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MC to tighten screws on defaulters
Notorious woman peddler held with narcotics, jewellery
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Durgiana Temple beautification project
Eight traders give in amidst stiff opposition
Amritsar, August 12 Even as eight traders gave in to the evacuation orders, the opposition to the 48-hour evacuation notice, served on shopkeepers of Durgiana Temple complex by the Land Acquisition department, continued for the second consecutive day today. Shopkeepers have started shifting their stuff from eight shops which will be demolished in the first phase inside the temple complex
Gangster arrested with live cartridges
Checking medical representatives from meeting docs during OPD hours
Dosti Manch to take up minorities’ issue in Pak
Former players dejected with Indian hockey team’s poor show
State to prepare symptom-based data of cancer patients
Killing at US Gurdwara
Majithia to unfurl Tricolour on I-Day
Workshop on endoscopy
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MC to tighten screws on defaulters
Amritsar, August 12 Some of the house tax defaulters had issued cheques against their dues to the MC, but these were later dishonoured by banks. The MC is also chalking out an action plan to ensure timely recoveries in the future. A committee has been formed under the tutelage of Additional Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal, which would prepare a report about those defaulters who evaded the sealing proceedings by issuing cheques, which were dishonoured by banks. Though officials said there were around 100 cheques which were dishonoured in April last, MC sources said there were over 500 cheques, pertaining to various departments, with the MC which have not been cleared by banks. Ironically, majority of these cheques were dishonoured by banks after account holders opted for ‘stop payment’ option. Sabharwal conducted meeting of superintendents of key departments and instructed them to be tough with the defaulters. Also defaulters, who have not responded to notices, would be taken to task, the MC had decided. The MC had contemplated to take legal course of action against them under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, but that too didn’t bear any fruit. Now the corporation is thinking of initiating action under the 420 of the IPC. These defaulters committed double offence. First they issued cheques to evade the sealing process and secondly, got the payments stopped. It has been estimated that tax amounting to over Rs 1 crore is being pilfered due to laxity and lack of coordination in the various departments like the house tax wing, municipal town planning department, deputy controller, finance and auditing, (DCFA) department, land department and water supply department. To streamline the house tax recovery and to ensure accountability, the MC has divided the areas among superintendents. They would be liable to collect the house tax from the properties falling in their jurisdiction. Shushant Bhatia would look after Ranjit Avenue, Hussainpura, Daburji, GT Road (left), outside Chabbal road area and area surrounding the Golden Temple. Daljit Singh would be responsible for Hall Bazar, Mall Road, railway station, Putlighar, Pink Plaza and around Chabbal road. Sher Singh would handle areas of Batala road, Guru Bazar, Sultanwind road, GT Road (right) and Tarn Taran Road. Pardeep Kumar’s jurisdiction would be Lawrence Road, some portions of Chheharta, Khasa, Ajnala road and Sultanwind road.
Official speak We have drafted a programme under which the superintendents of house tax, land and DCFA wings have been assigned a job of preparing a report on defaulters of their respective departments. We will take stern action against defaulters. -- Pardeep Sabharwal, Additional Commissioner
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Notorious woman peddler held with narcotics, jewellery
Amritsar, August 12 Baljit Kaur was wanted in 17 similar cases registered in various police stations in Amritsar. She used to sell the contraband and had permanent customers, especially youths, who used to procure their daily dose from her. The Khilchian police got information that Baljit was roaming near Lohgarh Kalke village bus stand while waiting for her daily ‘clients’. A police team, led by SHO Gurpreet Singh, raided the spot and arrested the accused. During search, the police also recovered 5 g of heroin, Rs 2.6 lakh, four gold rings and a gold chain. Gurpreet Singh said it was suspected that the accused collected the money and gold jewellery by selling narcotics. He said further investigations were going on to unearth the nexus, including her connections from whom she used to get the contraband. Initial investigations revealed she had been in the business for the past eight years. “This time we were determined not to let her escape. We have been tracking her movements for quite some time. Her son was also involved in the illegal trade and is wanted in five such cases,” said Preet Paul Virk, SSP, Amritsar rural police. A case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered against her at Khilchian police station. The SSP said that Baljit Kaur was earlier arrested by the police during assembly elections. However, she was released later. Initially, she was involved in bootlegging and later graduated to drug peddling. Her two sons Charanjit Singh and Jagjit Singh too had criminal background and were wanted in several cases, including attempt to murder case. Six more peddlers in police net
The Amritsar rural police has nabbed six more drug peddlers and seized narcotic powder from their possession. Santokh Singh of Udoke Khurd was arrested with 100 g; Sukhbir Singh of Bhangali Kalan with 100 g; Bhinda Singh of Chatiwind with 200 g; Sarwan Singh of Bhakna with 95 g; Nishan Singh of Gharindi with 50 g of narcotic powder and Rakesh Kumar of Majitha was nabbed with habit-forming drugs. Separate cases under relevant sections of the NDPS Act have been registered against them.
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Durgiana Temple beautification project GS Paul Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 12 Importantly, Congress leader Karamjit Singh Rintu joined the protestors today and asked the administration to rehabilitate traders and residents, who were doing business or living inside the complex on a rent for decades, before asking them to vacate their places. On Saturday, all the 54 traders, running their businesses on a rent, and over hundred residents, living within the Durgiana complex for the past over five decades, had refused to vacate their places. Under the government’s Durgiana Mandir Beautification scheme, these shops and some of the houses would be demolished to widen the galliara. Eight shops of traders, who chose to shift their belongings today, would be demolished in the first phase. The shopkeepers resented that the administration did not give them ample time or an alternative place to go. They demanded that they should have been provided ‘makeshift’ shops and electricity connections for the period till the new complex comes up. Kamal, who has been running his travel agency from a shop since 1989, shifted the furniture of his shop to his relatives place. He resented that they had nowhere to go. Rakesh Kumar, who had a dry cleaning business for the past two decades, was worried about his future too. “How will we up bring up our children? The authorities are concerned only about the beautification of the complex. We pleaded with the ministers and officials, but in vain,” he said. Vishal, who has been running medicine shop, also vacated his shop. “When I occupied this shop 15 years back, I gave Rs 2.5 lakh as ‘surety’ to the Durgiana committee. Now, I am out of work,” he resented. Surinder Pal, who has been running sports goods store, said he had been giving quarterly sales tax of Rs 40,000 and all his material was sold under VAT norms. It took them just a piece of paper to throw us on the road,” he said. Congress leader Rintu today showed solidarity with the protesters and demanded that the shopkeepers be rehabilitated as per the policy adopted in case of the Galliara project of the Golden Temple. “Here, the Durgiana committee did not bother about the traders and residents. Though the administration has promised them shops in the upcoming commercial complex, it has not spared a thought on how they will earn their livelihood till the complex is ready. Moreover, there is nothing in black and white that these displaced shopkeepers would be allotted shops on a reserve price in the proposed complex”, he said. Official speak The occupants will have to vacate as per the law. Ultimately, we will take over the possession of the properties. This exercise will start tomorrow. Legal owners of these properties have been compensated and we will also think about those tenants who have invested in the property, provided they get certification from the owners in
writing.
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Gangster arrested with live cartridges
Amritsar, August 12 Anil Kumar, investigating officer, said Kuldip was a notorious criminal and wanted in many loot, robbery and quarrel cases. He was recently released from the jail. He said he was caught in Dashmesh Nagar area on Saturday. On seeing the police party, he tried to flee away. But he was chased down. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered against Kuldip. He has been sent to a 14-day judicial remand.
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Checking medical representatives from meeting docs during OPD hours Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 12 The patients at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital complained that medical representatives consume precious time of doctors, which is meant for patients. “It will be better if these MRs meet the doctors after the OPD hours,” said Gurpartap Singh, a patient. Many a times, patients are made to wait when these MRs are busy with the doctors. They rued as most of the patients came from far-off places, it was not right for doctors to keep them waiting. The general public had often fumed at the “practice” saying that the patients have the first right over doctors instead of the MRs, whose sole aim is to market their products (medicines). “It is hard when you are made to wait especially when you are ill and you need rest,” said Surjit Kaur, attendant of a patient. She said the hospital authorities must make some arrangements so that the services can be bettered. The authorities at the Civil Hospital had categorically asked the doctors not to entertain MRs during the OPD hours when the rush of patients is high. The hospital’s Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon had even warned the MRs against entering in the premises. “The Guru Nanak Dev Hospital too can issue such instructions. After all, a doctor’s foremost duty is to treat patients,” said Gopal Dass, a visitor. Strict instructions at civil hospital The authorities at the Civil Hospital had categorically asked the doctors not to entertain MRs during the OPD hours when the rush of patients is high. The hospital’s Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon had even warned the MRs against entering in the premises.
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Dosti Manch to take up minorities’ issue in Pak
Amritsar, August 12 Hind-Pak Dosti Manch general secretary Satnam Singh Manak said a resolution would also be passed and it would be handed over to the visiting Pakistani delegation to submit to their government urging it to safeguard the interests of the minority communities there. He said the manch was concerned about the recent attacks on members of the Hindu community in Pakistan and appearance of subsequent reports of their attempts to migrate from the country. He informed that a 25-member delegation from India would cross over to Pakistan from the JCP tomorrow to take part in the seminar on “search for shared fortunes in the sub-continent” to be held in Lahore on August 13. He added the issue of safety of Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan would also be taken up in the seminar. Manak, also a veteran journalist, said seminar on the theme of role of Sufism, to be held at Naatshala on August 13, was deliberately chosen to counter the challenges posed by fundamentalists in Pakistan. He said religious fundamentalism was no good for Pakistan and its residents. Ramesh Yadav, Amritsar president, Hind-Pak Dosti Manch, said al arrangements to hold a candlelight vigil on the intervening night of August 14 and 15 had been completed. A cultural programme at Attari near the joint check post would also be held to pay tributes to nearly 10 lakh people who died in communal riots following the Partition. He said folk singers of both the countries would perform on the occasion. Tributes will be paid to the martyrs at the Jallianwala Bagh on August 14 and subsequently candles will be lit on both sides of the border.
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Former players dejected with Indian hockey team’s poor show
Amritsar, August 12
Our defence was totally weak and non-cohesive and forward line was shy of taking a shot at the opponent’s goals. Our seniors miserably failed and youngsters failed to rise to the occasion. As a team, they did not have the heart to perform.” “Future of the game in the country is uncertain. This is the high time that we stop sitting on our old laurels and start afresh and build our team for future endeavours,” he said. “As every Indian is still emotionally attached with the national game, I request the government to do something to change the situation,” pleaded the former Olympian. He said it was premature on our part to rate the Indian hockey team which went to the Lodnon Olympics. “If we have a look at the performance of the hockey team in the last decade we were virtually nowhere. We were ranked 10 in the world hockey. But once we qualified for the Olympics, the country expected nothing less than a gold medal. This to me was not realistic.” A hockey follower, Shamsher Singh said the game needs to be restructured at district, state and national levels. He rued several prestigious domestic tournaments, like Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Tournament, have been discontinued for no particular reason.
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State to prepare symptom-based data of cancer patients
Amritsar, August 12 The decision regarding this was taken at a high-level meeting, headed by the Director, Health Services, at Chandigarh recently. Other members of committee included senior doctors from Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar and Patiala, besides PGI, Chandigarh. The high-powered committee also decided to train medical officers and paramedical staff especially in the rural areas in this regard. “The symptoms-based data will help tackle the spread of cancer in the state. It is a known fact that cancer patients have been increasing in Punjab at a very fast pace. Ironically, there is no particular data about cancer patients in the state. Alarmed over this, the state government has now shown its keen interest in this direction,” said highly-placed sources in the medical college. Earlier, the government had decided to have an atlas on cancer patients in Punjab for which cancer registry programme is already underway. The basic idea behind the symptoms-based data is early detection of the deadly disease so that it can be cured at early stages, said the sources. The medical officers would be imparted training in detecting cancer cases and preparing symptoms-based data of the cancer patients at the respective Civil Hospitals and Government Medical Colleges. These medical officers would also be trained about the screening tests required for confirming the disease in a patient.
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‘Investments will flow in after new industrial policy is implemented’
Amritsar, August 12 Addressing a seminar organised by the Laghu Udhyog Bharti, Joshi said the coalition government was committed to initiate a new era of industrialisation in Punjab. “As the agriculture sector had reached its saturation point, industrialisation is the need of the hour,” he said. He said the industrial policy was being framed keeping in view the problems of the industrialists. He said ideal atmosphere would be given to small and big industries in the state. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was keen to resolve the problems of the industrialists so that conducive environment could be provided to them to grow and generate employment for the youth.
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Union Govt flayed for keeping ‘silent’
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 12 He said the Centre must take a cue from the US government which held the national flag at half mast to pay homage to Sikhs who were killed in the incident. The UPA government did not even express its sympathy properly, he added. Majithia during his public meeting in Majitha said besides the Sikh community, the whole world was shocked and there had been worldwide condemnation of the brutal and mindless attack. The people in general attended the prayer meetings and even held prayers for the departed souls, but what the UPA government did nothing to express its solidarity with the community, he said. “There is also an urgent need to initiate a major campaign at the global level to spread awareness about the identity of Sikhs as they are often mistaken as Muslims and become victims of the hate crime,” he said.
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Majithia to unfurl Tricolour on I-Day
Amritsar, August 12 Students, police personnel rehearsed for the march past today in the presence of the ADC. “The police jawans and NCC cadets along with their bands would participate in the march past,” said Gultai. “We have made security arrangements. The detailed plan will be released soon,” said Gulati.
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Workshop on endoscopy
Amritsar, August 12 Organising secretary of the workshop, Dr Kamaljeet, said, “The workshop was attended by 200 doctors from the entire country.” He said multiple live operations on prostate, bladder cancer and kidney stones were conducted on patients.
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The Amritsar Municipal Corporation has formed special raiding teams to recover dues from defaulters.
Some of the house tax defaulters had issued cheques against their dues to the MC, but these were later dishonoured by banks.
The MC is also chalking out an action plan to ensure timely recoveries in the future.
A committee has been formed under the tutelage of Additional Commissioner Pardeep
Sabharwal, which would prepare a report about those defaulters who evaded the sealing proceedings by issuing
cheques, which were dishonoured by banks.
Amritsar, August 12
Former hockey Olympian Brig Harcharan Singh (retd) said in order to become a world champion or to clinch an Olympics title, we needed to have world-class players. “And India did not have such players except Sardar Singh, in the team.”