06062025-ATR-01.qxd 05-06-2025 22:41 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune GNDU POSTPONES EXAMS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR KUBBRA OPENS UP ON TURNING HER PAIN INTO POWER Guru Nanak Dev University has postponed all annual and semester examinations scheduled for June 6. P2 » QISA BRINGS AUTHENTIC SOUTH INDIAN FLAVOURS TO TRICITY This isn’t just the story of a successful actress. It’s the story of a survivor, who turned pain into purpose. P4 Chef Manav Suri, a familiar face in the Chandigarh’s food scene, has unveiled his latest restaurant — Qisa. P4 » MAX 36°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.33 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5.24 AM » FRIDAY | 6 JUNE 2025 | AMRITSAR Plastic ban goes up in smoke Sale & use of polythene bags goes unchecked in city posing a threat to environment WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5 The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to effectively enforce the ban on single-use plastic and polythene carry bags, leading to a continued threat to the environment due to their rampant usage. The so-called ban has largely remained symbolic as shopkeepers and vendors across the city continue to sell and use plastic products openly, while the authorities concerned appear to be indifferent towards the issue. Despite environmental hazards posed by plastic, the Municipal Corporation has taken minimal action this year, issuing only 15 challans between April and now, with just five violators paying fine totalling Rs 4,500. Last year, however, the MC had launched a more proactive campaign against singleuse plastic items. Health officers, chief sanitary inspectors and sanitary inspectors conducted field raids at manufacturing units and vendor shops selling plastic items. Between April 2024 and March 2025, a total of 1,024 challans were issued to violators. Over the past three Polythene bags and thermocol items being sold at a wholesale shop in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO years, the MC issued 1,979 challans in total. Yet, the momentum of the campaign has declined sharply with the passage of time. Notable past actions include a raid at a factory near the Hakima Gate police station. During the raid, it was revealed that several other such factories were operating in nearby lanes. In 2023, another raid at Chhota Haripura led to the seizure of 85 kg of plastic carry bags. However, in recent months, there has been no significant action against manufacturers. According to the current penalty structure, first-time offenders using polythene are fined Rs 1,000, with secondtime fine of Rs 2,000 and the matter goes to court on the third violation. For wholesalers, the penalties are Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 for the first and second offences, respectively, with court action on the third violation. Manufacturers face Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh for the first and second offence, respectively, with further violations resulting in legal proceedings. On March 11, the Municipal Corporation’s Sanitary Inspectors Association submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner, highlighting the unregulated sale of polythene bags and disposable items such as plates, glasses and spoons in streets and markets. They requested the formation of a joint task force involving the corporation’s Sanitation Department and the Punjab Pollution Control Board to target factories manufacturing these banned items. Health officer Kiran Kumar stated that while daily challans were being issued against shopkeepers, conflicts frequently arose during these operations. He emphasised that the corporation was continuously acting against both vendors and users of single-use plastic items and was simultaneously running awareness campaigns to discourage its use. Under the Amritsar Smart City project, 40 bottle crusher or reverse vending machines were installed in two phases across different locations, with a budget of Rs 2.5 crore. Although the operational and maintenance responsibilities were assigned to a company, the machines often face damage due to improper usage, such as people inserting stones and empty wrappers, undermining their intended purpose. Woman drug peddler among 6 held Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5 The city police have busted two international narco-trafficking modules resulting in the seizure of 4 kg of heroin apart from an Innova used for transporting drugs and arrested a notorious woman drug peddler among six traffickers in this connection. Those arrested were identified as Vishal Singh (23) of Guru Ki Wadali village, Didar Singh, alias Kali (50) of Jathaul village, Sevanbir Singh (25) of Burj Sarai Amant Khan village in Tarn Taran, Harjit Singh (38), alias Jita, of Baba Deep Singh Colony, Judge Singh (19) of Mohalla Chetuan and Jasbir Kaur (60) of Kapatgarh in the Chheharta area here. Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav said as per initial probe, one module was operated by Sevenbir, who was in direct contact with Pakistanbased smugglers. He used to receive heroin consignments via drones. He was operating under the guise of livestock trader, the DGP said. Another notorious drug peddler Jasbir Kaur was linked to the cartel of infamous smuggler Ranjeet, alias Cheeta, and had links with smugglers operating on both sides of the international border, he said. “Further investigations are on to establish forward and backward links in this case,” DGP said. While addressing mediapersons, Amritsar Police Commis- The accused in custody of the police in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR sioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said both drug trafficking modules were busted following intelligence inputs. The police first arrested Vishal Singh, a labourer in Guru Ki Wadali with 3 kg heroin, Bhullar said. His interrogation led the police to Sevanbir Singh who had a drug case registered against him and Didar Singh, a labourer, he said. Sevenbir used to work as decorator and DJ player in functions, he said. Sevenbir Singh was running the module under the garb of sale/purchase of goats for the past five years from which he amassed huge wealth to construct a big house at his village apart from purchasing other property, Bhullar said, while adding that these would be frozen after following the legal procedure. He used to receive heroin consignments through drones at village, which was located near the Indo-Pak border, Bhullar said. After retrieving consignments, he used to conceal the contraband at his relatives’ home and later, distribute it through his associates, the Police Commissioner said, while adding that further investigations were on to unravel backward and forward links of both the modules. He said more arrests and recoveries were likely in this connection in the coming days. Later, the police arrested Jasbir Kaur of Kapatgarh. Along with her, Harjit and Judge were also nabbed. Harjit had two drug cases registered against him at the Cantonment police station here. Two separate cases under the NDPS Act were registered at the Chheharta police station here in this connection. 3 held with weapons, fake currency Demolition drive initiated at illegalcolonyonTarnTaranroad Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5 The Amritsar (Rural) police have arrested three persons in two separate cases and recovered three pistols and Rs 2 lakh counterfeit currency from their possession. Those arrested were identified as Ajay Singh, alias Karan, of Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran, and Ajaypal Singh and Rupesh Kumar Rai of Gandiwind village in Tarn Taran district. Maninder Singh, SSP , Amritsar (Rural), said the police got a tip-off that Ajay Singh was involved in smuggling of illegal weapons and he was coming towards Gharinda from Bhikhiwind via Chabal, Dhand Kasel and Bhakna Kalan in a goods carrier (Chhota Hathi) bearing registration number PB-09C-9253. The police laid a checkpoint at Hoshiarnagar village turn and intercepted the vehicle. During search, Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995, colony developers ignored government guidelines and continued construction. As a result, demolition was undertaken to halt illegal development of the colony. The authorities stated that such unauthorised projects pose a significant threat to the city’s planned growth and violate legal norms meant to regulate urban expansion. Officials clarified that, under the amended provisions of the PAPRA Act, 1995 (as amended in 2024), individuals involved in illegal establishment of colonies could face imprisonment of five to 10 years, along with fine ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 5 crore. So far, the ADA has written to Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5 In a strict action against illegal urban expansion, the Amritsar Development Authority (ADA), operating under the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), launched a demolition drive at an unauthorised colony that was under development on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road. The operation was led by District Town Planner (Regulatory) Gursewak Singh Aulakh, in the presence of Duty Magistrate Jagbir Singh, ADA Sub-Divisional Engineer and officials from the Chheharta police station. Officials of the regulatory wing said the colony was being illegally developed near the shrine of Baba Naudh Singh, located at Chabba village, along the Tarn Taran road. Despite issuing notices under the Punjab Apartment and The accused in custody of the Amritsar (Rural) police on Thursday. the police recovered a 9 mm Glock pistol and a .30 bore Zigana pistol from the possession of Ajay. Though, the two weapons were apparently smuggled from Pakistan, investigation was initiated to find its source and the entire nexus behind the smuggling racket. Similarly, acting on tip-off, special staff of the rural police arrested Ajaypal Singh and Rupesh Kumar near Boparai Baaz Singh village. During search, the police recovered a pistol and Rs 1 lakh fake currency from their possession. The counterfeit currency was in the denomination of Rs 500 notes. A total of 200 notes were seized from them. Further probe was on to ascertain the source of fake currency and weapon, the SSP said. A JCB machine deployed by the Amritsar Development Authority razes structures in an unauthorised colony on the Tarn Taran road on Thursday. the Police Department to register FIRs against 16 colonisers and unauthorised developers operating across the district. Besides demolitions, PUDA’s regulatory wing has been routinely inspecting sites where unauthorised construction or colony development is suspected, issuing legal notices and directing the police to proceed with further legal action against violators. The District Town Planner also made a public appeal urging residents not to purchase plots in unauthorised colonies that are not approved by PUDA. He advised prospective buyers to verify whether a colony had received official sanction before investing, so as to avoid financial losses or future legal complications. Furthermore, the public has been requested to obtain all necessary approvals from PUDA before initiating any kind of construction or development within the district. MC Commissioner reviews sanitation, road maintenance work in city Schools instructed to get registered under ECCE scheme by June 31 Amritsar, June 5 In two back-to-back meetings on Thursday, Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Gulpreeet Singh Aulakh reviewed the city’s sanitation operations and the upkeep of major roads within the municipal limits. Stressing on the urgent need to maintain cleanliness and infrastructure in the city of religious and historical significance, he directed officials concerned to ensure daily efficiency and interdepartmental cooperation. The first meeting, held with officials from the health and sanitation departments, was called to address concerns over timely garbage lifting and overall cleanliness in the city. Commissioner Aulakh warned that surprise inspec- MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh at a meeting with officials in Amritsar on Thursday. tions would be conducted any time. He said all sanitary inspectors and staff must be on high alert to finish waste removal early in the morning. Emphasising on the city’s importance as a destination for lakhs of devotees, tourists and VIPs, he said clean roads and public spaces early in the day reflected directly on the image of the Municipal Corporation. He also directed staff to resolve complaints lodged on the mSeva portal without delay and reminded them that three monitoring officials from the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) were already deployed to oversee sanitation operations across the city. “Feedback from residents will be taken into account, and any negligence will not be tolerated,” he added. Later in the day, Commissioner Aulakh chaired a separate review meeting focused on road maintenance and beautification efforts. The meeting included nodal officers assigned to key roads and was also attended by officials from the Public Works Department (PWD). During discussions, it emerged that several major roads fall under the jurisdiction of the PWD, complicating their timely upkeep by the Municipal Corporation. Commissioner Aulakh instructed SDO Tarlochan Singh of the PWD to ensure proper maintenance and development of these roads, c m y b including work on street lighting, footpaths, central verges and storm water drains. Commissioner Aulakh said coordinated functioning among all state departments was crucial for the city’s improvement. He has already issued instructions for timely completion of work on major routes including Airport Road, Tarn Taran Road, Majitha Road and Fatehgarh Churian Road. The goal, he said, was to uplift the city’s overall aesthetic and infrastructure standards. Aulakh also reiterated that he would personally conduct surprise inspections and closely monitor the condition of roads and sanitation on a daily basis. — TNS Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5 The Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development, Punjab, has issued a notification for the registration of private and play-way schools and institutions working in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme for all-round development of children. Sharing details, Meena Devi, District Programme Officer, Amritsar, said, “The department has started registration of institutions working in the field of ECCE for children between three and six years in the state of Punjab.” “Under new regulations, it is mandatory for schools, which have not registered, they must do it by June 31. This has been done to regulate and monitor the quality of care and learning facilities and services being provided by the early education schools and hold them accountable if required,” she said. Apart from online registration, interested schools can also register at the office of the District Programme Officer, Amritsar, 24, Majitha Road, Amritsar. Meena Devi said, “Action will be taken against unregistered institutions as per the departmental instructions. To make registration mandatory, the school heads have been asked to immediately contact the office of the District Programme Officer, Amritsar, or the CDPO of the block concerned. Application Form No. 1 can be obtained by coordinating with them.” Stressing on the changed regulations, Devi said, “It is mandatory to get every playway school registered. All private and play-way schools and institutions under the district will be checked. If any such institution does not meet the criteria of the policy, it will be shutdown.”