21042025-JTR-01.qxd 4/20/2025 10:48 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SMALL UNITS VOICE CONCERN OVER BIS CERTIFICATION EMRAAN HASHMI ON HOW ACTORS SHOULD STAY RELEVANT RIZWANN SIKANDER LOVES TO TAKE ON CHALLENGES The inclusion of grey iron casting under compulsory BIS certification could hit small and micro foundry units. P2 Actor Emraan Hashmi believes the key to staying relevant in the world of cinema is to be open-minded. P4 The actor doesn’t just play characters. He lives them, loves them and lets them breathe through him. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 35°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.00 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:51 AM » MONDAY | 21 APRIL 2025 | JALANDHAR Garbage, potholes dot road leading to grain market INBRIEF FOUR BOOKED FOR RAPING GIRL Phagwara: The Phillaur police have booked four villagers on the charges of raping a girl and criminal intimidation. The accused have been identified as Sarabjit Singh, alias Saabi, Sonu, Joti and Harman Singh, all residents of Bhar Singhpura village. The victim complained to the police that Sarabjeet forcibly established physical relations with her and clicked her obscene photos and repeatedly raped her threatening to make photos viral and threatening her parents and sent photos to other three accused who forced her to established physical relations with them else they would make viral her photos. A case under the BNS and POCSO Act has been registered against the accused. OC NC FAILS TO ACT AGAINST TRUST Phagwara: The Nagar Council (NC) authorities here have failed to take action against the Vishwakarma Charitable Trust for violating its agreement, in which the civic body had gifted a land, adjoining Ambedkar Chowk, to the trust in 2000. As per the agreement, the land could not be sublet and be used for religious and social works only, but on the contrary, the trust building has been sublet and is being used for generating profits. An executive officer had said he was studying the case file and action would be initiated against the trust under the Municipal Act. Still no action has been taken. OC THREE ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ HELD Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested two drug peddlers on the charge of selling heroin. Sixty gram of heroin was recovered from the possession of the accused Rannjit Singh, alias Kaku, and and Kikkar Singh, alias Kikkari, both residents of Burj Hassan village. A case under Sections 21-B/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. The Nurmahal police have arrested a drug peddler Harbans Lal, alias Billa, of Kandola Kalan village with 86 intoxicating tablets. OC Sacrilege accused held Garhshankar, April 20 The Mahilpur police have arrested a person in the case of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. However, the police have not disclosed yet why the accused had committed the sacrilege. The police say that he will be interrogated after taking him on remand. According to information, in a press conference held by police station, Mahilpur, it was told that on April 18, in Gurdwara Singh Sabha of village Noorpur Jattan, a person had torn 620 pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. After this, the police had registered a case on the statement of former village sarpanch Jarnail Singh. The police claimed that Gurvinder Singh, alias Ginda, a resident of nearby village Moranwali, was arrested on the charge of committing the sacrilege. The police claimed that the accused has been arrested on the basis of technical investigation and information received from police sources. Now, the Mahilpur police will present the accused in the court of Garhshankar and take his remand. — OC Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service The ADC, Nawanshahr, visits a Dana Mandi to oversee wheat procurement arrangements. 77K MT wheat of 80K MT procured, payment of ~132 cr made to farmers Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 20 Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal stated that so far, 79,966MT wheat has arrived in various grain markets across the district of which 76,842MT has been procured. He added that payments amounting to Rs 132 crore for the procured wheat have also been ensured. Aggarwal further said this season, it is expected that approximately 5.25 lakh MT wheat will arrive at 79 grain markets across the district. In view of the bumper crop, arrangements have also been made for 23 temporary yards. The DC instructed officials to ensure smooth procurement, timely lifting and prompt payment for the successful conclusion of the wheat procurement season. Dr Aggarwal reiterated the government is committed to ensure proper wheat procurement and said every single grain brought by farmers to the markets will be purchased. He emphasized that there would be no shortage of gunny bags (bardana) and that extensive arrangements have been made at procurement centres for the convenience of farmers and labourers. At the same time, the wellmanaged arrangements in the grain markets by farmers were also appreciated. In the Mehatpur grain market today, Lakhvir Singh, a farmer from village Bath Kalan, who brought his wheat crop, appreciated the procurement arrangements made by the government. Similarly, Balwinder Singh, a farmer from village Heran who brought his wheat crop to Lasudi grain market, also expressed satisfaction with the smooth arrangements. Additionally, Navdeep Singh from village Salecha, who brought his wheat to Kuhara grain market, shared that along with the immediate procurement of wheat, proper sitting arrangements, drinking water, and all necessary facilities have been made. Jalandhar, April 20 As wheat arrivals begin in the city’s new grain market, farmers have expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of the road leading to the grain market. The stretch, dotted with potholes and damaged patches, has been in this condition since the last wheat procurement season. Despite repeated complaints raised during both previous wheat and paddy seasons, no repair work has been carried out so far. Farmers say the broken road is not just a source of inconvenience, but also leading to financial losses. “We come from far-away places like Nangal Shama and Rasolpur and the road is in terrible shape. Trolleys carrying heavy wheat loads get damaged and fuel consumption goes up due to the slow movement. It’s the same story every season and the administration ignores it,” said Amarjit Singh, a farmer from Nangal Shama. Apart from the approach road, the condition inside the mandi is equally disappointing. Garbage heaps were seen piled up at multiple spots, with stray cattle roaming freely inside the market area. Farmers and labourers also complained of the lack of basic amenities such as drinking water and washrooms. “It’s not just uncomfortable, it’s unhygienic,” said Harbans Lal, a farmer from Ballan, adding that there is no proper Poor condition of the washroom area at New Grain Market in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH drinking water and sewage stands accumulated near water taps, no washrooms and filth all around. “We have to sit here for hours waiting for our turn, but there’s no arrangement for cleanliness or comfort”, he said. Sukhdev Singh, who came from Nagra, added, “The mandi looks like a dumping ground. It’s hard to believe this is a government facility meant for foodgrain procurement.” Farmers coming from different parts of the district, including Hoshiarpur Road, Ballan, Kala Sanghian, Talhan, Bolina and Rasolpur and among other places, say they had hoped for better arrangements this year but are disappointed again. Local residents who use the same road daily have also voiced frustration. “We’ve been complaining for over a year now. The road is unsafe for two-wheelers and inconvenient for everyone, not just farmers. The Municipal Corporation seems least bothered,” said Harjit Kaur, a local resident. Another farmer Kashmir Singh said, “Though procurement has started, the ground reality shows a lack of planning and upkeep”. DC Himanshu Aggarwal stated that the situation at the mandi was well under control, with all necessary arrangements in place, as he had personally visited the site just two days ago. He said the water accumulation was likely due to recent rainfall and garbage scattered by speedy winds over the past few days. He further added that the DMO and SDM had been instructed to ensure that everything is properly organised after the rain. Since the season has just begun, the administration is committed to making sure that farmers face no difficulties moving forward. Provide bollgard-III seeds to cotton farmers: MLA Drainage cleanliness works to be over by monsoon: Minister Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 20 Kaputhala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh today made an appeal to the Centre and the Punjab Government to save cotton growers and help conserve environment by not letting area under the cash crop permanently shift to waterconsuming paddy. He appealed to both governments to release BT seeds of bollgard-III to farmers to fight pink bollworm which has eaten the crop in past few years. He welcomed the move by the state government to offer cotton growers 33 per cent subsidy on purchase of cotton seeds. He, however, said, “We need more drastic steps to save crop Kapurthala Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh which is called white gold and have turned the fortunes of the farmers especially in the Malwa belt of Punjab.” The subsidy is offered on hybrid variety BT seeds and according to Rana Gurjeet Singh, BT hybrid seed is an obsolete variety which is not resistant to pink boll- worm pest. He said the area under the crop has been reduced to 98,000 hectares last year which touched 8 lakh hectares, 25 per cent of the total area under cultivation in a season. “We have to seriously think in the direction and give clearance to bollgard-III seeds to save the crops and state’s prosperity”, the legislator from Kapurthala said. The clearance to the seeds is pending with the Central Seeds Committee and the trials are conducted by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for the second consecutive year. MLA apprised that the bollgard-III seeds are in production in Australia and Brazil and farmers in those countries are reaping rich dividends. “Why farmers in India have to wait for so long for the seeds”, said Rana Gurjeet Singh. He added farmers in the state are hard working and in southwest Punjab, cotton growers have mastered cotton production. “Let us not force the cotton growers to permanently shift to paddy”, he said, adding that there is an acute water scarcity in the district where cotton is grown and the cash crop is most suited for the local soil and climatic conditions. Rana Gurjit said the timely release of bollgard-III seeds will support farmers. Girl student crushed 37 years on, indoor stadium to death by bus at Nakodar still a dream Hoshiarpur, April 20 Two persons, including a girl student, died in two road accidents in the district. Daljit Kaur, a resident of village Ahirana Khurd, have complained to the police that her daughter died due to the negligence of the driver while getting down from the college bus. According to her, Harshpreet Kaur was a student of M.Com second semester in Sant Baba Bhag Singh University. While returning from the university yesterday, she fell on the ground while getting down from the bus near Fadma turn. It is alleged that during this time the bus driver drove the bus carelessly and the rear tire of the bus passed over Harshpreet due to which she died. The police have registered a case against the bus driver Palwinder Singh, a resident of village Khanoor. In the second case, Baldev Singh of Satiyana have complained to the police of Model Town that his brother Bakshish Singh (56) was coming on his motorcycle around 1:40 pm. When he reached near Tanda Bypass Chowk, a speeding Canter hit him. He died on the spot in the accident. The police have registered a case. — OC Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, April 20 An indoor stadium conceived for Nakodar about 37 years back is still incomplete. The decision to construct an indoor stadium was taken in 1988 and work began on the land opposite the Civil Hospital. Thousands of rupees were spent on the construction, but it could not be completed. Congress leader late Umrao Singh had laid the foundation stone and the government released a grant of Rs 1.95 lakh on March 8, 1988, for c m y b STONE WAS LAID BY UMRAO SINGH Congress leader late Umrao Singh had laid the foundation stone and the government released a grant of Rs 1.95 lakh on March 8, 1988, for the construction of the stadium. the construction of the stadium. But the money was not spent and the state internal audit department passed strictures against the non-utilization of the funds. The Punjab State Sports Council directed the Nagar Council to refund grants that were not utilized on time. Residents blame the municipal authorities for failing to provide adequate space for sports, adding that they will make it an issue in the coming civic election. MC ex-president Aditya Bhatara said then chief Minister PS Badal had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for completing indoor stadium during his sangat darshan here and estimates had been submitted to the authorities for approval, which are still pending.37 years on, indoor stadium at Nakodar still a dream Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 20 Punjab Mines and Geology and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Sunday said that cleanliness works worth Rs 26 crore have been initiated in the Jalandhar circle, which would be completed before the onset of the monsoon. The Cabinet Minister asked officials to accord top priority to these projects. While presiding over a review meeting of the cleanliness projects in districts falling under Jalandhar circle, including Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, the Cabinet Minister said about 47 drain cleanliness projects in Jalandhar circle are underway and the cleanliness of drains will ensure unhindered flow of water. Reaffirming zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining, Goyal asked for strict monitoring and enforcement of regulations across the state. “No laxity will be tolerated at any cost,” said the Cabinet Minister, while reviewing the operations of the Public Mining Sites and Commercial Mining sites in the Jalandhar circle. He directed the officials to enforce stringent adherence to mining rules at the authorised locations. He stressed that mining activities must not compromise public convenience and ordered regular monitoring to ensure lawful extraction. He further said stern action will be taken if any case of illegal mining reported. Goyal also asked to fix responsibility of officials who failed to curb illegal mining. To ensure strict adherence to the government’s guidelines with respect to mining norms, the minister directed the officials to conduct regular inspections at mining sites in their respective jurisdictions. Highlighting another priority, Goyal asked the officials to expedite the recovery from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for soil extraction. He also stressed for recoveries from wilful defaulters, especially from crushers who have not submitted their dues to the government. In another meeting with the officials of the Water Resources Department, the minister reviewed different works to ensure availability of drain water at tail ends through the Bist Doab Canal System. He said Rs 30 crore had been sent last year to build water courses under this mission. Likewise, water recharge projects, pipelines for irrigation purposes were also laid at various locations alongside the Bist Doab Canal, he added. The minister also evaluated future projects to further strengthen the irrigation system to support farmers with canal water.