Bathinda, March 4
Notwithstanding the recent directives on the use of red and blue beacons by the state government, the Punjab Police seem to have spent its entire energy in issuing 40 challans in Jalandhar (Central) and 37 in Patiala only.

Interestingly, not even a single challan slip has been issued in other districts, including Bathinda, Mansa, Pathankot, Barnala, Khanna, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Muktsar, Jalandhar (rural) and Ropar during the same period.

Despite the fact that one sees vehicles sporting red-blue beacons and flashers on almost all the roads in the state which are in violation of the strict guidelines and concern the Supreme Court over their unauthorised use. It seems that the guidelines are observed more in breach than in compliance.

This has been revealed during a perusal of the detail of all the traffic challans procured under the RTI Act by an advocate Shahbharat Sidhu from 19 districts of Punjab. Strangely, let alone issue challans, the same exercise was not even mooted by the police of the districts concerned in the state.

While the challan issued for other violations for the common man runs in the hundred in every district, but none for the use of red/blue beacons.

“The traffic police never fish in troubled waters as anyone using the red or blue beacon is an influential person and we always hesitate to take action in this regard. For instance, we know the son of a Punjab minister who uses red beacon on all his vehicles whether he himself drives the vehicle or not. But no one dares to stop him,” said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity.

Even if any officer dares to issue the challan slip for the illegal use of red or blue beacon, the offender would pay the paltry sum as challan and carry on regardless, he pointed out.

Sidhu said that the Motor Vehicles Act should be amended so that a heavy penalty could be imposed for the unauthorised use of the red beacons. In fact, the provision of impounding the vehicle for a set period for repeated offences should be incorporated in the Act, he said.

The policemen said that the highest number of challans in Jalandhar (Central) was issued due to the pilot project of RS-10 of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The project in 10 countries was launched in Jalandhar in association of the city police and its nodal agency was a Chandigarh-based NGO Arrivesafe.

In the case of Patiala, it was zero tolerance of the local police lead by its SSP HS Mann towards such violations that has resulted in so many challans being issued.

Bathinda, March 4
City lad Raghav Gupta, a student of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), has developed a cost-efficient traffic management system that is more advanced than the other such systems available in India.

Raghav developed the system in collaboration with his friend Achintaya Kumar and a teacher, Prof J Kathirvelan from the School of Electronics Engineering, VIT.

Elaborating on the system, which is currently being used successfully on the campus of VIT Vellore, Raghav said instead of detecting just animals and machines, the system is uniquely designed to detect metal objects and animals considering its weight and size.

“Most of the sensors present in such system differentiate between animals and machines only. Our customised magnetic sensors differentiate between the type of vehicles by calculating the iron used in it,” said Raghav.

The system bars only four-wheelers to halt, while the two-wheelers are allowed to pass in a bid to avoid traffic pile-up. At VIT, Vellore, the system is installed at a 60-metre tunnel that serves as a railway under bridge. Raghav said since it was very cost-efficient, it could be replicated in places like Bathinda too, which has two railway underpasses, to manage the flow of traffic.

The system runs on a software that Raghav and his team has developed and hence also does not require manpower thereby saving the money spent on employing guards or traffic police.

Raghav, who has done his matriculation from St Joseph’s Convent School, said the main objective for the development of the project was to ensure safety for people, reduce traffic congestion and control traffic automatically without any manual intervention. It is especially helpful in safely navigating traffic in the areas that have blind curves such as in the hilly pockets.

Built at a cost of Rs 5 lakh, it offers a five-year warranty. The system has imported magnetic sensors installed, which the team customised to suit its needs. The idea for the project was conceived in august 2012 with the prototype being completed in April 2013. Thereafter, in October 2013, the team installed the system on its campus to study its practical application and eliminate the shortcomings.

“The results have been much better than we expected. The VIT has applied for intellectual patent so that the invention is not restricted to the VIT campus and is taken beyond,” he said.

Bathinda, March 4
The Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) has been directed to pay Rs 15,000 for its failure to hand over the possession of a plot within the stipulated time period at the Phase-IV and V of the BDA Enclave.

In a complaint to the Consumer Forum, Sahib Singh, a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, said he along with his wife had purchased a plot at Phase-IV and V carved out by the BDA. The plot was originally allotted to someone else from whom the couple purchased the same.

The counsel for the complainant, advocates Sanjeev Gupta and Sukhdeep Sidhu said as per the terms and conditions, 10 per cent of the total amount of the plot was to be deposited during the time of allotment and the opposite party, as per condition number 15, is supposed to hand over the possession after a year and five months of allotment.

In case, the BDA fails to hand over the possession then the person in question will have the right to withdraw from the scheme.

The complainant paid the total amount of Rs 7.65 lakh. It was assured by the BDA that it will complete the development works in the area within a stipulated period of six months from January 2013 after which the possession of the plot would be given to those allotted the plots.

The complainant’s counsel alleged that the BDA collected crores of rupees from those seeking possession of plots in the area in the name of developing the place. However, the pace of work fail to gain momentum and hardly 50 per cent of the work was completed after the lapse of stipulated time period.

The opposite party argued in the forum that they were ready to refund the amount of the complainant with 10 per cent simple interest for their failure to complete development in the said area within a stipulated time frame. The counsels also accused the BDA of not using the money collected to the tune of crores for the developmental work which led to harassment of numerous families seeking plots to build houses in the colony.

The delay in handing over the possession put the families under immense mental agony and pressure and they feel cheated, the counsels alleged.

Despite making repeated rounds in the offices of the BDA and meeting local officials, their pleas were not heard by the department.

Keeping in view the facts and circumstances, the Forum observed deficiency on the part of the BDA and directed it to pay a sum of Rs 15,000. The BDA was also directed to pay interest to the tune of 12 per cent on the total amount deposited by the complainant from the time of the institution of the complaint till the completion of the development work. The Forum also directed the BDA to hand over the possession of the plot to the complainant. The opposite party is also directed to comply with the orders within 45 days.

Bathinda, March 4
The police today arrested three robbers for snatching a purse containing Rs 1,500, a driving licence, a mobile phone and a gold earring from a Goniana resident. The incident occurred on the night of February 23.

In a press release issued here today, SSP Gurpreet Bhullar said a team comprising SP Swarn Singh, Khanna and DSP Ranjeet Singh was formed to arrest the culprits. The officers got the clue regarding the involvement of some youngsters and after rounding up some youths, they caught hold of the actual culprits.

The police said they have arrested Anmol, alias Sonu of Chrik village, Moga, Beant Singh and Sarabjit Singh, both residents of Bajakhana.

The accused, all in the age-group of 18 to 23 years, had looted Jaswinder Singh, after consuming liquor near the Goniana Railway station, said the police.

The police added that they have recovered a pickup-jeep from the possession of the accused, which was used in robbing the complainant along with the robbed material, including a gold ring, mobile phone and cash. A case in this connection has been registered against the accused.

Bathinda, March 4
In a joint operation, the district police and health authorities arrested a person for selling adulterated desi ghee from Teliyan Wala Mohalla and confiscated 100 tins of various oils.

Acting on a tip-off a team of SHO Kotwali Mahesh Kumar and District Health Officer Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa conducted a raid on Ashoka Dairy, located at Teilyan Wala Mohalla. The police arrested Mohit Kumar, son of the dairy’s owner, Ashok Kumar. He has been booked under Sections 420, 272 and 273 of the IPC. He would be produced before the court for the police remand tomorrow.

The team also came across a store of the dairy owner in the area at the backside of Ram Bagh on the Multania Road. The dingy store was situated in an abandoned-looking plot. The team found 75 tins of raag vanaspati ghee and 15 tins of palm oil. Each tin contained 15 kg of the edible oil.

Dr Randhawa said prima facie it seems that the dairy owner used to mix the two components-vanaspati and palm oil-in the desi ghee to increase its quantity.

“However, anything could be ascertained only after reports of the lab results are received,” added Dr Randhawa. The lab result is expected within two to three weeks. Food Inspectors Sanjay Katyal and Amrit Pal were also part of the team.

Sources said the owner of dairy also does not have licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act, which is mandatory for all the food business operators.

The Health Department collected four samples, including two of desi ghee from the shop in Teliyan Wala Mohalla and one each of vanaspati ghee and palm oil. Near the shop was a small room meant for preparations, which was also check by the health department.

A visit to the store located at the backside of Ram Bagh on the Multania Road revealed that the store was located at a dirty place which is miles away from the hygiene and cleanliness that is mandatory to be maintained while storing or handling food products.

In a room lay tins lined up, while in another adjacent room were several packs of chyawanprash. Another larger room had several tyres dumped in it. The compound was overgrown with tall grass.

Pleading anonymity the neighbors of the accused said that they had never seen the owner of store. “Mini trucks come here and are directly driven inside the plot. At times, the vehicles are offloaded during late night also,” said a neighbour.

The police officials said they were investigating into the modus operandi using which the adulterated preparations were made and sold.

Bathinda, March 4
A two-day inter-college competition, ‘Manthan 2014’, began at SSD Women’s Institute of Technology today.

District and Sessions Judge Tejwinder Singh and his wife Gul Jolly were the chief guests at the event. DAV College, SSD Girls College and Government Rajindra College teams secured the first, second and third places in rangoli making.

In the face-painting contest, SSDWIT, Guru Nanak Khalsa College and Malwa College teams secured the first, second and third places. In salad making, Saraswati Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Jaito, SSDWIT and SSD Girls College teams were adjudged the first, second and third respectively.

In the curvature event, teams of SSD Education College, SSD Girls College and SSD Girls College IT Wing were declared first, second and third. In the mind-twister event, two teams from GZS PTU secured first and second places, while SSDWIT bagged the third place.

In the quiz contest, Malwa College, GZS PTU and SSDWIT secured first, second and third places respectively. In the skit competition, teams of Government Rajindra College, Guru Kashi College and SSD Education College secured first, second and third places respectively.

In the Bollywood hungama event, SSD Girls College, SSDWIT and Malwa College secured first, second and third places respectively.

The chief guest and his wife played games at the hobby huts section. This section offered tattoo making, rangoli making, nail art among other things. — TNS

Bathinda, March 4
The Polytechnic Wing of Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh campus organised an anti-drug and AIDS awareness seminar today.

The Red Ribbon Club and assistant director of Youth Services Department, Dr Kamaljit Singh Sidhu, spread awareness on different issues.

NSS programme officer Surinder Singh Khela and health activist Narender Bassi delivered lectures on HIV AIDS. Principal of the Polytechnic Wing, Darshan Singh Sandhu, said such awareness programmes were necessary to sensitise youngsters on social and health issues. — TNS

Bathinda, March 4
The staff of Central University of Punjab (CUP) organised a farewell party to honour first Vice-Chancellor of CUP, Dr Jai Rup Singh.

The staff welcomed Dr Jai Rup Singh and his wife Dr Pushpinder Jai Rup. Dr Sunil Kumar and Dr Zameer Pal Kaur presented a bouquet on behalf of the faculty. Deputy Registrar Shweta Arora and Gurmail Singh presented a bouquet on behalf of the non-teaching staff and Ravi Parkash presented a bouquet on behalf of the students.

Prof RG Saini, in-charge of examinations, said the Vice-Chancellor worked from 2009 to 2014.

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof P Ramarao and Registrar Col (retd) Jagdev Kartar Singh also spoke at the event.

In his concluding address, Dr Jai Rup Singh wished that in the coming years, CUPB would get a higher rank and status on account of the hard work of its staff and students.

Impressions were presented to Dr Jai Rup Singh and his wife by Prof P Ramarao, Prof RG Saini and Registrar Col (Retd.) Jagdev Kartar Singh. 

Bathinda, March 4
The Bathinda unit of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has won the first prize in Punjab State Safety Award - 2013. Chief general manager SC Singhla along with his team received the award from Labour Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat at a function held at CII, Chandigarh, today.

The NFL spokesperson said this was the second award the unit had won in a period of three months.

The unit has won Punjab State Safety Award - 2013 in recognition of largest reduction in accident frequency rate in the chemical industry. The unit has achieved more than 5 lakh accident-free hours under chemical industry category in Punjab.

The NFL Bathinda unit had recently won Prashansa Patras from National Safety Council of India in manufacturing as well as construction sector for the year 2012.

Bathinda, March 4
Manpreet Kaur (24), a student of BA (second year) of Government Rajindra College (GRC), who received serious head injuries during an accident in the college, was discharged from Max Hospital after undergoing a major brain surgery.

She is a resident of Lal Singh Basti. She suffered serious head injuries when a wooden plank fell on her head on the college premises.

Dr Manoj Manjhi, who operated upon Manpreet, said she would have to undergo another surgery after six months in which an artificial skull bone would be affixed.

“In the accident, the skull bone was badly fractured and had to be removed. Currently she does not have a skull bone, which will be surgically implanted six months later. Till then she will have to take utmost care of her head. She can take her final examinations,” he said.

Manpreet was happy to go back to her home and be amidst her family after 12 days of her stay at the hospital.

On February 21, the college authorities rushed Manpreet to the Civil Hospital from where she was referred to Max Hospital. She underwent a brain surgery on February 23. The surgery took more than three and a half hours. She could speak only after 72 hours of the accident on the evening of February 24. She is now able to walk a little.

Her father Nirmal Singh, who is a tailor by profession, said the college authorities and the contractor of the college helped him meet with the operation expenses.

“The total hospital bill was Rs 1.90 lakh, of which the hospital authorities charged only Rs 1.75 lakh and the rest was waived off,” he said.

The college students collected Rs 57,000, the staff members collected Rs 31,000 and the contractor gave Rs 1 lakh for her treatment. Dr Manjhi said Rs 1 lakh would be required for the surgery that is to be conducted six months later.

Her final examinations are scheduled to be held in late April. Manpreet said, “I am keen to have my books back and be with my family.” Doctors at the Max Hospital said that it would take Manpreet a year to recuperate completely from the injuries.