Amritsar, April 9
Imposition of property tax in urban areas has become a hot political debate among the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress. While the ruling combine is claiming that the Centre has forced them to implement it so as to get funds under the JNNURM, the Congress blames the state government for burdening the people with taxes.

Asserting that the property tax imposed by the state government was totally unjustified and uncalled for, which must be withdrawn forthwith, Capt Amarinder Singh, the Congress party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar had stated a couple of day ago that it had made people ‘tenants of their own houses’. Capt Amarinder said this government had progressively failed on all fronts and the economy was at its worst casualty due to ill-conceived policy matters of SAD-BJP combine. “And now it had started extorting money from the common people who can barely make both ends meet,” he said.

On the other hand, the BJP camp was ready with documentation, trying to prove that it was the Congress government who had conceptualised the idea of the imposition of property tax stating that it would make the state eligible to avail the Centre’s public friendly schemes.

Kamal Sharma, president BJP, Punjab, claimed two months ahead of completing its term, the Congress government of which Capt. Amrinder Singh was the CM, MoU was signed with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation for the imposition of property tax and revising other civic taxes to get the grants under the JNNURM.

On December 8, 2006, the then Secretary to Punjab Government M P Singh and the then Commissioner, Municipal Corporation KS Kang, had signed the MoA (memorandum of agreement) on behalf of their respective bodies.

Kamal Sharma claimed that right from the beginning we were trying to make it clear that it was the Central government under Congress which pressurized the state government (SAD-BJP) to impose property tax and to revise water supply and sewerage rates.

“Capt Amrinder Singh has been misrepresenting the facts and misleading people of the state. Despite the pressure from the Centre, we tried to linger on the decision but had to give up before the stringent policies of the Centre. Even the urban department of central government had objected to the continued exemptions announced by the state government for property tax. To get the grants to improve urban infrastructure, we were left with no other option but to impose the “tax,” he said.

Capt Amrinder Singh claimed that the Reserve Bank of India had recently rejected their request for further overdraft which meant that the state would soon be unable to pay the salaries to its employees. Currently, the salaries are being paid three months behind the schedule, he said.

Amritsar, April 9
On the last day of filing of nominations for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, as many as 15 candidates filed their papers. In all 32 candidates are contesting the election from this border district.

District Election Officer Ravi Bhagat said the scrutiny of the nomination papers would be carried out on April 10. Besides, candidates, their poll agents can take back their papers on April 12. He said the electorates can exercise their franchise from 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening on April 30.

Candidates trying their luck from the local Lok Sabha seat are Arun Jaitley of BJP, Capt Amarinder Singh of Congress, Pardeep Singh Walia of BSP, Dr Daljit Singh of AAP, Kanwaljit Singh of Democratic Party of India (Ambedkar), Yusuf Mohammad from Samajwadi Party, Rattan Singh Randhawa of CPM, Buta Singh from Baspa (Ambedkar), Amarjit Singh of CPI, Balbir Singh of Bhartiya Gau Taj Dal, Surinder Singh of Democratic Congress Party, Rinku of Bahujan Shakti Party while independents are Rehmat Masih, Bal Krishan Sharma, Sham Lal Gandhiwadi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurdial Singh, Gagandeep Kumar, Arun Kumar, Ranjit Singh, Krishan Kumar, Buta Singh, Inderpal, Surinder Kumar Khosla, Mahinder Singh, Pawan Dravid and Gurdial Singh. 

Amritsar, April 9
While the Congress and SAD-BJP are resorting to a war of words over the construction of memorial for terrorism victims, the terrorism-affected families lamented that none of them has initiated any measures to rehabilitate the affected families till date.

"The victim families are feeling betrayed as the political parties which had been promising them a relief package, besides other benefits in order to rehabilitate them during elections since 2007 failed to deliver practically," said Dr BR Hastir, president, All-India Terrorist Victims' Association.

"The candidates of both Congress and SAD-BJP are playing with the sentiments of the terrorist victim families by airing their statements on the black days of terrorism for their vested interests. While the Congress party had been in the driving seat at the Centre for the last 10 years, the SAD-BJP has also been in power in Punjab for almost last seven years now," he said.

"During their respective stints none of the parties have shown any interest in fulfilling the demands of these less fortunate families, whereas a package of Rs 781 crore is pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs since long. They were never released even after numerous reminders and personal meetings with the Congress leaders at the helm for the affairs for the reasons best known to them," said Hastir.

Similarly, the BJP had mentioned in its election manifesto 2007 to release a relief package for terrorist victim families of Punjab on the analogy of relief package for 1984 riot victims. Even during the elections of 2012 we were promised by the SAD and BJP leaders that a Welfare Board for Terrorist victims would be constituted, but let alone the Board, the families have been devoid for their monthly pensions for last 4 months, the association said.

While demanding that the two major political parties should clarify their stand on the demands of the terrorism affected families, they said they would support only those candidates who would assure them of meeting of their genuine demands within stipulated time frame.

Amritsar, April 9
AAP Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar and a noted eye surgeon Dr Daljit Singh today brushed aside Congress's pet policy on FDI in retail and criticised raising the issue of Operation Bluestar to gain political mileage unnecessarily.

About FDI retail policy, he said it would completely weaken India and destroy almost all of small stake holders, whether in agricultural sector, retail, manufacture, distribution or transport.

"The mammoth foreign monoliths are 'monopolists! They are carrying forward the colonial agenda and are modern colonists. They capture, brow-beat and subjugate local competition. India can do without such 'investments'," he said.

This morning, he and his supporters were on foot to Vijay Nagar, one of the Amritsar's many middle class suburbs.

While asking his rival Capt Amarinder Singh on his party's adamancy for FDI retail, Dr Daljit Singh inquired "Why is Congress hell-bent on bringing FDI retail in India? Who is going to gain from this venture?" He further said, "It was for all to see how China is dumping its third grade products in Asian countries especially South Asia. In Pakistan, China has captured even their 'vehicle number plating' business. Congress should open its eyes and not take egoistic decisions that go against the mettle of the country."

He said, "Indians are not laggards. If we like some foreign models and patterns why can't our local industry and enterprising top brains implement those projects in India on their own with technical help from other countries?"

Talking about the first to open in India the American store 'Walmart' in Amritsar he asked "What is so great about 'Walmart'? Could Indians not build a Walmart look-alike? Why have foreign brands become so important that we are in a tearing hurry to let them capture Indian markets and ready to throw the livelihood of crores of people and sell their stakes to foreigners. Can Indians not create brands?"

Returning his attention to rival Capt Amarinder Singh, Dr Daljit Singh reminded the former CM about his doublespeak. "Why has the Captain picked a quarter of a century old painful issue of Operation Bluestar in these elections? He is part of the same regime (Congress) that was the decision maker and inflicted the heinous 'operation' as well gave wind to the anti-Sikh riots," he said.

Meanwhile, a busy Safai Karamchari of the area, found an unusual but ready ally today. Dr Daljit Singh not only posed for pictures with him but took his broom and swept the streets, while the local residents and the AAP workers cheered.

When a local resident told the doctor that Anil Joshi, Local bodies Minister, Punjab was slated for a visit later. Dr Daljit Singh smiled and said, "At least, the streets are made sparkling clean, he should be pleased."

Amritsar, April 9
Habit-forming drugs were found abandoned in a train, Katihar Express, which arrived late last evening.

The seizure was made during the checking by the railway police. The GRP officials said during checking a plastic bag was found abandoned beneath a seat. When opened, the police found huge quantity of drugs. The bag contained around 18,000 tablets, 4,000 capsules, 180 syrups and 50 intoxicant injections. The police have registered a case under the NDPS Act against the unidentified accused.

The police authorities said in view of the Lok Sabha elections, the security has been beefed up at the railway station and it appeared that seeing the police, the accused left the contraband in the train.

The rail route has become one of the easiest ways of drug peddling as similar recoveries were made from Amritsar railway station in the past also.

In March, the railway police had arrested two persons identified as Pargat Singh of Tarn Taran and Dalbir Singh of Gharinda. The police recovered around 1,100 capsules, 1,800 tablets and 140 injections from Pargat Singh while Dalbir was arrested with 432 capsules and 2,280 tablets. The police had registered separate cases under the NDPS Act against them. The drugs were brought from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

A couple of months ago, the railway police had nabbed Ramandeep Singh, a Patti resident, with the drugs. He had brought over 2,300 capsules from Uttar Pradesh.

The police authorities said Ramandeep confessed that he had procured intoxicants from UP for Rs 25,000. He said he used to sell drugs at an exorbitant price to addicts and earned over Rs 1 lakh a day.

The police team had found 1,300 capsules abandoned in the waiting hall while prior to this they had recovered 2,400 tablets and nearly 2,000 capsules, besides 50 syrups from the waiting hall of the Amritsar railway station.

Amritsar, April 9
Scenario of public transport system in the border district is in a dismal state despite the introduction of the city bus service few weeks ago.

A view of a city bus plying on road in Amritsar. A Tribune photograph

Amritsar, April 9
Different NGOs, especially working for the environmental cause, are pained over the "indifferent" attitude of the candidates of various political parties towards the degradation of environment in the city.

They expressed their unhappiness over this as all political parties are allegedly turning a blind eye to environmental issues like mindless chopping of fully grown trees in the name of development. Representatives of the Voice of Tobacco Victims, Amritsar Consumer Forum, Amritsar Vikas Manch, Punjab Brahmin Sabha, Lok Kalyan Samiti, Arogya Bharti, All-India Terrorist Victims Association and Mission Aagaaz held a meeting in this connection recently.

During the meeting, it was decided to convene a public meeting by inviting Lok Sabha candidates from main political parties on April 20 to provide a forum to exchange views with our political representatives for the overall development of this holy city. The meeting will be held under the banner of "Amritsar Speaks" and it will be organised jointly by various NGOs active in the city, said Gurbhej Singh, general secretary of the Mission Aagaaz.

"Those who wish to represent us in Parliament should listen to the real problems of the city and speak on basic problems. This platform will provide voice to common men and women of the city," said Dr Prahlad Duggal of the Voice of Tobacco Victims. Rampant drug addiction is another cause of concern among people due to a "nexus" between politicians, drug peddlers and police officials.

They also asked the Punjab Government to provide jobs to the youth to wean them away from off drugs. Other issues like poor healthcare facilities in the government sector and lack of basic amenities for common man were also highlighted.

Poor condition of government hospitals and dispensaries was resented by various speakers at the meeting, especially in the rural areas.

Amritsar, April 9
Malkeet Singh (21) has been preserving his family’s treasure since childhood, which happens to be a rare collection of silver and bronze coins from 14 century. Claiming that the coins were found by his great grandfather while doing some digging work outside their ancestral home in Guru Bazaar, inside the walled city.

“It has been with our family since generations, passed on as a treasure. I took the responsibility to add to the collection since the age of 10,” he shares. More than 60 coins in bronze, silver and various dimensions, bear the marks of the era they belong to. But the most prized of them all are the five coins claimed to be some of the oldest and rarest coins.

“ The collection include two 14th century Sikh period silver coins bearing Guru Nanak Dev’s carving, one bearing Guru Gobind Singh’s and two from the Vedic period,” he claims.

In his family’s business of being goldsmiths for generations, he has added some period currency from the French monarchy of 16th century and coins from Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

Bearing religious motifs and holograms, the coins find a safe corner at his home. “Call it a family tradition, but we have all preserved these coins dearly. I just don’t want to add to the collection with quantity but only some of the rarest coins. I always keep looking for some information on more such historic collectibles,” he shares. Malkeet, now, wants to restore and share this family treasure with the world.

“I have approached the city museum for a space for my coins, but arranging for a private exhibition needs good finances. Also, I want to share the history of my coins with the world, for which I need to get the collection certified by experts.”

Till then, the 80-90 years of family’s heritage will be his life’s pursuit.

Amritsar, April 9
The Guru Nanak Dev University released its admission schedule for the academic session 2014-15 to various courses here today.

Dr Inderjit Singh, Registrar, said the admission to various courses run at the university campus, regional campuses and university college, Jalandhar, would be accepted up to July 24 under normal schedule, but with the approval of the Head of the Department till July 30.

However, the admission could also be sought with the permission of Dean, Academic Affairs, up to August 4 and with the consent of the Vice-Chancellor till August 7. Thereafter, a late fee of Rs 5,000 would be charged and the admission can be accepted between August 8 and 13, subject to the approval of the Syndicate of the University.

Dr Singh said for already enrolled students who promote to the next classes, the admission could be offered till July 14. With the late fee of Rs 2,00 along with the approval of the head of the department, the admission would be done from July 15 to 21. Similarly, with late fee of Rs 5,00 along with the approval of the Dean, Academic Affairs, the admission could be sought from July 22 to 28. With the late fee of Rs 1,000 and approval of the Vice-Chancellor the admission would be given from July 29 to August 7. Between August 8 and 18, the admissions would be made with the approval of the Syndicate of the University, but with the late fee of Rs 5,000.

Dr Singh told that the admission to various courses under semester system being run in the affiliated colleges of Arts, Science, Social Science, Agriculture colleges and constituents colleges, could be sought till July 7 without late fee. Similarly, with a fine of Rs 50 along with the approval of the principal, the admission dates would be July 8 to 14.

He said the admissions would be done by these colleges from July 15 to 30 with late fee of Rs 1,00 along with the approval of Dean, Academic Affairs of the University.

The admission could also be made from July 31 to August 6 with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor along with a fine of Rs 1,000. Similarly, the admission could also be done from August 7 to 13 with the approval of the Syndicate along with a fine of Rs 5,000.

The normal dates for the admission to various courses being run in the affiliated colleges of Arts, Science, Social Science, Agriculture colleges and constituent colleges is till July 7. From July 8 to 18, a fine of Rs 50 along with the approval of the principal would be a must.

The admission would be done by these colleges from July 19 to August 1 with late fee of Rs 1,00 and approval of the Dean Academic Affairs of the University. The admission could also be made from August 2 to September 2, with a fine of Rs 1,000 with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor. From September 3 to 12, a fine of Rs 5,000 would be imposed if the Syndicate approved the proposal.

Amritsar, April 9
The head of central schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas) in India, Commissioner Avinash Dikshit, said 540 teachers and other staff would be hired for 54 schools across the country. The schools are being run by the Centre.

Talking to the Tribune today, Dixit said over Rs 100 crore would be invested in modernising laboratories at 1,094 central schools. He said this would be done in a phased manner. Under the first phase, which would be completed in July, 25 per cent of the 1,000 central schools would be equipped with sophisticated laboratories. As many as 11.21 lakh students are getting education in these schools while 56,445 employees are working at these schools.

He said over the years, the central schools had maintained excellence in education. Since their inception in 1965, Kendriya Vidyalayas (central schools) have come to be known as centres of excellence. He said the best teachers were being hired for the schools. "All this is being done with the monthly fee ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

Central schools do not charge any tuition fee from the students of Classes I to VIII and the Right To Education was implemented in the schools in 2011.

He said the holistic development of students was their objective. Avinash Dikshit also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Amritsar, April 9
Family members of Baljinder Singh Chahal, a liquor contractor who was injured in an attack allegedly headed by Rajinder Kumar Pappu, alias Pappu Jaintipuria, about 10 days ago threatened to launch an agitation if the accused were not arrested by the police soon. Chahal was brutally beaten up by around 24 armed persons.

Pappu Jaintipuria, a former zila parishad chairman, was booked by the police, along with others on charges of kidnapping and attempt to murder.

However, he is still out of the police reach.

Family members of the victim said they were getting life threatening calls from the accused and his accomplices and the police had miserably failed to nab the accused.

Chahal said he was allotted a liquor contract for Pakharpura circle in Majitha area but this did not go down well with Jaintipura who earlier owned the liquor vends in the area.

Chahal alleged that Jaintipuria was asking him to withdraw and handover the liquor vends to him.

He alleged he was even threatening the shopkeepers who wanted to rent out their shops to him.

Chahal sought security from the police. Giving a week’s time, he threatened that if the police failed to arrest the could, they would hold protest on Bhandari Bridge.

Amritsar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Amritsar city and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to feedback.asr@gmail.com

They can also send their views to: Feedback, Amritsar Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Amritsar Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. It should not be more than 150 words.