11032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/10/2026 10:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune POLICE WIN MEN'S RELAY AT ALL-INDIA ATHLETICS MEET The championship is being held from March 7 to 12 at the Punjab Armed Police Headquarters. P2 » OXYGEN PLANTS IN PHAGWARA, K’THALA DEFUNCT FOR 8 YEARS Despite the installation of the plant under a govt healthcare initiative, it has not been operational since period. P3 » MAKE AUDITIONS A HABIT, SAYS CASTING DIRECTOR NIKITA Nikita Grover is currently casting for Amarjit Saron's untitled Punjabi film starring Ammy Virk and Roopi Gill. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.32 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:41 AM WEDNESDAY | 11 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR Rising mercury sparks fear of Mother-son duo among 3 killed in wheat yield loss across Doaba car-SUV mishap Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 10 Farmers across parts of the Doaba are growing anxious as the rising temperatures threaten the wheat crop during its crucial growth stage. With memories of previous crop losses still fresh, many cultivators fear that this year’s yield may also suffer if the heat continues. Tarsem Singh, a farmer from Uggi village, expressed concern about the changing weather conditions. “We are living only with trust in God. Earlier we had problems with sugarcane, potatoes and paddy and now even wheat seems to be at risk,” he said. Agriculture officials have also acknowledged that the weather conditions could negatively impact wheat production. High temperatures during this period are particularly harmful because the crop is in the grain-filling stage, a phase when the kernels develop and gain size. Excess heat at this stage can prevent grains from reaching their full size, resulting in reduced yield. A farmer working in a wheat field at a village near Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH Jaspal Singh, Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) at Sultanpur Lodhi, said farmers are being advised to take precautionary measures to minimise damage. “We have been recommending farmers to spray potassium nitrate on the crop as it will help mitigate the stress. They should also carry out frequent and light irrigation, but only if there is no rainfall,” he said. Despite these advisories, farmers remain worried. Subegh Singh, a farmer from Nakodar, said he has already started light irrigation in his fields to protect the crop. However, he described the situation as uncertain and stressful. “It is a scary situation for us. If rains come, the grains may fall, so we are on tenterhooks,” he said. Agriculture experts also pointed out that wheat sown later in the season could be more vulnerable to the current heat conditions. Crops that are still in the early stages of development, particularly at the boot stage, may struggle to complete their life cycle if temperatures remain unusually high. Much of this late-sown wheat was planted during December and January. Officials say that the weather may improve in the coming days. Experts noted that there has been a slight change in conditions and temperatures may fall. However, if the heat persists, the wheat harvest could begin as early as the first week of April, potentially leading to lower production. Jaswinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer of Jalandhar, acknowledged the concerns among farmers. “There is tension among cultivators because high temperatures can shrink grain size. We are continuously reaching out to farmers and issuing advisories to help them manage the situation,” he said. For now, farmers are closely watching the weather, hoping for cooler temperatures that could protect their wheat crop and till then they say they are ‘Rabb aasre’. Nodal officers appointed for plaint redressal Divyangs say not allowed to meet CM Hoshiarpur, March 10 MC Commissioner Jyoti Bala Mattu said the corporation has appointed ward-wise nodal officers to ensure the prompt redressal of public grievances in the city. She said residents can directly contact the nodal officer of their ward for the resolution of their complaints. According to information released by the Municipal Corporation, Assistant Municipal Engineer Prashant Kumar (81468-79684) has been appointed nodal officer for wards 1 to 5, Assistant Municipal Engineer Hardeep Kumar (87289-91859) for wards 6 to 10, Assistant Municipal Engineer Lovedeep Singh (98760-40117) for wards 11 to 15, Junior Engineer Pawan Kumar (9417017373) for wards 16 to 20, Junior Engineer Simarjeet Singh (98510-27327) for wards 21 to 25, Junior Engineer Avtar Singh (62390-27327) for wards 26 to 30, Junior Engineer Inderbir Singh (78885-25313) for wards 31 to 35, Junior Engineer Mukesh Kumar (8307920805) for wards 36 to 40, head draftsman Sanjeev Kumar (97811-21304) for wards 41 to 45 and superintendent Gurmel Singh (79869-94312) for wards 46 to 50. In addition, cluster officers have also been appointed to supervise the work of all ward nodal officers. Municipal Engineer Kuldeep Singh (85588-56544) will supervise wards 1 to 25, while Municipal Engineer Harpreet Singh (98143-38832) will supervise wards 26 to 50. — OC Tribune News Service HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Allege mistreatment by rural police Jalandhar, March 10 The president of the Punjab Divyang Action Committee on Tuesday alleged that they were not allowed to meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the Lok Milni programme held in Adampur and claimed they were mistreated by the police. According to members, they had come from different districts of the state to submit a memorandum to the CM regarding issues concerning specially abled persons. However, they alleged that they were prevented from approaching the venue. Responding to the allegations, Jalandhar Rural SSP Harvinder Singh Virk denied that any mistreatment by cops. “They were not mistreated at all. Why would anyone mistreat them? They just wanted to meet the Chief Minister and submit a memorandum. The police only asked them to wait and go in smaller num- CM Bhagwant Mann with students at School of Eminence in Adampur on Tuesday. PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH bers, but they did not agree and remained adamant. Because of this, they were not allowed to proceed,” Virk said. Lakhvir Singh Saini, president of the Punjab Divyang Action Committee, said he and several other specially abled members had travelled from different districts to meet the CM. “We had no intention of protest. We only wanted to meet the CM and give our memorandum. We were promised a pension of Rs 2,500 and wanted to ask when it would be implemented,” Saini said. He added that the members were disappointed over the way they were handled. “It was sad to know that some of us were treated in that manner,” he said. Meanwhile, Pawan Tinu, senior AAP leader from Adampur, said the police were only ensuring that the event proceeded smoothly. “I came to know about the matter after the function that they wanted to meet the Chief Minister. I went to them and met them, listened to their concerns. I told them that if they had informed me earlier, I would have arranged a meeting with the CM,” Tinu said. Our Correspondent Tanda Urmar, March 10 A road accident occurred near Cholang Toll Plaza on the highway in Hoshiarpur last night, resulting in the death of three persons. According to reports, a car hit an SUV from behind, causing heavy damage to both vehicles. During the accident, car driver Shabnam Saini, the manager of MS College, Dasuya, and her 18-year-old son Tushant died on the spot. The collision was so severe that the SUV lost control and overturned, leading to the death of Rahul (Mithoo), a resident of Gurdaspur, who was in the SUV . Additionally, another person, William, who was also in the SUV sustained serious injuries , and has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. The police team reached the spot and has initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident. The file photo of the deceased mother and son. Robbers trapped inside store, held Hoshiarpur, March 10 Four armed robbers attacked a telecom store in village Fugalana, vandalised the shop and injured the owner Manmohan Das and his sister with sharp-edged weapons. When they were inside, someone downed the shutter of the shop and they were trapped inside. They were later arrested by the police. The shopkeeper said four masked men, armed with weapons, entered the store and started damaging items. When they tried to stop them, the robbers attacked them. Hearing the commotion, someone from outside closed the store’s shutter, trapping the victims inside. One of the robbers even threatened to shoot the shopkeeper and demanded that the shutter be opened, but it remained shut. Meanwhile, someone called the police. Inspector Rajinder Kumar, SHO, arrived with a police team and arrested the robbers, bringing them to the police station for further action. — OC File photo of Ragini and Anchal Oil tanker runs over two girls in Mukerian Mukerian, March 10 A road accident on the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway near the Army Ground here has led to the death of two girls. The two women had stopped at a petrol pump near the Army Ground to refuel their scooter. As they were heading towards the service road after filling fuel, they were struck by an oil tanker coming from the opposite direction. The collision was so severe that both women died on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Ragini (18) and Anchal (21), both residents of Mukerian. It is reported that both women were on their way to attend a wedding ceremony. The police have shifted the bodies to the hospital mortuary and have seized the oil tanker. A case has been filed against the driver.— OC House of drug peddler razed in Jalandhar Jalandhar, March 10 In a crackdown under the government’s ongoing ‘ Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the police on Tuesday demolished the illegal property of a notorious drug smuggler in Jamsher Khas village on Tuesday. The police have carried out the demolition jointly in support with the village panchayat and civil authorities. According to police officials, the illegal structure belonged to James, alias Sabi, a resident of Jamsher Khas. He was an offender with 16 cases registered against him under the NDPS Act and excise Act. Additionally, officials said James was earlier lodged in the Kapurthala jail but later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Amritsar after falling ill. At present, his wife Satya Devi and son Karan are residing at the property and one case each has also been registered against them at Sadar police station. The officials said the demolition was carried out as the The police demolish the illegal property of a drug peddler at Jamsher Khas in Jalandhar. property had been illegally constructed after encroaching the panchayat land. Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said the drive against drug smugglers would continue and strict action would be taken against those involved in the drug trade. The police also appealed to the public to share information related to drug trafficking through the WhatsApp helpline number 9779100200, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential. — TNS Consumer court pulls up JIT over Indra Puram flats, orders refund to buyer Rishika Kriti Tribune News Services Jalandhar, March 10 In a major setback to the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the trust to refund the money paid by a flat buyer in the Indra Puram (Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave) housing scheme, holding that the authority failed to deliver a livable house despite taking the full payment and claiming possession years ago. The commission held the trust guilty of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice, noting that the housing project lacked basic civic infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, sew- erage connectivity and proper approach roads, leaving the allottee in limbo. The case dates back to 2006, when the complaint Rajinder Kalra was allotted an LIG flat in Indra Puram through a lucky draw conducted by the trust, for which the allottee had paid Rs 4.37 lakh to the trust. However, the commission observed that despite collecting the full payment, the trust did not develop the project with basic amenities required for habitation. In October 2009, the trust called the allottee and other buyers to its office and got them to sign documents, acknowledging possession of their flats. The commission noted that this amounted to mere The trust also ordered to pay ~30,000 for mental harassment, ~10,000 as litigation cost “symbolic or paper possession” as the flats and the surrounding infrastructure were still incomplete. When the allottee later vis- c m y b ited the site to take physical possession, he allegedly found that the project was far from ready for occupancy. The flats lacked electricity supply, there was no functional water connection, sewage pipelines were incomplete and the promised approach roads had not been properly constructed. The complainant also alleged that substandard material had been used in the construction. The order also highlighted serious delays in providing electricity to the project. According to the official records, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had demanded more than Rs 10 lakh from the trust for installing electricity supply for the enclave. The commission noted that JIT paid the amount only in August 2012, nearly three years after it had already claimed to have handed over the possession of the flat. During the proceedings, the JIT argued that the complaint was not maintainable and was barred by limitation, claiming that possession had already been handed over in 2009. The trust also contended that disputes related to real estate should be taken to regulatory authorities under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. However, the commission rejected these arguments, observing that the trust failed to produce required documents such as completion or occupancy certificates which are mandatory to establish that a housing project is complete and ready for occupation. In the absence of these documents and basic amenities, the commission held that possession could not be treated as valid and the buyer continued to suffer from the delay. Hence, the commission directed the Jalandhar Improvement Trust to refund the deposited amount along with interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of payment until realisation. The trust has also been ordered to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for mental harassment and Rs 10,000 as litigation expenses. The commission directed the authority to comply with the order within 45 days, failing which it will have to pay an additional 3 per cent interest on the amount.