05032025-JTR-01.qxd 3/4/2025 11:39 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune CLOSURE OF JCT LEAVES 5K FAMILIES IN DISTRESS YAMI REVEALS WHY SHE TURNED DOWN A BIG-BUDGET FILM HINA KHAN STICKS TO HER ROUTINE DURING RAMADAN A meeting of stakeholders, including exemployees of JCT Limited, was convened to address the ongoing crisis. P2 In a recent conversation, Yami shared that she had always prioritised contentdriven cinema. P4 Despite facing several health challenges, actress Hina Khan has decided to fast this holy month. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 20°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 10°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.28 PM » SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:48 AM WEDNESDAY | 5 MARCH 2025 | JALANDHAR After CM’s stern warning, tehsildars call off protest INBRIEF TWO ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested two youths on the charge of kidnapping a minor. The accused have been identified as Deepak, alias Deepa, and Armaan Sabharwal of Bagga village in Shahkot. The mother of the victim complained to the police that Deepa conspired with his accomplice and kidnapped her minor daughter studying in a Nakodar college on the pretext of marriage. OC SDO, CONTRACTOR ARRESTED Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested sewerage board Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) and its contractor for causing death by negligence. The accused have been identified as Sandeep Sharma (SDO) of Seed Farm, Urban Estate, Kapurthala, and Gourav Duggal (contractor), a resident of Partap Nagar, Patiala. A case was registered against the accused. OC 'DRUG PEDDLER' ARRESTED Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested a 'drug peddler' on the charge of selling intoxicated tablets. As many as 97 intoxicated tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Yashwant Singh, a resident of Pati Bhilayi Bilga village. A case under the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused. OC TWO ARRESTED FOR SNATCHING Phagwara: The police have arrested two miscreants for snatching a smart phone from a migrant. The accused have been identified as Ravi Kumar and Charan Das of Pati Laksian Malsian village. Pappu Kumar, a Bihar native, living at Bhodipur village complained to the police that the accused waylaid him on March 2 evening, attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon and snatched his smart phone. oc Had been on strike over Vigilance probe against officials Tribune Reporters Bist Doab Canal full of garbage in Jalandhar. FILE MCgeneral house meeting expected on March 10 Fencing of Bist Doab Canal, staff recruitment on agenda Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 4 The first general house meeting of the AAP-led MC is expected to be held on March 10. One of the important agendas that will be discussed at the meeting is the fencing of the Bist Doab Canal, so that people don’t throw waste in it. In another proposal, covering of the roadside dumps will be discussed, so that the problem of overflowing garbage and waste outside the dump and spilling on the roadside could be resolved. Noticing that sanitation is a huge problem in the city, 16 new grab machines will be bought by the MC. Apart from this, a proper dedicated agenda has also been made related to the horticulture wing of the MC, in which proper landscaping of the city will be done. Talking to The Tribune, MORE FACILITIES MAYOR’S PRIORITY ■ When Mayor Vaneet Dhir had assumed the charge, he expressed disappointment with the city’s development, saying that Jalandhar was lagging behind. “What is more painful is that residents are not getting even basic facilities,” he had stated. ■ He had also admitted that he would face several challenges, but ensure that by the end of his term as Mayor, the city becomes better and more developed. Mayor Vaneet Dhir said he had noticed that there was a huge shortage of manpower and machinery in the city. “My priority is to resolve this,” he said. Almost every department head in special meetings with the Mayor had raised the issue of a huge dearth of staff. So, the corporation will recruit class II and class III employees through outsourcing so that the proper work could be done. Budget will also be presented at the first meeting. Recently, the department heads had protested the move to increase the recovery tar- Industrial areas to get ~4.45 cr boost Helpline for industrialists soon Tribune News Service 3 Phagwara ‘drug peddlers’ held with heroin Phagwara, March 4 In an ongoing campaign against drugs, the police have arrested three ‘drugs peddlers’ at three different places in Phagwara last night. SSP Kapurthala, Gaurav , Toora, told this correspondent here today that the police nabbed a peddler identified as Nitin Gupta of Aarti Mohalla in Mehli Gate, Phagwara, and recovered 15 gm of heroin from him. The accused was nabbed at a check-point near Jain Model School in the Palahai gate locality here. Toora said in the second case, a migrant Chhottu Mandal, presently residing in village Miherru, was arrested with 10 gm heroin during nakabandi near village Hardasspur, Phagwara, last night. Toora disclosed that in the third case, the police arrested another drugs smuggler and recovered 150 intoxicated tablets from his possession last night. The accused identified as Gobinda of Soondh Colony, Phagwara, was arrested at a check point near village Gaunspur near Phagwara. Three different cases under NDPS Act have been registered against them. — OC Jalandhar, March 4 In line with the government’s commitment to providing better infrastructure to industries, development projects worth Rs 4.45 crore will be undertaken in the industrial areas of the district to facilitate businesses. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal stated that out of the total amount, Rs 2.44 crore will be utilised for development works at Focal Point Old and Focal Point Extension, while Rs 2.01 crore will be spent on projects at the Leather Complex and Surgical Complex by the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. These projects include the construction of new manholes and chambers, sewerage disposal and tubewells, maintenance of water supply and sewerage systems, construction of zonal offices, installation of new streetlights, procurement of generator sets, and the establishment of a storm water drainage system at the Surgical Complex. Dr Aggarwal emphasised that all projects must be completed on time, and officials have been instructed to monitor progress personally to ensure timely execution. He also stressed that there would be no compromise on the quality of work. The DC mentioned that incentives worth Rs. 3.79 crore have already been approved for eligible ON THE LIST ~2.44 crore will be utilised for development works at Focal Point Old and Focal Point Extension, while Rs 2.01 crore will be spent on projects at the Leather Complex and Surgical Complex by the Jalandhar MC. firms under the state’s Industry and Trade Development Policy. To further assist industries, a single-window facility has started functioning on the third floor of the District Administrative Complex at DBEE. Officials from various departments remain present every Tuesday to address industry-related issues. Additionally, a helpline for industrialists will be launched soon, with directives already issuing to officials concerned for its implementation. Meanwhile, the industrialists have hailed the state government after it conceded to their demand for a one-time settlement (OTS) policy to help clear dues on industrial plots allotted before January 2020. The policy is expected to offer a Rs 200 crore relief to industrialists who were unable to pay their dues following the enhancement of land costs. get for the next financial year. The department heads said there was much increase in the target, which was not feasible to achieve. They said an increase of 5 to 10 per cent was acceptable. Mayor Dhir will hold a meeting with the heads and would try to resolve the matter mutually. He had earlier pointed out that several departments from where good revenue would have come weren’t working up to the mark and revenue generation was not satisfactory. He would, therefore, ensure that the revenue increases, for which the Mayor has started working. Man nabbed with 125g heroin, cash Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 4 In a crackdown on drug trafficking, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police arrested a man involved in heroin smuggling, recovering 125 gram of heroin and Rs 23,000. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur as part of the ongoing efforts to curb the drug menace in the city. Dhanpreet said during routine patrolling near Baba Budha Ji Nagar ‘pul’ in Basti Bawa Khel, a police team noticed a suspicious person riding a black motorcycle with registration number PB09-AM-4351. The team intercepted the rider and detained him for questioning. During the search, the police recovered 125 gram of heroin and Rs 23,000 in cash from his possession. The suspect was identified as Manjinder Singh, alias Pita, a resident of village Dhere Kot, Jandiyala Guru, Amritsar, who was currently residing in Mohalla Santput, Kapurthala. The police have registered an FIR under Sections 21-6185 of the NDPS Act at police station, Basti Bawa Khel. The seized motorcycle was also taken into custody. Dhanpreet emphasized that the police were committed to eliminating the drug trade from Jalandhar and would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of residents. She urged the public to cooperate with the police. c m y b Jalandhar, March 4 Having abstained from work on Monday and Tuesday, tehsildars across the region rejoined office around 5 pm this evening, hours after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had issued a warning that they could face suspension orders for staying away from work. Around 300 tehsildars and naib tehsildars across the state had gone on mass casual leave. The call for strike had been given by the Punjab Revenue Officers Association. Owing to the strike, no registries of land could be done on Monday or Tuesday, causing a huge loss to the Revenue Department of the state. Mann on Tuesday morning started his rounds to tehsil offices and asked the Deputy Commissioners to give charge to PCS officials posted in the district and all senior assistants and kanungos, who have cleared departmental exam for promotion as naib tehsildars to do the work of sub-registrar. The government had also reportedly planned to rope in about 80 tehsildars on probabation period for the work. Apprehending strict action, tehsildars had started to resume work post lunch hours. Upon the directions of the CM, as DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and minister Mohinder Bhagat took a round of the tehsil complex to check whether the orders had been adhered to, Tehsildar-1 Gurpreet Singh had already joined his office and started work. Likewise, AAP leaders and administrative officials checked other tehsils this evening and found that the entire revenue staff were on duty. Aggarwal told all applicants who have taken Minister Mohinder Bhagat takes a round of tehsils; and (right) tehsil complex wears a deserted look till Tuesday afternoon owing to a strike by tehsildars in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: SARABJIT SINGH appointments from tomorrow onwards to make it to the tehsils and get their work done. “There shall be no hindrance in the work of the public from tomorrow”, he said as the AAP leaders appreciated the bold stand that the CM had taken on the issue. Phagwara: After strict directions from the government, Sub-Registrars in Kapurthala have resumed their duties on Tuesday evening, ensuring the smooth conduct of property registrations at Tehsils. The move aims to ensure streamline public services at Sub-Registrar Offices. Phagwara SDM Jashanjit Singh today inspected offices at the Tehsil complex. He commended revenue officers for rejoining duties and emphasised the government’s commitment to providing hassle-free citizen services. He said property registra- tion services have resumed, ensuring that the public does not face unnecessary delays. Perturbed from Vigilance inquiries, all revenue officers went on mass casual leave on Monday. Hoshiarpur: DC Aashika Jain on Tuesday authorised nine officials in the district for registries as per the directions of the government. The officials are five kanungos and four superintendents. As many as 55 documents were registered in revenue offices in the district. Superintendent Sukhwinder Singh for registration work at Mukerian, superintendent Gurjinder Kaur for Hoshiarpur, superintendent Kamlesh Devi for Garhshankar and Mahilpur and Nirmal Singh for Tanda were deputed. Similarly, kanungos Varinder Kumar, Sukhdev Kumar and Vijay Kumar have been authorised for registration at Dasuya and Gardhiwala, Hajipur and Bhunga, respectively. Likewise, kanungo Varinder Kumar and Sukjinder Singh have been deputed for Talwara and Sham Churasi, respectively. Coaching federation opposes CBSE’s two-exam system plan To increase stress on students |Gives memo to PM Modi through DC Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 4 The Coaching Federation of India, Punjab unit, led by its president, Prof MP Singh, today submitted a memorandum to the DC for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposing the CBSE decision to conduct two board exams annually from 2026. The federation cited that the new system could significantly increase stress and workload for students, teachers and schools. Prof Singh, accompanied by other federation members, addressing the media here, said the new system contradicts the aim of reducing student anxiety. “The CBSE claims that the move would give students more chances to improve their scores. However, the federation pointed out that the system would create continuous pressure, leaving students with little time to recuperate between exams”. They stressed that appearing for two major exams within a short span would nega- Members of the Coaching Federation of India hold a press conference in Jalandhar on Tuesday. tively impact students’ mental health, particularly those already struggling under the current system. The memorandum highlighted that the two-exam system would destabilise the academic cycle, especially for Grade XI students, whose curriculum might be delayed due to the extended exam schedule. The federation warned that the move could shift the focus from conceptual learning to rote memorisation, undermining the essence of education. They also raised concerns that schools would conduct multiple pre-board exams before each board session, further adding to the pressure on students. The delegation expressed fears that the policy would burden teachers, who would have to prepare question papers, conduct assessments and provide feedback twice a year without sufficient breaks. “This will not only affect their workload, but also impact the quality of education”, the members said. The memorandum also highlighted the logistical challenges in organising two large-scale board exams, including the increased strain on examination centres and other resources. Apart from the CBSE decision, the federation firmly reiterated their demand for making Punjabi a compulsory subject in all schools across Punjab, regardless of their board affiliations. They stated that the regional language holds cultural significance and must be preserved as part of the school curriculum. Prof Singh emphasised that while education reforms are necessary, they must be implemented with the wellbeing of all stakeholders in mind. The federation urged the government to carefully evaluate the practical challenges of the two-exam system and prioritise students’ mental health and overall learning experience. The memorandum called on the CBSE to scrap the proposed system and adopt alternative assessment methods that promote holistic learning without adding undue pressure on students and educators.