Amritsar, February 8
Even as the state government is all set for the inauguration of the model of a war memorial in the city, the existing memorials are in a state of neglect and crying for attention.

The condition of two parks, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra Park near International Bus Terminal and Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Park, is pitiable.

The park near the Bus Terminal was built in the memory of Dhingra in 1992 and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Beant Singh. Now, the premises of this park are being used for drying tents by the owners of tent houses. The green carpet has almost died down because of neglect and wild growth has taken its place. The lamps in the park too were seen broken.

Maharaja Jassa Singh Park near the Sau Footi road has become a storage space for construction material as work on a nearby street is underway. Hundreds of rat burrows reveal that the park is seldom cared for.

Even the condition of statues installed at various roads and squares in city is no better as politicians turn to them only when there is a day to garnish these with flowers on martyrdom or birth anniversaries.

The city has a statue of Jawahar Lal Nehru installed at Lawrence road, of Shaheed Udham Singh at the Hall gate, of Subhash Chander Bose at the Bhandari bridge, of Mahatma Gandhi at Company Bagh and a bust of Madan Lal Dhingra near Town Hall.

The statues and busts of many other freedom fighters are also installed in city. However, the pedestals of most of these are being used by the advertisers to paste bill boards.

Astonishingly, a bust of 1971 war hero martyr Captain Lalit Mohan Bhatia, who was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously, was never installed at the pedestal meant for it in Company Bagh after it was removed on the pretext of construction work at the place in year 2007. At that time, the authorities of a club operating in the Bagh had claimed that it was lying with their store room. However, the present whereabouts of the bust are unknown.

Brij Bedi, a social activist, said, "The government can build as many war memorials as it likes but it should also ensure that the existing ones are looked after." He said the administration should make a catalogue of all such statues. 

Amritsar, February 8
The state government has deployed in officials from district administration and the adjoining districts to hold a state-level ceremony for unveiling the model of laying foundation stone for the war memorial and museum at an estimated cost of Rs 106 crore.

Though the state-level ceremony would be held at Ranjit Avenue on February 12, the memorial and the museum would be raised on 7 acres of land opposite to India Gate situated on the GT road here. The 7 acres of land, which belongs to the Canal Department, has been transferred 
to the Sainik Welfare 
Department.

Political analysts are of the view that it was another politically motivated move by the state government to attract the attention of serving and ex-servicemen and their families before the elections as they form sizeable vote bank in the state.

Earlier, the state government had laid the foundation stone for construction of a massive Valmiki Temple at the Ram Tirath area, where hermitage of Bhagwan Valmiki is believed to have existed, to corner the votes of the Balmiki community.

About 20 teams, comprising at least three officials, have been constituted to make proper arrangements to smoothly conduct the proposed ceremony. These committees are looking into various arrangements, including, transportation, reception, langar, boarding and lodging, ceremony, liasioning, public health, security, traffic, potable water, 'pandals' and others.

The state government has released a grant of Rs 1 crore to the district administration to fund expenses being incurred on these arrangements. However, there are reports that the state government was yet to clear the bills pending since the last state level function held here to lay the foundation stone for raising a massive Bhagwan Valmiki Temple some months ago.

About six former and serving Generals, including Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh and former first Sikh Army chief General JJ Singh (Retired), are likely to participate in the ceremony. Besides, 25,000 ex-servicemen, about 15,000 local residents and NCC cadets would take part in the function.

As many as four stages would be raised. One stage would accommodate Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, former and serving Army Generals, another stage would accommodate about 400 senior serving officials of the Armed forces and war heroes, another stage would see cabinet ministers and other politicians. The fourth stage would be set up for presenting cultural show.

Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said duties and works have been allotted to various committees and he was taking daily meetings to fine tune the arrangements. 

Amritsar, February 8
The Health Department today seized over 12,940 packets of banned ‘gutka’ from two shops in the city during a raid. The department has also collected samples from each of the shops and sent in for testing.

District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said, “A team had raided Heera Lal Pan Shop near Chita Gumbad in Ram Bagh and seized 11,080 packets of ‘gutka’.” The shop owner was identified as Happy 
Bhatia.

In a raid at another shop, MP Gupta Karyana Shop, the team seized 1,860 packets of ‘gutka’. The state government had earlier imposed a ban on the sale of ‘gutka’ as it is considered as a cancer causing agent.

Dr Kahlon said the department had earlier collected 11 samples of tobacco products from various shops out of which seven were found be unsafe for human consumption as per the test reports.

He said the department had launched court cases against all the shops. Kahlon said, “These cases are being heard by the court of CJM and if pronounced guilty, the shop keepers will be fined a minimum of Rs 1 lakh 
and two years of 
imprisonment.” 

Amritsar, February 8
A fraud case registered against a BSF official posted in Jammu and Kashmir and his father turned out to be a false one.

Dev Roop Singh, Assistant Commandant, BSF, and his father Gurinderpal Singh, chairman, Goindwal Industrial Development Association, were booked by the Civil Lines police in June 2013 for duping several persons of Rs 21 lakh on the pretext of sending them to the USA.

The complaint was lodged by Jatinder Singh of Adliwal village and his cousin Harinderpal Singh of the Fatahpur area.

The police investigations revealed that the case was lodged against them following a property dispute with Satnam Singh and his father Kewal Singh of Chheharta. Jatinder Singh, Harinderpal Singh and Dilbagh Singh were his relatives.

Gurinderpal Singh said Satnam Singh had sold a 29-marla land to Karnail Singh of Gumanpura who had further sold the land to Gurinderpal Singh in 2012.

However, Satnam wanted to take back the property so he prepared a forged power of attorney of the property and lodged a complaint with the police that Gurinderpal had taken huge amount as advance but was not registering the property in 
their name.

Pleading innocence, Gurinderpal urged the senior police officials to investigate the case while saying that he did not signed any documents in this regard.

"As the probe was pending with the police, Satnam through his relatives Jatinder Singh filed a fraud case of duping them of lakhs of rupees on pretext of sending them abroad. They prepared bogus documents of agreement in this regard with his forged signatures and produced before the police following which a case was registered against them," told Gurinderpal.

He again pleaded innocence and requested for fresh inquiry and forensic examination of his signatures. The Forensic Lab report again indicted them finding the signatures 
genuine.

"When the police department filed the report before the court, where I had applied for anticipatory bail, I got suspicious as the stamps of the Forensic Science Laboratory were brand new while the earlier stamps were little worn out. After this, I again requested the police official to re-examine the forensic report," he said.

The police officials said on his request a police official was sent to the Forensic Science lab at Mohali which revealed that the original reports were different from the reports which were with the police.

"The original forensic reports, which went in favour of Gurinderpal, were found to be changed which proved the fact that Gurinderpal and his sons were being falsely implicated," said Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, SHO, Civil Lines.

The police have now cancelled the case registered against them while a fresh FIR has been lodged against Satnam Singh, Kewal Singh, Jatinder, Harinderpal and Dilbagh Singh. They have been booked under Sections 255, 420, 465, 466, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC while no arrest has been made so far.

Gurinderpal urged the police officials to identify the accused who changed the Forensic Lab report and take appropriate action against them. 

Amritsar, February 8
The Police Department is having a tough time to find new alternative buildings for shifting Police Commissioner’s present office which is located on a land procured by PUDA.

The District Administration has asked the Police Department to vacate these buildings as PUDA wanted to auction the land and garner funds for various developmental works and to launch new schemes on the existing 24-arce site located opposite SR Government Girls College in the heart of the city.

Besides Police Commissioner’s office, NRI police station, residence of DIG border range and office of economic offence wing is also situation of this land.

The deputy commissioner had asked the police officials to vacate the property within a week. The deadline would end on February 10.

It is evident to mention here that around a year ago, the police departments were shifted to these buildings after the commencement of construction of district administrative complex near deputy commissioner’s office.

A police official preferring anonymity said the Police Department was yet to settle down in the new buildings where they were shifted due to construction of Administrative Complex around a year ago. He said the officials were still finding it difficult to save officials records due to shortage of space. Now they have to start the exercise again if they shifted out from the present location.

The police sources said they were yet to identify the alternative sites for shifting the offices. A couple of buildings have been zeroed-in by the District Administration. Among those structures selected by administration include old family ward, old blood bank and canal office.

ADCP headquarters Kuljit Singh said they were considering the buildings selected by the District Administration. But we are yet to find an appropriate alternative for the shifting the offices.

The PUDA authorities were planning to develop shop-cum-offices on the site after demolishing the existing structures.

Amritsar, February 8
Health Department organised a workshop under the Pre-conception Pre-natal diagnostic techniques (prohibition) act for five districts, including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Kapurthala at Virsa Vihar here today. The workshop was presided over by Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) health Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu.

The workshop was attended by civil surgeons, district family welfare officers, senior medical officers, members of PC-PNDT advisory committees and members of NGOs of all the districts.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu said the PC-PNDT act should be implemented with full sincerity so as to improve the sex ratio in the state. She said members of NGO’s and general public should stand with the Health Department authorities in implementing the act.

Director Family Welfare Dr jatinder Kaur informed the delegates about the various provisions of the act and the procedure how these can be implemented successfully to check female foeticide.

Amritsar, February 8
High drama was witnessed in the C-division police station here when a woman, a lawyer, allegedly slapped an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the police station today evening. SHO Lakhwinder Singh said the woman came outside the police station where ASI Kulwant Rai along with other policemen was standing. He said she came there to ask about the address of a person named Gurjant Singh.

When Kulwant Rai expressed his ignorance about the address she came inside the police station asking for SHO while alleging that the cops had misbehaved with her.

“We offered her a chair and enquired about the incident. But instead of telling us anything, she threw the chair and came outside the police station and slapped ASI Kulwant Rai,” said the SHO.

He said the police arrested her and have registered a case under Sections 353, 332, 186 and 506 of the IPC in this regard.

Amritsar, February 8
Exploring ancient weaves and infinite possibilities of loom from Pakistan, experimenting with colour and designs with contemporary twist to the traditional salwar-kameez, the rising trend from across the border are most liked by women in Amritsar. Just as the rest of the fashion world has fallen in love with the exquisitely traditional Pakistani suits, women in city have been endorsing them for long now.

The never tiring designs from some big Pakistani designer labels have already mark their presence in city. At least five major brands of Pakistani designer suits are selling like hot cakes, including exclusive par designs from MCreations, Umraos, Shireen and many more. Shireen’s was one of the first Pak designer wear store in the city. The store promoted by Shireen Ahmed Khan, member of Pakistan National Assembly and Chairperson of Handicrafts Association of Pakistan, had brought the works of Pakistani weavers to the city. “The southern states of Pakistan are rich in workmanship with embroidery and traditional handlooms that work well with Indian clients. Mostly the lacework, crochets and silhouette exclusive to the Pakistani designs are the USP.”

While most brands sell because of the trending, the reason for exclusive outlets to open direct retailing is the rising demand. “The high demand and limited availability prompted more stores to retail Pakistani suits. Either one has to wait for exhibitions or have to rely on importer. To open the market directly for weavers and manufacturers is a win-win situation," shares Mohan Singh, a shop owner from Katra Jaimal Singh, wholesale market for Pakistani fabrics.

The recent addition to the market is the designs by Pak designer duo Sana and Samia of Lala Textiles of Pakistan. The vivid collection of suits is a combination of inimitable ethnic and exotic designs with an excellent finish of treasured art. On the launch of the collection, CEO Lala Textiles Pervez Lala said, “This collection is brought in India keeping in mind the sensibilities of discerning customers. We have a good market for our products as both the countries share similar tastes and rich history with handcrafted designs and workmanship. Also people have good buying potential here. Our lines, collections and brands are known for versatility of designs and affordable price ranges, ensuring accessibility to diversity of women, especially Indian consumers.”

Amritsar, February 8
“The report by a Special Services (SAS) adviser regarding Operation Bluestar in 1984 has showed the double standards of the British government,” said BJP leader Subramaniyam Swami.

He flayed the Indira Gandhi government for using force and violence against a section of own countrymen.

He claimed that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) had been exposed among the electorate in Delhi and it would soon be a history. He alleged that naxalites joined its ranks to spread unrest in the country.

He said the Congress-led UPA government weakened the Indian economy with one scandal after the other.

He held that scams like 2G Spectrum, coal blocks allotment and others would require a lot of time and efforts to put the Indian economy on the path of growth.

He stressed that there was a need to chalk out policies and plans to reverse the trend and bolster the Indian economy. He re-asserted the BJP’s stand of bringing back the money stacked in overseas bank accounts of Indian politicians.

Since the long-lying project of city buses was inaugurated in Amritsar, a lot of enthusiasm among residents to travel in these buses has been witnessed. But there are some areas that need attention on the part of the higher authorities as well as the public. During my first experience of travelling in the city bus, I noticed that the bus was being stopped frequently at many places. Although it is for the benefit of the passengers, it has lead to many other problems. For instance, this has resulted in inconvenience being faced by the commuters coming behind these buses, who are completely unaware of their stoppage, which can lead to a mishap or collision. Also, stopping the buses again and again demands more fuel as well. So, it is necessary that particular areas should be decided as the stoppage to reduce the inconvenience. The other thing I felt was that in the pleasure of travelling comfortably, people have lagged behind their duties towards cleanliness. Some try to travel without ticket. So, an effective management and planning is still needed in this regard.