Popularity of vanity vehicle numbers dips; Just 11 numbers from 0001 to 0099 auctioned in PB 30 M, PB 30 N series

Popularity of vanity vehicle numbers dips

Just 11 numbers from 0001 to 0099 auctioned in PB 30 M, PB 30 N series

Hike in reserve price

• As per a notification issued by the state transport department on January 9, last year, the reserve price of the number 0001 was increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh
• The reserve price of numbers 0002 to 0009 was fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh, which was earlier Rs 10,000. That of numbers between 0010 and 0099 was increased to Rs 1 lakh, which was earlier Rs 3,000
• The reserve price of vanity numbers like 0200, 0300, 0111, 0222, 4444, 5555, etc. was increased to Rs 25,000. For numbers like 2345, 3456, it was fixed at Rs 12,500
• The reserve price of numbers like 1010, 9898, etc. was fixed at Rs 10,000

Archit Watts

Muktsar, April 29

Tribune News Service

The state government’s decision to hike the prices of vanity vehicle registration numbers seems to have backfired. As a result, the state transport department is now contemplating to review the decision and lower the reserve prices.

There were no takers for vanity vehicle registration numbers in Muktsar district from 0001 to 0099 in the PB 30 M and PB 30 N series auctioned recently.

If we talk about the auction of PB 30 M series, only nine numbers — 0002 , 0003, 0004, 0005, 0012, 0017, 0023, 0032 and 0060 — were auctioned in the category of single and double digits. The situation was almost similar during the auction of numbers in the PB 30 N series. Just two numbers could be auctioned — 0003 and 0005.

When contacted, Hardeep Singh, District Transport Department (DTO), Muktsar, said, “Most of the fancy numbers from 0001 to 0099 are still available as there were hardly any bidders.”

Earlier, when the reserve price for fancy vehicle numbers was low, there was a large number of bidders and hardly any number had remained unauctioned.

Sources in the state transport department said the situation is almost same in other districts and the idea of hiking the reserve price of motor vehicle registration numbers to increase the revenue collection had failed to serve its purpose. To bring in transparency, the procedure of applying for fancy numbers was also changed and made online.

When contacted, Mahesh Garg, Joint State Transport Commissioner, said, “This issue is under consideration of the higher-ups. Any decision to lower the reserve prices will take some time.”

In Muktsar, big farmers get doorstep wheat lifting service

In Muktsar, big farmers get doorstep service

Despite a ban, wheat bags being lifted from a private property on the Malout road in Muktsar town on Monday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 27

Well-off farmers in the district have started selling their produce from their fields instead of bringing it to the mandis, which is violation of the rules. Instead of taking action against such farmers, the state procurement agencies are buying wheat from them and that too on a priority, indicating a nexus between the farmers and the officials concerned.

In contrast, the local grain market is flooded with wheat and there is hardly any space for even vehicles to move. The farmers are forced to face scorching heat while waiting for the buyers. Speaking over the phone, Kulbir Singh Matta, District Mandi Officer, Muktsar, said: “No government agency is authorised to procure wheat from any place other than the notified area. We will keep a check on such practices.” Sources in the district administration revealed well-off farmers were selling their produce direct from the fields using their political clout even as marginal farmers are struggling in mandis.

As per official records, 96,611 tonnes of wheat has been purchased in Muktsar. Of this, 74,159 tonnes is still lying in mandis. It means that just 22,452 tonnes of wheat has been lifted so far. Besides, there is huge stock of wheat which has not been purchased as yet.

Some farmers of Lakhewali today blocked a road demanding that the wheat lifting process should be expedited. Besides, the government is yet to start making payment to commission agents. Though it had announced that the farmers would be given money for their produce within 48 hours of its purchase, nothing has happened till date.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Growth of cannabis goes unchecked in Badal village

Huge growth of cannabis on the Kheowali-Badal-Bathinda road in Muktsar. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), April 26

The growth of cannabis plants in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s native village (Badal) and its approach roads has raised a question mark over the functioning of the authorities concerned, as it is attracting drug addicts.

If one goes to Badal village from Kheowali, a huge growth of cannabis is visible on both sides of the road. The situation is almost similar on the periphery of this village along the Mann road and the Gaggar road, too.

A youth from Badal village said, “The situation is turning worse day by day. Cannabis plants are attracting addicts, who come and pluck leaves during the night hours. The police and officials of the Forest Department should take steps to control the situation.”

Mangat Ram, Block Officer, Lambi, Forest department, said, “The cannabis plants will soon be plucked from along the roadsides. We are thinking of spraying some pesticide, which helps in controlling its growth.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

7 yrs on, Muktsar man profiting on Milkfed land; Not auctioned since 2007, the 10-acre plot is being cultivated every year

7 yrs on, Muktsar man profiting on Milkfed land

Not auctioned since 2007, the 10-acre plot is being cultivated every year

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Kolianwali (Lambi), April 26

A classic example of a government agency allegedly extending undue benefit to an influential person has come to light in Lambi. Milkfed had not leased out its prime agricultural land (10.5 acre) at Kolianwali village on the Malout-Sitto Gunno road to anyone since the SAD-BJP government came to power in 2007.

Though the land had not been leased out for the past eight years, a visit to the site today revealed that wheat crop has been freshly harvested from there. The land is cultivated every year, villagers maintain.

The Milkfed authorities had to give it on lease for a year by holding an open auction at the site today. However, the auction was postponed citing some administrative reasons and without announcing any fresh date for it.

A team of Milkfed officials, led by Milkfed’s Badal area in charge Jagjit Singh, reached the spot only to return after putting up two notices that the auction had been postponed.

When questioned on reason behind postponing the auction and its fresh date, Jagjit Singh said, “The decision has been taken by the higher officials at Chandigarh and I can’t make any comment on it. We have come here following directions from our seniors.”

Some villagers who had reached focal point to sell their wheat, said, “It was no less than a surprise for us when we came to know about Milkfed deciding to give its land on lease. Implementing any such decision will be really tough for any official. Over the past few years, there had never been any talk of giving this land on lease, although it was being cultivated every season.”

Rupinder Singh Sekhon, General Manager, Milkfed, Bathinda, said, “The land measuring about 10.5 acres, four kanals and four marlas was purchased by Milkfed to set up a cattle feed plant around 10-12 years ago. The plan, however, did not materialise and the land is lying vacant since then. The last time it was given on lease was in 2006-07.”

Manjit Singh Brar, Managing Director (MD), Milkfed, said, “The land was scheduled to be leased out today, but at the last moment our General Manager, Bathinda, who had to conduct the process, got entangled in some family problem, so the auction was postponed.”

Asked about the presence of wheat residue on the land that had not been given on lease for the past many years, Brar said, “The matter will be thoroughly probed. If someone has cultivated the land in the past without making any payment to Milkfed, he or she will be penalised. I have assumed the charge just a fortnight ago.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

19 inmates fled Gurdaspur jail in 7 yrs

RTI revelation

• The Central Jail, Patiala, has a much better record as five inmates escaped from it from 1966 to 2014
• At least 10 prisoners fled the Central Jail, Ludhiana, from 1966 to 2014
• Seven inmates escaped from the Central Jail, Ferozepur, from 2004-14
• Four inmates fled the Open Air Agricultural Jail, Nabha, from 1966-2014
• Three inmates fled the Sub-Jail, Muktsar, from 1966 to 2014
• A similar number of inmates fled the Sub-Jail, Pathankot, and two Sub-Jail, Malerkotla, during the same period

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 20

Information procured under the Right to Information Act has exposed chinks in security at the Gurdaspur Central Jail.

It revealed that 19 jail inmates fled the jail in seven years from 2008 to 2014. While three inmates each fled in 2008 and 2009, one in 2010, five each in 2012 and 2013 and two in 2014.

The Central Jail, Patiala, has a much better record as five inmates escaped from it from 1966 to 2014.

The information revealed that seven inmates escaped from the Central Jail, Ferozepur, from 2004 to 2014. Surprisingly, the jail authorities have no record available before 2003.

Ten inmates escaped from the Central Jail, Ludhiana, from 1966 to 2014. One inmate each escaped in 1989, 1991 and 2000, two each in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and one in 2012.

Four inmates fled the Open Air Agricultural Jail, Nabha, from 1966 to 2014. While one inmate each fled in 2009 and 2013 and two in 2014. The jail authorities say no legal action is taken against any official if an inmate flees while working in the farms.

Three inmates fled the Sub-Jail, Muktsar, from 1966 to 2014. A similar number of inmates fled the Sub-Jail, Pathankot, from 1966 to 2014. Two inmates fled the Sub-Jail, Malerkotla, from 1966 to 2014.

One inmate escaped from the Central Jail, Jalandhar, from 2011 to 2014. Similarly, one inmate fled the Sub Jail, Dasuya, and one from the Sub-Jail, Moga.

Not a single inmate escaped from the Women Jail, Ludhiana, Sub-Jail, Phagwara, District Jail, Hoshiarpur, Sub-Jail, Barnala, District Jail, Ropar, District Jail, Mansa, District Jail, Sangrur, Central Jail, Bathinda, Borstal Jail, Ludhiana, Security Jail, Nabha, and District Jail, Nabha, from 1966 to 2014.

Other jails, including the Central Jail, Faridkot, Sub-Jail, Fazilka, Sub-Jail, Patti, and the Central Jail, Amritsar, have not responded to an RTI query on the matter made six months ago.

The authorities of the Central Jail, Gurdaspur, said jail security had been tightened to avoid such incidents. They said personnel of the state police and home guard were deputed at the watch towers and on patrol duty. "The police guards deputed at hospitals with ill inmates too have been told to keep a close watch on them," they added.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Muktsar villagers demand probe into ‘substandard’ toilets

A woman shows a toilet constructed under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan at her residence in Muktsar.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Udekaran (Muktsar), April 22

In Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home district Muktsar, construction of toilets under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan seems to be proving a good source of income for those concerned.

The Indian House Hold Latrines built under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan at Udekaran village, near Muktsar town, are the best example of it.Nearly 50 toilets have been built here in this village, but the beneficiaries are not even able to stand in any of them. Their height does not match with the standards of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan. The construction of toilets under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan is going on in a number of other villages too and the residents have demanded a thorough probe. The residents are accusing the officials of the Water Supply Department and the village sarpanch. They said, “The height of the toilets is low and the entire exercise has proved futile.”

Yadwinder Singh Dhillon, Executive Engineer, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Muktsar, said, “In this village, the toilets were being built by the village sarpanch after hiring a contractor. We had received a complaint about a week ago that toilets were not matching the required standards, so the payment has been stopped. Not even a single penny has been paid so far.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Nine cases of assault on policemen in 4 days in Punjab

Nine cases of assault on policemen in 4 days

Tribune News Service

Archit Watts

Muktsar, April 22

The statistics procured from the official website of the Punjab Police indicate that the cases of assault on policemen by civilians are on the rise.

Nine such cases were registered in the state over the past four days, which were over 10 per cent of the total 83 criminal cases registered in the state during the same period.

Two such cases were registered on April 17, four on April 18, one on April 19 and two on April 20. One case each was registered in Kapurthala, Muktsar, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Faridkot, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Batala and Ludhiana districts.

Sources in the Police Department said they had weapons, but no authority to use them. “Even in a case of assault, we can’t use our weapons because then we will have to face a lengthy inquiry. Most of the time, seniors, under pressure from politicians, persuade us not to do so,” said a policeman, who is about to retire after serving the department for over 20 years. Some stringent measures should be taken by the government to check such cases, he said.

BK Garg, IGP, Law and Order, Punjab Police, said, “In most of these cases, youngsters had attacked policemen. Consumption of drugs could be a major reason behind these cases.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

4 lakh wheat bags stored in open rot, FCI rejects stock; Procured from 2009-13; Punsup official admits to poor upkeep

4 lakh wheat bags stored in open rot, FCI rejects stock

Procured from 2009-13; Punsup official admits to poor upkeep

Rotten wheat lying in an open godown in Muktsar on Monday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 13

Tonnes of wheat stored by Punsup has decayed in the district due to poor upkeep and lack of proper storage facilities. Most of the wheat was lying in the open.

A huge stock of foodgrain procured by the agency between 2009 and 2013 has got infested. The situation is grave in private godowns hired by Punsup on the Malout and Ballamgarh Roads here.

Most wheat bags there are torn and damp. The colour of the grain has turned black. With no one to look after the stock, birds and insects feast on it.

The central foodgrain procurement agency, Food Corporation of India (FCI), has rejected it for sale. A staff member at a godown said: “Barring wheat procured last year, all other stock has decayed. It is unfit for human consumption. Its storage is a burden on the state exchequer. It will fetch a negligible amount. Liquor manufacturers will buy it at a very cheap price.”

He said the damage had been caused by rainwater because sometimes the wheat bags were not covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Gauarv Ahluwalia, District Manager, Punsup, said: “I cannot comment on the matter as I have assumed the charge a few days ago.”

Gurpreet Singh Cheema, Inspector, Punsup, Muktsar, admitted that the FCI had rejected the wheat procured between 2009 and 2013 and stored in the open godown on the Ballamgarh Road. He further blamed the long storage period and poor upkeep.

“Pungrain will now float tenders to sell this rejected lot of wheat. Nearly 4 lakh wheat bags stored in the godown on the Ballamgarh Road have got damaged,” said Cheema. He said the government had instructed officials to store fresh wheat only in godowns where no old stock was lying.

In the past, ration depot holders in Gidderbaha sub-division had refused to procure wheat from Punsup alleging that the agency was supplying substandard wheat to them under the public distribution system.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Muktsar Deputy Commissioner’s wife flaunts amber beacon atop her vehicle

DC’s wife flaunts amber beacon atop her vehicle

The Innova vehicle carrying an amber beacon being used by Deputy Commissioner’s wife in Muktsar on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 8

Daljeet Kaur, wife of Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh, was today spotted using an amber beacon atop an Innova vehicle (PB 30 N 5433) in violation of an SC order that restricts the use of beacons.

The DC’s wife had gone to inaugurate a beauty parlour at the Red Cross Complex here. She was accompanied by a relative. Daljeet Kaur is the honorary woman president of the Indian Red Cross Society, Muktsar. The society has provided her the vehicle.

Jaskiran Singh said: “A beacon can be used only if the person is authorised and that too for official purpose. It can’t be used by any of his family member.”

When told that his wife was using a beacon atop her vehicle, he refrained from giving a direct reply: “The vehicle is mostly used within the town. I also travel in it.”

Kuldeep Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said: “No person other than those entitled can use a beacon of any colour atop the vehicle. If someone violates the norm, he/she invites punitive action.”

Who’s entitled

The Transport Department has permitted chief parliamentary secretaries, principal secretaries, DGPs, ADGPs, zonal IGs, deputy commissioners, district and sessions judges, police commissioners and SSPs posted as district police heads to use an amber beacon. An amber beacon ranks below the red beacon and above the blue beacon.

Courtesy: The Tribune