Amritsar, April 3
Traffic chaos and accidents have become the order of the day at Chowk Mahan Singh Gate near the bus stand here, which was demolished about five months back to smoothen traffic.

Reason, shortening of roundabouts by the municipal authorities as they think it would let off the people from huge rush and traffic chaos.

With the installation of traffic lights going at snail’s pace, their experiment, like other places, has miserably failed here too.

Earlier, the Municipal Corporation has shortened the chowks at Dr Kitchlu Chowk, Hall Gate Chowk, Dharm Singh Market Chowk, etc.

Due to the construction of an elevated road on the GT Road, this is the only way from where the buses en route Amritsar from various places enter the bus stand. The buses from the GT Road, while passing through Chamrang Road and outside the walled city, reach Mahan Singh Gate Chowk and turn towards the bus stand.

At this point, the bus drivers in a hurry turn their vehicle to the bus stand side which results in serious accidents, the shopkeepers in the busy markets being a witness to it.

It is pertinent to mention here that this is one of the busiest chowks as from here one road goes to the Golden Temple, one towards Rambagh and one to Tarn Taran and Sultanwind.

Ajit Singh, a stationery shop owner, said daily one or two accidents occur at the spot due to congestion caused by heavy rush of buses, besides auto-rickshaws and rickshaws.

He said the mini-buses stopped here to drop passengers here. The auto-rickshaws and rickshaw pullers, in order to find their “customers”, gather around the buses, causing severe traffic bottlenecks.

Another shopkeeper said about a month back a schoolchild residing in the Shairfpura area lost both his legs when a bus hit him.

He added that another student was also hurt in a similar road mishap about a week ago.

President of the All-India Youth Association Ravinder Kumar Sultanwind said repeated requests to the authorities had fallen on deaf ears.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bawa Singh of IDH Market said whenever they tried to approach the Mayor at his office, he was never available as he was busy in election campaigns.

A senior authority of the MC, who preferred not to be named, said work on installing modern traffic lights was under progress and would be completed soon.

Amritsar, April 3
Even the recent heart-rending incident of killing of 24 persons in a road accident near Naina Devi shrine where trucks carrying pilgrims rammed into a tree, has failed to awake the district administration and police to come out of their deep slumber.

At least this is what a commoner gets an impression about our “worthy” administration. A number of trucks and tractor trolleys carrying pilgrims in grave violations of the traffic norms still could be seen in the city near certain holy religious shrines while the administration has learnt little from the gory incident at Naina Devi.

Brij Bedi, social activist and chief traffic warden, who has been crying hoarse for years against this menace, said the traffic management in whole Punjab has collapsed while violators have become stronger than the police administration.

He said such truck drivers put the life of all the devotees in danger. Why government wakes up only after such a gruesome incident takes place, he asked. He said lack of willingness on part of every department concerned is deteriorating the already pathetic traffic scene.

Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, patron, Amritsar Vikas Manch, said the government has created various posts only to tackle the traffic chaos but it is disappointing to learn that such road mishaps still took place snuffing out the precious lives of innocent people.

He said the plying of trucks carrying pilgrims put a question mark on the working of various department concerned, including the Transport Department besides police and district administration.

SSP Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh said the plying of such trucks and trolleys carrying pilgrims and devotees did not come under the domain of the police, as it was responsibility of the Transport Department to take action against such violators adding that said that the police was responsible for traffic management in the city.

He, however, said the police hold counselling with such persons to aware them about the consequences of such type of travelling. He said as the matter becomes religious it also becomes difficult for them to take penal action against them.

Manmohan Singh Kang, District Transport Officer, said whatever rules were there, it would be implemented in total. He said he had recently joined in Amritsar and since then was on election duty. He said he would check such places and would take action as per law.

Amritsar, April 3
Driving a bike at 60 km per hour, a fly enters your eye causing you to immediately brush off the stinging itch from it, thus diverting your attention and exposing you to a huge risk.

An encounter with mosquitoes, especially while driving, double the size of the ones found in houses, can prove costly.

Commuters driving two-wheelers in the city periphery are prone to accidents due to the reason that mosquitoes and flies abound in the area. Alarmed at the rise in the number of mosquitoes and flies they consider the insects as a potential danger.

Resident of a village in Ajnala subdivision, Jaswant Singh said he commuted daily from his village to the city for joining office there. He recalled that one such instance left him completely baffled just a week ago and he had to immediately apply brakes in the middle of the road.

Luckily, it was morning and the traffic was thin on the road.

Jaspal Singh of Preetu Kotala village in Majitha subdivision said the situation became severe as soon as they go close to the fields.

The Chief Agriculture Officer said it was the breeding season for flies and mosquitoes and their numbers increased by multiplication. He did not rule out the possibility of their developing resistance to pesticides and insecticides being showered on crops.

He said they would not have any impact on crops. He said there was no need to panic as a majority of the flies and mosquitoes would perish with the rise in temperature. He said since the current season was neither too hot nor cold enough, it provided favourable climate for flies and mosquitoes to grow rapidly. They gradually develop resistance. Change in season also caused their numbers to rise. However, majority of them would perish with the rise in mercury.

Amritsar, April 3
The Durgiana Committee passed a record Rs 7.52-crore budget this year which was presented by finance secretary Ramesh Sharma at the executive committee meeting held on March 30.

For the gold-plating work on the outer wall of the ancient shrine, the committee has decided to spend Rs 2.25 crore and Rs 12 lakh on the reconstruction of the corridor leading to the Barra Hanuman Temple.

The committee has also decided to spend Rs 20 lakh on the renovation of the Shani Temple, while Rs 20 lakh has been reserved for the Bhog Bhandar, besides Rs 8 lakh for the beautification of the parikarma of the main temple.

The committee has also decided to spend Rs 10 lakh on setting up models of the ancient shrines at Rajasansi International Airport and the railway station, while Rs 10 lakh would be spent on the construction of the Teja Singh Temple in the Durgiana complex.

The committee has reserved Rs 30 lakh for the renovation of the Shiv Puri and Ved Katha Bhavan.

The main contribution to the funds of the committee was from the donations made by the devotees coming to the temple from across the globe. The committee has urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to initiate steps for the installation of a water treatment plant in the main sarovar of the temple.

Amritsar, April 3
In view of a threat of terrorist attacks at various major installations in the country, including airports, the authorities at Rajasansi International Airport here in association with the district and police administration, besides the CISF and other wings concerned, conducted mock exercises at the airport.

Airport Director Arun Talwar said this was a sort of reality check and refresher course for officials who were transferred here in recent times to get them acclimatised with such exercises. He said there was always a scope for improvement. To a question, he said that the international airport was ready for any eventuality.

Meanwhile, a mock terrorist attack, including bomb threat and explosion drill, was conducted. Various departments, including the CISF, intelligence, security, airline officials, the city police and the fire brigade, besides the Air Force cobbled together to have an assessment of their preparedness to tackle the situation.

The two-hour drill passed off satisfactorily, Talwar said, adding that immediately after the mock exercise, a meeting of all officials held to discuss the shortcomings, if any, and see the areas where there was any scope for improvement. He said such practice also helped in generating new ideas. It is pertinent to mention that a similar exercise was conducted in October last year. Another official, who took part in the meeting on condition of anonymity, said it was an annual practice to check and fine-tune the response system involved many departments.

Rajasansi airport has been witness to hijacking experiences.

Amritsar, April 3
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans guarding the Amritsar International Airport here would soon be provided with their own bachelor line barracks as the construction is going on a war footing. At present the jawans of the security force are living in a rented private building just outside the airport.

The CISF was deployed for the security of this hypersensitive airport in 2001 after increase in number of international and domestic flights at the airport. The work of construction of barracks started in May, 2008, when the Airport Authority of India gave its go ahead to the Department of Planning in this regard. The foundation stone was laid by the Director, Airport, Arun Talwar.

At present there are more than 200 jawans and officials involved in guarding the airport. The barracks would be constructed at the cost of Rs 2.50 crore for accommodating about 160 jawans. The two-storey building is coming up in an area of 4000 yards that would also include open space and green belt.

Each barrack would have the facility of having all daily need items, including an almirah, bed, toilet, besides one common mess, a dining hall and an entertainment room where jawans could refresh themselves after the daily hectic duties.

Arun Talwar revealed that about 90 per cent of the work had been completed while the remaining work would be finished by June end. After this, the work for the construction of family accommodation quarters for officers would be started, he informed.

As per rules of Airport Authority of India it was necessary to have about 55 per cent of barracks and remaining family accommodation for the force deputed for the security of various airports.

Commandant, CISF, Tarsem Kumar talking to this correspondent said with the construction of barracks on the premises of the airport would 
better facilitate the jawans than that existing rented private building. He said the complex would also have green belt that would provide a cleaner and 
greener environment.

Amritsar, April 3
The oldest surviving Sikh of the holy city, Giani Mohinder Singh (101), a former SGPC secretary, today openly came in support of the Congress by appealing to voters to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

While extending support to Om Parkash Soni, Congress MLA, who is contesting Lok Sabha election against Navjot Singh Sidhu, a BJP candidate from Amritsar parliamentary constituency, Giani Mohinder Singh said he wanted to see Dr Manmohan Singh as PM again.

He said he was not against any political party or a person, but wanted to support Dr Manmohan Singh, son of the soil, whose services were still required for the country at a time of economic meltdown. The honesty and integrity of Dr Manmohan Singh made the Sikh community proud, he said. The Congress candidate, Soni, visited the house of Giani Mohinder Singh in the morning.

Full of dynamism, Giani Mohinder Singh still reads at least three newspapers and exercises for half an hour every morning. Asked about secrets of longevity, he says, “Honesty and simplicity.” This is the stock reply he gives to everyone.

The former SGPC secretary was a witness to the most significant historical events, including Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, pre-Partition Akali morchas and has worked with legendary Shiromani Akali Dal president Master Tara Singh.

Amritsar, April 3
Attacking the CBI over giving clean chit to Jagdish Tytler, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat alleged that the agency has become a tool in the hands of its political masters.

A press release issued by the Sikh Sangat here today stated that the Congress had hurt sentiments of the Sikh community by giving tickets to Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. It said deliverance of justice in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases would have restored common man’s faith in the government machinery.

It alleged that the CBI flouted established norms by analysing statements of witnesses on its own and then discounting them. It said in normal case, a challan was presented in the court on the basis of statements. After analysing it if the court found any suitable case then crimes were established, it added.

Meanwhile, activists of the Shiromani Akal Dal also protested against the Congress terming the party as anti-Sikh. They criticised AICC president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi for alloting tickets to Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler.

Amritsar, April 3
Animal lovers are perturbed over atrocious attacks with an assault rifle by an IPS officer on street dogs and elimination of a number of dogs in another incident.

NGO (Mission Agaaz) - Earth and Resources Care Group, has requested the police and civic authorities that under any circumstances, nobody can be allowed to take law in their hands. “Dogs are part of our society and they have equal right to live and their life cannot be ended for no fault of their. The Municipal Corporation could have easily developed a place for keeping the stray dogs and at the same time the population of dogs can be controlled by sterilisation.”

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPECA) Secretary Vivek Khanna demanded proper sterilisation and rehabilitation of dogs afflicted with diseases.

He welcomed filing of an FIR against Commandant T.P. Singh, 27 Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar.

Apart from this, they demanded review of obsolete Municipal Corporation provisions pertaining to animals.

Municipal Health Officer Dr Charanjit Singh said the corporation had already chalked out a plan to handle the increased number of street dogs.

As per a survey by the Animal Husbandry Department, the population of street dogs stood at 25,000 within the corporation limits last year.

He said on the basis of the report, the corporation had made a case before the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a Central government department funding and monitoring sterilisation process on animals last year.

He added that the welfare board cleared Rs 1.20 crore for sterilisation of street dogs for the MC. Out of which 50 per cent would be borne by the board, while the remaining amount would be contributed by the corporation. He said the sterilisation programme would take off only after approval of the House as it had been cleared by the Commissioner and the Mayor.

Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry Department would provide wherewithal to carry out the sterilisation programme which would be conducted as per the guidelines framed under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. Every single dog would be sterilised.

As per the ABC rules stress on providing post-sterilisation care to dogs under which they were released only after attaining normal health. During this period they are fed and cured of any abnormality. They are also punched for identification.

Dr Charanjit Singh said the corporation was mulling to administer rabbies vaccine along with.

Amritsar, April 3
The brick kiln owners would either be forced to close their units or shift them outside Punjab if the state government failed to initiate steps for ensuring congenial environment for starting their units, said Ramesh Sharma, chairman Amritsar Brick Kiln Owners’ Association.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Ramesh Sharma said in the general body meeting held here yesterday the members have unanimously resolved not to start their units till the government initiates steps for the safety of the life and property of the brick kiln owners.

Sharma alleged the so-called leaders of the Lal Jhanda Bhatha Worker Union Punjab and Bhatha Mazdoor Sabha, Punjab, were responsible for forcing them to close their units which was not only badly affecting the livelihood of about 50 to 60 thousand workers engaged directly in Amritsar as well as Tarn Taran but was also causing loss to the exchequer to the tune of Rs 25 to 30 lakh per day.

Condemning the registering a false case registered at Beas police station against a brick owner of Baba Bakala, Sharma said the police instead of registering a case against the culprits had registered case against innocents under political pressure.

He said the members also decided not to take part in the conciliation proceeding for any amicable settlement of wages of brick kiln workers till the police withdrew the false case. The chairman said they would also take up the matter with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other senior leaders for initiating steps so that the work at the brick kiln could be started in congenial atmosphere. He said that they had already filed a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against its decision of hike in wages of workers without taking them in confidence. He said whatever be the decision of the honorable court they would abide by that.

Amritsar, April 3
A two-day workshop on "generating awareness about contemporary social problems and adult education" was organised by the department of adult continuing education and extension, at the Guru Nanak Dev University here.

State information commissioner Kulbir Singh inaugurated the workshop.

Talking about social problems like drugs, unemployment, female feticide, and illiteracy, Kulbir Singh, during his inaugural address, stressed on the overall development of the personality of individuals.

Earlier, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, SSP Amritsar, in his keynote address, said different social problems could not be dealt with in isolation. He said history reveals that most of the social reforms were initiated by individuals, which became mass movements at later stages.

He asked the students to take a pledge to fight social evils at their own level and make their own contribution to help the society to deal with social issues.

Dr. Raghbir Singh, dean, academic affairs, in the presidential remarks, expressed his concern over the prevailing social problems and said they should be taken on a priority basis.

Dr. RS Sandhu, director and head of the sociology department, introduced the theme of the workshop and also highlighted the achievements of the department.

He said about 2,700 individuals had been trained under different vocational courses till now. He said the department was also running a centre in the central jail, Amritsar, and providing training to the inmates for three vocational courses. 

Amritsar, April 3
Law students of Guru Nanak Dev University won the two first positions and five second positions at the national competition "Saturnalia-2009" organised by Thapar University, Patiala. Around 8,000 students from 20 universities from across the country participated in the event.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Head of the Department of Laws, and Manish Kumar of LLB (VI) got the first position in histrionics and the best radio jockey Big 92.7 FM programme.

He won the second positions in the solo mime, mimicry and song competitions. Similarly, Sukhnandan Singh and Sunit Dutt of LLB (IV) secured the second position in the spelling competition.