The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	NOCs FOR HERITAGE LOOK AROUND GOLDEN TEMPLE Establishments demand more time Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 The first day of the municipal corporation’s door-to-door campaign in the Hall Gate to the Golden Temple stretch, seeking no objection certificates (NOCs) from the occupants of houses and shops for lending them a heritage look came to naught as the latter demanded time to decide till May 19. Assistant Town Planner IP Singh Randhawa said all five teams visited the residents and shopkeepers owning properties on the stretch. However, the occupants demanded postponement of the drive till Monday and it could be resumed on May 20. Since majority of the structures on the stretch are commercial, shopkeepers and showroom owners have come together to decide the matter. The Hall Bazar Traders Association president, Sham Singh Ahuja, categorically said that the traders did not refuse to issue NOCs but only sought time to discuss the offer with the members of the association. He said they appreciated the gesture of the government to beautify the path leading to the Golden Temple. The only hitch left was that a majority of the members of the association were not much aware of the concept and needed to be briefed properly. He said there were about 70 member-shopkeepers of the association and only a handful of them had gone to attend the meeting called by MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda. Each visiting team, comprising five members, was carrying a one-page format in Punjabi to seek the signatures on the NOCs. Endorsing NOC means that the occupant does not have any reservation about beautification of the facade of his building and permit the Tourism Ministry to carry out the same. A Union Government-funded project, the tourism department’s project aims to bring uniformity in the facade of the structures, a majority of them commercial, on the lines of Lucknow's Hazrat Ganj which is painted in a single colour. Mumbai-based Darashaw Consultancy Private Limited has already prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to paint the approach and exit roads to the Golden Temple with a single colour and similar, attractive and equal-sized signboards will be put up to streamline the exterior of buildings and shops falling on the path. Besides, the mesh of loose open wires hanging on the road will be put into a duct. The DPR with an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism. The project is expected to be finished by mid-2015. Kharbanda once again reiterated that the NOCs in no way interfere with the ownership of these buildings but to beautify the facade. He added that the occupants of these buildings would get the beautiful at the government expense. Being a mixed-use project, storm water drains, open plazas, facade-cleaning and hanging cables will be placed underground and conservation of heritage structures on the route to the Golden Temple will also be undertaken. Besides, walkways on either side of the road will be raised for pedestrians. En-route the buildings displaying Sikh architecture will be restored. Besides, all 12 power transformers were identified obstructing the footpath on the stretch of the road would be relocated to the nearby internal roads.
	Jaitley's defeat will stop politics of laying foundation stones, say residents Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 Following the defeat of the SAD-BJP candidate, Arun Jaitley, from the Amritsar Lok Sabha Constituency, people here feel that the ruling alliance will have to deliver on its promise of development and politics of laying foundation stones will be over. A resident of Majitha road, Hari Om Goel said the SAD-BJP ruling combine during its nearly seven-year rule laid foundations of key projects for the development of the city. However, not even one of these saw the light of the day, he rued. The drubbing in the Sikh holiest city may serve as an eye-opener for the leaders of the ruling combine to deliver on these projects to contest the next Assembly election. Prominent among these projects include PRTS, solid waste management plant, multipurpose indoor and outdoor sports stadium and CCTV surveillance announced in the past while these have failed to take off. Besides, the foundation stone for the Rs 580-crore bus rapid transport system (BRTS) project was laid amid much fanfare a couple of months back by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. A senior citizen Naresh Johar said that the SAD-BJP government unveiled the personal rapid transport system (PRTS) project in December 2011, but nothing has moved on ground. The project initially appeared to be on track, but got delayed after heritage lovers expressed apprehensions that the project would eclipse a view of the holy city’s significant landmarks such as the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple. Subsequently, the government changed the route plan from the railway station to the Golden Temple. The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) had invited fresh bids last year. However, there has been no word from the government after that despite the fact that there was a lone bidder for it. The solid waste management project was launched around six years ago by top ruling alliance leaders, including Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, to process the holy city’s garbage into eco bricks and green fuel, but it could not see the light of the day till now. Though the High court had given the green signal to the project in July last year, the work on it is yet to take off. The reason is that the firms, which showed interest in the plant and providing garbage lifting as additional service, had quoted exorbitant rates which the MC did not find financially viable. Similarly, the Deputy CM had laid the foundation stone of a sports complex at Ranjit Avenue here on November 12, 2011, but no progress has been made in this project too. The work on the installation of CCTV cameras under the state government’s “safe city project” has also not started. Even the city bus service, which was launched recently, was announced around seven years ago. Johar said all these projects caused to raise ambitions and expectations of the people to enjoy a quality life. However, all these years these projects were part of the speeches of the leaders of the ruling combine which eventually irked voters.
	Communists, BSP, Independents marginalised Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 The high-profile battle between bigwigs coupled with the AAP factor has marginalised the Communists, the BSP and the Independents in the present scenario after the recent Lok Sabha elections in the constituency. The CPI candidate, Amarjit Singh Asal, with a total vote count of 12,902 has secured only 1.28 per cent votes. The BSP has fared even worse as its candidate, Pardeep Singh Walia, could get only 0.58 per cent vote share with a total of 5,869 votes in the constituency. The CPM's state secretary Rattan Singh Randhawa, though he officially contested as an Independent candidate got only 4,350 votes, only 0.43 per cent of the valid votes. Even the AAP's candidate, Dr Daljit Singh, has got only 82,619 votes, 8.2 per cent of the valid votes. The Communists had a vote share of around 5 per cent during the previous poll whereas the BSP had secured 4.4 per cent votes in the last Lok Sabha elections. Of all the Independent candidates, only Arun Kumar Joshi has sprang a surprise as he secured 9,023 votes. Joshi has been an unrecognised face in the local political arena. On the contrary, Capt Amarinder Singh's namesake failed to cause any serious damage as the winning margin was too high. The namesake 'Amrinder Singh' got only 1,151 votes. The constituency had witnessed a contest between 23 candidates in all.
	Youths booked for firing at bus stand Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 The Beas police have booked several persons for allegedly attacking the conductor of a private bus over a minor dispute. They also fired while fleeing leading to injuries to a couple of persons. Sukhdev Singh, conductor of the bus, said that a youth who boarded the bus from Amritsar bus stand stop near the New Amritsar area. He said when he asked for the ticket, the accused gave a Rs 100 currency note. However, he asked him to give Rs 10 for the ticket and he started using abusive language. He said they dropped him there and moved on. He said the unidentified youth called his friends on his mobile phone and they chased the bus. He said when they were dropping some passengers at Beas bus stand, the accused attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. He said he raised the alarm following which people started gathering at the spot. While fleeing, the accused fired indiscriminately and created panic in the area. The bullet hit a shopkeeper identified as Jaswinder Singh while a passerby identified as Gurjinder Singh also sustained injuries. Following the conductor's statement, the police registered a case against the accused while investigations were under progress. They said the accused had been identified and raids were being conducted to arrest the culprits.
	2 killed in road mishap Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 Two persons, including a woman, died while two others were injured in a road mishap that occurred near Hardoputli village located on Fatehgarh Churian road here today. The deceased were identified as Bholi and her 10-year-old son Guriqbal Singh of Makkowal village. Bholi’s husband Gurdev Singh said that he along with his wife and son was going to his native village from Amritsar on his motorcycle when another motorcycle being driven by Gurpreet Singh of Fatehgarh Churian came from the opposite side and collided with his motorcycle head- on. He said they fell on the road while a speeding tractor-trailer coming from behind ran them over killing them on the spot. Gurpreet and Gurdev also sustained injuries in the accident.
	TB awareness programme organised Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 The team of Project Axshya for control of TB of the Volunatary Health Organisation of India organised a programme yesterday highlighting the ill effects of tobacco at Baba Deep Singh Memorial School here. Project Coordinator Rajeev Chaudhary said that they had started a series of programmes to create awareness among schoolchildren. “Aware students can easily educate their parents and families. The programme would help in clarifying various myths about TB. He said that tobacco products were a cause of many a respiratory problems and their team was working to encourage people to shun the habit. He said that more of such programmes would be conducted at schools. He said that Project Axshya would be conducting 'nukad nataks' in various localities of the city to create awareness.
	vaneet mahajan case Two more wanted persons held Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 With the election process over, the focus is now back on advocate Vaneet Mahajan assault case. The Civil Lines police have arrested two more persons wanted in connection with A murderous attack on advocate Mahajan on May 10. He was going to railway station along with his brother Avneesh Mahajan and a friend, Avtar Singh, when the incident took place. They also sustained serious injuries during the attack. The police have booked around 10 persons, including BJP councillor Prabhjit Rataul in the case and arrested five persons so far. The name of Cabinet Minister, Anil Joshi, also figured in the FIR after Mahajan accused him of engineering the attack as he along with his colleague Sandeep Gorsi had filed criminal complaints against him. Gorsi went underground after an attempt to murder case was registered against him and Congress councillor Gurinder Rishi on the complaint of Rakesh Bhardwaj, a close confidant of Joshi. Among those who were arrested today include Batau and Vicky of Gali Theke Wali, located on the Fatehgarh Churian road. Three of them, identified as Ashok Kumar Ghocha, Rajkumar alias Raju and Pawan Kumar of Navi Abadi area on the Fatehgarh Churian road, were arrested by the police a couple of days ago. Ghocha is said to be a BJP leader and supporter of Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi. Vavinder Mahajan, SHO of the Civil Lines police staion, said raids were being conducted to nab the remaining culprits. When asked about the role of Prabhjit Singh Rataul, a close aide of Joshi, who was also booked in the case, the SHO said he was also absconding since the registration of case. The SHO said Rataul’s name figured under criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B of the IPC). The police said the incident was a result of personal enmity with Gorsi and Mahajan in connection with a bail plea, adding that they were verifying the claims.
	No let up in burning of garbage Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 Burning of plant residue and garbage heaps in the city continues unabated as officials of the district administration seem to be ignoring the act. Around a dozen heaps of leaves and dry grass were set on fire along the Cantonment road here today. Instances of burning of garbage are reported regularly from every nook and corner of the city. Even government health institutions, public parks and private properties indulge in the act to get rid of the waste. The environment laws prohibit burning of any kind of waste, including dry tree leaves. The law suggests that public parks should have pits, where dry leaves can be filled till they turn into organic manure. Harman Sukhreja, a school teacher, said, “In view of the public health and environment pollution, the administration should get FIRs registered against people who are burning waste.” She said the police had registered FIRs against farmers, who had resorted to burning crop residue in the past, but no such case was ever registered against persons, who burnt waste in the city. Another resident Kuljinder Singh said, “Asthmatic patients and old citizens face problem due to the smoke emanating from the garbage heaps set on fire along roads and near the residential areas. The administration should take the matter seriously instead of turning a blind eye to the act.” Recently, a WHO list on most polluted cities in the world had placed Amritsar at the 14th position. Even Ludhiana, a city known for its industry, was at the 15th spot due to the high-level of pollution. As the administration is required to initiate steps to check environmental pollution in a city for which a heritage status is being demanded vociferously, the residents feel that a ban on burning of garbage heaps could be a first step in the direction.
	Spate of thefts, burglaries continues unabated PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amrtisar, May 17 Rising instances of theft and burglaries in the city have left the local residents worried. Despite the police claims of regular patrolling in the city keeping in view the security perceptions due to the recently held parliamentary elections and counting of votes, the incidents of thefts and burglaries have failed to subside. A few persons recently entered the house of Jaspal Singh, a resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar located on Sultanwind Road. In his complaint lodged with the police, he stated that the accused stole copper wire from the welding machine, gas cylinder, water motor, drill machine, welding lead, besides other material after gaining entry by breaking the iron mesh on the backside of his shop. He suspected that Gopal and Beeru of Ekta Nagar had committed the theft. The police have arrested Gopal in this regard. Two burglaries were reported in the city on May 12. Surjit Singh of Ajit Nagar informed the police that several unidentified persons broke open the locker of his almirah and stole Rs 2 lakh in cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 18 lakh when he was not at home. In another incident, unidentified persons stole a television and a ghee container after breaking open the locks of a shop in Guru ki Wadali area. In another case, Jyoti Bala of Ranjhe di Haveli in Antaryami Colony told the police that she was on duty when some unidentified persons entered her house and stole LPG gas cylinder and gold jewellery, besides Rs 4,000 in cash from her house. The police have registered a case while no arrests have been made so far. The city residents have expressed their concern over the rising cases of theft and burglaries. They said police officials should lay stress on identifying and arresting the culprits involved in such crimes. They alleged that a majority of theft cases remained unsolved and the role of the police was limited only to registering FIRs. Investigations moved at a snail’s pace as police officials remained busy with other commitments such as VIP duties, added the residents. “It is not that the police do nothing to curb such crimes. Now with elections process coming to an end with the counting of votes, special emphasis will be laid on solving petty crimes, especially snatchings and burglaries,” said Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh, adding that special nakas would be set up and patrolling intensified to stem the problem.
	Asst prof comes out with book of short stories Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 An assistant professor in English at Hindu College, Gurpartap Khairah, has come out with his first book on short stories titled, “Obsession”. It is a collection of 18 short stories. Khairah has authored six stories while Stormy, Bishwa and Suraj Sinha contributed the rest of the narratives. These stories are thematically linked by the common human emotion of obsession. Their description does not deal with heroes and heroines, but with the ordinary people. The author said these stories depict people caught in ordinary but trying situations, which bring to fore their inherent strengths and weakness. Dealing with unusual plots — a man’s quest to fashion the perfect wife for himself, a widow’s desperate attempts to break the shackles of greed, a bachelor’s fixation with a lizard in his house or another man’s perspective of love and possession — ‘Obsession’ unhesitatingly goes into realms of human lives and emotions not much traversed. Deeply psychological in nature, these stories can be unsettling at times as they are aimed at stripping human spirit of all pretence, exposing shame and sorrow, desire and desperation, remarked the author. “These stories give a candid account of the human condition, paint a true picture of the world that we inhabit and how it affects us and how we affect it in turn. The stories in the book thrust us towards introspection and self-realisation, making for an enriching experience,” averred the writer. Khairah’s stories are narrated in the first or the third person. He avoids naming his characters so as to shun cultural connotations that come naturally with a name as he feels it lends universality to his characters. Khairah has so far authored over 60 short stories. He is currently working on his third novel and also his PhD on Graham Greene. Stormy and Bishwa write together as a team. Stormy says that Bishwa is the mind behind the stories while she lends them her unique voice and narrative. Bishwa hails from Nepal while Stormy teaches English literature in Mussoorie. Suraj Sinha is an aeronautical engineer-turned- banker. He loves reading and writing is his passion.
	SGPC honours Mount Everest climber Amritsar, May 17 The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) honoured a resident of Jamsedhpur for completing his expedition to Mount Everest. Surinder Singh Badhowal, member of the SGPC and Manjit Singh, secretary of the SGPC, were present during the function to honour Gursharan Singh. Gursharan said he had installed a Nishan Sahib at the base camp of the Mount Everest. He said he along with seven others from different parts of the world participated in this expedition. It took eight days for the team to reach the base camp, added Gursharan. — TNS
	Boutique owner complains of sexual assault Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 A boutique owner was allegedly sexually assaulted by her employee, when she was alone at her home. The victim runs a boutique from her home. She lodged a complaint with the Civil Lines police, which registered a case under Sections 354 and 323 of the IPC against the accused, who absconded after the incident. The accused was identified as Major Singh, a resident of Mallu Nangal village. The complainant, a resident Kennedy Avenue, said the accused had been working in her boutique for past six months. Yesterday, he came to the boutique and went upstairs for the work. In the evening, when her two-year-old daughter was asleep, Major Singh came down and started assaulting her sexually. She pushed him aside and ran out of the house carrying her daughter in the lap. The accused fled from the roof of the house. Nishan Singh, investigating officer, said raids were being conducted to nab the accused, who was still at large.
	FROM SCHOOLS & COLLEGES International Nurses Day Amritsar: The staff and students of Chief Khalsa Diwan International Nursing College celebrated International Nurses Day on the eve of the birth anniversary of the lady with the lamp, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing profession. Dr Santokh Singh, chairman, Nursing College, who was the chief guest, lightened the lamp along with Pritpal Singh Sethi and Dr SS Walia. Principal Darshan Sohi welcomed the guests. In his inaugural speech, Dr Santokh encouraged the students to abide by the principles of nursing profession propounded by Florence Nightingale. Eye mask competition DAV Public School on Saturday organised an eye mask making competition in the school to bring out the creativity and imagination of the students. Students of Classes XI and XII participated in the contest. The students made eye masks and showed a lot of enthusiasm in designing them. School principal Neera Sharma said eye masks prepared by students had a professional touch. She praised the innovative and imaginative ideas of the students. Five-day science camp The Department of Science of DAV College will organise a five-day science camp “Inspire” from May 19 on its premises. The event is being sponsored by Innovation in Sciences Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), a programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The basic objective of “INSPIRE” is to attract talent to the study of sciences at an early stage and help build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the sciences and technology system, besides research and development base. More than 200 students from the city will participate in the camp. — TNS
	FEEDBACK Reveal names of eateries, hospitals “Samples collected from renowned eateries fail test” (May 11, 2014) makes amusing reading and nothing more. It also shows how the Health Department collected samples this year at different intervals and how many of them failed the test. As the item does not mention the names of any of the eateries involved, it does no good to the readers. They are still as ignorant as they were before the paper broke the news. They are in no way better informed so as to avoid these eateries. A similar story had appeared in these columns a week ago regarding a nursing home admitting a patient with a serious kidney problem, though the hospital did not have any infrastructure for its treatment nor any nephrologist on its panel. The name of the hospital was not revealed. The omission was not just an omission, but clearly a deliberate attempt to conceal the hospital’s identity so that no harm was done. The interest of the public was utterly neglected. KS Khurana, Amritsar