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Another inmate makes hospital his exit route
Increase in cost of electronic surveillance of city stalls project
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Smugglers in jail, but no barring their trade
The main gate of the Central Jail in Amritsar. photo: Sameer Sehgal
Objectionable fire safety at city hospitals, only one has NOC for fire
safety
The Fortis Hospital in Amritsar. photo: Sameer Sehgal
Supply of LPG cylinders, industrial goods
hit
3 schoolchildren qualify for national Abacus contest
City lad ready to guard country’s coastline
Pawandeep Singh, Assistant Commandant, Indian Coast Guard, with his family members. A Tribune photo
A world of design comes alive at shopping festival
Latest collections in jewellery, designer wear, footwear and accessories were a highlight at the exhibition in Amritsar. photo: sameer sehgal
Lawyers to meet on judges’ behaviour
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Another inmate makes hospital his exit route
Amritsar, December 10 Yet again, taking advantage of the alleged leniency on part of three jail escort guards, another jail inmate Vijay Kumar, dodged them and fled from the hospital. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The incident came to light today when the three policemen who were on duty then also fled. They have been put under suspension for being negligent in performing their duties. This is the second such incident over the past one month. According to jail authorities, Vijay (50), a resident of Sultanwind, was serving sentence under Section 302, had developed some respiratory problem. Dr Manjit Singh, jail doctor, said Vijay was a heart patient and was referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital four months back. The three guards-Harjinder Singh, Parvesh Kumar and Rajinder Kumar were deputed to keep an eye on him. Jail Deputy Superintendent Baljinder Singh Gill said the inmate was sent to jail on February 9. The three guards too are absconding from the hospital since this morning. A case has been registered with the Majitha police post. It is likely that the guards are on the lookout for the culprit,” he claimed. Absconding jailbirds
On November 15, Major Singh, an undertrial, booked in a case of culpable homicide in 2009, gave the police a slip while on his way back after a court hearing. On March 19, another undertrial Happy, a resident of Tung Bala locality of the city, gave the guards a slip at the district courts complex where he was to be presented before the judge. He was awaiting trial after being booked in a case of chain snatching in 2008. On December 10, 2010, an Afghan prisoner Shahjahan, who was serving sentence under drugs and narcotics offence and on August 30, 2010, dodged four guards and fled from Guru Nanak Dev hospital A Pakistani inmate Niyamat Ali, escaped from the custody of jail personnel from the same hospital. Official speak The inmate was sent to jail on February 9. The three guards too are absconding from the hospital since this morning. A case has been registered with the Majitha police post. It is likely that the guards are on the lookout for the culprit — Baljinder Singh Gill, Deputy Superintendent, Amritsar Central Jail
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Increase in cost of electronic surveillance of city stalls project
Amritsar, December 10
A first in Punjab, the project, aimed to check crime and traffic violations in the holy city, was supposed to be completed by the year end. However, it could not materialise first owing to the model code of conduct imposed before the SGPC elections and now due to some 'technical reasons'. Now, with the Assembly elections round the corner and the model code of conduct may be imposed sometime later this month or early next month, further delaying the project. Under the intelligent city surveillance project, state-of-the-art close circuit cameras were to be installed at various important locations and intersections in the city to keep a close vigil on anti-social elements as well as traffic violations. The police department had identified key points in the city where these cameras were proposed to be installed. As many as 175 highly sophisticated cameras, including 100 fixed cameras, were to be installed under the project. The high-resolution day and night cameras are proposed to be connected with the centralised control room established at C-Division through dedicated broadband lines. Besides, providing top surveillance that will help check crime, it will also help in better traffic management. "We have completed our share of the work, including conducting a survey and submitted the report to Improvement Trust. Now they will be looking into the matter," said Police Commissioner, RP Mittal. The project delayed due to some technicalities involved in the project, he added. Sanjiv Khanna, chairman, Amritsar Improvement Trust, said the new survey conducted by the police has found that the input cost of the project needs to be increased. He said earlier there were only 35 installation points which have now increased to 52 points. The number of cameras have thus increased. He said the project cost has increased, including all the taxes, surcharge besides three year annual maintenance cost levied on it. He said earlier the high-resolution and fixed cameras were to be connected with centralised control room through dedicated broadband lines which means Rs 50 lakh annual expenditure to be incurred by the police department. The police department expressed their inability to incur the annual loss therefore we have now planned to lay wireless system. "We have all the money for the project with us but the ball is in the court of Punjab government to finalise the name of the company Telecommunications Consultants Indian Ltd (TCIL) or the private company, which had earlier given the presentation for the execution of the project," said Khanna. Official speak A new survey conducted by the police has found that the input cost of the project needs to be increased. He said earlier there were only 35 installation points which have now increased to 52 points. The number of cameras have thus increased — Sanjeev Khanna, Chairman, Amritsar Improvement Trust
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Smugglers in jail, but no barring their trade
Amritsar, December 10 With reports of seizures of mobile SIM cards and cell phones from jail inmates coming from time to time, the jail authorities it seems were finding it difficult to control the menace. Recent reports of use of mobile connections from Dubai and other middle-east countries by smugglers has baffled many agencies who were working hard to control the menace of smuggling of drugs. Highly-placed sources in State Special Operation Cell, Counter Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police, said the smugglers in jails were using mobile connections of Dubai and middle-east countries as their signals could not be traced through Indian network. “As their signals could not be traced through Indian networks, they (smugglers) continue their illegal drug trade without any hassle,” said sources. The connections are managed by their bosses based in those countries. “Though we have not seized any such SIM card or mobile phone, we have confirmed reports that Arab countries mobiles are being used for smuggling activities,” the sources said. India has emerged as a major transit point for smuggling of drugs from Afghanistan, Pakistan to different European countries. Rashpal Singh, Superintendent, Central Jail, admitting that mobiles phones or Sim cards were seized from time to time by alert jail authorities. “If I receive any specific information from the authorities concerned, I will definitely take strict action in this regard,” he said. He said the jail authorities have sent a proposal to the state government for installing mobile jammers, but nothing has been done so far.
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Objectionable fire safety at city hospitals, only one has NOC for fire
safety
Amritsar, December 10 What may be shocking for many is the fact that only one hospital in city adheres to the fire safety norms and thus has the requisite NOC from the fire department. Yes the lone hospital in city is Fortis Escorts. The remaining hospitals and clinics are happily minting money at the cost of the safety of the patients hoping of being taken care of. Most of the private hospitals as well as government run institutes bank on the fire extinguishers, which can control a fire only at the preliminary stage. The government hospitals do have hydrants but most of them are outdated. Most of the private hospitals function from multi-storey buildings in residential areas and these buildings don’t even follow building bylaws. There is no provision of an emergency exit in these buildings and if fire breaks out in the lower floors it will turn out to be death trap for the patients undergoing treatment in these hospitals. Even the areas where some of these private hospitals are situated are congested and it may not be an easy job for the fire tenders to reach there in case of any untoward incident. Moreover, the hospital staff needs to conduct mock drills to check fire safety equipment they have, but the hospitals fail on this front too. For those quick to put the blame on the fire department consider this. When the department authorities go out to check if the fire safety norms are being followed, use of political influence comes into play. As a fire department employee puts it, “The Fire Office is toothless. Sometimes when we go to conduct inspections; we are handed over a mobile phone with an MLA or some political bigwig on the other side. In this scenario we have failed to inspect the buildings. These days everyone knows an MLA or two and we are threatened of transfers.” Chief Fire Officer, Amritsar, Tarlochan Singh, said as per the fire safety norms all kinds of buildings are required to acquire a fire safety certificate from the Fire Office. He said only one city hospital adheres to all the relevant norms so far. As per the law all buildings are required to follow the fire safety measures listed in the Chapter four of the National Buildings Code. The smoke detectors, fire alarms, water hydrants, water sprinklers, wide approach roads and mock drills at regular intervals are few of the things that the hospitals are required to do, Singh said. Dr Avtar Singh of Amandeep Hospital said, “It is for the authorities to tell the hospitals that fire safety certificates are required. Before Kolkata mishap I never knew that a NOC is required.” He added that the Fire Officers have never visited the hospital for any inspection. He claimed his hospital has water outlets on each of the floors along with fire extinguishers. Check list
Smoke detectors Fire alarms Water hydrants Water sprinklers Wide approach roads Mock drills at regular intervals Official speak Fire safety norms stipulate that all types of buildings are required to obtain fire safety certificate from the Fire Office. Only one city hospital adheres to all the relevant norms so far — Tarlochan Singh, Chief fire officer, AmritsarThe Fire Office is toothless. Sometimes when we go to conduct inspections, we are handed over a mobile phone with an MLA or some political bigwig on the other end. In this scenario we do not inspect the buildings. These days everyone knows an MLA or two and we are threatened of transfers Employee, Fire Department
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Supply of LPG cylinders, industrial goods
hit
Amritsar, December 10 Supply of other industrial goods was also hit due to the blockade. It is learnt that many LPG-cylinder laden trucks were caught in the blockade. A gas agency dealer Desh Bhagat, with area of delivery being in and around Islamabad, said six of its supply trucks got stranded in the blockade. Due to shortage of gas cylinders, residents faced trouble refilling. Elaborating reason for the delay in delivery of stocks, Assistant Food and Supplies Officer, Raminder Singh Baath, said the supply trucks could not be diverted to another route as they follow a route plan. He said under a sophisticated system all these trucks supplying highly sensitive material were tracked and were to follow a selected route plan. Meanwhile, also feeling the heat, Raj Pal Mahajan, president, Iron and Steel Merchant Association, said all orders for getting iron rods, building material and other material from Gobindgarh could not be delivered. Shawl Club of India president PL Seth said Punjab being a border state relied heavily for delivery of material and getting them from road and train networks from other parts of the country. He said the market was already reeling under losses due to late arrival of harsh winter. He said the little orders they got could not be delivered on time. The Textile industry was heavily dependent on raw material from other states in the country. Materials, like woolen worsted yarn, synthetic, staple viscose yarn, were procured from Kolkata, Raipur (MP), Banswada (Rajasthan) and Ludhiana.
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3 schoolchildren qualify for national Abacus contest
Amritsar, December 10 Head of Brawny Brains team Gurdeep Kaur said the SIP Abacus and Brain Gym programme aimed at brain development, which combined the eastern method of learning the Abacus system with the Western science of Brain Gym. Tarunjit Kumar of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School bagged the first runners up trophy in level six. He was among 12 students from various city schools who took part in the national-level contest led by Gurdeep Kaur. Shubneet Kaur of the same school won the third runners up position in level 8 and Jeev Basan Singh of Spring Dale Senior School got the second runner up place in level 8. Gurdeep Kaur said the students solved 120 multiplication sums in three minutes.
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City lad ready to guard country’s coastline
Amritsar, December 10 Through newspapers, magazines and the internet he found out about the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), which became known following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. He got selected for the post of Assistant Commandant in the ICG under the Short Service Commission in June. After undergoing a five-month Naval Orientation Course, he returned from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Kerala). He was among the nine CPL holders who were selected from across the country and the only youngster from the city to have been selected for the challenging profession. His duty will be to safeguard the Indian coast, important installations, to check the entry of enemies ships, terrorist boats and pirates by the air surveillance. At INA, Ezhimala, he got trained in swimming, physical fitness, outdoor training, small arms firing INSAS, Carbines, LMG, MMG, HMG, and service subjects related to the department. Pawandeep was all smiles and focused on his new assignment to fly above 25,000 feet during his five-month flying specialisation course in Bangalore and Daman and Diu starting later this month. He will undertake this course in the advanced Dornier class of aircraft. He said renewed interst of the government, media and countrymen at guarding the porous coastline of the country had got the ICG plenty of sophisticated world class technology and equipment, including Q400 transport aircraft from the USA. He said it will be a thrilling experience to guard the country’s coastline while exposure to latest gadgets.
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A world of design comes alive at shopping festival
Amritsar, December 10 The collections included festive wear, bridal trousseau and casual winter wear. Sharp-cut dresses, tunics in woollens and bandhgala jackets in velvet and silk form the highlight of the season. Pashmina shawls, dori marodi and Kashmiri embroidery duppatas also stood out. Accessories on display included designer bags and footwear, along with some add-ons like scarfs and ponchos. The highlight was the jewellery, both imitation and silver. The rising gold prices have made silver jewellery latest in demand. The exhibition has four to five big designer jewellery brands displaying the best in sterling silver and pure silver. “Silver is a soft metal and can be blended easily with precious stones to make interesting and designer pieces,” says Radhika Khanna, designer with her own label of silver jewellery. Innovative and high on fashion quotient, these silver jewellery pieces promise to make a simple outfit look glamourous. Peacock patterns are popular, with polka, kundan and meenakari works whereas antique look pieces make for the royal look, she said. “Silver jewellery is evergreen and can be easily maintained. It is cheaper than gold and diamond jewellery. Recent trends show that it’s going to one of the must haves in fashion circles,” says Renu Aggarwal from Delhi who presented her collection comprising silver bangles and cocktail rings encrusted with rubies and emeralds, Rajasthani Thewa art jewellery and floral patterns. You can own a piece for anything between Rs 1,000 and 6,000. A part of the exhibition was dedicated to children with tattoos, sketching, fun rides and balloon art. There is also a small 3D space created for them and do some snacking as well. Paint ball and shooting gun are two most popular with the kids.
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Lawyers to meet on judges’ behaviour
Amritsar, December 10 In a statement issued today, the Amritsar Bar Association has termed the behaviour of the judges as “rude”. Bar Association president Pradeep Kumar Saini said, “The bar is regularly receives complaints from advocates regarding the behaviour of the judges.” He said because of the growing resentment among the lawyers a general body meeting has been called on Monday so that a consensus regarding the future course of action cane be reached. Saini said, “The bar is also mulling the idea of filing a complaint with the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.”
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Guru Nanak Dev Hospital seems to have become not only the favourite but the most convenient route for inmates to escape from Amritsar Central jail.
With the state government sitting on a proposal of installing mobile signal jammers in various jails in Punjab, the notorious smugglers lodged in the high-security Amritsar Central Jail continue to do their illegal trade through phones without any problem.
With reports of seizures of mobile SIM cards and cell phones from jail inmates coming from time to time, the jail authorities it seems were finding it difficult to control the menace.
As many as 80 patients admitted to the AMRI hospital in Kolkata, with the hope of getting a new lease of life, choked to death instead. The culprit was a compromise by the hospital authorities on the critical fire safety norms. For those who might make the mistake of thinking that the religious centre of Punjab has nothing to worry about, are making the mistake of another compromise on their own safety as well as that of their loved ones.
The childhood dream of city lad Pawandeep Singh was to fly high for the country, a dream he could not realise even after having successfully acquiring a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) from India as well as the Federal Aviation of America (FAA), USA.
Golden Tulip was the venue of the two-day annual exhibition bringing an array of designer wear, footwear, jewellery and home furnishing for residents. Prominent among designer labels included a celebrated designer from
Bollywood, Rocky S.
