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Deputy CM launches city bus service
Infighting in management reduces school's strength
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Schoolteachers to hold protest rally in Bathinda
Global Scientific Conference concludes
Take steps to revive centuries-old textile industry, state govt urged
Absence of pharmacists at medicine shops to invite stern action
GND varsity to hold judo championship
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Deputy CM launches city bus service
Amritsar, January 28 As many as 40 buses have been introduced in the first phase which will run within a span of 10-15 minutes for different destinations. The fleet includes AC low-floor buses, semi low-floor, non-AC and Standard AC buses. For the non-AC buses, the least fare will be Rs 2 (up to 5 kms), Rs 5 (5-10 km) and Rs 10 (more than 10 km). The fare for AC buses will be Rs 5 (up to 5 km), Rs 10 (5-10 km) and Rs 15 (more than 10 km). To provide a secure, transparent and hassle-free journey to the residents, special arrangements have been made to install the GPS system and CCTV cameras in the city. Efforts are on to smarten up the minute detailing of this first-ever public transport system of the holy city. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the move was on to introduce electronic ticketing and the Fare Card System. "We wanted it to be a flawless service. It may take us a few days to fine tune minute details," he said. Besides this, the GPS system is being installed to locate the position of the buses. A centralised office is being set up at the Mall Mandi Bus Stand, specially built for these buses. On the one hand, electronic ticketing will bring in more transparency, on the other hand, the Fare Card System will facilitate daily passengers to pay the fare by just swiping the card, on the lines of the debit or credit card use. The MC authorities have procured around 50 swipe machines for the purpose and their trial run has already been done. MC authorities have also conceptualised the idea of introducing pre-paid bus passes for daily commuters as another option. The buses, run under Amritsar City Transport Service Ltd., will cover from Doburji to India Gate via bus stand, Hussianpura Chowk, 4S Chowk, Rattan Singh Chowk, District Courts, Circuit House, Railway Station, Putlighat, Khalsa College Chowk, Chheharta Chowk, Doburji to Meera Kot via Sultanwind Chowk, Dharm Singh Market, Railway Station, Sadar Thana, Saroop Rani Govt College for Women, Hartej Nursing to Meera Kot and the third route will be from Indian Oil Corporation Petrol Pump Verka to Mandir Baba Mulla Ji, bypass Verka, Bijli Ghar Verka, Vijay Nagar, Dental College Chowk, Bus Stand, Ram Bagh, Durgiana Mandir, Khazana Gate, Chattiwind and back. These buses are being operated on NCC (net-cost contract) mode by hiring a Karnataka-based company. It will be the liability of the company to operate and maintain the buses. In lieu, the company will also pay the MC an amount of Rs 1,250 every month for each bus. This contract will be for one year and further renewal will increase this amount to Rs 2,000 for each bus per month. From the third year, there will be an automatic increase of 7 per cent for another 10 years. The project was proposed under the Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme in 2007 initially for Rs 33 crore but the delay
has escalated the cost to Rs 49 crore. The Deputy Chief Minister said in the coming month the foundation stone of the prestigious Rs 600-crore project of Metro Rapid Bus Service would also be laid. Badal was accompanied by Local Bodies Minister, Punjab, Anil Joshi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Sunil Chatra, Director, ACTL Company, Deputy Commissioner Ravi
Bhagat and Commissioner, Corporation, DPS Kharbanda.
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Infighting in management reduces school's strength
Amritsar, January 28 The administration of the school, which was earlier named Gyan Ashram Senior Secondary School, is now being run by two separate managements. Being a higher secondary school from Classes 6 to 10+1, it is being managed by the Deputy Commissioner, who is its administrator and correspondent to disburse the salary of the school staff. On the other hand, the 10+2 class is managed by the
previous management committee. Teachers rue that a salary cut of 40 per cent in the case of nearly 12 teachers who are teaching 10+2 has been applied. They alleged that a high fee of Rs 250 per student per month in the 10+2 class had brought down the strength of students from 362 in 10+1 in 2011-2012 session to 122. The government schools charge Rs 95 per student every month for the same class. Sources said the trouble started in 2010 when the then school management took over the admissions from the Principal and hiked the admission fee. This was brought to the notice of the then DC KS Pannu who instituted an inquiry under the then DEO Surjit Singh, Gumanpura, to amicably settle the dispute between the management and the employees, gave suggestions. But these remained unimplemented. Gumanpura then again appointed a five-member committee comprising senior teachers from various faculties of the school to assist the Principal in the smooth functioning of the school. But the five-member internal school committee was challenged. The high court in its decision stayed the powers of both committees and handed over the school administration to the then DC, KS Pannu.
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Schoolteachers to hold protest rally in Bathinda
Amritsar, January 28 Ajay Chauhan of the union said they had called off their rally in Mohali on March 25, 2013 after the then Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh assured that a meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Parkash Singh Badal would be arranged soon. “On another occasion when the union held a rally in Chandigarh on December 20, 2013, the then DPI Darshan Kaur assured that a meeting of the union over their demand for merger with government schools would be held. Chauhan said the government was just paying lip service over the matter. He said it opined that the government was insincere towards the plight, welfare and demand of private aided schoolteachers. He said even after various representations, the promised meeting with the CM did not materialise and it spread a disappointment among the teachers. He said the neigbhouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan had done the same as it was in favour of the government as well. However, the state government was not emulating the move. Aided schoolteachers said the merger of aided schools was almost a win-win situation for the government as it would get 4,300 trained teachers only at the cost of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 per head as this was the share of the 5 per cent which the government would bear for merger. The state government was already footing 95 per cent of the expenses. The employees of these schools are in resentment due to the uncertainty over their future. Many a time internal clashes of managements also put their future at stake.
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Court snubs govt officials for interference in operation
GS Paul Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 28 After being constantly harassed by two Punjab Roadways officials, the victim, Ranjit Singh (27), moved the court against Amarkabir Singh, Deputy Station Superintendent, Punjab Roadways, Anil Kumar, Station Superintendent, Punjab Roadways, and M/s Rohan & Rajdeep Infrastructure Pvt Limited through his manager, PT Purohit. Following this, the Court of Amardeep Singh, Civil Judge (junior division), Amritsar, ordered permanent injunction in the case while restraining the officials to interfere in the affairs of this privately run tourist information centre. The court specifically ordered the officials not to dispossess the owner or put a lock on the centre in any manner. Ranjit Singh runs M/s Tourist Information Centre on the ISBT premises, opposite Sangam Cinema, and has been offering quality service to passengers for reservation of railways, bus and air tickets. According to the lease and the Licence Agreement of April 2012, he has been paying the rent regularly. On the other hand, denying all allegations of bribery or harassment, the officials stated that since they had been managing the arrival and departure of the buses at the ISBT, they were just keeping a vigil to check the bookings so that no misuse could be committed by the petitioner. Nonetheless, they could not produce any proof in support of their claim. After hearing both the sides, the court observed that when the petitioner was in permissive possession of the centre by virtue of the lease deed, the defendants lost the right to interfere into his possession the centre. Further, no misuse of the centre was explained during the course of arguments, nor any document could be produced. "They misused their official powers by threatening me that since they were the in charge of the ISBT hence they would not allow him to operate from here. They even tried to lock my centre but due to timely intervention of fellow shopkeepers, they could not succeed in doing so. But now, I am relieved after getting stay orders through the court because this was the only place of livelihood for me and my family," he said.
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Global Scientific Conference concludes
Amritsar, January 28 The conference was organised by the Department of Physical Education of Guru Nanak Dev University. The conference concluded in Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium of the university. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, former Chairman, Small-Scale Industries and Hon'ble General Secretary, Khalsa College Governing Council, was the chief guest. Prof Oleksandr Krasilshchikov, Universiti Sains Malaysia, presided over the function. Dr Baljinder Singh Bal, Prof AK Uppal, Prof Kanwaljit Singh, Prof Nishan Singh Deol, Dr RP Singh, Dr Rishi Tripathi, Dr Mahinder Partap, Dr Jagjit Kaur, faculty members and students and delegates were also present. Chhina emphasised on the need and importance of physical education
and its relevance for healthy living. He said sports and other co-curricular activities should be encouraged in the state especially in the rural region for overall development. He said the constructive energy of the youth should be channelised by providing them opportunities to participate in sports.
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Better amritsar STATE OF PUBLIC PARKS-I Careless handling, shoddy maintenance and unscientific approach are resulting in the wilting of the historic gardens of the city. Amritsar Tribune takes stock of the situation Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 28 The historic Ram Bagh garden (also known as Company Bagh), Gole Bagh, Raminder Singh Bolaria Park (previously known as Sakatri bagh) and Leisure Valley-cum-Rose Garden (famously known as Challih Khoo) are the four popular public parks of the holy city. These parks are being ignored at the cost of a report published a few years ago which pointed out that only two per cent of the area in the holy city was under green cover. This news came as a rude shock to the environmentalists and citizens concerned who have been crusading to increase the green cover in the city. It prompted the government to initiate a campaign to increase the green area and the drive brought some cheer as the forest cover was increased by 16 sq km. This came to light in the survey report of the Forest Survey of India. The report was based on the remote-sensing technology. There are 375 parks spread over about 385 acres in 65 wards of the city. Most of the well maintained parks are in posh colonies. Ram Bagh gardens
The historic Ram Bagh gardens, which house the summer palace of legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is being routinely used for burning the garbage. A visit to the park revealed that many pits have been dug up to dump the refuse as well. There are three clubs running from the premises of the park which churn out tonnes of kitchen refuse daily. It has been noticed that the staff of the clubs were throwing the garbage in the bagh itself instead of making efforts to dump it at some proper place. Ram Bagh houses several rare and centuries-old trees but many of them fell due to uncared approach and untrained staff. Gol Bagh
Another green lung in the city is Gol Bagh. Its central park has been beautifully landscaped with ornamental flowers and trees. But thousands of square yards were still lying unused. The historic bagh is said to have hosted several anti-British rallies before the Independence. The rear side of the bagh along the Truck Wali road is being used to place parts of under-repair automobiles. Moreover, discharge of waste has turned the ground into a marshy land. The unused area of the park has allegedly become a haven for anti-social elements and beggars. Swings at the children’s park are also in a poor state. Majority of the development works in the park was carried out by the grant of Rs 50 lakh, which Chawla had allotted from her discretionary funds during her tenure as a minister during the previous term of the SAD-BJP government. Punjab’s first herbal garden was opened in a part of Gol Bagh in 2010. But no plant out of the 30 saplings of kachnar, brahmi, amaltas, amla, vasa and kawargandal could bloom. Now, children use the garden to play there. S. Raminder Singh Bularia Memorial Park
The S. Raminder Singh Bularia Memorial Park, popularly known as Sakatri Bagh, is comparatively better than other parks. Six trees in front of the main entrance of the park have dried up due to tiling around these trees. A large portion of area is without greenery. The fountain has turned unhygienic in the absence of regular cleaning. Challih Khoo park
Historic Challih Khoo, also known as Rose Garden and Leisure Valley, is in a shambles. Spread over 44 acres, it is considered as one of the major green lungs of the city. The garden derived its name from 40 wells situated in the garden, which used to supply water to the walled city during the British era. However, its topography is being changed by raising dwellings for economically weaker families. The dwellings raised by the Municipal Corporation for the economically weaker section in the park had disturbed its green cover.
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Take steps to revive centuries-old textile industry, state govt urged
Amritsar, January 28 Piara Lal Seth, SCI general secretary, SCI, appreciated the SAD-BJP government’s move to turn Punjab into a power surplus state. But, the labour-intensive textile industry needed rebate from high power taxes. In a communiqué to the Chief Minister, he said, “power rates of the textile industry are highest in comparison to other states in the country.” Recently Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra reduced their power rates. As a result, the indigenous textile industry here was not in a position to compete with manufacturing units operational in these states. In light of these facts there was a need to reduce power rates to the tune of 30 to 40 per cent to make it industry friendly so that existing entrepreneurs and new entrepreneurs may take initiative for expansion of their existing units and investment for new units. The state government is giving power subsidy to the tune of approximately Rs 7,000 crore annually to the agriculture sector. A mere 10 per cent of this amount could do wonders to bolster the textile sector in the state. At present, the textile industry is passing through a difficult phase due to slowdown in domestic markets and as well as in global markets. It is suggested that the present rate of VAT at 6.05 per cent on yarn should be reduced to 2 per cent. It is assured that reduction in the VAT rate on yarn from 6.05 per cent to 2 per cent will not affect the state revenue as this move can revive allied textile industry like spinning and weaving and as well as expansion of existing units. Besides, collector rates fixed by the Deputy Commissioners for Corporation and Municipal Committees were over the actual price of the land relating to commercial and Industrial areas. This caused resentment amongst traders and industry. Excessive high rates need to be rationalised to have a sigh of relief in respect of property tax and stamp duty. The SCI general secretary also reminded the state government that it had not announced a textile policy after 2006 and it must be announced soon.
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Absence of pharmacists at medicine shops to invite stern action
Amritsar, January 28 According to norms, all medicine shops are required to ensure the presence of a pharmacist at the counter. However, a few shopkeepers are openly flouting the norms and untrained people are selling medicines to the patients. A source in the industry revealed that a few of the shopkeepers had acquired licences by showing some trained pharmacist present with them, even as they have none on their rolls. “They pay a certain amount to the trained pharmacist who can turn up for them when the need arises or who is willing to let them use his or her name,” said an old-time chemist shop owner. The District Health Department had suspended the licences of at least six such chemist shops on January 16 after they were found operating without a trained pharmacist. During one of his recent meetings with officials and doctors of the district, Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jiani had also instructed the drug inspectors to seal all chemist shops which were indulging in repeated violations. Drug Inspector Anupma Kalia said they checked chemist shops on a regular basis and took action against those shops which were not abiding by the norms laid down under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Drug Inspector Sukhdeep Singh said the shops which were not following the norms, were issued show-cause notices and those who still failed to mend their ways had to face suspension of their licences for a week. “If certain people have still not followed the instructions, the department may take strict action, including cancelling the licenses,” he said.
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GND varsity to hold judo championship
Amritsar, January 28 Dr HS Randhawa, Deputy Director, Sports, and Head, said the championship would be held from February 1 to 8, 2014. About 100 (Men & Women) teams comprising 1,000 players from different parts of the country were expected to participate in the championship.
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