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Road project set to be stalled
Cong councillors seek mayor’s resignation
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Industrialist's suicide
Man handed over to police on theft charge escapes
Now, Additional Deputy Commissioner to inquire into police torture of minor boy
Samvaad committee inactive, no RTE reach-out
3 city colleges bag UGC approval for new courses
Farmers burn wheat residue with impunity
Labourer found dead
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Road project set to be stalled
Jalandhar, May 8 While the NHAI has deposited an amount of Rs 73 crore as compensation, the Corps officials are now, instead, seeking an amount of Rs 190 crore, as they claim that the prices had soared ever since and a huge chunk of prime land of the Army is being taken for the project. Defence PRO Naresh Vig confirmed the escalated demand and said a huge area under the Corps was being acquired, which includes Cantonment Board School, JCO mess, a workshop and a huge land along the walls, which are to demolished and raised again. The boundary wall, drainage system and electricity poles would have to be installed again, he said, justifying the demand. the work at the site cannot begin till a diversion is provided to the thousands of commuters along the highway, which is only possible once the boundary wall is pulled down and some part of the Army land is made available. Project director of the NHAI Vipin Kumar said, “The SDM Jalandhar-cum-land acquisition collector had asked us to deposit an amount of Rs 73 crore as compensation for the Army, which we have already done. Now they are asking us to pay Rs 190 crore or purchase some land in another place around the site. The demand is strange, for we have not asked for any more land. We are yet to see how this issue is to be resolved.” The officer said that after the SC orders last month, Soma Enterprises had started pushing its resources and machinery at the sites of pending structures at Phagwara, Karnal and Sahnewal. “By a month, work would begin at all sites other than PAP in Jalandhar which could take more time to get resolved,” he added. |
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Cong councillors seek mayor’s resignation
Jalandhar, May 8 They gave an ultimatum to the mayor to call a meeting within a week or else they would be forced to lodge a protest against him on the issue. The District Congress Committee (urban) president Rajinder Beri and councillors, including Surinder Kaur, Des Raj Jassal, Palni Soami, Tarsem Lakhotra, Harsimranjit Banti, Pawan Kumar, Anita Raja, Dalwinder Kaur and Reena Kaur, presented the memorandum to the mayor. As the councillors entered Jyoti’s room, he was taken aback. Since the councillors had taken the photo-journalists along, the mayor kept on asking them what was in the note but the councillors were busy posing for pictures. The mayor kept fumbling, “You should not have come like that unannounced. You should apprise me of your plans to give the memorandum before coming here.” The Mayor, too, had no option but to receive the memorandum. Though he knew that the Congress had been resorting to a very tough stance against them, he was in for a shock when a voice came that they were all here, seeking his resignation. The councillors had written that on April 17, they had given him a notice under Section 55 of the MC Act requesting him to convene a special meeting, which he had failed to do. Soon, all councillors started telling him about their problems. Des Raj Jassal said, “While all other wards had got Rs 3 lakh grant for the repair of sewage works, mine has been left out.” Beri, too, said that the motor attached with the tubewell at the Master Tara Singh Nagar locality had not been working and the MC authorities had failed to act. Other councillors, too, placed their demands before him. However, Jyoti managed to placate them all, made them all sit down and have a cup of tea before they all dispersed. Mayor responds
Mayor Sunil Jyoti said he had already replied to a previous notice of the Congress councillors issued on April 17. He said Section 55 (2) of the Act read, “The Mayor or in his absence Senior Deputy Mayor, and in the absence of both, Deputy Mayor, may, whenever he thinks fit and shall upon a requisition in writing by not less than one-fourth of the total number of councillors convene a special meeting of the corporation.” Laying emphasis on the words "whenever he thinks fit", he said that he felt that he believed that the time was not fit as the Code of Conduct was still on. “A meeting will be called after the code is lifted,” he said. |
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Family plans legal action
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 8 "We are contemplating legal action against all those my father has mentioned in his suicide note," Sahil, son of the deceased, said on Thursday. Many a time, his father had shared with him that some persons were not paying him brokerage in a property sale case. The payments were lying unpaid for the past over eight years. Whenever his father went to take payments, parties, instead of paying the money, used to abuse and insult his father, Sahil said. His father was under depression due to the unpaid brokerage and, therefore, took the extreme step. The owner of a pipe-fitting factory, PN Metals, Chander Mohan Arora (56), who had reportedly gone for a walk on Wednesday morning from his plush house at Kailash Nagar near the Sodal area, was found dead on the railway tracks after two hours. As the family was helplessly looking around for him, it received a call that he (Chandar) had jumped before a Ferozepur-bound train at the Sodal level crossing and died. SI Surinder Singh, inquiry officer of the GRP Jalandhar City police station, said although the victim had mentioned names of some persons responsible for his death in the suicide note, the police was yet to receive a complaint. "If the family files a complaint and seek action against the persons mentioned in the suicide note, we will initiate an inquiry accordingly. For now, we have only initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC," Singh added.
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Man handed over to police on theft charge escapes
Jalandhar, May 8 Inder Chawla, friend of Sumit Sodhi, owner of Sodhi Telecom, situated on Link Colony, said on May 4, thieves had struck at Sodhi Telecom, from where they decamped with mobile phones and recharge coupons worth nearly Rs 2 lakh. A case was also registered at the police station concerned. Today, a person carrying five to six mobile phones visited a mobile shop in Bhargo Camp and offered to sell mobile phones at throwaway prices. The shopkeeper immediately informed the owner of Sodhi Telecom that some unknown person had come to sell mobiles, which seemed to have been stolen by him. Sumit immediately reached the spot and found that the mobile phones, which the person wanted to sell, were stolen from his shop on May 4. The alleged miscreant was also beaten up by shopkeepers to inquire about the remaining stolen mobile phones. Shopkeepers brought the miscreants to the police division No. 4. A miscreant, who was identified as Sonu, of the Abadpura locality, told the police that he had no connection with the theft as he was sent by his friend to sell these mobile phones. To lay a trap on the real culprit, the police told Sonu to call his friend at Link Colony on the pretext to receive the payment of the sold mobile phones. Four cops, in civvies, along with the Telecom owner Sumit and his friends reached Link Colony. “When the friend of Sonu arrived on an Activa scooter, Sonu managed to give push to the cops and shopkeepers and fled with his friend,” Inder Chawla, friend of Sumit said, alleging that the police had shown very lenient attitude towards the thief, as it seemed that he was deliberately given a chance to flee. ADCP Naresh Dogra said the man was not brought to the police station by shopkeepers and he had not escaped due to the negligence of the cops. He escaped when he was accompanied by the shopkeepers, Dogra added. |
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Now, Additional Deputy Commissioner to inquire into police torture of minor boy
Jalandhar, May 8 “I have appointed ADC Pritam Singh to inquire into the alleged police torture of the minor boy. It will be a time-bound inquiry and the ADC will submit the report in three days,” the DC said. Interestingly, the inquiry was shifted after the parents of minor boy Gagandip raised doubts over the inquiry conducted by the ADCP, Headquarters, Naveen Singla. The inquiry report of the ADCP Singla had pointed to the fact that there had been no torture of the boy in police custody and that he had received injuries by the public during his alleged snatching bids and while escaping from the police custody. Following the submission of the inquiry report, the family members had yesterday met the Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh. The family members had questioned the ADCP's inquiry report by giving the logic that had he (boy) been suffering from these injuries, these would have been reflected in the medical examination of the boy conducted at the time of his arrest. Vijay Hans of the Bharti Democratic Samaj Party, who is assisting the family in the case, said he had today brought the medical examination report from the Civil Hospital, which stated that boy had sustained 12 injuries on his body parts. The report prepared by the board of doctors clearly indicated that the boy had sustained injuries on his feet, back, face and thigh. These injuries clearly signal to the police torture,’ Hans asserted. Had the police conducted the medical examination of the boy immediately after the arrest, truth would have been clear now. Even ADCP Singla on Wednesday admitted, "That is where we were lagging behind. There could be no medical examination of the boy prior to his arrest. It was on April 29, a day prior to the polls, when he was taken into custody. Owing to heavy deployment of force that day on account of Lok Sabha polls, there were just two policemen at the Surya Enclave police post. One of them had to leave to supply food to cops deputed in booths around. Taking advantage of just one policeman there, the boy had managed to flee." |
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Samvaad committee inactive, no RTE reach-out
Jalandhar, May 8 Of the seven venues chosen — including Sanskriti KMV School, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Guru Amar Das Public School, CT Public School and two private schools each in Nakodar and Phillaur — to hold its meetings, none were approached — leaving some schools peeved. The prime objectives of the committee were to inform (private) schools about the provisions of the RTE Act and to visit schools (of all boards) and render thorough knowledge about the Act so that violations decrease. Sources said the committee was supposed to look into and apprise the schools of "The student-teacher ratios in school, dimension of classrooms as per the Act, the presence of TET-cleared teachers (who joined after 2010), access for underprivileged children as well as other RTE guidelines, meant both for private and government schools." Notably, while the 19 members of the committee were trained at sessions held at SSA office, they haven't even begun arranging meeting with private schools even as the final 'extended' deadline of the RTE Act is 2015. Rachna Monga, Principal, Sanskriti KMV School, said, "Officials from the DEO office approached me about two to three weeks ago and asked us to provide a space for about 100 to 200 school heads to hold a meeting or induction regarding the RTE Act. They said the RTE guidelines will be told in detail in a meeting of two hours. After that, we have been personally following up with the DEO office for two weeks but there has been no response. We have told them we have a national event at the school for four days in mid-May, so we need to know beforehand." Talking on instructions from the DEO office year round regarding the RTE Act, she said, "Only once a team came. Other than that, we have not received any instructions or guidelines regarding the implementation of the Act. We have called to clear doubts on RTE but no initiative from the department has been made." DEO (Elementary) Anil Awasthi, said, "I have just joined and as far as I remember, no team has been sent from my office for the purpose. Due to elections, most education department activities were held up and things will resume in full swing now. I can fully apprise you about the directions later." Fact file
There are about 835 accredited (private) schools in the district, a majority of which are defaulters of the RTE Act from one or the other aspect. Sources say half (or more) of these schools will close if the department gets strict. Due to lack of action, issues like instructions or communication from the department, proper tabs are not being kept on these schools. While the Samvaad Committee would have been a noble step in filling up these major lacunae, it never functioned due to the laxity of the department. The first meeting of the committee was held on December 2013. |
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3 city colleges bag UGC approval for new courses
Jalandhar, May 8 The local Doaba College, Lyallpur Khalsa College and Apeejay College of Fine Arts are the three colleges in the district which have been chosen for the same. While 328 colleges from across the nation applied for the grant, these three are among the 92 colleges (12 of them in Punjab) which qualified. Dr Naresh Kumar Dhiman, Principal, Doaba College, said here, "The UGC has granted approval by giving a grant of Rs 1 crore 85 lakh to start a bachelor of vocation (B.VOC) special job-oriented course with specialisation in financial market Mmnagement and modern office practices. There will be an option for students to choose one year (diploma) course, two year (advance diploma) or three year (degree) course. The college has reserved 30 seats for each batch (total 60) and a fee of Rs 8,000 per semester will be charged per student, which is much less than those charged at other colleges." "Both for students in the region who felt the need for such courses in the region as well as those willing to go outside the state after pursuing degrees with financial expertise will be facilitated by the courses. Expert faculty will also be specially roped in for the purpose," he added. While for the Apeejay College of Fine Art, courses — stage craft and sound technology have been approved, it will mark a new innovative beginning for the creative students in the city, because it is for the first time that lessons in stage and sound will be provided to students. Principal Sucharita Sharma said, "It will certainly be very exciting for the students. They will not have to think of going out of state to pursue their creative inclinations in these fields. We have generally also felt a buzz for theatre and spund art in the city and the courses will surely tap into that." Apeejay College is yet to get the approval for the fee and seat share of the courses. Meanwhile, the Lyallpur Khalsa College has bagged courses in software and printing technology. Principal Dr GS Samra said, "It is for the first time that the UGC has extended grants in vocational courses and it is definitely a very special moment for us. The courses will give a great advantage to students. While previously, courses dealing with only hardware were okayed, this course will be very special. Even the students pursuing printing will be at a very advantageous position because lessons in all aspects of printing will be given, leading to high employability." |
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Congress-BJP war still on
Jalandhar, May 8 After Chaudhary had lodged a complaint with the ECI and Punjab CEO on May 6 against Kalia that he had started using red light while the code was still in force and that he was not even entitled to do so, the latter had yesterday rubbished the claims of the former even questioning the rise of the assets of the former. Kalia had yesterday countered the attack on him saying, "My grandfather and Vikramjit's grandfather (former minister Master Gurbanta Singh) were both teachers. While I am putting up in the same house, the assets of Chaudhary family had gone up exponentially." Chaudhary counter attacked Kalia today sending a second continuation mail to the ECI attaching a copy of the notification of the Punjab government issued on February 28 which clearly indicated that Kalia is not in the list of the posts entitled for its use. The notification clearly spells out that red light with a flasher could be used by Punjab Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, former Governors, former CMs, Chief Justice and judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board and Leader of the Opposition in Vidhan Sabha. The red light without flasher could be used by the Election Commissioner of the state, Accountant General (A&E) of Punjab and Accountant General (Audit) of Punjab, Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha, Advocate General of Punjab, Chief Secretary of Punjab, DGP Police, Chairman Punjab Minorities Commission, Chairman, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission and Chairman, Punjab Public Service Commission. The notification further reads, "All other dignitaries/ officers/ persons authorised to use red light vide notification dated July 5, 2013 are authorized not to use red light and stickers issued to them stand cancelled with immediate effect. The vehicles escorting the dignitaries entitled to use red light will only use blue light. Chaudhary also attached subsequent notifications issued in this regard such as the one on April 17 excluding Accountant Generals and including four vehicles of general administration (protocol branch). He has also attached copies of persons entitled for amber light which include principal secretaries, police officers of rank and pay of DGP, ADGPs, Zonal IGPs and Range DIGs, Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, District and Sessions Judge, City Police Commissioners and SSPs posted as district police heads. Kalia has been maintaining that since the polls were over in Punjab, he could not influence anyone now by using red light. He had yesterday taken a dig at Vikram that he should continue to add his father and Congress Lok Sabha candidate Chaudhary Santokh Singh's travel and other expenses to his poll-related expenditure if he felt things should continue in the same way even after the conduct of polls. DC-cum-DE Varun Roojam said even as he had not received the complaint via the ECI as yet, he had seen the clippings of the alleged violation in the newspaper and would take suo moto action in the matter. "Since the code is still on, we will issue a notice to the BJP MLA in this regard,” he said. |
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Farmers burn wheat residue with impunity
Jalandhar, May 8 The farmers have been indulging in such practices for years now, yet the Agriculture Department has failed to check this menace. While speaking to The Tribune, Dr Suttantar Kumar, Chief Agriculture Officer, Jalandhar, said: “The practice of burning the wheat residue causes air and soil pollution apart from diminishing the fertility level of the soil. However, the messages are being conveyed to the farmers about the ill-effects of burning wheat residue.” “Creating awareness comes is our duty. Farming equipment, rotavator, is being provided on 25 per cent subsidy by the Agriculture Department which is most suitable for the removal of stubble sugarcane, wheat, banana and cotton. Besides, it retains soil moisture and increases soil porosity and aeration, which enhances germination and growth of crops,” he said. A farmer from Ahamdpur village, Gurvinder Singh, said the rotavator has failed as an alternative to burn residue. Even with subsidy it costs alot to the farmers. |
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8 receive tricycles on Red Cross Day
Jalandhar, May 8 The Divisonal Commissioner said the Red Cross had come into being on September 1863 for the good of the poor by Henry Diuna. The DC said the Red Cross was working for the well-being of the downtrodden. CS Talwar said the state had 52 model schools run by Red Cross. On the occasion, tricycles were distributed among eight physically challenged people while 31 donated blood at a camp organised by the NGO Pahal. A cultural programme was also presented by differently-abled students. Many district officials were also present on the occasion. |
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DC XI loses Gymkhana Premier League
Jalandhar, May 8 Ajay Sharma scored 37 runs and Amit Kukreja scored 43 runs in 18 balls. DC XI managed to score a mere 65 runs in 10 overs. Captain of the DC XI team, Deputy
Commissioner Varun Roojam, scored 26 runs off 20 balls. Ajay Sharma of President XI, who scored 37 runs, also took four wickets. He was declared the man of the match. He was given the man of the match trophy by Varun Roojam, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Gurbir Singh of GNA IMT and MR Gupta of the Alaska Group. “Paramjit Singh Pinta, junior vice-president, Daljit Singh Chhabra, advocate, Gulshan Sharma, joint secretary, Vivek Gupta, chairman, outdoor sports committee, along with members, Dheeraj Seth, Gurpreet Kochar, Shaleen Joshi, Rajiv Sachdeva and SPS Virk worked towards making the tournament a huge success,” said Narinder Singh Shergill and Vipan
Jhanji. |
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Labourer found dead
Bilga police station SHO Narinder said the body was found lying in the village fields by some passersby, who immediately informed the police. "The deceased seemed to have been murdered with sharp- edged weapons as his head has wounds," said the police. The police searched the nearby field to get clue but nothing was recovered by the police. The SHO said the police was considering it a case of blind murder but religious efforts were being made to trace the case.
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Jalandhar, May
8