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Revise prize policy, says CWG medallist
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Family of man shot dead in the US urge PM to intervene
Family members of Rajinder Kumar addressing mediapersons in Amritsar on Saturday. Photo: RK Soni
AIT starts proceedings to axe over 398 trees
A display board on a tree on the McLeod road asks people to value trees but the Amritsar Improvement Trust is all set to axe over 398 trees in the same area for widening of a road in the city. Photo: RK Soni
Brahmin Sabha, NGOs flay govt's move to cut peepul tree
Roof-top travel goes uncheked
Passengers travel on a bus roof unmindful of the danger in Amritsar. Photo: RK Soni
Poor civic conditions make life difficult
Residents show a road inundated with rain water at the Industrial Area located on the Maqboolpura Road in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Association to defend industrialists from corrupt officials
Members of the Focal Point Industrial Welfare Association at the annual general house meeting in Amritsar on Saturday. A Tribune Photograph
Sufi Baithak enthrals Amritsar enthusiasts
Vocalists present an item at the Sufi Baithak organised by the Dilbir Foundation in Amritsar. A Tribune Photograph
Vanmahotsava celebrated
Youth booked for posting morphed pictures on social networking sites
Illegal medical store raided, owner booked
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Revise prize policy, says CWG medallist
Amritsar, August 9 The 21-year-old won a bronze in the fierce competition. Arpinder was garlanded to the beats of dhol by his well-wishers. Amidst a rush of people, he was taken from the railway station from where he headed to his native village. His father Jagbir Singh Chhina, mother Harmeet Kaur and other family members, besides friends and relatives from his native Harsha Chhina village, also came to welcome him. He won a bronze with a best leap of 16.63 metres. While reflecting upon his performance, he said, “Had his coach Sukhdev Singh Pannu been permitted to accompany him during the event, he could have managed the gold medal." He said his national record stood at 17.17 meter. When asked about the support rendered by the state government, he said it needs to revise its cash prize policy as it was offering Rs 16 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 6 lakh to gold, silver and bronze medallists, respectively, at the Commonwealth Games. He said it was too low in comparison to what the Haryana government was giving: Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to gold, silver and bronze medalists, respectively. Arpinder studied at Sports School in Jalandhar. Now, he is employed as a supervisor at the ONGC in Ludhiana. His father Jagbir Singh Chhina, an ex-serviceman, said the entire family and the village was happy with his performance. He recalled that he had to mortgage 2 acres of family land to finance the expenses of his games to see his son excel in his chosen sport. He arranged air travel to ensure the participation of his son in games being played in different parts of the country. His mother Harmeet Kaur said Arpinder has been living far from his family for over 12 years. She said their efforts were now showing results. Harmeet Kaur hoped that he would win more medals for the country in the upcoming international games.
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Family of man shot dead in the US urge PM to intervene
Amritsar, August 9 At a press conference here today, Rajni Sharma, wife of the deceased, alleged that no authority has extended any help in bringing Rajinder's body back to India. She said he was shot dead in Washington DC, USA, during a robbery incident. He had gone to the USA to seek a better future for his family. Saurav, son of Rajinder Kumar, said: "He was an Indian national. When the government is claiming of doing everything possible for the Punjabis and the Indians stranded in Iraq, then why don’t they help us in bringing back the body of my father." Rajinder had been living there for the past three years. A pall of gloom descended on his house located in Khandwala area in Chheharta as soon as they received a call from his roommate that he was shot dead by an African-American national in a robbery incident a couple of days ago. "Rajinder was sitting on the cash counter of Exxon Gas Station. The CCTV camera footage revealed that an African-American man armed with a handgun entered the store and confronted Rajinder. He shot him and took away the cash. The incident came to light when a customer reached the store and found Rajinder lying in a pool of blood," said a family member. The deceased is survived by his wife Rajni Sharma and two children, Saurav (20) and Sonali (12). Rajni works in a laboratory. The family had met the Deputy Commissioner who assured of contacting the embassy at New Delhi. They have urged authorities to intervene in this matter so that they can perform his last rites at his native place.
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AIT starts proceedings to axe over 398 trees
Amritsar, August 9 Environmentalists and political leaders are already voicing concerns against the chopping of trees to construct surface infrastructure for the Metro bus service. Trust chairman Sandeep Rishi said movement of traffic on the road increased manifold and it was expected to increase more with the setting up of a PUDA locality on one of its sites. The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) auctioned 43 residential plots, which are to be carved out after shifting of the Police Department and other government offices on the same road, in March. Under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Land (OUVGL) Scheme, PUDA auctioned about 24 acres of land, located opposite Government College and close to Amritsar cantonment. Presently, the office of the Police Commissioner, NRI police station, residences of the DIG and the Canal Department's Superintending Engineer occupy the same land. Under the scheme, PUDA will develop two commercial pockets of 2.88 acres and 2.21 acres, respectively, 0.48 acre is kept for multi-use purpose, 0.32 acre for water works, 0.48 acre is kept as the reserved area and 2.72 acres is charted for setting up three parks. Rishi said at present, wall to wall width of the road outside the SR Government College for Women was about 87 feet wall. He said the PUDA would offer 13 feet from its scheme to widen it to 100 feet. Besides, the road also caters to the people visiting the district court. He said the metalled portion on the entire stretch would be doubled. He said the Trust deposited Rs 13 lakh to shift power lines and poles. He said a request seeking an estimate of the trees had been sent to the Forest Department. As per the estimates, the amount would be paid to the Municipal Corporation.
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Brahmin Sabha, NGOs flay govt's move to cut peepul tree
Amritsar, August 9 The meeting was also attended by NGOs Mission Aagaaj, Amritsar Consumers' Forum and Jan Kalyan Sangathan. The members of all the organisations decided to bring the mass cutting of trees, especially that of 'peepal' and 'bargad' to the notice of PM Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari. Chander Shekar Sharma of the All-India Brahmin Federation said no political leader except for Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Laxmi Kanta Chawla had come out in support of these green lungs of the city.
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Roof-top travel goes uncheked
Amritsar, August 9 Goods carriers like tractor-trolleys and trucks are used for ferrying passengers in the city. Such vehicles are often used by the people for going on a pilgrimage despite being illegal. The traffic policemen can be seen issuing tickets (challans) to those travelling in cars without seat belts, but they seemed to have turned a blind eye to those travelling on roof-tops of buses. Keeping in view the risk to lives of these passengers, the traffic police should act seriously. Most often conductors of these private vehicles encourage passengers to sit on roofs as it helps them ferry more commuters. “The bus staff is to be blamed for the act. A passenger cannot climb on the roof unless the staff allows him to do so. The staff is eager to make some more money, but people should be thinking of their safety instead of indulging in such misadventure,” said Charanjit Singh, a local resident. Another resident, Jagtar Singh, said if the people have to travel on roofs of buses it meant that there was not enough space inside. “More buses should ply on routes where people face problem in commuting. Earlier, many Roadways buses plied on every route. Now these have been stopped and private buses are still continuing.” He said city bus services on routes to nearby villages could have solved the problem had the service continued.
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Poor civic conditions make life difficult
Amritsar, August 9 Roads in the area are inundated with dirty water overflowing from chocked drains. The stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Weeds and shrubs have grown on vacant plots. Industrialists under the banner of the Focal Point Industries Association said repeated requests to the Municipal Corporation authorities had fallen on deaf ears. Kamal Kishore Aggarwal, president of the association, alleged that the disposal point remained inoperative a majority of times. He said certain dyeing industries at the Focal Point were discharging excessive and untreated water in drains leading to blockage. The sewerage system had collapsed due to the negligent approach of the Municipal Corporation, he added. Ironically, the office of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is in the vicinity of the Focal point. A visit to the area brought to fore the dismal scenario prevailing at the Focal Point. Dirty water has accumulated in a vacant plot just a few metres from the office of the PPCB. A worker, Rajkumar, alleged that the scenario remained unchanged throughout the year, which exposed the hollow claims of the authorities concerned. “Political leaders make huge claims to develop focal points whenever they visit the area, but the reality is what you are seeing,” he said. Another mason, Satish Kumar, said during rains it was impossible to walk on these roads as these were under water. Workers of industrial units located in the Focal Point are often robbed by unscrupulous elements. Streetlights in the area have been lying defunct for a long time. Though Maqboolpura police station is located inside the Focal Point, it has not improved the law and order conditions. Miscreants flee after committing a crime taking advantage of the darkness. Aggarwal said the government recently claimed to have spent Rs 5 crore for various development works in the Focal Point, but conditions had not improved due to the half-hearted approach of the authorities concerned. Kuldeep Singh, executive engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said, “There is no industrial unit which is discharging untreated water in the sewerage.” He said the problem arose due to choked drains, which were under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation. MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal while admitting the problem said a meeting with the representatives of the association was held and all issues raised by them would be addressed within next 10 to 15 days. He said problems include sanitation, chocking of sewerage system, maintenance of parks etc.
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Association to defend industrialists from corrupt officials
Amritsar, August 9 The meeting, which was held under aegis of association president Kamal Dalmia, also resolved to defend industrialists of the area from corrupt officials and create conducive environment for the development of the trade and industry. Association general secretary Sundeep Khosla read a performance report of the association on the occasion. He said the association assisted Municipal Corporation twice in setting up camp for property tax and the MC collected Rs 39 lakh from Focal Point unit holders. The association became member of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on November 29, 2013. The state government acknowledged suggestions of Kamal Dalmia and Sundeep Khosla to the Finance Commission for development of industry and infrastructure. Dalmia and Khosla represented local industrialists at the meeting of the 14th Finance Commission, chaired by YV Reddy, former Governor of the RBI in Chandigarh in September 2013. The association completed the pilot project of beautification by planting different saplings at Focal Point and its entire expenses were borne by Dalmia. The association successfully took up the matter of four-laning of 20-km stretch from Dhilwan to Jalandhar bypass on the National Highway-1 with the Union government. Finally, six-lane project for Rs 343 crore was inaugurated on February 26 this year. A proposal to establish fire brigade station at Focal Point by utilising disaster management funds provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the state government was also accepted. It will implemented shortly.
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Sufi Baithak enthrals Amritsar enthusiasts
Amritsar, August 9 The evening began with two Sufi renditions by Harleen Kaur and presentation from budding artiste Jaasmaan Rathore. Prominent singer of the Baithak was young and prolific exponent, Devendra Pal Singh, of Indian Idol fame. He enthralled the audience with spiritually uplifting, sublime Sufi renditions. He was accompanied by taus specialist Shiri Pal Singh, and tabla maestro Anikbar Singh. Prof Sarbjot Behl briefed the gathering on the tradition of Sufism, the evolution of Sufi musicology and its spread through the Asian continent and beyond. Gunbir Singh, president of Dilbir Foundation, said the foundation was keen to nurture the legacy and heritage of Punjab. The event concluded with a resolve to work together to provide opportunities for performing artistes, craftsmen, musicians at all levels of society and also invite maestros to share their learning’s with residents, keeping in view the conservation and spreading Punjab’s rich legacy and traditions.
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Amritsar, August 9
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Youth booked for posting morphed pictures on social networking sites Amritsar, August 9 The complainant who resides in New Amritsar area alleged that the accused Jaskaran Singh, a resident of Vijay Nagar, Football Chowk, was earlier also booked by the police in two separate cases of a similar nature. She alleged the accused had been causing mental harassment and blackmailing her. She alleged the accused had been sending her threatening messages on the phone. SHO of Division B police station said the accused has been charged with outraging the modesty of the victim, besides cheating, printing indecent mater intended for blackmailing besides IT act. A case under Sections 419, 420, 500, 506, 292 (2), 354-A, 379 IPC and 66-A, 66-C, 66-D, 66-E, 67, 67-A of Information Technology Act has been registered.—TNS
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Illegal medical store raided, owner booked Amritsar, August 9 The department seized 27 kinds of medicines from the store. During the raid, the accused, identified as Rajbir Kaur, failed to produce any documents or licence for running the medical store. The raid was conducted by Dr Navreet Kaur, Medical Officer, deputed at Manawala Community Health Centre. Following her complaint, the police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Medical Council Act against the owner. —TNS
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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. P2 Remove encroachments from footpaths
It is good news that the Municipal Corporation has at last woken up to the menace of rehris stationed on the road in front of the Government Dental College. But rehriwalas need to be provided alternate space to carry on their business, preferably on footpaths along roads so that there is no hindrance to pedestrian movement. Unfortunately, pedestrians are a harried lot as most of the markets and roads have no footpaths and if there are any, these have been encroached by the shopkeepers by extending their counters. The most striking example is that of the posh Lawrence Road. I wonder why no one has ever complained against them. Some shopkeepers have covered even the pedestrian corridor, forcing the people, along with their children, to walk on the road, which is not wide enough. If a motorist or a biker has not hit any (or many), it is a sheer providence of the Almighty. It is the duty of the traffic police to not only issue tickets (challan), but also ensure smooth and safe flow of the traffic. The administration, including DCP (Traffic), as well as the Municipal Corporation Commissioner should take this matter seriously. KS
Khurana,
Allocate parking space
in markets
Rambag Market has no white/yellow line on the road, which indicates parking place for vehicles. This particular road is for two way traffic. Customers who come for shopping in this bazaar have to park their vehicles on roadside before entering any shop for purchasing goods. Even if a vehicle is parked only for a minute or two, it is towed away by enforcement officials. Also there is no signboard displaying ‘No parking zone’. It is not justified to impound vehicles from the bazaar where parking space has not been earmarked. The authorities concerned should display parking lines indicating parking zone. If this is not possible, the road leading from Gol Hatti Dry Fruit shop, Hall Bazaar to Rambag should be made one way so that some portion of the road can be used as parking area. No vehicle should be allowed to enter from either side of the road. Kartar Mann, Amritsar
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Family members of Rajinder Kumar Sharma, a local resident who was shot dead by an unidentified person in a robbery incident in the USA, today urged Prime Minister Narender Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to intervene in bringing his body back to India.
Much to the dismay of environmentalists and concerned citizens, the Amritsar Improvement Trust has started proceedings to axe over 398 trees on the stretch from McLeod road to Ajnala road to facilitate its widening.
Passengers travelling on roofs of private buses is a common sight in the city despite being risky and prone to accidents, reported the in past. In March this year, four persons were electrocuted while they were travelling on a roof of a vehicle.
The pathetic civic conditions at the Focal Point, located on Mehta Road, has made life hell for industrialists.
Roads in the area are inundated with dirty water overflowing from chocked drains. The stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Members of the Focal Point Industrial Welfare Association at its maiden annual general house meeting held here today resolved to catapult the Focal Point into the number one industrial area of the state.
A Sufi Baithak was organised last evening by Dilbir Foundation (DF) to acquaint people with the rich heritage in musicology and to revive interest in Sufi traditions. The select gathering included students, educators, leading businessmen and residents of the city.