27102024-JTR-01.qxd 10/26/2024 11:58 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune PHAGWARA MC GRAPPLES WITH STAFF CRUNCH STATE'S ECONOMY DERAILING AS FARMERS' STIR CONTINUES PRODUCERS TAKE ME MORE SERIOUSLY: DIRECTOR PREETI Fifty-eight of 68 sanctioned posts in the civic body, including Joint Commissioner, are lying vacant. P2 With farmers continuing to block national highways, the state's already fragile economy is taking a hit. P3 Aliya Basu Gayab Hai director says she is happy that gender has now taken a backseat. P4 » » FORECAST CLEAR SKY MAX 33°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 16.7°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.43 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.42 AM » SUNDAY | 27 OCTOBER 2024 | JALANDHAR Who will fix Jalandhar roads? As city prepares for Diwali, roads ‘left out’ of repair, renovation plans Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 26 As the city prepares for the Diwali festival, residents find themselves grappling with more than just arrangements for the festivities — the city’s roads remain a pressing issue, casting a shadow over the celebrations. Potholes, damaged roads and frequent waterlogging continue to impact daily commuters, creating frustration among the locals who feel that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to deliver a reliable solution. While homes across the city are being cleaned and decorated, the streets appear neglected and worn out, raising a serious question: who will fix the city’s roads? The Municipal Corporation has long been responsible for addressing civic infrastructure needs, but a series of changing MC commissioners, governments, MLAs and MPs has yet to bring about substantial improvement. Problems that have plagued the city for years, such as waste management, sewage and poor road conditions — show little signs of resolution. Though the upcoming MC elections have spurred a visible increase in roadwork, residents are sceptical, wondering if these efforts will continue or simply fade out once votes are cast. A tour of the city today revealed an unsettling reality. Kidneys of brain dead patient transplanted Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 26 Showing a rare gesture, the family members of a brain dead patient in Jalandhar have offered to donate both his kidneys to a patient at Shrimann Hospital, a private medical institution here. Baldev Singh (70) of Kamalpur village in Shahkot was recently hit by a twowheeler and sustained head injuries. He was admitted to the Shrimann Hospital, where the doctors had declared him brain dead. A team of doctors from PGI, Chandigarh, including Dr Navdeep Bansal, Transplant Coordinator, told the family about organ donation. As the family agreed for the same, all official formalities and due procedures for undertaking dialysis were initiated by a committee, comprising Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and forensic expert Dr Mayank. Both kidneys of Baldev Singh were transplanted to a patient, who had been undergoing dialysis for the past many years. The whole procedure was handled by a team of doctors, including Dr Shubha Sharma, Dr Jaspreet Kaur, Dr Tushar Arora, Dr Sahil and Dr Shweta Bhardwaj, assisted by Poonam Kondal and Manpreet Raju. Dr Rajiv Bhatia, Director and Urologist, Shrimann Hospital, said Baldev Singh’s family’s noble gesture had set a new example in Jalandhar. The potholed road in front of the bus stand in Jalandhar. SARABJIT SINGH road on weather patterns restrict work on roads to ❝Thiswaterwas dug up months ago for workto ❝SeasonalMay’ and ‘September to mid-December’. The MC is laying a pipeline, but the repairs are yet ‘February to be completed. Just a few days ago, my scooter got working at full speed and has already issued tenders for roads trapped in a pothole, causing me to fall. I was lucky awaiting repair. We expect all major repairs to be completed by to escape with minor injuries. — Shagun, A COLLEGE STUDENT November-end or early December. — Gautam Jain, MC COMMISSIONER While roadwork is indeed underway in certain areas, many of the city’s most crucial thoroughfares remain in deplorable condition. Roads leading to key locations, including the bus stand, railway station, Garha Road, Defence Colony, industrial area and the road in front of the Khalsa College besides major stretches like the Basti Nau-Basti Guzan route, are dotted by deep potholes and uneven surfaces. Commuters say monsoon rains have only worsened these problems, turning some roads into dan- ger zones. Vehicles often get trapped in potholes, causing accidents that make commuting risky. Narinder Singh, a resident, shared his disappointment with the current road maintenance efforts. “We see a lot of funds being allocated for roads, but without timely maintenance and high-quality material, these repairs won’t last long. We need accountability from the officials overseeing these projects,” he said, adding that regular inspections and standards are critical to ensure that any work done is durable. For Shagun, a college student, who regularly commutes on the Shehanshah Palace-Kala Sanghian Road, the deteriorating condition of the stretch is a constant threat. “This road was dug up months ago for water pipeline work, but the repairs have yet to be completed. Just a few days back, my scooter got trapped in a pothole, causing me to fall. I was lucky to escape with minor injuries,” she said, noting that residents have repeatedly approached the MC with complaints, but little has been done. Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Gautam Jain defended the Municipal Corporation’s efforts, saying that seasonal weather patterns restrict roadwork to two main windows: February to May and September to mid-December. According to Jain, the MC is working “at full speed” and has already issued tenders for roads awaiting repair. “By late November or early December, we expect nearly all major repairs to be completed,” he said. But residents remain unconvinced and are tired of the “quick-fix” approach, calling instead for durable infrastructure that can withstand the test of time. They demand a transparent and accountable process that ensures the roads won’t deteriorate as soon as election season ends. Only 3 farm fires in 4 days, yet air quality in ‘very poor’ category Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 26 While only three farm fires have been reported in Jalandhar in the past four days, the city’s air quallity index (AQI) has plummeted to new lows. Jalandhar’s air quality dropped to ‘very poor’ category on Thursday night as the city registered AQI between 314 to 318. On Friday, the maximum AQI was recorded at 314 and on Saturday at 304. Theree has also been a rise in cases of respiratory diseases. Residents complained of watery eyes, sore throat and difficulty in breathing, especially among those with a history of respiratory illnesses, on Thursday night as a cloudy haze overtook the skies in the district. Night time skies in Jalandhar consistently bear a slight sting since then. Usually, change in weather and the stubble burning are attributed as reasons for bad air. But this time, Jalandhar has only reported three stubble fires in the past four days. Officials said the pollution may have been caused from farm fires in other neghbouring districts. In the current paddy harvest season, 104 farm fires have been reported in Jalandhar and Kapurthala — 22 in Jalandhar and 82 in Kapurthala. Sixteen farm fires were reported in Jalandhar (3) and Kapurthala (13) in the past four days. Seven fires were reported in both districts yesterday and four today. In Jalandhar, three farm fires were reported (one each, per day) on October 23, 24 and 25. RESPIRATORY TROUBLE ON THE RISE ❝ We are getting six to seven new cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses each day. Apart from stubble burning, approaching winters, vehicular pollution and contruction waste can be factors behind aggravating episodes of asthamtics. ❞ — Dr HJ Singh, CHEST SPECIALIST & BRONCHOSCOPIST At Kapurthala, four farm fires were reported today, six yesterday (October 25), two on Thursday (October 24) and one on October 23. An average AQI of 173 (moderate level) was registered on Thursday with minimum AQI of 86 and maximum of 318. On Friday, the average AQI was 171 - minimum at 66 and maximum at 314. On Saturday, the average AQI was 183, with minimum at 67 and maximum at 303. Sandeep Kumar, Senior Environmental Engineer, PPCB, Jalandhar, said, “The sting in the night air may have been caused due to farm fires in the neighbouring districts of Kapurthala and Amritsar.” Balbir Chand, Chief Agricultral Officer, Kapurthala, said, “The change in the air and the dip in temperature might have given way to the night haze. The air quality across the region has taken an overall dip.” Farmers intensify Minister reviews procurement at Nawanshahr mandi protest, block slip roads as well Tribune News Service Ashok Kaura Phagwara, October 26 Hundreds of farmers belonging to various farmer unions continued their dharna near Sugar Mills Chowk on the sixth day on Saturday. Commuters had to face a tough time driving between Jalandhar and Ludhiana as protesters blocked traffic on slip roads as well on Saturday. Long queues of vehicles were seen stranded even as the police diverted them via link roads passing through different villages. The protest was strengthened further when Sarwan Singh Pandher arrived at the site with a huge gathering of around 300. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha Coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai , general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni, and Satnam Singh Beru of Indian Farmer Asso- ciation appealed to the farmers to raise a united voice against the government for ignoring their problems. Farmer leader Pandher alleged that both Centre and state government were making fool of the people and playing different music for vested political milage. National BJP Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal has urged the governments to resolve farmers’ issue soon to provide normal environment to the people during festival season. Temperature became hot when ADGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar and DIG Border Range Satinder Singh arrived at Regenta Hotel near the dharna site at Phagwara. Later, ADGP Parmar, DIG Satinder Singh, Kapurthala DC Amit Kumar Panchal, SSP Vatsala Gupta, SP Rupinder Bhatti and SDM Jashanjit Singh held a meeting with the farm leaders to resolve the tangle. Farmers during a sit-in at Phagwara on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Jalandhar, October 26 Health, Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh paid a surprise visit to the Nawanshahr Anaj Mandi today and took stock of the procurement and lifting arrangements. On Friday, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat had visited the dana mandi in Jalandhar to review procurement. At Kapurthala, DC made visits to the dana mandi at both Kapurthala and Phagwara to review the procurement process, but so far none of the ministers have visited the mandis at Kapurthala. While talking to journalists at the Nawashahr grain market, Balbir said, “The Punjab Government stands with the farmers and is putting pressure on the Centre so that lifting can be simultaneously done after procurement.” The Minister said for smooth procurement of paddy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann himself, along with Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and all ministers and MLAs of the state have reached markets and are helping farmers in all possible ways. He said, “Arhtiyas, farmers, labourers, shellers, millers and transporters are our backbone, but the Modi government is working to destroy them by being an enemy of the marketing system and the environment of Punjab is being deliberately damaged, so that arhtiyas, sheller owners, farmers and labourers are embattled against each other.” “But the intelligent people of Punjab fully understand this and will not fall to such tricks,” he added. He further said the Centre hadn’t picked up the grain lying in sheds and warehouses of Punjab, due to which this situation had arisen in the mandis. He said due to the step-motherly treatment with Punjab, the farmers who reached markets with their crops have faced problems. He said despite this, the Punjab Government had resolved the problem and the work of purchase and lifting in mandis is on at full flow and payment is also being made at the same time. The Minister said in three to four days, the paddy procurement would be in full swing in mandis. SSP Mehtab Singh; SDM Akshita Gupta; Nawanshahr Constituency In-charge Lalit Mohan Pathak (Ballu); Market Committee Nawanshahr Chairman Gagan Agnihotri; District Food Supply Controller Manjinder Singh; District Mandi Officer Rupinder Minhas, among other officials of procurement agencies, aarhtiyas and and farmers were also present on the occasion. Kapurthala court summons Sartaj Four nabbed in ransom case, US link suspected ‘SHOW WILL DISRUPT Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 26 Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaj has been summoned by the Court of Civil Judge, Kapurthala, Suresh Kumar, on October 30, following a petition by a Kapurthala resident that a show to be held on November 10, at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Kapurthala, by the singer, will disrupt the exercise and practice of sportsmen who use the stadium. On October 25, summons were issued to the singer and the manager of his company, Firdaus Productions, to appear on October 30 — the next date of hearing in the case. Sartaj along with his company; Chief Secretary, Punjab Government; Director, Sports, Punjab; District Sports Officer; DC and SSP c m y b SPORTS PRACTICE’ A Kapurthala resident had filed a petition that Sartaj's show to be held on November 10 at the Guru Nanak Stadium will disrupt the exercise & practice of sportsmen who use the stadium. Kapurthala; MC Commssioner, Kapurthala; and SP Traffic Kapurthala have been made parties in the case. A lawyer and sportsman SS Malli had filed a petition in the court of the civil judge, Kapurthala against the alleged disruption caused at the Guru Nanak Stadium, where a live show/concert of the singer is going to be hosted on November 10. The petition states that a big show at the ground, which has been built with government funds, will pose problems for sportsmen and those who use the ground. The petition seeks a permanent injunction from the court restraining the use of ground for any such show. The petition further alleges that the use of ground for earnings through the concert by the singer, and facilitation of the same by officials is “wrong and illegal” and no playground can be used for commercial purposes. It alleges that the singer has been wrongly given access to the ground. The complainant states that he goes to the stadium daily for exercising/playing sports. Many players come to practice on the Hockey ground of the same stadium. Besides, there are no other grounds in Kapurthala. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 26 The Jalandhar Commissionerate of Police, led by Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, has apprehended four persons allegedly involved in a plot to extort Rs 20 lakh from a retired headmaster. The police suspect that the case might be linked to a person residing in the United States. According to the Police Commissioner, the incident surfaced when Harsharan Singh, a resident of Urban Estate, reported that he had received threats from Harpreet Singh, who currently resides in US. Harpreet allegedly demanded Rs 20 lakh and threatened to kill Harsharan if the ransom was not paid. Days later, two unidentified persons on motorcycles threw stones at Harsharan’s house, escalating concerns for his safety. Sharma said Harpreet had demanded the ransom through a WhatsApp call, even sending photos of firearms to intimidate the victim. Following a probe, the police arrested two suspects, Karan Thapar and Jatin Sehdev, in connection with the case, recovering a motorcycle allegedly used in the incident. Further inquiry led to the detention of two additional suspects, Manav and Abhimanyu, who were believed to have been involved in executing the threats. The authorities have also named Amanpreet Kaur, another Jalandhar native currently in the US, as a suspect.