Jalandhar, October 24
Residents may soon avail the online facility for depositing property tax, as the Municipal Corporation (MC) is going to upload the software for the same within the next few days.

Mayor Sunil Jyoti and Commissioner Manpreet Singh Chhatwal said residents might deposit their property tax by November 30 after self-assessment of their properties falling under the jurisdiction of the MC.

The MC has also set up property tax counters in its six zonal offices at Model Town, Garha, Basti Sheikh, Lal Dada Colony, Lal Rattan and Mayor house for the benefit of general public.

Apart from this, the MC has also tied up with HDFC bank for depositing property tax. Residents may go to any of the 16 branches of the HDFC in the city to get their property tax deposited. The bank would set up a help desk for depositing property tax at each of its 16 branches.

On this occasion, Mayor Sunil Jyoti said that property tax had been imposed on the directions of the Central Government for getting grants for urban development under the Jawaharlal Nehru Renewable Urban Mission (JNURUM). The rate of property tax is much less compared to the house tax which replaced property tax. The only thing is that property tax is applicable on every property as per conditions of the Centre, but the tax levied on small properties is nominal.

To a query, Sunil Jyoti expressed the hope that the councillors of the SAD-BJP would soon deposit property tax.

Taking initiative, Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Bhatia deposited property tax on the first day, but no other councillor belonging the ruling alliance have followed them in doing so.

Jalandhar, October 24
Thirteen property investors in the Curo High Street project today gave a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police against some Delhi-based builders. The investors demanded that a case under Section 420 of the IPC should be registered against the builders, "who had committed fraud against them".

All 13 lodged separate complaint based on whatever amount they had paid and the communication that they had with the company representatives in their individual cases. The 13 complainants included Sanjeev Kumar Verma, Ashwini Verma, Gurbax Singh Minhas, Kapil Bhalla, Gian Chand Verma, Dalip Mehta, RR Nanda, Vijay Dhiman, Ashok Handa and Kabir Verma.

On October 19, 28 persons, including five NRIs, who had invested in a mega commercial project Curo High Street coming up at 66-feet road at Lohar Nangal village here, alleged that they had been duped by the Delhi-based builders, with their investment to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore declared forfeited.

The applicants expressed their resentment, saying that they were lured by representatives of Curo India Pvt Ltd through advertisements and hoardings and were told that the shops would be handed over to them soon. They said after they had invested about two years ago with a commitment of possession of shops in July 2012, they realised that there was only a little construction activity going on at the site, for which they wanted a meeting and detailed clarification, but the company people turned them away, giving vague reasons to them.

Reacting on the matter, Kamal Soni, AGM, sales and marketing, denied any fraud with the investors and said they had all defaulted on payments. He said that just 13 of the 28 initial complainants had lodged the complaint. He said they were all brokers in market with an intention to rotate properties and earn profit. “They did not make payments despite reminders and have already lost case in consumer forum,” he reiterated. 

Jalandhar, October 24
The medical board constituted by the Civil Surgeon to investigate the cause of Phagwara-based lecturer Rashi Sharma's death has given a clean chit to Vardaan Hospital.

The board, in its report, has opined that she developed pulmonary edema and Angioedema (swelling on face) due to the reaction of one or more of the drugs used during the procedure. The board further stated that though any drug or fluid can cause such a severe reaction, it was not possible to specify the drug or fluid that might have caused severe anaphylaxis. Rashi's family members, however, did not accept the report and said that they were planning to move court.

"This is a biased report. How could the medical board finish its investigation without talking to us? The board did not approach anybody from our family during the entire investigation. Also, Vardaan Hospital does not have an intensive care unit (ICU) and any other life-support system and the staff was conducting the surgery without these facilities. They wasted 55 precious minutes in shifting Rashi to Johal Hospital, whereas they could have taken her to some nearby super-speciality hospital also! How can the board overlook all this? We will approach the court against the report and now will file a case against the members of the medical board also," said Anil Sharma, father-in-law of late Rashi Sharma.

The staff, who operated upon Rashi Sharma on the fateful day, said that she was given only three drugs namely Ketamine, Midaz and Propofol at the time of surgery. Where Ketamine and Midaz do not require any testing before their administration to the patient, Propofol may cause allergy, but it is very uncommon," said Dr Anuradha Daver who assisted in the surgery of Rashi along with Dr Navin, chief surgeon of Vardaan Hospital.

However, the anaesthetist of Vardaan Hospital Dr MP Sethi had refuted this claim. "It is all rubbish. It cannot be a drug allergy because such types of allergies are caused immediately after giving the drugs. The oedema was noticed when the whole surgery was done and the doctors were about to close the operation," said Dr MP Sethi, anaesthetist of Vardaan Hospital. Dr Daver, in a reply to a question, has accepted that the surgery was completed and the remaining septum was removed successfuly from Rashi's uterus.

Earlier, Rashi's family had also alleged that Vareesh kumar, the director of Vardaan Hospital, ws not a doctor and had only passed high school as mentioned in a notice issued to him by the Civil Surgeon in 2005. The family has alleged that he was earlier also booked under various acts of negligence, cheating and frauds in 1996 and 2008. There are several cases pending against him in the Medical Council and Consumer Forum. 

Jalandhar, October 24
Office staff of the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan (RMSA) today held a barefoot protest and shouted slogans here against the government’s constant dilly-dallying tactics regarding their long-pending demands.

They walked barefoot outside the DC’s office raising slogans against the state government.

Members of the union said the Badal government had promised them on 30/11/2011 panel meeting that they would be provided scales on par with those received by SSA teachers from April 2012. After coming back to power the government provided salaries on par with scales from April 2013 to teachers while the same salaries were not implemented for the office staff falling under the same project, they said.

Barring this, the union has had several meetings with Principal Secretary, School Education, Punjab and State Project Director as well from time to time but the union has only received promises so far, they rued.

They said while there had been assurances about the implementation of the promises made on the 30/11/2011 meeting (held with the CM, Education Minister and other top officials of the department) on another meeting held on August 25 this year, even a file with a budget of Rs 16 crore was sent to the Finance Department.

They said assurances were received that 65 per cent of the portion of the said budget wouldl be received from the Centre and 35 per cent from the state government after a notification was passed in this regard.

But they alleged that the state’s finance department and Finance Minister were backing out from making their Rs 5 crore contribution now.

Today was the fourth day of the pen-down strike. They said the pen-down strike would continue until their demands were met.

The foremost demand of the union is the release of state government’s Rs 5 crore for the 1,400 members of the union.

Jalandhar, October 24
Hina is below four years of age. She is unaware of the fact that she has been afflicted with leukaemia (blood cancer).

Eldest of two daughters of her parents Surinder Pal and Manjeet of Hakumatpur village in neighbouring Hoshaipur district, Hina needs financial help for survival.

She has been admitted to the PGI for treatment since October 3, when her parents came to know about the decease.

"Doctors have told me that at least Rs four lakh would be required for her treatment which may continue for several months, but I am unable to bear expenses of my daughter's treatment as I was working as a labourer and was earning less than Rs 5,000 per month. Now I am not earning anything as I cannot do labour as I am looking after my daughter. Expenses are also likely to go beyond Rs four lakh during the ongoing treatment," he said.

Currently residing at Santokhpura in Jalandhar city near his in-laws' house, Surinder told this Correspondent, "Doctors have made it clear to me that there were 60 per cent chances of her survival but I do not want to leave any stone unturned for her treatment."

Surinder Pal said, "I am also applying for getting Rs 1.5 lakh financial help from the Punjab government but it will take some time and I need money for purchasing medicines immediately."

Surinder has requested the public to come forward to donate generously for Hina's survival. Anyone who wants to help him in this regard may contact him on his mobile number 7355043309. 

Jalandhar, October 24
An SC student of the local St Soldier BEd College has alleged that she’s being harassed and denied the benefits of the post-matric scholarship scheme by the college.

Preeti, a student of BP Ed, first year, said she got admission in the St Soldier BEd College in August this year. She had regularly been attending classes, but problems began to arise when the college staff began demanding hefty fee.

“I have been studying at the college for the past few months. I took admission by informing the college that I am an SC student belonging to a lower income group. Hence, I also received 53 per cent marks in BA final, I was covered under the post-matric scholarship scheme. But within months, college authorities began to harass me,” Preeti alleged.

“While at first they told me to pay fees in instalments of Rs 10,000 per month, then I was repeatedly asked by teachers to decide and tell whether I will pay the fee or stay at home. On one occasion my teacher even sent me home in the middle of a class. Then I was asked to pay Rs 40,000 altogether, if I wanted to study there,” Preeti alleged.

On September 28 her I-card, along with other students was taken for some official purpose. But she has never got it back. She attended the college till September 30. After that she did not attend the college, she said.

“October 1 to 10 were holidays. During this time I received a call from a teacher asking me whether I was willing to pay the fee. But we don’t have money so I said no,” she further said.

While a complaint regarding the case was earlier made to the ADC (Development) on September 27, it was further marked to the District Welfare Officer but so far no action has been initiated by the college, she alleged.

Alka Gupta, Director, St Soldier BEd College, said, “The girl is making totally false allegations. Firstly, the BPEd course isn’t covered under the post-matric scholarship scheme.”

“We have a list of students availing the benefits of the post-matric scholarship scheme at the college. As many as 20 BEd students are availing the scheme. She only had 50 per cent marks in BA. Her case isn’t applicable,” Gupta added.

Interestingly, while some students pursuing BP Ed are availing post-matric scholarship scheme benefits in other colleges in the district, the said college continues to claim the course is not under this scheme. 

Jalandhar, October 24
The centenary of the historic revolutionary Ghadar Party will be celebrated with fanfare during the "Mela Gahdar Shatabdi Da" here from October 28 to November 5.

The famous fair, dedicated to the Ghadrites, this year will come up with many contests, seminars, kavi darbars, documents, films and choreographies.

Given the Ghadar centenary occasion and special celebrations on the fair this year, it is expected to witness a heavy participation from people of Punjab, other states as well as abroad.

Dr Raghbir Kaur, general secretary of the Ghadar Shatabdi Campaign Committee, coordinator Naunihal Singh and cultural wing convener Amolak Singh said this year, singing contests on October 28, seminar, Kavishri and Dhadi (Punjabi folk) performances on October 29, debate, seminar on women, documentary film screening on October 30, quiz and painting contests and evening kavi darbar on October 31 will be witnessed during the fair.

To ensure smooth and glorious programmes for the gathering, educational and social institutions, art lovers and Ghadar enthusiasts have been exhorted to participate with enthusiasm and special organising committees are also being made for the events.

A delegation from Pakistan will be arriving to participate in the special debate to be held during the fair.

October 29 has been specially reserved as a day for seminars.

In the first session, Dr Samshool Islam (New Delhi), Dr Surjit Lee, Dr Sukhdev Sirsa and Dr Harish K Puri shall be participating. In the second session, delegates from England, Canada, America and other countries will be participating. During this seminar "The propagation of the Ghadar Movement Abroad: needs, limitations and problems" various topics will be discussed. This discussion will be kickstarted by members of the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee trustees Dr Varyam Singh Sandhu (Canada) and Kulbir Singh Sanghera (England).

On November 1, as many as 150 groups and bodies from across the state will participate in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Yadgaar hall.

The flag will be hoisted in the "Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium" inside the hall by senior trustee Comrade Gandharv Sen Kochar and Comrade Chain Singh. Flag-hoisting song "Naven Ghadar Da Hoka", written by Amolak Singh, will be sung by over 100 artistes from across Punjab gathered on the occasion. While plays will be presented all through the day and the evening, the fair will end early on the morning of November 2. 

Jalandhar, October 24
Talking about the recent exposure on the alleged irregularities in cash transactions by the Surjit Hockey Society, which were brought out by Jalandhar Tribune a few days ago, Deputy Commissioner Varun Roozam, also the president of the society, said he would verify various issues that had been brought out by the paper about the functioning of the society and would try to streamline its working to generate transparency in all financial transactions to be undertaken in future by the society.

“The society members have already been directed to operate the society in the most appropriate and transparent way and to maintain proper records of every single transaction from now onwards. I have called a meeting of the society members and will try to further streamline the functioning of the society which has been formed with the sole cause for promoting the national game in the state,” said Roozam.

He also added that the society in the coming months would plan some more events to promote hockey in the state. The society presently is holding only one tournament in the whole year. Although Rs 88 lakh was lying in the society’s account as fixed deposit, no other major activity to promote the game had been planned by the society all these years.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Sehgal, the RTI activist who sought account details of the society, will be viewing the society records on October 30. “The society had provided me incomplete information. Taking strict cognisance of this, the State Information Commission has directed them to show me the detailed records. The society has called me on October 30. I would like to view the audited balance sheets of the past few years and also the audited report of the chartered accountant regarding the utilisation of the government grant. I am also filing another query under the RTI Act, asking about the foreign travel details in the last few years of some of the top government officials who are also the prominent members of the society,” said Sehgal.

Jalandhar, October 24
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (KUK), won the title of Zonal Championship in the North Zone Inter-University Basketball (Women) Tournament -2013, held at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus, near here.

The GNDU, Amritsar, remained the first runners-up and Punjabi University, Patiala, second runners-up. Panjab University, Chandigarh, stood 4th.

All the wining teams will further compete in the National Inter-University Tournament- 2013 to be held at Dr NTR University, Vijaywada, from November 21.

With their victory, Kurukshetra University, GNDU, Amritsar, Punjabi University Patiala, and Panjab University, Chandigarh had entered the league.

From their respective three league matches, Kurukshetra University lifted the zonal tournament trophy by gathering 6 points, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar had 4 points by winning 2 matches, Punjabi University, Patiala won only one match and got 2 points, whereas Panjab University, Chandigarh did not win any of the league matches.