25 smokers, vendors challaned 
Amritsar, January 11
Health Department today issued challans to 25 persons for violating the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Prohibition Act.

City residents gear up for Lohri celebrations
Amritsar, January 11
Lohri, the year's first festival ,is around the corner. This quintessentially Punjabi festival is all about dhol, bonfire, heaps of peanuts, khajoor and kite flying competitions in the holy city.

A ‘halwai’ prepares khajoor; (and right) a vendor sells Lohri delicacies in in Amritsar on Saturday. Photos: vishal kumar

Sale of Chinese string goes unabated
Amritsar, January 11
Even as the prohibition of sale and use of China-made string, used for flying kites, has been in existence here for many years, its violation can be gauged from the fact that birds and animals are also becoming its victims.

BJP gen secy visits Chhina's house
Amritsar, January 11
BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal and Punjab affairs co-incharge Shyam Lal Jajju here today visited the residence of Punjab BJP vice-president Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and had breakfast there.

Sharpening strings: Makers of kite strings are doing roaring business ahead of Lohri. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Consumer forum issues notice to AIT chairman
Amritsar, January 11
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has issued a notice to the Chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) on a complaint by an allottee of a plot in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Mall Mandi Scheme.

Exorbitant bids for solid waste management not viable for MC
Amritsar, January 11
With the city grappling with the problem of garbage lifting and its disposing, the Municipal Corporation (MC) is also facing a tough time to go ahead with its proposed project of Solid Waste Management in the city.

Kala Afghana win police martyrs soccer tourney
Amritsar, January 11
Kala Afghana Sports Club won the All India Open Police Martyrs Football Tournament organised by the Amritsar Sports Club at Sarup Rani Government College for Women.

DDI school holds kite flying competition
Amritsar, January 11
A kite flying competition for the students of Disciplined Disciples International (DDI) School to celebrate festival of Lohri was held on it campus.



DDIS Fatehgarh Churian school staff and students celebrate Lohri in Amritsar on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

CDPO's family feud
Amritsar, January 11
A couple of days after Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Nivedita Kapoor lodged a complaint against her in-laws for subjecting to cruelty, Varinder Kapoor father-in-law approached the Police Commissioner, Jatinder Singh Aulakh requesting him for fresh enquiry into the case.

Doc gets Royal Society of Health fellowship
Amritsar, January 11
Dr NS Neki, Professor of Medicine at Government Medical College has been awarded the fellowship of Royal Society of Public Health, London. The decision in this regard has been conveyed to him by Louise Arthurs.

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Amritsar, January 11
In its efforts to streamline traffic and solve the problem of frequent chaos on the roads, the police department has divided the city into four zones which would be headed by inspector-level officers who have taken their charge today.

Earlier, the city was divided in the two zones-north and south.

The traffic police have planned a number of campaigns to make the public aware of the traffic norms.

The traffic scenario in the city is in a state of mess at present, thanks to rampant encroachments, inadequate road infrastructure and illegal parking places. It is an irony that all the major roads in the city have one-way traffic but still the traffic jams have become the order of the day in the holy city which is visited by a huge number of pilgrims and tourists daily.

Inspector Iqbal Singh would head zone number 1 while Prithipal Singh, Dilbagh Singh and Neeraj Kumar have been given the charges of zone number two, three and four, respectively.

Senior police officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti, ADCP traffic Shailender Singh and others held a meeting with the police officials to chalk out various plans for improving the traffic scene.

Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the department was serious about improving the traffic scenario in the holy city. He said the strength of traffic wing has been increased from 150 to 290 personnel.

"The police have contacted a Delhi-based firm for training the traffic staff of the city," he said.

The police have also held a meeting with the experts in the fields which gave their representation of the police for devising different ways to decongest the city.

Besides, the Police Commissioner said they have been planning to install CCTV cameras at vital places which witness often bottlenecks so that immediate action could be taken to streamline and remove the jam. 

Amritsar, January 11
A string of protests at the Hall Gate throughout the day led to traffic chaos, causing inconvenience to the commuters.

Four organisations, BSP, SAD (Amritsar), SAD (women and SC wings) held outside Hall Gate between 11:30am to 2pm. It resulted in traffic chaos at Hall Gate, which is the main passage to the Golden Temple.

Surjit Singh, a resident of Partap Nagar, said he got stuck in a traffic jam. The traffic was moving at a snail's pace. He came to know about the protest after reaching Hall Gate as remains of burnt effigies were lying on the road.

Another commuter, Davinder Kaur, said she was returning home after picking up her chiildren from a school in the Civil Lines area when she got stuck in the traffic.

SAD (women wing) was the first to hold rally against international drug trafficker Jagdish Singh Bhola and state congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa for their utterances against cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia. They also burnt the effigy of Bajwa for casting aspersions on Majithia.

Soon, the members of the BSP descended on the same spot and burnt an effigy of Bikram Singh Majithia for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Subsequently, members of the SAD (SC wing) also arrived at the scene and took out a march against Punjab Congress chief and drug trafficker Jagdish Bhola.

Members of the SAD (Amritsar) were last to arrive the spot at about 1:30pm. They burnt the effigy of Majithia for his alleged involvement in the drug trafficking. 

Amritsar, January 11
Grants released by the state government under the Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Fund for patients, visiting the radiotherapy department for treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH), is lying unused and likely to lapse.

The officials of the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital associated with the Government Medical College (GMC) held the patients responsible for this as they failed to return for treatment after their registration.

The grants of around Rs 1 crore were released from Chief Minister Cancer Relief Fund last year for the 91 patients registered with the department.

As per the procedure, a patient visiting the radiotherapy department of the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital has to follow some procedure and complete the formalities of registration. Their cases are later approved by a three-member committee constituted by the hospital, including two doctors from radiotherapy department besides head of the pathology department.

Their cases are then forwarded to the Medical Superintendent who recommended their cases to cancer cell at Chandigarh which in turn releases grants up to Rs 1.50 lakh depending on the requirement of the treatment of a patient.

"The government did not provide cash payment to the patients but it is deposited in the account of Medical Superintendent, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The department then provides necessary treatment and medicines to the patient free of cost. The expenditure incurred on the treatment and medicines are then deducted from their account later on," said the official.

Dr Sujata Sharma, who joined as Medical Superintendent about a couple of days ago, said the patients either discontinue their treatment in between or they do not return after registering themselves with the department. Several patients were detected with the cancer at last stages and died after few days of the start of their treatment.

The department has recently prepared a list of patients who got themselves registered with the department but did not return for treatment.

Dr Anita Juneja, a senior doctor from the radiotherapy department,Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said: "The hospital has even created additional revolving funds of Rs 10 lakh in order to facilitate the patients. With these funds, the department starts the treatment of patients till their cases are approved by the government. After the approval the same amount is deducted from their allocated funds." 

Amritsar, January 11
Health Department today issued challans to 25 persons for violating the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Prohibition Act.

"The department has collected Rs 2,400 as fine from the violators," said Jai Karan, in charge of the Health Department's wing to ensure smoke-free city.

He said it was unlawful to smoke at public places. Even the vendors cannot sell the tobacco products to minors.

He said, “The sale of gutka is also banned in the city.”

District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said the anti-smoking drive would be a regular feature of the department. He said the department would also ensure that no tobacco substances were sold in the periphery of educational institutions.

Amritsar, January 11
Lohri, the year's first festival ,is around the corner. This quintessentially Punjabi festival is all about dhol, bonfire, heaps of peanuts, khajoor and kite flying competitions in the holy city.

With their spirits high, 'Amritsaris' are ready to celebrate lohri with 'sundar mundariye' special over dhol beats, gorging on til bhugga and heaps of peanuts and setting the temperature higher with bonfires. Following the traditions of Lohri, the holy city has two of its favourite things in place for the day, kites and savouries.

Kite flying has been staple since long now and it's considered a must do on the occasion. Lohri celebrations are incomplete without kite flying. The city sky dons colourful look on the day, with kites of different sizes, shapes and hues adorning it. Not just an entertainment tool but a competitive sport for the festival, kites as big as 10 feet high is dominating the serene blue sky.

"I have sold over 400 kites that were 11 feet high. Nine feet kites, too, are much in demand. Over 1,000 such kites have been sold in the last few days," said Shelly, owner of kites shop in Hall Bazaar.

Mani Kaushal, a wholesaler in the same market, said, "Every year, I set up stalls two days before Lohri. I have sold 50 kites that were 11 feet long. Customers are buying big kites this season."

Another important part of celebrations is the traditional dhol and boliyan. "Lohri is all about traditional Punjabi music. Dancing around the bonfire on dhol beats, singing 'makai da dana leke main jana' and 'sunder munderiye' in traditional dresses is the best way to celebrate the festival," said Khushi Pandher, a resident of White Avenue. Going by the changing mood of youngsters, groovy Punjabi numbers too find their place in the festivities.

Now the last and the most enjoyed part of the celebrations, savouries like til bhugga, rewaris, peanuts and Amritsari special khajoor. Made only for the festival and available in the city, Khajoors made from flour and ghee is something to die for. "These come at a price of Rs 325 per kg and are only available for Lohri. They are a part of traditional delicacy for the festival," said Rajesh of Bansal sweets.

Amritsar, January 11
Even as the prohibition of sale and use of China-made string, used for flying kites, has been in existence here for many years, its violation can be gauged from the fact that birds and animals are also becoming its victims.

As per the existing provisions, the Deputy Commissioner prohibited its sale and use under Section 144 of the CrPC. Its violation would cause only registration of an FIR under Section 188 of the CrPC. Registration of a case under the CrPC does not make it a criminal offence and its violation does not evoke harsh punishment. Hence, it is easy to get the bail. In order to make it a criminal offence it is necessary to enact a legislation.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ravi Bhagat has written to the state Chief Secretary, Home and Law, to frame a suitable rule to punish those who buy, sell and store synthetic/plastic string, popularly known as China-made or dragon string. In the communique he stated that the string was causing grievous injuries to human beings and birds besides injuring fingers of people. He said Chinese strings were being confiscated regularly from the city markets.

Many birds perished while some lost their limbs and others suffered pain after coming in contact with the string.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Inspector Ashok Kumar said the volunteers were rescuing injured and entangled birds from trees, buildings, besides electric supply and other poles. 

Amritsar, January 11
BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal and Punjab affairs co-incharge Shyam Lal Jajju here today visited the residence of Punjab BJP vice-president Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and had breakfast there.

The top leaders along with Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma and general secretary Ajay Jamwal also held a closed-door meeting and discussed preparedness for the coming Lok Sabha poll.

The meeting is being considered significant as Chhina is also in the race for the party’s ticket from Amritsar.

Lal, who refused to divulge any information, said that due to the party meeting last night, he could not attend Lohri celebrations organised by Chhina and, therefore, had breakfast with him today.

Chhina along with Kamal Sharma welcomed Lal and other leaders and presented them photographs of Sri Harmandar Sahib and a sword.

Chhina said he was a loyal party soldier and had been working for the organisation with dedication but any decision about the ticket was to be taken by high command. 

Amritsar, January 11
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has issued a notice to the Chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) on a complaint by an allottee of a plot in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Mall Mandi Scheme.

The forum has asked the Chairman to appear before it on February 17 and submit reply in the case. Rajesh Vig who had filed a complaint said he was allotted a plot in the said locality being developed by the trust in 2009.

He said he had deposited all the money and completed all formalities, but till date he had not been given demarcation of his property. He said the possession of the plot had still not been given to him.

He said the trust had also promised to provide basic amenities like motorable road, water supply and sewerage but the promise had not been fulfilled.

The complainant has demanded a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh besides an interest of 18 per cent on the amount deposited by him.

Advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh, counsel for Vig said act of AIT amounts to gross negligence and unfair trade practice. He said Vig had paid Rs 6.62 lakh for the plot.

In a recent case, on January 2, the forum had imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the chairman of the trust for failure to provide basic amenities in the same locality on the basis of a complaint filed by another resident.

Amritsar, January 11
With the city grappling with the problem of garbage lifting and its disposing, the Municipal Corporation (MC) is also facing a tough time to go ahead with its proposed project of Solid Waste Management in the city.

The reason is that the firms which had responded for the execution of the plant and providing garbage lifting as additional service, have quoted exorbitant rates which were not viable for the MC to pay.

As per the orders of the High Court, the project has to be initiated within a period of six months and it would be the liability of the MC to keep the municipal limits free from garbage and ensure that its disposal was being done with minimum hazards.

In response to the tender, two firms had applied. One quoted the price for processing garbage at Rs 1,800 per metric tonnes whereas the other offered service for Rs 2,200 per metric tonnes. The companies had also put condition to impose the user charges of Rs 50 and Rs 20 from commercial and residential premises as an additional cost per unit. If we take the case of lowest bidder,the MC have to shell out over Rs 2.5 crore per month.

The Antony Waste firm, which withdrew its machinery over a tussle with the MC around a year back, was claiming service charges at Rs 500 per metric tonnes. The company had to quit reportedly after the MC failed to clear its dues which was around Rs 1.6 crore.

On the other hand, the officials were confident enough to execute the job within the stipulated period granted by the High Court. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said, “The High Court has given us six months to hire a company. The bidder quoted the price which was much more than our expectations. I have directed the F&CC to obtain the National level figure so that we could settle the cost of job on negotiable table with the firms. We will try to complete the formalities beforehand”, he said. 

Amritsar, January 11
A kite flying competition for the students of Disciplined Disciples International (DDI) School to celebrate festival of Lohri was held on it campus.

A camp fire was held at the school in which students and faculty took part. Teachers distributed peanuts, popcorn and sweat meals traditionally savoured at the festival, among the students. 

Amritsar, January 11
A couple of days after Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Nivedita Kapoor lodged a complaint against her in-laws for subjecting to cruelty, Varinder Kapoor father-in-law approached the Police Commissioner, Jatinder Singh Aulakh requesting him for fresh enquiry into the case. Terming the charges levelled against them as baseless, he urged to re-investigate the case from an IPS officer. They appealed him to stay the further action till the finalisation of reinvestigations.

Aulakh said he had deputed ACP (North) Balkar Singh to probe the case. “The investigations would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. It would be strictly conducted on merit,” said the Police Commissioner.

The Civil Lines Police have booked Sahil Kapoor, husband, Varinder Kapoor and Nigam Kapoor, father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively following an enquiry conducted by the ADCP rank official which they claimed is biased and devoid of truth.

In the application, he pointed out that the Enquiry Officer did not provide any evidence except the complaint given by Nivedita. He said there was no evidence of physical assault during the incident on the basis of which the case was registered.

Sumedha Kapoor, daughter of Varinder Kapur said they had provided the recordings of CCTV cameras installed at their residence about the rude behaviour of the Nivedita. She said the family provided two CD’s having the recordings of CCTV cameras to the police, but they preferred to deliberately ignore it and acted in a biased manner, she alleged.

“My father is a heart patient and my mother is suffering from arthritis. How they can physically assault her,” she pointed out. She said the family had also lodged complaint with the concerned police station against her but no action was taken on these complaints as she being in a prominent position enjoys good influence. 

In Punjab, the government schooling system has been plagued with dropouts and low retention particularly in rural areas. One of the major causes is dull classroom activity. Government Education Department must introduce playway techniques replacing traditional chalk and talk method. The National Curriculum Framework 2005 had recommended flexible evaluation system. Even the Unicef has long been working on the ‘joyful mode’ of imparting education. The government must take steps to make teaching learning process more interesting and joyful. The prime reason for this — despite the 25% reservation mandated by the RTE — is that government schools are the primary choice of a majority of the disadvantaged children.