02072025-ATR-01.qxd 7/1/2025 11:39 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST CLOUDY/RAIN SRK HEAPS PRAISE ON ANUPAM KHER'S TANVI… KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN MARKS 25 YEARS IN FILMS SARA ALI KHAN, ADITYA ROY TRAVEL WITH FANS IN METRO The trailer of Anupam Kher’s upcoming directorial Tanvi The Greathas received widespread acclaim. P4 Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has completed 25 years in the Hindi film industry. P4 Both were seen enjoying a metro ride in Mumbai as part of promotions for their upcoming film Metro...In Dino.P4 » » » MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET WENESDAY 7.23 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5.27 AM WEDNESDAY | 2 JULY 2025 | AMRITSAR Sedative pills, capsules seized, 3 held MP Aujla chairs devp review meet, lays stress on cleanliness Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 Lok Sabha Memeber Parliament (MP) Gurjeet Singh Aujla chaired a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) to review ongoing development works here on Tuesday. Addressing officials from various departments, Aujla emphasised the need for permanent and effective arrangements to maintain cleanliness across the city. Speaking at the meeting, Aujla said, “Amritsar, the city founded by Sri Guru Ramdas, deserves our collective commitment. As a Member of Parliament, I am always available in service of the city. Officials should approach me for any Central Government-related matter so that I can intervene directly for timely resolution.” Aujla particularly stressed that underpasses being constructed under national highway projects should be adequately widened to avoid inconvenience to commuters. He ordered immediate release of fair compensation to farmers whose land had been acquired Amritsar, July 1 The CIA staff of Amritsar rural police arrested three persons for allegedly possessing a huge quantity of sedative pills and capsules here today. They were arrested from Bandala area falling under Jandiala Guru police station here. Those arrested were identified as Abhivany Sharma alias Daman of Janta Colony, Sultanwind village, Danish Gupta alias Danu of New Green Field located on Majitha road and Amit Vij of Gate Khazana area here. The police have seized three parcels containing around 12,000 sedative pills and capsules, including Pregabalin, misused by addicts. Police said that the accused Abhivany Sharma was travelling on a bike when they were intercepted by the CIA staff team following a tip-off that he was involved in the illegal supply of medicinal drugs in the rural belt. The police continued on page 2 Intensify patrolling around Central Jail, city police urged Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur, and other officials during a meeting in Amritsar on Tuesday. for highway expansion. No delay in development projects would be tolerated and all works must be completed within the stipulated timelines, he said. The meeting also reviewed the progress of various Central schemes, including the National Health Mission, the Swachh Bharat Mission, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (NRLM), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme, National Rural Drinking Water Programme and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. Local MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur, who was present at the meeting, remarked that while the city’s sanitation system has improved, further efforts are needed. “We are always available for the service of this sacred city,” she said. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney was represented by Additional Deputy Commissioner Paramjit Kaur, who assured the committee members that the issues raised would be addressed promptly and that departmental action taken against the official found negligent. MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, Police Commissioner Maninder Singh and officials from many departments also attended the meeting. — TNS Amritsar, July 1 Close on the heels of suspension of around 26 jail officials from various jails in the state, the sneaking in of mobile phones and other prohibited material has been going on unabated in the high-security Amritsar Central Jail here. In order to tighten the noose around corrupt officials in the jail department, the Punjab Government recently suspended around 26 officials, however, this has apparently did not deter offenders from committing crimes. Following this, Amritsar Central Jail authorities have urged the city police to intensify the patrolling around the jail complex. The Central Jail is located in the densely populated area due to which the throwing of prohibited material regularly into the premises being reported. At present, there is The Amritsar Central Jail. only one QRT (Quick Response Team) deputed near the jail complex. Jail staff recently recovered as many as 11 cell phones and five SIMs from nine jail inmates during a surprise checking. Though jail officials said they were not seized in a single go but were recovered over a period of time. Hemant Sharma, Superintendent of Jail, when contacted claimed that the ‘Fenka’ (throwing of prohibited material from outside) have gone down considerably. He said they have strengthened patrolling alongside the boundary walls of the jail complex, besides increasing the number of cops to inter- cept Fenka. Nevertheless, he added that because of location of the jail in the densely populated area, the problem of fenka is there. Already senior jail officials have asked the local police for increasing security around the Central Jail. He urged Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar for intensifying patrolling around the jail to discourage public movement near the boundary walls. As per information, around 200 mobile phones were recovered by jail staff since January this year, apart from other prohibited materials, including narcotic powder, head phones, cable leads, etc. As many as 960 mobile phones were confiscated from the Amritsar Central Jail complex in 2024 which was more than double the seizures (450) recorded in 2023. Statewide protests against power VB nabs Block Officer Surprise inspection at GNDU dept privatisation move on July 14 for taking ~13K bribe canteens to ensure hygiene Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee led by state leader Sarwan Singh Pandher held meetings with farmers and rural masses in several villages to motivate the public to demonstrate against the proposed move to privatise the power sector in the state. The union gave a call for a statewide demonstration. The farmer leaders claimed that disagreement to the proposed privatisation move is growing with major protests scheduled across the state on 14 July. Demonstrators will gather in large numbers outside the offices of Chief Powercom, Executive Engineers (XENs), and Superintending Engineers (SEs) to voice their opposition to the Central Government’s power sector reforms and the installation of smart meters. As part of the build-up to the statewide protest, a mass gathering was organ- ised today at Ramdiwali village under Tahli Sahib Zone. Addressing the gathering, state leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Baldev Singh Bagga criticisded the Central Government’s plans to pass the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. They alleged that the Bill is a move towards handing over public electricity infrastructure to private companies. They further raised concerns about a recent statement by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who said that chip-based smart meters would be compulsorily installed in employees’ homes by August 31 and later in all consumer households. The protesters said the move amounts to forced digitization without public consent. The leaders criticised the Punjab Government’s decision to privatise the Lalru subdivision under Mohali, accusing it of aligning with the Centre’s privatisation agenda. They called on workers, employees, shopkeepers, farmers and ordinary citizens to unite in defence of the public electricity sector. Sukhdev Singh Kajikot, Chief Secretary of the Border Zone, demanded simplification of the fine collection procedure. He said the authority to investigate meter-related penalties should be vested in SDOs and XENs. He insisted that damaged transformers must be replaced within 24 hours and that no chipbased smart meters should be forcibly installed in consumers’ homes. Corruption in electricity offices, he added, must be eradicated. Prominent district leaders present at the gathering included Kandhar Singh Bhoewal, Balwinder Singh Kaler Bala, Sardool Singh, Khajan Singh, Baba Budh Singh Udoke, Jatinder Singh Mattewal, Keval Singh, Lovepreet Bagga, Gurpal Singh Gaddaryada, Gurdeep Singh Ramdiwali, along with several farmers and labourers. Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 1 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Tuesday arrested George Masih, Block Officer, posted at Block Development and Panchayats Office (BDPO), Amritsar, while receiving Rs 13,000 as bribe. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused has been arrested following a complaint lodged by a resident of Bikraur village here. He said the complainant had approached the VB alleging that he wanted to contest the panchayat elections from his village in the year 2024, but could not do so, as a notice declaring him a defaulter was issued to him by the Block Officer, Ajnala, stating that he had not cleared outstanding dues of government land measuring 4 kanals and an FIR would be registered against him in this regard. As per the complaint, the accused asked him that if he wanted to get his name stuck Amritsar, July 1 In a bid to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in its canteens, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) conducted a surprise inspection in all its campus canteens on Tuesday. The initiative, carried out under the directives of Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjeet Singh, was led by Registrar Dr KS Chahal, with an 11-member High Action Committee. The inspection, timed ahead of the new academic session, aimed to guarantee safe and hygienic food for students and staff. The committee examined each canteen, assessing food quality, cleanliness, storage facilities and the health measures in place for employees. “During the visits, several canteens were issued on-thespot instructions to improve hygiene standards and ensure proper storage of food items. The committee directed canteen operators to prioritise the health of students and staff, warning that any negligence would not be tolerated,” informed Dr Chahal. The Block Officer in custody of the Vigilance Bureau in Amritsar. off from the defaulters’ list and get correction in the revenue record, he would have to pay bribe of Rs 13,000. The spokesperson said after a preliminary verification of the complaint, a team from the VB, Amritsar, laid a trap and apprehended the accused while accepting a bribe of Rs 13,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him at the VB police station, Amritsar Range. Further investigation into this case was under progress, said a VB official. Registrar Dr KS Chahal during a surprise inspection at a canteen on the GNDU campus in Amritsar on Tuesday. Dr Karamjeet Singh emphasised that providing a safe and healthy environment is a key priority for the university. “We are committed to ensuring that all canteens adhere to strict hygiene standards before the new session begins,” he said. Registrar Dr Chahal said a detailed inspection report would soon be submitted to the Vice- Chancellor, based on which further action will be taken. The committee also engaged with students and canteen staff during the inspection, taking note of their suggestions to enhance service. University authorities clarified that such inspections would continue in the future to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all. MP Randhawa warns officials of GNDU startups shine bright at Future Tycoons program laxity in using Central Govt funds Neha Saini Tribune News Service Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Pathankot, July 1 Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa presided over a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) and asked officials to ensure that all Central Government schemes reached the doorstep of the people, particularly those living in rural areas. Gurdaspur Parliamentary Constituency comprises the revenue districts of Pathankot and Gurdaspur. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Sujanpur MLA Naresh Puri, ex-MLAs Amit Vij and Joginder Pal and Pathankot Deputy Commissioner (DC) Aditya Uppal. The DC is the membersecretary of such meetings. DISHA has been formed by the Central Government to ensure better coordination among all the elected representatives in Parliament, state legislatures and local governments for efficient and timebound development. He appealed to officials to personally visit the spot where Central Government-sponsored schemes were being executed. He also asked them to hold camps in villages so that people are informed about the benefits of such schemes. The MP had recently presided over such a meeting of Gurdaspur district. MP Randhawa’s initiative to hold DISHA meetings was appreciated by residents and officials. His predecessor Sunny Deol rarely presided over such meetings due to which the beneficiaries suffered. The MP has powers to seek information and demand an effective follow-up on ongoing welfare schemes. Officials from the departments were present. It is mandatory on the part of all MLAs whether they are in the ruling party or are in the opposition to take part in the proceedings. However, Ashwani Sharma, sitting BJP MLA of Pathankot and Lal Chand Kataruchak, Cabinet minister and MLA of Bhoa, remained absent. “They absented themselves because the meeting was chaired by a Congress MP . Their absence means that the continued on page 2 Amritsar, July 1 In a major boost to Guru Nanak Dev University’s Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s incubation programme, three startups registered at the centre clinched top honours at the Future Tycoons programme, organised by the district administration. The grand finale of the initiative witnessed impressive pitches from budding entrepreneurs, with GNDU’s incubatees securing three top prizes — a testimony to the university’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem nurtured through its Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (GJCEI). Founded in 2019 under the Rashtriya Uchhtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA 2.0), GJCEI c m y b Three startups registered at the GNDU’s entrepreneurship incubation centre were awarded cash prizes in Amritsar on Tuesday. nurtures entrepreneurs through startup support, from conception to launch. With a network of more than 300 academic mentors, 20 council members, and high- tech labs, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed. GNDU’s aspirations of turning into a cradle for next-generation innovators, three startups led by young entrepreneurs — Rohin Kaundel, Sumit Bhatnagar and Dr Divjot Sadhu — won cash prizes in respective categories at the finale of Future Tycoons. Rohin Kaundel, an engineering graduate, from Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology, cofounded Nadium Energy, which won first prize (Rs 50,000 cash award) in sustainable entrepreneur category. Nadium Energy offers an innovative sodium-ion battery that offers a 30 per cent cost reduction compared to lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough addresses high costs and environmental concerns of traditional batteries, providing a sustainable solution for the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors. They have developed prototypes and even powered a drone with this battery, showcasing its potential to revolutionize energy storage continued on page 2