The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Doctors’ shortage to inconvenience patients Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs' Memorial Civil Hospital is facing shortage of specialist doctors as many of them have been promoted and transferred to other institutions in the past few months. As no alternative postings have been made to the hospital, the crisis is expected to deepen further. The hospital management said, "The situation is in notice of the higher authorities and they have assured to make alternative arrangements soon. In the meantime, the orthopaedic department, which needs three orthopaedic specialists, is managing with just one specialist. The lone surgeon has to attend hundreds of patients at the out patients department (OPD) apart from duty at emergency and operation theatres. The orthopedic department at the hospital, earlier, had three specialists. However, one of them, Dr Dharam Singh, moved to Government Medical College after induction as Assistant Professor. Another doctor of the department resigned from the service and joined a private hospital. Presently, Dr Naveen Khungar is the only one handling the huge rush of patients. The hospital has only one radiologist. It is visited by around 100 patients daily for ultra sound tests alone. The sources at the hospital said, "The patients face problem if the lone radiologist is on leave." In the medicine department, Dr Rajiv Mehra has moved to Tarn Taran after his promotion as the District Health Officer and Dr Aman was transferred to Tarsikka. Recently, even Dr Bhupinder Singh Bhalla has been promoted and transferred to Patiala. Presently, the medicine department is without any specialist. The situation in other specialties in the hospital is not much better either. The hospital at present attends around 800-900 patients at its OPD daily. The patients at the hospital complained that a district hospital in a prominent city must have all the specialists. "If situation at the district hospital is such, then one can easily imagine the state of affairs at dispensaries in rural areas," said a visitor, Hartej Johar. Hospital's Senior Medical Officer Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said, "The department is working on sending more specialists to the hospital. The specialists are expected to join soon."
	No action against cops for framing driver PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 Even after many days, the Amritsar rural police is yet to make any further move in connection with a case in which around 10 police officials, including an SP rank official, have been booked on charge of criminal breach of trust, besides framing a truck driver. The incident occurred in 2000. However, the police officials claimed that appropriate action would soon be initiated against the accused police officials as per the rules. They also hinted to fix the responsibility of the police official for the inordinate delay in registering the case against the culprits. Among those who have been booked by the Mehta police then are Baba Bakala DSP Ashwani Kumar (now an SP), sub inspectors, Jatinder Singh, Sawinder Singh, Sukhwant Singh and Baldev Singh, assistant sub inspectors Harjinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh, head constables Sukhdev Singh, Mohan Singh and Satbir Singh and former sarpanch Paramjit Singh Sandhu. Palwinder Kaur, a resident of Mehta, had lodged a complaint with the Amritsar rural police that the accused police officials implicated her husband Sikander Singh, a truck driver, in a false case and sold his truck to junk dealers Balkar Singh and Bhola Singh. After failing to get any response, she filed a complaint to the senior police authorities, but to no avail. She then appeared before Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during Sangat Darshan at Baba Bakala in 2007. Badal had ordered the then DIG (border range) to inquire the case. In February 2008, the DIG recommended the registration of a case against the officials, but again no FIR was lodged. The police have now registered a case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 217 (public servant disobeying directions of law with intent to save somebody from punishment or property from forfeiture), 218 (public servant framing incorrect record), 166 A, 167 and 168 of the IPC. "The action would be initiated as per the evidence on record while inordinate delay on part of the police department in registration of case will also be looked into for further course of investigations," said IG (border range) Ishwar Chander. He said it was collective decision of crime wing and Amritsar rural police to register a case the guilty cops. He said thorough investigations would be carried out in the case.
	Woman strangulated, husband, in-laws arrested Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 A pregnant woman was allegedly strangulated by her husband and in-laws. They have been arrested by the police following a complaint lodged by the relatives of the victim. The victim, Poonam, was a resident of New Jawahar Nagar area. The incident came to light when the victim's relative noticed marks around her neck while her body was being taken for bath before cremation. Naresh Sanmat, a relative of the victim and resident of Vijay Nagar, Batala road, told the police that Poonam got married to Munish Sharma of New Jawahar Nagar, Batala road, in May 2013. He said on February 18, they received a call from Munish that Poonam was not well. When they reached her residence, she was found her dead. The family decided to cremate her after the return of her brother who lives in Australia.When the in-laws were taking her body for a bath before cremation, Poonam's family members wanted to accompany them but they insisted they would bath her themselves. Naresh Sanmat said following this Poonam's family members got suspicious and later found strangulation marks around her neck. He alleged that her in-laws used to harass her for bringing fewer dowries. The police have registered a case under Section 304-B of the IPC. Among those arrested include her husband Munish Sharma, father-in-law Devraj, mother-in-law Sheela Rani, brother-in-law Kishan Kant and his wife Preeti Sharma.
	Raju Chinkna CASE 2 get life term for murder Amritsar, February 22 A local court sentenced gangster Ankur Likhari and Sanjeev Babba life term imprisonment in Raju Chinkna murder case. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Navjot Sohal also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on both the accused. Raju Chikna, a local gangster, was killed when car-borne youngsters fired at him outside the local courts on January 15, 2010. He was there to attend hearing in a case against him. The police had later arrested Ankur Likhari and Sanjeev Baba in connection with the murder on a complaint filed by Balwinder Singh. — TNS
	property dispute Man, son shot at Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 Two persons sustained injuries when several persons barged into their house and shot at them in the Prem Nagar area late last night. A property dispute is stated to be the reason behind the incident. The Chheharta police today registered an attempt to murder case against several persons, including Dhanwant Singh and his son Mahip Singh of the Gumtala area. Baljinder Singh (60), a resident of Prem Nagar, told the police that he along with his son Jobanbir Singh and wife Balwinder Kaur were at the hospital when Mahip Singh and his father Dhanwant Singh barged into their house at around 9 pm. He said they were accompanied by Manjit Singh, alias Kala, of Bharariwal, Jhabal road, Avtar Singh of the Khazana gate, and a couple of unidentified persons. He alleged that before they could understand, Mahip Singh shot at him. The bullet hit his left arm. He then fired at his son who also sustained a bullet injury. He said when he tried to save his son they again shot at him. He said his wife Balwinder raised an alarm due to which people starting gathering near their house. On seeing this, the accused fled away. He said they were rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where they under went treatment. Baljinder Singh said they had a dispute property dispute with the accused persons which led to the incident. He said he along with his two brothers had 74 kanals of agricultural land and they had mutually agreed to sell respective share of their land. He said his brothers illegally sold their part of land to the accused. He said when they came to know about this, they filed a case which was at present pending in the court. The court has granted a stay on the sale and purchase of the land. However, he alleged Mahip sold some piece of land to Jatinderpal Singh and Alwinder Singh thereby violating the court’s order. A case under Sections 307, 452, 506, 148, 149 of the IPC and 25/27 of the Arms Act has been registered while no arrest has been made so far.
	Six chief engineers to supervise development works in state Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 Punjab Local Body Minister Anil Joshi has appointed six Chief Engineers of the local government department to supervise development works being carried out by local government agencies, including Improvement Trusts, Municipal Corporations and Councils in the state. Under the new arrangement, Local Government Department Chief Engineer Manmohan Singh today concluded a two-day meeting with the officials of the Amritsar Improvement Trust. He approved 20 development works worth Rs 23 crore and gave technical sanctions to two projects worth about Rs 10 crore for the holy city. As per the norms, a work valuing Rs 50 lakh needs approval from Chief Engineer while a project above Rs 1 crore requires technical sanction from the same official. Manmohan said, as per the aforementioned rules staff from these executing agencies used to commute to the head office at Chandigarh for approvals and amendments. However, new instructions from the Local Body Minister instructed them to visit these offices as and when required to expedite the development works and minimise the travel cost. He gave approval to Rs 55.03 lakh flooring in different streets of Ward Number 14, Rs 70 lakh worth street lights at various wards, Rs 61.27 lakh value construction of footpath, roads, sewerage, street lights in A block market of Ajnala road scheme, Rs 66.73 lakh similar work in the same scheme, Rs 68.85 lakh value work of constructing footpath and central verge on the sides of 135 feet and 60 feet wide road of Maal Mandi, Rs 67 lakh construction work of footpath and curb channel on the sides of 45 feet wide road of Maal Mandi scheme, Rs 99.85 lakh strengthening and widening of 60 feet road of block E Ajnala road development scheme, Rs 50.15 lakh strengthening and widening of 40 feet road of block E Ajnala road development scheme, Rs 95 lakh construction of footpath on 80 feet road in Maal Mandi scheme and Rs 94.92 lakh sewerage in different streets of the Preet Nagar colony on the Fatehgarh Churriyan road. He said technical approval for laying road from the Mcleoad road to the Airport road and road widening from the Lawrence road to the Dasaundha Singh chowk has been given. He also visited the site of raising 467 flats for the Economic Weaker Sections (EWS) under the Basic Services for Urban Poor at New Amritsar. He also visited the site to cover the nullah from near the ESI hospital on the Majtiha road to the Fatehgarh Churriyan road and instructed the trust officials to get the intersections designed as per the flow of traffic and nature of vehicles at these two spots. Improvement Trust SE Bharat Bhushan Sharma said the designs would be made available soon and the tenders for the approved and sanctioned projects would be floated within the next week. On the introduction of new system, he said it was a much sought after step. He said earlier they had to spare many officials, incur expenditure on their TA/DA and press in vehicles to get approval and technical sanctions. Now, a senior official would visit here and get all the works done and scrutinise the same to verify veracity of the claims.
	FROM SCHOOLS & COLLEGES Annual sports day Amritsar: Various city-based educational institutes today held annual sports competitions on their campuses. DAV College organised the 59th annual sports and athletic meet at its sports ground. College principal, Dr KN Kaul, college sports board president, Prof HS Walia, and all members of the staff and students extended a warm and healthy welcome to the guests. Following an impressive march past, college athletes took an oath to follow the spirit of sportsmanship. Different speakers insisted on the significance of sports as an integral part of the educational system. Principal KN Kaul said the college was celebrating the 59th annual sports and athletic meet. Its purpose was to inspire the students for their overall development of personality and take part in various sports. In this two day sports function, 100, 200 metre races, javelin throw, discus throw and 50 metre skipping race were organised on the first day. Musical chair, organised for the staff and guest, was the centre of attraction. Students took part in slow cycling race, hurdle race, discus throw, high jump, three-legged race and potato and spoons race. Improvement Trust Chairman Sandeep Rishi was the chief guest and former international cricketer Harvinder Singh was the guest of honor at the sports meet. Khalsa College of Education Sports competitions, fun and frolic marked the annual sports day of Khalsa College of Education (KCE), here today. Students took part in the athletics events winning competitions, fun games and applause from Brigadier Harcharan Singh (retd), chief guest of the function. Brig Singh, a former hockey Olympian, asked students to make sports a way of the life. He said he hailed from a village background, played hockey as a passion and reached the pinnacle of the glory by sheer hard work. Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina presided over the function. He said students must take inspiration from the life of Brigadier Harcharan, who brought glory to the country by performing the best in 1970 Olympics. He said sports must be part and parcel of a student’s life. KCE Principal, Dr Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, honoured the chief guest and winner of competitions. He said the motive behind organising the sports day was to inculcate a sense of competition amongst the students and to shape their overall personality. The winners included Kiranjeet, Kiran Chaube and Simar Darshan who won, first, second and third position, respectively, in the 100 metres race in girls category. In boys category, Gursimran, Balhar and Aman Bhatia won the first, second and third positions, respectively. A display of gatka by students of Khalsa College Senior Secondary School students and gymnastic by the KCE students was applauded by the audience. A tug-of-war between two groups of the teaching staff was one of the main attractions of the event. Competitions started following the unfurling of the college flag and parade in which a customary salute was given to the chief guest. Ryan International School Ryan International School organised its annual sports meet for first to fifth standard on the school premises. The function commenced with Bible reading, special prayer, praise and worship songs. The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by a march past led by school band along with the contingents of four school houses. Sports minister along with the teams took an oath of following discipline and integrity in sports. Businessman Jagroop Singh, the chief guest, declared the sports meet open by releasing balloons. School teams participated in kangaroo race, obstacle race, burst the balloon race, flat race, back to back race, sack race, balance race, skipping race and many more. A cultural programme was also held on the occasion, which mesmerised the audience. Students danced gracefully using different props. Among those present included former MLA Jasbir Dimpa, Congress MLA OP Soni, Cardiologist Karan Grewal and Swapan Chopra. Fateh Academy gets Cambridge school tag International Fateh Academy (IFA) has been registered as a Cambridge Primary School. In a press statement, Michael O’ Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cambridge International Examinations, today said, “We are delighted to announce that the IFA has joined our global community of Cambridge Primary Schools. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with them. Cambridge Primary starts learners on an active and creative educational journey, building a solid foundation for later stages of education.” Cambridge International Examinations is a part of University of Cambridge, one of the world’s top universities and trusted for excellence in education. Its qualifications are recognised by the world’s universities and employers. Cambridge Primary is an international education programme used in over 550 primary schools in as many as 80 countries around the world. It is typically for learners aged from 5 to 11 years. It develops skills and understanding through the primary years in English, Mathematics and sciences. Assessment tools are built into Cambridge Primary to help teachers identify learners’ strengths and weaknesses and monitor their development as they progress through primary education. A seminar was conducted by the IFA on the topic to make parents aware of the world class education being offered at their door-step through Cambridge Primary curriculum. Psychology workshop An interactive workshop regarding child psychology and effective parenting was organised at DAV Public School. The workshop was conducted by, Dr Sachin Prabh, a clinical research specialist from Mumbai University. He gave various insights and tips on problems being faced by children and their solutions. He also targeted various behavioural issues and means for identifying negative behaviour among growing children, and suggested ways to tackle truant attitude. A question answer session was also held at the end of the workshop to address queries of the parents, who attended the workshop. — TNS
	FEEDBACK Amritsar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Amritsar city and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to feedback.asr@gmail.com They can also send their views to: Feedback, Amritsar Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Amritsar Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number. It should not be more than 150 words. Civic issues should be addressed There are many problems in Ajit Nagar. Streetlight in the locality has been switched off for the last one month. There are large numbers of stray dogs in the city and local residents and tourists find it difficult to walk on the streets, especially at night. Earlier, vehicles used to come daily to pick garbage from every house but now, open tractor- trolleys come. They do not pick garbage from every house and the local residents have to pay private persons for this. This shows the inefficiency of the corporation. There are encroachment on all footpaths and roads. Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, Amritsar MC’s lax functioning Local residents face problems in collecting birth and death certificates from the office of the Municipal Corporation. It is a tough task for the common people to get it without any approach or favour, within the time limit prescribed by the Punjab government's citizen’s charter. I came to know about this when I visited the corporation’s office to get the birth certificate of my cousin which was applied for by my uncle three months back. I saw that most people were frustrated over the functioning of the Municipal Corporation because they had not got the certificates on time and had to come daily to listen to the arguments of the corporation employees who behave like that they are doing favour to the general public and not performing their duty. People came daily with the hope that they will get the certificate but returned hearng the excuses of the employees like they were not able to find their records or they had many other work. The general public doesn't have any platform to raise their voice. So, I think the Municipal Commissioner should look into the problem. There should be a separate window for old persons and the women. Ram Mishra, Amritsar