Amritsar, March 30
Fearing an increase in the collector rates from April 1, residents today made a beeline to tehsildar's offices to get their properties registered at present rates.

Presently, buyers have to pay a stamp duty of 8 per cent in MC areas and 5 per cent in outside city limits. Women buyers are have to pay one per cent less duty in comparison to male buyers.

The sources in the administration said collector rates for different areas would be increased by 15 to 20 per cent. "That is the reason why most of the buyers thronged the tehsildar offices today. Obviously everybody wants to save an extra fee," said an employee at an office.

With the rush to deposit the stamp duty increasing in banks, applicants felt the heat in getting the property deed registered.

Kamal Kishore Aggarwal, president, Focal Point Industries Association, said, "A token system could have been introduced in view of the huge rush." "Buying a property is very costly these days. A further hike in the collector rates will mean paying more on stamp duty. Everybody wants to get the job done before the new rates come into effect," said Satwant Singh, a buyer.

Amritsar, March 30
Gharinda Police has booked Balwinder Singh, the sarpanch of Kaonke village, for allegedly ransacking the Block Development Office, Attari, misbehaving with the staff members and decamping with a laptop from the office.

The complaint was lodged by Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Attari. A case under Sections 380, 353, 427, 506, 186, 34 IPC has been registered at Gharinda police station against Balwinder and five of his yet to be identified accomplices. The accused is absconding since the registration of the case.

Sikander Singh, SHO Gharinda police station, said the accused had gone to the office regarding a grant issued to the gram panchayat of Kaonke village.

An altercation erupted between the staff members and the sarpanch who then broke the chairs and windowpanes of the office," he said.

In his complaint, Gurmeet Chahal alleged that the accused misbehaved and abused the staff members besides threatening them of dire consequences. The accused also took away a laptop from the office.

Sikander said investigations have been launched after recording the statements of the office staff. He said raids were being conducted to nab the culprits.

It is pertinent to mention here that the police had allegedly opened fire in order to disperse the mob, which had gathered at a gurdwara on Tibri Road, Gurdaspur. Meanwhile, quick response teams were stationed at various points and chowks in the city to thwart any untoward incident.

Police Commissioner RP Mittal said the police teams have been deputed in view of Navratra festival and it has nothing to do the yesterday's incident.

Amritsar, March 30
Punjab Minister for Tourism and Culture Sarwan Singh Phillaur today directed the officials of the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) to expedite conservation work on various tourism projects in the city.

He took stock of various projects for the promotion of tourism in the region. Almost all projects are running behind schedule.

Accepting delay in commissioning of these projects, he said conservation is a delicate and tardy process. He said the government aims at offering original historic account to the visitors. He said expert conservationists were piecing together scattered original details and recreating them to offer a true picture of the past.

He visited the heritage village at Guru Nanak Dev University, Gobindgarh fort, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Summer Palace in Ram Bagh.

He said it would take a year for the completion of heritage village. It would showcase the Punjabi rural culture to tourists visiting the holy city from the rest of the country and abroad. Located en-route Attari-Wagah joint checkpost, the heritage village would be a treat for over 15,000 visitors daily.

He said the Gobindgarh Fort would show three periods of Punjab history. These periods are Sikh Misls, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign and the British Raj. He said a part of Gobindgarh Fort will be opened for the public by March 2013.

He said the department would solve the connectivity problem from the city to Pull Kanjari, the only conservation project that has been completed.

Tourism Secretary Geetika Kalha said concerted efforts with the help of various departments were being made to create tourist-friendly atmosphere. She said officials of Punjab Police and PHTPB besides rickshaw pullers have been selected for a training to handle tourists.

Besides, a coordination committee, consisting of PHTPB and Municipal Corporation employees, has been formed to ensure dirt and garbage-free roads. She said conservation and development work at Town Hall would begin soon as the government has won the case in the court. 

Amritsar, March 30
Continuing their protest against the management, executive committee members of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers' Association (GNDUTA) decided to hold two-hour sit-in protest in front of the Vice Chancellor office from April 2. The executive committee took this decision after taking out a march on the third day of the protest today.

The GNDUTA committee unanimously agreed to resume the dharna, which was suspended on October 21 last following written assurances given by Vice Chancellor AS Brar, said the members.

The protesting teachers alleged that the VC did not honour the promises. This time, they said, the struggle would be more intensive. However, they expressed their willingness to talk to anybody who is ready to discuss the issues with an open and pragmatic mind.

Amritsar, March 30
The zila parishad passed its budget for 2012-13 at a meeting here today. Earlier on March 21, members of the parishad had refused to pass the budget when it was presented in the house.

The parishad gave its sanction to development projects worth Rs 44.03 crore during the year. Zila parishad chairman Rajinder Kumar Jaintipur said it is estimated that the parishad would make an income of Rs 43.84 crore during the year.

The budget was presented by deputy chief executive officer Sucha Singh Nagra.

The members presented their views on the budget after which it was unanimously passed. Later, budgets of various panchayat samitis were also discussed and passed by the house.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Amit Dhakha and various other officials besides elected members of the zila parishad and block samitis were present in the meeting.

On March 21, zila parishad members raised objections over the procedure claiming the administration was not giving due weightage to the elected representatives of the public.

Amritsar, March 30
Continuing the drive, the House Tax department of the Municipal Corporation realised Rs 58 lakh from defaulters and sealed two buildings at Hussianpura Chowk and Mehta Road.

A team headed by Sushant Bhatia, Superintendent, House Tax, sealed a three-storey building at Hussainpura Chowk. The building owner had failed to pay Rs 5 lakhs to the department since 2002, he said.

The house tax recovery team also raided 28 liqour vends in different parts of the city. As many as 24 vends paid the tax on the spot, two vends were locked. Meanwhile, the raiding squad also raided properties on Maqbool Road and Circular Road.