needs to be made popular through more involvement of galleries and artists,” says Ramandeep Singh, a student of fine arts, who is specialising in graphic arts. He says the exhibition is a good opportunity to learn more about graphic art and see the works of prominent artists. Harmit Singh, another city-based digital artist, believes that a strong push is needed to make graphic arts more popular and commercially viable for the artists in the region. “Exhibitions like these should also feature budding or established graphic artists from the city along with other popular names. Such events are a good platform for artists to show their versatility and directly bring their work to the patrons.”
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Seerat beats Rhythm in AITA girls U-14 series Amritsar, April 2 Simran beat Nimrat Kang 9-8 and Ashpreet Kaur Bajwa of Punjab got the better of Poorvi Bhatt of UP by 9-8. In other matches, Kiran of Delhi, Tanya Batra of Chadigarh, Alisha Menon of Punjab, Hansika of Chandigarh and Stephan Chelsea of Karnatka managed to win the second round of the matches. In the U-14 boys matches, Abhimanyu of Haryana defeated Saurabh Prashar of Chandigarh 9-7 and Pranjoy of Delhi beat Aakarshit Mahajan of UP 9-7. Heman of Karnatka outplayed Sehaj Sidhu of Chandigarh 9-4 and Calvin Golmei of Maharashtra outclassed Shrut Mohan of Punjab 9-3. Kabir of Chandigarh, Sanchit Sikka of UP, Sabrang of Chandigarh also won matches in the second round. — TNS
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Acting on a tip-off, the CIA staff has arrested Surjit Singh alias Happy, of Chaugawan bypass, Lopoke, and recovered two country-made pistols and live cartridges from him.
The investigating officer said Surjit used to procure the illegal arms from Uttar
Pradesh.
As the weeklong Graphic Art Exhibition kick-started at the Art Gallery two days back to encourage graphic artists from across the country, the footfall since its inauguration has been average.
Even as Indian Academy of Fine Arts’ (IAFA) endeavor to promote art and artists from the region through this exhibition-cum-sale of over 200 works is generating response from even the common
man
