02012025-JTR-01.qxd 1/1/2025 10:38 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune JALANDHAR TO HOST ASIAN TENT PEGGING C'SHIP FROM FEB 13 ANUJA SHORTLISTED FOR OSCARS IN SHORT FILM CATEGORY SALMAN KHAN’S SIKANDAR AMONG TOP PICKS OF 2025 For the first time, Asian Championship will be held in the district and the event will start from February 13. P2 Awards and rewards are byproduct of the choices, say Guneet Monga Kapoor and her Sikhya Ent cofounder Achin Jain. P4 The film landscape for 2025 is loaded with diverse content but expectations are high from Salman’s Sikandar. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 16°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.36 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7:26 AM THURSDAY | 2 JANUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF TRUCK OWNER BOOKED FOR KIDNAPPING Phagwara: The Nakodar Sadar police have booked five persons, including a truck owner, on the charge of kidnapping a truck driver. The accused has been identified as Manish of Kamalpura village in Kaithal district, Ram Bhajan, and their three accomplices. Balkar Singh, a resident of Kaithal, complained to the police that he was the driver of a truck owned by Manish. On December 20 evening, when he was coming to Nakodar from Jalandhar, he stopped his truck at a dhaba to take food and slept in the truck. The complainant said the truck owner Manish, Ram Bhajan and their three accomplices reached the spot, assaulted and kidnapped him and took him to Kaithal where he was beaten up. A case of the BNS has been registered against the accused. OC ACTIVA STOLEN FROM MARKET Phagwara: An Activa scooter, bearing the registration number PB-09AA-6431, was reportedly stolen from outside a paint shop near the subdivisional courts and Tehsil Complex on the first day of the New Year. The Activa owner, Vishwamitra, a former senior bank manager, told the police that he went inside the Tehsil Complex after parking his scooter near the paint shop but found it stolen when he came out. He immediately reported the matter to the local city police who have registered a case in this regard. OC MAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a villager on the charge of selling illicit liquor. Investigating Officer Jagtar Singh said 9 bottles of illicit liquor were recovered from the possession of the accused, identified as Kamaljit Singh, a resident of Mehmuwal Yusafpur village. A case under Sections 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the accused. OC 35-YEAR-OLD DIES IN ACCIDENT Phagwara: A 35-year-old youth was killed in a road accident. The deceased has been identified as Jagbir Singh, a resident of Ward no. 17, Jagraon. Manga Singh, a resident of Kothe Hajura village near Ward no 5 Jagraon, told the police that Jagbir was killed in a road accident. The police handed over the body to the family after post-mortem. OC Fight of JIT allottees for refund of failed schemes enters new year Decades on, people yet to get the amount despite consumer courts’ orders Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 1 Even as the city welcomes the New Year, allottees of three failed residential schemes under the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) are entering yet another year of frustration and struggle. For those who invested in Indra Puram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave (2006), Bibi Bhani Complex (2010) and Surya Enclave Extension (2011 and relaunched in 2016), it has been over a decade of broken promises and legal battles. Despite securing favorable judgments from district, state and national consumer commissions, the JIT has failed to comply with orders, withholding refund amounting to Rs 50 crore. Many of the affected allottees, primarily senior citizens, accuse the JIT of collecting significant amount from them but failing to deliver on any development work or hand over possession of flats and plots. “Complaints of corruption and mismanagement have long surrounded the schemes, but the state government has shown no intention to investigate the allegations or take corrective action”, they said, adding that they remained trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled assurances and delayed justice. ML Sehgal, a retired SDO Jalandhar Improvement Trust flats at Indirapuram in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH and allottee of the Surya Enclave Extension Scheme, shared his ordeal of repeated visits to the JIT office and consumer forums to reclaim his investment. “This endless struggle has been exhausting. Neither the previous government, nor the present administration has taken steps to resolve this mess. Our demands are simple: Release our dues and compensate us for the mental agony we’ve endured,” he said. Darshan Ahuja, an allottee from the Bibi Bhani Complex, highlighted the financial implications of the delay. “By July last year, the dues stood at Rs 14 crore. Now, with accumulated interest and additional LEGAL HURDLES, LACK OF AMENITIES SHOCKER The JIT launched these schemes between 2008 and 2011, but these remained fraught with challenges. The Surya Enclave Extension scheme faced legal hurdles, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court imposing stay orders. Although the petition was dismissed in 2015, the scheme remained neglected as no development work was carried out, turning a once prime city location into a sprawling garbage dump. Similarly, the Bibi Bhani Complex and Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave have suffered due to poor construction quality and the lack of promised civic amenities, not even water and electricity provision, reducing the complex to the hub of anti-social activities. Frustrated plot and flat owners have repeatedly staged protests and held meetings with officials, yet no tangible progress has been made. rulings in our favour, the total has climbed to Rs 50 crore. This is not just negligence, it’s criminal disregard for the plight of citizens,” he said. The situation, meanwhile, took an ugly turn in October when arrest warrants were issued against the JIT Chairman due to the Trust’s failure to refund payments in 128 cases. Over the past few years, more than 150 arrest warrants have been issued against JIT officials, but many remain unexecuted, with the authori- ties often citing the unavailability of the accused. Since 2021, approximately 400 judgments have been passed in favour of the allottees, but compliance remains patchy, with JIT failing to act in about 130 cases, leaving a staggering Rs 50 crore outstanding. The allottees have appealed to the government for immediate intervention to ensure the release of their refunds and to hold the responsible officials accountable. “The New Year has brought no hope, only the continuation of our long fight against systemic apathy. The dream of owning a home has turned into a nightmare of endless legal battles and financial strain for us”, the allottees said. Youth loses life in hit-and-run mishap Tractor driver flees after accident Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 1 A young man lost his life in a hit-and-run incident on Kapurthala Road on Tuesday evening after a tractor trolley hit him and fled the scene. The deceased, identified as Tarun Kumar from Kila Mohalla, was riding his scooter at the time of the accident. According to a complaint filed by his brother, Manish Kumar, the tractor trolley driver, was driving negligently and hit Tarun’s vehicle, causing fatal injuries. Tarun died on the spot and his scooter was damaged. Police officers from Division Number 2 have registered a case against the unknown driver based on Manish’s statement. “We are now reviewing the CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused. Witnesses have claimed that it is a case of reckless driving and may be the driver was under the influence of alcohol”, police officials said, adding that all efforts would be made to trace the culprit and ensure justice for the victim’s family. They further said the body after the post-mortem had been handed over to the family today and investigation was underway to find both tractortrolley owner and driver. Meanwhile, the tragic incident has again raised concerns among the locals about road safety and reckless driving, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. “Despite the ongoing special traffic drive, the traffic police have failed to take notice of the heavy vehicles plying on city roads during restricted hours”, said Sahil, a resident, adding that police must take action in this regard. Assistant Sub Inspector Manjit Singh in Vigilance custody. Civic issues, residents eye new MC House Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 1 It is 2025. The Tribune takes a look at what has changed for the city this New Year? Civic issues that were prevailing last year are still very much there. The moment one is out, piles of garbage, sewerage issues and non-working streetlights welcome him and this problem can be found in various areas of the city. However, it is expected that with the formation of new MC House, things will change for the good and the newly elected mayor will transform the city. Also, 2025 is the deadline for most of the projects under the Smart City Mission, but it seems that these projects will not get completed as well. Controversies, delays and incomplete works, these are the ‘adjectives’ that define the situation of the Smart City Mission in Jalandhar. It was in September 2016 when Jalandhar found its name on the list released by the Central Government under the Smart City Mission. There was a lot of excitement among one and all about Jalandhar being developed as a ‘Smart City’ as the city had somehow managed to secure a spot under the big-ticket project. Nine years later, all praises and commendations are replaced by criticism and condemnation. This despite the expenditure of Rs 860 crore on the projects under the mission. There are major projects like surface water, biomining, sports hub, smart roads, etc under the project, but none of these has been completed yet. A few projects like the sports hub worth Rs 77.77 crore didn’t even get off the ground, some started but stopped midway, while work on the rest are going on at a snail’s pace. MLA Jalandhar West Mohinder Bhagat from AAP had blamed the Congress for ruining the project that could have changed Jalandhar’s fate for good. “There has been reports of misappropriation of funds. Now, with limited amount left under the mission, we are trying to beautify the city,” he had earlier told The Tribune. Jalandhar MP Charanjit Channi had also stated that Smart city was now a gone case. “The BJP has dumped this project. I had met Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in this regard and talked about Jalandhar’s Smart City, he told me that no funds would be given now,” Channi said. Safai workers’ panel chief, MC staff cross swords Jalandhar, January 1 Tension was reported to be brewing between Punjab Safai Karamchari Commission Chairman Chandan Grewal and the Municipal Corporation officials. There were allegations of manhandling of a few MC officials by the Safai Karamchari Union members. Grewal raised the issue of outsourcing safai karamcharis in a wrong manner, and the arguments between him and the MC officials escalated, resulting in alleged manhandling of the latter. MC Commissioner Gautam Jain said he will take action. It was also learnt that abuses were hurled at the MC Commissioner as well. The Commissioner will meet Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh. — TNS ASI caught taking ~5,000 bribe Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, JANUARY 1 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has arrested an Assistant Sub Inspector Manjit Singh, posted at police station city-2, Kapurthala, for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said a case had been registered against the official on a complaint lodged by Gurjit Kaur, a resident of Fattudhinga, in Kapurthala district. He further said the complainant had approached the VB and said the accused had demanded Rs 5,000 for issuing the copies of complaint made against her and a mutual agreement signed by her with the complainants. She further said the ASI had already taken Rs 1,500 to resolve this complaint in her favour. The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary inquiry into this complaint, a VB team laid a trap and the ASI was caught redhanded while receiving the bribe money from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station, Jalandhar range, and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said. Khel Udyog Sangh condemns state govt for ‘inspector raj’ 4 nabbed in robbery, theft cases Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 1 Members of the Khel Udyog Sangh, industry union, held a meeting today and condemned the government for giving the power of checking the products to GST inspectors. Ravinder Dhir, a senior traders from the city, said the government had released the orders and under this, any GST Department inspector can check the product on road. “This is happening for the first time. Earlier, it was the enforcement wing that was entrusted with the task to check the products. Now, with this, corruption will increase manifold,” he said. Khel Udyog Sangh members flay ‘anti-industry policies’ by the state government. He further added that under this government, it was getting difficult for industrialists to work. Traders had been protesting against the GST raids for the last two years as well. “We are being harassed. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had promised to end ‘inspector raj’ if his party was voted to power. The party is now ruling the state. But instead of ending the ‘inspector raj’, the government has worsened the condition of traders and industrialists,” the members of the Sangh rued. It is not for the first time that the members of the Sangh have condemned the government. Last year, a group of traders and industrialists had held a protest during the ongoing inspection by a GST team. c m y b After a team from the GST Department had conducted inspection at a sports shop in Basti Nau, some traders and industrialists gathered on the scene and staged a dharna outside the unit while the inspection was still underway. Also the same year, under the banner of the Khel Udyog Sangh, members had banged utensils while sitting on the road in protest to reiterate their demand for ending such GST raids. Praveen Anand, a member of the Sangh, said it was not a favourable environment for the industrialists. “Instead of a boom, the Punjab industry is sinking because of the policies,” he said. Jalandhar, January 1 In a swift crackdown on theft and robbery, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has arrested four persons involved in multiple snatching, theft and robbery incidents. The arrests were made during a routine patrol by the Crime Branch Team near Balton Park, where two unregistered Activa scooters carrying the suspects were intercepted. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma revealed that stolen items, including four mobile phones, a laptop and scooters, were recovered during the operation. The suspects, identified as Munish Kumar, alias Monu, Ajay Kumar, Ravi Kumar, alias Four persons in Jalandhar police custody. Ravi, and Nitish Kumar, alias Nitish, were found to be targeting unsuspecting citizens in snatching activities. Preliminary investigations have linked Ravi Kumar to prior criminal activity, with two cases already registering against him. The group’s involvement in other crimes is under scrutiny. An FIR was registered on December 29 at Police Station Division Number 1 under various sections of the BNS Act and further investigation in the case is underway, said police officials. — TNS