The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Three killed in Bolero-bus collision PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 Three persons, including a teenaged boy, were killed, while four persons were injured when a Mahindra Bolero collided head on with a bus on the Verka bypass road late last night. The deceased, identified as Inderjit Kaur (45), her son Sukhmanjit Singh (15) and their relative Gurpreet Singh, all residents of Marhana village, near Patti, died on the spot, while Inderjit’s husband Dharmaveer Singh, who was driving the Bolero and their son Jatinder Singh have been battling for life in a private hospital here. Jagjit Singh, conductor, and Kewal Kumar, driver of the bus, also sustained minor injuries. According to information, the bus was going to Amarnath pilgrimage, while the deceased’s family was returning home after attending a function at a resort located on the Amritsar-Attari bypass road. The police said Dharamveer Singh instead of take a turn from the roundabout went straight and entered the one-way route from where the bus was coming. The bus was coming from the Vallah wide and was to take a turn from the roundabout to go to the Verka side for their onward journey to Jammu and Kashmir. After ramming into the Bolero, the bus skidded off the road. The passengers of the bus had a narrow escape, while the driver and conductor of the bus sustained injuries. The doctors attending to the injured said the condition of Dharamveer Singh and his son Jatinder Singh was critical and a close watch was being kept on their condition. Ashok Kumar, in charge of the Verka police station, said initial investigations revealed that the accident took place as the driver of the Bolero entered the wrong side of the road.
	Visitors suffer as main entrance to Civil Hospital closed Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 As the main entrance to the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital has been closed owing to ongoing construction of the Mother and Child Care Centre, the visitors have to wade through the rainwater collected on the road at the back of the hospital to enter the premises. The rainwater, which got collected on the road after today’s early morning showers, made things difficult for the patients as they could not get inside without getting their shoes and clothes spoiled. The road is on a low-lying surface in comparison to other roads in the area, as a result the rainwater flows toward it after falling down. Visitors to the hospital demanded that the level of the road be raised. As a result of the flooding of the road at the rear entrance, the side on which most of the medical stores are located, people have difficulty in purchasing medicines. A visitor, Gurnam Singh, said, “Every time a medicine or anything else is needed you have to cross this flooded road.” The shopkeepers in the area complained that the sewerage system in this part of the city was also choked as it failed to drain water. “If there are more rains, the problem would be aggravated. We have been seeing this problem for many years now, but still nobody has ever bothered to solve it,” said a shopkeeper. Meanwhile, the closure of the main entrance, as construction material is lying in front of it, has, too, increased the problem for the general public. “We will not have to spoil our clothes if the main entrance is working. The Municipal Corporation must construct a footpath along the rear wall so that people can reach the hospital easily even if the road is flooded,” said Savita Kumari, another visitor. Senior Medical Officer of the hospital Balbir Singh Dhillon said, “We have brought the problem to the notice of the Municipal Corporation and the officials have assured to send men to rectify the problem.”
	24 occupants vacate shops near Jallianwala Bagh Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 The occupants of at least 24 shops near the historic Jallianwala Bagh today removed their goods and belongings from the buildings, which the district administration has announced to demolish as part of the project to widen the road to the Golden Temple. The shopkeepers and their family members were seen transporting their goods and belongings to safer places as the deadline given by the administration to vacate the shops have already expired. The shopkeepers said they did not to want to take the risk to get their belongings bulldozed along with the buildings. Tarun Aggarwal, a shopkeeper said, “The announcements are being made in the area by the administration and people are full of fear.” He said this uprooting would worsen their economic conditions. Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla in a press note issued today criticised the move of the district administration saying that there was no emergent need to widen the road from Ghee Mandi to the Jallianwala Bagh. She stated that the state government and district administration were giving reason that it was the decision of the court. She questioned, “If the Chief Minister and other MLAs can go to the Home Minister against the decision of the Supreme Court to hang two terrorists, why cannot they oppose the decision now when it would ruin livelihood of many families.” She said in view of the problems the project would create for the local shopkeepers and their families, the state government should find some alternative solution.
	AIT floats tenders for already completed works Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 Many eyebrows have been raised as the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) floated the tenders for some development works which had already been completed. Demanding a high-level probe, Congress leaders, including Youth Congress leader Vikas Soni, said the AIT floated the tenders on June 21. The matter came to light following an information sought by a local resident under the RTI Act. He said the trust should order an investigation into it besides issuing a clarification in this connection. The tenders were called for carrying out certain development works, including paving of lanes in the Amritsar (Central) constituency, which had already been completed. Sandeep Rishi, Chairman, AIT, said a Superintending Engineer had been deputed for investigating into it. “We will put a system in place to avoid such incidents in future,” he said.
	3,600 litres of spirit seized, one booked PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 In an early morning raid, the Excise and Taxation Department today seized a huge quantity of spirit being used for manufacturing hooch from a godown located in Rajewal village, near Manawala, here. The godown was given on rent to Amrik Singh, a resident of Gate Hakima, who had illegally stored the spirit. Varinder Pannu, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, revealed that the department received a tip-off that Amrik Singh was involved in preparing illicit liquor. During the raid the team recovered 18 drums - 10 of 200 litres and eight of 35 litres - containing 3,600 litres of spirit from the spot. Headed by the AETC, the team, which raided the godown, included two Excise and Taxation Officers, Rajiv Manan and Malkeet Singh, besides Excise Inspector Bikramjit Singh and others. Rajiv Manan said a case under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act was registered against Amrik Singh, who had been absconding since the raid. He said the owner of the complex told the department that the Amrik Singh had informed him that he used to store chemicals used for various industrial purposes in the godown. The raiding party also seized chemicals used for cleaning the spirit. With such a huge quantity of spirit, the accused could have prepared a large quantity of hooch, which could have proved hazardous for the health of consumers. The officials said that the spirit seemed to be pilfered from various industrial units. Further investigations were under progress.
	Passengers to get wi-fi connectivity at city airport Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 With a view to invigorate working of Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has engaged Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to install wi-fi connectivity for the convenience of passengers. A few days ago, the Amritsar airport became the first AAI-governed airport in the country to have made a Facebook page with helpline numbers and photographs of the airport. Over back-to-back technology upgrade, airport director Suneel Dutt said the installation of the technology at the airport was an ongoing process. “In the current scenario, it is necessary to provide class facilities to customers. Devotees and passengers from various parts of the world and the country visit the holy city and our effort is to provide them a hassle-free pilgrimage.” He anticipated that it would help in tourism promotion. He said the AAI would spend Rs 8 lakh for the wi-fi connectivity, trial for which was underway. He said the facility would be thrown open for the visitors next week. Meanwhile, the international connectivity from the airport may have taken a hit, but there has been an increase in the number of domestic flights which has boosted the footfall at the airport. The Amritsar airport recorded a domestic footfall of nearly 5.52 lakh during 2012-2013, which was 4.94 lakh in 2011-2012. It was a big leap from 2010- 2011 when the footfall was 2.96 lakh. The domestic footfall surged by more than 80 per cent at the airport in the past three years. The announcement of Amritsar-Birmingham flight via Delhi by the national carrier Air India (AI) from August 1 has offered a fresh lease of life to the airport which has been grappling with losses on the account of discontinuation of various flights for the past sometime. There have been numerous instances in the past when the national carrier had to suspend its direct flight between Amritsar and Europe without assigning any specific official reason. Last time, the AI’s Amritsar-Delhi-Toronto flight was discontinued on May 2012 in view of a strike by Air India pilots. Feelers were given to resume it again but it never happened. Not only the national career, but also various national and international airlines pulled out of the direct link between Amritsar and Europe. The British Midland International (BMI) discontinued its Amritsar-Almaty-London flight on October 27, 2012, after remaining in operation for about an year. The flight was the holy city’s most convenient air link with Europe. A number of major airlines had started operations from Amritsar over the past few years, but they later withdrew their flights. Singapore Airlines had launched thrice-a-week Amritsar-Singapore flight on October 1, 2004. The service ran well for around five years before being discontinued in early 2009. However, what surprised all was the Air India’s move to discontinue its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight, which was termed the most successful flight in the national carrier’s history. It used to witness over 90 per cent occupancy and was withdrawn on October 31, 2010. Earlier too, a number of major airlines started their operations from Amritsar only to withdraw their flights after a certain period of time. Jet Airways launched its Amritsar-London flight but it discontinue the same after sometime. Discontinuation of each flight, besides serving a jolt to passenger traffic, adversely impacted on the export of fresh farm produce from the state and adjoining Himachal Pradesh. Consequently, losses of the Amritsar Airport kept on increasing and leaving perishable cargo facility lying virtually unused. All this has increased the airport's annual losses to Rs 55 crore, despite having an impressive infrastructure. Boost for Airport’s footfall The Airport Authority of India will spend ~8 lakh for the wi-fi connectivity, trial for which is underway. The facility will be thrown open for the visitors next week The airport recorded a domestic footfall of nearly 5.52 lakh during 2012-13, which was 4.94 lakh in 2011-12. It was a big leap from 2010-11 when the footfall was 2.96 lakh. The announcement of Amritsar-Birmingham flight via Delhi by Air India from August 1 has offered a fresh lease of life to the airport, which has been grappling with losses on account of discontinuation of various flights for the past sometime
	Withdraw transfer of specialist docs, PCMS Association urges state govt Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 The Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association has urged the state government to withdraw the transfer of specialist doctors made by the Health Department last month. The association has requested the Health Minister to take an immediate action on the applications submitted by doctors though it. The association has also called a state-level meeting to discuss the grievances of doctors who were allegedly transferred without any valid reason and other pending demands. The association had earlier gone on a strike in protest against the mass transfer of specialist doctors in the state. Later, it had ended the strike following an assurance from the Health Department about considering withdrawal of the transfers of doctors with genuine problems. But even after passing of a month, no major withdrawal in transfer orders has been made so far. PCMS Association president Dr Madan Mohan said, “The PCMS Association is in support of strengthening civil hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals in Punjab. But the government’s efforts in this regard are half-hearted.” “The medical services for the general public cannot be improved until the strength of paramedical staff is increased. In absence of sufficient paramedical staff, delivering medical services has become a difficult task,” he said. The association has also decided to submit a memorandum to the Principal Secretary, Health, about the legal issues which would come up with the doctors working in operation theatres (OTs) after doing three-month-long Life-Saving Anesthetic Skills Training. Association patron Dr RS Buttar, Dr Rashmi Vij, Dr Satnam Singh, D Sanjay, Dr Zoravar Singh and Dr Ram Singh were also present in the meeting. Why demand withdrawal? The association has called a state-level meeting to discuss the grievances of doctors who were allegedly transferred without any valid reason and other pending demands The association had earlier gone on a strike in protest against the mass transfer of specialist doctors in the state Later, it had ended the strike following an assurance from the Health Department about considering withdrawal of the transfers of doctors with genuine problems Now the agitating doctors claim that no major withdrawal in the transfer orders has been made despite a month having passed
	Shawl Club hails PM’s assurance for special package Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 Shawl Club India, a group of traders and industrialists, today hailed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for giving them a patient hearing, assurance on special package to the border district of Amritsar and resolution of other issues confronting industries. The package, which they demanded on the lines of J&K, would help industry withstand economic challenges in the region. In a release issued here, Shawl Club general secretary Piara Lal Seth said, "We discussed various issues in detail with the PM. The primary concern was a package for the industry and the PM has assured all necessary measures in the days to come," said Seth. The delegation headed by senior Congress leader Om Prakash Soni submitted various issues to draw attention of the Prime Minister. Connectivity of Amritsar-Makhu to the Mumbai rail line was also discussed and funds amounting to Rs 147 crore have been set aside for laying of railway track from Patti to Makhu. The PM assured that the project would be initiated at the priority basis, said Seth. He added that upgrading of the Amritsar International Airport by allowing more domestic and international connectivity, enhancing the capacity of the Northern Railway Locomotive Workshop here, were some of the other issues the PM gave assurance upon. Seth said there was tremendous potential of growth if the Union Ministry of Finance took some positive measure to instill growth by declaring a special package. He said Amritsar has for long been neglected. "By launching various schemes for promoting tourist potential, allowing more domestic and International flights, providing more infrastructure for multi-pronged growth of the city and encouraging more opportunities for growth of trade and industry, the city can survive the future challenges," said Seth.
	Cong flays MC, admn for allowing hoardings for BJP chief's visit Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 The local unit of Congress today expressed annoyance over what it called "the double standards of the civil authorities and the district administration" for allowing to install a number of hoardings and billboards in the city in view of the tomorrow's visit of BJP national president Rajnath Singh. "The double standards of the district administration's and civic authority have been exposed as a number of billboards and hoardings have come up in various parts of the city giving scant regards to the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Even Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had ordered his party leaders to refrain from installing such banners and billboards," said District Congress Committee (Urban) president Jugal Kishor Sharma in a statement issued here. He said during the visit of newly elected PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa to the city, the district administration had refused to grant permission for installing hoardings even as the Congress offered to deposit the requisite fee with the Municipal Corporation. At that time they sited the High Court's orders, he said. Sharma warned that if the authorities adopt double standards during the visit of any Congress leader in future, they would hit the streets and launch agitation against the government as well as the administration. The HC has banned putting up of huge hoardings and billboards on the roadsides as it could divert the attention of the commuters and lead to accidents. Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said no hoarding was vacant as all of them were already rented out during Bajwa's visit.
	Eco-Amritsar campaign kick-starts to beautify city Amritsar, July 6 The Voice of Amritsar and Eco-Sikh have joined hands to kick-start the Eco-Amritsar Campaign that aims at beautifying the city and to rid it of garbage. The 'Dustbin Project", which the two NGOs are supporting, carried out its inaugural march and installed dustbins at Rattan Singh Chowk and the Basant Avenue market. The campaign, in tandem with the Foundation Day celebrations, was supported by hundreds of volunteers and Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora. A procession was taken to various areas and they took note of the problems of sanitation, garbage disposal and also installed dustbins at various places. "The city has a rich heritage and cultural importance, which makes it an important tourism destination. We cannot let the negligent attitude towards maintaining the greenery and cleanliness of the city mar the image of Amritsar," said Dr Rakesh Sharma, president, Voice of Amritsar. Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said, "We are working towards making Amritsar clean and more eco-friendly through some proposed projects."
	Mystery shrouds youth’s murder, investigation on Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 Mystery shrouds the murder of a youth whose body found in an abandoned house near his would-be in-laws' residence here. Gurpreet Singh, the deceased, had gone missing on June 26. Baljit Singh, the brother of the deceased, told the police that Gurpreet had left for Liberty Market near Amritsar railway station on June 26 but did not return home till late night. The family tried to contact him but he did not pick up his phone. Worried, the family member filed a missing report at Khasa police post falling under Amritsar rural police district. On June 28, the deceased's would-be in-laws informed the family that his body was found in an abandoned house which was located near the residence of his fiancée's relatives. They immediately informed the police which reached the spot and took the body in their custody. Chheharta police station SHO Sushil Kumar said the body was badly decomposed and it was beyond recognition. He said Gurpreet's family identified him from his clothes. The SHO said the body was immediately sent for post-mortem examination. The police received the autopsy report which confirmed as many as 18 injury marks on his body, especially in chest and head. The marks were of sharp-edged and pointed weapons. The police has registered a case under Section 302 and 120-B of the IPC against unidentified persons in this regard. The deceased's brother Baljit alleged that he might have been killed under some conspiracy. The SHO said the mobile phone of the deceased was also missing. He said the police team had found some vital clues and the accused would be in police net soon.
	Youth, mother booked for abetting suicide Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 The Sadar police has booked a youth and his mother in an abetment to suicide case in which a 17-year-old girl committed suicide by hanging herself at Professor Colony located on Majitha road here. The accused has been identified as Aman and his mother Urmila of the Sunder Nagar area. Laxman Parshad, the father of the deceased, said his daughter was in a relationship with Aman and his mother knew this. He alleged that Urmila had even bought his daughter a mobile phone so that she could talk to her son. He alleged that Urmila refused to marry her son to his daughter as they belonged to different castes. He said his daughter committed suicide by hanging herself from an iron girder. Majitha road bypass police post in-charge Harjit Singh said both the accused had been arrested while a case under Section 306, 34 of the IPC had been registered against them. He said investigations revealed that the two families had a dispute on the same issue about two months ago but the boy's family had agreed for the marriage later on. But they refused for the marriage on Friday again. Upset over this, the girl took the extreme step of ending her life. In another incident, a restaurant owner Satish Walia allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence located in Dayanand Nagar, Lawrence Road late last evening. The police recovered a suicide note from the spot but the deceased has not held anybody responsible for his death. He has named several persons with whom he had some financial issues but gave no specific reason for the extreme step. Lawrence road police post in-charge Parveen Kumar said that on the statement of deceased's wife action has been initiated under 174 of the CrPC. The victim's body has been handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination on it, he added.
	Mr Turban contest in November Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 6 To popularise turban among the Punjabi youth, the Baba Deep Singh Federation announced Mr Turban contest which will be held in November. The event has witnessed heavy participation from across Punjab, Delhi, HP and Haryana in its previous editions. “We started this initiative to make youngsters realise what it means to wear a turban and make them fully aware of their religion,” said Rashpal Singh Baagi, president, Baba Deep Singh Federation. The contest is open for all age groups. The contestants are judged on the basis of their looks, talent and their knowledge of Sikh religion.