25062025-ATR-01.qxd 6/24/2025 11:30 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST RAIN PPBM: DELAY IN GST REFUND HITTING TRADERS' CAPITAL 2,463 APPEAR IN GNDU UCAT (UG) EXAM BEYONCÉ GRABS EYEBALLS IN MANISH MALHOTRA OUTFIT Traders have expressed their displeasure at excessive delay in GST refund upsetting their working capital..P2 GNDU conducted the 2025 UCAT (UG) 2025 test for its popular science and engineering courses. P2 Here's a close look at the famous designer, who once dreamt of dressing up stars. P4 » » MAX 31°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.39 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5.27 AM » WEDNESDAY | 25 JUNE 2025 | AMRITSAR Flight ops affected amid airspace restrictions in Middle East Amritsar, June 24 Several flights operating to and from the Amritsar airport faced delays and cancellations on June 24 due to the ongoing tensions and temporary restrictions over the Iranian airspace. The disruptions impacted key international destinations including Dubai, Sharjah and Doha, as a result of which hundreds of passengers were affected. According to available information, Qatar Airways’ Doha-Amritsar flight, which was originally scheduled to land at 2.10 am, arrived with a significant delay at 3.19 pm. As a result, the return flight to Doha, scheduled for 3.35 am, also departed late and left Amritsar at 4.41 pm. In addition, SpiceJet and Air India Express cancelled their Dubai-Amritsar-Dubai services for the day, further impacting travellers to the Gulf region. IndiGo’s AmritsarSharjah flight, scheduled for 11.30 am, was also delayed by nearly half an hour and departed at 11.59 am. The incoming Sharjah-Amritsar flight took off from Sharjah at 3.35 pm. Authorities have indicated that the situation has started to stabilise and it is expected that flight operations will return to their regular schedules shortly. However, travellers are still being advised to check the latest status of their flights before leaving for the airport. For June 25, Air India Express has announced the cancellation of its morning flights between Sharjah and Amritsar. The affected flights include the 6.50 am SharjahAmritsar and the 8.30 am Amritsar-Sharjah services. In an official travel advisory, Air India stated, “As airspaces gradually reopen in certain One held with heroin, pistol, drug money Four ‘travel agents’ booked for fraud Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Amritsar, June 24 The Sultanwind police have arrested a drug peddler, identified as Kanwalpreet Singh, alias Babblu, of Ishwar Nagar located on the Tarn Taran road here and seized 160gm heroin from him. The police also recovered a.32 bore pistol with Made in Japan mark along with five live cartridges and Rs 10,000 of drug money from him. The police said he was arrested following a tip-off received while on patrol in the Sultanwind area. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against him and further probe was on to find out the source of the contraband and the weapon seized from him. He was produced in a court and brought on police remand for further investigations and to ascertain his backward and forward links. Tarn Taran, June 24 The police have booked four ‘travel agents’ for allegedly cheating a man, Sarabjit Singh, of Sheikh Chack village here. Sarabjit Singh said here on Tuesday that seven years ago, the travel agents — a couple, Satnam Singh and his wife Satinder Kaur working as travel agents from Arora Prime Tower in front of Big Bazar, Police Lines, Jalandhar, and their associates Harsimrat Singh and Joginder Singh, residents of Mianwind (Tarn Taran) — took a sum of Rs 5.5 lakh from the complainant on July 16, 2018, for sending his son to Portugal. Sarabjit Singh said the accused promised him to send his son to Portugal. But he said the accused sent his son Kamalpreet Singh to Serbia where he was caught by the airport authorities and sent back to Austria from where he was sent Missing SGPC employee’s body found from canal Tribune News Service Protected monument at Ram Bagh a victim of negligence Charanjit Singh Teja parts of the Middle East, Air India will progressively resume flights to the region starting tomorrow (June 25) with most operations to and from the Middle East resuming from June 25. Flights to and from Europe, previously cancelled, are also being reinstated. Some flights may still experience delays due to extended re-routings, but we are committed to reducing disruptions.” The airline further reassured passengers that it will continue to avoid any airspaces deemed unsafe and that the safety of passengers, staff and aircraft remains its top priority. — TNS back to India. Sarabjit Singh said his son after facing a lot of harassment for years abroad returned home to India. He lodged a complaint with the police seven months ago and the matter was investigated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), PBI, Economic Crime, Cyber Crime. On the basis of the inquiry report of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, the accused was on Monday booked under Sections 420 and 120-B of the BNS and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professionals’ Regulation Act, 2014, by the Sadar police. The police said the accused are absconding and raids are being conducted at their possible hideouts. Sarabjit Singh said his son has already wasted seven precious years of his life and now again, he would have to wait for more years for the decision in the case registered. Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 24 In a glaring case of negligence in the upkeep of protected heritage sites, a group of labourers engaged in the preservation of the Deorhi were found living on the rooftop of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument, Machhi Ghar, located within Ram Bagh, popularly known as Company Garden. The labourers were using chullahs (mud stoves) and lighting fires directly on the roof of the heritage building. Machhi Ghar is part of the recently restored Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The entire Ram Bagh complex, which includes the palace and several other historical structures, is recognised both as a state-protected monument and a monument of national importance under the ASI. Situated to the east of the Summer Palace, Machhi Ghar originally served as a swimming bath during PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. Amritsar, June 24 The body of Kartar Singh, an employee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, was today found in a canal. Employed with the Dharam Prachar Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) as in-charge, he had been missing for the past two days. The police found his Activa along with its documents from the Sultanwind canal yesterday. Since then, speculation was being made that he may have drowned in the same canal. The speculation proved to be true when his body was found. Station House Officer (SHO), police station B-division, Sukhbir Singh informed that the police was thoroughly investigating the matter after receiving a complaint from a brother and sister of the deceased that some of his immediate family members assaulted him a couple of days back. Workers cook food on the roof of Machhi Ghar, a preserved heritage site, at Company Bagh in Amritsar on Tuesday. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign. During the British period, it was converted into an aquarium, earning it the name Machhi Ghar. According to information, the ASI has undertaken restoration work at the rear Deorhi of the Summer Palace, an area previously occupied by a service club. Instead of providing alternative accommodation, the ASI permitted migrant labourers to live on the rooftop of Machhi Ghar. The workers have set up shanties in the bathing area, built chullahs for cooking, constructed a makeshift washroom, and reportedly use UGC NET exam from today, SOPs issued Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 24 Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Jyoti Bala held a meeting with officers of various departments for the UGC NET examination to be held from June 25 to June 29. The ADC (G) informed that the examination will be held in two shifts at ION Digital Zone IDZ , Albert Road, in front of Kumar International Hotel, Albert Road, Amritsar. She said that the examination will be held in two shifts and the paper in the first shift will be from 9 am to 12 pm, in which students will be able to enter the examination centre between 7 am to 8.30 am. Similarly, the paper in the second shift will be from 3 pm to 6 pm, in which students will be able to enter the examination hall between 1 pm to 2.30 pm. She said that during this time, apart from the admit card for the examination, it will be necessary for the children to bring any one of the following as proof of identity: PAN card, passport, Aadhar card, ration card or the identity card of the students’ school. Apart from this, the child some ground floor rooms for urination, as indicated by a strong smell. Notably, after its restoration, the Summer Palace is now open to tourists, and the Punjab Tourism Board hosts a laser show in the evenings. Over 50 visitors from across the world visit the site daily. However, the parks adjoining the water stream leading to Machhi Ghar have been encroached upon by illegal elite clubs, and the pathway is in a dilapidated state. Despite these issues, some tourists still venture to visit Machhi Ghar, only to find it occupied by labourers. When contacted, Shri Om, a staff member at the local ASI office, said, “The workers are only here for three months and will vacate the premises soon. We have installed toilet units for them and have instructed them not to cause any damage. If any damage occurs, the contractor is responsible for repairs. We are planning to shift them to another place soon.” 19-year-old dies under mysterious circumstances Tribune News Service ADC (General) Jyoti Bala during a meeting with officials in Amritsar on Tuesday. will be able to carry only a transparent water bottle. Referring to the UGC NET rules, she said that apart from this, no printed material, any book, notice, paper, pencil box, geometry, plastic pouch, pencil, scale, log table, pad, eraser, calculator, card board, pen drive, credit or debit card, electronic pen, mobile phone, earphone, microphone, paper health band, speaker, headphone, pager, blue tooth device, watch, smart watch, wallet, camera, goggles, jewellery, hair band, belt, hat scarf or any food item will be allowed inside the examination centre. If any examinee is found inside the examination centre with these items, then action will be taken against him as per the rules. The Additional Deputy Commissioner said that on the day of the examination, all cyber cafes, photocopy and print shops within a radius of 200 meter to 300 meter around the examination centre will remain closed. The nodal officer for the examina- tion, District Education Officer (Elementary) Kanwaljit Singh, has been appointed to make appropriate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination. The ADC (G) directed the police officers to ensure proper parking and traffic arrangements outside the examination centre concerned for the convenience of the people on the day of the examination and special care should be taken to make proper arrangements and security. Amritsar, June 24 A youth, identified as Lovjot Singh (19), was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Dharad village here on Monday following which the Jandiala police have arrested his friend Vishal, a resident of Nawan Kot village. A total of five persons, including two women, were nominated by the Jandiala Guru in the FIR registered on the statement of the victim’s mother Ramanjit Kaur of Nawan Kot village. Besides Vishal, the police have booked Lovepreet Singh, alias Chhannu, his brother Harpeet Singh, alias Ghulla, Sandeep Kaur and Baljit Kaur, all residents of Dharad village. Ramanjit Kaur said her son was hooked to drugs. On Sunday Vishal took his son on his bike and he did not return till late in the evening. Panel for food, beverage entrepreneurs announced Two held with 516 gm of heroin Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 24 Amritsar’s reputation as the culinary capital of Punjab is widely recognised. The holy city, apart from its spiritual tourism, is a hub of food tourism and a great place for foodies. Capitalising on the same and encouraging food entreprenuers to become a part of Amritsar’s food industry, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney on Tuesday announced to set up a districtlevel food committee for food and beverage entrepreneurs. The committee will provide guidance and support for ease of doing business and setting up small-scale food business. The city has an immense potential for food tourism and the committee will con- Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney felicitates Amanjinder Singh, owner of Khalsa Kulcha dhaba, in Amritsar on Tuesday. sist of entrepreneurs related to food and beverage industry, people from hospitality will be included in this food committee,” she said, adding that youth can establish their own businesses while staying in their own city and country. She appealed to the youth to build their own start-ups in the food industry. She also honoured Amanjinder Singh, the owner of Khalsa Kulche, a popular food joint serving the famous Amritsari kulcha. A fourth generation food entreprenuer, Amanjinder Singh’s great grandfather had opened Khalsa Kulcheya Wala, a dhaba near Gurudwara Shaeedan Saheb. Over the years, the family has grown the humble stuffed kulcha business to a multi-branch food joint. Their kulchas have now travelled to countries like Canada and Australia as tourists visiting Amritsar, get them packed when they fly out. “It is an honour for us to continue with our forefathers’ legacy in food industry. Our kulchas have become popular over the years and now we have people coming to us from foreign countries to taste the traditional Amritsari speciality,” said Amanjinder. He along with his daughter and two sons is taking this work forward through the French IG c m y b model, which typically means using social media influencers and marketing to promote the business. The kulchas made by him are provided in countries and abroad. “People while flying out, get our kulchas packed as they can remain fresh for 60 hours,” he said. Even his kids wanted to follow suit by going abroad and settle there. But Amanjinder engaged and inspired them to use their knowledge and skills to develop their home business. Today they and I are ready to look for franchise partners and expand out of Amritsar. The DC said people like Amanjinder can mentor other aspiring entrepreneurs in the Future Tycoon Amritsar initiative dedicated to discovering and developing the entrepreneurial spirit in the city. Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, June 24 CIA staff while on routine patrol in the border area village of Bhura Kona village arrested two persons with 516 gm of heroin here on Monday night. Inspector Prabhjit Singh, in-charge of the CIA staff, said here on Tuesday that the arrested smugglers had their links with Pakistan-based smugglers. The accused have been identified as Lovpreet Singh Lov and Sukhpret Singh Sukh, residents of Thathi Jaimal Singh village, said CIA staff. Inspector Prabhjit Singh said the CIA staff team led by ASI Harjinder Singh was on routine patrol in the border area. The team signalled two persons, riding a motorcycle, to stop near the Bhura Kona Two suspects in custody of the Tarn Taran police. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI village bus stop. While frisking the two, the team recovered 516 gm of heroin from one of them. A case under Sections 21-C, 25, 29, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered by the Khemkaran police.