Amritsar, April 6
The general public might feel the pinch with the revision in user charges at government hospitals but the authorities concerned insist that it was a necessary measure to keep these institutions in good economic health.

The user charges were last time revised in 2001 and the cost of various medical products has increased manifold in the market since.

The hospitals were charging Rs 40 for an X-ray test earlier while the film alone cost them around Rs 55-56. Now Rs 70 will be charged for a test after the revised charges.

The hospitals were charging Rs 100 for a private room with air-conditioning facility which has been increased to Rs 200. The OPD slip charges have also gone up from Rs 2 to Rs 5.

"An air conditioner consumes electricity worth Rs 100 in 24 hours. The government had to pay for the services which people were using," a hospital employee said. The patients will now also have to pay Rs 8 per kilometre for using the hospital ambulance.

The patients will have to shell out Rs 10 and Rs 25 for a single visit by the doctor to general ward and private room respectively.

They will have to pay Rs 100 for minor surgeries and Rs 750 for major surgeries while these services were charged as Rs 50 and Rs 375 respectively earlier.

Instead of Rs 50 as medical examination charges, one will have to pay Rs 200. The police will be required to pay Rs 500 for getting medical examination of a person in custody. The ECG will cost Rs 40 instead of Rs 25.

The patients said that the government, on the one hand, had assured to give free medicines to all the patients at the OPDs and on the other, has increased the rates for the other services.

"It is like they are giving with one hand and taking it away with another," said Sunil Kumar, a resident.

Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Jallianwalla Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital, Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said, "The rates had not been revised for years. Hospitals were facing difficulty in managing their daily affairs.”

“The Punjab Health Systems Corporation's decision will help the hospitals in providing better services to the general public," he said.

Amritsar, April 6
The unemployed youths, who climbed atop a water tank seeking jobs in the PowerCorp on compassionate grounds, chose to stay put for the fifth day today and also resorted to chain hunger strike.

Miffed over what they termed was the “indifferent attitude” of the authorities, the agitating youths said they would intensify their agitation by blocking traffic outside the Hall Gate tomorrow.

One of the agitators Sukhchain Singh said no government official approached them today. He said two agitators sat on hunger strike for 24 hours and the next replace them thereafter.

Meanwhile, National Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Commission vice-chairman Rajkumar Verka visited the spot and interacted with the agitating youths. Verka assured them of his full cooperation and asked them to write a letter to him.

Sukhchain said they would fax a letter to Verka requesting him to direct the PowerCorp to given them employment as their family members had passed away during service.

He said Verka assured to call PowerCorp chairman and managing director (CMD) KD Chaudhary explain their situation on humanitarian grounds.

Local PowerCorp officials maintained that the matter had been conveyed to the headquarters at Patiala but it was a policy decision which was notified in April 2010 to offer employment to the next of kin of those PowerCom employees who expired while in service. It does not apply for the period prior to the said date, they said. They insisted that any amendment could be done only at the level of the Chief Minister.

There are 340 such cases in the PowerCorp before the notification date, the hearing of which is still pending.

The protesting youths claimed that they did not opt for the Rs 3 lakh compensation offered by the department and hence, were eligible job for the on compassionate grounds.

Amritsar, April 6
An NRI youth, identified as Amandeep Singh, was allegedly assaulted by some persons late last evening here.

The victim, who belongs to Daud village, had gone to meet his maternal uncle at Kot Khehra village. He was coming to Tarsikka when the incident took place.

In his complaint, Amandeep told the police that two persons with their faces covered intercepted him and started beating him.

He said the assailants asked whether he was same person who had returned from Norway. The complainant said he had returned to his village about three months back after spending five years in Norway. He denied of having any enmity with anyone.

The police said the statement of the victim had been recorded. Further investigations were on in this connection, the police added.

Amritsar, April 6
The National Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Commission has summoned IG Border Range and Amritsar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-rural police) besides serving a notice on the city Commissioner of Police in two incidents.

Prem Singh, a resident of Baba Bakala, deposed before the commission that his son had given a witness in court against an accused in a rape case in 2006. Following this, the court had convicted the accused and sentenced him for seven years rigorous imprisonment.

He alleged that his son was later brutally murdered by the opposite group and the case regarding this was pending in court.

Prem Singh appeared before Rajkumar Verka, vice-chairman, National SC/ST Commission, and alleged that he was receiving murder threats and some police officials were pressuring him not to give any witness in the court.

Taking cognisance of this, the commission has asked the IG Border Range and SSP Amritsar rural police to personally appear before it on April 17.

In another case, family of a girl alleged that the police was on a lookout for their minor daughter who was earlier arrested for allegedly stealing gold jewellery about half kilogram five years ago. However, she was later released after investigations found nothing against her. The family suspected that the police might again arrest the girl.

Verka served a notice on the Commissioner of Police asking as to why the police had not registered a case against the owners under the Child Labor Act as the girl was just 12-year-old at that time.

ACP Gurnam Singh appeared before the commission on behalf of the police department.

Amritsar, April 6
VIP and emergency duty assignments are taking a toll on the morale of the doctors at the local Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital here.

They are complaining that when such duties are assigned to the Civil Hospital doctors, the services meant for general public suffer at the out-patient departments (OPDs).

The doctors complained while they were overburdened with work, the rural medical officers working under the zila parishads were exempted from such duties.

“It is unfair as they are drawing same pay and facilities. Also, the rush in such areas is very low as compared to the Civil Hospital. We also have to run to hospital during night to take emergency cases,” said a doctor.

Doctors said they did not mind coming to the hospital during the night to attend emergency cases but it was not fair to appoint them on VIP duties where they have no work but have to sit in the ambulances for the entire day.

A team of doctors from the Civil Hospital has also been put on duty at Pink Plaza where some youngsters have climbed atop a water tank to seek jobs on compassionate grounds in the Power Corporation.

“We don’t do anything except sitting in the vehicles the entire night. If we take an off next day to which we are entitled to, the patients would suffer at the hospital,” said a hospital doctor.

He said that the government and Health Department must reduce such unnecessary burden on doctors at the district hospitals.

“If there is a real need to send doctors on such duties, it should be done on rotation basis and all doctors from almost every health institution should be assigned the job,” said another doctor.

Being close at hand an international border and an airport in its vicinity, the rush of VIPs is much in Amritsar as compared to other districts. The doctors demanded that the administration should intervene in the matter.

Amritsar, April 6
The use of edible silver leaves used in embellishing traditional sweetmeats is gradually decreasing these days.

A skilled artisan and trader Jaspal Singh says that his is the only shop left in Punjab that is still preparing and dealing in edible silver and gold leaves.

He says some wrong assumptions about these leaves, for example being costly, are responsible for the waning interest among the youngsters.

"There is a view that since the prices of gold and silver are skyrocketing, therefore these leaves available in the market might be duplicate, which in turn could harm their health," he said.

He said the latest technology has made the preparation process totally vegetarian.

"Earlier, bits of silver and gold used to be repeatedly beaten while placed inside the leather of sheep. Now, a Germany-made paper has replaced the leather. The piece of leather which used to be extracted from a sheep now cost Rs 5,000 whereas the paper is readily available at Rs 2,500," he says.

Amritsar, April 6
What better way to serve than a heavy dose of laughter mixed with reality as a tribute to the king of comedy, Sardar of Satire, Jaspal Bhatti? And so MAD Arts Film Institute, founded by the late actor-satirist himself, will now be organising the 'Jaspal Bhatti Comedy Film Festival' every year to promote his ideology of pure and clean entertainment.

Announcing the festival in Amritsar, Savita Bhatti along with Jasraj Bhatti and actor Suriely Guatam interacted with media and shared the purpose for doing so. "He always encouraged new talent and clean entertainment. So we have decided to organise Jaspal Bhatti comedy film festival every year starting next year to celebrate and honour new talent," said Savita Bhatti.

The awards will be held on March 3, 2014 for which entries will be accepted for the whole year. The festival will feature short films and documentaries as well. A teary-eyed Savita, who broke down few times during the interaction, also emphasised that Jaspal Bhatti's contribution to the Punjabi cinema is unforgettable. "He first made Punjabi film when the industry was dying. Mahual Theek Hai toh baad hi Punjabi cinema da Mahual Theek hoya (It was after Mahual Theek Hai which popularised Punjabi cinema once again)," she said.

Jasraj bhatti, Jaspal's son and actor, said, "There is no language bar for the entries, but it should be in digital form and the theme should be comedy only. Any short film of 5-7 minutes' duration is welcome from the national and international contours, provided it offers pure and clean entertainment, which my father stood for."

When asked about the recent Lifetime Achievement Award that her late husband has been honoured with in the PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2013, Savita said, "Although any kind of recognition is always welcome, I feel that the worth of an honest and simple entertainer like him is realised by the world only when he is no more to receive that recognition."

Savita also mentioned about the Padma Bhushan Award that Jaspal Bhatti has been announced to be honoured with.

Jasraj too will be honoured with the best debut award in Punjabi Entertainment Award for 'Power Cut' and 'Paaji in Trouble'. "'Paaji In Trouble' is based on a story written by Jaspal Bhatti," shared Savita. She mentioned that she was planning to write a biography of the late actor-satirist, "I am working on it. Let's see when I come out with it."

Amritsar, April 6
India is a land of myths and folklores, bathed in endless allegories founded across centuries of profound history. As much as we take refuge in education and science from all things ‘evil’ in the world, some things just refuse to go away. Like this concept of ‘buri nazar’ that we grow up with.

And since the dark and mystical seems to be the flavour of the season be it Bollywood or small screen, the little twisted fear in our mind have come live on television. Sony’s Anamika is one such show that works on the philosophy.

So, when three young actors of the show, Annie Gill, Mudit Nayar and Simran Kaur came to holy city, it opened up a lot on the subjected ‘evil’ on screen that has everyone hooked. “The show is a love story with a twist,” said Mudit, who plays the male protagonist. “It has emotions, drama, suspense and a lot of mystical elements that make it innovative and different from all other shows on television currently.”

Well, with the two pretty ladies fighting it out for the affections of a young guy, sure make for some sparks. Only one of them happens to be a witch. “It looks like a typical love triangle only better,” shares Simran, who plays the dark mysterious witch. So, does this reel evil queen believes in the real stuff too, “I don’t actually have an opinion on it. I believe in god and know that even if there something called evil, I have his protection,” she plays safe.

Her competition though, on screen, Annie Gill, who plays female protagonist, too believes that to every good there is an evil. “I believe that if god exists so does evil. It is all about a maintaining a balance in natural and supernatural,” she says. Annie, who traces her roots to Amritsar, is excited that the show is doing good. “It’s my first experience as an actor and since I came with a lot of odds in my mind but I am quite relaxed now.”

Amritsar, April 6
Sahil, a student of Guru Nanak Dev University, procured two fancy registration numbers for his vehicles at Rs 5.35 lakh in an auction of fancy numbers held by the District Transport Office yesterday.

Interestingly, he purchased the PB02-BS-0007 at Rs 2.55 lakh for his motorbike worth Rs 50,000. He procured PB-02-BT 0007 number at a cost of Rs 2.80 lakh for his Fortuner vehicle.

Ashok Kumar paid Rs 6.55 lakh for PB-02-BT 0006 and one Suraj spent Rs 3.06 lakh for PB-02-BS 0009. PB-02-BS 0001 went for Rs 1,01000, 0002 for Rs 31,000, 0003 for Rs 1,05,000, 0004 for Rs 25,000, 0005 for Rs 3 lakh, 0006 for Rs 1.60 lakh, 0008 for Rs 51,000, 0010 for Rs 8,000, 0011 for 1,01,000. Similarly, for PB-02-BT series was also lapped up by the buyers. PB-02-BT 0001 went for Rs 55,000, 0002 for 21,000, 0003 for a little over Rs 3 lakh, 0004 for Rs 60,000, 0005 for Rs 70,000, 0008 for Rs 85,000, 0009 for Rs 11,000.

Amritsar, April 6
The Indian authorities repatriated about 14 fishermen and three other Pakistani prisoners to their country through the Attari-Wagah land route here today.

Imran Masih, one of the prisoners, said he had illegally crossed over to Indian territory from Akhnoor in 2009. While crossing over, he was nabbed by the BSF. He said he was sentenced to four-year jail term by a court in Jammu.

Another prisoner Kishore Ahmad said he had inadvertently crossed over to India in 2011 after he had a spat with his family. He said he was imprisoned for two years in Jammu. Mohammad Baksh, who was released from a jail in Gujrat, said he had crossed over India in 2009. They were handed over to Pakistani rangers by the BSF authorities. — TNS

Amritsar, April 6
Two girl students of DAV College Amritsar attained merit positions in MCom first semester in Guru Nanak Dev University.

Tania Gupta of MCom Semester-I secured fourth position in the university and Sarika Singh Chauhan secured fifth position in the examinations results of which were declared recently.

College principal Dr KN Kaul congratulated students, their parents and teachers for their guidance and support. Meanwhile, three students of BBK DAV College for Women got first three positions in Master of Tourism Management third semester in Guru Nanak Dev University.

Dilkiran Kaur and Rupali Malhotra stood first in the university by securing 82 per cent marks. Shivani Dutt stood second in the varsity and got 79 per cent marks while Sandeep Kaur stood third in the university and scored 76 per cent marks.