Hoshiarpur, March 2
The PSHRC has asked the state government to register a case against the paper unit of Amrit Vanaspati Company Limited for causing pollution.

The direction came after a complaint was filed by Parvinder Singh, general secretary of Human Empowerment League of Punjab (HELP), against the company. In his complaint, Parvinder had alleged that the Saila Khurd-based paper unit of the company was polluting the area and many people had suffered serious skin ailments due to it. He further stated that he had made many complaints to different authorities in this regard, but no action was taken.

After considering the complaint, the Punjab State Human Right Commission (PSHRC), Chandigarh, passed an order on February 15 stating that a prima facie case is made out for proceeding under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

Meanwhile, the commission has sought a report from the chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala, before April 3. The commission has also sent a copy of the order to the principal secretary, home, Punjab, for an immediate action. It also considered that the complaint should be registered as a case.

Jalandhar, March 2
The state information commission (SIC), Punjab, has asked an XEN-cum-public information officer (PIO) of the Punjab State Electricity Board to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for violation of the RTI Act.

In a recent order issued by the state information commissioner Ravi Singh, the Bhogpur XEN has been asked to issue a cheque of the amount to Subedar Tarsem Lal (retired) for not providing him with timely information through the RTI Act on June 4, 2007.

The complainant had sought a copy of the notice regarding metre installation, which the board had issued to his daughter Balwinder Kaur instead of him.

In an earlier order on January 28, the commissioner had issued a show cause notice to the PIO to submit a written reply for a personal hearing to explain as to why a penalty of Rs 250 each day should not be imposed as per section 20 (i) of the RTI Act 2005.

On February 20, Chetan Kumar, SDO-cum-APIO came in person and gave a written explanation that he could not appear earlier as he was attending a training course at Hyderabad. The commissioner said the reply could not explain the presence of Tilak Raj, lower division clerk, who instead appeared in the court on January 9 and could not even comprehend the English language or an authority letter.

The court observed that this was disrespect to the directions of the commission and the RTI Act 2005. Since the complainant had demanded a compensation of Rs 1,000 per hearing, it directed the SDO to send a cheque of Rs 5,000 as per section 19 (8)(b) of the RTI Act and send a copy of the same to the commission.

Jalandhar, March 2
As many as 445 students of Prem Chand Markanda SD College for Women were conferred degrees at the 33rd convocation function held here today. 

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest, minister for health and family welfare Laxmi Kanta Chawla exhorted the girl students to help improve the society by spreading awareness on various issues. Principal Kiran Arora congratulated the students and spoke about the future plans of the college.

President of the college managing committee Amrit Kumar Budhia presided over the function. Students from various disciplines, including M.A (Punjabi), M.Sc (Computer Science), B.C.A, P.G.D.C.A and other disciplines were awarded the degrees.

Amritsar: As many as 550 graduate and post graduate students, belonging to various disciplines, were conferred degrees at 36th convocation of local S R Government College for Women.

Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, member of Parliament was the chief guest on the occasion. Jasmeet Nayyar, principal of the college welcomed Ajnala and apprised him about the achievements of the college in academic and extra curriculum activities. 

Jalandhar, March 2
Hailing the farmer-friendly Budget of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Sunday urged the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to set up a Debt Reconciliation Board in Punjab.

Addressing mediapersons here, Khaira said the Centre has already performed its duty towards the state farmers by announcing a loan waiver in the general Budget as demanded by Badal during SAD-BJP `insaaf’ rally at Delhi recently. “Now it’s the CM’s turn to do 'insaaf' (justice) by waiving off loans to the tune of Rs 13,000 crores taken by farmers from 'arthiyas' (commission agents),” he added.

Giving details on the Debt Board, Khaira said Sir Chottu Ram, revenue minister of joint Punjab in 1935, had started the facility.

“At that time it was decided that no interest could exceed the principal amount of the loan and also all lands that were mortgaged with the money lenders were to be released automatically after 20 years.

The foresight of the man had given much relief to the farmers. If the CM is genuinely concerned about farmers’; issues, he must follow the path of Sir Chottu,” he added.

Earlier, hailing the Budget, Khaira termed the one time settlement (OTS) offered to farmers having land holding above five acres a commendable step. 

Batala, March 2
A branch of Dr Om Parkash Eye Hospital, Amritsar, was opened on Saturday here at the Dharmapura Colony. Laxmikanta Chawla, health minister, Punjab, was the chief guest at the function.

While inaugurating the hospital, she appreciated the role played by Dr Om Parkash Eye Hospital, Amritsar, in the past, in providing light to hundreds of such persons who had lost all the hopes to see the world with their eyes.

She welcomed the contribution made by Dr Rohit Om Parkash (son of Dr Om Parkash, a leading eye surgeon of India) in setting up the branch of this hospital here at Batala and also for providing free of cost services to the needy and helpless patients.

She said a contingent of 15,000 health workers has been recruited by the health department, Punjab, to provide better health care services to pregnant women. Along with providing medical assistance to expecting mothers, their diet will also be taken care of. This way, she assured, will be very successful in bringing down the death rate of pregnant women in Punjab.

Jagdish Sawhney, chief parliamentary secretary, Punjab, while speaking on the occasion, said Batala was in dire need for having such a hospital. — OC

Amritsar, March 2
Communist Party of India (Marxist) is up in arms against the cops for shielding the accused in an assault case. 

In a release issued to the press here on Saturday, Jagtar Singh Karampura, secretary CPM, claimed that Inder Kumar, a local resident, was brutally injured and attacked by several persons, including Varinder Kumar Shonki, Jeet Singh, Amrik Singh, Kishan Singh, Sonu and Monu. He said Inder was admitted to hospital with grievous injuries.

“Though a case was registered but no serious charge was pressed against the accused,” said CPM leader, adding that a DSP-level officer was shielding the accused, who, in turn, were trying to register a cross case against Inder Kumar. The seriousness of the police can be ascertained from the fact that they have not bothered to arrest the ‘culprits’, he further alleged. “If the accused are not arrested at the earliest, the CPM would gherao the DSP office on March 6,” said Karampura. He also urged the SSP to add section 307 of the IPC in the FIR. SSP Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, SSP, he would look into the matter. — OC

Amritsar, March 2
A marriage palace owned by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Pardeep Singh Walia caught fire in the wee hours here today.

The palace was located on the Dhapai road. Walia said his son got up at 4 am and saw flames coming out of the palace. He immediately informed him and they rushed towards the meter board and disconnected all electric connections.

The fire tenders arrived at the scene after 50 minutes and the fire came under control after their intervention.

Talking to The Tribune, Walia said some unscrupulous elements were responsible behind the incident and they entered the palace by making a hole in the rooftop. He said the cloth put up inside caught fire which spread further damaging more than 400 chairs, tables and other articles.

Walia said he gave a call to fire fighters but no one responded his call. It was only after his son went to the fire brigade office that the fire tenders arrived at the palace. — TNS

Phagwara, March 2
The police nabbed Balwinderjeet Singh for allegedly forcing a minor girl Jaspreet Kaur to commit suicide. An FIR was registered against Balwinder for abetment to suicide under section 306 of the IPC.

The girl committed suicide on Friday night after consuming some poisonous substance.

According to the information, the girl was in love with Balwinder who was married. Both of them decided to commit suicide together because their families were against their relation. Though the minor girl consumed poison, her lover apparently did not do so. — TNS