01092023-JTR-01.qxd 9/1/2023 12:25 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DANCE FEST HELD TO CELEBRATE INDIA’S PRESIDENCY IN G20 GRAMMY-NOMINATED CAMILO JOINS HANDS WITH DILJIT DOSANJH RASIKA’S DREAM IS TO PORTRAY AMRITA PRITAM IN A BIOPIC To celebrate India’s presidency in G20, Akashvani Jalandhar organised a folk dance festival. P2 Five-time Latin Grammy-winner Camilo has teamed up with Diljit Dosanjh on a new song Palpita. P3 Rasika Dugal has expressed her heartfelt wish to portray the iconic wordsmith’s life in a movie. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.52 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:03 AM » FRIDAY | 1 SEPTEMBER 2023 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF 4HELDFORSTEALING TRANSFORMERS Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested four persons on the charge of stealing transformers of farmers. Investigating officer (IO) Harwinder Singh said the suspects had been identified as Lakhan, Rahul, Antrjit Yadav, and Sonu Singh, all residents of Ludhiana. The police seized oil, copper, coils and wires stolen from transformers. The IO said a case under Sections 370 and 411 of the IPC was registered against the suspests on the statement from Hardeep Singh of Mehatpur village. OC MAN HELD WITH ILLICIT LIQUOR Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested a man with huge quantity of hooch. Investigating officer (IO) Avtar Lal said 400 bottles of hooch were seized from the suspect, identified as Manvir Singh, alias Monu, of Bhode village. His accomplices Rannjit Singh and Panja Singh, managed to flee from the spot. The IO said a case had been registered against the trio. OC DRIVER BOOKED FOR NEGLIGENCE Phagwara: The Nakodar city police have booked an unidentified pickup van driver on the charge of causing death by negligence. Ashok Kumar of Kot Sadik, Khehra Colony, Kala Sanghian Road, near Primary School, Jalandhar, complained to the police that a pickup van driver crushed his relative Keshav Kumar Chaudhary to death near Sandhu Dhaba, Nakodar, on August 29. Investigating officer Sarabjit Singh said a case had been registered against unidentified driver. OC TWO HELD FOR THEFT AT SHOP Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested two persons for stealing goods from a shop. Investigating officer (IO) Jagdev Singh said the suspects had been identified as Joraj, alias Jaji, of Malsian village, and Kulwider Singh, alias Kinder, of Shahkot. Manshinder Singh, a resident of Seechewal village, complained to the police that thieves barged into his shop on August 27 night and stole a big battery, one printer scanner, one LCD and a mobile phone. The IO said a case was registered against the suspects. OC TWO BOOKED ON CHARGE OF ASSAULT Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have booked two villagers on the charge of assaulting a co-villager. Investigating officer (IO) Balwinder Singh said the suspects had been identified as Binder Singh and his brother Sarabjit Singh of Raibwal Bet village. Charan Singh of the same village complained to the police that the suspects waylaid and attacked him in his fields and threatened him with dire consequences. He said land demarcation was reason behind the attack. OC SIX BOOKED FOR HURTING MAN Phagwara: On a complaint lodged by Sahil Bagga of Subhash Nagar, the police registered a case against six persons on the charge of attacking him with sharp weapons and damaging his car. The suspects were identified as Himanshu, Sukha, Manav, Karan, Sahil Thapar and Lucky Bhogal. The complainant was admitted to the Civil Hospital. OC Glaring discrepancies come to fore in Phagwara blood bank Three HIV positive blood units issued from facility to patients Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 31 Three HIV positive blood units were issued from the blood bank functioning from the premises of the Civil Hospital here. The state Department of Drugs Control observed that the “poor quality” blood of the bank was “unsafe for transfusion” and put patients’ lives at risk. The observations were made in an inspection report on the basis of which a formal showcause notice was issued to the blood bank on August 24. The blood bank was directed to immediately stop its operations till the deficiencies were removed. The facility was also directed to transfer the entire stock of tested and stored blood/blood components to other licensed blood bank. After receiving a notice, the blood bank stopped operations from August 26 onwards. The notice served by Amit Duggal, Assistant Commssioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Punjab, stated, “Your blood bank is indulging in collection and supply of poor quality blood which is dangerous and unsafe for transfusion to patients/recipients and puts their life at risk. As such, it is against the patient safety compliance.” Discrepancies came to the fore when the blood bank was inspected by Arvind Singh Panwar, Drug Inspector, Central Drug Standard Control Organisation, Baddi, and Ravi Gupta, Drugs Control Officer, Kapurthala, on August 1 for the renewal of its licence. WHAT NOTICE STATES ■ Total 17 discrepancies have cryoprecipitate USP. been listed at the blood bank. ■ The blood bank issued HIV +ve blood units bearing No. 2120, 2207 and 2204 ■ The bank has no policy for discard of blood units which fall under grey zone in TTI testing ■ Various expired reagent/kits were kept in serology lab ■ Various reagents i.e. Anti A , Anti B and Anti-D monoclonal antibodies were kept in uncontrolled storage condition ■ The bank did not produce QC test report of whole human blood IP, packed red blood cells IP, platelet concentrate USP, fresh frozen plasma BP and ■ The bank did not produce the The notice stated why should the blood bank’s licence No. 1708-B not be suspended/cancelled on account of violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945? Abhinav Trikha, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Punjab, said, “We are the regulating and not the implementing authority for blood banks. Any further action would be initiated by the Director, Health.” Dr Adarsh Pal Kaur, Director, Health and Family Wel- fare, said, “Blood banks are under the Punjab State AIDS Control Society. So, they might be in a better position to tell. However, we will conduct an inquiry into the issue. As far as FIR is concerned, that can only be filed if the inquiry finds that the blood bank staff is erring.” Bobby Gulati, Assistant Director, Punjab State AIDS Control Society, said, “The blood was found HIV non-reactive on being tested. The patients, who were given blood, have been QC test report of reagent/kits. ■ Donor medical form was not in-line with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. ■ Forms of some donors were not filled properly by Blood Transfusion Officer ■ Teflon tape and whitener was used at certain places in donor registers ■ Register was not completely filled by technician/Blood Transfusion Officer and was not in line with NACO guidelines ■ It was found that there was no permanent Blood Transfusion Officer at the bank found HIV negative. So, action can only be taken if they turn HIV positive.” Gulati said, “Notably, HIV symptoms appear two to six weeks after exposure. In some patients, it may take months to years for symptoms to appear.” Vinit Puri, general secretary, Hindustan Welfare Blood Donors Club, who runs an NGO, donated 1,157 units of blood to the bank from 2022 to 2023. He said, “The glaring discrepancies raise concern on all blood units in use at the bank. Requisite action should be taken against culprits who issued HIV +ve blood units. The patients who received such units should be traced. The authorities should conduct an inquiry into the matter.” Notably, the Phagwara blood bank has not been new to controversy. The blood bank was closed in 2020 after HCV positive blood was issued to a 85-year-old woman and mismatched blood was given to a 19-yearold recipient. A copy of the show-cause certificate issued by the Drug Department has also been marked to the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare; Commissioner Food and Drugs Administration, Punjab, Drugs Controller General (India); Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab; Deputy Drugs Controller (India); Additional Project Director, Punjab State AIDS Control Society; Civil Surgeon, Kapurthala; Zonal Licensing Authority (Drugs), Jalandhar, and Drugs Control Officer, Kapurthala. Delimitation of wards: Next hearing on ‘Notice of motion to state govt’ on Sept 28 Our Correspondent Phagwara, August 31 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed the next date of hearing on September 28 in a case related to the “Delimitation process of the Phagwara Municipal Corporation”. Earlier on July 29, while issuing the notice of motion to the State of Punjab, the High Court had called for the “entire record of the proceedings of the delimitation process” on August 29. The directions by Justice Raj Mohan Singh and Justice Harpreet Singh Brar were issued on the basis of a petition filed by Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal submitted through advocate Gaurav Gilhotra on July 17 before the court against the Punjab Government citing “wrong and partial delimitation” of the municipal corporation (MC). Dhaliwal said though he was a member of the delimitation board, the authorities ignored him. He said around 100 objections were filed by the residents against the proposed delimitation, which was hurting the sentiments of the general and reserve categories. He said the proposed delimitation was announced without taking anyone into confidence only due to vested political interests. Dhaliwal alleged that despite repeated requests, no proper survey was conducted nor any notification was issued. He said wrong, partial and pleasant policy of the Local Bodies Department forced him to knock the doors of the court. ‘Bill Liyao, Inaam Pao’ scheme to start from today Jalandhar, August 31 Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal on Thursday urged city residents to take maximum advantage of the “Bill Liyao, Inaam Pao” scheme, an initiative of the Punjab Government to encourage buyers collect bills from dealers after purchase of goods. The scheme would be implemented from Friday under which people could avail benefits up to Rs 29 lakh per month. A draw would be held on the seventh day of every month. The DC said the objective of the scheme was to encourage consumers to collect bills from dealers after purchasing goods. The DC said residents should register on the “Mera Bill” app after downloading it on their cellphones and take advantage of the scheme. He said consumers could participate in a lucky draw by uploading the purchase bill on the app. The bill must have a minimum value of Rs 200. Sale bills of petroleum products and liquor are not eligible for the draw. — TNS Officials during inspection at an IELTS centre in Balachaur. SDM conducts surprise checking of IELTS centres Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, August 31 Balachaur SDM Vikramjit Singh Panthey today conducted a surprise checking of the IELTS centres in Pojewal, Majari and Saroya villages. The SDM checked all relevant documents and functioning of the IELTS centres to ascertain their compliance with the rules and regulations. “The purpose of conduct- ing surprise inspections of the IELTS centres as per the directions of the government is to ensure proper compliance of rules and regulations by these centres in the larger interest of the students,” the SDM said, while adding that he had asked the centre heads, who could not present all documents, to visit his office with proper record or else strict action would be taken against them. Mining Department XEN, SDO nabbed accepting ~5 lakh bribe Hoshiarpur, August 31 Amidst the ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday nabbed an Executive Engineer (XEN) and a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Mining Department while accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. The arrested officials have been identified as Sartaj Singh Randhawa, XEN, posted in Hoshiarpur, and Harjinder Singh, SDO, posted in Dasuya. A VB spokesperson said that Jaspreet Singh, a resident of Dholan village in Jagraon tehsil, had lodged a complaint that he was working with Regal Enterprises Company as a site controller. The company was awarded a land-filling contract at Mukerian-Talwara railway line and had deposited Rs 41,10,117 fee fixed by the government with the department concerned to excavate soil from Ghagwal village in Dasuya tehsil. Thereafter, it came to their notice that the land for which the fee was paid fell under Sections 4 and 5 of the Forest Act. The company filed an application to transfer the royalty in March 2023. The Demanded ~12 Lakh to transfer royalty paid for soil excavation The XEN and SDO in custody of the Vigilance Bureau in Hoshiarpur on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO complainant and his senior Jatinder Singh met the SDO and the XEN at the latter’s office on July 20. XEN Sartaj Randhawa said the royalty could not be transferred. After repeated requests, he said that SDO Harjinder Singh would talk to them in this regard. After a few days, the SDO called Jatinder at his office in Dasuya and told that the XEN had demanded Rs 12 lakh bribe to transfer the royalty. Later, the SDO agreed to settle the matter at Rs 8 lakh, the complainant alleged. The spokesperson said after preliminary investigation of the complaint, a VB team from Hoshiarpur laid a trap and arrested both the suspects while accepting Rs 5 lakh bribe from the complainant in the presence of official witnesses. An FIR No. 22 was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 34 of the IPC against XEN Sartaj Randhawa and SDO Harjinder Singh at the Jalandhar range VB police station today. Both suspects would be produced in a court on Friday and further investigation was under progress, the spokesperson said. — OC Health issues crop up as floodwater recedes in Kapurthala dist 1 killed, another hurt as 2 masked men open fire Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 31 As the water level has subsided, residents of flood-hit villages in Kapurthala district are falling sick. The stagnant water and rising temperature has turned the air damp. The change in climate has created breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses resulting in a surge of health issues among villagers. Local health officials are taking stock of the situation. They say that the humidity is aggravating health problems of residents. They are witnessing a rise in respiratory infections, skin irritations A house flooded with river water at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. FILE PHOTO and heat-related ailments. The conditions are challenging for recovery. Rajesh Kumar, a villager, said, “The air is stifling and uncomfortable. Many of us are battling coughs, sneezing and fatigue. Recovering from c m y b the floods is already a challenge, but the added humidity has made things worse.” “Amidst the growing health crisis, the local authorities are taking action. Medical teams have been providing aid and distributing essential supplies among villagers,” he said. Paramjit Singh, a farmer leader from Baupur Mand village said, “The residents are suffering from a number of humidity-related ailments, including heat exhaustion and fungal infections. I and other residents, who are helping in rescue operations, deliver medical supplies to residents via boat every day. Medical teams are educating residents about how to stay safe during such weather conditions.” Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, August 31 A man was killed and another injured after two masked men opened fire at them in Balachaur. The deceased has been identified as Narinder Singh. In a statement to the police, the injured said that he had gone for a walk after dinner. “I met Narinder Singh of Garhi Kaugo village and we both started talking. At around 9.15 pm, two masked men came on a bike and opened fire, leaving Narinder dead. I was injured and started running towards the main market. The bike-borne assailants fled from the spot after committing the crime,” he said. The victim further stated that around five years ago, Narinder had a fight with one Manpreet after which a case was also registered against him, but he walked free. “Manpreet went to America and a year ago, called me and threatened that I would be killed,” he said in the statement to the police. A case under Sections 302, 307, 34 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the two assailants.