Jalandhar, May 4
A drain full of garbage passing through colonies of Ward Number 2 reflects the state of affairs and the civic amenities being provided to residents of the area.

One of the major problems of residents of this ward is the drain, also known as Ganda Nullah. The drain passes through various colonies, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Kalia Colony, Guru Amar Dass Nagar and Industrial Area.

Residential area in Ward No 2. Photos: Sarabjit Singh

The drain, which usually overflows during monsoon, has been inviting the ire of residents as they say the elected representatives have failed to address the problem.

"Surprisingly, neither the MC authorities nor the Punjab Pollution Control Board have bothered to look into the problems being faced by residents," said Hemant Kumar, a resident of Bhagat Singh Colony.

Heaps of garbage can be seen in the drain and the discharge of industrial effluents in the drain has compounded the problems of the residents of the area.

The ward has many industrial units engaged in electroplating, pipefitting, manufacturing rubber and sports goods in residential areas.

Residents of Gadaipur, which has a sizeable number of industries and a residential area, are devoid of basic amenities. The area has muddy lanes, broken roads, non-functional streetlights coupled with unsanitary conditions.

While many lanes in Gadaipur are facing the problem of stagnant water, other link roads are choked with garbage and filth making the area a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"It is due to filth and unsanitary conditions that a majority of residents here are suffering from skin related problems. But who cares for the common man. Politicians visit us only at the time of elections," rued Parkash Chand, a resident of Gadaipur.

Even the approach road to Gadaipur is nowhere to be seen. All that one finds is slush on one side and muddy lanes with huge potholes en route. "Due to the industrial units in the area, our houses and the adjoining areas remain covered with a thick blanket of soot and ash," said Kishore Kumar, a labourer.

Amount spent

Councillor of Ward Number 2 Ved Kumar Vashist of the BJP said the MC spent Rs 16 crore for development works in the ward in the past five years. "Out of this, Rs 10 crore was spent on the sewerage laying project, Rs 2 crore on installation of tubewells and Rs 25 lakh on streetlights," he said.

Colonies in Ward No 2

Bhagat Singh Colony, Hukam Chand Colony, Greater Kailash, Kalia Colony, Gadaipur, Guru Amar Dass Colony, Focal Point, Saini Colony and Abadi.

Prospective candidates

As ward number 2 has been declared reserved for women, Ved Kumar Vashist is all set to field his wife Prem Vashist, a greenhorn this time. Last time, Ved Kumar Vashist had defeated Congress candidate Kasturi Lal with a margin of 1,288 votes. The name of Sukhraj Kaur from the BJP Mahila Morcha is also doing rounds from this ward. Congress leader Avtar Henry said: "The list of prospective candidates will be sent to the councillor selection committee before declaring the name of the party candidate."

Jalandhar, May 4
The MC has spent Rs 33 crore to provide 'world-class' facilities to residents of in Ward number 3.

However, the ground reality is different. The ward, which is situated on the Jalandhar-Pathankot bypass, has been a picture of neglect as all that meets the eye here is an array of foundation stones, marshy lanes, piles of garbage, filth, a dirty pond and non-functional streetlights.

The streets at Reru village in Ward No 3 have not been carpeted for years. Photo: Sarabjit Singh

The residents said it is a common sight to see piles of garbage, choked drains and filth everywhere. "Sadly even the Municipal Corporation authorities also never visited our ward to see the state of affairs," said Deepak Kumar.

Residents said the sewerage laying work started around two years ago. "Despite being from the ruling SAD-BJP combine government, the councillor failed to deliver quality work," said Avtar Singh, a resident of Bachint Nagar.

The residents also blamed the councillor of favouring certain colonisers and for starting the sewerage laying work from unapproved colonies. "The councillor started laying sewerage connection in an unapproved colony in Bachint Nagar and Sarabha Nagar, whereas the old areas were left behind. Firstly, the work started late and then it has been going on at snail's pace, which has added to our woes," said Kamlesh Kaur, a resident of Reru village.

Another eyesore was a dirty pond adjoining a government school in Reru village, which had turned out to be a major cause of concern for the residents. "Our councillor has been telling us that he would develop a park in place of that pond but that sounds like a distant dream," said Balraj Singh of Reru colony.

The school also houses a post-office and a government dispensary within its premises. When asked about the status of the school, Paramjit Singh, the councillor of the ward said, "We will remove the post-office and the dispensary from the school soon," he said.

Amount spent

Councillor Paramjit Singh said he had spent Rs 29 crore on laying sewerage connection, Rs 2.5 crore on roads construction and Rs 1crore on streetlights.

Works completed

When asked about the list of works completed, he said, "Among road construction, we built the road of Baba Deep Singh Nagar, street lights were installed in Punjabi Bagh, Sarabha Nagar and Hargobind Nagar. Two out of five tube wells were installed at Kanpur Abadi, one each in Baba Deep Singh Nagar, Hargobind Nagar Dhogri Road and another at Hargobind Nagar- Amritsar Road."

Status of sewerage work

Sewerage laying work would be completed during the next tenure. "In fact I am the only councillor in past 30 years who managed to get sewerage connection laid in the entire ward," he said. 

Jalandhar, May 4
There are at least 20 posts of Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers in the city, but only four posts are occupied by these officers at present.

The remaining posts have either been filled by promoting officials, by re-employing retired PCS officials or giving additional charge to other officers.

The four posts which are currently occupied by PCS officers include Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Praneet Bhardwaj, SDM-1 Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, Jaskiran Singh and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar BS Dhaliwal. At least four PCS officers have been transferred in the past one week. SDM-2 Rajiv Prashar has been shifted to Bathinda and the post is lying vacant. District Excise and Taxation Commissioner (DETC) Kanwalpreet Brar, too, has been transferred and the post has been filled internally. District Transport Officer PS Gill has been transferred and the post has been filled from within department. The charge of the Deputy Director, Local Government-cum-GA to DC, which was earlier held by PCS officer Karnail Singh, is now held by retired PCS officer Pritam Singh.

The administration already had several vacant posts meant for PCS officers, including the ADC (D). The ADC (G) has been given the additional charge of the post. The charge of the Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, has been given to retired PCS officer SK Singla. Even the post of the Estate Officer in PUDA has been filled internally ever since PCS officer Harbir Singh relinquished the charge.

Earlier considered as independent charges, the posts of the Land Acquisition Officer, PWD, and the Land Acquisition Collector of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust now rests with the SDM-1. The post of the Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, which was earlier with PCS officer Rahul Gupta, has gone to DP Bhardwaj from within the office. The post of the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, too, has been filled departmentally.

Jalandhar, May 4
Passion knows no bounds. A youth from Loraya village near here has pursued his dream of making an entry into the Limca Book of Records.

Meet 22-year-old Gurpreet Singh, who has managed grow the nail of his left hand thumb 4.2 inches long. A former student of the local Doaba College, he has also done some interesting nail art work with two gold earrings embedded in his nail. "I was famous in the college as the boy with a long nail," he said.

The 22-year-old has been taking care of his nail for the past four years and aims to make it to the Limca Book of Records soon. Gurpreet started growing his thumb nail in 2008 and since then there had been no looking back. Gurpreet said he was just a few inches behind achieving the target of breaking the record of 6 inches long nail in Limca Book of Records. "I am hopeful that soon I will be able to break this record. My nail is growing properly and has been in good shape," he added.

Flaunting his priced possession, he said: "I don't know why, but growing my thumb nail always remained my obsession. Before finally being able to grow and sustain the growth of my nail, I attempted this passion thrice. Thankfully, it was in 2008 that I was able to continue my passion."

When asked was it difficult for him to take care of his nail, he said: "This is my passion and I go an extra mile to take care that my nail. Whenever I tie a turban, sleep, take bath, eat food or work, I always take care not to use this thumb. It is as if, I just keep it aside and that it is not meant to be used for any work."

"To pursue my dream, I even left playing cricket which is my favourite game. In fact, my first-ever attempt was when I was in Class VIII," he said.

"At times I feel slight stiffness in my hand. There were reports that the record maker of 6 inch long nail had faced sudden weight loss problem due to this reason. Gladly, it has been a smooth sailing for me," he added

Even his family, which was initially averse to this passion, started supporting him. "Initially there was some resistance, but then passion knows no limits and I am an example of it," he quipped.

The accused in police custody in Jalandhar on Friday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Jalandhar, May 4
With the arrest of two Cantonment area youths, the city police claims to have solved a snatching case today.

The police have also recovered the stolen mobile and a country-made pistol from the accused. Naresh Dogra, ACP, revealed that Browny and Asif Tiwari, residents of Cantonment area, had snatched a handbag containing Rs 45,000 and a mobile phone from Manjit Kaur, a Nawanshahr resident, while she was on her way to Dakoha on April 30.

The victim was going to her daughter's house in Dakoha when the armed snatchers robbed her of the cash, mobile and other valuable at gunpoint, Dogra added.

Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a naka at Dhilwan village and intercepted the accused while they were riding a motorcycle. After search, the police recovered a stole mobile set from them which the victim later identified, he added.