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HC defers hearing on solid waste plant
10 trucks carrying sand illegally excavated from Ravi bed seized
Rain, sudden drop in temperature have residents run for woollens once again
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Corruption did opposition in: Manjit Singh
Amritsar, February 4 
Delhi unit president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) Jathedar Manjit Singh (GK) today attributed the party’s victory in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee
(DSGMC) election to unity among the party members, their commitment to the Sikh ethos and a “corrupt opposition”.Office-bearers of the Chief Khalsa Diwan honour members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in Amritsar on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Defamation suit filed against Industry Minister
Annual sports meet held
‘Sister city’ pact between Amritsar, Bakersfield in limbo
With deadline coming to end, 2,500 food businesses register, 450 get licences
Defying HC guidelines, political hoardings dot the city
photo: vishal kumar
Stolen truck recovered, one held
Woman operated for rare appendicitis
U-16 team welcomed
film promotion in holy city |
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HC defers hearing on solid waste plant
Amritsar, February 4 The MC has also failed to initiate required measures to keep the city clean after the Antony Waste, a private firm, pulled out of the contract midway due to non-payment of its dues. While it has been over five months since the private firm engaged in garbage collection has pulled out of the contract, the MC is facing various difficulties in maintaining the cleanliness in the holy city. Even as the MC officials claimed to have engaged private hands to do the job, yet the exercise is not enough for the purpose. The aggravating stink due to improper lifting and disposal of the garbage forced an NGO, Pollution Control Committee, to move the high court on whose petition (No 2032/06) the Punjab and Haryana High Court had summoned MC officials for their failure to maintain proper garbage disposal mechanism. Subsequently, the efforts of MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who also knocked at the door of the high court with a view to get the project through, could brought little respite for the residents. The situation became worst when Antony Waste Handling Company withdrew its machinery too on August 7 as the MC could not clear its dues amounting to over Rs 1.5 crore. Taking its cognisance, the court had summoned the then Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Dharampal Gupta, and other officials concerned to know about the steps being taken to execute the solid waste management project. Even as the MC has engaged tractor-trailers on rental basis for removing the city garbage, but it is not enough as they were not driven by professional hands. The lidless tractor-trailers "lift some and drop more" trash on the road. The worst affected are those living in and around the designated dump spot at Bhaktanwala, as they have to bear the stench throughout the day, which obviously tell upon their health. Present scenario The partial phase of garbage lifting and dumping at the designated place took off in 2009. The Mumbai-based company Antony Waste Handing Pvt Ltd, which has been entrusted with the task to lift and dispose of the garbage from 41 wards, too, has withdrawn its machinery due to differences over payment with the MC. The MC with its scant resources has been finding it difficult to lift the garbage. Until, the solid waste processing plant is installed, the stink of the holy city would tend to escalate. What is the project The estimated Rs 80-crore solid waste management project, under the JNNURM, was launched as per the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, by hoards of politicians, including Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, which would have processed the holy city garbage into eco bricks and green fuel, but it was not to be. After that, fingers were raised at the tendering process and its allotment to bidders. Consequently, the firms challenged the matter in the high court.
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10 trucks carrying sand illegally excavated from Ravi bed seized
Amritsar, February 4 The incident has once again brought out the fact that the steps initiated by the authorities concerned have proved inadequate and miserably failed to produce desired results. Though the Industries Department authorities claimed to have curbed the illegal excavation of sand to a larger extent, but the lack of staff has been posing great problems in stemming the problem completely. Miscreants usually excavate sand from the bed of the Ravi near Ajnala during late evening hours and the department officials have expressed its helplessness to check the mining during late hours. They pointed out that for the round-the-clock vigilance they needed 30-40 per cent more staff. Ever since the Punjab and Haryana High Court passed orders to deal with the offenders of illegal excavation of sand strictly in April last year, the Industries Department has lodged over 50 cases of illegal mining in Amritsar. In yesterday’s instance, the police seized 10 trucks from Jafarkot, Talwandi Raidadu and Sarangdev villages. The Ajnala police, falling under Amritsar rural police, has registered three separate cases in this regard. The police has been trying to find the ownership of the trucks.
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Rain, sudden drop in temperature have residents run for woollens once again
Amritsar, February 4 The deluge not only inconvenienced residents, but also lowered temperature in the region. The winter chill increased after the surprise rain immediately after Lohri celebrations, which is contrary to the belief that “post Lohri, the cold weather usually retreats and the festival marks the end of winter season". "But this time it is completely opposite, the rain brought the temperature even lower,” said Usha Khanna, a resident of White Avenue. It is predicted that the weather will remain cloudy throughout the week. With afternoons getting warm for the past couple of days, more sunshine was expected around the corner. But rain seems to have spoiled plans for many.But there were some who took it positively, “Rain is a positive sign as at least now the air will not be dry. It is considered good for health and keeps the usual winter problems away,” said Neeraj Gupta, another resident of Chheharta. "Weather has been quite unpredictable this year. The winter started off late and might end late as well,” said Anupam Dayal, a retired government officer from Adarsh Nagar. The low spirits are common for young and old, with some even complaining about the extended winter season, “Winter seems to be never ending. I hope it gets over and we can breathe in the cool spring breeze in a few days,” said Sahil Madaan, a student of Khalsa College. Well, this has been a season of cheers for some, while others fret, the fact is that everybody is awaiting their share of spring sunshine. Till then, the cold weather is nowhere near to retreat and so pile on some more from your winter wardrobe.
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Corruption did opposition in: Manjit Singh
Amritsar, February 4 Manjit Singh, along with Paramjit Singh Rana, Manminder Singh, Tarvinder Singh, Darshan Singh and Gurwinderpal Singh, was felicitated by the Chief Khalsa Diwan. They expressed their gratitude to the Chief Khalsa Diwan for the honour. Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha and others welcomed the DSGMC memmbers. The programme started with shabad recitation which was followed by a welcome song. A play by the students of Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School was staged depicting uses and abuses of science. Chadha congratulated Manjit Singh and others for having been successfully elected to the DSGMC. He urged them to run the affairs of the gurdwaras as per Gurmat and stressed for the promotion of Sikhi Dharam Parchar. The visitors also walked through the campus of CKD Institute of Management and Technology and had a look at the state-of-the-art infrastructure and ultra-modern laboratories of the college. Among others present were Dr Santokh Singh, Nirmal Singh, Santokh Singh Sethi, Narinder Singh, Harminder Singh, Dr Dharamveer Singh, Pritpal Singh Sethi, Manmohan Singh Sethi, Jaspal Singh, Dr SP Singh and Sarabjit Singh. Doing DSGMC members honour
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Defamation suit filed against Industry Minister Amritsar, February 4 Sandeep Gorsi and Vaneet Mahajan have accused the minister for getting voter identity cards of his seven family members at two different places (Amritsar North and Tarn Taran assembly segments) to “get some unlawful benefits”. They had approached Chief Election Commission in this regard. The CEC had asked the Punjab Election Commission to look into this which further marked an inquiry to the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar. The DC had further entrusted the inquiry to Additional Deputy Commissioner Supreet Singh Gulati. They had shown the voting lists of both constituencies having photographs of the minister’s family members. While Anil Joshi had won from the Amritsar North constituency, his brother Rajesh Joshi is member of Tarn Taran Municipal Committee. In his response to the media, the minister had termed the lawyers as “blackmailer”. Gorsi and Mahajan in a press conference today said the inquiry officer had not called them for putting their side before him. “We have not been called by the ADC for inquiry. We also tried to meet him but he refused to do so saying he was busy,” Gorsi said. Gorsi said they had been receiving threat calls added the minister would be responsible for any mishap to their family members. The Governor has referred the complaint on the dual voter identity cards to Punjab Lokpal. — TNS
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Amritsar, February 4 The sports day celebration commenced with prayer songs followed by a colourful march past and band display. There were a variety of adventure sports to boost and freshen up the students. Students of Classes I to Class X participated in various race events. There was also a sports tableau which showcased various games such as long jump, short put, flat race, lemon race, sack race, relay race besides yoga and gymnastics. A cultural programme consisting of group song, aerobic dance, dumbbell, lazium exercise and other field and track events were held. The guests were highly impressed. Medals and trophies were given to students and houses in a presentation ceremony. The “overall trophy” was bagged by Violet House of the school. Participation certificates were given to all. — TNS
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‘Sister city’ pact between Amritsar, Bakersfield in limbo
Amritsar, February 4 They said it seemed to be heading towards the same fate as other projects of the Municipal Corporation (MC) did, for example, garbage lifting, waste management plant and city transport plans. To awaken the MC from its slumber, Rotary Club, Amritsar Central, convened a meeting under the banner of the Amritsar-Bakersfield Sister City Committee. The “sister city” agreement was signed in August 2011 when an MC delegation led by the then Mayor Shwait Malik visited Bakersfield after consistent efforts were initiated in March 2007. Now Bakersfield has once again invited the Amritsar MC to take part in the forthcoming Baisakhi festival. Dr Naresh Grover, founder and chairman of the Amritsar Bakersfield Sister City Committee, said, “Former Mayor Shwait Malik could not devote much time after his return from Bakersfield as he remained pre-occupied in the Assembly and local bodies election.” He said the matter had been brought to the notice of incumbent Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora. Arora is the chief patron of the committee. Arora said the committee will contemplate over the possibilities that could be shared to improve the amenities. Dr Grover said Sister City International (SCI is headquartered in Washington. Dr Grover said the basic idea of the project was to promote people-to-people approach on international level as a supplement to government-to-government relations. He said the objective was to develop municipal partnerships between the US cities and other cities across the globe, build long-term community partnerships and congenial atmosphere for economic development. He said Bakersfield is a much smaller city in comparison to the holy city. Its population is 3.5 lakh of which 50,000 people are of Punjabi origin. The Mayor of Bakersfield, Harvey Hall, had visited Amritsar in 2008 and in 2010. Possible areas of collaboration are art, cultural exchange, humanitarian relief, youth exchange, environmental awareness, sanitation improvement, healthcare assistance, public safety training, tourism promotion, business and economic development.
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With deadline coming to end, 2,500 food businesses register, 450 get licences
Amritsar, February 4 District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said another 100 files for licenses and around 2,500 for registration were awaiting final approval from the Health Department. The department had run a vigorous campaign to enable the maximum number of food businesses get registered or obtain licenses during the past few weeks. However, it received a setback when a rumour of further extension in the deadline by six months started doing the rounds. "We have received no official information about the extension in date. Even the headquarters did not have it," Dr Kahlon said. He said the registration or licenses for the applicants which are pending would be handed over in the due course of time. He said a large number of files had remained pending as the department had organised extensive camps to enroll more food businesses. The Food Safety and Standards Act, which came into effect last year in the state, requires businesses with a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh to get registered while those with a turnover exceeding this were to obtain licenses. The Act covered businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, import and catering of foods. The temporary stalls and grocery stores selling food ingredients too were to register so far. Though the exact number of such food businesses which were covered under the ambit of the Act is hard to ascertain, the Health Department officials feel that many still have failed to abide by the rules. Dr Kahlon said those who had still not registered or obtained licences would face action if no further extension is granted by the government.
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Defying HC guidelines, political hoardings dot the city
Amritsar, February 4 Following the HC orders, it was Deputy Chief Minister who had ordered all the municipal bodies to remove the illegal hoardings but the action short lived. These eyesores continue to deface the major intersections of the holy city with impunity. All the prominent intersections in the city carry huge hoardings congratulating the victorious candidates in the DSGMC election held recently. The HC directions prohibit installation of any hoardings on the roadside since they distract the
drivers thus resulting in accidents. These hoardings with the pictures of DSGMC winners,
CM, Deputy CM and SGPC chief, dot the Golden Temple parking, Dharam Singh Market
Chowk, MC main office gate at Town Hall. The historic Hall Gate was dotted with during BJP chief Kamal Sharma's visit. In absence of a strong advertisement policy in Punjab, the commercial hoardings are back on the roadsides, on rooftops of houses and commercial complexes located on the key roads. The officials say that they are preparing a list of locations where hoardings or posters are legal. But most of those who put these hoardings enjoy political patronage thus making money by renting out prominent sites
to companies.
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Stolen truck recovered, one held
Amritsar, February 4 The police has arrested Jaswinder Singh of Chabba in this connection, while his accomplice Ravi managed to escape. They were nabbed near Harike where Jaswinder Singh was waiting for a party to sell the stolen truck and Basmati rice worth Rs 17 lakh. Gurbax Singh, DSP, Attari, said Gurwinder Singh of Jasraur village, had parked the truck near Baba Naudh Singh Samadh and went to meet his sister. However, when he returned he found the truck missing. He said a case under Section 379 of the IPC was registered in this regard. Police parties were raiding places to nab Ravi.
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Woman operated for rare appendicitis Amritsar, February 4 Dr Khalsa said in rare cases of appendicitis, there is swelling in the appendix and it lies next to the liver while it is near the lower portion of the abdomen area in normal cases. The patient on whom the surgery was conducted was identified as Surinder Kaur (55). Dr Khalsa said the medical literature had so far reported appendix among some 20 persons only. — TNS
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Amritsar, February 4 The team won a cash prize of Rs 50,000 after defeating DAV Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, in the state-level finals held at the PCA Grounds in Mohali. —b
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film promotion in holy city
Amritsar, February 4 The singer, who turned full-time actor with hit films like "Mel Karade Rabba", "Jihne Mera Dil Luteya" and "Carry On Jatta", will once again tickle some funny bone and romance Surveen Chawla in the film. In city on a promotional tour for "Singh v/s Kaur", Gippy and Surveen interacted with fans at Queen's Couture, Khalsa College and Lawrence School and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple later in the evening. Gippy, who is playing the role of protagonist Nihaal Singh, a glib liar who gets stuck in his own web of lies only to give some funny moments in the film, was seen sans his on-screen look. "I have another shooting schedule ahead of me in the evening, so I couldn't don my turbaned look just like my character in the film, he cleared. Though he did talk about his film, "I play a small town guy who wants to achieve big in life. In his attempts to do so, he lies and then gets stuck. It is a fun family film, like my previous films as I aim to entertain family audiences." He also insisted that the film is for the whole family. "This is the film for which you can take your mother and father along to the movie theatre," said Gippy. Actress Surveen Chawla, who plays the "Kaur" in the film too seemed excited. "I have had a good time working in Punjabi films as my work got appreciated in 'Taur Mitran Di', "Dharti' and more recently 'Sadi Love Story'. I am excited about my second consecutive release in a week's time and hope people like it," said the pretty lady. The duo enthralled the audience with their songs and dance items while interacting with a young crowd at Khalsa College. While Gippy sang his popular songs, forcing the audience to tap their feet, Surveen joined in with some impromptu dance moves. Produced under the banner of Sippy-Suresh Productions, the film has been made with the rural as well as urban population in mind and would be liked by the youngsters, said Gippy. It is directed by Navniat Singh and scheduled to get released this week and is also the first to be produced by multi-lingual producer D. Ramanaidu. "He has a record in Guiness Book for being the most prolific producer with movies in languages like Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali and now Punjabi," informed Gippy.
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The Punjab and Haryana High Court has once again deferred the date of hearing on the solid waste management project of the city to February 26.
Amritsar, February 4
Giving scant regards to the High Court orders,
the political parties continue to deface the city by putting up hoardings and banners.
After the BJP, it was the turn of the SAD to greet the Deputy Chief Minister and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Managing Committee
(DSGMC) members who visited the city today. A fortnight ago, the BJP had littered the city with illegal hoardings when the new BJP state chief Kamal Sharma paid a visit here.
Amritsar, February 4
