11102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/10/2025 11:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune FLOODS: FORMER MP KHANNA BLAMES AAP GOVT FOR CRISIS MUSHAIRA 2025: WHERE SHAYARI SPOKE THE LANGUAGE OF HEART The Mushaira brought together a distinguished group of poets from across India. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C WITH RIGHT VISION, ART OFFERS STABLE CAREER: TEACHER Khanna said that the state government failed to identify and manage floodprone areas in time.P2 FORECAST Pooja at Jalandhar school has made it her mission to ensure her students become financially self-reliant . P3 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 6.00 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:28 AM » SATURDAY | 11 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Lokpal flags fund misuse in Sultanpur Lodhi school work Seeks recovery, legal action in ~56 lakh fraud against four accused Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Woman hurt in bus accident Phagwara, October 9 A road accident occurred near the Phagwara bus stand on Thursday, leaving a woman critically injured after being hit by a PRTC bus. Karan Kumar of Mohalla Chaudhria in Phillaur said the incident took place when he along with his mother-in-law Kulwinder Kaur and her mother Bhajno, visited the Phagwara bus stand to see her off. After she boarded the bus, both began walking back to their home. Then a PRTC bus coming from Jalandhar, hit and injured Kulwinder.— OC Jalandhar, October 10 The Lokpal, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Kapurthala, has highlighted the embezzlement of Rs 56 lakh funds meant for a school’s boundary wall at Sultanpur Lodhi. A vendor listed under the name of Khalsa Building Material Store was found to be fake during a social audit team’s probe at Sultanpur Lodhi. Jaswinder Singh, Lokpal, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, has taken suo motu cognizance of the issue. During a gram sabha meeting at village Jabosudhar at Sultanpur Lodhi, the social audit team termed Khalsa Building Material Store’s (the vendor for the village school’s boundary wall) bill for the boundary wall work to be fraudulent. Both bill of the store and the store’s GST number have been found to fake as per the audit, the Lokpal said. In a statement, the office of the Lokpal has sought action against those accused of the embezzlement. The Lokpal alleged MGN- REGA worker Kuldeep Singh of village Saidpur was registered as the vendor for Khalsa Building Material Store. The Lokpal further alleged fraudulent bill of bricks, more than estimated bricks needed for the construction of the boundary wall work of the Jabosudhar school, was passed. The Lokpal alleged funds were transferred from the bank account of Khalsa Building Material Store to the accounts of Karminder Singh Happy (Gram Rozgar Sewak) to the tune of Rs 10 lakh and to his father account to the tune of Rs 25 lakh. Karminder Happy’s wife’s account also received Rs 22.63 lakh from the same building materials store account and Rs 4 lakh was transferred from Karminder Happy’s father’s account to Charanjit’s account, APO, Sultanpur Lodhi, . Lokpal Jaswinder Singh said the men acted together to misappropriate government funds. The Lokpal has written to Administrative Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, and sought legal action against Karminder Singh Happy, his father, wife and Charanjit Singh, APO, Sultanpur Lodhi. He has also sought the recovery of the embezzled amount. The Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development , Punjab and GST Department, Punjab, have also been petitioned for action against them. Foam spill near STP causes disruption in city Tribune News Service Jalandhar , October 10 A large accumulation of foam resembling snow on a small hill near the 66 Feet Road, close to the sewage treatment plant (STP), caused nuisance among residents and inconvenience to commuters. The thick white foam, which spilled onto the roadway, obstructed visibility and made it difficult for vehicles to navigate either side of the road safely. The unusual sight drew public concern, with many wondering about the nature of the substance. MC officials attributed the foam formation to a sudden drop in temperature. “When treated sewage is released into a cooler environment, the warm effluent can result in foam formation,” an official said. Another official elaborated that the microbial culture used in the STP operates optimally around 34°C. The recent sharp decline in temperature disrupted this balance, leading to excessive foaming. “The foam overflowed onto the road due to an opening in the connection between the outlet and the sewer line,” he added. Malkit Singh, Deputy Mayor, said prompt action had been taken. “The matter was brought to our attention. The foam has been cleared and necessary work has been initiated to prevent a recurrence,” he said. While the situation has since been addressed, residents are urging the authorities to take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future, especially during changing weather conditions. Foam accumulation on 66 Ft road causes inconvenience to commuters. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH Speed up paddy lifting: DC Four thefts in a week in Civil 61,397 MT of paddy procured; ~144 cr paid to farmers Surgeon’s office Tribune News Service increase in the coming days, He added that payment of Jalandhar, October 10 Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal today directed officials to expedite the lifting of paddy from grain markets while reviewing the ongoing paddy procurement process in the district. Presiding over a meeting with officials of the District Food and Civil Supplies Department and the District Mandi Board at the District Administrative Complex, the DC emphasised ensuring timely lifting of the procured paddy from all grain markets. He said the arrival of paddy in the mandis is expected to therefore, there should be no delay in lifting the procured crop. Dr Aggarwal said till last evening, 64,931 metric tonne of paddy had arrived in the district’s mandis of which 61,397 metric tonne had already been procured by various agencies. He stated that PUNGRAIN has purchased 20,033 metric tonnes, MARKFED 23,019 metric tonnes, PUNSUP 12,992 metric tonnes, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 4,799 metric tonnes, FCI 479 metric tonnes, and private traders have purchased 75 metric tonnes of paddy. Rs144 crore has already been ensured to farmers for the procured paddy. Reiterating the government’s commitment to purchase every single grain of the farmers’ produce, the DC said the administration is committed to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free procurement season. He also appealed to farmers to bring dry paddy to the mandis and ensure that the moisture content in the crop strictly adheres to the government’s prescribed limit so that the procurement process can continue seamlessly. Hoshiarpur, October 10 The Civil Surgeon’s office, located behind the Civil Hospital, here has been repeatedly targeted by thieves over the past week days. Valuable items, including ACs, fans, computers, pen drives, and even parts of a fumigation machine, have been stolen. According to Superintendent Sanjeev Kumar, the first theft occurred on October 2 when thieves stole brass and copper components of a new fumigation machine from the malaria branch’s store, after breaking open drawers. On October 3, they stole the grill of an AC, the compressor of a refrigerator, and other items from the same branch. The following day, they barged into the office but left empty-handed. However, today, despite the presence of a watchman, they broke the window of Room No. 8 in the accounts branch, stealing an AC, four fans, and several other items. They also took a pen drive containing sensitive salary data of all employees, raising concerns about the security of office records. A complaint has been lodged with the police and they assured of swift action. — OC c m y b Wailing relatives of the deceased bodybuilder Varinder Ghumman at the cremation ground in Jalandhar on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Tearful farewell to bodybuilding icon Ghumman in Jalandhar Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 10 A wave of grief swept through Jalandhar today as scores of people gathered to bid a tearful farewell to international bodybuilder Varinder Ghumman, whose death has left fans and the fitness community in deep shock. The cremation was attended by a large crowd, including Punjabi film artistes, local politicians, the youth, and admirers from across the region. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow as fans, especially youngsters who saw Ghumman as their role model, came in large numbers to catch a final glimpse of the iconic athlete. Many were visibly emotional, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of a man who had inspired countless aspiring bodybuilders. Ghumman passed away unexpectedly last evening, sending shock waves through the bodybuilding and fitness fraternity. Standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches and competing in the heavyweight 120+ kg category, Ghumman had earned a name for himself both nationally and internationally. He clinched the prestigious title of Mr India in 2009 and later secured the runner-up position at the Mr Asia contest. A true pioneer in Indian bodybuilding, Ghumman made history by becoming the first Indian to receive the IFBB Pro Card, a milestone that marked India’s entry into the global professional bodybuilding circuit. As the flames of the funeral pyre rose, so did the tributes — heartfelt, proud, and heavy with loss. It’s deeply painful to learn that Ghuman had Bodybuilder and actor Varinder Ghumman, who has died at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar. passed away. He was a devoted vegetarian, built his body with discipline and grace. May Waheguru grant his soul eternal peace and give strength to his family to bear this loss," said senior Congress leader Pargat Singh in his social media account. At the cremation ground, a young man said, "I always looked up to Ghumman. It was because of him that I started taking care of my health. I cannot accept that my idol is no more," a heartbroken youngster said. Bid to sodomise disabled child, migrant held Hoshiarpur, October 10 In Adda Baghpur, located along the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road, a disturbing incident occurred involving the attempted sexual assault of an 8-year-old disabled child. According to the victim’s mother, migrant labourer Mukesh Rawat, a resident of Baghpur, abducted her son from their home and took him to a nearby graveyard. There, he allegedly attempted to sexually assault the child. The child’s cries for help alerted his mother and nearby residents, who rushed to the scene and rescued him. Village sarpanch Gurpreet Kaur was immediately informed. A crowd quickly gathered, and the accused was reportedly beaten up by locals before being handed over to the police. SHO Amarjeet Kaur from Hariana arrived with a team and detained Mukesh Rawat. A formal investigation has been initiated. The incident has triggered widespread anger among local residents, particularly concerning the presence of undocumented migrant workers. — OC Long live my spouse Women in ceremonial attire exchange plates during Karvachauth in Jalandhar on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH