Amritsar, March 4
The Amritsar police on Tuesday launched traffic helpline 1073. Now, the residents will be able to inform about any road mishap or traffic jam to the police immediately. Moreover, the residents will get updates on traffic diversions, if a VVIP visits the city.

Earlier, a number of steps were taken by the police in collaboration with the municipal corporation to regulate traffic, but due to an increase in the number of vehicles and mismanagement on the part of the police, commuters faced inconvenience.

The ground realities were always overlooked and few steps were taken to revamp the inadequate road infrastructure, prevent unplanned construction and find a solution to haphazard parking of vehicles on roads. Encroachments by traders are also contributing to the traffic problem.

Bhandari Bridge, Crystal Chowk, Putlighar and Hall Gate remain clogged with the traffic. Though all these key roads are of reasonable width, encroachments by traders and unorganised parking often result in traffic snarls. The situation inside the walled city and on the roads leading to the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh is worse.

In the past decade, a number of residential areas have been converted into commercial areas. A number of such establishments do not have any parking facility. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikrampal Singh Bhatti believes that the traffic helpline will yield desired results.

The city has been divided into four zones and 300 policemen will tackle the traffic chaos. Each zone will be supervised by an Inspector-level official.

“If there is a traffic jam or mishap, commuters can inform us on the helpline. We will reach the spot immediately. To check drunken driving, we have equipped our teams with alcohol meters. Moreover, there are speed radars to check speeding. Violators will be taken to task according to the law," the DCP said.

Bhatti said 10 officials were trained at Road Traffic Organisation, Faridabad, to handle traffic chaos and mishap cases. “Other policemen will also undergo similar training every month, going by their batch. We want residents' cooperation in making the move a success,” he added.

Amritsar, March 4
Two unemployed youngsters demanding jobs in Power Corporation on compassionate grounds climbed atop a water tank in Ram Bagh area here today. However, they later ended their strike after local administration talked to Power Corporation officials and assured them that their case was under consideration.

While the two youngsters, Rajesh and Sumit, were sitting atop the water tank, other members of their association held talks with the Deputy Commissioner and other officials.

Sukhchain Singh, protesting youngsters' leader, said, "Power Corporation officials had given us in writing

earlier that they would be given jobs in the department." Showing a copy of the decision taken in May last year, Sukhchain said they had heard nothing from the Power Corporation since then.

The youngsters had earlier staged a protest atop a water tank in the Pink Plaza area when they had remained atop the tank for more than a month and a half. Sukhchain said they had called off their protest after assurance from the senior Power Corporation officials on telephone during a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner.

These youngsters are demanding jobs on compassionate ground, as their parents had died while in service in the Electricity Department. The Power Corporation has around 340 cases of persons, who are demanding jobs on compassionate ground, pending with it.

In total, the corporation had more than 5,800 cases in the category, but most of the persons involved had accepted the compensation and pension offered by the department.

Amritsar, March 4
Hard days continue for the public as employees of various departments are on protest in the city. Employees at the Deputy Commissioner Office will participate in a state-wide protest at Bathinda tomorrow. They will go on mass causal leave.

Further, the ministerial employees at state government department will go on mass casual leave on March 6 to hold a rally at Chandigarh.

The DC offices employees and the ministerial are observing a pen-down strike for the past nine days. They are demanding promotions as well as various allowances.

General secretary of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union Jagdish Thakur said, “The strike has affected works in all government departments.”

Amritsar, March 4
Congress leaders have expressed resentment over the display of photographs of Chief Minister and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies on blue cards for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under the Atta Dal Scheme.

In a press conference here today, Youth Congress president Vikas Soni, district Congress president (Urban) Rajeev Bhagat, DCC president Rural Gurjeet Aujla and the leader of opposition in the Municipal Corporation, Raj Kanwal Lucky, said it was a ploy for publicity.

Vikas Soni said, "The Centre is providing wheat at Rs 2 per kg. The state government has started providing wheat at Rs 1 per kg and by merely spending Rs 1 on each kg, they are claiming that the scheme is theirs."

In the past, the Congress had protested the display of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's photograph on 108 ambulance service and cycles provided to girl students at government

schools. Soni said the SAD and BJP leaders who lost the last Assembly polls were distributing the cards among beneficiaries. “A person who has the elections have no right to distribute these cards,” he said.

He said the government was ignoring the elected representatives.

Soni said they had written a letter to state Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa on the issue and requested him to take up the matter with the Union government.

Amritsar, March 4
The municipal corporation (MC) of Amritsar has deputed 20 officials to recover house tax from defaulters. The MC teams today warned the offenders in different areas of the city that their properties could be sealed any time.

The officials have also been given targets. Additional staff has been deputed with the House Tax Department till March 31, the deadline for the collection of taxes.

House tax superintendent Shushant Bhatia said two clerks had been helping him in the recovery of tax. “Today we issued warnings to the defaulters and may start the sealing drive from tomorrow,” he added.

It is learnt that as many as 13 house tax inspectors have been directed to recover Rs 84 lakh till March 10. Besides, there will be review meetings every 10 days.

The MC swung into action after receiving a strong-worded letter from the Local Body Ministry.

MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda had fixed accountability of officials and directed them to recover the targeted amount

within the stipulated period; otherwise they could face disciplinary action. “Any leniency by the recovery team will invite a charge sheet. We are already running behind target, that’s why a schedule has been framed to recover the fixed tax amount from the defaulters,” he added.

Similar directions have been given to officials of the Water Supply and Sewerage Department. Out of Rs an outstanding amount of 15 crore, the department could realise Rs 10 crore.

Amritsar, March 4
The support for the protesting contractual nurses and paramedical staff of Government Medical College of Amritsar and Patiala has started pouring in from various quarters. Representatives of various employees' associations expressed solidarity with them today.

The protest of the contractual nurses and paramedical staff entered its sixth day. They are demanding regularisation of their services. The agitators also met Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat today.

Vice-president of the Staff Nurses and Paramedical Contractual Employees' Association Satinder Pal Singh said, “The Deputy commissioner had assured us of arranging a meeting with the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. The meeting was held today but we did not get any assurance."

Representatives from the Punjab Nursing Association, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Punjab State Subordinate Services Federation and the Paramedical Staff Federation met the agitators today. Aam Aadmi Party workers also joined the protesters.

The protest has affected services at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The strength of the contractual staff at the hospital is about 250. In the absence of nurses, nursing students were seen managing the affairs at the hospital.

Satinder Pal Singh said, “The government and officials are trying to give the impression that the protest has failed. The nursing students cannot attend to patients without the help of a trained nurse.” Meanwhile, association president Karamjit Kaur, who is on hunger strike since February 25, was shifted to the hospital by the police late last night. She has refused to take any medication.

Satinder Pal said Karamjit Kaur was working as a contractual nurse for the past eight years. “For the first four years, she was hired by a contractor arranging nurses for Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, and since 2009, she is working directly under the hospital on contractual basis.”

He said officials were asking them to accept 33 per cent hike in their salary. He said they had been asked to work for three more years on contract after which they would be regularised. “This is wrong when a person has already been exploited for eight years ,” he said.

Tarn Taran, March 4
State BJP president Kamal Sharma has called upon party members to work whole-heartedly for the victory of Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, SAD-BJP candidate from Khadur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency.

Sharma addressed a gathering of party workers and office-bearers of all the nine Assembly seats falling under the Khadur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency today.

Criticising the Congress for corruption in the past 10-years, Sharma said the Congress had maligned the country’s image at the international level. It was due to this reason that its own allies were drifting away at this critical juncture, he added.

Sharma said the BJP would announce its candicates for the next LS elections soon.

Amritsar, March 4
Putting a stop to copying at an examination centre proved dangerous for a Punjabi lecturer posted at Government School, Bachiwind.

Avtar Singh, a resident of Sandhu Colony, Chheharta, stated to the police that Parjinder Singh, alias Bunty, who is chairman of Maharaja Public School, Ladhowal, along with his accomplices barged into his house and attacked him with firearms and sharp-edged weapons. The incident occurred on March 1.

He said the accused tried to help students in copying at the examination centre number 13,430 at Government Senior Secondary School for Girls at Bhakna village. He alleged Parjinder created a lot of problems at the centre when he tried to stop him from the act. On March 1, he along with Ravi and Sukhpal Singh and six unidentified persons came to his house, thrashed him and threatened to kill him.

The police have registered a case under Sections 307, 511, 506, 148, 149, IPC, and 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act in this regard while no arrest has been made so far.

Amritsar, March 4
An annual dress designing exhibition-cum-fashion show was organised by students of Khalsa College for Women (KCW) here today. ‘Fronzolo,’ as the event was called, showcased designs prepared by final year students of the Department of Fashion Designing. Their creations displayed trends blended with tradition.

Girls sashayed down the ramp in their own designs, segregated in Indo-Western, ethnic and formal wear. Beaming with confidence along with bright colours, rich textures and some innovative concepts, the students proved their fashion sensibilities.

Principal Sukhbir Kaur Mahal said, “The show was an attempt to infuse confidence amongst the students. Meticulously designed dresses are a result of their year-long study and understanding.”

The KCW is the only college in the region to have introduced BSc in fashion designing. “We wanted students to get hands on practical experience by organising their own show like this one. I am glad that they were able to present such a show today. Some of them have a talent to take upfashion designing as career at the national level,” said the principal.

Apart from displaying traditional Indian and Punjabi dresses, the concept-based Western outfits were also showcased during the event. Summer dresses, day and evening wear, kaftans, kurtis and palazos emerged as hot favourites. Dr Rajinder Kaur Pawar, Dean, Colleges, Guru Nanak Dev University, was the chief guest on the occasion.

She said it was unique presentation by students. The director of Little Flowers High School, Tejinder Chhina, and Principal Mahal gave away prizes to the best performers.

“I am overwhelmed by the confidence and talent shown by students. I am happy that such a talent in designing clothes and presenting them on the stage exists in Amritsar,” said Chhina and added that, “No doubt there are many amongst you, who will turn out to be great designers of national and international repute tomorrow.”

Amritsar, March 4
At the tender age of 11, she impressed the viewers with her strong stage presence and music. At 17, she has once again managed to charm the audience as well as three of the most celebrated judges on the national television. Hargun Kaur, one of the finalists in the India’s Got Talent show, is ready to go a notch higher.

The city-based singer’s scintillating performance on the show thrilled Karan Johar, Kirron Kher and Malaika Arora Khan as well as the spectators. Ravinder Kaur, Hargun's mother, who is with her in Mumbai shares her own excitement.

“She has been singing since the age of three, learning from her grandmother. She used to sing shabads, recite kirtans and started her professional training only when she turned eight,” says Ravinder.

A student of BBKDAV, Hargun is pursuing humanities and participated in several reality shows as a child. “She was among the top 15 in the reality show “Chak de Bache”. Later, she participated “Chote Ustad”. She was also among the top four at the recently concluded “Voice of Punjab”, said Hargun’s mother. “My daughter's inspiration comes from reciting shabads. Hargun has also recorded kirtans for ETC Punjabi. Competing and winning national-level competitions like Hariwallabh Sangeet Sammellan, where she got award in the semi-classical music (senior category), made her conviction stronger,” he said

“She has set her goal early in life. She wants to be a playback singer. Her stint at various reality shows, her performances at events and compliments from renowned musicians like Ismail have boosted her confidence,” shares Ravinder.

Idolising Lata Mangeshkar and Sunidhi Chauhan, Hargun aspires to work with composer Shankar Mahadevan and is also in the process of writing songs under his guidance.

“I hope she wins as she faces tough competition from group acts on the show. The entire family back is praying for her success. ,” added Ravinder.