Health Dept asks traders to register before deadline 
Amritsar, July 24
As the August 4 deadline for registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act is approaching near, the Health Department has asked all food-related establishments to comply with the instructions.

Amritsar, July 24
The state government’s ambitious Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project has turned out to be a nightmare for the commuters as both sides of the GT Road have been dug up to construct a dedicated lane for the movement of buses. In the absence of street lights in the areas where the road have been dug up, the chances of mishaps have increased.

The Putllighar area residents complained that pebbles on the city roads could lead to major mishaps. Two-wheelers usually skid on pebbles.

Till now, the authorities involved in the construction of the dedicated lane under the BRTS project have completed the road up to Guru Nanak Dev University while the work in other areas is moving at a snail’s pace.

Pritpaul Singh, a retired government employee, said the people coming from the GT road face the main problem. “Pebbles were laid on the both sides of the GT Road two months ago but there is no sign of laying a metalled road. Two-wheelers generally skid on pebbles,” he said.

Sumit Sharma, another resident, said the authorities should at least install sign boards for the guidance of commuters. The condition of street lights is also deplorable, which is an open invitation to mishaps. The monsoon season has doubled the chances of mishaps.

The residents urged the authorities concerned to speed up the work and take necessary steps to avoid road accidents. 

Amritsar, July 24
As the August 4 deadline for registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act is approaching near, the Health Department has asked all food-related establishments to comply with the instructions.

Earlier, the department had made the registration process online. District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said after applying online, a hard copy of the application had to be submitted within next 15 days.

Dr Kahlon said the people who failed to apply for the registration could be fined up to Rs 5 lakh. He said all individuals and firms dealing in manufacturing, processing, packaging, labelling, transportation and the sale of food items would have to get themselves registered.

Though the department is on its toes to bring all kinds of food-related establishments under the ambit of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the enthusiasm among the traders seems to be lacking as they are expecting extension of the deadline. Earlier, the government had extended the deadline on various occasions.

Dr Kahlon said, “Senior officials of the department have made it clear that no licence will be issued after August 4. So, everyone should follow the instructions.” He said around 5,000 food-related establishments operating in the district had got themselves registered with the department. 

Amritsar, July 24
The animation industry provides one of the most promising career opportunities in the country. With a few brave moves in the industry, budding professionals can succeed if they are given proper guidance.

To help budding professionals, Prosenjit Ganguly, one of the pioneers in the industry and an independent animation film designer, held an interactive session at the art gallery here today.

His focus during the interaction was on the growth and understanding of the industry. “The Indian animation industry has emphasised on noise rather than facts. There are a lot of myths attached to it, which I want to dispel through my interactive programme Living Animation. Our session focuses on dealing with animation creatively, discuss about the proper appraoch and the skill required to enter the industry,” he said. Prosenjit is among a few names in the industry who are popularising the concept of creative communication.

“Unlike popular misconceptions, animation is not about computer or software applications. It’s a creative process, involving art and aesthetics. India has been a hub of animation professionals, but the quality is missing these days.”

He said the most of the animation and 3D works in India were just a tip of the iceberg. “We are just imitating what French and Japanese are doing. Animation like every other area requires skill and education. One need not to be from a big city to succeed in the growing industry. You only need to have the skill,” he said.

Interacting with students in city, he presented many facts about the industry. He said Amritsar had the right enthusiasm and the people in the industry here would improve the quality of animation films.

Amritsar, July 24
Following the death of a sewerman, engaged privately by some residents to clear the rainwater drainage yesterday, the MC authorities have lodged a complaint with the police to scrutinise the matter.

Identified as Shinder, in his mid-forties, this Karampura resident had lost his life reportedly after inhaling some poisonous gases while working in the underground sewer drain line near Rattan Singh Chowk area.

At present, the residents of the locality are tight-lipped and it was yet to know who else have engaged him.

It has been learnt that Shinder was a trained sewerman and was being often engaged by the residents to rectify any snag in the sewerage pipeline for the past over a decade.

Terming it as an illegal activity, the MC officials maintained that it was essential to keep them in loop if there was some blockage in the drainage line. Since, it was a government utility service, no private person was authorised to mend or alter it under any circumstances.

MC Executive Engineer Parduman Singh told that it was illegal for an outsider to mend or temper the government utility service.

“Presently, we have no information about the one who went inside the sewerage supply line. It required proper security kit before landing inside the sewerage line underneath. The outsiders seldom take precautionary measures. It was equally an illegal activity on the part of the ones who engaged the private hands. I fail to understand why the residents didn’t submit a complaint of blockage to us. We have lodged a complaint with the Karampura police to identify the residents.

Even as, taking a ‘swift’ action, the MC authorities had brought the matter to the notice of police, yet questions are being raised over the work culture prevailing in the civic system.

It was felt that when the MC claimed to have a fully equipped team of sewermen, then under what circumstances, the residents have been compelled to engage private hands to clear the sewerage.

Nonetheless, sources told that Shinder was called up by some residents of Basant Avenue area yesterday when their sewer line got chocked. He came along with another person identified as Kashmir Singh to do the job.

Earlier, they tried to clear the sewerage passage with the help of sticks and rods but when it didn’t help, Shinder went inside the manhole. Onlookers told that he had managed to come out twice, but when he went in for the third time, he couldn’t survive.

Amritsar July, 24
Guru Nanak Dev University has released the examination schedule of various semester/annual/supplementary theory examinations for the academic year 2014-2015.

Dr Renu Bhardwaj, professor in-charge examinations, said the examination of BA/BSc, Part-I, II and III (Re-Appear/Improvement/Additional and Special Chance) will be held from April 1, 2015, and all supplementary exams of various classes will start from September 26, 2015. She said the examination of Semester I, III and V of BA/BSc and Semester III and V of BA honours will start from November 27, 2014 and that of BA/BSc Semester II, IV and VI and Semester IV and VI of BA honours will start from May 6, 2015. 

Amritsar, July 24
Continuing its action against mobile SIM card dealers for allegedly issuing mobile numbers on fake documents, the city police today booked three such dealers on charges of fraud and forgery.

Among those booked include Prince of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, an unidentified owner of Mascovn Telecom and Gurpreet Singh of Sarabjit Singh Nagar. They were booked following an enquiry conducted by ADCP special HS Brar.

It is evident to the mention here that over 12 persons have been booked by the police in nine cases registered with various police stations here in the past one week. The steps were taken after the Punjab police intelligence found the numbers issued by them being used for drug peddling. From certain numbers the calls were also made to Pakistan.

Highly placed sources in the Punjab police revealed that IG intelligence handed over a list of mobile numbers to city to ascertain and verify the residential proofs and credentials of the persons using the number. However, during probe a number of residential proofs provided by the dealers were found to be fake and forged.

“Investigations revealed that the identity proofs given by the dealers contained the photographs of different persons while the residential address either did not exist or belonged to some other person with the same name,” said ADCP special. He said more such cases were likely to be registered in near future.

Amritsar, July 24
The Amritsar Cable TV Operators Sangharsh Committee has accused Fastway company of increasing rates by Rs 25 per cable connection without serving any notice to the operators.

In a press conference here today, Ram Singh Nagpal, committee’s president, said, “As per the regulations, the company cannot increase the rates without getting a legal order from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).” He said the operators had already filed a complaint against the company with the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) which would be heard on August 4.

The president further added that the company had not replied to the legal notice served by the cable operators’ association and had not supplied copies of any orders for increase in the rate.

Nagpal said Fastway was threatening to disconnect the connections, if the operators didn’t pay the increased amount. He said the operators are ready to pay at the earlier decided rate which is Rs 100 per connection but the company has refused to collect the cheques.

The committee members have also decided to meet the deputy commissioner in this regard. Nagpal said the connections cannot be disconnected without serving a prior notice of 21 days and without permission from the TDSAT.

He said the company had increased the rates on its own even as the government had not allowed any revision of rates. He added that the increase in rates would be a burden on the general public as well as cable operators.

Amritsar, July 24
As the Municipal Corporation is ignoring garbage collection around the Golden Temple, a heap of garbage has come up right under the main feeder supplying electricity to the shrine.

Even Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) officials are appalled at the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned.

Officials of PSPCL said they would have a tough time fixing any snag in the feeder due to the dumping of garbage. The feeder supplies power to nearly 10,000 houses around the Golden Temple.

Specifically named as the “Golden Temple Bijli Ghar”, the 66 KV substation was inaugurated in 2006 by the then Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Today, heaps of garbage can be seen around the substation. The PSPCL officials said they approached the MC many a time, but to no avail.

A substation attendant, Gurmeet Singh, said they were committed to provide uninterrupted power supply to the Golden Temple complex but the dumping of garbage was posing hindrance.

Stray animals and dogs feed on the refuse. The area is thickly populated. The 66 KV substation provides electricity to Bagh Ramanand, Ghee Mandi, Kesri Bagh, Bhushanpura. In the absence of any check, the residents have started throwing the waste at the site.

Safai karamcharis usually set the garbage on fire instead of lifting it . This is not only causing pollution but also posing a danger to the high-voltage wires passing through the area.

Baljit Singh, a substation operator, said due to the garbage, they found it difficult to reach the transformer in case of any snag. “You cannot even pass through the spot without placing a handkerchief on your nose due to the stink emanating from the heap of garbage. It has become a home to stray dogs and pigs,” he said.

Kamal Kant, a substation attendant, said, “We have written to the MC a number of times that the staff on duty there suffer from many health problems due to garbage.” However, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said the cleaning of the area was his priority. “We are facing an alarming situation. I will get the area cleaned by the night sanitation staff,” he said. 

Amritsar, July 24
The government has launched a medical helpline for the general public through which they can get medical consultation. In a press release issued here today, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu said people could dial 104 for medical consultation.

She said this 24-hour toll-free helpline would have qualified doctors, clinical psychologists and paramedical experts to guide people during emergency. She said the help would be available in Punjabi, Hindi and English languages.

Dr Sidhu said the service would be a boon for the residents of far off villages who are unable avail to medical services easily during emergencies.

The helpline would also provide counselling services to alcoholics, smokers and other such social problems. The helpline would also cater to the needs of ground-level health workers as ANMs, ASHA workers and LHVs who could use it as a resource centre.

Dr Sidhu said people can also complain about health institutions, sex determination cases, complaints related to foods and drugs and birth and death certificates. She said each and every call would be recorded so that the caller was not misguided by any of the employees receiving the call.

Amritsar, July 24
Fraudsters can go to any extent to fleece the people willing to settle abroad. They give advertisements in vernacular dailies to lure them. The recent incident, in which a local youth fell into their trap, is an example of the fact.

In such advertisements, they do not disclose their real identity and give their contact numbers besides a line or two about the NRI boys or girls with whom they assure of arranging their marriage for a safe entry into foreign countries.

Ironically, the people are not learning any lesson. Rajbir Singh of Anmol Enclave lost Rs 10 lakh to Bathinda resident Sarabjit Singh and a Ferozepur-based immigration adviser, Gurpreet Singh.

As expected, their identities were found fake during the probe. The accused had taken a room on rent to dupe the victim. They had used a fake registration number for their vehicle.

Rajbir said in an advertisement, the accused stated that they wanted a groom from a Jat Sikh family, who had cleared IELTS. He said on January 12, he met them and they showed him the pictures of the girl, her ration card and promised to help him settle in Australia after their marriage. He said they demanded Rs 10 lakh from him. On February 10, he gave Rs 5 lakh to them and the remaining amount was given on February 20 after making an entery into a fake marriage register. He said the accused neither sent him abroad nor returned the money.

Dilbagh Singh, investigating officer in the case, said the mobile number that the accused were using was switched off and nobody knew about their real identity. “They were living in a rented accomodation and the number of their vehicle belonged to some other car. The residential proofs shown by them were also fake,” he said. 

Amritsar, July 24
A 20-year-old youth, identified as Sukhpreet Singh, a resident of Sangatpura village, died of drug overdose here today.

The incident came to light when several youths threw his body near Sangatpura Canal Bridge. The police reached the spot and assured strict action against the persons responsible for his death.

Dilbagh Singh, father of the deceased, told the police that several youths of the village had picked him from the house. He alleged that they gave him drugs, which led to his death. 

Amritsar, July 24
The city police nabbed seven persons, including a woman, for possessing narcotics in separate instances.

The accused have been identified as Suman of Hussainpura Chowk, Gurwinder Singh of Sharifpura, Ajay Masih of Rattan Singh Chowk, Robin Singh of Kot Khalsa, Kamal Kumar and Jatinder Kumar of Wadda Haripura and Kashmir Kaur of Patti Behniwal, Sultanwind village.

Suman and Gurwinder Singh were held with 400 intoxicant tablets and 100 gms of narcotic powder, respectively, while the Chheharta police arrested Robin Singh with 15 gms of heroin, 10 intoxicant injections, a mobile phone, a motorcycle and Rs 10,000 in cash. However, Robin’s accomplice, identified as Kulwinder Singh, managed to escape.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad police nabbed Kamal and Jatinder Kumar while they were consuming drugs and confiscated a silver foil. Kashmir Kaur was arrested by the Sultanwind police with 150 gms of opium.

The police said separate cases under the Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act have been registered against them.

Amritsar, July 24
The Amritsar Central jail authorities recovered two mobile phones during a routine search from two undertrials today.

As per the information, a Nokia mobile phone was recovered from undertrial Joginder Singh, a resident of Jora Phatak, Amritsar. Earlier, the accused was booked under the NDPS Act.

In the second instance, a Samsung mobile phone was recovered from undertrial Keshav Thakur, a resident of Kot Harnam Das, Sultanwind Road, Amritsar. He was booked under the NDPS Act earlier. Jail Superintendent RK Sharma said both the undertrials had been booked under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 42 of the Prisoners’ Act. 

Amritsar, July 24
The Sadar police have arrested Sunny of Banke Bihari Gali located on the Batala road area for allegedly selling adulterated kerosene.

Investigating officer Prem Pal said the police had received a tip-off that Sunny along with Ashwani and Bittu of Haripura area were involved in selling adulterated kerosene after procuring it from various ration depots and agencies. He said during investigations it was found that only Sunny was involved in the crime. He used to hire a four-wheeler and collect kerosene from various ration depots. He later sold the same by mixing it with diesel.

He said a case under Section 420 of the IPC and 7 of the Essential Commodity Act has been registered against him. He was sent to judicial remand while further investigations have been initiated, he added.