07122022-JTR-01.qxd 12/7/2022 12:20 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar TRIBUNE HACKATHON SHOWCASES SKILLS, FUTURE CHALLENGES GNA University organises a 36-hour long ‘Hackathon 1.0’, which witnessed over 150 teams with around 450 students. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY INBRIEF MOBILE, DRUGS FOUND IN JAIL Hoshiarpur: The Central Jail Administration has recovered a mobile phone and intoxicants hidden in the bathroom of a barrack of the Central Jail. According to information, Malkit Singh, Assistant Superintendent of the Central Jail, Hoshiarpur, said after a tip-off, the jail administration searched the bathroom of barrack number 20. During the search, they recovered a mobile phone and 16 grams of intoxicants hidden there. The police have registered an FIR under the NDPS Act in this regard. TNS 2 SMUGGLERS IN POLICE NET Hoshiarpur: The district police arrested two smugglers, including a woman, from different places and recovered intoxicants from their possession. According to information, the city police arrested a woman smuggler at a naka in the area and recovered 60 grams of intoxicant powder from her. The suspect has been identified as Mandeep Kaur, a resident of Nai Abadi. The Model Town police recovered a large number of intoxicating pills from Ashish Sharma, a resident of New Model Town. Cases under the NDPS Act have been registered at police stations. TNS COUPLE BOOKED FOR CHEATING FIRST LOOK OF AKSHAY KUMAR AS CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ PAGE 3 DEEPIKA PADUKONE TO UNVEIL FIFA TROPHY AT THE FINAL Marathi film Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat will see Akshay Kumar as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. MAX 24°C | MIN 7°C | YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5:24 PM PAGE 3 Bollywood star Deepika Padukone adds another feather to her cap, to unveil FIFA World Cup trophy at the final match. SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:14 AM WEDNESDAY | 7 DECEMBER 2022 | JALANDHAR ‘Neki Ki Deewar’ turns into wall of neglect Admn's one of the most hailed projects defaced with worn-out posters; garbage lies all around Avneet Kaur INAUGURATED IN 2019 Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 6 ‘Neki Ki Deewar’ (wall of kindness), one of the most hailed projects of the district administration, which was set up with an aim to help the underprivileged sections of society during the winter season, has turned into a ‘wall of apathy’. The condition of the wall at present is such that it has been completely defaced with worn-out posters and garbage could be seen scattered all around. The ‘Neki Ki Deewar’ project was inaugurated in 2019 by the then DC Varinder Kumar Sharma, who made all efforts to help the needy through this initiative. He even roped in a number of philanthropists for the cause to ensure that the project was a big hit. However, after his transfer, the administration failed to upkeep the wall. As a result, the project now stands ruined. Thanks to the Municipal Corporation apathy, the second such wall of kindness in the city, which was started by HMV College, too, has been discontinued as the civic body failed to repair the road where the wall was set up. Talking to this corre- The ‘Neki Ki Deewar’ project was inaugurated in 2019 by the then DC Varinder Kumar Sharma, who made all efforts to help the needy through this initiative. He even roped in a number of philanthropists for the cause to ensure that the project was a big hit. However, after his transfer, the administration failed to upkeep the wall. As a result, the project now stands ruined. ABOUT ‘NEKI KI DEEWAR’ SOLID WASTE MGMT Jalandhar, December 6 In order to implement Solid Waste Management as per the rules notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh today formed a three-member committee. It would inspect different sites and submit a detailed report in this regard fortnightly. The administration has already launched a drive to check the solid waste management. Seven challans have already been issued so far during the drive. The Deputy Residents of Ram Nagar and Gandhi Nagar submit a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO During winter season, disadvantaged sections of society require shoes, clothes, blankets and other things to prevent themselves from nail-biting cold. The “Neki Ki Deewar” was set up here at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium where people used to donate such items to help the needy and poor and the latter used to pick these as per their convenience and without any formalities. Residents meet DC, HUNDREDS AVAILED OF BENEFITS Tribune News Service got a ❝This projectsocietymassive response from every strata of as philanthropists also 'Neki Ki Deewar' set up near Guru Gobind Singh Stadium lies in a poor condition in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH spondent, Prof Ajay Sareen, Principal, HMV College, said: “The initiative was a hit among residents. People from far-off places used to come here to donate clothes, blankets and other useful items. Even several NRIs approached us and congratulated us for the project. They also assured full support both financially and in the form of clothes donations. However, we had to discontinue it as the entire stretch close to our college is in a DC forms 3-member panel Tribune News Service Hoshiarpur: The city police have booked a couple for allegedly cheating on the pretext of selling land. According to information, Harkirat Singh, son of Bhagwant Singh, a resident of Chaawni, told the police that Joginder Kaur, a resident of Santokh Nagar, and her husband Karm Singh, allegedly cheated him on the pretext of selling land. The police have started investigations into the matter after registering a case. TNS PAGE 2 Commissioner urged stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of solid waste as the campaign would be accelerated in the coming days. As per the orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner, the committee includes MC’s Assistant Health Officer (Sanitation), Chief Sanitary Inspector and Sub-Divisional Officer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s local Regional Office-1. The DC said the committee would monitor bulk waste generator facilities vis-à-vis conduct periodic inspections at such premises to ensure that the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016 should be complied in letter and in spirit. poor condition”. She said the wall was operational till last year. After witnessing a huge response, they were operating it in summers also. “Our students took the project seriously and encouraged everyone to come and donate clothes. We still have a large number of donated clothes and other items lying useless in our room. Due to the poor condition of the road, we are not able to display the items,” she said. Shruti Sahai, a student, supported the endeavour of the administration in a big way. Hundreds of needy persons availed of the benefits of this novel initiative. Shruti Sahai, A STUDENT ❞ said: “This project got a massive response from every strata of society as philanthropists also supported the endeavour of the administration in a big way. Hundreds of needy persons availed of the benefits of this novel initiative”. Shruti said she remembered seeing a huge crowd of rickshaw pullers, autorickshaw drivers, fruit sellers, etc., making a beeline here to pick up the clothes, which fit them. “Such projects should never be ignored as these teach us a lesson about what a community can do when it comes together. Besides, the wall was in the middle of the city and was easily reachable. People were also enthusiastically visiting and donating clothes,” she added. Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts DC Jaspreet Singh couldn’t be contacted. He was made aware of the issue through SMS also, but he failed to provide any response. Home bound submit memorandum Jalandhar, December 6 Members of the Royal Club, representing residents of Ram Nagar and Gandhi Nagar localities, today met Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh. They handed over a memorandum to him, demanding construction of a railway underbridge in their area. They said their colonies were surrounded by railway lines, drains and institutions affecting their connectivity with the adjoining areas. So, an underbridge is desperately required for better access. Suraj Birdi, general secretary of the club, said: Both localities are densely populated areas and are cut off from all sides. While one side is covered by Bist Doab Canal, another one is covered by DAV Institutions. The third side is covered by the busy Amritsar railway line and the fourth one is covered by Ferozepur railway line.” He said they had been demanding a railway underbridge in the area since long, but all their pleas fell on deaf ears. He said they had taken up the matter with the local MLA, MP and officials of both previ- Seekrlyunderbridgein Ram Nagar, Gandhi Nagar localities PWD AWAITS PAYMENT Suraj Birdi, general secretary of Royal Club, said a team of the PWD had visited their localities and sought ~2 lakh from the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to engage technical consultant for preparing the drawing, carrying out feasibility and soil investigation. However, more than six months had elapsed, but payment had not been made to the PWD. ous and present government, but no one was paying heed to their genuine demand. Birdi said a team of the PWD had visited their localities and sought ~2 lakh from the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to engage technical consultant for preparing the drawing, carrying out feasibility and soil investigation. However, more than six months had elapsed, but payment had not been made to the PWD. Officials concerned are not realising the seriousness of the issue and dilly-dallying it. Bid to kidnap girl foiled Our Correspondent Farm labourers head back to their homes after toiling in their fields at a village on a cold evening in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Phagwara, December 6 An attempt to kidnap a minor girl was foiled in Phagwara today. The youth was nabbed by bystanders while attempting to kidnap the girl near Shri Hanuman Garhi here on Monday afternoon. Sunny, a resident of Pehchan Nagar, Phagwara, told the police that he was returning home after picking his minor daughter from school, but as he felt uneasy, he went to a nearby washroom. Meanwhile, the accused dragged and attempted to abduct his minor daughter. The girl raised an alarm and people succeeded in nabbing the accused who was later handed over to the police. The police have arrested the alleged kidnapper under Section 365 of IPC. The accused was identified as Deepak Kumar, a resident of Ajit Singh Nagar in Zeera, police said. Comply with norms or face closure, PPCB tells dairies Three of Landa gang arrested Illegal discharge of effluents by dairies on Kala Sanghian drain bank contributing to pollution Nine weapons, ammunition, car recovered from them Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 6 The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on Tuesday asked all the illegal dairies running along the bank of the Kala Sanghian drain to stop the illegal discharge of their effluents and dumping of cow dung waste into the drain or face closure within 30 days. The Board officials have also asked the dairy owners to provide treatment and reuse/legal disposal arrangements for their effluents and proper management of cow dung waste within a month’s time. Krunesh Garg, member-secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala, appealed, “We will be constrained to take action if compliance is not made within the given time-frame.” The dairies are located Environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal at the Kala Sanghian drain with PPCB and MC officials in Jalandhar. FILE PHOTO along the banks of Kala Sanghian drain at Nahal, Kutlupur, Bulandpur and Gadaipur villages of Jalandhar. Since the dairy owners were discharging their untreated effluents and dumping their cow dung waste into Kala Sanghian drain, they were issued directions by the PPCB for shift- ing their dairies from the existing site to the Jamsher Dairy Complex. They had been given six months to shift. However, the dairies failed to comply with the directions even after the lapse of given time period. The matter had also reached the National Green Tribunal and it had passed orders to the authorities concerned to ensure that the dairy effluents are not discharged into the drain and the monitoring committee constituted by the NGT had taken a serious view of the matter. Accordingly, 29 dairies operational on the banks of Kala Sanghian drain at Nahal and Kutlupur villages and seven dairies at Bulandpur and Gadaipur villages which were still discharging their untreated effluents into Kala Sanghian drain were issued notices under Section 33-A of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act for closure with an opportunity of personal hearing before the member-secretary, PPCB, by Tuesday (today). After the hearing, the authorities directed them to comply or face closure and disconnection of electricity c m y b supply available on the premises of dairies. In the hearing, GS Majithia, Chief Environment Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Jalandhar, and Sandeep Bahl, senior environment engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Zonal Office, Jalandhar, were present on behalf of the Board. Some of the dairy owners did not attend the hearing. However, keeping in view the seriousness and urgency of the matter, an ex-parte decision was taken by the competent authority of the Board for those dairies as well. Some of dairy owners did not attend the personal hearing in spite of pursuance by the officers of the Board and the fact that the notices regarding hearing were delivered to all the dairies at their doorstep in person by the Board. Rural SSP Swarndeep Singh addresses a press conference in Jalandhar on Tuesday. MALKIAT SINGH Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 6 The Jalandhar Rural police today claimed to have arrested three members of the Lakhvir Landa’s gang and recovered nine weapons, ammunition and an i20 car from their possession. The suspects have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Laddi, of Garhshankar, Gagandeep Singh, alias Gagan, of Mohalla of Bilga and Sukhwinder Singh of Goraya. The police have recovered seven pistols, 30 live cartridges, one revolver of 32 Continued on page 2