Tarn Taran, February 24
The ruling SAD and BJP members in the local municipal council are at loggerheads with each other over the delay in the use of grants worth Rs 3 crore issued by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal two months back.

A nine-member BJP group of the municipal council, led by Prabhjeet Singh Rataul and Chander Aggarwal, BJP district president, while jointly talking to newsmen here today, threatened that in case the municipal council failed to start developmental works with the grants, the BJP would be left with no option but to launch an agitation by staging dharnas and demonstrating in front of the residence of the president of the municipal council and SAD MLA Harmit Singh Sandhu.

Rataul and Aggarwal, during their interaction with newsmen, said Chief Minister Badal, while releasing the grants, stressed on the need to initiate the developmental works immediately so that the SAD-BJP may get the benefit in the coming elections for the Lok Sabha.

The BJP leaders said 10 days back, through advertisements issued in different newspapers, the municipal council called the concerned contractors for opening of tenders but at the eleventh hour the meeting was put off on the instructions of Harmit Singh Sandhu. A notice in this regard was put up at the notice board of the MC.

The BJP leaders alleged that Sandhu wants to give the tenders to his favourite contractors.

The BJP has written letters to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Manronjan Kalia, minister for industry and local bodies, in this regard.

With the approaching Lok Sabha elections, the controversy between the SAD and the BJP may cost dear for both the parties.

Amritsar, February 24
In a significant development which would give boost to the promotion of Punjabi language in Canada, the Canada-based writer and NRI Shamsher Singh Sandhu has translated the national anthem of that country “Oh Canada” in Punjabi much to the delight of the vibrant Punjabi diaspora.

Punjabi language has earned the unique distinction of being the third language after English and French to have rendered Canada’s national anthem. Prof Sandhu is also proud of his having produced the Punjabi rendition of Alberta, the provincial song of the state of that name.

Sandhu revealed that Punjabi Rendition “Oh Canada” has been kept in the archives of that country and Alberta push on the permanent record of the state assembly there.

He was honoured by Punjabi Writers Cooperative Society at a special function in Ashoka Senior Secondary School, here.

He regaled the audience with numerous specimens of his poetry and said he had also composed a Punjabi version of International - national song for the workers of the world. Resident of Calgary (Canada) since 1995, he has written five volumes of Punjabi ghazals ‘Gaa Zindgi De Geet Tu’, ‘Jot Sahas Di Jaga’, ‘Ban Shuaa Tu’, ‘Roshni Di Bhaal’, ‘Sulagadi Leek’. These books have been published in Canada, a compendium of all the five books ‘Geet To Sulgadi Leek Tak’ published in India having been released recently at Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Meanwhile to mark World Mother Tongue Day, a commemorative function was organised by society at Amritsar Public School here. Sandhu, also a former Deputy Director Public Instruction (Schools) Punjab, sharing his experience said at the international airport there and in the cities like Vancouver, the signboards were in Punjabi and Canadians hailing from Punjab proudly interact with each other in their mother tongue only.

So much so, teaching Punjabi as a subject in Canadian Schools and Colleges are in pipeline and steps were being taken in this regard, he added.

Among those who also spoke on the occasion were Amritsar Vikas Manch patron Prof Mohan Singh and vice-president Daljit Singh Kohli.

Amritsar, February 24
The Central government would give Rs 36.24 for the second phase of the solid waste management (SWM) project for the holy city under the Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM). The total cost of the phase would be Rs 73 crore.

Municipal corporation commissioner D.P.S. Kharbanda, who had been camping in Delhi during last week, told The Tribune that M Ramachandran, union secretary, urban development, had given his final approval to this major SWM project first time in the state of Punjab and would release the first installment of Rs 36.24 crore within the next week.

In a dramatic turn of events, initially the ministry of urban development has refused to take up the second phase of the SWM of project on the agenda of national sanction and approval committee headed by N. Narayanan, deputy advisor to Government of India. But a personal request by BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu was instrumental in turning around the project in favour of the corporation. The deputy director gave his final nod to the project and said that the necessary approval was being sent for tendering purposes.

Meanwhile, Kharbanda said the corporation had already initiated garbage collection scheme by tying up with a leading private company for the picking up and removal of garbage in the city. He said with the additional funds being made available by the Central government would be utilised for the disposal of garbage under the integrated SWM project.

He said the project envisaged to fully utilise the waste material for producing power, manure, floor tiles and also made use of residue in a productive manner.

The commissioner said out of Rs 73 crore the Centre would pitch in with Rs 36.24crore while the remaining amount would be shared by the state government and municipal corporation.

The project would be given a big push by the financial help from the central government. Kharbanda said entire city would be covered by the scheme and the teams would be set up for the collection and disposal of garbage.

He said that integrated project would provide additional transportation equipment besides development of dumping stations for the final disposal of the garbage. He said that the corporation along with the successful bidders under the public private partnership module would set up compost plant at the cost of Rs 5.49 crore and compost plant machinery would cost another Rs 5 lakh.

The project also envisages setting up of fuel pallets manufacturing units at Jhabal road and Chheharta with a total outlay of five crores besides setting up of sanitary land fill development project at Rs 7.34 crores.

Sidhu said this is the first city in north India which has received financial support of setting up complete integrated solid waste management project from garbage till disposal at for setting up compost and fuel project. He said that the company which establishes this project would share profits with corporation as part of PPP module.

Amritsar, February 24
Rakesh Joshi and his team won the first prize while the second prize was shared by the teams led by Reecha and Simerpreet in a model-making competition on solid waste management and vermi-composting organised by the department of botanical and environmental sciences of the Guru Nanak Dev University here today.

The group headed by Madhu secured the third prize. A part of the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC-2009) sponsored by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, and the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, the event was marked by participation of a large number of students.

The prize of appreciation went to Jaskamal, who was heading a group of students of BSc Agriculture from Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Number of models related to Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Application of vermi-technology and vermi-wash, modern landfill were prepared and displayed by the students of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of the university and the Department of Agriculture of Khalsa College in the competition.

Judges for the contest were Prof G.S Virk, Prof Avinash Nagpal, and Dr Sudhirendra Sharma of Delhi. They handed over cash prizes to the winners.

A panel of Environmentalists including Dr Pandurang Hegde, Dr Rakesh Bhatt and Dr Sudhirendar Sharma, Dr Kumar Kalanand Mani and Dr Gurbakash Singh also addressed the gathering.

Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, coordinated and highlighted the need of Solid Waste Management. A pamphlet on Vermi-composting in Punjabi was also released on the occasion for the benefit of the farmers.

Meanwhile, a day long Shram Daan (voluntary service) Camp was also organised in the Botanical Garden under the supervision of Dr Saroj Arora, Head, Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences and Dr Jatinder Kaur, Faculty Advisor.

Students, research scholars, teachers, non-teaching and gardner staff of the Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences undertook de-weeding of various sections like Arboretum, Fern House, Lily Pool, Bamboosetum, Gamopetalae and vermi-composting unit in the camp. 

Amritsar, February 24
A public street has been encroached upon by a ruling BJP councillor along with certain other persons by erecting iron gates on both ends of the street which has resulted in inconvenience to the residents of the area who had complained to the municipal authorities urging them to take action.

The iron gate erected by a BJP councillor in the street which connects Gali 1 of Hukum Singh Road with Shivala Bhaian Colony. Photo: Vishal Sharma

The Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) also took up the matter with the MC commissioner in this regard, asking him to remove the encroachment from the street which connects Gali 1 of Hukum Singh Road with Shivala Bhaian Colony.

In a missive to MC commissioner D.P.S. Kharbanda, AVM general secretary Amrit Lal Mannan said several residents tried to encroach upon the street in 1998 too.

However, the attempt was foiled when vigilant residents of adjoining houses approached the MC which later removed the encroachment.

However, this time the involvement of a ruling BJP councillor has raised many eyebrows. Residents of the area had complained to the commissioner, the MTP department, the SSP and the district magistrate after the street was encroached upon by the accused councillor and his associates. But nothing has been done so far even as more than three months had elapsed.

Mannan said as per the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it was imperative for the authorities to remove the encroachment, which came to the notice of the MC. He urged the deputy commissioner and the MC commissioner to immediately take action against the erring councillor and his companions.

When contacted, Kharbanda said the matter had not come to his notice and added that he would immediately appoint persons to remove the iron gates and the encroachment.

Amritsar, February 24
M.S. Gill, minister of state for youth affairs and sports, has urged union minister for civil aviation Praful Patel to formally declare the Amritsar international airport as Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport on inauguration of the arrival lounge tomorrow.

Gill in a formal letter to the minister has urged him to accede of the request of the SGPC chief Avtar Singh for the change of the name as Guru Ram Dass, the founder of the city has a special religious sanctity and has the backing of the people of the city.

He said the fourth Guru has a special place in Punjab’s religious and cultural life and it would be in the interest of the civil aviation ministry to attach the name of the Guru to the most modern airport.

The third phase of the Rs 145-crore ambitious upgradation and revamping the airport project would be inaugurated by Patel tomorrow at a special function being attended by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, MPs Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tarlochan Singh, Sukhdip Singh Dhindsa and others.

Airport director Arun talwar said the minister would launch the new building of the arrival hall with most modern glass and steel structure to cater to 600 passengers. He said the building with an area of more than 40,000 square metre would have complete air conditioning with inline X-ray baggage inspection system integrated with the baggage conveyer system. 

Amritsar, February 24
The much-awaited Nano car was recently brought to the holy city to seek the blessings of the Golden Temple. Officials of Tata Motors brought the dream car of Ratan Tata from the company’s Pantnagar plant located in Uttarakhand.

Acknowledged as the little wonder of the world for its amazingly low prices, the project ran into rough weather in West Bengal. Eventually, it was shifted to Gujarat.

Officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) said the officials of Tata Motors offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum after parking the car in front of the Ghanta Ghar Chowk entrance of Harmandar Sahib.

SGPC information officer Jaswinder Singh said Mahindra Motors had brought their new make Xylo and donated the same to the Golden Temple.

According to employees of the SGPC, two Nano cars were brought to seek the holy blessings. They said it had been a custom with the Tatas to bring their new versions to seek blessings at Darbar Sahib here, while the Mahindra donated a new model.

Earlier, Mahindra Motors had donated a Scorpio to Harmandar Sahib.

It has almost become a tradition with the leading car manufacturers to take bring new models here to ensure the blessings of the lord before introducing them in the market.

Tata Motors had also brought its Indica to the Golden Temple for taking blessings.

Amritsar, February 24
Inter-departmental contests on the annual sports day were organised by Khalsa College here today. In boys category, contests were organised in 100m and 400m races, long jump, slow cycle 50m, sack race 50m, 100m obstacles, shot put and three-leg race 50m.

While in the girls category, competitions were held in 100m and 200m races, shot put, three-leg race 50m, marble race 50m, long jump, sack race 50 and obstacle race 100m.

Meanwhile, contests in musical chair for male and female staff, 50m race for family staff, tug-of-war for non-teaching male staff and 100m for male staff were also organised. Before the inception of games, Khalsa College Society president Satyajit Singh Majithia, who was the chief guest, took the salute at the march past by the players. Honorary secretary of the society Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina was the guest of honour. College principal Dr Daljit Singh welcomed the guests. Cultural events like bhangra, folk songs and giddha added a festive touch to the event.

Amritsar, February 24
More than 500 students of local BBK DAV College were felicitated on the 40th annual day award fest held here today. Out of them, 300 students excelled in academics while the remaining earned name in the field of culture.

Bikram Singh Majithia, former cabinet minister, awarded the students.

Anchal Nayyar, who was awarded in national-level Essay Writing Competition by the former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Bharti Singh, who received national acclaim as a comedian, was given special prizes. The yoga team of BBK DAV College was declared joint winner with HMV Jalandhar securing 411.5 points each in Guru Nanak Dev University Inter-College Yoga Championship held at GND varsity campus on February 23.

RR Bawa College, Batala stood third with 327.75 points. In individual category, the College players Gurpreet Kaur (86.75), Sakshi (85), Sukhbir Kaur (81.75), Manpreet Kaur (81.25) secured first, third, sixth and seventh positions respectively. The college yoga team won the third Women National Yogasna Championship last year.

Amritsar, February 24
The Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha has decided to organise a two-day national seminar on Punjabi language on March 14 at Virsa Vihar here.

Informing this, general secretary Dr Sarabjit Singh, while presiding over the meeting of the sabha, revealed that the seminar would be divided into four sessions. Deputy commissioner, Bhagwant Singh Singh would be the chief guest during the first inaugural session presided over by Dr Jai Rup Singh, vice-chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University. Former vice-chancellor Dr S.P. Singhn would deliver the inaugural address, while the keynote address would be given by Dr Naamvar Singh.

A cultural festival would also be held. Former cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia would be the chief guest. On the final day of the seminar Punjab chief parliamentary secretary Harish Dhanda would be the chief guest, while a former vice-chancellor, Punjabi University, would preside over. Six papers would be presented on the culminating day.

Amritsar, February 24
Radical Sikh organisations today ignored the appeal made by SGPC president Avtar Singh to observe the 25th anniversary of Operation Bluestar collectively.

The Khalsa Action Committee, led by Bhai Mohkam Singh and Kanwarpal Singh, a spokesman of Dal Khalsa, said a dharna would be held in front of the Raj Bhawan on March 6 to protest against the statement of defence minister AK Antony for issuing a misleading statement regarding the Sikh Reference Library, vandalised by the army during Operation Bluestar. A seminar on the contribution of Sardar Kapur Singh towards Sikhism would be held on March 6 at Amritsar. — tns