The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	MC falls short of recovery target GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 Various departments of the Municipal Corporation (MC) have failed to recover their dues to the tune of crores due to the lack of follow-up action. These departments have restricted themselves to merely issuing notices to the defaulters, while the MC continues to struggle with fund crunch. Taking it into account, Additional MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal today conducted the house tax meeting to strengthen the recovery process. If the MC’s recovery data for the past six months is any indication, it has been revealed that against the set target of Rs 22.50 crore till March 2013, the MC’s house tax wing could only fetch nearly Rs 7 crore. This is not even the 50 per cent of the total recovery target and there remain just five months ahead. It is estimated that the MC, already going through a severe fund crunch, otherwise, could have earned Rs 10 crore more by way of recovering its dues, had it been serious about tax collection. Last year also, the house tax wing, which was to recover at least Rs 18.5 crore till March 31, was at least Rs 4 crore behind the target. It is not the house tax department alone, but the other revenue-generation departments, too, are lagging behind. The Water and Sewerage department, which is A claimant to the tune of around Rs 20 crore, could recover only Rs 5.5 crore. Similarly, against the upturn amount of Rs 2 crore, the Advertisement department could get back only Rs 40 lakh. The petrol, diesel and electricity cess amounts to around Rs 16 crore. Till date, only Rs 5 crore could be recovered so far, whereas as per the set deadline, at least Rs 8 crore should have been in the MC’s kitty by this time. The sale of defunct municipal properties could fetch nearly Rs 20 crore, yet the MC could encash only Rs 1.75 crore as the process of auction got entangled in official rigmarole. Also, the building application fee can make the MC richer by another Rs 9 crore, but sources said only Rs 2.5 crore could be fetched. Not to forget the building composition fee, under this head the MC can bring in around Rs 10 crore, but till date only Rs 4 crore could be recovered. The additional excise duty could have brought in around Rs 15 crore, whereas till date, almost half of it, about Rs 6.25 crore, could be recovered. The licencing fee, pertaining to various jobs, can fill the purse by another Rs 30 lakhs. The sources said only Rs 9 lakh had been recovered so far. Poor record If the MC’s recovery data for the past six months is any indication, it has been revealed that against the set target of Rs 22.50 crore till March 2013, the MC’s house tax wing could only fetch nearly Rs 7 crore. This is not even the 50 per cent of the total recovery target and there remain just five months ahead
	Checking spread of dengue Health dept tells MC to repair taps Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 The district health department has told the municipal corporation (MC) to take the necessary steps to repair water taps installed in various localities to keep a check on the spread of dengue. The matter was pointed out at a meeting of various departments presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner. Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra said, “The dengue mosquito breeds in fresh ground. It has been seen that some taps installed by the MC run continuously for 24 hours. In that situation, the stagnant water is helping mosquitoes breed.” District Epidemiologist Dr Charanjit Singh said the roadways department had also been asked to dispose of used tyres on a weekly basis. He said all such things that can hold water should not be placed in the open. Dr Charanjit Singh said at present, the department had confirmed seven cases of dengue. However, during the previous year, till October 31, around 89 cases of dengue were reported from the city. “Previous year, the first of the dengue cases in the state was reported in the month of May. Taking a clue from the incident, we had started with anti-mosquito sprays and other preventive measures well in advance,” said Dr Charanjit, adding that an effort of the department had paid off. He said the district had also witnessed lesser number of malaria cases in contrast to the previous year. Presently only 27 cases of malaria had been reported. In the previous year, 147 cases were reported, said Dr Charanjit Singh. “It is a kind of achievement as the district department has successfully reduced the spread of malaria and dengue,” he said. The department had earlier instructed all private medical practitioners in district, through the local Indian Medical Association (IMA) unit, to report any suspected case of dengue to officials before going public in that regard. “It has helped keeping a check on the private practitioners, who could earlier fool people. Now each and every case is being investigated by the department before reaching any conclusion,” said Dr Singh.
	No respite from snatching incidents in city Police 'discourages' complainants from getting FIRs registered GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 Even as the police is claiming to curb snatching incidents in the city, there are instances in which the police has declined to register complaints of the snatching victims, showing that snatchings continue unabated and it's the police which is brushing these incidents under the carpet. Ironically, the police prefers not to register a separate first information report (FIR) in a snatching case, but wants to club it with another incident of similar nature which took place in the past, apparently, to keep the crime graph in their areas low and their record "clean". At least, the New Amritsar resident Dipleen Kaur has reasons to think so. She fell victim to snatchers just a day after the Police Commissioner "apprised" the residents of "crime data" about the depreciation in the crime graph, especially snatching instances, through newspapers on November 3. Minutes after two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths successfully snatched her purse when she, along with her mother Kiranjeet Kaur, was getting out of the car after parking it opposite to the SBI branch on the Lawrence road, they approached the Lawrence road police post, located just a few steps from the scene of crime. Althogh the police post in charge listened to them patiently and accepted the complaint in writing by the victim, even after a lapse of three days, she could not get the copy of any FIR or DDR registered about the incident, on the basis which she could have been a claimant if, by any chance, the snatchers landed in the police net anytime. Interestingly, the SHO concerned, too, reached the spot but except for giving "verbal consolation" to the victim, he was of no help. The end result was that the incident could not find place in their daily crime diary. The victim said the officers were more concerned about convincing her for not getting the fresh FIR lodged, but were ready to club it with a similar kind of incident that had happened in the past. Now, Dipleen has lost all hopes of getting any justice from the police. Some months ago, similar police treatment was tasted by a snatching victim hailing from New Delhi Harbans Kaur. She had even written to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal after alleging the non-registration of a separate case by the Amritsar police. She was robbed of cash, jewellery, mobile and other belongings worth Rs 2.5 lakh on June 20 near Bhandari Bridge during her visit to the holy city along with her son. She had urged the Punjab CM to direct the police at least to lodge a case. After the snatching, she and her son went to the Circuit House police chowki and gave a written complaint with the details of the incident. The policemen on duty recorded the complaint in the register and told them that the case would be attached with the FIR of another similar case, which was reported 11 days ago under the Civil Lines police station area. All her requests to the police officers that since the loss was huge, a separate FIR should be registered fell on deaf ears. Even an email was sent in this regard to the Amritsar police, but who bothers?
	Harbir's selection celebrated Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 The family and friends of Harbir Singh Sandhu rejoiced at his selection in the national hockey senior team shortlisted yesterday. The team will participate in Champions League in Australia and International Super Series in Perth next month. A resident of the Loharka road, Harbir Singh is going to represent Amritsar district in the senior team at any international match after a gap of 11 years. It was through Olympian Balwinder Shami that the region had got representation in 1990. Present along with the family and friends of Harbir was Balwinder Shami, who hailed Harbir’s achievement. Harbir’s father, Hardavinder Singh Sandhu, said, “It is like a dream which came true. We wish a very bright career for Harbir, as he is aged only 22.” He said Harbir had started playing hockey at the school level. Harbir is, at present, employed with Punjab and Sind Bank and plays for its team. The family hails from Fatahpur Badesha village near Khadoor Sahib in Tarn Taran. It was while studying at Government Senior Secondary School Mianwind near his village that physical training instructor (PTI) Darshan Singh pushed him towards the game.
	Plea to improve connectivity to Canada Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 The Amritsar Vikas Manch has urged Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal to impress upon the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to help start Amritsar-Toronto and Amritsar-Vancouver flights of Canadian airlines for better connectivity between Punjab and Canada. Manch president Amrit Lal Mannan, in a press release, here today requested Badal to put the matter on the agenda. He said the introduction of these flights would give a fillip to the development of the holy city, besides fulfilling the long-standing demand of the strong Punjabi community in Canada. He added that the Chief Minister should also strongly prevail upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh to immediately resume the Amritsar-London-Toronto flight of Air India.
	City kite maker Jagmohan Kanojia makes it to India Book of Records Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 He is a well-known artist in Amritsar, for his creations come in all shapes and sizes. His creations have become a sort of tradition in the city. But kite maker Jagmohan Kanojia is fixed on two things - making designer kites and entering record books. His fetish for both has won him another laurel, that of registering maximum records in a year and from Amritsar. Now, that’s a record for making records. Kanojia, who has till date nine national records to his credit, six of which came this year, in the India and Limca Book of Records, is being bestowed with a national award for making maximum records from a city and in the same year. The artist is obviously quite elated at the news, but also feels proud that his creativity and passion for doing something different is being noticed. “It’s a great feeling to have so many interesting achievements to my name. I have been making kites for the past three decades, and am glad that my art is being appreciated," he said. Having made over 10,000 kites over the years, ranging from 2mm to 40ft, Kanojia’s records not only include his kite-making skills but also his love for gardening. So the first one came with growing the tallest papaya plant, followed by successfully growing a grape vine and then a guava inside a 500-watt light bulb, making world’s smallest kite measuring 2mm, having a collection of maximum varieties of eggs and growing a 10ft tall ladyfinger plant. All set to receive the honour in the coming month, Kanojia is glad to have his name written in the record books. “First, people knew me for my kites. Now, they know me for my records. I have designed kites that commemorate festivals, occasion, anniversaries, celebrities and world events. Most of my works reflect my desire to constantly improvise and beat myself over and again," he says. As the festival season is at its peak, Kanojia is busy designing some special kites. “Animal, birds, ghost shapes are popular with kids and cricketers and Bollywood belles with adults. Lantern-style, kite-lamps, some with social messages are also popular.” Though he does feel that kite flying has just limited itself to a festival activity, it is a competitive international sport and some of the kites do make it to foreign countries through some professionals who buy them. But it’s not that big a deal in India yet.” His most favourite creation in the making is a special kite for President Obama. “I had made a special kite for Pranab Mukherjee when he was elected the President of India and now, I am making a kite for Barack Obama. I hope he wins the presidential race as he has been quite influential in his previous term as US President.” And all he wants for this one is to present it to Obama himself and see his reaction, “I guess it would be interesting to see how that goes,” he says. May fetch him another record or so…
	Final design of sports complex approved Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 A five-member committee of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has approved the final design, out of the three submitted by architect firms, for raising a modern indoor and outdoor sports complex at the posh Ranjit Avenue locality in the city. The design of Panchkula-based architect Renu Khanna was approved under the technical bid category by the committee and the same will be put up before the next trust meeting to take a final call of the financial bid. The architect of the winning design won a prize of Rs 1 lakh. The selection committee consisted of ADC Sandeep Rishi, Director, Town Planning, Punjab, M.S. Aujla, Superintendent Engineer Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Executive Officer Jiwan Bansal and Town Planner Sonu Mahindru, all officials of the AIT. As per the selected design, total play field area will be 55.90 per cent of the total 5,95,624.24 sq ft. The rest of the area would include ground coverage (16.77 per cent), green area, including semi-paved pathways (17.13 per cent) and road area (10.20 per cent). The outdoor field of the proposed sports complex would have a cricket ground, hockey ground, football ground, 250-m synthetic athletic track, three lawn tennis courts, three kabaddi courts and two volleyball courts. The indoor stadium would have three badminton courts, three table tennis courts, two wrestling/boxing units, two squash courts, swimming pool and skating rink. There would be a provision for the parking of 270 cars outside the campus and 45 cars on the campus. Facilities like guest rooms with attached toilets, sports mall, lecture hall, food courts, exhibition halls, gymnasium, billiards and card rooms could be added. Apart from this, public utility features like spectator gallery in each stadium could include drinking water, separate toilets for male, female, VIP and physically challenged, change room for players, lockers, food court, sports mall, exhibition centre could be incorporated. The design proposed four entry and exit gates. An official said the facilities to be provided in stadiums would be selected depending upon the availability of funds. He said at present the total investment for the project ranged between Rs 17 crore and Rs 20 crore.
	Private coaching institutes mushroom in residential areas Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 Over a period of time private coaching institutes, training students for medical and engineering entrance exams, have mushroomed in different parts of the city. The posh locality of Rani Ka Bagh boasts of having the maximum institutes and coaching centres in the city. These centres are charging hefty fee at will and are even forcing students to pay fee for the entire course despite mentioning the fee on monthly basis. However, in the name of taxes to the government they seem to have not been brought under its ambit. An RTI activist, Sandy Randhawa, said Rani Ka Bagh falls under the Town Planning Scheme and it was finally notified in 1940. He claimed that as per the Town Planning Scheme, a residential area could be changed into commercial only through a procedure. He alleged that residents of this posh residential locality without getting the CLU (change of land use) had been using portions of their houses for commercial purposes. Majority of these houses did not have their own parking space and students park their two-wheelers and four-wheelers on roads, which led to congestion and eventually road blockades. He said the Municipal Corporation (MC) did not supply him information under the RTI Act on the exact number of coaching institutes being operated from the Rani Ka Bagh locality and the amount of taxes being collected from these. He also sought that whether these institutes got the CLU nod from the MC. He said the MC did not supply him any information despite a reminder. The growing number of coaching centres has hit self study hard. Not bound by any norms, they stuff the number of students in a classroom as per their will. Some of these students are charged fee as high as Rs 5,000 a subject per month. These coaching institutes claim to prepare students for admission to leading engineering and medical institutes of the country and the state like IIT, Armed Forces Medical College, AIIMS and others. A number of these institutes invest a heavy amount on advertising to lure students and their parents to join them promising luxury infrastructure and teachers, who had once been IITian. Many institutes have published their booklets and pamphlets in which they have made exaggerated claims. Elaborating the trend, a leading educationist of the city said there are two kinds of coaching institutes. In the first category falls institutes established by chain coaching centres and the resourceful local centers who have rejuvenated themselves to match the standards of the former. These institutes charge consolidated annual fee between Rs 75,000 and Rs 1 lakh and the course duration is of two years running simultaneously for 10+1 and 10+2. Institutes in the second category are those which have just come up and charge less than the established coaching centres. The parents have no alternative but to give in to the pressure of their wards. “Moreover, it has become a fashion statement to inform that their ward is studying in that reputed institute,” said Anita Vashisht, a mother of two teenaged children. The educationist said many of them were running a class with over 50 and 70 students and its teacher could not give time to average and below-average students. She said despite setting up of a large number of institutes, the annual rate of local students joining the top engineering and medical institutes was less than satisfactory. D.P. Gupta, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, said, "Let the applicant directly write to him and he will supply the entire information." He accepted that there would be financial loss to the cash-strapped corporation if the taxes were not collected properly. He added that all these tuition centres along with others would be incorporated in the network of house tax, which would be introduced from the next fiscal year.
	from schools and colleges Workshop on ‘Life skills and value education in schools’ organised Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 With a view to acquaint principals and teachers with the latest theories and life-changing ideas in the sphere of education, a workshop on “Life skills and value education in schools” was organised at Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School. The workshop was attended by 146 principals, coordinators and teachers of different schools of Sahodaya Schools Complex, Amritsar. The resource person was G. Balasubramanian, a former Director (Academics). CBSE. Director of the host school Dr Dharam Veer Singh said the students are dynamic individuals who learn differently and to teach them educators need unique ways to engage them in learning process. Nischint Kahlon, headmistress of the school, hosted the programme. Dr Balasubramanian apprised the audience of various ways to impart life skills and value-based education to their students in classrooms. His speech was supported by an effective and powerful PPT presentation. The principals and teachers asked various questions, which were answered to the best of their satisfaction. Punjabi Language Week Punjabi language is losing ground to English for limited employment opportunities, said Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Mall Road, Mandeep Kaur. Addressing a seminar during Punjabi Language Week being observed ot the school premises, she stressed that there was a need to preserve the rich language. She said Punjabi did not affiliate to a particular community and was the shared heritage of Sikhs, Hindus and Punjab. Significance of sociology The sociology has become far more relevant today as understanding society is most crucial, stated Dr Gurpreet Kaur Bal from the Sociology Department of Guru Nanak Dev University. Addressing students at Khalsa College, she said in the strife-torn world the study of society was taking a new shape. She was earlier welcomed by host college Principal Dr Daljit Singh, who also spoke on the significance of sociology in the stream of arts subjects and how it could help in solving disputes.