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SAD vice-president
Councillors blame Mayor Jyoti for city’s problems
Annual Baba Sodal Mela gets off to a colourful start in the city
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jalandhar-dangling wires danger-I
Teachers honoured by Rotary International
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Anger at Hans’ appointment
Umesh Dewan Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 7 A section of senior Akali leaders from Jalandhar are of the firm view that by retaining Hans in the organisational set-up, the party has sent a wrong message, as the move will encourage the dissidents creating indiscipline. Though Tinu is not willing to talk on the matter for obvious reasons, one of his close aides told The Tribune, “The entire party leadership is aware of the anti-party activities of Hans during the elections, but still he has been retained as the vice-president, which is beyond our understanding.” Not only this, supporters of Tinu, who is the MLA from Adampur, are also unhappy over him being designated as the joint secretary of the party. “Since Tinu is young, energetic and has good experience in electoral politics, he could have been given some other important post,” said a close confidant of Tinu. Meanwhile, the re-appointment of Gurcharan Singh Channi as the president of the SAD (Urban) unit despite the party’s poor performance in the general elections raises many an eyebrow. Pointing out that the SAD-BJP combine had lost three urban constituencies of the Jalandhar parliamentary seat – Jalandhar (North), Jalandhar (Central) and Jalandhar (West) by massive margin 49,264 votes to the Congress, the Akali Dal leaders, aspiring to make it to the party’s state body, said, “It seems that Channi has been rewarded for the poll drubbing.” A section of the SAD leaders said young and energetic people in the party should have been given the chance to strengthen the Akali Dal. “We do not have any idea as to why leaders like Pargat Singh, MLA (Jalandhar Cantonment), who enjoys a clean image, has been overlooked and not considered for any post in the organisational set-up”, said another senior SAD leader on the condition of anonymity. Hans Raj Hans had unsuccessfully contested the 2009 parliamentary elections from Jalandhar on the SAD ticket. He had lost to Mohinder Singh Kaypee of the Congress by 36,445 votes. After being denied ticket by party during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Hans had openly revolted against Pawan Kumar Tinu. Tagging Tinu as a “fanatic”, Hans had stated that he (Tinu) will not get Valmiki votes. It is pertinent to mention here that Hans had a good hold in the Valmiki community. Even the Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had tried to pacify Hans, but the latter continued to oppose Tinu.
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Councillors blame Mayor Jyoti for city’s problems
Jalandhar, September 7 The meeting had been convened by district president of BJP Subhash Sud at Mayor House on Thursday evening which went on for two hours with heated discussions on various issues ranging from poor development, bad roads, no implementation of solid waste management scheme, corruption related to illegal buildings and frequent choking of sewage to non-functional streetlights. While Sud had called the meeting to take the feedback, all councillors by turn poured their heart out on problems concerning their areas. Everyone, except Minta Kochhar from ward No. 27, said something or the other. Minta, perhaps, chose to remain mum, as he already had his equations going wrong with the mayor and did not want to flare up the problem on the day. As the meeting ended, the mayor reportedly raised the matter that most councillors were talking to media channels to express their grouse, which went against him and the party. Making his point that all such issues or differences should be resolved through an internal local-level meeting within the party, he quoted an instance of Minta Kochhar going to the press against the mayor’s decision to buy a new official car. The incident had reportedly happened about three months ago when a resolution regarding the purchase of a new Innova SUV for the mayor, commissioner and SE (B&R) had been mooted in the agenda of the MC House meeting. The Mayor said Kochhar had then tried to make fun of him by saying that he better buy a helicopter for himself as the roads in the city are not car-worthy. Kochhar reportedly said that he had said that as it was the common sentiment of the masses then because the decision had come at the time when all roads in the city were badly tattered and the Lok Sabha elections were on head. At this, verbal arguments between the two followed, with other councillors too taking sides with either group. Sud tried to pacify both sides, but the voices remained high pitched for a long while. Sud, when contacted on the matter, said, “It is natural for the councillors to speak on issues affecting the city. Till the time they will not express their opinion, we cannot expect any correction course. There was no rough talk at all. There, of course, were some misunderstandings which we are trying to resolve. I also intervened in the matter and said that the internal matters should be discussed within and should not go to the media.” He added that since most of the issues such as funds for development and delay in the implementation of the solid waste management pertained to their alliance partner, he would make a report of the same and present it during the September 9 meeting to his party president. “I have told the councillors not to unnecessarily blame the mayor for issues which are not under his purview,” he said.
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Annual Baba Sodal Mela gets off to a colourful start in the city
Jalandhar, August 7 The entire locality around the temple was illuminated by lighting amidst playing of religious hymns on loudspeakers. Many individuals, social and religious organisations have put up stalls of free community kitchens for the devotees coming from far-off places and standing in long queues since mornings. “I have been coming to this temple from Sonipat for the past 10 years. The Baba has fulfilled my wish and so I am here to thank him with my entire family,” said Neetu, a devotee. Thousands of street vendors have made make-shift shops on all roads leading to the temple. Even though the administration has made elaborate arrangements of fire safety, ambulance and emergency medical services, it has failed to provide any resting points for old people and people with little children. The mela will continue till Wednesday. The Baba Sodal Mela is held to commemorate the death anniversary of child deity Sodal. The fair is hosted on the day the child is said to have received his communion with God. Observed on the 14th of “Shukal Paksh” in the month of “Bhadon”, which coincides with the month of September in the English calendar, Baba Sodal Mela is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by the residents of the city. “This festival is celebrated on “Anant Chaudas”, but devotees come here two days in advance. People from all walks of life and religions come here with their families and take blessings from Baba Sodal,” said Surinder Chaddha, general secretary, Shri Siddh Baba Sodal Trust. Legend has it that Sodal, a member of the Chadha clan of the Khatri caste, sacrificed his life by drowning himself in the pond. Although prohibited by his mother, Baba Sodal, then six-year-old, followed his mother to the pond. Infuriated by his insolence, his mother asked him to drown himself in the pond. After asking his mother thrice and receiving the same answer, Sodal jumped into the pond only to reappear in the form of a snake. People believed that the child was blessed with divine powers and celebrate his communion with God on this day. In the line of duty
Constable Poonam Mishra met with a serious accident on May 13. She was on two months’ leave and is still not able to walk properly. She also complained of pain in her skull and lung area. Despite that, she was found to be in the line of duty at the Sodal mela. Justice at doorstep
To bring justice at the doorstep of the poor and needy, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), for the first time, had a stall at the Sodal mela that is expected to be witnessed by lakhs of people. According to Jagan Nath of the DLSA, many people, not only from Punjab but from neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan as well have approached them for legal aid, the cases of which will be referred to the DLSA concerned of their area. Dist Admn fails to check child labour
While the whole district administration, along with hundreds of police cops, was seen at the fair area, many children were openly found selling milk packets, balloons, fruits and artificial flowers at the mela. Instead of preventing them, many of them were even seen buying milk packets for offering at the temple. As many as 1,100 policemen are keeping a hawk eye on anti-social elements at one of the famous melas of North India. The police have made adequate security arrangements to prevent any mishap. Special police force from the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) was called by the City Commissionerate for security purposes at the fair. The police said the purpose of calling force from these two units was to keep the strength of all police stations intact to tackle any urgency in the city. Param Jeet Singh, ADCP-I, said under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Naveen Singla, 1,100 cops, including five superintendents of police (SPs), 11 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), 26 inspectors, 17 station house officers (SHOs), 691 men constables He said force had been deployed in such a manner that the functioning of police stations did not suffer. “We are not taking any force from police stations falling under the jurisdiction of the City Commissionerate with the sole motive to carry out supervision in the respective city areas of police stations. Special route plan for traffic was also prepared so that devotees coming across the country did not face any inconvenience for parking their vehicles. The ADCP said the traffic police would conduct day and night patrolling near the temple to manage the traffic scene. He further added that a police control room was also set up near the temple from where traffic and security arrangements would be managed. CCTV cameras were also installed inside the temple from where a tab would be kept on anti-social elements. To prevent eve-teasing incidents, women cops in civvies would be deployed in and outside the temple. Incessant rain for the past two days has affected the arrangements at the fair. Waterlogging was causing huge inconvenience to the vendors, who were not able to completely set up their vends near the temple. “We are facing quite tough time because of the waterlogging woes. We had, otherwise, set up our shops on September 4, but due to the continued rain for two days, all our saleable items got wet in the rain,” Sunil Kumar, a toy vendor, said. Notably, the MC officials were on their toes after the rain as they have put up water pumps to pump out the logged water near the temple. |
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Better
jalandhar-dangling wires danger-I Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 7 Similarly, the problem of high tension wires in some of the localities is a serious issue which affects the residents. Although high tension wires were removed from some areas, the problem still exists in several localities. Residents who live near the high tension wires had also informed the Power Corp and requested them to shift these wires to some other place, but due to financial constraints, the Power Corp failed to do so. The condition of transformers, which have been installed in such a way that these are accessible to the people, also leaves much to be desired. Transformers near the DC office were installed at such a low height that anybody passing near it is in the danger of facing electrocution. Phagwara Gate, Rainak Bazaar and Ladowali road are some of the localities where these power transformers have been installed in a haphazard manner. It is also learnt that the threat of loose wires is also visible in some government schools in the district. Although no serious mishap or reports of electrocution have been reported so far, the risk is very much there. Death of photojournalist didn't serve any purpose
The death of a photojournalist Akhilesh, on the night of September 16, 2012, due to electrocution from a streetlight pole on GT road near Maqsudan, has not imparted any lessons. Bare cables can still be seen at several streetlight poles. During the investigation, it had come to light that the incident occurred due to sheer negligence on the part of field officials of the Municipal Corporation or its contractor appointed for streetlight maintenance. The photojournalist had gone to Earning livelihood beneath power transformers
Paying no heed to the risk of electrocution, several rehriwalas, hawkers and vendors in the city are earning their livelihood sitting under the power transformers in various localities. However, the Power Corp is not paying any heed. Localities where such threat exists include Rainak Bazaar, Kachehri chowk, Gulab chowk, Plaza chowk and the Phagwara Gate market. Most of these vendors expressed no fear in working near these transformers. Despite a clearly visible warning board hanging from these transformers, no attention is paid to the issue. High tension wires a curse for the residents
Residents of New Gurunanak Pura West, Gurunanak Pura West, Gurunanak Pura East, Surya Enclave, Bashirpura and Bharat Nagar have been living under the threat of high tension wires for many years now. After a long battle, though the wires in some of the localities were shifted to isolated places, they are still there in plenty. Residents said a resident of Gurunanak Pura locality, Jeet Ram, was electrocuted when his hands accidentally came in contact with high tension wires. The victim was 56-year-old and was an employee of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). Residents said these wires are easily accessible from their rooftops and because of this, they never allow their children to play on rooftops. Arpita, a housewife, who was worried about the threat, alleged that many a time, they had written to the Power Corp officials, but they didn't pay attention. It seemed Power Corp is awaiting another mishap to take place, she further alleged. "Although some of the wires were covered with rubber pipes, we still fear electrocution," she asserted. Majinder Singh, a councillor, said high tension wires in some localities were shifted but the problem still exists in many other localities."I along with the other residents have already initiated a battle to sort out the issue," he added. Government school students at risk
A survey conducted by Jalandhar Tribune revealed that students studying in many government schools are also living under the threat posed by loose electricity cables or dangling wires. They are facing a serious threat to their lives as the schools are not following fire safety norms. Loose electricity wires jutting out of poles, hanging power cables, mangled webs of wires on school premises and open electrical switchboards inside various classrooms are an open invitation to electrical mishaps. A government school official, requesting anonymity, revealed that they had also informed the senior authorities about the disturbed electricity system, but nobody paid heed. "I can say with confidence that not even a single school in the district has a well planned and safe electricity system. Whichever school you visit, you will find dangling electrical wires where the students study under the risk of electrocution," he revealed. Cong councillor lambasts MC for negligence
Congress councillor and the leader of opposition in the MC House, Jagdish Raj, while lambasting the corporation for not paying heed to the bare streetlight cables, said even two years after the death of photojournalist Akhilesh, the MC has not learnt any lessons." If one surveys the streetlights in the city, one will find the electrical box open, giving an open invitation to mishaps. Many a time, we have raised the issue in the House meetings, but no MC official is ready to act to improve the situation. It seems the MC is waiting for another person like Akhilesh to sacrifice his life," Jagdish Raj added. Since contractors oversee the entire functioning of streetlights, the MC should fix the responsibility of contractors if any mishap occurs. "If unfortunately, any person dies due to electrocution from the dangling streetlight wires, the contractor should be penalised and made to pay hefty compensation to the family of the deceased," Raj asserted. Such is the plight of the MC that all parks, which are being maintained by it, are not safe for the residents." People coming to enjoy fresh air at parks in the morning and evening are being exposed to the danger of electrocution because they are welcomed by the dangling wires," Raj said, and added that when the MC is paying maintenance charges to the contractors, why was the latter not paying heed. |
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Teachers honoured by Rotary International
Shahkot, September 7 Teachers concerned with Shahkot, who received the award are Vandana Rani (Kotli Gajran school), Amarpreet Singh Jhita (Bhadma school), Gurprit Singh Josan (Dhandowal school), Davinder Singh Bahmnia (Kili school), Kuldeep Kumar Sachdeva (Mulewal Khera school), Daya Wanti (Nimma Wala school), said Davinder Singh Ahluwalia, former president, Shahkot Rotary Club. Ahluwalia, meanwhile, extended his best wishes to the teachers who received the award and urged them too work hard and guide the students in a better way — TNS
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Jalandhar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Jalandhar, Phagwara, Kapurthala and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to
jalandhar.feedback@gmail.com
They can also send their views to: Feedback, Jalandhar Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Jalandhar Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. It should not be more than 150 words.
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