Scrapping of post draws flak
Chandigarh, February 29
The issuance of an ordinance by the Punjab Government scrapping the post of Pro-Vice- Chancellor is politically motivated and most unfortunate, says Mr Harjeet Singh Grewal, general secretary of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Pak admits damage to Hindu shrines
Amritsar, February 29
The Pakistan Government has admitted for the first time that after the Partition in 1947, several buildings and shrines belonging to Hindus had remained unattended for a long time and had suffered colossal damage.

Minister begins poll campaign
Sujanpur, February 29
The Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr Raghunath Sahai Puri, yesterday launched an election campaign in the Sujanpur constituency.

• Ex-Deputy District Attorney joins SAD
  

COMMUNITY

Impressive performances add punch to play

Jalandhar, February 29 A perfect blend of impeccable theatrical performance and direction of “Dance Like A Man,” play focussing on shades of lives of two generations, mesmerised a large number of spectators, at the local Red Cross Bhawan here yesterday. A scene from Dance like a Man staged at Jalandhar’s Red Cross Bhavan on Saturday night by the Chandigarh-based Durga Dass Foundation. — Photo by S.S. Chopra

Farmers end dharna after CM’s assurance Patiala, February 29 The eight-day-long dharna organised by members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union-Ekta (Ugrahan faction) and the Kisan Sangharsh Committee came to an end today evening after nearly two-hour long meeting of a six-member delegation of kisan leaders with the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh at the Circuit House here. The leaders of the agitation, however, said they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting. Agitating farmers block rail traffic for the second consecutive day in Patiala — Photo by Rajesh Sachar.

High alert sounded on Indo-Pak border
Amritsar, February 29
A high alert was sounded along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab in the wake of landing of an unidentified flying object in Pakistan’s territory, BSF Senior Commandant Darbara Singh said here today.

Punjabi hospitality bowls over folk artistes Patiala, February 29 The 15-day-long crafts mela may have come to an end today, but artisans and folk artistes from various states of the country are sure to bask for a long time in the warmth and affection of Punjabi hospitality they enjoyed here. Besides showcasing a wide range of handicrafts made by artisans from all over the country, the fair also focused on folk music and dance performances by artistes from various states. Folk artistes from Karnataka perform the Kunita dance at the concluding day of the Crafts Mela. — Photo by Rajesh Sachar.

Capt apprised of PCS officers’ plight
Amritsar, February 29
Even as the appointments of eight DSPs under sports quota has come under a scanner for the “unusual haste” and ‘questionable’ merit, the eight “selected meritorious” PCS candidates, who proved their merit a second time, have been left high and dry.

Janak Gupta is Lions Club president
Fatehgarh Sahib, February 29
Social organisations play an important role in the development of the society and the country. Social workers should educate the people to elect only educated, honest, dedicated and clean candidates in the coming parliamentary elections.

Book on Maharshi Balmiki condemned
Ludhiana, February 29
Dr Ambedkar Ekta Mission, Punjab has supported the Akhil Bharatiya Safai Mazdoor Congress in demanding action against a book “Janbaz Raakha” for containing derogatory remarks against Maharshi Balmiki.

Hospital’s power supply may go
Amritsar, February 29
The electricity connection of the Civil Hospital here is likely to be snapped anytime due to the non-payment of electricity bills.

PATIALA DIARY
Heritage Fest good on events, low on tourism
THE number of events which were crammed into the Heritage Festival in the city which concluded last week was mind-boggling. From two top-notch classical performances for four days, besides a play by Habib Tanveer, Ghulam Ali’s ghazals and performances by music groups ‘Stereo Nation’ and ‘Junoon’, one had a high profile cricket match, polo, rural sports, painting exhibition and lots more.

COURTS

Judge orders registration of forgery case
Moga, February 29
The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Sukhdev Singh, has ordered registration of a criminal case, against Jata Singh and three others for allegedly selling a piece of prime land having half share of Jata Singh’s brother Ram Singh, who is deaf and dump, to Roor Singh of the same village, Alamwala, under Baghapurana subdivision in Moga district by producing a fake person at the time of registration of the sale deed.

AGRICULTURE

Scientists advise Bt cotton farmers to wait
Abohar, February 29
Agriculture scientists yesterday advised farmers to wait for sometime before taking up Bt cotton cultivation till Punjab Agricultural University completed its research.

CRIME

Youth stabbed to death, one held
Amritsar, February 29
Over a minor altercation in a health club Sher Singh, alias Banty, was stabbed to death by a group of over 9 persons in the Lohgarh area late last evening. Another youth, Vishal, a friend of Sher Singh, was injured in the attack.

EDUCATION

PTU stalemate: students to meet Governor today
Jalandhar, February 29
Agitating B. Tech students (2001 batch), who have been holding a chain fast in front of the Punjab Technical University premises for past eight days, have decided to burn effigies of PTU administration officials at all engineering colleges of the state on March 3 to protest against the “indifference” shown by the university authorities towards their demands.

Govt college to have new building
Kapurthala, February 29
Local Nawab Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Government College would soon have a new building in place of the 150- year-old building.

DC exhorts youth to take interest in literature
Fatehgarh Sahib, February 29
The youth should take a keen interest in literature and by reading, listening and composing satires on social evils, they can contribute a lot to developing a healthy society. This was stated by Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, while presiding over a kavi darbar being organised by the District cultural Society in collaboration with the Nehru Yuvak Kendra Club Sirhind on Thursday night.

Seminar on IT education
Patiala, February 29
A national-level seminar on ‘Emerging trends in information technology education in north-west India’ was organised at the Sri Guru Harkrishan College of Management and Technology here.