08042025-JTR-01.qxd 4/7/2025 10:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DHRITRASHTRA OF MAHABHARTA IN CHANDIGARH MANASI GHOSH WINS INDIAN IDOL SEASON 15 RITUPARNA WAS IN DHARAMSALA FOR SHOOT OF A FILM Only 28 at that time, with a good physique, he was aiming to play Arjun or Duryodhan. P4 Captivated judges and audiences with her dynamic vocals, consistently earning accolades throughout the season. P4 Recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actress Rituparna Sengupta is now enjoying wave of the content-driven cinema. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 36°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.51 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:06 AM TUESDAY | 8 APRIL 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF WOMAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN Phagwara: A middle-aged woman was run over by a train near Saprod railway crossing on the Phagwara-Jalandhar rail section on Monday. The woman was crossing the railway lines, the GRP said. The Government Railway Police have kept the body in hospital mortuary for identification after the postmortem examination in the local Civil Hospital. OC 4 HELD FOR DRUG PEDDLING Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested two drug peddlers, including a woman. SHO Palwindar Singh said 112 gram of heroin and Rs 9,300 drug money were recovered from the possession. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against them. Meanwhile, the Mehatpur police arrested 'drug peddlers' Amandeep Singh Amana of Shamsha Bab village and Karan Ram of Kot Badal Khan village with 219 intoxicating tablets and impounded a stolen motorcycle. OC BOOKED FOR STEALING CASH Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked unidentified persons on the charge of stealing cash from a house. Kulwindar Kaur of Bajwa Kalan village complained to the police that some thieves barged into her house during night and stolen Rs 10, 000, a bag and an Apple watch. A case has been registered against accused. OC Credit war over school project in Nawanshahr Sikhya Kranti Cong ex-MLA claims work started in his tenure Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, April 7 As Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated a block in the re-christened School of Eminence here, former Congress MLA Angad Saini claimed that the work on the project had actually been started during his tenure. He even alleged that a stone that he had laid at the site had been dismantled and asked the police to lodge an FIR for the same. Saini was not allowed to enter the school even after the function held under the banner of Punjab Sikhya Kranti had got over. The local DSP and SHO stopped him from entering the premises but he chose to address the media from outside the campus, went live on social media and shared his side of story. “This was no ‘Sikhya Kranti’ but just a ‘Foundation stone kranti’. It was in 2020 Punjab Budget that then Finance Minister Manpreet Badal had sanctioned Rs 5 crore for this project. Since Covid had struck just then, the work could be started on June 8, 2021, when I had laid a stone here. Before the Congress government’s tenure had ended, the basic BSP MLA from Nawanshahr Nachhatar Pal (1st from left ) with AAP leaders at a function attended by CM Bhagwant Mann and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia at Nawanshahr on Monday. BSP MLA warming up to CM? Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service The School of Eminence at Nawanshahr on Monday. structure of the basement, ground and the first floor of the building was completed”, he said, adding that his government had named it ‘Smart School’. He went on, “In three years, they have just completed the remaining three floors and are now taking credit for it. But I ask them what is their actual contribution for Nawanshahr. The CM cannot get an ongoing work completed, lay his stone and even claim credit for it. Worst is that they demolished the foundation stone that I had got laid. They cannot do this. It even bore the name of then Deputy Commissioner Shena Agarwal. It was a plaque installed from the funds of the government, not my personal funds. They cannot demolish a government structure. They surely can add one of their own.” Saini said, “I shall also lodge a complaint over the demolition of the stone with the police”. He dared the SHO and DSP standing at the site to lodge a case over his complaint. “The AAP government has done the same even in the case of the sports complex project in Nawanshahr and a countless number of road work projects started by me.” Saini said he did not try to disrupt the function in any way. “I went not just after the function but even after the school had got over at 2 pm. Still the police on guard did not let me enter and see things after everything was over. I fail to understand their apprehensions”, he said. Nawanshahr, April 7 The presence of Bahujan Samaj Party, Nawanshahr, MLA Nachhatar Pal on the dias of the government’s two statelevel functions in the town for the past nearly a fortnight is fuelling speculations of his joining the Aam Aadmi Party. AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, are giving Nachhatar Pal a lot of importance at their functions even as the MLAs and MPs of other parties are seldom invited by them. As the CM on Monday launched the Sikhya Kranti programme and inaugurated the School of Eminence project at Nawanshahr, Nachhatar was seated on the stage. Even during the inaugura- tion of the medical college project in the town on March 23, Nachhatar had been invited to attend the event. His closeness with Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Banga MLA, who shifted from SAD to AAP is well-known. Dr , Sukhi has worked with Nachhatar Pal in the BSP earlier just like two other AAP leaders - Jasvir S Garhi (now chairperson of the Punjab State SC Commissioner) and party spokesperson Pawan Tinu. Leaders of the BSP AAP , and even the Congress and SAD are aware that he has been warming up with the CM. But Nachhatar maintains, “There is no substance in any such rumours about me. I am on a mission to improve the plight of Nawanshahr. For this, I need the gov- ernment support. That is all. In all my career, I have been engaged in doing andolan against the governments for supporting weaker sections. I shall continue with that in all my political career”. SAD leaders too have been maintaining, “Nachhatar Pal became MLA with our support. He had got the ticket in the SAD-BSP alliance. But we are aware that he has been inching close to the AAP now”. The BSP leaders too have said they are aware of the development and are keeping a watch. Insiders in AAP said all decks of Nachhatar Pal’s joining are clear. The party is just waiting for the announcement of the Ludhiana West Assembly poll to formally induct him and give the party the boost at the right time. ~2.32 cr infra upgrade for 35 govt schools MP opens project to renovate two schools Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 7 The government today dedicated development projects worth Rs 2.32 crore to upgrade infrastructure in 35 government schools across Jalandhar district under the ambitious ‘Punjab Sikhiya Kranti’ initiative. The infrastructure revamp covers 20 primary and 13 upper primary schools, with development works worth Rs 1.48 crore and Rs 84.47 lakh, respectively. The projects include the construction of smart classrooms, cluster rooms, boundary walls, toilet blocks and essential repair works aimed at creating a conducive learning environment. Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat inaugurated projects worth Rs 34.49 lakh at Basti Sheikh, Basti Guzan and Kot Sadiq. Addressing a gathering, Bhagat emphasised that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, government schools are wit- Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat addresses a gathering after inaugurating projects in schools in Jalandhar. nessing a transformation that is attracting increasing student enrolment. These projects included the construction of new smart cluster room at Government Middle Smart School School, Basti Sheikh, at Rs 7.51 lakh, new smart classroom at Government Primary School (Girls), Basti Guzan, at Rs 7.51 lakh, and construction of two classrooms, boundary wall, toilet blocks, repairing work at Government Primary School, Kot Sadiq, at Rs 19.47 lakh. Meanwhile, MLA Balkar Singh inaugurated infrastructure projects worth Rs 15.23 lakh at Government Primary Schools in Jandu Singh and Madar villages. Similarly, MLA Raman Arora dedicated development works worth Rs 29.77 lakh across multiple schools in Rainik Bazaar, Ladowali Road, Kaki Pind, and Nehru Garden. At Nakodar, MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann inaugurated new facilities worth Rs 13.91 lakh at various government schools, further strengthening the state’s mission to create modern, student-friendly learning spaces across Punjab. Instructions issued to principals, headmasters, in-charge included organising an event with ruling AAP leaders as the “only competent” persons to unveil the projects, organising tents and refreshments, posting a video message and poster on the school’s social media handle for the ceremony; posting on social media platforms with hasgtag#punjabsikhyakranti, etc. Kulwinder Singh Josan, leader of the Democratic Teachers Front, said, “From tents to refreshments, everything was arranged by teachers. There are schools where grants were received only for repairs. Yet an inaugural stone had to be installed, arrangements had to be made for many guests. Also, in Congress majority areas, the strain of inviting only AAP leaders was also borne by teachers. Some teachers have been working for the past one week making the arrangements.” Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, APRIL 7 MP Dr Raj Kumar 4Chabbewal today inaugurated the renovation work at “School of Eminence” Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) and School of Eminence (Girls) in Phagwara on Monday. It was part of initiative to boost education in the state. Addressing the media, Chabbewal stated that as part of the initiative of the government under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann, it’s first time in the history that 12 per cent of the state Budget had been allotted for the upgrade of government schools. He further stated that under this initiative, Rs 43 lakh had been spent on upgrading the school of eminence with the latest facilities and Rs 8 Lakh spent on building four walls. He added that under the initiative to boost education in Punjab, 425 primary schools would be upgraded to school of happiness. He highlighted that under Garbage mess continues to trouble city residents Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 7 When Mayor Vaneet Dhir became the Mayor of the city, he highlighted the issue of garbage and made a statement that the city was lagging behind and what was more painful was that residents were not getting even basic facilities. Now, after two months, the problem of garbage menace doesn’t seem to be ending. This afternoon, The Tribune saw a small a big mound of trash that was formed due to garbage and waste. The smell was so intense that people who were waiting on the traffic lights were feeling restless. “This is the reality. Just make tall promises, all you get is nothing,” Ramesh Mahendru, a commuter said. Another taxi driver Gurmeet Singh laughed off on the situation, saying that it doesn’t even trouble him anymore.... “It seems that all this has become an integral part of the life,” he said as he drove away. Another area where garbage mess is almost a daily sight is near Chugitti Chowk. The area has become like a dump where residents have been throwing the waste. The Mayor had admitted that he would face several challenges ahead, but ensured that by the end of his term, the city would become better and more developed. Recently during the general house meeting, the agenda of covering of the roadside dumps was to be discussed, so that the problem of overflowing garbage and waste outside the dump and spilling on the roadside could be resolved. To maintain cleanliness on roads, 56 km of main lines in the city will be cleaned using road sweeping machine, this was also mentioned during the meeting. One of the most important points he had then mentioned was getting 110 Baleros for c m y b councillors so that waste from garbage dump could be lifted. During the two hours meeting with Health Department officials that was held by the Mayor recently, the latter had made his stance clear on the garbage mess in the city. He asked the officials to ensure that no garbage was found on roads which was a common sight in every nook and corner. The officials had also raised various issues on why they weren’t able to work. They told the Mayor that there was a huge shortage of staff in the branch. the “Young Entrepreneurship” programme, students are motivated for creativity. To decrease the consumption of electricity and ease schools from electricity expenditures, till now, 4,098 schools are upgraded with solar panel energy. During the programme, Joginder Singh Mann (halqa in-charge, Phagwara), Harji Mann (spokesperson, AAP), ADC-Phagwara Dr Akshita Gupta, SDM Jashanpreet Singh, SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, among others participated in the programme. Meanwhile, activists belonging to the Gazetted and NonGazetted SC/BC Employees Welfare Federation, Punjab, led by its president Satwant Toora submitted a memorandum to the MP regarding various unfulfilled demands of employees, including transfers and posting of employees from far-flung areas to nearby areas of their residences, increase in DA of mid-day meal workers, implementation of notification for restoration of the old pension scheme, among other demands. Works opened in Garhshankar, Tanda Hoshiarpur, April 7 Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri today interacted with teachers, students and parents in four government schools under ‘Punjab Shiksha Kranti’ and said education is the priority area for the state government and keeping this in mind, the face of schools has been changed. He said today works worth Rs 81.36 lakh were inaugurated in four schools of Garhshankar, which will provide better facilities to students. Inaugurating various works completed in Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Birampur, Government High School, Birampur, Government Elementary School, Hajipur, and Government Primary School, Rampur Buildon, Rouri said with the aim of providing quality education, the state-of-the-art educational facilities are being provided to students through establishment of School of Eminence and School of Brilliance, conversion of 425 primary schools into School of Happiness and revival of infrastructure in schools. Rouri inaugurated the works constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. Under the ‘Punjab Shiksha Kranti’ launched in Tanda, MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill today inaugurated various works completed at a cost of Rs 21 lakh in four schools of his area and said the education model of Punjab is excellent which will also become an example for others. Inaugurating the works in Government Primary Schools, Uhadpur, Saidpur Data, Sahabajpur and Moonak Kalan, Raja Gill interacted with teachers, students and parents present in these schools, who appreciated the improvements in the schools.— OC Cafe owner caught over graft Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, April 7 The Vigilance Department today arrested a cafe owner red-handed for taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 to make licence without giving driving test. DSP of the Vigilance Department Munish Kumar Sharma said a complainant had told him that he had contacted Ashok Kumar, owner of Anmol Enterprises Cafe, Tanda Road, near Driving Training Centre, Hoshiarpur, to make his A VB team along with cafe owner arrested for graft. wife’s driving licence. He said his wife’s licence would be made without giving a trial, so Ashok had demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000. He said on the basis of the complaint, today, a team of the department caught Ashok red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 in the presence of official witnesses. He said a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He said the accused will be produced in the court on April 8.