The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	11 arrested for immoral trafficking PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 The Civil Lines police has nabbed six youths and five girls from Golden Hotel located on Queens’ Road for indulging in flesh trade here today. According to the police authorities, the hotel management used to provide call girls to their clients for Rs 5,000 and if the customer brings girl with him, the hotel owner used to charge Rs 500 per hour. The police has arrested the manager of the hotel, identified as Narain Singh, while the owner Manwinder Singh is still absconding. All the arrested persons have been booked under the Immoral Trafficking Act by the Civil Lines police. In a similar instance, the local police had arrested seven persons, including four women and kingpin of a flesh trade racket, from the Mohkampura area a couple of days ago. The police probe pointed out the fact that the racket earlier used to operate from hotels located near the bus stand. Raj Kaur, the kingpin of the racket, then shifted to the Mohkampura area where she fell in the trap of the Police Department. Her call details provided vital clues to the police, which found that several persons belonging to Tarn Taran, Batala, Majitha and Pathankot were too involved in the racket. It is pertinent to mention here that following a tip-off a number of police teams had swooped on various hotels and restaurants near the Inter-State Bus Terminus. But before the raid, various hotels got a wind of this and the police could not find anything at that time. Prior to this, the city police had arrested two persons, including a girl, from Kundan Dhaba, located near the bus stand while the manager of the dhaba Rakesh Kumar and an employee Gopal had managed to escape. Parampal Singh, ADCP (City-I), said they had the information that certain guest houses, hotels around religious shrines were involved in immoral trafficking and used to rent their accommodation to couples for the purpose. “We are on the job. We will not tolerate such nuisance and would take stringent possible action against the persons involved in the flesh trade,” Parampal Singh said.
	Man booked for duping resident of Rs 1.06 cr PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Parveen Kumar Sabharwal has been booked by the city police in yet another case of fraud in which he duped a local resident of Rs 1.06 crore for getting licence of a gas agency of the Indian Oil Corporation, besides providing job of an inspector in the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) to his son. Infamous as "Natwarlal of Amritsar", Sabharwal is wanted by the police in over a dozen cases of fraud committed against innocent people, especially unemployed youths, on the pretext of providing them jobs in various government departments. In the present case, he defrauded Rajinder Kundra of the Rani Ka Bagh area. He promised him of getting him the licence of a gas agency of the IOC. He also promised him of getting his son recruited in the CBI. Rajinder told the police that Sabharwal took Rs 1.066 crore from him for the purpose. A case under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered against him at the Sultanwind police station. He is already in the judicial custody in similar cases registered at various police stations. Last month he along with his family members was booked by the police for duping a local resident, Rohit Sethi, of Rs 1.20 crore by introducing himself as an SP-rank officer in the CBI. He claimed that he had close links with top officials of the Central Government and Police Department. Earlier, he was arrested by the Rambagh police in April this year for defrauding another local resident Varinder Pal of Rs 1 crore, while he was nabbed by the police on similar charges in 2002. He had morphed pictures with senior bureaucrats, police officials, state and Centre-level politicians in his house and posed as a senior CBI officer in order to lure youth into his trap. In June, 2002, he was held by the city police for defrauding a number of unemployed youths of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of getting them lucrative jobs in various government departments, including the FCI, and sending them abroad, a police official said.
	Man hurt in attack Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Monetary dispute between two groups took an ugly turn when one of the group armed with firearms and sharp-edged weapons attacked the other late last evening. One person sustained injury from a sharp-edged weapon, while another narrowly escaped in the brutal attack. The police has registered an attempt-to-murder case against the assailants, while no arrest has been made so far. Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Verpal and an employee of Gurnek Singh, a resident of Jujhar Singh Avenue, in his statement to the police alleged that he was standing outside the residence of Gurnek Singh when the accused, led by Sandeep Singh Bedi and his brother Sona, came in an SUV. He alleged that immediately after alighting from their vehicle the accused, who were armed with pistols and sharp-edged weapons, shot several shots at him with an intention to kill him. However, he narrowly escaped and ran to save himself. He said the accused chased him and attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon, injuring him in his arm. Seeing this, he said, Gurnek Singh came from the roof and tried to save him. He said the accused even fired at him several times. He said listening to their shouts, residents of the area started gathering and the accused fled away while abusing and threatening them. Iqbal Singh, SHO, Cantonment police station, said the police had registered a case under Sections 307, 148, 149 and 323 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act, while raids were being conducted to nab the accused.
	DJ shot at, injured Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 A minor dispute over picking up of money from the floor led to firing during a marriage function in which a disc jockey (DJ) received a bullet injury. He was rushed to a private hospital in the city where his condition is stated to be stable. The incident occurred at a house in the Mehta Chowk area in the Amritsar (Rural) police district. Major Singh, a resident of Udonangal, stated to the police that he and his cousin Akashdeep Singh worked as DJs and on Saturday Akashdeep Singh had gone to the residence of Gurdial Singh at Mehta Chowk for a marriage function. He said during the function his cousin Akashdeep was picking up money from the stage thrown by relatives of Gurdial Singh. Jasmail Singh, a resident of Nangali Kalan, tried to stop him, which led to an altercation. He said Jasmail Singh took out his rifle and fired at Akashdeep. A bullet hit his shoulder. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in the city, while Jasmail Singh fled away. Darbara Singh, SHO, Mehta police station, said a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC was registered against Jasmail Singh and efforts were being made to nab him.
	MC clears 90 cases for appointment on compassionate ground Agrees to pay Rs 3,400 each to Class IV employees for purchase of uniform GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 The Municipal Corporation (MC) has cleared 90 out of 92 cases for appointment on compassionate grounds. Besides, the MC authorities have also agreed to pay Rs 3,400 each to the Class IV employees for the purchase of uniform. They are getting Rs 967 for it at present. It has reliably been learnt that the authorities have also given nod to the clearance of DA dues of the staff, who were threatening to resort to road blockade today, if their demands were not met. Confirming the development, MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said all these demands would be met in a phased manner. “At present, our priority is to give them their salary dues, which is almost done. The interviews for the appointment on compassionate grounds were cleared by almost all the eligible incumbents and they would be on job before Diwali. There were constraints of funds because of which the salary disbursal and dues got disrupted. Now that we have been getting funds from the government, the employees’ all genuine needs would be fulfilled as per the municipal norms,” he said. Surinder Tona, MC Workers Union president, said almost all of their demands were accepted by the authorities. “The meeting with the MC Commissioner was held in a very pleasant atmosphere. We convinced the authorities about our genuine demands, the prominent among them was providing jobs on compassionate grounds, the issue which hung fire for quite some years. Then the DA dues had been lying pending for long. Similarly, we were successful in convincing the authorities that it were the directions of the high court that the safai sewaks and other Class IV employees should be given allowance for office uniform as per revised rates and that the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has already adopted it. The Commissioner has assured us to get it done soon,” he said.
	MC to launch GIS to gather details of properties GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 The Municipal Corporation of Amritsar has started the process of conducting geographical information survey (GIS) to compile digitised data of the holy city properties falling under its jurisdiction. Following this process, a unique identification number will be given to each house in the city. Through this state-of-the-art mapping technology, it would provide the most comprehensive, accurate, fully-featured and continuously updated navigable map database of properties and infrastructure in Amritsar. Besides the dimension of each and every property, the software would also enable to have a detailed report of status of taxes applicable on it. Tentatively, the MC would have to shell out nearly Rs 4.5 crore, for conducting the survey of around three lakh houses. Each household would have to pay Rs 150 which would be a mandatory condition to get them registered digitally with the civic authorities. Officials, which held a meeting here today under the chairmanship of MC Commissioner, DPS Kharbanda, told that this software would have complete details of water supply, sewerage and road network apart from the number of parks and even streetlights installed in various pockets of the city. Besides dimension of the property, there would be digitised records of tax status for another 50 years. This exercise would also be helpful in identifying the illegal connection of water, sewerage or wrong information submitted by any consumer. Even as the remote sensing agency of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) was earlier entrusted with the task of conducting this survey, but now the MC has decided to get it done through ‘MapmyIndia’, a Delhi based India’s leading tracking system provider and a leader in premium quality digital map, data, GIS, GPS and location-based services (LBS). DPS Kharbanda said three departments- property, building and water/sewerage- have been clubbed to operate the details compiled through GIS. “This exercise will help us in calculating the taxes applicable on them because every minute detail about the property, whether residential or commercial, would be at our monitor at the click of a mouse. For the calculation of property tax, there is self assessment provision wherein the proprietor of the property would himself declare the details of his or her property, on the basis of which taxes have to be charged. The GIS application would help us checking the authenticity of declaration of the proprietor whether he has submitted correct information or not. Side by side, it would also reveal the illegal connections of water or sewerage and will also present a clear picture of the current state of infrastructure and the future needs,” he said.
	Traders resent govt’s move to impose advance tax Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Trading community has resented the state government’s move to impose advance tax on the advent of 30 items of merchandise. Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal (PPBM) president Amrit Lal Jain said the issue of entry tax on 26 items was yet to be sorted out in view of the petition filed by the traders and the government came out with another tax. He said earlier the department levied the entry tax on 26 items upon which the business fraternity went to court and the issue of the entry tax got embroiled in the legal battle. He hit out at the department for harassing the traders by introducing the same taxes after changing their names. He said the traders procuring goods from out of the state would need to shell out multiple taxes to the Union and state governments. Meanwhile, the notification stated that, “If a dealer frequently imports goods in to the state, he may deposit a lump-sum of the Advance Tax in the office of AETC.” For this purpose, the dealer may make payment through challan in form VAT 2 under the sub-head ‘Advance Tax’. Once a dealer has made the payment to the treasury in the above sub-head, he will present the receipt at the front window at the AETC office. The AETC office will immediately enter the amount of advance tax into the credit of the dealer in the computer system. Thereafter, whenever the dealer presents any goods at any ICC, the system will automatically work out the advance tax due and deduct that amount from the lump-sum already deposited by the dealer. The dealer will be then given a receipt showing the advance tax deducted on the account of that import. In order to make the facility of payment of advance tax 24x7, the department has developed software and tied up with seven banks namely, ICICI bank, HDFC bank, Punjab National Bank, Kotak Mahindra, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. For availing this facility, the dealer may visit the website of the department and open the VAT 2 challan and fill up the details in the sub-head ‘Advance Tax’. The dealer can do so either through his log-in or through the facility of open payment. After the challan details are filled, the dealer or the person making the payment will be routed to the bank website where he can make the payment of the advance tax. His ledger with the department will be updated post successful transaction. Another entrepreneur Sunil Mehra said the excise departments was not paying Rs 500 crore VAT refund to the traders. He said textile manufacturers which had considerable presence in Ludhiana and Amritsar, would be the major sufferers as the entire need of yarn was fulfilled by importing from out of the state. Traders anticipate that the commodities being made out of plastic powder, iron and steel, vegetable oils and others would be costlier as these raw materials were procured from other states.
	Ambassador of Taiwan visits holy city Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 The ambassador of Taiwan in India, Chung Kwang Tien, visited the historic Khalsa College here today. He said Taiwan was looking ahead for more intense cultural and trade ties with India. He praised the history and culture of Punjab and said more intense ties between the two societies would go a long way to foster long-lasting relations between India and Taiwan. Tien who visited the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, was on the way to Attari border when he paid the visit to the college. He was impressed by the grandeur architecture of the college and took time out to witness the bhangra being performed at the main hall of the college. He said the educational institutions could play a great role in establishing dialogues between various communities and nations. He held an informal meeting with Khalsa College principal Dr Daljit Singh wherein he showed keen interest for the educational tour programmes between both the nations. “We want that the teacher and student exchange programmes are carried on for better understanding of each other’s culture,” said Tien. He also showed keen interest in the agriculture faculty of the college and said he had been hearing many agricultural success stories from Punjab region and wanted people from Taiwan to learn the skills from the hard working Punjabi farmers. He along with his family members took a tour of the college.
	Festivities bring in expenditure along with joy Neha Saini Tribune News service Amritsar, October 7 For most Indians, the month of October means a hole in their pockets. As all the major festivals mark their annual attendance in the same month, in Amritsar the season could not get better. And to begin the festivities are Navratras, which bring fasting and feasting celebrations. The city seems to be in the mood of festivities and the believer in us is celebrating. Langoor Mela Along with the Navratras, come langoors. Well, not the real kind but small kids who dress up as langoors to participate in the famous Langoor mela. The 10 day festival celebrated in Amritsar is significant as it is celebrated at the Pracheen Sri Bara Hanuman Temple. The complex is host to groups of Langoors, children clad in glittering red dress and wearing a special conical cap and holding silver sticks and throngs, resembling langoors. Thousands of children dressed up as langoors come to attend the festival from all over the country. Fast and the feast Now, Navratras is about showing devotion through fasting. And with that comes the special Navratra recipes. While the specifics include kuttu or singhara flour, potatoes and milk delicacies, the satvik menu gets a makeover with all major restaurants coming up with tempting options. “Our special navratra menu comprises of traditional and global flavours like saboodana potato tikki, pumpkin and potato pancakes with chilli orange reduction, tomato and peanut salad, banana dumplings, broccoli chimmichuri, roasted pumpkin soup and many more innovative recipes,” says Nitesh Kumar, head chef, Café Oz. The other specials include kuttu poori served with aloo dahiwale, paneer makhani, parsi malai kulfi and makhane ki kheer inside the busy by lanes of the walled city. While Navratras means gorging on loads of fruits and greens, it is an absolutely perfect time to lose the extra kilos that is if you are not tempted. Faith in fashion Navratras are probably the time when the youth participates with full belief. Knowing and celebrating the traditions behind the nine pious days of festivities, for the young, it’s not just about faith, but also science. “More people are interested in religious traditions, like Navratras since these time periods have positive or negative effects on our lives. When seasons change, life pattern also changes. The body which is a part of nature, changes with changing surroundings, change in seasons. There is a change in diet pattern, sleep, metabolism, etc with the change in season. Navaratri is such a transition from one season to another and is a celebration of this change. It’s a period when energies of the nature align them positive and negative. And this brings about changes in every individuals life,” says Ashwini Sharma, an astrologer from the city. So, it’s a perfect time to connect with the faith and traditions, whether it’s through dandiya, fasting or just knowing the origins of the beliefs.
	CM to lay foundation of temple at Valmiki Ashram Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 To preserve the rich legacy of Bhawan Valmiki Maharaj, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal would lay down the foundation stone of the civil works of the historical monument-cum-temple at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) near Amritsar on the auspicious occasion of Bhawan Valmiki Jayanti on October 18. Punjab Assembly speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal disclosed this here in a high-level meeting held under his chairmanship at the Circuit House. He said the monument would be an engineering marvel spruced with rare architecture and landscaping besides being aesthetically designed. He further informed that on the historic occasion of Valmiki Jayanti, the state government would invite all the religious leaders and eminent personalities to be a part of this great moment at the place where ‘Maharishi’ had propagated the concept of egalitarian society by composing the legendary epic ‘Ramayana’. Disclosing a few confirmations received for the participation in the programme, Atwal informed that Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, Swami Ram Dev, Brahm Rishi Kumar, Swami of Laxmi Narayan Dham, Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib, Singh Sahib from Anandpur Sahib, Bishops from United Church and moderate CNI, Jagatguru Shankracharya Ji along with chairpersons of Central Commissions and dignitaries from all over India and abroad will participate in the event.
	DC pays surprise visit to registry offices Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat today conducted a surprise check at the registry offices of Amritsar I and II. He even spoke to couple of people queued up to pay regularisation fee of their properties located in unapproved colonies. He pointed out the lack of cleanliness and leaking taps in the complex and directed the Public Health Executive Engineer to rectify the same at the earliest. He suggested the introduction of more amenities in the Suvidha centre keeping in view the high flow of public. He directed the installation of signposts and boards to instruct the public about various services available at different desks. He also permitted the construction of a toilet for the staff at the centre. He said twice a week he would visit the government offices to measure the quality of services being offered.
	Tips on career given Amritsar, October 7 Baba Kuma Singh Ji Engineering College today held a career guidance seminar at Government Senior Secondary School, Chheharta. Students were provided knowledge regarding all the streams like medical, non-medical, commerce, humanities. Many students came up with their queries which were addressed by career expert Rakesh Kumar Sharma. Opportunities in the field of dermatology, BDS, IAS, computers, journalism and others were discussed. — TNS
	Rs 6.7 lakh tax recovered Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Continuing with its recovery campaign, the Water and Sewerage Department today recovered Rs 6.70 lakh from tax defaulters and warned others in several localities through the public address system. A team, led by Superintendent Pushpinder Singh, raided Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, Katra Baghian, Katra Ahluwalia, etc. Others in the team included Jaswinder Singh and Paramjit Singh.