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Kanjali wetland cries for care
The hyacinth growth at the Kanjli wetland.
A Tribune photo
Mid-day meal workers hold protest in city
Members of the Mid Day Meal Workers Union, Punjab, protest for their demands in Jalandhar on Sunday.
Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh |
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Drug de-addiction centre a boon
Computer teachers chalk out strategy for state-level protests
Computer teachers stage a dharna in Jalandhar on Sunday.
Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh
700 students take part in 3-day science fest
City gears up for Kabaddi World Cup
Statue of Patel not yet located
Jagdish Raja blames SAD-BJP for problems
Mayor, Sr Deputy Mayor cross swords
3 Nigerian students held
Fire cess increased from 5 to 10%
SC commission chief lashes out at state govt
Unmanned crossing The car that was hit by a train at an unmanned level crossing near Dhadwandi village in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
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Kanjali wetland cries for care
Kapurthala, November 24 According to information available, several campaigns had been launched in the past to clean hyacinth weeds from the rivulet by environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal but due to the indifferent attitude of the administration, the campaigns failed to bring the desired result and the hyacinth is accumulating and disturbing the flow of water in the wetland. Boating in the wetland region used to attract tourists, but these days the boats can be seen lying idle in the store. “With tourists and locals not coming to the wetland because of the closure of the restaurant there and the shabby state of affairs there, drug addicts can be spotted here,” said local residents. Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, an advocate Sukhwinder Singh Malhi, said, “We used to spend a lot of time here as kids. It is government’s failure to maintain the wetland.” Deputy Commissioner Daljit Singh Mangat said the administration had cleaned the wetland with the assistance of Balbir Singh Seechewal. “For the development of a picnic spot at the wetland, we have planned a project worth Rs 5 lakh. Hopefully, by December 2013, we would try to restore the glory of the wetland. As far as the closed restaurant at Kanjali wetland is concerned, it is a subject matter of the Tourism Department,” he added.
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Mid-day meal workers hold protest in city
Jalndhar, November 24 Addressing a rally held at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall here under union head Gayatri Devi, union members said by implementing a contractual process in which employees would have to be paid less, the workers were being put through mental and financial harassment. The Government Employees Federation members said while many a time excessive work was extracted from employees. They gave a call for mid day meal workers, especially women, to undertake a struggle in support of their demands for a fair system which would ensure adequate salaries for employees. The Punjab Subordinate Services Federation members demanded increase in salaries of mid-day meal workers to Rs 10,000 from the present Rs 1,200 per month, their permanent recruitment and regularisation, provision of casual leaves to all workers and maternal leave for women workers, reinstatement of workers who were removed without cause, availability of gas cylinders and mud ovens in all schools, recruitment of workers as per the number of students in schools, no blaming of mid-day meal workers for thefts, regular salaries for workers every month, among others. Gayatri Devi, Teerath Singh Basi, Dharam Singh Patti, Kuldeep Purowal, Karnai Singh Sandhu, among others, were present on the occasion. |
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Drug de-addiction centre a boon
Kapurthala, November 24 “A very nominal fee of Rs 3,000 is taken from the patients for 21-day treatment, which includes expenses of medicines, food etc,” said Dr Sandeep Bhola, the psychiatrist at the kendra. He said in the wake of the fact that the number of patients was increasing day by day and all could not be accommodated, the OPD-based treatment was started, wherein 40-45 patients are counselled and treated without admitting them in the kendra. Talking about the relapse rate after treatment, Dr Bhola said, “Sometimes, the patients again fall into the trap of drugs, but we try our best to change their mindset before discharging them. A complete rehabilitation schedule is prescribed for the treatment, which includes yoga, group counselling by social and religious leaders, indoor games and sleep-induction techniques.” Kapurthala DC D.S.Mangat, who is having the overall control of the
centre, said, “Due to the success rate of the centre, the state government
has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 54 lakh for the construction of a new building of the centre. We have already received the first instalment of Rs 18 lakh. Very soon, this Navjeevan Kendra, will get a modernised infrastructure in the new
building.” |
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Computer teachers chalk out strategy for state-level protests
Jalandhar, November 24 On December 1, a rally will be held in the Bathinda constituency, a week later, at Amritsar. On December 8 and on December 15, a rally will be held in Jalandhar and finally a rally will be held in Mohali against the government and education department on December 22. Teachers said they were upset as promises made by the Chief Ministers, ministers and top officials had come to a naught. They said while computer teachers were not deemed to be regular, their respective schools adopt a partial approach towards them and the department wasn’t making the situation clear about the regularisation of teachers awaiting it. The matter of regularisation of many teachers also lay pending. Computer Teachers Union Punjab members from across the state participated in the meeting today. |
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700 students take part in 3-day science fest
Jalandhar, November 24 Most of the models were created to depict environmental themes like energy conservation, countering the green house effect and disaster management. The models displayed reflected a concern to save the planet from harmful emissions. Other competitions at the fest included debate, quiz, science drama, and painting. Prize distribution function was held to honour the winners. In projects/models, first, second, third fourth and fifth prizes were bagged by Government Senior Secondary School, SBS Nagar; Government Senior Secondary School for Boys, Nabha; Gian Jyoti Global School; Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar ; and Government High School, Dadu Majra, Chandigarh, respectively. Dr RS Khandpur, Director General, Science City, made a special reference to the opening of the Panorama - Life through the Ages, which has been set up in an 80 feet diameter dome structure building with a cost of Rs 2 crore on the occasion. Other results Debate: 1. Simranjeet Kaur of Dashmesh Public School, Fridkot, 2. Amanjot Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Chhajli Sunam, 3. Sundhi Thakur of Indus Gold School, Mandi. Quiz (category I): 1. Dashmesh Public School, Faridkot; 2. Dashmesh Public School, Chak Mukarian; 3. Manu Vatika English Medium Senior Secondary School, Budhlada, Mansa. Quiz (category II): 1. Swami Sant Dass Public School, Jalandhar, 2. Swami Vivekanand Public School, Jagadri, 3. MGN Public School, Urban Estate, Jalandhar. Painting (category I): 1. Chahat Sahota of Lala Jagat Narian DAV Model School, Jalandhar, 2. Paramjot Kaur of Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar , 3. Aabha Swami of Sant Dass Public School, Jalandhar. Painting (category II): 1. Gursimran Kaur of Dashmesh Public School, Jalandhar, 2. Paras of Lala Jagat Narian DAV Model School, Jalandhar, 3. Akhilesh Kaura of Kamla Nehru Public School, Phagwara. |
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City gears up for Kabaddi World Cup
Jalandhar, November 24 The camp for the home team is under way at the Shri Guru Gobind Singh Stadium. The team presently has gone to Delhi for their doping test at the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).Only after the results are out, the final squad will be announced by the Sports Department. "We will announce the final squad after getting the results of the doping test. We have sent 17 players for the test and will select 14," said Rakesh Kaushal, District Sports officer. He said although the Indian squad of the men and women's team is getting their doping test done in advance, they would also be tested randomly by the NADA during the matches. The DC had already held the initial meeting to finalise the arrangement. This time the administration is also planning to have stalls inside the stadium during the matches. The spectators would be able to take packaged food inside the stadium but like always bottles of the packaged drinking water will not be allowed inside the stadium by police. 48 rooms have been booked in various hotels for the stay of six teams during the tournament. Special menus have been planned keeping the choice and taste of various international cultures. The administration is also trying to rope in prominent sponsors for the tournament. The renovation at the stadium has already started. Work at the VVIP, VIP spectator lounge, changing rooms and media commentary box is under way while repair work is going on in some parts of the venue. The authorities have claimed to finish the work on time. However, the Deputy Commissioner will hold the next review meeting on December 2 at the stadium where he will check the technical aspect of the tournament on ground. The tournament is being organised by the Punjab government for the last three years. This is the 4th edition of the Kabaddi World Cup. The 14-day long tournament will have 11 participating nations in the men's tournament. The women's tournament will have six participating nations in it. With a budget of Rs 20 crore, this year the opening and closing ceremonies will be telecasted live throughout the country and in Canada, USA and UK too.
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Statue of Patel not yet located
Jalandhar, November 24 The stone-statue of Patel failed to find space for over 50 years in the city after its removal from the old DC’s office adjacent to the Jyoti Chowk in early 70’s. It finally went missing from the store of the Municipal Corporation. The disappearance of the statue came to light when the BJP-lead Gujarat government decided to install a huge statue of Patel as “Unity Symbol” on the Narmada riverbed following which Virender Sharma, Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, raised the issue of installation of Patel’s old statue, kept in custody of the MC, in the city. Congress had raised the issue of installing the statue in the city on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. As the issue gathered momentum, the MC authorities had to launch a search operation for the statue with its Mayor Sunil Jyoti directing the officials to trace it out. The statue has been missing from the store after since it was demolished about six years ago, an employee of the MC disclosed. Patel’s statue was installed at the Jalandhar Railway Station in 1950 by the then Jalandhar Municipal Council after Sardar Patel passed away. Just after two years of its installation, the statue was shifted to the old office of the Deputy Commissioner as the Railway authorities objected to it. The statue remained on the premises of the DC office for over 16 years but again became a bone of contention for the bureaucrats, including the then DC and Municipal Commissioner as city got status of a corporation in 1972, who then removed it again as the city started facing traffic woes. The statue was again removed from the DC’s office and placed in the store in 1973 where it remained as a dead stock said Virender Sharma. Sharma, being a Municipal Councillor, had also raised the issue to install the statue at the Patel Chowk, adjacent to the HMV College, but his efforts failed to bring the results in 1994. “After its removal in 70’s, the statue failed to get a suitable space in the city for over 50 years and finally went missing,” said Sharma. Mayor Sunil Jyoti claimed that the whereabouts of the old sculpture were not known. He said, “No one has any details of the Patel’s old statue.” Journey of the statue
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Jagdish Raja blames SAD-BJP for problems
In an interview with The Tribune, Raja talked at length and breadth about the civic body's failure to provide basic amenities, coming up of buildings in violation of building bylaws and the alleged rampant corruption prevalent in the
JMC. Raja said, "Ever since the SAD-BJP house came into existence in September last year, the fight between the Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor is a routine affair that has pushed the development agenda of the city to a backseat." "Mayor Sunil Jyoti is from the BJP and Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia is from the SAD. Mayor has not only differences with Bhatia but he does not enjoy good equation with certain BJP councillors as well. Worried over the fact that councillors of Akali Dal and the BJP may corner him, Mayor is not even convening the general house meeting," he said. Raja said, "The general house meeting is one forum where the councillors can take up any matter for the open house discussion and its
redressal. Buildings in violation of the building bylaws are coming up in the city but no action is being taken. Likewise, the common people have to grease the palms of the civic staff to get their genuine works done. We want to rake up all these issues but the house meeting is not being called. If Mayor convenes general house meeting, we will expose the wrong doings of the ruling alliance." Continuing his tirade of attack against the Mayor, Raja said that Jyoti should go for field visit in the municipal wards of the
Jalandhar. "How come Mayor will go to field visit when all the city roads are in such a pathetic condition and half of the streetlights in almost every municipal ward are non-functional," said Raja. |
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Mayor, Sr Deputy Mayor cross swords
Jalandhar, November 24 The cold war between Jyoti
(BJP) and Bhatia (Akali Dal) became pubic with latter writing a letter to the Jalandhar Municipal Commissioner pointing out several irregularities going on in the MC. The letter mainly targeted Mayor Sunil Jyoti. In his letter, Bhatia had written about several controversial issues, primarily the matter of the buildings coming up in the violation of the prescribed norms. It is not the first time that tussle between the duo have come out in open. Earlier also, on several occasion over the past one year, Jyoti and Bhatia had been at loggerheads. Bhatia had termed the functioning of Jyoti as "dictatorial" and "unbecoming". Raking up the issue of the corruption in the MC, from long time Bhatia has been reiterating that though Mayor is honest but the big question is that why he is not taking the corrupt to the task. Meanwhile, according to sources, SAD president Sukhbir Badal has told the party leaders that after the campaign for the Delhi Assembly Elections, a meeting would be arranged, which would be chaired by BJP state president Kamal Sharma to resolve the matter. "We have been intimated that
Bhatia, Jyoti, senior Akali leaders and Kamal Sharma will be having a meeting after December 4," said a senior Akali leader. |
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3 Nigerian students held
Jalandhar, November 24 The three, who are students of Lovely Professional University (LPU), had heated arguments with a group of local youths on some petty issue. Noticing the groups turning abusive, a police party reached the spot, following which some youths fled from the place. The police detained NK Pallzorbary Stephen, Losanza Azeboela and Ozalyzo Andribueje, all students of the LPU. The police said their one accomplice and the local youths managed to give the police a slip. The trouble seemed to have started following communication problem between members of both groups, the police added. The detained youths were medically examined at Civil Hospital and found drunk, but in their senses, the police claimed. The three Nigerians were today produced before the executive magistrate and later released on
bail. — TNS |
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Fire cess increased from 5 to 10%
Phagwara, November 24 No such cess would be imposed on residential complexes. Kuldip Singh, Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Phagwara, and Executive Officer (EO) Adarsh Sharma said that 5 per cent fire cess would be imposed on shops and other commercial establishments. Adarsh Sharma said, “The MC is determined to collect arrears of Rs 2.70 crore of the House Tax by December end. He said, “In case of multi-storey buildings in which only ground floor is being used for commercial purposes, and the upper floors are residential, the property tax will be counted according to its usage as residential or commercial
purposes.” — OC |
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SC commission chief lashes out at state govt
Jalandhar, November 24 He alleged that Akali-BJP government led by Parkash Singh Badal has been making false and misleading statements that Punjab would be releasing its share soon. He said, “To ensure that the release of funds is done in time in future, there is a need to fix the accountability. Earlier each year, they used to get 1.5 lakh beneficiaries for the scholarships. But now the number of SC students has gone up to almost 4.50 lakh. The post-matric scholarship scheme was launched by the Centre in 1998. But it is unfortunate that the 34 elected SC members of the Punjab Assembly belongs to Akali Dal, BJP and the Congress did not raise its voice on this serious issue, even when the academic future of lakhs of SC students was at
stake.” — TNS |
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Kanjali wetland, once a pride of Kapurthala, has now become a victim of negligence of the administration.
The wetland, a famous tourist spot, has turned into a shelter home for druggists.
The Mid-day Meal Workers Union Punjab today held a protest in support of their demands and in opposition to the move to hand over the work of the mid-day meals to a Kolkata-based private company from December 15.
Computer teachers in the state have given a call to hold a series of protests all through the next month against the government.
At a meeting of computer teachers held here on a call given by state president Gurvinder Singh
Tarntaran, it was decided that from December 1, regular rallies shall be held against the education department from the next month onwards.
A three-day science fest organised by the Pushpa Gujral Science City, to promote creativity and innovation among students, concluded today.
Over 700 students and 200 teachers participated in the fest. As many as 80 science models covering various contemporary scientific needs were put on display.
Esteem car, bearing registration number PB-41A-0014, was crossing the level crossing when the train, coming from the Kapurthala side, hit the car. The impact of the hit was so strong that the train dragged the car for almost 1 km. There was no one else in the car.
Baaj Singh died on the spot. The body was sent for post-mortem by the police.
— OC
Jalandhar, November 24