Jalandhar, April 28
While the district administration has been toiling day and night to woo its young voters under the EC's SVEEP programme, it has ironically paid scant regard to the fact that its own polling staff also needs to vote. About 7,000 people might actually miss it.

Of the total 10,000 staff on duty during the polls in the district during these elections, only a little over 3,000 might actually get to vote on April 30.

The district officials told The Tribune that only 3, 200 Election Duty certificates (EDCs) are currently being processed to be issued to the poll-duty staff tomorrow. Those without EDCs won't be able to cast their votes. The EDC is the document which allows the staff on duty to vote (if they are deputed in the same Lok Sabha constituency as the one in which they are registered as voters).

Meanwhile, as many as 250 postal ballots (which are issued by post to the staff on duty in another LS constituency) were issued a few days ago.

While ideally, the system for the processing of EDCs must begin a week ago, in Jalandhar, poll staff said most were not told about the requisite documents to fill form 12-A (which is essential to get an EDC) before April 27.

"We were not properly informed. The staff at the booth where I was working, didn't fill its forms. Others wanted to, but hadn't got the essential documents because no one told them about the deadline. While forms should reach the RO four days before the poll date, most election staff only got to know about it yesterday and didn't have the requisite documents. The forms should have been submitted during the April 20 rehearsal. But information about the process wasn't given till April 20." said a presiding officer.

Notably, even until afternoon today, the preparation of EDCs was still on and many form 12-As had to be rejected because the deadline was missed. However, insiders say postal ballots were issued a few days ago.

Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam said, "About 3,200 EDCs are being prepared, which will be issued to the respective staff members tomorrow. The postal ballots have already been issued. We informed the staff well in time. If they don't want to vote, what can we do about it. Prior information has been provided to the staff and they had been asked to fill the forms right since the first rehearsal."

A majority of the polling staff in the district comprises teachers, many of whom are members of unions, are peeved with the government. While some alleged they had deliberately been left out, others, however, dismissed such reports saying the tedious voting process made them skip voting themselves.

However, all were of the opinion that in contrast to the SVEEP programme, there was a lack of mobilisation from the administration to make them vote.

VK Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said, "It is surprising that such a big number of people are going to miss casting their ballots. A few can be missed, but this is a large number. We will look into the matter. However, nothing can be done about those who have already missed filling of forms."

Jalandhar, April 28
Following distribution of inflammatory pamphlets against SAD-BJP candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu by inserting them in newspapers, the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate has registered a criminal case against unidentified persons here today.

Ishwar Singh, Commissioner of Police, said an FIR has been registered for instigating the feelings of a particular community by printing and distributing pamphlets having contents against the candidate of a recognised party. The pamphlet does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof with just the name of an organisation — Rashtriya Hindu Ekta Sangathan at the bottom. An FIR, number 50, dated under sections 153-A and 120-B of the IPC and 127-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has been registered at the Police Station Division Number 4.

Ishwar Singh said the pamphlet had been printed, published and distributed in gross violation of the instructions issued by the Election Commission of India. Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Jalandhar, has also issued instructions to all the printing presses in the area that pamphlets and posters etc being printed and published should bear the name and addresses of the printer and the publisher.

The owners of the printing presses and publishers in the area of the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate have also been directed not to entertain requests for printing of material which violates the law and to ensure that their names and addresses are printed on election pamphlets and posters. Meanwhile, various hawkers of the city are being interrogated to reach out to those handing over the copies to them. 

Jalandhar, April 28
The Excise Department today recovered 17 cases of liquor from a dera, reportedly owned by SAD leader Maha Singh Rasulpur from Rasulpur village in Phillaur.

Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner Sarojani Gautam Sharda said they had got a tip-off that a truck loaded with liquor was stationed at Rasulpur village. Accordingly, a raid was conducted along with the Phillaur police. She, however, denied having any information if the dera belonged to any Akali leader.

When the excise team reached the village, the police didn't find any truck. However, during a search of the dera, owned by Maha Singh, the police recovered 17 cases of liquor, which included 13 cases of IMFL and four of PML. She said a case was registered and further investigation was on to know the source of the liquor. The DETC said some loose bottles of liquor were also recovered from the dera. Excise officials said raids were also being conducted at nearby places to recover the truck.

After the recovery of liquor, sources said the Congress leaders alleged that the Phillaur police had leaked the information due to which the excise officials couldn't find any loaded truck from the spot. Sources said the Congress leaders have asked the ECI to take action against the SHO of Phillaur. —TNS

Jalandhar, April 28
The Lok Sabha polls have come as a boon for the ruling SAD-BJP combine in the Municipal Corporation as the alliance has managed to add two independent councillors consolidating its position in the House. The tally of the alliance has risen from 31 to 33 in the 60-member House.

While independent councillor from ward number 19 Amit Dhall, who originally supported Congress, had joined SAD in the presence of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal about 10 days ago, another independent councillor Vipan Kumar from ward number 53 today came into the Akali fold. Vipan, who was earlier associated with the BSP, had contested the MC polls as an independent candidate from Abadpura and Bhargo Camp localities. He had earlier won the councillor's election from the BSP ticket in 1991 and 1996.

Vipan's joining in the ceremony was attended by the District Planning Committee chairman Gurcharan Singh Channi, former Jalandhar Improvement Trust Chairman Tejinder Singh Bittu, SAD's Lok Sabha nominee and sitting Adampur MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu and SAD leader Bhupinder Singh Makkar.

With this, the total number of SAD's councillor have increased from 13 to 15. With 18 councillors from the BJP, the strength of the alliance is now 33. There are 22 councillors with the Congress and one with the PPP, making the tally of the alliance of the Opposition 23, 10 less than the ruling combine.

There are now four independent councillors. These include Mandeep Jassal from ward 13, Kawaljit Gullu from ward 26, Raminder Kaur Dhindsa from ward 31 and Darshan Lal from ward 59. Gullu had earlier announced her outside support for area legislator Manoranjan Kalia.

Dhindsa's husband Iqbal Singh Dhindsa has been a SAD office-bearer and has been contesting independently as the ward stands reserved in BJP's kitty. Darshan Lal was a BJP councillor till the last polls and had contested independently last time as he had been denied a ticket. 

Jalandhar, April 28
Due to the ongoing suspension of all the ration depots in the Cantonment area since December last year, hundreds of Atta-Dal Scheme beneficiaries of the area are a harassed lot nowadays.

They have not received their share of food grains since October last year. Now also, when the next phase of the wheat distribution to the old scheme beneficiaries has started in the district, they are still being denied their share as the Department of Food and Civil Supplies has failed to link them with other depots functioning in the nearby areas.

"I have not received my share since October last year. The government befooled the poor people by first announcing big schemes for them but later did not bother to implement them. Although, most beneficiaries living in nearby areas have got their share last week, we have still not received ours till date due to the suspension of all the ration depots in the area," said Kuldeep Singh, a beneficiary of the old Atta-Dal Scheme from the Cantonment area.

While talking to many such beneficiaries, most of them have even threatened to boycott the elections if they did not get the food grains on time. "What is the use to cast our ballot to a government if it cannot provide us food to survive," said Amarjeet kaur, another beneficiary.

Ashok Kumar, Assistant Food and Civil supplies officer, Cantonment area, said although the department had distributed wheat at two places in February this year, further distribution was to be stopped due to the implementation of the model code of conduct in the state. "The beneficiaries of around 10 depots have still not received their food grains since October last year and will get it only after the model code of conduct would be revoked from the state after the elections," said Ashok.

In September last year, a person named Sunny Chauhan under the Right to Information Act had asked the Department of Food and Civil Supplies about the last year stock details of all the 12 ration depots operating in the cantonment area. The office of the District Food and Civil Supplies Controller while forwarding it individually to all the depots asked them to provide details as asked in the RTI query. Instead of replying to DFSC, all the 12 depot owners filed an FIR in the cantonment police station about their records being lost few months back.

Following this, the DFSC with immediate effect suspended the licenses of all the 12 depots till further notice but at the same time, failed to link them to
the nearby depots. Although, unconfirmed reports have been received from various sources about wheat being distributed under covers to the beneficiaries living inside the cantonment by the ruling government keeping elections in mind, still most of them are still waiting for the government to fill their food basket which is lying almost empty from the last six months.

Jalandhar, April 28
Residents reaction shows that they are tired of the growing noise pollution in the city. A majority of them hold the authority concerned responsible for the failure of the law and order machinery in controlling the noise pollution. People are concerned about the noise pollution caused by the traffic and loudspeakers. Apart from this, residents say the people should act responsibly to create a healthy environment.

Systems failure

I personally feel that the law enforcement system has failed in India. The authorities concerned do not bother to perform their duties. That is why the situation has reached a stage, which is beyond control. You go anywhere out in traffic, youngsters in particular createnoise pollution insanely. It seems that nobody asks them to stop doing this. Private operators have been making the matters worse. In fact they are the ones who keep honking frequently on roads even when it is not necessary. I don’t think they have ever been challaned for that.

Regular campaigns should be held to make the people aware about the consequences of noise pollution. Apart from this, private bus operators and youngsters should be made aware that creating noise pollution is a crime and it causes so many health related problems like loss of hearing.

Prof Ranvir Singh, Department of Journalism, Punjab Technical University

Health problems

I, along with my colleague, conducted a research study on traffic noise pollution in the city. The study revealed that noise level has reached an alarming stage. Most of the areas in the city have a higher level of noise than the prescribed limit. People said that traffic noise was a major cause of headache, high blood pressure, dizziness and fatigue. The people with higher education and income level are much aware of the health problems caused by the noise pollution.

Traffic noise pollution interferes with daily activities. To reduce noise pollution, several measures can be taken such as proper maintenance of vehicles and roads and proper checking of vehicles. Poor and old vehicles should be banned from plying and plantation of more trees. There is an urgent need for alternative public transportation system. The government should strictly enforce the traffic rules and equip vehicles with approach horns and silencers. Environmental protection agencies should determine the limit of permissible noise to protect health and welfare of the residents. It should set noise emission standards for the source causing major noise pollution in the environment.

Davinder Singh, Assistant Professor, Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology

Research on noise pollution

The problem of noise pollution has been gradually increasing in the cities as nobody has bothered to check it. Such pollution is caused not only by the traffic but also by loudspeakers and factories. A majority of minor children and the elderly are affected by the traffic noise pollution and loudspeakers. Apart from this, labourers in factories are the worst affected by all sorts of noise pollution, including the one caused by the industrial machinery.

I think the law enforcement system has collapsed in the country. The authorities concerned must act strictly to check this menace. Proper research should be undertaken to know the severity of the issue. On the other hand, awareness programmes should be initiated by the NGOs and government agencies to educate the people about the consequences of noise pollution.

Jalandhar, April 28
Pensioner’s Association of Punjab State Power Transmission Corporation Limited today organised a protest in favour of their demands.

The representatives of the association, while addressing the gathering, said due to anti-pensioner policies of the Punjab government, they were unable to get their pensions on time. The circle president, Ram Jaggi said like the serving staff, pensioners should also be provided exemption in electricity units and procedure to get medical allowance should be simplified.

Jalandhar, April 28
Lovely Professional University (LPU) organised a commencement ceremony for its final-year students today. The students shared their experience of the time spent on the campus. The five-hour ceremony acknowledged versatile growth and future planning of the students. A discipline wise informal student-teacher interactive meeting was also held. Students sashayed down the ramp in a fashion show held on the occasion. Fun games, DJ party were some other events in which students enjoyed themselves.

LPU chancellor Ashok Mittal, pro-chancellor Rashmi Mittal, vice-chancellor Dr Ramesh Kanwar, director general HR Singla, executive deans and heads of various departments were also present on the occasion.

Chancellor Mittal motivated the students to prove their worth to make their alma-mater proud. Mittal said: “All of you are now going to be our esteemed alumni and, of course, brand ambassadors. We wish all of you may prove yourself as great scientists, explorers, innovators, business magnates, industrialists, entrepreneurs and such more world over. In fact, we want you all to excel in each and every field to lead the next generation,” adding that “as far as we are concerned, we assure you that your alma-mater will always be with you in all your future needs and designs. As before, we will keep on adding new resources every year to make the LPU grow tremendously with globally needed new projects for next batches of students. We will always keep our eyes and ears open to see and listen to stories of your brilliance and success.”Photographic sessions of the passing out students with the LPU faculty, thanks giving and high tea marked the conclusion ceremony. Junior students presented songs and dance items during the occasion. Final year students penned down best wishes impressions on each others shirts. — TNS

Jalandhar, April 28
A medical superintendent (MS) of the Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESI) Hospital in the city has approached the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (NCDRF), New Delhi, against the state’s Health Department for pressurising him to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation, as per the orders of the state’s Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, to a patient, who gave birth to a dead child due to the negligence of the hospital authorities in 2007.

In a statement to the forum, he has stated that despite the incident taking place in 2007, much before his joining the organisation in 2012, he has been repeatedly asked by the Health Department to pay compensation to the patient.

“They told me to pay Rs 2.90 lakh (Rs 2 lakh compensation with an interest of 7.5% per annum) to the petitioner so that the matter can be considered later on. Despite being aware about the fact that I joined almost six years after the incident, they are pressuring me since the day of my joining to pay the amount from my own pocket. The medical superintendent at the time of the incident has retired,” said Gupta.

As per the information submitted to the forum by the petitioner Anoop Kumar, he along with his pregnant wife Deepika, visited the ESI Hospital on April 30, 2007, for a routine check up. At that time, since all doctors were busy making arrangements for the farewell party of Dr Hemraj Garg, the then Medical Superintendent, who was incidentally retiring on the same day, none of them attended to the patient. Later, one of the doctors told the couple to come the next day for scanning. However, the same night at around 9 pm, Deepika after experiencing severe labour pains was again rushed back to the same hospital. Despite her serious condition, which made her cry, no one, including Dr Reema Gogia, the doctor on duty, attended to her.

The staff nurse had even pushed Deepika’s hair inside her mouth so that she stopped crying and did not disturb staff members, who were sleeping. Anoop further stated that after crying with pain the whole night, Deepika finally delivered a dead child early in the morning at around 2 am. Although, he demanded a compensation of Rs 18 lakh, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum granted only Rs 2 lakh and directed the doctor on duty and the medical superintendent to pay Rs 1 lakh each.

Although, the doctor paid her amount, confusion prevails over the amount to be paid by the medical superintendent as the former retired the same night and the new one took charge just minutes before the delivery. Dr Bhagmal, Director, ESI Services, Punjab, said he would not be able to comment as the matter was pending in the court. — TNS