06032024-JTR-01.qxd 3/6/2024 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS GET E-SCOOTERS TRADER ‘KIDNAPPED’, ROBBED OF 1 KG GOLD A trader was allegedly kidnapped by carborne miscreants from Timber Market at gunpoint and robbed of gold. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 22°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 16.8°C | MIN 6.5°C SHRUTI HAASAN TALKS ABOUT ‘BIRTH CONTROL FOR MEN’ DC Vishesh Sarangal distributed electric wheelchairs-cum-scooters among 11 students with special needs. P2 FORECAST Ahead of Women’s Day, Shruti Haasan has spoken about the importance of birth control. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.25 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:41 AM » WEDNESDAY | 6 MARCH 2024 | JALANDHAR PO BOOKED ON COURT ORDER Phagwara: The Bilga police have booked a proclaimed offender for not appearing in the court. Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhvir Singh said the accused had been identified as Jagjit Singh, a resident of Mao Sahib village. The SHO said Phillaur Judicial Magistrate First Class Gur Mehtab Singh ordered that the accused had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC and Section 21 of the Mining Act. He should be booked under Section 174-A (nonappearance in response to a proclamation under Section 82 of Act 2 of 1974). A case has been registered and further investigations have been initiated. OC MAN HELD WITH LIQUOR BOTTLES Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have arrested a person and booked his wife and son on the charges of selling and brewing illicit liquor. The suspects have been identified as Jiwan Singh, a resident of Pipply village, his wife Kulwant Kaur and son Sonu. Investigating officer Bhajan Singh said 10 bottles of illicit country-made liquor, 70 kg of lahan (raw liquor) and utensils for brewing were recovered from his possession. A case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the suspects. Kulwant and Sonu managed to flee from the spot. OC PO LANDS IN POLICE NET Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO), who was absconding for the past one year. Investigating officer (IO) Amrik Singh said the accused had been identified as Kulwinder Singh, alias Gogi, a resident of Ajtanni village. He was wanted in a case of selling illicit liquor case registered in 2020 and was declared a PO in 2023. OC PHAGWARA GIRL BRINGS LAURELS Phagwara: It was a big day for residents, specially Guru Ravi Dass Institution, Phagwara, as a girl from Bhularai village, Ravinder Rai, an alumni of GRD College, cleared the PCS judicial exam. GRD Trust Chairman UC Saroya, along with Director Education Dr Neelam Sethi, honoured Ravinder Rai who has set an example for students. Later, Ravinder Rai, along with GRD trustees and the principal, honoured the meritorious students of the college. OC 9,560 CHILDREN GET POLIO DROPS Phagwara: A total of 9,560 children in the age group of 0-5 years were administered polio drops during the threeday Pulse Polio Immunisation drive here, which concluded on Tuesday. Paediatrician and Medical Officer Dr Naresh Kundra said the authorities set up 50 polio booths in Phagwara City. Dr Kundra said 3,022 children were administered drops at these booths on March 3, while 4,292 got drops on March 4. As many as 2,246 children were given drops at public places, including railway station and bus stand, on last day of the drive on Tuesday. OC Potholes promise bumpy ride to motorists on roads Showers wash away MC’s claims about quality of infrastructure Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 The condition of city roads has deteriorated significantly after the recent spell of heavy rain with deep potholes posing a threat to the safety of commuters. As the election season approaches, residents have started taking to social media, sharing videos and images of the crumbling infrastructure and calling out potential candidates, political parties and officials to address the issue. Major roads, including Urban Estate Phase II, Cool road, Bhagat Singh Chowk road, Bus Stand road, Choti Baradari to Garha road, Defence Colony road and Wadala Chowk road have all succumbed to disrepair and are in urgent need of maintenance. Commuters have criticised the use of sub-standard materials in road construction, attributing the premature decay to this factor. They report numerous accidents and injuries resulting from the hazardous conditions, with countless pits making travel perilous. Chanpreet Singh, a commuter, expressed disappointment over the lack of improvement in the city’s road infrastructure despite the Municipal Corporation (MC) investing crores in recent years. According to him, the road condition near Cambridge School in Urban Estate Phase-II remains deplorable, characterised by deep potholes. “Despite repeated temporary fixes and patchwork by the MC, road deteriorates, posing a significant threat to motorists,” he said, while criticising the authorities for their apparent indifference to the issue. PHOTOS: SARABJIT SINGH INBRIEF The dilapidated condition of Chhoti Baradari road; and (below) an e-rickshaw stuck on a damaged portion. MAJOR ROADS CRY FOR REPAIR Major roads, including Urban Estate Phase II, Cool road, Bhagat Singh Chowk road, Bus Stand road, Choti Baradari to Garha road, Defence Colony road and Wadala Chowk road have all succumbed to disrepair and are in urgent need of maintenance. RESIDENTS SHARE PLIGHT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Preet Multani, a resident, took to the social media to show what Smart City Jalandhar looks like, tagging MP Sushil Rinku. Multani shared images and videos of the condition of the Chhoti Baradari road during the recent rainfall on Saturday. The footage featured a car trapped in a deep pothole, with significant damage visible. Charanjit Singh said the upcoming elections might prompt some development efforts, but once elected, representatives tend to neglect such issues until the next election comes. Preet Multani, another resident, took to the social media to show what Smart City Jalandhar looks like, tagging MP Sushil Rinku. Multani shared images and videos of the condition of the Chhoti Baradari road during the recent rainfall on Saturday, depicting the inconvenience faced by commuters. The footage featured a car trapped in a deep pothole, with significant damage visible. Meanwhile, similar issues plague other roads, where slow progress not only inconveniences commuters but also adversely impacts local businesses. Expressing frustration, residents called for immediate action from the MC and the district administration to address the longstanding issues plaguing the city’s infrastructure. “As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, we doubt if the authorities will truly make a difference, pointing out that development promises are made only during election times and nothing is done thereafter,” they said. Despite the ceremonial laying of foundation stones for new projects being underway in the city, fundamental concerns such as proper roads, sewerage systems and waste management remain unaddressed till date, the residents said. Cops swing into action, arrest five suspects from lottery shop Efforts on to nab absconding person; further probe on Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 After MLA Sheetal Angural conducted a surprise raid at a lottery shop near Basti Bawa Khel canal on Monday night, the police swung into action and registered cases against six persons. The police arrested five of them, while one of the suspects has been absconding. Those arrested have been identified as Amit Kumar, Shekhar, Karan Verma, Deepak Jain, and Amarjeet Singh. However, Arun Kumar is yet to be nabbed. MLA Angural, while going live on his social media platform during the raid, alleged that the lottery shop had been duping residents by selling counterfeit tickets. He accused the shop owner, alongside big fishes in the lottery business, of engaging in illicit betting activities within the premises. Moreover, he also accused lower rung police officials of collusion with the operators. Following the raid, MLA Angural and his team, along with local merchants, staged a protest outside the targeted MLA Sheetal Angural holds a protest outside the lottery shop to put pressure on the police for action in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO LAPTOP, CASH SEIZED Gurmukh Singh, SHO of the Basti Bawa Khel police station, said while five individuals had been detained, efforts were on to nab the absconding person. The police seized a laptop and ~14,000 in cash from the shop. Further investigations were on into the matter. establishment, obstructing the Kapurthala road near Basti Bawa Khel canal last night. Reports indicate that the demonstration was only lifted after the police registered an FIR and apprehended individuals present in the shop. Gurmukh Singh, SHO of the Basti Bawa Khel police station, confirmed that a case had been registered against six Lok Adalat on March 9 Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 National Lok Adalat will be held in all courts at the Jalandhar district headquarters and sub-divisions of Phillaur and Nakodar on March 9. Criminal compoundable offences, Negotiable Instruments Act cases under Section 138, bank recovery cases, MACT cases, matrimonial disputes, labour disputes, land acquisition cases, electricity and water bills (excluding non-compoundable theft cases), service matters relating to pay and allowances and retiral benefits, revenue cases and other civil cases will be taken up in the Lok Adalat. Nirbhow Singh Gill, District and Sessions Judge-cumChairman, District Legal Services Authority, Jalandhar, had convened a meeting of representatives of departments such as communication, banks, insurance companies, electricity, water supply and sanitation. They were asked to identify the cases that may be settled in the National Lok Adalat. Baljinder Singh Maan, Secretary, DLSA, said even prelitigative cases could be taken up without filing a regular case and without affixing court fee. Court fee stands refunded in the pending cases in which settlement between the parties was arrived at in the Lok Adalat. persons under Section 15 of the Gambling Act, Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Lottery Act. He said while five individuals had been detained, efforts were on to nab the absconding person. He said the police had seized a laptop and ~14,000 in cash from the shop. Further investigations were on into the matter. HC Judge inspects Phagwara courts Phagwara, March 5 Justice Meenakshi I Mehta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today inspected the Phagwara courts. She was accorded guard of honour by a contingent of the Punjab Police on her arrival. Justice Mehta addressed a meeting with lawyers organised by the Bar Council, Phagwara. She also gave a patient hearing to the problems of lawyers and assured to solve them soon. Bar Council president Karanjot Singh Jhikka and vice-president Harinder Kaul demanded that a new court complex be built in Phagwara, besides new chambers for lawyers. — OC Oppn terms Budget visionless Youth Congress members burn CM’s effigy State economy on ventilator under AAP regime:BJP leader Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 Terming the Punjab Budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema in the Punjab Assembly today as “visionless”, “hollow” and “betrayal” with Punjabis, BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has said that “no steps have been taken in the Budget to revive the state economy that was put in reverse gear by the Aloof Anarchist Propaganda (AAP) government”. Pointing out that the state economy is on ventilator under the present AAP regime, Shergill said: “Unfortunately, the Budget is devoid of means for generating revenue to bring the state out of debt.” Shergill said: “The Budget lacks any innovations in terms of raising revenue resources and policy initiatives for reaping the dividends of faster economic development of the state economy”. BUNDLE OF LIES BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill termed the Budget as nothing but a “bundle of lies” to deceive the innocent people of Punjab. He said u-turns, broken promises, lies and hypocrisy were the hallmarks of this AAP government. Shergill said not earmarking funds of ~1,000 per month to the eligible 1.3 crore women, who have attained the age of 18, in the third consecutive Budget was one of the biggest betrayal with the women. Shergill pointed out that the Punjab industry had been again left high and dry with the AAP government not fulfilling its promise of reducing the power tariff for the industry to ~5 per unit as promised before taking over the reins of the state. Shergill termed the Budget as nothing but a “bundle of lies” to deceive the innocent people of Punjab. He said u-turns, broken promises, lies and hypocrisy were the hallmarks of this AAP government. Former SAD MLA Pawan Tinu said the AAP government had failed on its own promise to set up a sports university in Jalandhar. “There has been no allocation for the project in the Budget,” he said. “This was the third budget of the AAP government and yet again not a practical one. Sportspersons have no ray of hope from this Budget. No funds have been allocated for offering farmers MSP on 23 crops. Women have yet not received ~1000 per month as was promised to them ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections. Had it been implemented on time, each woman would have got ~24,000 in their accounts as of now in two years,” he said. c m y b ANTI-DALIT ‘REMARKS’ Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 Members of the Youth Congress today burnt an effigy of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the alleged objectionable remarks made against Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Kotli in the Punjab Assembly on Monday. Youth Congress leaders, including Ashwin Bhalla and Honey Joshi, led the protesters outside the Congress Bhawan and slammed the CM for passing antiDalit remarks. The leaders said the remarks made by the CM indicated the attitude of the AAP government towards the Dalits who were taken aback since yesterday. The youth leaders said the CM must apologise to Kotli and the entire Dalit community of Punjab. Youth Congress members burn an effigy of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Jalandhar on Tuesday. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Conduct feasibility survey at PAP chowk, NHAI told ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 5 Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal today directed officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct a feasibility survey as early as possible at the PAP chowk to construct an additional attachment here to facilitate commuters moving towards Amritsar from Jalandhar city. He proposed that with this attachment, commuters would not have to go through the Rama Mandi chowk to cross the PAP railway crossing. Chairing a meeting with NHAI officials, the DC asked them to conduct a joint feasibility survey with traffic experts, PWD and Railways so as to construct this additional attachment. Sarangal further mentioned that commuters from the city face a lot of problems while going to Amritsar road as they were bound to go to the Rama Mandi chowk to get through the PAP flyover. The DC asked NHAI officials to carry out this feasibility survey at the earliest by site visits without any further delay. He also stressed on the need for this additional attachment as it would facilitate a large number of commuters at this busiest intersection. He said the PAP chowk serves as a traffic junction as passengers from several states pass through this point to further proceed to their destinations. Notably, commuters from the city side go to the Rama Mandi chowk to go towards Amritsar road, which leads to traffic jams at the PAP chowk and wastage of valuable time of passengers. Sarangal asserted that the provision for additional attachment would provide direct approach at the PAP flyover as commuters would need not to visit the Rama Mandi chowk to take Amritsar road.