27092026-JTR-01.qxd 9/26/2026 11:23 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SPORTS-THEMED ARTWORK UNVEILED AT PAP CHOWK TEACHERS’ UNION RAISES CONCERN OVER MID-DAY MEAL COSTS GURFATEH SAYS HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO TAKING RISKS An artwork has come up right at the PAP Chowk which will give visitors a glimpse of the city’s sporting heritage. P2 Union has raised concerns over difficulties faced by teachers & mid-day meal in-charges in implementing PM Poshan scheme.P2 Gurfateh Singh Pirzada, who stars in Lust Stories 3, recalls how he took a chance by playing a rapist in Guilty. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY/RAIN MAX 30°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.18 PM » SUNRISE MONDAY 6.19 AM SUNDAY | 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune has started 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. INBRIEF ONE BOOKED FOR DOWRY DEMAND Phagwara: The police have registered a case against Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Eida village, Nakodar, following a complaint by his wife Mandeep Kaur. The complainant alleged that that she was subjected to dowryrelated harassment. A case was registered under relevant sections of the BNS against Gurdeep. The accused has not yet been arrested. An investigation has been initiated into the matter. OC NEWLYWED DIES BY SUICIDE Hoshiarpur: A 22-year-old newlywed allegedly ended her life by hanging herself at her house in Satiana village. According to her father Tirath Ram, she was married to Gurpreet Singh of Sanera village in Jalandhar district on May 9, 2026. He alleged that his daughter’s husband and sister-in-law Pinky had been harassing her for bringing dowry. The Bulhowal police have booked the victim’s husband and sister-in-law in this connection. OC THREE HELD WITH LIQUOR, TABLETS Hoshiarpur: The police have arrested three persons in separate cases and seized liquor and intoxicating tablets from them. The Focal Point police intercepted a tempo near Purhiran bypass. Its driver allegedly tried to flee but the vehicle hit a wall. The police recovered 31 boxes and nine bottles of liquor from the tempo and arrested driver Nitesh Kumar of Kirti Nagar. In another case, The Tanda police arrested Gaurav and Sandeep Kumar of Akbarpura, Kapurthala district, after recovering a huge quantity of intoxicating tablets from them. OC EIGHT BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Hoshiarpur: The Tanda police have booked eight persons, including six identified accused, for allegedly attacking a man after he objected to consumption of drugs on his plot at Data village. Complainant Gurdeep Singh told the police that he found a few persons consuming drugs on his plot. When he objected, the accused allegedly attacked and injured him. The accused were identified as Ravi, Mani, Jassi, Goldy, Balbir Singh and Jagir Singh, all residents of Data village. OC ONE ARRESTED WITH 51 TABLETS Phagwara: The police have arrested Mandeep Kumar, alias Jelly, a resident of Dhanda village, after allegedly recovering 51 intoxicating tablets from him during patrolling in the Guraya area. According to the police report, ASI Bawa Singh and accompanying personnel intercepted the accused and recovered tablets from his possession during search. A case was registered against the accused. OC Panic in Kapurthala as stray dogs attack 15 Paddy harvesting with combines banned from 6 pm to 10 am Our Correspondent Kapurthala, September 26 In view of the ongoing paddy harvesting season, Additional District Magistrate Randeep Singh Heer has issued orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, prohibiting paddy harvesting with combine harvesters in Kapurthala district from 6 pm to 10 am. The orders also prohibit the operation of combine harvesters without a super straw management system (Super SMS) and impose a complete ban on burning paddy straw in the district. According to the orders, dew at night increases the moisture content in paddy, making it difficult for procurement agencies to purchase the crop while causing inconvenience to farmers at grain markets. The administration also highlighted the harmful effects of stubble burning, stating that it contributes to air pollution and can lead to respiratory problems. Burning crop residue also destroys beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Smoke from stubble burning can reduce visibility and disrupt traffic movement on roads, increasing the risk of accidents. The restrictions will remain in force until November 21. Phagwara, September 26 The growing menace of stray dogs has sparked fresh concern in Kapurthala after 15 people, including six children, were reportedly injured in a series of dog attacks in the Markfed area and adjoining localities. In a separate incident at Hargobind Nagar, an elderly man sustained injuries to his face and chest after falling while trying to escape a pack of barking stray dogs. The incidents created panic among residents as stray dogs reportedly roamed through streets and attacked passersby, particularly children. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, where they received treatment and anti-rabies vaccinations. Among those injured were three-year-old Varunjot Singh, four-year-old Satyam, eightyear-old Abhinur Singh, threeand-a-half-year-old Rehu Kumari and nine-year-old Monu Kumar. Other victims included Reena Devi, Rajinder Kaur, Sanjeev Kumar, Dharminder Kumar, Arvinder Matho and Rajwinder Kaur. The sudden influx of dogbite victims put pressure on emergency services, with several injured persons arriv- A child bitten by a stray dog at the Civil Hospital in Kapurthala. ing at the Civil Hospital simultaneously. Doctors on emergency duty, Dr Jashan and Dr Yukta, attended to the patients and provided the necessary treatment. The incidents have once again brought the issue of stray dogs in residential areas into sharp focus. According to available information, around 700 dog-bite cases are reported every month in the district. Residents also pointed to a previous stray dog-related incident in which an eight-year-old child reportedly lost his life. In the Hargobind Nagar incident, an elderly man allegedly fell while attempting to flee from stray dogs. He suffered injuries to his face and chest and was taken for medical treatment, where doctors reportedly administered 12 stitches to his facial wounds. Municipal Corporation sanitary officer Tirlochan Singh said the Markfed dog-attack incident had come to his notice and a team had been dispatched to apprehend aggressive dogs. He added that efforts were underway to bring the situation under control. Our Correspondent Haryana CM Saini attends Baba Sri Chand’s Parkash Parv Says austerity and self-discipline greatest assets in life Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lays foundation stone of a building at Dera Baba Shri Chand Ji in Hoshiarpur on Saturday. Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, September 26 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said austerity, restraint and self-discipline were the greatest assets in human life. He said true victory lay not in defeating others but in conquering anger, greed, ego and hatred within oneself. The Chief Minister was addressing a Sarv Dharam Sammelan organised in Hoshiarpur on the occasion of the 532nd Parkash Parv of Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, elder son of Guru Nanak Dev, and Puranmashi. Saini said though religions differed in their forms of worship, prayer, attire and language, their ultimate objective was to awaken love, overcome ego, serve humanity and connect with the Almighty. Describing Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj’s life as an example of renunciation, austerity and spiritual discipline, he urged the youth to draw inspiration from his self-discipline, Guru Nanak Dev’s spirit of service and the Guru tradition’s courage. He said Haryana and Three cellphones recovered from Central Jail inmates Activist flags ‘illegal felling’ of trees at 3 locations in city Kapurthala, September 26 The authorities at Central Jail, Kapurthala, have reportedly recovered three mobile phones from inmates during searches conducted inside the prison premises. The matter has been referred to the police for further legal action. According to information provided by the jail authorities, prohibited items were recovered from inmates lodged in the prison. The inmates were identified as Rajivinder Singh, a resident of Boot near Subhanpur; Sham Sunder, a resident of Hardokhanpur near Hoshiarpur; and Jasvir Singh, a resident of Lakhan Kholay near Subhanpur. The report stated that all three were lodged in the jail at the time of the recovery. The jail authorities informed the police station concerned for the registration of an FIR and further investigation. The recovered items included a black Nokia keypad mobile phone with a SIM card, a light-green Vivo touchscreen mobile phone with an inbuilt battery, and another black Nokia keypad mobile phone. — OC Jalandhar, September 26 The issue of alleged unauthorised cutting and lopping of trees in Jalandhar has once again come under the spotlight, with complaints being filed before the Chief Minister’s office, the Principal Secretary concerned, the Municipal Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner. The complaints, submitted by social and environmental activist Tejasvi Minhas, highlight three separate incidents in Gurjepal Nagar, Doordarshan Enclave and Gian Nagar, where mature trees were allegedly cut or severely lopped without authorisation. According to the complaints, a mature tree was allegedly removed in Gurjepal Nagar, 25 to 30 trees were cut in Doordarshan Enclave, and a mature tree was drastically pruned in Gian Nagar. In Gurjepal Nagar, a mature tree was allegedly cut to facilitate the construction of an office on the main road leading from Cool Road towards the railway crossing. Minhas alleged that the tree was extensively lopped on September 20 and completely removed during the interven- Punjab shared a common civilisation, culture and spiritual heritage. He expressed concern over drug abuse, violence, stress and distractions among youth, and urged them to channel their energy towards education, sports, employment, entrepreneurship and nation-building. Referring to the Gurbani message, “Pavan Guru, Paani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat”, Saini called for linking religious programmes with cleanliness, water conservation and tree plantation. Two booked for ~9.68 lakh fraud Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Trees recently cut at two separate locations in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO ing night. The complainant also sought verification of the construction activity at the site and whether the necessary permissions for tree felling had been obtained. In another complaint, Minhas alleged that at least 25 to 30 mature trees, including several Ashoka trees, were cut in Doordarshan Enclave on September 17. According to the complainant, the trees stood along the outer boundary of a house and were not obstructing the proposed road project. It further claimed that the home- owner had opposed the cutting of the trees. The complainant also alleged that the timber was removed from the site and sold, and that residents faced pressure and threats to prevent them from raising objections. Meanwhile, in Gian Nagar, a mature tree was allegedly subjected to severe pruning. The complainant stated that the tree’s canopy, branches and foliage were removed, leaving only the main trunk. Minhas sought an immediate inspection of the site and verification of whether permis- sion had been granted for such extensive cutting. “These are not isolated concerns about a few branches being trimmed,” said Minhas. “The complaints involve mature, fully grown trees being cut or severely mutilated at different locations in Jalandhar. In one instance, around 25 to 30 mature trees have reportedly been cut, while in another, a mature tree has been reduced virtually to its trunk. I have approached the highest authorities concerned so that each case is independently inspected, the facts and permissions are verified, and appropriate action is taken wherever illegal tree cutting is confirmed. Mature trees take years to grow, and their loss cannot simply be reversed.” Responding to the complaints, Dilip Kumar, Horticulture Expert with the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, said, “We have received complaints, but owing to the ongoing Sodal Mela, notices have not yet been issued. These will be issued on Monday. Strictest action will be taken against violators.” Nakodar, September 26 The police have registered a case against two individuals on the basis of a complaint alleging that Rs 9.68 lakh was fraudulently obtained on the pretext of sending a person abroad. The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the relevant provision of the Punjab Travel Professions Regulation Act. According to information provided, the complaint was submitted by Harampreet Singh, a resident of Billi Chao village, near Nakodar. The persons named as accused in the complaint are Gurjinder Singh, a resident of Dod, Lakho Ke Behiram, Ferozepur district, and Sandeep Kaur, a resident of Mehal Kalan village, Barnala. The complainant alleged that the accused took Rs 9.68 lakh from him with a promise for making arrangements to send him abroad. The complainant alleged that the money was taken fraudulently, following which the matter was reported to the police and a case was registered. Punjab’s new pension scheme notification faces employee backlash Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, September 26 The Punjab Government’s latest notification on its new pension framework, the Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (DCPS), has triggered fresh opposition from employee organisations, with the Old Pension Restoration Struggle Committee alleging that the move falls short of the state’s 2022 commitment to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Under the new framework, the government has stated that employees will receive a guaranteed pension based on OPS principles. However, the scheme will continue to be contributory, meaning employees will have to contribute towards their pension. In contrast, the traditional OPS provides a defined pension benefit without any employee contribution. Gurdial Mann, district convener of the committee in Nawanshahr, said the government had issued a notification on November 18, 2022, announcing the restoration of OPS benefits for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS). However, he alleged that the notification remained incomplete and that employees had been demanding its implementation ever since. The latest notification has further heightened employees’ concerns. Mann alleged that instead of implementing its earlier commitment, the government was introducing a different pension arrangement, which employee organ- c m y b isations had already opposed. The issue holds significance for government employees as the pension framework determines how retirement benefits are calculated and disbursed after years of service. The committee has demanded that the government withdraw the latest notification and implement the Old Pension Scheme. Mann said employee representatives had also approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking implementation of the 2022 notification. He claimed that the court had given the state government’s Chief Secretary one month to act on the ruling dispensation’s earlier commitment. According to him, the government issued the DCPS notification in response to pressure arising from the court proceedings. He further claimed that a similar scheme had earlier been introduced by the Centre for its employees but was rejected by them. He alleged that the Punjab Government was now attempting to implement the same model in the state. Jujhar Sahungra, district president of the BEd Teachers Front, said ministers at both the Centre and in Punjab had repeatedly maintained that the NPS and the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) were beneficial for employees. “If these schemes are so beneficial, ministers, MLAs and MPs should give up the old pension scheme and adopt the new pension system themselves,” he said. Sahungra further said that before coming to power, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised government employees that the OPS would be restored in the first Cabinet meeting if the party formed the government in Punjab. He alleged that instead of fulfilling that promise and implementing the 2022 notification, the government was issuing fresh notifications, which he described as a mockery of employees’ demands. The committee warned that it would intensify its agitation if the government failed to withdraw the latest notification and implement the OPS.