Jalandhar, August 23
Caution for those who like to mix driving with drinking. Taking the offensive against the drunken-driving a step further, the traffic wing of the Jalandhar police is launching major checks to curtail boozers behind the wheel. Talking to The Tribune, SP (traffic) Rajpal Singh Sandhu said as a part of this initiative the traffic police would be holding special nakas at various points in the city and on the highways to catch the culprits. “We won’t tolerate anyone playing with the traffic rules,’ said the officer, who has been recently given the charge.

Citing more details, Sandhu said the drive would begin from Friday night. “Initially, a team equipped with all the necessary paraphernalia, including breath-analysers, alcometers and radars, would be deputed at BMC Chowk,” said Sandhu, adding that even the erring women drivers won’t be spared. The SP said the decision has been taken keeping in mind the increasing number of accidents on highways.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: “Whoever, while driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle, has in his blood alcohol exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml of blood detected in a test by a breath-analyser, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine upto Rs 2,000, or with both.”

“We intend to create public awareness regarding the lethal consequences of drunken-driving. By driving after consuming alcohol, an individual not only poses a threat to his life, but to many others,” said Sandhu. Besides, the regular challaning drive would also be strengthened to rein in traffic violators, including those jumping red lights, overspeeding and indulging in wrong parking, he added.

Jalandhar, August 23
The Indo-US nuclear deal that would help to meet the energy needs of the country would be the main poll plank of the Congress for the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

This was revealed by AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari who was in the city today. He said the government had taken several measures to check inflation and expressed hope of controlling the situation by November.

Terming the global hike in petroleum, pulses and edible oil as the main drivers of inflation, he said when the UPA came to power the price of crude oil ranged between 30 and 40 dollars per barrel. However, it had risen to over 130 dollars a barrel now and all the economies of the world were struggling. He said the states should take stringent measures to control inflation by initiating strict action against hoarders and black marketers. He added that inflation rates varied in the country because of strict measures taken by several states.

Refuting the claims of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that the state was being accorded step-motherly treatment by the Centre, he said that nothing could be farther from truth. “The fact is that Punjab is among the five most favoured states in the country today and funds being released from time to time are an ample proof of this contention,” he pointed out.

Citing figures, he said during the financial year 2008-09, the Centre allocated Rs 730 crore to the state under various schemes. In addition to this, 15 flagship programmes had been earmarked for Punjab and more funds would be provided under these schemes in the current financial year, he added.

Reacting to a query on the flood situation in the state, he said the Punjab government had not sent a request quantifying the damage to the Centre. Once the union government received a formal demand in this context, funds would be provided.

Jalandhar, August 23
The new GOC of Vajra Corps Lieut-Gen VS Tonk today paid homage to the martyrs at the Punjab State War Memorial. He laid a wreath at the memorial and also took round of the Hall of Fame. The GOC also interacted with the ex-servicemen.

Lieut-Gen Tonk, who hails from Haryana, said the priorities would be to take forward the projects initiated by his predecessors. The corps commander said the force had recently played a tremendous role in rescuing over 3,000 persons marooned in floods in Moga, Zira and Ferozepore. Five columns of troops are still carrying out rescue and relief work, he added.

Meanwhile, a run for fun race was organised at Katoch stadium of the cantonement by Vajra Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) to commemorate its 42nd Raising Day.

Manju Tonk, president AWWA, flagged off the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from women too.

Hoshiarpur, August 23
After the havoc of recent torrential rains, roads are the new source of inconvenience for the residents here as the downpour had severely damaged the road network in the town.

Many roads, including the ones from the District Courts Chowk to Prabhat Chowk, Shimla Pahari Chowk to Clock Tower, DC Residence Chowk to Aslamabad and Bus Stand Chowk to Prabhat Chowk had been badly damaged.

The downpour has created not only potholes but had even eroded some portion of the roads due to which commuters are having a harrowing time and the roads have become accident-prone.

Interestingly, most of these roads had been recently repaired, paved or strengthened as pre-monsoon measures by the authorities.

Talking to The Tribune, Hoshiarpur Vikas Manch chief Amarjit Singh Amar said the town’s topography was such that there was a time when the rainwater used to drain out within half-an-hour.

However, he attributed poor sanitary conditions responsible for the stagnant water in the town.

He said growth of unauthorised residential colonies and unplanned lanes and markets had collapsed the drainage system due to which rainwater entered houses and shops causing huge losses.

Former Punjab minister Naresh Thakur said the municipal council had allotted the construction work to private contractors and majority of them had formed labour and construction cooperative societies for the work.

He said the engineering wing of the council used to visit the work sites seldom and added that the roads started cracking just within four to six months of their construction.

In a press release issued today, BJP municipal councillor Sanjiv Dua said he had served a notice to the municipal council to hold a discussion on the town’s drainage system in the council’s first meeting. Dua alleged that the MC had completely ignored the sanitation in the town and demanded funds for cleaning of Ganda Nullah.

Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts executive officer of the municipal council could not be contacted.

Amritsar, August 23
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann visited the Khairudin Masjid in local Hall bazaar and offered the Imam all support of his party.

Talking to mediapersons, he flayed the damage caused to the mosque by some unruly elements during a protest by BJP workers and various Hindu organisations over Amarnath land row on August 21. He accused the BJP and SAD of trying to create a communal tension and disturb peace in Punjab.

Jalandhar, August 23
The Guru.Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College of Education, Dasuya, has posted excellent results in the BEd session 2007-08 too.

A spokesperson said all the students have secured the first division, out of which 39 have bagged a merit position in the Panjab University. While Monika and Aajali shared the first position, Mamta and Sargam were second. Ruchi and Harpreet go the third rank. It’s a pride moment for the college and the management committee, he added.

Phagwara, August 23
With the arrest of four persons, the local police on Saturday claimed to have solved a petrol pump robbery within 32 hours of the crime. The cops have also recovered the looted cash from the accused.

In a press note issued here, Phagwara DSP HPS Khakh said the four accused have been identified as Navin Kumar, Vishal Kumar alias Sunny, Ram Vilash alias Commando and Gurinder Singh alias Sheru of Deep Nagar in Jalandhar Cantonment.

They had looted Rs 3200 at knife-point from the employees of Mehtab Filling Station at Palahi, falling under Sadar police station.

The police recovered the looted amount, two knives, two motorcycles and a mobile used in the crime, the DSP added. 

Kapurthala, August 23
An ex-serviceman, Ajit Singh, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his residence in Preet Nagar here on Saturday. SHO K.K. Sharma said a suicide note was recovered from Ajit in which the deceased stated that he was upset over his ill-health.

According to information, when Ajit hanged himself, his wife Gurbachan Kaur was washing clothes on the ground floor. The family came to know about the suicide when Ajit’s son Harjit came home in afternoon and noticed the body hanging from the fan in a room on the first floor. The body has been sent to the civil hospital for a post-mortem examination.