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Unsafe water supply irks residents
Guru Nanak Dev University strengthens security
Tourists robbed of valuables, cash
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86 small-time drug peddlers arrested
No check on illegal firecracker units
Singapore varsity students visit city school, donate 10 computers
Seminar on social science research begins at GNDU
DAV school students plant medicinal plants
NGOs protest nod to cutting of trees
Community policing needs ‘involvement’
Gate hakima incident Race for transfers hots up among teachers Poetry recitation |
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Unsafe water supply irks residents
Amritsar, May 23 Residents of not only the Walled City areas like Bagh Rama Nand, Hansliwali gali, but posh areas like Anand Avenue, New Amritsar and Partap Nagar complain of getting unsafe drinking water supply in their homes. It is learnt that it is the distribution and maintenance system which is outworn and poorly maintained. Mandeep Singh of Anand Avenue said the residents of the locality are forced to drink contaminated water mixed with mud. He also claimed to have approached the MC Commissioner over phone but there was no response from his side. "It has been over two weeks that we are getting muddy water supply to our houses. How will water purifiers suffice, he asked. MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda agreed that the problem existed because some sewerage work was underway in the area and that the crisis would be resolved soon in the area. Xen Parduman Singh has been entrusted with the task of resolving the issue as early as possible," he said. On the other hand, residents of the Bagh Ramanand area in the Walled City fear an outbreak of water-borne diseases in their area. Jagdish Singh, a resident, alleged that the water supplied here emits foul smell and it's muddy. He also had with him a bottle of muddy water collected from a tap. "A large number of families are now dependent on other sources for drinking water or buy packaged drinking water. But how long can we carry on like this?" said Jagdish Singh, a resident of the area. A New Amritsar resident, Harcharan Singh, said that with the water overhead reservoir in the area getting non-functional, there would always be muddy and sticky layer that crop up on the water supplied to the homes. If water is collected in a bucket, there erupted some gluey like layer on its surface. Identical was the scenario prevailing at the Partap Nagar located on the GT road. It is actually the gap between demand and the supply of safe drinking water that has widened in the city of late. Sources say it will take at least two years to execute the water treatment scheme. Recently, the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, has ordered the Ministry of Urban Development to release funds for the schemes conceptualised for treating contaminated water. Kharbanda said, "The water crisis and dirty water problems will be solved once and for all if the Government of India's schemes will be implemented in the holy city. The ministry had approved two schemes for Amritsar. One is worth Rs 101 crore for providing a fully safe water supply line and another project of Rs 105 crore for revamping the supply line at the South-East zone, but we are awaiting for the funds to be released for the past two months. Now, that the National Green Tribunal, in its orders, had demanded a status report from the ministry, it will be done on priority," he said.
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Guru Nanak Dev University strengthens security
Amritsar, May 23 Besides, CCTV cameras have been installed near the examination branch and some other key points. It has been observed that a number of instances have occurred in the past where the security lapse came to fore on the GNDU premises. Col Harbans Singh, the GNDU's security in charge, said earlier the security guards were being hired on ad hoc basis. Now, when they have been put on regular rolls, it has increased their sense of responsibility. "I must say that at a time when the practice of outsourcing services prevails in different sectors, the GNDU has come up with a pragmatic approach by regularising the services of its existing security guards and appointing fresh ones for enhancing its security cover," he said. All appointments have been made on merit basis and in a transparent manner. The candidates had to pass a written test followed by a physical test. I am grateful to Brar who initiated this move, he added. A total of 122 candidates had appeared for the test for 35 sanctioned posts. Only 24 were filled. The rest were kept vacant for want of suitable candidates, officials said. From the security point of view, the GNDU has already taken a few steps. Vigilance has been increased on the campus especially concerning girl students. Entry to the girls' hostels by men has been curtailed. All these measures have been taken so that undesirable elements would find it difficult to breach the security system. Now, two security guards have been deputed to escort those girl students back to their hostels who remain busy during late hours in the laboratory. Besides, three check points along the road stretch leading to girls' hostels from the Senate Hall have been put up. The road passing in front of the girls' hostels has been placed out of bound between 5.30 pm to 8.30 am except for staff on duty. Patrolling along the hostel boundary walls (in and outside) has been intensified. The height of boundary walls is being raised and additional security lights are being put up. Four security women guards have been recently recruited for girls' hostels. Besides, three additional security guards for night shift have been made available for these hostels. "There would be one assistant warden and a nurse present for 24 hours in each hostel," he said.
— TNS
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Tourists robbed of valuables, cash
Amritsar, May 23 Onkar Singh, the driver of the car and a resident of New Delhi, said he had asked the way to Radison Blue hotel from the accused who were standing on the side of the road near Verka Milk Plant. Finding them to be tourists, the four youths pulled him out of the vehicle and two of them entered the vehicle. They were armed with a rifle. They robbed three mobile phones, a gold chain, a camera and Rs 60,000 cash from the passengers and Rs 3,000 from him and fled. He said when they were going to the hotel, the accused again intercepted them. This time they were driving a car and signalled them to stop. Instead of stopping the vehicle, Onkar Singh tried to speed up. However, the unidentified youths fired at the tyres of their vehicle. He said this time the accused picked up something from the vehicle which they might have dropped during the robbery and went away. Following his statement, the Rambagh police have registered a case under Sections 392, IPC, and 25/27/54/59 under the Arms Act against the accused. Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) Gaurav Garg, who visited the passengers and interacted with them to have first-hand information of the crime, said they had definite clues in the incident and the accused would be identified and arrested
soon.
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86 small-time drug peddlers arrested
Amritsar, May 23 "Till now the police have seized more than 5 kg of narcotic powder besides 100 gm of heroin from various small-time drug traffickers," said Parampal Singh, ADCP City-I. While giving details, he said the Police Department had also confiscated thousands of intoxicants, including 3,175 tablets, 2,075 capsules and 133 injections. It has also recovered 260 gms of charas, 12 gm smack and a car, two motorcycles and an Activa scooter used in ferrying drugs, he added. Speaking to The Tribune, Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said that special emphasis was being given to lay hands on those who were involved in supply of drugs to vulnerable youths. A majority of the peddlers arrested in past three days were those who not only consume drugs but also sell it to other vulnerable youths. Interrogation of those arrested revealed that they were indulging in selling drugs in order to acquire money for their daily dose also. From the total amount of drugs procured, they keep a small quantity for their own consumption while the remaining was sold to other drug addicts for earning quick money for next procurement. "From their interrogation we will try to reach to suppliers who were supplying drugs to them for further distribution. We are going step by step in order unearth the whole nexus. Our primary aim is to cut the supply chain and arrest those supplying these drugs to the vulnerable youths. Once they would be arrested, we will try to catch big fish involved in the drug trade," said Aulakh. He maintained that nobody would be allowed in the city to indulge in illegal trade and anyone whosoever he may be found involved in drug trafficking would not be spared. The seizure of huge quantity of intoxicants medicines has also brought forward the fact that these are easily available to the drug users. Easy availability of synthetic drugs have also wracked a havoc especially in the rural
belt.
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No check on illegal firecracker units
Amritsar, May 23 Known for bootlegging and drug addiction, Anngarh is also known as "Mini Sivakasi" due to a large number of illegal fireworks units in the area. More illegal units come up around Diwali in other parts of the city also. Meanwhile, the traders involved in the profession said though a bulk of the demand for crackers was met by southern states, many people produce crackers illegally in the city. These illegal firecracker units, using crude methods, do not follow safety norms, leading to the tragedies like a blast in an illegal firecracker unit in 2009. Two teenagers lost their lives in the blast. Notably, the illegal unit was run by an SPO. Similarly, another blast had taken place at an unauthorised unit in the Chheharta area a couple of years ago. According to Bachpan Bachao Andolan activist Dinesh Kumar, a majority of these units employ children and women and pocket the maximum profit. To escape law, these units work surreptitiously and do not follow safety norms. A majority of these illegal units become active near Diwali. Several blasts had taken place in these factories, especially those located in the Anngarh area, in the past but the authorities failed to locate these units. Invariably, they come to light only after an accident. Sources in various government departments said the people involved in the business keep changing their location due to which they could not be traced. An illegal firecracker factory in the Chheharta area had caught fire some years ago. Later, the police inquiry revealed that the family running the factory had migrated from Anngarh. Moreover, illegal storage of crackers adds to the problem . As per rules, the deputy commissioner office issues licences to store firecrackers. Since the manufacturing of firecrackers fall under the explosives category, it is directly looked after by the Union governemnt’s Explosive Department, which has its office in Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said he would direct officials to conduct an inquiry into the issue.
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Singapore varsity students visit city school, donate 10 computers
Amritsar, May 23 They set up a computer lab and donated 10 computers and furniture for the lab. As many as 23 students of NUS are in the city under a student expedition programme. They are headed by Prof Kuldeep Singh. The school, which has around 500 students, is providing free education to the needy children. Prof Kuldeep Singh said the students' visits under the student expedition programme helped underprivileged people. "This time, we decided to visit the school after I came to know about it from a newspaper. This is our second visit to India. Last time we had visited Hyderabad," he said. "The NUS students are giving tips to the schoolchildren on how to operate computers. They taught them English. They also told them about Singapore," said Prof Kuldeep, while adding that they were planning to depute an English and a computer teacher for teaching these two subjects to the children. The salary of teachers will be borne by us," he added. Brij Bedi, who along with Master Ajit Singh founded the school in 1990s, said they were fortunate that people from various parts of the world were coming forward to help them. He said the students and the faculty members of the university had also promised to help them financially.
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Seminar on social science research begins at GNDU
Amritsar, May 23 Prof MS Hundal, Dean, Academic Affairs, inaugurated the seminar. Dr Sangita Gupta, head of the department of library and information science, University of Jammu, delivered the keynote address while Dr Rajiv Vij, Joint Director, DRDO, New Delhi, was the special guest on this occasion. Dr HS Chopra, librarian at the university, welcomed the chief guest and other delegates. Prof Hundal highlighted the role of information and communication technology (ICT) tools and techniques in social science research. He said the seminar would help in improving the skill of librarians. Dr Sangita Gupta highlighted the theme of the seminar. She stressed to adopt the multifaceted role of ICT either in society or research. Dr HS Chopra explained how researchers download material from Internet and try to use that in their theses or dissertations. “It is plagiarism, which should be discouraged. Strict action should be taken against the offenders," he added.
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DAV school students plant medicinal plants
Amritsar, May 23 Principal Anjana Gupta said plants were the source of life on earth. “They play a significant role in balancing the ecology of our planet and protect us from different types of ailments. Medicinal plants such as tulsi, aelovera, neem can also be planted,” the principal said. Meanwhile, a workshop on the development of mathematical skills was also organised in the school. The workshop was especially held for the teachers of Classes VIII-XII. A number of teachers from DAV International School, DAV Public School, Lawrence Road, MKD DAV Public School, Neshta (Attari), Police DAV Public School, Police Lines, Lawrence Road, Amritsar, participated in it. Arpana Nayyar from DAV Public School and Rajni Sekhri from DAV International School were resource persons on the occasion. Principal Anjana Gupta said teachers played a vital role in improving the skills of students. “Only a teacher can understand and clear their doubts. The main purpose of the workshop is to provide a good learning environment to the participants.” She said teachers should update their knowledge and teaching skills so that they continued to guide their students.
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NGOs protest nod to cutting of trees
Amritsar, May 23 The depleting green cover in the city and neglect of authorities towards the issue has invited strong objections from the NGO. "The Circular road has already turned barren and now it will be the Mall road next. We vehemently oppose any such move which deprives our city of greenery," said Dr Rakesh Sharma, president , Voice of Amritsar. It's to be noted that the expansion and widening of road comes under the proposed BRT corridor plan. "The Company Bagh is probably the only major green belt left in the city and to cut down trees on that stretch will be like destroying heritage," said Sharma. The NGO plans to hold a protest rally along with volunteers to stop the cutting of trees in front of the MC Commissioner's house. The protest includes presenting a memorandum to the MC
Commissioner. Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu and the AAP's Dr Daljit Singh will join the protesters. The protesters will form a human chain starting from the Company Bagh. "The much-publicised BRT corridor can be planned while preserving these trees and we urge the administration and the government to redraw the plan of BRT corridor," said Sharma.
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Community policing needs ‘involvement’
Amritsar, May 23 He added that this kind of understanding of community policing were either reductionist or at the most a public-relation activity. Surjit Sharma, former President Rotary Club, introduced guest speakers with a brief introduction of the topic. He said that there were five Community Policing Suvidha Centres.
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Amritsar, May 23
