30032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/29/2026 11:02 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune FARMER TURNS TO ANIMAL REARING, MILKS HUGE PROFITS ADOPT CLEAR ASSEMBLY AGENDA, END MUDSLINGING Enforce strict code of conduct in House and impose penalties for repeated disruptions, misconduct. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 28°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 18°C SUMMER STYLE STARTS WITH THE SHADES Gurnam Singh, who owns just 2 acres of land, started a dairy in 2017, bagged PAU progressive farmer award in 2023. P2 FORECAST Bollywood’s leading ladies prove that the right sunglasses make every outfit instantly iconic. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.45 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:18 AM » MONDAY | 30 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Ensure ban on single-use plastic Man ends life after divorce call from wife in Canada items: NGT to PPCB, city MC Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service INBRIEF SIX BOOKED FOR CHEATING Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked six persons, including two women, on the charges of cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy. The accused have been identified as Sukhbir Singh, alias Paras, Sector 29-B, Chandigarh, his wife Puja; Ramandeep Singh, alias Raman, of Narangpur Kular village and his wife Ramandeep Kaur, and brother Hardeep Singh and their one unidentified accomplice. Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Mohalla Rasulpur, Mehatpur, complained to the Jalandhar (rural) SSP that the accused were not the owners of any property but prepared a fake power of attorney and gained his confidence and cheated him of Rs 3.58 crore A case has been registered against the accused after an inquiry. oc 3 OF LUDHIANA HELD FOR THEFT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested three Ludhiana persons on the charge of stealing from a shop. The accused have been identified as Mani Kumar, Roshan Lal and Akbar, all residents of Ludhiana. Harwindar Singh of Nahl village complained to the police that the accused barged into his sanitary materials shop on the night of March 27 and stole many items. A case had been registered against the accused. OC WOMAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a woman on the charge of selling illicit countrymade liquor. Sixty bottles of hooch were recovered from the accused Kirandeep Kaur, alias Joti, of the Mohali Civil Hospital. A case under the Punjab Excise Act has been registered against the accused. OC THREE ARRESTED UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The Nakodar city police have arrested a drug peddler for selling intoxicating tablets. SHO Harmindar Singh said 30 intoxicating tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Gurpreet, alias Gori, of Malrri village. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act against the accused. The Mehatpur police arrested Viki, alias Raunnaki, of Ismailpur village with 83 tablets. The Bilga police arrested Piara Lal of Kandola Kalan village with 150 tablets. oc DELHI MAN HELD FOR RASH DRIVING Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested Delhi vehicle driver Arun Kumar on the charges of causing death by negligence and rash driving. Arwindar Singh of Mitharra village complained to the police that the accused had parked his vehicle on the road and Sahil Preet Singh of Mitharra village collided with it and died. A case had been registered against the accused. oc Jalandhar, March 29 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state and Jalandhar Municipal Corporation to check singleuse plastic items and ensure ban on their manufacturing. The NGT ruled that civic and monitoring bodies have failed to ensure adequate action against the use of single-use plastics items in the state and district. The NGT has also directed the formation of committees to check the continued use of single-use plastic items, ensure drives against it and act against the units manufacturing these. This has been stated by the NGT in response to a complaint by Action Group Against Plastic Pollution (AGAPP), a Jalandhar-based NGO. AGAPP’s case was filed in 2024 against the State of Punjab. In response to the complaint, the NGT has said single-use plastic items is still widely used in Jalandhar and neither the Municipal Corporation nor the Punjab Pollution Control Board have tak- Polythene bags being used at Subzi Mandi in Jalandhar. FILE en effective steps to implement the 2016 Punjab ban and the July 2022 Central ban on the manufacture, distribution and sale of the bags. The observations have been made in the NGT’s March 10, 2026, ruling in the case. In the order, the NGT cites that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had stated they had closed 30 violating units but the NGT notes the PPCB did not impose environmental compensation and properly handle the seized materials. The order also states the Municipal Corporation issued 154 challans, 80 of which were issued on one day. Hence, “One-time drive will not have effective results unless constant monitoring is done”. In its final observation, the tribunal said a joint committee to be formed with representatives from the PPCB, Central Pollution Control Board, Municipal Corporation. The committee has been directed to carry out “combing operations” within the MC limits to identify illegal plastic manufacturing units, shut these down and impose penalties. The MC has also been directed to ensure a portal in its website for complaints regarding these. The MC Commissioner, District Magistrate and PPCB have also been asked to intensify enforcement drives and ensure strict check on the plastic items in the MC limits and has asked CPCB to explore the possibility of making recommendations for banning import/use of machinery used to produce such material. Dr Pallavi Khanna, president, AGAPP Dr Navneet , Bhullar, co-founder, AGAPP and NGO member Bageshwar Singh, welcomed the judgment and added, “We will keep a close eye on the administration to enforce these NGT directions until the elimination of polybags, plastic lids, glasses, thermocol and plastic plates, spoons and cups from Jalandhar. We also hope the CPCB will play a more active role.” Had sent her abroad on study visa two years ago; woman, kin booked Our Correspondent Garhshankar, March 29 In a tragic incident, a 25-yearold man allegedly ended his life after his wife, who had gone to Canada on a study visa, reportedly told him on the phone that she wanted divorce. The police have registered a case against four persons, including the wife, mother-in-law and brother-in-law, on the charges of abetment to suicide. Deceased Amarjit Singh of village Gaddiwal died by suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan. According to his father, Kishan Singh, Amarjit had married Kulwinder Kaur of Gondpur Jaichand village in Himachal Pradesh on January 21, 2024. The family alleged that Amarjit had spent around Rs15 lakh to send his wife to Surrey, Canada, on a study visa and continued to support her financially by sending nearly Rs 1 lakh per month towards fees from June to December 2024. He also bore additional expenses before the birth of their child. Kulwinder Kaur returned to India with their daughter on February 1, 2025, but allegedly went back to Canada on February 22, leaving the child with Amarjit. The father further alleged that disputes arose over money matters and Amarjit was reportedly told to go to Dubai for work. After he travelled to Dubai, his wife allegedly informed him on the phone that she wanted a divorce, which left him distressed. He later returned to India and was said to be under mental stress. On March 27 evening, Amarjit allegedly took the extreme step in his room. Based on the father’s statement, the police have registered a case against the wife Kulwinder Kaur, mother-inlaw Kuljit Kaur, brother-inlaw Lakhwinder Singh and another person, Surinder Singh. Further investigation is underway. Phagwara small food vendors struggle Light rain exposes Phagwara’s ‘development claims’ as fuel shortage drives up costs Our Correspondent Ashok Kaura PHAGWARA, MARCH 29 Local food vendors are facing growing challenges as the shortage of commercial gas cylinders and rising fuel prices have disrupted their daily operations. Many small shopkeepers, who depend on affordable cooking fuel, are now being forced to switch to alternative methods such as coal-fired stoves, increasing their workload and expenses. According to vendors, the supply of commercial cylinders has become inconsistent. As a result, traders are sourcing cylinders from distant locations at much higher prices. In some cases, the cost of a single cylinder has risen sharply, placing an additional financial burden on small-scale businesses that already operate on thin margins. The impact is visible across roadside eateries and small food stalls, where owners are struggling to maintain regular service. Some vendors have resorted to using coal stoves, which are not only less efficient, but also require more time and effort to manage. This shift has slowed down food preparation and increased operational difficulties, espe- A vendor makes tea using coal-fired stove. cially during peak hours. Traders report that earlier they could easily obtain fuel locally, but the current situation has disrupted their routine. The higher cost of fuel has also forced some vendors to increase food prices, affecting customer demand and overall sales. Many fear that if the situation continues, they may not be able to sustain their businesses. Phagwara SDM Randip Singh Heer said though no shortage of either petrol, diesel or cooking gas is observed, steps are being taken to regulate supply and prevent shortages. However, vendors remain concerned about the lack of immediate relief, urging officials to ensure a steady and affordable supply of commercial fuel. The SDM, however, appealed people not to try to store these essential goods and use these in necessity but he also warned gas agencies and petrol dealers to provide required fuel to the needy customers. The ongoing situation highlights the vulnerability of small businesses to supply chain disruptions and rising costs, with many hoping for swift intervention to stabilise conditions and support their livelihoods. A tea stall owner Amajit Kaur told this correspondent this evening that she is now working on firewoods, while another vendor Dharmendra closed his shop due to unavailability of cooking gas. Phagwara, March 29 Shiv Sena (UBT) city president Raman Sharma has accused the government of misleading the public with “hollow claims” of development, asserting that even a brief spell of rain has laid bare the poor state of civic infrastructure in the city. In a statement, Sharma said while the government continues to project large-scale development through advertisements, the ground reality tells a different story. He alleged that despite the Aam Aadmi Party being in power in the state for the past four years, residents have seen little tangible improvement in basic amenities. He claimed that instead of improving, conditions in Phagwara have deteriorated significantly, leaving the city grappling with broken roads, waterlogging, heaps of garbage and chaotic traffic. “The situa- Rainwater accumulated on the dilapidated service lane, Phagwara. tion has made daily commuting difficult and dangerous, especially for pedestrians and twowheeler riders,” he said, adding that such conditions pose a constant risk of accidents. Highlighting a specific concern, Sharma pointed to the stretch along the GT Road where the road was dug up for sewerage work but has yet to be restored. He alleged that neither the local municipal authorities nor the highway authorities have taken responsibility for repairing the damaged section, causing inconvenience to commuters on a daily basis. Footballer marks daughter's birthday with match, spreads anti-drug message Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, March 29 Harpreet Singh, a player of the Daily Morning Football Club, Nawanshahr, celebrated his daughter Aashish Kaur’s first birthday by organising a football match at the RK Aryan College ground. The event was held under the leadership of club president Aje Mehra with the support of Principal Dr Puneet Aneja. Tarsem Lal, chairman of the Daily Morning Football Club, Nawanshahr, and District Mass Education and Information Officer (Civil Surgeon Office, Hoshiarpur), said the club aims to connect the youth with sports and steer them away from drug abuse. He emphasised that celebrating birthdays through sports activities is a meaningful step toward fulfilling the mission of the antidrug campaign. Harpreet Singh, currently based in England, expressed his gratitude to God for blessing his family with his daughter. He shared that it was his wish to celebrate her first birthday with his football community. The match was played between teams led by Dheeraj Kumar and Ayush Gangar. In the first half, Dheeraj Kumar’s team took the lead with a well-coordinated move and brilliant goal. Despite strong efforts and repeated attempts by Gangar’s team in the second half, they were unable to score due to solid defence and excellent goal- keeping by the opposing side. The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Dheeraj Kumar’s team. After the match, Harpreet distributed refreshments to players and supporters. The players extended their blessings and congratulated him on his daughter’s birthday. Addressing a gathering, Aje Mehra encouraged players to stay away from drugs and actively promote sports among the youth. Tarsem reiterated the club’s commitment to realising the dreams of the martyrs by engaging young people in positive activities. He also highlighted the importance of initiatives like “Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter, and Encourage the Daughter to Play.” c m y b Players celebrate first birthday of Harpreet Singh’s daughter by playing a football match in Nawanshahr.