The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	illegal hotels MC starts special hearing High Court had asked civic body to resolve the issue amicably GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 The Municipal Corporation has started a special hearing session with the proprietors of illegal hotels/inns/guest houses near the Golden Temple and in the walled city area. According to information, six of them attended the personal hearing session, out of which five had submitted their property documents with the Municipal Town Planning Department. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the MC to amicably resolve the issue of illegal hospitality units that cropped up around the Golden Temple in an illegal manner while defying requisite building norms. In the backdrop of this move, the MC authorities are trying to gauge the possibility of shortlisting those properties that could be fixed under the bracket of compoundable offence and suggesting alternate measures for the others. The compoundable offence constitute those properties which could comply with the building norms but the proprietors, somehow, never attained the mandatory certification from the Municipal Town Planning Department. Others come under the category of non-compoundable, which implied those properties that by no means can be permitted to run as commercial units. After listening to the MC’s side over the cognizance being taken about the illegal hotels/guest houses/inns around the Golden Temple, the HC bench has fixed February 3 as the next date of hearing. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda and STP (Senior Town Planner) Hemant Batra appeared before the High Court to apprise the action being taken in this regard. Hemant Batra told the court that around 14 such offenders were called up for the personal hearing session today. "Only six turned up and out of which five could submit the relevant documents of their properties. The next date of hearing on December 23. The idea is to strutinise the kind of violations by them. For those violations, which are compoundable, penalty will be imposed after they remove the objectionable portion of their properties, while others would have to face the action. A report of the whole procedure is being prepared which would be table before the bench on February 3," he said. The MC is also conducting a fresh door-to-door survey in the walled city area to identify the illegal hotels/guest houses/inns. On the other hand, Surinder Singh, spokesperson of affected hoteliers, said a majority of them have been paying all kind of taxes like luxury tax, conservancy tax hence their case should be considered sympathetically. "As we have been accommodating tourists on subsidised rates, the authorities should take adopt a lenient view. With their location near the Golden Temple, none of them serves liquor and substantial number of them do not have kitchen, which could pollute the environment. Besides , we have been providing employment to thousands of families," he said.
	Railway, road traffic hit as fog reduces visibility Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 Arrival of at least a dozen trains at the local railway station were delayed due fog that enveloped the region, leaving the passengers in trouble. Howrah-Amritsar Express and Katihal-Amritsar Express arrived seven and six hours late respectively. The other delayed trains included Paschim Express (one hour), Akal Thakhat Express (one hour), Swarna Shatabdi (40 minutes), Shan-e-Punjab (23 minutes), Amritsar-Khemkaran DMU (55 minutes). Shaheed Express was also rescheduled. The other trains running late included Dadar-Amritsar Express by 5 hours and 14 minutes, Sachkhand Express by three hours, Garib Rath by two hours. The family members of the passengers were a harried lot as they were seen making frequent enquiries at the enquiry counter. A huge rush was seen at the enquiry counter. While all the trains departed on time, employees at the station said if the weather remained the same, the departure timings would also be affected. Meanwhile, the residents complained that the railway station did not have facilities for people to take refuge during winter. Jagtar Singh, a visitor to the station, said, “The railway station must have more rest rooms for the common people. People stand on platforms in wait of a train.” The dense fog also affected the road transportation. People took longer than usual to reach their destinations because of decreased visibility. Though no accidents was reported, the fog troubled people. “The visibility was less. All the vehicles were using headlights to signal another commuters. However, rehris, cycles and tractor-trailers pose a danger as they do not have reflectors,” said Balkar Singh, driver of a private bus.
	Residents go lax as MC extends deadline Of 3 lakh units, property tax against only 55,000 paid GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 With the Municipal Corporation extending the deadline for depositing property tax with 10 per cent rebate to December 31, people have taken to the lax approach. This is evident from the falling property tax collections at the counters opened by the MC. Even as the MC had identified 3 lakh units (40,000 commercial) in Amritsar urban area, which shared the liability of paying the tax, only 55,000 units (both residential and commercial) have paid the tax till now. The MC had set a target to collect Rs 40-50 crore till March, 2014. The MC had taken several steps to sensitise the residents about the tax since April 1. The authorities had held awareness camps besides erecting hoardings and billboards in the streets to apprise the residents of the procedure and benefits of paying the tax. The MC had also facilitated online submission of property tax. Officials pointed out that the government’s move to extend the deadline of depositing the tax on three occasions had actually backfired. Since September, when the process of collecting property tax actually started, a grace period of around 100 days was given to the residents, whereas the grace period for paying house tax with rebate never exceeded beyond 15 days. Superintendent Shushant Bhatia said, “It is true that the collections went on decreasing with every passing day . From crores, it declined to lakhs and now it’s been rolling in just thousands. The irony is that most of the collections are in small denomination between Rs 50 and Rs 150. The problem is that with the announcement of extension of the last date, the residents have once again became lethargic. The situation will prove worse when they will come out in large numbers when the relaxation period will be on the verge of lapse," he said.
	Year ender 2013 City continued to encourage art, artists Neha Saini Tribune news service Amritsar, December 16 If the last year was about bringing Amritsar on the national and global theatre map, this year was about keeping up the momentum. While 2012 had it big with the Bharat Rang Mahotsav and the International Sufi Festival, bringing Grotovsky and Turkish orchestra to the city, this year, Mariachis and folk art forms of Punjab were in the spotlight. The year, which started amid the cries for the justice, the sentiments of people were reflected on the stage with the play, "Daughter of the Bin". A non-verbal play, directed and written by Shiromani Natakar Jatinder Brar, was one of the highlights of the year's cultural activities. It was presented in its verbal avatar and raised questions on acceptance of girl child and the discriminating attitude of society towards them. Celebrating 15 years of the Punjab Natshala and the World Theatre Day, the play explored the challenges for girls in our society. Since it was a year that inspired many to fight for a cause, Amritsar hosted many creative warriors, fighting for a cause of their own. The events like National Theatre Festival, International Sufi Festival and Saanjh brought artists like Nooran sisters, Hans Raj Hans, Arif lohar and Nahid Siddiqui to the city. Hans Raj Hans with his mission to weed out drug addiction through principles of sufism and Nahid Siddiqui, a Pakistani Kathak exponent, with her mission to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan through classical dance win the hearts of people. Another spectacle that was witnessed at the Wagah on the Independence Day was an inspiring performance by children and student of the Ability United Foundation. The Delhi-based academy that teaches performing arts to disabled and physically-handicapped children, was specially invited by the BSF to perform at the Wagah. With several feats and the Guinness records in its name, the group of sixteen deaf and mute dancers proved a reason to celebrate. This year, the Foundation Day celebrations of Amritsar too brought in the cultural fervour with all the India Art Exhibition, which brought 200 artists at one platform. The art gallery hosted the week-long exhibition that highlighted prominent artists from the region and some legendary works by Sobha Singh, Amrita Sher-Gil and many other artists. In an attempt to reinvent the folk art forms of Punjab, the first ever Preet Nagar Folk Festival showcased traditional art forms like bhangra and sammi. Preet Nagar, famous for community living and a place for artists to polish their talent in the region, was alive with the four-day extravangza. The city also hosted the first ever all women Mariachi band from US, Flor De Toloache. Performing a fusion of giddha and mariachi music, the band was appreciated for its determined effort to put women Mariachi artistes on par with males. While the city held theatre festivals and art shows, it also mourned the demise of Shamshad Begum. She, the nightingale of the music industry, was born in Amritsar in 1919 and died at the age of 94 in Mumbai.
	woman’s murder Husband, father-in-law arrested Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 The Khilchian police have arrested Jaspal Singh of Mattewal and his father Sardool Singh for allegedly killing his wife Rajni. They cremated her in a hurried manner without informing her family. Preetam Singh, father of the deceased and a resident of West Bangal, had lodged a complaint against them on November 12. The case was registered only on yesterday evening after the initial probe by the police. He had stated to the police that his daughter was married to Jaspal Singh in 2007. He said a few days after their marriage, the accused started harassing his daughter. He added that the accused admitted her daughter to a local TB hospital after claiming that she was ill and later informed that she died on November 11. He alleged that her in-laws did not find it fit to inform her parents and cremated her in order to dispose of all the evidence. Besides Jaspal and his father Sardool Singh, Preetam also named Jagir Kaur, mother-in-law of the victim. Bau, another relative was also named hy him. The police said raids were being conducted to nab the remaining accused.
	Smuggler held with contraband Amritsar, December 16 In a breakthrough, the city police today claimed to have arrested a notorious smuggler and seized 250 grams of narcotic powder and a 9 mm automatic USA-made pistol with one live cartridge from him. The accused has been identified as Saurav Partap, a resident of Bhagwan Dass Di Sarai in Putlighar area. Following his interrogation, the police have booked his accomplice Mangal Singh of Chhota Haripura. Bikrampal Singh Bhatti, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the accused was wanted in 10 cases related to the NDPS Act and counterfeit currency. In 2009, the police had him with 4 kg of heroin. He was sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment in the case but a few days ago, he managed to give a slip to the Mansa police team as they were returning after a hearing in the district courts. He procured some intoxicant tablets from Mangal Singh. He served the tea laced with the intoxicants to the police team following which the policemen fell unconscious and he fled from spot. A case was registered against him under Sections 223, 224 of the IPC at the Tarn Taran police station in this regard. — TNS
	Patients shiver in cold Spend sleepless nights in wards with broken windows Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 As the cold wave has gripped the area, patients at various government hospitals have been forced to spend sleepless nights as the windowpanes at hospitals are not intact. As hospital managements have failed to replace the broken windowpanes, patients have resorted to makeshift arrangements to keep the cold winds at bay. At the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital and the local Civil Hospital it was seen that the patients had put up newspapers and bed sheets on the widows. With the fog enveloping the city , the patients said they feared more trouble in the coming days. “Earlier, it was comfortable during the day as the temperate went up, but it was a hard today,” said Kulpreet Kaur, attendant of a patient. The patients demanded that the hospital managements should get the broken glasses repaired on priority basis. “The patients need a comfortable place to stay and if they are being troubled by cold winds, it is not good. The people cannot afford to bring two or three quilts,” said another attendant Lata Gupta. As the harsh winter has arrived, temperature is expected to dip further in the coming days. With no glasses on windows, patients would be left at the mercy of the God as the administration is looking the other way. The patients said they were already using extra covers during the night. “ Even the covers are good in an enclosed place. They do not work if you are staying in the open. it is same it the hospital,” said another visitor Gurnam Singh. Besides, the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital and the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital, windowpanes were found broken at the TB Sanatorium and the ESI.
	63rd Cavalry celebrates Battle Honour Day Tribune News Service Khasa (Amritsar), December 16 The 63rd Cavalry celebrated its 42nd Battle Honour Day here today. In order to commemorate the historic event, the Cavalry had invited its veterans to join the celebration and relive the event. Veteran officers turned up in large numbers along with their families and shared their experiences with serving junior officers. Today, officers of the regiment, including Lt General KJ Singh and retired commandants, laid the wreath on the Tresath Memorial to pay tributes to the martyrs. It was followed by Sainik Sammelan to celebrate the 42nd Bogra Day. It was a great day for the young officers besides an emotional moment for some veterans who had fought in the 1961 and 1971 wars as they shared their experiences and views with the junior serving personnel. Among those who were present on the occasion include Lt General (Retired) SS Mehta. The formal interactions were carried on in the Bara Khana in the evening which was attended by all ranks of the Regiment (serving and retired) with their families. A motorcycle rally, Tresath Seema Sampark Motorcycle Rally which came all the way from Sikkam was also welcomed by Lt Colonel (Retired) KG Jalnawala who is the senior most veteran present along with the serving Lt General KJ Singh. This rally was led by Lt Lionel Joseph Wilkins who covered a marathon distance of 2,795 kilometres in 18 days to reach here while displaying the true cavalry spirit befitting the occasion. Various teams of motorcyclists and dog squads from the Haryana police presented a breathtaking performances while paratroopers and a group of Nihangs added flavour to the show by their splendid performances. In the evening, the serving and retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks with their families and the guest officers from the station units witnessed a superlative sound and light show showcasing the journey of the Cavalry since its raising in January, 1957 in Alwar covering all operations, battles and important events.
	Anatomy students felicitated Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 The students of the Department of Anatomy at Government Medical College, who had secured distinctions in the anatomy course, were honoured at a brief function here. MBBS students Bikram Raja Sharma, Ghritarchi Sandal, Aditi Bansal, Rhythma and Garima Sethi and BSc student Meenal Ohri had secured distinction in the subject. Head of the department Dr Ravi Kant Sharma said the function was organised to motivate the students to excel further in academics. He said their college works on the overall development of the students and ample time was given to develop their personality.