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property tax
Water supply dept to recover 20 crore from defaulters
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District admn bans Chinese kite string
Police seeks details of tenants, servants
CKD delegates visit Dubai schools
Civil Surgeon orders repair of CCTVs
Tobacco hoardings to be removed
Prose pays off for BSF officer, graphic artist
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Confusion leads to less tax collection
GS Paul Tribune News Service
Amritsar, December 4 The reason behind this problem is that the proprietors have been given a benefit of self assessment of the applicable property tax. It has led to gross inconsistency in terms of calculations. A majority of the residents have filed their property tax return on the basis of collector rate prevailing at the time of purchase of property. A substantial number of them, especially the commercial unit owners, could not follow the floor-wise tax ratio norms. For the multi-storey buildings, the norms demand that 100 per cent tax on the calculated value of property (as per collector rate) would be applicable for ground floor; 75 per cent for upper ground floor and lower ground floor; 20 per cent for basement; 60 per cent for first floor, 60 per cent for second floor and 30 per cent for upper floors. The last date for submitting the property tax with a rebate of additional 10 per cent is December 10. Thereafter, from December 11 to December 31, the actual amount of property tax will be accepted. From January 1 to March 31, 2014, a penalty of 25 per cent will be imposed. Beyond that, the penalty would be 50 per cent on the actual amount of the property tax. Another hindrance in tax collection is anticipation by residents of further decline in charges if there are constant amendments’ in tax realisation criteria by the Ministry of Local Bodies. The property tax, which was calculated as per the prevailing collector rate was 15 per cent at one point of time. It was further reduced to 7.5 per cent, followed by another reduction of 3 per cent. Similarly, for the commercial rental properties, the property tax was reduced to half i.e. from 10 to five per cent. Now, it is expected that it may further nose dive up to one and a half per cent. The MC authorities also warned the residents that there would be securitisation of taxes submitted by the residents. Those found to be depositing lesser amount would have to pay hefty penalty later on. Property Tax Nodal Officer Rajinder Sharma said, “Further decline in tax structure as expected by the residents seems to be a fluke only.” He said, “There is still no official confirmation about any further reduction of commercial rental property tax.”
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Water supply dept to recover 20 crore from defaulters
Amritsar, December 4 Although the department could not realise Rs 48 lakh lying pending against Bhaktanwala Grain Market, several other government institutes are on its list, which include the ENT Hospital, PUDA Office, New Sabzi Mandi. A high drama was witnessed at Bhaktanwala Market yesterday, when a team comprising Executive Engineer Tilak Raj , Superintendents Pushpinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh reached the market with their squad to snap the water and sewer connections of defaulters. As the raiding party started digging pits to disconnect the water and sewerage lines of defaulters, the shopkeepers in the market confronted the departmental team. Later, the matter was amicably solved and the move was withdrawn when the market association representatives assured to deposit half the amount today and the rest afterwards, but they later failed to pay up half of the amount of tax as agreed upon. Confirming this, Superintendent Pushpinder Singh said Rs 48 lakh was pending for the past four years against the Bhaktanwala Market. Despite issuing several reminders to them, the defaulters failed to pay any amount. “Today also they skipped the deadline of paying half the amount. Actually, they have sought grace period of one more day. If they still fail to deposit their dues, we will be forced to disconnect their connections as orders have been issued by MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda,” he said. The Water and Sewerage Department could collect only Rs 9.25 crore from the defaulters out of the recovery target of Rs 20 crore. Last year, the collection was Rs 6.62 crore during this period. “A stern realisation drive conducted on regular intervals has resulted in an increase in tax collection. We have with us four months to realise the target of Rs 20 crore. We are quite hopeful to achieve it within a stipulated period,” said XEN Tilak Raj.
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District admn bans Chinese kite string
Amritsar, December 4 “The shopkeepers and the residents can easily get the string from nearby towns and use it in the city,” said an insider. Apart from being hazardous to the commuters on roads, especially two-wheeler drivers, the Chinese string is also known for causing injuries to birds when they come in contact with the string. People use the Chinese plastic string instead of the indigenous one because of its elasticity and its unbreakable quality. Due to this reason, it has proved fatal to the people and birds. The traders dealing with the sale of this banned string have reportedly shifted their godowns to rural areas to avoid any scrutiny from the authorities. The administration had banned its sale and use in the past also, after a few accidents were reported in the city. Mission Aagaaj general secretary Gurbhej Singh said the administration must curb the sale of the Chinese string with an iron hand. “We have seen people getting injured and risking their lives. The government must set an example for people by punishing those who indulge in its illegal business,” he added.
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Eleven-member panel to coordinate with beat officials
Amritsar, December 4 The move was initiated after it was felt during ‘Nukkad meetings’ that whom should these beat officials meet in case any domestic dispute, which could be solved at the
spot instead of going to a police station. “We felt that there should be a group of persons, who can be involved in the several disputes like marital disputes, domestic disputes and other small disputes, which could be solved at the beat level,” said Parampal Singh, ADCP, city-I. The 11-member committee would have two women as members, which would help in solving the problem, he added.
He said it was mandatory that all committee members had a clean image and respectable background. The main objective of the committee would be to keep a liaison with the respective beat officials regarding the residents' problems. The Police Department would also provide beat boxes. “The beat officials can conduct meetings with committee members in these boxes for solving certain law and order problems. They will also prepare a list of the anti-social elements living in that particular area,” said ADCP, adding that a beat official would remain in their beats from 9 am to 9 pm. They would not be changed for at least a year so that official concerned could have a complete liaison with the people. The police introduced beat system in the city in order to improve law and order situation and to have complete detail of the anti-social elements living in a particular area. Besides, the system was aimed to improve the cordial relations with the public, to ensure better policing and surveillance and strengthening the network. The system, if properly implemented, would ultimately help in reducing the crime rate. The city has been divided into 97 beats falling under 17 police stations in which as many as 94 policemen have been deputed. These policemen would work along with 74 beat officials.
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Police seeks details of tenants, servants
Amritsar, December 4 It has also asked the public to give details of their domestic servants and
get it verified in advance from the police station concerned before employing them. Ironically, these orders, which are issued after every quarter of the year, are hardly followed in letter and spirit. If police officials are to be believed, only negligible number of residents approached the Police Department and gave details of the antecedents of their tenants as well as domestic servants. “It seems that the people are not in a habit of getting details of their domestic servants or tenants verified. Sometimes these persons, who a majority of times belong to other states, managed to escape after committing crimes such as thefts or murder,” said a police official on a condition of anonymity. Several instances were reported in the past in which domestic servants and tenants had escaped after committing a crime or involved in criminal activities in the city. Once they fled, it became almost impossible to nab them as the police or the residents did not know about their past history. This factor was the biggest hurdle in investigating the case. The state government has established Saanjh Centre for facilitating the people in this regard. But hardly anybody approached these centres for servant or tenant verification. Recently, a domestic help along with her boyfriend decamped with valuables from a posh locality. The owner of the house was lucky enough as the police got the CCTV footage from the nearby resident, which led to vital information about the incident. The police
later managed to arrest the accused. The city police have also banned the playing
of DJs or loud music, besides bursting firecrackers (of high decibel sound) from 10 pm to 6 am. These orders would remain in force till
March 4, 2014.
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10 countries to participate in PITEX
Amritsar, December 4 The state event being organised by the industrial body PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the sixth consecutive year at the holy city would see participation of trade houses from USA, Pakistan, Thailand, Egypt, Taiwan, Ghana and Afghanistan. RS Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, PHD Chamber who was also present in the press conference, said while the fair would open tomorrow, the formal inauguration would be done by Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal on December 6. He said this time the area of the exhibition had been increased from the earlier 10,000 square metres to 14,000 square metres. He added that there would be around 350 exhibitors exhibiting
their products. He added that delegations from six chambers of business and commerce from Pakistan were also participating in the trade expo which include Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikhpura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jhang Chamber of Commerce, Karachi Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industry and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The PITEX is being supported by Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Textiles, National Small Industries Corporation, NSIC, and NABARD. The PHD Chamber would also host a round table conference for the visiting Diplomats from 10 countries; Mozambique, Poland, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Uganda, Gambia, British Columbia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Israel on the second day of the expo. Stating that American Business Council, ABC, is participating, Sachdeva shared that ABC reached out to participate in PITEX specially for fostering collaborations with Indian Small and Medium Businesss, SMEs, specially from Punjab. Ravi Bhagat, DC, Amritsar while addressing the media persons said, “After IITF, PITEX is north India’s biggest event. It has improved with each edition, getting bigger in size and exposure.” He said arrangements regarding fire safety, toilets, food courts, drinking water, security arrangements are in place for the smooth running of the show.
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Sports important for all-round development of students: Mayor
Amritsar, December 4 He congratulated all the winners and wished them all the luck for future. Police DAV, Jalandhar, grabbed the first position in 100 m, 400 m, 800 m and 1,500 m in athletics. The cricket team of DAV International beat DAV Patiala by 6 wickets and stood the winner. The chief guest while addressing the audience applauded the efforts and said. He gave away prizes. Principal Anjana Gupta presented a token of love to the chief guest. Police DAV School,Jalandhar, bagged the first prize and DAV International School from Amritsar Zone won the runners-up trophy.
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Journalists from Germany visit Civil Hospital
Amritsar, December 4 Earlier, a team of officials from Germany had visited the hospital to know about the scheme. Senior Medical Officer at hospital Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said, “The officials had stated that the Government in Germany is interested in initiating a health scheme on the pattern of RSBY back home.” Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai, SMO, said under the scheme the beneficiaries had been issued smart cards and they were provided medical services free of cost. He said that Amritsar district and civil hospital had done a remarkable work in extending the scheme to the below poverty line families which was the reason the hospital was selected for the visit. Later, the team visited the rural areas of Ajnala tehsil where the work to renew smart cards is going on
at present.
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CKD delegates visit Dubai schools
Amritsar, December 4 “The aim is to share and study their learning methodology in schools that can be adopted in our schools. We also interacted with their distinguished scholars, who apprised us about the education structure prevailing in Dubai specially focusing on teacher-taught relationship,” he said. Meanwhile, the CKD delegates also paid obeisance at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai. They were welcomed and honoured by Chairman Gurudwara Sahib Surjit Singh Kandhari who recognised the selfless efforts of CKD in social, cultural, religious and educational field.
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Civil Surgeon orders repair of CCTVs
Amritsar, December 4 Even as the cameras were installed around two years ago during the tenure of Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa as civil surgeon, these could only work for a few months. His successor Dr Yash Mitra never took notice of frequent complaints about the non-functioning of these cameras. The department had got six cameras installed as the general public had often complained of prevailing corruption at the office. Confirming the development, district family and welfare officer Dr Ranjit Singh Buttar said, “We are working to get the cameras functional as soon
as possible.” He said the other foremost priority of the office was to get the official vehicles fixed. It has become well known that at least three official vehicles of the department have broken down in the recent months.
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Tobacco hoardings to be removed
Jalandhar, December 4 During the anti-smoking drive launched by the district administration to make the city tobacco free by December 25, the teams of health department have also been educating the sellers. On the third day of the drive, health teams today challaned 15 people for smoking at public places and collected a fine of Rs 3,000 from the smokers. Sukhrao Singh, Food Safety Officer, said exhibiting publicity material and offering lighters and matchboxes to buyers is also an offence under the law and the administration will launch a drive to challan the violators shortly. They raided areas surrounding the Civil Hospital, Jyoti Chowk, Patel Chowk, HMV College Chowk, DAV College and Maqsudan. The authorities had challaned 24 smokers near the DC Complex and collected Rs 4,200 on Tuesday.
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Prose pays off for BSF officer, graphic artist
Amritsar, December 4 A little bit of himself
Ask him how he manages to balance the tough cop routine with his sensitive creative side, and he emphasises, “Both are actually not two extremes, but go hand in hand. A responsible officer has to be honest, sensitive and just to understand basic human nature. He should humanise and have a pulsating heart, all that is required to observe and value emotions and read between the lines.” As for his building literary career post the award, Farooqui says he is looking forward to come up with more books now. Ï do have another book of short stories titled “Wo Teen Din” based on my personal experiences in different capacities Graphic detail
“Having grown up in holy city, I was always fascinated with spirituality and Sikhism. I used to visit gurudwaras, learn every bit about Sikh history and culture and historical figures. Later, with a degree in graphic art from Government College of Art, Chandigarh, I came back to work on my childhood passion,” he shares. Collaboarting with probity Publications, George researched for two years to get the basics of his novel right. “From the concept to the design, characterisation and effect, I did everything myself. I used to observe the depiction of Guru Nanak Dev by Sobha Singh and visited various prominent gurudwaras to research for archives. And the journey to come up with the graphic novel, has been a personal one as well. Ï want the youth to connect to the religion and spirituality through art form. Even an art form, my novel has attempted to be innovative. I recently exhibited a few pages from my novel at an exhibition at KT Kala art gallery and got a good response.” Post his first novel, sky is the limit for this young artist.
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Ford India campaigns for ‘Midnight Surprise’
Amritsar, December 4 Joginder Singh, president and MD, Ford India said on booking any of the Ford cars, customers could choose a coupon, text the unique code and receive information on surprise gifts. Visitors can have a test drive and book their favourite car.
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IPS officer MF Farooqui, DIG, BSF, Amritsar Sector, had poetry running in his genes, but never really could put it out on the table. Happy and content with his poetic self at leisure, he compiled up a huge collection of poetry, only to be stacked away in his personal collection, till a chance discovery of his literary works by an acquaintance at the Department of Languages, Punjab. And then his compilation of Urdu poetry, titled Thoda Sa Mein (a little bit of myself) got recognised and honoured with State award for the best Urdu language book by the Department of languages. It was a pleasant surprise since I had not submitted my book as an entry. To have my book honoured among 12 of the best literary works in the state, is kind of a bug personal achievement for me, especially when I never really thought about an alternate literary career, he shares. Well, post the award, things have changed. His book, a compilation of Urdu ghazals about love, life, struggle, society and everything else, is work of observation. “My profession as a police officer keeps me busy meeting new people, dealing with real life situations and emotions, observing intricacies involved. I used to write down my experiences into poetic verses, but only during my leisure time or during my travels. To have time away from my duty and get them published was quite difficult for me,” says Farooqui, whose father and grandfather introduced him to literary world while growing up. 
As for 29-year-old city based graphic artist, George Emanuel, creating art for the likeminded was the reason he came out with his first book. His graphic novel, The Begining, based on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, has six volumes of 45 pages each. Already out with his novel in Canada published by Ludhiana based Probity Publications, George is planning to launch his novel in India soon.