|
|
|
|
MC tells defaulters to pay dues by May 31
7 held for stealing tourists’ valuables
Petrol price dips, brings relief
Defying norms, MC staff on same seats for a decade
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Madan Lal Dhingra memorial
Overcoming uncertainty, school for special children starts admission
Two years on, interview results for 133 ayurvedic doctors’ posts hanging fire
No headway in missing woman’s case
Unsafe dental extractions can be life threatening, say experts
ADTA chairman welcomes court order for validating its existence
Members of the Amritsar Diocesan Trust Association address mediapersons in Amritsar on Monday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
Adopt healthy lifestyle to avoid diabetes: Hirst
Int’l body to recognise course in diabetes management
Dr Michael Hirst (right), president of the International Diabetics Federation, in Amritsar on Monday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Environment award for city school
|
|
MC tells defaulters to pay dues by May 31
Amritsar, April 15 In the backdrop of this move, it has been learnt that the Punjab Government had decided to waive off the interest money and other penalties imposed on the outstanding bills of the house tax, water and sewerage bills subject to the condition that the offenders cleared their bills by the due date. Written instructions in this regard had already been dispatched to all commissioners of the municipal corporations, regional deputy directors of the local urban bodies and executive officers of the all nagar councils and panchayats. The officials concerned had also been directed to sensitise the residents about the initiative of the government so that more and more people could avail this opportunity, The MC, Amritsar, has to recover a total of over Rs 17 crore (Rs 5 crore under disputed bills category) from a number of residents as water and sewerage charges and around Rs 15 crore as house tax till date. Urging the residents to avail this opportunity, the MC Commissioner Bhupinder Singh warned the defaulters against losing this one-time opportunity. “We have got the directions from the Punjab Local Bodies Department in this regard. If the defaulters still fail to deposit their arrears by the cut-off date, we would be left with no option but to attach their properties for the recovery of their arrears. We are fully liable to issue them notices under Section 138 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act,” he said.
|
|
7 held for stealing tourists’ valuables
Amritsar, April 15
Among those arrested included Jaspal Singh, a Nihang of Bhaini Gurmukh Singh, Bhikhiwind who used to sell narcotic powder to youths. He was nabbed along with Gurwinder Singh, a resident of Sheikhupura, Jandiala, currently living at Kot Khalsa. The police recovered a motorcycle, besides 100 gms of narcotic powder from their possession. Among others, who were nabbed by the police included Vijay Kumar Sood of Tajpur road, Ludhiana, Raghu of Rode Shah Colony, Guru Nanak Pura, Lakhwinder Singh of Pheruman, Navpreet Singh of Boparai and Shakeel Ram of Pakka Kalan village, Bathinda. Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, SHO Kotwali police station, said all accused arrested were already released on bail. A number of cases of similar nature had been registered against them at various police stations. After coming out of jail, they again started their nefarious activities, he added. 1-kg heroin seized; 3 held
The Amritsar rural police, in a joint operation with the counter intelligence, seized about 1 kg of heroin and arrested three persons in this connection. Those arrested were identified as Gagandeep Singh, alias Gagga, of Guru Ka Khuh (Tarn Taran), Rupinder Singh, alias Sonu, of Noordi Bazaar (Tarn Taran), and Bikramjit Singh of Baba Butta Singh Wali Gali (Tarn Taran). Addressing mediapersons, Manmohan Singh, SSP, said the counter intelligence department on a tip-off came to know that the several persons, involved in drug peddling, were coming towards Amritsar from the Tarn Taran side. Following this, the police teams were deputed for checking the vehicles. During checking they found a motorcycle (PB-46-J-3345) coming from the Tarn Taran side. The motorcycle was being driven by Gagandeep Singh, while Rupinder and Bikram were riding pillion. The police found a polythene bag, containing 950 gms of heroin worth Rs 4.75 crore in the international market from their possession. A case under Sections 21,22,61, and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against them.. 3 held for snatching cash, mobile from driver
The city police has arrested three persons for allegedly snatching cash and a mobile phone from a bus driver when he was going to
repair the vehicle in the Jahajgarh area. The victim, Vikramjit Singh, a resident of Indira Colony, Kot Khalsa told the police that the three accused got into his bus near the Chamrang road and forced him to stop the bus. Later, they snatched Rs 4,500 cash and a mobile phone and ran away. He chased the accused, identified as
Sagar, Rohit and Vishal, all residents of Chamrang road. He lodged the complaint with the police who later arrested them. One booked for snatching
SUV
The B-division police has booked a person for snatching an SUV, which was damaged in an accident, after getting it repaired from a company franchise’s workshop located on the GT road.
|
|
Petrol price dips, brings relief
Amritsar, April 15 The companies had earlier reduced the petrol prices by 85 per paisa on April 2. JP Khanna, president, Punjab Petrol Dealers Association, said, “Considering the reduction in the oil prices in the international market from $109 per barrel to $101, I was hoping that prices would be reduced by atleast Rs 1.60 per litre.” However, the general public has welcomed the move, anticipating that prices would be further slashed. Satinder Jit Singh, a private employee, said, “It is after a long time that good news about fuel prices has been seen. Earlier, the prices were increased every now and then. Now the prices have been cut for second time in a month and it needs to be welcomed.” Advocate Kuljit Singh said, “The government, especially the state government, should cut taxes on fuel to give a respite to people. Actually, the government is happy whenever oil companies increase prices as their tax collection would automatically swell.” Entrepreneur Charanjit Singh said, “It is good that oil companies have reduced prices if they have gone down in the international market. However, generally it is reported that the prices in the world market have gone down, but Indian companies have not reciprocated.” Amanpreet Singh, a shopkeeper, said, “Though it is a small reduction, it would mean something for the masses. Nowadays, a scooter or a car is not a luxury but a necessity. People have to drive vehicles and reduction in prices would save them a little money for other necessities.”
|
|
Defying norms, MC staff on same seats for a decade
Amritsar, April 15 There are some officials who have been occupying the same posts for the past over one and a half decade, which insiders attribute to the political patronage they enjoy. The issue was also raised at the recently held Budget House session by senior deputy mayor Avtar Singh Trukkanwala. Even as Bakshi Ram Arora, soon after assuming the charge as the Mayor, had announced to shuffle the departments’ personnel to bring about a rationale system, six months down the line, nothing has materialised. Consequently, this has also raised a question mark over the integrity of such employees. The matter was again the talk of the last House meeting. According to information, the A-1 clerical wing has "encroached upon" the Civil, street lights, house tax, MTP, advertisement, water supply, operation and maintenance departments. Sources said there had been a substantial number of employees who joined as bill distributors (BDs), but managed to grab the posts of inspectors and superintendents of the same departments in their journey spanning over two decades. They have also been instrumental in creating stagnation in the departments too. Prominent members of the House had raised the issue during the House meeting that the MC’s inadequate recovery target and rampant illegal construction was there because of such employees, who had been posted on the same seats. The members also pointed out some of the employees ‘by name’ who would turn a blind eye towards the offenders either due to political or their own personal interests. They opined that if the shuffling was done in true letter and spirit, the MC could recover five times more revenue.
|
|
Youths promised meeting with CM
Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 15 The meeting was arranged after these organisations, namely Desh Bhagat Yadgar Committee, Shahid Bhagat Singh Naujwan Sabha, Janwadi Naujwan Sabha, Students Federation of India (SFI), Sarb Bharat Naujwan Sabha and Punjab Students Federation, had lifted a traffic blockade on the Bhandari bridge after assurance from a representative of the administration to arrange a meeting Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal on April 15.The DC said a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would be arranged soon so that they could put up their demand, said Desh Bhagat Yadgar Committee member Prithipal Singh Marimegha. He said that they would chalk out their next course of action after studying the response of the Chief Minister. Besides, these organisations were also contemplating to approach the Union Government over the matter, as it concerns entire country, reasoned Marimegha. Early in the day, activists of the youth organisations carried out a protest march from Hall Gate to the site of the ancestral house of Dhingra, which was pulled down sometime ago.
|
|
Overcoming uncertainty, school for special children starts admission
Amritsar, April 15
Forced by an agitation by parents and teachers, the education department decided to shift from the previously planned Government High School, Maqboolpura, to Government Saragarhi Memorial Senior Secondary School. Amritsar became the first district in the state to have a centre for special children initiated by the Punjab Education department under a pilot project which would be replicated in the rest of the state. Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED) district coordinator Dharminder Singh said 15 special children took admission on the first day, while formal inauguration would take place in the first week of May. Otherwise, the school has a total strength of 90 day-boarders and 60 residential students, for which beddings were being arranged. The transportation cost of day-boarders, uniform, books and mid-day meal would be borne by the government. Stay in the residential home and thrice-a-day meal would be provided free of cost. Vocational courses and sports would be other focus areas. Students who are mentally, visually and hearing impaired, having cerebral palsy and are autistic could find admission in the school. Medical treatment and surgeries would be done free of cost. Meanwhile, arrangement has been made for providing regular physiotherapy, ccupational therapy, speech therapy. For which arrangement has been made with Guru Nanak Dev University’s physiotherapy department, which would send its students to impart physiotherapy to the special children. Besides, students undergoing diploma in special education at Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU) would also visit the school for training. Initially, bridge courses for a duration of three months to a year, depending on their age and mental level, would be provided. Five special teachers, equal number of volunteers and a physiotherapist would train the special children. A school managemnt committee (SMC) had also been constituted with Gurmohinder Singh as chairman. Earlier, the decision to launch a centre for special children at Government High School, Maqboolpura, drew ire of parents and teachers. Director General School Education KS Pannu said the school would care for the holistic development of neurotically challenged children, as it will include their general education, vocational training, physical activities, treatment and mainstreaming. He added the subject of mainstreaming the special children had earlier been ignored, but had now gained significance. He said as per this, those He stated that for this, the teachers would be sensitised and trained to help them gel with the mainstream students. The education department would seek active cooperation of the parents of the special children.
|
|
Two years on, interview results for 133 ayurvedic doctors’ posts hanging fire
Amritsar, April 15 The interview for 133 posts of ayurvedic doctors was conducted in June 2011. Sources say there is more than 60 per cent staff shortage in the department. In 2011, an advertisement for recruiting 133 ayurvedic doctors was published and a written test was conducted on April 3, 2011 to screen the candidates. Later, interviews of the screened candidates were completed in the months of June and July. “Though the result of written examination was published, the outcome of interview has not yet been revealed,” said a member of the delegation of candidates which met Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal in Chandigarh on Monday. The acute staff crunch is hampering the services for the general public. Ironically, the government has been repeatedly claiming to strengthen the ayurvedic and unani systems of treatment. In Punjab, there are 508 ayurveda dispensaries with a sanctioned strength of 536 ayurdedic medical officers (AMOs) of which 292 posts are vacant for many years. The state government has made no fresh recruitment in the department since 1998 and with each passing year, the retirements are deepening the workforce crisis. The candidates said the department was unnecessarily delaying the process to recruit them. They said initially the recruitment process was halted due to some writs in the Punjab and Haryana High Court all of which have been disposed of. Their fate was hanging in the balance as their repeated requests for issuing appointment letters yielded no results, they said. It is becoming difficult for the department to run all the dispensaries simultaneously due to the staff crunch. Most of the AMOs have to work at three dispensaries for two days a week. Among those who met the Health Minister were Dr Vikrant Sharma, Dr Sachin Gupta, Dr Sumit Kumar and Dr Harinder Singh. They were assured of a positive outcome by the Health Minister. Inordinate delay
* In 2011, an advertisement for recruiting 133 ayurvedic doctors was published and a written test was conducted on April 3 *
Interviews of the screened candidates were completed in
the months of June and July the same year * The interview results of these candidates have not been declared even though two years have lapsed State of affairs
* There are 508 ayurveda dispensaries with a sanctioned strength of 536 ayurdedic medical officers of which 292 posts are lying vacant *
Most of the ayurdedic medical officers have to work at three dispensaries for two days a week *
The government has made no fresh recruitment in the department since 1998 and retirements are deepening the crisis
|
|
No headway in missing woman’s case Amritsar, April 15 The missing woman’s belongings, including a dupatta and footwear, were found near a bridge over the Beas. Her parents alleged that she might have committed suicide as she was “harassed physically and mentally” by her in-laws and her husband Lakhwinder Singh. The police has booked Lakhwinder along with his sister-in-law Raj Kaur and her sister Barinder Kaur on the complaint filed by Amarjit Singh, Kulwant’s brother. The family alleged that Lakhwinder had illicit relations with his sister-in-law. The police has registered a case under Section 304-B, 201 and 34 of the IPC in this connection. SHO Beas police station Harkrishan Singh said no arrest had been made as the investigations were under progress. — TNS
|
|
Unsafe dental extractions can be life threatening, say experts
Amritsar, April 15 This was the concluded by Dr Navjot Kaur of the Government Medical College, Amritsar, in her research paper titled ‘Deep Neck Space Infections: A Retrospective Study’ presented during the two-day 5th Annual Conference of Punjab Chapter of Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI) held here. Over 150 ENT surgeons participated in the conference. The study recommended that proper dental care and early treatment of dental diseases were important to prevent these complications among all age groups, especially those who are diabetic. Her paper was adjudged as the best during the conference. Dr Jasveen Kaur of Government Medical College, Amritsar, while presenting her paper pointed out that the cases of foreign bodies in ear, nose and throat were on the rise among children below 10 years of age. Besides, objects like coins and button cells were ingested by children. Even after ingestion, these cells continue to emit low grade charge and cause damage to internal organs and could prove dangerous to life. Dr Sania Arya of the same college explored the profiles of hearing handicapped individuals who come to the ENT Department for handicapped certification. The paper pointed out that hearing handicap is predicted on the basis of measures of hearing sensitivity only. The problem with this predictive process is that many factors other than hearing sensitivity such as non-development of speech and resultant inability to communicate also contribute to hearing handicap. The paper recommended that such contributing factors to hearing handicap should also be included in order to improve the accuracy of determining hearing handicap. Two collaborative studies between the ENT and Eye Departments of Government Medical College, Amritsar, were presented by Dr Jagdeepak Singh and Dr Inderjit Kaur. A study among hearing handicapped children found they also suffered from concomitant eye disorders like squint and refractive disorders. The second found that diseases of nose and sinuses were the most common cause of headache followed by myopia. A research paper from Dr Anshul Singla of the ENT Department of SGRD Institute of Medical Research demonstrated a novel surgical technique to repair perforations of ear drum which yields better results in terms of hearing improvements. ENT surgeons from the Government Medical College, Patiala, and MM University, Mullana, also presented their research papers. Dr Renuka Bradoo of Mumbai and Dr Anil Monga of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, performed live surgery demonstration. Dr Ashok Gupta of PGI Chandigarh and Dr KK Handa of Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon, also imparted current perspective of ENT diseases and their management to the delegates. During the conference, Dr Karunesh Gupta of Amritsar was elected the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI) president, Punjab, for the next year.
|
|
ADTA chairman welcomes court order for validating its existence
Amritsar, April 15 Two Christian groups were locked in a legal battle each claiming to be the real representatives of the body for the past 37 years. Additional District Judge Jasvir Singh Kang in an order on March 30 said the present application filed by Mehraj Masih for transposing him as an appellant was without any basis and was dismissed. He also rejected the application of Rt Rev Rockus Sandhu, who was pleading as one of the appellants in the case. The ADTA is a property trust which looks after the properties on behalf of the Diocese of Amritsar. It exercises control over properties worth hundreds of crores spread across north India. It operates as many as 17 educational and health institutes in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. It stated in the application that present appeal had arisen out of the judgment dated August 16, 1988 passed by the then Additional Senior Sub-Judge. The suit was filed by the ADTA and others against the Church of North India and others when permanent injunction was dismissed by the trial court. The present appeal against the impugned judgment had been filed by the ADTA through David Paul and late Babu Masih. Daniel B Das of Church of North India (CNI) said the CNI came into existence in 1970 after six denominations came together. These denominations were Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), the United Church of Northern India (Congregationalist and Presbyterian), the Baptist Churches of Northern India (British Baptists), the Church of Brethren in India, which withdrew in 2006, the Methodist Church (British and Australia Conferences) and the Disciples of Christ. At present, the CNI has about 13 lakh members in 3,000 congregations spread over 26 dioceses, one of which is the Diocese of Amritsar. Earlier, the area of Amritsar Diocese used to be looked after by the Bishop of Lahore Diocese but it was bifurcated due to political developments in the Indian sub-continent and diocese of Amritsar came into existence in 1953. The ADTA was registered in 1960. He said the CNI was the successor of Church of England in India (CEI) along with Church of South India.
|
|
Adopt healthy lifestyle to avoid diabetes: Hirst Amritsar, April 15 Speaking on the occasion, he said the number of diabetes patients was growing all over the world because of unhealthy lifestyle. He said in India the problem was growing at a fast pace. Hirst encouraged the medical fraternity to create awareness about the disease. "As prevention is better than cure in every case, so is with diabetes," he said. He added that parents must inculcate healthy lifestyle habits among their children. Dr Sandeep Bhalla, director of the Public Health Foundation of India, also attended the function. Dr Bhalla said in the present scenario, even children are suffering from the problem, which once was associated with old age. — TNS
|
|
Int’l body to recognise course in diabetes management
Amritsar, April 15 Former Member of Parliament, UK, and IDF president Michael Hirst in an interaction with The Tribune said, “The recognition by IDF means that it will fund the diabetes management course run from primary physicians by PHFI.” Michael Hirst said the IDF would also start a certificate course in gestational diabetes. Hirst had yesterday attended a session on diabetes management course run by PHFI at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Education and Research here to check its potential of IDF recognition. “Diabetes now is not a problem of nations with plenty of resources. It is very much there in the developing countries. In fact, India has the second largest population of diabetes patients and it expected to grow to 100 million by 2030,” said Hirst. A non-medico who took to the cause of diabetes, Hirst revealed, “It was when my daughter was diagnosed with type-one diabetes at a tender age that I made a promise that no child would suffer because of lack of medical care.” He said the IDF’s job was not done as long as even a single child suffering from diabetes continued to die. “The problem of diabetes in the age group of 40-59 years is growing. It is very detrimental for a developing nation. The diabetes is not only a medical but development issue,” he said. He said it was worrisome that even small children were being diagnosed with diabetes which few years ago was associated with old age. Dr Sandeep Bhalla, PHFI programme manager, said, “We have been running the certificate course for physicians for last three years. Around 2,700 doctors across the country were trained in the first two years and 2,300 are enrolled in the third year.” He said it was a privilege for them to get recognition from the IDF. The city is also going to host National Diabetes Summit on May 18-19.
|
|
Environment award for city school
Amritsar, April 15 The school not only won this honour, but emerged topper in the list of winners, chosen from the country on the basis of a self-audit on environmental practices within their own premises, following a set of guidelines issued by Centre for Science and Environment. The award was conferred on the principal, Anjana Gupta, by Ramakant Goswami, Minister of Transport, Law and Labour, Government of Delhi, in New Delhi on April 12. The school has been selected for for its work in environmental conservation by minimising water consumption, optimising energy use. —TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Amritsar Diocesan Trust Association (ADTA) chairman Pradeep Kumar
Samantaroy, has welcome the judiciary’s decision for validating its existence.
Samantaroy is also Bishop Diocese of Amritsar. Two Christian groups were locked in a legal battle each claiming to be the real representatives of the body for the past 37 years.
Amritsar, April 15
