Govt fails to provide utensils
Jalandhar, July 16
Even as it has been a decade since the mid-day meal scheme was introduced for the government primary school students, the government is still mulling plans to provide servings utensils to the students for the same. A question over the matter was raised during a meeting of the district-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee chaired by MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee.

MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee and Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti hold a Vigilance Monitoring Committee meeting in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

PTU declares PIT Kapurthala as university campus
Jalandhar, July 16
The Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU), Dr Rajneesh Arora, has declared the Punjab Institute of Technology (PIT) Kapurthala as the main campus of the university. This was declared after a decision made by a committee of the PTU senior officials. Earlier, the university called it as PTU’s constituent college.

The Punjab Technical University campus in Kapurthala. A file photograph

Badal government flayed on power tariff hike after elections
Jalandhar, July 16
Flaying the Parkash Singh Badal-led SAD-BJP government for steep hike in power tariff, the Congress alleged that the state government had deceived Punjabis by increasing tariff after the Municipal Corporation (MC) polls and Dasuya byelection.

Shiv Sena burns Makkar’s effigy
Kapurthala, July 16
The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) burnt SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar’s effigy here on Monday to lodge its protest against the construction of a memorial at the Golden Temple to those killed during the Operation Bluestar.

ABVP activists hold a protest against Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor over a decision to increase compartment fee in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Crime file
BJP councillor declared proclaimed offender
Jalandhar, July 16
A city court has declared BJP councillor Joginder Tony as a proclaimed offender (PO) in a cheque-dishonour case. A special court (dealing with cheque-dishonour cases) of Tripat Jot Kaur declared Tony PO in connection with the case filed against him by a Phagwara resident Amrik Singh.

Biz buzz
‘Retro-look’ Vespa scooter launched in city
Jalandhar, July 16
Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited opened its second outlet in Punjab at Galaxy Auto Zone here today for sale of its “retro-look” classic Vespa scooters. After inauguration of the store, “Galaxy Autozone,” at BMC Chowk here, Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (India), said the Jalandhar Vespa store was second outlet in Punjab after Ludhiana.

Mobile phone shop burgled
Jalandhar, July 16
Burglars struck at a mobile shop last night and decamped with mobile phones worth thousands of rupees. Chand, owner of the shop, alleged that he was informed by nearby shopkeepers that the main locks of his shop were lying broken.

Blocked sewerage line causes trouble
Phagwara, July 16
Thousands of residents of the local Model Town, Industrial Area, Tibbi, Rattanpura, JCT Mills and Onkar Nagar were in knee deep dirty water as the main line of the sewerage system of the town was lying blocked after a heavy rainfall yesterday.

Rathour chairs F&CC meeting
Jalandhar, July 16
With his term still pending after MC elections, the outgoing Mayor Rakesh Rathour today chaired the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) meeting with his old team.

BSP expels two leaders
Jalandhar, July 16
The ongoing upheaval within the BSP took yet another twist when the party expelled its two important leaders Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi and Sohan Lal Dhanda for anti-party activities.

PUDA sells commercial sites in auction
Jalandhar, July 16
The Punjab Urban Development Authority today held an auction for commercial and residential properties at Bulandpur village, near the Pathankot bypass. While there were no takers for the residential sites, the commercial sites got sold. Even the booths went for prices marginally up from the reserve amount.

PUDA officials conduct an auction of commercial sites of Bulandpur village in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Woman charred to death while cooking
Jalandhar, July 16
A 24-year-old woman died after sustaining burn injuries while cooking at her residence in Labour Colony here last night.

Migrant from Bihar electrocuted
Phagwara, July 16
A migrant from Bihar, identified as Arjun Yadav, was electrocuted at nearby Akalgarh village last night. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. The body of the deceased was handed over to his family members after post-mortem examination, the police said.

Burundi student assault case: Harsh sent to 14-day judicial remand
Jalandhar, July 16
An accused in the assault case on Burundi student Yannick, Harsh Gosain, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

Govt fails to provide utensils
Mid-day meal scheme in government primary schools
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
Even as it has been a decade since the mid-day meal scheme was introduced for the government primary school students, the government is still mulling plans to provide servings utensils to the students for the same.

A question over the matter was raised during a meeting of the district-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee chaired by MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee. At the meeting, Manoj Arora, a member of the committee, said during a chance visit to a school in Abadpura, he found the kids being served meals on dry leaf plates and strongly felt the need for them being provided with utensils.

At this, project manager of Midday Meal Scheme Amardeep Singh was told to give a reply. “While in some schools, teachers ask the kids to bring some empty bowls, plates or tiffin boxes from home, in others they have been taking help from the community around to provide them with utensils. Now, we have heard of a Centre scheme on distributing utensil kits in the schools,” he replied.

Asked by the MP on the availability of grant, he said he had today received funds to be paid for the purchase of raw food components and wages for cooks. “Funds against all payments that are to be made till August 2012 have been released,” he clarified.

Zila Parishad chairman Mahla Singh asked the official over a common complaint from the school on receiving less quantity of wheat. “The teachers in Lohian and Shahkot tell me that the 50-kg of wheat bags that they received weighed just 46 or 47 kg,” he complained.

At this, the manager replied that all schools had been provided weighing machines. “In case, any teacher receives lighter sacks, he should write a comment on receipts, which will be checked by us. They may even inform us on mail or phone and we will have the provision to make the recovery of less dispatch made by PUNSUP,” he replied.

The issue of the breaking of the Shankar Garden road laid down by the PWD through the MPLADS funds just in three months was also raked up, to which the XEN replied, “We will get the patch work done. The wear and tear has taken place due to the discharge of water on road by some people there”. At this, the DC told MC Commissioner Viney Bublani to take action against miscreants.

Give me my due regard: Kaypee

Claiming that he was never apprised of the status of any of his discretionary works started under the MPLADS scheme or cheques received by the officials, Congress MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee said he might have been in the Opposition in the state, but he should get his due regard. “It has been three years since I have been MP and have been repeatedly asking you to correspond with me and inform me of the inauguration of projects for laying foundation stones. None of you have ever cared to get in touch with me,” he said, reprimanding officials of the department of action against them through their seniors.

Scheme that flopped

A scheme of the state government on purchasing steel utensil kits worth Rs 50 crore for each village for community use has gone haywire. While orders for 17,000 kits with sets for 50 plates, spoons, bowls and similar 12 items had been placed, the department of rural development had later refused to lift the items, causing much resentment among steel utensil suppliers.

PTU declares PIT Kapurthala as university campus
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
The Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU), Dr Rajneesh Arora, has declared the Punjab Institute of Technology (PIT) Kapurthala as the main campus of the university. This was declared after a decision made by a committee of the PTU senior officials. Earlier, the university called it as PTU’s constituent college.

After this decision, Dr Arora announced that the university was going to establish eight departments as well as centre of excellence in the subject of management, computer science, electronics, life sciences, applied sciences, mass communication, environment studies, rural technology, industrial resources management and human values.

PhD entrance result

Punjab Technical University today declared the result of the entrance test for enrolment in PhD in the university. The test was conducted yesterday at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, and IITTM, Gwalior. A total of 1,404 candidates had applied, out of which 1,143 candidates were issued roll numbers for appearing in the test. Nearly 161 candidates got the exemption from the entrance test on the basis of GATE/UGC-NET/GPAT etc qualification. A total of 1,152 candidates appeared in 18 disciplines in the test and the result was made available on the PTU’s website. Vivek Mittal, who appeared in the management-business administration discipline, topped by securing 84 per cent marks.

The number of slots available for the PhD admission in all disciplines is 282. The first merit list of candidates, who are eligible for interview, has also been made available on the PTU's website, read a university press release.

The eligible candidates will have to appear for interview for getting enrolled for the PhD programme in the PTU and to start research work.

Badal government flayed on power tariff hike after elections
Tribune News Service

President of the District Congress Committee (Urban) Arun Walia addresses mediapersons in Jalandhar on Monday. Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Jalandhar, July 16
Flaying the Parkash Singh Badal-led SAD-BJP government for steep hike in power tariff, the Congress alleged that the state government had deceived Punjabis by increasing tariff after the Municipal Corporation (MC) polls and Dasuya byelection.

Punjab Congress secretary Virendra Sharma and president of the District Congress Committee (Urban) Jalandhar Arun Walia urged the BJP to clear its stand on the steep power tariff hike.

Sharma and Walia said the Congress had already anticipated that the Badal government would increase power tariff and would also impose new taxes on Punjabis after the elections.

The Congress leaders said they would submit a memorandum to the DC addressed to Governor tomorrow, demanding immediate rollback of the hiked power tariff.

“If the power tariff is not rolled back, they would be left with no option but to launch an agitation against the Badal government,” they added.

Meanwhile, justifying the power tariff hike, a Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) official stated that the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) had allowed reasonable tariff hike with effect from April 1 as compared to steep tariff hike allowed by many other states.

Reacting to the tariff order issued by the PSERC today at Chandigarh, the PSPCL official said the tariff hike of 12.08 per cent in Punjab was much lower than the hike declared for other states of the country that is Tamil Nadu 37%, Rajasthan 27%, Delhi 26%, Andhra Pradesh 20.24% and Haryana 17%.

Shiv Sena burns Makkar’s effigy
Tribune News Service

Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) activists burn an effigy of SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar in Kapurthala on Monday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Kapurthala, July 16
The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) burnt SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar’s effigy here on Monday to lodge its protest against the construction of a memorial at the Golden Temple to those killed during the Operation Bluestar.

The Shiv Sainiks, led by their district president Manoj Arorsa and their city chief Kala Pandit, carried out a protest march from Sri Mani Mahesh Mandir to Bhagat Singh Chowk.

Flaying Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on the issue, the state vice-president of the Shiv Sena, Jagdish Kataria, said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should directly intervene to stop the construction work of the memorial.

Shiv Sainik also burnt Avtar Singh Makkar’s effigy.

Meanwhile a non-government organisation (NGO) has sought information from the Home Secretary under the RTI Act to know if there was any plan of the Punjab Government to build any memorial to those killed by militants during the black days.

In its RTI application sent to the Public Information Officer (PIO) through a registered post, state president of the Organisation for Protection of Human Rights Sandeep Sharma stated that as many as 25,000 persons, including personnel of the Punjab Police and para-military forces, had been killed by militants in various parts of the state during the black days of militancy.

Sandeep Sharma asked if the state government was making any plan to build any memorial to those who had been shot dead by militants.

Sharma also sought information regarding what facilities and benefits had been provided to kin of those persons who had been killed by militants during militant activities in various parts of Punjab.

crime file
BJP councillor declared proclaimed offender
Tribune News Service

In his plaint, Amrik Singh stated that Tony had given him a cheque for Rs 58,500 against a loan of Rs 60,000, but the cheque was dishonoured.

Samara remanded in police custody

A city court has remanded Dr GS Samra to one-day police custody in connection with a fake attack case.

Already facing several cases, Dr Samra was taken on production warrant by the city police in connection with the case filed recently against him under Sections 207, 177 and 120-B of the IPC.

After taking him on production warrant, he was produced in the city court, which remanded him to one-day police custody.

Biz buzz
‘Retro-look’ Vespa scooter launched in city
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited opened its second outlet in Punjab at Galaxy Auto Zone here today for sale of its “retro-look” classic Vespa scooters. After inauguration of the store, “Galaxy Autozone,” at BMC Chowk here, Ravi Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (India), said the Jalandhar Vespa store was second outlet in Punjab after Ludhiana.

“We have recently opened a Vespa store at Chandigarh also,” Ravi Chopra said, adding that 30 Vespa stores would be opened in the country in current fiscal year.

“The smooth ride of this modern 125 cc gear-less machine is excitement due to an incredibly efficient engine and easy control,” Ravi Chopra added.

Mobile phone shop burgled
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, July 16
Burglars struck at a mobile shop last night and decamped with mobile phones worth thousands of rupees. Chand, owner of the shop, alleged that he was informed by nearby shopkeepers that the main locks of his shop were lying broken.

“When I reached the spot, I was stunned to see that the whole shop had been ransacked by the miscreants and mobiles kept in the racks were also missing.”

The miscreants decamped with 25 old mobiles, five new mobile phones and some other electronic equipment.

Blocked sewerage line causes trouble
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, July 16
Thousands of residents of the local Model Town, Industrial Area, Tibbi, Rattanpura, JCT Mills and Onkar Nagar were in knee deep dirty water as the main line of the sewerage system of the town was lying blocked after a heavy rainfall yesterday.

Municipal Commissioner Satish Singla said the required arrangements were being made to drain out the water. The commissioner said any citizen could contact him or the Executive Officer from 11 am to 1 pm in this connection on any working day.

Rathour chairs F&CC meeting
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
With his term still pending after MC elections, the outgoing Mayor Rakesh Rathour today chaired the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) meeting with his old team.

The committee passed 58 out of the 61 resolutions with works to the tune of Rs 18.01 crore. Among those who attended the meeting were Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Bhatia, Deputy Mayor Parvesh Tangri and councillors Ravi Mahendru and Sunil Jyoti. Both Mahendru and Jyoti are contenders for the Mayor’s post in the new House likely to function after September 9.

BSP expels two leaders
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
The ongoing upheaval within the BSP took yet another twist when the party expelled its two important leaders Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi and Sohan Lal Dhanda for anti-party activities.

A press note, issued by party general secretary Gurlal Saila, said Dr Sukhi had earlier joined the SAD (Ambedkar), but later returned to the party fold and was even given a chance to contest from Hoshiarpur in 2009 Parliamentary polls. Later, again he indulged in misguiding party men and was therefore expelled.

PUDA sells commercial sites in auction
Fails to get buyers for residential ones
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) today held an auction for commercial and residential properties at Bulandpur village, near the Pathankot bypass.

While there were no takers for the residential sites, the commercial sites got sold. Even the booths went for prices marginally up from the reserve amount. Four booths for which the reserved prices were fixed at Rs 11,314 per sq m went for Rs 12,200, Rs 13,050, Rs 13,550 and Rs 14,400 per sq m.

Three shop-cum-flats (SCFs) also got sold and at better prices. The SCFs at reserve price of Rs 11,172 went for Rs 18,100, Rs 21,000 and Rs 22,400. Ganesh Kumar, Estate Officer, supervised the auction.

Woman charred to death while cooking
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, July 16
A 24-year-old woman died after sustaining burn injuries while cooking at her residence in Labour Colony here last night.

The victim was identified as Anuradha.

Police sources said that on Sunday night, when she was preparing food, her suit accidentally caught fire, which later engulfed her body.

Anuradha sustained 70 per cent burn injuries and was rushed to local Civil Hospital, where she died this evening.

Before dying the victim, in a statement to the Duty Magistrate, stated that nobody was responsible for her death as it was an accident.

Migrant from Bihar electrocuted
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, July 16
A migrant from Bihar, identified as Arjun Yadav, was electrocuted at nearby Akalgarh village last night. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. The body of the deceased was handed over to his family members after post-mortem examination, the police said.

Burundi student assault case: Harsh sent to 14-day judicial remand
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 16
An accused in the assault case on Burundi student Yannick, Harsh Gosain, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

Harsh Gosain was produced in a city court after the completion of his police remand today.