Phagwara, June 14
Two persons sustained bullet injuries in a clash between two groups at Lambi Mohalla here today. More than eight motorcycle-borne youths, belonging to one group, reached Lambi Mohalla and challenged their opponent group, headed by two brothers Kaka and Babu. The two brothers took shelter inside their house. The opposite group fired more than 18 shots to create panic among the Kaka-Babu group, who threw bricks from the upper storey of their house on them. The assailants fled when mohalla residents raised an alarm.

A mason, Maya Ram, sustained a bullet injury on his left shoulder and another resident Prince sustained injury on his hand. Maya Ram was admitted to the Civil Hospital in a serious condition. He would be operated upon tomorrow, said the doctor treating him.

The Superintendent of Police, Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, said that police teams were raiding several places to nab the accused. The police has registered a case against Pammi Charanjit of Bhulrai and his other accomplices.

The police has rounded up three persons.

Jalandhar, June 14
In what may be termed as an indication towards a property boom, an auction of three commercial and 12 residential plots by the Kartarpur Improvement Trust today fetched Rs 3.93 crore.

The auction was organised for 29 plots falling in the newly carved Guru Arjan Dev Nagar residential scheme falling along the Jalandhar-Amritsar GT Road today. A 33.33 sq yard commercial booth with a reserve price of Rs 21,600 per sq yard went for as high as Rs 47,600 per sq yard with total value going up to Rs 15,86,508.

The other commercial booths also got a good response. A one with the same dimension and reserve price went for Rs 45,000 per sq yard. The third booth, measuring 133.33 sq yards and again with same reserve price, went for Rs 30,400 per sq yard with a total value of Rs 40.53 lakh.

Likewise, a residential plot, measuring 150 sq yard with a reserve price of Rs 9,983 per sq yard, went for Rs 14,900 per sq yard. The maximum price fetched on the sale of a 100 sq yard plot was Rs 14.5 lakh. One of the two 300 sq yard plots that got sold went on the highest bid of Rs 50.7 lakh.

However, the only 400 sq yard plot sold today saw an appreciation of only Rs 23 from the reserve price. While the bid of the plot was to start from Rs 14,977, the highest bid went only for Rs 15,000 with the plot going for Rs 45 lakh.

The Kartarpur Improvement Trust got just one-fourth of the earnest money of Rs 98.36 lakh today, while the remaining will come in instalments. The trust had earlier conducted draw for 37 out of 72 flats in the same scheme.

The ADC (G), Praneet Bhardwaj, who chaired the auction today, said it received a much better response than expected. Tehsildar, Jalandhar-II, Aman Pal Singh and Executive Officer of the Kartarpur Improvement Trust also participated in the event.

Jalandhar, June 14
Continuing its drive against the marriage palaces which have been running without applying under the new policy, the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) today sealed two palaces in the district.

The two palaces are Silver Oak Resorts falling on Pathankot Road, near Raipur Rasoolpur village, and Raj Farms on Kala Sanghian Road in Dhaliwal village.

Earlier, the officials had sealed two palaces in Jalandhar on June 7 and two in Kapurthala on June 11. The sealing was done on the orders of Chief Administrator Supreet Gulati while Executive Engineer (Regulatory) Sumittar Singh led the teams today.

Jalandhar, June 14
Following several complaints coming against Revenue Department staff, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) seems to be in no mood to spare any one of them.

The DC, Shruti Singh, has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of a patwari and a kanungo, who failed to make an entry into the revenue records causing much embarrassment to the officials of the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) recently.

The JDA had in February this year advertised the sale of a chunk of land measuring 21 kanal 14 marla at Chuggiti here, which already stood transferred to the People for Animals in 2005 on a 30-year-lease period for a token amount of Re 1 per acre for running an animal shelter and a veterinary hospital. The DC was then herself the Chairman of the JDA. The auction had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour.

The DC has found that the land records instead showed that the property was earlier in the name of Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), but was later transferred to PUDA. But to contradict this, the PFA showed copies of lease deeds, approvals sought by them for extension of lease deed from 10 years to 30 years. The PFA office-bearers have had to fight for long to establish their stand.

Aghast at the developments, Dr Gursharan Singh Bedi, president of the PFA, had then appeared before Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, Sarojini Gautam Sharda showing copies of the "farad". She had then referred the matter to the Chief Administrator of the Jalandhar Development Authority-cum-Deputy Commissioner Shruti Singh to take the decision.

In the auction notice, the JDA had showed it as a multi-utility chunk measuring 8,345 sq m with a reserve price of Rs 10,401.50 per sq m. The eligibility fee for the same had been announced at Rs 17,36,100. The PFA officials, too, have been reprimanded in the case for sitting over the property and doing nothing for eight long years. Chander Bhushan, general secretary, PFA, however, has put the blame on the red tape in the offices for the delay. “It took us years to get the lease period extended from 10 years to 30 years. This was a pre-requisite for the financial aid from the Central Government for the purpose. The site has 50 to 60 feet deep pits, which we have just been trying to fill,” he claimed.

The DC said she had asked the officials to tell her the names of the patwari and kanugo concerned so that she could take disciplinary action against them.

Jalandhar, June 14
An NGO— PAHAL — in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society, Jalandhar, and Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, has organised a special function to honour the organisations that contribute in the cause of voluntary blood donation, honoured volunteer blood donors and also organise blood donation camps.

Shruti Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, was the chief guest on the occasion. She said every family should create at least one donor to promote voluntary blood donation.

Dr RL Bassan civil surgeon said the transfusion of blood and blood products helps to save millions of lives every year. It can help patient suffering from life threatening conditions, live longer and higher quality of life.

Prof Lakhbir Singh said blood donation doesn’t ensure blood, it makes a person resourceful also.

He added that PAHAL has mobilised 50,000 plus units of blood, organised 421 voluntary blood donations camps. Medical superintendent Civil Hospital, PSACS (Punjab State Aids Control Society) and Red Cross Society Jalandhar where honoured for organising voluntary blood donation at the World Blood Donors day function.

Among the institutions, Mata Gujri Institute of Nursing, BDA Girls College Jalandhar Cantt, Nursing Training Institute and Hospital Garha Jal, Urban Estate Phase I, BSFCH Jalandhar, MHRDAV Institute of Nursing, Jalandhar, APJ College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, KMV College Jalandhar, Sant Nirankari Mandal Rihna Jatta, LIC of India, Jalandhar, St. Soldier College Jalandhar, SD College Jalandhar, Innocent Hearts Group of Institutions and MGN College Of Education, Jalandhar, etc were felicitated.

Kapurthala, June 14
Under the state policy to promote dairy farming, as many as 113 new dairy units have been established in Kapurthala district and financial assistance of Rs 7.96 crore was given in 2012-13 for developing dairy farming by different banks.

Stating this, Deputy Commissioner (DC) DS Mangat said the technical training was given for bringing up 18 cattle sheds. For this, 15 lakh as subsidy was also provided during this period.

The DC said the Dairy Development Department provides technical training at the dairy training centre in Phagwara. Loans are also provided to the interested persons adopting dairy farming, he added.

Mangat said 169 persons were given dairy training during 2012-13.

The DC said 764 dairy farmers were trained during the six dairy development camps organised in the district. He said to maintain the quality of milk, 410 samples of milk and 254 samples of cattle feed were tested during the previous year.

Mangat said the government would focus on encouraging dairy sector, setting up organised dairy farms, reorienting procurement of raw milk, scientific collection and chilling chain, ultra modern milk processing facilities, value addition of milk products and effective marketing network. 

Jalandhar, June 14
A teacher of Mehr Chand Polytechnic College was honoured yesterday for displaying exceptional bravery while defending an examinee student from an attack by miscreants during his ongoing exam on June 11.

Principal Jagroop Singh and senior staff members honoured superintendent examiner Usha Kiran Chawla and Class IV employee Rajesh Kumar, who saved the life of Amanpreet Singh, a student of electronics, when the latter was attacked by miscreants at the examination centre.

The engineering student had been attacked by a group of boys who had entered inside the college premises with shard-edged weapons and attacked him.

The boy was not only saved, but was allowed to complete his examination.

While an FIR was also lodged after the boys' parents came to the college, the miscreants have not been arrested so far.

The principal has written strongly to the police commissioner to arrest the miscreants and take stern action against them.

Principal Jagroop Singh said this was the first incident in his 20-year polytechnic career where the inability of the administration was responsible for such incident.

He said he had written various letters to the police authorities regarding presence of unscrupulous elements outside the college premises and the sale of drugs in the garb of tea vend. Despite assurances, the administration had not been able to help so far, he added. 

Jalandhar, June 14
Snoring can be dangerous to human health, said experts during a meeting of the Nursing Home Association Jalandhar held here on Wednesday. Dr SPS Grover chaired the meeting while the association secretary Dr TS Randhawa conducted the proceedings.

Dr HJ Singh spoke on the subject of sleep apnoea which occurs when there is excessive snoring.

Dr Singh said people who snore did not get proper sleep during night and run a risk of their breath actually getting stopped. He said in some cases sudden death could also occur.

"People who snore excessively sleep during daytime while driving or at work. They can cause accidents. Some develop high blood pressure, impotence and uncontrolled sugar levels," he said.

He said this can be diagnosed with a sleep test and the best treatment is a C Pap machine. This machine can be put on the mouth during night with a mask and the patient breathed normally and does not snore. This is an easy treatment and can be life saving, he added.

Civil Surgeon Dr RK Bassan and District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Malhi were also present and they spoke on maternal death.

Dr Shiv Dyal Malhi gave a detailed lecture on the causes of maternal death and its incidences all over India and Jalandhar in particular.

He emphasised that all doctors dealing with maternity must report maternal deaths to the Civil Surgeon. These are only for review and there is no punitive action against anybody.

Dr SPS Grover thanked everyone. The members present were Dr GS Gill, Dr Rakesh Vig, Dr Pawan Gupta, Dr KS Makkar, Dr Yogeshwar Sood, Dr Sanjiv Sharma, Dr Sushma Chawla, Dr JS Bath and Dr Pawan Berry.

Jalandhar, June 14
Employees of aided schools across the district haven't received their salaries for the past four months. A letter regarding the grade pay of aided school employees is also not being released.

While requests, complaints and reminders have been sent to the government time and again, none of the departments concerned have responded so far.

Talking to The Tribune, Manish Aggarwal spokesperson for the district unit of the Punjab Aided School Teachers Union, said, "Despite being contacted repeatedly, the department has been adopting a dilly-dallying approach on the issue. On one hand, the DPI released a letter regarding the release of salaries of aided school employees on the 7th of every month, but on the other hand, we have not received our salaries for the past four months." Aggarwal said he had made a complaint in this regard to the Education and Finance Departments (21/5/2013) in the Punjab Government's online complaint cell.

But even after the passage of more than 20 days, no response has been received.

District unit president Arvind Bains said if the salary and grade pay letters were not released soon, then the union would take to the protest path in the first week of July.

Jalandhar, June 14
Anjana of PCM SD Collegiate Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar obtained ninth rank in the entrance test conducted by CMC (Christian Medical College) Ludhiana, for admission to MBBS course. Believing in hard work, Anjana said regularity was her key of success in attaining good rank. She credited the motivation by her teachers and parents for her success. Principal Dr Kiran Arora felicitated Anjana on her brilliant success.

Summer camp

CT Public School organised a summer camp for students. Students attired in colourful garbs participated enthusiastically and learnt many creative things in craft classes. Children enjoyed dips and splashes in the cool waters of the swimming pool. Children were helped with their projects and homework. Apart from this, there was a camp organised for scouts and guides, in which they were taught many exercises and to develop their love and devotion for the service of the nation. The scouts and guides would be given district-level certificates which would be useful in their future. The tiny-tots learnt dining etiquette, swimming and enjoyed aerobics on music. The main attraction was the animal planet created by the students and teachers. They created an essence of the animal kingdom and taught the CTians to foster love for animals and help to preserve nature as these creatures are slowly disappearing from the face of Earth. This camp was systematically organised and well-coordinated with the sincere efforts of the Principal Ranjana Rajput and staff members.

Summer salsa

Unwind the hot wind -is the motto for this year's summer camp, held at the Seth Hukam Chand SD Public Senior Secondary School, Sangal Sohal- Variana, Kapurthala Road, Jalandhar. Various activities were organised in order to make students relax after a hot day study. During the camp, activities like rain dance, visit to a mall for shopping, for religious touch visit to temple, gurdwara, mosque and church, a movie show, games and dance party were organised. The students dressed up in seven colours, based on the theme of seven colours of a rainbow. The students visited science city, too, in order not to overlook the scientific aspect of the day-to-day life.