The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	area around golden temple 131 illegal structures identified GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The special investigation team (SIT), formed by the state government following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana Court, has identified 131 illegal hotels, inns and guest houses around the Golden Temple. The three-member SIT is headed by Rahul Tiwari, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, while two other officials included in the SIT are Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat and the Chief Administrator, Amritsar Development Authority, Sandeep Rishi. The SIT had prepared an action taken report against the illegal commercial establishments that hinder the beautification of the area and put burden on various civic facilities. The report was submitted to the HC on May 16. MC officials confirmed that there were around 131 such hotels, inns and guest houses, which failed to comply with the MC building norms. The HC has already ordered the authorities to initiate action against illegal commercial structures by July 23. However, the next date of hearing has been fixed for August 22. Municipal Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the violators should comply with the norms in public interest. "The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered demolition of illegal structures around the Golden Temple. These directions have to be followed. Those who have erected illegal structures to extend their buildings should demolish the objectionable portions on their own. It is true that these illegal hotels never cropped up in a day and it was not possible without the connivance of some tainted MC officials . They, too, will be rounded up and the law will take its course," he said. Meanwhile, Surinder Singh, spokesperson for the affected hoteliers, said a majority of them have been paying all kinds of taxes like luxury tax and conservancy tax, so leniency should be shown towards them. "Moreover, we are accommodating tourists on subsidised rates. The authorities should take a lenient view of it. As these hotels or inns are located near the Golden Temple, none of us serve liquor and a number commercial establishments do not have kitchens. We are providing employment to thousands,” he said.
	Widening of road makes tourists’ journey to Golden Temple easier However, displaced shopkeepers regret high price of govt-offered shops Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The widening of the road from Ghee mandi to the Jallianwala Bagh for the convenience of tourists has delighted the commuters, tourists and residents. A pilgrim, Harjap Singh from Moga, said it was always difficult to reach the Golden Temple through this road. However, this time it was a comfortable journey. The 1.5 km stretch was to be widened to 40 feet to ease traffic congestion on the way to the Golden Temple. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had also questioned the delay in the completion of the project as compensation to the tune of Rs 8.98 crore had already been awarded to the locals around the stretch. Over 100 structures were demolished on July 13, 2013 to widen the road. Tarun Aggarwal, a resident of Ghee Mandi, said, after a long wait, the Improvement Trust carpeted the road. Half of his 40-foot shop was taken over by the government to widen the road. He said the government should divert tourists to this route and disallow parking of vehicles. He said since the newly widened road became motorable, commuters had started parking their vehicles on it. Meanwhile, market association chief Manmohan Kundra flayed the government for offering shops at extremely high prices. He said only two of the 19 shopkeepers whose shops were taken over by the government under the road project could buy the shops offered by the government. According to the rehabilitation plan, these shopkeepers were offered shops at a reserved price in a shopping complex. These shops were available at Rs 56,400 per square feet. He said the price of shops was out of their reach. Earlier, these shopkeepers were offered shops at Jahajgarh, Ranjit Avenue, Mall Mandi and New Amritsar but the offer was rejected as these areas were far away from the current location and it was difficult to run business there, he added. The shops offered by the government under the Ghee Mandi scheme are opposite Shera Wala Gate and are close to the location from where these traders were uprooted. A displaced shopkeeper, Pradeep Kumar, said he was displaced after running his shop in the area for nearly 12 years. He added that he was not able to get a shop on rent as it was very high. Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Superintendent Engineer, Amritsar Improvement Trust, said the displaced shopkeepers were selected after a survey conducted by the field staff of the trust. Usually, the auction of commercial properties started from the reserved price, which was Rs 56,400 in the present case, he added.
	MC tells its zonal offices to maintain transparency Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 Taking cognisance of dereliction of duty, the MC has directed its zonal offices number 2 and 3 to maintain transparency and efficiency while issuing birth and death certificates. The MC had received a number of complaints that these offices were reluctant in the issuance of death certificates. Shushant Bhatia, Superintendent, Birth and Death Certificate Department, said the role of two officials —Kanwaljit Singh of zonal office No. 2 and Harpreet Singh Bhullar of zonal office No. 3— had come under scanner in this regard. Confirming the development, MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said both the officials had been directed to issue death certificates from tomorrow, otherwise it would be considered as a dereliction of duty and the officials would have to face disciplinary proceedings. A notice has been issued to both the officials after discovering that the issuance of death certificate was stalled without any valid reason. Many complaints were received against the lower rank staff for allegedly harassing applicants. Sources said they had been demanding Rs 1,000 to Rs 15,000 to forward applicants' files. Meanwhile, the MC authorities claimed to have carried out a massive drive to eliminate illegal agents from its birth and death certificate branch a few months ago. “We have tried to make the whole process transparent and has fixed the responsibility of officials at every stage. We have also introduced re-shuffling in the department to bring efficiency," Bhatia said. Issuance of death certificates The MC had received a number of complaints that these offices were reluctant in the issuing of death certificates The role of two officials —Kanwaljit Singh of zonal office No. 2 and Harpreet Singh Bhullar of zonal office No. 3— had come under scanner MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said both the officials had been directed to issue death certificates from Monday, otherwise it would be considered as dereliction of duty
	Bikramjit murder case: Photographs of accused cops released Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The city police released the photographs of the five cops, who allegedly killed Bikramjit Singh, a jail inmate, yesterday. The victim was allegedly kidnapped and killed by the cops a few days ago. The police have arrested seven of 13 policemen booked in the murder case. According to the police, Bikramjit was tortured to death by the policemen, headed by inspector Narang Singh. Those who are yet to be arrested are Narang Singh ASI Baljit Singh, head constables Gupreet Singh, Jagjit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, all attached with the Batala police, and a police tout, Jagtar Singh of Chatiwind village. They had been booked on the charges of kidnapping, murder, destroying evidence and criminal conspiracy. Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the identity of the informers would not be disclosed and they could contact the ADCP (Crime), ACP (Nort)h and the in-charge the CIA staff on their mobile numbers 9781130105, 9781130112 and 9781130631, respectively. Those who have been arrested by the police so far are ASIs Gulshanbir Singh and Surinder Singh, head constables Amandeep Singh and Lakhwinder Singh and three other cops who were on guard when the victim was kidnapped. They were identified as Angrej Singh, Randhir Singh and Maktool Singh. Bikramjit was admitted to a hospital due to some orthopaedic problem. Earlier, the police had claimed that Bikramjit had become a drug addict and in connivance with the police guards at the hospital, he used to run drug trade. The police had said that Gulshanbir and other counter Intelligence cops laid a trap to catch him red-handed and engaged head constable Amandeep for the job. Amandeep gave Rs 1.22 lakh to Bikramjit on May 5 to supply heroin near the Mall Mandi area. Within an hour, Bikramjit Singh reached Chamrang Road in his SUV where Gulshanbir, Surinder Singh, Baljit Singh, Jagjit Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Jagtar Singh were present. Realising that it was a trap laid to nab him, he threw the drugs and the cops nabbed. Later, the accused took him to a secluded place at Batala where he was tortured to death. His vehicle was left abandoned in a forest area near Thind Canal. On May 8, the body was found near the canal. The police kept the body for five days, cremated it on May 13 and immersed the ashes at Kiratpur Sahib on May 14.
	Mystery shrouds taxi driver’s death Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 Mystery shrouds the death of a taxi driver, identified as Baljinder Singh (35), whose body was found on a railway track between Tangra and Jandiala Guru by the Government Railway Police on May 16. A couple of persons had hired his taxi for Patiala. However, the incident came to light when family members of the deceased filed a complaint with the police. Harinder Singh, brother of the deceased, told the police that on May 15, a couple of persons had visited Gogi Tours and Travels at the Verka taxi stand, asking for a taxi for Patiala. As the owner of the shop was not present at the shop, Baljinder struck a deal with them for Rs 7,000. Before leaving for Patiala, he informed about this to the owner and the family while adding that he would return by next morning. However, even after 48 hours, he did not return home and his mobile phone was switched off. Suspecting foul play, the family approached the Verka police and lodged a complaint. Harinder Singh said today they read a report in a local daily that an unidentified body was found on the railway track on May 16. While there was nothing left to establish his identity, the report stated that the deceased had a gold tooth. Alarmed over this, the family members approached the GRP and confirmed that the body was of Baljinder. Dharminder Kalyan, SHO, GRP police station, said initially they thought that it was an accident or the youth committed suicide by jumping before the train. "Therefore, we initiated proceedings under the Criminal Procedure Code. Today, the victim's family members approached us and identified the body.” Assistant Commissioner of Police Gaurav Garg said the illicit relation of the youth with a woman could be the cause of his murder. “At this point, I am not in a position to say anything,” he said.The police are yet to locate the Innova car (PB-02-AX-4161) the suspects had hired.
	7 booked for attacking policemen Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The Amritsar rural police have booked seven persons, including three women, for allegedly attacking a police party and obstructing them from discharging their duty. The incident took place at Jhande village where the Kathunangal police team had gone to arrest a person in connection with a criminal case. The accused have been identified as Sher Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Surjit Singh, Baldev Singh, Balwinderjit Kaur, Sarabjit Kaur and Manjit Kaur, all residents of Jhande village. The police have registered a case under Sections 353, 186, 225 and 120-B of the IPC. However, no arrest has been made so far as the accused fled after the incident. Dalip Kumar, sub-inspector and in-charge of the police team, said the accused manhandled them as soon as they reached there. He alleged that they tore their uniform.
	Six fall prey to robbers Amritsar, May 18 In a spate of robbery incidents, six persons were robbed by armed persons late last night. Navneet Mittal, a resident of Vijay Nagar, was robbed of Rs 5,000, a mobile phone and his belongings by several armed persons when he was returning home from the railway station. Davinder of Bank Wali Gali, Parshotam of New Preet Nagar, Hans Raj and Satya Singh Chauhan, who work as waiters in city hotels, were targeted by some armed robbers. They looted cash from them. The robbers carried sharp-edged weapons. In a similar incident, a rickshaw-puller, identified as Gian Singh of Islamabad, was stabbed by some unidentified persons, who snatched Rs 500 from him. Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said he had asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police to investigate. — TNS
	Better amritsar noise pollution-I Noise pollution disturbs serenity of holy city Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 Over the years, noise pollution has reached an alarming proportion adversely affecting people’s health and the fragile environment. Human beings are immediate victims of its onslaught, but the government and its agencies are meek observers. Loud noise of automobile engines, pressure horns, diesel-run generators operated without canopies, factories running in residential areas and playing of music system at high volume infringe upon our natural right to live peacefully. The biggest perpetrator Noise pollution caused by traffic is perhaps the biggest perpetrator, denying the city residents a peaceful living. Flouting all norms, government as well as private buses continue to use pressure horns, leading to numerous fatal road mishaps. In one such instance, an elderly couple suffered a fall from their two-wheeler in the city in last September. The deafening sound of vehicles and pressure horns has made life hell for shopkeepers, especially those located on main roads. The shopkeepers are up in arms against the police administration and want an immediate check on this. Young bikers install pressure horns just to scare commuters. The continuous or sudden blaring of pressure horns by bus and truck drivers leave commuters, especially two-wheelers, in panic, after which they lose their balance. Demands of the city residents to strictly curb the use of pressure horns within 100-mt radius of hospitals, educational institutions and courts are paid no attention. The use of pressure horns is banned under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 of the Central Government rules. Yet the violation of rules goes unchecked. Industrial units In a blatant violation of norms, small industrial units manufacturing various goods continue to operate in residential areas of the city. Many of them are located in densely populated areas. These units cause multiple problems to the residents, especially they add up to noise pollution. These unorganised units are mostly located in East Mohan Nagar along GT Road, Puttlighar, Islamabad, GT Road, Verka, industrial area and localities near Amritsar Engineering College, Attari, Batala Road and Majitha Road. The city has 10 big and small industrial clusters, which include two focal points, an industrial area and an industrial estate while the rest are unorganised industrial units scattered across the city. In the master plan, the government has proposed to set up three more major industrial pockets. As per the data prepared by the firm that prepared the master plan for Amritsar, about 69 per cent of small-scale industries in the district are located within the walled city. However, the malady is that all factories established before 2011, when the Amritsar Master Plan was notified, are deemed approved. Noise pollution around Golden Temple Even as the pollution level around the Golden Temple declined marginally on this Diwali and Bandi Chhod Diwas (on November 13) as compared to the last year, the shrine’s heritage building and its vicinity are still vulnerable to noise pollution. The Sikh shrine figures among the top ten most visited places around the world. The number of private vehicles plying in the area is too high. Efforts to declare the area around Golden Temple as no traffic zone remained ineffectual. Diesel-run generators Continuous emanating of deafening sound by diesel-run-generators leaves negative impact on human health, but the authorities concerned failed to implement the proper norms to operate them. Generators should only run under canopies to keep their noise under control. Unfortunately, generators with canopies are nowhere visible in the city. People become victims of deafening sound emitted by generators the moment powercuts are on.
	Forum rejects demand for Rs 1.15 lakh raised from power consumer Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed a demand for Rs 1,15,591 raised by the Electricity Department from a consumer. The forum has directed that in cases where electricity meters are found to be defective, the consumers should be charged on the basis of consumption recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year. Earlier in April 2013, Bikramjit Singh, a resident of Basant Vihar, had filed a complaint against the Punjab State Electricity Board stating that he had a connection with a sanctioned load of 9.98 KW installed at his residence. He said ever since the installation of the connection, he had been making payment of the electricity bills and no amount was outstanding against the connection. He complained that in March 2012, there was some problem with the meter and it was running faster than the normal speed. The complainant challenged its functioning by depositing the meter challenge fees. He said in January 2013, he received a bill of Rs 1,15,591. He added that he deposited Rs 50,000 to prevent disconnection. He alleged that in March 2013, he received another bill of Rs 90,296 in which Rs 83,918 were added as arrears. The Electricity Department in its reply admitted that the meter of the complainant became defective/burnt in March 2012 and the complainant had challenged its functioning. The department, however, said the meter was found to be functioning normally and the amount was charged on the basis of the previous four bills on an average of 2,270 units per bi-monthly from May to August. The department admitted that the bill dated January 8, 2013 for Rs 1,15,591 was issued to the consumer. It stated that an audit by the department detected that less amount was charged from the complainant on the average basis. So, on overhauling of the accounts, the new bill was made on an average of 5,417 units per bi-monthly from May to September. The reply stated that on the directions of the audit party, the amount of Rs 88,618 was shown in the sundry column of bill. The forum observed that no copy of the audit had been placed on record by the department. It stated that the action of the department in charging the complainant for 5,417 units per bi-monthly on the basis of alleged report of the audit party was arbitrary and without any basis. The forum observed that the department had failed to produce on record as to how this average of 5,417 units per bi-monthly was calculated by the audit party. The forum said the demand raised was not justified and was not sustainable in the eyes of law and the same was therefore liable to be set-aside.
	Mehak Chahal in city to launch INIFD academy Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 INIFD Institute opened its academy of interior designing in the city today. Actor Mehak Chahal was the guest of honour at the inaugural event. Chahal, popular for films like ‘Wanted’ and ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, and last seen in Bigg Boss, interacted with the first batch of students of the academy and her fans generously. Her fondness for fashion is well known with her glamorous presence on screen and off screen. Mehak said Punjabis were one of the most stylish communities in the world. "Contrary to the 'simple' and traditional image of Punjabis, they are quite updated on latest trends and fashion. Especially Punjabi girls, who I believe are very fashion-conscious. Dressing up is in our culture, I guess," said the actor, who herself is a Punjabi. The reason that she has come up with her own line of clothing in Norway, her second home, is, "There is a lot of demand of Indian ethnic wear in Norway, especially Punjabi clothes. My store has a collection of wedding and formal wear, which is very popular with people over there." Mehak is excited to visit the Golden Temple after so many years. "My family belongs to Gurdaspur and so we used to visit Amritsar quite often," she said. Taking a break post Bigg Boss, Mehak spent most of her time with her family in Norway, setting up her clothing store. Back in India now, she plans to get back to her career in entertainment. She said she would be doing another reality show, but of a different kind this time. “I'll be doing a travel adventure show with new experiences and refreshing concept. Also, some films are in the pipeline." As for the interior designing academy, it’s the first professional academy offering interior designing courses in the city. "Since interiors have become an important aspect in our way of life, professional skill is much required. INIFD has come up with the specialised academy across Punjab. Twinkle Khanna will be our mentor and we will have celebrities in the industry educating our students," informed Neelu Malik Gauri, head, INIFD Amritsar.
	NGO asks admn to create awareness on light reflectors Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 Vehicles such as tractor-trailers, bicycles and wooden carts that do not have light reflectors installed at their rear ends are one of the causes of road accidents during nights. A local NGO ‘Road Safety Mission’, working for creating awareness about safe driving has asked the administration to disallow vehicles that do not have reflectors so that roads can be made safe for the general public. General secretary of the NGO, Ravinder Kumar, said, “Many tractor trailers and other vehicles do not have light reflectors and as a result, drivers coming from behind cannot judge their presence on the roads, which results in accidents.” He said the traffic police in the past had organised special drives to encourage people to fix light reflectors on their vehicles and that practice should be started again. Other vehicles that can’t be seen without light reflectors include animal carts, rickshaw carts and small pick-up vans. Balkar Singh, a bus driver said, “During nights, a driver coming from behind fails to see these vehicles. There are more chances of a collision if a vehicle with high beam lights is coming from the front.” Taking a cue from such accidents in rural areas at night, the administration of the Tarn Taran district had earlier asked traffic police officials to check plying of such vehicles on roads. A resident of Putlighar area, Amanpreet Singh, who met with such an accident said, “I was coming from work late in the night and a rickshaw was going ahead of me. As the rickshaw didn’t have reflectors, I could not judge its presence and there was a collision.” Singh said luckily nobody was hurt but he had to pay the rickshaw-puller for the damage. He said generally the owner of the bigger vehicle was blamed and asked to pay damages. “The reflectors are a must for every vehicle and the police should implement it strictly,” he said.
	Crime against women on the rise in Bathinda Bathinda, May 18 Crime against the women appears to be rising in the city these days, as on Friday, two dowry cases were registered at the women’s cell of the Bathinda police. The police have booked her husband Parvinder Singh and his family members, including his father Pritam Singh, mother Hamir Kaur, residents of Balahar Vinju in the Goniana block and her sisters Renu and Meenu of Muktsar district. All of them have been booked on the complaint of his wife Jaswinder Kaur for demanding dowry and harassing her. In another case, a Ferozepur-based resident, Manpreet Singh, and his mother Sheela Kaur have been booked by the police for demanding dowry from his (Manpreet’s) wife Gurmeet Kaur. The police have registered cases under Sections 498A, 406 and 34 of the IPC in both cases, while no arrests have been made in any of the cases. In another case, a resident of Gulabgarh village, Yadwinder Singh, was booked by the Kotfatta police for beating up his wife. — TNS
	2 booked on attempt to murder charge Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The city police have booked two persons, identified as Navkiran Singh and Amandeep of Vrindavan Enclave, allegedly on charges of attempt to murder. Jatinderbir Singh, a resident of the Loharka Road area, stated to the Civil Lines police that the accused allegedly opened fire at him in the Ranjit Avenue area when he was on his way in his I-20 car at round 10.30 pm. He said the gun shots hit his car while he had a narrow escape. An old enimosity is said to be the reason behind the attack. The police have registered a case under Section 307 of the IPC. Police officials said investigations were under progress.
	Police book nephews of former councillor Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The Cantonment police have booked relatives of former councillor Surinder Chaudhry from Putlighar area on charges of criminal trespass and attacking Congress leader Dimple Arora. Dimple recently joined the Congress after leaving the Shiromani Akal Dal (SAD) while Surinder Chaudhry joined the SAD during the Municipal Corporation elections. Following the statement of Dimple, the police have registered a case against two persons, Sanjiv Kumar and Bobby, under Sections 452, 506 and 34 of the IPC. No arrest has been made so far. He told the police that the accused shouted outside his house and threw glass bottles on him. He said the accused were nephews of former councillor and he had lodged a complaint against them following a clash during the parliamentary polls.