The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Stretch under elevated road in shambles Was to be developed under the Rs 2.5-crore project signed in 2008 GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Irregularities on the part of the civic authorities that led to multi-dimensional problems related to the pollution beneath the main elevated road erected over the Amritsar-Jalandhar GT Road have come to light. It has been disclosed by Municipal Corporation under the RTI, filed by a social activist, Prabodh C Bali, that a contract for Rs 2.5 crore was signed with Behet Hortivision Pvt Ltd, Noida, for erecting green belts in various parts of the city, including the chunk under the elevated road in 2008, as the area comes under the jurisdiction of the MC. SK Sareen, XEN, Horticulture, agreed to execute a contract for planting trees on different roadsides of the holy city with the firm but claimed that it was the liability of the PWD to transform the stretch under the elevated road into a green belt. When questioned about the confession of the MC about signing an agreement for conducting a plantation drive under the elevated road in the reply to the RTI query, XEN Sareen could not furnish a satisfactory justification. "We had planted ficus trees on the circular road, 100-foot road, Tarn Taran road and some other stretches," he said. Whatever be the reason, the end result was that not even a single sapling was planted over this stretch while years have passed since this elevated road was made operational for the public. Consequently, almost the whole area under the elevated road has been kept undeveloped which is an open invitation to the encroachers. On this stretch, came up thatched huts, shops, parking lots and workshops to repair the cars, trucks and buses. The situation became grim under the ramp which falls in front of the Pingalwara Charitable Institution. This is a point which would often remain the busiest with the maximum traffic inflow of town passing through here. This had invited various puncture repair shops which have encroached upon the land and installed repair machinery which add fuel to the fury of the traffic jam. As soon as the tyre of a heavy truck or bus gets punctured, it is made to park right before these repair shops on the main GT road at this spot without any fear of law. Social activist Prabodh C Bali said, "The local residents are paying the price of air pollution due to the inefficiency on the part of the MC. We need a natural purifier which is a green belt. We need premium trees not the ornamental ones. We need to plant peepal, banyan, neem and jamun trees," he said.
	Bikramjit murder case: Six accused yet to be nabbed PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Even as the Punjab police have dismissed nine cops in connection with Bikramjit Singh's illegal custodial death case, the city police are yet to nab the six culprits, including the tainted police inspector Narang Singh in the case. The police have arrested seven cops out of 13 booked since the brutal killing of Bikramjit, a jail inmate, who was undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. Following the investigations carried out by the special investigating team (SIT) formed to crack the case, the police have booked 13 persons, including a tout identified as Jagtar Singh. Besides Narang Singh, among others who are yet to be arrested include 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 charges of kidnapping, murder, destroying of evidence and criminal conspiracy. It is learnt that the SIT has expanded its search to neighbouring states, including Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to nab the culprits. A police official said besides various parts of Punjab, the teams have been sent to the suspected hideouts in the neighbouring states also. "The police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits and no stone will be left unturned to arrest them," said the official. The police have sacked nine police officials for disgracing the department. They were dismissed under the provisions of Article 311 (2) of the Constitution of India. Among those who have been dismissed include inspector Narang Singh, ASI Gulshanbir Singh, ASI Baljit Singh, ASI Sawinder Singh, head constables Amandeep Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Jagjit Singh. Bikramjit, a murder convict, was kidnapped from the hospital by the counter intelligence wing on May 5. The police officials, however, claimed that he had become a drug addict. As a result, he not only used to roam about freely after conniving with the police guards, but was also involved in drug trade. On May 8, his body was found in a section of the canal falling under the jurisdiction of the Kiratpur police. The police kept the body for five days, cremated it on May 13 and immersed the ashes in Kiratpur Sahib on May 14. Looking back Bikramjit Singh was convicted for the murder of Akali leader Gurdial Singh Dhillon The murder took place in broad daylight at Tarn Taran's Algo Kothi village in 2002 Bikramjit, who would have completed his jail term in a couple of months, was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar owing to an orthopaedic problem He was kidnapped from the hospital and murdered
	Seven mobiles recovered, 8 jail inmates booked GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Seven mobile phones were recovered from jail inmates during a search operation last night at Amritsar Cenral Jail. Eight inmates, most of them undergoing trial, have been booked in two separate cases registered with the Cantonment police station. In the first case, the jail security staff recovered two mobile phones from under-trials, Deepak Kumar, a resident of Lahori Gate, Harjinder Singh, a resident of Indra Colony, Parshotam Lal, a resident of Jalandhar, and a prisoner, Punjab Singh, a resident of Kapurthala. In another case, five mobile phones were recovered from the undertrials, Avtar Singh, a resident of Karmuwala, Tarn Taran; Jagir Singh, a resident of Chowk Mishri Khan, Amritsar; Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Dhanoe Kalan, and a prisoner Mukhtiar Singh, a resident of Patti in Tarn Taran. All are lodeged in jail in different cases, including murder, said the jail officials. Jail Superintendent RK Sharma said a special search operation was conducted last night in the jail following regular seizures of mobile phones and toxic powder. “We were astonished to find such a large number of mobile phones from the inmates. This indicated loopholes in our system. Imposing strictness on the jail premises is vital for the prevention of crime. Recovery of mobile phones from jail inmates is a serious issue. We will be conducting investigation in case of each mobile phone recovered from the jail. It is vital to know how these mobile phones were smuggled inside the jail,” he said. “We carry out a three-tier search operation before letting the prisoner inside the jail, after they come back from court hearing. Similarly, search is conducted when the inmates are made to meet their acquaintances during the meeting hours. Still, they leave no stone unturned to get their hands on forbidden material, the major ones being the mobile phones and the intoxicants,” he said. Separate cases under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 42 of the Prisoners Act have been registered in both the instances.
	48 hrs on, no headway in taxi driver’s death case PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Even after 48 hours, police officials are still clueless about the mysterious death of a taxi driver, Baljinder Singh (35), whose body was found on the railway tracks between Tangra and Jandiala Guru on May 16. The incident came to light when the family members of the deceased lodged a police complaint saying Baljinder had gone to Patiala with a couple of passengers who had hired his taxi on May 15 and did not return. His mobile was also switched off. Assistant Commissioner of Police Gaurav Garg said they were yet to reach any conclusion in this case as the investigations were under progress. The police was also trying to locate the car (PB-02-AX-4161) that the suspects had hired. Gaurav Garg said, “We are looking into the call details to find some clues. The CCTV footage of all the toll plazas is being scrutinised in order to locate the vehicle.” Baljinder had gone missing on May 15 and his body was found on railway lines the next day. A couple of persons had hired his taxi for Patiala. Harinder Singh, brother of the deceased, told the police that on May 15, some 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 the owner and the family about this while adding that he would return the next morning. However, even after 48 hours, he did not return and his mobile phone was also switched off. Suspecting foul play, the family approached the Verka police and lodged a complaint.
	Guru Nanak Dev University reshuffles staff Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Prof AS Brar, has re-appointed Prof MS Hundal, professor, department of chemistry, as the dean, academic affairs of the university. He would also hold the charge of coordinator, Edusat, till March 31, 2015. While Prof AS Sidhu from the University Business School was appointed as dean, students' welfare, along with professor in- charge, Publication Bureau, Dr Gurcharan Kaur from the biotechnology department has been appointed as director of the placement cell. Prof Renu Bhardwaj from botanical and environmental science department has been appointed as professor in-charge, examinations and Prof Gurpreet Bal from sociology department as director, hospitality. She would also hold the charge of the coordinator, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy. The charge of Dr Mohan Kumar as Reader, Academic Staff College, has been extended till March 31, 2015. Similarly, Dr RK Mahajan from the chemistry department would be the new Dean, College Development Council till March 31, 2015. He would also hold the post of in-charge, Constituent Colleges and Regional Campuses, Sathiala and Fatthu Dhinga. Dr Gurpreet Kaur from the music department would be the director, Department of Life Long Learning (Additional Charge), till March 31, 2015. The terms of Dr Sandeep Sood from the computer science and engineering department has been extended as associate dean, academic affairs, at the university regional campus, Gurdaspur, and Dr Kamlesh Singh Duggal from the journalism and mass communication department has been appointed as associate dean, academic affairs, at the University Regional Campus, Jalandhar, till March 31, 2015. Dr Kuldeep Singh from political science department has been appointed as dean, Alumni Association, till October 16 this year, Dr Anish Dua from zoology department as professor in-charge, public relations, Prof TS Banipal from the chemistry department as director, research, Dr Avinash Kaur Nagpal from the botanical and environmental sciences as director, academic staff college, Prof Jagroop Singh Sekhon from the political department as director, capacity enhancement programme, and Prof Daljit Singh Arora as the director, AIS Centre. All these appointments would be valid till March 31, 2015. Prof Vikram Chadha from the Punjab School of Economics has been appointed as co-coordinator, university industry linkage programme; Prof BS Chadha of microbiology department as nodal officer, intellectual property rights cell; Prof Shashi Bala from Guru Nanak Studies Department as director, Guru Nanak Studies Centre; Prof Karanjit Singh Kahlon from the computer science and engineering department as professor in-charge, central time-table grading system; and Prof Jatinder Singh from the microbiology department as professor in-charge, heritage museum, would continue their terms till March 31, 2015. Prof Palwinder Singh from chemistry department has been appointed as coordinator, HPLC, mass spectrometer (central facility) and Dr Sandeep Sharma as chief information security officer, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) till March 31, 2015.
	Better amritsar noise pollution-II Residents feel helpless, look to govt for help Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 City residents are unanimous in their opinion that they are the victims of noise pollution, yet they feel helpless in this regard. Residents rely on the government to curb the increasing noise pollution in the city caused by various factors such as vehicular traffic, religious functions and noise from industrial units. Amritsar Tribune talks to a cross-section of the people for their views. Hope rests on govt I have my shop at one of the busiest city areas - Puttalighar. It has its own benefits and drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks is the loud noise of vehicles in this area. Heavy vehicles affix pressure horns atop them, which has become a major trouble. This noise has become an inevitable part of my professional life. It takes some time to adjust to the noisy environment in the morning. I find peace only after returning home at night. Noise pollution has become out of control for the common man and our hope rests only on the government. Harkanwal Singh, chemist Effects on health Most of the people are apparently unaware of the fact that noise causes a huge loss of nervous energy. The loud noise impairs the health of the people in more ways than one. It causes disturbance in sleep, which leads to other side effects. People are likely to suffer from both physiological and psychological defects as a result of exposure to noise. That’s why, housewives working in kitchens with all types of electric gadgets often complain of suffering from severe headache. Dr Hardeep Kaur Sidhu Noise as part of life The loud sounds emanating from loudspeakers, construction sites, automobiles and industrial sites have been responsible for raising the noise pollution, which has become a major hazard for modern living. People have become almost indifferent to the loud noise of busy traffic, noise at bus stand and at railway stations as they feel it is a part of their lives. Inder Singh Maan, retired teacher Noise from horns Drivers of scooters, cars, trucks and buses have become habitual of blowing horns even at places where it is not required. Pressure horns blown by bus drivers on the city roads create a lot of nuisance and cause irritation to commuters. Similarly, public address systems are liberally used in religious functions without taking into consideration the convenience of the people. Gurdev Singh, social worker Sound levels In an average quiet room, the normal sound level is 50 decibels if a moderate conversation is going on. But in calm and quiet places such as libraries and radio recording studios, it drops to 30 decibels. Trucks, buses and scooters create a noise level of 90 decibels. In a factory, the noise level exceeds 100 decibels. Beyond the 100 decibel level, however, sound becomes very uncomfortable and above 120 decibels, it is painful. The PPCB records monthly data on noise pollution from residential, industrial and rural areas in the border district while the punitive powers rests with the district administration. Jaswant Singh Randhawa, environmental engineer
	Around 250 students participate in INSPIRE camp at DAV College Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Around 250 students from various schools are participating in the five-day science camp INSPIRE (Innovation in Sciences Pursuit for Inspired Research) that commenced at DAV College today. Organised by the Department of Sciences of the college, the event is sponsored by Department of Sciences and Technology, Government of India. Dean Academic Affairs, GNDU, Dr MS Hundal, was the chief guest at the event. INSPIRE is one of the innovative programmes developed by the Department of Sciences and Technology of the Government of India. The basic objective of the programme is to attract students to sciences at an early stage and build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the sciences and technology system and R&D base. Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent in Basic Sciences (SEATS) of INSPIRE aims to nourish the curiosity of children in sciences. The event started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp ‘Deepshikha’. At the inaugural session, convener of the event, Dr Rupinder Kaur, welcomed Dr KN Kaul, principal of the college. Dr Rupinder said the objective of organising the internship camp was to reveal the joys of innovation to the talented youth of the country to propel them towards higher study in science and career in research and development. Speaking on the occasion Dr KN Kaul said the science camp would provide a unique platform for exchange of knowledge and nurture the curiosity of the students in sciences. The event hosted a series of intellectual sessions in which the dignitaries presented intellectual lectures on science and technology. INSPIRE is one of the innovative programmes developed by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent in Basic Sciences (SEATS) of INSPIRE aims to nourish the curiosity of children in sciences
	Sacred Heart students excel in Class XII exams Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Prabhnoor Kaur Kahlon of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School stood first in the Class 12th Indian School Certificate (ISC) Examination. She secured 96 per cent marks. Following her on the merit list were Apram Kaur (95 per cent), Mehakpreet Kaur Randhawa (94.25 per cent) from the same school. Davinder Pal Singh of Holy Heart Presidency School stood first in the school by scoring 91 per cent in the non-medical stream and Nidha Naib of the same school secured 91 per cent marks in the medical stream. As many as 13 students of Holy Heart Presidency School secured over 80 per cent marks. Navpreet Kaur Dhillon topped the commerce stream in the school by scoring 90 per cent marks. Congratulating the meritorious students, school chairman Vijay Seth said, “These students who wish to touch the sky must aim high.”
	Plagiarism a major problem faced by varsities: Professor Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Bhai Gurdas Library of Guru Nanak Dev University today organised a workshop on 'Anti-Plagiarism' in collaboration with INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network, Ahmedabad, Gujarat), which is an autonomous body of the University Grants Commission (UGC). More than 350 delegates from different departments of university and regional campuses participated in the workshop. Vice-Chancellor Prof AS Brar was the chief guest on this occasion. Manoj Kumar and Pushpinder, the representatives from INFLIBNET delivered special lectures on softwares. Practical presentations were also made on the occasion. Prof Brar said while doing research, most of the research scholars often use information available on the internet. But they needed to be more careful while collecting information, he said. He said plagiarism was a major problem being faced by Indian universities because of the glut of free information on the internet. He added that researchers were allured to copy material from different sources and paste it in their Ph D theses, which was a matter of concern. Manoj Kumar said new softwares such as 'iThenticate' and 'Turnitin' were available to check the authenticity of Ph D theses. “These softwares are highly efficient and are capable to let us know how many words and lines have been copied by researchers and from which source,” he said. More than 350 delegates from different departments of university and regional campuses participated in the workshop Manoj Kumar said new softwares such as 'iThenticate' and 'Turnitin' were available to check the authenticity of Ph D thesis.
	ACET organises two-day workshop Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology (ACET), held a two-day workshop on ‘A Graphical Programming Language- LabVIEW - and its Real Time Applications in Wireless Engineering Using USRP’ here today. The workshop was inaugurated by chairman, ACET, Amit Sharma and Director (Finance), ACET, Ragini Sharma. The event was attended by many faculty members and post-graduate students of the college as well as students from Punjab Technical University affiliated colleges. A practical demonstration was carried out on building communication systems with USRP, USRP as an SDR - Software Defined Radio 4G/5G mobile communications. General manager, AI Instruments, Harish Futane, was the keynote speaker. A team of professionals from AI Instruments and National Instruments Bangalore conducted this two-day workshop. Principal, ACET, Dr Vijay Kumar Banga, said the institute had set up a new research lab for PhD/M Tech and B Tech students in the area of wireless and mobile communication.
	Anti-Narcotics Cell arrests four persons Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 The Anti-Narcotic Cell of the Amritsar rural police has arrested four persons and confiscated thousands of intoxicant capsules and tablets from their possession in different cases. Those arrested include Vikas Kalia of Saludin village, Swarn Singh of Gaggarmal, Sucha Singh and Sahib Singh of Chawinda Khurd. In a press statement issued here today, the in-charge of the Anti-Narcotic Cell, Sanjiv Sharma, said Vikas Kalia was nabbed with 3,200 capsules and tablets from Jagdev Kalan village. Similarly, Swarn Singh, Sucha Singh and Sahib Singh were nabbed by different patrolling parties who seized 8,000 capsules, 700 tablets and 880 capsules from their possession respectively. The police official said the accused had been booked under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and further investigations had been started after taking their police remand.
	Hall Bazaar traders to meet today Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 The Hall Bazaar Traders Association today postponed its scheduled meeting to discuss the Tourism Department’s offer to paint facades of all structures from Hall Gate to Golden Temple for lending a heritage look to the area. The meeting was scheduled after Municipal Corporation’s employees started a door-to-door campaign seeking no objection certificates (NOC) from the occupants of houses and shops in the area. Association president Sham Singh Ahuja said the meeting had to be called off as some key members of the association were not available. He said the meeting would now take place tomorrow. He said they had endorsed the government plan, adding that the employees of a private concern, who carried out the study of the route and made the DPR, handed over a CD to them containing visuals of the present condition and what it would be like once a common colour is painted over there. He said the visuals of this CD would also be shown during the meeting.
	Resident of Navi Abadi area commits suicide Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 A city resident identified as Gurcharan Singh of Navi Abadi area committed suicide by hanging himself with a ceiling at his house. No other family member was present in the house when the incident happened. The incident came to light when a foul smell started coming from the house late last evening. The police handed over the body to the family after the post-mortem examination today. Investigating Officer Amar Singh said the deceased was a TB patient and was also mentally upset following the death of his brother. The financial condition of the family is said to be weak. Joginder Kaur, wife of the deceased, said she along with other family members had gone to their daughter in-law’s house on Saturday. However, Gurcharan returned in the evening. Last evening, the neighbourers noticed a foul smell and informed her about this. She reached the house only to find him hanging from a ceiling fan. The police have initiated action under the criminal procedure code.
	Excise wing recovers gold worth Rs 30 lakh Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 The Mobile Wing (Investigation) of the Excise Department recovered a little over 1.247 kg gold ornaments from two persons coming from Delhi on road here today. Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner-cum-Deputy Director Mobile Wing Hardeep Bhanwra said these persons failed to produce bills and valid documents for bringing costly material in the state. She said the gold was valued at about Rs 30 lakh and a fine of nearly Rs 15.16 lakh was slapped. She added that the gold was concealed in private vehicles and thorough investigation brought it to light. As per the excise and taxation rules, the traders must inform the Excise Department, pay the 1.1 per cent VAT and carry the receipt generated on its website while travelling in the state. There had been no problem if the above said persons had paid the tax of about Rs 34,000, but now they have to pay a high penalty of Rs 15.16 lakh.
	Society to felicitate girl students Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 19 Maan Dhiyan Samaj Bhalai Society and Sarhad-E-Punjab Sports Club will felicitate 10 women and 300 girl students, who scored more than 80 per cent marks in their examinations, on May 27. Club president Gurinder Singh Mattu said they would acknowledge excellent services rendered by these women in their fields. He informed that the objective of the programme was to spread awareness regarding the significance of women in the society. He felt that these programmes would eventually mobilise opinion against female foeticide.
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