Amritsar, December 1
Giving a jolt to the Amritsar administration, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) turned down the proposal for establishing a food street in the panorama complex in the protected area of Ram Bagh.

In a communication to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, the ASI stated that after a thorough examination of the proposal by a committee of experts, the setting up of a food street should be “dropped for the present”, the ASI letter says.

Shocked by the development, MC Commissioner D.P.S. Kharbanda said the government had initially accepted the proposal, which has now been shot down without specifying any reason.

Ironically, the Ministry of Culture, which looks after the ASI affairs, had earlier accepted the ambitious project costing Rs 5 crore and had already released Rs 25 lakh as first instalment.

Backing out at this stage has not gone down well with the corporation authorities as the local residents as well as a large influx of tourists were looking forward to have a one-stop-destination to get a taste of Amritsar food flavour.

The project for the food street was hanging fire for the last almost a decade as the project included setting up a food street on the basis of the famous Lahore Food Street to serve some of the finest Amritsar delicacies.

“It has definitely put us in a dilemma as they had already planned the food street which would have otherwise been a unique concept where Amritsari food, famous across the globe, would have been served at one point in the Panorama of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the heart of the civil line area on the Mall road. Had this proposal been accepted it would have been another landmark for the city and would have attracted the attention of a large number of tourists, who especially come here to savour the Amritsari flavour,” said Kharbanda.

It is pertinent to mention that a lot of exercise and planning had taken place to bring out the best makers of Amritsari cuisines, including several varieties of kulche-chane, chaat, vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies and Amritsari fish.

It was equally disappointing news for a large number of enterprising local caterers who were looking forward to have a business venture of a different kind. “We had lined up several counters to provide the best foods of Amritsar for the tourists and local residents but all plans went awry,” said Amrinder Singh, a local caterer and aspirant for this project.

Amritsar, December 1
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has assured of the formulation of a special financial package for policemen who laid down their lives while fighting terrorism during the days of militancy.

Claiming this, Dr B.R. Hastir, Chairman, All-India Terrorist Victims Association (AITVA), said the Deputy CM gave assurances during a meeting with the delegation of the association recently.

The delegation submitted a memorandum in which they urged the junior Badal to provide facilities to families of police personnel killed while fighting militancy at par with facilities granted to the kin of martyrs of the Kargil war.

They pointed out that the families of the police personnel who were killed during terrorism period had been shattered and had not been rehabilitated since then.

The Deputy CM said the matter of granting facilities at par with Kargil martyrs was the prerogative of the Central government and he would take up the issue with the Home Department in this regard.

Regarding the special financial package, Badal provided the necessary directions to the DGP, claimed Hastir.

The AITVA also demanded that facilities at par with the free treatment facilities granted by government and private hospitals all over the country to ex-servicemen, widows and dependent children of the deceased Army personnel under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health System (ECHS) should be provided to the families of the martyred cops.

Amritsar, Decmber 1
The residents of some parts of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, falling under ward number nine of the holy city, have been living in constant fear for quite some years, afraid to go to their rooftops. Reason - high-tension electric wires hog the skies on top of their houses.

“Nothing has been done so far to solve the problem even as high tension power wires were removed from a number of adjoining areas situated on Majitha road,” rued Rakesh Kumar of gali number 4 of the locality. He rued that they restrained themselves from going to their roofs, yet a constant fear always remained, as children could accidentally go up the stairs on roof tops and they have to keep a constant eye on them.

Several parts of the Tagore Colony, Tung Bala, Guru Gobind Nagar and Guru Nanak Nagar fall in ward number 9, which also consist of posh areas of Basant Avenue, Beauty Avenue and a portion of the Medical Enclave.

Although majority of lanes are cemented, residents of several areas who claim to be associated with Congress candidates, feel discriminated and say their localities and lanes are deliberately ignored by the ruling councillor, alleged a shopkeeper and inhabitant of the area, preferring not to be named.

Talking to the Amritsar Plus team, they said the often-blocked old swerage system was another problem for them. During rains, the lanes and roads become water-clogged and they have a horrific time passing through sewerage water-filled lanes.

Mandeep Singh, another resident of Tung bala, said the green belt, which was to be developed on the covered drain, is yet to be developed while it has become a garbage dump with residents and shopkeepers throwing their garbage in this vacant area.

Although the boundary wall has been erected to mark the green belt, the work has not been started so far, he added. The empty spaces are also becoming a garbage dump as the employees of the Municipal Corporation have failed to lift the garbage on a regular basis.

Raj Kumar, another inhabitant, said they had to hire the services of private garbage lifters to remove the filth.

The conditions of the posh localities of Beauty Avenue and Basant Avenue are somewhat better, considering the green and clean areas. But they were also facing the problem of stray dogs, encroachment and illegal parking of vehicles in lanes. This has led to problems of smooth plying of traffic.

Further, illegal gates have come up on the roads obstructing government passage in order to restrict the entry of unscruplous elements and stopping incidents of snatchings, theft etc.

Dr. Bhola Singh Sidhu, eminent doctor and resident of Beauty Avenue pointed out that the people don’t have any right to erect gates on public lanes, using public roads and parking lots. The residents usually park their vehicles outside their residences and even wash on roads leading to collection of water which damages the road. The roads under phase number five of the Beauty Avenue also need urgent repairs. The problem of stray dogs also seemed to be another cause of worry for residents. Dr. Sidhu said a number of children were bitten by these dogs, endangering their lives. He said the corporation and district administration has initiated the project of sterlisation of dogs, but wondered how long it would take for the residents to be benefited by the results. 

n High-tension electric wires hog the skies on top of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar residents’ houses.

n Localities with Cong candidates are allegedly said to be ignored.

n Often-blocked old sewerage system was another problem for residents.

n Tung bala covered drain, which was to be developed as a green belt, has turned into a garbage dump.

n Beauty Avenue and Basant Avenue face problems of stray dogs, encroachment and illegal parking of vehicles in lanes.

n Illegal gates have also come up on roads. 

Amritsar, December 1
The post-mortem complex, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, has been posing a grave health threat for the residents of nearby localities on the Majitha Road and students living inside the college.

Used gloves, masks, half-burnt cotton and other material can be seen littered all over the ground in front of the complex. The hostel of the GMC is also located some metres away from the complex.

Rajwinder Singh, residing opposite of the complex, said the complex was here even before the establishment of colonies. However, the unplanned growth of the city gave rise to a number of settlements around it.

He said the children of the localities had been strictly warned not to go near the complex.

A shopkeeper Rajesh Kumar said the medical college authorities must review the functioning of the complex at the present location.

As per the data available with the Forensic Department, 1,172 autopsy were performed in 2008 and 1,083 were done till date this year, which comes out to be approximately three autopsies per day.

The students of hostel, located close to complex, said generally the complex must be located away from residential localities but this case is something different. Despite all this, the authorities must make sure that norms are adhered to.

Dr Jagdish Gargi, Head of Forensic Medicine Department, GMC, said they did adhere to norms. When asked about the products lying outside the complex, he said it might be an unintentional mistake of a novice staff member. He said no case of infection has been brought to his notice.

He said it’s good news that another post-mortem complex has opened at Ajnala sub-division, which means the flow of bodies coming to this Amritsar complex would decrease.

Amritsar, December 1
More than 1,000 students of various city schools participated in a candlelight march, organised in the city by the Fortis Charitable Foundation and Fortis Escorts Hospital authorities on Monday to create awareness about HIV and AIDS, particularly among the school students.

The march, led by Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, took off from SG Thakur Singh Art Gallery. The students showed keen interest in knowing about the malady, which is gripping the North region with Amritsar figuring at the top as far as Punjab districts are concerned.

Earlier in a function held at the auditorium, the Health Minister appreciated the efforts of Fortis Escorts and its initiative on the subject, particularly, towards preventive health. The function was studded by performances of students of Springdales Senior Secondary School, Holy Heart Presidency School and Delhi Public School, who went on to spread the message of prevention of AIDS through skits, mime and parodies.

Laxmikanta Chawla also inaugurated a collage and poster exhibition at the art gallery. More than 100 entries were received on the theme of AIDS prevention and dispelling of myths about the same. Best posters from 25 schools and colleges of the city were displayed in the exhibition.

Mayor Shwet Malik and SSP P.K. Rai gave away certificates to the participants while the participating schools and colleges were honoured by the Health Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Jasdeep Singh, Director, Fortis Escorts hospital, informed that the hospital had been working for HIV-AIDS awareness for the last three years in the city and during this period more than 2.5 lakh persons were reached or contacted by the hospital officials. “This month alone more than 20 public lectures were held in various schools, colleges, Jaycee motors, etc, by hospitals’ team of educators. “Nukkad Nataks” on this crucial issue in collaboration with Springdales Senior Secondary School were staged at eight vantage points in the city,” he said.

He informed that the awareness drive was an “ongoing journey” and many hands were needed to join the caravan. “This time the movement has been further consolidated and made self sustaining by forming autonomous red ribbon brigades in various school and colleges , which will be a regular affair from now on,” said Jasdeep Singh.

Dr H.P. Singh, Medical Superintendent, Dr Gaurav Thukral, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr Arun Chopra, Dr Deepak Kapila, Dr Pankaj Goyal, Dr Rajkamal, Dr Kirat, Sangeeta Singh, Vikram and a number of heads of different institutions participated in the candlelight march.

Amritsar, December 1
They are often victims of neglect and discrimination. Thanks to the ‘careless attitude’ of the government towards tabling the AIDS Bill and framing concrete policy on protecting the fundamental rights of the infected persons, HIV/AIDS patients rarely come out in the open.

In 2006, a bill was prepared after intensive discussions with different stakeholders, including people affected with the syndrome, sex workers and drug users.

The 2006 version of the bill was prepared by the Health Ministry and was sent to Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting.

However, a much diluted version of the bill was sent back by the Law Ministry in 2007. Protests followed later which, probably, resulted in deferment of the Bill getting a practical shape.

It is irony that even after 20 years since the HIV epidemic came to fore in India, the likely outcome of an HIV+ test is the loss of job, denial of education for children, refusal of treatment in hospitals.

In a more recent study by the National Council for Applied Economic Research, 40 per cent of women reported little say in ‘when and how’ they had sex and in getting their partners to use condoms.

And in all this, law has played its own role in perpetuating vulnerability to HIV and not offering any redress for the discrimination, neglect and violence faced by persons living with HIV. The law has failed to help because there is a lack of clarity on the legal redressal options available to HIV+ persons. 

Dr Rakesh Bharti, a leading specialist in treatment of HIV, strongly recommended the early introduction of Bill to protect the rights of HIV/AIDS patients and said India needs a clear articulated legal response in these unjustifiable circumstances. The need for legislation on HIV has led to a unique government and civil society initiative to draft just such a law. As far as the attitude towards AIDS infected people is concerned, they have all rights to lead an honorable life as the stigma of this disease continues to haunt them. 

PK Chopra, a local businessman, viewed that the lackadaisical attitude of the government in tabling the bill is non-acceptable. It should have been on the priority list of their agenda to deal with such a sensitive issue rather than politicising it. It should be the responsibility of the government to make sure that the basic fundamental rights of the infected persons are protected and those who discriminate should be penalised. 

Gunbir Singh, Chairman, Punjab State Council of CII, said, “The Bill should have been tabled at the earliest in its true letter and spirit. HIV is a reality which needs to be recognised and we also need to understand the fact that this is a scourge beyond the limits of our imagination. We need to handle this menace today we cannot afford to dither. Though the Bill embodies principles of human rights and seeks to establish a humane approach, the issues of discrimination in employment, healthcare, education etc should be addressed at the earliest”, he said. 

Dr Ashok Goel, Assistant Professor, Pharmacology Department, Government Medical College, Amritsar, viewed that keeping in mind such an alarming rate of spreading of this infection, a Cabinet rank ministry of AIDS need to be established. “More than anyone else, it is the politicians whom the people generally listen to. Therefore a separate wing in the ministry should be planned. The basic problem is that the provisions are laid down but little has been done to monitor its implementation in proper way. The global funding for AIDS programmes should be monitored and the government should also monitor activities of the NGOs, who have been involved to take care of interest of HIV infected population”, said Dr Goel. 

Amritsar, December 1
Thanks to the red tape in the Railways, a 77-year-old retired employee has been deprived of his “due” since 1990.

Kishan Kishore, who got retired as chief carriages and wagon inspector (CCWI) of Amritsar railway station on June 30, 1990, had been rolling in the scale of Rs 2,375-3,500. The service restructuring benefits from January 1, 1984 to May 31, 1985 has been denied to him on flimsy grounds.

Ironically, the persons who were junior to him were granted similar benefits but since 1990 Kishan Kishore has been running from pillar to post to get his retirement benefit.

Though his own case has been caught in the official rigmarole for about two decades, Kishore, now a heart patient, pays a visit to the railway station daily to help people facing pension problems in filling up their forms and other formalities.

His case has been shuttling from railway headquarters to its divisional office, Firozepore, under whose jurisdiction the Amritsar station falls, because the Railway Department could not decide which wing would look after his case.

It is evident to mention that the post of CCWI was previously controlled by the headquarters up to December 12, 1995. Thereafter, all powers pertaining to this grade had been transferred to the divisional office.

Kishan Kishore got retired in 1990 when the powers were wrested with the headquarters, which did not clear his monetary benefits in time and Kishan went on claiming his restructuring benefits. Later, the cadre got shifted to divisional office but his fight for justice continued.

“The department has yet to decide which authority would be liable to pay my dues. The officials of the Railway divisional office directed me to approach the headquarters to seek my benefits on the ground that when I got retired, all powers were reserved with the headquarters. On the other hand, headquarter officials told that all the cases pertaining to this cadre has to be looked after by the divisional office only as powers are now lying with them only,” rued Kishore.

Nevertheless, questions are being raised about those cases, which came up much later and were duly cleared by the department without any hitch.

“I was at Sr No 52 as per official list. The persons who stood at Sr No 53, 58, 65, 66 and 67 and got retired much later were extended all benefits for the said period without any objection. How can my case be stalled,” questioned Kishore.

It is evident to mention that his case has also been referred to the Pension Adalat in 1990, 2000, 2001 but so far no decision could be made.

Amritsar, December 1
Cine star Juhi Chawla was here in the city on Monday to perform in a documentary “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”, to be telecast on DD National.

Besides, noted Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan, Atul Agnihotri along with his wife Allvira Khan visited the city on the same day. They paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

The theme song, highlighting unity in diversity, versatility of cultures, religions, languages and apparels, have been telecast on the national channel for the past many decades. Filming of the theme song is being made on a new line.

In her long career, Juhi has won Miss India contest, done film production and become television presenter and co-owner of Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders.

She went on to become one of the leading actresses of Bollywood and starred in numerous commercially successful films like “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”, “Darr”, “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,” which earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award, “Yes Boss” and “Ishq”.

This Ludhiana-born actress did lead roles in Punjabi movies in early years of this decade. She says, “Punajbi language is rich in folk songs and literature and she was naturally attracted to her mother tongue”. Besides, in early years of her career she had acted in Kannada movies.

Amritsar, December 1
The Health Department yesterday seized a huge quantity of intoxicant drugs from a medical store at Khalchian village here.

A team consisting of Dr Puneet Ohri of the Civil Hospital and drug inspector Sanjiv Garg raided the medical store after the department received several complaints against the medical shop owner that he was involved in selling habit-forming drugs. According to sources, the accused owner, identified as Surinder Uppal, had hidden the drugs in his shops. However, he could not produce the necessary records of sale and purchase after which the team seized the entire stock of 10,000 tablets, 2,100 capsules, 20 cough syrups and 150 injections from the store. — TNS