22032021-JTR-01.qxd 3/21/2021 10:54 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar TRIBUNE ANOTHER LOCKDOWN NOT A GOOD, PRACTICAL SOLUTION Though the new Covid strain is more dangerous, residents in the city don’t find lockdown a feasible solution. FORECAST RAIN INBRIEF FITNESS TRIBUTE ON SHAHEEDI DIWAS Jalandhar: On the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Sukhdev, Colonelz SharpShooterz Jalandhar organised a seven-day virtual fitness event — the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Fitness Week 2021 from March 21 to 27. People participated in running, cycling and yoga on the first day. The aim was to pay tributes to martyrs, combined with the aim of spreading awareness about health and fitness. Chief organiser and mentor Col Jasdeep Nagpal (retd) expressed delight over the participation of people and awareness created about the importance of fitness amid the pandemic. “People of all ages are participating with great eagerness and enthusiasm. They can perform activity any time anywhere according to their convenience by complying to social distancing rules. People from different societies, school children, youth have taken this opportunity with great enthusiasm and eagerness and performed activities at home and in nearby areas. Registration is free and available online on Colonelz SharpShooterz website. Each participant will get an ecertificate,” the chief organiser said. TNS MAN DIES AFTER SAMBAR HITS BIKE Talwara: A motorcyclist died in a road accident and his pillion rider was injured seriously, when a sambar collided with his bike on the TalwaraMukerian road on Sunday morning. ASI Mahinder Singh said that the wife of the deceased, Harjeet Kaur of Bolia Mohalla, Hajipur, informed the police that her husband, Ram Prasad, a carpenter, was going on motorcycle with Dev Raj, a resident of Dhesian village. When they reached near Mahadev Hotel, a sambar hit their bike. Seriously injured Ram Prasad and Dev Raj were admitted to the BBMB Talwara Hospital, while Ram Prasad died during treatment. OC PAGE 2 NATASHA JOINS HUSBAND VARUN DHAWAN ON SHOOT PAGE 3 Varun is shooting for his upcoming movie Bhediya in Arunachal and he has now been joined by his wife. MAX 27°C | MIN 18°C | YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 13°C SUNSET MONDAY 6:40 PM RUBINA BACK ON THE SETS OF SHAKTI… ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KII Rubina Dilaik, winner of Bigg Boss 14, is now set to return to the popular show on Colors as it takes a new turn. SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:27 AM MONDAY | 22 MARCH 2021 | JALANDHAR 6 fall prey, 393 fresh cases reported in dist 1,890 persons without masks forced to undergo RT-PCR tests by policemen Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 21 On Sunday, six persons succumbed to the Covid-19 pandemic in the district. The health authorities reported as many as 393 fresh positive cases today. Most of the cases were reported from Bhogpur, JP Nagar, Abadpura, Model Town, Urban State, Chhoti Baradari, DAV Girls hostel, Mohalla Ravidaspura (Phillaur) and Mohalla Chaudria, among others. Heavy police force was deployed at Sunday Bazaar in Jyoti Chowk to keep a tab on social gathering. While the Sunday Bazaar was open today, considering the spike in the pandemic, it’s likey to remain close from coming week onwards. SHO police division No.4 said vendors and shopkeeprs were directed to follow the health guidelines and not lower their guard. The police and health teams today forced 1,890 people who were found roaming without face masks to undergo mandatory RT-PCR tests at various Hoshiarpur district logs 10 deaths, 259 fresh cases Our Correspondent Sunday Bazaar full of shoppers in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH locations in the city. Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the city has been witnessing a sudden rise in the Covid cases and they set up 17 nakas and took stern action against the violators. He appealed locals to adhere to the Covid norms to avoid any police action. From now onwards, those between 45 years and 59 years will be able to get the vaccine without a certificate. HELPLINE NUMBERS FOR COVID PATIENTS Those above 45 having sugar, blood pressure or any other comorbidity, no longer require certificate to get inoculated. Instructions have been issued by the Director Health and Family Welfare to all the Civil Surgeons in this regard. The person concerned would be administered the vaccine only after seeing the prescription of his treatment and no additional certificate would be asked from him. ■ Helpline number of Ambu- lance: 108 ■ Emergency helpline: 104 ■ Jalandhar Helpline for Covid JALANDHAR UPDATE NEW CASES TOTAL CASES NEW DEATHS TOTAL DEATHS RESULT AWAITED TOTAL DISCHARGED ACTIVE 393 25,974 6 816 2,611 22,699 2,459 or other medical queries: 0181-2224848 ■ District Immunisation Officer contact: 94171-64164 ■ Website for Covid bed info: https://jalandhar.nic.in/ Hoshiarpur, March 21 The district on Sunday reported 10 deaths due to Covid-19, pushing the toll to 453. Meanwhile, the district witnessed 259 fresh cases of infections, taking the tally to 11,664. Giving information, Civil Surgeon Dr Ranjit Singh said on Sunday, the reports of 2,774 samples were received and out of them, 223 new cases were reported while 36 more patients were reported from other districts. The number of active cases stood at 1,765 while 10,167 patients recovered. Hoshiarpur city reported 24 new cases while the remaining ones were reported from various health blocks of the district. Of the 10 deaths due to the virus reported today, five patients died at the Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur, while three patients died at private hospitals in Jalandhar and one each died in Ludhiana and at Government Medical College, Amritsar. MORE RESTRICTIONS PUT IN PLACE Seeing the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, the district administration on Sunday issued orders of additional restrictions in compliance with the guidelines of the Punjab Government to break the Covid-19 transmission chain efficaciously. As per the orders, the cinemas, multiplex, restaurants, etc, would remain closed on Sundays. However, home deliveries have been allowed at all times except during curfew hours. From March 27, one hour silence from 11 am to 12 pm to be observed on all Saturdays as a mark of respect to all those who died due to the virus. No vehicle would be allowed to ply on roads during that time. The situation would be reviewed after two weeks. Issuing the orders, Additional District MagistrateContinued on page 2 Dist tops in e-card generation under Sarbat Sehat Beema Yojana Shagun scheme plea Targeted 2.62 lakh family groups, of which 2.14L have already been covered so far settled by Lok Adalat, is roughly beneficiaries. ❝Thissecure this 81.8% of the totalthree months. Jalandhar wasthe complainant gets ~15K able to distinction within In December, Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 21 Jalandhar district has secured the first rank in Punjab for enrolment and e-card generation under the Sarbat Sehat Beema Yojana aimed at imparting quality health services to people. As per the information, under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries were entitled for cashless health benefits up to ~5 lakh and Jalandhar has targeted 2.62 lakh family groups of which 2.14 lakh have already been covered so far for enrolment and e-card generation. Also, 4.75 lakh individual cards have been gener- percentage of total beneficiaries was only 46.13% with only 1.31 lakh families covered under it due to which Jalandhar was at the 15th rank in the state. This position has bestowed more responsibility on the administration to ensure that 100 per cent beneficiaries are covered for enrolment and e-card generation soon. I exhort people to get themselves enrolled in the ongoing camp at the nearest place. The administration will cover more than 90 per cent of the people by the end of this month. Ghanshyam Thori, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ❞ ated so far in the district. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said this was roughly 81.8 per cent of the total beneficiaries. He said Jalandhar was able to secure this distinction within three months. “In December, the percentage of total beneficiaries was only 46.13 per cent with only 1.31 lakh families covered under it due to which Jalandhar was at the 15th rank in the state,” the DC said. However, with renewed zeal and thrust, to extend benefits of this scheme to people, the district administration was able to secure the first place within three months, he said. Complementing the entire team of district administration for this rare feat, he said this was fruit of hard work and diligent efforts made by all of them. He said the tireless efforts of the entire team comprising all SMOs, BDPOs, CDPOs, SDMs, DPO, and other line departments made this possible. Thori said this position has bestowed more responsibility on the administration to ensure that 100 per cent beneficiaries were covered for enrollment and e-card generation soon. He exhorted people to get themselves enrolled in the ongoing camp at the nearest place, adding that the administration would cover more than 90 per cent of the people by the end of this month. Shunning drugs — a dribble at a time Applications for fellowship invited Nawanshahr’s ‘Daily Morning Club’ helping those who want to quit drugs and lead normal lives Tribune News Service Aakanksha N Bhardwaj ❝ I am 71 now. I share my life experiences with players who come here to play. I specially tell drug addicts to follow a path that will always make them win. It is tough, but continuous perseverance can definitely bring about a change. Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, March 21 Nawanshahr-based ‘Daily Morning Club’ is proving a boon for those who want to quit drugs and lead normal lives. Started by coaches Sukhdev Singh, Inderjeet Singh and other sports lovers, the club provides a platform for soccer players to come and practice their sport. Notably, the district administration has been encouraging master trainers at the OOAT centres to take responsibility of at least 10 drug addicts and ensure that they shun drugs under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Tarsem Lal, a Block Extension Educator (BEE), who is a member of the club and also associated with the district hospital, said being a health official, he, too, was motivating youths, who have fallen prey to drugs, to come and play football. Coach Sukhdev Singh said: “I am 71 now. I share my life experiences with PAGE 4 ❞ Sukhdev Singh, COACH, 'DAILY MORNING CLUB' Members and players of the Daily Morning Club in Nawanshahr. TRIBUNE PHOTO players who come here to play. I specially tell drug addicts to follow a path that will always make them win. It is a tough task, but continuous perseverance can change them too.” There is a success story too: Twentyfive-year-old Sushil (name changed) of Nawanshahr, whose father is a truck driver, was a drug addict. He first completed his treatment from OOAT centre, joined the football club and started coming to the ground at 6.30 in the morning every day. Now, he has moved on in life, left drugs and is leading a normal life and also represents a village team in the district. “He has not only forgotten about his past, but at present is playing from a village team in Nawanshahr. He came to me and voiced his urge to shun drugs. He wasn’t only consuming drugs, but also supplying it. Once he completed his course at the centre, he started coming to the ground daily and has now left behind his past to lead a peaceful life,” Tarsem said. One of the members of the club said at least two persons who are coming to the OOAT centres have started coming to the club and are showing c m y b progress. Tarsem said it has become an aim to bring and persuade youngsters so that they could divert their mind and utilise it in a positive direction. There is a special team for players above the age of 40 too! Various tournaments are organised by the club regularly. With such motivation, there are other success stories waiting to be written. Jalandhar, March 21 The Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry in an initiative to upgrade the skill of the youth has invited applications for the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) from across the country. The MGNF aims to strengthen the district-level skill ecosystem for decentralised skill development governance. In the course of their training the fellows would be an asset and resource person for the district skill committee (DSC) to develop, manage and coordinate the skill programmes at district- level. A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that as part of Sankalp, the Ministry of Skill Development Entrepreneurship has launched the Phase-II of Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme with IIM Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Visakhapatnam, Udaipur, Nagpur, Ranchi and IIMJammu as academic continued on page 2 Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 21 Following the directions of the Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services, the District Welfare Board paid ~15,000 to a beneficiary of Shagun scheme in the district. Unable to receive funds under the Shagun scheme for almost two years, Puran Chand, a resident of Guru Nanak Pura (East), had filed an application against Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Welfare Officer before the Jalandhar Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) on August 21, 2019. The application was filed under Section 22-C of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. In his petition, the applicant had not only sought disbursal of ~51,000 under the Shagun scheme, but also ~50,000 as compensation for harassment, financial loss and inconvenience on part of the district officials. Considering himself an apt beneficiary of the scheme, Puran in his petition submitted that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and falls under the below poverty line (BPL) category. Hence, after marrying off his daughter on May 7, 2017, he approached the Welfare Department office for availing benefits under the Shagun scheme. After verifying his documents, he was assured by the department that he would be given financial help as per the scheme on July 20, 2017. However, when he again visited the department on the scheduled day and henceforth, officials failed to convey him the status of his complaint and responded that his application file was not traceable. Subsequently, perturbed over the inaction by the department, Puran THE CASE Unable to receive funds under the Shagun scheme for almost two years, Puran Chand, a resident of Guru Nanak Pura (East), had filed an application against Jalandhar DC and District Welfare Officer before the Jalandhar Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) on August 21, 2019. The application was filed under Section 22-C of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. In his petition, the applicant had not only sought disbursal of ~51,000 under the Shagun scheme, but also ~50,000 as compensation for harassment, financial loss and inconvenience on part of the district officials. approached the DC in September 2018. Taking account of his application, the DC directed the department officials through a written letter to resolve his grievances within a week. Despite that, his application remained unheard and he could not receive financial help as per his entitlement. Nothing was done even after contacting the DC several times and his pleas remained unheard. Puran said the officials told him that nothing could be done to resolve his issue. Afterwards, the applicant sought legal action against the district officials and in his petition to the PLA, he sought quick redressal of the complaint and held the officials responsible for negligence in their services. Subsequently, under the directions of PLA Jalandhar, members SK Julka and Shushma Handoo, summoned the officials concerned and directed them to pay the amount under the Shagun scheme. Later, the applicant in his statement said he received ~15,000 from the authorities under the scheme and the case was disposed of.