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When will admn wake up?
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Education claims a farce
Government Primary School being run at the first floor of a temple in Phagwara. Photo by writer
Overcharging for eatables is the norm at bus stand
Traffic Awareness Drive
World Cup Craze
In the profit
zone: Workers in a factory pack footballs to address the craze before the FIFA World Cup. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Young World
Residents, students reel under power cuts
Fighting foeticide: ‘PNDT Act should be strictly implemented’
2 vehicle snatchers held
Questions raised on land
acquisition
Makeshift room sans fans, AC; MC staff left high and dry
Army man ‘implicated’ for exposing malpractices
Khalsa College prof makes it to DBT workshop
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When will admn wake up?
Jalandhar, March 25 Akshay lost his life when a speeding roadways bus jumping a red signal smashed him near the City Hospital in Jalandhar on March 19. His death came as a rude shock to the victim’s family who were busy making preparations for Akshay’s cousin brother’s engagement. Still mourning over the irreparable loss, the family feels offended as the culprits are still at large and the traffic situation in the city remains unchanged. The purpose of the gathering was to create general awareness among students, citizens, police and administration regarding their responsibilities so that no more valuable lives are lost to road accidents. “We generally stop seeing an accident, but only a few come ahead to give a helping hand. If everyone feels duty-bound to help a road victim, many lives can be saved,” said a parent of one of his classmates. “Accidents are a regular occurrence, but rarely something is done by the police to ensure that all the traffic rules are followed properly. Each and every signal crossing can be monitored efficiently if the police perform their duty in principal and spirit. The culprits, still at large in Akshay’s case, should be booked and punished. It should be treated as an offence against the state and there should be no second option,” said Ashim Sharma, a classmate of the decreased, adding that the accident took place just 10 meters away from the City Hospital but it refused an ambulance saying there was none available. “We ask what are ambulances for? For garages? We had met the mayor some days back and he promised to get speed-brakers constructed over all the major traffic signals. Even till this day there can not a single one present. The authorities should make sure that the roads are safe and vision is not blocked. The enormous number of hoardings has led to chaos on the roads, hindering proper visibility. And all this is happening despite High Court’s order against hoardings. We want to know why the administration is keeping mum,” asked Tanya, a student of Class XII of DPS. The students pledge to continue their struggle against the discrepancies in the system unless it changes for the better. Meanwhile, the Principal was absent from the scene and had reportedly advised the teachers against participating in the candle-light procession allegedly fearing bad name to the school. |
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Govt school runs from temple
Ashok Kaura
Phagwara, March 25 More than 35 students were crammed in a small room of less than 10’x10’. The first floor of the temple had only two small rooms and the second room was being used as kitchen to prepare mid-day meal for the students. School in charge and ETT teacher Rakhi Goel told The Tribune that the school was first running on the ground floor, but on the repeated requests of the temple management was shifted to the first floor several years back. Interestingly Government Primary School was being run without its own building and the grants of lakhs of rupees sent by the state government were sent back unspent as no land was available for the school building. Moreover, 25 students of alternative innovative education have also been shifted from Rampura Mohalla to this school and presently the school was providing free education to 126 students with only three teachers. SDM Amarjit Pal and SAD Councillor Sarabjit Kaur visited the school and found it in an unhygienic and miserable condition. The SDM told The Tribune that shamlat land was being identified to contruct the school building. The administration is contacting some social organisations also to come forward to adopt this school meant for providing free education to poor students.
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Overcharging for eatables is the norm at bus stand
Jalandhar, March 25 For every packet of biscuit, chips, distilled water bottle or any in-demand thing, shopkeepers overcharge the passengers. And with the summers on the anvil, rates of already overcharged distilled water and beverages are only expected to go up. Even though the Consumer Protection Act stipulates the right to seek redress against unfair trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation of the consumers, the police officials sporadically on duty at the platforms turn them down allegedly asking them to register a complaint at the consumers forum. “Who has the time and energy to waste doing rounds of police stations and consumer redressal forums? And do you think the authorities are ignorant of this breach? It’s just that they enjoy a share in the illegally earned money,” alleged Varun Kumar, Gurgaon-based IT professional, who had come to visit his family here. The grieving commuters claim that the year-long practice has gone unchecked. “One cannot stop himself from buying a chilled water bottle to quench thirst in summers. Its really disheartening when you have to dole out Rs 3 extra against every bottle of water or cold drink,” they opined. Although advertisements on consumer rights have become a regular feature on TV, radio and the print media, the blatant violation remains unchecked. “If someone protests against the illegal overcharging, one is subjected to harsh glances and verbal abuses,” said Randeep Singh, a shopkeeper who travels regularly to Ludhiana to buy stuff for his shop. “Till some time back I used to argue with shopkeepers against overcharging. But as it yields no results, I succumbed to their unjust demands. What can one do? All shopkeepers work in tandem and have the shield of the local administration too,” another commuter Ritu Verma said. When confronted, a shopkeeper justified saying: “We have to pay hefty amount as rent of the shops. If we sell goods at the fixed MRP, it would be nearly impossible for us to feed a family. People put all the blame on us as if we are solely responsible for all the inflation. We too are one of them.” Meanwhile, a police personnel on duty at the bus stand said he had not received any complaint so far and appropriate action would be taken if any such violations were noticed. |
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Police ties up with institutions to educate youngsters
Bipin Bhardwaj/TNS
Jalandhar, March 25 Talking to The Tribune, ACP (Traffic) Diljiinder Singh Dhillon revealed that students of 15 to 20 years are highly vulnerable to accidents as their number is highest among the violators. The police has tied up with the principals of various education institutions for organising seminars on traffic awareness. These seminars would be held in collaborations with the Ministry of Surface and Transport that has already issued guidelines and booklets on traffic rules to educational institutions, he added. Since many people coming from the rural areas are not aware of the traffic signals and signboards so the department will also deploy traffic marshals at various strategic points at different entry and exit points in the city, Dhillon said. To educate general public about the traffic guidelines at a large scale, the police would also involve NGOs, ex-servicemen, students of scouts and guide wings besides cadets of NCC and NSS. The NGOs and volunteers willing to be a part of the traffic marshal wing may come forward for registration from March 29 onwards, informed Dhillon. To regulate vehicular traffic smooth, the traffic police has been continuously corresponding with the local Municipal Corporation for constructing road dividers at different railway level crossing to avoid road congestion. “To tackle the problem, the traffic police will deploy a PCR vehicle at every level crossing for the time being,” the ACP claimed.
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Boom time for city football industry
Kusum Arora Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 25 While the soccer mania for the football industry began around October last year but the peak business period has started from March and would continue till May end. In fact football manufacturers feel that the soccer mania in the country may continue post FIFA World Cup. And this international football season is all the more special as it has a first to its credit. It is for the first time that the Jalandhar soccer industry has switched over to machine stitched footballs. Earlier, the soccer industry was dependent on the hand stitched footballs. However, the last couple of years saw a shift towards this trend. Managing Director of Freewill Sports (NIVIA) - a sports goods manufacturing unit, Rajesh Kharbanda said some of the leading sporting houses joined hands with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to revitalise the industry. “We held a training programme to learn the art of stitching footballs through machines and installed a locally available machine for this purpose,” he added. Further talking about the overall scene of the football manufacturing houses, he said, “The industry is upbeat as the organised retail sectors have virtually taken over the domestic market leading to brisk business. It is owing to good business that the domestic demand is no less than 50 per cent and the sales are growing,” said Kharbanda. The football industry has introduced promotional range of world cup country footballs, shin guards and football studs to meet the demands of the domestic market. “Retail houses like Big Bazaar, HyperCITY, Aditya Birla, BhartiWalmart, Spencer are leading the domestic market. And we have introduced special range of promotional country footballs and other products,” he added. Director Exports of Brightway Exports International, Jiten Mahajan, who was the first exporter from India to supply footballs to world renowned Manchester United Football Club, said, “The big chain stores in India has led to a flourishing business with bigger volumes. A major reason behind soccer craze in India is due to media and sports channels which have hooked the youth towards this game”, he added. Mahajan was the first exporter in India who had set up a special football-stitching centre in the city for Manchester United. The stitching centre was inaugurated by director of the club, P Harverson on January 25, 2001. Among the foreign market footballs are being exported to market giants like Castrol, Pepsi, Cadbury, Philips, Samsung to name a few. “In the foreign market it is China which is ruling the roost with approximately 90 per cent share whereas India has a share of 5 per cent,” said Manish Mahajan, an exporter of sports goods from Hans Raj Mahajan Worldwide. The hi-tech technology coupled with a wider range of production is the major reason behind China leading the international market, added Kharbanda. “Moreover China has mastered the art of machine stitched footballs whereas we have just started”, he quipped. However, the manufacturers and exporters rued the acute shortage of labour in the industry. “Labour shortage has been a major cause of concern for the industry. A major reason behind this trend is the upcoming sports industry at Meerut (UP) as well. Labourers who earlier use to work here now prefer to shift their base to their homeland UP. Moreover, with market trend shifting towards machine stitched footballs the labour has to pick up fast to move ahead,” added another exporter.
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Polytechnic college reaches out to jail inmates Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 25 Lieut Pankaj Gupta delivered a lecture on leading a stress-free life. He quoted many examples on how a jail inmate could reduce his mental illness by following a pure and healthy lifestyle and opting for good habits. As many as 200 jail inmates participated in the seminar. Science Day Students and members of the staff of Lovely Institute of Technology observed Science Day on the LPU campus. A large number of students from the department of engineering celebrated the observance keeping in consideration the latest trends and techniques in the world of science and to appreciate the role of science in our day-to-day life through different events. Hundreds of students from Mechanical engineering, computer science engineering, electronics and Communication engineering of the institute, participated in all the competitions held on the occasion. The winners were given prizes and certificates. Orientation The Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara, organised an orientation programme for the students of SS-II. Students, who got excellent positions in the SS-I examination of all streams were given prizes. Books were distributed among students of medical and non-medical streams under the scheme of Green Book Library. Tributes to martyrs Students of St Soldier Law College paid tributes to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev and other revolutionary freedom fighters. On this occasion, students paid tributes to heroes who fought for the freedom of the country and sacrificed their lives. |
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Residents, students reel under power cuts
Jalandhar, March 25 “The bad part is that the cuts are being imposed without any intimation. The electricity goes off for six to eight hours a day. Its just March, I wonder if there will be any supply of electricity in June-July,” commented Jagtar Singh. Besides, the residents feel in a tight spot as the timing of power cuts clash with that of their routine activities. “Unfortunately the water supply is also linked to the power. It has become difficult to do the routine household chores like washing clothes, utensils, etc. Also, with the fridge working only some hours a day, eatables get spoiled,” added his wife Sukhwinder Kaur. The cuts are also taking a heavy toll on the industrial sector. Industrialist said that poor supply of power is hitting the small-scale industry very badly. “We are being pushed to an edge. When we were demanding scrapping of VAT, they government hiked it to 5 per cent. A small entrepreneur cannot afford to depend upon alternative, expensive sources of electricity,” shared Gurbachan Lal, owner of a sports goods factory. When most of the students are already preparing for the annual examinations, the unannounced long-duration snapping of electricity is badly affecting their studies. “If the cuts are short and announced we can adjust our schedules accordingly. But in the present scenario and with the rising level of mercury it gets really difficult for us to concentrate properly,” said Shalini, a student of Class X. It has come to notice that at certain examination centres students are forced to sit through the papers in the absence of proper light. “There are no generators and the power goes off, forcing the students to take examination in dim light, said a primary school teacher. |
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Fighting foeticide: ‘PNDT Act should be strictly implemented’
Jalandhar, March 25 A seminar on the issue was organised by the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration and Technology, Chandigarh, on the premises of the office of the Director Land Records here. The Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, S.R. Ladhar, who presided over the seminar, said the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act should be strictly implemented. The Act states that the pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be used to detect abnormalities as specified. The Act prohibits individuals and genetic clinics/centres from using pre-natal diagnostic techniques to determine the sex of a foetus. The family members who force women to undergo the test are liable to be held as abettors to the heinous act. A misuse of the procedure can result in three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 and also suspension of the registration of the doctor who detected the sex of the foetus. Strict implementation of the law and awareness in the society will ensure the decrease in the number of female foeticide cases. Ladhar advocated for compulsory registration of pregnant women in order to ensure transparency in the system. Taking cognisance of the situation, the administration was planning an effective and focused plan for empowering women, including female literacy and awareness, as well as improving health services in the district, he said.
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2 vehicle snatchers held
Jalandhar, March 25 The ADCP (City-I),
S.K. Kalia, said Jaspreet Singh, alias Jassa, a resident of the Koda locality, and Naveen
Saini, alias Chintu, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, had snatched the car from Davinder Kumar on a pistol point when the latter was on his way home on March 21
night. Jassa has over eight cases of vehicle snatching registered against him at different police stations in Hoshiarpur, Amritsar and Jalandhar. He is also a proclaimed offender in three cases. Jassa committed the crime after he got bail by a local court in some cases almost a month ago. The ADCP said Chintu was also involved in three cases of vehicle theft in the city. The duo in connivance with their three accomplices - Surinder Kumar, MD, alias
Rahul, and Bachianawala - had been snatching vehicles in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana,
Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and neighbouring districts. After snatching the Swift car from Davinder Kumar, they went to their friend Surinder Kumar’s place in Ludhiana. They were also nabbed by the Ludhiana police while attempting another snatching in the Industrial Area in Ludhiana. The two were nabbed by the city police at the Adda Hoshiarpur chowk when they were going in the stolen Swift with a fake registration number plate last evening, Kalia revealed. The police was conducting raids to nab their other accomplices and to seize the weapons used in the crime, he claimed.
— TNS |
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Questions raised on land
acquisition
Jalandhar, March 25 Their main grouse was th\at the entire process was just an excuse to take away their land under the guise of the Land Acquisition Act that was a clear case of misusing the provisions of the law since the land would not give any wider access to the jail. Rather it was an attempt to make the sale of the jail land more attractive to potential buyers. Dr
M.P.S. Bhatia, Rajiv Malhotra and Vimal Golaknath, some of the aggrieved persons, said the jail had no adjoining boundary to the land that was to be acquired since its main entrance is on the GT Road. So it was doubtful if the land would actually be used for this purpose for which a notification under Section 4 of the Act has been issued. Since the construction of the new jail was underway at
Kapurthala, the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) for generating additional revenue for various developmental projects would auction this land under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Land
(OUVGL) in the coming months, they added. Hence, where is the public purpose behind acquiring the land belonging to them, they questioned. We have no objections for giving land for public purposes but in this does not apply in their context, they pointed out. They also added that they have filed their objections before the authorities concerned but apprehend that their submissions would be rejected.
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Makeshift room sans fans, AC; MC staff left high and dry
Jalandhar, March 25 The employees, who have been housing in a block, meant for record room on the third floor of the building, said they were feeling suffocated without any provision for AC or fans. They fumed that these were hectic days for them with residents turning up in large numbers for payment of house tax dues prior to the closing of the financial year. But they added that the rush made their makeshift accommodation even more uncomfortable to work. The employees said their office had been converted into a meeting hall for the councillors for the time being forcing them to shift to the record room. Joint Commissioner Rahul Gupta said, “The
councillors’ hall will come up at the top floor in six months’ time after which the house tax staff will shift to their designated office. For the time being, we are arranging a split AC unit lying in the old building for the staff.” Gupta regretted that since the staff had just shifted in the new building and the summer season had just arrived, proper provision could not be made in time. |
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Army man ‘implicated’ for exposing malpractices
Jalandhar, March 25 Lt-Col S.S. Sohi (retd) was booked by the police for allegedly teasing women members of the club but was bailed out at police station Division No 4. Talking to The Tribune, the 70-year-old war veteran alleged that he had been implicated in a false case for daring to go against the well-entrenched bureaucracy and the high and mighty of the city who ran a public club at their whims and fancies. He said he had succeeded in getting the club declared as a public institution under the RTI Act and this case had been foisted on him to pressurise him to withdraw other cases pending with the State Information Commission and other courts. Sohi said he was a disciplined soldier of the nation and would not buckle under any pressure and declared that he would approach the court for action against those who were wilfully abusing their authority for petty gains.
— TNS |
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Khalsa College prof makes it to DBT workshop
Jalandhar, March 25 As many as 15 candidates from all over the country were selected on the basis of research publications and research expertise in the relevant area. During the workshop, resource persons, including eminent scientists from the field of biotechnology from JNU, New Delhi, and Mascon India limited, New Delhi, discussed bioinformatics. “A lot of drugs are being synthesised to combat deadly diseases like cancer and AIDS. In this area, particular proteins like protein kinases play a vital role. These are the enzymes which are vitally involved in various metabolic reactions in the human body like cell cycle, cell differentiation, cell signalling, cell death (apoptosis), stomach digestion processes and other metabolic pathways,” Sharma said.
— TNS
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Grants for 23 panchayats
Phagwara: Chief Parliament Secretary Sarwan Singh Phillaur distributed grants worth Rs 51.20 lakhs among 23 village panchayats of Phillaur subdivision at a function at Apra village. He distributed cheques for Rs 6 lakh for
Apra, Rs 2 lakh for Chak Sabu village, Rs 1 lakh each for Cheema Khurad, Cheema
Kalan, Gari Maha Singh, Moron, Sultanpur, Tura, and Lohgarh, Rs 3 lakh for
Landhran, Rs 5.25 lakh for Dhak Mazara, Rs 3.5 lakh for Thalla, Rs 1.5 lakh for
Samraddi, Rs 2 lakh for Raipur Arian, Rs 1.25 lakh for Chokran, Rs 2.25 lakh for Kang
Jagir, and Rs 5 lakh for Nagar. — OC
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World Kabaddi Cup: 4 matches in city
Jalandhar: The Punjab Government is organising the World Kabaddi Cup Tournament from April 1 to 10 in an attempt to promote the sport. Four matches will be played at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium here on April 5. Deputy Commissioner Ajit Singh Pannu revealed it during a meeting organised to take stock of the preparations underway for April 5. He informed that teams from India, Pakistan, Iran, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, Norway, etc, would participate in the tournament. He said the matches would be played at Jalandhar, Patiala, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and other cities.
— TNS |
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