Jalandhar, February 15
Kapurthala has remained Jalandhar MP Rana Gurjit Singh’s favourite when it comes to allocation of development funds from his official kitty.

Rana, whose tenure is coming towards a fag end, has earlier too represented Kapurthala as an MLA. The seat later went to his sister-in-law Sukhi Rana during the 2004 byelection. Presently it is being represented by MP’s wife Rajbans Rana.

The MP’s ‘Kapurthala affinity’ can be ascertained from the details available on the official website www.mplads.nic.in. It is clear from the fact sheet that the maximum share from his discretionary funds has gone to Kapurthala as he spent Rs 1.24 crore for the development here. He spent Rs 57.36 lakh on 31 projects which were complete, while another 120 projects were still under way and Rs 64.61 lakh had already been spent on them.

When compared with other blocks in the constituency, it seems as if other blocks have been given a step-motherly treatment. Shahkot, which is a very under-developed block, tops the list as it has not received even a single penny from the MPLAD funds. Though nearly 16 projects have been approved for the area’s development, nothing seems to have been worked out till date. Coming to allocation of funds, Adampur has got the minimum share of Rs 1.2 lakh for the construction of a sports stadium and a dharamshala room. Similarly, Lohian could get only three projects accomplished, all for barely Rs 1.6 lakh. However, five more projects sanctioned for the area are yet to take off as no funds have been allocated for the purpose.

Even the areas of Nakodar and Jalandhar West blocks have received only Rs 4 lakh each. While Nakodar’s seven projects are yet to receive a green signal, Jalandhar East fairs slightly better as Rs 9 lakh have been spent in the area.

However, Kapurthala’s adjoining assemblies had a better deal. An amount of Rs 27.41 lakh has been spent on 19 completed works for Sultanpur Lodhi and another Rs 2.25 lakh for partially completed projects. Dhilwan has got projects worth Rs 2.25 lakh sanctioned with half the amount already spent.

Jalandhar Urban block too has got a reasonably good share of Rs 55 lakh for 39 completed works, most of which include construction or repair of dharamshalas.

Meanwhile, Rana Gurjit Singh could not be contacted for his comments. 

Jalandhar, February 15
The administration should rope in NRIs hailing from Kapurthala for augmenting various government development schemes in the area.

This was stated by Lok Sabha deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal while presiding over a meeting of the district vigilance and monitoring committee at Bachat Bhavan in Kapurthala today.

Atwal said NRIs could play a larger role in the development of their villages as they had the requisite knowledge and the financial resources that could help the people of the area. The government was doing its duty by implementing various programmes and schemes but more needed to be done, he added.

He asked about the progress of various Centre-sponsored schemes and their execution and implementation. He took special interest in schemes pertaining to water supply and sewerage.

He asked the officials to get the works completed within the stipulated time.

Earlier, while briefing the deputy speaker, deputy commissioner J.M. Balamurugan said 80 per cent of the works for the year 2007-2008 under various schemes had been completed so far. The rest would be finished within the stipulated time, he added.

The DC said various suggestions for new schemes had been sent to the government. He assured Atwal that all works would not exceed the time schedule.

Under the Gram Rozgaar Yojna, Rs 268.31 lakh had been spent from a total amount of Rs 287. 69 lakh till January 31. As many as 157 self-help groups had been formed under the Swaran Jayanti Swarozgar Yojna. Out of these, 83 groups had been given funds out of the revolving fund, he added.

A sum of Rs 85. 63 lakh had been spent under the Indira Gandhi Awas Yojna, he said.

SSP Rakesh Aggarwal and ADC (development) K.S. Singh were present. 

Hoshiarpur, February 15
As per the notification of the Delimitation Commission of India (DCoI), Hoshiarpur district, which presently has eight assembly segments, including three reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC), will now have seven segments, including two for the SC.

The district has Mukerian, Tanda, Garhdiwala (SC), Dasuya, Hoshiarpur, Shamchaurasi (SC), Mahilpur (SC) and Garhshankar segments. According to official sources, the DCoI has recommended to change the name of Tanda segment to Urmur and Mahilpur to Chabewal (SC). The Garhdiwala (reserve) segment has been proposed to be abolished and the area, which almost consists of Kandi falls under this constituency, will be merged in the new Urmur and Shamchaurasi segments.

The Balachaur segment, which was part of this district, was merged with Nawanshahr.The DCoI has notified the Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency as reserved for the SC. Presently the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat consists of Dasuya, Tanda, Garhdiwala (SC), Hoshiarpur, Mahilpur (SC), Garhshankar, Balachaur, Anandpur Sahib and Nangal assembly segments. In the proposal, the seat will have Sri Hargobindpur (SC), Bholath, Phagwara (SC), Mukerian, Dasuya, Urmur, Shamchaurasi (SC), Hoshiarpur and Chabbewal (SC). The Balachaur, Anandpur Sahib and Nangal segments will be merged with the newly proposed Anandpur Sahib 
parliamentary constituency.

In the notification, the DCoI has recommended to reserve 34 seats for the SC in the assembly. It has recommended four reserve parliamentary constituencies - Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Faridkot. The Union cabinet has given its approval for the redrawing of the legislative and parliamentary constituencies by accepting the recommendations of the DCoI. — OC

Jalandhar, February 15
After the violent protests in Phagwara on February 12, it was the turn of Kot Badal Khan village residents to stage a dharna demanding the arrest of unidentified persons who had torn the posters of Guru Ravidass.

The mater came to the notice of residents in the morning at about 7 am when they noticed that the posters put up on the eve of Guru Ravidass Jayanti had been torn in the village.

As word spread people from neighbouring villages started arriving in the town and soon large groups of people started going around the village forcing the shopkeepers to put down their shutters. They also raised anti-government and anti-police slogans. The agitators also went to the nearby Nurmahal town and forced the closure of all business establishments.

On coming to know about the tension in the area, a large posse of policemen was deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The presence of a heavy police force could not instill confidence among the shopkeepers and they preferred not to open their shops till late in the evening.

The agitators later sat on a dharna on the main road near Talwan and held up traffic for many hours. Following parleys between the representatives of the protesters and the police, the blockade was lifted. Protesters said in case the culprits were not arrested within two days, they would be forced to give a call for a statewide strike. Protesters also went to the Ambedkar Chowk area and forced the closure of all shops.

Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under section 295-A against unknown persons. — TNS

Jalandhar, February 15
Activists of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) burnt an effigy of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance in the state and the Congress in front of the municipal corporation office for not holding the historic Basant Mela for the second consecutive year.

Jagdish Kataria, spokesperson for the outfit, said the mela had been organised for the past several decades but due to rivalry between the Akali-BJP combine and the Congress, it could not been held this year.

The protesters gathered in the DC complex where a colourful programme was presented by eunuchs. Party activists extended Basant greetings to all those visiting the complex.

“The onset of spring is a momentous occasion that is celebrated by all cutting across all lines. Such occasions also remind us of our rich social and cultural ties, besides providing an opportunity for all to come together and have fun,” he pointed out.

“Politics seems to have taken the centre stage at the cost of the sentiments of the people. The bad blood between the ruling alliance and the Congress has cast its shadow over the festival that is eagerly awaited by the people of this area,” he added.— TNS

Hoshiarpur, February 15
The Mukerian police on Tuesday night booked Ashvani Kumar of Mamoon cantonment, Pathankot, for duping a person of Rs 2.60 lakh in the name of getting his son employed. According to police sources, Raghbir Singh of Purana Bhangala alleged that the accused took the money to get his son Kuldip Singh employed in the Merchant Navy, but failed in fulfilling his promise, and he did not return his money either.

Meanwhile, the police also booked Manjit Singh of Latifpur and Jasbir Singh of Ramgarh Kulian for duping Darshan Devi of Khanpur of Rs 3 lakh in the name of sending her son Narinderpal Singh abroad. — OC

Jalandhar, February 15
The municipal corporation today sealed a building near leather complex on Kapurthala Road as the owner had failed to deposit the house tax despite a notice.

The premises of Virdi Buildings, which was used for making hand tools, was sealed by an MC team led by assistant commissioner D.P. Bhardwaj.

The official pointed out that a notice had been issued to the defaulters that their premises could be auctioned in case they failed to pay.

As many as 24 parties came to the office today to make the payment.

Recent notices issued to defaulting education institutions too have started evoking response. Bhardwaj said of the 14 schools that had been evading house tax, St Soldier School at Mandi Fantom Ganj made the payment today.

Hoshiarpur, February 15
Punjab BSP chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri and general secretary Onkar Singh Jhamat have condemned the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.

In a joint press release issued here today, they said the increase of Rs 2 per litre in petrol and Rs 1 in diesel prices would affect the monthly budget of the common man as it would raise freight charges and other commodity prices.

They said the BSP would launch an agitation against the price hike and pressurise the government to roll back its decision. — OC