J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Cong leaders stand by ‘polluting’ hotel 
Amritsar, April 19
Congress leaders, led by Jasbir Singh Dimpa, today did not allow PSPCL employees to disconnect the electricity connection of a hotel owned by Rinku Narula, who had shifted loyalty from the SAD to the Congress during the assembly elections. The PSPCL staff had come to snap the connection on the instructions of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, which had decided to take action against the hotel for flouting pollution norms.

Narcotics worth Rs 23 cr incinerated
Jalandhar, April 19
Over 18 quintals of narcotics - poppy husk, heroin and charas worth over Rs 23 crore - were destroyed in a scientific and non-polluting way by the Nawanshahar police in an incinerator of the Taunsa-based Ranbaxy factory today. The Punjab Police was planning to install its own incinerators for disposing of narcotics in a scientific way.

Cong leaders stand by ‘polluting’ hotel 
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 19
Congress leaders, led by Jasbir Singh Dimpa, today did not allow PSPCL employees to disconnect the electricity connection of a hotel owned by Rinku Narula, who had shifted loyalty from the SAD to the Congress during the assembly elections.

Congress workers protest against the PSPCL and the state government in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

The PSPCL staff had come to snap the connection on the instructions of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, which had decided to take action against the hotel for flouting pollution norms.

Dimpa alleged that the step was taken at the behest of local SAD MLA. The Congress leaders held a protest following the events.

Rinku Narula said no notice was issued to him. He alleged that the PSPCL employees who arrived to snap the connection asked him to call the said Akali leader.

Kuldeep Singh, Executive Engineer, PPCB, refuted the allegations of Congress leaders and said the hotel is not alone to be penalised for not complying with the set norms of the PPCB. There are six to seven other industrial units which have been punished for the same.

“The board officials conducted a raid at the hotel about a fortnight ago during which sewer samples were taken. These samples failed the tests. We served a notice on the hotel,” he said.

During a hearing on Wednesday, in which the owner of the hotel had also appeared, the board decided to shut down his hotel as he failed to give any satisfactory reply on not complying with the norms, said Kuldeep Singh.

Paramjit Kumar, Additional Superintendent Engineer, said they were following the orders of the Chief Engineer after PPCB instructed to snap the power connection of the hotel. He said Congress workers abused the PSPCL officials and obstructed the officials in performing their duties.

“We have reported the matter to the Chief Engineer in this regard,” said Paramjit.

Jasbir Singh Dimpa alleged that the state government is pursuing vendetta politics.

“Rinku is being targeted as he supported me and the Congress party during the Assembly elections,” said Dimpa. He along with several other Congress workers raised slogans against the ruling party and the said MLA.

He said PSPCL and Punjab Pollution Control Board officials are playing in the hands of the government.

 Narcotics worth Rs 23 cr incinerated
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 19
Over 18 quintals of narcotics - poppy husk, heroin and charas worth over Rs 23 crore - were destroyed in a scientific and non-polluting way by the Nawanshahar police in an incinerator of the Taunsa-based Ranbaxy factory today.

Police officials inspect bags of seized contrabands at Taunsa on Thursday. A Tribune photo

The Punjab Police was planning to install its own incinerators for disposing of narcotics in a scientific way.

One of the proposed police’s incinerators for Doaba region is likely to be installed at Kapurthala.

Nawanshahar has become the first district of Punjab to destroy seized narcotics and drugs in a scientific way. Nearly, 63 quintals of seized drugs were incinerated by the Nawanshahar police at the same factory in June last year.

The destruction of nearly 18 quintials of narcotics and habit-forming and other drugs was carried out under the supervision of Dr Naresh Arora, DIG, Ropar, and Nawanshahar SSP Dr Narinder Bhargava today.

“About 17 quintals of a poppy husk and over 4.5 kg of heroine and other drugs were incinerated at the Ranbaxy factory today after seeking clearance from the Punjab Pollution Control Board,” said Dr Bhargava, adding that the price of the contrabands was roughly around Rs 23 crore in the international market.