The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Doc slapped, OPD, emergency services shut Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 The doctors at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital closed down the OPD and emergency services in protest after the relative of a patient allegedly slapped a doctor on duty. The incident occurred in the morning when a person Gurdeep Singh allegedly slapped Dr Abhinav accusing him of negligence while examining a patient brought from Gurdaspur. Karnail Singh, a resident of Naushera Majha village, Gurdaspur, was bitten by a snake while he was working in his fields. Singh was later taken to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The protesting doctors said the patient was being treated and was administered injections. The patient allegedly had a reaction to an injection after which Gurdeep Singh was infuriated and slapped the doctor. A police complaint was later made against Gurdeep Singh who was arrested by the police. The protesting doctors said that because of the lack of security at hospital, the doctors can be easy targets for such elements. A delegation of the doctors met the hospital's Medical Superintendent Dr Sujata Sharma and apprised her of the situation. The protest was called off on an assurance from the medical superintendent to deploy security personnel at the emergency block. Dr Mayur Vira, a leader of the doctors’ association, said the hospital management has for the time being deployed a security guard at the gate of the emergency block. He said the management has instructed the guard to allow only one attendant with a patient at the time of entry into the emergency block because of security reasons. He demanded that the hospital management should make proper security arrangements so that the doctors can feel secure.
	Holy city all geared up for LS polls GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 A day ahead of polling, the district administration devised a red- carpet welcome to encourage the residents to exercise their right to vote for the General Elections scheduled for tomorrow here. Additional Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal said, "All the arrangements are being made to make the voting process a joyful experience." Besides the basic needs like adequate safe drinking water and toilet facility, the administration has introduced day-care centres at the polling booth to accommodate the infants at the time of voting. Apart from this, for senior citizens and differently-abled voters, arrangements for makeshift ramp will be made available at all the polling stations of the district and the needy will be taken inside the booths on a wheelchair. "A special reception team would be there to give a red carpet welcome to the voters. We have made arrangements for Rangoli and decorative balloons inside the polling room. The room fresheners will be sprinkled to make the environment hygienic and healthy. For the first time ever, we have made arrangements to take care of infants during the polling hours. We have engaged ‘Ayas’ who will be at the service of those mothers who have small children accompanying them," he said. For safe drinking water, special water coolers with filters have been arranged. There would be arrangement for water pouches too for those who would find it difficult to walk up to the water coolers. Fibre sheds have been installed to protect the voters from the scorching sun. Presiding officers to guide voters There are 1,527 polling booths. A total of 23 candidates are in the fray and polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. The electorate includes around 14.40 lakh voters, including nearly 7.59 men and 6.81 women. There are 37,286 first time voters which includes 24,103 males and 13,183 females. A total of 10,780 officials have been pressed into service for the elections. Of these, 2,694 are presiding officers, and an equal number of them is additional presiding officers while 5,392 are polling officers. For those sans voter card The Election Commission has this time done away with the provision for voter cards and voter slips being mandatory to cast votes. Those who have misplaced their voter IDs can approach the dedicated desk and get the temporary slip after showing their valid identity proof. As many as 11 other photo identity documents including passport, driving licence and service identity card issued by Central and state governments, PAN card, Aadhar card, health insurance smart card issued by the Ministry of Labour, MNREGA job card, pension document with photograph and authenticated photo voter slip issued by the election authorities can be used by the voters to establish their identity and cast their votes. e-assistance Through an SMS, a voter can know about the number of people waiting outside the booth, in which his or her vote is. Go to the create message box of the mobile phone and type "ceopjb [space] [EPIC number (voter id no)]" and send it to 09211728082. A private radio channel My FM 94.3 will provide regular live updates throughout the day of polling. The channel will air the information regarding the percentage of votes polled in a particular ward, the rush outside a particular booth etc on a minute to minute basis. For Android tech phone holders, there is an election-specific mobile application "I Vote" in the Google play online store. Feed in the EPIC number to know about the voter slip number, the map showing directions to their polling booth and other details. Health teams on their toes The Health Department has asked its employees to remain on duty on the day of election in view of any emergency. The district has around 40 health institutions to cater to the emergency services.
	City free from outsiders ahead of LS elections GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 The Amritsar police has been successful in following the directions of the Election Commission of India to remove the outsiders who stayed in the hotels of the holy city to support their candidates' election campaign ahead of the General Elections. District Election Officer Ravi Bhagat had directed that all the visitors from other states, who were in the city to campaign for various party leaders, would have to leave the city 48 hours ahead of the Lok Sabha polling. A random check at some of the hotels revealed that all were checked out after the communication received from the police. Police Commissioner JS Aulakh had yesterday announced to carry out a massive checking in the hotels, inns and guest-houses to know the credentials of their clientele. He had deputed the Assistance Commissioner of Police and SHO-level officials to monitor the compliance of the orders. Navtej from MC Hotel said some political party members were accommodated in the hotel but were checked out before time. "We have been furnishing details to the police on a daily basis about the antecedents of our guests. The ones who hailed from any political party had left a day earlier," he said. Vandana, an executive official of Best Western Marrian, said the guests under question were asked to leave the hotel as soon as a communication was received from the police. Harpreet, another official of Alstonia hotel, said over 10 persons stayed in the hotel but left last evening. Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA) president APS Chatha said it was a good initiative on the part of the administration and the police. "I appreciate this move of the police which was implemented in letter and spirit. None of our member hotelier complained of any untoward development as all their guests who were here for political activity left on their own," he said. Meanwhile, the AHARA has issued an advisory to all its members and it does not recommend any particular party or candidate. "We have communicated to our members to vote for any party which they feel possesses progressive vision and people-friendly approach. The candidate having a neat and clean character would be our choice. We have even told our members to make use of the NOTA option, if they do not find anyone living up to their expectations", said Chatha.
	Paid off on polling day Amritsar, April 29 To facilitate the employees of shops and other commercial establishments in the border district, the district administration has announced a paid holiday on the day of polling for the Lok Sabha election tomorrow on April 30. District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said the announcement was made on the directions of Labour Department’s Principal Secretary. He said these employees would get salary while remaining on holiday to exercise their franchise on election day. — TNS
	Commuters a harassed lot Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 Parking of vehicles on the roadside by morning walkers to enjoy their cup of tea on Queen’s Road and Cooper Road are resulting in traffic blockade. Vidya Sagar, a local resident, said he commutes daily on these roads to reach the airport in the morning. “I am appalled to find that the stretch of the road leading to Bhandari Bridge is shortened by parking of vehicles.” These areas receive a high volume of vehicles, making the traffic situation grim. Cooper Road along Queen’s Road is one-way and is amply wide. Parking of vehicles before big buildings, especially hotels, also contribute to rampant traffic blockade. All this happens because traffic cops were not seen in the morning, although they join their duty at the same spot later. As the day progresses, parking of vehicles on this one-way stretch continues. As a part of the road has been dug up, the parking of vehicles has not stopped. Being a prime commercial area, there are a large number of commercial shops, showrooms and hotels on the road. In a sheer violation of norms, the parking lots shown in the basement of big commercial buildings, are mostly being used as malls and banks, and have been gobbled up by none other than their owners. The visitors to these places have no choice, but to park their vehicles on the public space in front of these buildings. This causes hindrance in the free flow of traffic. To add to the woes, it would be the makeshift shops and kiosks which swallow whatever place is left. Thus, the footpath which is seen at some spots on the road is largely encroached upon. As per the bylaws, all commercial buildings above 500 square yards have to provide parking space in the basements. The site plans for all commercial buildings were approved only after duly checking the site and its construction.
	Traditional, classical forms mark World Dance Day Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 On the occasion of World Dance Day, an event was organised by a city-based Kathak dancer Rashmi Chandra at Virsa Vihar. The event saw performances in traditional and classical forms. The president of the Virsa Vihar Society, Kewal Dhaliwal inaugurated the ceremony. "It's our way of getting involved in the International Dance Day celebrations, which take place the world over. Every country or area has its specific dance specialities and routines, and days like this help to highlight each one of them to get an audience. We, too, had some appreciable performances in the classical dance and some mesmerising Kathak recitals by the young artistes," he shared. Taking contemporary dance forms into the picture, city-based choreographers Pankaj and Preeti too celebrated the day with their students at their Ranjit Avenue studio. Known to produce dancing stars like Binny Sharma from the city, the duo have been teaching world dance forms in the city. "Youngsters are getting some kicks out of dance routines. As dance has graduated to becoming a personality development process rather than just a fun activity, we have lots of kids coming to learn contemporary forms of dancing,” said Pankaj, from Pankaj and Preeti Dance Academy. They were the first ones to have performed aerial acts in the city. They also have a full house to Zumba and other dance routines that incorporate international techniques. "Dance is something more than just a hobby now. Today, it has acquired the status of a globally-celebrated art form. And Amritsar too is reaching out," he said.
	No food for patients at ESI hospital Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 Theft at the kitchen of Employees State Insurance Hospital, Majitha road, earlier this month has affected the free food services for the patients as the kitchen is closed for want of LPG. The free meal facility was a big boon for the patients coming from far off places as they did not have to buy costly and unhygienic food being sold in the market. Moreover, the patients were given food as advised by the doctors which is hard to find in the market. The theft at the ESI hospital had occurred on April 10 when LPG cylinders were stolen from the kitchen premises. Ever since the theft, the staff at the kitchen is finding it difficult to cook food for the patients. "The food which is fit for patients and is not too spicy is hard to find in the market. The free-food facility was a big boon for the patients," said Sarb Dayal Singh, the relative of a patient. Meanwhile, the officials at the ESI hospital said they would need a budget sanction to buy new cylinders from the market.
	Now, liquor being smuggled following ban Amritsar, April 29 Ban imposed on the sale of liquor in the city on April 30 in view of the Lok Sabha Elections, has made things difficult for the tipplers. Liquor smuggled from Chandigarh, underhand dealings by attendants at liquor vends and free distribution by political parties has come to their rescue. The administration had earlier ordered liquor vends to shut down their premises from April 28 to 30. The Excise Department had sealed these vends to implement the ban. The ban has pushed the sale of liquor smuggled from Chandigarh, even as its supply has gone down due to strict vigil by the Election Commission. The sources in the city said that liquor was available at a little higher price. “There are always some persons ready to make quick money. All one had to do was to buy two-three boxes of liquor before the ban was imposed,” said a vender at a liquor shop. He added that he can purchase a bottle by paying Rs 100 extra. The smuggling of liquor from Chandigarh and other adjoining states is also a lucrative business because of the costly liquor in Punjab. However, the strict vigil due to the elections has made the transportation difficult. The workers of political parties have also started distributing the liquor to tipplers. “Even as there is a ban on sale of liquor, it is being provided by the contesting candidates,” confided a local rehri owner. Meanwhiloe, liquor smuggled from Chandigarh, underhand dealings by attendants at vends and free distribution by political parties has come to their rescue. — TNS
	Kidnapping attempt foiled Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 An attempt to kidnap a newly born was averted at a private nursing home. One of the two accused was caught and handed over to the police while the other is still at large. On the complaint submitted by the baby's mother Jaswinder Kaur, a case has been registered. The accused has been identified as Harsewak Singh and Sonu. The instance occurred on April 26 at a private nursing home where Jaswinder Kaur gave birth to a baby boy. "When I was holding the child, the accused came and tried to pick the baby forcibly from me. I resisted and raised an alarm. When Harsewak was caught, Sonu ran away on his motorbike," she said. Investigating Officer Balwinder Singh said both the accused have well been identified and a case under Sections 365, 511 and 34 of the IPC has been registered with the C Division police station. "Both are the residents of Jandiala Guru. A motorcycle (PB-07 8235) was used by the accused to flee," he said.
	Suicide bid by undertrial Amritsar, April 29 A jail inmate tried to commit suicide at Amritsar Central Jail. As per the information, an undertrial, Suraj Sharma (32), a resident of Chheharta, had consumed excessive dose of medicines yesterday. A case under Section 309 of the IPC has been registered with the Cantonment police station on the complaint submitted by superintendent of jail RK Sharma. The superintendent said the accused was under depression and took this extreme step. He was lodged under the NDPS Act in a case registered in 2009 at the Chheharta police station. "He was already under stress because his elder brother had died a few months ago and it was he who had to look after his brother's children along with his family of five, including three children. Last evening, he was depressed due to his domestic complications and consumed excess medicines to end his life but was saved with the timely intervention of his fellow mates and officials on duty," he said.
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