Amritsar, April 24
The District Electoral Officer has issued notices to seven out of the total 23 candidates in the poll fray as they have failed to submit their poll expenditure according to the Election Commission (EC) guidelines. These candidates violated the mandatory clause as stipulated by the EC. According to the guidelines, every candidate needs to maintain an expenditure register which has to be tallied with the shadow expenditure register maintained by the officials designated by the district poll expenditure cell.

According to official records till April 22, the remarks written by the officials against their names stated as ‘absent from inspection’. They included Buta Singh, Inderpal, Amarinder Singh, Surinder Singh, Balbir Singh, Gurdial Singh and Yousaf Mohammad. They may face legal action under the IPC Section 171-1, the officials said. It appeared that they might not have been maintaining any register which is a sheer violation of EC guidelines. The EC has initiated an extensive exercise to monitor the poll expense during Lok Sabha elections. The maximum expenditure limit fixed for a candidate for is Rs 70 lakh each.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer Ravi Bhagat said, “According to instructions of the EC, the designated officials maintain the statement of consolidated expenditure incurred by the candidates ahead of elections. The candidates can be questioned if their calculated figure do not match the accounts being maintained by the poll observers. Those who do not turn up on the due date, would be liable for legal action”, he told.

Meanwhile, SAD-BJP Combine’s candidate Arun Jaitley and Congress’ candidate Capt. Amarinder Singh too have already been issued notices for under declaration of their poll expenses, yesterday. 

Amritsar, April 24
With drug abuse becoming one of the major issues in these Lok Sabha elections, this is no secret that rampant drug addiction has blackened the face of this spiritual city where a majority of the youth are hooked to one or other types of drugs.

Thanks to the political patronage to the drug mafia and the easy availability of the habit-forming drugs especially in the rural belt which has worsened the problem, while heroin, which was once used by the high-end people, too, has reached various parts of the city.

Among the worst affected areas are Maqboolpura (infamous as a locality of widows), Putlighar, Islamabad, Kot Khalsa, Haripura, Chheharta, Guru Ki Wadali, Anngarh etc. The slum areas are also the worst affected.

The efforts initiated by the police and the Health Department proved insufficient in the absence of any rehabilitation policy and lack of political will. Besides the political patronage to the drug peddlers and those consume these drugs has compounded the problem which has assumed an alarming proportions. The fund-starved state government has done no good as it miserably failed to set up enough rehabilitation centres, if the experts are to be believed.

The Chheharta area, which derived its name from historic Chheharta Sahib Gurudwara, is also infamous for the rampant drug abuse. Ironically, the political shelter to the drug peddlers is wreaking havoc. These drugs peddlers enjoy the patronage of the ruling party leaders andthe police dared not to touch them, said a resident of the area.

Amarjit Singh Asal, a Communist Party of India leader from the area, alleged that it is the smack and proscribed drugs which are sold in the area openly.

“As far as habit-forming drugs are concerned, these are not sold by the chemists but by the inhabitants of the area and drug mafia owing their allegiance to the ruling party leaders,” he pointed out.

Similar is the scenario in the slums where lower caste people resides. Maqboolpura area, Kot Khalsa, Guru Ki Wadali etc are no different.

Dr P D Garg, head of psychiatry department, Government Medical College said majority of patients which approach the department and Swami Vivekanand De-addiction centre are hooked to smack and heroin.

“Heroin consumption has increased manifolds in past five to six years which clearly pointed out its easy availability in the city,” he pointed out.

A police official preferring anonymity said that it is true that until and unless the political intervention is there the drug menace cannot be eradicated. Whenever we wanted to take action against accused, we received a call from politicians not to act against them. There is lack of political will, he rued.

MAJOR BOTTLENECKS

* No rehabilitation policy for drug addicts

* Political patronage to drug peddlers

* Inadequate rehabilitation centres

* Lack of political will

* Easy availability of habit-forming drugs 

Amritsar, April 24
Border Security Force jawans thwarted yet another attempt by Pakistan-based smugglers to sneak in contraband. The BSF recovered 10kg heroin worth Rs 50 crore in the Pul Moran border outpost area, falling in Amritsar sector, here today.

BSF officials show packets of heroin seized from the Indo-Pak border in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: RK SONI

The jawans of 50 Battalion of the BSF deputed on the border observed suspicious movements of miscreants near the border fence. As the troops challenged them, the smugglers continued their aggressive posture and moved towards the barbed fence in order to push in the contraband. IG Punjab frontier, Ajay Kumar Tomar, said the smugglers fired at the BSF jawans following which, the jawans retaliated. However, they managed to escape taking advantage of darkness and high standing crops, said Tomar. During the search operation launched in the wee hours, the BSF seized 10 packets of contraband.

Tomar said tactical operations were being executed to foil attempts of the smugglers. He said vigil had been enhanced with the help sophisticated gadgets in order to thwart any misadventure of anti-social elements from across the border.

He added that this had helped them seize huge quantity of contraband, which is pegged at 242 kg, from the Punjab border in the past four months. Amritsar witnessed maximum seizure of 149 kg heroin. Besides, the forces also recovered 8 arms, 14 magazines, 104 rounds, 11 Pakistan mobiles, 12 SIMs and killed three smugglers. — TNS 

Amritsar, April 24
Taking cognisance of the resentment prevailing due to the alleged wrong marking in the November 2013 political science examination of BA Part II of the Guru Nanak Dev University, the authorities have agreed to re-evaluate the papers, but at a price.

Students protested that it should have been re-checked and not re-evaluated as they would have to shell out a fee for it. The matter came to light on April 17 when the students under the banner of the Punjab Students Federation had lodged their protest outside the Vice-Chancellor Prof AS Brar's office. They alleged that the whole class comprising around 60 students was declared failed by the GNDU authorities due to wrong marking.

They stated that the GNDU authorities have now been forcing them to apply for re-evaluation while burdening a majority of the students who belonged to underprivileged sections. Vatandeep Kaur, an activist of the Punjab Students Federation, said the GNDU authorities had been cheating the students and had adopted tactics to garner money from them.

"Who will benefit by this re-evaluation move, it will be the GNDU authorities only because they will have a chance to pocket the re-evaluation fee which is about Rs 1,100 per paper," she said.

The students had alleged that some students were given just two marks in the paper, which by all means stood irrelevant, said Ajay Phillaur, general secretary of the federation. "This attitude of the GNDU authorities will compel us to stage a protest once again. We demand that authorities should scrutinise the matter," he said.

GNDU Registrar Dr Inderjeet Singh agreed that some complaints regarding marking of answer sheets in November-December 2013 were received and a special arrangement for re-evaluation was made to fulfil the students' demands.

He said that if any student has any objection or query, he or she could apply for re-evaluation of their answer sheets as per university rules by depositing required fees.

"It has to be re-evaluation because in re-checking, it's only the computation of total marks obtained and it would have hardly any use in this case. For re-evaluation, we hire two experienced teachers who one by one thoroughly evaluate the answers written by the students and grant marks.Nonetheless, those who are willing to get their papers re-evaluated, would need to deposit the requisite fee as per the university norms," he said. 

Amritsar, April 24
Wihle tight security arrangements are in place for tomorrow’s visit of the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, in the city, the Police Department has planned aerial security of the venue where he would address a public rally in support of Arun Jaitley, party candidate from Amritsar.

For this, the Punjab Government’s helicopter would be pressed into service which would continuously remain in air for security purposes during the rally. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Police Commissioner, has confirmed this. However, he denied to givemore details because of security reasons.

In the meantime, the police headed by senior police officials conducted a reccee throughout the routes which would be used by Modi for reaching at the venue and its adjoining areas and buildings.

Highly placed sources in the department revealed that over 4,000 cops along with paramilitary forces have been deputed for providing foolproof security during the rally and thwart any untoward incident. It has been learnt that the main stage would be under the protection of Special Security Bureau.

Tight security arrangements were also made at the Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport at Rajasansi where he is likely to land in the evening. The sources said that nobody would be allowed to enter in the programme without the Identity card. Even police officials and jawans have to show their ID cards during their duty at the rally site, he added.

The district administration is expecting a gathering of around 50,000 persons during the rally. Narendra Modi is likely to arrive at the spot at around 6.30 pm.

Traffic diversions

The Police Department has issued a diversion plan especially during the hours when Modi would be present at the rally from approximately 6.30 pm onwards till the end of the rally.

Shailinder Shelly, ADCP, traffic, said that the traffic coming from the airport side would be diverted from Meerankot chowk to Loharka road side from where it would be diverted to the main Amritsar-Attari bypass road. Similarly, those wanting to go towards the Attari side would be diverted from Meerankot chowk to Meerabad village side from where it would go towards Ramtirath road to the Amritsar-Attari bypass road.

He said traffic coming from the Civil Lines police station chowk would be closed during the rally time. He said from the chowk, the traffic would be diverted to the cantonment side and then to Ramtirath road. The traffic coming from Kitchlew chowk would be diverted to the Ranjit Avenue side. 

Amritsar, April 24
Lashing out at Akali-BJP candidate Arun Jaitley and Congress’ Capt Amarinder Singh for showing little regard for the country’s rules and regulations and indulging in “poll expenditure suppression scam”, AAP’s candidate Dr Daljit Singh said if their first step of poll campaign started with “corruption”, what can be expected from them later?

“It is strange to see the greed of Jaitley and Amarinder; despite being crorepatis — indulging in petty evasions,” he said.

Both Jaitley and Captain have been served notices by the Election Commission for understating their poll expenses while the election office has found AAP’s expenses within the permissible limit.

Discrepancies in the poll expenditure of both the candidates are to the tune of lakhs of rupees. While Amarinder records an expenditure of about Rs 13. 60 lakh, Jaitley claims to have spent only about Rs 9.8 lakh.

“These figures are ‘laughable’ as voters say they have been listening to daily audio calls from Jaitley and Captain, besides numerous messages on cell phones, advertisements in print and electronic media, FMs, internet, hoardings, pamphlets and flyers,” he said.

Taking a dig at the Gujarat police’s arrival in the holy city ahead of Narendra Modi’s visit to hold a rally, Dr Daljit Singh said it only showed the huge mistrust of Modi and the BJP in Central forces and their ally SAD to provide him security.

“Who foots Gujarat police’s expenses on travelling, boarding and lodging bills? Will Modi tell us? If the prime ministerial candidate is not safe in the regime of Badals, then who else is? If all the CMs were to call their state police forces for poll rallies, what would be the India’s condition?” he wondered.

Already, BJP MLA Dr Navjot Kaur, and wife of MP Navjot Sidhu, has declined to canvass in Akali dominated areas and accused the Akalis of neglecting the BJP.

Drawing attention of the youth, Dr Daljit Singh said the youth in CM’s own ancestral village are crying for jobs and protesting against the Akalis. “What kind of jobs will Jaitley generate for you? Jaitley and Capt have taught you the first lesson in ‘corruption’ by hiding expenses and the second lesson about ‘horse trading’ - on how to buy leaders of the other side,” he said. 

Amritsar, April 24
To create awareness about the right to vote, students of Khalsa College, Amritsar, today organised a rally and staged a play asking the voters, especially the youth, to exercise their right.

The programmes were organised by the NSS wing of the college and students carrying banners and placard asked the masses to cast their votes to elect the right representatives to the Parliament in order to strengthen democracy.

Khalsa College principal Dr Daljit Singh said the aim of the rally was to make the general public aware about how important it is to use the right to vote.

He said a huge gathering was witnessed when the students performed the `Nukkad Natak’ (street play) outside the college at Kot Khalsa Road. The actors conveyed the message of not being lured by worldly things while voting.

He added that more than 100 students participated in the event organised as per the directions of the district electoral authorities.

Dr Daljit said India is the largest democracy in the world but it was unfortunate that only 60 per cent of the eligible voters cast their votes.

“Using the right of adult franchise is sacred and all must go to polling stations to cast their votes,” he said. NSS programme coordinator Dr Jaspreet Kaur Randhawa and programme officer Prof Zorawar Singh led the students during the rally.

Amritsar, April 24
All India Services Pre-Examination Training Centre of Guru Nanak Dev University will provide remedial coaching of three months from May 21 to August 20.

Director Dr Daljit Singh Arora said Rs 4,000 would be charged as fee from the general category students while no fees would be charged from the reserved category students that include SC, ST, OBC and minority communities like Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Jain.

He said the admission form could be obtained from the centre with a payment of Rs 30 and the last date for submission of this form is May 9. “Admission for interview will be held on May 14 at the centre at 10 am and the results will be declared on May 19,” he said, adding that for further information the candidates could contact at 0183-2258802-9, extension 3174.

Reputed companies hire GNDU students

Ranbaxy, a leading pharmaceutical company visited the Guru Nanak Dev University campus for placements of M Pharma students passing out in 2014. The company has selected three students at a pay package of Rs 4.00 lakh per annum.

In another placement drive conducted by Naukri.com for MBA students of the University Business School, assistant placement officer Er Amit Chopra said three students had been selected at a salary package of Rs 4.75 lakh. “The company has selected three students for marketing of their portal www.99acres.com,” he said.

He added that the new recruits would join their respective companies in June 2014. The selected MBA students are from all the three campuses of Guru Nanak Dev University -Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Amritsar.

“Guru Nanak Dev University has become the preferred choice of reputed national and multinational companies. Many more companies are likely to visit the campus shortly,” he said.

the sacred and holy city of Amritsar was founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ramdas Ji with a vision. The city was further ornamented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. While reviewing the physical growth of the city, it has been noticed that the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a golden period for its physical development. But the subsequent periods have not contributed as was expected to maintain its character. From past experience, it can be learnt that some of the essential issues which need to be looked into the city which become an important tourist destination mainly because of the world famous Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple)-- the spirit of the place-- are:

First is cleanliness and for this we should not always curse the government. Instead, we should appeal to the residents to keep the city clean. The role of the Municipal Corporation in ensuring cleanliness also demands to be looked into.

Secondly, the city should be brought on the list of world heritage cities of UNESCO. The city, especially the walled part, still has unique spatial patterns which depict the typical lifestyles of the people, social cohesiveness, strong familial relations and values. For this, certain important requirements need to be fulfilled. To begin with, a heritage cell must be opened in the Municipal Corporation. The draft has already been submitted by the Municipal Corporation to the Secretary, Culture, of the state government.

At the same time, as per the guidelines, the immediate need is to form a heritage advisory committee on the pattern of the Heritage Advisory Committee of Shimla, which can help in protecting the vanishing historically and architecturally important buildings. Further, all the building plans in the walled city should be scrutinised by the corporation’s town planner and then approved by the heritage advisory committee. In addition, there is a need to formulate special separate building bylaws for the walled city in order to protect the streetscape as well as the townscape. Moreover, the immediate need is to stop the change of land use in the city in general and around a radius of at least 500 meters around Sri Harmandar Sahib.

Thirdly, there is a need to look into the issue of the increasing traffic problems in this important city. Again, it is to be pointed out that the first and foremost duty of the citizens is to obey the traffic rules. In addition, a joint effort has to be made by the Municipal Corporation (engineering and encroachment aspect), traffic police (strict enforcement) and educational institutes (educating students). The city has already introduced city bus service. Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is also in the process of implementation. But the pedestrian is the most vulnerable road user in the city, which also needs special attention.

Finally, parks and open spaces are considered the lungs of the cities. The walled city lacks these. But it is to be pointed out here that this part has some surprising open space as well as traditional trees like peepal (ficus religiousa). Such trees must be preserved and should not be allowed to be axed. At the same time, there is a need to plant more trees along all the roads as per the width and the available space. An attempt should be made to prepare the landscape plan in such a way that the trees and shrubs give a colour effect as well as shade to protect people from the scorching heat of the summers. Some trees and shrubs should also be planted along or on the central verge which can absorb the pollutants. For making the city beautiful and tourist-friendly, everyone should consider it as his/her responsibility, instead of criticising one another.

Amritsar, April 24
The road from Naian Wala Morh to Gobindgarh Fort in Nwa Kot area running along the Army cantonment area, the foundation stone for which was laid by MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, has failed to come up even after two and a half years.

Member of Parliament Navjot Singh Sidhu had laid the foundation stone for this 0.75 kilometre stretch on December 22, 2011. The road could have proven beneficial for thousands of visitors coming from Jhabal Road as it would have shortened the distance and time for them to enter the city area.

Presently, the visitors from this road, which connects to areas as far as Bhikhiwind and Khemkaran in Tarn Taran with the holy city, have to enter from Khazana Gate side and go up to Hall Gate from where they cross Bhandari Bridge to connect to the GT Road.

The residents said opening up the road would have reduced traffic congestions in Pultighar and Hathi Gate areas. “Instead of facing traffic congestion at the Islamabad area before entering Putlighar, the vehicles could use the road to B Block from where they could use the flyover to reach to the GT Road,” a resident said.

The residents of Nwa Kot area said the road besides the Army area was closed around 27 years ago when the Army had occupied the area because of security reasons during the days of militancy in state. MP Sidhu had taken up the matter with the Army officials and got the land vacated.

Soon after Sidhu had laid the foundation stone, the construction on the road was started on war front and the contractor had even put gravel on the road.

However, soon afterwards the construction was stopped and the road was made inaccessible to the general public.

Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony, Sidhu had said a budget of Rs 87 lakhs had been earmarked for the road. The local residents complained that the project was closed because of Sidhu’s tiff with the state government for which they are paying a heavy price. 

Amritsar, April 24
First timer Parminder Singh Sethi defeated four time president of Amritsar Bar Association, Pardeep Kumar Saini, with a margin of 38 votes in the elections conducted today.

Mukesh Nanda was elected as secretary of the association while Balwinder Singh Gill won the post of vice-president. For the post of executive members of the association, Swarandeep Singh Brar won by the biggest margin.

The other executive members include Gurvinder Singh, Jagbir Singh, Vishal Gupta, Vishal Gogna, BK Lakra.

Amritsar, April 24
The refrigeration facility at Government Medical College’s mortuary has once again developed a snag owing to the old and outdated equipment. The mortuary preserves dead bodies that are donated. These dead bodies are used for imparting training to medical students.

A view of the defunct air-conditioners at the mortuary of Government Medical College in Amritsar. photo: vishal kumar

The snags in the refrigeration system have become frequent. Earlier, the college disposed of a dead body in September last year as it had started decaying.

The college banks on bodies of people who pledge them for educational purpose or the unclaimed dead bodies with the police. The students at the college said few people make a pledge to donate their bodies after death, so they are always in need of more dead bodies for education purposes.

An official at the college said even when people pledge their bodies, their family members are usually reluctant to donate them.

The refrigeration chamber helps in maintaining cold temperature of four degree Celsius. However, as the system has come of its age, ice slabs and fans are being used for the purpose.

The department has already sent a proposal for replacement of the machine, which requires an expenditure of around Rs 33 lakh. Sources at the college said in the past two years, the machine had developed snags four times.

The college also does not have an air-conditioned vehicle for bringing dead bodies from the residences of people who pledge to donate their bodies after death.

Medical College principal Dr Santokh Singh said the demand for refrigeration chambers at the mortuary had been sent to the government. He said hopefully, the machine would start working soon.