05012024-ATR-01.qxd 1/5/2024 12:26 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune PSPCL OFFICIAL LAUDS STATE GOVT FOR ACQUIRING GOINDWAL SAHIB PLANT Director Administration, PSPCL, has lauded the state government’s acquisition of Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant. P2 » UK-BASED SINGER JUGGY D FEELS THE WORLD CELEBRATES PUNJABI MUSIC Regarded as influential Punjabi artistes, Juggy D believes that Punjabi music is doing better than Hindi film music. P3 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 13°C | MIN 3°C YESTERDAY MAX 11°C | MIN 4°C KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN HITS 6.3 MILLION VIEW HOURS IN PREMIERE Kho Gaye Hum Kahan amassed 6.3 million view hours in first week of its release on Netflix, streamer said. P4 SUNSET FRIDAY 5.40 PM » SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:30 AM FRIDAY | 5 JANUARY 2024 | AMRITSAR Gold worth ~93.71L seized at airport Amritsar, January 4 Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the AntiSmuggling Unit (AIU) of Customs Department rummaged the Indigo flight No. 6E1428 that arrived at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport at 7:36 pm from Sharjah. During rummaging the aircraft two gold bars with markings Suisse 1 kilo fine gold 999.9 AABC Essayeur Fondeur 1023 K005756 and Fine Gold 999.9 Carbon Trust Certified Essayeur Fondeur 1123 D517934 having gross weight 1,508 grams were recovered. Officials said gold bars were wrapped inside tissue and further wrapped with black adhesive tape. The net weight of total gold recovered is 1499.50 grams. The market value of the recovered gold is Rs 93,71,875. The unclaimed gold has been seized under Section 110 of the Custom Act, 1962. — TNS Drug peddler held with 200-gm heroin Amritsar, January 4 The Gate Hakima police have arrested a drug peddler and recovered 200 gm of heroin from him. He was identified Lovepreet Singh, alias Kalu, of Navi Abadi in Attari. ACP Surinder Singh said Kaluwas arrested near the Jhabal road railway crossing. The ACP said he supplied drugs in Anngarh and adjoining areas. He was brought on police remand for probe. — TNS 6 months on, BRTS service still off road Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 4 It’s been six months when the Metro bus run under the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) went off road since July 4. Daily commuters have been deprived of the public transport service in shivering weather conditions. Over 37,000 passengers used to avail the bus service every day before it was suspended. As per the authorities of the BRTS, more than 80,000 commuters use public transport every day in the city. Now, unauthorised auto-rickshaws are the only option left for residents to commute in the city. The Metro bus service was suspended as the private firm that provided drivers and mechanics left the contract mid-way due to financial issues on July 4, 2023. The then Municipal Corporation Commissioner made efforts to arrange contractual staff to run buses on collector rates, but employees working with pervious company did not agree to work on low pay. Some local activists and members of an NGO met officials for the revival of the BRTS service. The authorities assured them that a new firm would be hired soon to run the serv- A BRTS station in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR ice. However, no development has been reported till date in this connection. A fleet of 92 buses is gathering dust at the BRTS terminal on the Verka-Vallah bypass. According to the BRTS employees, the tyres of parked buses had got punctured. They said more technical issues would emerge when the bus service resumes. “There is little hope for the revival of the BRTS service due to lack of political will and a negative bureaucratic approach. No political leader from the ruling party and even the Opposition has raised concern for the unique public transport service which provided a comfortable ride at economical fare. The service was launched in December 2016 by the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Ironically, the local unit of the SAD has not raised voice to resume the service,” said Kulwant Singh, a local activist. Pawandeep Sharma, another local activist said, “The politicians and bureaucrats are behind the failure of the projects in the past. The people pay taxes through their hardearned money. Sixty buses of the City Bus service and 92 buses of the BRTS are parked at Mall Mandi and the Vallah bypass. Officials have no vision to make the public transport successful in the holy city.” Ban on plastic kite flying string goes up in smoke Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 4 Despite ban imposed by the district administration and seizure of plastic kite flying string by the police, the killer thread is making its way into the hands of the kite flyers. The fact that the banned string caused numerous accidents has failed to deter kite flyers from using it. The popularity of the plastic string is so much that over the years it has pushed traditional kite thread makers out of the seasonal business. Over a decade ago, thread makers polishing kite strings on roadsides was a common sight. At present, hardly any such place of traditional Thread still being used by kite flyers in Amritsar. TRIBUNE PHOTO thread makers can be spotted in the entire city. Sunil Kumar, a local resident, who received a cut on his face while riding a bike a few days ago said, “Luckily the plastic thread got entangled with the side mirror of my bike and it broke. If the thread had come into contact with my face, I could have been injured seriously.” The plastic thread has become popular among kite flyers as it does not break easily. However, it is lethal for humans and birds. Over the past few years, several persons lost their lives after they were grievously injured by the plastic thread. While the administration has imposed a ban on the sale and use of the plastic string, residents are still not serious about not to use it. A senior citizen Joginder Singh said, “Parents must not allow their children to use plastic thread for flying kites. The children need to be sensitised about the safety of others.” He said perhaps people were waiting for the police to register cases against kite flyers who used plastic thread. Residents to get potable canal water by July: DC Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 4 The World Bank funded canal water treatment plant would be completed by July this year. After completion of the project, city residents would get treated canal water for drinking, claimed Deputy Commissioner-cum-Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ghanshyam Thori. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) conducted an inspection of ongoing work and met officials working on project today. The work at the Vallah plant started in June 2021 and is expected to complete by July. With the support of the World Bank, a round the clock surface-based water supply project is being implemented in the city. Amritsar, January 4 The Amritsar (Rural) police arrested two persons for allegedly possessing illegal weapons and ammunition here yesterday. They were identified as Kulbir Singh, a resident of Sathiala village, and Manpreet Singh, a resident of Chatiwind village. The police said yesterday, near CNG gas station on the Jalandhar road in Mehta, a man had opened fire into the air following a minor mishap when his bike collided with a car. Both car and the motorcycle owner entered into heated arguments following which the bike-borne person took out a pistol and fired into the air. As the police got the information, it started an investigation and identified the suspect as Kulbir Singh, a resident of Sathiala. The police recov- Tribune News Service One of the suspects held with an illegal weapon in Amritsar. ered .32 bore illegal pistol, 10 live cartridges and a magazine from him. A case under Sections 336 (Negligence act endangering human life) of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act was registered against him at the Mehta police station here. In the second case, the rural police arrested Manpreet Singh from the Mandiala road turn during patrolling. The police seized .32 bore illegal pistol, a magazine and a live bullet from him. A case under the Arms Act was registered against him. Further probe was initiated into the matter. Amritsar, January 4 Two days after eight persons were booked for allegedly getting government jobs on the basis of fake certificates, the rural police have booked six more persons for similar offences. Those booked were identified as Jaspinder Kaur of Thathia village, Sarabjit Kaur of Jandiala Guru, Kusamlata of Noordi Bazaar, Mamta Arora of Jandiala Guru, Rajwinder Kaur of Talwandi village in Tarsikka and Pargat Singh of Mehta Chowk. They were booked under Sections 420, 465, 567, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC following a complaint by Gursewak Singh, Joint Director, Vigilance Bureau. According to the police, they had received a complaint on December 31, 2023, about registering an FIR against the suspects. The complaint was lodged follow- c m y b scheduled to be completed within three years. Under the canal-based water supply project, the government has been constructing 440 MLD water treatment plant and 51 new water tanks and laying 122 km pipeline.” Thori said 58 per cent work Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 4 The Majitha road police have arrested three snatchers and recovered six mobile phones from their possession. Those arrested were identified as Shiva alias Bholu, a resident of Dashmesh Avenue, Sajandeep Singh, a resident of Indira Colony on the Majitha road, and Shubham Nayyar, a resident of Ekroop Avenue in Naushehra village. Khushbu Sharma, SHO, Majitha road police station, said Vikas Yadav, a native of Bihar, now residing on the Circular road, told the police that unknown person snatched his mobile phone on December 28 when he was going to purchase vegetables near Rattan Singh Chowk. The SHO said the The suspects in custody of the Majitha police in Amritsar. miscreant was later identified as Shiva from whom the police recovered two mobile phones. Later, his interrogation led to the arrest of Sajandeep and Subham Nayyar. The police confiscated two mobile phones each from them which they had snatched from people in different parts of the city, the SHO added. Replace Arora for hoisting national flag: Activist to CM Amritsar, January 4 Demanding disqualification and removal of Cabinet Minister Aman Arora citing his conviction by a sub-divisional court in a 16-year-old case, local RTI activist PC Bali has written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raising questions on Arora being allowed to hoist the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations here. Earlier, a court in Sangrur sentenced Arora and eight others to rigorous imprisonment of two years in December last year. Arora had later stated that he would challenge the verdict in a higher court. While demanding intervention of the Chief Minister, Bali wrote, “It is urged that Aman Arora be promptly replaced with a suitably eligible person for the Republic Day ceremony.” — TNS Drunk constable’s car hits vehicles, probe ordered Amritsar, January 4 The police have suspended a constable for drunk driving after he hit several commuters on the Batala road twice yesterday evening. He was identified as Parnam Singh. A departmental inquiry was also initiated against him. According to information, Parnam was deputed as security guard with a private per- booked for fraud, forgery PK Jaiswar A water treatment plant is being constructed with an aim of providing residents clean canal water. Thori said, “The project is progressing with assistance from L&T company. It would cost Rs 665.32 crore. The project commenced in July 2021 and is 3 snatchers held, 6 cellphones recovered Two nabbed with illegal weapons Six more govt employees Tribune News Service Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori inspects the water treatment plant at Vallah in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO of laying pipeline had been completed while the construction of 25 water storage tanks was in progress. He said 50 per cent of the civil work for the water treatment plant had been completed. Thori instructed officials to address project-related challenges promptly and expedite work by coordinating with relevant departments. He emphasised on the importance of completing the project on time to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of clean canal water for residents. On the occasion, the project in-charge Lata Chauhan, Joint Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Hardeep Singh and Superintending Engineer Sandeep Singh were also present. ing an inquiry and verification of documents. On Tuesday, Amritsar (Rural) police had booked eight employees of different government departments in two separate cases on charges of fraud, forgery and criminal conspiracy after their certificates were found to be fake. These cases were registered on the complaints forwarded by Joint Director, Vigilance Bureau, and Director, Education Department. The Jhander police station in Amritsar (Rural) police district booked four girls identified as Ritu Bala of Khatrai Kalan village, Ranjit Kaur of Kookewali village, Navdeep Kaur of Ajnala and Parminder Kaur of Rajasansi. The Khalchian police station booked Rupider Kaur of Chhajjalwadi, Prabhjit Kaur, Kunwar Jagdeep Singh of Khalchian and Satinderjit Kaur of Rayya on the charge of similar offences. son. He was driving a car when his vehicle hit a scooter driven by a woman on the Batala road. The injured were identified as Neetu Chohan and her daughter. The victims alleged that the car driver was in an inebriated state when his vehicle hit their scooter. On the same evening, Parnam hit several two-wheelers near Banke Bihari Gali. The onlookers caught hold of the cop and thrashed him. The people said the cop was not even able to stand on his feet when he was taken out of the car. Varinder Singh Khosa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said following incident, the constable was immediately taken into custody. During medical examination, the con- stable was found to be alcohol positive. The ACP said the constable was immediately placed under suspension and sent to the Police Lines, besides initiating a departmental probe against him. Appropriate action would be taken against him, the ACP said. He said no cop would be allowed to defame the disciplined force. — TNS Dr Kamalpal takes charge as Tarn Taran Civil Surgeon Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, January 4 Dr Kamalpal took charge as the Civil Surgeon, Tarn Taran, on Thursday. He succeeds Dr Daljit Singh, who has been transferred from here. After taking charge, Dr Kamalpal held a meeting with his subordinates. The meeting was attended by Dr Variderpal Kaur, District Immunisation Officer, Dr Devi Bala, Assistant Civil Surgeon, Dr Sukhbir Kaur, District Health Officer, Dr Ashish Gupta, District Family Welfare Officer, Dr Sandeep Kalra, Deputy Medical Commissioner, Dr Kanwaljit Singh, Senior Medical Officer, and other programme officers. The Civil Surgeon told officials to provide better medical facilities to people. Community Health Officers stage a dharna in Tarn Taran. GURBAXPURI CommunityHealthOfficers protestadditionalworkload Tarn Taran, January 4 The Community Health Officers (CHOs) looking after government-run Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) from all parts of the district held a protest here today. The stir was held under the banner of Community Health Officers Joint Committee, Punjab, led by district president Jasmeen Kaur. The agitating CHOs presented a charter of their demands to Civil Surgeon Dr Kamalpal who took charge today. Jasmeen Kaur and other leaders of the committee, who addressed the protesters, said the department in its new instructions had stated that work would be done online when there was no facility for such work or computer operators available at the HWCs. They said their normal work would get affected and it would be difficult to serve patients if medical camps were organised along with other duties. They also said the department had put workload on them. They warned the state government that in case the director of the department failed to give them time to discuss their demands, they would stage a dharna in Chandigarh on January 9 after going on mass casual leave. — OC