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City bus service incurs losses
Former cop booked for forgery
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Narcotics recovered from prisoner at Central Jail
Amritsar, November 23 A container of a protein supplement was used to sneak drugs and mobile phones into the Amritsar Central Jail.
raising day of sixth battalion
J&K NGO approaches SC panel for rehab of orphans
Medical officers to be given emergency duties
Amid protests, safai sewaks set waste on fire
Bhagtanwala dump yard row Area residents protest at Bhagtanwala dump yard in Amritsar on Sunday. photo: vishal kumar
Better amritsar road mishaps-I
Chemists’ assn holds meet
SPCA officials rescue sambar
Sports, cultural fiesta enthral audience
release of arrears
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City bus service incurs losses
Amritsar, November 23 The firm running the bus service has refused to introduce more buses in the city. At present, 40 buses plying on different routes in the city. Officials of APTP Ltd said the company was incurring heavy losses, that were being passed to the city bus transport office, pushing it to the verge of closure. Though Amritsar City Transport Services Limited in an agreement with the APTP Ltd had promised to rein in illegal autos and other buses on the routes allocated to the bus service, nothing has been done in this regard so far. APTP Ltd had recently sourced Rs 13 lakh from its profitable centres in other states to pay salary to its staff. It is running 100 buses at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and 450 buses at Mangalore, Karnataka. The firm has 40 buses and 10 officials to manage the administrative set-up. Amidst a variety of vehicles plying on the city roads, auto-rickshaws create major traffic bottlenecks. Operators of these auto-rickshaws continue to flout traffic norms. The norms as well as the High Court directions limit the number of passengers or schoolchildren in an auto-rickshaw to six but even the driver’s seat is used to accommodate more passengers. Overloaded auto-rickshaws are driven by underage and inexperienced youths. To maximise their profit, a section of auto-rickshaw drivers use kerosene as fuel, which adds to pollution in the city. Many times, the authorities tried to rein in the auto-rickshaws but failed. Political parties come to their rescue and leave no stone unturned to scuttle the Police Department’s drive against them. A city resident, Surjit Sharma, said, “Multi-lane bridges and the elevated road at the entry of the city have failed to check the traffic chaos. Auto-rickshaw drivers usually stop their vehicles in the middle of the road to pick passengers, unmindful of the traffic flow thereby leading to road accidents.” According to the norms, auto-rickshaws can operate within the limits of the Municipal Corporation. In gross violation of the norms, auto-rickshaws carry tourists from the city to the Attari-Wagah joint check-post and Jandiala, both situated 36 km and 16 km away from the city. Meanwhile, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said," Officials of the city bus service are trying to divert the attention by raising the issue of losses. They are raising the fares and changing routes as per their will. About 40 to 50 accidents have taken place but they have not filed even a single claim. The company is not plying buses as it is yet to deposit taxes worth Rs 7.20 lakh. Fact File
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Former cop booked for forgery
Amritsar, November 23 Constable Rajesh Kumar remained absent from duty for several months. He was dismissed by the Punjab police in September. However, he joined the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) after forging the documents.He has been booked under Sections 463, 465 and 471 the IPC after a complaint filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Singh. In the complaint, the DSP stated that Rajesh Kumar remained on leave without informing the department from January 17. On September 15, he was dismissed by the department. However, he forged the documents by using fake signatures of the PAP Commandant and used fake stamps of the DSP to rejoin his duty. Later, the department got suspicious and held an inquiry into the matter. Investigating officer Randhir Singh said a case had been registered following a complaint by the Punjab Armed Police. He said further investigation was under progress.
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Narcotics recovered from prisoner at Central Jail
Amritsar, November 23 The jail authorities recovered a huge quantity of narcotics and two mobile phones from a prisoner, identified as Shaminder Singh, who has been serving 10-year imprisonment under the NDPS Act. The container was given to the prisoner by Inderjit Singh, a visitor. Central Jail Superintendent RK Sharma said when Shaminder was about to receive the container, the security guards at the gate found something fishy. “They opened the seal of the container and emptied it. They found a large quantity of drugs in it,” he said. The container was brought in by a visitor who handed it over to the prisoner. Though a case has been registered, the visitor could not be arrested. As per information, the jail staff recovered two mobile phones, seven syringes, 11 injections, 226 intoxication tablets and 80 tablets of opium. Besides, two packets of liquid was found in the container. “The liquid too appeared to be some intoxicant. We are investigating the matter,” the Jail Superintendent said.
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raising day of sixth battalion Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 23 Lieut-Gen Rakesh Sharma felicitated family members of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while serving the country. He also launched a ticket to mark the golden jubilee celebrations. The sixth battalion of the 11th Gorkha Rifles was raised on October 1, 1963 at Clement Town, Dehradun. During its first 50 glorious years, it served at glaciated mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, deserts of Rajasthan and dense forest of North-East. The soldiers of the battalion excelled in all spheres of operational, sports and professional competitions. A huge number of serving and retired officers of the battalion attended the celebrations. During the three-day programme, a number of activities were held in which the retired officers shared their experiences with the jawans and officers. The government of Sikkim provided a troupe, which performed yak dance, said spokesperson of the Army. A parade was organised yesterday followed by a performance by khukri dance and a brass band display. The participants also visited the Golden Temple and witnessed the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post. The historical representation of battalion was displayed through light and sound show.
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J&K NGO approaches SC panel for rehab of orphans
Amritsar, November 23 The NGO takes care of 130 children and also sought financial assistance to lessen their suffering as they are living in a dilapidated building. Representatives of the NGO Shaiyasta Sharif, Shazia Khan, Jahida Khan and Mobina Nabi alleged that the district administration and the government in the Valley had done nothing to lessen their suffering. “For the past two months, the authorities have only been giving assurances while nothing concrete has been done for the rehabilitation of the children,” they said. The children need help as they were not even getting enough food everyday and the same is the situation of many other NGOs, they added. Expressing concern over the plight of the children, Raj Kumar Verka issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Government for providing necessary relief to the needy. Verka said he would also urge the Central Government to form a committee for the identification the NGOs working for the welfare of people and provide them all necessary help.
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Medical officers to be given emergency duties
Amritsar, November 23 The decision is expected to lessen the workload on medical officers stationed at district and subdivisional hospitals. Earlier, many medical officers in rural areas and other hospitals were deputed on emergency duty. As per the letter, the medical officers stationed at the Civil Lines hospital, Employees State Insurance Hospital and urban dispensaries would also be assigned emergency duties. The Director had also instructed to depute rural medical officers at sports tournaments and religious congregations in case the Deputy Commissioner instructs to send a medical team. Doctors at the Civil Hospital said the decision could improve health services at district hospital where a large number of patients come for treatment daily. The doctors said emergency duties should be assigned to all medical officers without any partiality so that they could devote most of their time for the welfare of people. Earlier, many medical officers had complained that well-connected medical officers were not assigned emergency duties. The department had earlier taken the decision not to depute specialist doctors on emergency and VIP duties.
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Amid protests, safai sewaks set waste on fire Amritsar, November 23 The safai karamcharis do not refrain from burning garbage after accumulating it on the road and sometime even in waste bins. The situation is deplorable in the walled city. Sewage is getting mixed with garbage, resulting in frequent accidents. Since garbage is not segregated, plastic, polystyrene (foam cups), dry and waste is burnt together, resulting in the release of toxic gases. — TNS
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Residents protest construction of wall
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 23 Ironically, when MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal reached the spot to monitor the boundary wall project, he too had to face residents’ wrath. Anticipating an awkward situation, he rushed without coming out of his car. Meanwhile, the fire tenders too had reached the spot to douse the flames emanating apparently out of poisonous gases in the dump. The MC had started the job of constructing around 16 foot high boundary wall around this dump yard as an immediate measure to give solace to the scores of residents residing in colonies located around this dump yard. The residents have been protesting for the past over 20 days continuously against the authorities and the government to shift the garbage dump from Bhagtanwala as it was affecting their health. On the other hand, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said as per directions of the High Court and the government’s decision, the proposed solid waste management plant had to be installed at the designated site at Bhagtanwala. “The proposed boundary wall was decided to be constructed keeping in view the safety and hygiene of the residents living around this dump yard, but the work had to be stalled due to the protest,” he said. A resident Gurcharan Singh Happy said there was no requirement of the boundary wall and the residents want that sand should be laid over the dump yard to neutralise the ill-effects of the dump. Another resident Sanjay Sharma said except for farce political assurances, nothing concrete was done to find an alternate provision of dumping garbage. “
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Better amritsar road mishaps-I PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 23 A number of residents have lost their lives in the city in past several years. Thanks to the faulty road structures, half-hearted approach of the city police in implementing the traffic norms and most importantly (or tragically) irresponsible behavior of the people when it comes to obeying the traffic rules and regulations. The repeated campaigns by the traffic police have also failed to yield the desired results so far. It would not be appropriate to say that the aggressive behavior of the residents have made the traffic scenario worst and deadlier as compared to other parts of the state and this holds true if the current scenario in the holy city is to be considered. The ambitious Bus Rapid Transit system (BRTS) project has further aggravated the problem in the areas where it is currently underway. Under the project, road dividers have been dismantled and roads have been dug up. With the winters setting the driving at these stretches, especially on the GT road, would be very dangerous as the foggy season is just round the corner. Fatal roads Going by the recent incidents, the elevated road, Bhandari Bridge, main GT road and the Amritsar-Attari bypass road are the major roads where fatal accidents have been reported on a regular basis. Overspeeding and wrong-side driving is the main cause behind the fatal road mishaps here. Besides Putlighar, Chheharta, Lawrence Road, bus stand and outer circular road of walled city are the main points were incidents of road rages are witnessed on a routine basis. Main causes of accidents Preferring anonymity, a senior police official in the traffic wing, while sharing his experience, pointed out that over speeding and driving in excess of the prescribed speed limits was the major cause of fatal road accidents in the holy city. He added that the precarious habit of the commuters of not wearing helmet or seat belts has added to the misery. Use of mobile phones or ear phones while driving and drunk driving, violation of traffic norms, road signs, traffic lights, etc are among other reasons of occurrence of road mishaps. The vehicles coming from wrong sides on the highway is another major reason of road accidents. Just a few months ago, two motorcycle-borne persons lost their lives after a speedy car struck them on the Elevated road. Unfortunately, people are not learning from their mistakes. They are so aggressive that they counter the policemen who dare to stop and challan them. Traffic violations and lack of political will Of course the political intervention in functioning of traffic police has done no good. “Lack of political will dents the functioning of traffic police and the traffic problem is getting worse with every passing day,” the official said. Whenever cops launch a campaign for better traffic, the political intervention derails it. Recently, a drive against auto-rickshaw drivers was stopped due to political intervention and protest by drivers. Sometimes, the cops even face stiff resistance from political leaders. For instance, in a recent incident, a traffic cop was allegedly assaulted by a leader of the ruling party when he challaned a motorcyclist for not having proper documents. What residents say Dr AL Adlakha, a prominent doctor, said a majority of violators were young teenagers who indulge in rash driving and that too without safety gadgets like helmets. Underage driving is rampant in the city. The faulty road structures are another reason behind the mess. The administration has also failed to implement traffic norms in letter and spirit. A number of citizens are of the firm view that the violators should be dealt with iron hand. “There are no excuses for lapses on part of the administration. Police have failed to check the ills, including underage driving, helmet-less driving, over speeding and drunk driving,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar, another resident. Congestion The number of four and two-wheelers has increased manifolds in the city, but the roads have shrunk due to rampant encroachments on either side of the city roads. The shopkeepers have extended their shops by displaying their products while in absence of any parking lots residents park their vehicles on roads which had added to the chaos. Ill-equipped traffic wing
Though the city police have incorporated many young cops in the traffic wing, yet going by the traffic scenario, the traffic police requires more strengthening not only in terms of manpower but also in view of the technology. According to sources, the traffic wing did not have any gadgets to check over speeding. It only has a couple of alcoholmeter, which is not sufficient in any way. ‘concrete steps are being taken’
In order to check traffic violations, we have doubled the manpower by adding around 150 policemen in the traffic wing deputed at various chowks. We have started the concept of slip roads and lane driving, which were earlier missing from the city roads. Besides, we have deputed policemen outside various schools in order to check rash driving by schoolchildren. More steps are being taken to educate the children and their parents about traffic
norms.
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Amritsar, November 23 He said it was unjustified to harass chemists on the pretext of checking sale of habit-forming drugs. He said the association would not tolerate harassment of chemists by police and other law agencies. Bitta added that while the association opposes any unnecessary action against the chemists, at the same time it doesn’t supports any person selling habit-forming drugs. — TNS
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SPCA officials rescue sambar
Amritsar, November 23 The animal sustained injuries when some villagers were chasing it. There are instances of wild boar and other animals being found in remote areas of the district. Nearly three feet high sambar of about two years of age was rescued from Bal Sikandar village on November 21, said SPCA inspector Ashok Joshi. He said the animal received injuries on front leg, a wound near tail and another on the rear leg. He said a man alerted the police while people were chasing it. The police then called up the SPCA officials. With the help of public and police they rescued the sambar. Forest Department and Range Officer Balwant Singh is taking stock of the condition of the animal. He said shedding its fear, today the animal consumed some green fodder and drank water. He said the animal would be released in the designated forest site in the district as soon as it gets well.
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Sports, cultural fiesta enthral audience Amritsar, November 23 Unifying the traditional martial arts, gatka, tae kwon do and gymnastics, the students gave thrilling performances. Gurmeet said: “The word impossible itself says I’m possible.” So anybody who is determined to achieve, will definitely accomplish every mission in life, she added. — TNS
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Pensioners threaten stir
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 23 District president Madan Gopal said arrears of DA were pending since January. He said the pensioners had also demanded cash-less medical service scheme. The other demands of the pensioners include travel allowance for both husband and wife in case only one is a pensioner and increase of medical allowance to Rs 2,000 per month. Madan Gopal said pensioners face trouble in getting their bills cleared from the treasury. He said the government should instruct the Treasury Department to clear bills concerning pensioners on priority basis.
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Amritsar, November 23
Amritsar, November 23
Amritsar, November 23
