The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Hiked prices of fuel, onion hit consumers Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Consumers feel battered as prices of essential commodities like pouched milk, fossil fuel and onion were hiked in the past 24 hours. State-owned dairy federation Milkfed Punjab, which sells milk and milk products under Verka brand, has raised prices of its all variants by Rs 2 per litre. The increased rate came into force here from today. Milkfed is currently selling milk at Rs 44 per litre (full fat), Rs 40 (standard), Rs 32 (double-toned milk) in local market. All these prices have been hiked by Rs 2. Though consumers are decrying the price rise, the Milkfed officials are defending it as a desperate move to save it from being drowned in losses since procurement prices of milk were raised twice in the past two months. Milk Plant, at Verka, general manager Harminder Singh Sandhu said Milkfed Punjab raised milk procurement rates of per kg fat for dairy farmers by Rs 20 each on May 1 and June 1, respectively. He added that there had been a 25-30 per cent hike in input cost with rise in prices of cattle feed, MSP on oil seeds, maize, paddy, wheat and labour wages. Besides, daily procurement of milk halves in summer. At present daily procurement is at 75,000 litres, which used to be about 1.5 lakh litre in winter, he quipped. During hot weather conditions in summers, milk production usually goes down due to heat stress in animals. Dr Om Prakash said escalation in the cost of essential commodities like onion, milk and fuel was bound to adversely impact priorities of middle and low-income group families. Already, he said, Milkfed raised the price of curd and cheese on June 1. Curd in 200 gm and 400 gm packing is now being sold at Rs 15 and Rs 25, respectively. Earlier, curd prices in 200 gm and 400 gm packing was Rs 12 and Rs 22. Similarly, rate of 200 gm cheese was hiked from Rs 50 to Rs 60, up by 20 per cent. A local resident, Dr Hardeep Kaur Sidhu, said the cycle of price rise every year would lead to a level when milk would be unaffordable to all families. The government needed to take measures to stabilise the price so as to give reprieve to weaker sections of society. On fuel hike, Sant Sewak Singh said it would lead to inflation with respect to essential commodities. He said decision of the oil Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) companies to raise petrol prices by Rs 1.69 per litre and diesel by 0.50 paise per litre may cause rise in prices of those commodities which are delivered from far-off places of the country to this border town. He said in this scenario there was ample chances of spurt in hoarding of many commodities leading to artificial scarcity to extract maximum profit out of these. He added that the government ought to alert its agencies to take pre-emptive measures. A mother of two high-school going children, Gurpreet Kaur Walia said that hike in prices of all these commodities was burning a hole in the common man’s budget. A kg of onion was selling at Rs 15 to Rs 16 over a week ago. It was now costing Rs 20 in the retail market.
	Property Tax Defaulters to bear heavy penalty at 50% GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 With the last day of depositing the property tax having expired on June 30, those who have failed to deposit their dues will now have to pay the penalty to the tune of 50 per cent with 18 per cent interest, applicable from April 1. The defaulters have been cautioned time and again that they will have to pay heavy penalty if they fail to clear their dues before the deadline. Even as the new policy on rationalisation of the property tax calculation formula is under consideration of the government, it will be implemented for 2014-2015, post-June 30. The pending dues have been accounted for 2013-2014. Officials confirmed that half of the targeted amount could be realised till date. The municipal corporation had identified around three lakh units, including around 45,000 commercial ones, in Amritsar’s urban area, which come under the ambit of property tax. Still, there are around over two lakh residents (both in the residential and commercial categories) who have not bothered to pay their dues. The MC had set up a target to collect between Rs 40-50 crore till March 2014. According to information, just around Rs 23 crore have been collected as property tax. In a posh locality like Ranjit Avenue, if any person has a one-kanal house (500 square yard plot and Rs 20,000 per square yard of collector rate prevailing in the area), after deducting 10 per cent depreciation of his property, he shares a liability to pay around Rs 3,000 a year as property tax. The defaulter will have to pay around Rs 1,500 extra besides interest calculated at around 18 per cent for the delayed span. Likewise, penalty will also be charged for self-occupied houses up to 50 sq yards, on which a consolidated Rs 50 per year as property tax has been imposed. For houses between 50 to 100 sq yards, the annual consolidated tax of Rs 150 will be charged. House Tax Superintendent Vishal Wadhawan said that the government was already on the job of rationalising the tax structure, but this will be implemented for the taxes applicable for the next year. The current-year tax liability was to be paid according to the old pattern. “Since June 30 was the deadline for paying the dues, now the defaulters will have to pay the penalty too,” he said.
	Robbery incidents ‘bad for tourism’ Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 The negative impact of the clash between the SGPC’s task force and radical Sikh outfits while commemorating the anniversary of Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple on the hospitality industry of the holy was just withering away when two back-to-back incidents of tourists being robbed further dented the image of the city. During the past few days, three visitors from Himachal Pradesh were looted in two separate instances. In one of these cases, the auto-rickshaw driver drove a tourist to a secluded place instead of the airport to rob him of his belongings. In the second case, a tourist couple were intercepted and robbed while on their way to the Golden Temple. A tourist from Asansol in West Bengal, Amar Biswas, said about 40 people from his area came on a sight-seeing tour of prominent cities in the northern part of the country after hiring a tourist bus at New Delhi. He said they did not drop Amritsar out of their itinerary even after learning of the clash in the Golden Temple as they wanted to pay obeisance there. However, learning about the snatching and looting of tourists, his group members became more vigilant. Biswas said these incidents shook their faith. Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA) president APS Chatha said these incidents were taking a toll on the tourism and the hospitality industry here. He said a couple of instances of tourists getting robbed in the holy city close on the heels of the clash between the SGPC task force and radical Sikh outfits at the Golden Temple were instilling fear among the prospective tourists coming from across the country. Chatha said this was the peak season for the hospitality industry and tourists from the western part of the country and West Bengal were the major clientele. A hotelier, Satnam Singh, said the claims of the Police Department of having a proper beat system to curb such instances had been exposed. He recalled that a tourist bus was targeted by robbers at the end of last month. He said these tourists went on to spend money on transportation, shopping, eating and on other heads during their stay. He added that tourism was a business where profit percolated instantly to different sections of society in a city and casual handling of the subject could cost dear to all stakeholders.
	Amid high rail traffic, passengers walk over railway tracks; authorities overlook Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Even as walking over the railway tracks is a punishable act, passengers can be seen doing so at the local railway station as the railway authorities have chosen to ignore the problem. Considering the heavy traffic of trains at the local railway station where more than 130 trains come and go in a single day, jumping railway tracks can be a risky affair. It was noticed that instead of using the foot overbridges across the railway tracks, passengers prefer to walk over the tracks to cross these. Even those accompanied by small children and old-aged persons are not hesitant to take the risky path. Insiders on the railway station premises said that crossing the railway tracks in this way was a common thing as the authorities had never bothered to put a stop to the practice. The quantum of rail traffic at the station is so high that a train leaves or enters the station after every 10-12 minutes. Sometimes, people can be seen running on the tracks as they see a train approaching. Even the presence of GRPF officials, patrolling on the platforms, did not seem a deterrent to such passengers. However, it is another story that the GPRF men are seldom bothered about such actions. A retired railway official said that a person can be imprisoned for upto six months along with a fine of upto Rs 1000 under section 147 of the Railways Act. He said that the railway station authorities should create awareness among the people by installing bill boards. Meanwhile Station Master Vimal Kumar said that checking the act is the responsibility of the GPRF. He said that they would ask them to take action against the people crossing tracks in such a way.
	Railway authorities close refreshment room for violating tender conditions Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 The railway authorities have closed the refreshment room at Amritsar railway station until it changes its ararangement, according to the allotted tender. A private contractor allotted the refreshment room on platform number 1 had created an unauthorised counter opening to the platform. It created heartburn among other vendors as they pay hefty amounts to the railways to occupy the space at the platform. It is learnt that the Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur Division, Naresh Chander Goel, directed the local railway authorities to ensure implementation of the norms, according to the clauses of the tender during his visit to Amritsar railway station yesterday. The refreshment room at the railway station has been lying closed since then. Sources alleged that the contractor, who had been allotted the refreshment room to serve meals on platform number 1 by the railway authorities, had replaced one of its doors with a display counter. They claimed that it was violation of rules as the tender was limited to operating the refreshment room only and not for opening a stall. An employee of the contractor’s company, Shankar Jha, said that after taking due permission from the divisional authorities, his company was permitted to replace the wooden doors of the refreshment room with aluminium ones. Meanwhile, the Catering Policy 2010 of the Indian Railways states that the number of catering units, excluding Automatic Vending Machines (AVM), on the main platform should not be more than six and not more than five on the island platform. Railway stations are divided under A, B, C, D, E and F categories after evaluating various parameters. However, the sources stated that already more than permissible commercial units were presently functioning on platform number 1 of Amritsar railway station. According to the catering policy, Amritsar railway station falls under category A and its platform number 1 is the main platform. The sources said that there were about eight to 10 catering stalls and four trolleys at this platform (number 1). The catering policy stated explicitly that “zonal railways should ensure that adequate facilities are available for providing affordable food to passengers before permitting any other type of outlets. Jan Ahar outlets should be set up by converting existing available refreshment rooms/static units into Jan Ahars. Janta Meals and economy combo meals with stress on regional cuisines should be served and vended from the Jan Ahar outlets”.
	GMC hostels in dilapidated condition Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Naked electricity wires, missing and worn out sanitary fittings and filth is what describes boys hostels at the local Government Medical College (GMC) here. Despite sanctioning of Rs 5 crore for the renovation and repair of hostels at the college during the previous year, the condition of hostels has not improved. Students at the boys’ hostel stated that due to lack of cleanliness, foul smell emanated from washrooms, causing problem to the hostellers. Students body president Navpreet Aulakh said they had taken up the problem with Secretary, Medical Education and Research, Vinni Mahajan, and various other officials, but the situation had remained the same. He said Medical Education Minister and Director, Research and Medical Education belonged to the holy city, but they had failed to improve the condition of hostels in the college. He demanded that college authorities should take immediate steps to improve the condition of hostels. Medical college students said hostel fees and charges for installing personnel air conditioner in hostel rooms were increased recently, but no efforts had been made to improve the basic amenities in the hostels. On a visit to hostels, one can find naked electricity wires in abundance. Washrooms sans fitting, too, are a common sight. In the absence of fittings, water flows from taps continuously resulting in the loss. Heaps of garbage can be spotted alongside the wall of the hostel. Aulakh said students were afraid to take up the matter with the authorities concerned as they feared that it might cost them dearly at the time of internal assessment examinations.
	Cong, CPM protest price hike Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Workers of the district Congress Committee today held a protest against the Narendra Modi government for hike in prices of essential commodities, which was burning hole in common man’s pocket. The CPM activists protested the hike in rail fares. Congressmen tied a tractor and a car with mules symbolising the increased rates of diesel and petrol would force the people to turn to centuries old practise. DCC (R) president Gurjeet Singh Aujla, who lead the protest march, said the Akali-BJP coalition government was bent upon destroying the economy of the country and households. Aujla said Modi has deceived the entire nation with his false promises of reducing commodity prices. He demanded that either the price hike be rolled back or the Prime Minister must address the nation and confess that he made false promises just to allure public to vote for him. CPM activists, led by Vijay Mishra, protested against the Union government for rail fare hike at the Amritsar railway station.
	ICAI celebrates 65th Foundation Day Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 The local branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) celebrated the 65th Foundation Day of the ICAI on the Chartered Accountants Day today. Various activities marked the occasion, which included a free health check-up camp organised at ASK Centre in association with the Income Tax Department and Fortis Escorts Hospital. Members of the ICAI, staff of the Income Tax Department and general public at large, participated in the camp. As many as 200 people underwent health check-up at the camp. The programme started with flag hoisting and formal welcome by chairman of the local branch Satvir Singh, who apprised all delegates about the working and achievements of the Amritsar branch. He said the ICAI was set up under an Act of Parliament for the regulation of the profession of chartered accountancy in India since 1949. During its 65 years of existence, the ICAI had achieved recognition as a premier accounting body not only in the country, but also globally, he added. Satvir said, “The ICAI, which has strength of almost 2.40 lakh members and more than 8 lakh students all over the country, is the second largest accounting body in the whole world. This is the reason that the ICAI is seen by the Government of India as a partner in nation building.” He said ICAI was aiming to proactively promote its qualification overseas, strengthen and widen relationship with international bodies, global standard setters and regulators. “The ICAI is also endeavouring to create more professional opportunities abroad. The idea is to firmly establish footprints of Indian CA’s on the world map,” said Satvir. The programme was attended by Commissioner of Income Tax-II SK Aggarwal, Dr HP Singh, medical director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, along with a team of doctors. Others who attended the camp include dietician Dr Anshuman Phull, Dr Guljeet Kaur, Dr Brijesh Singh Bisht, Bhavesh Mahajan (vice-chairman of the local ICAI branch), Gaurav Gupta (secretary of the local branch), Lakhwinder Singh Bhatia (treasurer of the local branch), and Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi (executive member of the local branch), besides Sanjay Kapoor, Vipul Arora, Davinder Singh, Sandeep Chopra, Kawal Kumar, Pankaj Khaneja, Gaurav Aggarwal, all CAs, and other members and students of the ICAI.
	Retired professors meet Khalsa College Principal Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Members of the Khalsa College Amritsar Retired Professors Association held its meeting today and reiterated the primary aim to safeguard the interests of the teachers and the college. The association president, Dr DS Pannu, in a statement here today said there was an overwhelming feeling amongst the retired and serving staff, old students and well-wishers of the college that Khalsa College had lost its glory in the recent years. “There is lack of transparency and accountability in its governance,” he alleged. ”Rules, regulations, precedents and healthy traditions are willfully flouted and the college has gained the notoriety of becoming one of the most litigious educational institutions in the country,” he claimed. Members of the association met new Principal of Khalsa College, Dr Mehal Singh, to congratulate him on taking charge of his office. The association expressed its concern about the deplorable state of affairs of the college. The issues were discussed in detail with the Principal. “We felt heartened to observe the positive attitude of the Principal as he has assured us that he will leave no stone unturned to bring back the college to its earlier glory. He expressed his desire to involve the alumni and the retired faculty in raising the standard of the college”, said Dr Pannu.
	Medicos discuss foot, ankle problems Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Around 20 per cent of patients with a foot problem have an ingrown toenail, the painful condition of a nail going deeper into the skin, which can easily be cured with a minor surgery. This was stated by Dr Rajiv Shah, an orthopaedic surgeon, at the concluding session of the two day Indo US Foot and Ankle course on Sunday. The course was organised by Amandeep Hospital in collaboration with the US-based Parekh Family Foundation. As many as 90 orthopaedic surgeons from across the country attended the conference. Foot and ankle specialist, Dr Rajeev Vohra, discussed the treatment of open fractures of foot and ankle with respect to the Indian scenario. Dr Avtar Singh, head of orthopedics and director of Amandeep Hospital, deliberated upon the complications regarding the foot and ankle problems, which are often ignored and given little importance even by the orthopaedic surgical fraternity. Dr Jason Calhoun from the US said diabetes was one of the biggest factors behind foot problems besides accidents, sports injuries or genetic disorders, which remain the other major causes of foot and ankle problems. He also discussed the common occurrence of deformed toes due to age factors and faulty footwear. “Many senior citizens can be seen with deformed toes that become the major cause of postural defects leading to other ortho-related problems, which have an easy solution in surgery,” said Dr Jason.
	New department heads at GNDU Amritsar, July 1 Dr Satwinderjit Kaur, Associate Professor of botanical and environmental sciences, Dr Jyotish Malhotra, Associate Professor of the Department of of Electronics Communication and Engineering of Regional Campus, Jalandhar, Dr Anupam Kaur, Associate Professor of the Department of Human Genetics of Guru Nanak Dev University have been appointed as heads of their respective departments. Dr Inderjit Singh, Registrar of the university, said Dr Shweta Shenoy Devraj, Associate Professor of the Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy Department, Dr Subheet Kumar Jain, Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacutical Sciences, Dr Aziz Abass, Associate Professor of the Urdu and Persian Department, have also been appointed as heads of their respective departments by the Vice-Chancellor. — TNS