Jalandhar, July 1
Tension erupted in the Bhargav Camp locality after a tractor-trailer hit a scooter-borne youth on the Nakodar road this morning.

Youth, who sustained serious head injuries, succumbed to injuries on-the-spot. Residents, who were blaming the police for not apprehending the accused driver, refused to shift body to the Civil Hospital for postmortem till the time driver was arrested. It was only after the police assured arrest of the accused driver; the protest was put-off by the area residents.

Infuriated over the police’s ‘who cares’ attitude toward the accused driver, the kin of the deceased accompanied by hundreds of residents set the tractor-trailer on fire.

Incident occurred at 6.45 am when a tractor-trailer loaded with bricks hit the scooter. The youth was identified as 19-year-old Karan, son of Vijay Kumar, a resident of the Bhargav Camp locality. Following the collision, Karan sustained severe head injuries and died on-the-spot.

Immediately after the incident, the kin of the deceased alleged the two police officials who reached the spot had also nabbed the tractor-trailer’s driver but later they let him off. Enraged over the lethargic approach of the police, the residents after laying body on the road raised anti-city police slogans. Tension further escalated when the fuming residents set the tractor-trailer on fire.

It was only after large posse of the police force, including the senior police officials, reached the spot, the protestors were pacified.

The deceased’s friends said he was a student of BA Part-I at Khalsa College in Jalandhar. His father Vijay Kumar owns a dairy. “Karan was going to distribute milk to their customers but he met with the tragedy due to the negligent driving of loaded tractor-trailer,” they asserted.

Had the police officials standing on the Nakdoar chowk challaned the loaded tractor-trailer, the mishap could have been averted, alleged Karan’s friends. They said it was the lethargic approach of the police and the Transport Department towards the commercial use of tractors trolley that led to the accident.

Four minor blasts in tractor after fire

After the infuriated residents set tractor-trailer on fire, its tyres witnessed four blasts. Smoke emanated from the fire had engulfed the whole area. Although the police had cordoned off the area but enraged residents were not listening to the police. Even fire tender called at the spot was not allowed to douse the flames by the residents.

Residents blame police for letting off driver

The residents blamed the police for deliberately letting off the driver of tractor. “Two police officials had also nabbed the tractor driver but later they allowed him to run away. It is a sheer negligence of the police.

The police who always run after a person to challan him for committing a traffic offence here have show a lethargic approach against the erring driver, who killed the boy,” alleged protestors.

After protest, police nabbed the driver

Two hours after the protest, the city police managed to nab the driver of tractor. He was identified as Balbir Singh, a resident of Dhudike village, Moga.

He had come to Jalandhar to deliver the consignment of bricks.

Tractor-trailers continue to endanger lives

Several incidents have been reported in past too in which these loaded tractor-trailer claimed lives on the roads.

Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia's son Charanpreet Singh Bhatia, aka Channi, became the victim of one such illegally plying tractor-trailer loaded with sand in the Avtar Nagar area on September 18, 2011. Similarly, last year in March, Anmol (17) and her cousin Saksham (12) were also crushed under an illegally plying tractor-trailer near the Sodal-level crossing.

Sources said, "The police have challaned only a countable number of tractor-trailers, which were being used for commercial purpose. Large numbers of illegally plying tractor-trailers, loaded with sand, gravel and soil, can be noticed in various areas of the city, including Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Jyoti Chowk, Basti areas, Railway Road, Sodal area, Nakodar Road, Kapurthala Road, Panthankot Road, Patel chowk and Transport Nagar but authorities are least bothered. Officials wake up only when any serious mishaps have occurred."

Transport officials said tractor-trailers are registered with the department for using them for agricultural purposes only. These can only be used for commercial purpose after getting permit from the department with conditions that some modification like installing hydraulic break system has to be done.

It is learnt that Punjab and Haryana High Court, over a decade ago, had ordered that tractor-trailers would not be used for commercial purposes and their use would be restricted to agricultural purposes only.

HC orders

A HC division bench, headed by Justice RS Mongia and comprising Justice KC Gupta, had observed in its order in November 2000, while disposing of a petition of the Mazda Mini-Truck Operators Society, in this regard, "We are quite hopeful that the authorities concerned would see to it that the tractor-trailers are not used for commercial purposes in violation of law and such persons who violate the law would be dealt with in accordance with the law." It further added, "It will be appreciated if more vigil is kept on such violations by the drivers of tractor-trailers for commercial purposes. It will be further appreciated if the authorities concerned monitor this aspect and review the situation every month."

Jalandhar, July 1
Even as the city experienced just the first spell of pre-monsoon shower early this morning, almost all the city roads got deluge with rainwater.

All city roads, including Garha Road, Tehsil Complex road, 120-feet road and GT Road near BMC Chowk, which are without proper drainage system, had commuters suffering today as they have been doing earlier in all rainy seasons.

Meanwhile, a bandh along the Kala Sanghian Drain gave way which led to flooding of some agricultural farms along Kapurthala Road. The water from the drain entered into seven acres of privately owned Pannu Farms there. The owner Gurmeet Singh Pannu said he had just got paddy transplanted in six acres of the land which got all filled with water leading to the loss. "In the remaining one acre land, I had been cultivating rose flowers which too have got affected. I have informed the staff of Deputy Commissioner and Drainage Department but to no one turned up. A similar incident had occurred on April 20 last when my fully ripened wheat crop had got destroyed", he said. He put blame on the drainage staff who had thrown off mud into drain during a recent sewage work decreasing its depth.

MC building swamped with rainwater

The worst affected was the Municipal Corporation's own Suwidha Centre in the basement of the main administrative complex was today swamped with rainwater. The applicants of birth and death certificates and those who had come for paying water and sewage bills had to stand in puddles of water on the floor of the building to submit their dues.

Even the ceiling of the Suwidha Centre which had been constructed about six years back was seeping not just in the room but also in the corridors outside. The MC staff said water had collected on the upper floor as the drains had got clogged which had resulted in the problem.

Mayor Sunil Jyoti said he was away today and not aware of the problem. "There must have been some blockage. I will get it checked and cleared," he said. 

Jalandhar, July 1
For over a year now the administration has been sitting on the land acquisition work for the widening of the GT Road falling in the district.

Even as the process for the same had been started during the tenure of Iqbal Singh Sandhu as SDM, Jalandhar 1-cum-Land Acquisition Collector here, there has been no headway. The land along the highway from parts of the city near PAP Chowk, Rama Mandi and 12 villages up to Haveli was to be acquired by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) but it has got stuck midway.

It is learnt that Sandhu had then taken up the matter and asked the NHAI to submit funds for disbursement of the award against which the latter went into arbitration before the Commissioner Jalandhar Division. An appeal was filed during the tenure of then Commissioner SR Ladhar, on which notices too had been issued to the parties, but the case has not been taken up since then.

On site, while the PAP authorities have already pulled back their boundary wall by at least 12 feet, the other adjoining houses and shops including those in Bhoor Mandi and other areas protrude outwards. The PAP officials have even receded their entry points and made new gate arches 12 feet behind. A similar delay had been happening in Kartarpur stretch where Ladhar had got the award suspended which was finally cleared about three months back. It was about a fortnight back that the NHAI has taken a physical possession of the widened stretch. Most interestingly in the present case is the fact that there is no land acquisition collector for the work since the past three months ever since Sandhu got transferred to Phagwara. The incumbent SDM-1 Neeraj Kumar Gupta has feigned complete ignorance on the matter. "I do not have the powers of LAC which Sandhu had. So, I have not touched any of those files and I am not aware of any such issue," he said. When apprised of the matter, Commissioner Jalandhar Division R Venkat Ratnam immediately called his staff, got in touch with the NHAI officials and counsels and convened a meeting tomorrow. 

Jalandhar, July 1
A woman, who along with her daughter-in-law was injured by some unidentified looters after barging into their residence in Shakti Nagar yesterday, succumbed to her injuries late night.

Incident had occurred yesterday late evening when some unknown armed miscreants barged into her reidence and attacked them with sharp-edged weapons. Accused had also looted them of gold earrings.

Raj Rani and her daughter-in-law Madhu Seth, who sustained serious injuries, were undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Deceased woman had sustained serious injuries on her head.

Sources said late last night, condition of Raj Rani had further deteriorated and she succumbed to her injuries.

ADCP Naresh Dogra said during preliminary investigation, it had come to the fore that loot was not the primary motive of the accused. There could be a possibility that victim had old enmity with the assailants.

Jalandhar, July 1
A Nokadar-based environmentalist, Gaurav Jain, whose house was attacked by employees of the Nakodar Municipal Council on May 14, has been running from pillar to post to get a first information report (FIR) registered at the police station.

Despite several complaints, including registered posts to the deputy superintendent police, Nakodar; SSP (Rural) Jalandhar; Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government; and Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; no FIR has been registered by the local police so far.

Taking to Jalandhar Tribune, Jain said the employees of the Nakodar Municipal Council staged a violent protest outside his house on May 14.

The employees protested against him for taking up issues regarding cleanliness in the town to the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Nation Green Tribunal (NGT) on several occasions.

In his complaint, he said in the morning of May 14 around 80 people, including women, tried to break and trespass through the main gate of his house. They also used abusive language, he said.

“I was not present at my home at that time. On coming back, I immediately called the police, but no FIR has been registered as yet,” he added.

He said he had filed a case before the National Green Tribunal. Following this, the bench announced a penalty of Rs 1 lakh per day to be paid by the executive officer of the Municipal Council from his own pocket if he fails to keep the roads clean in future.

The case is pending and the next hearing date is July 9, 2014.

Jain also alleged that while going to his office on July 21, executive officer, MC Nakodar, Rajiv Oberoi and sanitary officer Mukesh Sharma threatened him of dire consequences if the he didn’t withdraw the complaints.

In the report published in Jalandhar Tribune on May 15, Nakodar DSP Kulwinder Singh had said the issue was not so big and didn’t require the registration of an FIR.

When contacted, SSP (Rural) Narinder Bhargav said an inquiry had been marked but the complainant was not joining the inquiry.

Jalandhar, July 1
Even after four months of the launch of online facility to obtain a licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by the Health Department, there are few persons applying for the licence.

According to the data received from the Health Department today, only 10 persons have applied for online licences since March.

The recent announcement of the six-month extension given by the state government till August 5 has also made many people to postpone their plan to get a licence.

Health officials are now expecting a heavy rush of applicants during the end of this month.

“Due to the recent announcement of the six-month extension, very few people are coming to get their licences. Also, we have received very few online applications despite the service being launched four months ago,” said Dr Harjot Singh, food safety officer.

He also informed that though people are aware of the online process, they are approaching officials to apply on their behalf.

Although, the deadline is fast approaching, the Health Department has failed to provide the Licensing Department with the necessary infrastructure.

How to apply online

* Log on to foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in and furnish your business details.

* Submit the fee according to government’s policy.

* Even after applying online, applicants will also have to send documents and receipt through registered post to the office of the district health officer. 

Who should apply

Food business operators with an annual turnover of above Rs 12 crore must have a licence and those with less than Rs 12 crore a year must get a registration certificate as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. All stall holders, hotels, restaurants, canteens, dhabas, food carts, sweetshops, tea stalls, grocery stores, meat sellers and milk sellers, should get themselves registered with the department. The fee for registration is Rs 100 and for a license, it varies from Rs 2,000-3,000 and Rs 5,000 depending upon the category of business.

Jalandhar, July 1
Rain that lashed the city in the wee hours today did provided people respite from the scorching heat but caused power problem in some areas.

The strong winds damaged the power cable network got damaged at some places, whereas in some areas, the 11-KV feeders developed snag. According to the reports from various parts of the city, the power supply remain disrupted in Chhoti Baradari, Gole Market, Model Town, Rajinder Nagar, Central Town, Defence Colony and Indra Park.

“Immediately after the rain started during night, the entire area plunged into darkness. The power supply was resumed in the morning but then again from 9.30 am till 2 pm, the problem persisted in the colony”, said residents of the IndraPark. Likewise, in other areas mentioned-above, the power remained disrupted on account of technical snag and breakdown of feeders. Even at the Municipal Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner office, there was no power till 1:30 pm.

Gopal Sharma, Deputy Chief Engineer, PSPCL, said, “There was no power cut. The power supply was affected in some of the areas on account of the breakdown of the 11-KV feeders, which is quite normal in case of the storm and rainfall. Problem was observed in some conductors as well. The repair work was conducted in an efficient manner and the power in the affected areas was restored by afternoon.” 

Jalandhar, July 1
A website called Xploremycity.com was launched here today at KL Saigal Memorial Trust. The website contains information regarding local businesses, accommodation, dine and drinking, shopping, wedding planning and gym & fitness.

Website head Lovelesh Sahota said their objective was to help visitors and residents to connect with the local businesses. He wants to make sure that the website users get most comprehensive and accurate information about anything they are looking for.

He said Xploremycity.com was also available at android mobile and can be downloaded free. The information about Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana is already available on the website, whereas Patiala, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Shimla will soon be added.

“What makes it unique and innovative are the key feature such as trusted review and recommendation, promotion feature and driving direction. We have already added 1,500 businesses so far in Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana,” Sahota added.

Lovelesh said Xploremycity.com would help business owners in growing further. “We are dedicated to ensure that business listing with the website is effective, affordable and well exposed. We are also giving a 30-day free trial,” he added.

He claimed that this was the first Punjab-based business listing website that was going nationally. 

Jalandhar, July 1
A recent property survey conducted by a private agency (at MC’s behest) has indicated that there are nearly 18 per cent illegal water connection holders in the city.

While the total number of properties in the city are 2,39,079, which include 39,186 open plots, the number of water supply connections remains quite low at 1,53,936.

If 3,872 dwellings with bore-wells are taken into account, there are 42,385 constructed properties that are without any MC approved water connections.

Despite the Municipal Corporation’s announcement of amnesty schemes on different occasions for defaulters asking them to pay up only for the charges for taking new connection, the number of unauthorised connection holders stands huge.

The number of sewage connection holders stands even lower at 1,48,348, which means that the remaining 51,545 properties out of the total 1,99,893 constructed properties are without any authorised sewage connection.

The representatives of the company Map My India, which have been doing a similar survey in Amritsar, Pathankot and other cities, have given the entire property data to the various departments of the Municipal Corporation for cross-checking it with their existing data and updating the same to tighten the noose around the defaulters.

Allocation of numbers to properties

Even as the MC officials had earlier put the number of estimated properties in the city at 2 lakh, the number has come out to be higher.

Though the MC House, in its meeting held on January 24, had approved the sanctioning of work of providing and fixing 5”x2” plate bearing unique identification number of each property for Rs 69 per house to CE Info Systems Private Limited, New Delhi, it has now been held up as the number of properties has come out to be much higher.

The job will now cost the MC Rs 1.65 crore, which the officers feel is a big amount. They are now contemplating to bring it down. Though the company Map My India has already given unique ID numbers to each property in its survey report, the owners of the properties are yet to know the designated numbers.

GIS mapping on cards

It has been learnt that the MC is planning to get Global Information System mapping done on the property survey already carried out by the company.

Officials want to enable themselves in locating the properties surveyed through satellite imagery for the purpose of levying various dues.

Policy for defaulters

Having faced a major defeat in the recent Lok Sabha polls from urban areas, political leaders don’t seem to be in a mood to slap penalties on defaulters, which are being assessed by different departments.

Mayor Sunil Jyoti said, “The departments are comparing their own data with the property survey data to prepare a list of defaulters.” aWhen asked if they would be penalised, he said, “No, we will devise some policy for them.” 

Jalandhar, July 1
Three city students have proved their calibre in Science Olympiad Foundation’s (SOF) International Olympiad 2013-14. Aditi , a Class 12 student from Swami Sant Dass Public Schoool, has got international rank 3 in SOF’s International Mathematics Olympiad.

She had received a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a gold medal during an awards function held at The Chinmaya Mission Auditorium in Delhi recently.

Mannat Bindra from St Joseph’s Convent School, Gurnoor Singh, from Apeejay School got state rank 1 in National Science Olympiad.

Justice Dipak Misra, Judge of Supreme Court of India was the chief guest at the awards function. The guests of honour were Prof YS Rajan, chairman NIT Manipur, Richard Everett, director Education, British Council of India and Suprama Misra.

Justice Dipak Misra emphasised on the virtues of humility and sincerity. He asked the winners to be ambitious but analyse their inadequacies too.

Mahabir Singh, the founder and executive director of SOF said more than 34 lakh students from 27,000 schools of 1,360 cities across India and 16 countries participated in the Olympiad examinations during 2013-14.

About 24,000 students from 3,350 schools have been awarded for achieving top state level ranks. Close to 4,60,000 students have been awarded ‘Medals of Excellence’ for achieving top ranks in their respective schools. A certificate of participation and a personalised performance analysis report is also provided to each student in his/her school.

SOF also provides an annual scholarship of Rs 5,000 each to 300 meritorious girl children from economically weaker section of society under the Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS).