The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Birth & death registration tough task GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Even as the Punjab Government boasts of implementing the Right to Service Act to introduce administrative reforms so that residents should get timely delivery of various services, yet the birth and death wing of the MC here belies all claims. The serpentine queues of applicants outside the registration window bespeak of the hardship faced by the people in this regard. The much-touted computerised record-keeping exercise has hardly brought any solace to the residents, instead it has ended up creating errors on certificates. The reason is that the work culture among the employees continues to remain the same at the ground level. Various irregularities in this wing had come to the fore, as the people complained of not getting the birth or death certificates within the stipulated time specified under the Right to Service Act. Massive confusion prevails as the information displayed at the office, including the charges and phone numbers, is obsolete. The authorities never bother to update it. Ironically, there is a message printed on the receipt given to the waiting applicants which goes as, "To save your valuable time and money, reserve maximum number of copies." Contrary to it, the babu at the window put a bar, issuing a maximum of five copies and for the multiple the applicant would have to pass through the same exercise again. Another astonishing lapse was that the receipt bore outdated phone numbers. It has been learnt that these numbers belonged to a private firm which was once engaged by the authorities to do the clerical job, but this arrangement was later called off. Even as the department also runs its helpline no. 1800 345 1500, yet all efforts to lodge a complaint here will fell on deaf ears. NS Gabarhia, Deputy Station Superintendent (retd), had applied for the death certificate of her sister on January 28. Even as he had required 15 copies, these were restricted to just five by the babu, saying "This is the maximum limit". “The number 5008562 mentioned on the receipt is defunct. The helpline number never answered. I heard that they had started an SMS service to intimate the applicants about the status of their request, but about a month has lapsed and there has absolutely been no communication from their side,” Gabarhia said. He also pointed out that the information board bore the old rate of Rs 12.50 per certificate, whereas the revised rates are Rs 25 for a birth certificate and Rs 21 for a death certificate. “This also created confusion among the applicants as the information board was never updated,” he said. In another case, Mahesh Mittal required five sets of death certificates of his mother, late Padma Wati. Complying with all norms, he deposited the requisite fee at the counter for the purpose. On the requisite date, when he went to receive the certificates, he was handed over two copies, instead of five.
	ASI complains against illegal construction in Ram Bagh PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Even as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has lodged a complaint against the municipal corporation authorities for allegedly continuing with “unauthorised construction activities” on the premises of the historic Ram Bagh, no action has been taken even after three weeks have elapsed. In fact illegal construction continued unabated as the authorities seemed bothered little about the ASI norms for protecting the national monument. The historic Ram Bagh, which was the summer palace of the legendary Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was declared as a monument of national importance in October 2004. However, even after the notification, the ASI does not have the possession of the whole premises. A majority of the complex is still under the occupation of the Punjab Cultural and Tourism Department. The ASI is carrying out the conservation work only on the original entrance gate, four watch towers, Hamamghar, Small Baradari and Machhighar. According to Section 19 of the Ancient Monument and Remains Act (Amendment and violation Act 2010), no person, including the owner or occupier of a protected area, shall construct any building within the protected area or carry on any mining, quarrying, excavating, blasting or any such operation in such areas, or utilise area of any part thereof in any other manner without the permission of the Centre. But so far the administration has not taken the requisite permission from the ASI. On the other hand, the civic authorities have moved to the Director, ASI, to de-notify the historic Ram Bagh, barring the Summer Palace of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This has evoked severe criticism from heritage lovers who claim that it will damage the heritage look of the historic monument. Recently, the boundary wall adjoining the Madan Mohan Malaviya Road near the Novelty chowk has been demolished to open a new entrance towards the Panoroma side. The civic authorities have also constructed a new pavement here, badly damaging the heritage look which irked the ASI. Earlier, the MC authorities had constructed a parking area and a skating ring on the green belt of the monument besides laying pavements inside the summer palace. Last year also, the ASI had written to the police to lodge an FIR on the issue but no action had been taken. Police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said he was not aware about it and said that he would look into the complaint. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said he learnt that the authorities had moved for relaxation of norms for maintenance of the historic garden. He said he was not aware about the present status, adding that he would look into the matter. DPS Kharbanda also feigned ignorance about any complaint by the ASI while adding that he would also look into this.
	MC faces tough task in collecting house tax Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 The municipal corporation is facing a tough time in recovering house tax dues from defaulters. Even as the team today went to collect the dues from a school and several commercial units in the Ranjit Avenue area, it had to give up while owners and managements opposed it. The MC is to recover an amount of around Rs 15 crore from around 10,000 house-tax defaulters. Even as the MC Commissioner has given a laud and clear message repeatedly that implementation of property tax does not qualify the house-tax defaulters for immunity from paying their dues, yet the defaulters seldom pay heed to it. With the introduction of property tax, the house-tax realisation has suffered as the whole house tax staff was absorbed in the realisation of property tax that came into being wef April 1, 2012. Superintendent Shushant Bhatia said the collection of house tax had become minuscule because there were a number of big houses which owed a mammoth house tax. "We have been directed by the MC Commissioner to restart the campaign of collecting the house tax from the defaulters, but the lukewarm response we are getting will not enable us to meet the the house-tax collection target," he viewed. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the defaulters were in the wrong if they thought that they could get exemption from clearing their dues under any circumstances. "House-tax dues have to be cleared and we are bent on realising them. I have directed the house-tax staff to restart the collection process," he said.
	Commuters face problems as streetlights fail to function Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Most of the streetslights on the Madan Mohan Malaviya road and Majitha road here are defunct for the past many days as a result of which commuters are facing problems during the night. As drivers of vehicles complained of dimmed visibility, pedestrians complained that it posed a risk to their life and safety. The Majithia road is one of the busiest stretches in the city where people can be seen travelling till late night hours. The MM Malaviya road on the other hand leads to Bhandari Bridge for the most happening place at night, the Lawrence road. In the absence of proper lights, those on foot and cycles have a fear in passing through the area. Even the drivers of four-wheelers and two-wheelers have to be extra conscious while commuting on the stretch. Hardayal Singh, a commuter said, “The Malaviya road is adjacent to the Company Bagh area where a lot many people go for early morning walks. It is not safe for people to walk on a road in darkness during wee hours.” He said it would not cost much to the MC to get the defunct lights repaired. Sumita Kaul, another resident, said, “The MC employees who are responsible for seeing if the streetlights are working or not should visit roads more often to inspect.”
	Home makeover involves going back to aesthetic history Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 What's the easiest way for a quick home makeover? Going back to our history. Well, not literally but aesthetically as the trend goes, with the possible options in choicest handicrafts and antiques that city-based and artist's forums are backing on. Bringing in a touch of traditions with ethnic chic, artifacts and home décor from artisans was the All-India Handicrafts and Handloom exhibition organised by Gramin Vikas Handicrafts, Women and Children Welfare Society, Amritsar. The 10-day exhibition has selective and revived handicrafts of the country like Madhubani paintings, Jaipur-coloured stone work and marble work along with some antique art work. Cashing in on the popularity of the handicrafts, these weavers and artisans have brought in their celebrated work. Ask Pinki, who has come from Jaipur with her crystal work pieces, delicate pieces cut out from a single crystal slab. "Ornamented handicrafts and art work, whether it's a mural or a painting, sculpture and installation, speak volumes about the expressions of the artists and the buyer. Many people travel to Delhi to buy amazing tribal and cultural handicrafts by regional artisans, so why not bring those art forms to them," she says. These works, she says, reflect upon one's taste for art as well as help revive some dying art forms. "It takes on an average 20 days to make one small piece of décor from crystal, without using machines. The hard work and intricacy involved in creating these art pieces is their USP." No longer are the select art pieces restricted to only state emporiums and exhibitions. Bharti Malhotra, a city-based artist, runs her own label of handicrafts and home-decor pieces. Specialising in murals and fabric décor pieces, Bharti has been selling her pieces through regular displays and shows. "There was always a room for innovation and art in our living rooms, and people have realised it. So, gradually the tastes are changing and people, too, look for some interesting art pieces rather than show pieces," she says. From embellished 'thalis' on the wall to 'kantha' work carpets, white metal sculptures and studded marble clocks, even a fabric table mat with Madhubani elephant motifs adds a bit of history to the look, she adds. The cost for creating these pieces is relative as they are made in a bulk, with generations of artisans from across the country dedicated to keep the tradition going. "The price of these handicrafts is according to the hours of human resource put in it. A small effort will cost as low as Rs 100 and the detailed ones go up to Rs 25,000 to some in lakhs depending on the demand," says Indra Nagar, a state award-winning artisan from Jaipur, whose paintings in coloured stones and knife work on canvas is a hit overseas as well. Rajiv Mehra, director of handicrafts label Styleever.com, which retails Indian artisans and weavers works across the globe, too, feels that the market has changed. "Handicrafts and art pieces are a virtual treasure chest of ethnic expressions. A chance to add some rare weaves or dying art forms to your wardrobes or embellish your homes with curios is what they are doing. What is more, all these products are eco-friendly as well as pocket-friendly. These have been crafted from naturally available raw materials." Coloured glass lamps, dress- up mirrors, clocks, marble crafted traditional motifs, celebrated Madhubani paintings, kundankari work table ware or glassware, these pieces will perfectly add a unique beauty to your room and hold the attention of every guest.
	PUDA to auction 37.5 acres Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) is all set to auction its 37.5 acre of prime land, opposite the SR Government College for Women and another on the posh Circular Road, close to the Mental Hospital, in two separate auctions. Both these plots have been drawn under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Land (OUVGL) scheme. Around 24 acres of land, located opposite the Government College and close to the Amritsar cantonment, will be up for sale in the proposed auction to be held on March 3. Reserve price per square yard has been fixed at Rs 26,500. Presently office of the Police Commissioner, the NRI police station, residences of the DIG and the Canal Department’s Superintending Engineer occupy the same land. Under the scheme, PUDA will develop 86 plots of 500 square yards each, two commercial pockets of 2.88 acres and 2.21 acres, respectively, besides 0.48 acre is being kept for multi-use purpose, 0.32 acre for water works, 0.48 acre is reserved and 2.72 acres is charted for setting up three parks. Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) chief administrator Sandeep Rishi said, “Communications have been dispatched to these government offices to vacate the premises to develop the same for proposed residential and commercial scheme.” He said these offices would be shifted to Family and Children Ward of the Karam Singh Hospital, near Ram Bagh. Another plot of 13.5 acres situated in between high end Trilium Mall and Mental Hospital would be auctioned to a sole concern to develop the same as a group housing scheme. Auction date for this plot is yet to be finalised.
	Members of Valmiki community protest Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Activists of Valmiki Majhabi Sikh Morcha, Punjab, carried out a protest march and staged a dharna outside the office of the IG (Border Range) here today. They demanded the cancellation of cases registered against innocent persons who have been languishing in jail due to the alleged connivance of the police and criminals. They sought a high-level probe in the cases in which a number of Sikhs belonging to the Majhabi community were booked under the NDPS Act. Punjab president of the Morcha, Mohinder Singh Hamira, said the police should not arrest a person until and unless they receive the reports of the samples of narcotic substances allegedly seized from their possession. He said due to the connivance of criminals with the Police Department, innocent youth were being implicated in such cases. The activists also criticised the political interference in the functioning of the police. They also demanded a high-level probe in the culpable homicide and sexual harassment case registered with the Baba Bakala police in which two women have been arrested even as their names did not figure in the FIR. The activists also sought action against the police officials involved. While raising slogans against the state government and the Police Department, they said the police and the civil authorities should implement Right to Service Act and the complaints of the victims should be addressed within a week.
	Gang involved in sale of illegal arms busted Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 With the arrest of three persons, the police today claimed to have busted a gang that was illegally involved in arms dealing. They used to procure country-made weapons from Uttar Pradesh and sell them to petty criminals at higher rates. While Randip Singh alias Kala of Khialan Kalan village and Gurjant Singh alias Janta of Sanghna village were nabbed yesterday, Gursahib Singh was arrested in January. Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said Gurjant Singh, Randeep Singh and Gursahib Singh were wanted in a case in which a patrolling police party had confiscated 10 gm heroin and sharp edged weapons on January 7 in Gate Hakima area. Their fourth accomplice, Nishan Singh, was arrested the day after Gursahib Singh was held on January 23. Gursahib was brought on a production warrant on February 17. His interrogation led to the arrest of Gurjant Singh and Randeep Singh. The police seized three pistols of .32 bore, one pistol of .315 bore and six cartridges from their possession. During interrogation, he revealed that he had a service revolver of head constable Jagjit Singh, who lost it in an accident. The police managed to recover the service revolver of the cop. Gursahib had hidden the same under a tree in the New Amritsar area. Aulakh said during interrogation, it was found that Gurjant and Randeep, who run a dairy, used to procure weapons from Mohammad Sheikh of Uttar Pradesh at a price ranging between Rs 25,000 and 30,000 and then sell them at Rs 30,000 to 35,000. He said further investigations were under progress and a separate case under Sections 379, 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act had been registered against Gursahib Singh.
	NRIs meet IG to air their grievances PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 An old-aged couple belonging to Barsana village in Quadian (Gurdaspur) has come on road after their second son allegedly threw them out of the house. Joginder Singh and his wife Dalbir Kaur said they had a house worth crores of rupees, which was built by their son Gurmej Singh, an NRI based in New Zealand. However, their second son, Surjit Singh, forged the documents of the property and forcibly grabbed the house, they alleged. They approached IG, NRI and Women's Wing, Punjab, Gurpreet Deo, who held a meeting with the aggrieved NRIs and their families here today. The couple alleged that they were at present living at the residence of the village sarpanch. The IG immediately directed the concerned police officials to lodge a complaint in this regard. Around two dozen persons, majority of them belonging to Amritsar and Gurdaspur, today met Deo. Yashpal Singh Walia, a local resident said his son had been living in Australia. He said his son got separated from his wife Inderpreet kaur after seven years of the marriage and the matter was settled amicably in the foreign court. However, his wife lodged a false dowry case with the local police, he alleged. He said his 10-year-old grandson lived with them. "At this age, I am running from pillar to post for no fault," he said. The IG said the main purpose of this meeting was to call both parties and solve the matter amicably. She said that senior officials had been deputed to listen to the grievances of the NRIs and their families and solve the issues and take necessary action in a time-bound manner. She said in 2013, the NRI Wing received over 3,500 complaints, out of which 2,268 had been disposed of while just over 1,300 were pending with the department. Out of the total complaints disposed of, the FIRs were registered in around 12 per cent cases. Around 25 cases were solved by mutual compromise, she said.
	Houses in Railway Colony lie incomplete for want of funds Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Around 200 residential units, in the prime 80-acre Railway Colony B-Block, are lying incomplete for want of funds. Long delays in the arrival of funds have made these partially built dwellings vulnerable to thieves. With the prices of bricks and other construction material zooming up, thieves decamp with whatever material they easily lay their hand on. The Railway Colony B-block, established here before 1920 in the British era, has 900 dwellings for Group B, C and D employees. Many buildings and residential complexes owned by the Railways, which are worth crores of rupees, have been deteriorating courtesy to the apathetic attitude and inadequate funds. Majority of the partially-built structures are surrounded by wild undergrowth. Unscrupulous elements steal bricks, window panes and other such stuff from there. At times, some anti-social elements also take refuge in these structures. Sources say about half of the total 1,200 quarters were classified as unfit for habitation and were demolished some time back, following which, work on nearly 200 quarters was initiated. However, the work was abandoned half way for lack of funds. Northern Railways’ Sub-Divisional Hospital is also situated in this colony. Patients from all Railway colonies visit the hospital. There are five such residential colonies in the city. The Railway Colony No 1 is situated at GT Road near Bhandari Bridge while the Railway Colony No 2 is situated close to the platform and extends up to the rail coach factory. The Railway Colony No 3 is situated near Gole Bagh and Railway Colony A Block is in the Amritsar Cantonment. It has 118 residential units and 27 kothis. Senior section engineer Naresh Kumar said a community hall with 1,000 square meter area was under construction in the B-block. He said about Rs 25 lakh was sanctioned annually for the maintenance of the locality. About the demand of housing in the Railways, he said almost 200 officials were waiting to occupy these houses once they were completed. He accepted that there were not enough parks in the locality, but a proposal for the same had been forwarded.
	GNDU to conduct test for jobs on March 2 Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 Guru Nanak Dev University will conduct a test for the posts of clerk-cum-junior data entry operator and junior technician (Computer) on March 2, 2014, on the university campus. Dean, Academic Affairs and coordinator of the test, Prof MS Hundal, said the candidates could download their admit cards along with important instructions from the university website www.gndu.ac.in. He said no candidate would be allowed to appear for test without the admit card. ‘JASHAN-2014’ from February 28 The inter-department cultural competition ‘JASHAN-2014’ will be organised by Guru Nanak Dev University from February 27 to March 2, 2014. The competitions will be held at Dashmesh Auditorium in the university. Dean, Students Welfare, Dr PK Shejpal, said during these four days, about 600 students of the campus would participate in the competitions in fine arts, theatre, music, dance and literary fields. Seminar on genes and genomics on Feb 21 The department of human genetics of Guru Nanak Dev University will organise a two-day national seminar on genes and genomics on February 21 and 22 at Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium in the university. Head of the department, Dr Vanita Kumar, said eminent scientists of international repute would participate and present research papers in the seminar.
	Drive for patients with mental disorders yields results Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 19 One of the four patients with mental disorder admitted to Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health here on January 14 from Ferozepur recovered his memory and the institute has located his family. As per the state government’s initiative to provide treatment to all patients with mentally disorders wandering on roads, the Ferozpur police caught hold of four patients - three male and one female, and took them to the hospital. Director of the institute, Dr BL Goyal, said, “After treatment, the patient introduced himself as Mehinder of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. We wrote a letter to his family members and informed them about Mehinder’s whereabouts.” Prem Singh, elder brother of Mehinder, who came to the institute to take him back said, “Mehinder went missing from home around eight months back. He had this problem for a long time but we don’t know how he reached Ferozepur.” He said his family was happy at Mehinder’s return. Dr Goel said another patient had recovered his memory and they had been successful in locating his family. “The family members have assured us that they would come here and take the patient back,” said Goel.
	Innovative, stylish trends in fashion this season Our Correspondent Jalandhar, February 19 As the winter is at its fag end, innovative and stylish trends in fashion are on their way to amuse and attract youngsters in the upcoming spring and summer season. Teenagers and college goers are all set to do experiments with new arrivals of various branded garments which have already hit the market. Teeming up printed trousers with plain uppers, making combinations, using floral pastel shades and picking wide-legged trousers, the city’s gals are set to create their own fashion statement. Ritu, a lecturer at the Inter National Institute of Fashion Designing (INIFD), while talking about latest fashion trends, said, "Bright colours will soon be wiped out. Pastel colours, such as sky blue, baby pink and light green will rule the wardrobes of chic girls. If we talk about western outfits, midi skirts, wide-legged trousers, athletic-striped trousers and linen cotton jackets are definitely going to become popular among youngsters". While talking about the Indian wear, she said ankle-length suits continue to be liked by all girls and would remain in fashion for a long time. “The flared suits makes a girl look pretty and attractive”, she added. Not only girls but young boys are also very particular about the fashion trends. While it was earlier believed that no innovation is done with the fashion style of the boys, things are set to change. "Last year, you saw boys in red, yellow, green and purple colour trousers, this time you will see them further break from the monotony and rigidity. Floral prints and polka dot style attire, usually akin with the fairer sex, will replace the boring, routine and simple designs for boys," said Ritu. Military-print trousers and more brightly coloured sneakers, including those in orange and neon green colours, are likely to be in fashion accompanied by chic-leather bags.
	Laxity in various road safety projects flayed Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 19 Edged by the repeated accidents in the city and the recent one between the two buses of educational institutions in Phagwara, city-based NGOs Jalandhar Citizens’ Welfare Council (JCWC) and CHITRA today condemned the traffic and the Health Department, along with the state police for the deplorable state of traffic safety in the region. Suirnder Saini, president of the JCWC, said, “The state government has lost important projects which have gone to other states and has also misquoted important data on ambulances.” He said, “While the data cited by a Mumbai-based health care company Ziqitza Healthcare (leading ambulance provider) claimed, in 2012 that there had been 17,000 accidents of 108 ambulances in the state, the Punjab police claimed there were only 10,000. We demand an audit of the records and a look into how many of these cases were referred to the private hospitals and trauma centres.” SK Kapoor and Kulwant Nagra from the Chitra also took digs on the road safety project which was shifted to Hyderabad by the WHO from Punjab because the transport, police and health departments could not run it properly. Saini also said a project for which the Prime Minister had given a go ahead - regarding setting up of pickets and committees on the Amritsar- Pathankot highway- for the prompt hospitalisation of the injured in accidents also went to Jaipur eventually because the state departments were not responsive enough. The trio also took digs on the running of trauma centres and victimisation of the people who took accident victims to hospital. They also demanded that speed governors be immediately installed in school, private and other buses which is not being done despite SC instructions on the issue.