Parties defying poll code as banners dot city roads
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
Despite the model election code of conduct for the local municipal corporation elections came into force on July 20 with the announcement of August 8 as the polling date by Punjab state election commissioner A.K. Dubey, leaders of the several political parties, especially the ruling SAD and BJP, are blatantly violating the code as hoardings and banners displaying their pictures are seen in different parts of the city.

Several parts of the city are dotted with banners and hoardings at public places, especially the Civil Lines area, Phagwara Gate, Mai Hiran Gate, Model Town, Football Chowk area, Nagar, Sodal road, Nakodar road and localities around Partap Bagh.

The banners and hoardings may also be seen at several places on National Highway-1.

Interestingly, several of these hoardings and banners are displaying the photographs of Punjab local bodies minister Manoranjan Kaila and state BJP chief Rajindra Bhandari along with some local leaders.

When contacted, BJP city chief Shiv Dayal Chugh said these banners might have been put up before the code of conduct came into force. When asked whether the ruling party leaders could defy even the Defacement of Properties Act even if the code of conduct was not in force, he said his party had opposed putting up banners and hoardings at public places when they were in opposition and they were doing so when they were a constituent of the ruling alliance.

Chugh said no BJP leader should put up banners at public places. If someone had done so, he had done it without permission of the party, he added.

Similarly, SAD city chief Charanjit Singh Channi said he would forbid his party men to put up banners at public places and ask them to adhere to the model code of conduct.

When contacted, deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Ajit Singh Pannu said he would immediately take steps to implement the model code of conduct.

Man takes V-Mart to task over Rs 3
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, headed by M.M. Bhalla, has issued a notice to V-Mart, a retail outlet on the Nakodar road here, on a complaint for overcharging. The hearing on the issue is scheduled for August 20.

A school teacher and resident of Krishna Nagar, Sandeep Kumar Arora, has alleged that the store men charged an excess amount for a product which was above the MRP mentioned on the carton of the item. A copy of cash memo and carton of the toothbrush has already been submitted by him to the forum.

The consumer said that he purchased goods from V-Mart, including a Colgate Zigzag toothbrush, on March 31. On comparing the bill rates with MRPs, he realised that he has been charged Rs 3 more than the price on the carton, which was printed as Rs 24. On noticing the error he brought it to the notice of the persons at the cash counter asking them to return the excess amount. But the employees expressed their helplessness to return the money on the excuse that computer printed rates were the final rates.

In his complaint Arora stated that despite his repeated requests, the store owner neither refunded the extra charges nor took the goods back. He termed the act as an unfair trade practice, causing him mental agony. The complainant also said that in the advertisements, the store claimed that the goods were sold at lesser and competitive prices.

He has also asked for compensation of Rs 10,000 along with Rs 1,100 as cost of the proceedings.

Campaign to boost rural sports

Phagwara, July 24
The Phagwara administration, on the directions of the deputy commissioner, has initiated a campaign to encourage rural sports in all 84 villages of the subdivision. Talking to mediapersons here today, SDM Amarjitpal said he had urged several sports clubs to cooperate with the administration to encourage rural sports aiming at bringing back the youth in traditional sports culture and to prevent them from the use of intoxicants.

The SDM said in the first phase, five villages of Kaulsar, Sangatpur, Chuck Prema, Bhaghana and Pipa Rangi had been selected under the rural sports scheme and games like volleyball and kho-kho would be introduced in the surrounding villages.

Amarjitpal, who held a meeting with organisations, including sports clubs in the tehsil complex here today, said the administration would provide coaches and sport kits to the sportspersons. He said the step would help budding sportspersons in their physical fitness as well as keep them away from the intoxicants.— OC

Movie tickets just a click away
Sarb multiplex plans online ticketing and booking centre 
Jyotika Sood
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
The city’s first multiplex, Sarb, is ready with its plans to reach out to movie buffs by launching “online ticketing”. While a new website is under construction, the multiplex also plans to open up a booking centre in the city. Set to make movie going experience a cherished one, the entertainment centre will soon have a kids’ zone and a food court too. The kid’s zone will be complete with a party zone too.

Sarvinder Kaur, one of the directors of Sarb, says, “Refusing anyone coming out so far away from the city to the industrial area for tickets is not polite. Thus online ticketing and booking centre will make it easy for the movie buffs and will prevent undue hassles.”

Talking about the other projects on anvil, she says the centre aims at family audience coming out to watch a movie. Providing a separate kids’ zone is to make the place more audience friendly.

Providing children a world of games, Sarb multiplex is developing kids’ zone through a tie-up with Bangalore-based company Amoeba. The kids’ zone would provide different entertaining options like video games, crazy cars and other games. “Work on the flooring and interiors are complete, while installation and final checking of the machinery of the games installed here is left,” says Sarvinder Kaur. “In our food court only the work on the airconditioning remains,” she adds. Adding to the list is a party zone too, the director said, “Kids’ zone has been developed in the basement and the work is almost complete. The announcement of its would be made soon.”

To make the place a wholesome experience, the idea of food court has already been worked upon by the authorities. “The court would offer different cuisines like Indian, Continental and Chinese, ending the search for eateries by the visitors,” she added.

Minor girl saved from being kidnapped

Phagwara, July 24
The police with the help of people saved a three-year-old girl from being kidnapped on Monday. Phagwara DSP H.P.S. Khakh said Isha was playing near her residence in Satnampura when the alleged kidnapper, Vinod, a migrant labourer from Bihar, abducted the child. But when crossing Hadiabad in a rickshaw, the girl was seen by her relatives, who then raised the alarm. The police party headed by Satnampura police station SHO Paramsunil Singh arrested the kidnapper under section 364 of the IPC. —OC

MC poll: 455 booths for 5,04,464 voters
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
A total of 5,04,464 voters from 60 wards will be able to cast their votes at 455 booths in the municipal corporation poll to be held here on August 8.

There are as many as 78 booths in ward numbers 1 to 10, 84 in wards 11 to 20, 71 in wards 21 to 30, 66 in wards 31 to 40, 85 in wards 41 to 50 and 71 in wards 51 to 60. Ward numbers 41 to 50 also have the maximum number of 91,989 voters. A set of 10 wards from 21 onward have 75,364 voters, which is the minimum among all the six units.

As per the booth list made available by the office of ADC development-cum-assistant returning officer Ashok Sikka, the booths falling in different wards are as under:

Ward 1: Government Elementary School, Ravidass Nagar, GPS, Anand Nagar, GPS, Chak Jinda, United Christians Institute, government school, Chak Jinda, government school, Salempur Musalmana.

Ward 2: DSSD Girls School Industrial Area, government school, Gadaipur, VK Kalia Public School, Kirat Bhavan, Bhagat L. Singh Colony, CT Public School at Seth Hukum Chand Colony.

Ward 3: New Cambridge Convent School, Punjabi Bagh, Government High School, Pind Sekhen, office of Reru Agricultural Cooperative Society, government school, Reru, Community Centre, Baba Deep Singh Nagar.

Ward 4: Labhu Ram School, DP Dada SD School, Labhu Ram Doaba School Kamal Park Jyoti Model High School, Aman Nagar.

Ward 5: SD Public School, Santokhpura, government school, Santokhpura, Doaba College.

Ward 6: Government school, Peer Baba Nimbu Shah, SD Public School, Santokhpura, GPS Purana Santokhpura.

Ward 7: Government school, Lamba Pind, government coeducation school, Kishanpura, GPS, Kishanpura, Ravidass High School, Kishanpura.

Ward 8: Balmik Janj Ghar, Ajit Nagar, SD Janj Ghar, Kishanpura, SD Janj Ghar, Patti Gokalwala, GSSS, Chak Hussaina, St Soldier Divine Public School, Arjun Nagar, GPS, Lamba Pind.

Ward 9: GPS, Kot Ram Dass, GPS, Suchi Pind, GPS, Pind Chohkan, GPS, Pind Ladhewali.

Ward 10: Vivekanand Day Boarding School, Ladhewali, GSSS, Ladhewali, Victor Government SSS, Rama Mandi, Community Centre, Rama Mandi, JS Model School, Joginder Nagar, GPS, Ladhewali, GPS, Beant Nagar.Ward 11: GPS, Kaki Pind, GPS, Dhilwan, GPS, Nangal Shama, Anganwari, Dhilwan, GPS, Kaki Pind, GPS, Dakoha, GSSS Girls, Dakoha, GSSS, Dhonowali

Ward 12: GPS, Dhanowali, GPS, Pragpur, GPS, Brring, Dharamshala, Birring,

Ward 13: GPS, Kaki Pind, GPS, Dakoha, GPS, Nai Abadi, GPS Girls, Dakoha, JS Memorial Model School, Joginder Nagar.

Ward 14: GHS, Ladowali Road, GPS, Kirti Nagar, SE section of PAP line road, SD GHS, Preet Nagar, GPS, Chogitti (left right side).

Ward 15: GHS, Chogitti, GPS, Chogitti (north, west, south and east), PSEB office, Bashirpura, DSD GPS, Bashirpura.

Ward 16: Doaba Khalsa School, Gobindgarh, SD College, DSSD High School, Krishan Nagar, SD Phularwan School, Preet Nagar.

Ward 17: PSEB office, Bashirpua (left and right), Balmiki Janj Ghar (left and right), SD Janj Ghar, Kishanpura, DSD GMS, Bashirpura, XEN office, Bashirpura.

Ward 18: SD Primary School, Rasta Mohalla, Janj Ghar, Attari Bazar, Baba Lal Dyal Model School, Partap Bagh (east).

Ward 19: Baba Lal Dyal Model School, Partap Bagh (west), SDAS School, Panj Peer, Adarsh Educational Centre, and DSSD School and Shiv Devi Primary School, Kot Kishan Chand.

Ward 20: Bhardwaj High School, Chandannagar, Guru Nanak GSS School, Montgomeri, SDAS School, Bikrampura, Sewa Sadan, Nella Mahal, Sailkot Khalsa High School, Gazigulla, Shivdevi Girls High School, Subhash Nagar.

Ward 21: Doaba Model School, Industrial Area, DSD School, Sodal Road.

Ward 22: DSD School, Industrial Area, Doaba Model School, Industrial Area (east), Janj Ghar, Globe Colony (east), DSD School, Sodal Chowk.

Ward 23: Mehr Chand Polytechnic, Kabir Nagar, GSSS, Gandhi Camp, Dayanand Junior Polytechnic, Gandhi Camp, GPS, Ram Nagar, Janj Ghar, Ram Nagar.

Ward 24: Red Cross building near Apahij Ashram, Gandhi Vanita Ashram, Kapurthala Chowk, DEO office.

Ward 25: Khalsa High School, Gajigulla Syalkot, Market Committee, New Dana Mandi, SDAS School, Jain Colony, Khalsa High School, Ram Nagar, Sewa Sadan, Mohalla Neela Mahal.

Ward 26: SDAS School, Patel Chowk, GHS, Harnam Dass Pura.

Ward 27: Shiv Devi Girls School, Subhash Nagar, SDAS School, Kila Mohalla, Labhu Ram Doaba School, Qazi Mohalla, SDAS School, Kila Mohalla, SD Model School, Mitha Bazar, GHS, Qazi Mohalla, SD Model School, Mitha Bazar.

Ward 28: Rajmati Jain School, Janj Ghar, Charanjitpura, Sai Dass School, Bansanwala Bazar, GPS, Nauhrian Bazar, GPS, Ali Mohalla.

Ward 29: GSSS, Nehru Garden, GPS, Rainak Bazar, Janj Ghar, Guru Bazar, Shishu Model School, Khodian Mohalla, GHS, Rainak Bazar.

Ward 30: DSSD School, Kishan Nagar, Punjab Arts School, Chahar Bazar, Janj Ghar, Central Town, GSSS, Ladowali Road (east and west).

(To be concluded on Friday)

Election schedule
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Ajit Singh Pannu has released the list of six returning officers (ROs) who would supervise the forthcoming elections in all 60 wards of the municipal corporation and with whom the candidates could file their nomination papers between July 27 and 30.

The ROs, PWD (B&R) land acquisition officer A.S. Parbhakar, deputy director of land records, Punjab, P.P. Singh, SDM Bhupinder Singh, SDM Kulbir Singh, district officer for removal of grievances Kuldip Singh, and deputy director of local bodies Vinay Bublani, would accept nomination papers of candidates between 10 am and 3 pm from July 27 to 30.

Pannu said all the candidates would be required to affix a passport-sized photograph on their nomination papers which would be subjected to scrutiny on July 31. The candidates could withdraw their papers till 3 pm on August 1. Thereafter, the candidates would be allotted election symbols. Voters would be able to caste their votes from 8 am to 4 pm on the polling day, said Pannu.

The candidates or other people desirous of getting any information about nomination papers, voters’ lists and information about poll could contact the respective ROs. “The votes would be counted at the polling stations and the results declared in the evening on the polling day,” said Pannu.

Young World
Apeejay student dances her way to Mauritius
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
Pallavi Sharma (19), a final year BA student from Apeejay College of Fine Arts, will give eight Kathak dance performances in the Jaipur gharana style to popularise Hindi literature and culture of India in Mauritius. A budding kathak dancer and young actor, Pallavi is part of a group from the All-India Poetess Conference, New Delhi, and will be leaving for Mauritius on July 26. Mauritian President Anerood Jugnauth and Prime Minister Ramgoolam will also attend the function.

Students felicitated

As many as 123 students were felicitated by Dr R.S. Bawa, registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, for bagging top university positions at a function held at the PCM SD College for Women here on Monday. The first position holders in the university included Nikita Bansal of B.Com (professional)III, Savdeep Kaur of B.Com (professional) II, Neeru Mittal of B.Com-III, Geetanjali of BSc (economics) I, Rupali of BSc (computer science) II and Amandeep Kaur of MSc (computer science) third semester.

Lakhwinder tops

Lakhwinder Kaur, a final year student of BSc MLT, Lovely Institutes, has bagged top rank in the final semester examination conducted by Punjab Technical University by scoring 90.2 per cent marks. Pravi and Kavita stood second in the examination with 90.1 per cent marks each. Amarjit Kaur stood third with 89.9 per cent marks. Komal Bajaj, a PGDCA student from the Government Arts and Sports College has secured 686 out of 800 marks and stood fourth in GNDU.

Tree plantation

A week-long tree plantation programme was organised by students of Delhi Public School. Students planted saplings in the school nursery. Pro-vice-chairman Thakur Arun Singh said the activity created an awareness among the children regarding their importance in creating a pollution-free environment.

Fancy dress

Tiny tots of St Soldier Divine Public School took part in a fancy dress show held on Friday. The little ones donned traditional dresses of various states. Some mimicked animals and others came in the guise of fruits and vegetables. Principal L.R. Wadhwa adjudged the best dressed students. Fancy dress and poem recitation contests were held at State Public School, Jalandhar Cantonment. 

‘Basra Ki Galiyan’ in English
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
English version “Basra’s Streets” of Hindi novel “Basra Ki Galiyan”, the plot of which deals with the invasion of Iraq in 2003, was formally released at a simple function organised under the aegis of the Citizens Welfare and Protection Council here today.

The 168-page translated version of the novel was released jointly by Guru Nanak Dev University dean (languages) Harmahinder Singh Bedi and AIFUCTO general secretary V.K. Tiwari. Bedi and Tiwari congratulated both the writer of the novel Ajay Sharma and its translator Sandeep Chahal for their creative work.

The general secretary of the council presented a vote of thanks on the occasion.

Govt plans website for NRIs’ problems
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24
The Punjab government is in the process of developing a website which would address the problems that NRIs face in India and the minor legal complications that they encounter in their respective countries.

“With the help of the proposed website any NRI could punch in his or her problems and we would ensure that these are solved instantaneously. All problems received through the website would be processed by a specially designated officer who would have a separate office for the purpose,” said Harcharan Bains, media adviser to Chief Minister.

Bains revealed that the government plans to organise an NRI sammelan in January where the various difficulties confronted by the NRIs at home or overseas would be addressed.

Press Club website

The electronic revolution has virtually shrunk the world to such a level that it has become a global village, stated Punjab public relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia who was here to inaugurate the website of the local Punjab Press Club.

“Computer and information technology have made things so simple and easy that you can get information about any incident happening anywhere in the world within a few seconds at the click of a mouse. The importance of the print and electronic media has grown multifold in this new era,” said Majithia.

Revoke JE’s suspension, demands council

Jalandhar, July 24
The Council of Junior Engineers, PSEB (North Zone) has asked chief engineer (north) H.S. Thukral to revoke junior engineer Ashok Kumar’s suspension.

Thukral suspended Ashok Kumar and lineman Kishan on Saturday for not issuing any notice to the person who was constructing a shop under a low-tension line of electricity.

Suspended Ashok Kumar was posted in Noormahal subdivision falling under Kapurthala circle.

A council deputation met Thukral and told him that the JE had been suspended without any fault. The chief engineer told the delegation that a Noormahal consumer was constructing a shop under a low-tension line of electricity which was against the rule of the department. The members told Thukral that if the consumer had applied for electricity connection and the JE had released the same, he would have been held guilty. — TNS

Sheen of Sawan
Rashi Sharma

Sawan has knocked and swarms of Shiva devotees can be seen flocking the Shiv temples in the “Brahma muhurt”. The ambience of morning hours soothes the very souls of the devotees and encircles them with divine sheen. Serene notes of “Har-Har Mahadev” create a thunderous effect and reverberate the whole atmosphere. This is a scene which is conspicuous enough to touch the hearts of Shiva devotees.

Everywhere people, oblivious of the crude shackles of communal disparities, offer their obeisance to their God and seek His blessings. The aromatic magic of smear-headed devotees can at once be felt. With the continuous chanting of “Om Namah Shivay” much placidity is spilled all around. People of all age group visit Shiva temples.

Fasting is done on Monday as it is considered very auspicious to fast for four to five Mondays in the month of Sawan. This fasting is considered equivalent to 16 Monday fast, that is why every body tries to appease Lord Shiva by adulating or meditating these days. Young girls also perform “Gauri puja” to get their dream boy. Every devotee deifies Lord Shiva for one reason or the other.

Much “kar seva” is going on everywhere for the pilgrims of Amaranth. This is really a spectacular sight to watch people hued in the magnetic marvel of their “Ishtdev” and working passionately for the pilgrims. Nowadays a great rush can be seen in every nook and corner where Shiva temples are situated. The Devi Talab temple of Jalandhar is captivating the attention of innumerable devotees. People crave for visiting the Amarnath cave here.

“Shlokas” from “Shiva-tandav” and “rudrashtak”can be heard in these temples. Truly, this month mollifies us en masse and uplifts us spiritually. Lord Shiva, the most benevolent, naive and bounteous god immediately showers His choicest blessings on His devotees with his lotus hands. So get ready as the thumping of “Sawan” is ready to ally us with our Lord Shiva.

BMS upset with Punjab goverment 
Our Correspondent

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