MC to start from scratch

If the stray dog programme was suspended, the domestic dog registration was never even started. With thousands of pet dogs in the city – many of them abandoned – the MC will start from scratch to identify all pets and register these so that similar untoward incidents don’t happen in future

MCspeak

Speaking to The Tribune, assistant health officer, MC, Jalandhar, Dr Harjinder Singh, said, “Frankly, so far the registration of pet animals hasn’t been done in the district. We do not have a count of the number of pet dogs in the district because no survey has ever been conducted. However, the entire process shall be started in the coming days and we shall also be conducting surveys soon.” When questioned, confirming that the MC had lost much revenue by not registering animals, the AHO said the meet on Tuesday and the revent instruction by the state government as well have speeded up the process and action will soon follow.

Speaking on the reasons the MC couldn’t take custody of the bull mastiff, the AHO said, “We can’t take custody without a facility to keep the dog. We do not have a dog pound right now, but one is soon coming up at the Nangal Shama village where there is already a government veterinary hospital. Tenders for the dog pounds of the same were also approved at the F&CC meeting held in the district today. The facility at the village will have dog pounds and sterilisation and anti-rabies operations of dogs will also be carried out by veterinary experts of the Animal Husbandry Department there.”

The uniform bylaws of the Punjab Government for pet animals have also just been proposed and these would be implemented soon.

PFASpeak
"Ever since news reports of this incident have started making rounds, people with absolutely healthy and friendly dogs are being brought to us and people tell us to keep these because they are sick. People need to be aware of how to keep and take care of pets. These are not things to play with. Many people abandon their pets at the drop of a hat. A little health problem and they can’t keep it anymore. It is important that rather than be scared away, awareness regarding proper care of pets should be done. In that very case, clearly a farm animal had been kept in a locality. The owners put others’ life at risk. The owners should be more responsible. But the greater responsibility on society is not to label all dogs as ferocious as many people seem to be doing and maintain a level of care both for pets and stray animals" —Chander Bhushan, head of the People for Animals facility in city

VetSpeak
"The onus lies on both the MC and the people themselves for the registration of domestic animals. As vets, we see a large number of the people contacting doctors for check-ups and health care of their pets. There is no doubt about exceptions where people abandon their pets of even good breeds on streets. If the MC had been registering pets, a substantial revenue would have been available with it to be spent on strays. A proper procedure needs to be set in motion to ensure a mechanism for the care and upkeep of all kinds of animals in the city to greatly help in at least keeping people in check." —Dr GS Bedi, Veterinary Officer 

Jalandhar, October 7
An elderly woman was allegedly murdered at Lehal Kalan village in Goraya last night. The killing was reportedly orchestrated with the motive of loot. The deceased was identified as Gurdev Kaur (80). She was living alone at her home, as her family members are living abroad.

Last night, the incident came to the fore only after Pinki, the girl who used to sleep at her home during night, arrived at the place.

Police sources said the woman was hacked to death by unidentified miscreants with some sharp-edged weapons. “When Pinki arrived at the house, she found the woman lying in a pool of blood. She immediately raised an alarm and informed other villagers about the incident. The whole house was also ransacked by the miscreants which indicated that the woman was murdered to loot cash and valuables,” sources added. However, the amount or valuables looted were yet to be cleared by the victim’s kin. The Goraya police station officials said the police had registered a case against unidentified miscreants and efforts were on to identify the accused. “We have launched a manhunt to nab the accused. Villagers and kin of the deceased are being questioned to inquire if the woman had enmity with anyone,” a police official added.

Jalandhar, October 7
After facing flak from the police and the Municipal Corporation (MC) Jalandhar for disturbing traffic scene in the city, the Jalandhar Auto Rickshaw Workers Union has decided to start a traffic awareness campaign.

The main motive behind the campaign is to make aware the union members about the traffic rules.

For this purpose, the auto union will hold an awareness session with its workers and will also put up posters with slogans related to traffic rules.

Pritam Singh, president of the Jalandhar Auto Rickshaw Workers Union, said whenever and wherever the city witnesses any traffic snarls or traffic chaos, auto-rickshaw drivers are the ones always blamed by the traffic police. “We always remain under attack from the traffic police for causing traffic jams in the city. It is quite unfair to keep autos on target and challaning them. In fact, other vehicles are equally responsible for traffic mess, and the police should also challan them,” the union president said.

Jalandhar, October 7
Due to the severe shortage of Albumin Intravenous (IV) Dilution in the city for the last three months with the wholesalers, distributors and retailers, the families of patients are running from pillar to post to get the life saving drug.

Some of them were even forced to buy it from the grey market from Delhi that is costing them dearly due to its life saving nature. The IV is given to patients having infertility, cardiovascular, liver and respiratory disorders.

Huge rush can be seen nowadays in the Dilkhushan Market, the wholesale market for drugs in the city where people could be seen accusing the druggists of hiding the stock intentionally. "People come and accuse us of seling drugs in black but in reality, we actually ran out of stock for the last three weeks," said Tejinder Pal Singh, the owner of Imperial Medicos.

Also, according to Dr Johal of the Johal Super-speciality Hospital, "Although, we are facing the paucity of life saving drugs for the last few months, the condition has worsened for the last three weeks. Every day, our patients are going to Delhi to buy it from the grey market. Today also, one of the patients bought it for Rs 5,500 from the grey market as against the actual price of Rs 3,700."

The drug maintains the level of calcium in the body and transports nutrients or drugs effectively into the blood stream. The body can suffer a shortage of albumin if a patient is affected by liver disease, kidney failure, burns and malnourishment. "After any major surgery such as a kidney or a liver transplant, the body does not produce adequate albumin. Also, the transfusion of human albumin is required in process of healing or to reduce water retention and swelling conditions caused in the body due to an infection or a disease," said Dr Ripudaman Singh Chahal, Medical Director of Kidney Hospital.

The Civil Hospital has also reported a huge shortage of albumin in the wake of which it has restricted its use only for gynaecological purposes. "Due to the huge inflow of patients in the hospital, we have almost run out of stock and hence have restricted the use for gynaecological purposes only. We have written to the higher authorities about the shortage," said Dr Kailash Kapoor, Medical Superintendent, Civil 
Hospital.

According to confirmed sources at the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), an autonomous body controlling the drug prices in the country, the prices of 50 ml and 100 ml albumin vials were slashed from up to Rs 6,500-Rs 4,000 to Rs 2,500- Rs 1,600 by the Government of India in the last few years. After the slashing of prices, the pharma companies have stopped the supply to the domestic markets and have diverted the stock to the export market at higher prices.

However, sources also confirmed that there were only three to four major albumin producers in the country.

After the stock of one of the major players failed in quality test, two other companies ran away before the testing.

Now, since one player has not been able to meet the huge demand for albumin in the country, the patients are expected to feel more heat in the days to come. 

Jalandhar, October 7
It was indeed a 'chak de' moment for the nine-day- old baby girl of the Asiad gold medallist and ace kabaddi player Gurpreet Singh, who saw her father for the first time after she went to receive him at the city railway station on Tuesday. Gurpreet Singh along with hockey player Gurbaz Singh returned home after winning the gold at the Incheon Asian games recently. The player too got nervous while lifting her. The moments that went in the pages of history were touching enough and they have touched every one's heart present there to receive the players.

Since both the players were serving in the Punjab Armed Police, the PAP officials in full media glare and with much pompous show went on to receive their two stalwarts at the station. Unlike Gurvinder Singh 'Chandi', another team member of Gurbaz Singh, who failed to get even an appreciation call from the District Administration till date, the PAP bhangra team lifted them on their shoulders and took them to the open jeep parked outside.

Gurpreet Singh said that his baby was born on September 28 when the team won the match against Bangladesh. "She is my lucky mascot as her arrival has brought great luck for me. I am sure with her, my performance and laurels will also rise with time," said the proud father. The ace player has also won the gold medal in SAF Games held in Dhaka in 2010 and has won many medals in the senior national championships and the All India Police Games.

Also, Gurbaz Singh, presently serving as DSP with PAP, while seemingly elated on the team's new found glory said instead of celebrating the win, the team has already set its eyes on winning the Rio Olympics in 2016. "We do not want our people to feel it as a chance win only. We will bring back the old golden days of Indian hockey by registering a thumping win in the Olympics too," said the ace player. 

Phagwara, October 7
The residents of the industrial town of Phagwara are facing a lot of inconvenience due to blocked sewer lines in several localities and the absence of streetlights. It has been learnt that the sewerage system of this corporation town has been handed over to the Sewerage Board after the intervention of the Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Local Bodies) Som Parkash and the maintenance of streetlights has been handed over to a private company on contract basis. But the residents are feeling harassed due to inadequate services.

Executive Officer of the local civic body, Adarsh Sharma, said efforts were being made to redress the grievances of the residents.

It has been observed that Phagwara, popularly known as the industrial hub of Doaba region, is now a city that is choking with problems. Residents say these problems become more troublesome, especially after the rains when water accumulates on potholed roads. During this time, garbage mixes with stagnant water forming a stinking concoction of fetid waste that provides a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes. Many a time, water seeps into houses making residents scurry for dry places. The illegal colonies make the situation even worse.

This correspondent found that residents of several localities situated on Banga Road, Hargobind Nagar Road and the adjoining national highway besides Onkar Nagar, Gobindpura, Santokhpura, Chadha Market, Gaushala Road, Palahai Gate and Khaira Road etc. are being forced to live in miserable conditions, thanks to the indifference of the Municipal Corporation authorities.

Dusty, bumpy and potholed roads cut through these colonies. The situation worsens during the rainy season when residents have to wade through knee-deep water. There is hardly any proper drainage system for the disposal of rainwater, especially in the posh locality of Hargobind Nagar. The lanes and the main road get converted into a temporary pond during the monsoon.

Residents of different localities allege that the authorities concerned have failed to make arrangements for the proper storage and lifting of garbage from several localities including the Old Post Office road. Foul smell keeps emanating from heaps of garbage. The garbage heaps are also a breeding place for various types of insects and people feel it is inconvenient to walk near the temporary dump of garbage near the Government Senior Secondary School.

Heaps of garbage lie strewn about in several localities, but little has been done to improve the sanitation. Water contamination, garbage accumulation, waterlogging and overflowing gutters, there are problems galore.

The condition is worse in Shivpuri where garbage is scattered on the roadside and it has led to diseases like cholera, typhoid and gastroenteritis, said Samta, a local resident.

“The condition of civic amenities is deteriorating, and if proper steps are not taken, it might lead to serious consequences,” said Happy, another resident.

Recently, a girl fell down in a roadside drain full of garbage in the local Chadha Market. When the attention of Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash was drawn to this, he along with a team of the corporation visited the affected locality where shopkeepers registered their protest.

Jalandhar, October 7
Taking precautionary measures ahead of Diwali celebrations, the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, Kamal Kishore Yadav, today issued orders regarding the sale and storage of crackers in the district. The orders were issued to prevent the occurrence of mishaps due to the crackers.

The DC issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPc. Orders were issued for the areas falling in the jurisdiction of the district, including Adampur, Kartarpur, Bhogpur, Maqsudan, Lambra, Nakodar, Phillaur, Shahkot, Nurmahal, Lohian, Bilga, Goraya, Mehatpur and Patara.

The orders specifically mentioned that no shopkeeper would be allowed to sell crackers outside his shop or by simply installing makeshift tents. The authorities felt when crackers are displayed openly in the market, they are prone to fire mishaps.

The DC further stated in his orders that Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDMs) would also issue separate instructions to the crackers sellers about the place where crackers can be sold or stored.

The orders also directed the municipal councils and committees to keep the fire extinguishers ready to tackle any kind of emergencies. Keeping fire extinguishers ready were also made mandatory for the shopkeepers. Orders would remain in force till November 10.

Jalandhar, October 7
Despite lodging a strict protest against the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) meeting by senior deputy mayor Kamljit Singh Bhatia, deputy mayor Arvinder Kaur presence in the meeting exposed internal bickering between the Akali leaders at MCJ.

In the presence of Deputy Mayor Arvinder Kaur Oberoi, Bhatia said, Arvinder had gone against the party discipline and participated in the meeting against the instructions of senior MLA. "It seemed that Deputy Mayor Arvinder is not supporting my agendas against the prevalent corruption in MCJ. It seemed that she was hand in glove with Mayor" Bhatia alleged.

Sources said Bhatia was protesting the MCJ Mayor's move in holding meeting on October 7 when he (Bhatia) had some personal engagements. He with the intervention of MLA Pargat Singh had tried to influence the Mayor to keep meeting on October 10 only. Bhatia also wanted that development works should be allotted in all areas in balanced way. He also spoke against unfair expenditures being incurred by MC for the sake of development works.

Sources confirmed that Bhatia had, however, submitted a letter to the Mayor a day before the meeting in which he stated that resolutions being passed in the meeting will render financial health of MC in doldrums. "Resolution of F&CC meeting has lots of shortcoming and these will prove detrimental to the financial health of MC" Bhatia reportedly stated in his letter.

When contacted Bhatia, he said, "I have been fighting against the prevalent corruption in MC. Many a times in the past, I have raised many issues in which MC Mayor Sunil Jyoti was exposed. When a MLA Pargat Singh had decided that F&CC meeting would only be held after holding a prior meeting with me and other members to discuss the agendas on meetings, still Mayor preferred hold meeting today only. I believe, Mayor held meeting on October 7 because he was aware of the fact that had I would be absent from the meeting so nobody will be in the committee would raise voice against the agendas which the Mayo r wanted to clear" Bhatia said adding that due to the fact he had written an advance letter to the committee members and apprised them about the agendas which would render MC's financial health weak.

Sources said total 167 resolutions worth Rs 28.15 crore were put up in the meeting of which 157 resolutions worth Rs 26.05 crore were passed by MC with clear majority.