Jalandhar, April 23
Showing her aggressive posture, Deputy Commissioner Shruti Singh today took officials of various departments to task during monthly meetings held through the day.

The DC got her whip cracking first at PWD officials, asking them to expedite the ongoing work of the renovation of Circuit House. Giving them a one-month deadline, she said the delay in the completion of the work had become a big headache for her, for there had been a lot of VIP movement in the city in the recent past and there was a problem in making arrangements for their stay.

While the PWD officials passed the buck onto the staff of the Public Health for not fitting various fixtures in time, the Public Health officials claimed that it was rather a delay at the end of the PWD staff for not getting the paint work done in time.

In the subsequent meeting which was also attended by the staff of the education department, Shruti Singh took on record a report by SDMs regarding absenteeism in the offices. She immediately called for an explanation of all eight school teachers of Government High School Mao Sahib in Phillaur who had been found absent during a surprise check last month.

The GA to DC, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, read out a report in which he had mentioned that everyone in the BDPO office Lohian had been found to be abstaining from work barring one clerk. He also mentioned that the Additional Food and Civil Supplies office at Shahkot had been found to be locked on March 13 with no one present in the day. A report regarding two ration depots of Jalandhar-2 lying closed was also brought forth.

At this, the DC wielded her stick again, directing all officials to get their leaves sanctioned in advance from their seniors and filling tour registers before moving. She even asked the SDMs to increase surprise checks in all departments.

Next on her radar were the SMOs. During her meeting on health services, she asked SMO Phillaur to explain why the percentage of institutional deliveries was 27 per cent below the given targets. As the official explained that the gynaecologist had got transferred and that there were just three staff nurses, she still felt unconvinced.

“I am told that the gynaecologist shifted just about 10 days back, what about low walk-in of women prior to that? The department has given you a target after applying mind. I will not allow these excuses. I am meeting you for the first time. Improve your performances and report to me in the next meeting,” said the DC. SMO Apra also got reprimanded for just 33 per cent institutional deliveries.

Circuit House renovation

Circuit House Jalandhar is undergoing a major renovation at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore. The entire flooring, electrical works, toilet fittings and paint work is being redone. The parking lot has been increased by extending the boundary wall. A small passage has been created towards the store side. Even the stores are being converted into lodging for security guards and staff of the VIPs to stay here overnight. New ACs have been installed and new wall mounted TV sets are likely to be purchased soon.

Jalandhar, April 23
Aimed at checking incidents of eve-teasing and chain snatching and providing security to women, the Jalandhar Commissionerate today formally introduced the Women Armed Special Protection Squad (WASPS) by organising a rally.

Newly recruited women constables, riding 15 new Activa scooters, took off in a rally from the police lines and took a round of important intersections of the city to make the public aware of the provision. Their scooters have a toll-free women helpline 1091 boldly flashed on them.

ADCP (Special Branch) Daljinder Dhillon said that the squad had been provided with wireless sets and would be on patrol duty from 8 am to 5 pm, moving around schools, colleges and women working places. He said all calls received on the helpline or control room related to help sought by women would be directed to them. He said the squad members would also be directed to interact with women in public places to know their problems.

Jalandhar, April 23
The city police today arrested four members of a gang involved in vehicle thefts with the recovery of two Innovas and an Indica car.

The gang had the modus operandi of first hiring a vehicle from a taxi stand and then taking its possession by intoxicating the driver with a drug powder mixed in a cold drink served to him on the way.

DCP Sarabjit Singh said the gangsters later got the number plate changed and sold this off in market to earn a quick buck.

He said the police got a tip-off and the accused were nabbed near KMV College this morning.

Those arrested included Puneet Sharma, alias Ashu, of Ludhiana, Dalbir Singh, alias Kaka, of Haryana, Vishal, alias Bunty, of Panchkila and Santokh of Reru village here.

The police also recovered a country-made pistol and drug powders from their possession. All four have also been booked under Sections 22/61/85 of the NDPS Act and 392 and 120-B of the IPC at the Division Number 3 police station, said SHO Jatinder Pal Singh.

Meanwhile, the Basti Bawa Khel police today arrested one Jassi Pardhan for her involvement in the NDPS case. While Jassi had fled during a raid conducted at her place on March 5, her husband had been arrested on that day.

Six held for cruelty towards animals

The Cantonment Police has arrested six persons for stuffing seven trucks with cows and transporting them for some wrong purpose. The police has arrested six of the nine accused under Section 295 of the IPC and relevant Sections of the Cruelty to Animals Act.

Phagwara, April 23
Though fire incidents in wheat fields are being reported from various parts of the Jalandhar region, the state government has not provided adequate fire-fighting services in the area.

It has been learnt that only municipal committees of Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala have a total only six fire tenders i.e, Hoshiarpur (two), Nawanshahr (one), and Kapurthala (one), besides two fire tenders with Phagwara Municipal Corporation, while the Municipal Committees of 26 towns, including Phillaur, Goraya, Banga, Talwara, Mukerian, Dasuya, Tanda, Garrdhiwala, Haryana, Bhogpur, Mahilpur, Sham Chaurasi, Garh-Shankar, Balachaur, Rahon, Nakodar, Noormahal, Sultanpur-Lodhi, Dhilwan, Bholath, Begowal, Alawalpur, Adampur, Lohian, Shahkot, are still deprived of Fire Brigade services even after 66 years of Independence.

Despite repeated attempts, the mobile phone of Punjab Local Bodies Minister Bhagat Chuni Lal could not be reached, as his phone was found switched off yesterday.

Neither present SAD-BJP government nor the previous Congress governments ever attempted to provide the facilities of fire tenders in these towns.

A Phillaur resident and trader Pawan Kumar told The Tribune that during festival and crops seasons, they spent the days in an atmosphere of fear. Another farmer, Joginder Singh, of Bilga said wheat and paddy crops were being harvested in a panicky atmosphere, as several crop fields are destroyed in fire incidents.

Fire tenders are not available in the Phillaur Municipal Committee. Towns of the region are completely dependent on big cities like Jalandhar and Ludhiana for fire-fighting services.

Phagwara Municipal Corporation executive officer Adarsh Sharma told The Tribune that though Phagwara Fire Brigade had two fire tenders of capacity 4,500 litres and 2,500 litres, the shortage of firemen and drivers in the Fire Brigade was creating problems.

Phagwara Fire Brigade had only three firemen in place of the required and sanctioned 14 posts and three drivers in place of the required five posts.

Fire Brigade Phagwara superintendent Balkar Singh said temporary arrangements were being made by appointing contractual employees. He stressed the need for two more fire tenders, as presently these two fire-tenders were not sufficient because Phagwara Fire Brigade Service was feeding several towns. Nearly 150 fire incidents had been reported in the present financial year so far, he added.

Jalandhar, April 23
An incident of human trafficking of 14 youths of the Doaba region to Iraq at the behest of an unauthorised travel agent based at Rama Mandi here has come to light.

While 13 of them have managed to safely return after paying an additional amount of Rs 50,000 each to the agent, a Mukerian-based youth Jagdeep (26), who could not pay up the amount, has been left stranded in the Gulf country.

Jagdeep’s father Satpal Singh today lodged a complaint in this regard with Police Commissioner Gaurav Yadav. The aggrieved parents said their son had been taken to Iraq on March 3 this year with an assurance of a good job there. They said that within a fortnight, they got a call that he had been kept in an illegal confinement there and was even starving owing to minimal provision of food for the entire group.

Satpal said his son asked him to arrange for Rs 50,000 to be paid to the travel agent at Rama Mandi for his safe return home. “Since I am a labourer and have already invested Rs 1.5 lakh in him, I have no means to bring him back,” he said. An upset Satpal has now sought police intervention in the matter.

The other 13 youths who have returned are Dawinder Singh, Saajan Kumar, Mandeep Kumar, Kamaljit Kumar, Chaman Lal, Naresh Kumar, Harpreet Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Avtar Singh, Ranjit Singh, Pardeep Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Kulwant Ram.

Interestingly, the youths, who too have got a complaint lodged against the agent, have even produced on record a few video clippings taken on their phone to prove their point.

The agent, to be on the safe side, has even taken affidavits from the families of the youths that they were returning at their own will.

Bimal Kant, SHO Rama Mandi, said he had received the complaint and had started investigation in the matter.

Jalandhar, April 23
The Army will organise a three-day recruitment rally for soldier general duty, soldier technical trades and clerks/store keeper technical posts for the job seekers from Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts at the Dogra Ground in Jalandhar Cantonment area from May 2.

A defence spokesperson said the candidates belonging to the districts of Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Jalandhar would be screened on May 2, whereas those belonging to Hoshiarpur on May 3.

Screening for soldier technical category for the candidates of all castes of Punjab and for clerks/store keeper technical of all districts of Punjab would be held on May 4.

The candidates should bring 12 copies of their latest passport size photographs with sky blue background, whereas Sikh candidates are required to bring 24 photographs, 12 with turban and 12 without turban.

In addition, candidate should also bring their original copies of documents such as education certificate, residence certificate, caste certificate, religion certificate, character certificate, unmarried candidate certificate, relationship certificate for sons of ex-serviceman. The candidates belong to the kandi area must bring the Kandi area certificate.

Jalandhar, April 23
Struggling for salaries for the past couple of months, the doctors’ fraternity and para-medical staff of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), yet again received a major setback as the management releasing their one month’s salaries, instead of the entire sum of money.

The employees have been feeling cheated as they were promised release of their pending salaries by the chairman of a charitable society running the institute.

Punjab minister and the society’s chairman Surjit Singh Rakhra, during his visit to the PIMS, had promised to release their due salaries in instalments while the doctors had demanded their salaries due for the past five months.

The doctors on Monday submitted a memorandum to the PIMS management and gave them 48 hours’ ultimatum to release their due amount of salaries or face the music.

Sources revealed that the Principal Secretary (Health) Binni Mahajan was supposed to visit the PIMS today but her programme was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

The para-medical staff is still on strike even though they got a month's salary. The employees said they would resume the work only after getting their due salaries.

The strike is going on continuously for the past 23 days. 

Jalandhar, April 23
Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar, observed the Earth Day at the school, under the stewardship of principal Madhu Sharma. The celebrations commenced with the morning assembly, dedicated to the conservation of the earth and its natural resources. A documentary on the Earth Day highlighted the problems being faced by the inhabitants of the earth. Slogan-writing and collage-making competition were organised for the students of classes VI to VIII. To encourage and motivate students to save the planet earth, an environmental hero award was introduced for the students of the school. Tree plantation was also carried out by students on the occasion.

Earth Day observed

Youth organisation PAHAL observed the Earth Day at DAV College, Jalandhar, on Monday. IFS Vishal Chauhan was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Lakhbir Singh, said out of the 50,362 sq km area in the state, only 3 to 4 per cent was under green cover, even as 33 per cent of the area should be under it. Many trees were planted on the premises of the college by students on the occasion.

Saplings planted

Principal, faculty members and students of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya planted saplings to observe the World Earth Day. The activity was organised by the Sapling of Life Club and the student welfare cell. Principal Dr Atima Sharma said keeping the environment clean and green should be the responsibility of each individual. She said steps like throwing wrappers in the dustbin and reducing the use of poly bags was important for environmental conservation. The students took a pledge to keep their surroundings clean.

153 saplings planted

The World Earth Day was celebrated by St Soldier Group of Institutions on Monday. More than 153 samplings of plants were planted by the students. The students wore dresses of plants and flowers and spread awareness to save the earth. They also carried banners with the messages "ek rukh sau sukh", "har manukh lavay ek rukh", "rukh lagao vatavaran bachao". Principal Triptjit Kaur also spread awareness about the day among the students.

Students raise slogans

On the occasion of Earth Day, many programmes were organised at Innocent Hearts School, Lohran. Tree plantation was done by the students from classes LKG to VIII. The students of classes VII and VIII classes raised many slogans and the students of classes I and II classes presented their thoughts on environment conservation. Teachers explained the importance of tree plantation for the survival of the earth.

Students design pamphlets

Cambridge International School, Chotti Baradari-II, Jalandhar, observed the Earth Day on Monday. The students participated in poster-making and declamation competitions. They gifted plants and self-designed pamphlets to the residents of the city. A plant was also gifted to Shruti Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, by the children.

Play staged on pollution, deforestation

DIPS Dhilwan observed the Earth Day by arranging a special morning assembly on Monday. The day started with a speech by Ashi Gupta of class XII. The speech highlighted the importance of the day. A poem dedicated to mother earth was recited by Neha of class XII. A drama, conveying the problem of deforestation and pollution, was presented by the students. A tree plantation drive was also initiated on the school campus. School principal Romila Sharma created awareness among the students about the conservation of natural resources and environment.

Farewell party

A farewell party, "Hasta Ta Vista", was organised for the students of MBA at Apeejay Institute of Management, Technical Campus, Jalandhar. The party was held at Majestic Grand Hotel. Students had a great time while singing, dancing and playing games. Gaurav Dutta of MBA IV (A) and Prachi Ohri of MBA IV (C) were adjudged Mr Farewell and Ms Farewell. Rushpinder Singh of MBA IV (C) was adjudged Mr Handsome and Akanksha Sharma of MBA IV (B) won the title of Ms Gorgeous.

Jalandhar, April 23
As many as 25 budding engineers of the Punjab Technical University (PTU) were shortlisted in a placement drive organised by the university, in association with International Tractors Limited (Sonalika), here today.

Over 200 students of the final year of Mechanical Engineering from the PTU affiliated institutes – GZS Bathinda, SBSSTC Ferozepur, BCET Gurdaspur, GNDEC Ludhiana, BBSBEC Fatehgarh Sahib and DAVIET Jalandhar, participated in the drive held on the PTU campus.

Before the final selection, the students had to undergo a selection process, including a group discussion and interview. The salary package was not disclosed by the company. 

Jalandhar, April 23
The Western Air Command Inter Area Basketball Championship 2013-14 began at the Air Force Station Adampur today. Seventeen teams from different Air Force stations, including Srinagar-Leh, Jammu-Udhampur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Adampur, Halwara, Chandigarh, Ambala, Sarsawa, Rajokri, Delhi, Palam, Hindan, Sirsa, Suratgarh, Bathinda and Bikaner, are participating in the championship.

The championship is to select the Western Air Command basketball team for participation in the forthcoming Air Force basketball championship. Air Commodore SK Mohlah, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Adampur, declared the championship open. In the inaugural match of the championship Bathinda defeated Adampur 38-35. In the second match, Suratgarh area defeated Halwara area 38-26. In the last match, Hindon Area defeated Sarsawa area 70-14.