The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	regularisation of illegal colonies Residents want MC to ease process Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 Even as the initial response to the state government’s policy on regularisation seemed good as applicants had made a beeline to most of the offices of the Municipal Corporation (MC) in the city, but residents have blamed authorities for not doing anything to ease the process for them. The first jolt to the residents come as soon as they visit the office concerned in their area to know the details of the application process as none of the offices have a notice board having a list of all the documents that are required for the process. “At least they should have put up some notice at the office where things can be written in a simple language. Even as work at these offices has increased many fold, the employees do not have the patience to answer all your queries,” said Jashan Preet Singh, an applicant. The applicants are required to furnish a photocopy of the property documents, a photograph of the property and have to fill out a few forms at the office. “Nobody told me that a photograph was also required during my first visit. It only added to my trouble when I went with all other forms except the photograph,” said Nishan Singh, a resident of Chehharta. After filling of the all the forms and getting the fees calculated from a clerk, the person is required to get a "diary number" from another clerk, who notes down the applicant's address and gives a number of the file. An applicant from New Paris Avenue, Gurjit Kaur, said, “I went to the fees deposit counter, but they said the file did not had the diary number. And it was after two hours of standing in the queue that I was told this.” She said the offices must have a display to educate applicants about the procedure that is to be followed. The applicants complained that those who knew somebody in the office or were ready to pay a few bucks to an insider could get the fees deposited in no time. “I had to wait for four hours to deposit the fee, but I saw that files were being brought by people who went directly to the cabin while dozens were waiting in humid weather outside,” said Sarwan Singh, a retired school headmaster. Applicants demanded that the authorities must ease the process as people have to take time out of their busy schedule to get the property regularised. “If I take into account the two days I wasted at the office after taking leave from job, I have paid a huge price for getting my home regularised,” said Jeevan Kumar, a private employee.
	MC starts door-to-door survey for assessing property tax GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 To bring transparency and efficiency in tax recovery, the Municipal Corporation (MC) started door-to-door survey for assessing the property tax. The proprietor of the property will be given a form which will be self-assessed by him, just on the pattern of the filing of income tax return. This information will later be tallied with the digital analysis of the Map My India firm, which has been engaged to conduct geographical mapping of properties and infrastructure of the whole city. Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora became the first resident to submit this form containing information about the details of his house. The Municipal Corporation has also been conducting camps in different localities to make the residents aware of the property tax after self assessing their property. One such camps was held under the supervision of Superintendent Shushant Bhatia in the Basant Avenue area here today. Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said the firm would conduct geographical survey of around 3 lakh properties (both commercial as well as residential), lying under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation. "We have identified MC officials who would conduct the door-to-door survey in areas divided in different zones and get the stipulated forms filled as per the details provided by the property owners. This self-assessed property information then could be tallied with the one provided to us by the firm through geographical mapping. I appeal to the residents to cooperate with the MC officials when they come to their place to gather information about their properties and it would be a mandatory exercise," he said. "Besides this, the move would also equip us with a fair idea of the prevailing infrastructure and the requirement for enhancing it as per the density of population in a particular area. I must also clarify to the residents that the property tax collected would be used for developing the infrastructure to provide quality life to the residents only, which include better water supply, sewerage, roads, parks, etc," he added. Shushant Bhatia said the awareness camp served dual purpose. "First it made the residents aware of the property tax and its purpose, secondly, it created a sort of cordial relations between the officials and the residents. Today, between 11 am and 2 pm, around 200 residents came forward to pay their property tax dues voluntarily in the camp. These steps have been initiated as per the direction of Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, who favoured warm and friendly atmosphere between the officials and residents," he said.
	GNDH surroundings lack hygiene Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 A mere look at the surroundings of wards at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) is enough to know about the lack of efforts being made to make this place hygienic and clean for the patients. A visit to the hospital revealed that as sewerage pipes are broken, the dirty water is getting collected in open and vacant spaces around the wards. Even the carcass of a dog has not been removed from the place near the orthopaedic ward. Visitors said the foul smell emanating from the carcass has made breathing difficult for them. The hospital seems to be a house for stray dogs as dozens of them can be spotted roaming on the premises. Crows were seen feeding on the carcass even as nobody from the hospital cleaning staff bothered to dispose of the dog's carcass at a suitable place far from the patients wards. The filth and waste polythene bags are lying scattered all around the wards in the hospital. However, the cleaning staff and visitors to the hospital are equally responsible for this. While the people have a habit of throwing litter anywhere, the cleaning staff, too, has failed to collect the scattering litter. Even rodents have dug burrows in large numbers outside the wards. “The presence of rodents near the patients’ wards and scattering litter does reflect poorly on the hospital management. At least they should visit these areas sometimes and have a close look at the conditions in which poor patients are living,” said an attendant of a patient at the hospital. Patients and their attendants rue that washrooms and toilets are in a bad condition, even more than that of a bus stand. “Nobody would like to come here if people have enough money for treatment at private hospitals. Perhaps it is because only poor people with no or less means of income come here that the condition is so bad,” said Rashpal Singh, a patient.
	Mayor checks progress of EWS housing project Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora today visited the Rasoolpur Kaler area to monitor the progress of the work going on for providing better living to those belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS). As many as 320 multi-storey dwelling units for people belonging to the EWS are being constructed under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) project of the JNNURM. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has given Rs 2.88 crore, the state government Rs 2.33 crore and the MCA Rs 2.94 crore for the project. Accompanied by MC officials, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora also interacted with people residing in the locality. “Around 80 flats have been completed, whereas 48 others have attained completion up to the roof level. In just days to come, we would be in a position to allot at least 128 flats to the beneficiaries,” he said. These four-storey dwelling units have been constructed with a reasonably good standard. Each unit consists of two rooms, kitchen, gallery, toilet, etc. These flats would be given to those living in "kutcha" houses and would be allotted on the basis of draw of lots. The houses would be allotted to female members of the beneficiaries and these beneficiaries would not have right to sell the property. The idea behind was to provide them concrete house throughout their lives and for their generations to come. The norms say that the beneficiary’s contribution would be just 10-12 per cent, but only for the construction of houses. Not a single penny can be asked from the beneficiary for providing infrastructure, which includes roads, streetlights, sewerage and water supply. “We would be providing them with adequate water storage tanks, tubewells, storm water sewerage, dispensary, park and even community centres separately for males and females,” he said.
	Advocates hold protest against shifting of powers in rent dispute cases Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 Members of the Amritsar Bar Association held a protest against the shifting of powers in rent disputes cases from judicial officials to executive officials here today. The members said the decision of the state government was against the interest of the general public. The cases of rented property were earlier decided by the Court of Rent Controller, but as per the new instructions officials of the Revenue Department of the state government have the powers to decide these cases. The advocates rued that as the executive officials were under the control of the state government, the local politicians would be able to influence their decisions. The members said it was unjustified on the part of the state to take the powers away from the judicial officials. District Bar Association president Pradeep Saini said the protest was fully successful as a large number of advocates participated in it.
	Ramlila goes hi-tech Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 As the festive season begins, leading to Diwali, the stage has already been set for the epic ‘Ramayana’ to be told yet again, with the yearly additions of some new elements. Over the years, the epic representation on stage has turned into an extravaganza giving tough competition to the big and small screens at home, and in the holy city the story too gets bigger and better, as the script has not changed in a trillion years. “Technology can be intimidating for our audience. And since modernisation is the need of the hour, we too try to fit in some innovations,” says Darshan Lal Hazoori, secretary, Shiv Mandir Ramlila Committee, Chheharta. This means special light and sound effects, revolving stages, professional theatre actors performing on stage, lavish costumes and make-up and even some sidekicks like using real snakes with trained actors. “When people come to watch Ramlila, the religious sentiments attached with it take the centre stage and not the presentation. But, the on stage antics do help garner audience,” he says. While the 40-odd independent Ramlila clubs active in the city stick to the traditional way of nautanki-style Ramlila, there are a few technological advancements working with them. With classical ragas and renditions from the Ramcharita Manas, accompanies live music orchestra. But going hi-tech is not enough, may be. “Lack of a common Ramlila committee means finances become an issue as going hi-tech means a lot of investment. Each group tries to bring in difference with actors or costumes or maybe some stage antics but not with technology. Using sound and light effects and other hi-tech medium needs funding and since mostly it’s organised at a small-scale with limited collection of funds the cost goes up high. The reason why most community groups stick to traditional ways,” says Satish Ballu, president of the Bhalla Colony dramatic club, who has been organising Ramlila for over 30 years. Another reason that has hit the survival of community Ramlila groups is the growing disinterest of young audiences. “Amritsar is a very cultural city, still finding comfort in its own set lifestyle. People are used to the traditions they have been following for so many years and Ramlila fits into that category. But, the younger generation seems to have grown out of the live Ramlila mode and needs a technological push to become an audience,” says Ajay Thapa, director, Bhagwati Dramatics club, Khandwala.
	EcoAmritsar steps in to ensure green nagar kirtan Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 Celebrating the 479th birth anniversary of Guru Ramdas with the theme of ‘Nature Preservation and Conservation of Bio-Diversity’, various organisations led by EcoAmritsar, an initiative by US-based EcoSikh, today mobilised volunteers to collect garbage during the entire route of the nagar kirtan taken out to mark the occasion. Among these organisations were SGPC, Baba Kulwant Singh Ajnale Wale, MC Amritsar, Punjab Tourism Department, Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology and Voice of Amritsar. The volunteers collected garbage from roads in recycled bags and loaded onto trolleys provided by the SGPC and the MC. EcoAmritsar also shared ‘Five steps to green Langar’ leaflets with food stalls along the route to sensitise public on the growing problem of garbage in the holy city. Each ‘sewa jatha’ which was putting up chabils and langars was prevailed upon, and requested for support to keep their area clean. A list of do’s and don’ts was freely distributed along the route. Gunbir Singh, Chairman of EcoAmritsar, said, “Each and every citizen must take ownership of the city. People here have displayed and proved the possibility of garbage-free nagar kirtan. There is no bigger tribute to the founding guru of this holy city, than to ensure a clean, green, sustainable city.”
	Sahodaya Inter-School Laughter Challenge held Amritsar, October 8 The host Khalsa College Public School (KCPS) won overall trophy at the Sahodaya Inter-School Laughter Challenge Competition sharing it with the Saint Soldier Convent School, Jandiala Guru. In total 18 teams from various schools participated in the competition and Amritsar Public School (APS) and Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, GT Road, Amritsar, shared the second position in the contest that tested the students’ power to make people laugh through skits, stir and dramatic presentations. Kewal Dhaliwal, Shiromani Natakkar, was the chief guest and Dr Dharamveer Singh, president, Sahodaya Schools Complex, was the guest of honour. Mintu (laughter the master fame) and Arvinder Atwal were the judges of the event, stated KCPS principal Dr Sarvjit Kaur Brar. Each team participated with full zeal and enthusiasm and gave a message to the society on the ‘Eradication of Illiteracy’. The performances of all the teams were thematic focusing on the importance of education in our daily life. Dr Brar appreciated the sense of competition among the students and praised the role of team coach Pawandeep under whose guidance the team took training and emerged as winner. — TNS
	Lecture organised on National Science Day Amritsar, October 8 The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of Guru Nanak Dev University organised a lecture by renowned scientist Professor Promila Pathak from the Department of Botany, Punjab University, Chandigarh. The lecture was second in the series of lectures held to mark National Science Day Celebrations 2013. It was sponsored by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh. Professor Pathak said scientific research was the biggest stimulus for the development of a country and students must be encouraged to pursue research as their career. She stressed that students must be enthusiastic, focused and should possess a positive attitude towards research. She said, “Although research has many problems attached to it and there might be many hurdles in the path but constant effort, patience and honest approach surely leads to success.” — TNS
	World Elders’ Day observed Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 To underline the significance of elders in our lives, Ryan International School celebrated the World Elders’ Day on the school premises. The occasion was graced by the distinguished presence of 30 guests from Shri Guru Ram Das Ji Old Age Home. Special assembly was held to mark the occasion. Students had an interactive session with the guests. The occasion was organised with the hope to persuade grand children to tap the wisdom their grandparents could provide. Elderly people enjoyed the show and exchanged gifts with the students. Principal Rajni Kalra fostered the students with high spirits and thanked the guests for their memorable visit.
	Portrait of Guru Ram Dass affixed at GNDU School Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 8 The Department of Guru Ram Dass School of Planning of Guru Nanak Dev University affixed a portrait of Guru Ramdas on the school premises on the eve of Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ram Dass. Balwinder Singh, Head of Department (HoD), said the department was blessed with the portrait of Guru Ram Dass, also the founder of the holy city. “The department is also named after this great guru,” he said. All the students, faculty, and staff were present on the occasion. The students from gurdwara performed ardas for the well-being and progress of the department, its faculty and students.