Amritsar, September 18
Taking notice of an inordinate delay in solving the two-year old Gurkirat murder case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has told the state to consider handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The family of the deceased had approached the high court, urging it that the Punjab Police had failed to crack the case. The family held the accused responsible for the brutal murder of nine-year-old Gurkirat Singh in November 2012.

In its interim order, the high court stated that “it is a case of murder of the nine-year-old and the state had not reached any conclusion, in spite of the fact that the occurrence relates to November 2012. The state may consider handing over the investigations to the CBI”. It also told the state to submit the status report by the next date of hearing, fixed for October 13.

Gurkirat had gone missing on November 7, 2012, while playing near his home. On November 16, his body was found from a building, a few metres away from his home. Earlier this year, the family and residents of Verka organised a hunger strike in protest against the city police’s failure to identify and arrest the culprits. At that time, Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh constituted a special investigating team (SIT) headed by ACP Gaurav Garg.

The police zeroed in on three suspects, including relatives of the deceased. They were identified as Jagwant Singh, Harpal Singh and Jaspal Singh, residents of the same village. The city police claimed that the accused were evading answers to their queries besides trying to mislead the investigating officials, which prompted them to conduct a polygraph test. Out of the three, two suspects had undergone the polygraph test at Karnal while the third accused failed to complete the test. The city police was waiting the report of the tests. 

Amritsar, September 18
The testing of milk in certain areas of the city by the Dairy Development Department has highlighted the fact that water was being used for adulteration. The seizures of synthetic milk products in the past indicate usage of more contaminants.

The Dairy Development Department had released figures of the milk tests conducted by it during the last two days. According to the department, of the total 52 samples tested, only 17 were found unadulterated and fit for consumption.

The 35 samples, which were found adulterated, contained water. The department had claimed that the 35 milk samples had water from 5 per cent to 50 per cent.

Earlier this year, the Health Department had seized 7 quintal synthetic khoya. Sources in the dairy business said synthetic khoya and milk were being sold with impunity.

“When a person sells a kilo of paneer for Rs 100 to 120, one should easily get suspicious that pure cheese cannot be produced at that cost,” said a shopkeeper.

Although the Dairy Development Department has now found that around 66 per cent samples were adulterated with water, yet it does not have any powers to take action against milk suppliers.

Deputy director, Dairy Development Department, Kashmir Singh, said, “We do not have statuary powers to punish. Our drives are basically for creating awareness among consumers.” Kashmir said the department would organise 60 camps where mobile milk testing van would be available. Besides the consumers could bring their samples to the dairy development office for testing, he added.

He said milk suppliers were cheating customers by supplying them milk mixed with water and charging for superior quality fresh milk. At present the residents procure fresh milk from vendors at a Rs 35 to 40 per litre. 

Amritsar, September 18
Tension prevailed during the youth festival underway on Guru Nanak Dev University campus today when several youth indulged in a clash and fired shots in the air. No one was injured in the incident.

A case under the Arms Act has been registered at the Cantonment police station against a Bhakna village resident, Gurbir Singh, who is not a university student, but had come to enjoy at the youth festival along with his university friend, Vishal.

The incident occurred between 2 and 2.30 pm when a verbal dual ensued between two groups in the cafeteria over a petty issue. Later, Gurbir took out his revolver and fired shots in the air before fleeing from the spot.

Sources said a case was registered on the basis of complaint lodged by students of the other group, who were involved in the brawl.

GNDU registrar, Dr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, said investigations were on. “Person involved in firing in the air is an outsider. A case has been registered,” said the registrar.

Confirming the incident, SHO of the Mahal police post Gurbhej Singh said a case under the Arms Act had been registered against Gurbir and his accomplice Bika. “The search is on to nab the culprit whose identification is with us. It is yet to established what type of weapon the offender used to create panic,” said the SHO.

In yet another incident, a motorcycle-borne teenager tried to snatch the chain Simarjit Kaur, student of MA II in Punjabi Department, outside the GNDU campus at around 1 pm.

Simarjit was just a few steps away from the main gate of the university when she was suddenly intercepted by a motorcycle-borne youth from behind.

Simarjit caught hold of the youth from collar and raised the alarm. The accused was overpowered by the GNDU security staff and passersby. He was later handed over to the police. 

Amritsar, September 18
As the voices for developing Amritsar into a clean, self-sufficient and a resourceful city are getting stronger, so is the residents’ support. While the common man is coming out and performing voluntary acts of community service, some of the corporate and commercial units in the city are reaching out to society with significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

Initiating mass civic initiatives and community-centric activities, corporate houses and local NGOs have combined forces to use residents’ support for changing the face of the city.

Alpha One, one of the major attractions in the city, has become a host for various CSR activities, some initiated by its management itself. Their projects like “Be the Change” and “Let’s Make Amritsar Sparkling” involve residents, associates, supporters and stakeholders in value-driven community service. While “Lets’ Make Amritsar Sparkling” is a campaign designed to work towards creating awareness about environment issues and soluntions essential to sustainable living, “Be the Change” club was all about individual participation in community service, health camps, eco-drives and a lot of other social causes.

Says Prodipta Sen, executive director, Alpha G:Corp, and director, Alpha Management Services, “We were recently conferred with the “Award for the CSR Initiative of the Year” for “Let’s Make Amritsar Sparkling”, at the sixth Excellence Awards 2014, held in New Delhi.

Such recognition encourages us to deliver our finest while fulfilling our commitments. Behind the mass success of this civic initiative are well-designed systems and processes that incorporate best global practices, transparency, a value-driven approach, community-centric values and a strong sense of responsibility.”

Their campaign has been running for three years and entails a sustainable cleanliness drive in Amritsar by way of monthly activities. The collaborative effort includes the mayor’s office, municipal authorities, the Airports Authority of India and NGOs like the AIESEC, Voice of Amritsar along with educational institutions like Ibadaat School, Spring Dales School as well as some top brands.

Another area where CSR activities put focus is youth development and drug de-addiction, education and uplift of the underprivileged. Right from organising conclaves to bring together industry bigwigs and policy makers on a common platform to discuss possible solutions, corporate funding in social work aids NGOs that otherwise struggle for resources.

Says Gunbir Singh, chairman, EcoAmritsar, “Most companies today reserve a certain amount of their profit for community development. CSR activities open a wonderful revenue model where funds are actually converted into social welfare. The city industrial and corporate sector has realised the importance of social responsibility and so we have a lot of projects going on in city at present.” He says, “Big commercial units like Freedom Industries have taken the task of cleaning up of Focal Point, where large portions of industrial waste dumps have been converted into parks.

Dilbir Foundation has joined hands with NGOs and volunteers to adopt one roundabout at a time.

Amritsar, September 18
Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today visited the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at Attari besides witnessing the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post here today. He also visited the modern grain-storage facility, Silos, at Mulechak village.

The main objective of his visit was to gather information about the functioning of the ICP and about the volume of trade between India and Pakistan at the check-post. A presentation was made by ICP officials in this regard. Besides, he also held a meeting with the business community. Various traders submitted a memorandum regarding the “deplorable state of affairs” at the ICP to Paswan while urging him to intervene in the matter.

The Indo-Foreign Chamber of Commerce (IFCC) and the Confederation of International Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CICCI) urged the Union Minister to instal full-truck scanners at the ICP and Attari railway station, which would help in nailing the problem of drug-trafficking and anti-national forces across the border fence. They pointed out that drug smuggling had already hit trade via the rail route while it was also taking its toll at the ICP. They complained about the poor working of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), which resulted in huge losses to bilateral trade from time to time.

CICCI representatives said that high handling charges by the CWC made the trade economically unviable. They urged Paswan to direct the CWC authorities to review the handling charges. They also pointed out that a concrete platform with lighting and preferably covered was required for gypsum and other loose material imported from Pakistan. They said the Indian importers had suffered financial losses due to gypsum being unloaded in the open during the rains while the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) as well as the CWC failed to compensate them for the losses. More warehouses were required for stocking precious items, including dry fruit, they pointed out. They also urged the Minister to set up a high-power coordination committee with representatives of trade, the LPAI, the CWC, the Customs and the Ministry of Commerce for regular interaction and monitoring the ICP.

Earlier, speaking to the media, Paswan said that the central government was serious to provide any possible help and aid to the flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Prime Minister had already announced a financial package to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore. He also appreciated the efforts of the Indian Army, which helped in rescuing lakhs of people from the flooded areas. 

Amritsar, September 18
Tightening the noose around the rampant traffic violations by school buses, the Traffic Police have issued challans to 40 such buses and impounded three vehicles during the past four days.

A concerted drive has been launched and traffic policemen are visiting various schools in this regard.

Despite the fact that the administration organised a number of meetings with the school managements while expressing serious concern over rash driving by school bus drivers and highlighting other traffic rule violations, the school bus drivers continue to violate traffic rules. This has sometimes led to fatal road mishaps. The local residents have been demanding stern action from the Police Department to nail rash driving and speeding by the school buses, especially on congested roads.

ADPC (traffic) Dhruman Nimbale said the drive would continue in future also. He said the Police Department was holding regular meetings with the school managements and was also taking punitive measures to ensure proper observance of traffic rules by the drivers.

Amritsar, September 18
Although the Municipal Corporation takes various steps from time to time to make commuters ride to the Golden Temple hassle free, yet its approach to covering manholes seems to be negligent in many ways.

At a few spots in the city, manhole covers are below the ground level while at others they are much above the ground level, thus posing a serious threat to the commuters. Besides, there are places without manhole covers too. A random survey of the holy city showed that be it posh areas like Lawrence Road, Green Avenue, Ranjeet Avenue, the Mall road or areas like Majitha Road, Indira Colony or roads leading to Durgiana Temple, Sultanwind Road, Jahajgarh Road, manholes were not properly covered.

At some places, the entire lid has caved in and the concrete padding around the covers has come out.

Accidents mostly take place when commuters, moving on their vehicles, suddenly notice broken manhole covers or those below the road level. They get little time to negotiate, which often leads to a mishap.

The newly demarcated slip road on one side of Crystal Chowk has a manhole, whose cover is half foot above the road level while the lid of the manhole at its other end is missing.

Another manhole located on Lawrence Road causes accidents in which mostly two-wheeler riders are involved. Here the manhole lid should be around one foot below the road surface.

Another risky spot is on the Jahajgarh road, where the missing manhole on the road has been replaced with concrete tiles, which is dangerous. Same scene can be witnessed in New Amritsar area.

According to reports, the job of placing manhole covers has been outsourced to private parties, but the MC officials cannot escape from sharing the responsibility to get them fitted in a proper manner.

A resident, Pabodh C Bali, said there was a nexus between the MC officials and private service providers which had led to compromise in the quality of material which did not last longer.

While most contractors in different wards feigned ignorance about mishaps, some tried to defend themselves by saying that lids were damaged due to road rollers because many new road projects were under progress. They also tried to justify the lapse by saying that it was for officials of the MC to maintain manholes, which they did not.

Congress councillor Gurinder Rishi said safety of the residents was the last item on the MC’s agenda.

“The issue of missing lid of manholes or the ones which did not fit properly has been raised in the house meeting umpteen times, but was always ignored,” said the councillor.

Some even come up with a justification that manhole covers are bound get damaged due to heavy volume of traffic. “Frequent maintenance of manholes is required, but who cares in the MC here,” said a contractor, preferring anonymity.

MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal said, “A special drive will be launched to repair manhole covers soon.”

Amritsar, September 18
The District Health Department is all set to initiate action against owners of shops selling food items in the city, who have not registered or obtained licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act so far.

In a meeting with officials of the Health Department from all the districts, the Health Minister had given instructions to take action against all such shops, which did not possess a licence.

District health officer, Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said, “The last date for obtaining licences or
registration passed in August. The Health Minister has given instructions for taking action against defaulters.”

He said food inspectors while inspecting food businesses would ask for registration certificate or licence as applicable from owners. On failing to show registration or licence a show cause notice would be issued by the Health Department, he added.

“Businessmen who are selling eatables and have not obtained licenses or registration certificates shall be deemed to carrying on an illegal trade and will invite action,” said Kahlon.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, a food business with a annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh is required to get registration from the Health Department. A food business with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 12 lakh is required to obtain a licence.

The registration and licence is mandatory for all food businesses, which involves processing, manufacturing, packaging, catering or transportation at any stage. According to the figures available with the department, around 15,000 food businesses have either registered or obtained licences.

Dr Kahlon said there were reasons to believe that a large number of businesses had not yet registered or obtained licences. He said the Food Safety and Standards Act covered all consumable sellers, including chemists and liquor shops. Even the government institutions and warehouses had obtained licences, added Dr Kahlon. 

Amritsar, September 18
A delegation of the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association met Medical Education and Research Minister Anil Joshi to apprise him about various problems being faced by the faculty. The delegation demanded time bound promotions of the teaching faculty.

Members of the delegation said many neighbourhood states were following time-bound promotion policy, but the state government was still lagging behind in this regard. The delegation also demanded increase in retirement age from 62 to 65 years. The delegation stated that various state governments and central institutions had already followed the recommendation of the Medical Council of India in this regard.

The delegation said requirement for publications in national and international journals for availing promotion should be deferred till the funds for research were made available. Publications in international journals required research, which in turn required large amount of funds, added the delegation.

The delegation also demanded that tutors and lecturers in various departments be regularised as assistant professors in their respective departments.

Meanwhile Anil Joshi said he would take up the matter regarding increase in the retirement age in the Cabinet meeting scheduled for September 23. He said he would apprise the state government of all the other demands and would work to find solutions to these problems. 

Amritsar, September 18
A four-day camp to impart training to para-legal volunteers started here yesterday. The event is being orgainsed by the District Legal Services Authority. The inaugural function was presided over by District and Sessions Judge Jasbir Singh.

Arun Kumar Aggarwal, secretary of the society, said as many as 50 volunteers had been enrolled for the training.

The volunteers include members of non-government organisations, law students and teachers. The volunteers will be educated about various aspects of the law by advocates and officials of various government departments.

Aggarwal said para legal volunteers would fill in the gap between common masses and legal service institutes.

He said these volunteers would guide people about how to avail various legal services provided by various legal institutes in the state. 

Amritsar, September 18
A team of Australian delegates led by Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk, Vice-Chancellor of King’s International University, and chairman of Indian-Australian Strategic Alliance (IASA), Government of Tonga, and Australia, visited Chief Khalsa Diwan Institute of Management and Technology here yesterday.

Dr Jagvinder shared his views in a seminar on professional courses in Australia. He also gave tips on higher studies and exploring placement avenues abroad. He gave information on various courses available in Australia for pursuing higher studies and the expenses involved therein.

Australian delegates were welcomed by Harminder Singh, additional honorary sectretary of the CKD and Dr Dharmveer Singh, director education of CKDIMT, Ramneek Singh Arora, member-in-charge of the CKD Institute at Chabhal and Dr HS Sandhu, Principal of the CKDMIT.

Dr Dharamveer Singh proposed a vote of thanks. Kamalpreet Khera, vice-president of the IASA, Rajinder Singh Marwaha and Paramjit Singh Makkar, head placements and other guests were also present on the occasion.

Amritsar, September 18
A five-day science, art and craft exhibition concluded at Manav Public School (MPS) here yesterday.

Director of the school, KR Maheshwari, said,“The school management organises these exhibitions at regular intervals with an objective of overall personality development of school students. The school management is already running a free school for students of economically weaker sections. Another school for such children will be opened on the city’s outskirts soon.”

VK Khanna, a trustee of the school, said students, their parents and family members attended the exhibition in good numbers. — TNS

Amritsar, September 18
The police booked two persons for allegedly attempting miscarriage of a pregnant woman at Sarai village in Ajnala yesterday. They allegedly pushed the woman, when she tried to rescue her husband, who was being beaten up by the culprits. Among those booked under Sections 312, 511, 323 and 34 of the IPC include Jasbir Singh and Jeeti of the same village.

The victim, Balwinder Kaur, who is five months pregnant, complained to the police that she was going to the market when Jeeti stopped her and forced her sit on his bike by saying that he was a friend of Harpal Singh, her husband. She alleged that the accused proposed her for a friendship and asked her to desert her husband, to which she refused.

Balwinder said a few days ago, the accused along with Jasbir called her husband outside their house and entered into quarrel. She said the accused starting beating him. When she intervened, they pushed and she fell down. Later, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. — TNS

Amritsar, September 18
The Amritsar rural police have booked three persons for allegedly attempting to rape a minor girl in Jethuwal village here. The victim is daughter of their domestic help. Though the incident occurred on July 26, the police registered a case last evening after a complaint was lodged by the victim’s mother. Those booked were identified as Pritpal Singh, Jagtar Singh and Bola, all residents of Jethuwal village.

Mother of the victim in her complaint to the police stated that she along with her 15-year-old daughter worked as domestic help at the residence of Harkirat Singh. She alleged that on the day of the incident, when they reached their employers home, Pritpal Singh, who is son of Harkirat, along with others were consuming liquor. She alleged that Pritpal asked for a glass. When her daughter went to the room for bringing a glass they tried to rape her. On hearing the victim’s cries her mother rushed into the room and saved her.

The police authorities said a case under Sections 376, 511 (attempting rape), 354 (sexual assault) and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the culprits who are on the run. No arrest had been made so far, said the police. — TNS