Amritsar, July 5
The Municipal Corporation has given an ultimatum to the hotels, inns and guest houses around the Golden Temple which have either been operating in an illegal manner or are not complying with building bylaws.

The special investigation team (SIT) had identified 131 such commercial units that have mushroomed around the Golden Temple and in the walled city over the last few years.

Following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the state government had constituted an SIT, comprising the Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat and Chief Administrator of the Amritsar Development Authority Sandeep Rishi. The SIT is being headed by Rahul Tiwari, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal.

It has been learnt that the SIT had prepared an action taken report against the illegal commercial establishments which pose a hindrance in beautifying the area around the holy Sikh shrine and are also burdening the existing water and sewerage infrastructure catering to the residential area in the vicinity. The report was submitted to the High Court on May 16.

Senior Town Planner (STP) Hemant Batra has already issued speaking orders to the violating proprietors to comply with the norms and demolish the illegal part of their structures within six months.

After hearing them and scrutinising the various records, it was found that scores of these commercial units seldom comply with the Municipal Building By-laws 1997 and the revised building by-laws 2010.

Keeping this in view, the STP had released the orders on January 23, to make amendments in their existing buildings to conform the latest bylaws within a span of six months from the date of the orders.

The High Court has already ordered the authorities to initiate action against the illegal commercial structures by July 23. However, the next date of hearing has been fixed as August 22.

Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court have to be implemented and the violators would have to roll back the step in the larger interests of the public.

“Those who have erected illegal extension in their buildings should demolish the objectionable portions on their own,” the Mayor said. 

Amritsar, July 5
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today visited the building of the Senior Secondary Residential School for Meritorious Students at Guru Nanak Dev University as it is expected to be operational from August 1.

The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has raised the buildings at the GNDU campus. AIT Superintendent Engineer, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, said the chief minister visited various rooms of the school and took stock of the construction work.

He said the chief minister also gave directions to provide a good landscape at the place. He said various trust officials were present during the visit. It was learnt that the Amritsar school has attracted the maximum admissions — 471 — including 332 girls.

The trust has constructed a double-storey building with 20 classrooms, two separate hostels for girls and boys each besides residences for 10 school staff members and a principal.

He said the school building was completely ready and the trust would provide a hostel for 400 students by the end of this month and the rest would follow. To strengthen the structure of education at the senior secondary level, the state government has started the admission process for its six smart residential schools established for meritorious students who would be imparted quality education for Class XI and XII free of cost.

The scheme is registered as “Society for promotion of quality education for poor and meritorious students of Punjab”. The students of government schools affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board who have attained 80 per cent marks or above in Class X during the 2013-14 session were admitted to these schools.

These schools, named Senior Secondary Residential School for Meritorious Students, are coming up at Amritsar (GNDU campus), Patiala (Punjabi University), Bathinda (Giani Zail Singh Engineering and Technology College), Ludhiana (Government College for Boys), Jalandhar (Sports School) and Mohali (Sector 70, opposite Mataur village).

The hostel, though free and separate for boys and girls, is compulsory for all students. Besides, the syllabus of Class XI and XII (English medium) prescribed by the board, special teaching classes for preparation of various competitions like JEE, medical entrance tests, CLAT/ CPET and other undergraduate tests held by universities would be undertaken. These classes too would be free of cost.

The curriculum had been designed to build overall personality of the students. Special career counsellors would also be there to assist the students from the initial stage. The curriculum would be in English medium with help from the teachers to translate it into local languages.

Amritsar, July 5
An Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre was inaugurated by Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High court, Sanjay Kishan Kaul, at the district courts complex here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief justice said the ADR Centre would go a long way in provide easy justice to the litigants.

He said people should be encouraged to get their cases resolved through the ADR centre Cs it would save them time and money. The courts, in turn, would be able to devote time to serious cases.

The chief justice said the number of cases pending in courts has gone down significantly as at present only 3 per cent of the total cases are more than five years old. He said the ADR Centre would resolve disputes by acting as a mediator. Apart from expert lawyers, volunteers would help in resolving the cases. The volunteers would be duly trained in the process.

Judges Jasbir Singh, SK Mittal, SS Sarao, PPS Mann, Paramjit Singh, District and Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Arun Aggarwal, DC Ravi Bhagat, Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh and BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla were also present on the occasion. 

Amritsar, July 5
Hundreds of rare books, manuscripts and hand-written documents belonging to the era of Sikh gurus, reflecting Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, preserved at the 83-year-old Sikh Research Library and Museum in over a century-old Khalsa College, have been successfully digitised.

The material has been put to digital technology through computerisation following a rigorous six-month long processing by a Jalandhar-based private company.

Khalsa College Governing Council president Sardar Satyajit Singh Majithia, who inaugurated the digitisation of work today, said the effort was meant for restoration and preservation of the precious material for posterity. He said by using the latest technology, the books and manuscripts in the library had been restored and in the next phase, the museum’s photographs would also be preserved through digitisation.

The Sikh Research Library was established in 1930 and is a treasure trove of the historical documents dating back to 16th and 17th century. It houses 6,274 books, which include rare books in English and Punjabi. There are hundreds of manuscripts and documents in Urdu, Sanskrit and Persian apart from newspapers and magazines as old as 1904.

”All the material except for some newspapers had been digitised,” said Majithia. “There are weapons belonging to the times of Khalsa Army and other Sikh wars, besides the old coins of the Sikh era. It is a treasure house of Sikh history and culture. Hundreds of students use the documents for their research activities,” he said.

He unveiled the project of digitisation, flanked by the KCGC vice-president, Charanjit Singh Cahdha, and honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.

Chhina said they had planned to preserve all the rare documents and books in the museum by using the digital technology and the work on the project was almost complete. He said, “There are two birs of Guru Granth Sahib which are handwritten and the newspapers of early 20th century in the library are also a major attraction for the students and researchers.”

He said these rare manuscripts, books, documentaries and newspapers would now be available to the public at large on the internet after a month.

Among others, KCGC’s additional honorary secretary Swinder Singh Kathunangal, SS Abdal, SS Mannan, Ajmer Singh Heir, Dr Mehal Singh, JS Dhillon, Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal and others were also present on the occasion.

Amritsar, July 5
The district unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organised a protest march against the increase in prices of vegetables, diesel, petrol, and other commodities amid a sudden and heavy increase in rail fare by the BJP-led Central Government.

AAP volunteers raised slogan against the government and demanded immediate rollback of the hike.

The march started from Bhandari Bridge and ended outside Gandhi Gate where the protest continued with a demand for explanation why the the public had been befooled through false promises during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Ashok Talwar, district convener, said: “Congress and BJP both are the two sides of the same coin as they have been exploiting people since long on one issue or the other.”

”This is evident from the fact that the BJP which once held protests against the price rise while in opposition is now treading the path of its predecessor. Since, the formation of the BJP government at the Centre, inflation has increased manifold and the common Indian national is feeling ditched as well as distressed because of the increasing prices of vegetables, petrol, diesel and LPG,” he said.

”Hike in rail fare has come as a big jolt to the people who prefer this mode of transportation while commuting. The government has made it clear just within one month that the welfare of the common public is nowhere on its agenda and on the contrary, this government is extending benefits to big corporate houses who financed their election campaign,” said Gurbhej Singh.

In the present situation, the government should declare a fiscal emergency and clampdown on the extravagant expenses of its ministers, MPs and MLAs, the AAP leaders demanded.

On the occasion, Vijay Mehta, JS Gill, Jagdeep Singh, Onkar Sharma, HS Dhanjal, Balkar Singh Khehra, Sanjeev Lamba, Ashwani Sharma, Anil Mahajan, Anil Sharma, Chunni Lal, Prince Pal Singh, Vinod Kumar and Harpreet Bedi were also present. 

Amritsar, July 5
Amritsar Engineering College’s Department of Applied Sciences organised a PTU sponsored five-day faculty development programme (FDP) on “Numerical Techniques for Engineers" today.

The faculty development programme was conducted to cater to the needs for introducing different solutions and modelling techniques for solution of engineering problems in various disciplines.

Experts of different fields from reputed institutes like Guru Nanak Engineering College Ludhiana, Beant Engineering College Gurdaspur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Ferozepur, and Lovely Professional University shared their knowledge and expertise with the participants of the faculty development programme.

The faculty development programme was inaugurated by Dr Dilbagh Singh, head, Department of Instrumentation Engineering, NIT Jalandhar. Chairman and CEO of the college Amit Sharma appreciated the efforts made by the members of the Applied Sciences Department for the successful conduct of this faculty development programme.—TNS

Amritsar, July 5
As a part of its three-day de-addiction programme, the district community police today conducted an awareness rally on de-addiction which passed through various markets.

During the rally, children from various schools were holding placards and banners giving a message to eradicate the menace of drug abuse from the society and join hands with the police department in this noble cause. Earlier, the community police department held a meeting with the principals, school managements and teachers while urging them to play a vital role in weeding out the problem of drug addiction.

Speaking on the occasion, Babu Lal Meena, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said parents, teachers and various non-government organisations could play a vital role in preventing the youths from the problem of substances abuse. He said, “For the development of a nation and a healthy society, it is mandatory that the youths should be free from drugs.”

The police department distributed pamphlets to the school students. Baljit Singh Randhawa, District Community Policing Officer, directed the officers at community police service centres to meet the teachers, principals and mohalla sudhar committees in their areas and hold awareness programmes not only against drug abuse but also different services provided by Saanjh centres. 

Amritsar, July 5
The starcast of the forthcoming Punjabi flick “Paisa Yaar Aur Panga”, starring Mukul Dev, Gavie Chahal, Karan Sekhon and Nia, was here in the city today for the film’s promotion.

With the trailer and songs released in the city, the stars enthralled the locals, besides showing the public the first glimpse of the film.

Addressing the media persons here, producer Bharat Arora said, “The film is a perfect blend of romance, comedy and action. It revolves around the bond of friendship and love.”

He said the film depicts the journey of three friends who struggle hard to achieve their dreams. Expressing his strong belief that the film would be a hit, Bharat said all the songs especially “Choon Cha” would be popular among the youngsters.

Bollywood actor Mukul Dev, who won the acclaim for his role in “Son of Sardar”, said the film has all the flavours which would bring the people to theatre, besides it would break all the records of Punjabi cinema with its music already a big hit.

Gavia Chahal and Pinky Moge Wali said various promotional activities have been planned for the people and the film would hit the silver screen on July 11.

Amritsar, July 5
In a major seizure, the CIA staff today confiscated around 115 boxes of English liquor of different brands worth Rs 7 lakh which was being smuggled into the city.

The liquor was hidden in a specially created space in a truck (bearing number PB-02-BD-9507). The CIA staff made the seizure following a tip-off at Gheo Mandi area.

During investigations, it was found that the liquor belonged to notorious smuggler and criminal Raj Kumar, alias Babba, of New Tehsilpura area. He is wanted by the police in as many as 27 criminal cases, including that of attempt to murder, smuggling of liquor and the NDPS Act.

The police officials in a press statement issued here today said that the accused was declared category A criminal for smuggling and drug peddling. They said raids were being conducted to nab the culprit. A fresh case under the Excise Act has been registered against him at the B-division police station.

Meanwhile, the city police arrested six persons for possessing narcotics and illicit liquor.

Among those arrested include Simranjit Singh of Kot Mangal Singh, Mohabatpal Singh of Chowk Manna Singh, Pardeep Kumar of Gurdaspur now living at Gujjarpura area, Rohit Kumar of Indira Colony located at Jhabal road, Kuldipt Singh of Indira Colony, Jhabal road and Tajinder Singh of Bhawani Nagar, Majitha road.

Simranjit and Mohabatpal were nabbed with 40gm heroin while Pardeep Kumar was held with 520gm of narcotic powder. Rohit and Kuldip were arrested for possessing 50 and nine bottles of illicit liquor, respectively. Rajinder was nabbed for possessing 140 intoxicant tablets.

They have been booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and the Excise Act. 

Amritsar, July 5
A land dispute in Shehzada village in Ramdass area took an ugly turn when several persons of the village attacked Sarabjit Singh, a resident of Hardo Rawal village in Fatehgarh Churian.

The incident took place when he was going to give food to his father Kulwinder Singh. The accused were armed with sharp weapons.

As per the information, Sarabjit Singh had procured 5 acres of agricultural land from Jagir Kaur of Shehzada village. However, the accused Dilbagh Singh and Gurjant Singh of the village had their eyes on the land and wanted to buy it.

Yesterday, when Sarabjit Singh was going to the land while taking lunch for his father, the accused intercepted him and attacked his car with sharp weapons. Sarabjit came out of the car and tried to convince them. However, Gurjant Singh, Dilbagh Singh and Major Singh of village Adadi Chandigarh, Ramdass were in no mood to listen to him. They snatched the revolver of Sarabjit Singh and fired at him leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital.

Jarnail Singh, SHO, Ramdass police station, said following the statement of Sarabjit Singh, the police have registered a case under Sections 307, 427, 323, 336, 148 and 149 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the three accused. He said investigations were under progress while raids were being conducted to nab the culprits. 

Amritsar, July 5
Karan Jaspal (40), a resident of Chamiari village, was shot dead while two persons were injured in the incident when several residents of the same village attacked them over a feud that occurred during the recently held panchayat elections.

Baljit Singh, a former chairman of the market committee, Ajnala, and paternal uncle of the deceased, said the opposite group had won the panchayat elections from the village which was reserved for the SC category.

He alleged that yesterday, Prabhjit Singh of the village along with his relatives, Simarjit Singh, Gurpal Singh and Sukhdeep Singh, was returning home after visiting their fields when the accused, identified as Karamjit Singh and his brother Manpreet Singh, entered into a verbal duel with them. He alleged that Karamjit threw his cycle before their vehicle and when Prabhjit asked about it, they started abusing him. “Listening to the verbal duel, my two sons, Gurpreet Singh and Jagjit Singh along with Karan Jaspal also reached the spot and tried to sort out the matter,” said Baljit.

He alleged that Karamjit called his accomplices who arrived on the spot armed. He said the verbal duel took an ugly turn when Karamjit, Manpreet Singh and Pargat Singh fired at them. One of the gun shots hit Karan Jaspal while Prabhjit Singh and Simarjit Singh also sustained injuries. Karan Jaspal succumbed to his injuries on his way to the hospital.

Investigating officer Balwinder Singh said following the statement of Harpal Singh, brother of the deceased, the police have booked nine persons. Besides Manpreet Singh, Pargat Singh and Karamjit Singh, the police have booked Dilbagh Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Gurmej Singh, Amarjit Singh, Lakha Singh and Baldev Singh of the same village.

A case under Sections 302, 307, 324, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC and 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act has been registered against them. No arrests has been made so far. The body was handed over to the family members after the post-mortem. 

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Traffic jams now a routine affair

Traffic jams have become a routine affair in Amritsar. Despite tall claims of the district administration, the problem has not been solved at all. I do not endorse the plan of the Municipal Corporation Amritsar for auction of areas which are close to roads with dense traffic.

The Municipal Corporation should provide for free movement of traffic by widening the roads. The city roads are already suffocated and the traffic is increasing everyday. In the last seven years, traffic management has been limited to media propaganda. The Municipal Corporation of Amritsar has not identified important points and not added any traffic light control system. Slip roads can be helpful, but not in its planning.

The traffic management should guide the motorists about the traffic rules. The MCA has only options to widen roads, enforce one-way traffic, install traffic lights, thrust on education of traffic sense.

TPS Gambhir,

Chief Engineer (retd)