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Trees axed for widening road
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Amritsar, January 19 Jan Aushadhi stores at government health institutions, which provide medicines at nominal costs, seldom give a bill of the purchase. The patients can be seen buying medicines at the Jan Aushadhi store here without getting a bill. As per the rules, even a private chemist shop cannot sell medicines without providing a bill.
Torture charge on police: DCP submits report
Police yet to arrest kidnapping case accused
Flying Officer Roohi Bedi an inspiration for girls
Forum directs insurance company to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to complainant
KTM holds stunt show
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Trees axed for widening road
Amritsar, January 19
The General Secretary of the Pollution Control Committee (PCC), Amritsar, PS Randhawa, said re-widening of the road displays lack of vision and foresightedness on the part of the authorities. He recalled that it was only some years back that the road was widened and many trees were uprooted and chopped. He said the authorities fail to visualise the rise in traffic and road dimension in the near future. He said now once again the road was being widened but the authorities must keep in mind that the popularity of the airport would grow in the time to come. He said that before the airport was upgraded, it was announced that it would be developed as an exporting hub of fresh vegetables and other merchandise overseas. He said though the potential was yet to be realised, there must be adequate infrastructure in place keeping in view the expansion of the airport in the future. The trees being chopped include Pipal, Bohar, Talhi, Tareg, Safeda, Shisham, mango, sagwan and others. Following the construction of the Kitchlew Chowk flyover, the authorities have now intensified their work on the road leading to the airport expecting a high flow of traffic on the stretch. However, chopping of various fully grown trees has not gone down well with the environmentalists. He said some of these trees were decades old. He said these trees were invaluable and the loss could not be plugged by paying money or planting more trees as these trees would take decades to grow. He said caretaking of saplings was a gigantic task and the law was silent for fixing responsibility. Earlier, many trees were uprooted to widen Tara Wala Bridge on the GT road. Similarly, beautification of the surroundings of the Golden Temple also saw uprooting of centuries old trees. The PCC demanded that the concerned authorities must ensure planting of more trees than these were chopped off. Besides, they must ensure their maintenance to repay the loss. The PWD officials said the department has undertaken trenches-cum-footpath and service lane of both sides of the road. The road was already four-lane and now 5.5 m service lane would be added on its both sides to felicitate safe and trouble-free movement. The work, which began about a fortnight ago, is expected to finish by the end of the year.
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Deplorable traffic scenario and lack of publicity of heritage sites take a toll on the tourism scenario in the city Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 19 There are many loopholes which need to be removed. Deplorable traffic management, odd location of tourism offices, inadequate staff and slow pace of conservation being few of them. Deplorable traffic scenario and lack of publicity
First thing tourists, coming out of Railway station, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, bus stand and by his personal vehicles, encounter here is the traffic mess. Traffic around bus stand and railway station has become unmanageable. Rampant encroachment, unauthorised and haphazard parking leave limited space for the tourists to negotiate. What makes matter worse is that there is no signboard suggesting directions to the tourist offices located nearby. Lack of foresightedness and coordination among various government departments reflect as there is inadequate or unmanaged parking lots around key tourist places and at popular residential areas of tourists. Tourism-friendly atmosphere missing
No efforts have been made to create a tourism-friendly atmosphere in the city. Tourists, domestic and from outside of the country, visit the city, but no attempt has been made to make them feel comfortable and assist during their stay here.A young Denmark national, who came to Amritsar regarding some research work in September, was sexually assaulted. A family of three from
Uttarakhand, was brutally assaulted by four residents in a road rage instance the same month. A woman, who came from Delhi, alleged that she was raped by a cop at Amritsar railway station. Later, she withdrew her complaint and returned to Delhi. The attitude of shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers and auto-rickshaw drivers towards tourists needs to be polished. Many instances of fleecing and looting of tourists came to light. Heaps of garbage and unhygienic conditions, narrow roads around the Golden Temple remained the major problems. Tourism police
The Tourism Police formed with much fanfare years ago in the city remained dormant as plans to revive it were non-starter. There is an urgent need to deploy them for the convenient stay of tourists at key tourist sites and at the railway station and the airport. Heritage sites
remain unpopular
The lack of promotion was taking its toll on the heritage walk, Panj Sarovar Walk and tourist sites Pul
Kanjari, near Attari village and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama. These venues have failed to attract visitors as the government and its agencies initiated half-hearted efforts to popularise these sites among tourists. This is despite the fact that crores of rupees have been spent for the setting up, revival and upkeep of these places. Heritage projects
fail to take off
Owing to the inordinate delay in opening these tourist sites, the business opportunity is slipping out of the hands of the industry here. One of the most potential tourist projects being delayed is Gobindgarh Fort, raised during the Sikh Misl period, besides extended and developed during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule. The fort is an example of special defence mechanism initiated by the Sikh army against artillery attacks. The summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ram Bagh is also under preservation for the past many years. The complex includes the summer palace of the maharaja, fountains and Baradari gardens replicating the Shalimar Gardens of Lahore (Pakistan). The Union Ministry of Culture has reportedly approved Rs 200 crore to make Amritsar a tourist hub by undertaking projects to restore monuments to original shapes.Ram Bagh also houses Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, which recreates the life of the legendary maharaja. Through rare pictures and mannequins, the panorama recreates the glimpses of various battles (spread over 40 years), fought by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Interestingly, this panorama is larger and technically superior to that at
Kurukshetra. However, the government failed to popularise it among tourists due to lack of promotion.The heritage village, to showcase traditional Punjabi rustic life, culture and cuisine, is still under construction at Guru Nanak Dev University. Trained tourist guides
There is high need for stationing tourist guides at key tourist locations. Trained tourist guides in Sikh history and freedom struggle are required to showcase the historic locations in the city.
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Jan Aushadhi stores fail to provide bills to customers
Amritsar, January 19 The patients can be seen buying medicines at the Jan Aushadhi store here without getting a bill. As per the rules, even a private chemist shop cannot sell medicines without providing a bill. Even the consumer awareness groups have been educating people about the need for a bill while purchasing medicines. “The employees at the Jan Aushadhi store never give you a bill. The poor patient gets so happy that he is getting the medicines at a low price that he never asks for a bill,” said a local resident, Avneet Singh. Another resident, Charanjit Singh, said: “How can we expect, the private medicines shops to follow all the rules, when a store which enjoys the patronage of administration and the Red Cross Society does not fulfills the criteria.” Even as the government hospitals are visited mostly by the poor people who generally are also illiterate, few of them said that they have never asked for the bill. “We just know that we get medicines from them at low cost. What would we do with the bill,” said one of them. However, under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, a medicine shop must provide bill for every sale. Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said that he was not aware of the situation but would probe the matter. He said, “Issuing bills for the medicine purchase is mandatory.”
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Torture charge on police: DCP submits report
Amritsar, January 19 The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti, said he had submitted the final report to the Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh. Brahmjit Singh, a resident of Sultanwind, had appeared before the commission and had accused the Sultanwind police of keeping him into an illegal detention and subjected to inhuman torture. Rajkumar Verka had ordered the DCP to register an FIR and submit a report within five days. He had directed the authorities to get the medical examination of the vcitim done in the presence of an SDM rank official. Brahmjit alleged that on December 12, a theft incident had taken place near his residence on Christmas Eve. Following which, the Sultanwind police had asked him to reach the police station. He alleged that the police officials had subjected him to a third-degree torture and pressured him to confess the crime. He was released only after his family members and relatives had protested against the police. However, the city police shifted the accused chowki in charge Major Singh and two head constable to the police lines while no FIR was registered in this regard. Taking serious note of the police department’s lax attitude, Verka on January 2 ordered Bhatti to register the FIR and give a report to the commission within a week. While talking to The Tribune, Bhatti said he had submitted the report with the Commissioner of Police for further necessary action. Jatinder Singh Aulakh said he was yet to go through the report. He said an appropriate action would be taken if anybody was found guilty in the case.
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Police yet to arrest kidnapping case accused
Amritsar, January 19 The police have slapped attempt to murder charge, besides kidnapping charges against the accused persons identified as Jajbir Sing and Amarjit Singh of Kotla Majha village, Jagroop Singh of Rumana Chak village, and Jatinder Singh of Gallowali village, on the basis of a complaint filed by Ravinder Singh, cousin of the victim and resident of Naagkalan village. Ravinder told the police that he has gone to pick him up from the school when he saw that four accused arrived in a car (PB-46-Z-0011). Jagroop was armed with a revolver while Amarjit Singh was having a double barrel gun of .12 bore. When Harvinder came out of the school, the accused started beating him, shot at him and later took him away in the car. Teachers and management of the school immediately informed the police. Senior police officials, including Gurpreet Singh Gill, SSP, Amritsar rural police, and Jasdeep Singh, SP (D), reached the spot. The accused later threw Harvinder near Chetanpura village. Mehar Singh, investigating officer, said a case under Sections 307, 364, 148, 149 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54, 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the accused while no arrest has been made so far. “All the accused are still at large while raids are on at suspected hideouts,” said Mehar Singh.
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Flying Officer Roohi Bedi an inspiration for girls
Amritsar, January 19 The young girl, a resident of Majitha Road, is the only girl to be recruited from Punjab out of 21 girls in a batch of 204 aspirants. "I always wanted to be in the armed forces. After rigorous academic and physical training for almost a year, I was commissioned as Flying Officer, which I consider as the biggest achievement of my life," said the 23-year-old officer from Bangalore, where she has been commissioned for now. A childhood dream for Roohi was not easy. "I had to focus on my physical and mental strength. I wanted to prove that girls could do whatever guys can and change stereotypes," said Roohi. Her father GS Bedi, a CBI officer, said: "She was a determined child and I too shared her dream. She has become an inspiration for many other girls and it is commendable," he said. As for Roohi, she is now enjoying every moment of her flying career ahead. "As a child I was always fascinated with planes. Today, I can fly them. But the best part is the uniform, which gives pride, power and responsibility."
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Forum directs insurance company to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to complainant
Amritsar, January 19 The forum has asked the company to pay the amount within one month from the date of receipt of copy of orders; failing which complainant will be entitled to pay interest at 9 per cent from the date of filing of the complaint till payment is made to the complainant. The forum has also directed the company to pay Rs 2,000 as litigation expenses. Earlier, Pardeep Kaur, a resident of Khatib village, Batala, had filed a complaint against the Life Insurance Corporation of India stating that she had been obtaining the insurance policies for the four years from the insurance company and was insured for Rs 4, 00,000. She said that she had developed a heart ailment during the insured period and was admitted at a private hospital. She stated that she had spent Rs 1.59 lakh on her treatment. She said that her claim for medical insurance was rejected on the ground that the treatment was neither recognised nor scientifically documented cardiac procedure. The insurance company further stated that procedures/treatments usually done in out patient department (OPD) were not payable under the policy. It further stated that naturopathy, unproven procedures/treatment, experimental or alternative medicine was also not covered under the policy. It stated that the said treatment was a non-invasive treatment for angina. This treatment required five sittings per week for seven weeks and the patient was discharged each day after the treatment session lasting for about 1-2 hours. In this case, as no surgery was done, hence, as per terms of policy the MSB (Major Surgical Benefit) was not payable. The forum stated that the opposite party has wrongly repudiated the claim of the complainant. The forum said that as per terms of the policy, the complaint was not eligible for claim for the first two days of hospitalisation. But she was entitled for the rest of the claim.
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Polio immunisation drive underway
Amritsar, January 19 Speaking on the occasion he said around 38 lakh children would be administered polio drops in the state during the three-day drive starting today. Dr Karanjit Singh said teams of the Health Department would administer polio drops at the booths set up at various places on the first day while during the next two days a door-to-door campaign would cover every house. He said general public should cooperate with the teams as it was necessary to wipe out polio virus from the country. He said, “It is a pride moment as no case of polio has been reported in the country in the last three years.” Civil surgeon Dr Usha Bansal said 1,410 booths have been set up to administer polio drops today at which large number of children was covered. She said the department had also set up 45 transit booths and 40 mobile teams to administer drops at international check post, airport, railway station and bus stand.
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KTM holds stunt show
Amritsar, January 19 Amit Nandi, vice president- Probiking, Bajaj Auto Ltd, “The brand is known for its high performance racing bikes and we always want our customers to experience the thrills and adventure, which a bike can provide.” The same show has been organised at Trichy, Belgaum,Vasai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Jammu, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Nagpur, Raipur and many other towns.
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For the widening of the airport road, popularly known as the Rajasansi road, chopping of fully grown trees is under way.
The city of Golden Temple is drawing thousands of tourists from around the World daily but the hospitality players are of the view that the city, its traders, and government are frittering away the opportunity.
Jan Aushadhi stores at government health institutions, which provide medicines at nominal costs, seldom give a bill of the purchase.
