Amritsar, November 28
In the absence of any mechanism to regulate installation of mobile towers, their number has increased tremendously in the city, which according to experts is a worrying factor.

Mobile phone towers are a common sight in Amritsar. Photo: vishal kumar

Medical experts say that residents living around these towers are exposed to harmful radiations.

These towers have come up at the rooftops of residential or commercial establishments and even school buildings.

Concerned over the issue, Prabhdyal Singh Randhawa, secretary of Punjab Pollution Control Committee, has shot a letter to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to conduct audit of mobile tower locations and take action against the wrongly placed mobile towers.

Residents, schools opt for profits

Residents just need to deposit the installation charges of Rs 10,000 to the mobile company and there is a guaranteed monthly income of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25000.

A school located on the Majitha road here has not one, but three mobile towers on its rooftop. Similarly another school in the same locality has two towers on its rooftop.

The school authorities justified the presence of towers. "What's wrong with these towers? Anyways ours are legal towers. I can give you three more names of schools which have these towers. Why don't you check out the big commercial houses which have got mobile towers installed on their roof-tops", said official of a school management.

Advantage to cellular firms

With no checks in place, the cellular companies are also spreading their net over the city. "Having the tower on the rooftops is best suited to the companies as they don't have to engage a watchman or raise another structure particularly to install the towers," observed Jagdish Singh, a resident.

"It is not that we are not sensitive towards the problem of people, but there should be some policy for all cellular operators, which should be bound on all. In the wake of a stiff competition, every company tries to outdo each other, when it comes to network quality," commented a senior functionary of a cellular company, preferring anonymity.

Doctor’s take

Dr AL Adhlakha, a renowned ENT specialist, said, “You are not supposed to operate your mobile phones in an aircraft, as its radiation could disturb the onboard mechanism of the aircraft. It is very unfortunate that same analogy is not applied to the living beings although everybody is vulnerable to these continuous radiations. The constant electromagnetic radiation being emitted from the mobile towers could lead to cancer and also cause neurological, cardiac, respiratory and ophthalmologic disorders. The preadolescent children, below 12 years, are more at risk than adults. Their still-developing nervous system, associated brain wave activities are more vulnerable to develop genetic damage. Children are at the greatest risk, due to their thinner skulls, and rapid rate of growth. Similarly, these radiations are harmful for pregnant ladies and child. Also, the radiations adversely affect those who have pacemakers.”

Lurking Danger
* With no regulation in place, these mobile towers have come up at rooftops of school buildings and residential and commercial establishments

* Medical experts say that residents living around these towers are exposed to harmful radiations

* The CM has been urged to conduct survey on mobile towers 

Rajasthan HC orders relocation of towers
A judgment that should be taken seriously by every state, the Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday ordered the relocation of mobile towers from educational institutions, hospitals and playgrounds in the state within two months citing harmful electromagnetic radiation. The court has also ordered that the towers should be shifted at least 500 metres from jails and 100 m from monuments.

official speak
"The government guidelines are very much there, but it has to be seen how many companies comply with them. We have already instructed our ATPs and inspectors to do a survey to see if there existed any unauthorised towers. Moreover, the ones installed over a school building or hospital would in any case have to be removed." — Des Raj, Municipal town planner

Amritsar, November 28
Following the strictures passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to curb illegal colonies and the Punjab Government’s proposed policy in this regard, the Municipal Town Planning (MTP) department of the MC has already pulled up its socks to deal with the issue.

Even as this strictness would affect the revenue of the MTP department, strict measures have been framed for accepting applications for sanctioning the layout plans, especially for residential purposes.

A recent survey conducted by the MTP department has revealed that there are over 200 unauthorised residential colonies located on the circular road from Jandiala bypass on the Amritsar-Jalandhar road, Verka bypass, Fatehgarh, and many other parts of the city.

Majority of these illegal colonies have come up around the bypasses of the city, which have become black spots on the urbanised development. Residents of these localities are deprived of facilities, like roads, sewerage and streetlights.

Rattled with problems like non-existence of private and government transport, absence of sewerage, potable water etc, residents find it difficult to live in the colonies nor find any buyer for the houses.

The upcoming government’s proposed policy regarding residential colonies, which is yet to be tabled in the Cabinet, may prove to be a boon for some of the unauthorised residential colonies. For a long time now, colonizers or builders have been demanding the state government’s nod to approve the unauthorised colonies so that these can also be developed and the residents could be given better facilities. The issue came to light following reports of outbreak of diseases in these colonies.

Municipal Town Planner Des Raj said, “We have identified 203 illegal colonies here. Some of them have negligible civic infrastructure. Several illegal housing colonies located on the GT Road, Majitha Road, Batala Road, Ajnala Road would never be approved as there is no scope for further development. Residents should purchase land from the Improvement Trust or PUDA approved colonisers only.”

Survey
* A recent survey conducted by the MTP department has revealed that there are over 200 unauthorised residential colonies located on the circular road from Jandiala bypass on the Amritsar-Jalandhar road, Verka bypass, Fatehgarh, and many other parts of the city

* The department has decided to be strict while accepting applications for sanctioning layout plans, especially for residential purposes

Amritsar, November 28
A large number of devotees today paid obeisance at the Golden Temple to celebrate 544th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Since morning, people thronged the Harmandar Sahib to pay obeisance. Many of them took a holy dip in the Amrit Sarovar around the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Residents were awestruck with the display of ‘Jalau’ that containing many rare and valuable historical objects, at the Golden Temple. It was on display for just two hours starting from 10 am. The Jalau contained jewels and jewellery donated by legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, five gold spades and as many battes (big shallow vessels), commemorating the first Kar Sewa and other objects donated by Sikh sangat from time to time.

There were fireworks at night and devotees lit candles in the parikarma of the Golden Temple.

Amritsar, November 28
Even as the Punjab Government has given its go ahead to increase seats in government medical colleges, it is yet to be seen whether the government, which is already facing 'financial crunch', would be able to provide requisite funds for proper infrastructure.

Staff at the GMC said they have been overburdened due to shortage of teachers and paramedical staff.

The ad-hoc approach of the government in providing funds to the premier medical college has always proved to be a deterrent in its proper functioning, they said.

College sources said before increasing the strength of students, the college needs at least six big lecture theaters, a vast auditorium with 1,500-seating capacity, upgrade of libraries and laboratories besides adequate teaching and paramedical staff.

Once a premier medical college of the country, which produced many eminent doctors, is now facing a shortage of staff with a number of posts of specialist lying vacant for the past many years. About 60 seats of professors, additional professors, assistant professors and lecturers are lying vacant, it is learnt.

It is pertinent to mention here that in May 2010 following the recommendation of the Medical Council of India, the Central Government had announced to enhance number of MBBS seats in government-run medical institutions in order to overcome the shortage of qualified doctors in the country. The decision was to be implemented from academic session 2011-12.

Following this, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Punjab, had directed Government Medical Colleges at Patiala and Amritsar to submit its report regarding faculty and infrastructure required in their respective departments in case of increase in the students' strength.

The college authorities had sent a proposal while seeking a grant of about Rs 65 crore. However, even after an elapse of over one and half years, the state government has failed to take a final decision on the issue.

Dr SS Shergill, Principal, GMC, Amritsar, said the government would have to create more teaching posts in order to meet the student-teacher ratio. He said the college would require funds to the tune of Rs 80 to 90 crores for providing requisite infrastructure. He said a proposal regarding this would be sent to the government by the next week.

Amritsar, November 28
A minor dispute over reversing of auto-rickshaw took an ugly turn on Tuesday when a man allegedly fired at the auto driver who escaped narrowly in the incident.

The police has booked Om Parkash, a resident of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, under charges of attempt to murder.

Kuldip Singh, the complainant and a resident of Kirpal Colony, told the police that he was reversing his aut-rickshaw when the accused entered into an altercation with him alleging that the vehicle would have hit him. He said Om Parkash started abusing him and tried to hit him with a pipe. Later, Prakash took out his revolver and fired at him.

The Rambagh police has arrested Om Parkash under Section 307 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act against. The police has recovered the weapon with 12 live cartridges and an empty shell from the spot. — TNS

Man held with pistol

y Amritsar: The police has arrested Santokh Singh of Mustafabad and seized a country-made pistol from him. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered against Santokh. He was intercepted by the police at a naka at Mustafabad chowk. The police team got suspicious of his movements. When searched, the police found a .315 bore country-made pistol from his possession. 

Amritsar, November 28
The Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an NGO, alleged that the district administration was ignoring the rehabilitation aspect of children while rescuing them from menial jobs, including hazardous professions. 

Dinesh Kumar, an activist, BBA, Punjab, alleged that the District Task Force Committee (DTFC) had rescued five minors working in various shops and till date no rehabilitation process was carried out. He said the authorities must ensure rehabilitation of rescued children otherwise they would again fall in the net of labour, instead of studies. He said that some of the rescued children were working at sweet shops and tea shops, which comes under the hospitality sector. 

He said, "The major reason is that the Child Welfare Committee is not being made active to perform its crucial job of counseling the rescued child."

He said, "Though the committee is here but it is not active." He said presentation of a challan in the court served the purpose of just fining the employers. 

Firstly the District Task Force Committee carries out the raids. After that it is the job of the police to rescue the child, get his or her medical conducted and then present him before Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for the rehabilitation. 

Then the committee looks for the parents to counsel them. Even the follow up of the rescued child is keptunder a scanner. 

In charge of the raid party has the power to issue a release certificate on the basis of which the resident commissioner of the state, to which the child belonged, releases a grant of Rs 20,000. The fund is then invested for the welfare of the child. 

Meanwhile, the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986 (Part A) schedule has pointed out 18 vocations as hazardous. These occupations include transport of passengers like buses, trucks, railways, work in catering establishments at railway station, involving the movement of venders or any other job in the establishment involving movement from one place to another or out of a running train, Work relating to construction work, within the limit of any port authority, work relating to selling of crackers and fireworks in shop with temporary license, automobile workshops and garages, foundaries, handling of toxicx or inflammable substance or explosives, handloom and powerloom industry, mines and collieries, plastic units and fibre glass workshops, domestic workers and servants, dhabas, roadside eateries, restaurants, hotels, motels, tea shops, resorts, parks or other recreational centers, diving, cinder picking, clearing of an ash pit or building operation in the railway premises. 

The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986 (Part B) schedule prohibits 65 professions. When contacted, Labour Commissioner Vipin Parmar, said: "The DTFC hands over the rescued children to the CWC in the cases where parents and guardians are not present." He said, "In majority of these raids, family members of the rescued children appear and take their children back. In many cases family members claimed that the commercial establishments belonged to them." He said during the Anti-Child Labour Week that concluded today, 752 raids were conducted and 37 children were detected. In 27 cases, challans were presented and in 10 cases medical certificates for ascertaining age from civil surgeon office has been demanded. 

What it is 
* Following a writ petition filed by the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), the Punjab and Haryana High Court drafted a Punjab Action Plan in March 2011 to free the state from the scourge of child labour and rehabilitate them

* However, the Punjab Action Plan could not be implemented properly. The plan envisaged formation of a District Task Force Committee in each district with Deputy Commisioner as its Chairman

* This committee includes officials of various departments and each has a distinct duty to carry out. Varied departments include Police, Labour, Health, Child Welfare Committee, education department and district administration

On ground what is required
* As per the rule, rescued children must be handed over to the Child Welfare Committee after the conduct of medical examination

* A case under the Juvenile Justice Act 2000 must be registered with the concerned police station

Amritsar, November 28
The Majha Ex-Servicemen Union has demanded revamping of the police system. Col GS Sandhu, chairman of the union, while pointing towards the case of dismissal of four Tarn Taran cops, said: “The recent instance wherein the police tried to shield the culprits, who were involved in murder of four persons at Kashipur in Uttarakhand was the exposure of large scale corruption prevailing the police system.”

Col Sandhu said, “The low rank officers are deputed as in charges of the police posts which give impetus to corruption.”

He demanded that while deputing the in charges of the police station, no officer below the rank of Inspector should be deputed.

“Our system is falling apart and it needs concerted efforts to revamp it totally. In my opinion, the low rank officers can easily be taken for granted with influence,” he said.

Citing various instances in the past, especially during the disturbance in Punjab in 80s, Col Sandhu recalled that various tainted police officials vitiated the society by implicating innocent persons in false cases and grabbed higher positions by committing fake encounters, just under the political patronage.

“They are still enjoying prime postings. It is necessary that the police should be free from any political influence while judging the case,” he said. 

Amritsar, November 28
Bachitar Singh (65) of Jhande village was killed when a speeding jeep hit him. The Kathunangal police has registered a case under Sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC against an unidentified person.

Prabhpal Singh, victim’s cousin and an eyewitness in the case, said he along with Bachitar Singh was returning to village, when a speeding vehicle hit his bicycle. — TNS

Amritsar, November 28
There is a mushroom growth of travel agents in the city as booking tickets is turning into a good business option for many. The agents charge commission from the passengers as per their whims and fancies.

A resident of Mc Leod Road, Gurbhej Singh, said he recently booked tickets for Delhi in Paschim Express for his family. He said, “I had to pay Rs 60 above the original cost of ticket which is Rs 568.”

He alleged travel agents had been charging above the permissible limits from passengers.

Meanwhile, the railways have appointed Rail Travelers Service Agents (RTSA) to purchase tickets and secure reservations on behalf of the passengers. It has fixed the service charge of the RTSA, under first ACC/2-AC Sleeper/1ST Class/ AC 3-Tier/ AC Chair Car and Sleeper Class/ 2nd class, as Rs 25 per passenger and Rs 15 per passenger, respectively.

According to the railway officials, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Limited looks after the ticket booking and it does not have any official here.

Another city resident, Amrit Lal, said his family members frequently book tickets from travel agents. He said there is no fixed rate that is being charged from the passengers for booking a ticket. He said it may vary from Rs 40 to Rs 50. “Rise in arrival of tourists over a period of time in the holy city prompted many persons to open travel agencies for booking railway e-tickets. The government needs to come up with a concrete solution to curb the menace,” he said.

He said in absence of any legal authority they were charging as per their will. 

Amritsar, November 28
A story telling competition was held at Ryan International, yesterday. This competition basically involved children of montessori section wherein they were given the topic ‘Unity in Strength’.

Through the competition, the children got a valuable message that it is important for them to live united if they want to succeed in life. Various skills were honed like confidence level, verbal communication, self expression and vocabulary enrichment. —TNS