Jalandhar, January 3
To deal with the poll code violators, the toll-free number of the Election Commission (EC) has received only 40 calls till date.

The toll-free number was launched for the convenience of public where anybody could file election-related complaint or could apprise the election authorities about the poll code violations.

Sources said out of the 40 calls received, a majority of them were related to the illegal hoardings, posters, flags and other publicity material of political parties.

A few calls were related to delays in issuance of voter identity cards. Officials said they were filing an hourly report with the Chief Electoral Officer.

Officials at the EC’s control room said they were also receiving calls which have no concern with the election process. “The other day, we received a call and the caller was complaining about the non-functional tubewell in his locality and he was seeking solution to the problem,” an official said.

When asked why the toll-free number received only 40 calls, officials said separate control rooms have been set up in each constituency and the caller of the constituency concerned prefers to contact the nearest control room.

Officials, however, claim that immediate action had been taken on complaints received on the toll-free number. 

Amritsar, January 3
Violation of norms by cable TV operators through advertisements is going on unchecked for lack of monitoring by the Amritsar District Cable Network Monitoring Committee, constituted for the purpose.

The committee has been constituted to enforce and implement the Cable Television Network Regulation Act, 1995, has not held its meeting for the past over a year. The committee, constituted in 2009, held its last meeting on October 20, 2010.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rules mention under (No. F - 1203/1/2007 - BC - II) dated February 19, 2008, that the committee will meet once in two months to look into the complaints brought to its notice by individuals/organisations or could take a suo moto notice of the violations of the provisions of Cable TV Network Rules.

Tarksheel Society, Punjab, members handed over memorandums to the state government and district administration on January 21, 2010, demanding implementation of the Cable Television Network Act 1994.

A member of the committee Sumeet Singh, also zonal head of Tarksheel Society, said despite reminders the meeting was not organised to evaluate the programme in general and advertisement in particular being telecast on the local channels. He said the live content had a great impact on individuals as well as families and led to the development of unscientific temperament. He said viewers with minimum education, impressionable mind of children and women were most vulnerable.

He said on the behalf of Tarksheel Society, he had shot off the last communication to the district administration on October 12, 2011, for not having held a meeting for the past one year. The Society members had complained to Deputy Commissioner-cum-chairman of the Committee against "illegal advertisements" on Cable TV channels popularising superstition and occult powers on October 29, 2010 and June 6, 2011. He rued that neither any action was taken against violators nor the meeting of the Committee was held.

As per the rules the committee must have District Magistrate as its chairman, a police official, District Public Relations Officer, Principal of a Women's College, representatives of leading NGOs working for children and women welfare and a member from academicians or psychologists or sociologist nominated by the district magistrate. The nominated members will have a term of two years and they will not be eligible for re-nomination. He said as per the norms all advertisement should be clearly distinguishable from the programme and should not in any manner interfere with the programme, the use of the lower part of the screen to carry captions, static or moving alongside the programme. He claimed that all these violations were blatantly continuing while the authorities were not taking any cognisance.

As per the rules in case the complaint concerns content carried locally by cable TV network at its own level, the committee may call for footage/VCD of the programme/advertisement against which the complaint is considered. If the committee is of the view that violation has taken place, its chairman may take action as per Section 11 of the Act after issuing a show-cause notice to the network and give them an opportunity to be heard.

Sections 11 and 12 of the Cable Act authorise chairman of the committee to seize and confiscate the equipment of the cable operator for the violation of Section 5 and 6 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. 

Jalandhar, January 3
The Election Commission may set up a special polling station for Army personnel of Vajra Corps and their families for the January 30 Assembly elections at the cantonment area.

A request in this regard was forwarded by Sub Area Commander Brigadier Arup Sen a couple of days ago to District Electoral Officer Priyank Bharti. In the Bathinda Cantonment area, polling booths would be set up in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

In Jalandhar cantonment, the decision is subject to the number of voters. However, the number of voters where the regiment is situated has increased and it now has a total of 1,56,000 voters.

Talking to Jalandhar Tribune, Special Chief Electoral Officer Usha R. Sharma said: “If the need arise, we will set up a special polling station for the Army men. After all voting is the constitutional right of every individual and Army personnel should also get a chance to exercise their franchise.”

Jalandhar Cantonment returning officer Jaskiran Singh said: “Yesterday, we received 3,000 fresh voter registration forms of Army personnel and their families under the third and the final voter revision exercise. During the first revision of the voters’ list, 5,300 electors were added while in the second revision 5,700 more voters were included.”

He said in case the number of voters increases in the cantonment, auxiliary polling booths would be set up for the soldiers and their families.

Vajra Corps is situated in a peace station and has a sizeable number of Punjabi and Sikh Army personnel residing with their families who would get a chance to exercise their franchise. 

Jalandhar, January 3
Taking cognisance of a report published in these columns 'Political billboards, posters dot cantonment', the district election authorities today removed the hoardings from the Jalandhar Cantonment assembly constituency.

Returning Officer of the Jalandhar Cantonment constituency Jaskiran Singh said all hoardings and posters were removed this morning. He said the authorities had removed all billboards right from the day the poll code of conduct came into force. "In fact, we had removed all political hoardings, but people keep on sticking posters everywhere. Since morning, our teams had been working to remove the political hoardings in cantonment."

"We have issued notices to the SAD ticket aspirant from cantonment, Iqbal Singh Dhindsa, Youth Congress leader Natwar Balu, Congress, the PPP and the BSP today. The parties concerned and the candidates will have to file their replies by tomorrow," he added. 

Amritsar, January 3
Thanks to Bollywood for making turban and beard appealing for youngsters in Punjab as the reel stars donning the turbaned look have inspired the real stars to redefine some fashion statements with a turban.

Breaking the myth that turban cannot be glamorous, we have some examples in youngsters from Amritsar who are ready to rock the ramp and fashion world with their turbaned look.

With annual events like “Mr Turban” being organised in the holy city, the number of turbaned models has increased drastically, with Bollywood and fashion industry glamorising the turban. “Movies do promote Sikh characters, but they are mostly made up. There is no credibility and reality in them,” says Simranpreet Singh, a model who to his credit has the title of “Best Turban” for “Mr Singh”, two titles of “Best Physique” at “Mr Singh India and International” held in the holy city. Simranpreet, who started modelling in Class X, says, “I want to promote the Sikh culture and guys through modelling.” Now, with some high-profile print and electronic modelling assignments to his credit, Simranpreet is an example worth following.

Similarly, Karan Chhabra, another Sikh model from the city, has been in the loop for five years now. “I always dress up nicely to look good as I thought I have a point to prove that turbaned guys can look glamorous. It was like a personal mission,” he says. Having walked the ramp for Fashion Weeks along with Bollywood stars like Bipasha, Neha Dhupia et al and becoming the face of Punjab Couture Week being held in Ludhiana in January end, Karan has a way to look impeccable with his bright turbans that go along with Jodhpuris as well as casual tees. “We, too, have fashion icons in Navjot Sidhu, Vikram Chatwal and Sonny Caberwal, who is the first international Sikh model. One can experiment with the wardrobe with bright coloured turbans, tie then differently or so. ”

Back in Pollywood of the Punjabi film industry, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh started the trend with his starched white kurta teamed up with denims and bright turban. For him, casuals are chic, even with a turban. “A bright coloured, nicely tied turban adds to the style quotient and completes my look.” But before coming up with his signature style turbaned look, he shares, “The general perception was that Sardars can’t be stylish. I took it as a challenge, proved people wrong and made my style statement with turbans.” And he proved a point with movies like “Lions of Punjab” and “Jihne Mera Dil Luteya”. “I was told by my directors that my turbaned look is very popular among the youngsters, who would love to see me on the big screen,” says the singer-actor.

Rashpal Singh Baggi, president, Baba Deep Singh Federation, that organises “Mr Turban” contest every year and promotes the concept through fashion events, said, “Youth instantly attaches itself to anything glamorous these days. Bollywood has cashed in on successful Sikh lead characters with Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan donning a turbaned look in their films. So to some extent these things influence the youth. We want youngsters to understand the importance of wearing a turban and also flaunt it as a fashion accessory rather than a liability.”

Kapurthala, January 3
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has enhanced the cash carrying limit from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, applicable till the model code of conduct remains in force, but the petrol pump owners are not happy.

JP Khanna, president of the Punjab Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), said, “Owners of 2,756 petrol pumps in the state face difficulty in depositing daily cash collected with the respective branches of their banks, as daily sale of pumps is between Rs 2 and 5 lakh. Petrol pump owners and their employees carry cash even between Rs 5 to Rs 15 lakh for depositing the same with banks in case there are two or three consecutive holidays.”

Khanna said, “70 per cent of outlets are running in the outskirts of cities and the pump owners have to bring daily sale proceed to home. And in spite of showing credential of petrol station, our members face harassment at the hands of the checking parties.”

Khanna has written to the Chief Election Commissioner to issue directions to the state Election Commission to allow them to carry cash beyond Rs 2.5 lakh and not to harass dealers on production of PPDA identity card, which should be taken as a valid proof.

Khanna also sent a fax to the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu in this regard.

Punjab Special CEO Usha R Sharma said, “The ECI will take a decision regarding petrol pump owners’ request. As soon as we get any direction in this regard, the same will be conveyed to them.”

Jalandhar, January 3
District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti has issued show cause notices to three officers for not providing the lists of details of their staff in proper format for their deployment for election duties.

Jalandhar, January 3
Amidst widespread mudslinging comments like 'opportunist and defector', new entrant in the Congress camp Jagbir Singh Brar is facing opposition from the users of social network site Facebook these days.

Brar had already deactivated his 'Facebook' account following a severe opposition from net-savvy people post his joining the Congress. His 'opponents' have opened a new page -'Jagbir Brar Opportunist, Selfish' to target him.

Although it has no members as 'friends', but there are four subscriptions to it namely the leader of Opposition, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Gurinder Singh Virdi, Ajay Deep Dhoundiyal and a Punjabi newspaper. 'PTC Punjabi' has been shown as the television channel in this profile.

Talking to Jalandhar Tribune, Brar said, "This is courtesy the chief of the People's Party of Punjab, Manpreet Badal, and his brother-in-law Jojjo Johal. Ever since I joined the Congress, they indulged in mudslinging by using Facebook as a medium", he added. Unfazed by such comments, he said, "I will soon activate my account to again get in touch with my friends and supporters, who stood by me in thick and thin".

Brar said he had no time to concentrate on such comments and that he was busy meeting party workers, the sarpanches and people of villages falling in the Jalandhar Cantonment assembly seat.

To a query on whether he is sure of getting a ticket from the cantonment seat, Brar evaded a direct reply and said, "I have joined the Congress party unconditionally. Whatever decision comes from the party high command, it will be acceptable to me. I am feeling relaxed in the Congress".

When asked that in case he was not allotted the ticket from cantonment, whether he will campaign for the other candidate, he said, "Why not? Be it anybody, I have no qualms about canvassing for whosoever the party picks as the candidate," he said.

Further talking about his experience with the SAD and the PPP, he said, "Both the parties are a big family affair. While SAD is totally a 'Badal show', the PPP too became family centric. In PPP, there is no disciplinary, parliamentary and youth affairs committee. All that matters is the decisions of Manpreet Badal and his family."

Brar highlighted his contribution to the cantonment seat during his stint as MLA from SAD ticket. "I issued a grant of Rs 2 lakh to Jalandhar Cantonment Board for various development works while the issue of abolition of octroi was also pursued by me in the state as well as the union government", he added. 

Amritsar, January 3
Planning a hitchhiking trip across the country, off roading in Leh-Ladakh or backpacking in Northeast? Love the white water rafting at Rishikesh or camping in the forests of Corbett National Park? How about a trekking or exploring the virgin locations in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh? Well, for the adventure junkies, it's not a task but a holiday. And while on it, more important than the adventure is getting ready for it.

Unlike a normal holiday, adventure travel needs attention. Until you know your basics, there would always be something missing like a battery charger, an extra utility bag, a pillow or even a flash light. This is where experts come into picture.

Sensing popularity of adrenaline pumping activities and a potential market for adventure travel gear, the two multibrand stores have opened up in the city.

These stores offer international brands tried and testified in the field, giving a lesson or two to the hardcore adventure loving Punjabis about smart travelling. "The world has become a global village and more and more people are going in for adventure travelling. Since North India is becoming a big market for adventure sports and such activities, there is growing need for good travel gear. Our store offers travel accessories, from big to small, to assist in action," says Ganesh Kapoor, manager of one such store, who is a trained professional.