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15 get severe burns in cylinder blast fire
Pargat slams JIT for restricting stadium use for sports events only
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Property tax: Amid protests, civic body collects
Rs 9.65 crore so far
PUDA employees protest, seek pension benefits
MLAs abstain from vigilance panel meeting
MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee interacts with NHAI officials on the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway in Jalandhar. Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh
An artist presents a soliloquy during the enactment of the play “Ek shaam kahaniyon ke naam” at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall in Jalandhar. Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh
Annual sports meet begins
Campaign for special kids held
City boy selected for Asia Cup
1.4 kg opium seized
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15 get severe burns in cylinder blast fire
Jalandhar, November 29
Reports said initially an LPG cylinder exploded after getting leaked in the house at around 10:15 am. On this, some people from the neighbourhood went to the house to inquire about the well-being of the inmates. Soon after, another blast occurred as a result of which flames spread outside the house, thus causing burn injuries to all those present on the spot. Sub Fire Officer Rajinder Sharma and fireman Naresh Kumar, who were checking the leakage from the cylinder, also sustained burn injuries on their hands and face. Two brothers, Tarsem Lal and Sonu Gandhi, are reportedly in a critical condition. They got injured in the first blast. They were referred to the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences. Prem Kumar, another victim, sustained minor burns and is admitted to the Civil Hospital. All three work as contractors for football stitching work. The two women in the house who first detected LPG leakage while installing a new cylinder, however, escaped unhurt. They were outside the house when the second cylinder blast occurred. The compressor of a refrigerator in the kitchen also got exploded. Neighbours Raj Kumar (37) and his mother Sheela Devi (60) said firemen had douse the flames after the first blast and things were under control. They went inside the house to help the family members save their belongings. “The gas that was leaked spread all over. It probably was a minor flame which led to the accident,” Raj Kumar said, showing burns on their hands and feet. Kanchan Passi, another neighbour, got her left arm fractured besides getting burns. “Scores of people from the colony went inside the house. In the melee, everyone was trying to rush out of a small exit. In the process, I fell off and got my arm hurt,” she said. Sukhdev (40), sustained several burns and was taken to the trauma centre of the Civil Hospital. Sanjay, working as a labourer at the family’s football-stitching centre close by, also got burns on his face, hands and feet. Among others injured were Darsho and Sheetal. Four more persons who suffered injuries were discharged after first-aid treatment. Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP-West) RPS Sandhu said, “The incident has been entered in records as a daily diary report (DDR) as it is apparently an accidental only.” Sequence of events
* An LPG cylinder exploded after getting leaked in the house at around 10:15 am in Shivaji Nagar near Basti Danishmandan *
Some people from the neighbourhood went to the house to inquire about the well-being of the inmates *
Soon after, another blast occurred as a result of which flames spread outside the house, thus causing burn injuries to all those present The Victims
Sub Fire Officer Rajinder Sharma and fireman Naresh Kumar, who were checking the leakage from the cylinder, sustained burn injuries on their hands and face. Two brothers, Tarsem Lal and Sonu Gandhi, are reportedly in a critical condition. They got injured in the first blast and were referred to the PIMS. Prem Kumar, another victim, sustained minor burns and is admitted to the Civil Hospital |
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Three of family held for dowry death
Jalandhar, November 29 It was the third marriage anniversary of the couple, Kunal Aggarwal and Swati Aggarwal, and the family had been reportedly preparing to go for dinner when the latter was found strangled in bathroom. The couple had a one-year-old child. While the police were probing to find if it was murder or suicide, they registered a case against Kunal, his father Anil Aggarwal and mother Shashi Aggarwal under Section 304-B of the IPC. The family runs a road construction work. Division Number 6 SHO Rajinder Kumar said the deceased's father, Suman Gupta, who runs a spare parts business in Ludhiana, got the complaint lodged for dowry death.
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Pargat slams JIT for restricting stadium use for sports events only
Jalandhar, November 29 He criticised JIT for holding back the revenue generated from the stadium on account of inefficiency in handling cultural events and launches of reputed brands. The Punjab government had recently approved the JIT’s proposal to open the stadium’s use for events other than sports. The government has also given nod to JIT to earn revenues for its maintenance by renting out some of its portions to food chains and gyms.
“They should have continued renting it out for cultural events as it helps earning money which can be helpful in the maintenance and upgrade of existing infrastructure. The stadium would need revenues for maintenance,” said Pargat. He said the damage to stadium infrastructure during cultural events could be compensated from the security money which could have been raised to Rs 5 lakh. The JIT maintained a different view. “We have taken this decision as cultural shows in the past damaged expensive and modern sports infrastructure like water sprinklers, imported seats and other electrical equipment inside the stadium. The stadium was renovated in 2011 to promote sports activities and from now onwards it will be used only to organise sports events only,” said Mukul Soni, Superintendent Engineer, Jalandhar Improvement Trust. “After getting the final nod, the JIT is planning to invite tenders from reputed food chains for renting out pavilion no 1 inside the stadium. Tenders will also be invited from reputed gyms to rent out the activity room,” Soni said. “The selection would be done through tenders and a three-year contract will be signed with companies. Also, the stadium will now be under the vigilance of security staff hired from the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO). The government has also given nod to hire around 10 security personnel to regulate entry to the stadium,” he added. Their monthly salary expenditure of Rs 1, 30,000 has also been approved by the government. The trust has also got approval to hire a housekeeping company for the cleaning and maintenance of the stadium. The trust will now charge a nominal monthly fee of Rs 100 for regular jogging in the stadium. Also, now their movement has been restricted to the track area only. They will only get entry to the stadium with identity card issued to them after paying the monthly fee.
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Property tax: Amid protests, civic body collects
Rs 9.65 crore so far
Jalandhar, November 29
This amount has been collected till Friday, a day before the last date for depositing property tax with 10 per cent rebate. MC Assistant Commissioner Gurbinder Randhawa said, “The amount of collection would further increase on the last date of depositing property tax with 20 per cent rebate on November 30.” “The public in general is enthusiastically depositing property tax before Saturday to avail the benefit of 10 per cent rebate. The MBD group has deposited the highest amount of Rs 61 lakh as property tax,” Gurbinder further said. “We had organised two special camps at Focal Point and Leather Complex today on the request of industrialists. The property tax cell with its four superintendents, SK Wadhwa, Rajiv Rishi, Maheep Sarin and Manvinder Kaur, is constantly working to deal with the rush of people depositing property tax,” Randhawa added. Apart from computerised collection of property tax using online facility and through HDFC banks branches, it is also being collected manually. While property tax may be deposited with 10 per cent rebate by November 30, it may be deposited without any penalty till December 31, with 25 per cent penalty by March 31 and with 50 per cent penalty after that. Meanwhile, several trade associations in the city are going to hold a meeting at Nauhariya Mandir in Gur Mandi to restart agitation against property tax. Kishan Lal, a traders’ representative, said property tax on commercial buildings should be reduced from 7.5 per cent to 2 per cent. State president of Vayapar Sena said, “The Badal government is imposing huge taxes in urban pockets citing Central government’s directions. If the Centre had asked the state government to impose property tax, it may levy nominal tax and houses up to 10 marlas, vacant plots, rented accommodations, industrial and commercial buildings should be exempted from the tax.” The city witnessed the maximum number of protests against property tax imposition a few months ago. MC offices to remain open today
The main office and zonal offices of MCJ will remain open on Saturday on the last date of depositing property tax with 10 per cent rebate for the general public Top 5 property tax depositors Groups Amount (in lakhs) MBD 61 Ritu Wears 17 Easy Day 14 Best Price 13.76 Radisson 3.5 |
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PUDA employees protest, seek pension benefits
Jalandhar, November 29 The agitating employees are holding rallies since November 18. They also held pen-down strikes on November 26-27 in support of their demands after superannuation and allotment of plots at market price to them. Zonal president of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Punjab Urban Development Authority employees, Harbhajan Singh said, “The agitation is currently being organised at all the PUDA offices located in Jalandhar, Mohali, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Patiala.” “The protesting PUDA employees will hold a state-level rally outside its head office in Mohali on December 4,” he added. Rallies will be held between 1pm and 2pm outside all PUDA offices before December 4, he further said.
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MLAs abstain from vigilance panel meeting
Jalandhar, November 29 Since the meeting is chaired by Congress MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee and all Vidhan Sabha seats are with the ruling alliance, none of the MLAs had been attending the meetings for the past over a year and a half. However, they are often represented by their nominees, who too did not attend yesterday’s meeting. Of the nine MLAs, only the nominee of Jalandhar North MLA KD Bhandari, Kailash Thukral, made it to the meeting. Out of the nine MLAs from the city, three are ministers, including Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, Jails and Tourism Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Forests and Wildlife Preservation Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal and three are Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, including Bhandari, Pawan Tinu and Avinash Chander. Three other MLAs, including Manoranjan Kalia from Jalandhar Central, Gurpartap Singh Wadala from Nakodar and Pargat Singh from Jalandhar Cantonment, who are without any other portfolio, also did not make it to the meeting themselves or through their representatives. The DC meeting hall, where nameplates for the nine MLAs were kept, wore a deserted look. When Kaypee asked officials of the Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan about not being informed regarding any funds being used under the Centre scheme, officials concerned said the office was sending all details via emails to the MLAs. Kaypee questioned, “It is Centre’s fund. At least I need to be taken in the loop. Why am I not receiving any mails?” At this, Deput Commissioner Varun Roojam asked officials to ensure compliance and dispatch of all relevant mails to the MP. The MP also urged officials to expedite the issuance of utilisation certificates (UC) on completion of projects. He said utilisation certificates to the tune of Rs 2 crore were pending from the Municipal Corporation. His close aide Manoj Arora said Parkash Nagar residents, who constructed a patch of road on their own, should be reimbursed the amount owing to delay on the part of the civic authorities.
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Haryanvi theatre festival concludes
Jalandhar, November 29 Groups and veterans, who celebrate theatre just for the love of it and want to share their stories and experiences with the audience, performed in the festival. Featured acts, which were classy, literary and culturally rich, and yet effortless and unguarded, were the highlight of the event. The final play staged last evening was probably the most fitting play to have been enacted at the conclusion of the festival. Called ‘Ek shaam kahaniyon ke naam,’ the play presented three touching tales by three of the most accomplished writers of the subcontinent. Presented as three soliloquies, the three stories were Sharifan by Sadat Hassan Manto, Jangli booti by Amrita Pritam and Lajo by Ismat Chugtai. The unsettling story of the savage anger of a man - played by professor Rajan Sharma - who took to indiscriminate killing of women after having witnessed the butchered, unclothed body of his daughter during the Partition, made the audience feel the angst and anger in Manto’s partition-pained heart. It also portrayed his helpless understanding of women being reduced to hapless victims of a carnage they had no hand in starting. Amrita Pritam’s Jungli booti saw Dr Madhudeep Singh, an assistant professor at the Kurkshetra University, depicting story of an earthy, simple woman. The play showed her journey to grow and fight through life groping with the pangs of being abandoned by a man, who brought her to the city, calling her his wife. The play ended with Ismat Chugtai’s sweet little tale of unbridled, brutish Lajo, who, orphaned early in life, grows up among hawkish men, finally finds home and life with simpleton Mirza. Directed by Ravi Mohan Ras, who presented the final act as Chugtai’s Lajo, the play ended with rich, chaste Urdu, talking eyes and a promise of refined theatre.
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Annual sports meet begins
Jalandhar, November 29 Vibha Sharma, CEO, Jalandhar Cantonment Board, said children would compete in athletics, jumps and shotput under various categories.
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Campaign for special kids held
Jalandhar, November 29 As many as 150 special children from Vajra AWWA Asha Special School, Prayas Special School, Udaan Special School and St Joseph’s Special School as well as non school going special children were given colourful hand fans printed with National Trust Schemes. Children carrying coloured balloons walked through the city streets. A mini commercial vehicle, fitted with the banner of Government National Trust schemes, was taken for a road show to villages adjoining the city. Students walked up to the Red Cross Bhawan. A special cultural programme of schoolchildren was held during the occasion. Children presented song, dance, skits, group bhangra during the programme. The Chaanan Association felicitated two special children, who have gone to Asia Pacific Special Olympics starting from December 1 in Australia this year. Ishwinder Singh (16), who was selected at Hyderabad National Games for 100 mts, 200 mts and 4 x 100 mtrs relay, received Rs 50,000 cash prize, while Vivek Aggarwal from Nakodar, was given Rs 11,000 as prize money. Mementoes were given to special schools. Children, who participated in the walk, were also honoured.
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City boy selected for Asia Cup
Jalandhar, November 29 An upcoming basket ball player, he is the captain of the state’s basketball team. He represented Punjab and played extremely well at Patna and Jaipur. He was also chosen to play for the sub-junior national team, which will represent the country at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat from December 2 onwards this year. Principal Brinder Badwal congratulated Gagan on his selection.
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1.4 kg opium seized
Jalandhar, November 29 ASI Piara Singh of the Maqsudan police station said during checking they stopped one Sandal Singh of Kahlwan village and recovered 1.4 kg opium from his possession. The police arrested Sandal and booked him under the NDPS Act.
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Three members of a family, two firemen and about 10 neighbours sustained severe burn injuries today while trying to douse flames after a fire broke out at a house in Shivaji Nagar near Basti Danishmandan here.
Reports said initially an LPG cylinder exploded after getting leaked in the house at around 10:15 am. On this, some people from the neighbourhood went to the house to inquire about the well-being of the inmates.
The employees of the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) have been agitating for the past 10 days to get pension benefits.
The agitating employees are holding rallies since November 18. They also held pen-down strikes on November 26-27 in support of their demands after superannuation and allotment of plots at market price to them.
Call it because of political opposition or their participation in the ongoing campaigning for the forthcoming Assembly polls in Delhi, all nine Members of Legislative Assembly
(MLAs) from the SAD and the BJP abstained from the meeting of the Vigilance Monitoring Committee here yesterday.
“This is ridiculous. On the one hand, the JIT has succeeded in increasing the revenues by renting out some areas in the stadium on lease, while on the other, they have reduced it by confining the stadium’s use only to sports events.” 