08022021-JTR-01.qxd 2/7/2021 10:46 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar TRIBUNE PARKS SHOULD DRAW PEOPLE THAN DRIVE THEM AWAY PAGE 2 MUKUL DEV LOOKS BACK ON A LONG AND EVENTFUL CAREER The diabolical condition in which parks are lying — bereft of proper tracks — repels public, write locals. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY PAGE 3 MAHIE GILL AND ABHAY DEOL REUNITE AS ON-SCREEN COUPLE Actor Mukul Dev has had a journey of close to 25 years in the industry and his range of works is very wide. MAX 23°C | MIN 7°C | YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET MONDAY 6:08 PM PAGE 4 Actress Mahie Gill and Abhay Deol will be a part of the upcoming war-epic 1962: The War In The Hills. SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:14 AM MONDAY | 8 FEBRUARY 2021 | JALANDHAR 1,800 take the jab in 4 days, no adverse reaction reported Some centres closed due to less reportage of beneficiaries Edu Dept on alert after over 30 students test +ve in Nawanshahr Tribune News Service Nawanshahr: Following the guidelines issued by the Punjab Education Department, the department officials in Nawanshahr district are taking immediate steps to ensure proper adherence to Covid-19 protocols along with the district Health Department, said District Education Officer (Senior Education) Jagjit Singh on Sunday. Notably, more than 30 students of Government High School, Sloh, tested positive for Covid-19 recently. Not only this, three students from Government Senior Secondary School, Nawanshahr, also tested positive on Sunday. After this, the department has gone into an overdrive and become over cautious and alert. Taking note of the positive cases at Government High School, Sloh, the DEO said he was regularly visiting the village along with the Headmaster of the school Lakhbir Singh, Sarpanch Paramjit Singh, panchayat member Pardeep Kumar and a medical team and following up with them. Earlier also, the department officials were interacting with the school management committee (SMC) members, parents, teachers and students to make them aware about the requisite precautions for combating the disease. Not only this, regular visits were made to several schools to check whether students were JALANDHAR RECORDS 21 FRESH CASES DISTRICT ROUND-UP Jalandhar, February 7 In the last four days, around 1,800 frontline workers have been administered the Covid-19 vaccine in the district. As many as 577 frontline workers were vaccinated on Saturday. In Jalandhar, the vaccination drive has been going on across 13 centres (five in urban areas), but some centres were kept closed owing to limited footfall of beneficiaries. More than 17,000 frontline workers have been registered in the district, including police personnel, administrative officials and paramilitary forces, among others. On Friday, over 500 beneficiaries were administered the dose. As AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine comes in vials having 10 doses, several centres were kept closed on Saturday as fresh vial isn’t opened as long as seven people do not report at a centre. Notably, of 11,800 health workers registered to be vaccinated in the district in the first phase of the drive, more than 7,000 had been vaccinated. With 1,800 more vaccinated in the second phase – around 8,000 doses had been administered in the district so far. As many as 238 and 412 people had been vaccinated within first two days Constable loses life in firing incident on PAP campus Ensuring sustainability of ODF status with community toilets Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 7 A Punjab Police constable reportedly lost his life in a firing incident. A gunshot was heard around 6.15 pm on the PAP campus, nearly 500 metre away from the main gate. The deceased cop has been identified as Constable Pritpal Singh (50), a resident of Gurdaspur. While he was presently residing on the campus only, his family including two children and wife were living at their native place in Gurdaspur. SHO Cantt police station, Sub-Inspector, Amritpal Singh, said it was yet to be ascertain as to how the gunshot was fired. The deceased died on the spot and the police were investigating the matter. Even as the reason behind the firing is yet to be ascertained, sources said the bullet was fired from the constable’s selfloading rifle (SLR). The police anticipate that Pritpal committed suicide. He was deployed as a guard in the 9th Battalion. Jalandhar, February 7 To sustain its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and ensure proper management of solid and liquid waste, the administration is set to build 28 community sanitary complexes at a cost of ~87 lakh in various villages of the district. These community sanitary complexes will also ensure that all sections of the village have access to safe sanitary facilities at any time. These complexes are being constructed in those villages where people do not have sufficient space for toilets at homes. The complexes are being built in villages including Jalasingh, Khusropur, Jamsher, Bambianwal, Muhadipur, Bolina,Chachowal, Wadala/ Raipur, Chitti/ Johal, Manko, Litera Kalan, Ismialpur, Samrai, Jethpur, Chhota Bara Pind, Desalpur, Bal, Bhikha Nangal, Mallian, Salempur Masanda, Qasimpur, Rurka Kalan, Dhani Pind and Mander under the Har Ghar Pani Har Ghar Safai Mission. Nangal Salempur village Jalandhar: With 21 more cases, the Covid tally reached 20,825 in the district on Sunday. The toll, however, remained at 679. There are 242 active cases in the district so far. As many as 19,904 persons have been discharged, while as many as 154 persons are under home isolation in Jalandhar at present. Meanwhile, Kapurthala district saw four persons testing positive for Covid on Sunday. of the second phase of the drive, respectively. While 16,490 doses were brought in for the first phase, for the second phase, the district got 13,000 more doses. A total of 17,400 frontline workers have to be vaccinated in the second phase. District Immunisation Officer Dr Rakesh Chopra said, “We have a total of 16 to 17 centres in Jalandhar of which 13 were operational on Saturday. Some centres Samples collected 5,77,945 Negative 5,35,542 Positive 20,825 Active 242 Deceased 679 Discharged 19,904 Sample inappropriate 6,650 Results awaited 1,169 Home Isolated 154 were kept closed after less beneficiaries reported. Various departments are also sending us updated list of frontline workers. This is just the beginning of the drive and many people are expected to be vaccinated in the coming days.” Notably, no adverse reaction, except fever, body ache or temporary inflammation has been reported among the beneficiaries in the district so far. Eight sanitary complexes to come up at various villages of the district soon ENSURING SAFE DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTE These complexes would be accessible to all people of the village and can also be used by passersby and participants of large public gatherings, thereby ensuring that the district remains open defecation free. The construction work has begun in the village and would be over by March end. sarpanch Harbhajan Kaur said the work on the complex in her village would begin this week as all formalities, including funds, earmarking of land and others have been completed. She said only two families, belonging to the poor strata, do not adequate space for toilets inside their houses. Mangal Singh, sarpanch of the Sangal Sohal village, said these complexes would also For a healthy tomorrow Residents take part in the cyclothon organised by Mayor World School in Jalandhar. MALKIAT SINGH be accessible to all people in the village and can also be used by passersby and participants of public gatherings, thereby ensuring open defecation in the village. He said the construction work has begun in the village and would be over by March end. Block Development Panchayat Officer (BDPO) East Mahesh Kumar said he has been personally monitoring the construction of these CYCLOTRACK — A RIDE USHERING IN POSITIVITY Jalandhar: As many as 600 enthusiastic cyclists participated in ‘Cyclotrack’ organised by Mayor World School on Sunday to celebrate ‘Hope, Health and Happiness’. Cyclists comprising the elderly, students and the school staff set off on their bicycles from the school at 7 am and covered 6 km area in the city. The ride symbolised ingress into positivity, athleticism and new hopes for a promising 2021. Apart from youngsters, the tiny tots of the school also showcased their prowess by cycling on the complete track in the least possible time. At every few kilometres, the school staff was seen unfurling the school flag and motivating riders. Apart from this, water spots were available for cyclists after every 1 km. Ambulance service was also available to meet any unprecedented mishap. Air filling station was also accessible. TNS c m y b complexes in seven villages so that these can be built soon. He said the water supply and sanitation department is the executive agency of these projects. The Deputy Commissioner Ghandhyam Thori said that the directions have been issued to the officials for the timely completion of the complexes to ensure hygiene and healthy sanitary facilities to the people. Education Department officials sensitise staff at Government High School, Sloh, Nawanshahr, after over 30 students tested positive for Covid-19. TRIBUNE PHOTO wearing masks or not and if any student was seen without a mask, he was provided with one. Singh said: “The Education Department has a vast social media network, which includes WhatsApp groups of school heads, teachers, students, sarpanches etc. Hence, making optimum utilisation of social media groups, the district Education Department Old-age home at Nahla village soon Jalandhar, February 7 The construction of an oldage home at Nahla village is set to begin soon as the administration has sent a proposal to the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development. It has earmarked 52-kanal land in the village, where the new home would come up at a cost of ~7.65 crore. DC Ghanshyam Thori said a committee had been set up for ensuring the regular monitoring of the work. He said the report had been sent to the department for the release of funds. He said an old-age home would provide shelter and safer space to elders, who do not have anyone to take care of them. The DC said the old-age home would have facilities such as free medical check-up, ambulance, food, clothes, and leisure activities. Thori said the administration would also allow everybody to be a part of community activities to provide them with a good environment. He said the administration was committed towards protecting the rights of senior citizens. He said it was the need of the hour to ensure that senior citizens developed a sense of belongingness. He also appealed to the people to come forward for the cause. — TNS has been making every one of them aware about the Covid-19 precautions.” The officials are also making phone calls to students and their parents to monitor the situation. Singh said he would be visiting the village on Monday as well. “I will ensure that everyone gets fine and healthy,” he said. All students are asymptomatic. TNS Civic poll: ROs asked to keep a strict watch Tribune News Service Kapurthala, February 7 Observers for elections to the Municipal Corporation of Kapurthala and the municipal council, Sultanpur Lodhi, on Sunday asked the Returning Officers (ROs) to ensure free and fair elections in the district. Presiding over a meeting with the ROs at the District Administrative Complex, general observer Vinay Bublani, police observer SK Kalia, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal, said the ROs were the backbone of the elections as they played a major role in holding the elections in a smooth manner. They asked the ROs to visit all 96 polling booths where elections to 62 wards were going to be held. Sufficient security for all 46 sensitive polling stations was needed as a part of the confidencebuilding measure. Notably, as many as 49 wards in the Municipal Corporation of Kapurthala and 13 wards in the Sultanpur Lodhi municipal council would go to polls. A total of 93,245 voters — 48,232 men and 44,996 women — would decide the ■ As many as 49 wards in the Municipal Corporation of Kapurthala and 13 wards in the Sultanpur Lodhi municipal council will go to polls ■ A total of 93,245 voters — 48,232 men and 44,996 women — will decide the fate of 238 candidates contesting the elections. ■ The elections will take place in 96 polling booths — 46 sensitive and 50 non-sensitive fate of 238 candidates contesting the elections. The elections will take place in 96 polling booths — 46 sensitive and 50 non-sensitive booths. Prominent among those present on the occasion were ADC Rahul Chaba, SP Jasvir Singh, SDM Varinder Singh Bajwa and others. Consequential seniority upon reservation in promotions: Federation condemns move Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 7 Resentment seems to be brewing among the employees of the general and other reserved categories against the state government’s move to allow consequential seniority upon reservation in promotions as per the 85th Amendment. Jaswant Singh Dhaliwal, state president of the General Category Welfare Federation, urged the state government to discuss the matter with other stakeholders before taking any decision. “The Supreme Court in M Nagraj’s case laid down the condition to exclude the creamy layer of the Scheduled Caste employees from ❝As per the data collected by the Punjab Governmentin in 2018, the percentage of SC employees was in excess initial recruitment as well as in promotion against permissible limits. Allowing consequential seniority upon promotions due to reservation as per the 85th Amendment is against the judgment and will certainly lead to contempt of court proceedings. We condemn this move and will take the legal course, the responsibility of which will lie with the Punjab Government. ❞ Shyamlal Sharma, CHIEF ORGANISER, GENERAL CATEGORY WELFARE FEDERATION the benefit of reservation in promotion. But even after 14 years, the government has not taken any decision regarding it,” said Dhaliwal. He said the Apex court also imposed other conditions in its judgment of October 19, 2006, that before fulfilling these conditions, the benefit of consequential seniority upon promotions under reservation couldn’t be allowed. The Supreme Court in its judgment of September 26, 2018, upheld all conditions imposed by the Apex court in M Nagaraj’s case, except the collection of data regarding backwardness. Moreover, Shyamlal Sharma, chief organiser of the federation, said as per the data collected by the Punjab Government in 2018, the percentage of Scheduled Caste employees was in excess in initial recruitment as well as in promotion against permissible limits. Allowing consequential seniority upon promotions due to reservation as per the 85th Amendment was against the judgment and would certainly lead to contempt of court proceedings.