Jalandhar, October 9
With various employee unions of the Municipal Corporation declaring to go on an indefinite strike from October 11 against the implementation of the solid waste management project, the authorities have decided to take a tough stand on the issue to tackle the problem.

While the staff of private company JITF Urban Infrastructure Limited which is to start the door-to-door collection has already arrived and made purchases like machinery and collection vehicles to get it implemented, officials have so far not been able to get it started owing to stiff opposition on the matter by the safai karamcharis.

Mayor Sunil Jyoti said talks would be held on the matter with the unionists tomorrow. “We want to take them along and implement the project in an amicable environment, but in case they continue to oppose it and refuse to budge, we may even take disciplinary action against them for striking work unlawfully”, he said. “We will not let the public face any problems due to the strike,” he said.

“Members of the Nigam Safai Mazdur Union have been demanding that they be given ex-gratia grants, their pension scheme be revised and the posts of sanitary supervisors be re-structured. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister have agreed to their demand in principle and we have given them an assurance for the same,” said the Mayor.

The employees have also been demanding that the company should not hire new staff and take the services of existing staff for the door-to-door collection. However, since the garbage collected by the staff is segregated by them for making additional income by selling off plastics, paper and other stuff to scrap dealers, the company officials claim that it does not suit their plan.

“The company does not want any segregation at source for they want an ideal composition of the filth for their incineration plant which they claim cannot be achieved with MC employees doing the job. This aspect still needs to be worked out,” said the Mayor.

Peeved at the irregularity on part of the garbage lifters and frequent complaints by residents, almost all MC councillors have been desperately awaiting the implementation of the plan. Parminder Kaur Pannu, ward number 60 councillor, said, “I am for the quick implementation of the project. It will be for everyone’s good including the residents and authorities.”

Earlier, Congress MLA Jagbir Brar had been opposing the setting up of incineration plant at Jamsher, citing that the dairy farmers on the adjoining land and their milch cattle would be affected by the carcinogenic fumes emanating from the plant. He has held a protest during a public hearing on the matter by the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the district administration.

The deadline of the project, which got approved by the Finance and Contracts Committee on July 27, 2011, has been extended a number of times ever since on one ground or the other.

DEMANDS Ex-gratia grants Revision of pension scheme Posts of sanitary supervisor be re-structured. Existing staff be used for door-to-door collection TIMELINE July 27, 2011: Finance and Contracts Committee approves the tender of JITF Urban Infrastructure Ltd January 24, 2012: Agreement signed between MC and the company July 13, 2012: Residents of 10 villages hold protest at Jamsher against setting up of an incineration plant July 15, 2012: Date initially finalised for execution of the project, company staff fails to turn up and respond to calls and mails August 28, 2012: JITF lists out pre-conditions for getting work started. These included identification of secondary waste lifting points, creating Rs 78 lakh tipping fund, appointment of independent engineers, allotting Rs 2 crore tender for the relaying of approach road and shifting of dairies by getting constructed new dairies at a cost of Rs 1.91 crore. New deadline set for November 15, 2012 November 15, 2012 Project again put off January 29, 2013: JITF moves court seeking intervention on MC’s plan to encash a bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore February 27, 2013: F&CC committee of MC mulls plan to cancel contract with JITF and handing over contract to the second highest bidder A2Z company, working on a similar project in Ludhiana. Plan, however, was withdrawn and deadline extended to April 15. Project hanging fire over protests ever since

Jalandhar, October 9
A day after the Jammu and Kashmir Police rounded up three youths from Hotel Sekhon Grand, keeping the city police in dark about its action, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaspreet Singh Sidhu today issued orders directing all hoteliers, owners of motels, guest houses and inns to make sure that they immediately passed on any such information to the SHO or police control room concerned.

It was after the J&K police had moved on last morning, apprehending three youths, that the ADCP-1 Naresh Dogra and SHO New Baradari police station Subhash Chander got the information. The local police had not been taken into confidence and it had to later depend on the CCTV cameras installed at the hotel to verify the information. The hotel staff had taken the ID proof of one of the apprehended youths Pankaj of Batala, which later came handy for the police.

In the orders, the DCP has said that besides keeping a copy of the ID proof, the owners of the hotel and guest houses must also keep a record of the phone numbers of the visitors. He said the record of the visitors must be kept in a register, a copy of which must reach the office of the concerned SHO at 10 am daily. He said that the hotel owners have to get their weekly record verified from the SHO concerned every Monday.

Sidhu has also passed the orders that all hotels, guest houses and inns must be equipped with CCTV cameras at the main entrance, reception area, corridors and lifts. 

Jalandhar, October 9
“The Surjit Hockey Society enjoys privileges like government grants and its land and, hence, is accountable for all the money it spends. It should maintain transparency in all its future money transactions,” said KD Bhandari, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Cooperation), Punjab.

He was speaking to Jalandhar Tribune after the recent disclosure about the destruction of records of the past 20 years and the cash transaction process followed by the society since its inception.

Meanwhile, the Surjit Hockey Society, after the disclosure, assured Jalandhar Tribune that although it had been maintaining the details of all cash transactions done in the past three years, still it would bring more transparency in all its future transactions.

“We will try to streamline our money transaction process and make it more transparent and professional so that there should not be any scope for any discrepancy,” said Surinder Singh Bapa, chief public relations officer, Surjit Hockey Society.

The Surjit Hockey Society, in a reply to an RTI query, had accepted recently that it had destroyed all its accounts records of 20 years after a unanimous decision by the society members. They had also revealed that since they do not come under the Public Records Act 1993 and Public records rule 1997, it was not mandatory for them to maintain records for years. However, experts feel that since the society is registered under the Societies registration Act of 1860, it comes under the RTI Act. If someone requires any information about the society under the RTI Act, it is mandatory for it to provide complete and factual information to the appellant.

Kapurthala, October 9
Congress leaders of Sultanpur Lodhi are at loggerheads with the administration by initially allowing them to hold separate Dasehra celebrations on the grounds of Government Senior Secondary School there, but today withdrawing the permission for the same.

Congress MLA Sultanpur Lodhi Navtej Singh Cheema said this time the party had planned separate Dasehra festivities, alleging the Akali leaders did not extend them any invites and did not even show any courtesy by offering the chairs to councillors or other party leaders at the event.

“For this reason, we sought permission from the principal of Government Senior Secondary School for Boys, who on October 3, allowed us to offer space for the function on October 13. We had, subsequently, even sought permission from the District Education Department on October 7. The DEO allowed us space on two conditions - that the campus be cleaned immediately after the function so that there was no disturbance to the students the next day on October 14 and that there was no loss to the school property and plantation due to the function,” Cheema said, showing copies of the same.

“While 75 per cent work of designing the effigy of Ravana had been done, today we were informed through SDM Kuldeep Singh Chandi that the permission had been withdrawn and the school grounds could not be used for the purpose. We had to then lodge a protest with the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. We somehow feel that the administration had buckled under the pressure of the Akali leaders in the area,” he rued, adding that a Dasehra function had been held similarly in a government school at Dhilwan as well.

Deputy Commissioner Daljit Singh Mangat said, “The MLA had lodged a protest, but we made all efforts to resolve the issue. We have finally allotted them a vacant private ground in front of the bus stand.”

He assigned reason for the denial of permission. “We could not give them school land for such a function, as there already is a circular from the department on not using government school premises for any such purpose. This school has a stadium, which could have got damaged by the crowds.”

Jalandhar, October 9
Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab, Anurag Verma, has stated that the Punjab Sales Tax Department has started scrutinising the returns of major players trading on National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) to assess their value added tax (VAT) liability.

Verma said the department had come across the case of M/s Globe Commodities Ltd, Kapurthala, a major player on the NSEL. He stated that during the year 2012-13, the firm had shown total sales of Rs 88 crore in its VAT returns. “On this basis, the firm was liable to pay a tax of Rs 4.40 crore. But the firm tried to neutralise its tax liability by showing intra-state purchases worth Rs 74.7 crore, out of which purchases worth Rs 64 crore were made from M/s Dunar Foods Pvt Ltd and Rs 10.7 crore from M/s Bharat Food Agro Pvt Ltd etc. The firm claimed input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 3.92 crore on the basis of these purchases,” he added.

Verma further said that the department felt that these purchases were not genuine. He said, “The department asked for evidences in support of these purchases and proofs of payment of tax deposited by the selling dealers. The bank statements of M/s Globe Commodities Ltd, Kapurthala, were also scrutinized, which revealed that they had made no payment to M/s Dunar Foods Pvt Ltd, M/s Bharat Food Agro Pvt Ltd etc for the alleged purchases and no tax had been deposited by the selling dealers. In light of this, M/s Globe Commodities Ltd, Kapurthala, was asked to show the goods receipts (Bilties) and trip-sheets, but he failed to do so.”

Verma said it was further found that no truck numbers were mentioned in the bills. “In the light of this, the huge ITC claim of the dealer has been rejected and a tax of Rs 5.14 crore has been imposed on the dealer,” he added.

Jalandhar, October 9
A Combined Annual Training Camp for the NCC cadets was organised here from September 29 to October 8 by the 21 Punjab Bn, NCC, Kapurthala. The aim of the camp was to instill confidence among the cadets and provide them a launching platform, where they can sharpen their skills.The camp was organised under the Command of Col Shri Kant. As many as 383 cadets participated in the camp.

The camp also imparted training to selected Republic Day Contingent (RDC) cadets of Jalandhar Group, which included drill, flag area theme, cultural programme and selection of best cadets in each wing. These selected cadets will finally participate in inter- group competition at NCC Directorate-level in November and the final team will participate at Republic Day Parade at New Delhi. Group Commander Brig GPS Sandhu visited the camp on October 6 and inspected the camp area, where he interacted with all the cadets. He appreciated the state of training and administration and asked the cadets to put in their best in all camp activities. Various training activities including drill weapon training, physical training, sports competitions, lectures on motivation and personality development, painting competition and tree plantation were carried out by the cadets. Further, as many as 60 cadets took out a rally on Wildlife Protection Week and 200 cadets participated in Rally organised on the occasion of “Day of the Girl”.

Jalandhar, October 9
In the inaugural match of Surjeet Hockey, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Patiala, defeated Corps of Signals (COS), Jalandhar by 4-3 at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here today. The tournament was inaugurated by KD Bhandari, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Cooperation), Punjab. It was a fitting contest between the two prominent teams of the tournament as both PSPCL and COS matched each other stick to stick.

A gatka team of Nihangs performs an act of daredevilry during the opening ceremony of the event in Jalandhar on Wednesday; and (right) Pollution caused by crackers seems to irritate players at Burlton Park on the opening ceremony of the 30th Surjit Hockey Tournament. Tribune photos: Malkiat Singh

PSPCL started the match on a bright note and dominated the early share of exchanges; however, Corps of Signals made some good moves from the right flank but the forwards fizzled after entering the opposition circle.

PSPL opened the account with a field goal by Ravinder Singh (1-0) in the 5th minute of the match. In the 16th minute of the play, Manpreet Singh consolidated the lead with another field goal(2-0). Later, in the 32nd minute of the play, Signal’s KS Rana converted the penalty stroke to a goal and reduced the margin (1-2). In the very next minute, PSPL’s Ravinder Singh struck once again (3-1). By interval, PSPCL was leading by 3-1.

In the 39th minute of the second half, Signal’s Rahul Kumar mounted pressure and scored another goal through penalty corner. But in the 60th minute of the play, Manpreet Singh of PSPCL netted the ball from the right flank (4-2).

second match
Indian Navy Mumbai beat RCF Kapurthala

Indian Navy Mumbai beat Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala by 5-4 via penalty shootout to enter in the next round of the 30th Servo Indian Oil Surjit Hockey Tournament at Olympion Surjit Hockey Stadium here today.

Earlier K D Bhandari Chief Parliamentry Secretary Punjab inaugurated the tournament. He announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the tournament committee.

For Indian Navy Hira Singh opened the account in the 11th minute of the play when he stricks from the right flank (1-0). After that Rail Coach Factory wasted three penalty corners in the first half. At lemon break Indian Navy was leading by 1-0.

In the second half’s 39th minute of play Indian Navy earned the penalty stroke and S Lakra netted the ball (2-0).

In the 56th minute of the play Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala mounted the pressure and their right out Ranjodh Singh scored the goal to reduce the margin (1-2).

In the 67th minute of the match Rail Coach Factory’s Karanpal Singh converted the penalty stroke into an equaliser (2-2). In penalty shootout Indian Navy beat RCF by 5-4.

Today’s match
Punjab State Power Corp Ltd Patiala will take on Indian Navy at 5.30 PM.

Phagwara, October 9
The Bahujan Samaj Party while strongly condemning the SAD-BJP rule and describing the Badal government as total failure today demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on moral grounds.

Addressing a state-level function on the occasion of ‘Pre-Nirvan Diwas’ of Late Kanshi Ram here, BSP National General Secretary Narinder Kashyap, Punjab Co-ordinator Parkash Bharti and Punjab BSP President, Parkash Singh Jandli, while paying tributes to Kanshi Ram, alleged that Badal government could not come up to the expectations of the people and it has no right to continue more.

BSP leaders claimed that the party is emerging as third big alternative in the country as the people of the country had rejected both UPA and NDA and are looking for the third alternative. BSP State General Secretary, Jarnail Nangal, besides several other prominent leaders, also addressed the state-level function. In a surprising way Sarabjit Singh, nephew of the SAD MLA from Bholath, Bibi Jagir Kaur, announced to join in the BSP at the function.

Phagwara, October 9
On the concluding day of ‘Service Week’ organised by the Lions Club, Phagwara Service, 25 persons donated blood here today.

The donors were also given refreshment. Lion DS Kalra, District Governor of the club, was the chief guest. He motivated the gathering to participate in blood donation besides appreciating the donors for participating in this noble cause.

Vice District Governor of the Club Paramjit Singh Chawla, appreciated the office-bearers of the club for observing the ‘Service Week’ to commemorate a former club member late Lion Jasbir Singh Raghbotra.

Prof Ashok Chaddha,special guest on the occasion, highlighted the projects taken up by the club during the ‘Service Week’ observation. He thanked the host Club President, Lion Surinder Mittal for taking this initiative.