Amritsar, July 27
The Municipal Corporation has finished the work of collecting NOCs from the occupants of shops and buildings from the Hall Gate to the Golden Temple stretch for lending them a heritage look as the Union Ministry of Tourism has released a grant of Rs 37 crore for it.

The MC constituted five separate teams that visited the residents and the shopkeepers owning properties along the stretch and collected the NOCs.

The project aims to bring about uniformity in the facade of the structures, a majority of them commercial, on the lines of Lucknow's Hazrat Ganj which is painted in a single colour.

Mumbai-based Darashaw Consultancy Private Limited has already prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to paint the entry and exit roads leading to the Golden Temple with a single colour and similar, attractive and equal-sized signboards will be put up to streamline the exterior of buildings and shops falling on the path. Besides, the mesh of loose open wires hanging by the roadsides will be put into a duct. The DPR, with an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore, was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism. The project is expected to be finished by mid-2015.

MC officials said the NOCs in no way interfere with the ownership of these buildings. The occupants would get a beautiful and eye catching exterior at government expense. Endorsing the NOC means the occupant does not have any reservation about the beautification of the facade of his building and permits the Tourism Ministry to carry out the same. 

the beautification project

It aims to bring about uniformity in the facade of the structures, a majority of them commercial, on the lines of Lucknow’s Hazrat Ganj which is painted in a single colour.

Storm water drains, open plazas, facade-cleaning and hanging cables will be placed underground.

Conservation of heritage structures on the route to the Golden Temple will also be undertaken.

Walkways on either side of the road will be raised for pedestrians.

En route, the buildings displaying Sikh architecture will be restored.

All 12 power transformers identified for obstructing the footpath on the stretch of the road would be relocated to the nearby internal roads.

Amritsar, July 27
Facing flak from the residents, especially environmentalists, for the chopping of trees along the city roads for the construction of a dedicated lane under the ambitious Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) project, the horticulture wing of the Public Works Department claimed that it had planted date palm and silver oak trees on the Amritsar-Jalandhar highway and the airport road besides increasing green cover along the Taranwala Pul-Tarn Taran road.

However, environmentalists say date palm and silver oak trees are no match for the age-old trees that were chopped for the construction of the dedicated lane for buses under the BRTS scheme. They said the government should plant different varieties of shady trees alongside the roads.

Notably, senior BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu had also expressed concern over the issue. Many NGOs alleged that many trees were unnecessarily cut as these did not fall in the area to be covered under the project.

Satinder Singh, SDO, PWD (horticulture wing), said the department had given a Rs 2.50 crore contract to a nursery for the plantation of date palm trees. He said around 270 date palm trees had been planted besides many silver oak trees. He said the tree varieties would be planted up to Bhandari Bridge and beneath the elevated road.

On the three-kilometre stretch from Taranwala Pul to Tarn Taran bypass road, around 2,600 poplar trees had been planted.

"A track for pedestrians has also been constructed alongside the road and gulmohar trees have also be planted," he said.

However, P S Bhatti, a noted environmentalist, said the plantation of date palm and silver oak trees was wrong as these did not have any environmental value. "The government should plant shady trees as these provide timber," he said. He advised the plantation of gulmohar, amaltas, arjan, mango and jamun trees. 

Amritsar, July 27
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed a bank to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to an account holder from whose account deductions were made on the pretext that the owner had failed to maintain the minimum balance as per the requirement.

The forum stated that the bank could not produce any law which can authorise it to deduct penalty for not maintaining minimum balance in a customer’s account. Though the bank had credited the amount along with interest during the hearing of the complaint, the forum stated that it was done only after the complainant was forced to file the complaint.

Earlier, Gujjinder Singh Sachdeva, a resident of Anand Avenue, had filed a complaint against Standard Chartered Bank stating that he received an account statement in which balance amount was shown as Rs 966. The complainant stated that the as per his knowledge, the amount should have been more than Rs 17,000 after which he demanded a detailed account statement.

The bank in its reply stated that outstanding and the permissible deductions have been made by the system of the bank as the complainant failed to operate the account as per the prescribed norms of the bank and failed to maintain the minimum required balance of Rs 25,000 in the said account of the complaint.

The bank further stated that for cordial relations with the customer, rectification in the account had been made and a fresh statement of account was submitted. It further stated that the bank has already credited back the charges levied in the account of the customer along with the prevailing interest rate applicable in the case of savings account.

The forum observed that the bank could not produce any law or its instructions that the complainant should have a minimum balance of Rs 25,000 in his savings account, otherwise penalty or deductions would be made from the account. It stated that deductions from the account for the same reason are totally wrong and illegal.

The forum stated that even as the bank has credited back the amount with interest, all this was done when the complainant had filed the present complaint and that too during the pendency of the case.

Holding the bank guilty of deficiency in service, the forum has directed it to pay Rs 10,000 as cost of compensation and Rs 2,000 as litigation expenses. 

Amritsar, July 27
The next time you hire an auto-rickshaw in the holy city and its driver offers you a mobile connection or recharge, don’t be surprised! An innovative way of reaching out to residents, the Videocon Telecom, the arm of the Indian conglomerate Videocon Group, has launched a unique trade engagement programme here.

Branded as V-Auto Rickshaw, the company, for the first time, has roped in auto-rickshaws/battery operated rickshaws in Amritsar to sell its new prepaid connections and recharges.

These auto- rickshaws that ply in the city will carry Videocon Telecom branding and offer on-the-go services to the customers.

Visibly excited, an auto driver Nishan Singh said that this initiative has added to his income.

“It’s a good feeling to represent a company and show our worth. I too feel like being an important person. Many a time, I had come across tourists visiting the holy city from other states or even abroad. They look for new temporary connections till their time of stay here. With this new initiative, I can offer them a connection instantly,” he said.

Another auto driver Harmohinder Singh said it was for the first time that he had been engaged by a company.

“I had a sales agent quality from the very beginning but could never get through in this line due to domestic circumstances and started plied auto-rickshaw. When the company approached me, it has been just a dream come true for me,” he said.

Arvind Bali, director and CEO, Videocon Telecommunications Ltd, during his visit here, said: “The trade engagement is a critical constituent and these auto operators have been given formal training to deal with the customers.”

“The holy city was the most important city on our agenda, with the holiest Sikh shrine Golden Temple situated here. It is visited by over 1 lakh tourists daily and most of them hire auto-rickshaws to travel. So we decided to keep the auto operators as part of our strategy. We had it firmly on our mind that they were never trained in marketing. So to ensure service quality, the telco has provided appropriate training to auto drivers. It has come as a mutually beneficial step. The initiative will be a source of additional income for auto-rikshaw drivers of the holy city, besides giving us an advantage,” he said.

“Through this unique and innovative initiative, the brand endeavours to go closer to the consumers. The telco plans to replicate this unique initiative, that has been kicked off in Amritsar, across other cities in Punjab telecom circle,” he said.

Amritsar, July 27
The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal (PPBM) demanded a CBI inquiry into the allegations of Rs 12,000 crore fraud in VAT refund. It was BJP leader Satpal Gosain who had raised the issue a few days ago. PPBM president Amrit Lal Jain said Gosain had met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal a number of times over the issue but nothing positive came out.

He said the Vigilance Department had also booked 32 officials of the Excise and Taxation Department in various graft cases.

The government should order a CBI inquiry into the allegations, he said. He said they had submitted a memorandum to the government, urging to curb corruption at the ICC barrier, but it’s response was dismal.

Jain said the PPBM endorsed the view of Gosain. 

Amritsar, July 27
The Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Committee, which is maintaining the Kalianwala Khuh, has decided to approach the Prime Minister’s Office in protest against the failure of the defence estate office (Jalandhar circle) in providing space for the last rites of the martyrs.

Amarjit Singh Sarkaria, president of the committee, in a press statement issued here today, stated that the defence estate officer (Jalandhar circle), during a meeting with the Principal Secretary (Tourism), Archaeological Survey of India and the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, had promised to provide a proper place at Ajnala for the last rites of the martyrs on August 1.

He said on the basis of the promise, they had invited various prominent personalities on the occasion but with only four days left, the DEO was dilly-dallying over the issue. We would demand strict action against officials creating unnecessary hurdles in the cremation of the mortal remains of the martyrs, he added.

He urged the authorities to intervene and provide a place at the camping ground in Ajnala for the cremation of the martyrs. 

Amritsar, July 27
The Health Department flagged off a rickshaw rally to spread awareness about diarrhoea among children as part of its diarrhoea awareness fortnight. The department has planned a series of programmes for this purpose. The department is observing Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight from July 28 to August 8. While flagging off the rally, Civil Surgeon Dr Rajiv Bhalla said children should be taught about maintaing proper hygiene and cleanliness.

He said this could go a long way in checking diarrhoea cases. Dr Bhalla said parents should always keep a packet of ORS at home to save children from dehydration.

He said health teams would distribute ORS packets and zinc tablets in the city during the drive. District Immunisation Officer Dr Jaspal Kaur, District Mass Media Officer Raj Kaur, District Programme Manager Dr Sukhwinder Kaur and BCC facilitator Dr Aarush Bhalla were also present on the occasion. 

Amritsar, July 27
The Pensioners’ Association today demanded the release of dearness allowance at the earliest. The association will burn the copies of the state Budget outside the district treasury. They alleged that the government had ignored them in the state Budget.

Association leader Balbir Singh said the dearness allowance of July, 2013, and January, 2014, should be paid at the earliest. He said a cashless medical insurance scheme should be started for the pensioners. They also sought Rs 1,500 as medical allowance.

Amritsar, July 27
The Chief Khalsa Diwan today held a “kirtan darbar” to commemorate the Parkash Purab of eighth Sikh Guru Harkrishan at Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School. Besides the “kirtan darbar”, a religious programme reflecting the life of Guru Harkrishan was held.

Manjit Singh GK, president, DSGMC, Dr Daljit Singh, retired Principal, Khalsa College, Dr Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, Principal, Khalsa College of Education, were felicitated by the Chief Khalsa Diwan.

Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha said the CKD had always contributed towards the preservation of the heritage besides spreading religious values among the next generation.

Famous Sikh intellectuals Sant Anoop Singh Une wale, Padam Shri Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa, Bhai Manjit Singh Kanpuri, Bhai Amandeep Singh of Bibi Kaulan Wale, Bibi Prabhjot Kaur and Bhai Jaswinder Singh of Bibi Kaulan presented a divine kirtan on the occasion. 

Amritsar, July 27
The month-long summer art camp and festival at the art gallery culminated in a series of activities and cultural performances today. The annual art extravaganza held by the Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) in association with the North Zone Cultural Centre, had a buffet of art activities like painting and music.

The highlight of the cultural evening was renowned Pakistani artists Maggar Ali and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan. A painting exhibition was also inaugurated by Rajindra Mohan Singh Chinna, president, IAFA and Rajindra Singh Gill, director, NZCC.

“It has been another successful year for the summer art camp and festival. The month-long annual art fest started with Nadira Babbar’s play ‘Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan’ and we are glad to conclude it with the performance of music icon Ustad Hamid Ali Khan. The purpose of our initiative was to promote art among students. We hope to continue our efforts next year also," said PS Grover, general secretary, IAFA.

Senior artists like OP Verma, Kulwant Gill, Bharti Malhotra, sculptor Shivdev singh, theatre artistes Gurinder Makhna and Harinder Sohal were also honoured. A painting exhibition by artist Rohit Kumar was also opened to the public.

Emotions run high

The artists from across the border are always appreciated when they take to stage in Amritsar. So, when Ustad Hamid Ali Khan performed, everyone was emotional. “It’s my first performance in Amritsar, thanks to the delay in the arrival of my son’s passport. My sons, The Ragaboyz, one of the popular Pakistani rock bands, were to perform here. But, due to some passport issues, they couldn’t perform here. So, I was invited instead of them," he said.

Ustad Hamid’s brothers Ustad Amanat Ali and Bade Fateh Ali Khan are pioneers of the Patiala gharana. His sons took the legacy of the family forward. “I have always enjoyed music whether it is classical or rock. It’s important to adapt to the changing trends," he said. He recently worked in the Bollywood movie "Kya Dilli Kya Lahore". He presented Punjabi thumri and a ghazal at the event. 

Amritsar, July 27
The city police have nabbed four persons for allegedly possessing narcotic substances and illicit liquor.

The Division-A police have arrested Sandeep Singh of Pawan Nagar and Jatinder Sharma of new Juj Nagar with 270 gms of narcotic powder while Gurjeet Singh of Dhun village falling under Tarn Taran police was held with 8 gms of heroin by Division-C police.

They have been booked under the NDPS Act. Meanwhile, Naresh Kumar of Ekta Nagar was arrested with over 200 bottles of illegal liquor.

A case under the Excise Act has been registered against him at the Islamabad police station.

Amritsar, July 27
The lure of foreign land has landed two local women in trouble after the district court lodged complaints against them for forging divorce deeds following which the Civil Lines police have registered separate cases against them.

Daljinder Kaur, a resident of the Housing Board Colony and Paramjit Kaur of Baba Bakala, were booked on charges of cheating, forging documents and criminal conspiracy. Separate cases under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC have been registered at the Civil Lines police station following the complaints submitted by the District Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh.

Vavinder Mahajan said two women had submitted legal documents regarding divorce with their husbands to the passport office for excluding their names from their passports. "The passport office got suspicious of the documents submitted by them and urged the district courts to verify whether the divorce papers submitted by them were genuine one. During the investigations by the court, the documents were found to be forged and hence, complaints were submitted to the police for necessary action," he said. Mahajan said earlier too, similar cases were registered with the Civil Lines police. During the investigations, it was found that it was the lure of foreign shores and search for greener pastures which led them to unlawful activity. He said no arrest has been made so far and further investigations have been initiated.—TNS