 |
|
|
|
|
|
Women dominate election scene in Bholath
Bholath (Kapurthala), September 17 Most political parties took to this strategy after a rumour went around that the MC President seat this time was reserved for a woman. As a result, as many as 18 women of the total 31 candidates are contesting elections this time from 13 wards falling in Bholath. Of these just three are reserved for women and one for SC woman. In fact, most of these women are acting as proxy-candidates as they are hardly aware of the current civic issues and are keeping their husbands on the forefront. Even most posters pasted on the walls around the township tell the real story as the name of the women candidates is less bold than that of their husbands. Interestingly, wives of both the prominent rival group leaders are also contesting the elections. Mr Ved Prakash, sitting President of the council is contesting from ward number 8 this time, has fielded his wife, Ms Vipin Khurana, against himself from the same ward as an independent candidate. This had been done with a key motive of keeping the MC President seat safe in his own family, the Opposition party leaders revealed. “He is now telling everyone to vote for him instead of his wife as he has now somehow managed to know that the seat will not be reserved for women, it could be for an SC candidate. His opponent from SAD, Mr Babu Ram, had been allegedly pressurised to withdraw as some 100 new bogus votes had been added by the Congress in the ward this time. He has paved a clear path for himself at least it his ward,” a senior SAD member said. On the other hand, Mr Joginder Pal, former MC President from SAD, sitting MC President’s arch rival and a business competitor, is not fighting the battle himself and has fielded his wife, Ms Raj Rani, as a candidate from ward number 4. Ms Raj Rani is facing competition from Ms Baljit Kaur, a Congress candidate and wife of a vernacular paper reporter. In its bid to divide the Akali vote, the Congress is also supporting a rebel Akali candidate, Ms Neelam, fighting out as an independent candidate. Significantly, it is not just one reporter fighting out the elections, there are two others who are being supported by SAD. Mr Bhupesh, a vernacular paper reporter is contesting a very tough fight against Mr Joginder Singh Bhinder from ward number 3. Another scribe from a Punjabi daily, Mr Sukhwant Singh Takhar, is being supported as an independent candidate by SAD from ward number 9 which is dominated by the Christian community. The Congress members here are lamenting that their genuine 36 votes have been deleted wrongfully. The fate of ward number 6 will be decided by dominating the Lubana community. Both rival parties have fielded the candidates from the same community. Ms Nishan Kaur, former Vice-President of the MC standing as an independent candidate supported by the Congress, is fighting out a decisive battle against Mr Balwinder Singh, sitting councilor and an NRI.
|
|
|
Stage set for municipal bypoll
Amritsar, September 17 The byelections necessitated due to the death of three councillors promise an interesting contest in ward no 34 between Raman Bakshi (Cong), a relative of Mayor Mr Sunil Datti and an independent candidate Savinder Satta, a close confidant of independent MLA Mr Om Parkash Soni (also a former Congressman). The elections in this ward falling in the zone of Mr Soni is virtually a test case for seeking Congress ticket for MLA’s seat for both MLA and the Mayor. Both Mayor and MLA were trying to establish their supremacy in the area . The matter of ticket allotment to Mayor’s relative in this election had also reached Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, PPCC chief. The Mayor has joined campaigning for Mr Bakshi, while Mr Soni has kept away from extending open support. However, his close confidant Deputy Mayor Sawinder Singh of the Congress has openly endorsed Mr Satta against official Congress candidate, thus promising a crucial fight between the two. Other candidates in this ward include SAD’s Harwinder Singh Kuka and Mohinder Pal Singh Walia of the CPI. The BJP has fielded a former councillor Dr Renu Goel for ward No 56 (reserved for ladies). The BJP candidate here would be facing the Tung family after the demise of Sukhjit Kaur Tung, her daughter-in-law Inderpreet Kaur (Cong) being in the field. The area falling in this ward is totally backward. Therefore, issue of civic amenities takes centerstage. The presence of CPI’s Balwinder Kaur makes it a triangular contest. The BJP and the Akalis are doing hectic campaigning for Dr Renu. A straight contest is expected in ward No 60 between SAD’s Malkeet Walia and Congress’s Navdeep Singh Hundal. Others in the fray here are Dalbaaz Singh (CPI) and independents candidates Harcharan Singh, Gulshan Kumar and Darshan Singh. Meanwhile, Dr Renu has complained to returning officer apprehending booth capturing, false polling and threats to voters for booth number 2, 3, 4, 4-a, 7, 8 falling in ward 56. Mr Amarjit Asal, district secretary, CPI, has raised objections over the inclusion of the photograph of Mr R.L. Bhatia, Governor, Kerala, in posters for candidate Mr Hundal (Cong) of ward No 60.
|
|
|
Dry day today
Kapurthala, September 17
|
|
Army officer cremated with full military honours
Chandigarh, September 17 The officer was among 34 Army personnel who fell into the raging Sutlej after the bailey bridge they were reconstructing at Kharo collapsed. Besides grieving relatives and friends, a large number of Army personnel as well as representatives of the Punjab Government and Chandigarh Administration attended the funeral. Wreaths were laid on the body by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieut-Gen S. Pattabhiraman, General Officer Commanding 2 Corps Ambala, Lieut-Gen K.D.S. Shekhawat, the Chief Engineer, Western Command, Major-Gen Arun Bedi, and other senior officers. Punjab Minister for Animal Husbandry Jagmohan Singh Kang, who is also related to the bereaved family, and Ms Lakhwinder Garcha, OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister were also present. A guard of honour reversed arms while buglers sounded the Last Post, followed by the Rouse. A three-shot volley was also fired as a mark of respect to the officer who had died in the line of duty. The pipes and drums from 2 Maratha Light Infantry played the funeral march as the Tricolour draped casket, with regimental officers acting as pall bearers, was brought to the cremation ground. While Colonel Amardeep, father Mr Rabinder Singh and wife, Manreet maintained a stoic posture, his mother Jasbir Kaur broke down. Earlier, when the casket containing the body was being brought to the cremation ground, Mr Rabinder Singh took the place of one of the officers as the pall bearer. Besides his parents and wife, Colonel Amardeep, who was 35, is survived by two children, six-year old Gulnaaz and three-year old Fateh Veer Singh. The children were not present at the funeral. The only son of his parents, he also leaves behind a sister, Mona. He had been commissioned into the Army in June 1991 and got married in 1997. His parents were settled in Mohali while his wife’s parents are in Chandigarh. The officer, along with his wife and children was residing in K-Area near Zirakpur where his unit is based.
|
|
Assaulted by officer, jawan awaits justice
Jalandhar, September 17 Made to run five miles with “pithu” (weights) on his back in August 1999, he could not complete the race and as a result Inderjit was beaten up so severely that he lost hearing power in one ear and can hear from the other with the help of hearing aid. A fact finding court of inquiry set up by the Army found all those involved in the incident guilty and also found Inderjit Singh, then Lance Naik, guilty of being absent from duty. Years later and despite the ‘court of inquiry suggesting that strict disciplinary action should be taken against the Commanding Officer of the unit, a Captain who was guilty of hitting Inderjit, a Lieutenant, a Subedar, Naib Subedar and a Sepoy, for giving false evidences in the case, the guilty have been promoted and no action has been taken against them. Inderjit Singh who was demoted for being absent from duty, is still awaiting justice to be delivered on the basis of the report of fact-finding court of inquiry. Frustrated, he has now sought legal recourse, and is demanding financial damages for the physical injury suffered by him. Inderjit Singh, who fought for the country in the Kargil war, had barely returned from his leave when he was repeatedly hit on his right ear so hard that he lost hearing power completely. He was hospitalised for 47 days and came out of the hospital with severe hearing loss. As a result he was bracketed in medically unfit category and was denied promotion, says Inderjit who is to retire in a year. The court of inquiry expressed the opinion that Inderjit’s superior, ‘Capt P.S. Arora had hit him hard with his left hand on the ear causing severe injury to him on August 23, 1999, at the practice session”. Inderjit Singh had reportedly taken a short cut to complete the race. The court also stated that efforts were made to hush up the case by the 9 Sikh Light Infantry. Col H. Bahadur did not report the matter in writing to the next formation headquarters. The court also found that there was a gap of seven months in the completion of the court of inquiry and it was forwarded to Brigade after a gap of seven months more. Capt P.S. Arora was held responsible for hiding facts and giving false statement during the unit court of inquiry and staff court of inquiry, according to the opinion of the court. Lieut A.K. Dharwal, Subedar Malkiat Singh and Naib Subedar Gurdev Singh, were held responsible for giving false statements in the case of manhandling of Inderjit Singh. The court maintained that sending Inderjit Singh on nine day casual leave after the incident was also a wrong step. The headquarters of the 25 Infantry Division and HQ 120 Infantry Brigade were pulled up for not taking cognizance of the matter. Inderjit, on his part, has now sought legal recourse in the matter in the Sessions District Court and the counsel appearing on behalf of the officers involved has asked the court to grant him time till October 18 to prepare, a reply in the matter.
|
|
|
Accountant’s error costs schoolboy
two teeth
Patiala, September 17 His fault allegedly was that his father had not paid his school fee. Manjinder was then admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital. The police swung into action as a medico-legal case was made out. It turned out that Manjinder had to pay for a mistake in the accounts section by the school, Apollo Public School, Urban Estate, of which he is a student. According to his father, Jitender Singh, a Railway employee, the school fee of Rs 11,600 for the whole year had been paid well in advance on March 23, 2005, through cheque No. 099352 of the State Bank of Patiala. Yesterday, Manjinder was called to the office and told that his fee had not been deposited. He was again called to the office today for the purpose. When he said the fee had been paid, Mr T.L. Lumba, Director, and Mr Grover, beat the boy, alleged Jitender Singh. Then the school van dropped Manjinder and his younger brother, who is also a student in the same school, home at 11.30 am. “I was home today. I saw Manjinder was crying. When I asked him the matter, he told me of the whole incident. I brought him to the hospital. He is still in trauma,” said Jitender Singh. Mr Lumba, however, denied the charges and said the fee had not been submitted, so the children were sent home. They were not touched at all. In fact, Jitender Singh came to the school, used abusive language and threatened the management, he added. Jitender Singh says the receipt that he had received after paying the fee bore No. 3440 but the fee was deposited in the account No. 3404 by the school accountant. Meanwhile, the Mr M.S. Brar, the SHO of Sadar Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the school falls, claimed that it was out of personal animosity that both Mr Lumba and Mr Jitender Singh were trying to rake up a controversy. He added that the doctor’s report had made it clear that no teeth of the child were broken and that a case under Section 7/51 of the IPC would be made out against both parties.
|
Congress-bashing at SAD conference
Guru Ki Dhab (Faridkot), September 17 Addressing the party rally, Mr Badal accused the Centre of not acting against the Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler, and HKL Bhagat, despite the Nanavati Commission report revealing “credible evidence” against them. He said his party had waged a fight for justice on the issue and wouldn’t rest till these guilty of 1984 riots were brought to book. He said Sikhs had played a vital role in the country’s freedom struggle and laid down their lives for their motherland in wars against neighbouring countries. He said Sikhs had been instrumental in shaping the destiny of the nation, but the Congress had “hurt the community religiously, socially, and economically”. He said his party would hold a massive rally in New Delhi on the issue on November 4. Mr Badal said the state of farmers and youths in the state was
pittiable. He said farmers were committing suicides and educated youths were indulging in crimes due to frustration. MP Sukhbir Badal began his address with a scathing attack on the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. He accused the Chief Minister of ruining the state and trying to weaken SAD by implicating its workers in false cases. He said the Congress leaders were misleading people by stating that Amarinder Singh had got Punjabi youths released from Pakistani jails and that he had played a key role in Lahore-Nankana Sahib road. “If he is so powerful why doesn’t he build Kotkapura-Moga road,” he quipped. SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur said the SGPC was setting up a number of schools and hospitals for people of the state, as government schools and health centres were in bad a shape. Surprisingly, while showering praises on Mr Badal some party leaders also gave him credit for the Prime Minister’s apology for 1984 riots and removal of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from their posts. Later, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Badal laid the foundation stone of a school in Jaito. The SGPC would construct the school at a cost of Rs 8 crore. Party leaders — Manpreet Singh Badal, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Sikander Singh Malooka, Tota Singh, and Mantar Singh Brar — were also present on the
occasion.
|
|||||
|
Mann against Bibi leaving India
Guru Ki Dhab (Faridkot), September 17 Mr Mann said Bibi Jagir Kaur could get death sentence or life imprisonment in the case and apprehended that she would not return from America. On India striking a deal with France on Scorpene submarines and aircrafts, he said India should have waited for France to end its racist policy against Sikhs before going ahead with it. He alleged that both Mr Badal and Mr Amarinder Singh had backed out of commission of enquiries under pressure from the Centre. He accused Mr Badal of giving up his entire agenda for making his son acceptable to all.
|
|
Ramoowalia derides Cong, SAD policies
Guru Ki Dhaab (Faridkot), September 17 Coming down heavily on the SAD and Congress, Mr Ramoowalia alleged that 98 per cent of leaders of these parties were selfish and corrupt. He said political leaders today were busy making money through octroi and liquor contracts and they had nothing to do with people’s problems. “Many political leaders and parties have become a disgrace for us. We hang our heads in shame due to their acts,” he said.
|
|
BJP for all-party meeting over suicide issue
Sangrur, September 17 Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Harjit Singh Grewal, general secretary and spokesman of the Punjab BJP, said there was a need to convene an all-party meeting on the issue of suicides as not only farmers, even traders were committing suicides in the state. He said the meeting was a must to find a solution to this problem at the earliest. He also criticised the Amarinder Singh government for not paying attention to the suicides, being committed by farmers and traders in the state. Regarding the setting up of a Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh, Mr Grewal said a statement made by Ms Sushma Swaraj in this regard was the opinion of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs. He said she had given the statement as the Chairperson of the committee and not as a leader of the BJP. He said the stand of the Punjab BJP over Chandigarh was very much clear and according to it Chandigarh was a part of Punjab and should remain with it. He said statements issued by leaders of different parties were being issued in this regard just to spoil the image of the BJP. Mr Grewal said the state BJP unit and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would contest the ensuing Punjab Assembly elections as alliance partners on the issue of development. He said the alliance between the BJP and the SAD had not been formed to take any political advantage, but it had been formed to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among various communities in the state. Mr Grewal also criticised the Amarinder government for allegedly adopting the policies of privatisation.
|
|
Tarlochan defends Ponty
Patiala, September 17 Their release may be good for their respective families, but the country suffers as concessions have to be made to get them back. The government should, in fact, work for the release of the prisoners of war who were languishing in Pakistan jails, he added. He was in the city along with liquor baron Ponty Chadha in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of Dhudial Khalsa Senior Secondary School. Mr Chadha has assured that he would give funds to construct the third storey of the school building. The foundation stone for which was laid today. The school is in name of Dhudial village in Jhelum district of Pakistan. It was opened in 1956. Mr Chadha’s father, Mr Kulwant Singh, and Mr Tarlochan Singh had migrated from the same village to India after Partition. When questioned about running a liquor mafia in Punjab, Mr Chadha reacted by saying, “Mafia doesn’t generate revenue for the government, but I have been adding huge sums to the state exchequer by doing business.” He said he had decided to diversify in other trades also and would venture into westend malls, sugar industry, besides housing. He hoped to invest hundreds of crore in his new projects. Attacking the SAD for levelling allegations against Mr Chadha, he said political parties should not drag businessmen into political battles. Giving the liquor baron a clean chit, Mr Tarlochan Singh said Mr Chadha had done no wrong as he was depositing more revenue with the state exchequer than previous years. He was the highest bidder in the state any way, he added. “The economy of the state had suffered tremendously during terrorism. Now businessmen from outside should be invited to the state. They should be given a conducive atmosphere to do business and promote interests of the state,” he said. He said the Centre should encourage exchange programmes of people between India and Pakistan as it would further help improve relations between the two countries. Former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGMC), Mr Prahlad Singh Chandok, Lieut-Gen Kirpal Singh Kohli (retd) and former Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr Kulwant Singh, were also present on the occasion.
|
|
Resentment among pensioners
Sangrur, September 17 Stating this here, Mr Sukhdev Singh Jassal, DSP (retired) and a member of Punjab State Government Pensioners Advisory Committee, constituted on October 25, 2004 by the Punjab government for the welfare of government pensioners, further said even after more than three years of the formation of Congress government in Punjab, it seemed that Capt Amarinder Singh had forgotten his promises, made with the pensioners during the previous Assembly elections. Mr Jassal said he had dispatched some registered letters to Capt Amarinder Singh, reminding him his promises, regarding an increase in the monthly medical allowance of the pensioners from Rs 250 to Rs 500 and house maintenance allowance facility to the pensioners, but Capt Amarinder Singh had not bothered about these letters so far. Mr Jassal asked the Punjab Chief Minister to fulfil the promises, with regard to an increase in the monthly medical allowance of the pensioners from March 2002 and house maintenance allowance facility for the pensioners, without any further delay. He further urged the Chief Minister to fulfil all other long-standing demands of the pensioners, which had already been recommended by the Punjab Pay Commission to benefit the pensioners.
|
|
Daya Ram advised against meeting ‘kin’
Amritsar, September 17 Dr B.L. Goyal, director of the hospital, said that last day’s events had deteriorated the condition of the patient. He said yesterday many people had been pestering him with various questions to make him recall his earlier life. Subsequently, doctors gave him special treatment to bring him back to normal state last evening, he added. He said today he was in a good condition. He had directed the security staff of the hospital not to allow anybody to meet him. He said their main thrust was to give him proper treatment to cure his mental disorder, which was a lengthy and cumbersome procedure and cautioned that a little fault could spoil the long efforts. He said the much-needed psychological test to ascertain the extent of torture had to be postponed for this reason. He said it would be started from Monday and would take about four days. At this juncture, it could not be stated with authority what drove Daya Ram to this state of mental instability, he added.
|
|
|
Proposal on old-age pension hailed
Jalandhar, September 17 Stating this, Mr V.S. Jolly, general secretary, of the association, said the UPA government’s proposed Bill could benefit thousands of aged persons as they could hope to receive old-age pension or social security payments. He said the proposed bill would have the way for the setting up of old age homes by the state governments in a phased manner beginning with at least one in each district. Mr Jolly said the salient features of the proposed Bill had been circulated to them by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. He said the Union Minister, Ms Meira Kumar, should convene a meeting of the National Council for Older Persons to deliberate upon the problems of senior citizens. He alleged that no such meeting of the council had been held for the past more than three years.
|
|
|
Housefed cancels booking of flats
Ludhiana, September 17 The report says some insiders in the Housefed probably leaked the information about the scheme to select individuals. The Housefed authorities had already cancelled the scheme which was opened and closed yesterday morning. Protest by several aspirants, who had come to submit forms, led to the cancellation. A senior official of the bureau said the method of allotting the flats was highly suspicious. He said though the advertisement was issued yesterday morning only stating that the allotments would be made on first come first served basis at 9 a.m. yesterday. Aspirants had come from as far as Gurdapsur with the required draft of Rs 75,000. The bureau officials said several top ranking employees could be involved. The report has sought institution of a regular inquiry into the incident so that a case can be registered. A large number of aspirants for the scheme, who had come from all parts of the state, staged a protest outside the office of the Housefed yesterday. Mr K.K. Bawa, Chairman, Housefed, said he had cancelled the booking following the allegations. He further said the scheme would be re-advertised.
|
|
Power colony goes powerless
Amritsar, September 17 While residents tried to contact the power colony substation its phone allegedly remained off the hook. Mr Rajiv Kumar Sen of area admitted that power was disrupted today due to technical fault. Mr Paramjit Singh Varpal in charge of the area said they were facing maximum breakdowns in the area and had written a DO letter to SE protection and maintenance (P&M).
|
|
MP for action against travel agents
Gurdaspur, September 17 The government should not spare unscrupulous elements who duped the youth of their money as well as freedom. It was surprising that many politicians reached the Wagah check post to get their photos clicked with the prisoners returning from Pakistan. However, none of them demanded action against the agents who were responsible for the misery of those prisoners. Many released prisoners have narrated their woes that the agents took huge amounts from them promising greener pastures in western countries. However, it was sad state of affairs that the Punjab Government was not taking suo motu of news-reports regarding the travel agents. Mr Gill said he had written to the Chief Minister to give financial help to the released prisoners.
|
|
Sikh jatha crosses over to Pakistan
Amritsar, September 17 The jatha would observe the death anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji there . Normally, four jathas in a year were given permission for the pilgrimage but for the first time, a fifth jatha was permitted, said jatha leader Mr Baldev Singh of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The jatha crossed over from the Indo-Pak joint checkpost at Wagah. Mr Baldev said all 190 pilgrims were granted visas and the rest would cross over to Pakistan tomorrow. The jatha members would also participate in kar sevas at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Chuna Mandi, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda (Faroqabad), Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Hasan Abdal) and Gurdwara Dera Sahib (Lahore) during the 15-day stay there.
|
|
HC seeks details on undertrials in mental hospital
Chandigarh, September 17 The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice D.K. Jain and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta also sought other details and complete particulars of such under-trials. Among the details that have been sought are the court/jail, district of the place where they are jailed and the offences under which they are facing trial. The Bench also asked the court counsel and counsel for the State Government to assist the court as to why proceedings against such undertrial patients, depending upon the period of their confinement in judicial custody, not be quashed in light of their mental health. Hearing will now resume on October 20. Some years ago, the High Court had taken suo motu notice of media reports regarding the issue. In fact, in 2003, Dr A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), had come across one Jai Singh, a mentally unsound under trial at Ambala. The NHRC chief, who was on a visit to Ambala, discovered that the under trial had been in custody for nearly 17 years. The NHRC then became a party to the ongoing case in the High Court. A report, prepared by the NHRC, which talked of the steps needed to take in such case, was also submitted in the court.
|
|
|
Vacant posts of HC judges to be filled
Mansa, September 17 The Chief Justice said with the filling up of these posts about two lakh pleas that were lying pending for hearing would be taken up. Addressing a gathering, Mr Jain said people should also sort out their disputes at the panchayat level so as to reduce burden on the judiciary. He said the setting up of sessions court in the district would facilitate quick and cheap access to judicial process for people. He said a court of judicial magistrate would be set up in Sardulgarh on fulfilment of basic amenities. Mr R.P. Nagrath took over as the first sessions judge of the district. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Raj Kamal Chaudhuri, said the establishment of sessions court in Mansa would take away the “backward” tag from the district’s name.
|
|
Shifting of Justice Roy: Mann writes to Kalam
Chandigarh, September 17 The Law Ministry had forwarded the recommendation, made by the Collegium of Supreme Court Judges, to transfer Mr Justice Roy for the second time in less than six months to the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, for his approval earlier this week. In a letter written to the President, Mr Mann urged Dr Kalam to intervene in the matter and ensure that ‘’no injustice is done to Mr
Justice Roy’’. Copies of Mr Mann’s letter were distributed at a Press conference here. On the rejection of his plea seeking the removal of the Director-General of Police, Mr S.S. Virk, Mr Mann said he would move an application in the Supreme Court contesting the appointment of Mr Virk. He alleged that the DGP had earlier been chargesheeted and should be removed.
|
|||||
|
Legal literacy camp
Fatehgarh Sahib, September 17 The participants were educated about the concept of free legal aid and Lok Adalats. The camp was presided over by Mr Nanu Ram, Assistant District Attorney (Legal Services), Fatehgarh Sahib. A large number of people attended the camp. Mr Nanu Ram said the SCs/STs, children, women, mentally and physically challenged persons, industrial workers, victims of natural disasters, victims of human trafficking and persons having annual income less than Rs 30,000 annually were entitled to get free legal aid in courts. It included counsel’s fee, processing fee and other miscellaneous expenses. He also highlighted the importance of Lok Adalats.
|
|||||
|
Cop remanded in 3-day police custody
Kharar, September 17 Inspector Harjinder Singh was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau team, led by DSP Kanan Singh, on a charge of accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 which was allegedly a part of a deal. The bureau arrested the suspect from his house in Ludhiana on a complaint lodged by Mr Bal Kishan, a lottery agent. The complainant had alleged that the SHO had threatened him to implicate him in a false case if he failed to pay the amount the latter had demanded.
|
|||||
|
|
Graft charge against SDE
Hoshiarpur, September 17 Members of these associations have even complained to the PSEB Chairman against the official, besides from launching a protest, demanding the registration of an FIR against him for harassing them. They have also demanded immediate suspension of the SDO and also give a representation to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. On the other hand, members of different unions of the PSEB employees have also launched a protest from a common front against the industrialists who allegedly stormed into the SDO’s office and reportedly, used abusive language with the staff. They alleged that the industrialists disrupted them from performing their duties, ransacked the office and made over 10 staff members captive for a long time. Demanding that cases be registered against the industrialists, the union members threatened to intensify their protest. Mr Vishal Puri, alleged that he complained to Mr Dosanjh about the defaulted power meter of his industrial unit on September 12 and even gave a sum of Rs 12,000 to the board authorities for its replacement after a team of flying squad wing of the PSEB checked it. “I made a phone call to the SDO, who demanded a ‘woman’ in lieu of the work. I explained the matter to my father, Mr Satish Kumar Puri, and subsequently to the Factory Owners Association”, claimed Mr Puri. Mr C.M. Puri, president of the Factory Owners Association, complained to the Chairman and the Members Secretary of the Board, following which the authorities marked an inquiry to Mr Opinder Singh Khamba, Executive Engineer. When contacted, Mr Kulwinder Singh Dosanjh, SDO, denied the allegations, saying the industrialists had been trying to frame him in a false case. He added that the department had charged fee for the replacement of the power meter from the consumer after the flying squad team submitted its report. He further added that the industrialists disrupted his staff from performing their duty and had been trying to save their skin after the PSEB employees demanded the registration of criminal cases against them. Mr Bhagat Singh Saini, Superintending Engineer, was not available for comments.
|
|
Disrupted bus service hits students
Rampura Phul (Bathinda), September 17 The college is located halfway on the road joining Rampura town and Phul village. They are finding it very difficult to reach the college after the discontinuation of bus service. The transporters have stopped the bus service between Rampura town and Phul village after the people of nearby villages and local residents protested against the move to increase the bus fare from Rs 3 to Rs 4. The routes of the buses, which earlier used to ply between Rampura and Phul, have been changed and these now pass through Mehraj village to avoid the commuters of Rampura Phul. Though girl students of the college have the facility of college buses but the boys and the staff are finding it difficult to commute daily. Mr Charandev Singh Mann, District Transport Officer, he said the dispute over the increase in bus fare had not been brought to his notice. But after talking to the transporters, Mr Mann said the transporters alleged that they had been threatened by some residents to maintain the fare at Rs 3. He said apprehending that activists of various unions might damage their buses, transporters had discontinued the bus service. He said he would look into the whole matter and solve it as early as possible.
|
|
|
Nursing Council meeting
Chandigarh, September 17
|
|
Engineering seats increased
Landran, September 17
|
Singla announces bonanza for Bathinda
Bathinda, September 17 Mr Singla said of the two textile projects of Rs 1,000 crore each the empowering committee had already approved one, while the other was awaiting nod. He said Bathinda would be developed as textile hub of Malwa. The Finance Minister also announced that the
Chief Minister would visit cotton fields of the region next week. He said a special assessment had been ordered to find out the damage caused to cotton crop due to intermittent rains in the past one week. He assured the cotton farmers better prices for their produce. He said the state government had urged the Centre for creating a price stabilisation fund so that farmers didn’t suffer. He said a meeting would with experts would be held on the issue of octroi abolition in Delhi on September 22, which would discuss the most suitable alternative of the four proposed. Mr Singla said he came here to find out the status of development projects already announced and initiated by him three months ago. He also gave Rs 50 lakh to the municipal corporation for development works. He said 11 roads would be re-laid in the city with NABARD’s aid by October end. He also announced construction of a railway under bridge for residents of trans-railway colonies, an over bridge for national highway, and widening of a canal bridge, for regulating traffic flow in the city. He said the Union Finance Minister had asked him to meet a NABARD representative to chalk out a development plan for Bathinda. He said projects worth Rs 120 crore had already been sanctioned for providing basic amenities to the city residents. He said all these works would be started within two months and shall be over before next elections.
|
|
Motor cycle company holds exchange fair
Patiala, September 17 On display are all Royal Enfield models and variants. The State Bank of Patiala has tied up with the oldest manufacturer of motor cycles in the world to provide instant finance to buyers. For motorbike freaks, the mela offers free test ride of any model and spot exchange of any old vehicle. The company is launching two new bikes — Electra 5S and Thunderbird. The company is 104 years old. The UK Government recently released a stamp on Royal Enfield while the Government of India is planning to release a stamp on it in November this year. According to the organisers, the response to the mela is overwhelming and Royal Enfield hopes to sell around 300 bikes during the mela.
|
|
|
Showroom inaugurated
Fatehgarh Sahib, September 17 Mr Sadhanshu Shiromani, regional manager of the company, presided over the function. Mr Kalra said new technology in every sphere was the need of the hour, especially in automobiles and the IT sector. He said India was not lagging behind in the field of automobiles as a new range of luxury cars was now available in India. Mr Sadhanshu Shiromani said the company proposed to sell 1,000 vehicles in Punjab in one month.
|
|
|
Beopar Mandal office-bearers Ropar, September 17 Mr Sudershan Singh was elected chairman of the mandal, and Mr Nek Chand vice-chairman. Mr Balwinder Singh would be the senior vice president while Mr Paramjit Singh would be the general secretary. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
