Jalandhar, August 13
Though the Education Department had said school management committees in all government schools in the district would be formulated in August, only 350 schools having formulated SMCs out of 1,491. After missing the March 31 deadline due to the imposition of the model code of conduct, the department failed to complete the process in June.

officialspeak
While the task of the formulation of SMCs is in full swing, they should have been formed till now. A meeting with headmasters on the issue was held recently. We have issued instructions to all schools to form them soon. The schools can choose panchayat members and councillors as members and chairpersons of the committees. If a panchayat member is made chairperson, it isn’t illegal. If schools are unclear about that, we will inform them.
Harinder Pal, DEO, Secondary Education

Jalandhar, August 13
The Vigilance Bureau today nabbed an SDO of the Punjab State Electricity Board at Bhogpur for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from his junior. According to reports, he had promised to withdraw transfer orders of his junior.

DSP Nirmaljit Singh arrested SDO Sarabjit Singh while taking bribe from JE Deep Kumar, who was transferred from Bhogpur to Gurdaspur recently. He was arrested in front of two government witnesses- the BDO, Adampur, and a law office from the DC’s office.

The demand for the amount was reportedly made when Deep Kumar came to the Bhogpur office to relinquish the charge. SP Som Nath of the Vigilance Bureau confirmed the incident.

Jalandhar, August 13
The regional office of the Provident Fund Department started a physical survey of companies with regard to the number of employees hired and how many of them receive monthly wages above Rs 6,500 and are still not getting the PF benefits.

Jai Shankar Prasad, PF Commissioner, Jalandhar, said all the companies who failed to cooperate, their records would be seized with the help of the police. He said the Police Commissionerate and the Jalandhar rural police had already issued necessary directions in this regard on April 18 and May 23.

The Commissioner said today Hotel Kamal Palace, MBD Enterprises, Sutlej Motors, M/s Vijay Cycle, Chawla Heart Care and CT Institutions were visited. He said several discrepancies had been found in the records of the commercial establishments.

He said while 12-130 employees were found working in Hotel Kamal Palace, only 34 employees were shown in the records. He said the records were being further checked. He said the companies indulging in irregularities would be punished.

Jalandhar, August 13
Causing an embarassment to the ruling alliance, three leaders of the BJP sat on a dharna along with members of a traders’ associations outside the office of Excise and Taxation Department in protest against the policies and the alleged high-handedness of the department.

They continued their protest even as the traders raised slogan like “Sukhbir Badal murdabad”. State vice-Ppresident of the BJP and MC councillor Ravi Mahendru was in the front row as state executive member Anil Sachar and another party leader Dhani Ram Gupta conducted the stage. None of trio raised an objection to the slogans. Instead, they took turns to criticise the policies of the government.

Gupta said the four-stage tax levy system of the government must go. President of the Khel Udyog Sangh Ravinder Dhir, President of the Federation of Jalandhar Industrial and Traders’ Association Gursharan Singh and representative of the Hand Tools Association OP Saini alleged that the policies of the government had been forcing traders to shut down their businesses.

The traders have been protesting for the one week, demanding suspension of Excise and Taxation Officer Major Amit Sareen.

Jalandhar, August 13
As the country is heading towards the 68th Independence Day, the day seems to be holding no meaning for the youth in the city as they feel that they are still grappling with corruption and have no voice of their own. When Jalandhar Tribune spoke to them, they narrated their harrowing experiences in the city.

Stalking woes

“I was going somewhere with two of my friends when suddenly, under the Khalsa College flyover, two boys started following us. Initially, we ignored them but they started making inappropriate comments. Though two policemen were present there, instead of stopping them, they started laughing at us. It was only when some of our college friends came there, the boys left. How can we say that we are independent when we do not have the independence to move freely on the city raods?” said Rashmi, a student of DAV College.

Ban plastic bags

For Puneet Sharma, a student of Doaba College, freedom means litter-free environment. Puneet said, “Though the state government has banned the use of tobacco, it has not banned plastic, which is more dangerous than tobacco. Even to buy milk, we waste a plastic bag. The sewage pipes are choked with plastics and other non-degradable products but the administration has not taken any step. What is the glitch in taking such a environment-friendly step?”

Corruption biggest challenge

The youngsters of the city feel that corruption is a major hurdle in the attaining the real freedom.

“Last week, I was driving without helmet . A Traffic cop asked me to stop near the Model House area. He asked me to show him the registration certificate and the driving licence, which I was not carrying. To my surprise, he demanded Rs 50 to let me go. I paid him the amount and left without any penalty. I know it is a crime to offer bribe but the government should be strict with violators,” said Tanjot Bhatia, a student of DAV College.

Do not feel proud to be an Indian

Nowadays, these youths do not want to say that they are proud to be an Indian.

“Why is it that only on August 15 or January 26, we feel proud? Why we feel proud during an India-Pakistan cricket match only? Why we suddenly realise that we are Indians when we watch a movie like ‘Chak De India’? It is because our everyday experience with corrupt officials, stinking surroundings and scary atmosphere do not make us proud,” said Kajal Kaura of HMV College.

According to Wg Cdr Randhir Singh, VM, Commanding Officer of 1 Punjab Air Squardron NCC at Jalandhar,“ While dealing with the youth here in our battalion, we have realised that they are indeed concerned about national issues as long as they are given a platform. We have given them wings to fly at their own pace and they feel and think like a free bird. They should be heard and we help them in breaking their shackles.”

Jalandhar, August 13
Lives of schoolchildren were once again were put to risk as a bus ferrying 20 students of La Blossom School met with an accident near Mithapur today. The bus hit a tractor-trailer. Two children suffered minor injuries and the frontal part of the bus was damaged. Parents of the children were called on the spot.

Later, the school authorities got the medical examination of the children done after which a few were sent home while the rest were taken to the school.

Parvesh, administrator of the school, said due to the negligence of the tractor driver, the incident took place. After the accident, the tractor driver and his accomplices thrashed our bus driver so badly that he was admitted to a hospital, he said. He added that a compromise had been reached between the two parties.

A four-year-old student of Innocent Hearts School, Aarush Arora, had died after falling from a bus a few days ago. Four days later, a driver of Cambridge International School had put the lives of the children to risk by driving the bus to the inundated Domoria underbridge.

Meanwhile, the Jalandhar traffic police organised a seminar at Innocent Hearts School and GMT, Jalandhar, on the topic “Traffic Rules and Road Safety Measures” for the school bus drivers and conductors. Members of the education cell of the traffic police –Ramesh Kumar and Shamsher Singh- apprised them of the traffic rules. 

Jalandhar, August 13
As many as 30 passed-opt BTech students from DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology (DAVIET) have been running from pillar to post to get their training certificates, which they undertook in 2012, when they were studying in the second year of course.

In a complaint the students said, "They have not been provided with the certificates of two-month training conducted by the company Bets Soft private Limited in 2012."

The students said it was the DAVIET, which arranged the training. They said they had paid between Rs 4,500 to 5,000 to the company for training.

"Since then, we have been asking for the certificates from the authority concerned. We have repeatedly approached Sushil Prashar, Assistant Professor, EE Department, responsible to provide the certificates.But nothing has been done so far. In his reply he said the institute was trying to get the certificates", said a student.

He said the training was a vital part of their course, without which they have been finding it hard to get a job, as they have finished their course. During time of training, the authority, had assured that the certificates would be provided right after the training.

Meanwhile the students have lodged a written complaint to DAVIET Principal Prof AL Sangal and PTU VC to get their issue redressed as soon as possible.

When contacted, DAVIET principal, said he had been looking into the matter as it had been brought to his notice only few days ago. The placement officer has been asked to report on the matter.

"It has been two years since they have completed the training, yet they never approached me in this period. Now, they have been conferred with their degrees. Their training certificates will also be provided soon", he added.

Jalandhar, August 13
Completing 100 years in the field of education, Doaba Khalsa Senior Secondary School has decided to take another leap in the field of education. The school has launched its own website on its 100th anniversary.

Situated on Ladowali Road, the school will provide all information relating to it through the website. The school’s officiating Pprincipal Bajinder Kaur Dhami said the students from the school had earned accolades in the armed forces, administration, sports, social and political fields.

The principal said the centenary celebrations will be held on November 23 this year. The principal said the website will provide information to its alumni. The school website is dbks.1914@gmail.com

Jalandhar, August 13
Former Local Bodies Minister and Jalandhar Central MLA Manoranjan Kalia has lodged a complaint with PWD Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon asking him to take action against the official and the contractor who laid the PWD road in Birring ward number 12 allegedly with second rate material.

Kalia said the premix carpet laid on the road from Janjh Ghar to GT Road on November 8, 2013 was damaged within a fortnight and the matter was brought to the notice of the department. Kalia said he has written that the Superintending Engineer had promised to relay the premix carpet after winter. Instead, the road was repaired with patches instead of re-laying the premix carpet.

He said the road had again developed big potholes. The MLA has also sought a checking of the other four roads, including the one from Birring village to Deep Nagar, PSEB sub-division to Master Mehnga Singh Colony, cremation ground to Bunga Colony and cremation ground to Narang Cold Store.

Jalandhar, August 13
The controversial Punjabi film based upon the lives of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, “Kaum De Heere”, will release on August 22. The star cast of the film said it took five months to get the film released.

The star cast of the movie was reluctant to disclose the reason behind the delay in the release of the film. However, they said that they had only cut 20 seconds of audio as per the recommendations of the Central Board of Film Certification.

Producer Satish Katyal said the fim was based based on the biographical accounts of Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, assassins of Indira Gandhi.

“Based on true events, as per the findings of the Justice Thakkar Commission, the movie does not aim at creating any controversy. Our motive is to tell the audience the actual chain of events. We can’t change history, but we can learn lessons from it,” said Katyal.

Singer-turned-actor Raj Kakra, who plays the role of Beant Singh in the movie, model-turned actor Sukhdeep Sukhi, who plays the role of Satwant Singh, and Isha Sharma were also present on the occassion.

Katyal added that movie was an outcome of thorough research of legal records, books and other material available in the public domain. There is nothing fictitious in it,” he added.

The director, story, screenplay and dialogue writer of the film is Ravinder Ravi, who is best known for “Tere Ishq Nachaya” and “Aappan Pher Milange”. Beat Minister has composed its music. Actor Raj Kakra has written lyrics of the songs. Singers Sukshinder Shinda, Kamaal Khan, Krishna Beura, Shipra Goyal, Shehnaaz Akhtar, Harpreet Singh and Raj Kakra have lent voices. Jot and Bunty have choreographed the songs.

Jalandhar, August 13
A full dress rehearsal for the 68th Independence Day function was held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium today. Jawans of the paramilitary forces, Punjab police, NCC cadets and school and college teams participated in the rehearsal. Participants from 10 schools and colleges, including Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Lyallpur Khalsa College for Women, Doaba College, HMV College, KMV College, Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Nehru Garden, Guru Amardas Public School, MGN Public School and Police DAV School, will take part in the function on August 15.

Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav took the guard of honour. Meanwhile, the traffic police has finalised alternate routes for the commuters coming to the city from Nakodar and Kapurthala. Parking arrangements in the vicinity of the stadium for cars, buses and two-wheelers have also been made.

Phagwara, August 13
Congress workers along with the residents of Labour Colony led by former Congress councillors Sushil Maini and Yash Paul today held a demonstration and sat on dharna for two hours before the office of the local civic body in protest against the alleged misconduct of MC Commissioner Sukhminderpal Singh Marar along with a deputation of the residents who went to meet him to urge for an early construction of the damaged roads in the colony.

Noisy slogans were raised by the demonstrators against the working of the civic body. The protesters alleged that Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash is working in a discriminatory fashion.

Later, the dharna was lifted when PPCC delegate Balbir Raja Sodhi and BCC president Gurjit Walia met the Municipal Commissioner who assured of early action. MC Commissioner Marar later said the MC was working purely on merit and gave priority to redressing the problems of the people. — OC

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