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P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.48 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.21 AM » FRIDAY | 29 MARCH 2024 | AMRITSAR SAD-BJP alliance needed for peace in Punjab, says Dr Bagga MC offices to remain open on March 30, 31 for property tax Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, March 28 If the alliance between the BJP and SAD does not mature, it will not be in favour of Punjab and Punjabis, as in the absence of an alliance, SAD (B) will be speaking the language of hardliners while the BJP was already busy in consolidating the Hindu votes. This state of affairs, if it arises in a border state like Punjab, will not be in the interest of the nation. Civil Surgeon (retired), social activist and centurion blood donor Dr Ajay Bagga said this here today. Dr Bagga, who is the son of a prominent socialist leader of Punjab, former MLA Principal Om Prakash Bagga (who was gunned down by terrorists in 1984), pleaded for BJP-SAD alliance saying this is necessary for peace in Punjab. Recalling the days in 1980s when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab, Dr Bagga said, “We have seen those troubled days when each day ended with bloodshed at one or the other place in Punjab. We have suffered the brunt of terrorism as my father, Principal Bagga, continued on page 2 Rising prices, joblessness may count as major LS poll issues In border areas of Punjab, drug abuse may also figure in elections PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Residents pay property tax at the MC office in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 28 With just two days left to pay property tax dues for the current session, Citizen Facilitation Centres will remain open on Saturday and Sunday to accept the tax payment. The property tax wing collected Rs 36.27 crore till today in the evening against a target of Rs 45 crore. The MC has collected this amount from 1.16 lakh property tax returns (PTR) of 55,000 buildings. Despite efforts, the property tax wing of MC is far from achieving the recovery targets fixed by the Department of Local Bod- ies. A large number of residents, who own properties, do not pay tax. Even the MC failed to recover tax from commercial units in the city. For the convenience of residents, the Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFC) located at the Municipal Corporation head office in Ranjit Avenue and all zonal offices will remain open for collecting property tax. MC officials appealed to the people to deposit their property tax dues. Vishal Wadhawan, Nodal Officer for property tax, stated that those paying their tax after March 31 will have to pay a huge penalty and interest. He said that after March 31, 20 per cent penalty and interest will have to be paid. He said that the properties of defaulters will also be sealed in the month of April. MC officials stated that there is also a provision to disconnect water supply, sewerage and electricity connections of property tax defaulters. The MC officials urged residents to take advantage of the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme of licence fees too. Wadhawan said that the Punjab government has come up with the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to pay water supply and sewerage bills and licence fees. Amritsar, March 28 As the country prepares for Lok Sabha polls, high inflation rate leading to spiralling prices of daily essentials along with large-scale unemployment among the educated youth, are among issues likely to play a crucial role when people vote for a new government at the Centre. Ironically, consecutive governments at the Centre have failed to address the problem while the daily essentials, including fuel prices, have increased manifold in the past two decades which directly affect the people. A recent report on unemployment in India released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), along with the Institute of Human Development (IHD), also painted a grim picture of the job scenario in the country. In Punjab, especially in its border belt including Amritsar, rampant drug abuse would also remain a major issue which remains unaddressed. A grocery store in Amritsar. TRIBUNE PHOTO Sunil Arora, a social activist, said unemployment is a major concern among the residents of this border state just like in other parts of the country. Due to unemployment, the youth in Punjab either fall prey to rampant drug abuse or go abroad in search of greener pastures. Many of them lose their hard-earned money or land in foreign jails. “It is unfortunate that no government in the past could bring in industry or investments for generat- ing employment,” he pointed out. “Many politicians in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls were switching their loyalties but the real issues affecting the people were being put on the back-burner,” said Ravi Mahajan, a prominent lawyer. He said that food grains witnessed unprecedented rise in prices while fuel rates, including that of LPG, petrol and diesel, are skyrocketing. Unfortunately, this has not been getting a Have no plans to quit Cong: Aujla Despite order, most govt, private offices fail to introduce signboards in Punjabi Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 28 Reacting to rumors on certain online platforms of Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla leaving the party, twotime Congress Lok Sabha member Aujla stated that he has no plans to quit the Congress and join the BJP or any other political party. In a press conference held here on Thursday, Aujla said the Congress would win the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat for the third consecutive time if he gets the party ticket or even if the party chooses some other candidate. “Even as some media houses are trying to confuse the people, voters are very wise and would not believe such unsubstantiated rumours,” he said while complaining that many mediapersons do not even care about contacting a person before publishing or airing a news report against a particular person. Aujla is the front runner for the Congress ticket from the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, supporters of former deputy CM OP Soni Tribune News Service Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Thursday. had demanded ticket for Soni, but at present these voices have subsided and Aujla is the most probable candidate from the Congress. Speaking on the occasion, Aujla said, “The present dispensation led by the BJP is not even giving any space to contest elections democratically. The bank accounts of opposition political parties are being withheld.” Aujla also took a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party stating that it still is banking on political leaders from other parties. “Why is it not giving tickets to its own workers and leaders? What about the statements regarding power to common people?” Aujla stated that if elected from the constituency, he would continue to work for the people. “I have always tried to go by the rules and would never hit any other candidate or party below the belt. I expect all candidates to do the same.” He added that during his tenure as a LS member, he frequently highlighted the issues of Punjab and Amritsar on the national platform. Amritsar, March 28 Even as the state government earlier in November 2022 had instructed all establishments — government as well as private — to use Punjabi as the language for writing their display boards and signboards, the order has not been followed. A majority of the display boards of the government, semi government offices, private commercial establishments as shops, educational institutions as schools and colleges have not complied with the government orders. It was difficult to persuade private commercial establishments to use Punjabi on their display boards, but even government institutions have, so far, failed to change their boards. The Punjab Chief Minister had announced on November 19, 2022, that all boards and name plates in Punjabi would be given prominence over other languages. In line with the Govt schools hold mega PTM for awareness on SVEEP activities 530-gm heroin seized at border area village information about mobile applications launched for electoral rights were held at schools. The teachers in-charge of Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) established in government schools told the parents about the voter’s helpline, C-Vigil, KYC and Saksham apps. Meanwhile, the PTM also saw several school management committees promote infrastructural upgrades in government schools over the past few years. “While the walk-in admissions for all classes in all government schools are yet to begin from the first week of April, the online admis- Tarn Taran, March 28 BSF troops seized 530 grams of heroin, one motorcycle and two mobile phones from Naushehra Dhala village here on Wednesday. The BSF received intelligence input regarding the smuggling of narcotics by miscreants using drones near Naushera Dhalla village in the border area of Tarn Taran district. BSF personnel promptly responded and rushed to the suspected area. They observed two suspected individuals sitting at a playground near Naushera Dhalla village. Upon seeing BSF troops, the miscreants fled the spot, leaving behind some belongings. — OC Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 28 Intensifying the ongoing SVEEP activities in view of the Lok Sabha elections, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Nikas Kumar who also heads the committee supervising SVEEP programme today interacted with parents of students studying in 1,365 government schools of the district during a Mega Parent-Teacher Meet held across all government schools. The parents were made aware about the democratic right to vote during the meet. A pledge-taking ceremony, interactive sessions and sions through a special portal launched for the first time this year has exclusively seen parents of wards studying in private schools being given an option to choose government schools. We have been given a deadline of March 31 for online registration for admissions of students wanting to shift from private schools to government schools and during the mega PTM, we have informed the parents about their options,” said DEO Rajesh Kumar. Meanwhile, all 1,365 government schools in the district hosted the mega PTM on Thursday. c m y b mention among the political speeches till now. Instead, the parties were indulging in political mudslinging, he said, while adding that there were no serious deliberations over it yet. Deepak Kumar, a fruit stall owner, said there is no major relief from inflation for the common man who was still struggling to make his both ends meet. He said politicians have ignored issues concerning the people and they were more interested in getting tickets for contesting elections and changing parties to suit their political interests. Suman Sharma, a homemaker, pointed out that though the Punjab government has directed the private schools not to increase fee, yet education in the region has remained the costliest. A middle-class family would think twice before getting their wards admitted to reputed private schools while education in government schools needs upgrade, she said. Clear online pending NOCs, building plans, MC staff told Tribune News Service Most government and private offices still have not installed signboards in Punjabi. orders, the government had even amended the Punjab State Shops and Commercial Establishments Act so that private businesses could be made to comply with the instructions. As per the amendment, the failure of the establishments to comply with the orders would warrant a monetary fine of ~1,000 during the first inspection. In case the owner failed to comply with the orders even after the first inspection, the amendment has a provision to increase the penalty of up to ~2,000 during the second inspection. “The government has so far failed to convince its own officials as can be seen from the boards of the government departments. It seems that the statements made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann were for media coverage only,” said Joginder Singh, a retired teacher. He said everyone can learn as many languages as he desires but the native language should be given preference in government offices as well as commercial establishments. Even though the government had amended the laws to enable it to impose fine if any establishment fails to comply with the orders, it has not taken any such action so far. Residents demanded that the government should frame new rules only when it is also serious to implement them. Prohibitory orders in force for SOE entrance exams Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 28 Exercising powers under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori ordered prohibition of any external movement around 24 centres for the conduct of entrance examination for admissions to Schools of Eminence. The Punjab Education Board is conducting two examinations on March 30 and March 31, and exam centres under the jurisdiction of District Superintendent of Police, Amritsar (Rural), will be covered under these orders. The examination for admissions to SoEs for Class IX and XI will be conducted on March 30 from 10 am to 1 pm at 24 centres while on March 31, the Punjab State Talent Search Examination (PSTSE) will be conducted across six centres. The directions have come after the District Education Office had written to the Deputy Commiossioner and Police Commissioner, Amritsar, for requisite security arrangements to be made on the days when the examina- tions would be held. “According to the orders, while exams are conducted or are being conducted, the general public is prohibited from any movement or gathering around the centres. This order will be in force from morning to evening on March 30, 2024. Since both these examinations are important, we had written to the Deouty Comissioner and CP Amritsar, for security , arrangements at the designated centres in Baba Bakala, Ajnala, Amritsar, Jandiala Guru and other places,” said District Education Officer, Rajesh Kumar. Amritsar, March 28 Municipal Commissioner Harpreet Singh yesterday held a meeting with officials of the MTP department and asked to clear the online pendency of no-objection certificates (NOCs) and building plans. Senior Town Planner Parampal Singh, Master Town Planner (MTP) Meharban Singh, MTP Narinder Sharma, Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Parminder Jeet Singh, Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Paramjit Dutta, ATP Arun Khanna, ATP Wazir Raj and all building inspectors were present in the meeting. The MC Commissioner, Harpreet Singh, said that noobjection certificates (NOCs) for plots and building plans applied by the residents should not remain pending. He issued strict orders that all the no-objection certificates , building plans lying on the portal of any officer should be cleared under all circumstances within the stipulated time period. He said appropriate departmental action would be taken against the negligent officers. It is worth mentioning here that applicants for noobjection certificate (NOC) for the sale of property in unauthorised colonies and approval of building plans are a harried lot due to indifferent attitude of the town planning wing officials. The applicants have to wait for months to get the no-objection certificate for plots. The applications are being filed by private architects needing approval from the building inspector, assistant town planner and the municipal town planner. The applicants have to visit the municipal corporation (MC) office several times to get their work done.
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