01122025-ATR-01.qxd 11/30/2025 11:59 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY PROTEST OVER GARBAGE PILES OUTSIDE AAP MLA OFFICE SERIOUS SIDE OF PUNJABI COMEDIAN COMIC SINGH MALAIKA ARORA TO DEBUT AS AUTHOR WITH WELLNESS BOOK BJP leader Manraj Singh Chhina led a symbolic protest over garbage outside MLA Jeevan Jot’s office. P2 Comic Singh, aka Manpreet Singh, carries a blend of everyday Punjabi humour and sharp social satire. P4 Malaika Arora is set to make her debut as an author with book Easy to be Healthy: Malaika’s Guide to Living a Good Life. P4 » » » MAX 21°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 5°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7.13 AM MONDAY | 1 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Electricity Bill: KMM to submit memos to DCs today Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 30 The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) has announced that its district units across Punjab will submit memorandums to the respective Deputy Commissioners on December 1, reiterating their key demands ahead of the statewide protest scheduled for December 17. The organisation has been opposing the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, which it believes will have far-reaching consequences for farmers and general consumers. KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the memorandums would highlight farmers’ unresolved concerns, including compensation for the losses suffered at the Shambu and Khanauri borders earlier this year. He stated that despite repeated appeals, many core issues raised by farmers remain unaddressed. Pandher said farmers are still awaiting compensation for crop loss, a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), and resolution of several long-standing demands. “These issues have been pending for long, and the government has not taken any concrete steps to resolve them. The December 1 submission of memorandums is part of our effort to remind the administration of the urgency of these matters,” he said. Raising concerns about the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, Pandher asserted that the changes would pave the way for the privatisation of electricity corporations. Such a move, he warned, would significantly burden ordinary consumers. “Privatisation will make electricity unaffordable for common people and farmers. The amendment is not in the interest of Punjab’s agrarian economy,” he added. The KMM has called upon all district-level units to mobilise farmers for the December 17 protest, which is expected to witness widespread participation. The organisation said it would intensify its agitation if the government fails to address the demands outlined in the memorandums. Man shot at, 10 booked for murder bid Rural poll: Filing of nomination papers begins today in dist Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 30 The election process for 24 Zila Parishad zones and 195 zones of 10 Panchayat Samitis will begin on December 1, when candidates can start filing their nominations. District Election Officer-cumDeputy Commissioner Dalvinderjit Singh said the Punjab State Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections across the state. He said the announcement follows the notification issued on September 25 under Section 209 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act. Providing details, he said elections in Amritsar district will be held on December 14. Voting will take place for 24 Zila Parishad zones and 195 zones of 10 Panchayat Samitis. The elections will be conducted through ballot papers, and 50 per cent of the seats in both bodies will be reserved SCRUTINY TO BE CARRIED OUT ON DEC 5 ■ Candidates may file their nomination papers from December 1 to 4, between 11 am and 3 pm, at the offices of designated Returning Officers. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on December 5, while December 6 (till 3 pm) will be the final day for withdrawal of nominations. for women. Candidates may file their nomination papers from December 1 to 4, between 11 am and 3 pm, at the offices of designated Returning Officers. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on December 5, while December 6 (till 3 pm) will be the final day for withdrawal of nominations. Each nomination paper must include the required affidavit and, if applicable, an authorisation letter from the political party concerned, the District Election Officer added. Voting will be held on Sunday, December 14, from 8 am to 4 pm, and counting of votes will take place on December 17 at designated centres. The State Election Commis- sion has fixed the election expenditure limit at Rs 2,55,000 for Zila Parishad candidates and Rs 1,10,000 for Panchayat Samiti candidates. With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in all gram panchayats falling under these jurisdictions and will remain in force until the completion of the election process. The code of conduct is available on the State Election Commission’s website. The Deputy Commissioner said the district administration is committed to conducting the elections in a fair, transparent and peaceful manner as per the directions of the State Election Commission. Social Security Code amended; widowers, in-laws to get benefits Neeraj bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 30 The Union Government has accepted key suggestions advanced by the Bal Kalan Industrial Welfare Association (BKIWA), including pension benefits for widowers and ESIC medical benefits for in-laws. Sundeep Khosla, president of the association, said this was a major achievement following the Centre’s acceptance of its proposals for amendments to the Code on Social Security, 2020. The association learned of the development through a letter dated November 28, in which the government confirmed the approval of several recommendations submitted in January 2023 with the legal guidance of advocate and labour-law consultant Rajat Joshi. Nearly two years ago, the association sought pension benefits for widowers. As a This marks a proud moment for BKIWA members and demonstrates its ability to drive meaningful reforms in central legislation. result, the word “widower” has now been explicitly inserted into the newly enacted law, ensuring that widowers are eligible for pension benefits. The definition of “family” has also been expanded to include the father and mother-in-law of female employees, making them eligible for medical benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Rajan Mehra, another industrialist, said these amendments would significantly enhance employee welfare. He added that another major recommendation was the streamlining of ESIC card issuance. Acting on this suggestion, the Centre has granted local and branch ESIC offices the authority to approve the issuance of ESIC cards, eliminating unnecessary delays and making the process more convenient for applicants. This development marks a proud moment for BKIWA members and demonstrates the association’s ability to drive meaningful reforms in central legislation. The association expressed gratitude to Rajat Joshi for his guidance throughout the process. Skilled and unskilled workers covered under ESI welcomed the changes, noting that new workers would now be able to obtain ESIC cards at their nearest offices. They also urged the government to provide adequate medical staff, paramedics and modern infrastructure at ESI-run hospitals, and to open more ESI clinics in the city’s industrial areas. Relief for passengers as Punjab Roadways, MP Aujla flags severe Airport Road congestion, writes to Gadkari Punbus contractual workers call off strike Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 30 The Roadways workshop witnessed protests for the third consecutive day on Monday, as employees continued their sit-in against the government’s decision not to cancel the tenders issued under the kilometre scheme and over the suspension of contractual staff. However, late in the evening, the employees called off the strike and decided to resume bus services. Due to the agitation, Punbus operations remained halted for the third day, causing inconvenience to commuters and adding to employee resentment. While addressing the protesters, leaders of the Punbus Contractual Employees’ Union accused the government of ignoring the interests of Punjab Roadways and Punbus workers. They alleged that the kilometre scheme — under which private buses are hired on a perkilometre basis — was weakening the state-run transport Tribune News Service Passengers, who had been put to inconvenience for the past three days, heaved a sigh of relief after the protesters decided to end their strike in Amritsar on Sunday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR system. Workers said the refusal to withdraw these tenders has fuelled anger across depots. Union members representing contractual employees stated that the government suspended several staff members on November 29, and despite assurances, none have been reinstated so far. They said that even after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s remarks indicating that suspensions would be reviewed, no official order had been issued, deepening dissatisfaction among the workforce. A crucial meeting between the Punjab Transport Minister and employee representatives was held in the evening, during which Transport Minister Laljeet Singh Bhullar assured that all suspended employees would be reinstated. Employees said they were hopeful that the day’s talks would bring a favourable decision. “We welcome the decision and will resume services from Monday morning,” they announced. Amritsar, November 30 Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has written to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, highlighting the persistent traffic congestion on the stretch from the Amritsar bypass to Airport Road (NH1), besides urging him to grant approval for a long flyover as a permanent solution. Aujla stated that the situation on this route has deteriorated to the point where routine traffic management is no longer effective. Passenger movement to and from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport has risen sharply, with travellers from Punjab as well as neighbouring states relying heavily on this road. As a result, the stretch remains packed with tourist and passenger vehicles throughout the day. The MP pointed out that the bypass also serves as a major corridor for heavy vehicles, container trucks and commercial transport. STRETCH REMAINS PACKED WITH TOURIST VEHICLES ■ Aujla stated that the situation on this route has deteriorated to the point where routine traffic management is no longer effective. Passenger movement to and from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport has risen sharply, with travellers from Punjab as well as neighbouring states relying heavily on this road. As a result, the stretch remains packed with tourist and passenger vehicles throughout the day. ■ He said the bypass also serves as a major corridor for heavy vehicles, container trucks and commercial transport. Security forces travelling towards the Attari border also use this route, adding to the burden. Additionally, several major schools operate in this belt, with nearly 10,000 to 15,000 students commuting daily. Regular traffic jams, delays and safety concerns have become routine challenges for parents, school buses and local residents. Security forces travelling towards the Attari border also use this route, adding to the burden. Additionally, several major schools operate in this belt, with nearly 10,000 to 15,000 students commuting daily. Regular traffic jams, delays and safety concerns have become routine challenges for parents, school buses and local residents. In his letter, Aujla proposed a continuous flyover beginning from Gumtala, covering the In & Out Bakery junction, the petrol pump turn, and the Loharka Road con- nection near the new flyover, extending up to the Royal Nursery point. He said segregating through-traffic from local movement would reduce accidents, prevent delays for ambulances and significantly ease congestion. Aujla has requested the minister to instruct the NH1 Project Director to conduct an immediate site inspection and prepare a detailed project report. He expressed hope that the ministry would take prompt and positive action on this urgent public demand. GNDU urged to conduct scientific Seminar marks Guru Tegh Bahadur’s survey of flood-hit border belt 350th martyrdom anniversary in city Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 30 A man was allegedly shot at by armed assailants over an old enmity at Wadala Bhitewad village under the Kamboh police station here on Friday evening. The police have arrested one of the suspected attackers, while around 10 others have been named in the case. The injured, identified as 48-year-old Dilbagh Singh, claimed the attack was linked not to personal rivalry but to his opposition to drug peddling in the area. He alleged that the accused were involved in the drug trade and targeted him because he used to confront them. Based on his complaint, the police have booked David Masih, Samual Masih, Gaza, continued on page 2 Amritsar, November 30 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has urged Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) to conduct a comprehensive socioeconomic survey of floodaffected areas in the state’s border belt. He met ViceChancellor Dr Karamjit Singh and submitted a formal request for the study. Dhaliwal said the assessment is crucial to understanding the scale of devastation caused by recent floods in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. He said the border districts have historically borne the burden of Partition, wars and continuous tension along the International Border. “These regions are already Tribune News Service AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Dhaliwal (extreme right) hands over a formal request to the GNDU Vice-Chancellor. economically vulnerable. Repeated floods have further damaged crops, disrupted livelihoods and deepened rural distress,” he said, pointing out that more than 60,000 acres of farmland have remained unused for years due to security restrictions. He added that many residents have suffered injuries and loss of life because of border-related continued on page 2 c m y b Amritsar, November 30 Highlighting the universal message of defending human dignity and religious freedom, Principal Dr Inderjeet Singh Gogoani said the supreme sacrifice of the ninth Sikh master, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was not only for the protection of Hindus but for safeguarding the fundamental right of every human being to practise their faith. He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Amritsar Vikas Manch in collaboration with the Governing Council of Khalsa College to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and his devoted Sikhs. Dr Gogoani, a scholar of Gurbani and Sikh philosophy, explained the Guru’s role as Hind di Chadar and Principal Inderjit Singh Gogoani addresses the audience at Khalsa College in Amritsar. elaborated on the Sikh concepts of sangat and pangat. Referring to the Bachittar Natak Granth, he clarified that the word “Natak” denotes a poetic tradition rather than a theatrical per- formance. He said the Guru’s stand represented an extraordinary commitment to preserving the religious and cultural fabric of India. Principal Kulwant Singh Ankhi said the Guru’s spiritual strength and meditative discipline empowered him and his Sikhs to face tyranny with calmness and courage. He described the martyrdom as a defining moment in the global struggle for religious liberty. Ankhi also recounted the bravery of Bhai Jaita, who transported the Guru’s severed head from Delhi to Kiratpur Sahib despite grave risks, calling him both a skilled warrior and a spiritually enlightened poet. Hardeep Singh Chahal offered a poetic tribute, while Rajwinder Singh Gill honoured the sacrifices of Guru Sahib and his companions and thanked the attendees. Members of the Amritsar Vikas Manch, including Manmohan Singh Brar, Jaspal Singh, Jatinder Pal Singh, Kuldeep Singh Boparai and others, were present in large numbers.