J A L A N D H A R

Saluting spirit of freedom
Efforts on to restore state’s lost prosperity, says FM

Jalandhar, August 15 Assuring that the state government was striving to bring about a complete overhaul in fields of education, agriculture and employment, Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal said the efforts were being made to restore the prosperity.

Cultural programmes were major attraction in Jalandhar — Tribune photos

Jassal dumps SAD, goes BJP way
Jalandhar, August 15
The ruling alliance partners, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, are leaving no stone unturned to gather support in order to strengthen their claim on the post of mayor in the Jalandhar municipal corporation. And in the process, the rift between the ruling alliance partners, seems to be widening with the passage of each day. 

‘Traffickers’ flee with passports of singers
Phagwara, August 15
Two US-based non-resident Indians belonging to Nawanshahr and Chandigarh, fled with the passports of Punjabi singer couple, Amar Arshi and Narinderjot, because they had refused to take 10 villagers along with them to the United States under a cover of a musical night show.

Kids to get polio drops on Aug 23
Phagwara August 15
The Punjab government’s three-day pulse polio drive, which was postponed due to the civic polls, will be launched on August 23 across the state.The officials with the health department said polio vaccine drops would be administered to the children in age group of 0-5 years.

NRI’s ‘2nd marriage’ plans thwarted
Phagwara, August 15
More than five dozen armed persons belonging to Dayalpur village, Raipur Ballan and Katni forcibly entered Grand Castle marriage palace here on Tuesday to stop the “second marriage” of UK-based NRI Gurmukh Singh (54) of nearby Wahrrowal village, Nawanshahar, with a young girl, Gurjit Kaur, resident of nearby Virk village, Jalandhar.

Dhabas under excise gaze
Phagwara, August 15
The excise and taxation department have prepared a list of Dhabas to whom notices would be sent to get themselves registered with the department and to file quarterly assessments.

Anti-encroachment drive an eyewash?
Phagwara, August 15
Despite the anti-encroachment drive launched by the Phagwara police, the same continues unbated in the town thereby proving the much hyped drive as a mere eyewash. A number of encroachers could be seen not only encroaching the land by either extending their shops till the middle of the market but also having a thriving business.

Work on phase 2 of science city to start soon
Kapurthala, August 15
Work on second phase of science city will start soon. For the purpose, Rs 15 crore will be spent. This was stated by Punjab cabinet minister Chaudhury Swarna Ram, who presided over the district level Independence Day function organised at Guru Nanak Stadium, here on Wednesday.

Langars for devotees
Hoshiarpur, August 15
A week-long annual pilgrimage for ‘Sawan Ashtmi Fair’ at the holy shrine of Goddess Durga Mata Chintpurni, to be held on August 21, started on Wednesday. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the region are on their way to the shrine. 

Saluting spirit of freedom
Efforts on to restore state’s lost prosperity, says FM
Tribune News Service

Tributes were paid to martyrs in Nawanshahr. — Tribune photos

Jalandhar, August 15
Assuring that the state government was striving to bring about a complete overhaul in fields of education, agriculture and employment, Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal said the efforts were being made to restore the prosperity of the state.

Badal was in the city to preside over the district-level Independence Day function at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium today. Paying homage to the freedom fighters, he said the state had made maximum contribution during the freedom struggle. He also honoured freedom fighters, including Pt. Kharadi Ram, Tilak Raj Suri, Om Parkash Sharma, Kidar Nath, Joginder Pal Bhatia, Assa Singh and Santokh Singh.

The finance minister, who also formally launched the much-awaited “atta-dal scheme,” said, “The city has 97,573 beneficiaries under the scheme, including 76,573 from the rural areas.” He also distributed 35 kg of wheat grains @ Rs 4 per kg and 4 kg of pulses @ Rs 20 per kg to each of the five blue cardholders, including Gian Singh, Jaspal Singh, Lakha Singh, Yusuf and Vinod Kumar.

The FM also distributed wheel chairs equipped with mobile PCOs to four physically-challenged persons. The equipment, each costing Rs 15,000, was given free of cost by the Reliance Communications. The minister also presented three wheel chairs to the physically-challenged persons.

Awards were also given to 35 persons, including those engaged in social service, school teachers, efficient government employees and police personnel.

Earlier, the minister also received the guard of honour from the contingent of BSF, CRPF, PAP, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Scouts and Guides and NCC cadets. The march past by NCC air wing cadets from Sain Dass AS Senior Secondary School, Patel Chowk, was adjudged the best among the students. School and college students also presented a colourful cultural show on the occasion. Among others present were MLAs K.D Bhandari, Jagbir Brar and Bhagat Chunni Lal, divisional commissioner Dr Swaran Singh and IG police Sanjeev Kalra.

Needy students get books

NAWANSHAHR: Lions Club, city smile, Banga, held a function at Government Elementary School, Kangrour, to mark the Independence Day, on Wednesday. Veteran social worker, Baldev Nayyar presided over. Stationery items and sweets were distributed among the school students on the occasion.The Ranbaxy Lab Limited, Tonsa, celebrated the Independence Day. The Management, employees and neighboring community represented by the prominent citizens, elders and school students of nearby villages participated in the colourful function. The National flag was hoisted by the eldest lady from Tonsa, Manso Devi ( 98).

Medical camp at Rotary Bhavan

NAWANSHAHR: The local Rotary Club organised a free medical check camp here on Wednesday at Rotary Bhavan on the occasion of the Independence Day. Dr DPS Sandhu , former director health, inaugurated the camp. Dr Jagdeep Madan (Ortho) examined more than 100 patients suffering from bone diseases at the camp. Free calcium test and scan were also done at the camp, informed Dr Pawan Kumar, club president. An ‘Art of Living’ camp was also held at the camp. Ritu Talwar and Neelam, delivered special lecturers and gave valuable tips for leading a blissful life.

Batala bathes in patriotic hues

Batala: Great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour marked the Independence Day celebrations here on Wednesday. The function took place at Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Open Stadium, where Punjab chief parliamentary secretary Jagdish Sawhney unfurled the Tricolour. Sawhney also took salute from the contingents of Punjab Police, Home Guards and NCC cadets of various schools and colleges. The students also presented cultural programmes. Remembering the sacrifices of martyrs, Sawhney urged the students to work for the nation’s development. He asked students to stay away from the menace of drugs. Those who were present at the ceremony included sub-divisional magistrate Sandeep Rishi, SSP R.N. Dhoke and SP Paramdeep Singh Teja. Tehsildar, municipal council officials and principals of local colleges and schools were also present.

‘Anti-imperialistic Day’ observed

Hoshiarpur: Activists of CPM unit Hoshiarpur (Pasla group) organised a convention to mark the ‘Anti-imperialistic Day’ here today. The speakers on the occasion strongly condemned the central government for the Indo-US nuclear agreement which they claimed was a grave threat to the country’s security.

They alleged that the UPA government had completely surrendered before the imperialistic powers and had was ‘forming’ anti-people policies. The CPM leaders also criticised the Centre and state government for not even providing the basic facilities, like health, potable water and education to the people. “The pro-imperialistic policies had ruined the economy. Farmers were being compelled to commit suicide. Law and order situation was getting out of control,” said Master Harkanwal Singh, member of state secretarial committee.

Referring to the proposed recruitment of teachers by the state government, Amrik Singh, convener of Democratic Kisan Sabha accused the SAD-BJP government of befooling the public. The speakers also went on alleging that Akali Jathedars were running the civil administration as a result there was no check on the anti-social elements. They appealed to the people to come together to set things right.

Freedom heroes honoured

Phagwara: The Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Phagwara and Phillaur today.Phagwara SDM Amarjit Paul unfurled the national flag during a colourful function held at Government Senior Secondary School Phagwara while Phillaur SDM Pritam Singh hoisted the Tricolour flag at Government Senior Secondary School, Phillaur. Cultural programmes were presented by school students in all the functions and several prominent citizens including freedom fighters were honoured during the function.

National Flags were also hoisted at Improvement Trust Phagwara, Municipal Committee, Phagwara and railway station.

Jassal dumps SAD, goes BJP way
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 15
The ruling alliance partners, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, are leaving no stone unturned to gather support in order to strengthen their claim on the post of mayor in the Jalandhar municipal corporation. And in the process, the rift between the ruling alliance partners, seems to be widening with the passage of each day. In a major turnaround, the BJP today managed to garner support from an independent councillor, Paramjit Kaur Jassal, who was earlier going to join SAD but ditched the party at the last moment by not attending the joining-in ceremony.

Though, it is learnt that the BJP had pressed Jassal to join the party, the independent councillor clarified that even as she had not joined the BJP she had decided to continue as an independent councillor. “I would ensure full support for the policies of BJP for carrying out development works from her Ward 1,” Jassal added.

Meanwhile, Jassal’s not joining the SAD led to the mockery of party leaders, including former Akali minister Sekhwan, who had claimed that he had come to Jalandhar especially for the Jassal’s joining-in ceremony. The SAD leaders kept on waiting for her at a press conference for more than an hour but she did not appear.

The party leaders had been reportedly trying to make their position stronger to have a claim the seat of mayor by increasing their numbers. While the SAD had won 14 seats in the polls, five independent councillors had joined the party since the outcome of the results. The BJP, which had won 19 seats in the poll, increased its tally to 20 by roping in an independent candidate. The SAD leaders had been trying their best to reach the 20 figure mark equaling the coalition partner but their hopes were dashed after the Monday incident.

In fact, the SAD leaders had aimed at being one up by pressuring Hans Raj Rana, BSP councillor from Ward 6, to join the party but that too has not happened. Sources in the BJP have said men from their party had been dissuading Rana against taking any such step. There have been reports that Rana was supported by the BJP for the polls against Jagir Singh of the SAD from the ward.

With the new situation emerging now, its 19:21 for the two allies with BJP taking a lead. Meanwhile, there has been no headway in declaration of mayor’s post. Leaders of both the parties have remained mum on the issue. Rajinder Bhandari, state BJP president, today told The Tribune that the name would be announced just 24 hours prior to the day of elections. “Let the government first give a notification for mayor’s election,” he said.

‘Traffickers’ flee with passports of singers
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 15
Two US-based non-resident Indians belonging to Nawanshahr and Chandigarh, fled with the passports of Punjabi singer couple, Amar Arshi and Narinderjot, because they had refused to take 10 villagers along with them to the United States under a cover of a musical night show.

Giving details of the incident, Phagwara DSP H.P.S. Khakh said NRIs Lehmber Singh Pawla of nearby Langddoia village in Nawanshahar and Harbhajan Singh of Chandigarh made an agreement of Rs 4.5 lakh with the singers to hold a show in the US on June 29, 2007 and gave Rs 1.5 lakh as advance. Arshi handed them three passports including that of his wife Narinderjot and six-year-old son Lovepreet.

DSP Khakh said when singer couple came to the US embassy for visa, the said NRIs brought 10 villagers along with them and asked Arshi to confirm before embassy that all villagers belonged to his musical group, but Arshi refused. Following which the US embassy issued visa to Arshi family, but denied visa to 10 persons. In a rage, the NRIs did not return the passports and later fled to the US taking the documents with them, he added.

ASI Sarabjit Singh said talking over the phone, NRI Lehmber Singh from US told him that he had the passports and they did this to Arshi because he had refused to accept his ten persons. The police has registered a case under Section 420, 406 of the IPC and Immigration Act to nab the frauds.

Kids to get polio drops on Aug 23
Our Correspondent

Phagwara August 15
The Punjab government’s three-day pulse polio drive, which was postponed due to the civic polls, will be launched on August 23 across the state.

The officials with the health department said polio vaccine drops would be administered to the children in age group of 0-5 years. First day the drops would be given at the booths and for the next two days it would be door to door campaign. 

NRI’s ‘2nd marriage’ plans thwarted
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 15
More than five dozen armed persons belonging to Dayalpur village, Raipur Ballan and Katni forcibly entered Grand Castle marriage palace here on Tuesday to stop the “second marriage” of UK-based NRI Gurmukh Singh (54) of nearby Wahrrowal village, Nawanshahar, with a young girl, Gurjit Kaur, resident of nearby Virk village, Jalandhar.

Gurmukh Singh had arrived with 35 baratis. After “Milni,” when the baratis were going to take breakfast, the armed villagers struck and started ransacking the palace and attacking the baratis.

Empty and filled bottles of cold drinks were used by the assailants to attack the baratis. The assailants were sent by Jaswinder Kaur, the first wife of the NRI residing in the UK.

Staff of the marriage palace immediately informed the police, which reached the spot and used mild force to disperse the attackers. The police took NRI bridegroom Gurmukh Singh into custody to control the situation.

Paramjit Kaur and Sukhdev Singh of Dayalpur village, sister and brother of Jaswinder Kaur, respectively, said their sister was married to Gurmukh Singh Gill of Wahrrowal village on September 5, 1975, and both had three children - one daughter and two sons. Their daughter Charanjit Kaur and sons Sarabjit Singh and Paramjit Singh were all married and Charanjit Kaur had twochildren.

Dhabas under excise gaze
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 15
The excise and taxation department have prepared a list of Dhabas to whom notices would be sent to get themselves registered with the department and to file quarterly assessments.

According to the sources, the department has short-listed 19 dhabhas in Jalandhar district,17 in Hoshiarpur district, 10 in Kapurthala district and 6 in Nawanshahr district.

It is pertinent to mention here that even though the VAT was imposed on the high income category dhabas, not even a single dhaba was charged the VAT until now. 

Anti-encroachment drive an eyewash?
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 15
Despite the anti-encroachment drive launched by the Phagwara police, the same continues unbated in the town thereby proving the much hyped drive as a mere eyewash. A number of encroachers could be seen not only encroaching the land by either extending their shops till the middle of the market but also having a thriving business.

Some of the shopkeepers have even constructed marble floors outside their shops while many others have occupied the service roads alongside the national highway allegedly in connivance with Nagar Council authorities.

The encroachers are minting a lot of money by operating illegal cycle/scooter stands on the service roads. Even some private banking institutions have set up their own private parking on the government land without paying a single penny to the latter.

In yet another incident some influential encroachers allegedly hand in glove with the authorities have started constructing a building named ‘Kaula Wala Talab’ on the property of Nagar Council Phagwara.

When contacted SDM Amarjit Paul assured to take appropriate action for the removal of illegal encroachments. 

Work on phase 2 of science city to start soon
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, August 15
Work on second phase of science city will start soon. For the purpose, Rs 15 crore will be spent. This was stated by Punjab cabinet minister Chaudhury Swarna Ram, who presided over the district level Independence Day function organised at Guru Nanak Stadium, here on Wednesday.

After hoisting national flag and inspecting parade, the minister while addressing the audience said the pension for old age persons, widows and disabled would be increased to Rs 400 per month.

Chaudhury Swarna Ram also formally inaugurated the atta-dal scheme in the district. As many as 38,553 families would be provided wheat flour and pulses at cheaper rates under the scheme, he added.

The students of different schools and colleges presented cultural programme on the occasion. DC JM Balamurugan and SSP Rakesh Agarwal were also present.

Langars for devotees

Hoshiarpur, August 15
A week-long annual pilgrimage for ‘Sawan Ashtmi Fair’ at the holy shrine of Goddess Durga Mata Chintpurni, to be held on August 21, started on Wednesday. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the region are on their way to the shrine. More than one-and-a-half dozen NGOs here have arranged free langars for the pilgrims. — OC