Jalandhar, April 18
Finally, waking up from their slumber after a number of complaints and protests regarding the bad state of mid-day meals in the city, health department teams inspected the facility where the meal is prepared.

The health authorities have written to the District Education Officer (Secondary Education) Kuldeeep Sharma as well as the Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam regarding the bad state of the mid-day meal being prepared.

After taking food samples from the facility yesterday, health teams inspected the kitchen premises where the meals are being prepared and concluded that the state of the meal was very bad.

Ironically, while schools have been screaming foul about bad mid-day meal and the state of the establishment was also found to be bad, the health authorities “officially” continue to be in a state of denial.

Sources in the Health Department said, “We visited the facility following repeated complaints regarding bad mid-day meal, on the instructions of the Civil Surgeon. The place was not hygienic and flies hovered over the food. Although food is prepared under a shed, it is open from all the other sides and insects and flies get in. The state of the preparations was bad. The food was ill-prepared. The rotis were hard and stale and the dal and rice were also not prepared properly. We also visited a number of schools where the mid-day meal was found to be not up to the mark. We have issued a warning.”

However, Civil Surgeon Dr RL Bassan said, “Inspections were carried out and samples were taken. The samples will tell whether the food is proper. The establishment, in general, was found to be fine. The in charge of the school health programme inspected the place. She has issued a note on the issue.”

When asked why a stern warning or punitive action hadn’t been recommended, the CS said, “Let the reports come first.”

Health teams had also visited two of the schools in the Gandhi Camp area yesterday where again, the food was found to be bad.

The Tribune had highlighted the issue of sub-standard mid-day meal being served in various schools in these columns a few days ago. While the Education Department had said raids would be carried out regarding the bad state of meals, a concrete step in this direction hadn’t been taken so far.

Schools from a number of areas scattered across the district complained that they were being served stale, smelly food in their mid-day meals and a number of them had even discarded the food, dumping it outside their premises because it was inedible.

Jalandhar, April 18
In its ongoing effort to motivate voters to cast their ballot in the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India launched its "Voters Education Channel" linked to its website www.eci.nic.in on Thursday.

Within a span of two days, the channel has received 2,157 clicks. Apart from containing videos related to voters' awareness and education programme, the channel also contains videos pertaining to voters' registration, ethical and inducement-free elections, participation of women and youth and other motivational audio-visuals for voters. The most interesting aspect of the channel is that it has displayed peppy voters' awareness campaigns from across the country that makes a voter aware of his voting right in a comic yet serious way!

The first clip displayed on the channel is that of VS Sampath, Chief Election Commissioner of India. He has urged people to exercise their voting right in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014. Apart from this, many other clips featuring iconic personalities from the field of arts and sports like MS Dhoni, Saina Nehwal and Mary Com were also uploaded on the channel.

However, amongst the most popular clip is the "2-minute campaign" launched by the ECI in which voters were shown the importance of their 2 minutes which they would take to cast their ballot that could change the destiny of the country. Many comic strips were put together in the 2.27-minute clip that leaves no stone unturned to inform and motivate voters that it will just take two minutes to cast their vote and that could bring positive changes in their lives.

In another strip, a person was shown asking for time to solve his various problems like corruption, inflation, high crime graph etc from an astrologer to which the astrologer asking him to vote informed him that it would just take two minutes (the time he would take to cast his vote) for all his problems to end.

In yet another strip, a man was seen blaming the government while watching a corruption related news on his TV and regretting the plight of affairs in the state to which his wife in the kitchen was shown steering him to go out and cast his ballot. On the channel, the EC has also tried to make popular the new concept of gifting voter identity card to the youths turning 18 by their families. Apart from this, lyrics of many Bollywood songs were also redone to make these voter-savvy compositions.

Jalandhar, April 18
The city police today claimed to have nabbed two brothers who had beaten a man to death on April 9 at Raipur village. The duo had beaten Gurjit Singh (a driver at HDFC Bank) to death after he objected to the ruckus created by them.

A Paragpur police official said the police had got a tip-off about the whereabouts of the accused and, accordingly, a raid was conducted and the accused were nabbed. Earlier also, the police had conducted several raids at the suspected hideouts of the accused, but the accused managed to escape.

It is to recall here that the accused, who also happened to be neighbours of the victim, in an inebriated state, were creating ruckus on the rooftop of the house on April 9. Despite several requests, the duo didn't pay heed to him. When the accused refused to budge, the victim's daughters also requested them to stop making noises, but in vain. Later, the accused also had heated arguments with Gurjeet.

Next morning, when Gurjeet was heading to the bank, he was cornered by the duo and beaten to death.

Jalandhar, April 18
By issuing over 1.16 lakh challans in the past near 15 months, the traffic police managed to earn a whopping Rs 3.84 crore for the state exchequer.

The data obtained from the traffic police revealed that although the police had issued challans in all violations, of the total challans issued in said period, a majority of the challans were related to offences like not wearing seat belts, helmets, jumping red lights, use of mobile while driving, driving without registration certificate and licence, use of black film, triple riding, wrong parking, disobeying traffic signal, pollution and misbehaving with traffic cops.

The data revealed that in the past year alone, the traffic police had issued as many as 1,03,813 challans and had collected a whopping fine to the tune of Rs 3,40,26,900 crore. Similarly, in the last four months (till April 15), the traffic police have already issued as many as 13028 challans by levying a penalty to the tune of 4,37,6800.

As per the last year statistics, the police issued maximum 9,863 challans in the month of May, followed by 9,820 in August, 9,748 in July, 9,668 in April, 9,653 in October, 9,623 in March, 9,086 in September, 9,072 in February etc. The police issued a minimum of 4,019 challans in December, followed by 5,886 in November.

The maximum fine of Rs 4,24,1900 was collected in the month of May against the 9,863 challans issued for various traffic offences, followed by 4,24,1800 in the month of April against the 9,668 challans.

In the running year, the traffic police seemed to be doing well, as it has already issued as many as 13,028 challans and added Rs 43,76,800 in the state exchequer by way of fine.

ACP, Traffic, Dalbir Singh Butter, said, on an average, the police have been challaning about

Jalandhar, April 18
What may be termed as craze among officials of the Jalandhar Commissionerate police for getting their photographs published in newspapers, they leave no chance for any photo session that, too, without confirming the status of the recovered cash and valuables.

On the pretext of enhanced security checking ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the police allegedly stopped a bank vehicle and told its occupants to present documents that could establish the legality of the cash that amounted to Rs 77 lakh lying in the vehicle. Despite the bank employee reportedly showing supporting documents, the police let them go only after enjoying the photo opportunity.

Bank employees have also denounced the act of Jalandhar cops alleging that just for the sake of getting their photographs clicked, the cops made them to suffer for over four hours.

The incident occurred at 11 am when cops signaled a Ford Figo car to stop for routine checking. During search, the police found a trunk that contained Rs 77 lakh. Considering it to be a big recovery, the cops informed their senior officials, including ADCP-1 Naresh Dogra and ACP, Central D D Sharma. Meanwhile, the media was also called at the spot for coverage.

The car-borne staff were UCO bank employees of Amritsar, who were heading to UCO bank branch at Bhargav Camp to deposit cash in currency chest.

The bank security guard and a former NSG commando Gurdyal Singh, who was also accompanied by UCO bank cashier Hardyal, said the moment they were stopped by cops, they produced legal documents related to the cash, but the police were not letting them off.

“We produced cash-transfer letter and other required IDs, but the police were not ready to relieve us. It was only after the police called mediapersons and got their photographs clicked, we were let off. I would say, Jalandhar cops were so publicity hungry that they made us suffer for over four hours just to have a photo session and to prove that they made a big recovery of unaccounted cash,” Singh said, alleging that the cops should have inquired the status of the cash before getting their photo session done.

Due to the incident, they were not able to deposit the cash at currency chest at time, and now they have to come again from Amritsar to deposit cash, the security guard said.

Interestingly, ADCP Naresh Dogra, along with his team, was seen getting his pictures clicked by holding cash in his hand, which was giving the impression that the police had recovered unaccounted cash.

DD Sharma, ACP, Central, when contacted, said the police had stopped the vehicle for routine checking and during search, Rs 77 lakh was recovered, adding that it came to the fore that the cash belonged to UCO Bank. The police had let off the car-borne persons after the SDM-I Neeraj Kumar sent his Tehsildar for inquiring documents.

Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh said the police were conducting routine checking ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and it was the duty of the police to check each and every vehicle for security reasons.

Kapurthala, April 18
Ranging from issues pertaining to escalating cost of higher education, brain drain, democracy in India and even its road to success, students of Punjab Technical University today got a chance to have an elaborate interactive session with UK's steel tycoon Lord Swraj Paul, his son and Caparo Group CEO Angad Paul and his niece and business entrepreneur Sushma Berlia here today.

Having already mailed his speech to the students, the Lord of Marylebone said, "In the House of Lords, if we speak for more than eight minutes, we are told that time is up and we better sit down. So here too, I want to be very brief." He apologised to the students for asking them to be present today, it being holiday on account of Good Friday. But he assured them, "I will make sure that the time you spend here is worthwhile."

One of the most interesting questions put up was by an engineering student, Vikas — "What do we need to become a big shot like you?" The octogenarian man was spontaneous enough to retort, "You are young, confident and aspiring. I hope you will do even better. Just say it yourself that you are second to none and you always have to be on the top slot." He was quick enough to add a word of caution, "Always be what you are. Never follow anyone else's footsteps."

Nikhil, pursuing his MBA degree, said, "India is a country with a maximum population of middle class people for whom the existence is extremely becoming hand to mouth. It is extremely difficult for this class to help their children pursue higher education because of escalated fee. What should be done?"

Turning to the two bureaucrats present there, Rakesh Verma, Secretary of Technical Education, and AR Talwar, who retired last month as Principal Secretary of Technical Education, he said, "Restricted and outdated policies in India are a reason and the government officials must bring the matter before the policy makers. India needs 500 million new qualified people by 2020. The Government must pitch in mobilising more resources towards education. In UK, health is the most important issue raked up in elections and education the second most important matter. But here when Lok Sabha polls are in process, I am surprised that no one is talking on either of the two issues."

On the role of youth in politics, he told the students, "India is a young country. It is you who hold power in your hands." He added in a lighter note, "Do not get carried away by the lure of money while voting. If anyone offers you some, do not be a fool. Take it but vote as per your own judgement. Do not return to him or else it will go in his own pocket."

Paul was also asked for his comments on brain drain in India, to which he disagreed. He said, "In fact, Indians doing good work abroad are bringing a big name to their country. While I was in MIT, I got a chance to mingle with the students of various nationalities. All universities in the West want an exchange with India, which is a must for a wider perspective."

Meenakshi, another student, came up and said, "You are 80-plus and still enterprising discussing issues pertaining to industry, academia and collaborations. How come?"

Paul immediately replied, "While I was delivering a lecture to a girl way back in 1998 at MIT USA from where I did my engineering, a girl asked me a similar question. I told her never take any advice from an old man. His frustrations will come tagged along. Anyways, I believe that the learning process must go on all throughout one's life."

He attributed his success to his deceased daughter Ambika Paul for whose treatment he had gone to the UK and settled there. "What I am today is all because of her", he repeated several times during the interaction.

Paul also gave away prizes to the students who had got top ranks. He expressed surprise over the fact that they were all girls. "What are you doing, boys?" he asked the students sitting in the hall.

Jalandhar, April, 18
In order to make students aware of the importance of elections and encourage the first time voters to vote, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Regional Campus of Guru Nanak Dev University today organised a signature campaign.

Thousands of students from all over the country in the departments, including Journalism and Mass Communication, School of Legal Studies, Information and Technology, Punjabi and English, pledged to vote.

Speaking with Jalandhar Tribune, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Student Welfare, Dr Kamlesh Singh Duggal, said it was all due to the efforts of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication that this campaign was organised. “There were nearly five per cent students of some departments who did not know that polling would be held in the state on April 30 and most of them were first timers,” Dr Duggal added.

An election campaign has already been launched by the district administration in which officials have been visiting schools and colleges to encourage voters, especially the first time voters to use their right.

Dr Duggal said no official from the district administration had ever visited their campus with regard to this campaign. “I got to know that there are some students of the campus who are not aware of elections. Therefore, I planned to organise this event,” he added.

They said they would vote for a person who would make the country corruption-free and would not indulge in dirty games based on caste, religion, region and creed to polarise voters. Students also said they would vote for a candidate who would bring a sense of security among women.

Educational qualification of the candidates and party workers was also a big issue among the students.

Kapurthala, April 18
Bholath MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur today asked the residents of the area not to miss an opportunity to teach a lesson to the anti-Sikh Congress by bringing Narendra Modi-led BJP government to power.

Addressing a series of public meetings held in support of BJP candidate from Hoshiarpur, Vijay Sampla, Bibi Jagir Kaur said during the past one decade, the common man had suffered a lot due of inflation.

At her rallies in Baryar, Bassi, Pando Rajputan, Begowal, Bholath and Nadala villages, she said time had come to get rid of the anti-people government.

Jalandhar, April 18
The Bilga police today seized 10,600 litre lahan (raw material used for preparing illicit liquor). Two persons, who were waiting for customers to sell it, managed to flee from the spot.

They were identified as Monu and Panju, both residents of Saghewal village.

Acting on a tip off, a flying squad team of the Excise Department under in-charge Harpreet Singh along with the police conducted a raid near the Satluj river and recovered lahan. Two persons, who deal in selling country made illicit liquor, managed to escape from the scene.

"The moment our team started chasing them, they jumped in the river and fled.

We have identified them and raids are being conducted to nab them," an official said.

Jalandhar, April 18
The Punjab and UT Mulazam Sangharsh Committee today decided to organise an ultimatum rally in all the districts of Punjab and in the Union Territory on April 22 against the Punjab Government for not fulfilling their long pending demands.

In a meeting held at Punjab Roadways Union Office, district convenor, Harinder Singh Cheema, said the rally would be organised in Jalandhar in front of the Deputy Commissioner office from 1 pm to 3 pm.

He said despite of several assurances and promises made by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, nothing has been done so far to fulfill their demands.

He said their long pending demands include payment of 10 per cent dearness allowance from January 1, 2014, to form the 6th pay commission, payment of dues of DA from July 2013, commuting of 30 per cent pension, general provident fund of class four employees should be at par with DDO, regularisation of daily wagers and contractual employees, to merge 571 PUNBUS buses to mainstream Punjab Roadways, removal of the flaws in the scales of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees and to solve the issues of mid-day meal Workers.

Cheema said that in his Bathinda rally in March this year, Punjab CM assured that our long pending demands would be fulfilled. Later on in a meeting at Chandigarh, CM again promised to meet out demands. However, nothing of this sort has happened as of now.

He said their demands had nothing to do with the election code of conduct as they were already pending with the state government.—TNS