The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Pay tax or face the music, literally Municipal Corporation devises novel method to shame tax defaulters in the city GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 The next time you hear the sound of the drums echoing off walls in various parts of the city, do not take it as a normal street performance or show. This would be an innovative Amritsari-style of tax collection from the defaulters, both residential and commercial. The Amritsar MC is now engaging "dholis" (drum beaters) who, accompanied by officials of the corporation, would go on their recovery visits to the defaulting residents. Getting fed up with residents refusing to pay their house tax, water and sewerage dues, the MC has devised this innovative method of shaming the offenders with drum beats, besides pasting notices in the localities where they live. The MC officials complain that even well-to-do families are reluctant to pay their dues and turn them away whenever they visit their homes to realise the dues. Surprisingly, liquor vends, which were common defaulters, have paid their dues, while "respectable residents" feature in the defaulters' list. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said these drummers would shout slogans, blast drum beats and hold banners against the defaulters in the respective localities of the defaulters. “It is now a clear-cut message. Pay up or face the music ‘literally’. We were virtually fed up of posting reminders to the tax defaulters. Even publishing their names in the leading dailies could not yield the desired results. Now, we have decided to make public their transgression. Let them face the music in full public view. At least, the constant beating of drums would persuade the debtor into coughing up the money he owes to the corporation,” he said. If they still don't pay their dues, their properties could be attached through a legal procedure under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act. The MC would also take cogniSance of those defaulters who cheques against their dues got dishonoured. Hailing the drumming move, the Superintendent of House Tax Department Shushant Bhatia said, “You cannot have sympathy for a defaulter. He uses the roads, water and all other facilities, but he never prepares to pay the tax. Rather, we have to face harassment when we go to defaulters’ house or firm to realise the taxes they owe. They made us feel as if we are on the wrong side of the law,” he said. According to latest guidelines, officials of the house tax, municipal town planning, water and sewerage departments have been given a deadline of December 31 to achieve their recovery target, estimated to be around Rs 30 crore. It has been learnt that besides residential, various properties which have been utilised as banks, hospitals, hotels and even ATM booths are on the target of the House Tax Department. The tax collecting officials have been given a target of collecting at least Rs 83 lakh per month.
	Municipal Corporation tells police to register FIR against offenders Illegal hotels and inns have been proliferating around the Golden Temple area Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 A large number of hotels/inns around the Golden Temple complex have come under the scanner, as the Municipal Corporation (MC) today submitted to the police department a list of such hotels and told it to lodge an FIR against their proprietors who have been operating these in an illegal manner. The move was taken at a special meeting conducted today under the chairmanship of MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda. Confirming it, Kharbanda said the Deputy Commissioner of Police had been asked to book the proprietors of 15 hotels or inns under the Sarai Act. “We have identified 21 properties situated in the vicinity of Golden Temple which were in operation as hotels/inns/restaurants, but did not care to obtain the requisite permission from the MC or comply norms. Out of these, six enjoyed immunity, as their owners had obtained stay orders through the High Court after they were issued notices. Nonetheless, we have approached the police to lodge FIR against the remaining 15 properties under the Sarai Act,” he said. Even as the MC took cognisance of just 21 such properties, this figure is multi-fold. Taking notice of the writ petition filed by an Amritsar-based resident, Sarbjit Singh Verka, in 2010, the authorities were summoned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In May 2012, the Deputy Commissioner had "categorically" admitted that 21 out of multi-storeyed hotels/inns/restaurants did not comply with the laid down norms requisite under the MC Building Bylaws and were issued notices. These hotels, some even raised to six storeys on just 50-60 square yard "residential" plots, never obtained the mandatory NOC (no objection certificates) either from the MC or the fire department. With no alternative fire escape route, there were only "narrow stairs" leading to upper floors. “Barring 2 per cent of them, none of these hotels/inns/restaurants have the mandatory provision of parking lots,” said Kharbanda. The area around Golden Temple, being the oldest part of the city, does not come under the purview of any official scheme or land use norms. Consequently, it seldom required CLU (change of land use), before putting them for commercial use. But, it does come under the "Sarai Act”, which makes them mandatory to have provision for a parking lot, building with permissible height (not exceeding 38 foot), and equally was it mandatory to obtain an NOC from the fire brigade and environment clearance from the Punjab Pollution Control Board and other relevant NOCs from the MC.
	Residents angry over inflated bills Power corporation is issuing bills with sundry charges without any explanation Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 The residents of the city are receiving inflated electricity bills from the power corporation during the past few months. The aggrieved residents reported that a hefty amount has been mentioned as miscellaneous or sundry charges in the bills. General Secretary of Consumer Rights Protection Society BR Preenja said, “The power corporation has charged Rs 1,392 from me during the month of May as sundry or miscellaneous expenses.” He said as per the ‘Electricity Supply Instructions Manual’ of the power corporation no amount can be charged from the consumers without specifying the details of such expenses in the bill. As per instruction of the manual separate bills may be issued giving complete details of the charges levied and sundry or miscellaneous charges and they can’t be billed in the regular bill. Another resident of Tandon Nagar Darshan Lal said he too had received a bill with sundry charges. He said he had enquired about the reason for these charges from the power corporation office but they failed to satisfy him. Varinder Kumar Kukreja, another consumer said it was wrong on part of the power corporation to issue such bills. “They should write clearly the reason for charging the excess amount. Many of the residents might have deposited the electricity bills without figuring out that bills were inflated. But this amounts to cheating,” he said. BR Preenja said he had earlier got compensation along with costs and litigation expenses from power corporation for sending an inflated bill. “But the corporation does not seems to have learned any lesson as they are again sending such bills to people,” he said. He said the government should give clear instructions to the power corporation for giving elaborated bills. “People often deposit such bills without going through the trouble to enquire the matter as they fear that their power supply might be disconnected,” he said. Preenja said Consumer Rights Protection Society has decided to take up the matter vigorously and people who have received such bills may contact them for help.
	Chirag Paswan addresses youth, says need to strengthen party Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 Lok Jan Shakti party leader and party’s Central Parliamentary Board Chairman Chirag Paswan addressed a meeting of the party workers here today. Chirag Paswan is the son of LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan. Earlier he paid a visit to Golden Temple. Addressing media here, Chirag Paswan said he has come to strengthen the party cadre in the state. He said the party has initiated a youth contact program under which he is visiting all parts of the country. Talking about the Lok Sabha elections, Paswan said workers had been asked to start preparations for the elections. He said Lok Jan Shakti party would go with Congress-led UPA in the upcoming elections. We had supported UPA-I and UPA-II and now we would support UPA-III. The BJP is a communal party and its gaining the power would mean more communal tensions in the country, said Chirag. He said LJP is working to expand its support base in other states and like minded people all over the country are coming for their support. Party’s state president Kiranjit Singh Gehri said party has got a strong support base in Punjab and it would play a decisive role in Lok Sabha elections. The meeting was attended by party workers in large numbers.
	Veterinary dispensary unfit for animal care Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 The office of the dispensary for animals near Hathi Gate here seems sick and unfit for catering to the medical needs of ailing animals. A visit to the place showed that rainwater had accumulated on the building premises. Even the shed for animals was filled with filth and refuse. A member of the Animal for People (PFA), Sidharth Rathore, said a horse at the hospital had died recently due to the unhygienic conditions and lack of medical facilities. He said the department should arrange some veterinary expert to treat the ailing animals on a regular basis. “The lack of any expert veterinary doctor at the place has resulted in the lack of services for the animals,” said Sidharth, adding that even the laboratory for the animals was seldom seen open. He alleged that most of the people associated with associations for the welfare of animals were merely here for seeking publicity and not really doing anything for the cause. “We have requested the animal husbandry officials to work in true spirit for the cause of animals in distress,” he said, adding that even there was a shortage of medicines. Gurbhej Singh of the Mission Aagaaj said the building also needed repairs and it was made in such a way that ailing animals could get a hygienic and healthy environment. Even the shelter house for stray and injured animals in the building was in a dilapidated condition and needed immediate attention from the administration. While roofs of the few sections of the building have already collapsed, the entire building seems to be in a dire need of reconstruction. The shelter home cares for stray dogs, monkeys, cows, calves, donkeys, pony, buffalo, eagles, crow, owl and many other species. The building has one hall room and another store room for storing fodder for the livestock. These rooms are in a pitiable condition and roofs are on the verge of collapse.
	power theft Info panel fixes next date of hearing on Oct 10 Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 The State Information Commission today deferred the further hearing in a case pertaining to the promotion of a "tainted" MC official executive enginner (XEN) Subhash Chander, who was allegedly caught red handed while stealing electricity at his official residence in Amritsar. The next date of hearing has been fixed as October 10. Ironically, the MC promoted him instead of initiating any disciplinary action against him. It has been learnt that the official had even paid the penalty. The case was put for hearing through video conferencing by State Information Commissioner, Punjab, at the DC office today after a local resident Ravinder Sultanwind told the Commision that he was not provided the relevant information under the RTI Act in the case. He had asked the MC about the disciplinary action taken against the erring official. Sultanwind claimed that the MC had defended its official and instead of taking any action against him, the official was given promotion. MPS Bedi, officiating XEN, appeared on behalf of the MC. It was in July last, when the Punjab State Power Corporation allegedly held the XEN guilty of drawing power through streetlight pole to his official residence. He was also imposed a penalty of around Rs 50,000 then. The raiding enforcement wing official said that they had also found a changeover switch. It has been learnt that the XEN has already deposited the penal amount with a branch of the State Bank of Patiala.
	Drug abuse big challenge for new police commissioner PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 Eradication of drug abuse, curtailing the petty crimes like snatchings are among the major challenges ahead for the newly appointed Amritsar police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh. He has replaced police commissioner Ram Singh who has been shifted as police commissioner, Jalandhar. Aulakh is likely to join his duties on Monday. Drug peddling is the major problem which has spread its tentacles in various parts of the city. Maqboolpura, Anngarh, Bhagtawala, Islamabad, Nawa Kot Chheharta, Guru Ki Wadali are some of the areas where it has assumed alarming proportions. In the recent past, the State Special Operation Cell of Punjab police seized 14 kg heroin from assistant security officer deputed at Guru Ram Dass International Airport. Repeated attempts of the police and the health department in the past have failed to give desired results. The police registers at least a couple of cases of seizures of proscribed drugs almost on daily basis while the health department had also sealed a number of chemist shops which found to be involved in illegal sale of habit forming drugs. Recently, health department sealed two medical stores which were running without license. Another problem, which has been giving sleepless nights to the city residents, is unabated instances of snatchings and robberies. Snatchings have though shown a decline but it is still haunting the inhabitants. Tourists from various parts of the county arrive in the holy city to pay obeisance at Golden Temple and visit other historical and religious places are the prime target of these snatchers. Traffic chaos is another problem faced by the city residents. With under staff traffic police, illegal encroachments by the shopkeepers on the roadsides, illegal parking of vehicles on the roads, lack of traffic and parking sense among the city residents contribute to the traffic chaos on various city roads. The police department along with civic authorities had initiated a number of steps for solving the problem but it had only hit the wall due to alleged political interventions.
	Three smugglers arrested PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 In a major breakthrough the police today nabbed two out of five smugglers who were booked by the police a couple of days ago for cross border smuggling. They were identified as Karandeep Singh alias Harry, a resident of Pehalwan wali gali, Bhagtanwala and Jagdip Singh of Bhai Veer Singh Colony, Mullechak village. They were arrested with another drug peddler Amarnath alias Chutki of Mullechak. The police recovered around 350 grams of heroin from their possession. The police said the smugglers were nabbed by the Kotwali police following a tip off that the accused were coming towards bus stand from Tarn Taran for selling heroin to their clients. The Kotwali police laid a naka near Ghee mandi gate and started checking vehicles. The police party signaled the three youths coming on a motorcycle to stop. Instead of stopping their vehicle, they tried to run away. However, they were chased and arrested by the police party. The police also impounded their motorcycle which was without number plate. A separate case under Sections 21,29,61 and 85 of the NDPS act has been registered against them. It is pertinent to mention here that Gate Hakima police have booked five notorious drug peddlers have connections with cross border smugglers. Besides Karandeep and Jagdip among others booked include Satbir Singh of Ibban Kalan, Rakesh Dhir of Gali Peeran wali, Mohalla Hargobindpura inside Gate Hakima and Jagdip Singh of Kirtangarh Thande. They were booked for smuggling weapons, opium, heroin and counterfeit currency from Pakistan and selling the same in the local market at higher prices.
	Jewellery shop looted Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 Employees of a goldsmith were allegedly looted by four unidentified robbers in Zamidara Haveli near the Guru Bazaar area, located in the walled city here, late last night. The incident came to light when the employees lodged a complaint with the D-division police station here. Sanah Ullah, the victim, said their owner had gone to Kolkata and, therefore, they could not lodge a complaint with the police. He said it was only on the insistence of neighbouring shopkeepers, who told them to file a complaint with the police, that they approached the D-division police. Giving details, he said four unidentified robbers, two of them armed with pistols and remaining with sharp-edged weapons, came to the shop at about 9.30 p.m. and threatened to murder the employees and asked them to give whatever jewellery they had with them. He alleged that the accused took away about 200 gm of jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh. The police said the matter was under investigation and it had lodged a complaint in this regard.
	Gang of robbers busted Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 The Amritsar rural police today claimed to have busted a gang of robbers that was involved in various robbery cases in the rural belt. Industrial units were their prime target while committing thefts. They were also wanted in an unsuccessful bank heist in August last year. Among those arrested included Kashmir Singh and Satnam Singh, both residents of Chabba village, while their two accomplices, identified as Ravi and Dilbagh Singh, managed to escape. One of their accomplices Sukhraj Singh was already in jail. The police recovered a .12 bore rifle, four live cartridges, proscribed drugs, a laptop, a DVD player, an amplifier, an inverter, a CPU, two monitors, a blanket, quilts, two mobile phones, besides unstitched women's clothes from their possession. The police said that a night patrolling party had laid a naka near the T-point level crossing near "smadh" of Baba Naudh Singh when they intercepted the accused. While Ravi and Dilbagh had fled, Kashmir Singh and Satnam Singh were arrested by the police party. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had made an unsuccessful bid to break open the safe of the Bank of India branch near Sangrana Sahib Gurdwara on the night of August 24 last year. The accused had also committed thefts in the Maqboolpura area, Panj Peer Focal Point and in the Tarn Taran area. A number of cases of similar nature were registered against them. A case under Sections 457, 380 of the IPC, 21/22/61/85 of the NDPS Act and 27/54/59 of the Arms Act has been registered against them and further investigations were on.
	Olympian Balwinder Shammi honoured Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 22 Hockey Olympian Balwinder Shammi was honoured for his contributions in the field of sports here today by Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal. A function was organized at District Sports Office. Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said the city is proud of Shammi who has played at various national and international grounds. He said people still remember Shammi’s achievements as a hockey player. He was earlier honoured by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the state level function held on August 15. Shammi was a member of 1986 and 1990 world cup team besides the Olympic team of 1988.