Youth held on charge of outraging modesty of girl
Amritsar, January 5
The city police have arrested a youth for allegedly physically assaulting a girl with intent of outraging her modesty.

Amritsar, January 5
The police today booked 11 fake travel agents for allegedly duping local residents on the pretext of sending them abroad.

Rita, a resident of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Majitha road, told the Sadar police that Gurpinder Singh, his father Navjot Singh, mother Dharminder Kaur and brother Rubal took Rs 8 lakh from her to send her brother Victor to some foreign country. However, even after a lot of time, they neither sent his abroad nor returned their money.

Following her complaint the police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC. However, no arrest has been made so far in the case.

In another incident, five youth were defrauded by two persons who took Rs 10 lakh from them for sending them to Singapore. Varinder Singh, one of the victims and a resident of Nehru Colony, told the police that Ashu Chhabra of Dhianpur and William of Ajnala gave them work permits of Singapore which were later found to be fake. Among those who were duped included Sukhwinder Singh, Arun, Harjinder Singh and Sunny Sher Singh. The police have registered a case under Sections 420, 120-B of the against the accused.

The Amritsar rural police have booked Baljit Singh, his father Avtar Singh, Balljinder Kaur, Amandeep Kaur and Gurmit Singh, all residents of Jodhe village for cheating Savinder Singh of Goindwal, Tarn Taran.

He lodged a complaint with the Jandiala police on December 10, 2013, following which an enquiry was conducted by the DSP of Jandiala. The police have registered a case under Sections 720, 467, 467 and 471 of the IPC against the above said swindlers.

Savinder had alleged that the accused took Rs 14.85 lakh from him to send his son Sukhraj Singh to Canada. But they neither sent him Canada nor returned the money. No arrest has been registered so far. 

Even as the state government has launched a number of projects to make the holy city a model city, the growing traffic woes continue to haunt commuters. Encroachment on the public land by traders create the mess and blocks the free flow of traffic. A huge number of auto-rickshaws and their reckless driving has only compounded the problem. Inadequate road infrastructure, unplanned construction and haphazard parking of vehicle due to the absence of organised parking spaces have added to the woes of the residents. The city is one of the one of the favourite tourist destinations of the country due to the places like the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and beating the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check post. But, the traffic problem has dented its image.

The main traffic bottlenecks at Bhandari Bridge, near Inter-State Bus Terminus, Crystal Chowk, Queenz Road, Chheharta Chowk, Tarn Taran Road, Putlighar area, Hussainpura, Hall Gate and various parts of walled city are the perfect examples of the pathetic state of traffic in the city. During peak hours, particularly in the evening, commuters get stuck up in traffic jams. The problem on the roads inside the walled city and on roads leading to the Golden Temple, the Jallianwala Bagh, is worse. In the past decade, a number of residential areas have been converted into commercial areas. A number of such establishments do not have any parking facility.

The district administration, the police and the MC had launched anti-encroachment drives, made different plans to streamline the traffic but these failed to produce the desired result. "The removal of encroachments and construction of parking spaces would help in easing the traffic chaos at key roads. When we start anti-encroachment drive, politicians pressurise us to go soft on offenders," said a police official.

Amritsar, January 5
The proposed city bus service has brought cheer to the residents of over 400 residential colonies, which have come up on the city outskirt over the past two decades, to connect to the main city.

The residents are relieved because in the absence of any other mode of transport to reach their destinations, they were left at the mercy of autos whose drivers charged them exorbitantly.

Amritsar has maximum number of illegal localities owing to rapid urbanisation in the state. There are 242 illegal colonies under the Municipal Corporation and 167 under the ADA.

A real estate consultant HS Dawar said majority of these colonies developed along and around the bypasses of the city, which were black spots on the topography of the city. It was the fallout of unplanned rapid urbanisation as residents of these localities were deprived of basic amenities like wide enough roads, sewerage and streetlights. "Once the area is developed, it soon turns into a congested one and residents have to cope with traffic blues," he said.

Rattled with problems like the non-existence of private and government transport, absence of sewerage, potable water and many more, residents can neither live there nor find buyers. A resident of Anmol Enclave on Ramtirth road, Amarbir Singh, said the rise in the number of nuclear families and high prices of approved colonies had pushed people to procure plots in illegal colonies. Absence of mass transport restricted the mobility of people and it became necessary for each individual to own an automobile vehicle. "It not only adds to the pollution but also stretches ones budget," he said.

"Transportation is a major problem," said Ashish Kumar of Suraj Avenue. He said at times it was difficult to get a conveyance to reach the destination. In case the locality is not on the main road then auto drivers charged hefty fare. Another real estate consultant, Harpinder Singh Walia, said two reasons contributed to the mushroom growth of these colonies. Firstly, the government and its agencies like PUDA and Amritsar Improvement Trust could not deliver the residential houses in commensurate to the demand generated in the society. Besides, high external development charges (EDCs) deterred investors from going ahead for a regularised colony. These charges raised the cost of residential plots manifold and would deter a large number of people from realising their dreams. He said properties developed under these parameters would be very costly and for a majority of persons to own a house would remain a dream. Hence, the people adopted the easy route of raising houses at far flung areas. Residents of these localities are keeping their hopes pinned on the mass transport facility and anticipated that the government would operate adequate number of buses to provide accessibility with various destinations in the city.

Amritsar, January 5
The city police have arrested a youth for allegedly physically assaulting a girl with intent of outraging her modesty.

The complainant alleged that the accused, Anil Kumar of Diamond Avenue, Majitha Road, was stalking her for past six months and even threatened to throw acid on her if she declined his friendship request.

The victim, who works in an office located on Lawrence road, lodged a complaint with police that on January 1. In her complaint she stated that while she was going to her home after work in the evning, the accused asked her to sit on his motorcycle but when she refused to oblige him, he slapped her and made unpleasant remarks.

She alleged that the accused had been teasing her for past six months. She alleged he was continuously disturbing her by making phone calls and threatened to create a scene at her office if she did not meet him.

Perturbed over this, she narrated the whole instance to her family who supported her and lodged a complaint with the police. She alleged the accused has also made a fake account in her name at a social networking site and uploading her pictures.

The police have registered a case under Sections 341, 354-B and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and arrested him. 

Amritsar, January 5
The holy city is known for magnanimity of its residents which is reflected in organising langars (free community kitchen) and chhabeels (distribution of free sweet water in summers) to commemorate religious functions and pious days, but the laid down norms are never complied to.

Giving two hoots to the norms, the organisers of such community programmes, generally held on the roadside not only causes damage to the public property but also causes inconvenience to the normal commuters.

The MC had devised 'stern directions' to be followed before organising these events which includes cleaning the venue post event, preserving the safety of normal commuters and public property. The damage to the public property could invite legal action. But who cares here.

These directions, released few months ago, are in public interest and never implemented.

On almost all Gurpurbs, especially the birth anniversaries of Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Ramdas, Guru Gobind Singh and martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, langars and chhabeels are organised in each nook and corner of the city.Besides, free food is distributed on Shivratri, Janamashtami and Nimani Kasti.It is generally noticed that the stalls offering food and water are installed on the road itself.

Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora recently made a proposal to charge organisers if the venue was left unclean, but it was out rightly opposed.

Safai karamcharis of the MC have to do the huge task of cleaning tonnes of litter and disposing it of. Many times it has been seen that leftovers are struck in the drains and clogging them.

“It is a set back to all the efforts of constructing roads and providing neat and clean surrounding. We are not at all against the sentiments of the people. Cleanliness in next to godliness and therefore we just want to make sure that people become more responsible and clear the rubbish which is left after langars and chhabeels,” said MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda.

Amritsar, January 5
With a view to impress upon the state government to accept its long pending demands the district unit of the Sanjha Front Teachers Union today announced that they would hold a state-level rally in Mohali on January 11.

District president of the union Gurpreet Singh Verka sought regularisation of contractual teachers.

He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had promised to regularise services of 7,654 teachers by December 2013 during the Moga bypolls. He said recently the union members met Education Minister and Education Secretary on December 19 but nothing in this regard has been done. 

Amritsar, January 5
The SAD-BJP government and the authorities may be on cloud nine as the city bus service, the first ever public transport system, is soon going to be a reality in the holy city, but the Opposition questioned the logistics of this project.

After the delay of seven years, the holy city has procured 41 low-floor air-conditioned buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Rural Mission (JNNURM). This is partially funded by the Centre while rest of the share has been arranged by the state and the local bodies. The delay in getting the busses led to the rise in project cost from Rs 33 crore to 46 crore.

Officials said these buses were being operated on NCC (net cost contract) mode by hiring a Karnataka-based company. It would be the liability of the company to operate and maintain the buses. In lieu of it, the company would also pay the MC Rs 1,250 every month for the each bus. This contract would be for one year and the amount will be increased to Rs 2,000 each bus per month at the time of the renewal of the contract. From third year onwards, there will be an automatic increase of 7 per cent for another 10 years.

Raj Kanwal Preet Pal Singh Lucky, leader of the Opposition in the MC, termed the introduction of the buses a decision taken in a hurry.

The Opposition alleged that the government had failed to utilise the funds provided by the Centre in a transparent manner and had not done their homework before finalising the name of the Karnataka-base firm. “ The operational rent of Rs 42 daily for an air-conditioned bus is low. Even an auto-rickshaw operator who gives his auto-rickshaw on rent gets Rs 300 daily. A manual cycle rickshaw is hired for Rs 40 per day. Should an air-conditioned modern bus be equated with a rickshaw?," he said.

Lucky said it was due to the aimless policy of the government that the cost of the project shot up. The original project cost of Rs 33 crore could fetch 150 buses, but now the number of proposed buses had been reduced and the project cost increased. “Now, the number of buses has been reduced to 112 and the project cost has increased by Rs 15 crores. Further, the contract clause demanded 7 per cent increase in the operational rent of the buses after third year but the authorities have not disclosed whether the fare would increase in proportion to it. The fare at present has been quoted between Rs 2-10 for a non-AC bus and Rs 5 -15 for an AC bus. The authorities have not formulated any committee to control the bus fare," said Gurinder Rishi, councillor of ward no.24.

The Opposition stated that the for safety of passengers the authorities did not thought for installing speed governors. Reacting to it, City Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said, “The Opposition’s job is to criticise only. They should help us in providing the best services to people. Their suggestions are always welcome. It was a very transparent process while hiring the Karnataka-based firm. An advertisement was given in the national dailies following which the firm came into our contact. The firm agreed toall the terms and conditions at an appropriate rate. As far as the number of buses is concerned, it could be increased after gauging the response. “ 

Amritsar, January 5
The problem of flooding of basement at the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital has resurfaced within two months of the hospital management's efforts to rectify it.

The problem of waterlogging in the basement had first surfaced around eight months ago in the hospital. During a visit to the hospital, it was seen that water was standing in the basement where they had stored usable furniture. The place has already started emitting foul smell.

A sweeper at the hospital, while commenting about the problem, said: "The water seeps inside the walls whenever the basement gets flooded due to rains or choked sewerage system in the area."

The choked sewerage system in the area also results into water logging at the road leading to the hospital, creating problems for the visitors.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said the problem had already been brought to the notice of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. He said the hospital had recently engaged men to rectify the problem.

He said that he was not sure as to why the problem has resurfaced again. He said that they would soon find a permanent solution to the problem.

Amritsar, January 5
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed an insurance company to pay Rs 1 lakh as personal accident claim of a local resident who died while driving the motorcycle, which was insured with the company.

The forum directed the insurance company to pay the amount within a month, failing which it would have to pay interest at 9 per cent. The insurance firm has also been asked to pay litigation expenses of Rs 2,000. Manjit Kaur, a resident of Tarn Taran, had filed a complaint with the forum on July 8 this year, stating that she had got her motorcycle insured with the Oriental Insurance company, which also covered the risk to the life of the owner and the driver of the vehicle. She stated that her husband Ranjit Singh met with an accident and died. She alleged that later her claim was denied.

The company stated that the claim was repudiated because the complainant had given two different statements. According to the firm in one of the statements the complainant stated that the driving licence of the owner/driver lost at the time of accident and in another statement stated that the driving licence was lost in the court. It stated that the owner/driver must have a valid driving licence and it was never submitted to the company. While the forum held that the company was right in repudiating the claim for damage of the vehicle, it cannot deny personal accident claim of the deceased. — TNS

Amritsar, January 5
The executive committee of the Guru Nanak Dev Universiity Pensioners' Association, led by president Amajit Singh Bai, met university Vice-Chancellor Prof AS Brar and apprised him of the problems being faced by them.

The VC heard assured full co-operation to the executive committee to solve their genuine and legitimate problems. Amarjit Singh Bai, president of the association, said their problems included stopping of deduction towards commuted pension on completion of the time period. He said an additional pension should automatically be increased on completion of 65, 70, 75, 80 years of age and LTC to be transferred in the bank accounts of the pensioners for a block of every two years. He said a separate, independent and adequately staffed pension cell be created. 

Amritsar, January 5
The Chheharta police have booked a woman for allegedly duping as many as 12 persons on pretext of providing them government jobs in the Family Welfare Department.

This came to light when the victims approached the police for registration of an FIR against the woman, identified as Paramjit Kaur. She hails from Dawaianwala Chowk, Chheharta. The accused is on the run since then. Harish Behal, SHO, Chheharta police station, said the victims approached the police 10 days ago in this regard and alleged that Paramjit Kaur defrauded them of thousands of rupees on the pretext of arranging government jobs in various government departments.

Rajbir Singh of the Rajasansi area said she took Rs 40,000 from him in order to get a job of clerk in the Family Welfare Department. Similarly, Umarpal Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Sadanand Kumar, all residents of Rajasansi, alleged that the accused took Rs 35,000, Rs 26, 500 and Rs 29,000 from them respectively. Behal said they summoned Paramjit Kaur a number of times to appear before the police for investigation but she did not turn up. He said when a police team went to arrest her, her residence was found to be locked and she was on the run since then. He said a case under Section 420 of the IPC has been registered in this connections.— TNS