Amritsar, November 19
The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has come to the rescue of the cash-strapped Municipal Corporation (MC) by granting it Rs 2 crore for raising the boundary wall around the Bhagtanwala dumpyard. At present, some portion of this dumpyard is covered with a 16-foot high boundary wall, but it was left midway, apparently for want of funds.

The MC, too, cannot afford to drag the issue in view of the ongoing protest by the residents living around the dumpyard. The protest entered its 18th day today.

On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition Raj Kanwal Preet Pal Singh Lucky has demanded that a meeting of councillors and Chief Parliamentary Secretaries be convened immediately to deliberate over resolving the Bhagtanwala dumpyard issue and the issue of revamping the garbage collection and disposal system.

It is learnt that the Improvement Trust is done with its formalities and after posting a resolution, it has written to the government seeking its final nod. This resolution has been passed under the Improvement Trust Act 1922, section 69. Officials said the funds would be released to the MC as soon as the green signal from the Local Bodies Department was received.

The dumpyard absorbs around 600 metric tonne of the city refuse daily. As no proper mechanism was adopted while dumping garbage, it had started spilling over to the road, making it difficult for thousands of residents to pass through.

Bakshi Ram Arora, mayor, said the amount was expected to be received within two days. “The formalities have been completed and as soon as we get the amount, the work on the boundary wall will be commenced. We have already contacted the contractor, who had earlier erected the boundary wall around some portion of the Bhagtanwala dumpyard,” he said.

Senior Congress leader Raj Kanwal Preet Pal Singh Lucky has said that the issue should be resolved on humanitarian grounds as thousands of residents living in the localities around the Bhagtanwala dumpyard site had been compelled to live under unhygienic conditions.

“It is a pity that except for verbal assurances by political leaders, especially those who are in power, nothing could be done to bring relief to the residents as the garbage disposal system in Amritsar collapsed for the past over 15 days. Ironically, city Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora and Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi have been leading the Swachh Bharat campaign here with brooms in their hands, but the real problem of Bhgtanwala residents could not draw their attention.”

Amritsar, November 20
A 24-year-old married woman, hailing from Jalandhar, was allegedly gang-raped by three persons in a local guest house here. The incident came to light when the woman approached the C-division police station in this regard.

The police have arrested two persons, Harpal Singh and Manoj Kumar. The latter is the manager of the guest house. Harpal Singh helped the accused to get a room in the guest house. Among others who were booked include Sukha, a resident of Batala, Harjit Singh and Sonu. The police have registered a case under Sections 376-D and 120-B, IPC, against the culprits. Police authorities said raids were being conducted to arrest them.

While giving details, Parampal Singh, ADCP City-I, said the victim had been residing at the Golden Temple for the past six days after she had a fight with her husband.

Here, Sukha befriended her and promised to provide her accommodation and a job.

For the past couple of days, he took her to several places in the city. Yesterday, he provided her a room in a guest house near the shrine. The accused also called his friends, Harjit and Sonu, in the room and they committed the crime one by one.

Parampal Singh said today the victim lodged a complaint with the Division police station in this regard.

He said the guest house manager and the agent who helped the accused in providing the room were also taken into custody because they should have followed necessary guidelines while providing accommodation to the accused.

He said further investigations were under progress to ascertain their roles in the case.

Amritsar, November 20
The Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital has issued fresh instructions to the medical officers regarding issuing computer generated Medico Legal Reports (MLR) and Post Mortem Reports (PMR).

The instructions have been issued in the wake of the High Court’s earlier guidelines regarding the need for computerised reports.

It has been noted that sometimes handwritten reports create confusion as these are difficult to read.

The High Court had taken serious notice of the hand written reports, which are illegible.

The “doctors’ illegible scrawl” has always been a mystery for everybody, except the chemists.

The computerised reports, apart from being legible, also lessen the chances of corruption as the authorities can notice unnecessary delay in filing the report.

The department had made the system computerised at the district hospital, Sub-Divisional Hospital, Ajnala, Community Health Centre (CHC), Mannawala, CHC Tarsikka, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Baba Bakala and Government Medical College here in 2012.

However, the medical officers issuing these reports started following the hand-written procedure after sometime.

As per earlier guidelines, the medical officers are required to file the report in minimum possible time after examination of the patient.

However, it has been seen that sometimes, the medical officers delay in issuing the report for days, which breeds corruptions and helps powerful people to influence the report.

In the fresh instructions, Senior Medical Officer Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai has instructed all medical officers to follow the guidelines of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The letter states that it is the responsibility of the medical officer to get the report computerised and no MO would submit hand-written reports to the police.

Amritsar, November 20
With the PCMS Specialist Doctors Association planning further protests, public services at health institutions will suffer even as specialist doctors have said that the government is not giving them their rightful. The association has already stated that it will hold a protest on November 29 to demand better pay.

Sources in the department stated that the government was finding it difficult to retain the already serving specialist doctors. It had also failed to attract new specialists in its 
folds, going by the lukewarm response to its walk-in interviews.

At least three specialist doctors working in government health institutions have resigned from government service during the past year to pursue private practice. “The question is not whether the specialists are getting good pay. Their counterparts in private practice are earning much more and, on top of that, they do not have to take directions from anybody,” said a senior doctor.

Meanwhile, the specialists’ fraternity feels that treating them on a par with MBBS doctors is not justified. The specialists reasoned that the duration of their study is 55 per cent more than that of an MBBS doctor. The doctors stated that at least 50 per cent of the basic pay should be given as higher qualification allowance.

Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, president of the Specialist Doctors Association, said the government was not considering them specialists for giving them salary and other facilities, but they are considered specialists for fulfilling targets and benchmarks of specialist work. At present, 15 per cent of the basic pay is given as higher education allowance to doctors from June 2012. The allowance is given to only those who have acquired postgraduation education after May 23, 2001. The doctors stated that instead of categorising doctors on the basis of date of acquiring a postgraduation qualification, all specialists should be given HQA from the date of them acquiring the postgraduation degree.

The doctors who had acquired a postgraduation qualification before May 23, 2001, were given six increments, which were merged either on placement or on revision of pay scales on January 1, 1996, and January 1, 2006.

The specialist doctors stated that now they were getting pay equal to non-specialist doctors. Sohal said even the economic benefit equal to five annual increments (15 per cent) granted to doctors, who have completed their PG course after May 23, 2001, was not sufficient to attract and retain specialist doctors in government jobs. He said the HQA should be increased to 50 per cent of the basic pay or 30 per cent of the total emoluments.

The association has threatened that if the government failed to fulfil their demands, there might be complete boycott of specialist work in the entire state.

Amritsar, November 20
A jail inmate tried to commit suicide by hitting his head with a pebble last evening in Amritsar Central Jail. He has been identified as undertrial Sonu, son of Baldev Singh, a resident of Ward No. 7, Navi Abadi near Jania hospital, Jandiala Guru.

Sonu was facing trial under the NDPS Act against a case registered with the Jandiala Guru police station.

A case under Section 309, IPC, 42 Prisoners’ Act with the Cantonment police station has been registered on a complaint submitted by Superintendent of Jail RK Sharma.

Sharma said the accused was under depression and that is why he took to this extreme step. “He had injured his head by hitting it with a sharp-edged stone and fell unconscious, but timely medical aid saved his life”, he said.

Amritsar, November 20
Following the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP), Sumedh Singh Saini, who was here lately on a personal visit, the city police have tightened the noose around drug peddlers and bootleggers.

In the past couple of days, the police have nabbed around 40 persons for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking and sale of illicit liquor.

While around 20 persons were arrested yesterday, a same number of persons were nabbed a day before yesterday.

The police have recovered more than 5kg of narcotic powder, more than 500 capsules and tablets and 24 gm of heroin from their possession.

The DGP has asked the city police to launch a crackdown on drug peddlers in order to wipe out the menace of drug abuse.

The police had nabbed more than 500 alleged traffickers in its earlier crackdown launched several months ago.

However, according to the police, many of them came out on bail and restarted their illegal activities. Sources said in many cases their accomplices have taken their positions.

The police had faced criticism that it had failed to catch the bigger fish involved in the illegal trade and majority of persons arrested by the police were themselves drug-addicts.

Police officials on the other hand had claimed to have shattered the local network of drug traffickers, which restricted the easy availability of drugs. This had also led to a rush of drug addicts at the de-addiction centres.

Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said there focus was on clearing the holy city from this menace.

He said, “We were successful in our drive last time. With fresh instructions, we are going after notorious persons involved in drug trafficking.”

Aulakh said regular meetings were being held with lower rank police officials while senior police officers would also keep a tab on the drive.

Amritsar, November 20
Even as the police have booked five persons in connection with the incident in which a 17-year-old identified as Suraj, a resident of Court Road area, was kidnapped from Ranjit Avenue, a day before yesterday, no arrest has been made so far.

The police have booked five accused, including Sajan Kalyan alias Laddi of Navi Abadi area and Mandeep Singh alias Marinda of Housing Board Colony, besides three unknown persons.

The police authorities said the accused were still absconding and raids were being conducted to nab them.

They said the accused were already wanted in around 15 criminal cases.

Suraj was kidnapped from an eatery at the district shopping complex in the Ranjit Avenue area.

The miscreants demanded Rs 5 lakh ransom from his father, Satpal, who runs a stall. However, within hours of his kidnapping, the police managed to rescue him.

The police have yet not made any breakthrough in another abduction bid in which youth Vansh Kapoor, who was going to a tuition centre, was kidnapped by several youths on gun point.

However, when the kidnappers came to know about the humble background of the victim, they let him go after robbing him of his mobile and some cash.

The incident occurred on Saturday night and the police failed to take any action in the case so far. — TNS

Amritsar, November 20
Panic gripped the Tej Nagar locality in the Sultanwind road area, where several armed assailants shot at a local resident, identified as Vijay Pal. He sustained a bullet injury on his leg. However, the accused managed to flee from the scene after people started gathering there.

The victim, identified as Vijay Pal, was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital while the police have initiated investigations. Old enmity is stated to be the reason behind the incident.

Vijay Pal while talking to mediapersons said today he had gone to see off his friend, Kannu, near Hindu Sabha College in his car. He said the accused, identified as Jai Singh, along with his accomplices, Varun Gill and Sunny Singh, who were standing there, entered into a verbal duel with him over a minor issue. He said the accused called more of his accomplices on the spot and badly damaged his car. He somehow managed to escape from the spot. He alleged the accused threatened to kill him.

He said the accused were searching for him. They even went to the gym where he used to exercise. In the evening, they surrounded him near the Tej Nagar area and fired around four gun shots with an intention to murder him. He said one of the rounds hit his leg. He entered into a scuffle with one of the assailants and snatched a pistol from him. Meanwhile, the people started gathering at the spot. On this, the accused escaped. He later handed over the pistol used in the crime to the police.

Parvesh Chopra, SHO, Sultanwind police station, said investigations were under progress and a case was being registered in this regard.

Amritsar, November 20
A policewoman with the city police was thrashed last night by a person when she was going back to her home after duty hours. The accused has been identified as Rajinder Singh, alias Babbu, son of Harbhajan Singh, and a resident of Mudhal village. No arrest has been made so far as Rajinder is missing since the incident.

A case under Sections 323, 341 and 506, IPC, has been registered at Division A police station in this regard.

Simarjit Kaur, a resident of the same village, said she was in her uniform and was returning home after duty hours. She was posted at the Majitha road police station here. She said when she reached near Focal Point in the village, the accused came on a motorcycle and intercepted her. She alleged that he slapped and thrashed her and used abusive language against her. She said she raised the alarm, following which people started gathering on the spot. On seeing the public, Rajinder fled from the scene.

Investigating Officer Rajwinder Kaur said a raid was conducted at Rajinder’s house today, but he had fled from there. She said initial investigations have revealed that old enmity was the reason behind the incident.

Amritsar, November 20
In a shocking incident, a 4-year-old boy belonging to a migrant family was allegedly sodomised by a youth in Kot Atma Ram area here.

Though the incident took place a couple of days ago, a complaint was lodged with the police last evening.

Raj Kumar, father of the victim who originally hailed from Mankapur, Uttar Pradesh, and now residing in New Kot Atma Ram area, stated to the police that on the evening of November 17, his son was playing in the street outside his house.

He said the boy did not return home and the family started searching for the child. They heard cries of his son coming from Ashok Bhijewala Godown in Tej Nagar area where the accused identified as Tinku was sodomising his son. On seeing the people, the accused fled away from the spot.

Following the complaint, the Sultanwind police station registered a case under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act 2012, against Tinku.

Investigating officer Jaspal Singh said the accused had been absconding and raids were being conducted to nab him.

Amritsar, November 20
The Closet, a design studio by Sargun Seth and Kanika Maddan, unveiled its wedding collection for the season. Continuing with the latest fad of going subtle in style, the collection promises a complete wedding trousseau with Indo-western and ethnic designs.

Sargun Seth and Kanika Madaan show their latest wedding collection at a design studio in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Playing with pastels and all shades of brown, the winter wedding collection merges Indian embroideries and hand finishing with western concepts. “We have gowns, cocktail dresses, saris, lehengas and customised options for the bride and the family. We have tried to keep things subtle with pastel colours, deliberately keeping bold colours away,” said Sargun. Using rich winter fabrics like velvette, raw silk and crepes, the designs concentrate on wearability and comfortable style.

“We have used combinations in lycra and silk, with long jackets, crop tops. For the wedding wear, we have used sheer fabrics and crepe, for the flowy silhouette. Usually our clients want clothes for year-round wearability. Ghararas, long skirts and long jackets are the trend this season,” said Sargun. Using gold pasley and ambi work on tehri designs, the minimal bling adds a dash of glamour to their collection.

Available at their studio, the collection is limited and mostly customised according to individual style and need. The duo had recently travelled to Europe with their wedding designs and have used some of the hits in their current collection.

Amritsar, November 20
Buoyed by Prime Minister Narender Modi’s call to the world to “Make in India’, a 40-member delegation of Indians and Americans of Montgomery County of Washington DC, USA, have come on a visit to India to explore possibilities of partnership within the two countries.

The delegation led by Isiah Leggett, county executive of Montgomery, came to Amritsar to look for possible business and cultural tie-ups.

Beginning their Amritsar tour by paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, the team described the experience as overwhelming.

The delegates were welcomed by eminent citizens, including Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, at an interactive session organised by Amandeep Hospital’s social responsibility programme.

Before they talked business, the guests enjoyed a series of cultural performances like bhangra and giddha presented by folk and theatre artistes.

The 40 members of the delegation on an 11-day tour of India include personalities of the Montgomery County, including bureaucracy, educationists, business and trade, besides cultural community and nearly 10 members of the prestigious Montgomery College.

The team is on a “2014 Joint Sister City and Economic Development Mission” and will visit Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Agra, Delhi and Raipur.

Addressing the gathering at Holiday Inn, Isiah Leggett, said, “Our tour of growing cities in India has multifold aims. It involves exploration of possible collaborative setups and business relations, synergising selected industries such as biotech, hospitality and agriculture. Montgomery is one of the biggest hubs of biotechnology and has more than 150 companies working in research and development.”

Incidentally, it is also one of the five richest counties in the US and is home to the Marriott International hospitality chain.

Focused on building strong economic ties, the team will meet some possible partners in Delhi as well as Mumbai.

The team interacted with top educationists and cultural personalities of the city to draw a collaborative map or exchange programme in education that could be about specific skill development.

The interactive session included Chief Parliamentry Secretary, Education, Punjab, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, along with Dr Avtar Singh, Dr Amandeep Kaur, orthopaedic surgeons and directors Amandeep Hospital, RM Singh Chinna, vice president, BJP, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, IG Border Range, Amritsar, Ishwar Chander Sharma, Police Comissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh along with eminent citizens, educationists and businessmen.

Amritsar, November 20
At the conclusion of the Children’s Day weekend activities, AlphaOne Mall announced Mukhtiar Singh of Ferozepur as the grand winner of the mega lucky draw of the Diwali shopping festival, who became the proud owner of a Hyundai Eon car.

The key of the car was handed over to Mukhtiar Singh by Mrs India Simple Kawatra.

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience as the entire day was marked with several MC-led activities for visitors.

According to Dr Prodipta Sen, executive director, Alpha G Corp, “We are manifesting our commitment to optimum customer delight as an unconditional priority in all operations and promotions, thereby making AlphaOne Mall the happiest of places.”

Dr PD Garg, head of the department at Swami Vivekananda Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre, Sanjay Bali, de-addiction and stress management counselor, Hargun Kaur, singer, Pankaj Vij, owner of Pankaj and Preeti Dance Academy and the team of AlphaOne Mall were present on the occasion.