06112023-ATR-01.qxd 11/6/2023 12:31 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CYCLE RALLY CREATES AWARENESS ABOUT PREVENTION OF STROKE ARIANA’S EX-HUSBAND DALTON GOMEZ SEEN WITH MAIKA MONROE ANGAD HASIJA OPENED UP ON THE SHOOTING OF THE SHOW A cyclothon was organised to make people aware about stroke. In 80 per cent cases, stroke can be prevented. P2 Pop star Ariana Grande’s ex-husband Dalton Gomez was spotted getting all hot & heavy with actress Maika Monroe.P3 Angad Hasija has opened up on the shooting of the show Pashminna — Dhaage Mohabbat Ke in Kashmir. P4 » » » MAX 29°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 14°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:51 AM MONDAY | 6 NOVEMBER 2023 | AMRITSAR SAD leader asks AAP to explain Kejriwal’s stand on SutlejYamuna Link canal Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha has asked AAP to explain the reason why Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in favour of Haryana on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. In a release issued here on Sunday, Valtoha said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his advisers were resorting to wild allegations against the SAD leadership to divert attention from the matter in which AAP and its government in Punjab had compromised state’s river water interests. “The SAD has, however, still given a comprehensive reply on the falsehood being propagated that its government led by Parkash Singh Badal had arrived at a quid pro quo with Chaudhary Devi Lal in 1998 by relining the Bhakra Main Line (BML) canal in return for the creation of a canal to take water to the Badal family’s land in Balasar village in Haryana,” Valtoha said. “We explained that the Balasar canal, which was part of the BML irrigation system, came into existence in 1964, more than a decade before Devi Lal became Chief Minister of Haryana. We have also challenged the Delhi CM’s affidavit in Supreme Court Chief Minister to prove his allegation that Parkash Singh Badal wrote letters to the Centre urging it to construct the SYL when he was in jail during the period of Emergency,” the senior Akali leader said. He also asked the AAP government to explain if it had ever condemned the statement of AAP Haryana unit president Sushil Gupta that the party would ensure SYL waters to each and every corner of the state once it forms its government in 2024. He said the CM was yet to take any action against its Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak who had recently batted for Haryana and asserted that SYL waters should be released to the state. The SAD leader also ridiculed recent assertions by an AAP spokesman that people had now got to know that the Badal family owned land in Balasar as well as hotels. “All this has been reflected in income tax returns,” he said while adding that the AAP was resorting to cheap tactics to divert attention from its failures to protect the interests of Punjabis in the SYL. EC extends date for revising electoral rolls for MC polls Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 The State Election Commission (EC) has extended the date for revising the electoral rolls for the upcoming municipal corporation (MC) elections to November 21. After delimitation of wards, new rolls were to be prepared and the process was underway. Earlier, the State Election Commission had asked the administration to publish final electoral rolls on November 10. It was brought to the notice of the EC that due to modifications after delimitation by the Department of Local Government, the num- The final electoral rolls would be published on November 21. ber of claims and objections had gone up considerably. Some District Election Officers had requested the EC to extend the final date for filing claims and objections. After careful consideration and in order to maintain fair- ness and transparency in the election process, especially to maintain the purity and sanctity of the voter lists for the MC elections, the EC decided to extend the period for filing claims and objections and accordingly their disposal and the final publication of electoral rolls. As per revised schedule, the district administration would receive objections and claims of voters till November 7 (Tuesday). The administration got instructions from the EC for disposal of all claims and objections by November 17. The final electoral rolls would be published on November 21. 75% complaints received on WhatsApp number resolved by civic body Amritsar, November 5 The municipal corporation (MC) issued a WhatsApp number 9964494000 for the redressal of complaints recently. During the last one week, the MC received 151 complaints on the number. MC Commissioner Rahul said a complaint centre had also been set up at the MC head office where employees forwarded residents’ complaints received on the WhatsApp number to the authorities concerned for immediate action. Rahul said a total of 151 complaints had been received on the number out of which 75 per cent had been resolved till now. He said according to information received from residents, they also ❝A software is through being developed which a number for the complaint registered with the MC would be generated and given to the complainant. ❞ Rahul, MC COMMISSIONER were satisfied with essential services provided by the MC. As per instructions given to officials, it was mandatory to resolve all complaints. “A software is also being developed through which a number for the complaint registered with the MC would be generated and given to the complainant,” Rahul said. — TNS Iron bars pose risk to commuters, passersby on Lawrence Road Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 Pillars with iron bars popping out on Lawrence Road pose a risk to motorists and passersby. A private contractor has been hired by the authorities to install a gantry hoarding on Lawrence Road near Nehru Shopping Complex. The pillars are being installed by workers of the contractor. On Thursday evening, a car driver had alleged that his vehicle’s tyre was damaged by protruding iron bars on the road. He said all this happened due to the utter negligence of the contractor and the authorities concerned. A high drama was witnessed when tyre of the car got damaged. The driver claimed that some other visitors too had complained about the issue as the contractor did not cover iron bars. “These iron bars pose a risk to lives of commuters. The tyre of a car got damaged due to these bars recently. In case a twowheeler gets stuck in iron bars, a major accident could happen,” said Malkeet, a worker in a market on the Lawrence road. Pillars with dangerous iron >> bars protruding on the Lawrence road in Amritsar on Sunday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Now, direct flights from Australia, New Zealand to holy city Good sale in festival season Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 The Punjabi community residing in Australia, New Zealand and other Southeast Asian countries would now have the privilege of multiple flight options than ever before for flying directly from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International (SGRDJI) Airport. The facility for direct flights would be provided by four prominent airlines — Batik Air, Air Asia X and Malaysia Airlines from Malaysia and Scoot of Singapore — all of which would operate flights to Amritsar via their respective hubs in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. All these airlines are competing and eyeing the Punjabi diaspora for increasing their business. Sameep Singh Gumtala, The Scoot flight would arrive at 9:05 am at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. FILE PHOTO convener, FlyAmritsar Initiative, said starting from November 8, Malaysia Airlines would commence two weekly direct flights from its hub in Kuala Lumpur to the holy city. The airlines would provide direct flights from Punjab to multiple cities across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indone- sia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam and more countries. These cities include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland, Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila. This would be the third airline from Malaysia starting its operations to Amritsar providing a total of 700 seats per week. The airlines is also part of the Oneworld Alliance that shares passengers with airline carriers of many countries including Qantas in Australia. The journey to cities in Australia and New Zealand can be completed in just 15 to 17 hours. To further enhance and improve convenient connectivity both ways, Singapore’s Scoot is changing its time schedule during the winter season from November to March end. The Scoot flight would now arrive at Amritsar airport in the morning at 9:05 am and depart for Singapore at 10:30 am. The airline operates its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with either 335 or 375 seats on this route providing a total of 3,430 seats per week. “The new flight timings would now offer seamless connectivity for both inbound and outbound travellers to a wide network of destinations beyond Singapore,” said Gumtala. He urged Punjabis to prefer flying directly to Amritsar instead of Delhi to support all flights and make them successful. brings cheers to store owners Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 The festival season has brought customers out of homes for shopping, but delay in arrival of the winter is holding back sale of woollen apparels. Since the breakout of the Israel-Hamas war, the price of gold recorded a jump of nearly 10 per cent. Still customers want to buy gold jewellery. Pankaj Khurrana, a jeweller, said the price of 10 gm of gold rose from nearly Rs 58,000 to Rs 63,000 since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. He recalled that the footfall of customers was low when the price was around Rs 58,000, who expected that it Customers buy clothes in Putligarh Bazaar. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR would further go down. However, international developments had changed the entire situation. Now, customers were turning up in good numbers in anticipation that the price of the yellow metal may rise further. They gave credence to the traditional thought that gold was a hedge against inflation and a safe refuge for bad times, besides being an integral part of weddings. Jewellers expect that the trend would continue during the ensuing Dhanteras. Harpreet Singh, a store owner, said an upbeat trend was witnessed among customers buying imitation jewellery. Flow of customers was good due to the forthcoming wedding season in winter. Similar trend was witnessed for some cosmetic products. Rajiv Aneja, a ready made garment dealer, said the sale of woollen apparels rose during Diwali festival. However, the weather was not much cold these days, he said. People were still utilising fans during most part of the day, he added. Residents rue civic issues, slow pace of development 56 farm fires reported in district, 1 farmer booked for burning stubble WARD WATCH Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 Ward No. 21 of the municipal corporation (MC) comprises Joda Fatak, Dasmesh Nagar, Chowk Jhuggian Wala, Naumberdaran Di Haveli and the Ware House godown area on Mehta Road. Several localities in the area are underdeveloped and residents have to face civic issues. Potholed roads and streets are major problems for residents. Non-lifting of garbage, poor sanitation, choking of sewer lines and water contamination are some of the major concerns in the ward. There are several localities where residents belonging to the economically weaker sections or migrant labourers live. The residents alleged that Potholes have surfaced on a road; and (right) a heap of garbage near Joda Phatak in Amritsar on Sunday. PHOTOS: SUNIL KUMAR politicians promise to address the civic issues before elections, but when it comes to fulfilling their promises, no one even cares to visit the area once the polls are over. The main road near the railway crossing is in bad condition. Thousands of commuters bear a bumpy ride on the potholed road. The streets also need repair in the Joda Fatak area. “Garbage lifting is a major issue in Joda Phatak area. Heaps of garbage can be seen alongside the railway crossing. The workers of solid waste management company do not collect waste regularly. There is no MC staff to keep a check on sanitation. The streets and roads are filthy. Low-lying areas witness waterlogging when it rains. Potholes in streets get filled with rainwater and commuters have to face inconvenience,” said Harpal Singh, a resident. “The stray cattle menace also needs to be addressed on prior- c m y b ity basis. A large area alongside urban localities is lying vacant. Stray cattle from villages and Sabji Mandi enter and roam around in streets. The furious bulls often attack residents. The MC should shift these bulls to gaushalas for the safety of the public,” said Deena Nath, a shopkeeper. Amritsar, November 5 The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre detected 56 farm fires on Sunday with which the total count of crop residue burning has increased to 1,432. The district administration today got an FIR registered against another farmer from the Jandiala Guru area for burning stubble. The farmer was booked under Section 188 of the CrPC for violating the ban on burning of crop residue imposed by the administration. On Sunday, 14 farm fire incidents were reported from Rayya block with Ajnala following close with 13 incidents. The Attari block reported nine incidents, Harsha Chinna block eight, Chogawan seven, Tarsikka four and Jandiala Fire brigade personnel douse burning crop residue at Galib village. only one incident. The administration had got FIRs registered against seven farmers for violation of the ban orders, filed complaints in court against 10 farmers for causing pollution under provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, besides imposing an environmental penalty of over Rs 9.57 lakh. The administration has also ordered the Revenue Department to collect penalty from erring farmers. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said criminal cases against farmers would be filed in courts for burning crop residue. Farmers would have to get bail from the court. — TNS