09112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/8/2025 11:26 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY FREQUENT VISITS BY VIPs CHOKE CITY’s AIRPORT ROAD ASHA, MID-DAY MEAL EMPLOYEES HOLD PROTEST BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS SHEEBA MAKES POLLYWOOD DEBUT Mann’s visits in connection with Tarn Taran bypoll have caused severe traffic congestion on the Airport road. P2 ASHA workers, mid-day meal workers & other honorarium employees organised demonstration in Tarn Taran. P2 Sheeba, who made her Pollywood debut with Badaa Karara Pudna, calls it a “well-timed opportunity.” P4 » » » MAX 26°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 11°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.34 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:54 AM SUNDAY | 9 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR MC officials inspect garbage processing work at dumpsite NGT reviews delay in legacy waste clearance at Bhagtanwala dump Civic body asked to file affidavit with clear timeline for completion of work Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh inspects bioremediation work at Bhagtanwala dump in Amritsar. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 8 Acting on the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill, Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh on Friday inspected the ongoing bioremediation work at the Bhagtanwala dumpsite, where the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) is engaged in the clearance of legacy waste last evening. During the inspection, the Additional Commissioner reviewed the progress of the project and instructed representatives of the executing company to expedite the work to ensure its timely completion. He emphasised on the need to deploy additional machinery and manpower to accelerate the treatment process and directed firm officials that the daily progress be properly recorded and maintained. Surinder Singh also instructed officials to maintain regular on-site monitoring, ensure proper segregation of recovered material and strictly adhere to environmental standards throughout the operation. According to official data, a total of 37,935 met- ric tonnes of legacy waste has been treated so far, including 6,792 metric tonnes processed during the first week of November 2025. The bioremediation work is being carried out under the close supervision of the MC and is showing steady progress. Reaffirming its commitment, Municipal Corporation officials stated that it remains dedicated to transforming Amritsar into a cleaner city free from old waste heaps and is making consistent efforts to achieve sustainable waste management. Amritsar, November 8 Expressing concern over delay in clearing legacy waste at the Bhagtanwala dump site in Amritsar, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Municipal Corporation (MC) to submit an affidavit within four weeks detailing the progress and timeline for the completion of the work. The matter was heard by the Principal Bench of the NGT, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, in a case of fire outbreaks at the Bhagtanwala dump highlighted by The Tribune on May 11, 2024. During the hearing, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Bikramjit Singh Shergill, appeared along with advocate Sarchar Anand. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) were represented by Richa Kapoor and Soni Singh, respectively. Garbage burns at the Bhagtanwala dump in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO The Commissioner informed the Bench that the Corporation could not meet the earlier deadline for clearing the legacy waste, but had now awarded a new contract to Ecostand Infra Pvt Ltd. The work was expected to be completed by November 2026, he said. He further stat- ed that 33.67 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste lying over 21 acres of land would be cleared by October 2026. The Tribunal also noted that Amritsar currently generates around 476 tonnes of waste per day, while the existing treatment capacity falls short by 190 tonnes per day. To bridge this gap, a separate contract will be awarded to ensure 100 per cent treatment of newly generated waste, which is expected to become operational within two months. The NGT directed the Commissioner to file an affidavit within four weeks giving a clear timeline for closing the daily waste treatment gap, an undertaking confirming the clearance of all legacy waste by October 2026, and data supporting the calculation of 33.67 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste. Minister lays stone of Government 2 arrested with illegal WW 1 Sikh heroes remembered PolytechnicCollegeatMallianvillage arms, ammunition at Sarwali village memorial A project of AAP MLA to be built at a cost of ~15 crore Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the polytechnic college in Jandiala Guru on Saturday. Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 8 Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today laid foundation stone of the Government Polytechnic College to be built at a cost of Rs 15 crore at Mallian village in Jandiala Guru constituency today. He said there was a need for a polytechnic college in this area and the villagers also gave five acres of land for it. ETO, during the stone laying ceremony, said, “Heeding to the demand of the area residents, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann gave immediate nod to the project. This building will be completed in a year. Pharmacy and electrical classes will start here in the first year. After that, the remaining wings such as medical, lab technology, civil and hotel management will also be brought here.” ETO also laid the foundation stone of a playground to be built in the village at a cost of Rs 21 lakh and a panchayat ghar to be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. Speaking on the occasion he said tenders for all these development works were allotted. He said within the next six months all development works would be completed. With an eye on Assembly polls and the Tarn Taran bypoll, the new projects aim for development push in the otherwise rural belt of Jandiala Guru. Taking a jibe at the Opposition, ETO said the previous governments did not take any care of the Jandiala Guru constituency. Mallian village remained neglected in terms of development, he said. “There are no government schools in my constituency whose needs have not been met. Most roads in the area are being widened. Link roads have also been repaired,” he claimed. Malkit Singh murder case cracked Amritsar, November 8 The Amritsar rural police have cracked the Malkit Singh murder case with the arrest of two accused persons and recovery of a large cache of illegal weapons. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh, SP (D) Aditya Warrier and Rajasansi DSP Neeraj Kumar. The arrests were made by a team of the Rajasansi police station, which recovered four pistols, one revolver, and 20 live cartridges, from the possession of the accused. According to the police, on November 1, Surjit Singh, a resident of Dhariwal, reported that he and his son Malkit Singh were sowing wheat in their fields when around 7 pm, Bikramjit Singh of the same village, accompanied by an unidentified person, arrived on the spot and opened fire on them, hitting Malkit Singh with eight to 10 rounds. Malkit succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. On November 2, a case was registered at the Rajasansi police station under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act in this connection. The prime accused, Bikramjit Singh, was arrested on November 2. During interrogation, he disclosed that he had personal enmity with the deceased and had conspired with his associate Karanbir Singh of Saisra Kalan village to commit the murder using illegal firearms. Acting on this information, the police arrested Karanbir on November 7. From their possession, the police recovered, four pistols, one each of .45 bore, 30 bore, Glock 9mm, and 32 bore, one revolver of 32 bore, 20 live cartridges, including two of .45 bore, one of 30 bore, and 17 of 32 bore. SSP Maninder Singh said, “The Amritsar rural police are intensifying operations against murder accused, illegal weapons and gangster elements in the region.” Police records reveal that Bikramjit was a habitual offender with a criminal background. He was previously involved in two major cases, including 2018 Nirankari Bhawan grenade attack in Rajasansi that left three persons dead and 23 injured, and a 2019 attempt-tomurder case registered under at Islamabad police station in Amritsar. — TNS Participants during a remembrance ceremony held in memory of bravehearts of the World War 1 at Sarwali village in Gurdaspur district on Saturday. Amritsar, November 8 A remembrance ceremony was organised in Gurdaspur in memory of bravehearts of World War 1 (WW1) from Sarwali village, including Havildar Kala Singh of the 45 Rattray Sikhs (now 3 Sikh Battalion) and Sepoy Hazara Singh of the same battalion on their martyrdom anniversary. The event was also held to mark the 107th Armistice Day of the First World War, during which floral tributes and homage were offered to the martyrs. Major Gen Balwinder Singh, VSM (retd), convener, INTACH Punjab, who addressed participant at the event, said the legacy of Sikh soldiers of WWI remained invaluable and intangible her- itage of Punjabis. A ceremonial guard was presented by the 4 Sikh (Saragarhi) Battalion of the Sikh Regiment under the command of Subedar Harpreet Singh, representing the Station Commander, Tibri Cantonment, on the occasion. “The brave soldiers of the Indian Army which was the British Indian Army at the time, who laid down their lives during the war are the priceless heritage of our nation and must always be remembered with reverence. At a time when immigration from Punjab is increasing, youth and all responsible sections of society must rethink and work collectively to shape a better present and future,” Maj Gen said. He also encouraged young people to take full advantage of opportunities for recruitment in the Army and to contribute towards the preservation of Punjab’s cultural and historical heritage. Kuwar Amritbir Singh, who is also known as the Push-Up Man of India, and has made more than 50 records, also addressed the youth on the occasion asking them to stay away from drugs, participate in sports and work hard with a clear life goal. The families of the martyrs were honoured by Major Gen Balwinder Singh, along with Subedar Harpreet Singh, Kuwar Amritbir Singh, educators Sunita Sharma, Manjit Singh Sandhu, Gurinder Singh Mehrok and Jagmohan Singh. — TNS Will revitalise industry in Batala: CM After overnight dharna, FinMin announces release of salary grants for aided schools Tribune News Service Batala, November 8 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday inaugurated the Tehsil complex here on Saturday and said his government was making efforts to revitalise industry in Batala. “A few months ago, Batala MLA Sherry Kalsi had brought to my notice that people of the city wanted all government offices to function under one roof. That is how the complex was conceptualised,” said Mann, while addressing the gathering on the occasion. “This is a modern building and will cater to all needs of people. During previous regimes, some government buildings came up, but these were poorly maintained,” the Chief Minister alleged. The complex has been built at cost of Rs 10.06 crore and came up within 15 months. Mann said Batala was once the pride of Punjab as there were a lot of industrial units. “Previous governments cared two hoots for the industry following which several units closed shop. We are now trying to revitalise things,” the Chief Minister said. Amritsar, November 8 The teachers of unaided schools of Punjab, who have been protesting outside the Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner’s office since November 7, have announced to call off their dharna. This decision comes after Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian met teachers for the second time in a span of 24 hours to announce that their demand for a complete salary disbursal for the past c m y b nine months was accepted by the state government. Mundian said salaries would be disbursed on Monday (November 10) in bank account of teachers. Around 1,700 teachers from aided schools of Punjab had been protesting against the delay in salary release. On November 7, teachers including women, sat on an overnight dharna in front of the DC office in Tarn Taran after their attempt to give mass arrests was not successful. “It is a big achievement for our teachers, who have been struggling financially without their salaries since almost a year. The aided school managements and teachers have been running from pillar to post, meeting ministers and officials to get their dues. Now, that we were forced to come out on streets, the state government finally realised our sufferings,” said Gurmeet Singh Madnipur, the state president of the Aided School Teachers Union. Madnipur said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who was at the Circuit House here, assured and notified that his department would immediately release salary grants for the aided schools. He said, “We also discussed if grants cannot be released on time, then teachers will be merged into the Education Department and government schools.” There are 1,700 in service employees of 416 aided schools across the state. Madnipur said some were legacy schools, running before the Independence. “There were 512 aided schools, but now their number had reduced to 416 as some were closed due to financial distress. As many as 8,100 teaching and non-teaching posts are vacant in these schools which are dependent on grant-in aide scheme of the state government,” said Madnipur. — TNS