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Aided colleges on brink of closure
Fairer sex fares well during polling
Walled city roads cramping for space
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Mercury-based equipment to be phased out in hospitals
Two fall prey to snatchers
Four of robbers’ gang arrested
Eight booked in dowry cases
NRI girl looted
Gol bagh dries up in absence of care
NAPA raises issues concerning youth
Dilwinder Singh Dhoot (middle), chairman of NAPA, addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Saturday. Photo: vishal kumar
‘Laws are often misused’
Exhibition displays home decor from Indonesia and Thailand
Furniture from Indonesia and Thailand are on display at the exhibition in Amritsar on Saturday. photo : sameer sehgal
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Aided colleges on brink of closure
Amritsar, February 4
PK Sharma, principal, Hindu College, said his college was forced to seek loans from its management Hindu Sabha Society to foot nearly Rs 40 lakh as salary to its 92 teachers and 50 non-teaching employees per month. He said apart from the loan, they are also using nearly Rs 2.5 crore annual fee collected from about 1,600 students to meet the expenses. “The society has limited resources and it cannot continue to grant loans for a longer period,” he said. He said the caretaker government must strive to expeditiously release the grant. Harbinder Kaur, principal, Shahzadanand College, said his college had to even use the fixed deposits (FDs) to manage the salary expenses of the staff. She said there were over 50 teachers to teach about 700 students. Prof HS Walia, PCCTU general secretary, said the state government was bound to disburse grant under 95 per cent deficit grant-in-aid scheme to the aided colleges. As the grant under the said scheme is meant for the payment of salaries to the teachers and other employees, the non-payment of salaries has led to unrest among about 8,000 employees working in 136 aided colleges in the state, he added. He said the situation has led to deterioration in the academic standards in many colleges as resources meant for creating and maintaining infrastructure were being diverted for the payment of salaries. He said non-release of the grant coupled with the ban imposed on recruitments, about 50 colleges in the state and many in the city were in brink of bankruptcy. The PCCTU demanded a foolproof system to release the aid in time, which is supposed to be released on a quarterly basis.
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Fairer sex fares well during polling
Amritsar, February 4 While the voting percentage of women stood at 72.33 per cent, it was 72.15 per cent in case of male voters. Out of the total 16,41,874 voters in the entire district, as many as 72.24 per cent voted on January 30. Out of the total 11,86,018 votes polled on the election day, 7,79,014 were males and 6,22,590 were females. Total number of male and female voters in the district is 8,62,558 and 7,79,014 respectively. Interestingly out of the total 11 constituencies in the district, all urban constituencies (East, West, South, North and Central) saw less participation of women in the polling as compared to men.
In Rajasansi, the voting percentage of females stood at 82.43 per cent where as it was 82.58 per cent in case of male voters. In Amritsar North, percentage of women voters stood at 67.52 per cent whereas it was 69 per cent in case of male voters. In Amritsar West constituency, percentage of female votes stood at 56.84 per cent. Percentage of male votes in the constituency was 58.27 per cent. In Central constituency, the voting percentage of women and men stood at 67.84 and 77.55 per cent, respectively. In Amritsar East Constituency, the voting percentage of women and men were 64.62 per cent and 67.53 per cent, respectively. In West constituency, the percentage of female and male voters stood at 61.48 per cent and 65.51 per cent, respectively.
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Walled city roads cramping for space
Amritsar, February 4 The Saragarhi parking lot near the Golden Temple is the only big space available for residents. However, the place is preferred by the devotees going to paying homage at the Golden Temple and other nearby shrines. For local residents and shoppers, smaller parking lots near telephone exchange, Dharam Singh market and Kairon market are available. But these parking areas are not enough to accommodate the huge rush of vehicles. In inner city areas such as Kathia Wala Bazaar, telephone exchange chowk, Bambay Wala Khoo, Katra Bhai Sant Singh, Loon Mandi (where streets are hardly 22-25 feet wide), parking of vehicles on roadsides are rampant. Santosh Kumar, a resident, said, "A rickshaw could hardly pass if someone parks a car on these narrow streets. As most of the shopkeepers and residents park their vehicles here, the traffic chaos is a routine." The walled city areas, where most of the famous and traditional markets are located, are daily visited large number of tourists and even locals. The area has streets which are four to six feet wide. Joginder Lal, a resident said, "In case of an emergency, the fire tenders cannot enter the area. Haphazard parking makes the situation more worrisome." He said the area badly needs more multi-storied parking lots. In Hall Bazaar area, where roads are much wider and marked with a yellow line to designate space for parking, vehicles are still parked haphazardly. Hari Om Khurana, a commuter said, "Finding space for parking is always a difficult thing here. It is usually occupied by the cars of shop owners and bikes of their attendants." A visit to the most of the areas revealed that residents also are in a dire need of lessons in traffic etiquettes. Many of the haphazardly-parked vehicles cause problems to the vehicular movement. In Hall Bazaar, the parking problem exists even though the area has a number of smaller parking slots at Fish Market, Hall Gate and Saragarhi. Satnam Singh, a shopkeeper in Katra Sher Singh area, said, "People here have a habit of parking in front of the shop they would go in. Even the shopkeepers do not object as they do not want to annoy the prospective buyer." He said more parking lots, which charge nominally and ensure safety of the vehicle, is the only solution. "But these parking lots are required to be at a walking distance from the market places," he said. Same is the situation Dhab Wasti Ram market, Dal mandi and Atta Mandi, where karyana wholesalers are located. Satpal Singh, a school teacher, said, "The problem can be solved if the commercial vehicles are restricted to load/unload goods in night hours, when there is minimum traffic flow."
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Mercury-based equipment to be phased out in hospitals
The local health officials have received orders from the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) in this regard. The decision has been taken considering the harmful effects of mercury on human health and environment. Currently, hospitals use mercury-based thermometers and sphygmomanometers (for checking blood pressure). Mercury is also used in dental amalgams. As per the new instructions, the institutions have been asked to procure only digital thermometers and aneroid sphygmomanometers. Further, dentists have been advised to use glass ionomer and go in for composite tooth fillings. The corporation has also asked all hospitals to send information of the mercury-based equipment with them to the procurement branch of the PSHC to initiate a plan of replacing or phasing out the mercury-based equipment. Civil Surgeon Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa said under the new instructions, the hospital staff would also be trained in handling and accidental spill or mercury. "The mercury is required to be collected in a separate leak-proof box, which should be handed over to the firm handling bio-medical waste," said Randhawa. He said all the health centres would be asked to follow the new instructions issued by the corporation. Digital and aneroid materials cost more in comparison to mercury-based equipment. A laboratory technician said, "Though the mercury-based equipment have problems of their own, but they are highly accurate." Proper disposal of mercury in defunct and broken equipment is mandatory considering the harmful effects to the environment.
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Two fall prey to snatchers
Amritsar, February 4 Manpreet Kaur, a government teacher and a resident of Residence Colony, Verka, was targeted by the alleged snatchers when she was going to the office of Block Education Officer near old Tehsilpura on a rickshaw. The two motorcycle-borne youths came from behind and sped away after snatching her purse, which contained Rs 46,000 cash, a mobile phone, two NSCs worth Rs 5,000 and keys of the school. The police has registered a case under relevant section of the IPC in this regard. In the second incident, Harish Sharma, an advocate, was looted by three armed persons when he tried to save his tenant Beer Singh. Beer Singh, a waiter, was coming home late in the evening when he was intercepted by three unidentified armed persons. As Beer refused to hand over his belongings, the trio tried to overpower him. In the meantime, Harish came to the spot and tried to intervene. On seeing Harish, the accused attacked the advocate and Beer with sharp-edged weapons. Beer Singh sustained minor injuries in the incident. The robbers then decamped with the gold chain, Rs 2500 cash belonging to Harish and a mobile of Beer. The police registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC in this connection. Prabhjot Singh, SHO, Rambagh police station, said in first case, Manpreet Kaur could neither identify the accused nor notice the motorcycle number. "Investigations have been launched in both the cases," he said.
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Four of robbers’ gang arrested
The police recovered a car, sharp edged weapons and a rifle used for training NCC cadets. During investigations it was found that the rifle was stolen from the NCC office located near the Police Lines. One of the accused, identified as Harninder Singh, was employed as a peon at the NCC office. Those arrested are Harninder Singh, Sonu, Smatti and Manga. Sushil Kumar, SHO, Gate Hakima, said the police was informed that several armed miscreants were sitting in a car near Radha Krishan Colony, Bhagtanwala grain market, and were planning to commit a robbery. The police raided the designated spot and arrested the four. There were seven others (Nanak, Janga and five unidentified persons) of the gang who managed to escape. All are residents of Anngarh locality, infamous for drug peddling and bootlegging. The police has registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act. The arrested were produced in a court and taken on police remand. Further investigations were on, the the Station House Officer added.
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Eight booked in dowry cases
Amritsar, February 4 In the first case, the women cell of the police booked Arun Kumar, a resident of Kot Mahna Singh on Tarn Taran road, for allegedly harassing his wife Mausmi. The woman accused her husband of mentally torturing her for dowry. In yet another case, the Gate Hakima police booked three persons for allegedly torturing Raman Kumari for dowry. In her complaint to police, Raman alleged that Rahul Arora (husband), Surinder Arora (father-in-law) and Punam Arora (mother-in-law), all residents of Jawala Estate in Islamabad area, asked her bring a car and dowry. Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Railway Colony, Kot Khalsa was booked by Cantonment police for allegedly demanding dowry from his wife Pushpinder Kaur. In her complaint, Pushpinder alleged that Sukhdev, married to her in 2001, had illicit relations with another woman and was pressurising her for dowry. In another case, Civil Lines police booked Sanjiv Kumar, his father Harish and mother Tara Rani, all residents of Krishna Square, in dowry case. Nisha Arora, wife of Sanjiv, alleged the accused demanded dowry from her even as her family gave ample dowry at the time of marriage. The police registered cases under Section 498-A and 406 of the IPC against the 11 accused in respective police stations. No arrest has been made so far in these cases, said the police.
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NRI girl looted
Tarn Taran, February 4 A case under relevant section of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. The girl claimed that she had come to the town to exchange Australian dollars with Indian currency, when an unidentified youth snatched her purse containing the Australian currency. The youth managed to escape when she raised an alarm.
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Gol bagh dries up in absence of care
Amritsar, February 4 Located outside Hathi Gate, Gol Bagh is a vital green lung for the walled city. The central ground of the park has been ornamented with flowers and trees; however, the right side of the park remain unused and dry. The area where many trees could have been planted is used as a dumping ground, said Madan Lal, a resident who visits the park regularly. The prolonged discharge of waste has turned the ground into a marshy land, he added. He said the rear side of the Bagh-the portion along side Truck Wali road-is used to keep parts of under repair automobiles. Unused area of the park has become a haven for anti-social elements. Its deplorable condition belies the tall claims of the administration to keep the city clean and green. The vacant land has drawn beggars, anti-socials and rag pickers to encroach upon it. Some of them have even raised shanties inside the park. Punjab’s first Herbal Garden was opened here in 2010. But till date the garden remain out of bound to the visitors. As many as 30 different species of plants were planted, including kachnar, brahmi, amaltas, amla, vasa and kawargandal (aloe vera). Brij Mohan Kapoor of Katra Parja said he along with his friends has been coming to the park regularly for the past two decades. The visitors and the residents were happy with the setting up of the herbal park. But the park remained closed and people were unaware about the kind of medicinal plants grown here, he added. Dr Suresh Chauhan, an environmentalist, said growth of medicinal plants under a reserved area was an appreciable step. He said display boards stating the benefits of the medicinal trees must be installed in the park to enlighten the visitors. The children park in the Gol Bagh is also in a bad shape. Parents do not allow their children to visit the park as the swings and seesaws are either rickety or broken. Ashima Seth, a mother of two children, said middle and lower income group people cannot afford privately run amusement parks. They can accompany their children to park like Gol Bagh. But installations here are mostly broken and therefore no safe for children.
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NAPA raises issues concerning youth
Amritsar, February 4 Addressing a press conference here, Satnam Singh Chahal, president of NAPA, emphasised that this practice is affecting physical and mental health of the youth and is responsible for increase in robbery, theft, rape and other crimes. Dilwinder Singh Dhoot, chairman of NAPA, sought the intervention of government, social and religious organisations. “Un-employment in the state is widespread and the lack of business incentives leads to further frustration, driving young people to commit crimes. It is unfortunate that none of the major political parties, who contested in the recent Assembly elections, included this issue in their manifesto,” he said. The leaders of the NAPA travelled widely throughout Punjab and met political leaders of various parties, contesting candidates, social and religious groups. They insisted on formulating development projects in the fields of agriculture, education and industry. They also felt the need for infrastructure development and good governance in the state in order to attract foreign investment. Satnam Singh Chahal said entrepreneurs of Punjabi origin are keen to invest here but worries about security of their investment “The state of Gujarat and Haryana receive the potential investors with red carpet reception and in contrast in Punjab investors face red tapism at every stage,” he said. They also said this election is going to be an eye opener for politician of Punjab. “The way the youth had participated in large numbers and the role of technology is likely to bring some changes for better and transparent governance. The new government will have to take into consideration and fulfil the aspiration of the people,” he added.
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‘Laws are often misused’
Amritsar, February 4 The seminar “Emerging trends of Law and Social Justice’ was held at GND Bhawan auditorium and was sponsored by Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) Chandigarh. Justice Sabina, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said, “The Judges, being the custodians of the Constitution should maintain the sanctity of sensitive provisions of law like Section 304-B, Section 498-A of the IPC which are basically focused for the overall welfare of the society.” She also spoke on role of media, euthanasia, mercy killing and honor killing. Professor Ashwani K Bansal in his keynote address said, “We have to raise voice against injustice and must stand for our fundamental rights.” Prof Rajinderjit Kaur Pawar said justice has deep roots in ‘dharma’. In the Vedas, Smrities, Mahabharata and Ramayana we find kernels of justice in the name of human values. “Knowledge is a power and we are here to share it. The young generation should realise their responsibility towards society. One should know his rights and should not let anybody exploit them,” she said while pointing towards the women who generally become the soft target of the wrongdoers.
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Exhibition displays home decor from Indonesia and Thailand
Amritsar, February 4
These pieces have been brought directly from the workmen in Indonesia and Thailand, displaying fine handicrafts from remote villages of these countries,” says Vineet, co-owner of Home Studio. She visits Thailand and Indonesia annually to pick items for her shop. “We explore the interiors of these countries where there are small cottage industries and families are involved in making furniture. These products are made of wood and finished by using different techniques. We have exclusive stuff made of Water Hyacinth and Rattan (types of plants),” says Vineet. The collection has artifacts, décor lights and lamps from the exotic destinations. There are coffee tables, dining tables, wooden bowls, decorative vases and wall mirrors. The designs are urbane and the prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 80,000. After having sold products in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, they are here to offer stylish furniture to the city people. “Amritsar doesn’t have many options when it comes to designer furniture, so we are here to provide them with an option. We have received a good response in the rest of Punjab,” she added.
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Annual function held
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 4 Gradually it proceeded towards the present age of gadgets and technology. Ultimately it showed the plight of earth that how we are heading towards our own peril. The show concluded with a "peace song." The School Principal Vikram Seth encouraged all the students to take part in extra curricular activities to develop their personality. Exibition-cum-fete
An art and craft exhibition-cum-fete, titled "Srishti-a panorama of ventures and vistas', was recently held at DAV International School. The School Principal Anjana Gupta said they attempted to nurture creativity among the school students. She said the students from Pre-Nursery to Class XII took part in the exhibition. Children made paper jewellery, caps, shoes bags and many other interesting objects. The senior students displayed their brilliance while giving presentation of their models.
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The walled city areas do not have ample parking spaces for vehicles as a result of which most of the commuters park their vehicles on the roadsides thus causing traffic disruptions.
A delegation of North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), who is currently visiting Punjab, have expressed their concern over increasing use of harmful drugs and liquor by the youth of Punjab.
Addressing a press conference here, Satnam Singh Chahal, president of NAPA, emphasised that this practice is affecting physical and mental health of the youth and is responsible for increase in robbery, theft, rape and other crimes.
Amritsar, February 4
City-based entrepreneur Vineet Uppal has brought exclusive furniture and home accessories, handpicked from Indonesia and Thailand for those who love to decorate their home.
The exhibition, which shall continue till February 5, has been organised at Hotel Blue Moon. It has limited collection that includes living room furniture, wall furniture, hangings, décor pieces and outdoor furniture.
There are 10 aided colleges in the city and majority of these are going through a finacial crunch due to the non-release of funds by the government.
The rural constituencies (Ajnala, Majitha, Jandiala, Attari and Baba Bakala) with an exception of Rajasansi saw women outnumbering men in the polling. 
Amritsar, February 4
Amritsar, February 4