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SGPC elections dominate at Hola Mohalla
Man poisons three step-daughters
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Inside Babudom
Makkar for gurdwara in Banda Bahadur’s name in J&K
3 yrs and raring to go, SAD rally on March 2
Cong asks Badal to rein in MLAs in House
Precious stubble goes up in flames
Plight of Border Residents — 3
SGPC’s free-stay offer to Pak Sikhs
Agitating teachers want jobs without test
3 pilgrims killed in accident
State roads to be developed under World Bank plan
Police commissioners yet to get magisterial powers
Sugar auction fails to make common man’s life sweeter
Pbi denied second-language status in Chandigarh
UNESCO report a conspiracy: Experts
Organic crop farmers seek admn help
Ex-MLA’s kin held for ‘immoral’ activities
Theft cases on rise in Sangrur
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SGPC elections dominate at Hola Mohalla
Anandpur Sahib, February 28 SAD stalwarts, including Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Union Minister SS Dhindsa and SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar targeted the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee’s chief PS Sarna for his active involvement in gurdwara politics, solely eyeing the SGPC elections. In a frontal attack on Sarna, Makkar said he had teamed up with the Congress against the Sikhs. “Sarna chose to remain silent over Sajjan Kumar’s role in the 1984 riots. People of Punjab can now easily judge his character and the kind of affiliation he has for the Sikh religion,” he said. In an oblique reference made to the sectarian crisis, he said the SGPC had always condemned the self-styled godmen, while Sarna never criticised them openly. Addressing the masses, Sukhbir Badal said the SAD-BJP government had ushered in power revolution in the state by commissioning four thermal plants. By 2011, Punjab would be power surplus. He lashed out at the UPA government for ruining the industrial economy of Punjab by giving packages to neighboring states. “Despite repeated requests, the central government is yet to give its mind on not extending the said package beyond March 31, 2010. Even the Union Budget remained silent on it,” he said. Commenting on the forthcoming SGPC elections he said, “Some outsiders are trying to create communal disharmony and divide the Sikh community. Such people merely harp over panthic issues to capture control of the SGPC not with a mission to serve the Sikh panth.” He said after miserably failing to create a parallel SGPC in Haryana, the Congress was now sponsoring dummy Akali Dals to seek entry in Sikhs’ Supreme Parliament SGPC. Castigating Congress-led UPA for the unprecedented price rise, SAD President said it was Rs 700 crore atta dal scheme that was keeping the hearths of 17 lakh poor families in Punjab warm. Sukhbir Badal said in the Congress-led states like Haryana and Rajasthan, even poor were being forced to buy pulses at Rs 90 per kg. Later, while addressing mediapersons, Badal said the Punjab police had already arrested 90 people identified for creating ruckus over the Dera Sacha Sauda issue and damaging public property. He categorically stated that the government won’t tolerate any sort of complacency on the part of the police force in combating such emergent situations. CM gives rally a miss
Long hours of travelling and strenuous schedule have started spelling its effect on CM Parkash Singh Badal’s health. For the first time, the CM missed Hola Mohalla celebrations on Sunday due to lower back pain. Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal took over on his behalf. CM office employees said 84-year-old Badal had been following a very hectic routine of visiting places and holding meetings. “He is always present at meetings before time. At times, even officers attending meetings get late,” he pointed out. According to HoD of Orthopaedics, PGIMER Chandigarh, Dr MS Dhillon, the Chief Minister has been advised a complete bed rest for 48 hours. X-rays and other diagnostic tests conducted on the Chief Minister revealed no major abnormality.
Cong bigwigs stay away too
The Congress bigwigs skipped political conference put up on occasion of Hola Mohalla today. Former CM Captain Amrinder Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s absence remained conspicuous. While Captain has skipped the conference for third consecutive year, Bhattal remained absent this time only. Last year, Union Minister Ambika Soni had been present at the Congress stage, but this time she, too, missed. Congress leader Mohinder Singh Kaypee reached spot just an hour before culmination of the rally, MP Ravneet Singh Bittu arrived at around 2 pm. Main organiser MLA Rana KP Singh, besides MLAs Luv Kumar Goldy, Sukhpal Khaira, Balbir Singh Sidhu and Congress leader Romesh Dutt Sharma were also present at the occasion. Coming down on SAD-BJP, Khaira demanded immediate resignation of Home Minister Sukhbir Badal and need for an urgent all party meeting to discuss fast deteriorating law and order in Punjab. “There is complete breakdown of constitutional machinery in state,” he said. MP Ravneet Singh Bittu claimed that the Congress government has given new trains to region, while the SAD-BJP government has failed to do any such thing.
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Man poisons three step-daughters
Amritsar, February 28 Jasbir Singh, 40, managed to flee after committing heinous crime. The incident has show-cased the real psyche of certain pockets of rural Punjab, where birth of a girl child was still leading to frustration and even crimes. Circumstantial evidence has led the police authorities to believe that Jasbir Singh first poisoned his three step-daughters -
Manpreet, alias Gabbar, (11), Jyoti (17) and Bhootan (16) - and then attacked unconscious girls with some sharp-edged weapon, probably a knife. While, Gabbar and Jyoti succumbed to their injuries, Bhootan was fighting for her life in a local hospital, where her condition was stated to be serious. Jasbir’s second wife and mother of the three ill-fated girls Gurmit Kaur was away to Dera Baba Badbhag Singh in
Una, Himachal Pradesh, to participate in the Hola Mohalla
celebrations. Jasbir had married Gurmit about four years ago after the death of his first wife. Though he was expecting birth of a boy,
Gurmit, who already had three daughters from her first marriage, had given birth to a girl,
Rupan, about one and half years ago. Birth of the girl had apparently been disturbing
Jasbir. The crime, according to Tarn Taran SSP Sukhdev Singh Brar, came to light when Jasbir’s father Ram Singh and other family members saw no movement in the room, where the three girls were sleeping, along with
Jasbir. Their further probe not only made them to see the ghastly scene in the blood stained room, they also observed that Jasbir was missing from the home. Ram Singh informed the police about the incident. Neighbours told the police that Jasbir often shared his worries over gigantic task of marriage of his three step-daughters, particularly after the birth of
Rupan. Brar said the bodies were subjected to postmortem at the Civil Hospital, while Bhootan had been sent to
Amritsar-based Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 302 and 307 of the
IPC.
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Rajdeep Singh Gill retires
Prabhjot Singh Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 28 Gill has been one of ardent followers of sports, an excellent sports organiser and promoter besides evincing keen interest in producing sports literature, tracing history of not only police officials of the state, both of pre-Partition and post-Partition Punjab, but also of outstanding sportspersons of the state in general and the Punjab police in particular. His book “Grit and Glory” is perhaps the Bhagwad Gita of Punjab sports. Incidentally, he is the elder brother of Punjab DGP PS Gill and son of late Nachhattar Singh Gill, a Congress MLA from Moga, who fell to bullets of terrorists. RS Gill has brought innumerable laurels to his state as well as country. During his police career and as a sports organiser, he was the brain behind 12 international and 23 national championships besides about 150 state-level championships and tournaments. He was the Chef-de-Mission of the Punjab contingent in the National Games 2001, where Punjab won 62 gold, 44 silver and 57 bronze (total 163 medals) and again Chef-de-Mission of the Punjab contingent in the National Games in 2002 where Punjab won 54 gold, 37 silver and 55 bronze medals (total 146 medals). Under the leadership of RS Gill, Punjab won Overall Championship in 2001 and was Runner-Up in 2002. This was the best performance of Punjab in the National Games. He was also Chairman of the Ceremonial and Protocol Committee and member of the Organising Committee during the 31st National Games held in Punjab in 2001. RS Gill, a dsciplined, dedicated and committed police officer recruited over one thousand sportsmen and women in the Punjab police of whom 61 became international champions, 67 national champions. After he became President of the Basketball Association of Punjab, the state has won 20 gold, 31 silver and 17 bronze medals in National Basketball Championships in various age groups. Incidentally, he is the only police officer honoured by the Punjab government and the Punjab Olympic Association for his contribution to sports. He was given this honour in 1987. He has also been decorated with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1990 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Services in 2002. He is also the author of “The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Fort Phillaur 200 years 1809-2009” published in 2010. At present, he is writing two other books, one of which is on sports. He got over 300 grounds (for various sports) constructed in the state with the help of village panchayats, institutions, district authorities and others.
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Makkar for gurdwara in Banda Bahadur’s name in J&K
Amritsar, February 28 Makkar also said the original gold coins released during Baba Banda Bahadur regime and used as currency in those days would also be released during the tercentenary celebrations of Baba Banda Bahadur scheduled to be held at Sirhind from May 12 to 14. “These heritage coins would be available for those who urge to possess them, but at a price depending upon their weight and carrot value,” he said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would be part of the tercentenary celebrations. Makkar had sent a personal invitation to Omar to participate in the momentous occasion named as “Sirhind Fateh Diwas”, the three-day celebrations. While recalling the connection of the great Sikh General, a native of Jammu and Kashmir, Makkar appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide land in Rajouri for setting up of suitable memorial and build a gurdwara after his name. “The possession of the land should be handed over to SGPC, which would be ready to take the responsibility of constructing a gurdwara”, said Makkar. As part of the celebrations, a nagar kirtan would be commenced from three directions- one from Rajouri (J&K) on May 11; another one from Nanded Sahib (Maharashtra) and third congregation would start from Mehrouli (Delhi). The three processions would be reaching Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. The SGPC has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to take care of arrangements, especially over 100 vehicles to ferry the congregation.
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3 yrs and raring to go, SAD rally on March 2
Patiala/Rajpura,
February 28 It is
being organised to lay the foundation stone of 1320-MW Thermal Power
Project and the expenditure for the event would be borne by L & T,
the company that has been awarded the said project. While the Punjab
State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities and the government
functionaries are claiming that the event would be organised as a part
of the stone laying ceremony of the thermal power project. But, senior
SAD (B) leaders have categorically said March 2 function would be
nothing but the rally would mark the completion of three years of the
SAD-BJP government. Officiating Patiala Deputy Commissioner Priyank
Bharti said the function was being organised jointly by the PSEB and
L&T. Sources said L&T would incur all expenses for the function
and the PSEB would extend its assistance in the form of employees,
required for making arrangements. “Since approach road to the project
site is narrow, they have decided dignitaries would address the public
at Rajpura Grain Market,” PSEB chairman HS Brar said. “We have set
a target of one lakh people from Patiala, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib to
attend the rally. District and block-level committees were constituted
to ensure maximum participation from the city and villages in the
rally” SAD (B) general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra
said. Chairman of the District Planning Committee Surjit Singh Rakhra
said he had been asked to bring people in 125 buses for the rally. When
asked about who was paying for the buses, he fumbled for words, saying
that “sab ho jauga (everything would be done)”. Consequently, the
infrastructure at the grain market had been totally damaged. Three
stages, including 8-feet-high VVIP stage had been set up. According to a
rough estimate, about one lakh bricks were being put to use for setting
up the stages. The venue would accommodate around 30, 000 chairs.
Besides, the waterproof tent was being erected. Perturbed with this,
some arthiyas at grain market rued the organisers had damaged the cement
flooring of the market by installing iron pillars to erect tents.
“Recently, the organisers of a religious function were not allowed to
put even a single nail on the cemented floor but now since it is
government affair, no one is bothered about the damage,” they added.
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Cong asks Badal to rein in MLAs in House
Chandigarh, February 28 In a statement here, Khangura said though the CM was an elder statesman, the same could not be said about his son Sukhbir Badal and that there was a need to ensure “Sukhbir’s MLAs maintained a certain level of civility and clarity”.
Khangura said he understood that during the last session, the SAD did not want a discussion on the law and order front as well as the disturbances in
Ludhiana. He said the Congress, however, did not think that this would mean an end to democratic debate and discussion as had happened during the last Assembly session. The Congress leader said notwithstanding the breach of privilege proceedings against the Leader of the Opposition, the fact remains that the Congress Legislative Party did not act differently in any manner from earlier Vidhan Sabha Sessions. “What happened in December 2009 was a premeditated action by your MLAs on unsuspecting colleagues of mine,” he added. Claiming that the entry of Sukhbir had resulted in deterioration in the atmosphere in the Assembly, Khangura appealed to the CM to use his position to control ‘disruptive elements’ that were seeking to detract from the business of the House.
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Precious stubble goes up in flames
Channo (Gidderbaha), February 28 Not many of them are aware that 1.4 kg of rice husk can produce one unit of electricity worth peak season rate of Rs 7 and the rice straw they burn in the field can give them as much money, if not more, as their marketable produce of wheat or rice does. All they need is little more mechanisation of their harvest, making it compact and packed in bales for transportation to nearby biomass power-generation unit. Farm experts agree that foodgrains they produce are only a miniscule part of their total crop. Though of late, some of them have been making their farm residue as a marketable commodity by supplying the straw to distilleries, paper mills, brick kilns and other industrial units that use alternate fuel for running their boilers to energise their turbines for meeting their own power
requirements. Channo, though one of modern looking village in Muktsar, the home district of the
Badals, has taken the lead in setting example for others by producing electricity from biomass or agricultural waste. Practically it may not be the first power plant of its type in the state, as two others are already functional at Gandhatop and
Gulabewala, but have almost half of the generation capacity each of the Channo plant. It is Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal, who has been looking at every opportunity that can generate power and contribute towards mitigating the power shortages in the state. He says he has 29 biomass power plants planned for the length and breadth of the state
to contribute more than 400 MW of power. Interestingly, the plant supplies its entire produce to
Gidderbaha, losing in the transmission of about 4,000 units that come to around 1 per cent against 20 per cent transmission losses
normally reported at thermal plants. “It is a revolutionary idea to meet growing power supply demands of the state. We have tremendous potential in this unexplored area. All we need is public awareness,” said RK
Mittal, general-manager, Universal Bio-mass Energy Private limited, the company that has set up this Rs 80 crore plant on 30 acres of land, located at a equidistance of 2 km each from both Channo and Lalbhai villages. He said collecting fuel for the plant is a gigantic task now. Besides collecting dry leaves, wood, straw and husk, equally demanding and costly are its
transportation. “The fuel is processed to ensure that there are no carbon emissions,” said head, Human Resource and Administration at Channo plant, MS
Saini.
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Plight of Border Residents — 3 Chander Parkash Tribune News Service
Ferozepur, February 28 As the successive state governments have not bothered to think about the plight of the residents of the border area for over six decades, the vision of youth has been narrowed as they are unable to think beyond making both ends meet. A survey done in villages located in the vicinity of the Indo-Pak border revealed that anyone would rarely come across a family, whose son or daughter had been inducted as an employee into a state government department. Raj Kumar, a resident of Chandi Wala village, says: “Braving all odds, I managed to pass BA from a college located in Ferozepur city last year and became the first graduate in the village. As there is no job opportunity, I am forced to rear cattle to earn for my family.” Two other youths of this village, Anoop Singh and Pipal Singh, who had also done graduation, had been searching for jobs but finding none had been tilling their small piece of agricultural land, he added. Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Mohar Jamsher village, says: “I have passed Class XII and due to the lack of job opportunities I bring fodder from nearby fields twice a day for the cattle.” Government and non-government agencies also expressed concern over the rising unemployment among the educated, uneducated, skilled and unskilled youth of the border villages. The unemployment rate, which was 5.99 per cent in this district in 1993-94, went up to 7.32 in 1999-2000 and it had still been rising. Parminder Singh, general secretary, PPCC, said he had taken up the matter of creating job opportunities in the border areas with the Prime Minister. Hansa Singh, president Border Area Development Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, said they had demanded 5 per cent quota in government jobs for the residents of villages falling in a 5 km belt of the Indo-Pak border. He said the committee had also urged the Centre to give soft loans to the border area residents for starting their ventures. Sukhjit Singh Gill, district employment officer, said he had written to private schools to recruit their staff members through the district employment office. The residents said more and more people from the border areas must be recruited in the Border Security Force and special battalions of youths from these areas must be raised to protect the borders and check the smuggling of narcotics. (To be continued)
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SGPC’s free-stay offer to Pak Sikhs
Amritsar February 28 Meanwhile, SGPC chief Avtar Singh has once again urged the Indian and Pakistani governments to allow an 11-member delegation to visit the strife-torn area to understand the ground realities there. —
TNS
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Agitating teachers want jobs without test
Chandigarh, February 28 The Education Department that is at its wits end in trying to solve the imbroglio over recruitment of those who have done Elementary Teacher Training and are agitating for jobs, is finding out that there are more associations than can meet the eye. This is because there is an association of 500 plus persons who had got jobs on the basis of ETT training, but were dismissed when it came to light that the experience certificates they had submitted were bogus. The persons have been given a number of chances to explain themselves, but instead of that are demanding they be taken back immediately. There is another association of substitute computer teachers, who were given temporary employment earlier, but later promised adjustment if they improved their qualifications. Around 10,000 such teachers have improved their qualification under this scheme. However, 400 teachers, who have failed to improve their qualification and have also failed three tests, are demanding they be also adjusted without further testing. The government gave these candidates a fourth ‘mercy chance’ on January 17 that none of them took. Both these groups of teachers and two separate associations of those who have undertaken ETT courses in Punjab and Jammu are agitating in Kapurthala, the constituency of Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur. Both groups of ETT certificate holders from Punjab and Jammu are also vehement against any qualifying test. The government is clearly in a fix in such a situation. The CM has ordered that ‘merit’ be observed, but what this means has not been made clear. However successive parties have been befooling these graduates that they would meet their ‘demands’ when they come into power, which has led to a surfeit of associations.
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3 pilgrims killed in accident
Anandpur Sahib, February 28 The deceased have been identified as Bitta, Neela and Romi, all from the Dharamkot area of Moga. The fourth victim, Vairnder Singh, is said to be in a serious condition and is currently undergoing treatment at Bhai Jaita Ji Civil Hospital, Anandpur Sahib.
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State roads to be developed under World Bank plan
Bathinda, February 28 Talking to The Tribune yesterday, Punjab PWD B&R Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said the Department of PWD B&R had earlier submitted a project to the World Bank under the scheme, which had been approved by the World Bank. Now, this scheme was with the Finance Department, Punjab, for fiscal approval, after which the PWD Department would invite bids from the contractors to give them contracts for 10 years for repairing, maintaining or upgradation of the roads, he added. Dhindsa said in the first phase 900 km-long roads of Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar and Barnala districts in Malwa region, Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts in Majha region and Hoshiarpur, Ropar and Nawanshehar districts in Doaba region, would be given to the contractors for repairing and maintaining or upgradation. Dhindsa said after handing over the contracts to the contractors, there would be no interference of the PWD B&R Department in the repair, maintenance and upgradation of those roads, as the contractors on their own responsibility would do these works. He, however, said the PWD Department would fix parameters for repair, maintenance and upgradation of the roads by the contractors. The minister also said in case, the contractor would not do quality work, then he would be held responsible for the same and the department would initiate the action for the same. He also said the pilot project on this scheme would be started after the approval of the project by the Punjab Finance Department, while actual work of repair, maintenance or upgradation of the roads would begin up to December.
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Police commissioners yet to get magisterial powers
Ludhiana, February 28 The state government has appointed joint police commissioners for Jalandhar and Amritsar town but no such posting has been made for Ludhiana town. The government is yet to decide about the number two position for the Ludhiana police commissionerate. Ludhiana may get one deputy commissioner of police with a rank of SSP and three additional deputy commissioners of police and about a dozen assistant police commissioners (ACPs). The ACPs will be in
the rank of DSP and Ludhiana already has 11 DSPs. AR Talwar, Principal Secretary (Home), today said, “Under section 72 of the Punjab Police Act, the police commissioners will enjoy all powers which the SSPs were enjoying and they will report to the DGP direct.” Regarding the magisterial powers to be given to the police commissioners, Talwar said, “The police commissioners will enjoy the maximum powers to maintain law and order in their towns. They will get all powers now being enjoyed by the executive magistrates.”
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Sugar auction fails to make common man’s life sweeter
Ludhiana, February 28 Since the Food and Civil Supplies Department gave away the huge quantity during two-day auction that concluded here yesterday, it failed to benefit the common man as the traders bid for it at a price ranging between Rs 31.25-36.50 per kg. Though the traders were of the opinion that if the government really wanted the benefit to reach the masses, it should have passed it on through the Public
Distribution System. According to legal experts, the department wanted to distribute the sugar at controlled prices, but perusal of legal procedures forced them to auction it. As per the recently amended Essential Commodities Act, the Deputy Commissioner while exercising the powers of a collector can either sell the confiscated commodity at controlled prices or can auction it. “Since we do not have control price for sugar in Punjab, we had to auction it. This was the only way to get sugar circulated in the market. But it is sad that it has gone back to the traders only. However we are sure that it will make a difference,” said Charanjit Singh Bakshi, legal advisor of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
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Pbi denied second-language status in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, February 28 Similarly, he said Punjabi was a medium of instruction in HP till 1966 and was widely spoken in both Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. He said Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit had given Punjabi the joint language status in Delhi and other states should also do the same. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said he would ensure that Punjabi was implemented in the state within one year. He said recruitments would be done to make this a reality if needed. Those attending the function included the former VCs of Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr J S Puar and Dr S P Singh, Kurukshetra University VC Lt Gen D D S Sandhu, Lovely Professional University VC Ashok Mittal, MP Raj Babbar, Gurdas Mann, Sukhshinder Shinda and Jaspal Bhatti.
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UNESCO report a conspiracy: Experts
Patiala, February 28 Prominent among those who made these terse observations included Chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters, Dr Fakhar Zaman, president of the USA Chapter of World Punjabi Centre (WPC), Gurumel Sidhu, VC of MJP University, Bareilly, Dr SP Gautam, VC of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Dr S.S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Dr Jaspal Singh, and Vice-President of the Sahitya Academy, Dr Sutinder Singh Noor. The conference is being organised by the Punjabi University’s World Punjabi Centre in collaboration of Sahitya Academy, New Delhi. Speaking at the conference, Dr Fakhar Zaman dubbed UNESCO report as a culmination of a conspiracy hatched for some vested interests. He advocated the cause of constituting a joint commission of Punjabi supporters settled across the world to fight out threats causing panic among them. He appealed to the diaspora to work for assimilation of ideas instead of creating islands of their own for the enrichment of Punjabi language. Professor of Genetics at California State University Gurumel Sidhu in his keynote address highlighted various aspects related to the subject, including cultural camouflage, cultural amalgamation, cultural transformation and cultural metamorphosis. Dr SS Gill hinted at the emergence of cultural symbiosis in the wake of mighty forces of globalisation, where languages and cultures will merge into a common entity. Prof SP Gautam was of the opinion that religious policies were more damaging than the issues related with linguistic differences. He urged the Punjabis on both sides of the border to help break the “Indo-Pak” wall like the Berlin Wall. Meanwhile, Punjabi University VC Dr Jaspal Singh released a set of books by Dr Harjit Singh Gill, a voluminous number edited by Fakhar Zaman on Amrita Pritam and books written by Kirpal Singh Pannu, CP Kamboj and Avtar Dhanjal on use of computer technology for promotion of Punjabi language.
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Organic crop farmers seek admn help
Fatehgarh Sahib, February 28 “We grow healthy veggies and fruits without using chemicals and quantity of our produce is not as much as compared to the ones grown with chemicals,” said Ripudman of Haripur village. He said: “We fail to get good price in market for our quality crop as we have to sell the produce at one common place where chemical-laced fruits and veggies are also sold. However we could get good price of our produce if we manage to get a separate place.” A representation was given to Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan in this regard with the help of Agriculture Department Officials. The farmers said since the nutrient value of organic vegetables was more than the chemical-laced fruits, it was healthy, if used continuously. The farmers have decided to continue organic farming for the next five years. “The quantity would increase with the passage of time as chemicals used in soil for past long time have damaged the nutrient value. The soil would adopt natural nutrients if we continue organic farming for at least next five years,”
the farmers said.
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Ex-MLA’s kin held for ‘immoral’ activities
Gidderbaha (Muktsar), February 28 According to SHO Kulwinder Singh, MLA’s nephew Diwakar Aggarwal and his friend Jatinder Kumar were trying to indulge in immoral activities. Meanwhile, a police team, which was carrying out a flag march in the wake of Dera violence, caught them red-handed and registered a case against them under Section 109 of the CrPC. They all today produced in the court of the SDM, Gidderbaha, where after submitting the surety bonds, the accused were released on bail. Former MLA, while refuting the allegation, said over the phone, “My nephew, along with his friend, was on his way back to Gidderbaha after attending a wedding at Malout. The women in question were not accompanying them, but senior cops forcibly lifted the women from their houses and implicated my kin in a false case.” “It was a planned conspiracy by the ruling party leaders, who used the cops to tarnish my image and dignity,” added the former MLA.
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Theft cases on rise in Sangrur
Sangrur, February 28 The sources further added that even as the management of temple handed over the thief to the police, the police hushed up the matter since the thief reportedly named a Municipal Councillor of ruling party as the person to whom he used to sell the stolen articles. They added that in December last year, thieves had struck at a local Gurdwara in the Sunami Gate Area and decamped with some cash. Again a few months back, thieves struck at the residence of a senior journalist Harvinder Lal Sharma and since the family members raised alarm they fled from there, but set ablaze two scooters owned by the journalist. “The police has failed to ascertain identity of the dacoits. There have been more than dozen thefts in the city and the police has literally failed to solve any of the cases,” said Harvinder. “The Sangrur police has been literally sleeping and people are having sleepless nights,” he added. Social activists Kamal Anand said the police should increase patrols to bring a sense of security among the residents. Sangrur SSP HS Bhullar told The Tribune that the police has increased patrolling in the city, besides it has set up more checkpoints. “We have solved many theft cases and will solve the rest of cases very soon”, SSP claimed.
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Anandpur Sahib, February 28
Patiala/Rajpura,
February 28
Politicians, intellectuals and artists noted with dismay that Punjabi was not given the second language status in Chandigarh and resolved to strive to give the language its due not only here but in Himachal
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir also. Eminent personalities, who gathered under the banner of the Punjabi Bhasha Chetna Manch under the stewardship of Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa at the press club here yesterday, also honoured Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda
for passing a notification bestowing Punjabi the second language status in
Haryana.
