28092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/27/2025 11:20 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune GANGSTER SHOT IN POLICE ENCOUNTER AT BALACHAUR ARTISTES, WRITERS AND POETS ADOPT DOJJOWAL Members of Majha House, Sanjha Punjab collective, help in rebuilding efforts after floods in Ajnala. P3 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C NORA FATEHI SHINES IN RAHUL MISHRA OUTFIT Nawanshahr police neutralise Varinder Singh, a resident of Pandori village, in Tarn Taran district. P2 FORECAST The actress brought her charm to Dubai, stepping out in a pink corsetted gown. P4 » » SUNSET SUNDAY 6.11 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:14 AM » SUNDAY | 28 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Asr-Tarn Taran four-lane road project yet to take off Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 The much publicised Amritsar-Tarn Taran four-lane road project, announced with great fanfare in February 2024, has yet to see any actual work on the ground. Punjab PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO had laid the foundation stone of the project, promising its completion in a time-bound manner. But months later, commuters say the condition of the road remains the same, with traffic and accident risks only worsening. The Rs 70 crore project was to convert the busy Tarn Taran-Amritsar road via Chabba into a four-lane highway, significantly reducing travel time between the two THE PLAN ■ The ~70 crore project was to convert the busy Amritsar-Tarn Taran road via Chhaba into a four-lane highway, reducing travel time. ■ The road was to have a 23-foot wide carriageway on each side of the median and 10-foot wide slip roads near Gurdwara Tahla Sahib and Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib to facilitate traffic flow. ■ Villagers complain that the increasing number of vehicles has made the road prone to accidents, caused by congestion and poor drainage. cities. As per the plan, the road was to have a 23-foot wide carriageway on each side of the median and 10-foot wide slip roads near Gurdwara Tahla Sahib and Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic. However, residents point out that beyond the foundation stone laying ceremony, no machinery, material or workforce has arrived on site. “The minister laid a stone last year. This has now become more of a political event than a development project,” said Jasbir Singh, a daily commuter. Meanwhile, the volume of traffic on the existing narrow road has increased manifold. The route serves not only local commuters but also a large number of devotees visiting historical gurdwaras in the area. Villagers complain that heavy vehicles, buses and motorcycles jostle for space, making the road extremely prone to accidents. Locals recall several recent mishaps, including fatal ones, caused by congestion and poor road design. “During peak hours, overtaking becomes dangerous. Without widening, the road is a death trap,” said Harpreet Kaur, a resident from Chabba. Transporters and shopkeepers have urged the government to begin the project without further delay, pointing out that repeated announcements without implementation erode public trust. Civic groups have also demanded that the administration at least carry out temporary safety measures such as installing road dividers, signage and speed checks until the widening work begins. Taking stock on World Tourism Day Vegetation has grown on the rooftop of the British-era Town Hall building in Amritsar, which also houses a library. The state of buildings with historical value shows apathy and the need for maintaining them properly. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR REPORTS ON P2 Cops clueless in murder convict’s killing Drug peddler’s house Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 Even as the police remain clueless in the incident related to the gunning down of a murder convict, Dharamjit Singh in Hukam Chand Colony in Chheharta on Thursday night, eight police teams are scanning CCTV camera footage to find clues about the perpetrators of the crime. The police teams have reportedly scanned around 300 CCTV cameras in areas around the crime scene so far, albeit with little success. Panic had gripped Hukam Chand Colony late on Thursday night when three youths on a motorcycle shot dead Dharamjit alias Dharma, who was out on parole. After executing the crime, the Cops investigate the crime scene where Dharamjit Singh was shot dead in Chheherta area on Thursday night. assailants fled from the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the murder was carried out allegedly at the behest of dreaded gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, currently lodged in Assam jail. Notorious gangster and alleged drug lord Bhagwanpuria is also an accused in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. He was detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT- Delhi’s betting king Rubal arrested from city airport Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested the allegedly notorious betting kingpin Rubal Sardar, popularly known as the “Satta King” of Delhi, from Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar. He was immediately taken to Delhi for further investigation. Several lookout circulars had been issued against him and the police had been tracking him for months. He is also suspected to have links with dreaded gangster Rashid Cablewala. According to police sources, Rubal was not only running a large network of online and offline gambling but was also allegedly involved in other crimes and illegal financial activities in collaboration with organised crime groups. On Friday, Rubal was reportedly attempting to flee abroad and had reached the Amritsar airport to board a flight. However, due to the active lookout notice, the airport authorities detained him on the spot and alerted Delhi Police, who later took him into custody. Eye surgeons contribute to flood relief, minister lauds role Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Thursday lauded the efforts of eye specialists, describing their work as a true service to humanity. He was addressing a national conference of the All India Society of Eye Surgeons (AIOS), jointly organised with the Punjab Ophthalmological Society here. Dr Singh, himself an eye specialist, said that Amritsar has given the world many emi- nent doctors and it is a matter of pride that leading eye surgeons from across the country gathered in the holy city to share their expertise. He also highlighted the Punjab government’s initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare services in the state. On the occasion, the AIOS announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for families affected by floods in Punjab. The minister thanked the society for its contribution and urged doctors to continue supporting the state in its mis- sion to improve public health. The event was also addressed by AIOS president Dr Paratha Biswas, secretary Dr Santosh, Punjab Ophthalmological Society president Dr Jatinder Kansal and secretary Dr Karamjit Singh. The conference, attended by around 1,800 eye specialists from across India, featured more than 700 speakers who presented their research, innovations and clinical experiences over three days. demolished in Rajasansi NDPS) Act earlier this year and shifted to Silchar jail from Punjab by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Immediately after the brutal killing of Dharamjit, a social media post immediately went viral in which gangsters associated with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria claimed responsibility. However, police said that the matter was still under investigation and nothing can be ruled out at this moment. In December 2012, ASI Ravinder Singh was shot dead in Chheharta in front of his daughter, in which the then Akali leader Ranjit Singh Rana, who was harassing his daughter, was the prime accused. Dharma was also with him at that time. Both were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the case. Dharma, who had been granted parole multiple times in the past, was released on September 12 this time. On Thursday night, after returning home from meeting friends in his car, he was ambushed outside his residence. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants had been conducting a recce of his movements. While one youth kept the motorcycle engine switched on, the other two got down and opened indiscriminate fire, killing Dharma on the spot. Chheharta SHO Vinod Sharma said that the police have launched a manhunt to nab the suspects and eight teams were analysing the CCTV cameras apart from conducting raids to nab the accused. Cong councillors call on MC chief, flay delay in House meetings Beopar Mandal urges govt to watch interests of MSME sector Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 A delegation of Congress councillors, led by party leader Vikas Soni, met Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and apprised him of various civic issues plaguing the city. During the meeting, Soni submitted a memorandum signed by all Congress councillors, pointing out that more than six months have passed since the last Municipal Corporation House meeting was convened. The letter underlined that, as per the Municipal Act, it is mandatory to hold such meetings every month, but the provision has not been followed. The councillors urged the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that meetings are held regularly and civic concerns are addressed without delay. The councillors raised the issue of non-disbursement of salaries to the employees of Averda company which was involved in garbage lifting and waste management in the city. Shergill assured the delegation that the problems would be resolved on priority basis. c m y b GST RATE CUT Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal (PPBM) has urged the government to watch the financial interests of dealers and manufacturers in the MSME sector after the reduction in GST rates. PPBM president Piara Lal Seth stated that the recent changes in GST rates by the Central government are certainly steps to boost consumption and production, but their implementation has serious flaws. He stated that these changes will impact the pharmaceutical industry, corrugated box industry, stationery industry (such as pencils, sharpeners and erasers – which are placed in the zero tax slab), and steel utensils industry. These sectors often have to purchase raw materials at 18 per cent tax, while finished products are taxed at only 5 per cent or zero. The disparity will cause traders and industries to face significant difficulties in adjusting input tax credits and lead to double blockages in Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 27 In a move against the drug trade, the Amritsar rural police, in coordination with the district administration, demolished on Friday the house of a notorious drug trafficker, identified as Malook Singh, a resident of Bhaggupur village in Rajasansi constituency here. Superintendent of Police (SP) Aditya Warrier personally supervised the police team during the demolition drive. Officials confirmed that Malook Singh and his sons, Satbir Singh alias Sonu and Ranjit Singh, have been the payment system. For example, a trader may purchase raw materials at 18 per cent tax, but may only collect 5 per cent or zero GST when selling finished goods. This would require a series of departmental visits to recoup the difference. The process wastes both time and money and proves to be an unnecessary burden for traders. Seth said it is not appropriate to include the shawl industry in the “made-up category” because there is no cutting involved. All shawls, regardless of their price, should be placed in the 5 per cent GST slab. He said that shawls are a traditional and employmentgenerating industry in Punjab and northern India. The complexity of different tax slabs is proving burdensome for traders. Similar problems have been created in some services sectors. A five per cent GST has been imposed on the service industry, but input tax credit has been eliminated. The move contradicts the spirit of GST and appears to be a return to the VAT era. involved in drug trafficking for several years. Together, they face 24 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Sharing details, Warrior said that the family had encroached upon the village pond and illegally constructed a house on that land. Acting on repeated complaints lodged by village panchayat, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) initiated an inquiry and later recommended action while seeking police assistance for the demolition operation. A joint team of the BDPO office and the rural Jain said the government should make decisions keeping in mind the practical aspects of businesses and industries. The tax structure should not create such discrepancies that lead to complications and creation of additional burden for businesses. He added that if these discrepancies are not addressed, small businesses and industries will be the most affected. Finally, he urged the government to immediately eliminate this imbalance in GST rates and make the tax structure simple and practical so that all three – trade, industry and consumers – can benefit. Pathankot ex-Mayor, BJP leader hail cut in GST Senior BJP leaders have highlighted the benefits of the restructured GST and said the new reforms were not only a Diwali bonanza to the people but would also provide long-term benefits. Addressing a press conference, former Pathankot Mayor Anil Vasudeva and Gurdaspur BJP president Baghel Singh stated that these reforms not only simplified the taxation process police demolished the structure and restored possession of the land to the village panchayat. The cops stated that while Malook Singh and his sons were currently absconding, police teams have launched an intensive manhunt to track and arrest them. “For the past seven to eight years, this family has been operating the drug trade, pushing vulnerable youth into addiction and making huge unlawful profits,” he said. The demolition drive was conducted amid heavy security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. but also paved the way for inclusive growth, ensuring that farmers, traders, women and small businesses will benefit equally. Vasudeva, who is also an exChairman of the Pathankot Improvement Trust, said GST-2.0 will boost demand and generate employment opportunities for lakhs of youngsters. “We assure you that the government will properly monitor that the industry passes on the full benefit of the rate cuts to consumers,” he said. He elaborately explained the transformative benefits of the reforms, emphasising how they are designed to provide relief to citizens, boost economic activity and simplify compliance. “The GST rates have been significantly slashed, with cuts in 99 per cent of goods in the 12 per cent bracket and 90 per cent in the 28 per cent bracket, thereby bringing major relief to households and the middle class and a boost to consumption with lower tax rates. Domestic consumption is expected to rise by nearly Rs 2 lakh crore, thereby strengthening India’s economy,” added Vasudeva.