The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Losses pile up as carriers scrap int’l flights Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 Even as the infrastructure of the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is being boosted by the Airports Authority of India over the last few years, the airport doesn't seem to have got its dues in terms of a national-level airport and the frequency of the international flights. It is reeling under annual loss of over Rs 50 crore. The Union Government with an investment of about Rs 150 crore offered a state-of-the-art infrastructure and established the airport building in consonance with the contemporary architecture prevailing around the world. This entire development was carried out in two phases of a master plan to give the airport a new look with the objective of more passenger facilities and increased security. The airport losses mounted after various airlines called off their international flights. Earlier, the Air India discontinued its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight, which was termed by many as the most successful flight in the annals of the national carrier's history. The flight, which used to witness over 90 per cent occupancy, was withdrawn on October 31, 2010. However, it was not the only flight that was discontinued from the Amritsar airport. The British Midland International (BMI) had pulled out its Amritsar-Almaty-London flight in October, 2012. Prior to it, the Air India had suspended its Amritsar-Toronto flight due to the strikes of pilots. The Singapore Airlines had launched thrice a week Amritsar-Singapore flight on October 1, 2004. The service ran well for around five years before being discontinued in early 2009. Later, Jet Airways launched its Amritsar-London flight only to withdraw it after sometime. However, the Amritsar airport boasts off state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategically location of being close to the Central Asia. Aerobridges: The Airports Authority of India, Chairman, VP Agarwal, during his recent visit to the airport announced to install high-tech equipments to operationalise two more aerobridges. As per the blueprint of Amritsar Airport, it has got infrastructure for four aerobridges. However, so far only two aerobridges are in operation and remaining two were likely to be operationalised after they are fitted with necessary equipments. These aerobridges will save the passengers from the ordeal of travelling in coaches to board their planes. There will be separate aerobridges for every flight. Besides, it will stop mingling of passengers of different flights and beef-up security. Terminal building: The total area of the terminal building is 40,000 sq metres with peak hour passenger handling capacity currently being 1,200 people, including 600 arrival and equal number for departure. Earlier, the same facility was 500 in all. This provides adequate space for multiple arrivals and security holds. Besides, the airlines operating from the airport get more space to run their business. Parking bases: The airport has 14 parking bases. This facility offers sophisticated and user-friendly parking system and efficient surveillance to security personnel with better customer service. Runway: The Amritsar airport is the longest in Northern India with the AAI as it has a 12,000 feet runway, which can accommodate any biggest aircraft available with Indian aircraft operators. Earlier, it was of 9,000 feet. With all these facilities, this airport is recognised and licensed by the international agencies and Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operation of Airbus 340-600 and Boeing 777-300 ER, which are the largest aircraft available with Indian airline operators. Car parking: About 500 car parking capacity is available and it is being realigned by raising roundabouts, green areas for smooth traffic flow. The Amritsar airport is currently handling entire airspace up to 25 nautical miles all around its airport and this also will be extended sensing the growth of airport and potential of the city up to 150 km all around.
	MC serves show-cause notice to inspector GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 A show-cause notice was served by MC to one of its inspectors, Kuldeep Bhatia, holding him guilty of not convincing the property tax payers as per norms and collecting lesser amount from them. On the other hand, the MC teams continued with their drive to conduct property tax awareness-cum-collection camps even on Sunday. A lot of discrepancies occurred during one such camp conducted at the Focal point and District Shopping Complex Ranjit Avenue A, B, C, D and E blocks. While the proprietors argued that about 25 per cent rebate as announced by the Local Bodies Minister some time ago did not tally with the rates prevailing in the area, the MC team on duty could not induce them and ended up with lesser amount collected from them. Officials clarified that this rebate as announced by the minister was applicable only on those areas where the collector rate were not stipulated officially whereas this concession was seldom applicable on established areas like Focal Point, East Mohan Nagar and Ranjit Avenue areas. The issue gained momentum when the Deputy Commissioner office had to intervene and convey the actual prevailing collector rate of the area. Similarly, on the instance of MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda, the Deputy Commissioner office issued official clarification to the MC office that the commercial collector rate of District Shopping Complex Ranjit Avenue A, B, C, D and E blocks have collector rate of Rs 90,000 per sq yard According to information, the Focal point commands a collector rate of Rs 6,600 per sq yard whereas some proprietors paid the tax calculated at the collector rate of Rs 4,950 per sq yard. The inspector Kuldeep Singh on duty got swayed and collected the tax at lesser rate. When the matter was brought to the notice of Kharbanda, he instantly called up Bhatia. Besides this, Kharbanda also directed his team to issue notices to those who had deposited lesser amount of tax and directed them to clear their dues as per norms before the stipulated date of December 10, if they intend to avail the 10 per cent rebate benefit. This move has also invited the ire of the industrial associations. Kharbanda told that the inspector has been issued departmental notice and he has been asked to explain his position as his conduct has caused dent to the state exchequer.
	Resume work or face termination, SSA non-teaching staff told Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 Agitating employees of the non-teaching, Sarab Sikhya Abhiyan (SSA), received orders from the Director General School Education (DGSE) threatening to terminate their services in case they do not resume their duties shunning the protest. This was said by the SSA Non-Teaching Staff Union, president, Vikas Kumar. The union's pen down strike entered its 40th day yesterday. The union is seeking pay scale at par with the SSA teachers and other benefits. The strike has crippled the working of many government schools in the state. It adversely impacted data compilation and communication network between district and state headquarter offices. Majority of the government schools have not compiled vital data of the District Information for School Education (DISE). Each school in the country, private, public, government and private-aided are supposed to annually submit elaborate information, regarding school management, working days in previous academic session, strength of students, staff and physically-challenged pupils. The annual DISE report is forwarded to state and the central education department offices and it helps the government to chalk out policies accordingly. Normally, compilation for the DISE starts in October and it concludes in November. However, this time the work is yet to take off. Similarly, uniform grants and salary of the SSA teachers, education providers and special teachers are pending. Kumar said following telephonic instructions received on November 14 they were barred from marking attendance and claimed that step motherly treatment was being meted out to the non-teaching staff. On the other hand, 14,000 SSA teachers were already given pay scale of Rs 31,500 and Rs 28,000 per month. He said teachers and non-teaching staff were hired on contract under the SSA after the component was introduced in the state in 2004. There are about 1,400 SSA non-teaching staff and the SAD-BJP coalition government promised to introduce the pay scale from November 30, 2011, he claimed. After two years, they were forced to adopt the path of agitation. Despite numerous attempts DGSE Kumar Rahul could not be contacted.
	Majha belt a nursery of prominent hockey players Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 If Punjab has contributed maximum players to the country’s hockey team, this also is true that a majority of these players are from the Majha belt comprising Amritsar and Gurdaspur (before Partition, Lahore also fell in this belt). Having been declared the highest-priced player in Hockey India League (HIL), Ramandeep Singh has revived the old memories when the region, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, produced prominent players. The region had the honour of producing Olympians like Balbir Singh, Dharam Singh senior, Bakshish Singh, Manna Singh, Dharam Singh junior, Harcharan Singh, Mukhbain Singh, Surjit Singh, Baldev Singh, Balwinder Singh Shammi, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Prabhjot Singh and Jasjit Singh. Besides many an international, including Kapoor Singh, Balbir Singh Randhawa, Baldev Singh Randhawa, Baljit Singh Randhawa, Swinder Singh, Daljit Singh Dhillon, Ajinder Pal Singh, Nirmal Singh, Tejbir Singh and Kanwaljit Singh were also from this region. Khalsa College has the distinction of producing prominent hockey players, Col Gurmeet Singh, Shahzada Khuram, Latif, Balbir Singh, Dharam Singh, Bakhshish Singh, Harbinder Singh, Ram Sarup Passi and Inder Singh. Arjuna awardee Col (retd) Harcharan Singh lamented the omission of hockey at the college level, which was a launching a pad for the youngsters and to test their mettle in multiple matches. Looking at the aforementioned list, one should not believe that it was an all-male affair. A number of women also made their way up to the Indian hockey team. Some of them were Parminder Sekhon, Darshan Bajwa, Rajbir Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Kuldeep Kaur, Paramjit Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Manjinder Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Pushpinder and Pritpal Kaur. Col Harcharan Singh, himself a distinguished player, who played in two Olympics, three World Cups and two Asian Games, said that after a painstaking study of the area, they came to know that there were still some pockets in rural areas where hockey continued to be played. He said on this basis, six pockets had been identified namely Sarhali, Attari, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, Pakhar Pura and Batala.
	False cases: Villagers urge CM to intervene PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 Residents of Bachan Singh Wala village and Bishambarpura village in Manawala today alleged that they were being implicated in a false case by the police, at the behest of a real estate company, which was trying to illegally encroach upon agriculture land of village for setting up a residential colony. They alleged that certain police officials were hand in glove with the authorities of real estate company, who had been threatening them to surrender their village lands or else they would get it vacated through the police and political connections. In a press conference here today, they alleged that the residents were being implicated in fabricated cases and they were running from one place to other to save their lives. “Yesterday, the police registered a false case of theft against Santokh Singh, former Sarpanch of Bishambarpura village and his family members. Santokh Singh has been objecting to the nefarious designs of the company and trying to raise the issue with the concerned authorities,” said the residents. Santokh Singh alleged that the company was destroying the canals which were the main lines of water supply to the Panchayati lands. He alleged that they had levelled major portion of the canals for construction of roads. They alleged that they had heated arguments with the SHO of the concerned area who was threatening them to hand over the land. The police had registered a theft case against Santokh Singh, Rajpal Singh, Harjit Singh (husband of Baljit Kaur Sarpanch of Bachan Singh Wala), Kabal Singh and Surjit Singh Sarpanch of Bishambarpura for stealing cement bags and tarcoal owned by the real estate company, they further alleged. Harjit Singh alleged that after registering an FIR the police raided house of Santokh Singh, but couldn’t arrest him and therefore, slapped another FIR against him for restraining the police from performing its duty, manhandling police personnel and other serious but fake charges . Villagers had threatened to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court and launch an agitation, if the police fails to quash the false FIRs. They urged the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter. Azad Davinder Singh, SHO Chatiwind police station said Parminder Singh field officer of the real estate company had filed a complaint against Santokh Singh, Kabal Singh, Harjit Singh of Bishamberpura village and a dozen of unidentified persons for stealing 50 cement bags, Tarcol and a pair of tyres. He said when the police went to arrest the suspects, Harjit Singh, Kahal Singh, Rajpal Singh and others attacked the police party and got released the persons arrested. He alleged they also manhandled the police team and torn uniform of a cop.
	Awareness march, skating marathon mark World AIDS Day in city Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 An awareness march and skating marathon by children was held on the occasion of World AIDS day at Company Bagh here today. The programme was organised by the Fortis Escort hospital and the march was flagged off by Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi. Participating in the awareness march, Joshi lauded the role of the participants in creating awareness about HIV and AIDS. The students of Millennium, Spring Dale, DAV international, DAV Public, Ram Ashram Schools participated in Skating Marathon while SBS Institute of Nursing, SVM College of Nursing participated in the march. Speaking on the occasion Joshi said, “Awareness and precaution is the only way to save life from this disease. The right approach, applied quickly enough with courage can result in lowering national HIV infection rates and less suffering for those affected by the problem.” Dr HP Singh, Medical Director Fortis Amritsar said, “The AIDS is a deadly disease which is posing a big threat to the life. It is time for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS.” Dr Pinak Moudgil, Director Fortis said, “This is great to see that so many people have come together for the cause. It is not just the medical fraternity but also the aware and educated class of the city who has come up for percolating this message to the masses. Around 700 people participated in the walk. The Project Axshya team of Voluntary Health Organisation of India also organised ‘nukkar nataks’ at Alpha one mall here to create awareness among the visitors. The team also initiated a signature campaign to reach out to the masses. Project Manager Rajiv Chaudhary said, “It is very important to convey the message to the young generation so we chose to organise function in a shopping mall.”
	CPI (M) organises function to remember freedom fighter Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 The Communist Party of India (M) held a function to commemorate the death anniversary of freedom fighter and party leader Comrade Dalip Singh Tapiala at his native village Tapiala, near here, today. The function was presided over by Amarjit Singh Bhilowal. Speaking on the occasion, CPM’s state secretary Rattan Singh Randhawa said brave men like Dalip Singh fought all their lives for attaining freedom. He said politicians were ruling the country with their money and muscle power. He said the dream of common citizens for a true freedom was yet to be realised. The party would organise protests at district levels to unite people against the misrule of incumbent government. A massive rally would be held at Amritsar on December 12, he further said. Gurnam Singh Umarpura of the Dehati Mazdoor Sabha said because of the anti-people policies of the Centre and state government, the common man was facing difficulty in providing three meals to his family. He said old-age pension had not been revised for the last eight years. Around 70,000 cases of Shagun scheme are still pending. A medical camp on this occasion was also organised.
	Teachers demand regularisation Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 The district unit of the Sanjha Front Teachers Union seeking regularisation of contractual teachers and other demands held a protest against the government today. They also burnt an effigy of the state government. The district president of the union, Gurpreet Singh Verka, claimed that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had promised to regularise services of 7,654 teachers by December 2013 during the Moga bypoll. He said, "Only a month is left and there is no sign on the part of the government to fulfil the promise." He lambasted the government for spending crores on Bollywood stars in the name of sports promotion. He said, "The teachers, who are responsible for educating the next generation of the state, are being treated badly." The union threatened to gherao the Chief Minister on his forthcoming visits if the promise for regularisation was not fulfilled.
	Children fest organised Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 The Ladies Club of the Guru Nanak Dev University organised Children Fest at the Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium of the University. Different competitions like painting, sports and cultural programmes were held during this fest. Vice-Chancellor and president of the Ladies Club, Sarvjit Kaur Brar presided over the cultural programme. Surinder Kaur, Geeta Hundal, secretary of the Club and Mandeep Kaur, joint secretary and members of the Ladies Club were also present on this occasion. In the cultural programme children gave their performances in different competitions. Fancy dress, poetry, folk songs and dance competitions were held. Sarvjit Kaur said, “Every child is blessed with special aptitude but this hidden talent needs to be identified and groomed. So, every child should be encouraged to show their talent, be it in any field.” Prizes were given to the winners and participants of the Children Fest.
	Ashok Vstika celebrates annual function Amritsar, December 1 A two-day annual function 'Sham-e-Firoza' and 'Rang Utsav' of Ashok Vstika Public School concluded at its premises today. The function started with lightening of a lamp and ‘Ganesh vandana’. The theme of the annual function was to highlight the evils prevailing in the society like female foeticide, pollution and others. It is felt that these evils were holding back the progress of the country. The students gave the message through depiction of their drama that we should come forward in unison and say 'no' to all these evils to see the country among the best in the world. Parampal Singh ADCP (City 1) was the chief guest on the ocassion. — TNS
	Gurkirat murder case: Probe on at snail’s pace PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 The investigations in the brutal murder of 10-year-old Gurkirat Singh of Verka has again slowed down. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, police commissioner has gone on leave due to his training course while Deputy Commissioner of police, Kaustubh Sharma was also transferred from the city. Both these officials were closely monitoring the probe which was recently handed over to Assistant Commissioner of police (East) Gaurav Garg. Inspector Parvesh Chopra, who was member of the SIT is now deputed as SHO in a police station. Sarabjit Singh, principal investigator, Punjab Human Rights Organisation, which had filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this connection, alleged that all the exercise seemed to be a tactic to take further dates for submitting the final report. The High Court had directed the city police to submit a status report in the case by November 15. However, the police had sought more time . The High Court have fixed January 21 as the next date of hearing. When the police department had restarted the probe, we felt that this time they would crack the case and nab the culprit. But again the situation is back to square one, said Sarabjit. "It seems that the police department is efficient only to do work of their political bosses," Sarabjit rued. The residents of the village were also critical about the functioning of the police which had miserably failed to nab the culprits who had brutally murdered 10-year-old Gurkirat. Gurkirat had mysteriously gone missing on November 7, 2012, while playing just close to his residence. The police filed a missing report and on November 10 they registered a kidnapping case after the family members and area residents held a demonstration and blocked the Amritsar-Batala highway. On November 16, his body was found dumped in a secluded building located just a few meters away from his residence. While ACP Gaurav Garg could not be contacted. Parvesh Chopra, SHO said he was not in touch with the investigations.
	Bribery allegation: BJP legal cell supports Mayor Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 Now, the legal cell of the BJP has come in support of Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora and straightaway denied charges of corruption levelled against him by suspended Municipal Town Planner (MTP) Des Raj. Arora also recently denied all the charges and stated that Des Raj had been issuing such frivolous statements "out of frustration". Des Raj has levelled serious allegations against MC officials, including that of bribery and extending undue favours to proprietors of illegal buildings. He also named former MC Commissioner and Mayor in his accusations and had filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for being "tortured" mentally by the MC authorities. He had alleged that they had asked him to arrange Rs 3 lakh per month as bribe; otherwise he would be bereft of his position. The Mayor said though he had received a court notice in this regard, but it didn't mention anything about the bribery allegations as projected by Des Raj. "Instead the court notice talked about using his influence to evade action against a politician who had allegedly encroached upon a public place in the Kabir Park area at some point of time. Even as this instance, too, is untrue, there was not a single word about any of his allegations of bribery against me. It was only in the media reports that he had stated my and former Commissioner's names," he said. About his reaction, the Mayor said he would file his reply in the court as had been directed and if need be, I may in turn file a defamation suit against him for dragging my name in such a shameful allegation."
	Doctor booked on charge of molestation Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 1 The Amritsar rural police have booked a doctor for allegedly molesting a minor girl while she along with her mother had gone for a check-up. The incident occurred in the sathiala village falling under the Beas police station. The accused was identified as Dr pardeep Kumar. The police have registered a case following the complaint lodged by the victim's mother. The victim's mother in her complaint stated that her 12-year-old daughter was not well and she had taken her to the doctor. She alleged that the doctor took her daughter inside a cabin on the pretext of checking where he molested her. She said her daughter told her about this after which she lodged a complaint. Sukhdev Singh, in charge, Sathiala police chowki, said a case under Section 354 of the IPC has been registered. He said, "The accused has not been arrested so far and investigations are under way."