Jalandhar, August 2
As more than 33 per cent women candidates get on the poll bandwagon for the forthcoming MC polls, thanks to reservation of seats, the hectic poll activity is taking its toll on some while many are letting their hubby dearest do most of the talking, a la Rabri Devi style.

Breaking away from domesticity of household chores some first timers are faced with the challenge of getting a hang of local politics. They admit they are ready to take any amount of strain and even some mudslinging in their stride to achieve their target.

Reserved wards for women got many in the race and it is in such cases that their husbands give speeches longer than the actual candidate and even share more prominent space on election hoardings, banners and pamphlets.

One case in point is Aruna Arora, an Akali candidate from Ward 55. It was when her husband, Manoj Arora, who was denied a Congress ticket, was paid for shifting loyalty to the SAD by being rewarded with a ticket for his wife the same day that things changed. The busy home maker got even busier in electioneering and adapt to a totally new role.

Putting in her best effort a soft-spoken Aruna says, “These are busy days like never before. I am out of my home at 6:30 am. So, I have called my sister these days to take care of my son at home, domestic chores and frequent guests,” she explains.

“Though I was accustomed to interacting with political big-wigs at home and have been conversant of the latest developments through Manoj, I was not used to being in the limelight. I have asking acquaintances to support me,” she says.

Her opposite is her rival, Dr Jasleen Kaur from the Congress, also a first timer. An Ayurveda specialist Dr Jasleen is assertive and claims to have been a Congress worker for the past 17 years and president of the party’s women wing for the past two months. Pointing to defection by her rival’s husband she says, “How can you trust anyone indulging in such an act for his personal interests?,” says the doc who handed her clinic over to a friend and children in custody of her relatives.

Second timers Surinder Kaur of Congress from Ward 58, Narinder Kaur from SAD from Ward 54 and Saroj Malhotra of BJP from Ward 31 are at some ease.

Surinder Kaur, a low profile sitting councillor says, “Total area of my ward has been halved, thus cutting down my effort too.”

A bit more high profile candidate Saroj Malhotra says, “From being a councillor from Ward 7 in 1997 polls to contesting from Ward 31 now is an altogether different experience.” No liabilities to bog her down she says time management was not a problem for her.

On a different note Narinder Kaur, says her husband does not accompany her for canvassing. A sitting councillor, she shifted from Congress to SAD just a few days back. Though she is middle school pass, has a good following in her area. “My family does not accompany me for canvassing. They have their own busy routines. My husband does 
a business in tanning like most people in the area,” she explains.

Jalandhar, August 2
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) authorities has organised a mock drill for checking any leakage and fire in the Mathura-Jalandhar petroleum product pipeline at Matfallu village.

The pipeline, which is 12 inches in diameter, supplies petroleum products to the entire North-Western region. During the drill, the different methods of tacking oil leakage by installing leak clamps were demonstrated and villagers were also educated about the precautionary steps in case of a gas leakage.

The pipeline originates from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and after passing through Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana ends at Jalandhar in Punjab.

According to the deputy manager, IOC, Gaurab Chhiba the line has been laid at an average depth of 1.5 metre below the ground level.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of manager (operations), IOC, Prem Singh in the presence of officials from the district administration, fire department and medical teams.

Civil hospital medical officer Dr Bathla also briefed villagers about the first aid, handling of burn cases and medical facilities available at the civil hospital. Besides, the officials of the IOC, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum officials also participated in the exercise.

Jalandhar, August 2
Contrary to the Supreme Court directions, the district police has failed to register an FIR on the complaint of Avtar Nagar resident, who alleges that he has been receiving threats on his mobile for over a month.

Talking to The Tribune, complainant Kuldip Singh said he had gone to the Bhargo Camp police post of division number 6 several times along with ex-councillor of the area Hans Raj after receiving threats and also submitted a written complaint for lodging an FIR but no case has been registered till now.

Surprisingly instead of registering an FIR, the policemen at Bhargo Camp post have asked me to change my mobile number, he said.

Fed up with the lukewarm response of the police post, he decided to bring the matter to the notice of the SHO of police division number 6 and sent his complaint to the SHO through registered post.

To his utter surprise, the policemen at the police division refused to receive the complaint and the same was returned to him with remark ‘refused’ by the postal department.