‘102’ linked ambulance misused
Jalandhar, December 24
In a yet another shocking instance, the staff of a private hospital was caught misusing an ambulance linked with '102', the national emergency number for availing ambulance services.

The ambulance linked to emergency number '102', parked in front of the PUDA, in Jalandhar. A Tribune photograph

PIMS shutdown worsens, electricity snapped
Jalandhar, December 24
Four days after the promised deadline (December 20) for the doctors of the PIMS to be paid their salaries, the staff of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences today continued their strike with the students having been sent home, wards closed and electricity of the institute having been cut owing to pending dues.

The PIMS was closed after several days of strike by its staff in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sarabjit Singh

Child labour, begging rampant at DC office

Jalandhar, December 24 After illegal encroachments and posters, it is now the issue of child labour that has brought embarrassment to the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office. Many children of the age group 3-13 could be seen begging or working as a helper for those running illegal stalls on the premises of the DC office. Eight-year-old Arjun and five-year-old Kavita beg on the premises of the District Administrative Complex in Jalandhar. A Tribune photograph

property tax Traders threaten to gherao MLAs’ houses Jalandhar, December 24 Agitated traders have now threatened to gherao houses of the four MLAs belonging to ruling Akali-BJP alliance as part of their ongoing protest against property tax. Traders hold protest over property tax in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sarabjit Singh

Year ender 2013 Health sector courts controversies Jalandhar, December 24 The death of four workers of an industry, repeated strikes by the employees of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Medical Council of India’s (MCI) refusal to the third batch of 150 MBBS students in the PIMS.
A patient returns disappointed while doctors, students, nurses, paramedical and clerical staff of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) held a protest march in Jalandhar. Tribune file photo

CPS inaugurates streetlights
Phagwara, December 24
Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Som Parkash inaugurated 530 streetlights installed on 265 poles on the Phagwara-Chandigarh bypass in Phagwara Municipal Corporation jurisdiction yesterday.

Scintillating performances enthral jawans
Jalandhar, December 24
Carols were organised by the Army Public School in the Vajra Corps headquarters on Monday. The event was graced by Lt Gen AK Bakshi, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps and other senior Army officers and civil dignitaries.

FROM SCHOOLS X-mas celebrated with fervour Jalandhar, December 24 Bawa Lalwani Public School celebrated Christmas with a festive spirit on the school premises. Students and staff celebrated Christmas with full vigour and valour. They reflected upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and his life. Students of St Soldier Divine Public School celebrate Christmas in Jalandhar on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

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X-MAS SPIRIT: Christmas celebrations underway at the Golaknath Memorial Church in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Staging protest: Members of the PUDA Joint Action Committee sit on hunger strike in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sarabjit Singh

‘102’ linked ambulance misused
Hospital staff found using ambulance for administrative work
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
In a yet another shocking instance, the staff of a private hospital was caught misusing an ambulance linked with '102', the national emergency number for availing ambulance services.

The ambulance belonging to the Jalandhar Welfare Society, a city-based NGO, was to be stationed at the Chawla Nursing Home in Lajpat Nagar to provide free service to the destitute, pregnant ladies and senior citizens in the city. But on Tuesday, the accountant of the aforesaid hospital came in the same ambulance to a private bank located on the Laadowaali road to deposit the hospital cash. More shockingly, the ambulance linked with a 24 hours ambulance service was driven by none other than the OT assistant of the hospital. He was also caught red handed for making wrong entry into the log book by The Tribune team.

"I have come here with the hospital accountant to deposit cash in the bank. I am not aware much about its other use but we surely use this ambulance for many other administrative works of the hospital," said Sunder, The OT Operator-cum-Driver. Although he was standing in front of the PUDA office on the Laadowaali road, he wrote 'Hospital' as the present location in the log book of the ambulance. When contacted, Surinder Saini, Chairman, Jalandhar Welfare Society, said since the ambulance has been bought and being maintained by the Chawla Nursing Home itself, the hospital can use it for its administrative work. "We are not receiving any grants from anybody. The ambulance belongs to the nursing home itself and owned by the Vice-President of our Society. She can use the ambulance for her hospital. We have only linked the ambulance with the '102' emergency number," said Saini.

The emergency number '102' was earlier being operated by the Civil Hospital authorities for many years. But with 108 ambulance service launched in the city, it got completely defunct. Recently, it was being transferred to the society at the behest of the Civil Surgeon for providing emergency ambulance services to the accident victims. In the absence of any grant to the society by the government, the society since then is providing services with its three ambulances. While one has been stationed at the Pathankot bypass to help the highway accident victims, two are being stationed at different locations to help the city residents. But with this kind of misuse, some precious life may be lost anytime due to the delay in reaching the ambulance at the accident site.

PIMS shutdown worsens, electricity snapped
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
Four days after the promised deadline (December 20) for the doctors of the PIMS to be paid their salaries, the staff of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences today continued their strike with the students having been sent home, wards closed and electricity of the institute having been cut owing to pending dues.

Owing to the massive shutdown, the entire administration remained unavailable at the institute. The bouncing of a Rs 40 lakh cheque (paid by the administration to pay electricity dues) has also caused the electricity at the PIMS to be disconnected, with not even the generators working.

With not a single administration staff, student or patient being present, the doctors, however, continued to remain on strike and sought support from newer members across associations in the state for their various demands.

Meanwhile, the doctors today were also extended support from the members of the Indian Medical Association, the Punjab Nurses Association and the Jantantra Morcha.

Dr GS Gill present and Dr Rakesh Vig, former IMA presidents of Punjab, visited the institute. Inderjit Bhullar from the Jantantra Morcha also visited the institute today to extend support to doctors.

Meanwhile, a delegation of doctors from the PIMS will hold a meeting with CM Parkash Singh Badal within a few days regarding their demand for salaries.

Child labour, begging rampant at DC office
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
After illegal encroachments and posters, it is now the issue of child labour that has brought embarrassment to the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office. Many children of the age group 3-13 could be seen begging or working as a helper for those running illegal stalls on the premises of the DC office.

Some of them are also working as helping hands for the agents working in various Public Utility Departments (PUD).

Most of them are working just outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) who also happens to be the enforcement authority to abolish child labour under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act (CLPRA) 1986.

"I am working at a tea stall adjoining the outer boundary wall of the complex. I am working here for the last 3 years and serve tea to the people who come here for their work," said 8-year-old Chandan hailing from Uttar Pradesh. He said in a day he serves around 120 cups of tea. He said he only gets around Rs 2,000 for the 10 to 15 rounds he makes to deliver tea in the complex. Similarly, 6-year-old Arjun and his little sister Kavita were found begging inside the complex. "This place is very crowded most of the time. We easily make around Rs 400 to 500 every day," said Arjun hailing from Ayodhaya. While his father is working as a labourer in the nearby tyre market, his mother along with both the children earn the living by begging inside the administrative complex. Surprisingly, many children were found begging inside the complex housing the offices of the Deputy Commissioner, SDM and also the adjoining headquarter of the police commissionerate housing the office of the Police Commissioner.

Presently, no efforts are being taken by the district administration for the identification, rescue, repatriation or rehabilitation of the child beggars in the district. Child begging violates the basic human rights and protection framework of the UN Convention on Right of Child (1989). Beggary fits into the ILO Convention No182 on the worst forms of child labour (1999), as an outcome of illicit human trafficking and is one work that is hazardous physically, emotionally, morally and intellectually to the child's well-being.

On being informed, Pritam Singh, Additional deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, immediately directed the Labour Commissioner to take immediate action on the people hiring these children as child labourers. "This is a very serious offence and needs to be checked. We will take stern action on the violators soon," said Pritam Singh.

property tax
Traders threaten to gherao MLAs’ houses
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
Agitated traders have now threatened to gherao houses of the four MLAs belonging to ruling Akali-BJP alliance as part of their ongoing protest against property tax. Addressing a dharna at Bhargo Camp Adda Chowk, the representatives of Industrial and Traders Joint Action Committee (JAC) Ravindra Dhir, Gursharan Singh and Raj Kumar Sharma expressed surprise that none of the four MLAs of the city belonging to the ruling Akali-BJP alliance had come forward to listen to the protesting traders whose agitation was entered 12th day today.

The JAC representatives threatened that if their demand of reducing property tax on commercial buildings and brining it at par with that on industrial buildings was not met soon, they would start gheraoing the houses of the MLAs one by one.

Speaking on the occasion, Pritam Singh Arora, Ashwani Malhotra, Bodhraj Pappu, Sukhwinder Singh Bagga, Rakesh Behl, freedom fighter Ram Kishan Jogi and Vicky Kalia flayed Parkash Singh Badal led Akali-BJP government for imposing too high property tax on commercial buildings and for levying new taxes every other day on urbanites.

Earlier, the shopkeepers of New Bhargo Camp Market and the shops situated from Layallput Khalsa School to Bhargo Camp Adda on Nakodar road observed half-day bandh on the issue on Tuesday.

The shopkeepers led by their representatives Vidya Sagar Sharma, Sanjiv Sahni, Mohinder Suri, Rajiv Yadav and Krishan Ghai also sat on dharna for one hour from 11 am to 12 noon in the market in support of traders' demand of reducing the property tax on all the commercial buildings and charging it at par with industrial buildings.

Meanwhile, the traders of Tanda Road will observe strike from 9am to 12 noon on Wednesday.

Year ender 2013
Health sector courts controversies
Bipin Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
The death of four workers of an industry, repeated strikes by the employees of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Medical Council of India’s (MCI) refusal to the third batch of 150 MBBS students in the PIMS, ransacking of BBC Heart Care Pruthi Hospital over the death of a patient because of doctors’ negligence, strike by the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) that forced the 108 ambulance services to be off roads, the second phase of cancer awareness and screening camp, and some other events were the main incidents that kept the district health department in news during 2013.

Besides, the district health authorities, especially civil surgeon RL Bassan also remained in controversy over shifting of a Red Cross family welfare centre running from a gurudwara located in Central Town under the influence of certain political figures.

Strike by the PIMS employees in April, June and then in December, forced the PIMS Medical and Educational Charitable Society, led by Punjab Rural Development Minister, Surjit Singh Rakhra, a close associate of the Badal family, closed down this 450-bedded hospital.

The MCI denied approval to the PIMS for admission in the third batch of MBBS students for inadequate infrastructure, shortage of staff, non-payment of salaries. The PIMS was also in controversy for non-payment of electricity bills worth lakhs of rupees to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

Certain hospitals, including BBC Hearth Care Pruthi Hospital, Wardhan Infertility Centre, faced public fury for their alleged negligence in rendering services to the patients. Irate family members of a patient ransacked the BBC hospital over death of their family members due to doctors’ negligence.

Three workers of Chinar Forge Limited, a sister concern of Shital group, run by Shital Vij, an industrialist of the region, died and over 30 fell ill after consuming lunch in the factory in April.

The laboratory reports, however, confirmed that contents of aluminum phosphide were found in the bodies and the victims had died after consuming poisonous food.

The health authorities also failed to enforce the Food Safety Standards Act following political interference, while dengue and other water and vector-borne diseases were tackled efficiently by the authorities.

Efforts by the authorities to curb the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) by the private practitioners proved futile. As the health department conducted raids at different hospitals, nursing homes, scanning centres and clinics and even sealing some scanning machines besides issuing show-cause notices to their owners.

This year, the Civil Hospital also saw frequent transfers of Medical Superintendents due to political interventions, which not only hampered the hospital working but also failed to provide the required healthcare facilities to the patients. However, the construction work on the 100-bedded Mother Child Healthcare Centre finally started.

CPS inaugurates streetlights
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, December 24
Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Som Parkash inaugurated 530 streetlights installed on 265 poles on the Phagwara-Chandigarh bypass in Phagwara Municipal Corporation jurisdiction yesterday.

Markfed Chairman Jarnail Singh Wahid, Market Committee Chairman, Sarwan Singh Kular, besides Corporation Commissioner, Kuldip Singh, and executive officer Adarsh Sharma were present on the occasion. Rs 88.50 lakh have been spent on this project.

The CPS said 21 high mast lights were being installed at sensitive places of the town. He said streetlights would be installed throughout the town by spending an amount of Rs 3 crore out of which Rs 2 crore had already been spent. He said Rs 24 lakh were spent on installation of streetlights in those 16 villages which were recently included in the corporation limits. Madam Anita Som Parkash, block BJP president Ramesh Sachdeva and general secretary Surinder Chopra were also present on the occasion.

Scintillating performances enthral jawans
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 24
Carols were organised by the Army Public School in the Vajra Corps headquarters on Monday. The event was graced by Lt Gen AK Bakshi, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps and other senior Army officers and civil dignitaries.

Over 1,200 jawans and families witnessed the scintillating performances by singers, artistes and musicians of the 17 ASSAM Regiment, Army College of Nursing, St Mary's Church, Jalandhar, Good Shepherd Church, Suranussi, and the combined Army band. Not only the heart touching melodious numbers by the Carol singers but also the colorful attire of the performers of 17 ASSAM Regiment drawn from entire spectrum of the North East India kept the audience spell bound.

FROM SCHOOLS
X-mas celebrated with fervour
Tribune News Service

SD Public Senior Secondary School

Christmas was celebrated in Seth Hukam Chand SD Public Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar. Students sang Jingle rhymes and melodious songs. Santa distributed sweets among the tiny-tots and also told a story about Jesus Christ. The students came to school in white and red dresses. Principal Manju Arora told the students to respect all religions and develop the quality of brotherhood for a healthy nation.

Delhi Public School

Special assembly was organised at DPS Jalandhar. A play ‘Who is my Neighbour’ was enacted. The choir sang ‘Joy to the World’. Dances and songs were a part of the celebrations. CAO of the school Col AK Maini and Principal Asha Kumar were present on the occasion.

St Soldier Group of Institutions

Festival of Christmas was celebrated with full zeal in different schools and colleges of St Soldier Group of Institutions. Students dressed up as beautiful Santas and Fairies and cut the Christmas cake with their teachers. In Mann Nagar branch, students participated in Christmas tree and card making competitions on the other hand Model House branch students organised a Christmas march. St Soldier Hotel Management students made Christmas special Jesus cake and distributed it to all staff and management members. Chairman Anil Chopra and vice-chairperson Sangeeta Chopra congratulated the participants. — TNS

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