Jalandhar, April 28
Rather than penalising the Apeejay group for violating the lease deed, officials of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) have given it the land on freehold basis at a price at least 15 times less than the current market price.

The prime land of the city with a market value of more than Rs 400 crore has gone for just Rs 29.53 crore without any open auction. The Apeejay authorities have already made 25 per cent payment, which comes to Rs 7.34 crore, and have agreed to pay up the remaining amount in instalments.

The land measuring 42 kanals, 14 marlas and 37 sq feet where Apeejay School and Apeejay College of Fine Arts stand now was allotted by the JIT to Rajeshwari Sangeet Academy on June 19, 1963, from its 112.8 acre New Jawahar Nagar scheme. The land was purely meant to be used for imparting vocal, instrumental and allied knowledge of music.

The land was allotted for a period of 100 years at a lease money of just Rs 1 per year. The copy of the deed had also mentioned that “In case the land is used for any other purpose for which the lease is granted or subsequently approved by the lessor, the lease shall become void”.

The revelation came as a reply to an RTI application filed by Congress leader Sanjay Sehgal. The reply had specifically mentioned, “No site was given to Apeejay School” and Sehgal created hue and cry saying that the school had further opened bookshops and canteens and was reaping substantial profits by charging high fees from students.

The entire process to make the changes was hastily done. A resolution on the matter is said to have been passed by the JIT trustees in mid-March. The proposal to change the lease deed to allotment on freehold basis was made by the JIT to the school authorities on April 8, who hurriedly gave the pay order on April 18.

The revelation regarding the change came after RTI activist Ajay Sehgal had demanded inspection of the Apeejay file. Sehgal was allowed inspection yesterday after much persuasion.

Baljit Singh Neelamahal, Chairman, Jalandhar Improvement Trust, confirmed the development saying that it had been done only after the trustees had given their due approval. He said the domestic collector rates had been applied since the land was being used by an educational institute. He said the land was given according to rules cited in a new policy framed by the government. The policy stipulated the lessee occupying the land for more than 10 years to take it by paying up the collector rate.

RTI activists Rajinder Bhatia, Sanjay Sehgal and Ajay Sehgal have demanded that the land should have gone through open auction, that too on market rate. Advocate Bhatia said he was filing a complaint with the State Information Commission that during the inspection of the file, Ajay Sehgal was not allowed to click photographs, which he could do as per the RTI Act.

Yash Raj Aggarwal, vice-president, Apeejay management, confirmed the development. He claimed that the institute was given land on the basis of the “sewa” it had been doing for the masses by imparting quality education.

Jalandhar, April 28
Days after the murder of hotelier Gurkirat Singh Sekhon, alias Gikki, people from all walks of life, including politicians, social awareness groups and various rights bodies, have condemned the gory crime and demanded justice at the earliest. The city residents also demanded that the case should be tried in a fast-track court.

While the youth joined the “Justice for Gikki” campaign on Facebook, other city residents have been sending SMSs to join hands against this gruesome murder. The city youth apart from participating in the candlelight march in the memory of Gikki had also posted media reports of the murder on Facebook.

“I didn’t know Gikki personally, but still I joined this campaign on the Facebook just to raise my voice against such murders. This is a lesson for the influential and politically strong people who dare to take law and order into their hands,” said Shepali Ahuja a city youth.

Convener of the Shri Guru Ravidass Dharam Yudh Morcha (Punjab) Satish Bharti said the ruling SAD-BJP combine was responsible for the Gikki murder case. “This murder would not have taken place had the police arrested Akali councillor Balbir Bittu, who had shot Vijay Dhilwan dead during the Vienna incident. Prince Makkar is the second Akali councillor who too followed in the footsteps of Balbir and killed none than other his long-time friend,” he said.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) condemned the murder and said this was height of things and it was time to raise their voice against the rising crime graph in the state. “The law and order situation in the state is going from bad to worse and despite introducing the Commissionerate System, things are no better,” said senior party leader Ajmer Singh.

Congress leaders, including Jalandhar MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Gurdaspur MP Pratap Singh Bajwa, PPCC chief Captain Amarinder Singh, former city Mayor Surinder Mahey, Rana Gurjit, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh and Chaudhary Santokh, and BJP leaders Manoranjan Kalia and Pawan Tinnu also termed the murder as heinous.

Patron of the Youth Akali Dal Bikramjit Singh Majithia also visited the Sekhon family on behalf of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to express solidarity with the family.

Meanwhile, the District Bar Association, Jalandhar Potato Growers Association, Federation of Jalandhar Industrialists and Traders Associations, NRI Sabha, Jalandhar Marriage Palace Association and Jalandhar Arhtiyas Association, POSCON, various city hoteliers and others too have joined hands demanding justice for Gikki.

Nakodar, April 28
The government approving the sewerage project in Shahkot has come as major respite for inhabitants of the sub-division.The proposed project of Rs 15.68 crore is expected to be start in May.

Resham Lal, XEN, Punjab Sewerage Board, said tenders were already been invited and it would be opened on May 5 and its final process would take around 20 days to finalise the plan for actual implementation.

Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti also confirmed this development.

This 16-crore project would cover the whole town and around 40-km sewage pipeline would be laid.

Moreover, a sewerage treatment plant (STP), which may cost around Rs 4 crore would also be set up on the outskirts of the town, said Resham Lal.

He added that the whole project would be expected to complete within three years.

Due to lack of sewerage in the town and lackadaisical attitude of the authorities in maintaining the flow of waste water, the town got often water-logged, especially during rainy season.

“Nullah meant to carry waste water of the town is often seen overflowed, resulting into filthy water spilling out on the main road.

Jalandhar, April 28
A battalion of internationally-acclaimed sports achievers, three national award-winning principals and a host of toppers, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Nehru Garden, Jalandhar, is that rare government school which defies the myth that education at government-run institutes is sub-standard.

While government schools in general are mired in controversies, this one stands out for its brilliant academic record and talented faculty.

Principal Gurinderjit Kaur, too, smirks at the widespread belief that government schools are under-equipped places. The strength of the school is 1,500 students.

Jalandhar, April 28
Former chairperson of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission and former Chief Secretary, Punjab, NK Arora suggested that there was a need for the commission to rope in NGOs at the district levels so as to ensure better coordination of the complaints with the panel.

Arora was speaking at a lecture organised for mediapersons on issues concerning human rights by Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration on Tuesday.

He said such NGOs, which should be under total control of the commission, could also help it discharge its additional function of conducting visits at local centres, including women shelters, juvenile homes and old age homes.

He also pointed towards the need to set up special investigation agencies with retired people, hired from the intelligence or other state police for the purpose.

The ex-panelist said the violation of human rights was not just confined to the physical ill-treatment meted out to someone but also mental torture. He said the right to life, liberty, equality and dignity were covered in the ambit of the violation.

He pointed out that provision of education and health facilities and potable drinking water was also a human right.

The former chairman added that the complaint must come within one year of the incident. He clarified that the commission could only give recommendation to the departments concerned and not pass any orders.

He added that while the commission received 100 complaints in the first year of its establishment, the number soared to 20,000 by 2007. He said that maximum cases were reported against the police and jail authorities.

Arora also hinted that the system of appointment of the panelists should be made apolitical to ensure better delivery of justice. He called for the need of special budgetary allocations for running the commission.

Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar gave an introductory speech. Darshan Singh, coordinator, also attended the event.

Jalandhar, April 28
As per the agreement, the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences has started delivering healthcare services at the premises of Bilga General Hospital.The MoU in this regard was signed between PIMS chief operating officer Rajsekhar K and chairman of Bilga General Hospital, Professor Robert Arnott a few days ago.

As per the MOU, the PIMS will provide primary and secondary healthcare services to the residents of Bilga and surrounding villages.

Rajsekhar said the patients could avail laboratory facilities, tertiary health facilities like ICU, emergency at the premises of Bilga General Hospital.

The chief operating officer added that the PIMS would also collaborate with the management of Bilga hospital to provide tertiary healthcare in surgery, medical, pediatrics, psychiatry and other fields.

Phillaur, April 28
The Punjab Police, now, would involve public for assistance in solving disputes or complaints other than general crime and law and order incidents.This was announced by Additional Director General of Police (HRD & CP) SK Sharma while talking to The Tribune in Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur.

He said, “Community Liaison Committees would be set up in all sub-divisional, district and state level to redress the grievances and problems of the people soon.”

The ADGP said Police Subhidha Centres are being set up at all 114 police sub-divisions out of which 96 centres are ready to provide single window service or online service to the people.

Replying to a question about the announcement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhvir Singh Badal for “Self Verification” of the documents, Sharma said the announcement could save the people from undue harassment and wastage of time and money.

When asked whether self verification could be allowed in passport procedures, the ADGP said passport procedure would continue according to Union Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry guidelines.

Earlier, he inaugurated two-day ‘Public Sensitization Programme on Community Policing’ in the academy. Police officers and representatives of various social organisations of Amritsar border range, Amritsar zone and Jalandhar zone attended the programme.

He stressed the need to include community policing training in basic as well as promotional training courses syllabus. Sharma said the main focus was on rank specific training with thrust on soft skill development which includes time management, change management, communication and presentation skills.

He said the centres would facilitate grievances redressal to deal with common complaints of low accessibility to the officers as well as a nodal place for community oriented schemes like combating Domestic Violence, Legal Aid, Meetings of Resident Welfare Associations, Traffic Regulation Committees and Economic Offences Wings and other schemes like drugs de-addiction and counselling for women.

The ADGP said these CPRCs would also act as victim relief centres to focus on the victims, their rights, requirements and expectations.

The ADGP said this initiative will improve the police response to victims especially of sexual and violent crimes as well as provide necessary counselling to deal with the trauma.

Sharma said special officers would be deputed to avoid insensitive questioning and set up hotlines and women hotlines as a part of the scheme.

On this occasion, Academy Dean-cum-Joint Director Dr DJ Singh, also the state in charge of the training programmes, gave a detailed presentation on ‘Future Perspectives of Training’.

Jalandhar, April 28
Lovely Professional University felicitated students, who have had outstanding achievements in the past one year.As many as 591 students received academic certificates, awards and cash prizes worth Rs 26 lakh.

The students of the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 batches were honoured.

The awards were bestowed upon those who had scored 9.5 and above CGPA in academics and by winning medals during national-level cultural and sports activities like inter-zonal national youth festivals and sports events held in collaboration with Association of Indian Universities and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

On this occasion, ‘Videos of Dreams’ prepared by the students themselves were also screened to highlight the aspirations of the students. 

Prize winners of the Inter-Cambridge Sports Meet at Cambridge International School in Phagwara. A Tribune photo

Members of the Eco Club made beautiful paper bags and displayed them in the morning assembly conveying the message to make MGN polythene-free zone. Principal and students planted saplings on the school campus.

An environment quiz was also organised during the assembly. Posters, articles and slogans on “Mother Earth” were also displayed on the boards.

Principal Kamlesh Kaur Multani applauded the efforts of the students and motivated them to keep the environment neat and clean.

Model-making competition

Students of Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, won the first prize at the inter-school model-making competition held at Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala. The competition was held to celebrate World Earth Day.

Three students of the school, Anchal Sharma of Class IX, Poonam Deol of Class IX and Parminder Singh of Class X, displayed their model on “Green Earth”, which was highly appreciated.

The students received a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and the winners’ trophy.

Powerlifting tournament

Students of DIPS School, Nurmahal, brought laurels to the school in the sub-junior category of the Punjab State Powerlifting Championship, held on April 24.

Daljit Kaur Sohal of Class X bagged the gold medal in 84 kg weight category and qualified for the national championship, which will be held in Nagpur. Manpreet Kaur of Class X won the silver medal in 84 kg weight category. Taljit Singh of Class XII, Navneet Kaur of Class X and Sandeep Kaur of Class IX won bronze medals in 66 kg, 57 kg, and 43 kg weight categories, respectively.

Children made aware of rights

Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, today organised a conference to make students aware of their rights.

The programme was conducted at the call of the World’s Childrens’ Prize Foundation, Sweden. More than 100 countries with 53,500 schools and 24 million students took part in this global voting.

The main motive of the whole project is to sensitise students about their rights and to raise voice against child labour and child
trafficking.

Badminton championship

Vansh Murad Kalia and Gurneet Singh of Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, brought laurels to their alma mater by winning the second position in the under-17 doubles category in the Punjab State Open Badminton Championship-2011 held at Sangrur from April 23 to 25.

Cerebral palsy camp

The Department of Physiotherapy of Lyallpur Khalsa College conducted a two-day free camp on cerebral palsy during which more than 100 children were examined and prescribed physiotherapeutic treatment. The camp was held in association with the Aas Kiran, a social welfare organisation.

District Health Officer Dr R.L. Bassan inaugurated the camp. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bassan said in the absence of any proven medical treatment for the problem, pysiotherapy can prove to be a boon.

Head of the department Dr Raju Sharma said in India around 30 lakh children in the age group of 3 to 13 are affected with cerebral palsy and timely diagnosis and proper treatment of the problem can lead to considerable improvement in patients. At present, the department is running an OPD for cerebral palsy and other neuro-musculoskeletal disorders.

University toppers

Students of the DAV Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation bagged top positions in examinations conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. In bachelor in physiotherapy-first year, Neha Sharma secured the first position, followed by Pulkit Walia, who stood third.

In master in physiotherapy-first year, Nitika Gupta bagged the first position, Rajinder Kaur and Swati Bansal stood second and Sanil Taneja bagged the third position.

Chetna Shivir organised

Seven-day Chetna Shivir for social, moral and spiritual development of the students was organised by the Dayanand Chetna Manch at Mehr Chand Polytechnic College here.

During the shivir, guest lectures were delivered by various dignitaries. The students visited Nirmal Kutiya (Seechewal) and attended a lecture on “Environment safety” by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. The students took plants from Seechewal Nursery and also performed kar sewa around the Pavittar Bein in Sultanpur Lodhi. The students attended meditation classes.

Job fair at GNAIMT

As many as 40 students of the GNA Institute of Management and Technology (GNAIMT), Phagwara, bagged placements with various companies during a day-long job fair held on April 22. The job fair witnessed participation of over 300 students from different institutes of the region, including the host institute. The students have been hired for positions like sales executives, marketing executives, management trainees, regional managers, territory managers and much more.

Football captain honoured

Punjab women football captain Neha, who is a student of the Ramgarhia College of Education, Phagwara was honoured with an award of Rs 11,000 and a sports kit by Chairman of the Ramgarhia Educational Council Bharpur Singh Bhogal.

Neha is part of 19th Senior Women National Championship being organised by the All-India Football Federation at Bhilai. She has also been the captain of Guru Nanak Dev University football team which won the third prize in the All-India Inter-University Championship held at Gwalior. She also stood first as a member of the Jalandhar team in the Inter-District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football Championship.

Scholarship awarded

Nine students of law of St Soldier Law College bagged top positions in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Shivani Arora of B.A. LLB stood first in the varsity, followed by Komalpreet, Harpreet, Neeraj, Harmeet, Amandeep and Lovely. The toppers were awarded with Master Raj Kanwar Scholarship of Rs 35,000 in total.