Jalandhar, April 3
Miffed over a series of reports against the District Election Office (DEO) for not being able to redress complaints properly, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Office today issued gag orders, prohibiting his entire administrative set-up from talking to the media.

Rather than ensuring that there is a complete transparency in the election work in sync with the style of functioning of the Election Commission of India, the local election office has curtailed the dissemination of information from any source other than the DEO himself. DEO Varun Roojam, who himself remains occupied with video conferencing, meetings with election observers and his various local teams, at a meeting held this morning, told all local officers, including his team of PCS officials, not to share any information with the media.

So much so that even the new Media Monitoring Committee in-charge-cum-Additional Returning Officer-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) HK Nagpal refused to talk to any of the reporters in the city, saying he was unauthorised to talk to the media. The officer clearly spelt out, “There have been instructions issued by the Deputy Commissioner that I should not talk to the media on any issue pertaining to elections. All of you need to directly talk to the DC on any matter.”

Nagpal even refused to share his cell phone number, citing the reason that he would not be able to talk on phone either.

Further, DP Dawar, office superintendent, heading the online complaint wing, also flatly refused to share any details pertaining to new complaints received. The superintendent said, “For any news, big or small, you need to talk to the DC directly.” He even refused to give the number of complaints received by his office in the day.

The staff from the Food and Civil Supplies office, who attend the toll-free complaint number, also refused to divulge any information received on phone. “Sorry, we cannot share any details. Please talk to the DC,” came the reply.

The DEO was reportedly upset over the news item that the Election Complaint Cell was unable to redress the complaints properly and those who had lodged the complaints still had the grouse. He has also been reportedly upset with the news of the defacement of the entire city by his office, which has been using electricity poles, trees, traffic lights and streetlights for hanging hoardings on voter awareness.

A complaint by the tent house owners association regarding favour extended to just one tent company by giving him the contract for the entire election work of the district without calling quotations from all has also reportedly not gone down well with him. Yesterday, there also had been an online complaint moved by Congress candidate Santokh Chaudhary’s son Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary against Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal for breaching the code by announcing that the road work in the city would be completed in the next 15 days.

Roojam, when contacted, confirmed that it had been decided at the meeting today that he alone would be talking to the media on election-related matters and that no one else should.

Giving his viewpoint, he said, “I feel that there is some misinformation being spread from within my office. The media calls me just for my one small comment at the end, while giving whatever news it gathers from my office in the day. Election is a very sensitive issue and I feel that there is some wrong impression being created against my office which I do not want to spread in the public. You can call me any number of times in the day and I will respond.” Asked that he often remained busy with meetings and conferences and that in such a situation, an alternative official must be assigned the duty, he insisted, “No, I alone will speak to the press”.

Jalandhar, April 3
Beating languages as the topmost scare among students appearing for the 10th board exams in the district, the social studies exam today broke all records of exams held this season, with 17 cases of cheating being caught by various flying squad teams across district government schools today.

Twelve of these students were caught cheating in open as well as private centres and five at regular centres.

Different flying squad teams, led by Prem Kumar, Rajwinder Kaur, Shivcharan and DSS Baljinder Singh, detected these cases.

Seven of the cases were caught from the open centre at Government High School, Adra Mal; four from the private centre at Government High School Nakodar; one from the open centre at Government Girls High School, Nagar.

Of the five unfair means cases (UMCs) from regular schools, four were from the Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Bilga and one from the Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Khiwa.

Adar Mal, Khiwa and Nakodar are also emerging as centres from where cheating cases are repeatedly being reported.

With the UMC cases today, the (total) tally of such cases during the exams has reached 48. With nine cases formerly having been reported during the 10th board exams, the 17 cheating cases today took their tally to 26.

Notably, while 18 UMCs had been detected during language exams, on a single day today, 17 cases were detected. 

Jalandhar, April 3
Reacting to attacks on RTI activists in the state, an advocate in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and an RTI activist HC Arora said here today that such victims could seek security from the police.

Arora was here to release his book "Jang Jari Hai".

Talking to The Tribune, Arora said, “If any RTI activist faces any threat perception, there is a special policy under which he/she could demand special security from the state police.”

Under this policy, the government has formed special committees at district levels across the state, which are headed by deputy commissioners in their capacity as district magistrates.

The SSP, District Attorney and one woman officer are also part of the committee, Arora said, adding that once any activist files an application to take security, the committee has to seek report of threat perception from intelligence officials in 48 hours.

If the intelligence officials find threat perception, the committee has to allot security immediately, he said.

If the committee still denies security, the RTI activist could then also file an appeal with the state-level committee, headed by Home Secretary, along with Advocate-General, a senior police official, and an NGO representative to decide upon the request

Arora said if this committee also denied security, the applicant could move court against the decision.

Arora revealed that over 10 RTI activists were attacked in the past few years, but due to the lack of awareness about the aforesaid government policy, activists were not applying for security.

Jalandhar, April 3
A team of seven BTech (computer science), BBA and BCA students and alumni of Lovely Professional University (LPU) has launched an upgraded social networking website ‘itoall.com’.

Resembling social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, ‘itoall’ is supposed to be India’s first and largest website. It offers many prominent services, including videos, documents, photo sharing and social networking on a single platform. The website has four home pages, categorised notifications to be easily selected for immediate interest, and date wise visible posts to access only desired posts. The design of the website is relatively more user friendly, which saves both time and efforts.

The team plans to add a lot of other interesting services to the website, which are to be introduced later on. An attractive feature to be added would facilitate a user to view videos /posts without any profile or registration on the site. Prahlad Modi, a team member, said, “It took two years for me and my other team members to build this site. Looking at the services offered through ‘itoall.com’, we are confident about immediate and worldwide acceptance of the website. We are also looking forward to special patronage for this home-grown website from the native population.” Congratulating the team, LPU VC, Dr Ramesh Kanwar said, “We are happy to note that our regular striving for research and development works is bringing forth illustrative results.” Other students who are part the ‘itoall’ team are Sahil Mehta, Jitni Arora (BTech), Ashwini (BBA), Shahrukh Khan (BCA), Dilroop Singh and Yuvraj Babrah (B Tech). — TNS

Jalandhar April 3
Ankit Airi of Nakodar sub-division and Gaurav Gupta of Jalandhar are on cloud nine as they have cleared the PCS (Judicial) exam, the result of which was declared on April 1. Both are close friends. Gaurav credited his parents for his success while Ankit said his maternal grandfather and mother stood by him during all odds, which helped him in clearing the exam. Nobody from their families comes from a government service background. Both said they gained knowledge from articles, essays and editorials related to judiciary and law, published in The Tribune newspaper.

Ankit Airi - Nakodar

“My nanaji (maternal grandfather) proved a key to my success” - Ankit

“Agar mere nana ji ka ashirwad na hota and aur wo mujhe support na karte to shayad aaj main yeh exam kabi bhi clear nahi kar sakta tha” (Had my nana ji (maternal grandfather) Krishan Kant Tiwari not given me his blessings and not supported me, I would never had cleared this exam), said Ankit Airi, a 25-year-old resident of Nakodar, who cleared the PCS (Judicial) exam.

“I would not have been even an advocate today, if my maternal grandfather had not given me the strength and power to compete in the examination,” said Ankit in a cheerful mood.

The moment, he informed his ‘nana ji’ that he secured fourth rank in the PCS (Judicial), he was overwhelmed and said, “This is the happiest day I saw in my 85 years of life,” said Ankit.

Ankit, who cleared the PCS exam in first attempt, said apart from his maternal grandfather, his mother Indira Tiwari, who is centre head teacher in a government school at Shahpur, also played a key role. “My mother always told me that one day I will become a judge and bring laurels for the family. And yes, I did fulfil my mother’s dream.” Ankit did his BA- LLB (hons) from the GNDU regional campus with 72 per cent marks.

“There won’t be injustice at my hands,” said Ankit, who is practicing as lawyer in Nakodar. He said he would fulfil his duties in a fair and unbiased manner.

Ankit said, “All those aspirants, who want to clear PCS (judicial) exam must remember that, quantity does not matter. The only thing which matters in the exams is quality.”

Gaurav Gupta - Jalandhar

A son of floor mill owner, Guarav has managed to clinch seventh rank in the state in the PCS (Judicial) exams. He credited his parents and mentor Jagtar Singh Sehmbi for his success.

Gaurav, who belongs to a middle class family, after completing his LLB from Lovely Professional University in 2008, started his practising as lawyer in the district courts.

“I started preparing for exams in 2010 and in the same year appeared for Haryana Civil Services (judicial) exams for the first time. I cleared the written exams, but was left behind in the final interview by just a few marks,” said Gaurav.

He said, “After I made a futile attempt to clear the exam, I felt disheartened, but my mentor and role model Jagtar Singh Sehmbi, father Vijay Gupta, mother Jyoti Gupta and sister Shilpa Gupta boosted my morale. They made me believe that I can become a judge one day and yes, I made them feel proud.”

Gaurav said, with a new hope, he appeared in the civil services exams in 2011 and 2012. He was again left out by just a few marks in the interview. He said despite the two futile attempts, he did not loose hope.

“I even sacrificed my social life and devoted my entire time to study. All my friends and relatives, whom I didn’t meet during preparation, were angry with me. But now all of them are happy as I have cleared the exam,” recalled Gaurav.

Gaurav also lauded his friend Rajwinder Singh Sehmbi, who is presently a judge in Haryana, for helping him in preparation for exam.

“The day I got to know about my rank in the PCS (Judicial), I was unable to hold back tears as it was a dream come true for me. My parents were also overwhelmed,” added Gaurav.

He said, “I also owe my success to The Tribune newspaper, whose articles, essays and editorials related to the judiciary helped me in gaining marks in written exams and in the interview as well.”

Jalandhar, April 3
A seminar on the condition of women in society was organised yesterday to mark the 107th birth anniversary of Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga, a Gadar Party member, at his native village Bilga. Apart from addressing the present status of women in Indian society, future course of action to ameliorate the condition of women was also discussed.

Dr Jasvir Kaur Gill presented a research paper on the occasion. She said the kind of life women had been leading in India was not so good economically, politically and socially. She said, “They have been become a commodity and slave.”

Dr Jasvir said: “While terming women as slaves, I don’t mean they are slaves of men. They have become slave of the present system. The present Indian system has not been delivering justice to women.”

She said, “Middle class or working class women are still thriving on their own somehow as they are educated and aware of their rights in some way. As much as 40 per cent of the Indian women are marginalised. The condition of such women, who work as landless labourers in farms, poor peasants and those who work on roadsides is miserable. And nothing is being done by our system to get rid of their plights,” she added.

Speaking on the occasion Mangat Ram Pasla, state general secretary of the CPM, argued that it was not only the marginalised women, who had been suffering at the hands of system, also the men, who belonged to the same class, were suffering too.

Amolak Singh, president of the Punjab Lok Sabhyacharak Manch, said their numerous downtrodden women had been struggling with the system to get their dues. “We should adopt an optimistic attitude, despite of the fact that certain women have been going through the worst phase,” said Amolak.

Surinder Kumari Kochhar, Dr Raghbit Kaur, Ajmer Singh and Gurmeet Kaur Canada were among those, who spoke on the occasion. — TNS

Jalandhar, April 3
No attention is being paid by the authorities concerned as violation of the Intellectual Property Right is on the rise in the region. The Punjabi film and music industry is the worst affected due to video piracy.

Apart from using a pirated version of films and songs, including new releases for personal viewing, the same are being used for public viewing also without any check. The severity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that most of the private buses in the region, which have video facility, are screening new released Punjabi and Hindi films, besides new songs.

During investigation, it was found that Punjabi film Mr and Mrs 420, that was set to be released on March 14, was already out for public viewing.

While contacted, film director Kashitij Chaudhary said he was surprised to know that his film was being shown in buses right after the release. “I have no idea how does it happens as my previous film Jatt in Golmal was stolen in the same way. We have been suffering 50 per cent loss due to piracy,” he said, adding that the nexus between cinema employees and people, who indulged in piracy, could not be ruled out.

Kashitij said the Punjab government had been approached through singer turned actor Harbhan Mann to raise the issue a few years back, but nothing had been done so far.

Other than film producers, music industry has also been the victim of piracy. Speaking to The Tribune, Deepak Bali, Managing Director of Plasma Records, said Punjabi music industry had been suffering more than 80 per cent loss with every release due to piracy. With the arrival of digital technologies, piracy had become more feasible. He said, “There are numerous websites, which provide pirated version of music and films. New technology has made piracy easy in this digital age.”

Bali said, “We have taken up the issue with the government several times. We have been struggling to get Gunda Act implemented on those, who indulge in such activities, yet nothing constructive has been done. It seems that government has turned a blind eye towards piracy.”

He said the Kolkata High Court ordered to close down more than 70 such websites around a year ago, when Indian Music Industry won the case. Ironically, plenty of other such websites opened afterwards with new names. It is so difficult to keep a check on piracy without stern laws. 

Jalandhar, April 3
The Jalandhar rural police seized 15 bags of poppy husk late this evening. Two smuuglers were nabbed by the police in this regard. Each bag contained 20 kg of narcotics.

Superintendent of Police, Detective, HPS Khakh said the police had received secret information that a Tata 407 and an Alto car were carrying poppy husk for smuggling. Accordingly, a naka was laid near Talwan village, he added. After intercepting the vehicles, the police signalled them to stop.

During search of the Alto car, a bag of poppy husk was recovered, while during the search of Tata 407, 14 bags of poppy husk were recovered by the police. The smugglers were taking the consignment for smuggling to nearby localities.

After recocvering the narcotics, the police nabbed Surjit of Sangal village, Mangat Ram of Bilga, Gurmej Singh and Sukhpal Singh, both residents of Phillaur. The SP said the police would seek the remand of the nabbed persons to inquire their links with other local smugglers.

Jalandhar, April 3
Tension gripped residents near the BSF chowk after the recovery of a mutilated body of a male from a gutter late this night.

The gutter was built outside the building near the BSF chowk. The incident came to light when passersby noticed the body lying in the open gutter. They immediately informed the police.

As per the police, the dead man might have been aged around 25.

The police suspected that the victim might have been murdered by some miscreants. The police took the body to the Civil Hospital for postmortem. The New Baradari police has started investigation.

Till the filing of this report,the police were searching the gutter and nearby places to get clues about the crime. — TNS