Jalandhar, May 2
Schoolchildren across the district will be heaving a much deserved sigh of relief with their mid-day meal all set to be going multi-hued from Saturday onwards.

With the DGSE's orders of giving a variety of foods to school children, the schools shall be getting an array of vegetables and pulses on their menu instead of the previous boring repetitions with two or three items being repeated a couple of times in the week.

Their new menu will include pulses, khicdi, seasonal vegetables, karhi, green vegetables and sweet dish once a week.

In a very complimentary development to this change the district students shall also be blessed by another positive development. With the recent controversy following spoiled food being served across schools, a new food manager shall also be serving food for over a 100 schools being catered to by an NGO.

Ever since an NGO was roped in by the state government to serve mid day meal to students, complaints of rotten, foul smelling or substandard food was pouring in from various schools. While some of the schools had even thrown their food out in the open, the district authorities changed the food manager working for the NGO about a week ago.

Speaking to The Tribune about both the developments, DEO (secondary education) Kuldeep Sharma said, "We conducted a detailed check on various schools after which the contractor of the said NGO was changed. While it is still being run by the same owner, a local person has been roped in to manage the food. We are keeping a strict check on the food as well."

"Meanwhile, on the orders of the DGSE, the mid day meal menu has been enhanced across the district. Districts were asked for their suggestions for the mid day meal and the best suggestions have been implemented to bring a change in the mid day meal. The change will bring a more interesting food schedule as well as more nutrition for students. It will be implemented from Saturday onwards."

Day Food

Monday: Dal, bottle gourd (sabzi), roti

Tuesday: Khichdi, rice, dal, seasonal vegetable

Wednesday: Black peas, potato sabzi, roti

Thursday: Karhi with potato-onion pakore, rice

Friday: Seasonal vegetable, roti, halwa (if NGO- made) Kheer (if school-made)

Saturday: Dal, bottle gourd sabzi, rice.

Jalandhar May 2
The police and parents of a child are fighting over the age of a child, who was charged in a snatching case. After the boy, Gagandeep, was nabbed by police on April 28, he had mysteriously disappeared from the custody of the Surya Enclave police post on Tuesday night. Gagan's mother has levelled allegations on police for torturing him and giving him electric shocks to making him to confess snatching incidents.

After registering a case of snatching, the police had produced the boy in district courts and sought one-day police remand for him.

Now, Gagan's parents alleged that their child was minor and as per the law, the police have to produce him in juvenile courts only.

Vijay Hans, national president of the Democratic Bhartiye Samaj Party, said, the police had misguided the judiciary by concealing the facts that boy was a minor.

Hans alleged that the police had also given third degree torture to the boy for making him to confess past snatching crimes. "It is a clear case of human rights violations. I will file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission so that the errant police officials can by punished," said Hans. He also showed a school certificate of Gagan in which his date of birth was mentioned September 1997."As per the school certificate, Gagan has still not attained majority," he claimed.

On the other side, ADCP Naveen Singla, who was entrusted the inquiry by Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh, told The Tribune that the police have enough proof that boy was not a minor but an adult. "In my inquiry, I have found that Gagan is not a minor but an adult. When the accused is adult, he is liable to be produced in district courts and not juvenile courts," said Singla. While corroborating his claims, Singla said Gagan was also nabbed in August 19, 2012 along with his friend Chandar Shekhar for snatching a silver chain from a minor. "When Gagan was nabbed two years back, he was a minor then. He was then produced in a juvenile court and till day his trail run is being conducted at juvenile courts," said Singla adding that after the police nabbed him on April 28 last month, his age was calculated to be more than 18 years.

The ADCP denied the allegations levelled by Gagan's parents on age issue as baseless. 

Jalandhar, May 2
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has asked Jalandhar Improvement Trust chairman to refund Rs 8.5 lakh levied from retired Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kapurthala Baljit Singh Sandhu as earnest money for a plot in the Surya Enclave Extension Scheme.

Sandhu had said that the he had applied for a 500 sq yard plot in the 94.97 acre scheme in the pensioners' category which he got in the draw held on November 4, 2011. He said that as per the terms of the letter of allotment on April 2, 2012, the complainant was supposed to pay one-fourth amount of the value of the plot which stood at Rs18, 62,450 by May 1, 2012.

He said that he retired on December 31, 2011 and his case of payment of retirement benefits was pending with the state government and therefore he had sought extension of some time for making payment of the balance amount for completing 25 per cent of the plot.

However, the complainant visited the site of the scheme about a month back when he was willing to deposit the balance amount of 25 per cent and found that the site of the scheme was lying in an absolutely ignored condition and there was no touch of development at all at the site in question. "Despite much propagation about the development of the scheme area, there was no sign of any development at the site. Even it is not possible to identify and locate the plot No.13-C at the site nor there are any roads marked or constructed at the site.

So much so even the possession of the scheme area has not been found to be taken by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust. It had also transpired that the original land holders of the scheme land have not given possession of the site in question to JIT and they have got a stay order against the JIT from taking possession of the scheme land from them. It has further come to the notice of the complainant that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted a stay order against JIT, Jalandhar for not taking possession of the Scheme land from the land holders", he has mentioned in his complaint.

He said that he concluded that there was no chance of the immediate development of the scheme and of the complainant getting possession of the plot. The complainant was having ready money with him, but he did not wish to get his hard earned money struck up in a bad and undeveloped property at the fag end of his life after retirement and when he is in the need of the funds. As such, he deemed it proper to clarify the certain points from the office of the JIT and served a legal notice on May 30, 2013, calling upon the officials to disclose him the actual, factual and legal position of the scheme. He said that the notice was served through registered post, but the opposite parties failed to even reply to the notice forcing him to seek refund of earnest money.

The forum concluded the litigation regarding the plot in question is pending in the HC between Amrik Singh and the Trust and in this view of the matter; the JIT is neither in possession of the plot in question nor in a position to deliver the same. In the above circumstances, the complainant is justified in surrendering the plot and asking for refund of his earnest money. The forum has directed it to refund the earnest money of Rs 8.5 lakh along with 9 per cent interest from the date of filing of the present complaint till payment. 

Jalandhar, May 2
Finding themselves in the tight spot over the shortage of space for storing wheat grains arriving this season, the district administration has this time linked the lifting of the crop with the vacant space available with the procurement agencies near the purchasing centres.

Earlier, all of the six procurement agencies, including five from the state and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) were allotted specific purchasing centres to lift the grains but this time, they have been linked directly with their available space to lift the crop. This has resulted in the efficient lifting of the food grains in the district. Till Friday, 80 per cent of the wheat out of the expected 4.85 lakh mt has arrived in 79 purchasing centres of the district and around 60 per cent has already been lifted by the procurement agencies. With around 1.27 lakh mt yet to be lifted, around 0.3 lakh mt (8 per cent) of the total arrival has been sent to the central pooling as well.

"The procurement this time has been linked to the vacant space available with the procurement agencies in various grain markets. The purchase centres have been allotted in such a way that all the vacant space should be utilized completely. This has resulted in the efficient utilisation of vacant space available with various procurement agencies in the district," said Dr Rakesh Singla, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller.

Although, the lifting is going at an appreciable pace in the district, still getting rid of the damaged food grains to make space for the procurement grains is posing a serious concern to various procurement agencies nowadays. Due to the policy of the first in first out (FIFO) followed in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in our country to move food grains out of the storage centres, a majority of it is getting damaged due to its lying in open storage places. Most of the crop procured in the last two years has even got damaged due to the inefficiency in transporting them out of the warehouses on time. The prolonged storage of the old crops has even led to the considerable depreciation in the quality of the food grains in the last few years.

Jalandhar, May 2
The recent elections have complete eclipsed Akshaya Tritaya, considered as one of the most auspicious days in our country.

According to gold retailers, the district has recorded a dip of around 30 to 40 per cent in gold and diamond sales this time.

"A huge shortage in material was reported since the announcement of the Lok Sabha Elections in the country. We could not receive many consignments on time after the implementation of the model code of conduct in the state. Consequently, we could not offer varied variety to our customers this time. A dip of around 30 to 40 per cent in our sales this time was reported on Akshaya Tritiya as compared to the last few years," said Saurabh Khanna of Mayur Jewellers.

From an investment point of view also, gold has lost its sheen. The hike in the price of gold last year over this year has been almost negligible-about Rs 1,500-and it is unlikely to yield better returns in future.

Akshaya Tritiya in 2011 fell on May 6 when 10 gm of gold was priced Rs 22,000. The next came on April 24 and the price of gold jumped to Rs 29,200, a huge return for the investors. In 2013, gold price fell to Rs 27,220 due to an overall market surge and on reports that huge stocks of gold had changed hands. This year, however, the currency has been weak and curbs on imports strong. So, gold price has remained more or less the same at Rs 28,750. On Friday, the average rate of gold was recorded at 29,800 per 10 gm.

However, when contacted, the gold merchant differs with the opinion of gold losing its sheen due to rate consistency.

"Gold has not lost its sheen. It is still considered as the most sought after mode for a safe investment in the country. Infact, the consistent rates have helped in maintaining the purchasing power of the people in the last few years. Things would have worsened, if the rates touched new highs," said Neelmani Chawla, proprietor DDJL Jewellers.. The outlet has also recorded a dip in their sale by 20 to 30 per cent on the festival day.

Similarly, Reliance Jewels has also recorded a huge dip in their sale as compared to last year. "The dip was caused due to elections recently held in the state. Apart from wedding needs, very few people came to the outlet to buy specifically on the occasion of Akshaya Tritaya," said Vijay Karan, Manager, Reliance Jewels.

On the contrary, some of the outlets did confirm around 20 to 30 per cent increase in their sales from the ordinary days. "Although, we have not offered much designs due to recent elections, the sale on the day was reported to be 25 to 30 per cent higher than the normal days," said Sham Sunder Chopra, Leader jewellers. Many other gold retailers have also attributed the slackness in sales to various other reasons like inflation, market uncertainty, a ban on the sale of gold coins, increased duty on gold import and other curbs imposed by the government to restrict gold imports in order to control the current account deficit. Jewellery led demand account for about 60 to 65 per cent of India's annual imports and with the huge dip in sales on Akshay Tritaya, known as the day to buy gold, the trend is pointing towards a bearish season of golden business in the months to come. 

Jalandhar, May 3
While it was first going to be inaugurated on March 31, the 50 MLD STP at Basti Peer Daad has been delayed yet again as minor pending works on it are yet to be completed.

While in April end, authorities were saying the STP will be completed by last Monday (April 28) that did not happen. Now, officials claim that it will be completed by May 5.

Notably, while the Central government has put in a major share of its money for the funding of the four STPs in the district, the state government's share, so far, is awaited. While the government keeps issuing brand new deadline of the completion of these projects which, insiders say the delay in the coming in of government funds is one of the major causes of their perpetual delay.

Except the 50 MLD STP at Basti Peer Daad (near leather Complex), the other STPs awaited for the district are the 25 MLD STP at Pholariwal village, 10 MLD STP at Bambianwali village in Jalandhat Cantt. and 25 MLD STP on the Hoshiarpur road.

Officials said while the integral structure of all these was more or less complete, it was the additional work (worth about 30 crore) for which funds are needed by the state and unless they arrive, the STPs won't begin functioning. After the state contributes, the centre will send its final instalment.

Notably, the PPCB authorities repeating an oft-committed faux pas, had, yet again sought the services of Environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal to inaugurate the Basti Peer Daad STP this Monday (April 28), this time, the Sant did not turn up and wisely so, since as it turned out, the STP is unlikely to begin functioning until May 5.

Environmental Engineer, Jalandhar, Punjab Pollution Control Board, SP Garg said, "Since I am presently out of station, the STP won't be coming up before I come back. But I will be back by May 5 and then we will inaugurate it soon. Presently only the electricity work is left on the STP. The rest of three STPs are also expected to be completed by June 6."

However, sources said with even the boundary walls on the project yet to come up, it looks like anything but a completed project and the authorities are doing nothing but buying time.

ND Bawa, superintending engineer, Jalandhar, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, said, "Including the Basti Peer Daad STP, STPs worth about 110 MLD are yet to come up in the district. While the state government owes its entire share of about 30 crore as well as pending value on some previous work on the STPs, after the state government puts in its share, more share from the centre will also be poured in. This total of Rs 60 crore shall be needed in the final completion of the projects. But we are hoping that collectively, they will be completed in about two months."

Jalandhar May 2
I am not escaping police arrest; I am very much at home. Some senior Congress leaders are deliberately giving push to the woman Congress leader Reeta Sharma with the motive to malign my image. This was said by SAD leader Suresh Sehgal, who was charged for beating up a Congress leader at a polling booth in Rasta Mohalla on 
April 30.

Sehgal, who is now a SAD leader, was earlier the Jalandhar Mayor while he was in the BJP. Interestingly, he also made scathing attack on SAD-BJP leadership for not supporting him at the time when the Congress leaders were adamant in registering an FIR against him.

He, however, expressed thanks to SAD leader-cum-Lok Sabha candidate from Jalandhar Pawan Tinu for standing by him during the controversy.

The day controversy erupted, Tinu was in regular touch with him and he assured full support.

"After two days, BJP leaders, including Chief Parliamentary Secretary KD Bhandari came to my house to express their support. It seemed that they have come to the track only after they noticed that Tinu was supporting me," said Sehgal adding that where these BJP leaders were, when he was charged by the police in a fake case of beating up a Congress leader.

He even went on to say that BJP leaders remained in deep slumber when Congress was in protest mode against him.

He asserted the police had played a biased role as it registered FIR against him without investigating the allegations.

"Why police was quite when congress workers were holding protest outside polling booth despite the fact that poll code was in force," said Sehgal.

He said BJP leadership was ignoring him because he was former city mayor from BJP and later shifted his loyalty to SAD. "The BJP leaders are nursing the grudge that I have joined SAD," he held.

He also denied the allegation of Reeta that he manhandled her.

Arrest former Mayor, else will gherao Police Commissioner: Congress

While giving three days ultimatum to the city police, Reeta Sharma along with the former Congress candidate of assembly polls Rajinder Berry and others, said they would gherao the Police Commissioner if former Mayor Suresh Sehgal was not arrested by the in three days . She accused the police of hands in glove with Akali leader.

Jalandhar May 2
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, conferred the prestigious PVSM on Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, General Officer Commanding -in- Chief, Northern Command for exceptional service and outstanding leadership in a glittering defence investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on Friday.

A soldier with sterling leadership qualities, Gen Chachra took over reins of the operationally active Northern Command on July 1, 2013 and conceptualised a realistic, practical and dynamic strategy in conjunction with the civil administration, state police and CAPFs to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

As a result of excellent synergy between the Indian Army, civil administration, other security and intelligence agencies, militants attempting to infiltrate have been systematically targeted and their leadership eliminated in hinterland in a series of successful operations in the last six months leaving most of the terrorist in disarray and reduction in violence levels .

As part of Indian Army's participative contribution, the officer has been instrumental in the initiation of a number of developmental initiatives for welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jalandhar, May 2
After roping in a coach from Spain, the Youth Football Club of Rurka Kalan got another fillip with sports scientists from Coventry University London coming here to teach the children, most of who are from underprivileged families from across the state, the importance of physical fitness.

Sports scientists Amanda Nicola Miller, Bobby Hobbs and Cameron Hill spent two weeks at the YFC Academy, who brought with them not only the experience of technology and know-how of the game, but also world renowned 'Smart Speed' technology to assess and determine factors like speed, agility, power and strength of the budding footballers. They conducted a coaching workshop where 55 youth mentors and coaches from all over Punjab attended at Youth and Sports Complex, Rurka Kalan.

Having begun by making use of humble collections received by performing bhangra during Lohri functions in village and around for purchasing football kits for its players, the Rurka Kalan Youth Football Club has evolved a lot having produced over a dozen international footballers and hundreds of national-level players since mid-1960s.

The club, which trains more than 1200 boys and 200 girls at 12 centres, now has an annual budget of Rs 72 lakh which it manages through donations and NRI support and sends its teams for international leagues to foreign countries. The club has set up its own league with as many as 25 'seven-a-side' matches organized in five categories between clubs at the weekends.

The best part is that the club has adopted a Government Primary School of the Rurka Kalan village where its trainees, most of whom are from very poor families of the state, have been taking education while practising the game every morning and evening. Free lodging, food and sports kits have been provided to the cadets. The trainees get professional coaching from experts from Canada, UK and Spain coming on short and long duration tie-up programmes.

While a small viewers' gallery has been constructed here and the ground has flood lights installed, it is being further spruced up by constructing dressing rooms for teams, rain gun irrigation systems and parking lot. Gurmangal Dass, President of the Club, said that it was supporting 12 centres including those in Bhodey Saprai, Kahna Dhesian, Chak Muglaani, Shankar, Jandiala, Bundala, Bilga, Sarhali villages in the periphery of Rurka Kalan, Goraya town, Attari village near Indo-Pakistan border and Allona Tolla near Khanna. "Thanks to hundreds of NRIs from this village, all of whom have been contributing generously towards the club", he said.

The YFC Rurka Kalan Football Academy has won the Street Child World Cup Soccer Tournament held in Durban South Africa in March 2010. Six footballers of the club were a part of the Punjab team that won the National Inter-School Championship 2010 held at Gurdaspur, organised by Sports Authority of India. The team lifted the Runners-Up trophy in All India Manchester United Premier Cup (under-16) held in Gurgaon 2011, organised by All India football Federation. It also is the winner of Punjab State Sub-Junior Championship held at Patiala, organised by Punjab Sports Department.

Its cadets- Anwar Ali, Sukhwinder Kumar, Sukhdeep Singh, Taranjot Kumar, Prem Kumar, Amritpal Singh and Jaspreet Singh - are all a part of the India team. Jatinder and Kamalpreet of the have participated in the U-16 Asia camp. Several of its players, including Harjaap Singh, Sulakhan Singh and Balbir Singh have represented the Punjab Police. Its cadets also represent private academies in the country as Ramandeep Kumar has been placed with Tata Football Academy and Amritpal Singh with Churchill Brothers Goa.