27032025-JTR-01.qxd 3/26/2025 11:30 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SGPC CHIEF FLAYS CENTRE’S APPROACH ON SIKH PRISONERS ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT WINS BEST FEATURE FILM AWARD ON WORLD THEATRE DAY, STARS RECOLLECT THEIR FIRST PLAY The SGPC president has criticised the approach of the Union Government on release of Sikh prisoners. P2 Diljit Dosanjh wins best actor and Darshana Rajendran best actress at Critics Choice Awards. P4 It is theatre that has paved the way for some finest actors, bolstering their confidence to own the big screen. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 33°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.43 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:21 AM » THURSDAY | 27 MARCH 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF TWO HELD FOR STEALING BIKES Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested two miscreants on the charge of stealing motorcycles. The accused have been identified as Gopi Theli of Mohalla Guru Nanak Pura and Amarjit Singh of Gandharan village. The police have received information that the accused were notorious thieves, indulging in stealing motorcycles and waiting in a plot on way to Malrri village for customers to sell a stolen motorcycle. The police raided the spot and arrested the accused and a case had been registered against them. OC THREE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked three villagers for assaulting a Shahkot resident. The accused have been identified as Himmat of Raunta village, Palwindar Singh of Punia village and Sanam Preet of Killi village. Raineesh Gupta of Mohalla Bagh Wala, Shahkot, complained to the police that the accused waylaid him and his friend on March 6 and assaulted and seriously injured and threatened them with dire consequences. A case has been registered against the accused. OC Bouquets & brickbats for govt over health insurance to all Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 26 The Punjab Budget has evoked a mixed reaction from people of different sections. While some sections are happy with higher allocation for health and education, the new schemes like health insurance for all have got a mixed response. Focus on education good Advocate Meher Sachdev opines, “The allocation of more funds for colleges and universities is a good initiative. I also hail the move of the government to conduct its first drug census. It is a good move to assess the actual drug menace. However, a tendency of the state government to further raise loans is a bad sign for an already heavily debt-ridden Punjab. We cannot be taking a loan with one hand and doling out freebies with the other. Another good move in the Budget is the state health insurance plan and the fact that it shall be applicable to all residents of Punjab, irrespective of financial status. I am also convinced with the idea of Home Guards as the second defence deployment and installation of anti-drone installation”. No safety for women Principal, KMV College, Dr Atima Sharma Dwivedi has reacted saying, “We welcome the enhanced budget allocation to education. This is the most significant area to bring back prosperity to the state and overcome socio-economic deprivation. However, women development and safety should have been giv- en priority too, which seems missing. Health insurance eyewash Dr Navjot Dahiya, who has been the national vicepresident of the Indian Medical Association, has said, “The 100 per cent coverage of health insurance to 65 lakh families seems more like eyewash. The status of this scheme would be like that of the government-aided schools and colleges. I can foresee multiple glitches in the implementation of the scheme. Already, the empanelled hospitals were not getting properly reimbursed. The sincerity of the government in implementation of the scheme would have to be watched”. No step to create jobs Mangat Ram Pasla, a commu- YOUNG WRITER ADITI HONOURED Jalandhar, March 26 Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Aparna MB has directed the traffic police to enforce road safety measures strictly to ensure smooth and disciplined traffic movement across the district. Chairing a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee, the ADC emphasised the need for registering FIRs in all hit-and-run cases to ensure no incident goes unreported. She also called for strict action against illegal parking and underage driving, highlighting their role in increasing road accidents. The ADC stressed the importance of traffic signboard awareness programmes in schools, timely identification and rectification of black spots. Sushant Sharma, MD, HR Industries and Foodcoast International, says, “The Budget will strengthen economy. The allocation of Rs 3,426 crore for the industrial sector is a positive step and the Rs 10 crore investment in a research and development centre and Institute of Auto Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 26 Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema for allocating substantial funds to Jalandhar in the state Budget presented in the Vidhan Sabha today. The Horticulture Minister also welcomed the Rs 137 crore allocation to the Horticulture Department, stating that the funds would significantly boost crop diversification and horticulture development. Bhagat said around 50 km of world-class roads will be constructed in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and SAS Nagar (Mohali), with Rs 140 crore earmarked for the first year. The project aims to upgrade key road sections to international standards, integrating lane markings, pedestrian-friendly footpaths, landscaped medians, underground electric wiring, modern streetlighting, water supply pipelines, wellequipped bus stands and organised tree plantations. BJP’s Kalia terms Budget hopeless Manoranjan Kalia, former minister and member, national executive, BJP termed the Punjab Budget hopeless and retrogressive. Kalia said the government has failed to implement Kejriwal’s guarantee of paying Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in Punjab and 25 lakh jobs to youth - a promise made during 2022 Assembly elections. After three years of non-performance, the government has declared a war against drugs. It had promised in its manifesto to eradicate the menace within two months of coming into power, Kalia added. Kalia said there was a question mark over the capability and capacity of the deployment of 5,000 home guards as second line of defence to BSF . Our Correspondent Talwara, March 26 A young man died after a car fell into Kandi canal last night. According to information, deceased Rohit Kumar Shanky, son of Karnail Singh, a resident of village Ransot, used to run a wallpaper shop in village Nangal Bihala. Late last night, he closed his shop and was going to his relatives’ village Goiwal by car (PB54D4373). When he reached near village Narnaul, his car went out of control and fell into the Kandi canal. As soon as the car fell MEDICAL CAMP AT PHAGWARA Enforce road safety measures strictly: ADC Will strengthen economy Parts and Hand Tools Technology in Ludhiana is a welcome move for our sector. This initiative has the potential to enhance innovation, improve manufacturing standards and boost Punjab’s competitiveness in the global hand tools market. However, to accelerate industrial growth, there is a need for broader incentives, including easier access to credit, infrastructure development and skill enhancement programmes. The focus on agriculture and healthcare is crucial but industries, especially MSMEs, require more robust support to drive employment and economic expansion. I urge the government to work closely with industry leaders to implement policies that promote ease of doing business and global market access. A collaborative approach will ensure Punjab remains a thriving hub for manufacturing and food processing, contributing significantly to India’s economic landscape.” Man dies as car falls into Kandi canal Hoshiarpur: A special event was organised by the Neki Ki Rah Foundation at Gauri Gopal Ashram in Vrindavan, where Aditi Sidhu was honoured as the youngest author of Punjab. Spiritual preacher Dr Aniruddh Acharya Maharaj, international boxer Vijender Singh Beniwal, and social worker Sadhvi Harsha Richchariya felicitated Aditi Sidhu. IPS officer Kiran Bedi, along with Aditi Sidhu and Haryanvi singer GD Kaur, was also specially honoured at the event. OC Phagwara: Under the directives of DC, Kapurthala, Amit Kumar Panchal, and the leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr Richa Bhatia, a free medical camp was organised at the SubDivision Hospital in Phagwara as part of the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative. AAP constituency in-charge Joginder Singh Mann, Civil Surgeon Dr Richa Bhatia and SDM, Phagwara, Jashanjit Singh attended the event as chief guests. OC nist leader, said, “This Budget will in no way help people get rid of poverty. It does not in any way help over unemployment. There is nothing that will bring any relief to the unorganised labour, contractual employees, farmers and pensioners. Like every year, the AAP-led government has only brought disappointment.” Budget ensures robust growth for Jalandhar: Bhagat Ex-servicemen hold dharna at PUDA complex near DC office in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH Veterans show solidarity for Colonel in Patiala assault case Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 26 Members of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Jalandhar, on Wednesday organised a one-hour protest in front of the office of the district administration, expressing sol- idarity for Col Pushpinder Singh Bath, who along with his son, was beaten up mercilessly by the Punjab Police. Leading the protest, Col Balbir Singh (Retd), president, handed over a memorandum demanding justice for the Army man and his son. They lashed out against the Patiala police for trying to cover up the episode and launching a malicious campaign against the Colonel’s wife. The ex-servicemen said now that the matter had reached the court, they had full faith in the judiciary. Illegal drug de-addiction centre sealed in Phagwara Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, MARCH 26 A team of senior officials of the Health Department and the administration, headed by DSP Phagwara, Bharat , Bhushan, medical officers Dr Gagan and Dr Manpreet, Executive Magistrate Gaurav Bansal along with pharmacy officer Urmila Kumari raided and sealed an illegal drug de-addiction centre on Tuesday night. The centre was being run in a house in Green Avenue on the Phagwara –Palahai road by a Jalandhar resident Dinesh Kumar Sharma. The DSP said the police had rescued 18 addicted youths from the illegal centre, who were paying Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per month. The Civil Surgeon, Kapurthala, Dr Richa Bhatia said the centre was being run without a valid licence for several months. The rescued, including Balwinder Singh, Jatinder Kumar, Gurpreet Singh (all of Bajuhan Kalan), Lavpreet Singh (Ludhiana), Kamaljit (Khanpur), Vijay Singh (Phagwara), Randip Singh (Kultham), Harpreet Singh (Mukhlian), Tejinder Singh(Shadipur), Gurwinder (Kandolan), Jassa (Ludhiana), Rajdeep Singh (Phagwara), Jagdip Singh (Sarhali), Gurmit(Adampur), Manpreet (Aurr), and Tushar (Phagwara) and two others. They all were handed over to their families as some of them have been admitted to govt de-addiction centre in Phagwara. Dr Bhatia said the raids were a part of the government’s large scale campaign against drugs menace. The police have also seized medicines, including intoxicants, from the centre. c m y b BDC flags off mini-bus for blood donation camps Nawanshahr, March 26 In a step towards expanding its blood donation services, local social service organization BDC has introduced a Swaraj Mazda mini-bus to facilitate blood donation camps in remote areas. The vehicle was officially flagged off by the organisation president SK Sareen. BDC organizes four to five blood donation camps every month in distant locations, requiring the transportation of about a dozen staff members along with essential medical equipment and supplies. To meet these logistical challenges, experts have specially designed the mini-bus to cater to the needs of these camps. The vehicle’s design was reviewed and approved by Dr Ajay Bagga and manager Manmeet Singh in collaboration with company specialists and the organization’s executive committee. The flagging off ceremony saw the presence of several key members, including secretary JS Gidda, finance secretary Pravesh Kumar, manager Manmeet Singh and social worker Madam Rekha Jain. — TNS The car that fell into a canal; and (right) file photo of the deceased Rohit. intp the canal, the people of village Narnaul informed the Hajipur police about this incident. The Hajipur police reached the spot and pulled out the car with the help of people, but by then Shanky had died. The police have taken the body in its custody and started fur- ther action. People say that if the government had built a safety wall on the banks of the canal, the young man would not have died today. Medics, police join hands in fight against drug abuse STUDENTS TO ADOPT FAMILIES Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 26 A special Sampark meeting was held at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Medical College, Jalandhar, to strengthen the fight against drug abuse. Over 150 medical students participated in the event, which focused on raising awareness, discussing de-addiction strategies and promoting collective efforts to curb the growing drug menace. The session was led by Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Kumar Sharma and ACP Model Town, Siriven, nela, who emphasized the need for strong collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the medical community. They encouraged students to play an active role in spreading awareness and assisting in the rehabilitation of drug addicts. The interactive meeting provided students with a platform to engage with police officials, discuss the impact of drug abuse and explore possible solutions. During the discussion, students expressed concerns ■ One of the major takeaways from the meeting was an initiative encouraging students to adopt families and educate them about the dangers of drug abuse. ■ The Principal of PIMS College said all 900 students would participate, with each student adopting five families. This effort is expected to extend drug awareness to 4,500 households, fostering community-level prevention. regarding the increasing drug problem in the region and sought guidance on tackling the issue. The police shared insights on how drug addiction fuels crime and disrupts families, stressing the importance of early intervention. Medical professionals highlighted the need for timely treatment and psychological support to help addicts recover and reintegrate into society. One of the major takeaways from the meeting was an initiative encouraging students to adopt families and educate them about the dangers of drug abuse. The Principal of PIMS College said all 900 stu- dents would participate, with each student adopting five families. This effort is expected to extend drug awareness to 4,500 households, fostering community-level prevention. Additionally, students will conduct nukkad natak (street plays), public rallies and awareness campaigns to further educate the public about substance abuse. JCP Sandeep Kumar Sharma urged students to extend both medical and emotional support to individuals battling addiction. He highlighted the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ initiative — a statewide anti-drug movement — and encouraged students to contribute actively. “Your role as future doctors is not just to treat addiction but also to prevent it through education and outreach,” he said. Following the meeting, police officials visited the deaddiction centre at PIMS, engaging with staff to review ongoing rehabilitation programmes. Discussions focused on strengthening current treatment approaches and formulating long-term strategies to reduce drug abuse in Jalandhar.