The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	SGPC workers-shopkeepers clash Police book shopkeepers Shopkeepers allege bias; manipulation by SGPC GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 A day after SGPC employees clashed with shopkeepers, the police has registered a case against the shopkeepers, including a former Akali leader. However, the complaint lodged by the shopkeepers with the same police station against the SGPC workers yesterday was still under consideration. The two sides had come to blows yesterday when the SGPC staff reached Baba Sahib Chowk for getting some shops evacuated to make way for the construction of a serai there. At least 10 persons from both sides were injured in the clash. Nonetheless, on the basis of a complaint filed by the SGPC’s assistant manager, Paramjit Singh, the C-Division police has booked Satbir Singh Bajaj, his brother, Santokh Singh, his sons, Kanwardeep Singh and Jarnail Singh, besides eight-10 other unknown persons under Sections 341, 323, 324,148,149, IPC. Paramjit had stated in the complaint that as he led the SGPC team in evacuating the SGPC shops to pave the way for the proposed serai, the shopkeepers resisted and injured several SGPC workers, including him, in a clash. SHO Surinder Singh said that the shopkeepers’ complaint could not be processed for want of the medico-legal report. “As soon as we receive this mandatory legal document, we may file a cross FIR. Till that time, only shopkeepers have been booked but no arrest has been made so far,” he said. Talking to The Tribune, an aggrieved trader, Satbir Singh Bajaj (52), alleged it to be a “biased” attitude of the Police Department. “The police is playing like a puppet in the hands of SGPC officials,” he said. Bajaj, who was SAD (Badal) general council member and also fought SGPC elections in 2004 independently, alleged that it was an old rivalry that had led to displace them in such an “autocratic” manner. “It was crystal clear how the SGPC has been manipulating the instance, despite the fact that the matter of evacuating the three shops, under our possession on rental basis, has been lying pending in the District Magistrate’s court. The hearing of this case is tomorrow,” he said. Meanwhile, the injured ones from both sides were on their way to recovery.
	User charges increased Health institutions short of staff, infrastructure Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 Even as the increased user charges will be effective at all health institutions in the state after July 1, most of the government health centres are facing a shortage of staff. The government had earlier last year taken a decision to transfer all specialists posted at rural health centres to the urban areas under its plan to strengthen 100 health institutions in the state, but even this step has failed to do away with the shortage at urban centres. The state of affairs of health services in the district can be guaged from the fact that the entire district has only one radiologist posted at the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital here. Even as subdivisional hospitals at Baba Bakala and Ajnala are equipped with ultrasound machines, the institutions do not have a radiologist. The machine at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital has become old and with it a maximum of 45 ultrasound scans can be conducted in a day. Sources at the hospital said that around 100 patients turn up for ultrasounds, but the hospital has to turn back many of them daily. According to the revised user charges, a patient will have to pay Rs 200 instead of Rs 150 for an ultrasound scan. The general public says that now as the government has revised the rates for various services for the second time within a year, it should also focus on upgrading infrastructure and recruiting manpower so that the services can be run effectively. Officials in the Health Department stated that the rush of patients at the government health institutions was increasing due to various schemes like free medicines and also because the treatment at private hospitals had become unaffordable for the poor. “Generally we count shortage on the basis of sanctioned posts. But as the rush is increasing, there is a need to increase the number of sanctioned posts along with ensuring that no post is left vacant,” said an official.
	Prisoner tries to commit suicide GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 A prisoner tried to commit suicide by consuming phenyle, but was saved with timely aid last night in the Amritsar Central Jail. He held his in-laws responsible for putting him under depression in the suicide note recovered from his possession. According to information, undertrial Rajnesh Kumar (37), son of Bhagat Ram, a resident of Patti Bage Wali, Verka, was lodged in the jail under Section 382, IPC, for being involved in looting instances. Yesterday, at around 10.30 pm, he went to the toilet and consumed white phenyl kept over there. He was timely spotted by fellow inmates and was saved. Jail Superintendent RK Sharma said that the suicide note recovered from him had held his in-laws responsible for him taking such an extreme step, adding that the jail authorities were in no way responsible for the step. “He had also stated in the suicide note that after his death, his daughter should be handed over to his parents”, Sharma said. Sources said that the prisoner under question was a drug addict and had “lost” his mental balance. He was undergoing the second phase of drug de-addiction programme being run in the jail but was under depression. Meanwhile, a case under Section 309, IPC, at the police station Cantonment has been registered against the prisoner. ASI Karam Singh of police post Gumtala has been deputed as investigating officer in the matter.
	Probe sought into MBBS admissions Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 Alleging malpractices in admissions to MBBS courses at private medical colleges in the state, The DocsFed India, a federation of retired and in-service medical services doctors and medical teachers, has demanded a CBI enquiry into the case. The federation has alleged that private medical colleges in the state have “ignored” meritorious students and instead undeserving candidates were admitted under the garb of management quota. It has demanded that the government should get the functioning of private medical colleges probed so that poor but meritorious students can find a place in these institutions. Dr DC Sharma, Docsfed president, alleged that even 50 per cent government quota seats for which a fee of Rs 2.2 lakh each has been fixed for the first year were filled with a fee of Rs 6.6 lakh each by a private medical college in the state. He alleged that the colleges were making huge money at the expense of merit and quality. The federation has also raised questions on the generosity of the Medical Council of India in allocating MBBS seats to private medical colleges. “The cases of Government Medical Colleges, Patiala and Amritsar, for increase of 50 MBBS seats were refused on various occasions. On the other hand, various private medical colleges manage to get more seats allotted,” he said. Dr Sharma stated that medical education had become unaffordable for middle and poor-class students because of the high fee structure. He said that the number of MBBS seats at Government Medical College, Faridkot, and Government Medical College, Chandigarh, were decreased from 100 to 50 during last year. The Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Jalandhar, had also been debarred from admission earlier. “In such a situation, meritorious students are at a loss as they cannot afford to pay hefty amounts at private colleges while the seats at government colleges have decreased,” said Sharma.
	Designated centres to provide medication to drug addicts Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 The newly designated seven health centres in the district continue to provide medication to drug addicts at their Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) even as the system of holding camps for addicts was stopped Saturday onwards. The District Health Department had earmarked seven centres: six in rural areas and one in an urban area on June 20 for holding de-addiction camps. However, the state Health Department had asked district heads to wind up these centres. According to the new instructions, now a drug addict can receive medication at the OPD of the institute. While talking to The Tribune, the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, said, “Earlier policemen used to bring dozens of addicts in one go to these centres. According to the new system, these centres would continue to provide medication to addicts, who will choose to come during the OPD timings.” Bhalla said that the decision for a change of system was taken by the department after it was felt that these centres were facing a difficulty in managing the huge rush. He said the new system was more efficient as the patient would not be tagged as a drug addict and he would come as any other patient. He said that doctors at all seven centres: Manawala, Mehta, Verka, Tarsikka, Majitha, Thariyewal and Lopoke have been instructed to continue the medication of addicts who visit the centre. With the ongoing crackdown on the drug addicts and peddlers, the administration is facing difficulties in treatment of the drug addicts as without drugs they start suffering from withdrawal symptoms. As the number of drug addicts going for de-addiction facilities has increased manifold during the past month, the only government de-addiction centre, Swami Vivekananda Drug De-addiction Centre, seems insufficient to cater to the needs of all. Apart from the only de-addiction centre, the Health Department is also running a counselling centre at the Civil Hospital here.
	Licences of 4 chemists cancelled Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 The drug wing of the Health Department has cancelled licences of four chemists in the district for selling banned and habit-forming drugs to the general public, stated Zonal Drug Inspector Rajesh Suri here today. Suri said that a total of 99 shops were inspected by the wing during the past six months and 25 samples of drugs were collected. He said a sizeable number of banned drugs were seized from many of the stores during inspections. Suri stated that the department would continue the campaign to check the sale of habit-forming drugs with alertness. At the same time, he appealed to the general public and chemists to help in the drive against drug addiction in the district.
	Narcotics seized from undertrial Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 The Amritsar Central Jail authorities have seized intoxicant powder from an inmate during routine checking. The accused has been identified as undertrial Harjinder Singh, son of Kahsmir Singh, a resident of Bolian, Raja Sansi, Amritsar. Jail Superintendent RK Sharma said that Harjinder Singh was an accused under Sections 21, 25, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act with Cantonment police station and was serving trial for the offence. “We have seized 4 gm of intoxicant powder from his possession during routine checking. A fresh case under Sections 21, 61 and 85, NDPS 42 Prisoner Act, has been registered against him. SI Prabhjot Singh of police post Gumtala has been nominated as investigating officer in the matter.
	Better amritsar road infrastructure-II Slip roads can help ease traffic snarls Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 Absence of slip roads at major crossings has aggravated the problem of traffic snarls. Various government agencies want commuters to abide by traffic rules, but much needs to be done to solve the crisis. At a few intersections, where slip roads are available, commercial outlets and vendors have encroached upon these to further their business interests while many are in a pathetic condition. Following are the views expressed by some local residents on the issue: Wastage of time, fuel Many a time I like others are unnecessarily stuck at intersections in the absence of slip roads when traffic light is red . It wastes time, interrupts delivery of goods and leads to burning of unnecessary fuel. A small divider separating a slip road from the rest of the road plays a vital role in smooth flow of traffic. Many places in the city like SSSS Chowk, which connects Batala, Majitha, Mall and Hukam Singh Roads, do not have proper slip roads. It leads to traffic jams when the light turns red. Ajay Sharma, resident of Batala Road Significance of slip roads There is an urgent need to sensitise people about the significance of slip roads. I have noticed that where ever slip roads are intact in the city, they have been liberally encroached. The authorities concerned have never bothered to remove these encroachments. It seems that both the Municipal Corporation and encroacher have not understood the importance of slip roads. Over a period of time an encroacher feels that it is his right to set up his shop on a slip road. Amit Gupta, resident of Pawan Nagar Replicate the success I feel that the Local Government has realised the importance of slip roads recently. Temporary arrangements for the same have been made at Crystal Chowk and over Bhandari railway overbridge. Its success will definitely prompt the authorities concerned to replicate the same at other crossings in the city. Sunaina Aggarwal Check pollution It was disheartening to learn that the WHO placed Amritsar at the 14th spot in the list of the most polluted cities in the world. Similarly, a study on vehicular pollution, carried out by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) around Bhandari Bridge some years ago, declared it the most polluted area. The particulate matter at Bhandari Bridge was as high as 599 per cubic metre (µgm/m3) during peak hours and 232 per cubic metre (µgm/m3) during lean hours. It indicates that the pollution level is very high. The Municipal Corporation should take steps to control the same. Principal Kamaal Singh Official take Slip roads are important as they help in smooth flow of the traffic. These will be constructed at all major intersections in the city. Besides, encroachments on these roads will also be removed. Pardeep Sabharwal, Municipal Corporation Commissioner
	Amritsar College celebrates autonomous status Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, Dr Rajneesh Arora, lauded Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology (ACET) for becoming the only college in the country to have achieved the autonomous status along with the NBA and NAAC accreditation. The college was recently granted an autonomous status by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Dr Arora was here to attend a function organised by ACET. Dr RS Bawa, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Dr RK Garg, placement head, NIT, Jallandhar and advocate Amit Sharma, CEO and chairman of the ACET, were also present on the occasion. Amit Sharma said the function was held to commemorate the conferment of autonomous status by the UGC on the ACET. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Arora said there were around 3,588 engineering colleges and only 54 had been given an autonomous status by the UGC. He said students would benefit by the industry-oriented syllabus and it would help the college to have a practical learning approach. It would not just save time in updating syllabus, but also ensure a transparent and timely result, said the VC. Dr Arora also emphasised on the importance of quality education as that is the only criteria for an engineering college to make its mark among all the colleges. He said education was highly expensive in foreign countries and now even the foreign nationals were looking forward to joining colleges in India. This was time when quality of education could be improved and made affordable and accessible to students from across the globe, added the VC.
	Farmers protest hike in rail, bus fares Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 Jamhoori Kisan Sabha and Dehati Mazdoor Sabha staged a protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today. The farmer unions were demanding roll back of the railway bus fare hike and user charges for medical services. The protesters also criticised the state government for its plans to increase the electricity tariff. Jamhoori Kisan Sabha leader, Rattan Singh Randhawa, said the farmers were facing problems due to erratic power supply. He said agriculture sector should be given an uninterrupted power for 16 hours a day. The activists later submitted a charter of demands to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Tubewell connections for marginal farmers, voluntary disclosure scheme for the increase of tubewell load, uninterrupted power supply for farm houses, revival of canal system, stoppage of theft of canal water and various other demands were listed in the charter submitted by the activists.
	One injured in road mishap Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 A motorcyclist was injured when a car hit his bike from behind while coming down the Rigo bridge, located on the GT road area, here today. The victim, identified as Satpal Singh, a resident of Nikka Singh Colony, was admitted to a private hospital, where his condition was stated to be out of danger. Though the victim’s family members refused to take any legal action against the driver of the car for the time being, the police started investigations to identify the owner of the luxury car. Jagtar Singh, SHO of the Islamabad police station, said preliminary investigations revealed that there were three youths in the car (No. PB-02-AX-7800) at the time of the mishap, who disappeared from the spot after the accident. He said investigations were on to trace the unidentified persons. The police was also verifying whether the accused were in inebriated condition or the car went out of control after hitting Satpal, added the SHO.
	No breakthrough in snatching incident PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 There is no breakthrough in the yesterday’s snatching incident in which a Kot Kapura resident was robbed by two unidentified persons a few metres away from the residence of the Police Commissioner. The Rambagh police have increased naka points in the area after the incident. The residents of the area lamented that snatchings had become an order of the day on the road leading to Gopal Mandir side, but the police failed to make adequate arrangements to curb such incidents. Lakhs of rupees were stolen from a car just a few metres away from the Police Commissioner’s residence recently. The police have not been able to to identify and nab the culprits till date. Shiv Nath, SHO of the Ram Bagh police station, said the police have increased the patrolling in the area, besides increasing naka points to stem the problem. The victim, identified as Monica, stated to the police that she had Rs 1.50 lakh cash, besides gold and diamond jewellery, including six gold rings, two diamond rings, a 12 tola gold set, a small gold kitty set, one big gold kitty set, a gold mangal sutra, a mobile and six artificial sets worth 5 lakh in her purse. She was returning home after attending the marriage of her brother, Surinder Singh alias Raghu, when the incident took place. Shiv Nath said they had put the victim’s mobile phone on surveillance.
	AAP discusses governance, infrastructure Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 A team of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) district committee, led by its convener Ashok Talwar visited Haripura, falling under Central constituency and held a meeting with the volunteers of the area today. The team later on surveyed the streets and interacted with the residents during which dismal sanitation conditions and lack of basic amenities were highlighted. The residents said nothing had changed, despite hollow claims made by the candidates or their representatives during the recent Lok Sabha elections. They had promised to transform the area by providing state-of-the-art concrete roads, sewerage, education and health facilities, lamented the residents. Ashok Talwar said, “It is disappointing that all the claims of the SAD-BJP government have proved futile as no improvement can be seen in the slum areas. In 2007, Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal had announced to transform it into a clean and green city like Switzerland. The ruling alliance has still not learnt a lesson from the people’s mandate in the recent Lok Sabha elections. It is evident from the continuous oppressive policies being followed by the state government.” Another AAP leader, Gurbhej Singh Sandhu, said the party has been constituting grievances cell in every Assembly constituency wherein all the residents could register their complaints. Aam Aadmi Party would work for early redressal of the complaints, he added. The volunteers of the Amritsar unit of the party have also proposed to carry out plantation drive in all the wards during the rainy season to lessen the impact of pollution caused by mass cutting of trees recently. “The duty of maintenance will be entrusted to the party’s ward in charge/ members. The party will also impress upon the District Administration and the Municipal Corporation to inquire into illegal felling of trees, especially Peepal, as reported by the NGOs of the city,” said Sandhu. Others present on the occasion include Vijay Mehta, JS Gill, Jagdeep Singh, Sanjeev Lamba, Anil Mahajan and Mandeep Singh.
	GM reviews progress of work at railway station Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 30 During an inspection of the local railway station, General Manager, Northern Railways, Pardeep Kumar, reviewed the progress of various ongoing development works. He discussed the progress of construction of escalator, food plaza with railway officials. Later, addressing the mediapersons, Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozpur Division, NC Goyal, said the escalator project would be completed in July. He said the Railways had completed all formalities for the upcoming food plaza. An electricity connection, which was a hitch in the way of initiation of the food plaza had been secured, added Goyal. Talking about the menace of rodents at the railway station, he said the process was on to sign a contract with a firm for pest control measures at the railway station. “Problems of rodents at the station have increased in the recent times,” said Goyal.