23032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/22/2026 10:32 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune HERITAGE FAIR CONCLUDES IN KAPURTHALA The Heritage Fair 2026 concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium, celebrating rich cultural legacy of Punjab. P2 » RAIPUR DABBA ACADEMY WRESTLERS CLINCH GOLD IN STATE C’SHIP Suraj & Karan Veer Sangha of Raipur Dabba Academy, won gold medals at Punjab State Wrestling C’ship. P3 » POP ICON SHAKIRA’S INDIA CONCERT POSTPONED Shakira’s performance was scheduled in Mumbai on April 10 & in Delhi on April 15. All ticket holders will receive full refund. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 25°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 12°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.41 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.26 AM MONDAY | 23 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR Truck overturns on NH-44 near Phillaur, traffic disrupted Vehicle went out of control as its driver ‘fell asleep’ Our Correspondent Communal harmony shines as Sidhupur village residents celebrate Eid together Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Phillaur, March 22 A road accident on National Highway (NH)-44 near Phillaur during the wee hours of Sunday led to traffic disruption on the route. Vehicular movement came to a standstill for several hours and rail services were also briefly affected. The incident occurred around 3.30 am, when a heavily loaded container truck, travelling from Jalandhar towards Ludhiana, went out of control after its driver reportedly fell asleep. While crossing a bridge, the vehicle overturned and landed across the carriageway, completely blocking both sides of the highway. The accident resulted in a long traffic snarl, stretching several kilometres. The bridge over which the mishap occurred had highvoltage railway overhead wires installed, which further complicated matters. The INBRIEF TWO ARRESTED UNDER NDPS ACT Nakodar: The Sadar police have arrested two individuals on charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Investigating Officer (IO) Kulwindar Singh said 51 intoxicating tablets (loose) were recovered from the accused, identified as Kulwindar Singh, alias Kindl, and Shani Dabb, both of Chak Khurd village. The accused were booked under the NDPS Act. OC THIEVES FLEE WITH ~3.48L, JEWELLERY Shahkot: The police have booked unidentified persons on the charge of stealing cash and jewellery from a house. Mulakh Raj of Mohalla Dhurr Kot, Shahkot, complained to the police that unidentified accused barged into his house on March 17 and stole Rs 3.48 lakh and 25 tola gold jewellery. OC MAN CONSUMES EXPIRED DRUG, DIES Nakodar: A villager died after consuming expired medicine. Station House Officer (SHO) Dilbag Singh said the deceased was identified as Vishv Jeet Singh, a resident of Talwndi Bharo village. Paramjit Singh, father of the deceased, told the police that his son consumed expired medicine by mistake and died. The SHO said the police acting under Section 194 of the BNSS handed over body of the deceased to the family after post-mortem examination. OC TWO HELD FOR DEMANDING DOWRY Shahkot: The police have arrested Surjit Singh of Vadali Dogran village under the Jandiala Guru police station in Amritsar, and his wife Rupinder Kaur in a dowry harassment case. Complainant Parjindar Kaur, a resident of Narangpur village, had filed a complaint with the SSP, Jalandhar (rural), that her husband, father–in-law and mother in-law had been harassing her and demanding more dowry. Investigating Officer Major Singh said a case was registered against the accused in this connection. OC A crane lifts the truck which overturned near Phillaur. impact caused the truck parts to hang dangerously close to the railway lines, prompting the authorities to briefly halt train movement on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana section as a precautionary measure. No casualties were reported in the incident. Officials from the road safety force and railway police rushed to the spot and two hydraulic cranes were soon deployed to remove the overturned container and clear the highway. However, the clearance efforts were stalled due to heavy load of the container. The authorities said the traffic movement remained severely affected for hours despite efforts to restore normalcy. Jalandhar, March 22 Punjab’s Sidhupur village, situated in Shahkot subdivision of Jalandhar, witnessed a heart-warming display of communal harmony on the occasion of Eid, as Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs came together to celebrate the festival in unity. The morning saw people gathering at the local masjid, where namaz was offered in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. The village masjid, built in 1993, has since become a symbol of togetherness. For decades, residents have celebrated Eid collectively, transcending religious boundaries. Kulwinder Singh, President of the Teachers Democratic Front, highlighted the village’s long-standing tradition of unity. He noted that many families in Sidhupur had been living here since before 1947. “Even during the time of the Partition, our vil- Members of all communities during the Eid celebrations at the mosque in Sidhupur village. lage remained peaceful. We continue to live together in harmony and aim to pass this message on to the younger generation,” he said. Mukhtiar Mohammad Malik, a 69-year-old retired secretary from the cooperative society, shared his personal story. He explained that while some members of his family migrated to Pakistan during the Partition, others chose to stay. “My father, uncle and aunt remained here. Since then, we have lived together happily with people of all communities,” he said. “There are around 800 Muslim voters in the Shahkot sub-division,” he added. People in the village believe that their greatest strength lies in togetherness. No matter the occasion or the challenges they face, they come together to celebrate every festival with unity, joy and mutual respect. Their shared traditions reflect a deep sense of belonging and harmony that binds them as one community. They proudly express that there was no place for division or distance among them, regardless of background or beliefs. Through their actions, they want to spread a powerful message — unity and understanding can overcome any barrier, and a connected community is always stronger, happier and more resilient in the face of life’s difficulties. Punjab School Education Board rolls out mandatory Gangster arrested after encounter online admission data entry for Classes 8 to 12 Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 22 In a significant push towards full scale digitalisation of school records, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has introduced a strict new rule making online admission data entry compulsory for all affiliated schools starting from the new academic session in April. Under the revised system, schools will now be required to first upload complete student admission details on the official online admission portal before processing the registration or continuation of students in Classes 8 to 12. The move effectively replaces the earlier reliance on manual admission registers, bringing all admission related records under a centralised digital system. According to the new directive issued on March 18, only ❝This is the first time that online admission andwill registration system has been digitalised. Schools still use the existing manual admission withdrawal register as the base record. This move will improve transparency and reduce errors. ❞ Gurinderjeet Kaur, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER (SECONDARY) those students whose admission details, including admission number and admission date, are properly entered on the online portal will be eligible for registration and fee submission. Any student whose details do not reflect in the system will not be eligible for continuation or registration, making portal entry a mandatory first step for all schools. The board has also expanded compliance requirements at the institutional level. Schools will first have to complete their “school profile” on the login system which includes updating infrastructure details, school informa- tion and staff records. Once data is filled, the principal or head of the institution will digitally verify and submit a declaration confirming the accuracy and completeness of all submitted information. “The verification process will be secured through Aadhaar linked mobile authentication, where an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number for e-signing and submission,” the directive reads. Officials said, “The online admission and withdrawal register will serve as the primary database for student records, aiming to reduce discrepancies, prevent manual errors and ensure real time monitoring of admissions across schools.” As per directive, the board has further ordered schools to complete all required updates within the stipulated timeline, warning that any delay or failure in updating infrastructure details, staff records or submission of the mandatory declaration will directly impact students’ eligibility for registration and continuation. The responsibility in such cases will rest solely with the concerned school’s principal or head. When contacted, Gurinderjeet Kaur, District Education Officer (Secondary), said, “This is the first time that online admission and registration system has been digitalised. While schools will still use the existing manual admission withdrawal register as the base record, this move will improve transparency and reduce errors.” Jalandhar, March 22 A gangster having links with the Joga Pholariwal and Sonu Khatri Gangs was arrested by the Jalandhar police after an encounter on Sunday. The gangster, Kulwant Singh, alias Gopa, who had been absconding in previous cases, was arrested by the CIA staff, Jalandhar, led by its in-charge Suraj Kumar. The police recovered two pistols and four rounds from his possession. Kulwant Singh is also an accused in firing at the Sudhir Sweet Shop in Phagwara regarding which a case was registered by the police. The police said Gopa fired at the sweet shop on directions of Joga Pholariwal. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said the CIA staff, led by its in-charge Suraj Kumar arrested Kulwant Singh, alias Gopa, a resident of Atal Majra village, Nawanshahr, when he fired on a police party. The police said Gopa had close links Joga Pholariwal and Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur, along with officials, inspects the encounter site in Jalandhar on Sunday. Sonu Khatri Gangs and was touch with other gangsters sitting abroad. Wanted in various other cases, Gopa today fired at a police party with an attempt to kill officials. In retaliation, the police opened fire at Gopa during which he was injured on his left leg. Gopa was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar for treatment. A case was regis- tered against him at the Jalandhar Sadar police station. The police said there were 18 previous cases registered against Gopa. Total recoveries made from him today include, two pistols (.30 and .32 bore), four live rounds and three shells and a black Splendour motorbike (bearing registration number PB32AD9188). —TNS PSERC eases norms for power connections in stalled housing projects ~16.01 cr allotted for Nurmahal school building Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 22 In a major relief for residents of unauthorised and stalled housing colonies, the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has amended power supply regulations, empowering Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to release electricity connections in “abandoned colonies” where builders have failed to complete infrastructure. According to an official notification released on March 20, the new provisions notified through amendments to the Punjab electricity supply code and related regulations came into force on March 17. “Under the new rules, electricity connections can now be given to people living in housing colonies where builders failed to complete basic infrastructure or did not follow approved conditions,” officials said. If a developer does not get the required approvals, fails to meet conditions of the no objection certificate or does not complete the electricity distribution work within the given time, the case can be taken up by the licensing authority. Action can include suspension or cancellation of the builder’s licence. “However, if the licensing authority does not initiate action within three months of such cases being reported, the PSPCL may intervene in accordance with the regulations. In such cases, the PSPCL can evaluate the status of the colony based on criteria approved by the commission and declare it as an “abandoned colony”. Only after such declaration, electricity connections can be released to residents in the affected area,” the notification reads. The notification also clarifies that such declaration is solely for the purpose of ensuring electricity supply and does not absolve promoters of their legal or financial responsibilities which will continue under applicable laws. Applicable charges Electricity meters installed by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in Jalandhar. FILE PHOTO c m y b While easing access to power, the amended rules also stated that residents in such colonies will be required to pay service connection charges along with development charges fixed at Rs 3,000 per kW or Rs 2,850 per kVA on a normative basis. Where bank guarantees were obtained or partial infrastructure already exists, the PSPCL would complete the remaining distribution system and recover applicable costs. In cases where guarantees were not secured, the power utility would still be responsible for ensuring supply with provisions to recover financial losses from responsible officials in accordance with the law. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) may also be permitted to complete pending electrification work in accordance with technical specifications after which connections can be released upon payment of applicable charges. The regulations make it clear that declaration of a colony as “abandoned” will apply only for the purpose of ensuring electricity supply to residents and will not absolve developers of their legal or financial liabilities. Recovery proceedings against promoters will continue under applicable laws. The PSPCL has also been directed to submit a draft framework for declaring colonies as abandoned within 15 days of the notification to ensure smooth implementation. Confirming the development, Des Raj Bangar, Chief Engineer, PSPCL North zone, Jalandhar, said, “The relaxation is part of a statewide initiative and is not limited to Jalandhar. We have instructed the field staff concerned to prepare a list of such abandoned colonies in Jalandhar and the adjoining areas. The exercise is expected to be completed by next week.” Phagwara, March 22 The long-awaited construction of the Government Senior Secondary School building in Nurmahal is expected to start, with around Rs 16.01 crore already sanctioned for the project. Earlier, the Punjab Education Department had informed that the funds had been assessed and approved, and necessary steps would be taken for completion of the school building. Nakodar MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann said the matter was under active consideration and efforts were being made to ensure progress on the ground. She expressed hope that the project would be completed in a timely manner, improving infrastructure for students. Residents and parents remain hopeful that the sanctioned funds would soon translate into visible development, bringing better facilities for students in the area. — OC