|
|
|
|
Posters still galore in city
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
22 candidates file papers in
dist
Tarun Chug, BJP candidate, along with his supporters on his way to file nomination papers in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Special cover on Retreat ceremony released at philatelic exhibition
A special cover of the Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border being released at a philatelic exhibition at the SG Thakar Singh Art Gallery in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
Constituency Watch:
Amritsar West
Children walk on specially-laid bricks on the middle of a sewer-ridden street in Chetuana area in Amritsar (West) constituency. Tribune Photo: Vishal kumar
Two arrested with 1 kg heroin
|
|
Posters still galore in city
Amritsar, January 10 Appealing to the public to “vote for the SAD-BJP” these huge hoardings, bearing the pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, BJP president Nitin Gadhkari and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal were placed on the rooftop of a bus shelter on the GT Road, just opposite Khalsa College. These hoardings (around 14-foot long) and another two at least 6-foot wide are sheer violation of the elections code of conduct. Another big hoarding bearing the picture of CM Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir about 119 Saanjh Kendras has been placed on the walls of another bus stop at Chheharta Chowk. A similar kind of hoardings found placed on a big unipole, located just adjacent to Khalsa Senior Secondary School, bragging about Adarsh and Model schools. Two more places of defacement by political hoardings are the light point on the GT Road leading towards Putlighar and Tourism Office in the Railway Station complex. A huge hoarding with similar faces claimes about doing yeomen service of recruiting over 70,000 teachers in the past five years and the one more on the unipole near the Tourism Office boasts of “restoring rich cultural heritage by building Viraasat-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib. Another glaring violation of the poll code, which cannot be ignored, is that these posters have no mention of the printer and publisher, as has been made mandatory by the Election Commission. Though, the officials stated that an action could still be taken against the political person who has projected himself on the posters or hoardings, but “who will bell the cat?” is the question which, apparently, haunts the officials. The poll code sternly demands that no political poster can be pasted on any government or public property or even on private property without the prior permission from the district electoral office, yet these hoardings and posters in various parts of the city have been erected making mockery of the system. More posters can be seen at Indira Colony, Gulmohar Avenue, Diamond Avenue, Green Field and interiors of the walled city areas. When District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal was apprised of the violation, he said, “The pasting of any political poster on public places like those on the bus shelters or on the roadside is a violation of the elections code of conduct. But the ones pasted on the unipoles will have to be checked whether they are on government property or has been let out to private parties. But still, no poster can be pasted on the private property without the prior permission of the district election office, because every type of advertisement is accountable. Even if there is no mention of printer/publisher name on the poster, it itself is a gross violation and demands immediate action. I will personally intervene in the matter to remove them.
|
|
22 candidates file papers in
dist
Amritsar, January 10 Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu filed her nomination papers from the Amritsar (East) constituency along with her husband MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mayor Shawait Malik and Improvement Trust Chairman Sanjeev Khanna. All rode to the District Development and Panchayat Office on bicycles. Even at their residence on the Mall Road, only a few supporters were present. Navjot Kaur Sidhu said they had made all efforts not to trouble the general public. She said as the Returning Officer’s office was very near to their home, she had chosen to ride a bicycle to the place. However, they chose to ride in cars instead of bicycles on their way back after filing the papers. Meanwhile, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, too, refrained from bringing a vehicle cavalcade to the Town Hall building, where he submitted his papers for his candidature for the Amritsar (South) constituency. Bolaria and his supporters came in two cars, which they parked outside the Town Hall building. The BJP candidate from the Amritsar (Central) constituency, Tarun Chugh, came to the Dharam Singh market, where he was to submit his papers, on foot along with his around 60 supporters. Returning Officer Municipal Commissioner Dharam Pal Gupta’s office has been set up at the market presently. As all these candidates were out filing their nominations, the general public heaved a sigh of relief as these affairs did not cause a traffic disruption. A CPI candidate, Baldev Singh, too, filed his nomination papers from the Amritsar (East) constituency. The city residents said the Election Commission by issuing instructions for ban on processions had offered a big respite to the general public. “It is good that politicians have chosen to keep their nomination filing activity as a low-key affair,” said Rajinder Kumar, a resident. In total, 22 candidates from different constituencies of Amritsar district filed their nominations today.
|
|
Special cover on Retreat ceremony released at philatelic exhibition
Amritsar, January 10 The exhibition, which is an annual feature in Postal Department’s promotional itinerary, had over 35 frames, accompanied by the history of these stamps, displayed. “The exhibition is an effort to promote and spread awareness about the special stamps issued by the Postal Department over the years among public. There was an on-the-spot competition for school students visiting the exhibition as well,” informed Nitish Kashyap, Inspector, Post Office, Amritsar, who is also the co-coordinator of the exhibition. The highlight of the event was the release of a special cover on the Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. “Every year we release a special cover and this time it was the Retreat ceremony, which is a major political and tourist attraction in Amritsar,” said Nitish. Also present for the inauguration was Second-in-Command of 65 BSF Battalion Sushil Negi. In the exhibition, there are stamps as old as of pre-independence era, some special editions stamps, stamps commemorating Jallianwala Bagh, Golden Temple and famous personalities from the country. But the exhibition was not just another collectors’ convention. “Philately is an interesting and educative activity, which fascinates both young and the old. It throws light on a country’s culture heritage and new developments in the field of art. The collection of stamps educates people about history, culture, art and also development in various important areas. Every stamp collector displays stamps based on a theme, like stamps on freedom fighters, commemorative stamps, stamps marking anniversaries of famous personalities and so. Along with the stamps, their history and literature is also provided to the visitors,” says Nitish. There was also very attractive display of stamps on foreign cartoons and silver coins with special covers. On the concluding day of the exhibition, a jury would decide the best collection on display and prominent stamps displayed at the exhibition.
|
|
Constituency Watch:
Amritsar West PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 10 The constituency has a huge problem of drug addiction and drug peddling. And all the departments concerned have miserably failed to stem the crisis. Rising unemployment amidst negligible industry has increased the problem manifold. Residents of these areas have always complained of government apathy. With about 85 per cent of industry shifting out, a large number of the people were rendered jobless. They were forced to do petty and menial jobs. During the turbulence period in Punjab when the terrorism was at its peak, this industrial hub suffered a big jolt as majority of the units including textile, paint, pharmaceutical shifted to other parts of state or out of Punjab. And the representatives of the constituency failed to take any step for its revival in the last three decades. The efforts to set up special economic zone (SEZ), which could have been a boon for the sagging industry, hit a roadblock due to alleged political favouritism and it is now next to impossible to revive this industry without special package. With the lack of basic infrastructure, no multinational or big group prefers to invest in the border city. Piles of the garbage and overflowing sewer in historic villages of Guru Ki Wadali, Ghannupur Kale and Chetuwani speak volumes about the hollow claims of development of various political leaders. Most of the rural belt areas falling in the constituency have earned a bad name due to rampant drug abuse and peddling. No major steps have been initiated to take the youth away from this menace. The reason for the sorry state of affairs was that in the absence of employment, major chunk of youth took to drugs and other unlawful activities. No thought was spared to generate employment opportunities here. Fact File
Youth dissatisfied
|
|
Rajkumar Verka: Congress What are the major issues facing your constituency?
The constituency is riddled with many problems due to absence of development works in the last five years. Thanks to the SAD-BJP government that did not issue any funds for the developments projects in the area as it was represented by Congress MLA Om Parkash Soni. Therefore, development work including laying of sewerage system, implementation of social welfare schemes besides revival of sagging industry in the constituency, suffered. Rural belt of this constituency is facing the problem of faulty sewerage system due to which sewer overflows on to the roads making life hell for residents. My foremost endeavour would be to remove their grievances as soon as possible. Curbing the drug menace and generating employment for the youth will also be my top priority. What is your poll plank? As I said earlier, residents here are fed up of the hollow claims of the SAD-BJP government. If I get a chance to represent this constituency, I would do my utmost to live up to the expectations of residents of the constituency. As the area remained neglected during the SAD-BJP regime, my aim would be to initiate a number of development projects in the area. What are your poll promises? I will bring major projects for the revival of the industry, which is on its death bed due to the wrong policies of the state government. Curbing the drug menace is also my main concern. To end this problem I will try to bring in employment opportunities for the youth. I will try to bring in projects for laying proper sewerage system especially in the rural belt of this constituency having historical importance. What makes you better than other candidates? I have vast experience in politics besides having very good connections in the Central Government. Therefore, I can impress upon the Central Government for initiating various development works exclusively for this constituency and special package for the revival of the industry. What are your chances of winning? 100 per cent. I have the support of my party colleagues and former MLA from the constituency who have good repo with the people at the ground level. People know that I have delivered in the past also and will leave no stone unturned (for the development of the constituency) in future also. Rakesh Gill: BJP
What are the major issues facing your constituency? Sulking industry, lack of proper sewerage system in the rural belt of the constituency and acute drug addiction are the major problems being faced by the inhabitants of the area. Various slum areas also remained undeveloped during the tenure of Congress MLA. What is your poll plank? Development is my only poll plank in these ensuing elections. The SAD-BJP government has initiated major projects in the state and in the city as well. Ending the drug menace would also remain on my priority list. What are your poll promises? I will bring projects for the revival of the industry besides taking up the issue of drug addiction with the government and launch rehabilitation programmes for addicted youths. Generating employment opportunities for the youth will also be my endeavour if voted to power. What makes you better than other candidates? I remained a councillor for two times. Despite the fact I belong to SC community, I fought of general seats and won the elections. I am attached to the people at the ground level. I have good rapport with the people which would help me in winning the election. What are your chances of winning? I have 100 per cent chances of winning the elections as I am sure the SAD-BJP government would again come to power in Punjab. Amarjit Singh Asal: CPM (Sanjha Morcha)
What are the major issues facing your constituency? This was a major industrial hub of the state and country, which was badly hit during terrorism. Wrong policies of the state government towards the Amritsar-based industry also harmed all the prospects of its revival. Sagging industry has led to other problems like unemployment and drug addiction. Therefore, revival of the industry, drug addiction, unemployment, faulty or lack of sewerage system, lack of safe drinking water in densely populated areas, lack of proper health facilities are the major issue concerning this constituency. The people here are dying in absence of proper health facilities in the government hospitals. This also has emerged as the major issue. What is your poll plank? I connect with the people to the core and I understand their problems very minutely. My main objective is to solve every problem being faced by people. What are your poll promises? I will try to establish a government college for boys, provide border zone facility to the sagging industry for its revival and come up with a strict administration to control drug addiction. I will also try to provide free medicines at the government hospitals as poor people cannot afford expensive treatment at private hospitals. And in the absence of medicines, the government hospitals are of no use. What makes you better than other candidates? As I said I connect to people at grass root level. Both my rival candidates are outsiders who even do not know the exact problems being faced by the people living in the constituency and their past records say it all. They don't have any agenda. What are your chances of winning? It's the people who will decide. But this time I can say we have better chances as the Elections Commission has tightened the noose around political leaders, who could use unethical means to win the elections.
‘Bring back industry’
About 85 per cent of the industrial units, including textile, paint and pharmaceutical, have shifted to Ludhiana, Panipat or Delhi. The government has failed to take any remedial measures for its revival. The industry does not require a mere lip service from the government, but a concrete policy. The indifferent attitude of the government has almost killed the small-scale industry which was main backbone of the city's and state's economy. These politicians lack vision for the development of the area~ — Brij Bedi, an industrialist and a noted social worker
— Bhupinder Singh Mann, an agriculturist
— Dr Tarsem Singh, a physician
— Joginder Kaur, a senior citizen
But nobody has bothered about us — Sawinder Kaur, a shopkeeper
— Ravinder Singh, a shopkeeper and senior citizen
|
|
Two arrested with 1 kg heroin
Amritsar, January 10 Preliminary investigations revealed that the contraband was a part of a bigger consignment, which was smuggled from Pakistan by some notorious smugglers a few days back. A case under Sections 21, 25, 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered. Acting on a tip-off, a specially constituted police party, under the supervision of Surjit Singh, Assistant Inspector General, Counter Intelligence, apprehended the duo from Canal Bridge, Bohru, on the Amritsar-Jhabal road, when they were going to deliver the consignment of heroin on a motorcycle.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Dr Navjot Kaur
Sidhu, Inderbir Singh Bolaria among them
Amritsar, January 10
Conditions are worse in Guru Ki Wadali, which is the birth place of Guru Hargobind. The road leading to the historic gurdwara of the Guru lies inundated with sewage and garbage, which come from the nearby pond and open drains. Our repeated appeals have fallen in deaf ears. The basic reason for this is the faulty sewerage system in the area~
The sewer-ridden roads have ruined our work. It becomes very difficult to visit a patient. Aged residents often fall due to slippery and mud filled roads. Nobody from previous governments has paid any heed to our problem. The area has been neglected even though the deputy mayor belongs to this rural area of Guru Ki
Wadali
Dirty water from open drains enters our homes making our lives miserable. Our house smells like drains now. Nobody listen to grievances of poor people like
us
Our life becomes hell during the monsoons. Because of mud and sewer on the roads, no customer visit our shops.
We live in dirt in the absence of proper sewerage disposal system. It is the common man who suffers due to lack of basic amenities and bumpy
roads. — Lalli, a worker
The government-run Satellite hospital is located in the pond and surrounded by garbage dump. A primary and secondary school is situated nearby. Consecutive governments have failed to solve this problem. During rains all the dirty water from pond over flow to roads and
hospital