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Man gets 10 yrs in jail for killing wife
No let up in crimes against women
CPS finds teachers absent from duty in govt schools
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Empanelment of pvt hospitals by govt raises eyebrows Amritsar, February 6 The government empanelling nine city hospitals, including seven private ones, for the treatment of cancer cases has raised eyebrows as few of these hospitals are closely linked to senior officials of the health department.
Delhi fair provides lessons to city’s art fraternity
Implementation of property tax: Zoning panel to meet today
caught
in a crawl 5
‘Bring cases in lok adalats to get fast justice’
Real estate sector going through lean patch
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Man gets 10 yrs in jail for killing wife
Amritsar, February 6 This is the third consecutive case in the past three days where Additional Sessions Judge Neelam Arora has sentenced a person to 10 years of RI for crimes against women. In the present case, the deceased’s father had told the police that Satish used to harass his daughter for dowry. He had alleged that Satish had strangulated her daughter to death in November 2009. On Tuesday, the special court, set up on January 14, sentenced one Pargat Singh to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl of Nibberwind village. Earlier, the court had sentenced Rakesh Kumar for raping a girl on the pretext of marriage.
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No let up in crimes against women
Though there were just 14 molestation cases in the city in 2012, this year has started on a poor note. As many as 9 cases have been reported in January alone. It is believed that the figures do not present the extent of the problem in actual terms. But these figures show that girls and women are coming forward to lodge complaints against miscreants, that was not the case earlier. Even as the police department has claimed to have taken a number of steps to check molestation and eve-teasing in the city, there is an urgent need to change the mindset of the people, women residents said. The recent instances in which two married women were brutally murdered by their husbands are testimony to the fact that women are yet to get the position in society they deserve. In the first case, a woman was shot dead when she was going to a court regarding a case which she had filed against her husband. In the second incident, a woman was hacked to death by her husband when she objected to his drinking habits. As per the police records, the city has witnessed 27 rape cases in 2012 which is highest in last seven years. Besides, five cases of attempt to rape were reported in 2012. As many as 18 women, including five in dowry cases, were murdered. In the rural areas, three women were killed while 8 fell victim to in-laws’ greed for dowry in 2012. There are 45 cases of kidnapping and abduction cases which have been reported in the city in 2012. As many as 13 similar cases were reported in Amritsar rural areas in 2012. In addition, 142 cases (including 40 in Amritsar Rural area) of dowry torture were reported in 2012. Saroop Singh, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner, said a multi-pronged holistic approach was required to tackle this problem. He said a special cell in police stations should be set up with all female staff who should be trained to deal with crimes against women. Another police official preferring anonymity said there was a need to change the mindset of the police force and make them more sensitive towards the gender related crimes. During the Republic Day celebrations, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had said that additional women SHOs would be posted in all police stations. DGP Sumedh Singh Saini had also passed the instructions to senior officials in all police districts to personally look into the gender related cases. Manjit Kaur, gold medalist at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, said, “Usually crimes against women happen because of the prevalent mentality that they are the weaker sex. If we make them self-reliant to protect themselves, the mindset may change. Also, women police officers should make it a point to counsel and take initiatives in making women aware of their rights and empower them through law.” Nita Mohindra, a renowned theatre artist and educationist, said the increase in number of registered cases in the city reflects that women are coming out and reporting these crimes. “I don't think that the mindset has changed or is going to change overnight. The older generation still lives by their set notions. The best thing to do is to make youth aware.”
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CPS finds teachers absent from duty in govt schools
Amritsar, February 6 She raided Government Elementary Schools at Sawan Nagar, Dharam Nagar and Kangra Colony, and found that half of the teachers were absent without leave. She said Principal of Dharam Nagar was present in the school, but had not taught a word till 11:00 am. She also found lack of cleanliness in these schools. She found the toilets in poor state. There was no availability of potable water and meals were being prepared in the open, she said. She also found students sitting on mats alongside broken tables and furniture. Dr Sidhu said she had asked the school heads to give lists of essentials, which are needed in these schools.
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Treatment of cancer cases under govt scheme Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 6 A team of experts from the PGI that visited the city recently had recommended names of Guru Ram Dass Hospital, Government Medical College, Surjit Hospital, Amandeep Hospital, Bajwa Hospital, Shergill Hospital, Dhariwal Hospital, Nayyar Hospital and Apollo Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients under a scheme in which the state government would give Rs 1.5 lakh to patients. Except the Government Medical College and SGPC-run Guru Ram Dass Hospital, all other are private hospitals. One of these private hospitals is closely associated with the family of a senior official of the health department. Another one is being reportedly run by the family of a senior official of the Government Medical College and two more belong to the families of retired officials. Importantly, the Civil Hospital which caters to the needs of cancer patients has not been included in the list. Even Fortis Hospital, a private and well-known health provider has not been chosen. Though a few of the doctors have come out against the government move on the social networking sites, nobody has come before the media. On the condition of anonymity, a doctor said, “Even if the Civil Hospital is not equipped to deal with the cases, it is the duty of the government to ready it for the purpose. And even those who have been empanelled do not have enough infrastructure and trained oncologists for the purpose.” Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra said he had not received the list so far. He said, “Generally only those hospitals which apply for empanelment are selected.” He said that the empanelment was done by a team of experts from the PGI. Close connection with officials
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Delhi fair provides lessons to city’s art fraternity
Amritsar, February 6 With increased number of internationally acclaimed art galleries, the biggest showcase of contemporary art in the country is nothing but a one-stop shop for artists and art patrons. And though the space celebrates contemporary art in the country, artists from the holy city and the region still find it difficult to participate in the event. While the emphasis is on to promote new artists and contemporary art forms, with private galleries taking active initiatives to buy space for the new art, the city artists still cry of neglect. Amritsar Tribune talked to few artists who visited the recently concluded prestigious art event in New Delhi. “Most galleries sponsor artists for such events, where networking and money is invested in getting the art recognised. But here the gallery lacks interest and funds to do so,” shares Ramandeep Kaur, a contemporary artist from the city who returned from India Art Fair. “India Art Fair is a big event where global art shares a common platform. To find your space in the event, an artists needs to have good financial backup. Also, the city artists lack exposure to such a healthy environment for art and awareness to explore new age forms of art. This is where the lack of motivation and support take us a step behind,” she says. Brajesh Jolly, an artist and art historian from the city, said, “There is no dearth of talent or good experimental art here. Only they lack a platform to showcase their talent. Since Amritsar has always been a hub for traditional art forms, the onus is on the younger generation of artists who are doing contemporary forms. But they do not have funds or the required network working for them,” he says. The Thakar Singh Art Gallery, which remains the only prominent art gallery to provide space to artists from the city, too has disappointed the younger crop of artists. “Galleries in capital and elsewhere are well connected, have a support system to back young amateur artists who are experimenting with different media. Here, the only art gallery has its premises packed with exhibition and sales for commercial activities, let alone organise periodic art exhibitions for amateur artists. The funds are scare and the support missing for promoting any new or contemporary art forms. It becomes an artist’s responsibility to sell his art himself,” shares Anjali Sood, another artist who works with installations and got inspired from the likes of Subodh Gupta at the fair. “Most young artists cannot afford space at such big events and go unnoticed or have to struggle before they find an opening,” says Ramandeep. So while art in India is growing and defining new concepts and inspiring globally, Amritsar, a hub of cultural and art activities in Punjab, has its talent wait patiently for a shot at the big league.
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Implementation of property tax: Zoning panel to meet today
Amritsar, February 6 The meeting will be chaired by the Director of the Local Government department. Though the property tax on residential units came into force on November 15, the owners can file their property returns till March 31. But so far, no form has been made available by the department. Commercial properties would come under the tax from April 1. The Zoning Committee has the powers to divide the city in zones and fix value of property tax in each of these zones. The Zoning Committee will also have MP, MLAs, Mayor, Deputy Mayors, a nominee of the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner as member secretary. The Zoning Committee before determining the zones would give a notice to inhabitants of the city inviting objections and suggestions. Meanwhile, the unit value for the purpose of imposition of tax on buildings and land would be determined by a Unit Valuation Committee, to be headed by the Deputy Commissioner. MC Commissioner Bhupinder Singh said the process was underway. “Forms would be made available soon. The MC will take help of the property survey of the holy city conducted by the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in 1998. He said the survey, containing individual details of property, would come handy in the implementation of the property tax. However, experts said the survey carried out 14 years back will provide little help now. During this period, innumerable changes have taken place, they said.
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caught
in a crawl 5
For a 2.2-km stretch from the bus stand to the railway station, spending 25 minutes is a chaotic affair. But we, the people of this chaotic city, at least when it comes to traffic, do not have an option until we stop switching lanes to block the passage for those coming behind us. Those who have ever been on this stretch during late night and early morning hours, when most of the auto-rickshaws have still not started plying, the length can be crossed in just 3 and a half minutes driving at a leisurely speed of 40 km per hour.
Though a separate lane was recently demarcated for auto-rickshaws, the drivers still have not got the message. From Hussainpura to Bhandari Bridge, the next 700 metres seem a bit easier. However the needle on the speedometer fails to touch 20 km per hour with vehicles making a beeline towards the bridge. The distance from start of the bridge from the side of bus stand to point the point where it ends on the side of the railway station is roughly 400 metres. The next choke point comes at Bhandari pull. It takes another 12 minutes to cross 400 metres of the bridge at a crawling speed. The traffic moves at a snail's pace. The auto-rickshaw drivers make stop as per their wish to drop and pick up passengers. Even four-wheeler and two-wheeler drivers switch lanes without caring for those coming behind. All the problems accumulatively lead to a big mess on the road. However, next 600 metres as one comes down from the bridge towards the railway station up to its entrance gate station is a little easier. What can be done?
Problems areas
Commuters speak
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IT dept raids shops at Karmo Deorhi Amritsar, February 6 Meanwhile, tension grew as nearby shopkeepers and their employees gathered outside the shop in large number. The situation was brought under control with the help of the police. The police held talks with market leaders. Many shopkeepers downed their shutters fearing similar raids. — TNS
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‘Bring cases in lok adalats to get fast justice’
Amritsar, February 6 Balbir Singh, in a press conference today, said lok adalats are organised on every fourth Friday of the month to deliver fast justice. He said in normal circumstances, a dispute between labourers and employers is first heard by the Assistant Labour Commissioner. “If the Commissioner is able to solve the matter amicably, it ends there. If not, the case comes to the labour and industrial court,” said Balbir Singh. He said on the other hand, lok adalats solve the matter with the consent of both the parties, against which no appeal can be made in any court.
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Real estate sector going through lean patch
Amritsar, February 6 Appreciating some of the moves of the government, Dawar said it would have been much better if some rebate on registration of properties to small buyers was extended. Dawar urged the SAD-BJP leaders to emulate the example of the UAE. He added that the UAE government stressed on providing world-class infrastructure in Dubai, which eventually translated into attracting investors from all over the world. Consequently, the Dubai real estate market witnessed the biggest boom till 2008. He said similarly the city had an international charm with tourists coming from around the world and had got international connectivity through an airport, Integrated check post along the international border with Pakistan and international bus terminal. Real estate agents were of the view that investors and actual buyers had adopted wait and watch policy till the new policy of registration appeared after March 31 as the government had extended the deadline for getting the properties registered through power of attorneys for the third time. According to 2010 census, there are nearly 2.35 lakh houses in the city. Due to urbanisation, the city attracted people with surplus money to invest in the real estate sector, which led to the hike in prices. There are many residents who own more than one plot or house. Hundreds of flats in New Amritsar and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar scheme are lying locked. Following one per cent increase in the social security infrastructure cess and hike in the upper limit of registration fee of land, a property buyer now shell out five per cent stamp duty and three per cent social security for the registration of land, said Arvind Kumar, a deed writer . However, there is a reprieve for women buyers in urban area as they need to deposit three per cent fee in both the cases. Besides, a new buyer has to give registration fee, which has been increased to Rs two lakh from 30,000. Kumar said maximum limit of registration fee had been fixed at one per cent of Rs two crore and a buyer procuring property above Rs two crore would have the advantage of shelling out only Rs 2 lakh as registration fee. Skyrocketing prices of construction material are adding to the woes of the already struggling real state market. Real estate boom in the latter half of the last decade witnessed the arrival of maximum private townships on airport and GT road. For the past one year land prices in these areas remained stable.
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Amritsar, February 6
For a 2.2-km stretch from the bus stand to the railway station, spending 25 minutes is a chaotic affair. But we, the people of this chaotic city, at least when it comes to traffic, do not have an option until we stop switching lanes to block the passage for those coming behind us.
Amritsar, February 6
After starting the journey from the bus stand, the first choke points come as soon as it begins. With almost no one to manage the unauthorised parking of buses and auto-rickshaws just outside the bus stand gate; no one can exactly make a promise that what time it would take to reach another choke point Hussainpura chowk which is exactly 500 metres away.
The real estate sector continues to face recession as fallout of the Punjab Government restricting purchase of property on power of attorney, high registry rates, property tax, costly construction material and labour. HS Dawar, a real estate expert, said all these factors had created a situation in which both end users and investors were abstaining from investing in properties. He said it had caused policy paralysis and nobody was gaining. In the wake of fluid policies by the state government regarding the registration of properties coupled with the recessionary trend in the market has made the market virtually standstill. Even the actual buyers in the market have adopted wait and watch policy.