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Illegal de-addiction centre detected
BRTS work continues, moves at snail’s pace
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City elite clubs not too finicky about dress code
Water scarcity, broken roads afflict wards
3 mobile dealers booked for forgery
Man beaten up, robbed
Maiden monsoon showers bring cheer, respite
Punjabi short
film
Drugs seized from house in Gharinda
Residents demand lights, water in park
Stalemate over possession of Ram Tirath temple continues
SUV snatcher held from toll plaza
Habit-forming drugs seized, two held
Cops nab three mobile thieves
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Illegal de-addiction centre detected
Amritsar, July 17 The centre had not obtained any requisite licence or permission from either the Health Department or the Social Security Department for running a rehabilitation or a de-addiction centre. Dr Balwinder Kakkar, Assistant Civil Surgeon, who led the team, said, “The centre did not fulfill the basic criteria such as availability of a doctor, a pharmacist, a counsellor or any other medico who can treat drug addicts.” The centre is allegedly owned by a non-medico Harmanbir Singh. It is almost 1 km away from the main locality and can be reached through a kutcha road. One of the inmates at the centre reportedly complained of inhuman treatment by the staff. Kakkar said that the centre had 21 inmates at the time of inspection. He said that an old godown was converted into a barrack for the inmates by installing an iron gate at the entrance and patients were not allowed to go out. He said that the godown had no windows and inmates were found living in insanitary conditions. All members of the team, including Kakkar and Tensildar Arvind Salwan, have recommended to the Deputy Commissioner to take action against this illegal centre. “We have instructed the owner to handover the custody of the inmates to their patients and close down the centre,” said Kakkar, adding that the centre was functioning in gross violation of rules. The administration had earlier rescued 32 inmates from an illegal drug de-addiction centre, New Hope, operating from Bhai Manjh road in city.
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BRTS work continues, moves at snail’s pace
Amritsar, July 17 However, the project invited the ire of environmentalists when over 800 trees were marked to be felled to pave the way for erecting dedicated corridors and an elevated road on which around 90 buses were to be run. Secondly, the work is moving at a snail’s pace while the digging up work done on various stretches is posing a threat to the commuters. Nonetheless, the government is in top gear to implement this mode of transport system through the Punjab Bus Metro Society (PBMS) constituted by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. A total of 50 AC buses (each costing Rs 90 lakh) have been sanctioned by the Union Urban Development Ministry. The PIDB has outsourced the construction work for the BRTS to a private concern while the PWD (B&R) Department has been made the execution agency. Funding pattern
The total cost of the project is Rs 495.54 crore and includes Rs 35.43 crore for the improvement of Bhandari Bridge, Rs 40.82 crore for Verka RoB and Rs 127.67 crore for elevated BRTS corridors as major components. Sharing of funds for the Amritsar BRTS project is in proportion of 50:20:30. The Centre’s grant will be Rs 247.77 crore, the state government and the local bodies (through PBMS) Rs 90 crore and the MC Rs 148.66 crore, respectively. Proposed BRTS corridors
A total of seven corridors spread over 31 km have been proposed in the city with the median-side double-docking stations: Of these corridors, six were expected to be completed by March 2015 and the seventh may be operational by September 2015. The elevated corridors will be built on the Albert road, the Bhandari Bridge Loop, the Bhandari Bridge roundabout to Daburji bypass, the Central Core Hussainpura Chowk to Celebration Mall to Kitchlew Chowk to the Albert Road Junction, the SSSS Chowk to Crystal Chowk, Celebration Mall to NH Bypass, NH Bypass to Verka Canal and ROB at Verka. According to the design, 2.5 metre-wide columns will be erected in the middle of these roads. An elevated road will be raised on these columns to operate buses. Beneath it will be the roads for normal traffic on either side of these columns. Besides, interlocking paver and footpath will be constructed on both sides of the road. Barring the fire brigade and 108 Ambulance service, no other vehicle will have an access to these corridors. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had laid the foundation stone of this ambitious project on February 26. Officialspeak
The work on constructing elevated roads has already been initiated on the GT road, the Batala road and other roads. The ambitious project aims to provide a complete and ultimate mobility solution to commuters with dedicated runway lanes for high-class buses. But it will take at least two years. Bakshi Ram Arora, mayor
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City elite clubs not too finicky about dress code
Amritsar, July 17 Amritsar, too, has four prominent private clubs, which have been active since colonial time. The Amritsar Club and the Heritage Club, more
popular of the four, have maximum membership. These clubs, too, follow a dress code, with formals and western wear followed as preferable decorum. The Amritsar Club, with over 100 years of existence in the city, too, keeps it formal for its guests. “We allow western wear and formals, but also allow the Indian traditional wear, if properly worn,” says Lalit Chandok, secretary, Amritsar Club. While most members follow the proper decorum of the club, Chandok says,” We dont’ allow shorts or improper casual wear inside the club.” Heritage Club, too, follows the formal dress code but not strictly. The rule is same for the Service Club and the Lions Club inside the Company Bagh premises. As most members adhere to the dress code, no incident regarding denying entry to any member has been reported by the clubs. Anil Kumar, a 58-year-old businessman and a member of the Amritsar Club, feels that the
dress code culture followed by the city clubs is “necessary” to maintain a comfortable atmosphere. “Being a small town, the clubs in the city
mostly host family crowds. With someone walking in, wearing shorts or chappals and improper clothes will put off the family crowd. Also,
it is obvious to follow the code set by clubs to avoid any uncomfortable situation,” he says. Though not outright rude with their rejection of the ones not complying, Kumar Sharez says that sometimes members are sent home from the counter. “But we do allow Indian or traditional wear,” he says. Chandok feels that the Tamil Nadu incident was an “extreme” case where the club went beyond
the norms of politeness and respect in treating their member. “I believe with time such strict
rules should be changed, especially the ones being implemented without applying any logic or reason,” he added. Adesh Singh, a member of the Heritage Club, too, says that city clubs accept it if one is wearing a traditional attire. “Some of the guests walk in wearing kurta and they are not treated otherwise by the management.
It all depends on the culture of the city and the outlook of the management to avoid confusion and awkward
situations.”
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Water scarcity, broken roads afflict wards
Amritsar, July 17 Dr Anoop Sharma, councillor of Ward No. 61 said the residents of Ram Nagar Colony and Guru Nanak Pura were facing shortage of water. The situation was so grim that the residents had to arrange water for their daily use through water takers. “There is an urgent need to install a tubewell which can cater to requirement of the two colonies,” said
Sharma. Councillor of Ward No. 62, Om Parkash Gabbar, said new tubewells should be installed in his area to meet the water scarcity. The Mayor gave directions to executive engineer Anurag Mahajan to look into the matter. The main road, which passes through Ward Nos. 60, 61 and 62 too needs urgent attention. Its faulty design due to raising of its level by four inches by the Amritsar Improvement Trust has increased the chances of accidents every now and then. The Mayor asked executive engineer Arun Verma to rectify the faulty design of the road. The executive engineer suggested that with the elevation of the roundabout having dimension of 50x20 foot, the problem of uneven levelling on the stretch could be solved.
Councillors also complained about the blocking of the storm water drainage system in their locality and demanded desilting of the passage before the advent of the rainy season.
Councillor of Ward No 63, Rajni Sharma, complained of massive traffic snarls in her area due to rampant trader encroachments. She also complained that garbage was not being lifted regularly from her ward. “The garbage lifting trolley comes only thrice in a month in my area,” said
Rajni. The Mayor asked the health officer to monitor the situation and issue necessary instructions to the department concerned.
Councillor of Ward No. 65 said despite sanctioning of Rs 30 lakh for executing civil works, works worth Rs 5 lakh only had been completed. He said the tubewell in Amardas Colony could not be installed despite being sanctioned in the MC house. Similarly, the tubewell at Guru Ram Das Colony too was no functioning. He also complained about illegal encroachments and dilapidated sewerage system in his area. Meanwhile, the Mayor also inaugurated a tubewell installed by spending Rs 25 lakh at Gurbax Nagar in Ward No. 57.
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3 mobile dealers booked for forgery
Amritsar, July 17 This came to light during interrogation of smugglers who were arrested during the ongoing crackdown by the Punjab Police against the rampant drug abuse. The police had arrested hundreds of drug peddlers during the crackdown. The city police have arrested hundreds of such peddlers during the past over one month. Among those booked include Ashok Kumar of Tehsilpura, Bhajanpal Singh of Chowk Pragdass and Arun Kumar, mobile dealers, Sultanwind road, here. According to the details, Ashok Kumar issued a number 82839-38349 in the name of Pushpreet Singh of Housing Board Colony, Ranjit Avenue. However, investigations revealed that Pushpreet Singh had not got this number. It was found that the proof submitted while issuing the SIM card bore the address of Pushpreet, but it had a different photograph. Similarly, Bhajanpal Singh had allegedly issued a SIM card in the name of Lalita Rani, but later the documents were found to be forged. Arun Kumar also allegedly issued a SIM card in the name of Ashok Kumar of Himmatpura. But the documents submitted did not carry the photograph of Ashok Kumar. Separate cases under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471, IPC, have been registered against them at Division A, C and Sultanwind police stations. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special) said that the call details of these numbers revealed that the accused, who were found in possession of these numbers, had links with Pakistan-based smugglers, as the number was used to contact them for running the illegal trade. He said more such fake SIM cards were likely to be traced during further investigations.
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Man beaten up, robbed
Amritsar, July 17 Giving details, Abrol said that at around 9.30 pm, he was returning home in his car (PB-10-CJ-5607) when the incident took place near Hussainpura Chowk. He said after taking a U-turn near the bus stand, he was driving towards Hussainpura Chowk to take the railway overbridge when the accused intercepted his car near the chowk and started using abusive language. He said as he came out of his car, the five accused started thrashing him. He said the onlookers saved him from their clutches and took him aside while the accused fled. “After returning to my senses after some time, when I went to see my car, the accused had taken away the car keys and around Rs 33,000 in cash kept in the dashboard with them,” he said. After some time, the accused came on the elevated road and started shouting. Later they threw down the keys of the car. They seemed to be intoxicated, he added. The accused were travelling in a car (PB-35-K-4746), he said. Arun Kumar, in charge, Shivala Bhayian police post, and investigation officer, said a case under various sections of the IPC had been registered. He said the accused had been identified. One of the accused ran a readymade garment shop in the Tehsilpura area. He said raids were being conducted to arrest them.
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Maiden monsoon showers bring cheer, respite
Amritsar, July 17 People seemed not to mind getting wet in the rain and traffic on the roads continued as usual. The cool air after the showers made the residents wear a more cheerful visage. Though a substantial amount of rain had been received at many places in the state yesterday, the city had missed them. The residents expected that the showers would lessen the demand for electricity for tube wells and air-conditioners, which may reduce the duration of power cuts. Even as the general public seemed blessed, the first showers of the season also exposed the unpreparedness of the civic body. There was waterlogging on most of the
roads. In the low-lying areas such as Islamabad and others, it took a while before the water drained out. The residents blamed the faulty sewerage system for waterlogging as they accused the Municipal Corporation of not taking up desilting measures before the monsoon. “The desilting of the sewerage system before monsoon seems to be a thing of the past. The MC’s desilting machines are never seen cleaning the roads before the monsoon season,” said Chandan Kumar, a Putlighar area resident.
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‘Kambhdi Deori’ explores family relationship
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 17 Based on the story by famous Punjabi writer and novelist Jaswant Singh Kanwal, the film explores the relationship between family members and abuse of women through a modern story. “The original story, written in 1959, had the same central theme of abusive relationships and deteriorating family values. By improvising and making it relevant for toady’s time, I tried to weave in a story that will touch every heart and force us to self-introspect,” says Sandhu. The film explores various themes of broken families, abusive parents, teenage problems, women abuse and insecure relationships. “Unfortunately, this is today’s reality. When you read and hear about the happenings of the world around, one is shocked. While certain things shown in the film will not be easy to digest by the audience, given their in-your-face treatment, one cannot close eyes from social problems,” says Sandhu. Shooting of the film was held in and around Amritsar. Navtej is planning to launch the film soon. Post his successful stint at national and international film festivals, Navtej Sandhu’s previous short film “Nooran” was highly appreciated. The film was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival this year in the short film category. He wants to take his success forward with “Kambhdi Deori”. ”Short films in India are restricted only to festival circuits and still struggle to find sponsors and financers. I don’t want any commercial gains from my films. My only aim to popularise the genre, storytelling technique and Punjabi language films,” said Sandhu. A small discussion and film show was also held at Virsa Vihar in the presence of the Punjabi art fraternity. The event highlighted various techniques and subjects being used in Punjabi films, documentaries and cinematic highlights in Punjabi language.
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Drugs seized from house in Gharinda
Amritsar, July 17 Earlier too, the Health Department had seized medicines from illegal godowns and residences. As per Drugs and Cosmetics Act even a medicine shop owner has to obtain a separate licence from the department in case he wants to store medicines at a godown other than his shop. Earlier in August last year, the Health Department had seized medicines worth Rs 1.25 lakh from an illegal godown owned by a chemist. The department had also recovered habit forming medicines stored at a residence in Katra Sher Singh Drug Inspector Sukhdeep Singh said the police had received information that the owner of the residence was supplying medicines to people from his home. He said none of the medicines recovered from the place could be misused by drug addicts. Sukhdeep said people should abstain from storing medicines, other than for their personal use, at their homes knowingly or unknowingly. He said they were working with the police to check the illegal sale and storage of drugs.
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Residents demand lights, water in park
Amritsar, July 17 Khanna said presently the park did not have even a single light as there was no provision for the repair of the defunct system. He said residents were afraid to enter the park after evening hours because of the absence of lights. Despite spending huge amount on the upgradation of park no efforts were made to increase the green cover and build green belts, added Khanna. The forum has demanded that the local administration must provide basic amenities such as lights and drinking water facility in the park. The senior citizens have also demanded that security guards should be deployed in the park so that public property is saved from theft or damage by the miscreants.
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Stalemate over possession of Ram Tirath temple continues
Amritsar, July 17 The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered Amritsar rural police to get the possession of the temple handed over to the Mahant Baldev Giri faction by August 4. However, no police force was provided to him for executing the high court orders. Barring DSP Jagatpreet Singh no other senior police official was present at the disputed site. The temple is currently under the possession of Valmiki community, headed by Mahant Malkiat Nath, who is being supported by SAD leader OP Gabbar. Mahant Baldev Giri said they had won the case in the high court, but the district administration was deliberately not helping them in getting the possession of the disputed site.
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SUV snatcher held from toll plaza
Amritsar, July 17 Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh in a statement here today said the accused was nabbed from Manawala Toll Plaza. He was coming towards Amritsar when he was held at Manawala following a tip off. The police had prepared the sketch of the accused based on the description given by the victim Arman Joshan. Aulakh said a police party was stationed at the spot along with the Jandiala police. He said on seeing the accused coming, the police party signalled him to spot. However, instead of stopping the vehicle, he turned the vehicle backward due to which it over turned. Karanbir was later arrested by police. Aulakh said the accused had confessed to his crime. He added that he could be a member of a robbers’ gang and further investigations were under progress. Anything concrete could be said only after the completion of probe, said the Police Commissioner.
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Habit-forming drugs seized, two held
Amritsar, July 17 Those arrested were identified as Kalu Satradar of Railway Link Road and Sunil Kumar of Himmatpura Nagar Nigam Colony, located near Gilwali Gate here. The police confiscated 5,400 intoxicant capsules and tablets from their possession. The motorcycle (No. PB-02-BM-4614) on which the accused were travelling was also impounded by the police. A case under Sections 21/22/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the duo. Investigating officer (IO) Paramjeet Singh said they had specific information that the duo was involved in the illegal sale of habit forming drugs. They were also drug addicts. The two were intercepted near Gian Ashram School, near Skatari Bagh. Preliminary investigations revealed that an unidentified person had delivered the consignment to them said the IO. “They run their network through phone. We are also trying to identify and nab the culprits who had delivered the consignment of drugs to them,” added the investigation officer.
— TNS
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Cops nab three mobile thieves
Amritsar, July 17 Sarabjit Singh, SHO of Kotwali police station, said the police team recovered four mobiles from Sagar and three mobiles each from Pawan and Lukesh. He said the accused had been brought on one day police remand and a case under Sections 379, 411of the IPC and 21/22/61/85 of the NDPS Act was registered against them. The Kotwali police also nabbed Inderpreet Singh alias Shally of Chowk Karori and Jatinder Singh of Gali Jamun Wali, Tarn Taran Road here. The police recovered a stolen motorcycle from their possession. They had stolen the vehicle from Katra Jaimal Singh area, said the SHO.
— TNS
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The BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) on the pattern of Istanbul was the prominent item on the agenda for Amritsar of the Punjab Government’s budget presented in the Assembly yesterday.
The recent incident of a Tamil Nadu judge being denied entry by a private club for wearing veshti (dhoti) has invited criticism over colonial rules and the mindset prevalent the country.
While the incident caused an uproar, prompting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha to announce that new laws to prevent private clubs from following a strict dress code will be made, the incident’s effects are being felt everywhere.
raised by the area
councillors’ in a meeting with city Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal and other officials, which was held at Panorama here today.
Questioning the very basis of human relationship, the family structure and the social ethics, short film by Navtej Sandhu “Kambhdi Deori” (shambling gateway) was screened at Virsa Vihar recently. The 30-minute film, screened for the city art fraternity and audiences, received a standing ovation.
Amritsar, July 17
Amritsar, July 17
