Jalandhar, August 21
When it comes to guess a thing common on roads, markets, public places and colonies in Jalandhar, the first thing that strikes the mind is garbage dump.

The way these heaps of garbage are increasing in the city, they are likely to turn it into a “dump yard”, especially if it goes unchecked. At this time of the season when cleanliness needs to be a priority for the municipal corporation, it seems safai karamcharis responsible for the work are no longer interested to take up the job. Many public places have become a regular garbage dumps .

The bus stand gate on the road connecting Garha Road with the GT Road is a biggest example where dumping of rotten fruits, vegetables and plastics had made it impossible for commuters to walk.

Another major “dumping ground” is outside the Police Lines which incidentally falls on the side of the Punjab War Memorial. The area remains littered with waste which often pilfers on to the road. The gate outside the Posts and Telegraph Colony is also an eyesore. Another stretch on the verge of being converted into a dumping site falls right in front of the Chhoti Baradari market on Garha Road. The site is expanding in size each day. The whole stretch of road on the right side of Vishal Mega Mart, near BMC Chowk is another stinking zone. Mayor Rakesh Rathour said garbage lifting had become a problem because the solid waste disposal site at Wariana was full. He said the MC was looking for an additional waste dump site and would soon solve the problem.

Jalandhar, August 21
An eight-acre stretch of land along the 120-foot road, which had been an eyesore for the residents moving across to Basti Sheikh and other areas, is soon likely to get converted into a prime commercial complex.

The land, which earlier belonged to the municipal corporation, has now been acquired by PUDA for a whopping Rs 32 crore. The PUDA plans to develop the land into a commercial complex while leaving some space behind for a new 
residential colony.

The land is currently lying waste, especially in the rainy season with the whole low-lying stretch inundated in 2 to 3 feet of water in the absence of any drainage system. Even when the land remains completely dry, wild growth and waste strewn by residents of the adjoining colonies make the condition worse.

The present condition has reached such a point as most of the residents around the area try to avoid the otherwise wide and spacious road because of filth and stench from stagnant water around it. But the residents now hope for the things to change for the better. There are other projects which are being taken up by PUDA. The Malkhana and the judicial record room in the old DC complex in Old Baradari are being soon shifted to the new district administrative complex (DAC). The site that will thus go vacant will be converted into a Red Cross market with booths constructed on either side and a 40-foot wide road in between, said additional chief administrator A.K. Sikka. The IG (zonal) office-cum-residence on the Kapurthala road is also being shifted to the DAC. The old Canal Colony and crumbling offices of the irrigation department adjoining the IG office will also be reconstructed soon. “The new plan includes construction of a rest house, office of the executive engineer and 90 houses for the staff. Since the new construction will lead to saving of some space, there is a plan to develop the frontal vacant area into a commercial complex,” Sikka revealed.

Yet another major plan of PUDA has been given a go-ahead by the government. PUDA will soon start constructing a new district administrative complex in Gurdaspur at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

PUDA is also expecting some major gains by selling the old civil hospital site in Sultanpur Lodhi in the first week of September, estate officer Harbir Singh said.

Jalandhar, August 21
Barely eight months after the prices of milk were initially hiked, Doaba Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited has once again enhanced the sale price of the three categories of Verka milk by Re 1 per litre from today. The consumers have not hailed the decision of the union. They said the increase in the milk prices would disturb their monthly budget.

At present, the decision has been implemented in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Other major cities of Punjab, including Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda and Pathankot have been barred from this effect.

“On the one hand, the government was trying hard to control inflation and, on the other, the union is increasing the milk prices. The government should keep welfare of the consumer in mind,” said Shweta Sehgal, a housewife.

According to the revised rates, the six-fat Verka milk would now be available at Rs 25 as against Rs 24 per pouch. The rate of the “standard” Verka milk has been revised to Rs 23 from the existing Rs 22.

Besides, the double-tonned quality Verka milk would be available at Rs 19 instead of Rs 18.

Talking to The Tribune, Milkfed general manager Shiv Ram Saini said, “The decision has been taken in view of the losses suffered by the farmers due to floods in this area. The present situation has left us helpless and we are bound to help the farmers. Moreover, the continuous rise in the prices of cattle feed and fodder has made things worse,” Saini claimed.

A local resident said, “The rise in the prices of milk will have a direct impact on other milk products like butter, curd, ghee, cheese and a cup of tea.”

Earlier too when Verka had enhanced the rates of milk it was followed by a similar price hike by the local milkman as well. At present, Milkfed, Jalandhar, purchases approximately 95,000 litres of milk daily from the dairy owners based at Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Nawanshahr to make other by-products.

Jalandhar, August 21
Twenty sheep were killed after a truck in which they were loaded turned turtle on the busy Jalandhar-Jammu highway at Lamba Pind, near here, last night.

A caretaker of the animals who was travelling on the top of the vehicle, whoever, had a miraculous escape. The caretaker, Mumtaz, fell on the sheep after being tossed from the vehicle top.

The accident occurred hardly 100 yards from a police post along the highway at about 2.30 am. According to Avtar Singh, ASI, who rushed to the spot with his men, the truck was heading from Delhi to Srinagar with 170 sheep on board. The truck driver, who fled from the scene after the accident, lost control over the steering wheal on the approach of the elevated road here. Hearing a loud thud, labourers in nearby shops assembled at the spot and swung into rescue operation. A crane was used to shift the truck from the road and the carcasses were removed. The police said the livestock was being transported from Delhi to Srinagar by a Delhi-based firm for Army supply.

Interestingly, another Jammu-bound truck collided with the divider of the road while the rescue work was on. The front tyres of the truck got detached due to the accident.

Meanwhile, seven bulls were killed as the truck carrying them overturned near Chaheru here on Thursday. According to the information, the truck, which was on its way from Batala to Rajpura, was carrying 28 bulls. While seven bulls died, several others were injured when the truck overturned. The eyewitnesses said the animals were tied with ropes in the truck. Had they been not tied, the casualties would have been less, they added.

Kapurthala, August 21
The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) has criticised Baldev Singh of Lohara Kotli village in Ferozepore district for his offer to provide former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf asylum at his farmhouse.

In a press note issued here today, Punjab co-convener of the Shiv Sena Jagdish Kataria said what to talk of providing him asylum, Musharraf would not be allowed to even enter Punjab.

“We all know that he was responsible for the Kargil war and for running militant camps in Pakistan,” he said.

An emotional blitzkrieg has shattered the sedateness of Jammu and Kashmir. Whole India is witnessing a bombastic volcanic eruption of the emotions of millions of Shiva devotees who have been raising their voice against the decision of revoking the land allotted for providing facilities to the Amarnath pilgrims. The perverse decision of the J&K government has put at stake the security and system in the state. Undoubtedly, this hasty decision was the result of an agitation by some fanatic and communal parties who refused to see the repercussion of such ignoble demands. The ruling party at once surrendered before these miscreants and committed a blunder by rescinding the order. This irrational feat has raised many a question in the minds of the elites as well as the masses.

Hindus, who are generally labelled as generous and uncomplaining, cannot always be expected to behave in a timid manner. India being a country of diversified religious groups gives equal opportunities and rights to every religion and sect until it proves a danger to the national and social security of the nation.

Viewed from this perspective can we say that the allotment of just 40 hectares of land can prove fatal for the health of other religious groups. The Amarnath shrine is considered as one of the most sacred places of Hindus. Why can’t they have the right to promote this sacred place for Shiva pilgrims.

Nobody can deny this fact that Hindus never lag behind in supporting the rights of other religious communities.

They never hesitate in showing reverence to other gurus and pirs knowing well that God is one. The recent “jail-bharo aandolan” started by the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti has ignited the already blazing hearts of lakhs of men and women. Now children, too, have joined the fray, irrespective of what the law says.

The samiti has announced the launch of a civil disobedience movement with immediate effect. The upcoming scenario can perturb the placidity of the valley very shoddily. Now it is not just the government which has to take a wise decision but the fanatics too have to alter their pugnacious attitude for the sake of their country. to ensure peace.