Leisure activities for children in summer workshops
Amritsar, May 30
It's time to take a break from early morning wake-up call, textbooks and piles of homework. As summer break is about to begin, children are already looking forward to leisure activities to spend their summers constructively and interestingly. Almost every school turns into a camp in summers with no dearth of fun activities that aim at inculcating interactive learning.

Children study at a library in Amritsar. A Tribune photograph

Food plaza at city railway station shut down
Amritsar, May 30
The much-awaited food plaza that was opened a day before at the Amritsar railway station has been shut down as it didn't have the prior approval of the railway authorities. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Upjeet Singh said the plaza would be allowed to function from the premises of the railway station only if its operator submitted fitness certificates of its employees and the written permission from the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The food plaza that was shut down at the Amritsar railway station on Friday. Photo: RK SONI

Panels formed to keep tab on bonded labour
Amritsar, May 30
The state government has constituted vigilance committee for Amritsar district and its subdivisions-Amritsar subdivision-1, Amritsar subdivision-2, Ajnala and Baba Bakala-to look into the complaints of bonded labour. A notification in this regard had already been issued. These committees have been constituted under the sub-section (1) of the Section 13 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1976.

Food processing unit all set to generate employment in region
Amritsar, May 30
A New Delhi-based firm, GD Foods Manufacturing (India) Pvt Ltd, has come up with a food processing unit at Khadoor Sahib which will generate employment opportunities for the local youth and better price to farmers for their produce. The new plant costing Rs 7.5 crore will be committed to design production lines for tomato paste, apple paste, green-chilli paste, red-chilli paste and pear paste. The production in this plant will be consumed by the main factory based at Rajasthan for the manufacturing of final products.

A vendor sells seasonal fruit, falsa, outside the Company Bagh in Amritsar on Friday. Photo: RK SONI

Bikramjit case
Five accused cops still at large
Amritsar, May 30
Though over 15 days have elapsed, five cops allegedly involved in the kidnapping and killing of jail inmate Bikramjit Singh are still roaming free. The police have booked 13 persons, including 12 cops, in the case while another person identified as Deep Raj, a resident of Qadian, was arrested by the police recently on charges of criminal conspiracy in the case. The accused cops had used his building during illegal detention and interrogation of Bikramjit Singh.

Campus notes
CBSE Class XII toppers honoured
Shri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School (SGHSSPS) on Friday felicitated the achievers of Class XII CBSE Board exams. Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society (CKDCS) vice-president Dr Santokh Singh graced the occasion as the chief guest while Narinder Singh Khurana from the CKDCS was the guest of honour. The programme started with a shabad followed by a welcome dance and Kathak by Class XI girls. A wonderful dance performance was also presented by the teachers.

7 injured in group clash
Amritsar, May 30
Around seven persons were allegedly injured in a group clash between the Congress and the Akali workers at Bhindi Saida village near here. Satta Singh, a Congress sarpanch, alleged that Dalip Singh, a former sarpanch and circle president, SAD, attacked them when he along with his accomplices were returning to the village.

Soya in mid-day meal soon
Amritsar, May 30
Indian government needs to eradicate the ignominious status of India being the top country in the world for having highest number of protein malnourished children. This was said by Dr Rajendra Singh Paroda, chairman, Haryana Farmers Commission. Dr Singh suggested inclusion of soya in mid-day meal being served to the students up to Class VI in government schools across the country. He said the suggestion was already conveyed to the authorities concerned and it was expected to be implemented soon. He said protein in the form of soya is cheapest in the market and easily available. A kilogram of soya costs Rs 30 whereas the same quantity of protein from cereal costs Rs 120. Dr Singh said endless number of items could be made out of soya, including ice cream, milk and tofu. — TNS

Heroin seized from undertrial
Amritsar, May 30
The Amritsar Central Jail authorities have seized heroin from an inmate during a routine checking on Friday. The accused has been identified as undertrial Deepak, son of Vijay Kumar, a resident of Tarn Taran. Superintendent RK Sharma said Deepak was accused in case FIR no. 10/12 under Section 376 (2) G 506, IPC, with police station, Khalra. "We have seized 1.75 gm of heroin from his possession during a routine search drive. A case under Sections 21, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act, and Section 42 of the Prisoner Act with police station Cantonment has been registered against him," he said. Sub-Inspector Prabhjot Singh of police post Gumtala has been appointed as the investigating officer in the case. TNS

GNDU re-evaluation results now on varsity website
Amritsar, May 30
The results of all the candidates who have applied for the re-evaluation of answer sheets of the Guru Nanak Dev University for session December, 2013 is available at the university website www.gndu.ac.in. Similarly, the results of re-evaluations of answer sheets of any examination after this date would also be available only on university website. Dr Renu Bhardwaj, professor in charge (examinations), said: “All the candidates of re-evaluation are advised to consult university website for their result.” She said no correspondence would be sent to any students separately relating to result of re-evaluation. — TNS

Man commits suicide
Amritsar, May 30
Lakhwinder Singh (35), a resident of Anngarh, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan today. The incident came to light at around 11.00 am today. As per the police, he was mentally upset and was under treatment. They said Prasan Kaur, victim's mother, had come to his house to offer breakfast. She repeatedly knocked at the door but there was no response from the other side. A neighbour entered the house from the roof and found him hanging. The police have initiated action under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. — TNS

 

 

 

 

 

Drug peddling
Big fish still roam free: Residents
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30
Though the Punjab police have arrested hundreds of drug peddlers in the past one week, people feel that the main accused were still out of the police reach due to their political links. Though they appreciate the police crackdown on drug peddlers, they said there was a need to catch the big fish involved in the illegal trade rather than arresting small-time peddlers or consumers.

Amarjit Singh Asal, a prominent communist leader from the city, said the issue prominently came to the fore during the recently held parliamentary polls. "However, it has become a tool to target political opponents," he said.

" A majority of the drug peddlers arrested by the police were drug consumers who are involved in peddling at a lower-level. The main suppliers enjoy political patronage, thus, remain out of the police reach," Asal said.

Echoing the same sentiments, Gurmeet Singh Bablu, president, Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Youth Front, an NGO, said the big fish involved in drug peddling were still roaming free.

"The poor performance of the ruling government have shaken the people and the police have become aggressive in launching the drive. But, it is meaningless until and unless political links to of drug peddlers are there. The police should nab the big fish rather than praising themselves by arresting consumers and small-time peddlers," he said.

On the other hand, Master Ajit Singh, a teacher, appreciated the concerted drive launched by the police.

"It should be appreciated that the state government and the police have finally taken steps to weed out the problem. Hopefully, we will see a positive impact of this drive in future," he added. Police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said no drug peddler would be spared. Till now, the city police have nabbed around 200 persons in this connection.

"Following the interrogation of those arrested, we have prepared a list of over 50 smugglers and regular raids are being carried out to nab them. They all have fled from their den. Moreover, we have registered three cases of smuggling and have booked around 60 persons. Manhunt has been launched to arrest them. I assure the residents that the unholy nexus between politicos and politicians would not be allowed to flourish."

Safe drinking water supply to city not state govt's priority
GS Paul
Tribune News Service

Anand Avenue residents show contaminated water, which they collected from the tap in their house, in Amritsar on Friday. PHOTO: R K SONI

Amritsar, May 30
While Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal yesterday reviewed development works and made tall promises to Amritsar residents, the state government is yet to facilitate the supply of clean drinking water to the people in the holy city. After getting an alarming feedback from experts about the bad quality of water in Amritsar, experts had advocated to introduce canal-based drinking water supply, but the scheme is hanging fire due to fund crunch.

When a communication was sent to the Local Bodies Department for final approval and execution process, the department put it on hold after failing to find adequate sources to generate funds for the scheme.

With no scientific way of water treatment in place and a majority of tubewells lying in a dilapidated state, city residents are facing scarcity of water and are also forced to consume unsafe water.

Mandeep Singh, a resident of Anand Avenue, said that they had been compelled to drink contaminated water for the past over 20 days while the authorities never bothered to respond when he lodged a complaint. “It's mere lip service to announce that Amritsar will be turned into California. What could be the state of mind of residents who do not even have safe drinking water?” he said.

Harcharan Singh, assistant general manager of Punjab and Sind Bank said, “The makeover of the city by planting ornamental trees or other beautification ideas of erecting attractive gates worth crores of rupees make no sense when residents cry to have safe drinking water. I live in New Amritsar where we get muddy water supply. When this is the state of affairs prevailing in New Amritsar, you can imagine the situation in old Amritsar," he said.

Canal-based water supply scheme

Under the Mega Water Supply Scheme, the government had contemplated to introduce the canal-based water supply scheme here. A meeting was held on July 10, 2012, under the chairmanship of the Punjab Chief Minister. Thereafter, officials were instructed to conduct a feasibility study.

An inspection was conducted by an IIT team of Roorkee and health officials of the MC in September 2012 at the Beas and UBDC (Upper Bari Doab Canal) for coming up with ideas about a feasible surface source of water for the city residents. The study indicated that the water level of the city had depleted to almost 60 per cent of the permissible norms and the tubewell-based water supply could not remain dependable for long.

Regarding augmenting the water supply through the river, the proposal was left pending as the whole process demanded an expenditure to the tune of Rs 120 crore in taking water from a 40-km long stretch and another amount of Rs 130 crore as cost of treatment works, conveyance of treated water up to the master area reservoirs and overheads etc.

The MC Commissioner, DPS Kharbanda, said the Anand Avenue problem was being looked into. Xen Parduman Singh was on the job. The proposal of canal-based water supply was pending but the water treatment scheme was there. The ministry had approved two schemes for Amritsar -- Rs 101 crore for providing a fully safe water supply line and another project of Rs 105 crore for revamping the supply line in the South East Zone but funds were awaited.

Leisure activities for children in summer workshops
Neha Saini
Tribune News service

Amritsar, May 30
It's time to take a break from early morning wake-up call, textbooks and piles of homework. As summer break is about to begin, children are already looking forward to leisure activities to spend their summers constructively and interestingly.

Almost every school turns into a camp in summers with no dearth of fun activities that aim at inculcating interactive learning. Apart from the usual music, dance, art and crafts and sports activities that most schools offer, there are also activities like gaming, aerobics, English- speaking, yoga, swimming, martial arts and public speaking that help in a holistic development of children.

Understanding the requirement of the Gen Next, there are some out-of-the-school summer camps that are now offering advanced activities.

The One-Up library-cum-learning centre turns into a hub of summer activities for children within the age group of one to 16 years. "We are organising a summer reading competition, which will be open to children between the age group of eight years and above. It will require children to read 20 books of their choice and review them," says Ridhi Sachdev, co-owner of One-Up, adding that besides catching the young authors in them, it will make them intellectually strong and independent. And then there are violin and guitar-learning lessons for the music-prone. They also have French music classes, movie sessions and alternative learning classes for children during summers.

While the city schools are busy getting high on the creative side with activities like mime, drama, art, dance and music for students, some interesting activities like cooking and imbibing etiquettes also find many takers. "Not just girls but boys, too, are opting for cooking classes as it's a creative way to express and learn. Table manners, correct etiquettes become important in improving a child's social status. These activities cannot be taught in classrooms. So summer camps provide for an excellent training ground," says Aarti Sharma, who takes independent classes for cooking and imparting etiquettes for children in Kennedy Avenue.

The Art Gallery will also host a summer art workshop as the season begins high on creativity. The IAFA in collaboration with the NZCC will host several artists to hold the workshop and an art summer camp for children, too, will be held.

Food plaza at city railway station shut down
Operator of plaza fails to secure prior approval of railway authorities
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30
The much-awaited food plaza that was opened a day before at the Amritsar railway station has been shut down as it didn't have the prior approval of the railway authorities. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Upjeet Singh said the plaza would be allowed to function from the premises of the railway station only if its operator submitted fitness certificates of its employees and the written permission from the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The company, entrusted with the operation of the plaza, had inaugurated it despite securing power connection. However, the plaza was shut down after the railway authorities objected to it.

Singh said all facilities and cooperation would be extended to the operator of the plaza after the latter submitted the required documents.

The railway authorities had handed over 2,250 square-foot-area (250 square yards) to the IRCTC Limited for the food plaza. The IRCTC has conceived four food plazas at railway stations in Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ferozepur and Ambala. Of these, Chandigarh's plaza has started functioning.

There was not regular outlet serving food at the railway station for the past many years. It has been a long-pending demand of passengers. The footfall at the railway station is increasing day by day.

A Delhi-based food product chain has been hired to run the plaza. As many as 130 trains arrive and depart from the Amritsar railway station every day. It records a daily footfall of over 30,000.

Earlier, passengers had objected to the setting up of the plaza in the waiting hall of the railway station.

The work on the installation of an escalator at the railway station is also underway. However, the pace of the work has irked passengers and vendors. A refreshment room is expected to be to be open soon.

The Union Government had also announced to provide Rs 10 crore for the development of the railway station last year. The railway station will have a retiring room, VIP lounge, waiting room, VIP parking lot and circulating area.

Panels formed to keep tab on bonded labour
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30
The state government has constituted vigilance committee for Amritsar district and its subdivisions-Amritsar subdivision-1, Amritsar subdivision-2, Ajnala and Baba Bakala-to look into the complaints of bonded labour. A notification in this regard had already been issued. These committees have been constituted under the sub-section (1) of the Section 13 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1976.

The district vigilance committee includes a chairman and nine other members. The district magistrate will be the chairman of the district-level committee while Rajiv Bhagat, advocate, Rakesh Gill, councillor, Gulshan Rani, Shankar Dutt Tiwari, vice-president of the Sewa Bharti, Pappu Mahajan, councillor, district development and panchyat officer (DDPO), district welfare officer (DWO) and the lead bank officer, Punjab National Bank, are other members of the committee.

An official spokesperson said for Amritsar subdivision-1 committee, SDM would be the chairman while Lakhwinder Banti, Yograj Malhotra, Narinderpal Goldi, Mukesh Nanda, Mamta Dutta, block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Jandiala Guru, block development and panchyat officer, Majitha, child development project officer (CDPO), naib-tehsildar and Putligarh branch manager of Central Bank of India will be other members of the committee.

Similarly, Amritsar subdivision-2 vigilance committee will include the SDM, Amritsar-2, as chairman, Piare Lal Anjan, Ravi Mohan and Dalveer Singh. Vinod Kumar Mahajan, Rajinder Kumar Pappu, block development and panchayat cfficer (BDPO), Amritsar, agriculture officer, naib-tehsildar, Amritsar, block development panchayat officer, Amritsar, and the manager, Central Bank of India, Putligarh, Amritsar, will be other members of the committee.

The vigilance committee for Ajnala subdivision includes the SDM, Ajnala, as chairman while Dalvir Singh, Sukha, a former sarpanch, Dr Kashmir Singh, Jaswant Singh, Raghbir Singh, sarpanch, Dhandal village, tehsildar, Ajnala, block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Ajnala, block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Harshachhina/Chugiana, tehsil welfare officer, Ajnala, and the manager, Punjab National Bank, Ajnala will be other members.

Similarly, the Baba Bakala subdivision vigilance committee will have the SDM , Baba Bakala, as chairman while Santokh Singh, namberdar, Swarn Singh, Panch, Pal Singh, Dr Bhagwant Singh, a former sarpanch, Narinder Kaur, tehsildar, Baba Bakala, block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Rayya, child development project officer (BDPO), Rayya, agriculture officer, Rayya and the manager, State Bank of Patiala, Baba Bakala, are other members.

Food processing unit all set to generate employment in region
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30
A New Delhi-based firm, GD Foods Manufacturing (India) Pvt Ltd, has come up with a food processing unit at Khadoor Sahib which will generate employment opportunities for the local youth and better price to farmers for their produce. The new plant costing Rs 7.5 crore will be committed to design production lines for tomato paste, apple paste, green-chilli paste, red-chilli paste and pear paste. The production in this plant will be consumed by the main factory based at Rajasthan for the manufacturing of final products.

The 12 to 14 tonnes per hour production of fruits and vegetable capacity is a step in the direction of gaining farmers’ attention towards diversifying their sowing pattern from traditional wheat and paddy crops.

Nitin Seth, Managing Director, GD Foods, said the farmers too could be educated about the quality of seed and advanced cultivation methods through the state of the art microbiology labs established in the plant.

At present the between 200-250 quintal tomato is produced in an acre of land, but if quality seed is used, the Punjab soil has a capacity to produce over 500 quintals per acre.

“With the union food processing ministry coming to the kitty of Punjab, we have high hopes of flourishing the food processing scenario in the state. It is our first venture in Punjab. We deeply value the association of locals for whom we intend to create job prospects. We have already engaged 60-70 persons and we would require a total strength of at least 125 staff members. There is no age or qualification bar for the helpers. We have also engaged Diploma in electrical engineering students,” he said.

The firm hires the land on contract basis. “We could consider farmers as the most important partners in produce .This would encourage them to grow vegetables like tomato, strawberry, apple, peer, chillies etc. Above all, we ensure the farmers that risk factors regarding poor production or damaged production due to inclement weather conditions would be all ours,” he told.

GD Foods offers a formidable range of products under the brand name “TOPS” including pickles, jams, tomato ketchup, instant mixes, cornflakes, custards, cake mixes, noodles, culinary sauces, jellies and drinking chocolate. It is all set to spruce up the distribution and retail presence of its vast portfolio of products in Punjab specially Amritsar like Hall Bazaar, Lawrence Road, Bus-stand area, Ranjit Avenue, Putlighar, Batala Road, Majitha Road, Rani ka Bagh, Chahretta and Vijay Nagar.

Bikramjit case
Five accused cops still at large
Tribune News Service

Campus notes
CBSE Class XII toppers honoured

The management of Shri Guru Harkishan Secondary School felicitates a meritorious student of Class XII in Amritsar. A tribune photograph

Shri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School (SGHSSPS) on Friday felicitated the achievers of Class XII CBSE Board exams. Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society (CKDCS) vice-president Dr Santokh Singh graced the occasion as the chief guest while Narinder Singh Khurana from the CKDCS was the guest of honour. The programme started with a shabad followed by a welcome dance and Kathak by Class XI girls. A wonderful dance performance was also presented by the teachers. The director of the school, Dr Dharam Veer Singh, appreciated the students for their hard work. The top scorers were honoured with mementos and certificates. Of 267 students, who appeared in Class XII board exams, 50 students got 90 per cent or above marks. As many as 49 students got 85-89 per cent marks. Gurkiran Kaur topped in the school and the city in commerce with 97 per cent marks. Divjot Kaur topped the medical stream in the city with 95.2 per cent marks.

No Tobacco Day observed

Shri Ram Ashram Public School observed "No Tobacco Day" on its campus on Friday. A special assembly was conducted on the occasion. The event commenced with a performance of young artists through which they depicted how to protect youths from tobacco,

14 selected in placement drive

HCL Technologies and Axis Bank on Friday visited Global Institutes under a placement drive. Students from various engineering and management institutes participated in the drive. Of the total students, who participated in the drive, 84 were shortlisted in the first round. As many as 14 Students were selected during the drive. The visiting HR executives appreciated the infrastructure on the campus. "During the current academic session, Global Institutes has organised many campus placement drives," said Dr Akashdeep Singh, vice-chairman of Global Institutes. He congratulated the students on their placement. — TNS

7 injured in group clash
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30
Around seven persons were allegedly injured in a group clash between the Congress and the Akali workers at Bhindi Saida village near here. Satta Singh, a Congress sarpanch, alleged that Dalip Singh, a former sarpanch and circle president, SAD, attacked them when he along with his accomplices were returning to the village. He said they fled in their vehicle and reached a relative’s home and parked their vehicle there to save themselves, adding that the accused chased them and attacked them. He alleged that they damaged their car and injured among others Angrej Singh, Achhar Singh, Gurmit Singh and Gurmej Singh besides ransacking the house.

Dalip Singh, however, refuted the charges and alleged that it was it was Satta Singh and his accomplices who had attacked an Akali supporter, Babbu, and ransacked his shop. Besides Babbu, he alleged, his two brothers, Gurcharan Singh and Hansa Singh, were also injured which led to the clash.

The Bhindi Saida police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Jagatpreet Singh, DSP, Rajasansi, said that investigations were under progress and action would be taken following the probe.