Amritsar, August 28
The District Transport Office is all set to kick off the online auction of vanity or VIP vehicle registration numbers from tomorrow to make the system transparent.

The District Transport Office authorities have drawn flak in the past for allegedly favouring influential people while carrying out the exercise. Officials of the department stated that it would be a transparent system where everyone who aspires to get a VIP number could participate.

Normally, the enthusiasts are not shy of spending lakhs of rupees when it comes to buying premier registration numbers such as 0001, which are auctioned for around Rs 1 lakh or more. The officials stated that numbers like 0001 to 0009 were in high demand. Even numbers like 1111 or 2222 and so on were much sought after.

The allegations that officials of the Transport Department favour particular candidates to help them procure premier numbers at a lesser price have been levelled often. The officials said that the online system would leave no scope for favouritism.

The bidding link on the website of the state Transport Department will become active at 12 noon tomorrow. As a prerequisite, the applicant has to open an account with a bank and log in on the Transport Department’s website, using his special transaction identity.

For bidding on a particular vehicle registration number, the applicant will be charged Rs 200. However, the applicant has the facility to update his bid as he will be able to monitor the bidding system continuously. An applicant can participate in the bidding for as many different numbers by paying Rs 200 for each number.

Officials at the department said that the system would act as a deterrent to the touts and agents as one would not have to visit the office in person. Starting tomorrow, the bidding process would be completed on September 5.

Amritsar, August 28
With hardly any takers for the commercial plots, adjoining the historic Faseel wall near Hall Gate, put up for auction by a cash-strapped Municipal Corporation (MC), the civic body had to cancel the bidding process scheduled to take place at Guru Nanak Bhawan, here today.

The MC had kept a reserve price of Rs 1.25 lakh per sq yard for the prime commercial property, which was Rs 30,000 more than the price fixed last time for the same dimension of property.

The proposal was to transform the 2,100 sq yard land (the inner circular road from Hall Gate to Sikandari Gate, running along the Circular Road) to commercial use by erecting SCOs (shop-cum-offices). There were a total of 23 commercial plots, measuring 45.37 sq yard, whereas the rest of the land was to be utilised for public-utility services.

The allottee will be bound to get the proposed building plans approved from the Municipal Town Planning Department in accordance with the Model Building Bylaws, 2010, besides the policy matters outlined by the Department of Local Government.

Against the reserve price of 95,000 per sq yard kept during the previous auction held on July 9, the MC today procured an average rate of over Rs 1.75 lakh per sq yard during the auction of 14 commercial plots. The MC had garnered over Rs 40 crore in the previous auction, which had elicited a good response.

However, the auction of some of the plots, which included 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 were to be conducted today. The place is otherwise centrally located and is commercially viable as it is just 1 km away from the Golden Temple, the Durgiana Mandir, the Inter-State Bus Terminus and the railway station.

Though an MC team led by its Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal had reached the venue, on finding hardly any takers, it had to give up. “We had to cancel the auction as a negligible number of bidders turned up,” he said.

Amritsar, August 28
The body of the woman (60), who died under mysterious circumstances in the police custody at Jandiala police station, was handed over to her relatives after a post-mortem examination.

The woman, Sukhwinder Kaur, was cremated today. Her family members had alleged that she was tortured to death during interrogation by the police, whereas the police stated that she had hanged herself to death.

The family members had even staged a dharna outside the police station yesterday, but today they maintained calm. The deceased’s daughter, Harbant Kaur, had stated that her mother had died because she was beaten up mercilessly by the police.

Sukhwinder Kaur’s daughter-in-law had ended her life by hanging herself from a ceiling fan on August 26. On a complaint lodged by her parents, the police had arrested Sukhwinder Kaur and her son, Mohinder Singh (26), for interrogation.

SP (Detective) Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu said that Sukhwinder Kaur had hanged herself to death with the help of her stole in the bathroom of the police station. “She had committed suicide in the bathroom by hanging herself with the shower pipe with the help of her stole,” he maintained.

Sidhu said that legal proceedings were conducted, according to the directions of judicial authorities. “Her son is in our custody in the earlier case pertaining to his wife’s suicide. He will be produced for judicial hearing soon,” he said.

Amritsar, August 28
Pradhanmantri Jan Dan Yojna to connect each and every household with banks was launched today in the presence of Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts here.

During the function, Punjab National Bank distributed account kits to the people whose accounts were opened today. Speaking on the occasion, Joshi said that one account for each household would be opened. He said that the account would make the family eligible for availing itself of medical insurance of Rs 1 lakh. Joshi said that the government had the target to complete the process by January 26.

The bank accounts would help the public to avail themselves of the benefits of various government schemes in their account directly, he said. CPS Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Bakshi Ram Arora, mayor, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, general manager, PNB, SS Bhatia, and many other senior officials of the bank were also present. — TNS

Amritsar, August 28
The drug wing of the Health Department seized 2,500 tablets of six different brands, stocked illegally in a chemist shop in the Katra Sher Singh area, here today. Drug Inspector Sukhdeep Singh and Akhilesh Kumar, who conducted the raid, stated that most of the tablets seized were often misused by drug addicts.

Sukhdeep Singh said that the medicines were seized from SK Traders, owned by Deepak Kapoor. The shop owner could not produce purchase records for any of these medicines, he said.

The drug inspector stated that stocking medicines without purchase records was in violation of section 18A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. “We will recommend to the State Drug Controller to cancel the licence of the shop owner,” said Sukhdeep Singh.

Amritsar, August 28
Although the police is investigating the matter pertaining to the visually impaired music teacher of Saroop Rani Government College for Girls, who is facing charges of sexual harassment by his former student, the principal of the college has written a letter to the DPI (colleges) to initiate an appropriate action.

The teacher, associate professor Vijender Singh (52), who has already been booked, is not attending the college for the last few days. Principal Sunita Sehgal Dhillon said since he was a gazetted officer, the college on its own was unable to initiate any action against him. The accused professor had applied for leave between August 20 and 23, she added. “He is being marked absent since August 25. He has rescheduled his classes, but there has been no communication from his side till date. We have reported the matter to the office of the DPI (colleges), Punjab. We cannot take any action on our own as he is a gazetted officer,” the principal said.

In a strongly worded letter, Principal Dhillon, while taking a stern notice of the incident, urged the DPI (colleges) to take cognizance of the event. “Though, the complainant is our former student, I have recommended that a strict action should be taken in the matter. Our students are mature enough to handle such unpleasant situation, but their security is my prime concern. I have submitted a report to the office of the DPI (colleges), Punjab,” she said.

About the professor’s claim that the complainant had slapped her on the college premises on August 19, Principal Dhillon said the matter was brought to her knowledge by his wife.

The professor has also faced similar complaints of sexual harassment and using obnoxious language for his students in the past. In his defence, Prof Vijender Singh said it was a frivolous complaint against him. Earlier complaints too were a conspiracy against him to malign his character and prevent him from holding the charge of the Music Department.

In a complaint submitted to the Chheharta police station, the complainant (26), alleged that the accused had called her at his house some years ago to give tuition in music. While coaching, the professor had made her drink some intoxicant substance before making physical relations. She alleged that the professor had captured a video clip and threatened to load it on the internet if she dared to go against him.

The SHO of Chheharta police station, Harish Behl, said the matter was still under investigation. “We have recorded the statements of both the parties and are investigating various aspects before zeroing in on any conclusion,” he said.

Amritsar, August 28
The Health Department has constituted a team to scrutinise the records submitted by the private Narang hospital where death of two pregnant women during delivery in July was reported earlier.

The department officials said that the team would go through every aspect of the facts stated in the files and verify these by taking into account the facts stated by the surgeon concerned or whosoever had attended to these two patients.

The department would call the employees concerned of the hospital for questioning to arrive at a conclusion. According to the information the department has, the two pregnant women, Kambo and Ekta, had died at the hospital on July 13 and July 15, respectively.

The matter was later discussed at the monthly meeting of the District Health Society and according to the Health Department norms, a review of each pregnant woman’s death during delivery or otherwise and neonatal death is mandatory.

However, as the department had sent a letter to the hospital, seeking records on August 8, the hospital had reportedly refused to accept the letter and showed no keenness to submit the files.

Later, when a Health Department team led by the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, had reached the hospital to inspect the records, hospital owner Ashwani Narang and his supporters had abused and obstructed them from entering the premises of the hospital for inspection.

It was only after the intervention of the police that the department managed to secure incomplete records of the hospital.

When contacted, the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, stated that the team was yet to submit the report regarding an analysis of the records.

Amritsar, August 28
Playwright and director Gaurav Vij of the Sparsh Theatre Society, Abohar, has always believed in a nudge rather than packing a punch. A punch may invite a reaction, but a nudge will get a person, at some point of time, to do what you are indicating him to do.

So, his play, “Jihne Jhalle Mere Palle” on the inaugural day of a four-day theatre festival at Punjab Natshala pointed a finger at social dysfunction, but with a subtle comic touch. The celebrated comedy play, “Jihne Jhalle Mere Palley”, focuses on men in an asylum, who, through their words and actions, create humorous situations.

Directed by Gaurav Vij and performed by members of the Sparsh Theatre Society, the play reflects on the escapist attitude of the common man and the neglect from the authorities that adds to his woes. “The play is about a certain section of society, common men, who want to run away from their problems by acting mad. When an honest Health Minister visits the asylum for inspection, he is also taken as a mad person. The asylum inmates share with him the stories of their lives and how while getting rid of the madness of society, they became mad,” said Vij.

The play itself comments on the “social inefficiency” and the “inability” of the establishment to help the common people. The satire, Vij feels, is the best way to tell a sob story. “The point is that humour makes it easy for the message to seep in rather than in-your-face emotions.”

As for the four-day theatre fest, which will bring four significant plays by the Sparsh Theatre Society based on different issues, Vij says that though there is no connectivity among the four plays, the stories are about real issues. “The second play, “Goodbye Swami”, is about the prevalent Swami culture that people have become used to blindly. One baba goes and another takes his place, but the blind-following and its consequences don’t change.” Another one, titled, “Ek terrorist Ki Premika”, is the story of a young woman caught in the web of emotions and betrayal. The last play, “What Colour You Want” is about marriage and the load of problems it comes with. “It’s a psychological take on the issues faced by married couples and the vanity of succumbing to self-created problems,” says Vij.

The theatre festival will be held at Punjab Natshala till August 31.

Amritsar, August 28
A few among us still prefer to cross a closed railway fatak (crossing) by risking lives instead of waiting for a few minutes. The local residents can be seen violating the Railway norms by crossing the tracks from below the bars, when the crossing is closed at the time of passing of a train.

Even those riding two wheelers try to cross with vehicles from under the bars. Those plying cycle rickshaws too do not care much about the safety norms. Most of the railway crossings in the city are bar type, which is usually three feet high from the ground. The people with two wheelers, cycle rickshaws can be seen pulling their vehicles under the bars at each such crossing.

The residents seem to have lost patience even as waiting for a train to pass is compulsory keeping in view one’s safety. As the people are not concerned about their safety, attendants at railway crossings said it was not within their power to stop the people from breaking norms.

“Why will any person, who is crossing from below the bars, listen to me? An attendant knows his capabilities and will never question such individuals,” said an attendant at one of the crossings in city.

At places, where door type fataks are installed, people have no option, but to wait for trains to pass. At bar type crossings, people do not hesitate to take risk unmindful of what time of day it is.

Some residents said the local police and the railway authorities must interfere to put an end to such violations. “People often blame the government or God for accidents. But it is time that they are sensitised about the risk it poses to their lives,” said Rattan Singh, a retired school teacher.

Amritsar, August 28
Guru Nanak Dev University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Prof Rajinder Singh Sandhu (retd) from California (USA) here on Wednesday. The objective of the MoU is to promote and popularise studies of molecular biology.

Prof AS Brar, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, signed the memorandum on behalf of the university and on behalf of Prof Rajinder Singh Sandhu, the head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Bio-Chemistry, Prof Jatinder Singh, signed the MoU. Prof Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Registrar, Prof AS Sidhu, Dean, students welfare, Prof TS Banipal, director of research, Prof Renu Bhardwaj, in charge of examinations and Prof Anish Dua, in charge of public relations, were also present on the occasion.

“Under the MoU, scholars will be invited for delivering lectures at seminars related to the frontier areas of molecular biology, as decided by the board of control of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry of the university,” said Brar.

“Such lectures will go a long way to inspire and motivate students of the departments concerned,” added Brar. Under the MoU, an amount of Rs 5 lakh will be deposited in the university account by Prof RS Sandhu.

“The principal amount will be kept by the university in a fixed deposit account. The interest accrued from this endowment will be used to bear all expenses incurred for conducting lectures and seminars,” said Prof Brar.

Amritsar, August 28
A three-day workshop on music, dance and theatre concluded at Dasmesh Auditorium of Guru Nanak Dev University here today. The Youth Welfare Department of the university organised the special workshop with an objective of acquainting students, teachers and directors of various affiliated colleges with various aspects of theatre, music and dance.

On the concluding day, a workshop on shabad,var and kawishiri was held. Principal, Dr Suba Singh, and subject expert, Dr Kanwaljijt Singh, interacted with artistes and directors.

Dr Jagjit Kaur, director, said, “We shared technical aspects of shabad, var and kawishiri from the selection of appropriate topics, ragas, taals, pitch and instruments. These were discussed at length in workshop. We also replied to queries from artistes and their directors. Student artistes from various affiliated colleges, teachers and team directors participated in this workshop,” she said.

Earlier, a workshop on dance and folk dance was also held yesterday in which Dr Iqbal Singh, Jujhar Singh and Dr Sukhi Brar were the expert speakers. — TNS

Amritsar, August 28
His miniature designs have earned him more than 14 international and national records. This time, adding to his list of records, city-based paper artist, Gurpreet Singh, has chosen to grow up with his designs.

Paper artist Gurpreet Singh with his latest achievements at his residence in Amritsar on Thursday. A Tribune Photograph

Famous for his miniature paper art works, Gurpreet has earned a few more records for his creativity with paper. Whether it’s the biggest ‘dhol’ measuring 8 ft or the 8 ft paper rakhi at raksha bandhan, the artist has become one of the few, who specialise in this art in the country. This time his feats have been recorded in the India Book of Records limited edition. Gurpreet’s other works that have been included in the book are the paper portrait of Guru Nanak Dev, the smallest paper turban, weighing 7 gm and one-inch long, and his prized collection of over 100 miniature and paper art works. “This year has been great for me as I was recently awarded India Proud Award by a Kolkatta-based art promotion organisation. And now five of my achievements have been added to the record books,” said the artist. Gurpreet has earlier created a miniature replica of the Golden Temple, Taj Mahal, the White House and the Great Wall of China amongst other works.

Using his art and creativity to promote Sikh culture and traditions, Gurpreet feels that he has graduated in his skills deliberately to help in promoting art and culture. “No artist has created any miniature versions of spiritual places before my works,” he claims. He has created miniature models of Nankana Sahib and also depicted other symbols of Sikh heritage through his art. “The purpose is to promote the culture and heritage of Sikhism through my art. I have displayed my work at various exhibitions and festivals across the country, which has been appreciated by all,” he said.

He feels that more should be done to promote paper art. “Look at the amount of interest and popularity of the Japanese origami art form, a paper folding art, in the world. Out of the 100 odd paper artists in the world, most are from South Asia. The famous Chinese paper art is all about cutting the paper into various patterns. But a lot of Indian artists specialising in the same are not being encouraged,” he said.

Amritsar, August 28
The District Health Department took out a rickshaw rally to create awareness about malaria and dengue here today. The rally was flagged off by Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, at the Government Medical College.

Rickshaws mounted with loudspeakers were sent to different areas to create awareness about the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases related to mosquito bites.

Dr Bhalla said knowledge about symptoms of malaria and dengue could help in early treatment of the problem before the patient’s condition worsened. He said isolated wards for dengue patients had also been set up at government hospitals.

District malaria officer, Dr Raju Chohan, and other officials of the department were also present on the occasion.

Amritsar, August 28
The visitors and employees of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital hailed the Municipal Corporation’s move to remove illegal rehris on the path leading to the entrance of the hospital.

These rehris, which had illegally occupied the footpath leading to the hospital, were removed by the Municipal Corporation (MC) recently. “It is praiseworthy that the Municipal Corporation has taken notice of the problem faced by the general public due to these illegal occupants,” said Karamjit Singh, a visitor at the hospital.

Eateries in makeshift shacks had been flourishing on the footpath of the road alongside the hospital for a long time. Apart from Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital and Government ENT Hospital too are facing similar problem of encroachment by illegal rehris on footpaths.

The residents demanded that the MC should initiate drive to remove illegal eateries from all footpaths for easy movement of pedestrians.

“The condition of footpaths in the entire city is very bad. It does not pose a good look. The MC should initiate a drive to remove all these encroachments,” said another resident Avneet Singh.