Administration still unsure on RTS Act, seeks clarifications

Fri Sep 02 2011, 02:51 hrsLudhiana:

Despite the deputy commissioner’s claim that the Right to Service Act had been implemented in all government departments on August 29, the administration is still waiting for a few clarifications without which, the act cannot function.

The first important clarification is if a service is sought, does it automatically fall under the RTS or does the person applying have to specifically mention that the service is being sought under the Act. “Unless, this clarification is not answered, we cannot determine as to whether each and every service is under this act or only services along with RTS application will come under this net,” DC Rahul Tiwari said.

He further said: “Many employees have additional charges as well. So time frame of those employees has also been sought because they cannot deliver services within the stipulated time at both locations. I have officers who are look after Ludhiana and Payal as well. The Machiwara tehsildar also has a wide area under him and many other officers have additional charges. So we are waiting for this important clarification from the government”.

It has been indicated to the department, however, that clarifications if any will come only after the code of conduct for the SGPC polls is lifted, so the RTS implementation is more or less of little use till then. Moreover as of now most people are not even aware of the act. “As of now the focus is more on ensuring awareness within staff and even among the masses so that every one can make the best use of it”, DC Tiwari said.

Women more likely to two-time in relationships than men

London: A study has claimed that though men may have the reputation for straying, it is women who are more likely to get caught up in love triangles.

The poll of 2,000 people found that almost a quarter of women were romantically involved with more than one person at a time, while just 15 per cent of men were involved in two-timing.

And of those love triangles, about 18 per cent started on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

The poll also showed half of them believed you could be in love with more than one person at a time.

And high earners are more likely to stray than those on lower wages.

Jo Hemmings, a relationship psychologist, said that while male love rats may be the biggest cheaters, driven by lust, opportunity and a misguided sense of entitlement, it is women, who tend to have a more complex view of relationships.

SC cited wrong case law to justify black money SIT: Govt

Fri Sep 02 2011, 02:25 hrsNew Delhi:

A 209-page compilation of case laws placed on record by the government argues that Justice B Sudershan Reddy may have relied on the wrong case laws to form his decision to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the black money case.
In fact, the government says that the “four” precedents cited by Justice Reddy say the exact opposite, and, indeed, reject the idea of courts setting up SITs.

Attorney General G E Vahanvati today told a bench led by Justice Altamas Kabir that the “four” case laws in paragraph 48 of the July 4 order, in fact, contradict Justice Reddy’s decision to form a SIT in the black money case.

The government is seeking a recall of Justice Reddy’s direction to form a SIT which includes as one of its members the chief of the country’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing. All members are supposed to report to two retired Supreme Court judges in their endeavour to investigate and track down all black money transactions and pending cases both in India and abroad.

The bench today reserved for orders the question of maintainability of the recall application.

In paragraph 48, Justice Reddy says there are “many” instances of courts setting up SITs to help them with “very complex” issues. One of the four he cites is the 2G spectrum judgment delivered by Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly in 2011.

Justice Reddy wrote that SITs help courts and the government to “fulfil their constitutional obligations”.

This is what paragraph 48 says: “We note that in many instances, in the past, when issues referred to the Court have been very complex in nature, and yet required the intervention of the Court, Special Investigation Teams have been ordered and constituted in order to enable the Court, the Union of India and/or other organs of the State, to fulfill their constitutional obligations”.

The paragraph further goes on to say: “The following instances may be noted: Vineet Narain versus Union of India (1996), NHRC versus State of Gujarat (2004), Sanjiv Kumar versus State of Haryana (2005) and the Centre for PIL versus Union of India (2011)”.

In the Vineet Narain case, the AG pointed out, the Supreme Court had not even considered forming a SIT. In fact, the three-judge bench of Justices J S Verma, S P Bharucha and S C Sen merely asked the CBI and government agencies to “expedite their action” in public interest.

The 1996 case dealt with the Jain hawala transactions.

Again, in the 2004 order in the NHRC case, the SC dealt with an application alleging that the state government had failed to properly investigate the 2002 Gujarat riots. The application had sought the setting up of a committee to overlook a SIT.

A three-judge bench of Justices Ruma Pal, S B Sinha and S H Kapadia refused the suggestion saying “we are not going to proceed on the basis that the entire investigation machinery in the State has failed”. It then directed the Gujarat government to form a separate cell to exclusively deal with the riots cases.

In the 2005 Sanjiv Kumar case, which dealt with a complaint of large-scale corruption and tampering of records in the selection of 4000 vacancies of JBT teachers in Haryana, a bench of Justices RC Lahoti and Ashok Bhan said it is a “better option” that CBI continue the investigation and threw out a request for an independent probe by a SIT.

“We have given thoughtful consideration to the proposal for entrusting the whole matter to a Commission of Inquiry, assisted by a special investigating task force...but we are of the opinion that the better option is to entrust the matter to investigation by CBI,” Justice Lahoti wrote.

In the 2G scam order, Justice Singhvi’s bench had actually refused persistent demands made for setting up a SIT. Instead, the bench opted for the CBI to continue its investigation under the court’s own eyes.

Writing the judgment, Justice Singhvi observed that “at this stage, we do not consider it necessary to appoint a special team to investigate what the appellants have described as 2G spectrum scam because the Government of India has, keeping in view the law laid down in Vineet Narain case and orders passed in other cases, agreed for a court-monitored investigation”.

Immigration fraud kingpin surrenders

Mohali, September 1
Faced with pressure from the police, Karandeep Singh, alias Pargat Singh, one of the main accused in the cheating cases registered against Jet Immigration Placement Services, today surrendered before a local court. He was remanded in two-day police custody.
Earlier, Karandeep Singh, along with Deepak Arora, was booked by the Mohali Police in over 30 cases of cheating. The accused had accepted money from visa seekers, but they neither got the visas issued nor refunded the money. Most of the victims from different parts of Punjab had paid between Rs 40,000 and Rs 3 lakh to get work permit visas for Canada and other countries.
SP (City) Harpreet Singh said due to pressure exerted from all corners, Karandeep Singh surrendered before the court today. His brother, Lakhwinder Singh, had already been arrested by the police. Raids were also being conducted to nab Deepak Arora, said Station House Officer, Phase I, Manjit Singh adding that details about the money collected from the visa seekers were being ascertained from the accused.
Meanwhile, the Matour Police conducted a raid at the Phase VII and Sector 70 offices of Guru Kirpa Immigration Company and confiscated the office furniture lying there. Station House Officer, Matour, Tarlochan Singh said there were two case of cheating registered against the proprietor of Guru Kirpa, Neena Sharma, who was on the run. 

Taneja Developers told to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation

Chandigarh, September 1
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Taneja Developers and Infrastructure to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a complainant for not including his name in the draw of lots for his failure to deposit application fee.
The forum has also directed the developers to pay the litigation cost of Rs 5,000 as cost of litigation, and to allot a flat to the complainant as per the scheme opted by him.
The complainant, Naresh, had applied for a flat meant for the economically weaker section with Taneja Developers and Infrastructure in the TDI City, Mohali. A sum of Rs 15,000 was deposited by the complainant by way of demand draft issued by the State Bank of India. However, the complainant was informed by the builder that his application would not be considered as the demand draft submitted by him had not been credited into their account.
Following this, Naresh visited the developer with a certificate issued by the SBI stating that the demand draft in favour of Taneja Developers had already been encashed.
The TDI, on the other hand, in a reply submitted that the draft issued by the SBI was presented thrice to the bankers and the same was returned each time.
The forum comprising president Lakshman Sharma president and members Madhu Mutneja and Jaswinder Singh observed that “it is clear from the documents that Rs15,000 has been received by the TDI. We do not think they should refuse to consider the complainant for the allotment of a flat in the EWS scheme floated by them.”
Directing the TDI to allot a flat to the complainant as per the scheme opted by him, the forum has asked them to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to the complainant for the harassment caused.

Abolish ‘ornamental’ post of lambardar: High Court

Chandigarh, September 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that it wants the “ornamental” posts of lambardar to be abolished in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
In a significant order, Justice Alok Singh minced no words to say lambardars were involved in identifying imposters substituting for dead or real landowners; and were a burden on the state exchequer.
“It has come to the notice of this court that nowadays lambardars are involved in different criminal cases for identifying imposters for the dead or the real landowners to grab their valuable land. Remuneration paid to the lambardars from the state exchequer seems to be unnecessary financial burden on the state, while the lambardars have no active duties/functions to perform,” the court held.
This is high time when the government should consider the desirability to abolish the posts of lambardars within the states of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Singh observed. The directions came on a petition challenging the appointment of a lambardar of Tharu village in Sonepat district.
Justice Alok Singh took note of the fact that the duties of a lambardar or headman, among other things, include collection of “all land revenue”, “collect the rents and other income of the common land”.
Justice Alok Singh added prima facie after the 73rd amendment in the Constitution of India, enactment of Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act and Registration of Births and Deaths Act, “lambardar hardly has any duty or function to perform, which he used to perform in the pre-Independence era. Prima facie, in the opinion of this court, the post of lambardar has become ornamental”.
Before parting with the order, Justice Alok Singh observed the courts were flooded with litigations challenging the appointment of lambardars; and directed the filing of an affidavit by a responsible officer not below the joint secretary’s rank in the department of finance in Punjab and Haryana.
The officer has been asked to specify the exact duties or functions being discharged by the lambardars; whether the functions could be delegated to the panchayats and how many lambardars in Punjab and Haryana are facing criminal cases since January 1, 2009, for identifying imposters for dead or real landowners”.
The case will now come up for hearing on September 19.

High-rise buildings threat to chandigarh’s character

Chandigarh, September 1
The Chandigarh Administration today expressed concern at the high-rise buildings proposed in the vicinity of Chandigarh, which could have adverse impact on the unique character of the city.
UT chief architect Sumit Kaur raised the issue in her presentation at the 22nd meeting of the coordination committee for the development of Chandigarh and its periphery held here under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, Sudhir Krishnan.
She highlighted the challenges faced by the city and the developments coming up in the periphery both within Chandigarh in Punjab and Haryana.
The meeting was attended by Adviser to the UT Administrator KK Sharma, Punjab Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal, Haryana Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati and UT Home Secretary-cum-Secretary Urban Planning Ram Niwas.
The Adviser said the UT Administration had been coordinating with the neighbouring states with regard to the high-rise buildings proposed in the of north of the Capital Complex, eco-sensitive zone, regional planning board around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, linkages and housing. The discussions have been fruitful and further modalities are being worked out. The Chief Secretaries of Haryana and Punjab showed equal concern for Chandigarh and the region and mentioned that they were committed to the cause of safeguarding the unique character of Chandigarh.
The Principal Secretary, Town & Country Planning, Haryana, gave a presentation regarding the status of ongoing development in the periphery of Haryana. He mentioned that the proposed developments were as per the approved master plans duly notified.
The Chief Regional Planner, NCRB, gave a detailed presentation regarding the constitution of NCR Planning Board and preparation of the regional plan. He highlighted the success of the NCRB in achieving the object in various spheres like reducing the rate of population growth, checking migration, development of growth centres and linkages. This special presentation was arranged by TCPO, in view of the proposal for the creation of Chandigarh Regional Planning Board and regional plan for Chandigarh and its region.
The Chief Administrator, GMADA, apprised about the GMADA regional plan prepared by Jurong. The developments are coming in the region in accordance with this plan. He mentioned that the land use planning and floor area ratio (FAR) should be scientific and logical. He said that there are certain activities which could not be carried out in the organised parks/open spaces, therefore, there is need to plan for grounds where people can assemble and children can play. He was not in favour of concept of mixed land use citing the example of Bangalore Metropolitan Region where earlier mixed land use of economic activities was proposed, but with the passage of time, the adverse effect on the planning and environment had been observed.
The Adviser said a case was pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. As per the direction in the above case, the master plan has to be prepared and submitted in the court.
The Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana said the development projects coming in the vicinity of Chandigarh were based upon the approved master plans. The Chief Secretary of Haryana said that even the Punjab and Haryana High Court as well as the Supreme Court had not observed anything adverse in the master plan of the Mansa Devi Complex, which is in the immediate vicinity of the Sukhna Lake.
Haryana seeks 2 more routs to link P’kula to city
Haryana has asked the Central government to provide two more alternative routes to link Panchkula with Chandigarh in the master plan for the development of Chandigarh and its periphery. These routes have already been discussed between the UT Administration and the Haryana government.
The demand was made at the 22nd meeting of the Coordination Committee for the development of Chandigarh and its periphery held under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development, Sudhir Krishana, here today.
Making his presentation on “Development scenario on the periphery of Chandigarh, (Haryana portion)”, the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Town and Country Planning, Haryana SS Dhillon, said an additional route would link Haryana with Industrial Area, Chandigarh (parallel to Chandigarh-Kalka road), overbridge on the railway line and further link Panchkula between Sectors 17 and 18.
The second alternative route from Ambala-Chandigarh (NH-21) would link Panchkula with the airport, Industrial Area, Chandigarh, the southern sectors and the areas beyond Chandigarh like Mohali and further. Since major portion of the alignment for route number one is located either in the railway property in Chandigarh or in Chandigarh area, this issue needs to be finalised for seeking clearance from the Union Ministry of Railways for construction of the overbridge, and construction of the road through the railway land for providing access to Panchkula. 

Union Govt withholds clearance to flight from Vienna to Amritsar

Jalandhar, September 1
The Centre has withheld clearance to operators of a private airline for a direct Vienna-Amritsar flight for the past over five months. The flight will be of immense relief to hundreds of Punjab travellers from the European Union, who till now have no option but to land in Delhi. Incidentally, Amritsar is the fourth most sought-after travel destination in the world because of its religious importance and its place in the freedom struggle.
Alleging a distinct bias against the border state, Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu said he had been pursuing the case of the Vienna-based Comtel Air for the past many months, but to no avail. So much so that after all his efforts, he has just been able to get few minutes from the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this context.
“I have also asked for time from the Civil Aviation Minister and will also be raising the issue in the ongoing session of Parliament. If need be, I am willing to sit in the well of the House to draw everybody’s attention,” he revealed.
It is unfortunate that civil airports were being promoted at the cost of local state-run ones. Traffic from profitable airports is diverted to the latter to benefit certain private players for obvious reasons, he alleged.
Citing the case of the Amritsar airport that was renovated at a cost of Rs 350 crore, he said instead of getting more flights, the existing ones were stopped on one pretext or the other. There were only 13 flights, six domestic and seven international, that use the airport at present, he added.
This is in contrast to the volume of traffic that is witnessed at the Delhi airport. Of the total arrivals and departures, 42 per cent were Punjabis and even out of this, majority were from three distrcts of Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana, he revealed.
If all these passengers land at Amritsar, they will be saving money and time. Similarly, it would cut the congestion at the Delhi airport by half. This would not only give a boost to the economy of the border state but also free slots at the Delhi airport for more international flights, he said. The clearance should be granted to Comtel Air since passengers on this flight would have the option to fly to Takht Hazoor Sahib at Nanded free of cost, he added.
Sidhu said they were demanding no additional favours but impressing on the need for having a single-window clearance for submission of documents, special package for flight operators who want to fly to Amritsar.

n Amritsar is the fourth most-sought-after travel destination in the worldn The flight would have been of immense relief to hundreds of Punjab travellers from the EU, who till now have no option but to land in Delhin Despite spending Rs 350 crore on the renovation of Amritsar airport, only 13 flights, six domestic and seven international, are operating from the airportn 42 per cent passengers arriving in Delhi are Punjabis and a majority of them are from Nawanshahr, Jalandhar and Ludhiana

Multi-faith Sikh school in the heart of UK

Volunteers from the 200,000 Sikh community in Birmingham have played a key role in setting up the first ever Sikh ethos, multi-faith and publicly funded primary school in the heart of the UK.
Start up costs of £2.2 million have come entirely from donations and volunteers have saved another £600,000 by giving up their time to renovate and refurbish buildings that formerly housed a hotel and then a night club. They have helped paint walls, strip floor boards and install under floor heating.
The Nishkam School in Handsworth, Birmingham, is part of the first wave of state funded “free schools” set up by teachers, parents and charities outside government control. It is due to open in two weeks time.
These schools are the result of an initiative by the UK's Conservative Education Secretary, Michael Gove, who last year approved plans for community leaders and parents to set up government schools that set their own opening hours, teachers’ salaries and are not obliged to follow the national curriculum.
Others who have taken advantage of this government initiative include backers of the Krishna Avanti school in Leicester which will serve only vegetarian meals and teach yoga and meditation alongside traditional lessons.
Headmaster Christopher Spall commented, “I’m not a vegetarian. I’ve never done yoga, but its an integral part of the Hindu faith to help us focus and have clear thinking and de-stress.”
Nishkam draws its inspiration from the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib says, “Man tu jyot saroop hai, aapna mool pachan” (The spark of the infinite Crator dwells within you, recognise your origin and realise your potential).
The school brochure declares, “Our approach centres around bringing together parents, teachers and the wider community to create a faith-based school that will enable all children to flourish in their own unique way.”
Much of the credit for starting the school goes to the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewa Jatha which set up the Nishkam Education Trust in 2004.The Trust first set up an independent day nursery and a small infant school before embarking on its latest and most ambitious project.
Nishkam’s Patron Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh commented, “Faith based organisations can play a positive role in helping us become better parents, teachers and citizens, and most importantly, better human beings.
“These are the starting points of our endeavours to develop Nishkam Primary School in Handsworth. We draw upon our spiritual heritage and the principle of being Nishkam (selfless) to guide the education of our children.
“Over the last 30 years Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha has been supporting both formal and informal education for children and adults in Handsworth. Beginning with its spiritual centre, the Gurudwara, the development of other initiatives has significantly represented and transformed the local area, fostering engagement and partnerships.”
Headmaster-designate Ranjit Singh Dhanda told The Tribune there were three other Sikh schools in the UK, within the London region of Hayes, Slough and Norwoord Green, “But we are different because we are the first free school set up by the community.”
Some of its unique qualities are that Punjabi lessons will be compulsory, Guru Nanak’s birthday will be observed every year and the canteen is expected to serve pakoras, koftas and daal alongside more traditional English dishes. But Dhanda points out that the other important difference is that religious teaching will be based on a multi faith approach. “We are not here to propagate the Sikh religion, we will promote the religion of every child.”

ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਨੰਦ ਵਿਆਹ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਆਲੋਚਨਾ

ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ, 1 ਸਤੰਬਰ (ਪ੍ਰੋ: ਗੁਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਧਾਲੀਵਾਲ)-ਭਾਰਤ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਲਈ ਆਨੰਦ ਵਿਆਹ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਨਾ ਬਣਾਏ ਜਾਣ 'ਤੇ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਤਿੱਖੇ ਰੋਸ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਲਗੀਧਰ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਐਬਟਸਫੋਰਡ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਸ: ਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿੱਧੂ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਜਾਰੀ ਬਿਆਨ 'ਚ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਜੇਕਰ ਭਾਰਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਵਸਦੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਲਈ, ਉਥੋਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਵੱਖਰਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਮਾਨਤਾ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਅੰਦਰ ਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਣਾ ਘੋਰ ਬੇਇਨਸਾਫ਼ੀ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਰੀ-ਡੈਲਟਾ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ ਭਾਈ ਬਿਕਰਮਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਆਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਕੋਰਟ ਮੈਰਿਜ ਐਕਟ ਅਧੀਨ ਦਰਜ ਕਰਵਾਉਣਾ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਭਾਵਨਾਵਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਖਿਲਵਾੜ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਰੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਸ: ਗਿਆਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਗਿੱਲ ਨੇ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ 1909 ਵਿਚ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਿਪੁਦਮਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਭਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਆਨੰਦ ਮੈਰਿਜ ਐਕਟ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਰਤ 'ਚ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਲਾਗੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ। ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਕਲਗੀਧਰ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਜਨਰਲ ਸਕੱਤਰ ਸ: ਬਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੱਗੂ ਨੇ ਵਿਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਪੀਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਸਾਂਝਾ ਮਤਾ ਪਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਭਾਰਤ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਜਣ ਤੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਵਿਤਕਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਕਣ ਲਈ ਇਕਮੁੱਠ ਹੋਣ।

ਉੱਤਰੀ-ਅਮਰੀਕਾ 'ਚ ਤੇਜ਼ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਵਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੜਿੱਕੀ 'ਚ ਫਸਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਐਡਮਿੰਟਨ ਮੋਹਰਲੀ ਕਤਾਰ ਵਿਚ

ਐਡਮਿੰਟਨ, 1 ਸਤੰਬਰ (ਲਾਟ ਭਿੰਡਰ)-ਉੱਤਰੀ-ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਨਿਰਧਾਰਿਤ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਤੇਜ਼ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਹਨ ਚਲਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਡਰਾਈਵਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੜਨ ਲਈ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਮੋਟਰ ਐਸੋਸੀਏਸ਼ਨ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਯੰਤਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਮਿਲੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਵਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੜਿੱਕੀ 'ਚ ਫਸਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਐਡਮਿੰਟਨ ਮੋਹਰਲੀ ਕਤਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਐਡਮਿੰਟਨ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰਜੈਂਟ ਬਾਰ ਮਰੋਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿਚ 48 ਇੰਟਰਸੈਕਸ਼ਨ ਸੇਫਟੀ ਕੈਮਰੇ ਲੱਗੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ। ਇਕ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਲਗਭਗ 1000 ਦੇ ਕਰੀਬ ਤੇਜ਼ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਹਨ ਚਲਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਫੜੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ 45,00 ਡਾਲਰ ਦਾ ਜੁਰਮਾਨਾ ਦੋਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਨਿਰਧਾਰਿਤ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਤੋਂ 15 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਵੱਧ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਵਾਲੇ ਡਰਾਈਵਰ ਨੂੰ 89 ਡਾਲਰ ਜੁਰਮਾਨਾ ਅਤੇ 50 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਵੱਧ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਵਾਲੇ 351 ਡਾਲਰ ਭਰਨਾ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਖ਼ਤਰਨਾਕ ਡਰਾਈਵਿੰਗ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਦਾਲਤ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਤਲਬ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਿਤ ਵਕੀਲ ਦਵਿੰਦਰਜੀਤ ਪੁਰੇਵਾਲ ਨੇ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਟ੍ਰੈਫਿਕ ਨਿਯਮਾਂ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਲੋਕ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਜਾਗਰੂਕ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ।

Distracted Driving Law in now in effect in Alberta

Distracted Driving Legislation (Bill 16)

Highlights:

• Restricts drivers from:
  

  • using hand-held cell phones
  • texting or e-mailing
  • using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (e.g., MP3 players)
  • entering information on GPS units
  • reading printed materials in the vehicle
  • writing, printing or sketching, and
  • personal grooming
• Complements the current driving without due care and attention legislation
• Applies to all vehicles as defined by the Traffic Safety Act, including bicycles
• Applies to all roads in both urban and rural areas of the province
• The fine for this new offence is $172

The most frequently asked question regarding the new law is whether pets are specifically addressed by the law. Here's the answer! In situations where the driver becomes too involved with their pet, police could reasonably argue that the distraction is comparable to the specifically banned activities of reading, writing and grooming and lay a charge.   

Also, existing legislation - Traffic Safety Act 115(2)(i) - allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to occupy the front seat of the vehicle such that it interferes with the driver's access to the vehicle controls and the safe operation of the vehicle.  Further, Traffic Safety Act 115(2)(j) - allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to cause any obstruction to the driver's clear vision in any direction. We encourage the continued use of these existing provisions.
If a driver violates a new distracted driving provision and an existing provision in the Traffic Safety Act it would be up to the discretion of the officer as to if one or both charges would apply.
For the safety of both pets and road users, it is best if pets are secured in an appropriate pet carrier.

For more information on the Bill(16), visit: http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm

Alberta's distracted driving legislation now in Effect

Alberta is the last province to implement distracted driving legislation.  Alberta's law (Bill 16) to improve road safety and prohibit a wide variety of distracted driving behaviours includes restricting drivers from:

·         using hand-held cell phones

·         texting or e-mailing

·         using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (e.g., MP3 players)

·         entering information on GPS units

·         reading printed materials in the vehicle

·         writing, printing or sketching

·         personal grooming

The fine for this new offence is $172.