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Heatwave claims 3 lives in a week
47 samples collected from food joints in two malls
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GNDU lays off ad hoc data entry operators
MC to conduct geographical information survey in city
Ghuggi promises peals of laughter in ‘Jatts in Golmaal’
As temperature soars, experts sound word of caution to residents
Residents have been forced to take various measures to protect themselves from the heat during daytime in Amritsar. Photo: vishal kumar
Expelled SPOs say leader cheated them with reinstatement promise
ISC, ICSE exam toppers felicitated
80 girls to be trained for defence forces examination
Elderly woman dies as car hits her
Amritsar railway station to get makeover soon
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Heatwave claims 3 lives in a week
Amritsar, May 20 In the recent instance, the Maqboolpura police recovered a body of a man from under the elevated road. The police authorities said he apparently died due to intense heatwave conditions prevailing in the city for the past several days. Earlier, two persons were found dead in the B-Division police station area on May 13 and May 15. They were also destitute. Last year also around a dozen persons lost their lives during the summer season. The majority of them were destitute, beggars and drug addicts. The temperature in the city is currently hovering around 45 degrees centigrade. Today the maximum temperature was recorded at 45.4 degrees centigrade, while the Amritsar recorded a maximum of 44.5 degrees centigrade yesterday. On May 18, the city recorded the maximum temperature of 47 degrees centigrade. Residents refrained from going out and preferred to remain indoors to protect themselves from intense heatwave that has gripped the region. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Agarwal said he would take up the issue with the Police Department as well as Municipal Corporation Commissioner about the deaths of the destitute, who died on the roadsides due to hot summer conditions. He pointed out that during winters it had come to light that a number of destitute persons had actually died due to overdose of drugs. “In fact, sometimes the police officials did not care to get the postmortem of these persons conducted properly,” he said, while adding that he would ask the Police Department to get the postmortem examination conducted properly to know the exact cause of the death. As per the norms it is the duty of the Punjab Police to identify the mentally challenged persons roaming in the city and admit them to the Dr Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health besides taking punitive action against beggars under the anti-begging law. The district administration has already established Raen Basera, a shelter for the beggars. However, there are a few takers for the same as beggars return to roads after sometime.
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47 samples collected from food joints in two malls
Amritsar, May 20 District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon, who led the inspection team, said, "Around one lakh people visit these two malls daily. We had been receiving complaints from local residents about the poor quality of food served at these places." Seven samples were collected from eateries in Celebration Mall, while 40 were collected from Apha One Mall. The shops from where samples were collected include Subway, Chocolate Room, Cafe Coffee Day, Amritsari Dilse, Peppen Yaki, Chat Express, Dosa Palace, Biryani Bites, Bang, Basking Robin and Like Italy. He said all the samples collected during the drive would be sent to the Food Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for a checking. He said reports of the tests were expected within next 15 days. "If the samples fail, the strictest action as available in the provision of law will be taken against the shop owners," said Kahlon. The department had earlier collected 26 food samples on April 29 and 25 on April 30. Of the 55
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GNDU lays off ad hoc data entry operators
Amritsar, May 20 The first batch of five data entry operators would become jobless from tomorrow. Yet, it is being viewed that the remaining 43 data entry operators employed in different non-teaching branches of the university for the past five years may face the same fate. The reason is that the university has already hired a fresh batch of data entry operators on the regular basis via an advertisement published in September, 2012. It was then that the ad hoc data entry operators had moved the court against the move in October, 2012. Kulbir Kaur, an affected employee, resented that it was a double blow for them when the court, too, pronounced its verdict against them. Endorsing the views, Priya and Vishal said they had been working in the university for the past over five years, but the move of the university to hire fresh batches, had indicated them well in advance that they could be laid off anytime. Simar, another data entry operator, viewed that he could see negligible hope ahead and could only request the authorities to reconsider their decision. According to information, the university had deployed the first batch of 17 data entry operators in May, 2009, for three years on fixed pay package of Rs 10,000. Their contract was renewed for another one year and was due to expire in May, 2013. The VC had refused to extend their services further. Likewise, others were hired on different intervals under the identical terms and conditions. On the other hand, the non-teaching employees union today held a meeting to chalk out strategy while persuading the university authorities not to go ahead with the move. They had even staged a protest last week, which was deferred in view of the offer of the university to hold talks with them on the issue. All these efforts bore no results and the decision of the court has endorsed the move of the university too. The president of the GNDU Non-teaching Employees Union, Balveer Singh Garcha, said, “We are a dejected lot due to the orders of the court. Still, we will criticise the move of the university to lay off its employees, who had been serving for the past over five years. Even many of them performed their duties during the Zila Parishad elections held recently. We will be holding a general house meeting soon to contest this decision,” he said. The vice-president of the union, Bhagwant Singh, said the affected persons, which included both men and women, were in the age group of 30-35 years and majority of them have families depending on them back home. “I appeal the university authorities to review its decision and give extension to the employees,” he said.
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MC to conduct geographical information survey in city
Amritsar, May 20 Even as the remote sensing agency of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, was earlier entrusted with the task of conducting the survey, but now the MC has decided to get it done through another agency. Officials said a tender for engaging a private agency would be floated soon. The MC would have to shell out nearly Rs 4.5 crore for conducting the survey of around 3 lakh houses. Each household would have to pay Rs 150, which would be a mandatory condition to get them registered with the civic authorities. This would also enable to compile a detailed report of water supply, sewerage and road network, besides details of parks and even streetlights installed in different pockets of the city. The survey will also give a fair idea to the MC about the illegal water and sewerage connections. Besides, it will also present a clear picture of the current state of infrastructure and the future needs. Commissioner, MC, Bhupinder Singh said the remote sensing agency of PAU was already over-occupied with the same kind of task underway at Bhatinda and Ludhiana. “That’s why we decided to hire another specialised agency. The tenders would be floated soon for the purpose. We will be allotting a unique identification number to each household after getting their water supply, electricity or sewerage connection details. This exercise will give us almost exact idea of the number of residential and commercial establishments in the city. This will further help us in calculating the taxes applicable on them. We will also come ti know about the areas which sans basic civic amenities. Side by side, it would also reveal the illegal connections of water or sewerage."
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Ghuggi promises peals of laughter in ‘Jatts in Golmaal’
Amritsar, May 20 The star cast of the movie - Gurpreet Ghuggi, Aarya Babbar and Sameksha - were in the city today for paying obeisance at the Golden Temple. Aarya Babbar and Sameksha said "Jatts in Golmaal" is a Punjabi comedy film with one of the best one-liners and fun packed laughter scenes. The story, screenplay and dialogues for the film have been written by Naresh Kathooria, better known for his work in "Carry on Jatta". Revealing about the flick, actress Sameksha said, "Aarya Babbar, the protagonist, in the movie, wants to fly off to Canada by hook or crook. All the confusion and comedy of errors that evolves during his journey forms the crux of the movie." Aryaa Babbar said the movie has comedy kings of Punjabi entertainment industry as Jaswinder Bhalla, Binnu Dhillon, BN Sharma and Karamjit Anmol.
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As temperature soars, experts sound word of caution to residents
Amritsar, May 20 “Drink a lot of water and do not exhaust yourself. Indigestion and diarrhoea are common problems associated with summers and people must adapt their dietary habits accordingly,” said Senior Medical Officer at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital. “Make salads and green vegetables and fruits part of your summer diet,” the Senior Medical Officer said. People must avoid alcoholic and soda-based drinks as they dehydrate the body, he said, adding that they must take umbrellas or head clothes to save themselves from sunstroke while venturing out during daytime. Small children need to be watched more carefully, the experts say. In case of diarrhoea and loose motions, they need to be taken to a medical expert, said Dr Sandeep Aggarwal, child specialist at the Civil Hospital, Amritsar. Dr Sandeep Aggarwal added that kids tend to play out even during the daytime. “Parents must not allow children to play outside when temperature is too hot. Exercise must be
taken in early morning hours or evening,” Dr Aggarwal said. "People, especially children, should use light-coloured clothes to decrease the extent of heat their bodies receive. One should always keep
a packet of ORS at home to use in case someone falls ill. It could also be substituted by using sugar and salt in boiled water,” he said. Dr Aggarwal said that eating from open eateries on the roadsides and unhygienic places should be avoided.
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Expelled SPOs say leader cheated them with reinstatement promise
Amritsar, May 20 Hardip Singh, a resident of Batala and one of the victims, in a press conference held here said the SAD-BJP government during its previous term in its election manifesto had promised to reinstate the expelled SPOs. Following this, about 18 expelled SPOs got together and later met Kashmir Kaur’s husband Ram Singh, an Akali leader from Majitha. Hardip said Ram Singh demanded Rs 2.50 lakh per person for reinstating them. However, the matter was later settled at Rs 1.50 lakh per person. He said the expelled SPOs gave him Rs 6 lakh in advance in 2011. However, even after passing of several months he did not do anything to restore them. Gurnam Singh, another expelled SPO, said Ram Singh used to take them to Chandigarh for meeting with the Director General of Police (DGP). “He used to make us stay in the canteen and would go inside the DGP office,” said Gurnam who claimed that he borrowed money from his relatives to give him money. “When we saw that there was no progress in the case we demanded our money back. But when Ram Singh failed to do so we filed a complaint with the Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) who transferred the case to the Amritsar rural police as Ram Singh belonged to Majitha,” he said. Hardip said the expelled SPOs later met a senior Akali leader from the area and asked him to intervene. He said following his intervention an inquiry was marked to SP (D) Jasdeep Singh in this connection. The victims urged the state government to take action against Ram Singh and get their money back. Ram Singh, when contacted, said that it was a political stunt to defame him as he did not enjoy good relations with local SAD leadership. He claimed that such allegations were made agsint him earlier as well which were later found to be fictitious. He said it was Hardip Singh who had taken money from the SPOs.
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ISC, ICSE exam toppers felicitated
Amritsar, May 20
Pankhuri Sharma obtained 94 per cent in medical stream and Rashmeet Sachdev got 93 per cent in commerce. School principal Lucy Emaneul said in all 123 students from medical, non-medical and commerce streams from the school appeared in the ISC examination. She said 100 per cent result was achieved as all of them passed their examination. Of these, 42 students got marks between 82 to 90 per cent, six students scored between 90 to 96 per cent marks. In Class, Navleen Kaur Gill and Rukam Mahawa got 96 per cent marks each. International Fateh Academy said 92 per cent of its students secured first division in Class X examination. Amritpal Singh topped in the academy with 90 per cent marks. Tanvi and Mitali of BBK DAV Collegiate Senior Secondary School for Girls got above 90 per cent marks in Class XII examination conducted under the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). Principal Dr Neelam Kamra today felicitated the students and the teachers for bringing laurels to the institution. She said the school students obtained 100 per cent result in this examination. Five students secured 90 per cent marks, 16 students got 85 per cent, 48 students got 80 per cent and 104 students managed 75 per cent, 218 students got more than 60 per cent marks, she said.
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80 girls to be trained for defence forces examination
Amritsar, May 20 Most of these girls belong to poor families and remote areas. The selected girls will be provided physical training and other educational facilities necessary for preparation of tests conducted for recruitment in police, military and paramilitary forces. Physical and written tests were conducted on May 15 for the selection in which a total of 319 girls had appeared. Institute director Baldev Singh Sandhu said, "So far, 44 boys and 229 girls have been selected in various paramilitary and police forces after being trained and educated here. It is a great achievement of the institution. Around 1,400 girls have been trained and educated in the institute in the past five years." Baba Sewa Singh, who runs the institute and is on US visit these days, conveyed his blessings on phone to the selected girls. The institute started in 2008 with a batch of boys and girls. Later, only the girl candidates were preferred. Those who are unable to go in for higher studies due to financial constraints are provided coaching and training for placement in defence forces. The training to girls is being given by the officers of captain rank retired from the Army. The Nishan-E-Sikhi Charitable Trust, Khadur Sahib provides the educational and transport facilities free of cost and accommodation on nominal charges.
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Elderly woman dies as car hits her
Amritsar, May 20 The police has booked the driver of the vehicle, identified as Subi, of the same village for negligent driving. Ajaysher Singh, the victim's grandson, told the police that he along with his grandmother Shindo was returning home after from the Jora Phatak area when the accused hit her with his Mahindra car. Sarwan Singh, investigating officer and in-charge Vallah police post, said the accused, Subi, was learning to drive the vehicle and instead of applying brakes he pressed the accelerator which led to the accident. A case under Section 304-A and 279 of the IPC has been registered in this connection. No arrest has been made so far. Sarwan Singh said raids were being conducted to nab the culprit.
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Amritsar railway station to get makeover soon
Amritsar, May 20 Naresh Chander Goel, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Ferozepur Division, which has jurisdiction in parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, said a private consultant had been hired to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) which is expected to be finished by the end of this month. He said state-of-the-art facilities would be provided at the local railway station at the cost of Rs 12 crore. "The union ministries of tourism and railway will share the investment cost," he said. The railway station will have a retiring room, VIP lounge, waiting room, waiting hall, parking area, circulating area etc. The facilities will be added to the railway station as it witnesses the arrival and departure of as many as 129 trains daily and records a daily footfall of about 27,000 passengers. Goel said once the proposal was received it would be submitted to the headquarters for their approval. It is anticipated that the project implementation will begin by the end of this year. The railway authorities, facing criticism for not providing quality amenities, infrastructure and environment for the past sometime at the Amritsar railway station, have proposed a slew of development projects here. They recently set momentum for setting up a food plaza at the railway station and the tender process is about to start for the same after the only refreshment room at the railway station has remained closed many a times for non-payment of dues. The Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was in the process of floating tenders to set up a food plaza and its site plan had been approved. The order for this has been placed after giving the final approval for installing escalator at the Amritsar railway station. The escalator will be installed near the ticket
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The sweltering heat has started taking its toll as three persons have reportedly died during the past week, if the police records are to be believed.
All of the unidentified victims are reportedly destitute, who also appears to be mentally challenged and beggars.
The Health Department today collected 47 samples of food items from at least 17 shops today.
Amritsar, May 20
"Jatts in Golmaal will
tickle your humour bone and leave you in peals of laughter," promises Gurpreet
Ghuggi, the ace comedian of the Punjabi laughter riot "Jatts in Golmaal"
that is ready to hit theatres on May 24.
With the temperature heading north in the region, experts have advised people to take precautions to stay healthy and avoid dehydration or sun stroke.
Even as deaths have been reported due to heat in the city, doctors said drinking a lot of water and covering the head with a cloth would be of immense help.
Eighty girls were selected by Sri Guru Angad Dev Institute of Career and Courses,
Nishan-e-Sikhi, for a new batch of three-month training course for recruitment to various defence forces, starting June 3.
