Amritsar, July 16
Opting for a government health institution or a private institution accredited with the government to deliver their child could get expectant mothers diet free of cost.

Civil Surgeon, Amritsar, Dr HS Ghai, said a special committee would be constituted which would ensure the implementation of this scheme under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

“The state government runs various maternity-benefit schemes, but the facility of free diet has been added recently. Every woman entering a government facility for delivery will be entitled to free services - whether it is blood, consumables, drugs or diagnostics. So far, diagnostics were not covered under government expenses,” he said.

Even as the stipulated grant for diet scheme is yet to arrive in local head, yet a tentative amount of Rs 100 per day for diet would be given to the patients. A committee would soon be formed to deliberate over the ‘kind’ of diet, Dr Ghai said.

The patients in the normal cases of delivery can also enjoy free stay for three days in government institutes whereas in cases of caesarean deliveries, the patient can stay for seven days along with food. For women belonging to the BPL category, Rs 700 would be given and Rs 600 will be given to those belonging to the urban areas.

Under another benefit extended by the government, Rs 1,000 would be given to anyone who enters the government institute for delivery under ‘Mata Kaushalaya Kalyan Yojana’ (MKKY) and ‘Janni Suraksha Yojana’.

“In Amritsar, there are four to five institutes which do not charge in such cases. Instead, we pay them Rs 2,500 per case. We also give cash or other benefits as per government policy,” he said.

The schemes, now with free diet for pregnant women, surcharge on delivery, and would hopefully boost India’s institutional delivery rate - currently less than 50 per cent, he said.

At present, over 40 per cent delivery cases are being attended by government-run institutions in the district.

“All these efforts are being made to ensure improvements in the institutional delivery rate,” he said.

Dr Ghai said no government facility anywhere in the state will charge a single paisa from a pregnant woman who seeks admission for delivery.

“The root cause of maternal deaths is deliveries at home. I urge the people to avoid it and instead use the benefits of ultra modern and quality health facilities available with the government hospitals. According to estimates, 30 per cent deliveries are still being conducted at home in the district and the same proportion of such cases is handled by private institutions, though safe but they charge exorbitantly,” he said.

health on a platter

* The patients in the normal cases of delivery can enjoy free stay for three days in government institutes

* In cases of caesarean deliveries, the patient can stay for seven days along with food.

* A tentative amount of Rs 100 per day for diet would be given to the patients.

* A committee would soon be formed to deliberate over the ‘kind’ of diet to be given to the patients.

* Women belonging to the BPL category, ~700 would be given and ~600 will be given to those belonging to the urban areas

* The state government would give ~1,000 to patients under the Mata Kaushalaya Kalyan Yojana

* Patients likely to get ~100 per day as allowance for diet

Amritsar, July 16
A woman sitting outside her shop was not only robbed of her gold earrings but the motorcycle-borne accused also threatened to kill her if she raised an alarm. The victim, Amarjit Kaur, was sitting outside her grocery shop on Mustafabad (Batala road) at the time of the incident.

The police has registered a case under Section 382 IPC in this connection.

In another case, four armed persons looted petrol from a petrol pump on the main G T Road here. Kashmir Singh, the owner of the petrol pump, lodged a complaint with the Sultanwind police in this regard. Singh alleged that the unidentified accused, who came in a Bolero-make car bearing number PB-02-BN-2062, took out sharp-edged weapons and asked him to fill petrol.

He said the accused themselves filled the fuel and fled towards Jalandhar. Arjun Kumar, the investigating officer in the case, said a manhunt has been launched.

This is the second such incident this week as a woman was robbed in Naraingarh area on Saturday. One person was critically injured during the snatching incident.

Amritsar, July 16
Residents from all walks of life have condemned the 12 per cent hike in power tariffs affected by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC).

A resident of Partap Nagar, Baswand Singh, a retired bank employee, said, “After the Dasuya by-election, the government was likely to hike rates and taxes on various products. However, the first hike after the Parkash Singh Badal government took over was a rude shock to people belonging to the economically-weaker sections in the state.

A resident of Guru Amardas Avenue, Sukhchain Singh, a contractor by profession, said, “The hike in tariff from April is unjustified. It is unethical to demand more duty on the power consumed before. “He said the first time levy of 10-paisa per unit tariff on continuous process industry, to be applicable from November 1, as a bad 
precedent.

Industrialists from the city resent increase in the power tariff by the state electricity regulator as it will have an adverse impact on the industry in the border town.

An industrialist Kamal Dalmia said the actual cost for power consumers will be much higher as the government also levies electricity duty of 13 per cent and 10 paisa per unit as octroi on energy consumption, exclusive of the tariff rates. Meanwhile, there is some respite for small industrial consumers as the new tariff rate will be Rs 5.10 paisa per unit, an increase of 12.09 per cent. Similarly, for the medium and large industries, the rate will be Rs 5.61-paisa per unit. “I am not against power hike as the rates of all articles appreciate annually. However, the need is to ensure quality, regular power supply, proper voltage and without fluctuations,” Dalmia said.

He said frequent voltage fluctuation marred the quality of product being finished and processed out of their costly machines besides deteriorating the quality and parts of the machinery.

Samajik Chetna Manch president Balwant Singh Gill said the government is unable to stop pilferage and stealing of power supply. Instead of tightening the noose around these offenders, it is punishing consumers who regularly pay their bills by hiking power tariff. While those who draw power illegally continue to enjoy it.

Former cabinet minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla has also flayed power tariff hike terming it as another move to burden the common man already reeling under mounting inflation. She said the state government has also released unlimited power supply to its ministers and MPs in the state. She urged the state government to put a limit on the release of power supply to these ministers and MPs.

Amritsar, July 16
The city police has prepared sketches of the two motorcycle-borne robbers who had allegedly shot at Jaspal Singh while he was trying to arrest them during a robbery in Naraingarh area on Saturday. Jaspal Singh, who runs a grocery shop near the residence of the victim Jasbir Kaur, along with several other persons, had reached the spot to rescue the victim.

Amrik Singh Pawar, ADCP City-II said, "On the basis of the description given by eyewitness, we have prepared the sketches of the suspects who had fled the scene. He said the sketches would be circulated in all the police stations besides neighboring police districts to identify and arrest them."

Two unidentified accused had robbed Jasbir Kaur while she was sitting inside her house. —TNS

Amritsar, July 16
The Amritsar rural police has detected three illegal distilleries at Bhangwa village in Majitha. The police has also seized 2,250 kg of Lahan (raw material for preparing illicit liquor) and 53 litres of illicit liquor from the spot.

The accused fled the spot. Separate cases have been registered against them.

Sanjiv Sharma, anti-narcotic cell, Amritsar rural police district, said a joint raid was conducted by the cell along with Majitha police after specific information. He said the police seized 750 kg of illicit liquor from each distillery. “We have started investigations under the Excise Act,” he said.

The Gharinda police has arrested Baljit Singh and Mandeep Singh of Lahori Mal and Rajiv Kumar of Lopoke with 50 gram narcotic powder, 10 gram heroin and 330 capsules of habit-forming drugs from their possession. Raj Karan of Bhagtupura has also been also arrested by Chatiwind police with 200 gram of narcotic powder.

The City police has arrested Sagar of Bhagtanwala and Kuldip Sharma of Majitha Road and found 120 gram of narcotic powder and 300 capsules of intoxicant drugs from their possession.

Amritsar, July 16
When the ruling alliance partners --- the SAD and BJP --- are yet to sit and resolve their differences over the post of Mayor, six names from the parties are doing the rounds for the coveted post.

From the BJP, the frontrunner in the race is Bakshi Ram Arora, who had won the elections from Ward 50 with a convincing margin. Despite a long political experience, Bakshi Ram, who has been the district BJP president (urban), has nothing remarkable as a councillor or as a chairperson of the Improvement Trust.

Second in line is Sukhminder Singh Pintu, a BJP leader, who won the corporation election from Ward 11 consecutively for the second time and with a record margin. He is said to be close to BJP Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi.

The third name from BJP is that of Rajesh Honey, who won the corporation elections from Ward 27. Though Honey had good political experience and even headed the BJP Yuva Morcha (urban), he won the MC polls for the first time.

From the SAD camp, key contenders for this post are Avtar Singh Trukkanwala, Geetinder Kaur and Amarbir Singh Dhot. Avtar Singh won the corporation elections from Ward 29. The second contender Geetinder Kaur who won from Ward 36 is the wife of MLA Inderbir Bolaria. The third name from the party is that of Amarbir Dhot, a winner from Ward 40. he had been Sikh Students' Federation (Mehta)'s district chief and member of Jail Advisory Board.

Residents Speak

Whatever may be the strengths and weaknesses of contenders for the post, residents want to see a person getting the post who could ensure a quality life to residents.

Naresh Johar said, “Irrespective of any party, the new Mayor should have a heart to listen to public grievances and determination to redress them. The first Mayor of Amritsar, OP Soni (now MLA) from the Congress, is still remembered for his daunted courage and instinct to provide better living conditions for the citizens like revamping basic amenities including safe drinking water, efficient sewerage system and roads. Till date people remember him for his humbleness and his concern for residents.”

Baljeet Kaur Johal said, “The new Mayor should have the courage to take responsibility of providing safe environment to residents. No one has bothered to think about the deteriorating law and order situation. It is not a safe city if we look at the crime graph. You cannot take evening walks due to fear of being robbed. Women and tourists are soft targets of snatchers.”

Advantage SAD

With 25 seats, the SAD has the upper hand in getting the Mayor's post. The party has one seat more than the BJP. Also, the SAD and the BJP are tying to re-induct rebel candidates, who won the MC polls, to strengthen their claim on the post. On this front too, the SAD has an edge over its partner. Four rebels from the SAD --- Nirbhay Singh (Ward 1), Manmohan Singh Titu (Ward 42), Amarjit Singh Bhatia (Ward 43) and Jaskirat Singh (Ward 34), won as Independents. If they make a return to the SAD, its numbers will reach 29 in the MC House. On the other hand, BJP expelled 10 of its leaders, but only two --- Neetu Mahajan (Ward 9) and Gurpreet Singh (Ward 55) --- could win the elections as Independent. Even if they join back, BJP's figure will touch 26. 

House of 65

In the MC House of 65, the SAD has 25 councillors followed by the BJP with 24 seats. Eleven seats were bagged by Independents. The Congress won four seats and the CPI has one seat.

Amritsar, July 16
The Khalsa College for Women (KCW) celebrated its 45th Foundation Day today with a religious function organised today. Sher Singh from the US and his companions recited Gurbani using the traditional string instrument of Tanti Saaj.

Khalsa College Governing Council honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina congratulated college principal Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal and staff for the all-round development of the college and especially for how the college has been educating girls since 1967.

He along with Principal Mahal gave prizes to the students, including Manpreet Kaur, Rupinder Kaur, Mandeep Kaur, Sweet Arora and Satinder Kaur, who scored well in the religious examinations conducted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) recently. The students from the college also recited Gurbani.

Kirtan darbar

Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society will organize a spiritual Kirtan Darbar to celebrate Parkash Purab of Eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Harkishan Sahib at Sri Guru Harkishan Senior Secondary Public School on July 29.

Lecture organised

IIT Gawahati, Professor Debkumar Chakarbarti, an expert in ergonomics and human factors engineering, addressed the faculty and students of Global Institutes here on Monday. He delved on a wide range of applications of ergonomics in the modern technological age with special focus on human factors engineering, man-machine interface, occupational health and safety. He said this inter-disciplinary subject has gained importance over the years because of increasing concerns about the work place environment and safety of workers.

Students honoured

Hindu College principal DR Sharma felicitated students of the post graduate diploma in computer applications, Neha Joura, Sukhpreet Kaur, Karanjeet Kaur and Seema Bhalla, Sapna Rathore, Heena Satia and Saman for scoring good marks in the university examination.

Jaskiran tops varsity

Jaskiran Kaur, a student of BBK DAV College for Women, stood first in Guru Nanak Dev University in the PGDCA examination by securing 694 out of 800 marks. As many as 12 students cleared the PGDCA exam by securing 80 per cent or more marks.

Amritsar, July 16
Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, chairman, Punjab Small Scale Industries and Export Corporation (PSSIEC) and state BJP executive member, today said the new industrial policy being framed will usher in new investments in the state.

Welcoming the statement of Punjab Industries Minister Anil Joshi regarding the new policy, Chhina said the government was committed to initiate a new era of industrialisation in Punjab.

He said apart from persuading big industrial houses to bring in investments, the single-window system must be adopted for NRIs to invest in Punjab. “We must concentrate on the small-scale industry. The agro-based industry should be identified and its units must be set up in the rural areas. This will ensure economic growth and check unemployment,” said Chhina. He also hoped that the government will work hard to revive the focal points in all the major cities where industrial hubs were created.

“Ludhiana is fit for the heavy industry while the government should concentrate on Jalandhar as hub for sports goods and entertainment industry. Amritsar can emerge as a major tourist and education hub while Bathinda can be hub of heavy agro and machine industries,” he said. Local requirements and available resources must be exploited to the maximum for industrial growth in the state, he added.