Amritsar, September 17
The Union Government’s announcement of banning multiple LPG connections with a view to curtail subsidy on it has send the people with more than one connections in a tizzy.

It is learnt that the district office of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has received guidelines from its head office to proceed to identify persons with multiple connections. However, with 52 gas agencies and lakhs of customers the task will not be a smooth sailing. Over 90 per cent LPG supply in the city is handled by the IOC.

The officials are urging people to voluntarily surrender their LPG connections or face the music. Consumers with multiple connections will be liable to face permanent disconnection and even penal action under the Essential Commodities Act.

Officials of the Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) companies said letters were being dispatched to the consumers with multiple connections to surrender their connections at the earliest. They said thereafter the PSU companies would use database to identify the consumers with multiple connections with same names and similar addresses. They said each consumer was expected to shell out anything between Rs 750 and Rs 900 per cylinder.

A gas agency dealer said rising cost of petrol drove people to go for easily available LPG and many households used more than one gas connections to exploit the subsidised refills for their own convenience. He said the government’s move was anticipated to stem the trend of a large number of old cars of all makes being run on illegal LPG kits. Officials of the Transport Department and Food and Civil Supplies Department would have a tough time ahead in keeping a tab on the illegal used of domestic LPG in cars.

Besides, he stated that even as the FCI sleuths checked the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders by commercial shops and vendors yet the violators take the risk to curtail investment costs. Apparently, the reason was a wide gap between the rates of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders. It acted as a lure for owners of these commercial units of flouting the norms. As a commercial LPG cylinder costs Rs 1,150 and a domestic cylinder Rs 420, hence the cost of a kilogram of commercial LPG is over Rs 52, whereas that of the domestic LPG is about Rs 30 per kg. He expected that this misuse would also be stopped.

A consumer, Parminder Kaur, said the restriction of six cylinders in a year was impractical as many families comprised eight to 10 members and even more. She said the people already battered by the rising inflation would be forced to cut down on other essential items.

Amritsar, September 17
Two persons were killed while three got seriously injured when a portion of an old structure’s roof collapsed this morning.

Pamma, Kaka Singh, Sahib Singh, Sona and contractor Surinder Pal were engaged in demolishing the rickety structure located in the Mahan Singh Gate area. Pamma and Sona succumbed to their injuries in a hospital, while the others are still under treatment. The condition of Kaka Singh, Surinder Pal and Sahib Singh was stated to be out of danger. All belonged to Fatahpur village in Amritsar district.

It is being viewed that the vital portion of the building got weakened apparently due to rains that have been lashing the city for the past few days. The structure, recently purchased by Amarjeet Singh, was reportedly being demolished for constructing a new one.

Today at about 9.30 am, the victims were demolishing portions of the building on the ground floor, little realising that it could weaken the support of the upper floors. Apparently, due to vibrations in the walls, the already weak roof gave way and came crashing down on the victims working beneath.

Before the Fire Brigade or MC’s rescue team could reach the spot, the trapped persons were pulled out by a team of Ambulance 108 service. The injured were rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH).

Sunil Gandhi, district manager of the Ambulance 108 service, said all injured were taken to GNDH within half an hour of the incident. “We got them admitted to the hospital after giving them first aid. The two among them had received severe head injuries, which led to their death,” he said.

While admitting that the structures which collapsed today was not on their list, Des Raj, Head of the Municipal Town Planning Department, said the building could not be called a century-old, but it was certainly a risky structure.

In charge of the Kotwali police station confirmed that Pamma and Sona died and said a case would be registered after noting down the statements of the injured. “Since the survivors are under treatment, we would have to consult doctors before recording their statements,” he said.

Amritsar, September 17
Today's instance of building collapse is not the first one in the city, as six to seven old structures had collapsed in the walled city during the monsoon last year and caused several deaths. Even as the MC had identified unsafe buildings located in the walled city area, but there was no follow-up action to get them evacuated.

Despite such "repetitive disasters", no concrete plan could ever be adopted to demolish them safely or rehabilitate the occupants while making some alternate arrangements for them.

Around 119 buildings found mentions like "dangerous" and "highly dilapidated" in the MC's survey list. The chances of their crumbling down increase manifold during the rainy season, yet the MC could not take any concrete action against their occupants - either owners or the tenants.

Corporation officials claimed that they had demolished some buildings a year ago, but were hesitant to proceed it as a rigorous drive because of the legal hitch. Majority of the occupants of these buildings had procured stay orders from the high court against vacating the place.

Yet, the occupants of these buildings should learn a lesson from such incidents, the officials maintained. "Such unsafe buildings not only put the lives of those who live in them in danger, but also of those living in the adjoining buildings," he said.

"Whenever rain comes, we get scared and pray to God only to save these dilapidated structures because no one knows when these buildings would come down damaging our house too," said Jagdish Singh, who lives next to such a dangerous building in the Bagh Ramanand area.

Nevertheless, century-old buildings, built with Nanakshahi bricks, could be located near Dharam Singh Market, Katra Ahluwalia Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Gali Chhajju, Guru Bazaar, Pratap Bazaar, Cheel Mandi, Ghantagarh and Haveli Zamadara areas.

We had repeatedly served notices to the occupants of these dangerous buildings, but they seldom take note of them. We have even demolished some of them in areas like Katra Dullo, Dhab Khatikan, Gali Tiwarian Wali and Cheel Mandi a year back. But it could not be continued as over 60 per cent of these old properties have been entangled in court cases on account of conflict between owners and tenants. When we ask them to vacate, they show us HC stay orders. So we refrain to interfere. — Des Raj, Head, Municipal Town Planning Department 

Amritsar, September 17
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organised a farmers’ fair for paddy crop at Guru Nanak Bhawan.

Dr Mangal Singh Sandhu, Director, Agriculture Department, in his presidential remarks, appealed to the farmers that cultivation must be carried out keeping in view the depleting water table.

He urged them to select the crop after taking the advice of experts on the basis of the kind of soil.

He stressed that chemical-based products should only be used keeping in view the requirement of the crop and soil.

He said excessive use of pesticide and insecticide was causing undue medical hardships to the people of the state. He advised the farmers to adopt organic farming.

Another expert from the Agriculture Department, Joint Director Dr Harvinder Singh Patti said the government had made proper arrangements for fertilisers, pesticides and seeds for the paddy season. He advised the tillers to adopt new techniques to minimise the use of fertilisers.

Supreet Singh Gulati, ADC, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the farmers must prepare their own seeds and fertilisers must be sprinkled over fields within the limits.

Dr Dilbagh Singh Dhanju, chief agriculture officer, also addressed the farmers.

Various departments, including Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, fishery, dairy, forest and sugar mills, also participated in the fair.

An exhibition of new farm technology machines, seeds, fertilisers and others were also displayed on this occasion.

Amritsar, September 17
Now, parking vehicles in the wrong and no-parking areas would attract hefty fines and even impounding of vehicles.

Taking a cue from the success of the Jalandhar and Ludhiana model, the city police has decided to rope in a private company for towing away wrongly parked vehicles. Though vehicle owners would be challaned by the Police Department, all expenses of towing away and keeping impounded vehicles (till the proceedings of challaning are underway) would be incurred by the owner itself.

“The model has proved successful in Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Hence, we have decided to adopt this model for streamlining traffic chaos in the holy city,” said Police Commissioner Ram Singh.

For this, the Police Department in collaboration with the District Transport Department formed a database of vehicles on the basis of their registration numbers. Challans would be sent at the residence of vehicle owners in this regard.

The Police Commissioner warned the residents to complete their documents if they had sold their vehicles to others so that summons could be sent only to the erring persons.

To streamline the dismal traffic scenario in the city, the Police Department headed by the Police Commissioner today held a meeting with the civic authorities concerned, besides various associations, including traders, shopkeepers, auto-rickshaw drivers and NGOs. Seeking their cooperation, Ram Singh also asked for their suggestions to solve traffic problems.

Besides encroachments and illegal parking of vehicles, auto-rickshaws are the major reasons for the traffic chaos in the city. Representatives of the Auto-Rickshaw Union, while assuring full cooperation, suggested that auto-rickshaws having registration numbers of Amritsar should be allowed to ply on the city roads.

They assured that auto-rickshaw owners would complete the necessary documents within a week after which the Police Department could challan them and the union would not intervene in the functioning of the traffic police.

The union president also urged the Police Department that in the absence of any designated place, it should identify the places from where auto-rickshaw drivers could pick passengers.

Shopkeepers and trade unions, especially in the walled city area, also assured the Police Department that they would not encroach upon the roads and footpaths.

Ram Singh said the department would not forcibly impose the decisions taken in the meeting. He said one week’s time had been given to the departments and associations concerned during which awareness campaigns would be launched. After this, the police would start challaning defaulters and every possible step would be taken to streamline the traffic in the city.

Among others who were present on the occasion included MC Commissioner Dharampal Gupta, DTO Vimal Setia and various police officials.

Amritsar, September 17
In a city packed with diehard foodies, anything on platter is appreciated. Especially when it comes garnished with different flavours, unusual to our taste. So, while the Punjabi food tops our favourite’s list, we make enough room for savouring cuisines that offer variety. One such cuisines is Thai food. Universally liked and appreciated for its light preparations and amazing aroma, you can enjoy the authentic cuisine at Country Inn’s Thai Food Festival.

The menu might sound dishes that seem complex, but the flavours are unmatchable. Hosting the festival, the menu boasts of some of traditional Thai recipes like Thai Red Curry with steamed rice and noodles, Khao-Tom, a Thai-style rice soup with chicken, Phat Khi Mao which is noodles stir fried with Thai basil and many such mouth-watering delights.

Traditionally rich Thai curries and salads, rice and noodle recipes are surely not to be missed. The platter is a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, suiting all types of tastes. The festival is on till September 23.

Amritsar, September 17
The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University yesterday organised a vibrant cultural event “Agaaz” to welcome newcomers to the department.

On the occasion, Nahida and Muzamil were adjudged Ms and Mr Fresher, respectively. Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, Head of the Department, welcomed the newcomers and detailed the achievements of the department.

Dr Sanjeev Sharma, an alumnus of the department, was the chief guest . Dr Sanjeev recently bagged the third rank in PPSC examinations, 2012 batch.

He was felicitated by Prof AK Thukral, director of Research, Dr AP Vig and his Ph.D supervisors Prof GS Virk and Prof Avinash Nagpal with a citation to mark his achievement.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr Sanjeev exhorted the students to follow the path of dedication and hard work to attain success in life. Dr AS Soodan delivered the vote of thanks.

Amritsar, September 17
Delhi Public School (DPS) showed a film “Ozzy Ozone” to the students from class I to class V to celebrate “Ozone Day”.

The film highlighted effects of unhealthy air on human health, water, air, including flora and fauna, through live examples.

Sangeeta Singh, principal of the school, said the aim was to create awareness among students about protecting environment. The film led the students to see the wrongful ways and means that led to pollution at the global, country and regional levels.

Simple ways like not throwing garbage out of vehicle onto road, keeping school environment clean, ban on the use of polythene as it is a non-biodegradable product which leads to choking of water passages were told to the students, she said.

The students were shown the way deforestation and reduction of greenery was leading to global warming caused by the thinning of ozone layer.

She said the United Nations General Assembly had chosen September for the preservation of ozone layer. The students were guided about the harmful effects of the depletion of ozone layer.

Amritsar, September 17
The state government would set up five state-of-the-art de-addiction centres in Punjab to wean away drug addicts from this menace.

In addition to this, the government would also establish district-level de-addiction centres in 12 districts under the 12th Five-Year Plan in the state.

This was revealed by Bikram Singh Majithia, Cabinet Minister, Punjab, here today while reiterating that the state government was committed to ending the menace of drug addiction in the border state.

He said drug abuse victims would be rehabilitated by the government.

The Punjab Government had given clear-cut instructions to the Police Department to tighten the noose around those persons who were involved in the illegal trade, he said.

He said police officials who would work diligently in curbing the menace would be awarded suitably. However, he quickly added that those found hand in glove with smugglers and drug peddlers would be strictly dealt with.

He appealed to the common masses to cooperate with the government in ending this menace by informing the police officials concerned about the wrongdoers so that stringent action would be taken against such anti-social elements.

Amritsar, September 17
Call it human nature, but we are least interested in anything that comes attached with knowledge. Well, at least the empty seats and auditoriums during the literary events at the ongoing Zonal Youth Festival at Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University is a proof of that.

While the cultural evenings and folk performances get overflow with audience, brimming with energy and enthusiasm, the literary events like debates, elocution, quiz et al find the only audience in those who are participating. And the concerning fact is that this is nothing new.

“It has been happening every year. Most times the venue where literary events are held have only five to 10 people in the audience, that, too, those who are either participating or judging,” shares Nishtha Mehra, MA (Psychology) student at GND University, who has been a regular participant in debate and elocution competitions. “There is hardly any enthusiasm among youngsters for such events, when mostly topics discussed in debates have issues concerning them,” says Nishtha.

A national-level competitor, Nishtha, finds the cold attitude toward literary events startling in a city that boasts of its literary legacy. “It’s become a norm of sorts, give anything serious to the city youth and they will choose to ignore it completely. These competitions have some of the finest speakers from various colleges and universities across the region, who feels disappointed without any cheers from the audience.”

Another participant Prabhpreet Kaur, pursuing English (Honours), too feels that the lack of audience makes it pointless to host such events. “Who would you speak to when there is no one listening? There is a lot of hard work and research that goes into preparing topics for literary competitions and without any encouragement, it’s disappointing,” she says.

The maximum crowd pullers in the youth festivals are bhangra and giddha performances, followed by folk and other cultural events. Mono-acts, mimes, stage plays, too, struggle to find a good audience. Jagjit Kaur, in charge, Students Welfare and Youth Festival, agrees when she says that it is difficult for serious events to become crowd-pullers. “Unless one makes it mandatory to attend such events, nobody is interested in watching them. The reason being the cold attitude toward all things too serious for their entertainment. Students choose entertainment over knowledge these days and so their preferences too are the same.”

She shares that the interest has to come from within, “You cannot force students to be an audience to something they find boring.”