Amritsar, October 3
After an amount of around Rs 2 crore was transferred in the MC's account by the government on Tuesday, the MC authorities started the process of disbursing partial salaries to its staff belonging to various categories today. However, resentment prevailed among the affected workers as they demanded the payment of their salaries in toto.

Some of those who got the one-month pay included workers of Class III, Class IV and junior engineers. Thousands of workers associated with various departments had been waiting to get their pay packets for the past two months as the MC was without funds. With little communication from the authorities' side, the agitating workers have threatened to stall the work from Monday and block the "uchcha pul".

Mayor BR Arora had promised to pay them their dues on Thursday. The MC workers had been staging protest due to the non-payment of the salaries to them for the past two months.

Surinder Tona, general secretary of the Municipal Corporation Workers Union, Amritsar, said they would intensify their agitation, if the MC authorities did not pay any heed to their problems.

Safai Mazdoor Union (Bitta group) activists said the MC had funds in its kitty but had no intentions to pay their dues. "It's all a politically motivated exercise. All promises the government made during election times fall flat. Except for drivers, clerks and JEs, everyone went home empty handed," they resented.

Bakshi Ram Arora said the workers should have patience, as the money had already been lying in the MC's accounts and everyone would be paid their salary dues in a phased manner. It may take a week or so, but we are committed to pay their salaries and they need not to disturb the working culture.

Amritsar, October 3
Defying court orders, the local civic authorities allegedly continued with the job of digging a bore to install a tubewell in front of the house of a local resident. This is despite the fact that he had obtained stay orders and the court had also directed to maintain status quo, as the resident had alleged that it would be obstructing his ingress and outgress.

Even the police intervention could not bring any respite to him. Rather it allegedly favoured the contractor, who was entrusted with the job of pre-requisites for installing the tubewell.

Rajesh Handa, a resident of 182/6-1, Jangi Shivala near bazaar Tunda Talab, Amritsar, had challenged the officials of the Amritsar civic authorities for installing the tubewell in front of his house and had obtained the stay orders through a fast-track sessions court on September 27.

Taking cognisance of Handa’s plight, the court had categorically pointed out that there were fairly arguable points involved in his appeal and the case was admitted for hearing. The date of hearing was fixed on October 7.

Despite the status quo orders of the court with regard to the existing position on the site, the contractor kept on with the job. Leaving nothing to chance, Handa had approached the police station concerned and lodged a complaint against the civic authorities as well as the contractor for contempt of court orders, but in vain.

The present scenario was that the contractor, after executing his part of the job, had conveniently removed his machinery from the site and the work of installing the tubewell was in progress.

Handa told that he had duly got delivered the court orders to the concerned authorities well on time, but these were never complied with.

“I would simply call it an atrocious behaviour of the authorities who did not care for the court orders. It was simply illogical to install a tubewell in front of my house, as it would obstruct my house’s entry and exit. Even the other residents living in my locality found it quite unreasonable act of the authorities. In fact, the police SHO, too, favoured the contractor who was entrusted with the task of excavating the bore for the tubewell and it was under police protection that he conveniently removed his machinery after installing the requisite pipes. This was all done in violation of the court orders,” he resented.

Amritsar Improvement Trust Superintending Engineer Bharat Bhushan admitted that the court orders were received, but no violation was done in complying with the orders. “I must make it clear that the work of installing the tubewell was stalled the day, the court stay orders were received. At present, only plastic pipes were fixed, but no electricity connection or motor was installed on the site for tubewell. Whatever was done, be it bore digging or removal of the machinery from the site, everything was done during the brief period in between when the stay was vacated. Rest assured, no work would be done over the site till the court’s further orders."

Amritsar, October 3
The Communist Party of India (CPI) here today organised a protest to show its resentment against the state government's policy for the regularisation of properties in illegal colonies. The protesting CPI workers barged into the office of the Deputy Commissioner as they demanded that they should be arrested.

However, no worker was arrested by the police as it tried to stop activists from entering the office. Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Bhagt was not present in his office when the incident occurred.

The protest was supported by residents of illegal colonies and colonisers. National executive member of the CPI Joginder Dayal, while addressing the gathering, said, "The Central Government and state government of the SAD-BJP are following the same anti-people policies. The people have been crushed under the heavy prices of essential goods."

Dayal said the government had failed to provide health and education services. He accused the government of making education a "business". He said that people could not pay the exorbitant fees being charged for the regularisation of properties.

District Secretary CPI Amarjit Singh Asal said building a house had become a costly dream and now the government was harassing people by demanding money for regularisation. He questioned the purpose the regularisation policy would serve.

"Is the condition of basic amenities in localities which are regular up to the mark?" he questioned, adding that the government was just trying to fill its coffers.

Meanwhile, residents of these illegal colonies, who participated in the protest, rued that they were facing it difficult to pay the fees. "The owner of a plot measuring 100-125 sqare yards with home constructed on it would have to pay Rs 25-30,000. Even the property tax should be levied on only those persons who have more than one house," said Raj Kumar, a resident of Chehharta.

Another resident Kulwinder Singh said, "Most of the lower-middle class families are trying to keep their kitchens running by all means. Should we send our children to school or instead give the money to state government as it has ruined the economy."

Amritsar, October 3
In view of the onset of the festive season, the District Health Department has intensified its drive to collect samples from eating joints and sweetmeat shops. The officials concerned have advised the general public to adopt a more conscious approach while buying food items, especially sweets.

As the demand of sweets and other milk products skyrockets during the season, many shopkeepers resort to using substandard ingredients to cope up with the rising demand.

Raids at various shops last year had brought to the fore the fact that apart from other substandard ingredients, use of synthetic khoya (skimmed milk) was rampant. Khoya is used as a main ingredient for many popular sweets available in the market.

Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon, District Health Officer, said, “In view of the upcoming festive season, we have chalked out a comprehensive plan to check the sale of adulterated and unhygienic food items.”

“Along with the Health Department, the consumers too have a responsibility that they buy only quality products. The department would intensify its inspections to ascertain the quality of food,” the District Health Officer added.

The department last year had destroyed large quantities of substandard food items, said the District Health Officer.

It is not only the festive celebrations, marriage ceremonies too take place in large numbers during the winter months, as a result of which the demand for sweets and milk products increases manifold.

The District Health Officer said the department has collected around 60 samples of food products from various shops in the city in September.

He said instead of buying food products from the market, residents should try to make sweets at home during festival season to ensure their family members consume quality products.

Checking adulteration It is not only the festive celebrations, marriage ceremonies too take place in large numbers during the winter months, as a result of which the demand for sweets and milk products increases manifold Raids at various shops in the city last year had revealed that apart from other substandard ingredients, use of synthetic khoya (skimmed milk) was rampant. Khyoa is used as a main ingredient in preparation of many popular sweets The department last year had destroyed large quantities of substandard food items The District Health Department has collected around 60 samples of food products from various shops in the city in the month of September

Amritsar, October 3
The four-day Zonal Youth Festival of government colleges, constituent colleges and associated institutes affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) kicked off here today at the varsity with great enthusiasm.

More than 600 student-artists are being participating in music, theatre, dance, literary and fine arts categories. This festival will conclude on October 6.

DPS Kharbanda, Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar, inaugurated the festival by lighting candles. Dr Jagjit Kaur, Director, Youth Welfare, welcomed the chief guest and the student-artists. She spoke in detail about the activities and achievements of the department.

Kharbanda said students should not forget their aim in life. He said they should work hard to achieve their ambition in life while adopting the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and others.

Today's competitions started with bhangra followed by skit, fancy dress, mimicry, mime, folk song, geet ghazal and fine arts activities.

On Friday, competitions in the category of one-act play, group shabad/bhajan, Indian group song, quiz preliminary, vaar, kavishri, phulkari and rangoli will be organised from 9.30 am onwards. 

Amritsar, October 3
Call it criminal negligence on the part of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation, de-silting machines for cleaning storm-water drains are left unattended in the middle of the road, which can lead to fatal road accidents.

Neither the streetlights are functional nor reflectors have been put on these machines.

Half a dozen such cases were found on the busy stretch from Hathi Gate to Gate Hakima. All the buses heading for destinations located adjoining the holy city pass through this stretch while en route to Bhaktanwala, Chabbal, Tarn Taran and Bhikhiwind.

It has been observed that even a car driver would not be able to locate these heavy cast iron made machines parked in between the roads. A two-wheeler driver said he had a narrow escape when he attempted to overtake a tractor-trailer near Gate Hakima.

“It was by God’s grace that my speed was not high and I could stop my scooter on time. I could have smashed head on with this heavy angle iron-studded machine with de-silted muck lying next to it. Luckily, no other vehicle was following me. Had some one been there behind me, he could have banged into me from the rear side,” said Harsharan Singh, a banker.

Similar instances are noticed across Punjab when it comes to cleanse the storm-water drains. It is a pity that these machines keep lying unattended with no indicators on them.

The MC hardly bothers to fix the responsibility of the sanitary inspector concerned or other workers for the lapse.

Narinder Pasricha, another commuter, wondered as why the MC staff did not bother to remove the machines after executing de-silting jobs.

“Their sheer inefficiency is exposed during the de-silting drive when all the roads here get deluged with stagnant water. I fail to understand the mentality of our MC staff who do not understand how fatal their negligence could prove to the commuters,” he said.

Municipal Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said, “These de-silting machines are made operational for at least 24 hours at a stretch as it sucks out the sewage. After it gets dry, it has to be lifted. From commuter safety aspect, I have directed my staff to place drums painted in white and the machines have to be wrapped with fluorescent tape so that the commuters could clearly spot these machines from a distance. I will check why it was not being followed.” 

Amritsar, October 3
In its drive against drug traffickers and bootleggers, the police has arrested 19 persons and recovered intoxicants, narcotic substances and liquor from their possession.

Among those arrested by the city police are Jaswinder Singh of Verka (200 capsules), Sandeep Singh of Mehta Road and Atinder Singh of Vallah with 40 gram and 35 gram of narcotic powder respectively, Nikhil Kumar and Sushil Kumar, both residents of Putlighar, with 10 gram heroin and a stolen motorcycle, Gulla of Maqboolpura with 6 gram heroin, Gurpreet Singh of Fatahpur with 100 gram narcotic powder, Skattar Singh, a resident of New Golden Avenue, with 240 capsules and Vishal Marwah with 200 capsules. Besides, the police has nabbed Piara Singh of Bhikhiwind and Rajwinder Singh of Brahmana with 1,000 capsules. Meanwhile, Ashok Mahajan, a resident of Chowk Farid, was arrested with 30 bottles of liquor.

In a major haul of intoxicant drugs, the Amritsar rural police seized over 3,000 tablets of habit-forming drugs and arrested one person, identified as Preetam Singh, a resident of Mukam village, in this regard. Among others, those arrested fordrug peddling include Harjap Singh and Palwinder Singh, both residents of Naraingarh, with 5 gram heroin each, Mewa Singh and Ranjit Singh, a resident of Feruman, with 200 and 300 of intoxicant tablets respectively, Shamsher Singh of Rayya with 200 gram narcotic powder and Bohar Singh of Jandiala Guru with 100 capsules. 

Amritsar, October 3
Scores of students from CBSE-affiliated schools from different parts of Punjab today participated in the opening ceremony of CBSE Cluster-XVI Basketball Tournament, 2013, at Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Majitha Road Bypass, here.

Police Commissioner, Amritsar, Jatinder Singh Aulukh was the chief guest on the occasion while Joint Director Sports, CBSE, Pushkar Vohra was the guest of honour.

The entire school was decked up for the occasion and every corner of the school seemed coloured with the spirit of the event. The programme began by invoking the blessings of the almighty. The performance of the students mesmerised the audience.

Keeping up the spirit of "atithi devo Bhava", the girls of the school rendered a classical dance performance.

This was followed by an energetic and scintillating gatka performance by the boys, depicting the martial art form of Punjab. The senior school girls gave an enthralling and entertaining performance depicting the local Punjabi flavour.

All the participating teams took part in the march past in synchronising with the drum beats played by the school band team.

Flag bearers from all the participant schools took part in the oath-taking ceremony and pledged to take part in the games with true sportsmanship.

Principal Dapinder Kaur said as many as 70 teams of boys and girls were participating in various sports events.

The meet was declared open by Jatinder Singh Aulakh, the chief guest. Balloons and pigeons were released to mark the commencement of the event.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) president Charanjit Singh Chadha, Chief Khalsa Diwan honorary secretary Santokh Singh Sethi, Chairman Schools, Pritpal Singh, Director Education Dr Dharamveer Singh, Rajmohinder Singh Majitha, management member Hardev Singh, president of Viopar wing, and principals of various schools of Amritsar.

Highlights 70 teams of boys and girls are participating in various sports events Flag-bearers from all the participant schools took part in the oath-taking ceremony They pledged to take part in the games with true sportsmanship