Amritsar, October 21
An MC employee died on the spot after getting hit by an unknown vehicle on the main elevated road that is built on the Amritsar-Jalandhar GT Road, this morning.

The victim has been identified as Raj Kumar, a 45-year-old safai karamchari associated with the Municipal Corporation. He was part of the MC’s team undertaking the ‘safai abhiyaan’ campaign.

With no check on the entire elevated road, the accused sped away very conveniently after hitting the MC worker at around 8 am. Except for a bleak cue of a piece of the side view mirror of the vehicle found on the spot, there is no other information and the accused is at large.

The victim’s colleagues, who were present on the spot, could not note down the number or identify the vehicle.

No one from the police or the administration reached the spot till the safai karamcharis blocked the elevated road. It took at least one-and-a-half hour for the ADC, MC Commissioner and assistant civil surgeon to reach the spot after which the body was sent for the post-mortem examination.

Vinod Bitta, president, Safai Mazdoor Union (Bitta group) showed resentment that at least a group of 25 safai karamchris were pressed into service to execute the MC’s ‘safai abhiyaan’ campaign on the elevated road, yet there was not even a single policeman deputed on this stretch who could regulate the traffic.

“We resorted to block the elevated road as no one from the administration or Police Department cared to reach the spot. Since the whole elevated road is unmanned, the accused sped away after killing Raj Kumar. At present, we have with us just a piece of the side view mirror cover bearing some code number. If the police wish, it can trace the accused,” he said.

The victim had three daughters and a son. His colleagues demanded that as per precedent, one of his children should be given a job with the MC on compassionate grounds without any delay.

“The job will have to be provided as per the past precedents, but we also want the government to release compensation to the victim’s family as he was the only bread earner in the family,” said Bitta.

Maqboolpura police station in-charge inspector Kabir Singh said a case had been registered but the vehicle was still not traced.

“We have in our possession a broken piece of the side view mirror cover. We will try to trace the car by inquiring from the companies. The vehicle was being driven carelessly at high speed. It appeared that his head banged on the concrete slab, which led to his death on the spot. At present, no eyewitness has come forward who could help us in identifying the accused but our investigation is on,” he said.

Amritsar, October 21
The government health institutions have made arrangements to attend to patients with burn injuries caused due to accidents with firecrackers on the Diwali night.

The department has instructed doctors not to leave their respective stations on the festival despite a public holiday, in view of emergency services.

Officials of the department said doctors would be available at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital to attend to all emergency cases. The incidents of burn injuries due to firecrackers have increased substantially during the past few years.

The increase in accidents is attributed to high power firecrackers, which are being sold in the market. Apart from skin specialists, the department has also assigned duties to eye specialists and orthopaedic surgeons.

Along with burn injuries, a large number of patients who sustain injuries in brawls are also reported on Diwali night.

“People generally consumer alcohol on festivals and a large number of brawls are reported,” said a doctor.

On the last Diwali, the doctors at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs’ Memorial Civil Hospital had issued 19 medico legal reports in which people were injured in brawls.

In view of the festival, Employees State Insurance Hospital and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital have also assigned duties to doctors.

Civil Surgeon Dr Rajiv Bhalla said the government hospitals have been instructed to be prepared for any eventuality.

He said respective in-charges of all the hospitals have been instructed to make arrangements at their institutions. While most of the serious cases are reported on the Diwali night itself, many more are received next morning, he added.

The civil surgeon said people must exercise precaution if at all they have to burn firecrackers.

However, he advised that people should refrain from drinking alcohol and burning firecrackers to make their Diwali safe.

Amritsar, October 21
With the city enthusiastically preparing for Diwali celebrations, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has also made elaborate arrangements to collect pollution data for the next three days from October 22.

PPCB senior executive engineer Kuldeep Singh said data collection instruments had been installed at four different locations in the city. The equipment has been installed at the Golden Temple, Bhandari Bridge (commercial area), Ranjit Avenue A block (residential area), ESI Hospital on Majitha Road (sensitive area) and at Focal Point (industrial area).

He said the exact quantum of pollution on this Diwali would be known in the first week of November. It was decreasing as compared to the previous years, he added.

The data will be collected from the morning of October 22 to the morning of October 25.

The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) level is rising on Diwali every year. It was 349 microgram per cubic metre on Diwali in 2011 and rose to 360 microgram per cubic metre in 2012.

The RSPM was 365 microgram per cubic metre on the previous Diwali.

On the other hand, noise pollution has been almost remained the same on Diwali for the last couple of years.

However, the decibel level increases considerably on this day in comparison to the ordinary days.

For example, in 2012, noise pollution was recorded at 67 dB (in residential areas), it was 73 dB in commercial areas and 65.5 dB in sensitive areas. Similar levels of noise pollutions were found on the last Diwali.

On ordinary days, noise pollution remains at 51dB in residential areas, 62 dB in commercial areas and 58 dB in sensitive areas.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board study, 90 per cent of the firecrackers violate the noise pollution norms.

There was an urgent need to spread awareness among residents regarding the health hazards of bursting firecrackers. Though several NGOs have taken up the cause, a lot needs to be done.

The SGPC authorities have also shorten the time period for fireworks at the Golden Temple due to which the pollution level around it has also come down.

Despite the fact that various NGOs and citizens concerned have been stressing on celebrating a green and pollution-free Diwali, residents continue with their zeal to burst firecrackers.

A firecracker seller said as always, firecrackers worth crores of rupees were being sold and there was no let down in enthusiasm of the people regarding this.

Amritsar, October 21
The sales of vehicles, gold jewellery and utensils today picked up on the auspicious day of Dhanteras. Jewllers said there was a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the sale of gold ornaments in comparison with the last Dhanteras.

With the price of yellow metal hovering below Rs 28,000 for per ten gram, customers preferred purchasing gold jewellery than spending on other items.

Charanjit Kumar, a jeweller, said there was a tremendous increase in the sale of gold jewellery in the city in comparison with the ordinary days. When asked about the exact figure of jewellery sold on this day last year, he said there was no mechanism to record the quantum of sale.

He said more and more people were now convinced that the gold was a dependable hedge against inflation. Similar views were expressed by one of the leading jewellers of the city. Besides, the trend of purchasing diamond jewellery rather than gold was not visible this time.

There was no big difference in the sale of cars in comparison to the last Dhanteras. Between 190 to 200 cars were sold off today. The trend is similar to last Dhanteras.

District Transport Officer Lovejeet Kalsi said normally, about 130 cars are sold off in the local market. For the past one week, the sale soared from 165 to 170 vehicles per day. Understandably, the sale might have picked up more today, he said.

There are about 15 leading showrooms of Volkswagon, Ford, Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Mistubushi, Honda, Toyota and others car manufacturing brands in the city.

Member of the Amritsar Metal Utensil Merchants’ Association Rajesh Kumar said practically there was no mechanism to evaluate the sale of utensils on Dhanteras.

A majority of utensil traders said there must be more than 10 per cent rise in the sale of utensils compared to the last Dhanteras. They said a good proportion of their customers had been taken over by internet shopping companies. Besides, customers are now focussing on non-stick cookware.

Amritsar, October 21
Two persons reportedly tried to take forcible possession of a plot of land said to be owned by a renowned school here. The police have booked the two in this connection.

The accused have been identified as Sarinder Kumar, son of Sardari Lal, a resident of New Pawan Road located near Batala Road and Naval Kishore, son of Darshan Lal, a resident of Gali Mochiyan, inside Hathi Gate, Amritsar.

It has been alleged that the accused didn’t pay any heed to the orders of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ravi Bhagat. When contacted, the DC said, “We have powers to demarcate the land but if there is any dispute over the possession of land, it has to be resolved through legal way. That’s why I had directed against gaining any forceful entry to the plot.”

The plot under question, measuring about 3,000 square yards, is situated on the prime Batala Road.

The property belonged to Sant Singh Sukha Singh School, as per the school management, but the aforesaid persons tried to take its possession it twice.

A complaint has been lodged with the A Division police station by the school’s assistant director DB Singh.

In his complaint, DB Singh stated that the plot, which had a boundary wall, was the property of the school from the last three decades.

He stated that on October 19, the accused broke the boundary wall of plot to establish their undue claim.

Director of the school, Jagdish Singh, said the plot was donated to the management for raising a school in 1993.

The plot has been surrounded by a 7-foot high boundary wall, but the accused repeatedly broke the wall.

“Actually, the plot has an immense commercial value due to its strategic location. We also own other properties and shops. This plot is located behind them and it has to be utilised for the school building. Everything is there in the revenue records, which clearly point out that the property belongs to us,” he said.

“The matter was reported to the Deputy Commissioner, who had ordered them to stay away from the property and could take possession of it only through a legal manner. But they disobeyed the orders and were intent on repeating their nefarious moves. Ultimately, we had to register a complaint with the police,” he added.

However, investigating officer Baldev Singh said a case under Sections 427, 447, 448, 188, 506, 511 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the duo and further investigation is on. 

Amritsar, October 21
A week-long campaign by the WWF for an eco-friendly Diwali had children in city turning into ambassadors of nature. Children of various schools participated in different activities, imbibing and spreading the message of a safe and a silent Diwali.

The key focus of the programme is to reduce the pollution and monetary waste on blowing up firecrackers, revisiting the practice of lighting diyas instead of chinese lights, using non-toxic rangoli colours and reused paper decorations.

Flashmobs were organised at major shopping malls with banners and show stoppers. Free distribution of diyas to promote pottery and saving energy was done at Trillium Mall.

A procession was taken out by Khalsa College International Public School in the Civil Lines area asking children to enjoy a firecracker-free Diwali.

A photo exhibition-cum-competition called ‘Eco-Friendly Click’ will also be organised where students will post pictures of innovative ways of Diwali celebrations.

Gunbir Singh, chairperson, WWF-India (Punjab), expressed satisfaction and said, “Connecting children to sensible and responsible festivities is important to bring about a change for a pollution-free and environment-friendly living. We understand that this may not happen overnight, but the enthusiasm of a responsible new generation is palpable and we see them taking up sensible roles tomorrow. They are our future, and they are sensitive to their responsibilities as inheritors of the Earth.”

Amritsar, October 21
The Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), an organisation working for creating awareness about the cancer and its causes, has appreciated Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, for writing to the Agriculture and Commerce departments for holding a joint meeting to discuss alternative crops for farmers cultivating tobacco.

The joint meeting will be held on October 29, wherein measures to suggest alternative crops to tobacco will be discussed.

“As the government has increased taxes on tobacco products, it would surely decrease the demand,” said Dr Prahlad Duggal, a cancer specialists and Chairman, VoTV.

“The Health Minister has rightly expressed the need for alternative crops as the supply line of tobacco needs to be checked. The Charter of Tobacco Board, which is directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce Control,comes in conflict with some of the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).” added Duggal.

“The patients we treat, are a constant reminder that tobacco is deadly in both cigarette and smokeless forms. It is high time that alternatives must be thought before more lives are lost and Dr Harsh Vardhan has initiated a great step by planning on alternatives to tobacco crops,” said the chairman.

“The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-India) identifies that 27.5 crore people use any form of tobacco in the country.

Everyday 5,500 children start the use of tobacco in some or the other form.

About 2.5 million people use tobacco in one form or the other in Punjab, of which about a million are likely to die premature death,” stated Dugggal. 

Amritsar, October 21
In an outburst of emotions, first Indian woman silver medalist in Asian Games walk event Khushbir Kaur today flayed the state government for ignoring sport persons.

She demanded incentives for sportspersons at par with the Haryana government. She said the neighbouring state was giving lucrative cash prizes to recently-concluded Asian Games medal winners. Sportspersons of Punjab are feeling cheated as the cash prizes announced are too `meager and insulting’.

Khushbir who completed her 20 km walk distance in 1:33 hours and bagged the Silver at Incheon (South Korea) was virtually in tears when she said they were feeling too low.

“The only time we felt proud was when the tri-colour was going up the mast at Incheon when we were bestowed with the medal. After reaching here the government has given scant regard to our efforts,’’ said an emotional Khushbir.

She was joined by another star athlete Navjit Kaur Dhillon who won the bronze in World Junior Athletics Meet, held at the US.

“I only heard that Punjab honour its sportspersons. There is no such thing in real practice’’, said Navjot.

“Had I been playing from Haryana, I would have got all the respect and honour due to me. Why Punjab is discouraging its sportspersons”, added Navjot.

The Haryana government had announced an amount of Rs 2 crore for wining a gold, Rs 1.5 crore for silver and Rs.1 crore for bronze the Asiads, while the Punjab government has announced a paltry sum of Rs 20 lakhs for winning a gold, Rs16 lakh for silver and Rs11 lakh for bronze medalists.

The star athletes received warm patronage from their college. They are students of Khalsa College for Women (KCW). They were interacting with the mediapersons soon after Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC), announced to build a new house for Khushbir Kaur who belongs to a poor family.

“Khushbir is a fatherless child as her father expired long back and she lives in a dilapidated house with her mother, two sisters and a brother at Rasoolpur Nikka village of the district,” said KCGC honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.

He further said that they had been sponsoring her education and her practice to a great extent and she with the help from college staff, coaches, had been able to achieve big heights.

Chhina meanwhile shot off a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union Ministry for Youth Welfare and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal for financial assistance, and a permanent job for Khushbir and Navjit Dhillon.

KCW Principal Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal also aired the concerns of two athletes that they had been ignored while those playing for Haryana had been getting hefty prizes.

Amritsar, October 21
The staff of affiliated colleges in the state have not received salaries for the past 15 months.

Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) General Secretary Prof HS Walia termed the forthcoming festival of lights as ‘black Diwali’ for them. He said the government has not released grant meant for the payment of salaries since May 2013. To get their salary grant released, the representatives of the teachers have moved from pillar to post for the past one year but in vain.

“Due to the policies of the government 75 per cent of the colleges are on the brink of closure. Despite these meetings, the grant meant has not been released and there is no headway on other issues, which include inter-alia, filling up of 1,925 vacant positions of teachers in colleges on regular basis, streamlining the promotion system based on Academic Performance Indicators (API) score system, security of service for the teachers working against unaided posts, relaxation in refresher courses as per the UGC guidelines, implementation of pension and gratuity scheme, raising retirement age from 60 to 65 years as per the Union government notification, added Walia.

The PCCTU will hold a state-level rally on November 20 at Chandigarh. It will also highlight the issues before the delegates at National Conference on “Quality in Higher Education: Issues and Challenges” being organised by the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) from November 14 at Chandigarh.

Amritsar, October 21
Mehak Gupta won two gold medals in the recently-concluding Punjab School Roller Skating Championship. The 14 year-old skater won a silver as well, while her brother, Chirag Gupta, also won the bronze in the (U-17) category.

The siblings already have many records and feats to their credit, and are eyeing gold in the CBSE National Championships and Punjab State Rollar Skating championship to be held in November.

“I have been training continuously for the tournament and take a break for Diwali only,” said Mehak. She had also won a silver at the Amritsar Rollar Skating Club’s championship held by international coach Harkanwal Singh and a gold at the CBSE North Zone-II Championship.

The brother-sister duo have won seven medals in a span of 15 days in four different tournaments. 

Amritsar, October 21
Bhupinder Singh, lodged in the Amritsar Central jail, escaped from the custody today from the premises of Tarn Taran Court Complex.

The guard on duty, head constable Major Singh, working with the Tarn Taran police, has been put under suspension for negligence of duty.

According to Jail Superintendent RK Sharma, Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Dhadha village (Sarhali) was lodged here under the NDPS Act. One kg of intoxicant powder and a pistol was recovered from his possession by the Tarn Taran police.

As per the information, he was being escorted to produce before the court when he managed to get his hand free from the handcuffs and ran away. A case has been registered with the Tarn Taran city police. 

Amritsar, October 21
The District Health Department organised a programme to create awareness among its staff about iodine deficiency on the Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Prevention Day here today.

The employees were made aware about the iodine deficiency syndrome by District Immunisation Officer Dr Jaspal Kaur.

She said that deficiency of iodine in salt could give rise to many complications as goiter, cretinism, mental retardation and weight gain and added that at least 15 PPM iodine should be available in the common salt for normal growth of a child.

Health Mass Media Officer Raj Kaur shared tips about storage of common salt at home.

“Common salt containing iodine should not be stored in a open jar. It should not be kept near water or LPG gas cylinder as it destroys the iodine,” said Raj kaur.

Amritsar, October 21
Two persons died in separate road accidents in the past 24 hours in the city. In the first mishap, a truck hit a scooter rider from behind. The victim was admitted to the hospital where he died.

Rahul Suri, a resident of Katra Safed who was riding pillion, informed that his brother-in-law, Mahesh Khanna, a resident of Katra Khazana, had died in the mishap near Apex Hospital.

In another incident, a cycle rider was killed on the spot when a speedy vehicle hit him from behind near the Railway station on Monday.

According to the police, Rajinder Singh, a resident of Guru Nanak Enclave, had informed that his father had met with an accident near Amandeep Hospital.