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Power cuts fan resentment among residents
No respite from snatchers; two more robbed of gold chains
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Landmine blast rocks village
Amritsar, July 21 Panic gripped the border village of Shura near Attari following a blast in the fields in the afternoon today. No death has been reported so far.
Lack of manpower ails ayurveda health centres
Youth electrocuted
Body found from garbage dump
GNDH’s ‘strange’ ways affect emergency patients
Farmers cautioned against excessive use of fertilisers
Ranike kicks off plantation drive
Principals apprised of HC directions
Seminar on child disability
TB awareness camps to be organised in schools
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Power cuts fan resentment among residents
Amritsar, July 21 Residents say failure of the local authorities to announce the schedule for power cuts in advance has thrown life out of gear. The “out of coverage area” message when they call on the helpline irks residents the most. To make matters worst, the authorities have no answer about when the power supply situation will become normal. “The power supply situation is controlled through the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) headquarters in Patiala. Be it distribution of power or setting schedule. We are just facilitators to supply the transmission further”, they stated. The PSPCL had planned to supply up to 2,000 LUs (lakh units) per day whereas the actual demand is 2,150 LU per day. According to officials, there is a deficit of 600 to 700 mega watt. According to the electricity department officials, the demand for power has shot up by more than five per cent over the past 20 days. Superintending Engineer, Amritsar city circle, Balbir Singh, said the entire state is reeling under severe power crisis for the past one-and-a-half month because of a fall in power generation. As the monsoons have not arrived, the situation is likely to prevail for the few more weeks. “The situation got worse over the past three days. I cannot comment on how long this crisis would prevail because the power allocation is done through the power corporation headquarters at Patiala. Demand in the Amritsar circle has increased manifolds. It is 30 lakh units more than the normal consumption during past few weeks. The situation has worsened due to the dry weather conditions which hamper power generation,” he said. Chief Engineer (Border), Sudeep Singh Sandhu, said some technical snag at the power station in Chhola Sahib, Tarn Taran has been detected. “I am heading towards the power station to get the snag rectified. I believe that it would provide some relief to the consumers here.” A resident, Mandeep Singh, said the crisis became alarming a day after the state government hiked power tariff by 12 per cent. “Our inverters fail to get charged due to inadequate power supply. Moreover, you cannot run coolers or ACs on inverters.” Another resident, Gurpreet Kaur said, “New malls and shopping complexes have put extra burden on the power-starved corporation.” APS Chatha, general secretary of the Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the hotel industry has to rely completely on gensets. “The hotel occupancy in the city has become nil and we do not expect fresh booking in view of the heatwave and adverse publicity due to power failure till July end,” he said. To the rescue
Some technical snag at the power station in Chhola Sahib, Tarn Taran has been detected. I am heading towards the power station to get the snag rectified. I believe that it would provide some relief to the consumers
here. — Sudeep Singh sandhu, Chief engineer (border)
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No respite from snatchers; two more robbed of gold chains
Amritsar, July 21 Nitin told the police has alleged he was going to Kot Harnam Dass on his Activa- make vehicle at 9.30 pm when the armed accused led by Jujhar Singh attacked him. He said they were carrying a pistol, a revolver besides sharp-edged weapons. He said they assaulted him with a sharp-edged weapon and fled the spot after snatching his gold chain weighing 32 gram and Rs 40,000 cash. Sources said notorious members of this gang are wanted in more than half a dozen similar cases. The police has failed to arrest the culprits who had committed a number of lootings and robberies. They were also wanted in attempt to murder cases in various parts of the city. Every time the police conducted raids to nab them, they escaped from the spot as they got prior information about the raids allegedly from within the department, sources said. Meanwhile, in another incident, unidentified robbers snatched the gold chain of Manvit Kaur, a resident of Ajit Nagar, when she and her mother were going to Ajit Vidayalya School. She alleged the accused came from behind on a motorcycle and snatched her chain worth Rs 50,000. The victims
Nitin Kumar, a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Avenue, Chatiwind Gate, was allegedly robbed of a gold chain besides
Rs 40,000. Manvit Kaur, a resident of Ajit Nagar was robbed of her gold chain worth
Rs 50,000.
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Landmine blast rocks village
Amritsar, July 21 The blast occurred due to an old landmine which might have been planted during Operation Parakram in 2002 following the tension between India and Pakistan, sources said. The blast occurred in the land belonging to Kundan Singh of the village. Officials from the Border Security Force and the Punjab police reached the spot. A resident, Gurwinder Singh, said at 1.30 pm they heard the deafening sound of a blast. They saw that a minor crater had been formed at the spot. The BSF authorities said the blast may have occurred due to an old landmine, which may have been planted during tension between India and Pakistan. The mines were uprooted and removed by the Army after tension between the two nations was diffused. However, this mine came under a road, the police said. “We along with the BSF authorities have destroyed the remaining explosive material found near the site,” said Kabal Singh, investigating officer. He said the blast occurred due to severe heat wave conditions. A blast from the past
The blast occurred due to an old landmine which might have been planted during Operation Parakram in 2002 All clear
We along with the BSF authorities have destroyed the remaining explosive material found near the
site.
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Lack of manpower ails ayurveda health centres
Amritsar, July 21 A candidate, Dr Nishandeep Singh said, “The written tests for the posts were conducted in April 3, 2011. Later, the interviews were conducted in June-July 2011.” He said the state government had last employed Ayurvedic doctors in 1998. The department also gets inadequate supply of medicines. The district has 26 dispensaries scattered in villages. However, because of the staff shortage, the department is unable to run them for all days of the week. The dispensaries are open for only two to three days of the week, as the doctors have to go and manage other dispensaries for the rest of the week. In the letter written to the health minister, the candidates have said they should be issued appointments letters as soon as possible. “Besides making a living, we would also contribute to ensure better public health,” said Nishan Singh. There are 507 Ayurvedic dispensaries in the state. Of the total of 536 sanctioned posts of Medical Officers, 292 are lying vacant. The shortage of staff can be assessed from the fact that out of the total 25 sanctioned posts of Dispensers (the same as pharmacists in allopathic hospitals) in the district, 19 are lying vacant. The district also has six vacant posts of Ayurvedic doctors.
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Youth electrocuted
Amritsar, July 21 Ashwani Kumar, SHO Chheharta police station, said the incident took place at 6.30 pm. The victim has been identified as Gopi, a resident of Faridwali Gali in Chheharta. Kumar said though the workers of the local textile units have been on a strike for more than two weeks, the owner of the power loom shed was still running two power looms. “When Gopi was working in the shed, he was electrocuted when he came into contact with the machine and died on the spot,” he said. He said action would be taken as per the statement of the family members of the deceased. A shocking end
Though the workers of the local textile units have been on a strike for more than two weeks, the owner of the power loom shed was still running two power looms. “When Gopi was working in the shed, he was electrocuted when he came into contact with the machine and died on the
spot." — Ashwini Kumar, sho,
Chherhata police station
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Body found from garbage dump
Amritsar, July 21 Surinder Mohan, SHO B-division, said the body bore injury marks from sharp-edged weapons on the chest and back. “The deceased, in his mid thirties, seems to be a migrant labourer.” He could have been killed elsewhere before his body getting dumped here to misguide the police,” he said. He said the body has been preserved for a couple of days and a message has been flashed at all the police stations in the city and adjoining areas to ascertain his identity. He said the deceased wore a T-shirt and jeans. A case under Section 302 IPC has been registered, the SHO said.
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GNDH’s ‘strange’ ways affect emergency patients
Amritsar, July 21 The X-ray unit running in the emergency ward was reportedly shifted to the Radiology Department a few months ago only to pave way for installing a mammography unit, which was later inaugurated by Medical Education and Research Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat amidst much fanfare. The hospital management hardly realised that the majority of patients who get admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital needed X-ray tests to get a clear idea on the extent of injury caused during an accident. The hospital authorities said about 70-80 patients are daily admitted in an emergency condition in the ward, out of which about 60-70 per cent patients require to get the X-ray tests done urgently. But in absence of machines, patients have to go to the Radiology Department located in the Out Patient Department’s building. The real problem occurs when attendants have to wait to get the trolley or chair to ferry the patient, said a doctor preferring anonymity. “During emergency every minute counts for saving the life and it is very difficult to take patients to X-ray unit. That is why people prefer visiting private hospitals. But those who cannot afford expensive treatments have to go through this problem,” said the doctor. “Mammography is not an urgent procedure which requires urgent tests. Moreover the patient coming for the (mammography) test can go to the room without anybody’s help,” said another doctor. Dr Satpal, Medical Superintendent, GNDH, said though the inauguration of machine happened during his tenure, it was installed much before he took over as MS. He said as the matter has been brought to his notice, he would take it up with the authorities concerned. Dr SS Shergill, Principal, Government Medical College (who was officiating as MS at the time of installation of mammography machine) said the machine was installed after consulting the authorities at the radiology department. “The machine was setup after due consultation with the radiology department and other officials concerned. Moreover, it was set up in a room which was not being used,” he said. “If there is any problem, we will look into that and will ensure that no patient suffers due to this,” he added. X-ray machines shifted out of emergency ward
Guru Nanak Dev Hospital has set up mammography unit (in picture) to check breast cancer in the emergency ward, but has shifted X-ray machines to the radiology department. Majority of patients coming to the emergency ward need to get X-ray done. But they go through a lot of pain to reach the department. Official speak As the matter has been brought to my notice, I will take it up with the authorities concerned. — Dr Satpal, Medical Superintendent, GNDH
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Farmers cautioned against excessive use of fertilisers
Amritsar, July 21 Block Agriculture Officer Dr Inderjeet Singh Dhanju said no pesticide should be sprayed on paddy and very less on basmati. “In simple words, this programme is known as green farming, wherein farmers are trained in various aspects of pest management with negligible use of chemicals. It not only ruins the environment, but also kills some of the friendly-insects too. Like a spider and a beetle, which has a tendency to trap the harmful insects, too get eliminated. These species are known as biological agents,” explained Dr Dhanju.
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Ranike kicks off plantation drive
Amritsar, July 21
Ranike said that government has planned to plant trees at vacant land along the various government buildings.
He said farmers must adopt subsidiary occupations such as dairy farming, poultry, honey production and various others to supplement their income. — TNS
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Principals apprised of HC directions
Amritsar, July 21 As many as 70 school principals attended the meet. Dr Singh said the Punjab & Haryana High Court has given directions to all CBSE schools to submit its profit and loss account for the last five financial years pertaining from the year 2008-2012. “The school shall maintain salary account of each employee of the school and proof of the salaries being paid to the teachers/non-teachers. The schools have to furnish the proof of allotment of 25 per cent seats to the students under EWS category”, he said. All the CBSE schools would have to prescribe books published by NCERT. “The board has decided to discontinue the practice of providing blue prints, sample question paper and marking schemes in Classes IX and X,” he said.
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Hoardings galore in areas under Improvement Trust
Amritsar, July 20 A random round of AIT-governed areas like the Ranjit Avenue, Lawrence Road and Nehru Shopping Complex revealed the existence of several illegal hoardings. A substantial number of fresh hoardings can be seen on buildings alongside Lawrence Road and on the rooftops of Nehru Shopping Complex. The place demarcated for parking on the rooftop has not been spared. Large billboards have been erected on the huge concrete blocks placed in-between the parking block. Moreover, to facilitate a hoarding, the concrete lintel of the roof, supposed to aid the lift, has been dismantled. These revelations were further substantiated by the findings of an RTI plea, filed by Sandy Randhawa. After spotting three unipoles (for supporting advertisement and banners) and bearing a company’s name ‘Golden Apple Advertisers’, he thought of questioning the authorities on the criteria under which the unipoles and hoardings are allowed in the holy city. He found that there were scores of such hoardings installed on unipoles at various pockets of the holy city which have no authentic record either with the MC or AIT. Randhawa though got information from the MC, the AIT authorities refused his application. “While the MC authorities willingly provided me some information, but the AIT adopted dillydallying tactics. Since my office is in Ranjit Avenue area, it was just by chance that I spotted these ‘irregularities’. Out of curiosity, I sought information about the methodology being adopted to allow advertisements or billboards. The AIT rejected the RTI application due to a petty mistake in the RTI questionnaire. Anyways, I had no choice, but to file an application afresh on July 16”, he said. Official speak It is difficult to say anything about the legality of these hoardings. I cannot comment on the issue until I go through the files related to it. And it is a time-consuming exercise. — Bharat Bhushan, SE, Improvement Trust
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Seminar on child disability
Amritsar, July 21 Shabnam Aggarwal, an expert on child disability, talked about various symptoms that could help identify whether a child suffers from learning difficulty or not or he/she is just careless about his/her studies and how to handle such students. She urged the teachers to have a positive outlook. Rajiv Kumar Sharma, Principal, Spring Dale Senior School, said children with learning disabilities need a lot of encouragement. “Schools need to create an environment, which enables all the children to do well both in academics and co curricular activities. The workshop is a part of the school’s efforts to make teachers and children aware about the needs of special ability or disability groups,” he said.
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TB awareness camps to be organised in schools
Amritsar, July 21 A letter received from the state TB control office reveal that the local authorities have been given time till December to make students aware about the disease. District TB Officer Dr Naresh Chawla said, “We will be ready with the action plan within a week’s time. Then we will be covering each and every school (both government and private).” He said awareness among the schoolchildren is the best way to reform the society. Dr Chawla said apart from educating students about the symptoms and treatment of the disease, they will also focus on the myths and social stigma associated with TB. He said apart from the staff and trainers of the tuberculosis hospital, NGOs and social welfare societies would also be roped in to reach out to students. He said after receiving letters from the state authorities, they have started efforts to make the awareness drive successful. He said during the past year, the local health department had identified and treated 3,986 patients in total under the revised national tuberculosis control programme. He said a separate ward for multiple drug resistant tuberculosis patients has also been set up at the district TB hospital.
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Strange is the functioning of the authorities at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where the mammography unit for checking breast cancer is a part of emergency services, but not the X-ray machines.
The X-ray unit running in the emergency ward was reportedly shifted to the Radiology Department a few months ago only to pave way for installing a mammography unit, which was later inaugurated by Medical Education and Research Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat amidst much fanfare.
Long and unscheduled power cuts have made life miserable for the residents here. The electricity department states
inadequate power generation, an escalating demand and no rain resulting in less power generation are the reasons behind the power cuts.
The District Agriculture Department organised a camp at Mandala village in Verka to apprise farmers about the integrated pest management programme and caution them against the excessive use of fertilisers and chemicals.
At a time when the Amritsar Municipal Corporation is mulling new advertisement policy to check illegal hoardings, the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) is silent over the menace in the areas falling under its jurisdiction.
To enable teachers to handle children with learning difficulties efficiently, Spring Dale Senior School and Global Institute for Child Disability organised a seminar on child disability.