The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Cartridges seized from RANA Warden of central jail suspended GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 The warden of the Amritsar Central Jail has been suspended for dereliction of duty following seizure of two live cartridges from expelled SAD leader Ranjit Singh Rana, the prime accused in ASI murder case. Meanwhile, nothing significant has come out of the interrogation of Rana and two of his relatives who had sneaked in the cartridges into the jail. Rana’s father-in-law Harjinder Singh and uncle Phuman Singh were arrested for sneaking in live cartridges in the high security jail, where Rana has been lodged. Jail warden Kashmir Singh was on duty when the two met Rana in the jail. Rana has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Jail Superintendent Amrik Singh Waraich said Kashmir Singh was suspended for dereliction of duty. He said nothing significant had come out of the inquiry into the matter. “Upon questioning, it appeared that the two relatives of the accused delivered a bundle of clothes to Rana little knowing that two live cartridges were lying in the pocket of one of kurta pyjamas,” he said. As soon as the two visitors left the jail after meeting Rana, jail staff searched Rana before shifting him from the meeting room to his barrack. They found two .12 bore bullets from his possession. From the visitors’ record book, the jail authorities found the names and addresses of Phuman Singh and Harjinder Singh, following which a case was registered under Sections 420 of the IPC, 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act and 42 of the Prisoner Act against the three, including Rana, by the Cantonment police. “But it was a clear case of negligence on the part of the warden as he skipped the first phase of search as a result of which bundle of clothes containing the cartridges were passed on to Rana. The cartridges were discovered only after the second phase search. Kashmir Singh will face the disciplinary action till further orders,” said Jail Superintendent Waraich. Taken to task for negligence Jail warden Kashmir Singh was on duty when the two relatives of Rana, a prime accused in the ASI murder case, met him in the jail. As soon as the two visitors had left the jail after meeting Rana, jail staff searched Rana before shifting back to his barrack. They found two .12 bore bullets from his possession Kashmir Singh was found negligent as he skipped the first phase of search as a result of which bundle of clothes containing the cartridges were passed on to Rana officialspeak Upon questioning, it appeared that the two relatives of the accused delivered a bundle of clothes to Rana little knowing that two live cartridges were lying in the pocket of one of kurta pyjamas — Amrik Singh Waraich, Jail Superintendent
	Six held with drugs, liquor Amritsar, December 25 The police today arrested six persons with intoxicants and illicit liquor in separate incidents. Hardeep Singh, Kuldip Singh and Mulkha Singh were arrested with smack. A case under Sections 22, 27, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against them. In another case, the police arrested Madan Lal with seven bottles of illicit liquor. A case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act has been registered against him. Tarsem Singh was arrested with 500 tablets of microlit, 100 capsules of parvon spas and 100 capsules of promodex P. He was booked under Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. Kamal Khanna was arrested with 19 bottles of illicit liquor. — TNS
	No respite from fog; trains, flights delayed Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 With dense fog engulfing the northern region for the third consecutive day today, the arrival and departure of majority of trains were delayed leaving passengers at the receiving end. The schedule of over two dozen trains was affected. Five flights to the city from various destinations were delayed due to fog. A flight between Amritsar and Chandigarh was cancelled, said the airport authorities. The clouds and fog cleared only in the afternoon giving respite to residents almost after three days. Passengers a harried lot Passengers, who were left to battle the chill, thronged the enquiry counter to get the latest on the train arrival and departure timings. The rush at the railway station spoke volumes about the trouble borne by the passengers. Joginder Singh, a local resident, said, “I am waiting for my relatives since morning. The train is late by almost 13 hours.” The Tata Nagar-Jammu Tawi Muri express was late by 12 hours and 49 minutes. Even as the daily passengers preferred road transport, passengers bound for far-off destinations did not have any option. “We have to attend a marriage in Patna, but we would not be able to make it as trains are running late by hours,” said Preenita Bansal, a passenger. She said as it’s difficult to wait in the cold, the authorities must do something to protect passengers from the inclement weather. Other trains that were running late included Mumbai Dadar-Amritsar Express (4 hours and 31 minutes), Saharsra-Amritsar Jan Sewa (2 hours) and Mumbai-Bandra-Amritsar Paschim Express (1 hours and 50 minutes). Flights delayed 5; cancelled: 1 Jet Airways’ flight from Delhi was delayed by 1 hours and 54 minutes. Air India's flight from Delhi was delayed by 2 hours and 22 minutes. SpiceJet’s flight from Delhi was delayed by 2 hours. Turkmenistan Airlines flight from Ashgabad was delayed by 2 hours and 41 minutes. Uzbekistan Airlines flight from Taskant was late by 4 hours. Another flight of Spicejet was delayed by 1 hour. Air India flight from Delhi was delayed by 1 hours and 45 minutes. Flights of Air Mantra were cancelled Trains running late The Tata Nagar-Jammu Tawi Muri express was late by 12 hours and 49 minutes. Other trains that were running late included Mumbai Dadar-Amritsar Express (4 hours and 31 minutes), Saharsra-Amritsar Jan Sewa (2 hours) and Mumbai-Bandra-Amritsar Paschim Express (1 hours and 50 minutes).
	GNDU teachers’ association dares VC for debate GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 The row between teachers and GNDU authorities intensified today when the executive committee of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) today threw a challenge to Vice Chancellor Prof AS Brar to have an open debate over the issue of violating the UGC norms on promotion of teachers. The agitating teachers announced that they would hold a protest outside the auditorium where the university’s Syndicate meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow. GNDUTA president Dr Davinder Singh said, “It was the authoritarian and false statement, made by the Vice Chancellor, who said promotions of teachers are being done as per the UGC rules. The fact of the matter is that UGC rules and eligibility dates were openly flouted by the Vice Chancellor. The university should work out the modalities according to the UGC norms before holding interviews for promotions of teachers,” he said. A committee was constituted by the Vice Chancellor on November 3, 2011, to work out the modalities for promotions of teachers with Dean Academic Affairs as the chairperson and the GNDUTA president as one of its members. “The modalities were worked out in the meetings of the committee held on January 9 and April 26 and May 21 this year. Against the normal procedure, the proceedings of the committee were never brought out,” he said. “But now the Vice Chancellor has defiantly said there is no need of such a committee. It is an open challenge to the established system of promotions laid down by the UGC. There are scores of cases where the Vice Chancellor has flouted the rules. We are ready to discuss these violations with the Vice-Chancellor at any forum”, said the secretary of GNDUTA Dr Lakhwinder Singh. Teachers alleged that the Vice Chancellor is misleading the Syndicate which is the highest governing body of the university. Interviews of teachers and the syndicate meetings are scheduled in such a manner that syndicate members get no time to read the agenda. Promotion policy The agitating teachers announced that they would hold a protest outside the auditorium where the university’s Syndicate meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow They said Vice Chancellor gave a false statement when he said promotions of teachers are being done as per the UGC rules
	Powercom staff allege harassment, to hold stir Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 Voicing concern over “harassment” of subordinates by officials, the Technical Services Union of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has decided to hold a protest outside the chief engineer’s office on January 3. Union convener Parmod Kumar said the officials had been unnecessarily harassing subordinates. He said the subordinate employees had been held responsible for power theft by residents. He said employees had been transferred and punished without conducting any inquiry into the issues. The union convener said all employees punished recently should be reverted back to their previous place of posting. Parmod Kumar said shortage of staff in the corporation had already overburdened the employees.
	Inspiration for others A blood donor by heart, BM Singh makes every year count Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 At 76, BM Singh is an example to many who don’t spare a thought for unseen accident victims, who need blood to survive. A former civil engineer with the Indian Railways, BM Singh has been a regular blood donor since 1973, most probably the oldest one to do so in the country. Having pledged his eyes and body, he is gearing up for donating blood on this New Year. “I have been donating blood at the start of every New Year. You can call it my way of celebrating the New Year. It has been 40 years now, and this time it will be my 50th blood donation,” says Singh. The volunteer, who first started in 1973, by donating blood for a friend in need, has since then continuously worked to promote and motivate people for blood donation and organ donation, through regular blood donation camps, which he organises on the eve of New Year. “I believe that blood donation is an act of compassion rather than charity. I have never tried to know the recipients except for two-three instances, but I think it’s more about serving in true manner than praying,” says Singh. The fact that usually a man over the age of 65 is not accepted for blood donation makes his effort more significant. “My doctors always advise me to stop at this age, but I keep going. Blood donation is about mental fitness than physical. It’s a misconception that the old cannot donate blood. Anybody can, given the heart for the cause.” Fond of reading and writing prose, the former engineer has a poetic edge as well, both in English and Urdu. A non-believer and currently reading Free Man’s Worship by Khushwant Singh, someone he ardently admires, Singh says reading has made what he is today. “I believe that a man is known by what he reads. My motivation in life has been my own conscious, my scientific temper and the books I read.” His daughter will be joining him in his drive this year and his son-in-law has been a regular donor as well. He has been motivating people to donate organs and eyes and has made sure that 12 persons get successful eye transplants done, thanks to his voluntary efforts. He has been recently honoured by the state health ministry for his endeavours. “People have lot of misconceptions about such things, which can only be cleared through education. I had once turned a New Year’s party in my office into a voluntary camp, encouraging my juniors to donate blood on New Year and they did it without thinking twice. We need such enthusiasm towards social causes to actually make a difference.” septuagenarian speak I have been donating blood at the start of every New Year. You can call it my way of celebrating the New Year. It has been 40 years now, and this time it will be my 50th blood donation — BM Singh The volunteer, who first started in 1973, by donating blood for a friend in need, has since then continuously worked to promote and motivate people for blood donation and organ donation, through regular blood donation camps, which he organises on the eve of New Year He has been recently honoured by the state health ministry
	YEARENDER 2012: Courts complex Lawyers lead from front as protests, controversies grip courts complex Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 With lawyers leading many agitations, it remained a year of protests, controversies and security concern at the local district courts. The first strike by lawyers was witnessed in the first week of January. The lawyers stalled work to get a case registered against those who brutally injured an advocate. The battle went on for a month till the demand was fulfilled. Lawyers resorted to protest to oppose the Higher Education and Research Bill in July. The Bar Association also supported the lawyers’ call. The bar association also initiated a protest to oppose evening courts. There were two incidents of firing in the courts complex. Besides, escape of six prisoners added to the concerns over lack of security at the complex. One of firing incidents happened a day before the Chief Justice of India’s visit to the complex in December. In the incident, a senior advocate fired at least nine shots in the air. Earlier in April, an advocate had fired in the air after the bar association results were announced. In February, a gang war had occurred between the two groups of criminals. Despite all the controversies surrounding the Amristar Bar Association, Pradeep Kumar Saini managed to serve a vital blow to his opponents by making the General House change the rules for his third time election as the association president. Earlier, the association rules did not permit anybody to hold the office for the third term. There was also a controversy over allotment of chambers in the newly-built courts complex after a faction of advocates accused the Bar association president of favourtism. A six-member committee to probe the allegation was constituted after the administration intervened. To check mushrooming of illegal chambers at the complex, the administration demolished at least 40 such chambers on the premises. The advocates have also repeatedly voiced their demand for new chambers at the place. Strikes, protests and security concerns The first strike by lawyers was witnessed in the first week of January. The lawyers stalled work to get a case registered against those who brutally injured an advocate. The battle went on for a month till the demand was fulfilled. Lawyers resorted to protest to oppose the Higher Education and Research Bill in July. The Bar Association also supported the lawyers’ call. The bar association also initiated a protest to oppose evening courts. There were two incidents of firing in the courts complex. Besides, escape of six prisoners added to the concerns over lack of security at the complex. Fight for chambers There was also a controversy over allotment of chambers in the newly-built courts complex after a faction of advocates accused the Bar association president of favourtism. A six-member committee to probe the allegation was constituted after the administration intervened. To check mushrooming of illegal chambers at the complex, the administration demolished at least 40 such chambers on the premises.
	Traders still evade Food safety ACT Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 Only 450 businessmen, dealing in selling, manufacturing food products, have obtained licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act since March this year. Traders, small vendors, will have to get registered or obtain licences under the Act by February 4, otherwise which their units would be declared illegal, said District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon. It is believed that there are more than 5,000 small vendors alone in Amritsar. In the small business category, the department has got responses from 1500 traders. The District Health Officer said, “Another 400 applications are in the process.” He said the department had taken various initiatives to create awareness among people. “We had organised a number of camps at various places to make things easier for the businessmen. We will again organising a series of such camps before February 4,” he said. As per the guidelines issued by the state government, businesses with a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh were required to get registered with the office of the District Health Officer while those with a turnover above Rs 12 lakh were required to obtain a licence, said Kahlon. The guidelines are binding on those engaged in the activities related to manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, import and catering of food products. Even traders running temporary stalls and karyana stores and selling food ingredients are required to get themselves registered. Kahlon said the procedure would help the authorities keep an eye on food sellers and manufacturers. The instructions are issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 which came into effect in the state on August 8, 2011. Deadline is Feb 4 Traders, small vendors, will have to get registered or obtain licences under the Act by February 4, otherwise which their units would be declared illegal, said District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Kahlon
	Medical, blood donation camp organised Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 25 Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health, inaugurated a medical and blood donation camp in Thothian village near Khalchian on the eve of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday. The camp was organised by Arvind Sharma, convener of BJP RTI Cell Punjab. Manjit Singh Rai, BJP’s general secretary, Punjab, also attended the camp. At the event, free medicines were distributed.
	FROM SCHOOLS Roller skating championship Sri Guru Harkishan Public School, Majitha road, bagged the overall trophy at the Inter-School Roller Skating Championship organised at Delhi Public School. International Fateh Academy stood second while hosts DPS bagged the third position in the championships. Dr Brijbhushan Yadav, HoD Sports Department, DAV College, had declared the championship open. Skaters of Sri Guru Harkishan Public School won nine medals with four first positions in total of 12 categories for both boys and girls. International Fateh Academy won 5 medals with three first positions to grab the second position while hosts DPS too won five medals for the third position. As many as 154 skaters from 14 schools of the city participated in the event. Story-telling festival Delhi Public School celebrated Christmas in a unique way with a story-telling festival. Student of pre-nursery to Class 3 showcased their acting talent while presenting their stories taken from fairytales, Mahabharata etc. Children also presented a story on the ‘Birth of Jesus Christ’.