Amritsar, November 19
The garbage collection system here remains in dire straits even after the new MC House taking over the charge. Antony Waste, the private firm engaged for the job, had pulled out of the contract a few months sgo, following which the MC had hired private trolleys for the job.

Since August 7, Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Ltd had withdrawn its operations following a tussle between its management and the Amritsar Municipal Corporation over the payment of its dues. It was then that the MC was forced to engage private trolley operators to do the job, as it was not equipped with adequate infrastructure to remove the city garbage.

Since these private trolley operators are not professionals, they lift some and drop some on streets itself while transporting garbage.

Nevertheless, the door-to-door garbage collection arrangement, too, has collapsed. Residents complained that tractor-trolleys engaged to lift the city garbage, too, are not doing justification for their job.

Each garbage collector is supposed to make at least three rounds to transport the garbage to the designated dumping site at Bhaktanwala daily. They try to finish it off in just one round by dumping the garbage somewhere nearby and set it ablaze to dispose it of.

“They do it just to save fuel. I, myself, have caught them on many occasions, but I didn’t pursue further because I know that no action would be taken against them. Rather it would backfire on me only,” stated a senior-level MC official, preferring anonymity.

Meanwhile, garbage heaps were spotted in almost all parts of the city, including the walled city area like opposite DAV College, Hathi Gate, Katra Jaimal Singh. It has been noted that in the absence of any check on them, sweepers in various localities burn the garbage in the bins itself. That was the reason that numerous damaged bins could be spotted placed at different spots. Such damaged or burnt bins were spotted lying on the side of Court Road, Albert Road, Queens Road, Basant Avenue, Joshi Colony.

By burning garbage in the bins or accumulated waste on the streets, the life of innocent persons is put to risk as they have to bear the smoke for the whole day.

As no thought is given to segregate the trash here, it is very likely that all plastics, polystyrene (such as foam cups), dry and wet waste is burnt at a stretch which release hazardous gases. Medical experts said the smoke from burning trash in a barrel contains particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, arsenic, lead and chromium etc.

Some residents are also complaining of breathing problems. “They do not burn only dry waste, but it is a mixture of plastic waste, rotten waste, old clothes and others, which is said to be emitting toxic vapours,” complained residents.

Garbage heaps were spotted in almost all parts of the city like Court Road, Albert Road, Queens Road, Basant Avenue or roads near the railway station, which are frequented by tourists too. 

Amritsar, November 19
The jail authorities seized mobile phones and narcotic powder from three undertrials lodged in Amritsar Central Jail during a routine check.

The inmates were identified as Ranjit Singh, a resident of Bhagriwale, Hardev Singh, a resident of Bhenigila and Vijay.

All have been booked under separate cases of 420 IPC 42 Prisoner Act.

According to information, the jail staff searched Vijay and recovered 4.480 gm of narcotics powder, a Nokia handset without SIM card and Rs 1,500 from him. Similarly, from Ranjit Singh, they recovered 8 gm of narcotics, a Samsung-make mobile set and Hardev Singh was caught with a packet containing some intoxicants.

Amritsar, November 19
The lure of greener pastures continues to drive youths to fall in fake travel agents’ net, with a number of such instances failing to "dampen" their spirits to go to foreign shores.

A number of youths and their family members today entered into an altercation with employees of a city-based travel agency “Secure Overseas”.

The victims alleged that the owner of the travel agency never showed up, while the girls employed by him used to deal with their "clients" and took the money. They alleged that the accused took about Rs 50,000 from each youth for sending them abroad, but never did so.

The victims alleged that the contract documents and job papers provided by the agency were found to be fake.

“In the name of interviews at the embassy, they called us in the office located on Court Road. To our surprise, they took our interviews on laptop by connecting their mobile phones. After this, we got suspicious and wanted to meet the owners, but they did not turn up at the office,” said Sukhwinder Singh, one of the victims, while narrating his plight. He said he, along with his two brothers, had given Rs 2.50 lakh to the agency for getting them a visa to Australia. Several other youths had given money for visas to Switzerland, New Zealand, Singapore etc.

Parveen Kumari, a resident of the Sunder Nagar area, said till now, she had given over Rs 4.50 lakh for sending nine youths of her family and relatives for going abroad. She alleged that the girls took the money from them, but did not give any receipts.

“As one of the girl employees was from my neighbourhood, I gave the money trusting her,” she said, adding that Raj Kumar, a partner in the agency, had now assured them to return the amount in the next couple of days.

Tarjinder Singh, another victim, said they got lured by a newspaper advertisement given by the travel agent that a construction company needed helpers. He said he had given about Rs 50,000 to the company to get a job in a foreign country.

“We were repeatedly told by the agency that our visas would be arriving within a few days. But even after lapse of so many days, we have not been given the visas,” he said.

The police official, who reached the spot after getting the information, asked the victims to file a police complaint in this connection.

“A criminal case would be lodged and necessary action would taken against the accused as soon as the victims file a complaint with the police,” said Kulwant Singh, an ASI who reached the spot. 

Amritsar, November 19
The city police claimed to have arrested a notorious snatcher, identified as Manpreet Singh, of Dhand Kasel village who was allegedly responsible for committing as many as 100 snatching incidents in various parts of the city.

The police recovered eight mobile phones, besides habit-forming drugs from his possession.

He was caught during a naka laid by the Sadar police on a tip-off. The police has registered a case against him.

Investigations revealed that he had committed about 100 snatchings and every time he escaped from the police net.

The police authorities said further investigations were under progress and more recoveries were likely to be made.

Amritsar, November 19
The Civil Lines police today arrested Surinder Pal Singh, a resident of Bagrian village, on impersonation charges.

He was appearing in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) in place of one Jaspal Singh of Sangar Kot, Khadoor Sahib (Tarn Taran).

He was arrested following a complaint submitted by Shabnam Honda, principal centre superintendent, DAV Public School, Police lines here.

According to information, during the CTET examination, the superintendent found the photograph of Jaspal Singh, pasted on the roll number card issued by the CBSE, tampered with and in its place Surinderpal's photograph fixed on it.

"The superintendent got suspicious over some tampering marks on the roll number card (56002345). She checked it with the original documents and found that Jaspal's original photograph was removed from the card and later Surinderpal's picture had been pasted so that he could sit in the examination," said Kuldeep Singh, the investigating officer.

He said a case under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the IPC had been registered against the two accused for fraud and impersonation. While Surinderpal was arrested from the spot, Jaspal, who was waiting outside the centre, managed to flee from the scene.

Investigations revealed that Surinderpal, who is a postgraduate in English, used to work as a private teacher in a school in Gujarat, while Jaspal was unemployed.

Amritsar, November 19
With the arrest of one Sunil Kumar, a migrant from Uttar Pradesh, the city police today claimed to have solved the blind murder case of a pregnant migrant woman, identified as Bimla, who was found killed at her rented accommodation located on the Fatehgarh Churian road on November 22.

Amrik Singh Puar, ADCP city (II), while talking to the media, said since the incident, Sunil Kumar, who was living with her, had been missing, following which the police got suspicious that he might have killed Bimla.

The incident had come to light when foul smell started coming out of her room, following which the owner of the building informed the police. She was strangled with her "dupatta". The police had registered a murder case against Sunil.

During the probe, the police arrested a relative of the accused and on the tip-off provided by him, the police arrested Sunil from the Ludhiana railway station. Sunil confessed to committing the crime and told the police that he was married and had come to Punjab with Bimla. He said Bimla, who was eight-month pregnant, was pressurising him to take her back to their native village and marry her. 

Amritsar, November 19
Artistes from Mexico city stole the show with their mesmerising folk dance performances during the "Fusion of Global Cultures" in the international educational cultural exchange programme organised at Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School today.

Organised with the support of the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, the international programme provided a platform to the school students to interact with the folk artistes from Mexico and exchange folk dances, folk traditions and educational views.

Folk artistes from Mexico Ulises Monreal, Bibiana Escobar and Diana Laura Valencia put up a spectacular display of Mexican dances gnerredo, jalisca, etc, in their colourful costumes. Mexican artistes were excited to meet Punjabi students. The school students were delighted to see the Mexican dances and listening to the grand Mexican music.

Dr Davinder Singh Chhina, Director of the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, said the Mexican delegation was invited to bring the diverse folklores of their area to Punjab and in exchange learn about historic traditions of Punjab and spread the message of love, peace and harmony to the entire world.

Students of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School perform a Rajasthani dance; and (right) artistes from Mexico and a teacher of the school perform a dance during the “Fusion of Global Cultures" programme in Amritsar on Monday. Photos: Vishal Kumar

Amritsar, November 19
Twenty meritorious students, who achieved positions in academics, 400 medal-winner players of government schools of the district and 100 students who displayed their skills in cultural and other activities were given prizes at a prize distribution function organised at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Mall Road, here.

Anil Joshi, Punjab Industrial and Technical Education Minister, and Bakshi Ram Arora, Mayor, who were the chief guest and special guest, respectively, gave away prizes to the students.

The Industry Minister announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the school.

On the occasion an exhibition on the “Prevention of drug addiction” was also held.

Amritsar, November 19
The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) is all set to hold an auction of commercial and residential plots falling in its various schemes here on November 23.

About 10 plots of 250 sq yd and an equal number of plots of 200 sq yd falling in the prime residential area of D Block in Ranjit Avenue would be up for auction. The reserve price has been finalised at Rs 21,000 per sq yd, while the market value is much higher. Property dealers and people looking for a house in a posh locality would be bidding for the plots.

A plot of 500 sq yd and another of 250 sq yd in the C Block of Ranjit Avenue would also be put on sale. Similar reserve price of Rs 21,000 per sq yd has been fixed for them.

Buyers will have another chance to own a commercial property at the District Shopping Centre in Ranjit Avenue. As seven shop-cum offices (SCOs) - five of 363 sq yd each and two of 544.5 sq yd each - would go under hammer. The AIT has fixed the reserve price at Rs 90,000 per sq yd for them.

Seven built-up booths at the Truck Stand scheme in Jahajgarh on the GT Road would also go under hammer at a reserve price of Rs 10.45 lakh per booth. Ten built-up shop-cum-flats (SCFs) would also be available at a reserve price of Rs 28.90 lakh per SCF. Besides, 10 booking agencies - seven on 302 sq yd and three on 373 sq yd - would be put on auction. The reserve price of Rs 23,500 per sq yd has been fixed.

Executive Officer, AIT, Jiwan Bansal said all arrangements had been completed to hold the auction, which would be organised under guidance of Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, who was also AIT's administrator.

Amritsar, November 19
The four-day CBSE National Skating Championship was formally inaugurated at DAV International School today.

As many as 800 players from various parts of the country are participating. Ved mantras were recited by host school students. Later the flag-hoisting ceremony was held, followed by a march past. A skating bulletin, comprising information about various renowned skaters and achievements of students in different sports, was released.

Deputy Director, Sports, CBSE, Pushkar Vohra declared the tournament opened. He said the real aim behind organising these championships was to bring together the best talent from various schools across the country and provide participants a befitting platform to showcase their talent. In this growing age of students, sports played a vital role in developing their overall personality. It aptly developed a sense of pride and self-confidence in them.

While addressing the audience, GD Sharma, Deputy Director, Doordarshan, Jalandhar, said sports were an integral part of students' life. They provided change and brought about a welcome intermission in monotonous routine work.

Host school Principal Anjana Gupta in her welcome address thanked the CBSE for entrusting her with the responsibility of hosting the prestigious mega event. She welcomed the team officials, managers and participants.

On the occasion, school students presented Malwai gidda.