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Jail inmates’ kids at receiving end
property tax |
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Paucity of funds force jail authorities to bring cats
Can't probe mid-day meal discrepancy: Education Dept
Students bag laurels in tennis
FROM SCHOOLS
No AAM worker in PPCC list, RTI activist writes to Rahul
New DDC chief asks residents not to deposit property tax
Year 2013 ender
City shivers at -0.5°C
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Jail inmates’ kids at receiving end
Jalandhar, December 29 Most of these children are suffering from cold, cough and high fever. Most of them are even suffering from severe chest congestion and their condition is fast deteriorating due to the non- availability of the drugs with the jail authorities. “Children and nursing mothers here are suffering from acute anaemia and require immediate medication. Most of these children are having severe chest congestion that may lead to pneumonia and other complications. They all require specialised care and medication immediately,” said Dr Sushma Chawla who had organised a health camp on the premises of the Kapurthala Modern jail on Sunday. Sources inside the jail have revealed that due to paucity of funds, the government has not been able to pay around Rs 18.5 lakh, the outstanding amount to the pharmaceutical companies supplying the medicines to the jail from the last one year, due to which the companies have completely ceased the supply. Although, after much perusal by the jail authorities, some of the suppliers did send a little stock of essential medicines but the suppliers of the paediatrics drugs have still not crouched down to their repeated requests. “Recently, some suppliers did send us a little stock of generic medicines and shortly we will be receiving the paediatrics drugs too. In the meantime, we are in constant touch with various NGOs and the Civil Hospital for various health-related needs,” said Kamaljit Kaur, staff nurse, Kapurthala Modern jail. She also revealed that no children lodged inside the jail has been de-wormed or given iron supplements from the last one year. Even the nursing mothers also have not been given any calcium or iron supplements due to which most of the women inmates are suffering from acute anaemia and malnutrition.
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AAP activists’ hunger strike enters ninth day
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 29 While the two AAP activists are on hunger strike, its several supporters sat on dharna in support of their demand, asking authorities to withdraw property tax with immediate effect. The AAP national working committee member, Himanshu Pathak, said, "The dharna will continue till any legislator comes to the site and takes memorandum from the activists." Pathak said, "A meeting of conveners and secretaries of the APP from various districts of Punjab also held at dharna site today. It was decided in the meeting that a similar agitation against property tax will soon be launched in other districts of the state too." "The public of Punjab is suffering a lot due to the anti-people policies, drug addiction under political patronage and imposition of irrational taxes. We will start agitation on these issues too," he said. Intensifying their agitation, the Industrialists and Traders Joint Action Committee (JAC) also already decided to gherao the houses of all the four local MLAs belonging to ruling Akali-BJP alliance from January 1. The city traders will gherao former minister and Jalandhar central MLA Manoranjan Kalia's house on January 1, followed by Akali MLA from Jalandhar cantonment Pargat Singh's house on January 2, minister and BJP MLA from Jalandhar (West) Bhagat Chunni Lal on January 3 and the traders will gherao CPS and MLA from Jalandhar (North) Krishan Dev Bhandari's house on January 6 in support of their demand to reduce commercial property tax and making it at par with that of industrial property tax. JAC members Ravindra Dhir and Gursharan Singh said, "If their demand is not met even after gheroing the MLAs' houses, they will hold a protest march at the NRI Sammelan in Jalandhar on January 11 and will observe Jalandhar Bandh on January 15."
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Paucity of funds force jail authorities to bring cats
Jalandhar, December 29 Due to their huge size and numbers (more than 10,000), the jail authorities were hesitant to kill them through poison as so many dead rats on the jail premises could have caused plague. So as to curb this long existing menace, they have now opted for an innovative method by playing the role of a pied piper. But here, instead of the pipe, they has brought in few cats from the nearby fields and left them to feed freely on the thousands of rats jiggling on the jail premises causing lot of trouble to the jail inmates and headache to the jail authorities. "These rats were actually a pain in the neck. To stop this nuisance, we have now brought eight cats for the women's prison and 10 cats for the men's prison. Also, we have deputed one inmate each from the men's and the women's prison to look after them. Most of the cats have already put on to the mission and since some of them are very small, they will take some time to join their peers in curbing the menace," said Vikaramjit Panthey, Deputy Superintendent, Modern Jail, Kapurthala. Although, the jail authorities are not much bothered about the bigger cats but are taking care of the kittens. According to Rita, their caretaker from the women's prison, she has already developed a unique bond with two of them. "They are so small. I take care of them. I even feed them with my share of food and milk. They even sleep with me in my bed," said Rita. The inmates were also seen enjoying the company of these recently brought animals to their rescue. The children of the women inmates also enjoy playing with the recently arrived friends to their little world surrounded by huge boundary walls isolating them completely from the outside world. While the inmates are busy eying them as their best friends forever, these white comrades have already set their eyes on the thousands of rats messing the lives of all the inmates and the jail authorities.
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Can't probe mid-day meal discrepancy: Education Dept
Jalandhar, December 29 While four principals from various schools in the district have been summoned on January 1 regarding the RTI queries, another queer case of perpetual RTI denials and alleged discrepancies is being overlooked by authorities and the Education Department. The latest report submitted by the Deputy DEO to the DC - following complaints regarding mid-day meal discrepancies at the school and denial of information sought - says the department can't probe the matter. The letter by the Deputy DEO Harinder Pal Singh to the DC says, "As long as the court decision on the issue remains pending, conducting a departmental enquiry would not be appropriate." For the past several years, a number of RTI queries have been made to the school - the latest being two RTIs filed by joint secretary of the school Ajay Jagota to the school principal regarding mid day meal record details - in answer to none of which, have the details been provided. While the deputy DEO had conducted two visits to the school - on November 13 and 18 this year - to check the mid day meals, his letter said the meal was found to be proper as per government guidelines. Deputy DEO Harinder Pal Singh, when questioned, said, "I visited the school this year during which the mid day meal was found to be proper. I don't know about the previous five years but during the time of my visit the meal was found to be proper and the report has been submitted to the DC." When asked why he hadn't conducted a detailed check on mid day meal records (pertaining to which the discrepancies have been alleged), he said he cannot check records until the matter regarding mid day meal is in court. Meanwhile, joint secretary of the school Ajay Jagota maintains that he hasn't filed any case regarding mid day meal discrepancies against the school (the case filed is pertaining to the school management) he has filed a fresh RTI query to Deputy DEO Harinder Pal seeking the details of his claims. Details sought from the deputy DEO include - date of inspection, detail of mid day meal bills from 2005 to 2013, the basis for his claim, that a dispute regarding mid day meals is pending in court, detailed findings of his report after inspecting mid day meals. DC Varun Roojam said, "We haven't come across the report so far. But I shall look into the matter and any excuse for non-submission of report won't be tolerated." Flashback
On 31 July, 2013, Ajay Jagota, Joint Secretary of the School Management Committee had written to Rajesh Bagha, Chairman, SC Commission, Punjab, alleging 'misutilisation of funds at the school and goods provided by the government for the mid day meal'; charging of fees from children of SC community and no provision of mid day meal records to him by school despite repeated RTI applications since 2005 DC Varun Roojam, had ordered the checking of the mid day meal and sought a report on the issue on November 18, the enquiry marked to Deputy DEO Harinder Pal Singh. |
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Students bag laurels in tennis
Jalandhar, December 29 An initiative by the Mayor World Professional Tennis Academy, the event drew over 140 tennis players from Jalandhar district and its adjoining areas. Competitors included students from Apee Jay School, Innocent Hearts, GEMS Cambridge Hoshiarpur, MGN Adarsh Nagar, Delhi Public School among others. Judges, Gaurav Kashyap, Gaurav Vij, Shailendra Kumar, Atul, Vikas Sharma and Sachin Patil were present. Results In U-10 open matches: Rabdeep Singh of Mayor World School grabbed first position and Harshit of Apee Jay School was the runners-up. In U-12 boys’ matches: Udit Kapoor of Gems Cambridge Hoshiarpur won the title and Anirudh Goyal clinched the runners-up trophy. In U-12 girls’ matches: Kiran Kumari of Lala Jagat Narain won the title whereas Aneet Kaur of MGN Adarsh Nagar was the runners-up. In U-14 boys’ matches: Robin Singh of MGN Adarsh Nagar bagged the first position and Aditya Sharma of Innocent Hearts got the runners-up title. The CEO of the Mayor World School, Neerza Mayor, chairman Rajesh Mayor and principal JS Hundal congratulated students on their outstanding performance.
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Language workshop
Jalandhar: The centre for communication skills of the Lyallpur Khalsa College on Sunday organised a workshop for its staff on 'English language - elements and structure'. The participants were acquainted with various aspects of English vocabulary specifically verbs and preposition involving them in activities like quiz, role play and running dictation. A competition was held among the participants among whom Gurvinder Singh from the administrative office was declared the winner. He was honoured by the joint secretary of the Governing Council S Jaspal Singh Waraich and principal of the college Dr G S Samra. Sandeep Ahuja from the department of English was the resource person. Tributes paid
The CT Group of Institutions paid tributes to the acid attack victim, Harpreet
Kaur. In the ceremony, students demanded strict action against the accused and raised slogans demanding justice for the girl. On this occasion, chairman of CT institutions S Charanjit Singh
Channi, principal Ranjana Rajput and Gaurav Khanna, Assistant Director of training and placement cell, also paid tributes by lighting candles with students and other staff members. Football tourney
Final match of Sant Baba Bhag Singh and Sant Baba Hardial Singh Ji Msafir Memorial Tournament will be played between the teams of Punjab Police and United Club,
Mehalpur, on Monday. Both the teams won their respective semifinals against their opponents with a clear margin. Punjab Police beat Punjab Electricity Corporation 3-1 and United Club,
Mehalpur, defeated Dalbir Academy, Patiala, 4-1. Shiromani committee member Harjinder Singh Dhami was honoured on the occasion by Sant Baba Malkit Singh. Educational trips
Delhi Public school,
Jalandhar, organised a visit for its students, to the Red Cross Society,
Maqsudan, and Mother Teresa's Home. The DPS students got a chance to meet and speak to old people. Students spoke to them about their families, lives and unaccomplished dreams. Students took various delicacies along, to be shared with the elderly followed by cutting of the cake and singing of songs. The importance and significance of Christmas Day and New Year was discussed. A member of the society, NK
Verma, advised all the students to always respect and obey their parents who are their best well-wishers. The elderly were presented with beautiful cards made by the students. Cultural show
Students of the Innocent Hearts School, Green Model Town, oganised a cultural show on the school premises. DSP Richa Agnihotri presided over the function as chief guest. The porgramme started with welcome speech and followed by Arabian dance, Western dance, bhangra and Christmas Carols. Annual Sports Day
Darshan Academy, Jalandhar, celebrated its annual sports day at the academy playground on Sunday. The celebrations began with a march past by four houses
Darshan, Sawan, Rajinder, Kirpal. The events filled everyon. MLA Pargat Singh was the chief guest on the
occasion..—TNS |
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No AAM worker in PPCC list, RTI activist writes to Rahul
Jalandhar, December 29 Stating that Bajwa was promoting nepotism by appointing his brother Fateh Jung Bajwa as general secretary and his wife, Charanjit Kaur, as PPCC executive member, Sanjay Sehgal said "Those leaders who are sitting at home are included in the PPCC list, whereas active, sincere, grassroots workers have been ignored." Further alleging that Bajwa made selection of PPCC executive by sitting in closed room, the RTI activist questioned "How Bajwa will strengthen the Party in coming Lok Sabha election with promoting nepotism." Demanding review of the PPCC committee, he questioned "Can Bajwa tell any "AAM" worker who is adjusted in PPCC list?" "While top state Congress leaders got included the name of their kins in PPCC list, loyal Congress workers have been totally ignored." He added. Without naming anyone, Sanjay Sehgal further stated "Turncoat leaders have been rewarded by adjusting in PPCC list and workers are totally ignored and workers are demoralised. Sanjay Sehgal stated in his letter to Rahul "I am surprised to see some names in the list that have never shown their faces to the public in the field." The RTI activist also asked about the criteria for promotion in the party for grassroots level workers from middle and lower class families.
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New DDC chief asks residents not to deposit property tax
Jalandhar, December 29 Flaying Parkash Singh Badal led Akali-BJP government for imposing property tax and introducing new policy for regularising illegal colonies, Beri assured that Congress would withdraw both property tax and new policy for illegal colonies, if voted to power in the next Assembly elections. A former councillor and an unsuccessful contestant from Jalandhar central Assembly seat during the last elections, Beri always remained at the fore-front during agitation against property tax and new policy for regularising illegal colonies. Replying to a query, Beri said he would leave no stone unturned to revive lost base of Congress in the coming parliamentary elections. Congress failed to win even a single out of total nine including four urban Assembly segments of the district. Beri himself lost to former local bodies minister and BJP contestant Manoranjan Kalia from Jalandhar central seat in last Assembly elections held last year. Both DCC urban president Rajinder Beri and DCC rural Jagbir Brar will take their charges officially during Punjab Pradesh Congress President (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa’s proposed visit in January, next year. Expressing his gratitude to Congress high-command and PPCC president for giving him new responsibility, he said he would take dedicated Congressmen in his city team which would be formed after due consideration with senior leaders.
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City’s special children bagged silver medals in Olympics
Tribune News Service Rachna Khaira
Jalandhar, December 29 The action began with the onset of the rural games in various villages as ‘holidaying’ NRIs sponsored various sports melas in their respective communities. Around Rs 40 lakh was spent by NRIs this year for organising various rural games in the whole district. Along with that, the city also witnessed the girls’ hockey players’ U-19 in action with the commencement of the Punjab State Games in January. Also, the city girls got an opportunity to participate in the women’s sports festival held in Hyderabad from January 27-30. February saw maximum action from the students as most of the school and colleges organised their annual sports meet. The MGN college of Education organised its 53rd annual sports meet where over 100 students participated in various athletic events. Apart from various universities like Lovely professional and DAV, many colleges like the DAVIET, National Institute of Technology and DAV College, Jalandhar, also organised their annual sports and athletics meet in this month. In March, the district sports industry showed discontentment on the annual budget which maintained the excise duty of 2.3 per cent on general sports goods while soft leather products like gloves were under 12 per cent excise. However, adding some respite, a city-based sports firm, TK Sports Private Limited, ventured into the Indian Premier League (IPL) Season V and manufactured sports kits for Kings XI Punjab players by replacing international brand Reebok. Also, in the same month, the city witnessed Shaheed Bhagat Singh wrestling tournament in which the much coveted title of Rustam-e-Jamah was won by Ukraine. Later, in the middle half of the year came the much awaited announcement by the Chief Minister for developing a ‘Sports Institute’ for grooming the budding players of the region to compete in the national and international sporting events. The Chief Minister also gave nod to a special school for the meritorious students securing 80 per cent or more marks in the government schools on six acres land along with sports school and college. The state government is of the opinion that all these three institutions should have separate entities with sports school and college acting as catalyst of promoting sports while the special school giving thrust to professional education to the bright students. The last few months were the most action packed days for the sporting arena. Surjit Hockey Tournament began amidst much fanfare with the NRIs support; controversies marred the tournament from day one itself. A Tribune investigation along with an RTI query into the society working exposed the fact that the society had destroyed all the transactions records of the last 20 years. Also, the society drew wrath from the people for organizing just one tournament in the whole year and was condemned for spending the hefty sponsorship money through cash transactions only. Later, the society came on record and maintained that it would now only do all the monetary transactions through cheques only. Special news came in November when two differently-abled children, Ishvinder Singh and Vivek Aggarwal, won bronze medal in Asia-Pacific Regional Games which was held in Newcastle, Australia. In the same month, Preeti of HMV College also won a bronze medal in the 48 kg category in the Commonwealth Championship held in South Africa. In the year end, city also got the chance to witness some action of the World Cup Kabaddi as the women’s final along with two more matches were played at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium. While the Indian eves outclassed the Pakistani girls, the city registered its name in the history for providing the first international exposure to the Pakistani girls who stepped out of their country for the first time to play on our very own city turf! The year ender was wrapped up proudly by Constable Meena Kumari of the Punjab Armed Police(PAP), who would be participating in the weightlifting championship in the Commonwealth games scheduled to be held in June,2014. Not to forget, this year too, the District Sports Department maintained its annual record for not holding any felicitation ceremony for its sportsmen who made the district proud by getting selected and by participating in various national and international level sports tournaments.
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Jalandhar, December 29 The minimum temperature of Jalandhar and adjoining areas witnessed a slight decrease over Saturday's low of minus 0.4 degree Celsius. Cold wave continued to lash the region despite the fact that the city experienced sunshine for last six days after several days of foggy weather. According to the Met Department, cold wave will continue in the region during the next few days with occasional fog, mist and haze. —TNS
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Jalandhar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Jalandhar, Phagwara, Kapurthala and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to
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Jalandhar, December 29
Jalandhar, December 29
