The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	MC fetches Rs 1 crore on year’s last day December 31 was the last day for availing 10 per cent rebate on property tax GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 On the New Year eve, the MC pocketed whopping Rs 1 crore as property tax. December 31 was the last day of the 10 per cent rebate offer. Meanwhile, the online submission of the tax has been started. The tax can be paid at www.amritsarcorp.com. Residents could pay their tax while availing the rebate till midnight through the online facility. Through it the residents will be able to deposit their tax through credit or debit card. Officials said from January 1 to 31 the whole of property tax would have to be paid.From February 1 to 28, 25 per cent penalty will be imposed. From March 1, the penalty will be increased to 50 per cent. The MC had identified 3 lakh units, including 60,000 commercial ones, that come under the ambit of property tax. Till date, around 1 lakh residents have deposited the tax. The MC has been able to collect around Rs 14 crore in property tax so far. As December 31 was the last day to avail the 10 per cent rebate the MC was fully prepared to meet the heavy flow of depositors. The work at designated zones continued till 5 pm and the extra force was engaged to meet the rush. MC Commisioner DPS Kharbanda said tubewell operators were pressed into the service for collecting of property tax. “In every ward, two tubewell operators, accompanied by an inspector, were asked to distribute the property tax forms door-to-door. The staff from other departments was also given special rights for issuing receipt against the property tax collections. We received overwhelming response today," he said. Meanwhile, the councillors were taken into confidence for conducting awareness-cum-collection camps in their wards. The online facility too is expected to yield desired results. Superintendent Shushant Bhatia said the online submission of the tax was for those who did not want to come to the centres or wait in long queues to deposit their dues. With the online facility, they would now be able to file their property tax returns from their homes just. “The city was divided into eight zones for the collection of the tax. We held camps in different zones till 5 pm. We have collected over Rs 1 crore today," he said. The MC has been able to collect around Rs 14 crore in property tax so far Till date, around 1 lakh residents have deposited the tax. As the rebate period is over, residents will have to pay whole of the property tax from January 1 to 31 After January 31, 25 per cent penalty will be imposed, which will be increased to 50 per cent from March 1
	Kitchlew Chowk flyover likely to be open from Jan 11 Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 After missing several deadlines, the much-touted flyover at Saifuddin Kitchlew Chowk is expected to be open for the general public from January 11. Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) Chairman Sandeep Rishi said in all likelihood the flyover might be inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. With the objective of accelerating the pace of development in the city, the Deputy Chief Minister has made visits the city once a month and personally monitors the progress of projects. Entering the last stage of construction, the Saifuddin Kitchlew intersection, popularly known as Court Chowk, would be closed for public for two days to carry out the mandatory load capacity tests.The 900-metre-long elevated road would link the court road to the airport road. The intersection also links the Civil Line area to the Amritsar cantonment. The project was awarded to SP Singla Company in September 2011 and was supposed to be complete in 15 months. However, objections by the Forest Department at uprooting of trees besides non-availability of construction material like sand and gravel in the market following a ban on mining by the court slowed down the work on the project. It was following the state government’s intervention that the AIT got permission to axe around 30 trees and in return provided a chunk of land besides paying nearly Rs three lakh to the Forest Department to plant saplings. Interestingly, to attain the political mileage, the flyover project was inaugurated twice. This flyover was being projected as the lifeline of the city.
	SAD councillors seek transfer of two high-rank MC officials Submit memo to MC Commissioner in this regard Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 A group of SAD councillors submitted a memorandum against two high-rank officials to the MC Commissioner yesterday evening. The SAD leaders said the two officials had created anarchy in the key departments of the MC. The two officials under question are Dr Yogesh Arora, who heads the Health Department, and Estate Officer Vishal Wadhawan, who is associated with the Land Department. The SAD leaders sought their immediate transfer. The councillors led by Senior Deputy Mayor Avtar Singh Trukkanwala and Deputy Mayor Avinash Jolly had objected the appointment of Dr Arora against the post of the health officer as he was BAMS whereas the stipulated qualification for the position is MBBS. Some officials believe that the appointment of Dr Arora was a politically motivated move. They believe that on the instance of Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi several officials having the SAD connection were transferred from their parent departments to eradicate corruption. "The two officials had the RSS connection and share good rapport with Cabinet Minister Joshi. Now, it was the turn of the SAD to pay them back, an official said. MC Commisioner DPS Kharbanda confirmed that a representation from the SAD leaders was received against Dr Arora and Vadhawan. "Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi had only emphasised on establishing corruption-free administration. I have received the SAD leaders' representation but no action can be initiated for now as I am out of the city for a couple of days. The matter would be discussed after I return," he said.
	Understaffed medical college loses 6 docs Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 With the Health and Family Welfare Department deciding to call back six residential doctors working on deputation at Government Medical College here, health services at the college are expected to suffer. The department allows doctors to work at Government Medical College for a three-year term. Though the Cabinet had given an approval to the recruitment of over 550 employees, including doctors and faculty at government medical colleges in state, two months ago, the process is yet to begun. The local medical college is already facing the shortage of staff. As the existing faculty is already overburdened with teaching and hospital duties, the workload on them is expected to increase. In a move to lessen the workload on the faculty at Government Medical College, the work of conducting post-mortems was assigned to the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital recently. A senior faculty member said, “The authorities must allow those working at the place on contract or deputation to work until the new recruitments are made.” He said many a new facilities have been introduced at the college recently and more staff was required to execute these facilities. The doctors who have been called back are Dr Paramjit Brar, Dr harsh Bala, Dr Sukhwinder Kaur, Dr harshdeep Singh, Dr Guneet and Dr Rakesh Chander.
	Nurses refuse to wear uniform on duty Amritsar, December 31 The Health Ministry’s instructions to staff nurses at government health institutions to wear uniforms during duty hours has not gone down well with the nurses' association. The association said nurses would not start wearing uniforms till the allowance for it was not increased and brought on par with the Central Government norms. At present, nurses at government hospitals wear a white coat as uniform. Staff nurses had stopped wearing uniform around 12-13 years ago, said Punjab Nursing Association president Raj Bedi Anand. The reason behind shunning the uniform was the insignificant allowance paid by the state government for it. Presently, the state government is paying Rs 400 as uniform and washing allowance every year and a daily dietary allowance of Rs 20. “Nobody can get a uniform for Rs 400. This is the amount tailors charge for sewing,” said Bedi. The Director of the department had recently written to the district authorities to convey the decision to nurses. Raj Bedi Anand said they had a meeting with the Director and the decision was conveyed to him. “We want that we are paid the same uniform allowance as paid to staff nurses by the Central Government,"Bedi said. — TNS
	Mammography unit lies defunct at medical college Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 The mammography unit of Government Medical College here is lying defunct for lack of films. The mammography machine was purchased for the hospital few years ago. The machine is being used to diagnose cancer patients. The college had announced to charge Rs 400 for the tests. However, in the present scenario, patients have to pay much more at the private diagnostic centre. People belonging to the BPL (below poverty line) category are being provided the test facilities free of cost. Though the foundation stone of another cancer institute near Chandigarh was laid yesterday, the government seems indifferent towards running the existing facilities. The patients and the faculty at the college demanded that the government should make arrangements for the supply of films as people had to pay between Rs 1,200 to 2,000 for the tests at private centres. In charge of laboratories at the college Dr Sohan Singh said they had written to the authorities about the need of films and they would get these soon.
	Year ender 2013 AIT finds a lot to cheer this year Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), one of the prime funding agencies for infrastructure development projects in the city, has undergone an eventful year as it invested in numerous important infrastructure projects. Delay in the release of payment by the state government forced the AIT to postpone the tenders thrice for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category flats. Eventually the actual work started at New Amritsar locality. With a view to fulfill the housing need of the people from the EWS, the trust conceptualised a project of raising low-cost dwellings for slum dwellers and has got approval from the Union Government. It unveiled a plan to construct about 1,328 flats at a cost of over Rs 58 crore at Mall Mandi and New Amritsar areas. Each unit will contain two rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. People from the EWS will be given a flat at a cost of Rs 4.04 lakh. Thus, the beneficiaries of the scheme will pay in all Rs 5.37 crore and the rest of the project cost will be borne by trust, the Union and the state government. The Central Government will release Rs 29.10 crore through its agency HUDCO while the state government will chip in with Rs 11.69 crore and the rest of the investment will be made by the trust itself. Projects like installation of CCTV cameras, open air theatre and state-of-the-art multi-purpose indoor and outdoor sports stadium have been making news for many years. Thanks to the statements made by politicians. However, they moved towards reality after the AIT made all paper work including design and estimates for tendering. With a view to resolve the traffic problem in the city, the AIT made proposals for two railway- over-bridges, near Rego and Bhandari ROBs, to the state government to seek NOCs from the Union Government and its concerned agencies as these projects have been incorporated under the urban transport component of the JNNURM. The AIT is funding 50 per cent of these projects. A flyover at Saifuddin Kitchlew Chowk is being given final touches and will be opened for public next month. The trust deposited a sum of Rs 25 crore with the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) for the ventures being taken under the JICA project in the city so that they may not get delayed for want of funds. After five years delay, the trust started the work on the Durgiana Beautification Project in 2012. This year it managed to raise a multi-storey building in the temple complex which still needs final touches. The trust also got possession of Dashnami Akhara in the temple. As per the blueprint, the AIT will beautify about 3.03 acres of land around Durgiana Temple by raising an auditorium, open air theatre, ‘joda ghar’ and information centre besides a four-storeyed parking lot to accommodate about 400 cars and over 150 two-wheelers. Over 70 per cent of the land will be left open, which will have a green cover. The trust also got possession of over 100 houses and shops to pave the way for the widening of an approach road to the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh via Ghee Mandi and Bazar Sanduka. The AIT continued to fund development projects at various wards of the city. It is currently funding Rs 100 crore for projects like road repairs, laying concrete flooring, sewerage, water supply, water tube wells, parks and others. With all its achievements gleaming all around, its diversion of funds to other districts in the state snowballed into a political controversy.
	Majithia congratulates couples at mass marriage ceremony Tribune News Service Majitha, December 31 A mass marriage ceremony was organised today at Majitha village to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Baba Jeewan Singh. 51 couples were married as per the Sikh rites in the ceremony. Extending his best wishes to the newly wedded couples, Cabinet Minister, Punjab, Bikram Singh Majithia, said being human was justified only by being humane. Serving the mankind, especially the destitute was the moral responsibility of every human being, he said. “Social, religious and volunteer organisations should come forward to serve the weaker sections of society by organising mass marriages of daughters of the poor. ‘Garib Da Muh, Guru Di Golak’, reminded Majithia,” he said. He lauded the efforts of Shaheed Baba Jeewan Singh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and the people of Majitha who contributed in organising the event. It must be mentioned here that a year ago, 21 girls of economically weaker sections of society were tied into the nuptial bond and the entire amount for the same was collected by the Majitha residents. “Majitha will emerge as a forerunner in philanthropic causes and will set an example in Punjab. Next year, mass marriage of 101 couples will be arranged,” he said. Langar for the newly wedded and their families was arranged on the occasion. The couples were also provided with basic necessities to start a new life, which included beds, quilts, mattresses, utensils, almirah and colour TV. The families of the newly wedded couples expressed their gratitude to the people of Majitha. Talking to media persons, Majithia said the new list of PPCC had raised many questions on the senior Congress leadership. He added Congress leaders had no concern with common people and they were only fighting for party ranks.
	Conviction makes him man of records Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 Famous for holding records ranging from extremely unusual and startling physical activities to driving scooter at a record low speed, 72-year-old Surinder Singh Azad, has become an inspiring figure for youngsters of the present generation. It was his sheer passion to do "something new" that drove Surinder Singh Azad, a retired superintendent from the Customs and Excise Department. He has 11 entries in the Limca Book of Records to his credit. Out of these 11 records, five have found mention in the Manorama Year Book. Azad, popularly known as 'man of records', expanded his chest to nine cms in 1971 and found his name in the Limca Book. The usual chest expansion is not more than 6.3 cms. Though, records in things like snapping fingers and clapping may sound amusing, he says he has put in his best efforts to achieve them. He says he has always wanted to do something exceptional. He started by doing some exercises to for chest expansion. "I would do chest exercises like bench press. I would do 1,000 push-ups and sit-ups daily," says Azad. He also took special care of his diet. Though, most people may not attach much significance to the kind of records set by him, he feels proud to have earned a name. He drove his scooter from Amritsar to Pinjore and back, covering 534 km in the fourth gear in 1973. It again bagged him a record in the Limca Book of Records for the second time. He claims he has been driving a scooter in the fourth gear since he bought it in 1979. It fetched him the third national record. His two records - one for clapping 12,178 times and the other for snapping his fingers 11,510 times, each in an hour, were also included in the Limca Book. He snapped his fingers 290 times in a minute, which paved the way for his sixth record. His seventh record even baffled the engineers of Bajaj Auto Ltd, as he drove his scooter for 70 km in a litre. He created the eighth record by driving scooter in slowest ever speed in the fourth gear at 2.35 km per hour. He created his ninth record by driving a scooter in the fourth gear with 10 pillion passengers. This record again got him a place in the Limca Book of Records. In the year 2000, his two more records, which raised his number of records to 11- rotating the wrist 292 times in one minute and rotating his arm 136 times in a minute - were again acknowledged in the Limca Book of Records.Some other feats, which he has shown to the committee of the Limca Book of Records, include clapping and snapping his fingers simultaneously for 6,500 times each. He claims that he is the only retired person whose 11 records are listed in the Limca Book of Records. He still possesses that Bajaj Chetak scooter with registration number PUO 814. He is inspiring youngsters so that they do not fall prey to drugs menace and to create something meaningful out of their lives.
	MGNREGA employees seek regularisation of jobs Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 Employees working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme staged a protest and sat on a hunger strike outside the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office today. They are demanding regularisation of their services. The protest by the employees has entered Day 22 today. They said they had not been paid salaries for the past six months due to which they were facing hardships. Punjab Subordinate Services Federation President Balbir Singh Jhamka said the employees had no option but to start the agitation as they did not get the salary for a long time. Harinder Pal Singh Josan, president of the MGNREGA Employees' Union, said wages of the workers under the scheme had been revised from Rs 98 per day to Rs 184 but they were getting the same salary at which they were employed in 2007. The protesting employees said if the demand was not fulfilled, they would be intensifying their agitation.
	Army recruitment from January 14 to 21 Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 An Army recruitment rally will be organised at Khasa Cantonment from January 14 to 21. Aspirants from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot district are eligible to participate in the rally. Director recruiting Col NA Seethi said candidates of Tarn Taran Tehsil would appear on January 14, Khadoor Sahib and Patti tehsils on January 15, Amritsar I and II on January 16, Baba Bakala and Ajnala tehsils on January 17, Gurdaspur tehsil on January 18, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak on January 19, Pathankot and Dhar Kalan on January 20. Seethi said on January 21, candidates from the entire state except these four districts would appear for soldier technical duty. The written test of the candidates screened during the rally would be conducted on February 2.
	Five arrested for possessing narcotics, illicit liquor Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 The police have arrested five persons for possessing illicit liquor and narcotics in five separate cases. The CIA staff have nabbed Narinder Singh alias Raju, son of Amrik Singh, a resident of Patti Suraj Chand village with 10 gms of heroin. ASI Kulwinder Singh said that a case under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused. In the second case, the police have recovered 10,500 ml of illicit liquor from Kulwinder Singh alias Kaka, son of Kashmir Singh, a resident of Indira Colony. Confirming it, head constable Arjun Singh of Verka police station said that a case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act had been registered. In the third case, Chamandeep Singh alias Kali, son of Sukha Singh, a resident of Sahsara village now Eashwar Jhugian Bhagtanwala has been caught with 25 injections of norgesic. A case under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act had been registered, said ASI Kuldip Singh of Galliara police post. In the fourth case, the E Division police have arrested Raj Kumar alias Raja, son of Ghirdhari Lal, a resident of gali no 1, Krishna Nagar, Jora Fatak. ASI Balwinder Singh of Galiara police post said that around 1,000 tablets of microlit were recovered from him and a case under Sections 21, 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act had been registered at E Division police station. In the fifth case, Arjun Singh, son of Gura Singh, a resident of gali no 8, Dargah wali, Batala road, was arrested with 600 intoxicant tablets, said assistant sub inspector Nirmeil Singh of Sadar police station.
	Mobile phone recovered from jail inmate Amritsar, December 31 A mobile phone was recovered from a prisoner in the Amritsar Central Jail yesterday. The accused has been identified as Tejinder a resident of Loharka Kalan village, Amritsar. This seizure was made during a routine checking in the jail. DSP (Jail) RK Sharma said a Samsung mobile phone without SIM card was recovered from the accused. A case under Section 420 of the IPC and 42 of the Prisoner Act has been registered at the Cantonment police station. — TNS