01082025-ATR-01.qxd 7/31/2025 10:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune KHALSA UNIVERSITY INKS MOU WITH L&T FOR INDUSTRY LINKAGE PANEL FLAGS ILLEGAL DUMPING OF WASTE AT BHAGTANWALA The District Pollution Control Committee has raised concerns about dumping at the Bhagtanwala site. P2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 26°C JJ VALAYA CALLS INDIA A ‘TREASURE TROVE’ OF IDEAS Khalsa University, Amritsar, today signed a memorandum of understanding with L&T EduTech (India). P2 FORECAST Ace designer’s latest collection served as a fitting closing show to India Couture Week 2025. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 7.12 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5.43 AM » FRIDAY | 1 AUGUST 2025 | AMRITSAR COTPA: Special Health Dept team officials issue 32 challans GNDU submits SIA-Arniala Dam study report to state govt Tribune News Service Health Department officials issue challans to a vendor in Amritsar. Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 31 A special team constituted by the district Health Department to check violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act has issued challans to 32 tobacco vendors and individuals for flouting the guidelines. Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said the COTPA Act prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions. It also mandates that tobacco product packaging must display warning labels and photographs depicting the harmful effects of its consumption, she said. Teenage girl abducted in Tarn Taran, one booked Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, July 31 The Verowal police have booked a person for abducting a teenage girl. The victim was a student of Class X. The incident occurred on July 27 and the case was registered on July 30. ASI Gurvel Singh said the accused has been identified as Karanbir Singh of Dhota village. The victim’s father in his complaint to the Verowal police said when he returned home on July 27 from his work in the evening, he found his daughter missing and started searching for her, but failed to trace her. He lodged a complaint with the Verowal police the same day. The Assistant SubInspector (ASI) said the accused has been booked under Sections 137 (2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused is absconding, said the police. The official said those issued challans included some of the sellers who were not abiding by any of the guidelines and those who were found smoking in public places. She said COTPA prohibits smoking in public places, sale of tobacco products to minors, sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions and demands mandatory display of warning labels and photographs on tobacco product packaging. The team led by Dr Jaganjot Kaur visited various areas of the city, including Queen’s Road, Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, Katra Sher Singh, and Hathi Gate. She emphasised the importance of strictly implementing the COTPA Act to make the district tobaccofree. She highlighted that selling tobacco products without following the prescribed criteria, such as displaying warning labels and photographs, is a criminal offence. Additionally, selling loose cigarettes and smoking tobacco in public places are also a punishable offence, she added. The Civil Surgeon stressed that the Health Department is committed to enforcing the COTPA Act and creating awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. The department is committed to protecting the public, especially youth, from the dangers of tobacco consumption, she added. GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh submits the SIA-Arniala Dam study report to officials of the Punjab Government in Amritsar on Thursday. is being executed under Section 4.1 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (herein after the RFCTLARR Act, 2013). As per information provided by Water Resources Department officials, the entire project involves an expenditure of Rs 91.47 crore for the construction of the dam and will go a long way in increasing the availability of free flow of water to irrigate land in four villages: Arniala Shahpur, Baroti, Bassi Maroof Siala and Bassi Maroof Hussainpur in Hoshiarpur. The SIA study found that the dam project holds quite a prominent place in the overall development of the area as 96.2 per cent of the villagers were of the opinion that the project would be beneficial for the people of the Doaba region. “Given the consent of a majority of the people during the gram sabha meeting held at Arniala Shahpur and Baroti villages on June 10, the “Public Purpose” clause under RFCTLARR Act 2013 stood validated,” said the VC. The purpose behind the state government’s decision to construct the dam in Hoshiarpur is to get an increased food grain yield, which will further ensure food security in the region, besides giving a boost to socio- Anti-drug curriculum Civic body forms rapid response Dept inspects stocks to be launched today teams to address garbage issue of fertiliser dealers Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 31 MLA from Ajnala Assembly constituency Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has reiterated the stand of his government to uproot drugs from the state. Dhaliwal said launching the third phase from August 1, eight lakh students of Classes IX to XII in the state will study about drug awareness in the school syllabus. The formal launch of the curriculum at the state level will be jointly held tomorrow (on August 1) by Aam Aadmi Party national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann from Arniwala in Fazilka district. While addressing massive anti-drug public rallies in the Ajnala villages of Majupura and Sangatpura, Dhaliwal said this unique curriculum and experimental programme in the country has Curriculum to be launched by Kejriwal, CM Mann in Fazilka been prepared by the state government in collaboration with the Nobel Prize winner and Indo-American economist Abhijit Chatterjee. “This curriculum was implemented as a pilot project in the financial year 2024-25 among 6,900 students of 78 schools in the districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran and it yielded impressive results,” he said. During the third phase, the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign will enter schools and colleges, educating students by teaching the curriculum. The schools will host session focused on key areas such as myth-busting, refusal strategies and resisting peer pressure. The programme will cover 3,658 schools. Woman raped, two arrested Amritsar, July 31 A woman was allegedly raped three days ago by four persons at Mallian village falling under the Jandiala police station here. The police have arrested two persons while the remaining two suspects are still absconding. Those booked were identified as Gurwinder Singh, alias Golu, and Harman, both residents of Mallian village, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gora, of Mallian village and Nanak Singh of Wadali Dogra village. Gurpreet and Nanak were arrested by the police. The incident occurred three days ago, though a case was registered yester- Amritsar, July 31 Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh has handed over the SIA-Arniala Dam Study Report to state government officials — Executive Engineer Vikas Soman and Water Resources Department (Hoshiarpur) SDO Rupinder Pal Singh. The Vice-Chancellor said the university remains committed to contributing to sustainable development and meaningful social research. “The SIA report not only addresses the quantitative aspects of the proposed Arniala Dam project, but also delves deeply into the qualitative social dimensions that are increasingly relevant in today’s 21st century world,” he said. The Social Impact Assessment Agency, Guru Nanak Dev University, under Prof Rajesh Kumar, Principal Project Coordinator, and a team of six subject experts completed the SIA study report for land acquisition for the construction of Arniala Dam in Hoshiarpur district, allocated by the Water Resources Department, Government of Punjab. The project economic development of the region. The construction of the dam will augment rural as well as urban infrastructure in a positive manner. The report also states that on the whole, the project assumes immense importance as it has a role in reducing the dependence of people on electric motor-run water pumps for extracting underground water for irrigation purposes, thereby reducing depletion of underground water over a period of time. The project seems to carry the potential of making a favourable impact on the socio-economic landscape of the entire Doaba region. Hereafter, the SIAArniala Dam Study Report will be evaluated by the Higher Power Committee set up by the Government of Punjab. Prof Rajesh Kumar, SIA Principal Project Coordinator, recognised the efforts of Professor Manpreet Singh Bhatti, Associate Professor Dr Bimaldeep Singh, Assistant Professors Dr Neena Rosy Kahlon, Dr Swati Mehta and Sharanpreet Kaur and all data analysts and field investigators for their crucial role in getting the SIA mission accomplished. day (on Wednesday). The 25-year-old victim told the police that on Monday, she was alone at home and therefore his uncle Kashmir Singh left her 12-year-old cousin with her. She said in the night, her cousin forgot to bolt the door from inside and they fell asleep. She said at around 11 pm, Gurwinder Singh and Harman barged into the house. She alleged Gurwinder had covered her face so that she could not raise an alarm and then Harman dragged her to an open ground near the gurdwara where Gurpreet and Nanak Singh were also present. She alleged they pushed her to the ground and hit her with a pistol butt. She said when she resisted and tried to escape, the accused assaulted and kicked her. She alleged that as the accused forcibly touched and sexually harassed her, she raised the alarm for help. On hearing her shouts, her uncle Kashmir Singh suddenly arrived there and the accused fled the spot. She was rushed to a hospital, which referred her to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where she was under treatment. The police have registered a case under Sections 64, 62, 109, 115 (2) and 3 (5) of the BNS against them. Raids were on to nab the absconders, the police said. — TNS Tribune News Service BEAUTIFICATION DRIVE DAY 4 Amritsar, July 31 On the fourth day of the special seven-day beautification campaign, a dedicated cleanliness drive was carried out near Taran Wala Pul on the GT Road by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation. Additional MC Commissioner Surinder Singh flagged off the drive in the presence of senior officials and office-bearers of various residential welfare associations, NGOs, and social organisations. Launched on July 28 from the Golden Gate under the leadership of MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, the campaign has mobilised all departments of the municipal corporation. The initiative aims to enhance the city’s cleanliness and civic aesthetics through coordinated efforts. Today’s drive was conducted in collaboration with the New Amritsar Residential Welfare Association, which appreciated the civic body’s efforts in mak- MC workers sweep roads during the beautification drive near the main GT Road in Amritsar on Thursday. ing the city cleaner and beautiful. Additional MC Commissioner Surinder Singh acknowledged the active involvement of Kar Sewa Bhuri Wale and the New Amritsar Welfare Association in the ongoing effort. He appealed to all organisations to join this noble cause. Besides, the MC, in coordination with the Deputy Commissioner, has initiated Rapid Response Teams to address the city’s persistent garbage disposal issues. These teams are tasked with the immediate removal of waste from major city roads and have already commenced operations. Their work will continue until the new tender for waste collection becomes operational. DC Sakshi Sawhney said until the new solid waste management contract begins, these Rapid Action Teams, supported by Dera Baba Bhuri Wale and Dera Beas, will function using tractor trolleys, tippers, and other machinery provided by the organisations. — TNS Amritsar, July 31 As part of the special campaign to monitor the sale of fertilisers and prevent black marketing and hoarding, a team of officials, led by Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Harpreetpal Kaur, on Thursday conducted a surprise inspection of fertiliser shops in various blocks of the district, including Ajnala, Chaugawan, Harsha Chinna, Verka, Attari, Tarsikka, Raia, Jandiala Guru and Majitha. The team checked the records and stock of fertiliser dealers, including private dealers and cooperative societies. The team also conducted a survey to gather information from farmers about their experiences with obtaining urea fertilizer. The officials instructed the dealers to clear the stock of fertilisers sold through PS machines and ensure that the stock levels are consistent. The team emphasised the importance of maintaining proper records, including daily stock levels and rates. Dealers were instructed to provide bills to farmers for all purchases and sell only the required materials. The officials warned that any shopkeeper found selling fertilisers, medicines or seeds without bills would face legal action. Dr Harpreetpal Kaur appealed to the farmers to demand bills from shopkeepers when purchasing fertilisers, medicines and seeds. She also encouraged farmers to report any shopkeeper who refuses to provide a bill and assured them that their complaints would be addressed. The inspection team included Agriculture Officer Dilbagh Singh, Balvinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Satvinder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Agriculture Development Officer Mandeep Singh and others. City pays rich tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 31 Rich tributes were paid to Shaheed Udham Singh on his 86th martyrdom day as the district administration, institutions and members of political parties marked the day by hosting commemorative events. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney offered floral tributes at the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh located inside Jallianwala Bagh and described the ‘martyrs’ as national assets. “It is only because of the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle, that we are enjoying our free- c m y b DC Sakshi Sawhney pays floral tribute at Shaheed Udham Singh’s statue at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on Thursday. dom and it is our duty to maintain our freedom by fol- lowing the path shown by the martyrs,” she said. Later, the DC also reviewed the cleanliness arrangements started under the leadership of the Archaeological Department at Jallianwala Bagh and instructed the officials concerned to pay special attention to the arrangements for cleanliness so that the visitors do not face any kind of problem. She said that two more rainwater harvesting systems will be installed at Heritage Street so that water does not accumulate here during rainy days. The Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) organised a solemn religious ceremony at the Gurdwara Sahib of Central Khalsa Orphanage, under its aegis. Shaheed Udham Singh’s room at the orphanage, where he spent considerable time as an adolescent, has been maintained by the CKD as a small museum. The museum houses rare photographs, attendance records and personal belongings such as a wooden trunk, coat, utensils and lamp associated with the martyr. Students and wards at the orphanage also delivered speeches and recited poems highlighting the life and sacrifice of India’s valiant son. CKD president Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar provided continued on page 2