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Petrol hike pinching car dealers, lowering profit margins
Maternity Deaths; Health authorities found napping
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Implementation of Library Act sought
Sports College hostelers get ceiling fans
Teacher accused of using obscene language shifted
Acid attack
Two hurt in group clash over eve-teasing
Chowkidars seek release of salary
Christian, farmer unions
hold protests
Hunger strike
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Petrol hike pinching car dealers, lowering profit margins
Profits plummet due to 75 pc dip in sale of cars Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 23 Despite reduction in the prices of global crude oil, the prices of petrol have not reduced in India. The fact that there is a 33 per cent VAT on petrol in Punjab, has already been contributing to the problem and the recent hike in the interest rate of car loans is like cherry on top. The petrol is currently priced at Rs 70.10 in Punjab. Love Goyal, owner of Hyundai Motor, Jalandhar, says, “The hike in petrol prices have caused car sale to dip by 50 per cent. The rise in interest rates has also impacted its sales. Cars like Santro and I-10, which were much in demand earlier, are finding no takers now. Honda is feeling the pinch. Earlier it used to sell 40 cars a month, now it’s selling four. Things are all the more difficult for the dealers of second-hand cars. Charanpreet Singh, secretary, Jalandhar Car Dealers’ Association, says “Hike in prices of petrol has massively altered our sale ratio. We were selling 20 to 30 cars per month earlier. Now, we are selling just two or three. It has been like this for the past two to three months. We have stopped buying new cars because the old ones aren’t selling.” Lovely from GN Motors says, “Our sale is not even half of what it used to be earlier. It’s a dismal situation.” Vicky from Carriage Motors, says, “The sale of petrol cars have dipped by 75 per cent. The dip in sales has been all the more evident since the day the petrol price went up to Rs 70. The price of luxury (petrol) cars has gone down by Rs 50,000 and that of small cars by about Rs 20,000 to 25,000. Since our old cars have not been sold, we aren’t even buying new diesel ones because there is an overall dip.” There is no solution to the entire problem other than wait for the prices to reduce. Love Goyal says, “If the government makes CNG readily available in Punjab, things would get a lot easier. In Delhi, CNG costs Rs 30. A CNG kit costs Rs 3000 to 35,000. Use of CNG as an automobile fuel might change things.”
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Maternity Deaths; Health authorities found napping
Jalandhar, August 23 Although setting up of such a centre is a major component of the flagship programme-National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)-the health authorities have managed to establish only two such units, one in Jalandhar and another in its periphery, in all these years. The funds were released long ago for setting up such units at nine community health centres. The infrastructure to set up such units was to be provided by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC). “Delayed setting up of the blood storage units is proving dear for those residing in the periphery, as due to unavailability of fresh and screened blood, gynecologists have to refer patients to other hospitals, usually to the private ones, where blood is readily available,” said a senior gynecologist. As per the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norms, each community health centre, meant to conduct both normal and complicated deliveries, should be equipped with these units. The need to set up such units was felt after a large number of women died due to the unavailability of pure blood during or after childbirth. Dr Ajay Sahni, District Medical Commissioner, PHSC, said the community health centres at Kala Bakra and Shahkot were equipped with such units. Admitting that such units had to be made available at all community health centres of the district, Dr HK Singla, Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, said funds for the purpose had already transferred to the district health authorities. “We have urged the Drug Controller office to give licence for setting up and running such units in the community health centres. A few such centres have been inspected,” Dr Singla added.
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Implementation of Library Act sought
Jalandhar, August 23 Ashok Kumar, convener of the ad-hoc committee constituted on the occasion, demanded better furniture and buildings for school libraries in Punjab. The library staff employees pointed out that they were overworked in schools and shouldn’t be made to do unnecessary errands by the government. They demanded sanction of government holidays like other government schools in the state. They also demanded grades at par with ETT teachers in the state and regular availability of books and funds for the libraries. Librarians, assistant librarians, library restorers and library attendants took part in large numbers in the meet. — TNS
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Sports College hostelers get ceiling fans
Jalandhar, August 23 District Sports Officer Rakesh Kaushal said he had issued four ceiling fans, exhaust fans and table fans for the players of gymnastics, volleyball and athletics, who are residing in a makeshift hostel of the gymnastic hall of the college. “It just took some few thousand rupees to provide them new fans. As some of the hostel rooms have pillars inside, it became difficult to install fans, so we preferred to provide them with table fans as a substitute. The exhaust fans were a major requirement in that lane of the hostel. In fact, as soon as I took over as Sports Officer, we had planned to provide them the fans,” he added. The Sports Officer said plans were also afoot to make necessary repairs in the washrooms of the hostel. “As the state government has already declared that a special wing, known as the Punjab Institute of Sports, will come up on the premises of this college, there is no point in giving lofty statements that the players will get a new hostel. But we will surely provide them the basic infrastructure for their rooms,” he added. He added that recently the Sports Department also got a new set of washrooms constructed for the players residing in the Government Sports School, also situated on the same premises. “We are committed to fulfil the basic requirements of the players until the new premier institute comes up,” he asserted.
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Teacher accused of using obscene language shifted
Jalandhar, August 23 On August 19, a few girl students had accused the teacher of using obscene language while teaching them in the class. After giving the teacher a sound beating, the girls’ parents had complained to the police on August 19, following which Bahadur Singh was arrested and released on bail subsequently. The District Education Officer (DEO), secondary, K.K. Aeri visited the school, after the incident was highlighted by The Tribune in these columns, and interacted with the girl students separately. Talking to the Tribune, the DEO claimed to have constituted a three-member committee which would submit its findings by Wednesday. The committee comprises of Kuljit Kaur; Government Senior Secondary School, Khurla Kingar, Nirmal Kumari; Government Senior Secondary School Bhargo Camp and Pushp Sood, Government Senior Secondary School, Garha, according to the DEO. “Bahadur Singh has been shifted to Government Senior Secondary School, Talwan, till the report of the committee comes, he added. Aeri, however, said that the act of the teacher shamed the teaching community as a whole. He, however, said that the staff of the school is equally responsible if the practice was going on for the last many years in the same school.In a complaint to the Lambra police station, the complainants Satnam Singh, Sunny, Deepak Satpal Jagdish, Lovely, Sandeep and some other had accused Bahadur Singh, the school in charge of using obscene language while teaching the girl students. The complainants had alleged that the teacher had been talking about pornographic films |
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One killed in collision
Jalandhar, August 23 All victims are residents of RS Pura in Jammu. They were on their way to Jalandhar in a car (JK-02Q-6951) when this tragedy took place. The deceased has been identified as Tarsem Lal, a resident of the RS Pura locality. He was driving the car when the accident took place. Those who sustained injuries have been identified as Sandeep Kumar and Charan Das, both son and brother of Tarsem Lal, respectively. Bhogpur SHO, Kailash Chander, said Tarsem Lal was driving the car when it collided head-on with the truck (HR-38B-78). All sustained critical injuries. Passersby, locals and police personnel rescued the occupants of the car and took to a local hospital. Tarsem Lal succumbed to his injuries. The body was later sent to the local Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Family members of the victims have been informed about the accident. The injured were referred to a Rama Mandi-based private hospital. There condition is stated to be serious. Meanwhile, family members of the victims reached Jalandhar and took the body into their possession. A case has been registered against the truck driver at the Bhogpur police station. Sanjay, the truck driver, who resides in Kathua, Jammu, has been arrested for rash and negligent driving leading to death and critically injuring two other. The vehicles have also been impounded. Traffic on the busy highway was disrupted for an hour following the accident. |
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Acid attack
Jalandhar, August 23 Sources in the police revealed that Ashok Kumar,a resident of Tanda, is a substance addict Taking to the Tribune, Amarjit Singh, the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case, said that there are almost 15 cases of theft, robbery, stabbing, and other petty crimes. A cases of theft has already been registered against Ashok Kumar at police station Division No 8 besides some other cases with the Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur police, he added. He said that the police had rounded up a few family members of Ashok Kumar yesterday. “The family members were let-off after they promised to produce Ashok before the police on Tuesday. The family members will be re-detained tomorrow if they fail to produce him. Being busy in protests and other activities in the city the police was unable to trace Ashok Kumar,” claimed the IO. Dr Satinder Jit Singh Bajaj, a surgeon attending on Archana, said, “Archana is stable but she will be under observation for the next three to four days.” Thirty-five year old Archana , a resident of Pathankot Chowk, suffered serious burns adjacent to the busy Doaba Chowk after her estranged husband, Ashok Kumar, allegedly threw acid on her, in broad daylight on Monday.
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Robbers strike at Mahan nagar
Jalandhar, August 23 This incident took place when Janki
Devi, owner, was alone in the house. Her husband, Mandeep Singh, had left the house for the workplace at about 11
am. Janki Devi said the two youths, whose faces were muffled, entered the house and directed her to handover the cash and others valuables to them. One of the robbers also put a revolver on her forehead and demanded the safe’s key, she added. One of the robbers opened cupboards and took away Rs 8,000 apart from a set of earrings, she added. While leaving the house, the duo also threatened her of dire consequences if she raised an alarm. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police RK Sharma along with his team and forensic experts visited the spot. Investigating officer, Brijinder Singh, said the robbers all entry and exit points had been sealed and messages flashed. A case has also been registered at the Rama Mandi police station in this regard. |
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Two hurt in group clash over eve-teasing
Jalandhar, August 23 Sources in the police said Sonu, a painter, and Jaswinder Singh came to blows this afternoon. The incident occurred after a few objected to the remarks passed by the youths. The assailants hurled stones and used batons during the clash. Sonu and Jaswinder sustained injuries in the clash. The injured were later admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The police has reported the case in the DDR.
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Chowkidars seek release of salary
Jalandhar, August 23 They also demanded that their wages be increased to Rs 3,000 per month. In a letter the members demanded that they should also be entitled for facilities given by the government to people below the poverty line such as blue and BPL cards. They also alleged that while the government claims that the bill for their salary has been sent to the state treasury, but the treasury authorities say they cannot release the bills because there is a ban on dealing with the bills from Chandigarh. They also demanded the right to make entries in the death and birth register.
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Christian, farmer unions
hold protests
Jalandhar, August 23 Led by district president Sukhwinder Singh, they demanded that their disability allowance be raised to Rs 3,000 per month. They also demanded that as per Section 30 and 31 of the Act, school students be given free books, uniform and transportation service. They also demanded that they be given passenger allowance at par with the government employees. They also demanded that during the allotment of plots and shops, they be given 25 per cent relaxation in the prices. The members, all of whom had problem with their mobility, submitted a memorandum to the DC to be forwarded to the Chief Minister Punjab. Members of the Punjab Christian Movement also held a protest in front of the DC office demanding the setting up of the Christian Development Board, allotment of two-acre land for graveyards and the setting up of a Masih Bhavan. State present Hamid Masih and Pastor Vijay Kumar addressed the rally. As many as 17 farm labourer unions held a protest inside the DC office today. The members led by Kashmir Singh Ghugshore came in support of the 13 farm labourers from Mansa demanding that the land acquired from them be returned. |
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PPP members rally for Anna
Jalandhar, August 23 The members came donning their trade mark yellow turbans. Former Cantonment MLA Jagbir Brar, Gurmit Singh Daduwal, party candidate from Nakodar, Dr Navjot Dahiya from Shahkot and retired Utrakhand Income Tax commissioner Satpal from Kartarpur addressed the rally. The leaders claimed that there was a commonality of issues taken up by their party founder Manpreet Badal and Anna Hazare. "Both leaders are fighting against corruption in their own way. How can the SAD leaders who are themselves facing corruption charges come clean," Brar questioned. Various organisations continued to hold protest in the city in support of social activist Anna Hazare.
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Hunger strike
Jalandhar, August 23 State president Hamid Masih, president of United Pastor's Association Pastor Vijay Kumar and other activists took part. The members said the hunger strike and protests would continue till their demands were met. |
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The hike in prices of petrol has left city-based car dealers high and dry. While automobile dealers say their sales has plummeted, dealers of second-hand cars are the worst affected. A few even claim their profits have gone down by 75 per cent.
Taking cognisance of the report, “Makeshift hell for players at Government Sports College,” published in these columns of The Tribune, the district sports authorities have come to the rescue of the hostelers and equipped them with some basic infrastructure.
Two youths sustained injuries in a group clash that took place between two groups over the issue of eve teasing at Fatehjalal village near here this morning.
