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Feeling insecure, MC staff decline to remove hoardings
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Sex
Determination
Kashmir
connection
AMC’s way to tackle staff shortage creates uproar
GND Hospital: A haven for drug addicts
Demolition of chamber infuriates Bar assn
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Feeling insecure, MC staff decline to remove hoardings
HC order
Holding it as a “gross violation” of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked the state Secretary, Local Bodies Department to remove all hoardings put up by politicians, political parties and commercial organisations on public land. The department has been ordered to submit a status report in this respect before September 26. Deputy commissioners in Punjab would be liable to comply with the orders.
Official Speak
— Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner
Amritsar, September 19 In the backdrop of this development, the AMC staff, which went to remove hoardings at the Ajit Nagar area on September 17, was interrupted and reportedly manhandled by some Congress activists on the pretext that the hoardings pertaining to SAD leaders were being spared. It was reliably learnt that the AMC staff had also approached the police to lodge a complaint against those who assaulted them and prevented them from performing their duties, but the complaint was withdrawn at the intervention of AMC’s higher authorities. This move had infuriated the AMC staff. Confirming it, Sukhdev Singh, AMC advertisement in charge, under whose supervision the hoarding removal was being executed, said the deplorable approach of the authorities has forced them to take the step. “When the authorities do not spare a thought for us or provide us with proper security and manpower, how can they expect us to do the job? Further, when the political leaders threaten us and manhandled us openly, the authorities did not come to our rescue. Rather, they asked us to subdue the matter. How can we work under such circumstances when our own life is in danger and the authorities are least bothered about it”, he said. His colleague said the authorities have provided us with just one supervisor, one inspector and handful of helpers for the whole city. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal when apprised about this deficiency assured that the security of employees would be the administration’s prime concern and those who were preventing them from performing their duties would be taken to task. “It is true that acute staff crunch is there with the civic authorities. We would try to find some way out of this problem because the orders of the high court would have to be complied with under any circumstances”, he said. Meanwhile, a random survey revealed scores of illegal hoardings dotting the city. According to an estimate there are still over 4,000 ‘illegal hoardings’ and the AMC could remove just 470 till today. In present circumstances, how would they eradicate this menace especially when the HC’s deadline is approaching so fast, is a matter of concern?
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On the anvil: Dislocation package for occupants of unsafe buildings
Amritsar, September 19 In a recent communiqué sent to the Secretary, Local Bodies Department, the administration after having deliberations with the Improvement Trust (IT) and Amritsar Municipal Corporation (AMC) has proposed to introduce a tri-partite agreement among the owner/tenant of the unsafe building, the IT and the AMC to offer a permanent ‘dislocation package’, in terms of offering multi-storey flats for those who have little resources to make their alternative arrangements, if they vacate their present unsafe houses. According to the proposal, in lieu of providing newly built flats to the owner or the tenant, the beneficiary would have to surrender his or her old house. The Improvement Trust would evaluate the market price of the house and would design the payment package accordingly for the new flat. Once the place gets vacated, the IT would take over the possession of the vacant house and in collaboration with the AMC, the place would be transformed into some public utility activity centre like the gym, community centre or if possible, a children’s park, alike. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, who initiated the proceedings in this matter, said it would be a sort of a reasonably priced ‘barter deal’. The AMC has been told to conduct a comprehensive survey to identify the century-old unsafe buildings, the status of the person, whether he is the owner or tenant of the building. Besides this, the IT has been conveyed to identify the vacant plots lying in its jurisdiction. “It would be a win-win situation for both the sides. It was observed that a substantial chunk of land was lying with the IT for various development or commercial projects which could never be materialised for past many years. Now, if the Local Bodies Department gives its nod, this land can be utilised for making multi-storey affordable accommodation, which could be sold under this barter deal concept, he said. “The exact picture about how much space or how many flats would we need to built would come to us only after a thorough survey to be conducted by the AMC. We would be in the know-how of how many actual owners and the tenants are there and how big is the house they own. The whole concept would be designed accordingly. It was observed during the preliminary survey that there are old dilapidated houses which have been spread in an area of over 800 sq feet and a number of houses are there in 500 sq. ft land. Such places can aptly be converted into multi-utility gymnasium. Similarly, children or elders living in the cramped lanes of walled city do not have place to play or stroll, even these ideas can be executed by eliminating the crumpled structures. But, the surrendered old structures would be the property of the IT only that in collaboration with the AMC, which would also contribute funds, would transform the place. Thereafter, the AMC would be asked to maintain the place or the project”, he added.
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Sex
Determination Ultrasound machine, medicines seized from hospital PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 19 Civil Surgeon Dr Avtar Singh Jrewal informed that a police complaint has been lodged against the Dr MP Arora, who was reported to be conducting the test illegally when the raid took place on the hospital at Cantonment Police Station. Dinesh Singh, SHO Cantonment Police, said they were going to file a case in this connection. It is evident to mention here that after specific information, a team headed by the Civil Surgeon (who was posing as a patient) raided the premises of Kalia Nursing Home and seized huge quantity of drugs used for medical termination of pregnancy from the adjoining room of the ultrasound centre located at the hospital premises. The department also sealed the ultrasound machine being used by the hospital authorities for this illegal act. Dr Jrewal said he came to know from hospital that one Dr Arora, who neither have any authorisation nor any permission from the authorities concerned, used to conduct the sex determination test. The Health Department has also recorded the statement of the woman, identified as Rekha from Gurdaspur, who had come to the hospital for the test. Interestingly, the radio sonologist authorised to conduct ultrasound at the nursing home hardly comes to the hospital, said Dr Jrewal. He said action would also be taken against the designated radio sonologist also who allowed such illegal activity with such impunity, added the Civil Surgeon. Dr Jrewal said the accused sonologist, who fled the scene after pushing the raiding party, got himself admitted in a hospital on ‘back date’ and action would be taken against hospital authorities also.
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Kashmir
connection Belonging to sensitive areas like Baramulla and Srinagar, 40 odd students have found a comfort zone and are enjoying academic & cultural exposure Neha Saini Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 19 For the 40 odd students from the Valley studying at Khalsa College, Amritsar, is not about breaking free but finding a safe haven. Coming all the way from sensitive areas like Baramulla, Sopore and Srinagar, these students have found their comfort zone in the city and are lapping up the academic and cultural exposure. “Amritsar is a favorite with Kashmiri students as it has good educational institutions as well as a culturally safe environment. Also, there is the Golden Temple which makes it a spiritual hub,” says Supreet Kour, studying MSc Zoology at Khalsa College. “There is a tough competition and it’s not easy to get admission in Kashmir University. So, most of the students have to go outside to study their favourite course,” she adds. Ask them why all these elements are important while making a decision and one of them puts down certain facts. “Every year many students from valley go outside to pursue various professional course in Delhi, UP, MP and other states. And there have been instances when most of them had difficulty adjusting to the environment. Issues like safety for girls, harassment and requirement of police certificate before admissions have been reported in other states. So with parents, safety becomes top most,” says Manmeet Kour, also an Msc student. Coming from a protected society, traditions are what they enjoy most here as well. “We usually stick to our traditional dress code, sometimes even getting second looks from people,” says Mariya Riaz, one of the students. And its completely by choice. “We don’t like wearing western clothes since we feel comfortable and confident in our own thing,” shares Mariya. But otherwise, they keep up with the latest fads of fashion, movies and music; specifically enjoy listening to the college orchestra, poetry by Bulle Shah and eating Amritsari kulchas. “People are very open minded here, they don’t like to live in limitations and this is something we all want to pick up on fast,” says Supreet, who thinks Amritsaris are the best hosts. Sticking to their Urdu, the only problem they face is of language. “We still have not picked up the Punjabi dialect of Amritsar. So we converse in Hindi most of the time.” Though things back home may not be as normal, they are not as bad. “Kashmiri youth is very competitive. They are well-aware and open minded, just as globalised in their thinking as any other youngster. It’s just the insecure environment that over shadows all other developments,” says Altaf Ahmed Mir, another science graduate.
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AMC’s way to tackle staff shortage creates uproar
Amritsar, September 19 Infuriated by this sudden transformation, the ‘white-collar’ staff announced a pen-down strike and raised slogans against the management which released orders this morning for these ‘new postings’. Soon the activists of the Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee too joined their cause and the work in the branch came to a standstill. They alleged that this arrangement had been done following high-level political intervention. The SDO Tilak Raj who issued orders in this respect stated that it was a stop-gap arrangement to meet the staff crunch prevailing in the department. “There are 33 divisions of the water supply wing and we have a staff of just 10 who read the water meters as well as realise the payments. This task was being affected due to shortage of men and these Class IV employees have been asked just to help them in realisation job as the deadline of recovering Rs 17 crore is approaching fast. It is just a temporary arrangement and there is no move to make their jobs permanent as anticipated by the employees who are opposing it”, he said. But this decision has not gone down well with the AMC employees. They complained that these Class IV employees could hardly be a helping hand for them because all the transaction is done through a computerised process. “The AMC has set an example in the devastation of professionalism. Those who have been deputed to prune the gardens, clean the clogged sewerage or operate the tube wells, are being asked to operate the computers”, they said. They also pointed out that the onus of handling the cash, as per law, rests with the regular employees only. “How can the authorities be so lenient in entrusting them the task of handling the cash which rolls into thousands per day. Each of our regular employees brings in atleast Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 daily by way of realising the water bills. Where does their liability stand in handling the cash especially, when they are just temporary employees deputed on a contractual basis and there is seldom any record of their antecedents. If they vanish after misappropriating funds, who would be responsible?, they questioned. Some viewed that this move has been taken by the authorities at the instance of political pressure. “It is a move to garnering a vote-bank by giving these Class IV employees an allurement that they would be made permanent employees of the AMC later”, they said.
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GND Hospital: A haven for drug addicts
Amritsar, September 19 The presence of silver foil papers, used by drug addicts to inhale drugs, is a clear testimony that anti-social elements regular visit the place. The silver foil paper is used to melt the smack to produce smoke that is inhaled by the drug addicts. During a visit to the place, The Tribune team found these foil papers strategically hidden in the washrooms. A silver foils is otherwise used to pack food items to keep them warm for a long time. Although the hospital had visibly placed many notices banning smoking in the vicinity of the hospital, the smokers find the place safe to flout the guidelines. Scattered empty cigarette cases and match boxes prove this. Insiders revealed that the washrooms are often used by the drug addicts. A Safai Sewak disclosed, “The use of washrooms for these purposes has become very common. Firstly, these are considered to be secluded by the anti social elements and secondly, even if a patient visits the place, while it is being used by drug addicts, he does not feel it appropriate to object.” This surely causes inconvenience to the patients and their attendants. “Though it is difficult to check activities of the vast hoard of visitors to the hospital, but still there is a need to have some check on such activities,” said Harjinder Singh, a visitor. The hospital has become a mute spectator to the illegal activity. A junior doctor on the condition of anonymity said, “Every floor of the hospital building has more than dozen washrooms. Keeping an eye on each one of them is an impossible task.” Dr Karnail Singh, Medical Superintendent, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said he would issue special instructions to security persons to keep a strict check on this. "It was not in my knowledge, as you have brought this to my notice, strict vigil would be kept from now. I would direct security persons to catch any suspicious elements roaming in the hospital," said Dr Singh.
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Lawyers still awaits state grants for new chambers
Amritsar, September 19 The delay has resulted in increase in cost of the project by more than 10 percent in the past 17 months. The advocates feel that any further delay will lead to further rise in cost. The complex with 1,050 chambers and parking space as primarily envisaged in March 2010 and with an expenditure of Rs 18 crore. However, as per the new estimate brought out by the lawyers association, the cost of building material has inflated and now the same project will cost Rs 21 crore. The lawyers said the state government has not paid any heed to their communications regarding the release of the grant. Even the efforts by the district administration to get the money released have failed. Any expenditure above Rs 2 crore is to be made by the lawyers themselves. When the project was envisaged, the advocates had submitted cheques worth Rs 10,000 each, with a promise that they would submit their share as and when asked for. However, due to the delay the duration for encashment of cheques has already expired. Presently, the lawyers have constructed their chambers in a haphazard manner. A few of the chambers are even constructed on space meant for parking and other activity. Pradeep Saini, President of Amritsar Bar Association, said, “The delay in release of the grant has increase the total cost require to build the chambers, as all the building materials have become costlier.” He urged the state government to issue the grant at the earliest so that the project is completed in time. “The lawyers are ready to pay the money but until the government issues the grant the work cannot start,” said Saini. Kuljit Singh, an advocate said, “Our chambers are not in a good shape. The new project would ease a lot of problems, including parking of the vehicles.”
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Demolition of chamber infuriates Bar assn
Amritsar, September 19 Infuriated over this, the advocates today filed a complaint with the Civil Lines police in this connection. However, no case has been registered in this connection. Pardeep Kumar Saini, president of the Bar Association alleged the administration without taking into confidence the district session judge or bar association illegally demolished the chamber last night. He alleged that the administration should have taken the Bar association into confidence before unleashing any such step. The advocates protested against the district administration’s step and alleged that the officials rebuked the lawyers at his will. They also demanded immediate action against the responsible administrative official. He said all the advocates headed by the Bar Association would observe black day tomorrow. “No body should take advocates in leisure way. We will fight till the end for our self respect and dignity,” said Saini while adding that if the police department failed to take any action against the official responsible for the demolition of chamber and abusing the advocates’ fraternity by tomorrow, they would intensify their agitation. Future course of action would be decided in next executive meeting. Meanwhile, the general house meeting regarding the problem being faced by the lawyers regarding “Samadhan Scheme”, Pardeep Saini said that association has unanimously decided to take up the issue with District and Session Judge. “We are not against the clearing of backlog of pending cases, but the procedure adopted for this is out of norms and legal jurisprudence,” said Saini. He said that the senior advocates from the association would meet district and session judge on lunch tomorrow and would urge him to do needful for resolving the issue. The Samadhan Scheme was introduced to clear the backlog of pending cases in the courts. In this scheme the pending cases are tried with fast track courts.
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Unlike most students who travel outside their city to study professional courses, their choice is not based on the status of nightlife, number of hangouts or accessibility to latest trends, but safety. But then if you come from one of the most troubled states in the world, you qualify to be different from the others.
Amritsar, September 19
Amritsar, September 19
Amritsar, September 19
Security of employees is the district administration’s prime
concern.