22122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/21/2025 10:31 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 20°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 19°C | MIN 12°C PROPERTY OF TWO DRUG SMUGGLERS DEMOLISHED REGO BRIDGE DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOV 2026 THE YEAR 2025, WHEN BRIDES CHOSE THEMSELVES The district administration has demolished the properties of two drug smugglers in Patti on Sunday. P2 The Railways has once again extended deadline to complete the project from previous March to November 2026. P2 Gaurav Gupta’s new collection is designed for Gen Z couples unwilling to perform roles ‘written’ for them P4 » » » SUNSET MONDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7.26 AM MONDAY | 22 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Cong workers hold protest over G RAM G Bill, burn PM’s effigy Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 21 The Congress party on Sunday staged a protest and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to oppose the proposed VB–G RAM G Bill, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The protest was held to highlight what Congress leaders described as the anti-worker approach of the BJP-led government. Addressing party workers during the demonstration, Congress leaders alleged that the proposed Bill would dilute the rights of rural labourers who depend on guaranteed employment for their livelihood. They said MGNREGA has been a lifeline for crores of poor families by providing assured work and wages, especially during periods of economic distress. The leaders strongly criticised the proposal to increase the state governments’ financial contribution to 40 per cent, calling it a move that would severely impact the financial health of states. They argued that many states are already under fiscal stress and may find it diffi- Fog returns, BRTS turns deadly again amid safety lapses in city Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Congress workers burn an effigy of the Central Government during a protest at the Mall Road in Amritsar on Sunday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR cult to bear the additional burden, which could ultimately reduce employment opportunities for workers. Congress leaders further alleged that the Central Government has not only changed the name of the scheme but has also altered its very spirit. “MGNREGA was designed as a rights-based law to ensure dignity of labour and social security. The new Bill undermines these principles,” said Anil Joshi, a senior Congress leader. The Congress leaders and workers accused the BJP government of systematically weakening welfare schemes meant for the poor while favouring big corporate interests. Reducing the Centre’s responsibility and shifting the financial burden to states would lead to delays in wage payments and fewer workdays for labourers, they claimed. The protesters demanded that the government withdraw the Bill and instead strengthen MGNREGA by ensuring timely payments, adequate funding and an increase in the number of guaranteed workdays. The party warned that it would intensify its agitation if the Centre failed to reconsider the proposed move. Amritsar, December 21 Despite a series of fatal and near-fatal accidents in previous years, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation and the Public Works Department appear to have learnt little from the dangers posed by the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lanes, especially during the foggy season. With winter fog returning, warning systems on the BRTS corridor are once again missing, turning major city roads into accident traps. The BRTS corridor has emerged as a persistent cause of road mishaps due to its abrupt and poorly marked entry and exit points. The problem is particularly severe for devotees and tourists visiting the holy city, many of whom are unfamiliar with the road design. As per prescribed safety norms, solar blinkers are mandatory at every entry point of the BRTS lanes. However, these were never installed. As a temporary arrangement, boards with illu- Amid foggy conditions, a car got damaged after hitting a parapet on the BRTS corridor in Amritsar recently. minating stickers were put up, but these proved fragile and were soon damaged, leaving the stretch without any effective warning system. Ironically, even after repeated accidents, essential safety infrastructure such as solar blinkers and stud lights remains missing. While foggy conditions have returned, the BRTS lanes along the GT Road continue to be poorly visible, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. The stretch from the Golden Gate to Taran Wala Pul has become a major accident-prone zone. Here, the BRTS divider runs through the middle of the road and often goes unnoticed by motorists approaching from the Golden Gate side. Several vehicles have rammed into the divider after drivers failed to spot it in time. A similar situation prevails on the Batala Road overbridge, where BRTS stations are constructed midway along the carriageway. During the previous foggy season, accidents were reported almost daily on this stretch. On Thursday morning, yet another car collided with the divider of a BRTS station, highlighting the continuing risk. In the past few days alone, multiple minor accidents have already been reported. Residents say commuters from outside the city are the most vulnerable. “People coming from other cities and states are usually unaware of these black spots. Many locals also fail to notice dividers placed in the middle of the road,” said Pritpal Singh, a resident of the bypass road. He added that devotees travelling overnight to reach Darbar Sahib early in the morning form a large share of accident victims. “In the absence of reflectors or proper warning signs, vehicles often crash into the BRTS dividers,” he said. Traffic experts have repeatedly blamed the faulty design of the BRTS corridor for the accidents. In August 2019, a state government-appointed committee had identified nine black spots along the 31km-long BRTS corridor. However, years later, little has changed on the ground. Singer Badshah provides homes to flood victims in Ajnala BSF, Punjab Police seize over 2 kg heroin in separate cases Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 21 Aditya Prateek Singh, popularly known by his stage name Badshah, in collaboration with the Sikh Aid Foundation, on Sunday handed over the keys of newly constructed permanent houses to families affected by floods in the Ajnala area. He handed over the keys to the affected families in the presence of local residents, community volunteers and representatives of the foundation. Representatives of the Sikh Aid Foundation said the initiative aims to provide durable housing solutions to families who lost their homes during the unprecedented floods that Tribune News Service Singer Badshah hands over the keys of a house to an affected family; and (right) a beneficiary thanks the singer for the gesture in Ajnala. severely impacted several districts across the state. “The floods displaced thousands of people, damaging homes, agricultural land and essential infrastructure. While immediate relief efforts helped address food and medical needs, the lack of permanent shelter emerged as a major challenge for affected families. This housing initiative seeks to bridge that gap by focusing on sustainable rehabilitation rather than short- Police nab accused’s father in ~50-lakh extortion case Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 21 The Amritsar police have arrested a man in connection with the Rs 50-lakh extortion and death threat case, while efforts are underway to nab the prime accused, who is allegedly operating from abroad. The arrested accused has been identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Dehri Gawar village near Bhagwanpur in Batala subdivision of Gurdaspur district. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by Sarbarindereet Singh, a resident of Shakri village in Tarn Taran district, who is currently residing at Dream City, Manawala, near Best Price in Amritsar. In his complaint, Sarbarindereet Singh stated that at around 6.55 pm on December 12, he received a WhatsApp call on his mobile phone from an international number. The caller identified himself as Jagroop Singh, alias Jagroop Randhawa, a native of Bhagwanpur, Batala, and claimed to be living in the UK at present. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh as extortion and threatened that failure to pay would result in the complainant and his father, Bhola Singh — both transporters— being shot dead. He also warned the complainant not to inform the police. It was further alleged that the accused said his father, Harpreet Singh, would contact the complainant to collect the money. The police said the complainant disconnected the call, but the accused rang again within minutes, used abusive language, and reiterated the threat. Alarmed by the repeated calls and threats, the complainant switched off his mobile phone and later continued on page 2 c m y b term assistance,” a representative of the foundation said. Speaking at the event, Badshah said Punjab had played continued on page 2 Amritsar, December 21 The Border Security Force (BSF) has seized 2.44 kg of heroin dropped by drones in villages near the International Border with Pakistan in two separate incidents in the district. The seizures came to light after the BSF lodged complaints with the local police for registration of cases and further investigation. A BSF official told the Lopoke police that alert BSF jawans recovered two packets of heroin from near the Uttar Dhariwal village outpost. One packet contained Drugs was dropped by drones in villages near the Int’l Border 541 grams of heroin, while the other contained 548 grams, taking the total recovery in this incident to 1.89 kg. In another incident, the BSF recovered 554 grams of heroin along with a drone from the jurisdiction of the Kahangarh border outpost. Two separate FIRs have been registered at the Lopoke and Gharinda police stations in connection with the seizures. Meanwhile, the Amritsar police also seized 400 grams of heroin from a local resident, identified as Gurshan Singh of Daniyal village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Khalchian police station. The police said that apart from the contraband, Rs 27,000 in drug money was also recovered from his possession. However, his accomplice, identified as Ravinder Singh of the same village, managed to escape, and efforts are underway to nab him. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered in this connection.