24012025-JTR-01.qxd 1/23/2025 10:42 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune CITY REMEMBERS NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE NEHA IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOOT HER NEXT FILM SANJOG NITA AMBANI’S SAREE FOR TRUMP’S SWEARING-IN FEATURED MOTIFS The programme was aimed at paying tribute to one of the country's most iconic freedom fighters. P2 In UT recently, Neha shared, “Chandigarh is one of my favourite cities. Each time I come here I am bowled over.” P4 Draped in a traditional Kanchipuram silk saree by Swadesh, she carried the soul of India to the stage of the world. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 21°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.55 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:23 AM FRIDAY | 24 JANUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR Urban Estate trees axed, no FIR yet: Green activists Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 23 A fortnight after several trees were lopped off at Urban Estate in Jalandhar, the police are yet to file a complaint on the issue. Jalandhar activists, who have been complaining to the MC, police and also the NGT regarding the indiscriminate cutting of trees in various areas of Jalandhar over the past one year, have rued the lack of police action. On January 8, 33 trees had been allegedly axed in Urban Estate, Phase-2, by residents of the colony. Written complaints against three persons were filed by activists with the MC as well as police on January 10. While the activists again approached the police, they said their complaints were neither registered, nor statements recorded. The police said inquiry in the case was on. Activist Tejaswi Minhas said, “The SDO of the MC’s Horticulture Department had assured us that an FIR would be registered against the erring residents. We were awaiting that, but, so far there has been no FIR.” Activist Dr Navneet Bhullar, who has been trying to get a case registered, said, “I have repeatedly visited the police station to give my statement but have been told to come later.” Rampant cutting of trees In September last year, 25 trees, many of them a century old, were axed on the compound of the Civil Hospital by the PWD to make way for the Critical Care Unit. The NGT was also moved on the issue. On October 2, 2024, 30 trees were uprooted at P&T Colony in Jalandhar. On January 8, 33 trees were lopped off in Urban Estate, phase 2. Except the Civil Hospital trees, which were chopped to make way for a building aimed at public health service initiatives, there is no clear motive for the axing of the trees. Rampant urbanisation in Jalandhar and the simultaneous depletion of groundwater is already a threat to Jalandhar. Anu Palyal, SHO, Jalandhar, said, “We have received a complaint on the issue and an inquiry on the matter is going on. A complaint can be A tree lies axed at Urban Estate, Phase II, in Jalandhar. FILE filed only after the inquiry is complete.” Gautam Jain, Commissioner, MC, Jalandhar, said, “I don’t think trees in the Civil Hospital and P&T Colony 4K defaulters of property tax to face action soon Mayor Dhir asks inspectors to give report were axed. In New Jawahar Nagar and in parks, they were cut. The Commssioner confirmed that formal action is yet to be intiated in the cases where trees had been axed. Workshop Chowk robbery case solved, five arrested Tribune News Service Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 23 The property tax department of the Municipal Corporation had sent notices to 4,000 property owners who did not pay taxes for the last one year. Despite that, none of the owners paid the tax and now the department will take a ‘strict’ follow-up in the matter. The move comes after the meeting in which Mayor Vaneet Dhir asked all 12 property tax inspectors to give a report. He asked the number of notices that were served by each inspector and the action that was taken after that. Under the procedure for taking action against the defaulters, inspectors of the property tax wing visit different areas to recover the tax. The defaulters, who have not paid tax, are served notices under Section 112 of the Municipal Corporation Act. They have to file a reply within three days, failing which another notice of sealing the property will be served under Section 138 of the Act. The target for this financial year is Rs 51 crore and until now, a collection of over Rs 35 crore has been made. Only two months are left for the financial year to end and the department is still far away from achieving the target. Department officials The Municipal Corporation building in Jalandhar. said the elections were also held thrice last year which is why they could not make the expected recovery. During the last financial year, the target was Rs 43 crore and the recovery was Rs 41 crore. The One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme of the Municipal Corporation for the recovery of property tax that came in September 2023 and continued till March 2024 also did not evoke good response. The civic body had recovered Rs 5 crore in the beginning from the government properties, but there was not much response from commercial properties. The scheme was implemented to provide a major relief to defaulters who are otherwise supposed to pay 20 per cent penalty and 18 per cent interest on the outstanding principal amount of all previous fiscal years. An MC official of the property tax department said as per the instructions by the Mayor, a detailed report was being prepared by the inspectors and they will be following up with those who haven’t paid taxes. “We are committed to recovering the maximum property tax to increase revenue,” he said. Mayor Dhir has also been focusing on increasing the revenue by departments. So, during his first meeting with the property tax department, he specifically focused on recovering property tax. K’thala with highest sex ratio to release video GIRL CHILD DAY TODAY Jalandhar, January 23 As the country will celebrate National Girl Child Day, Kapurthala district, which boasts of the highest sex ratio of 987 in the state, will be releasing a video to promote the concept on empower- ment of the girls. The six-minute video will showcase implementation of various schemes of the Centre and the state government in the district which have led to a change in the mindset of the people. The video will have bytes of the promising girl players, health and administrative officials on how they have been trying to implement the ‘Beti Padhao Beti Bachao’ scheme and Anganwadi schemes. It will also report on the functioning of Sakhi One Stop Centre, child helpline, women helpline and other support systems for women. — TNS Jalandhar, January 23 The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, led by Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, cracked the daylight robbery case, which had taken place near Workshop Chowk, with the arrest of five persons. The operation also resulted in the recovery of Rs 2 lakh along with a motorcycle and a weapon used in the crime. Commissioner Sharma, during a press conference here, revealed that two robbery incidents occurred last week in the district, including one at a petrol pump in Adampur’s Kishangarh and another near Workshop Chowk within city limits. ~2 lakh, motorcycle and weapon recovered In the Workshop Chowk case, the petrol pump manager suffered bullet injuries while trying to stop the robbers. Following the incidents, two FIRs were lodged under the BNS and the Arms Act at Adampur and Jalandhar. He said a joint operation of the CIA, Special Cell, and the Crime Branch of the police led to the arrest of three suspects Manpreet Singh, alias Manni, Nitish Mahey, alias Niti, and a minor from a hotel in Shimla. Subsequent investigations resulted in the apprehension of Nawab Singh and Suresh Bajpai, two more persons involved in the robbery. CP Sharma said the the police seized Rs 2 lakh, a motorcycle and a pistol with a magazine and ammunition. He commended the investigative teams for their swift action and said further investigation was underway and more details about this gang and their involvement in other crimes, would be revealed soon. c m y b Ban on drones during R-Day celebrations in Kapurthala 116 rolls of deadly Chinese kite strings seized in raid Tribune News Service Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, JANUARY 23 Keeping in view the security measures during the Republic Day celebrations, District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal has mandated a prohibition on the operation of drones, UAVs, and remotecontrolled small aircraft within a 2-kmr radius of key event venues across Kapurthala district on January 26. This security directive applies to locations, including Guru Nanak Stadium, Kapurthala, Government Senior Secondary School, Banga Road, Phagwara, Dana Mandi, Sultanpur Lodhi, and Government College, Bholath. Issuing these orders under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code 2023, Panchal clarified that the restriction did not apply to drones used by the police, the Army and Central Armed Police Forces for security purposes. Senior Superintendent of Police has been tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of these orders, aiming to guarantee a safe and secure environment for the Republic Day events. Jalandhar, January 23 In a move to ensure public safety, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, led by Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, has seized 116 rolls of banned Chinese kite strings during a raid in the Grain Market. The police, acted on a tipoff, raided a shop operating in a secluded part of the market. Although sellers managed to flee during the raid, police officials claimed they had intensified their efforts to identify and apprehend those involved in the illegal trade. Police officials said the raid was part of a larger campaign to curb the sale and purchase of these hazardous strings, which were made of plastic and coated with abrasive materials. Chinese manjha poses a severe threat to public safety, often causing deep cuts and even fatal injuries. Its razorsharp edges can easily slice through human skin, leaving victims with grievous wounds. There have been numerous incidents across the country of cyclists, pedestrians and even motorcyclists being severely injured, with some accidents proving fatal. The manjha is also danger- The city police seized 116 rolls of Chinese string from a shop in Jalandhar on Thursday. ous for birds, many of which have died or been maimed after getting entangled in the strings during kite-flying events. Officials emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “These strings are not just a safety hazard but are life-threatening. By seizing these illegal products, we are taking a strong stand to protect the public.” “Further investigation is underway and we expect to make arrests shortly. We are committed to dismantling this dangerous network,” they added. The police also urged citizens to report any information regarding the sale or use of Chinese manjha, highlighting the collective responsibility to ensure the safety of the community.