Bathinda, May 14
Lending credence to the allegations of cheating in the recently conducted joint entrance examination (JEE) for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the authorities of the IIT-Kanpur-the nodal authority for conducting the test--- today black-listed one of the most prestigious engineering college of the region-the Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology (GZSCET), Bathinda.

Besides, the IIT-Kanpur has withheld the result of 30 students who appeared in the examination at the GZSCET centre in Bathinda.

In a major jolt for the college, the IIT authorities have also debarred three teachers of the GZSCET, including the centre in-charge, from participating in any administrative work of the IIT.

Confirming the details over the phone, Registrar of IIT-Kanpur, Sanjeev Kashalakar said the decision was taken on the basis of the report submitted by a team from the IIT Roorkee that was formed to probe into the allegations of cheating and illegal facilitation in the entrance examination conducted at the Bathinda centre on April 10.

The registrar further said the committee was asked to submit its detailed report by June 5. He announced that the results of other candidates would be released on schedule.

It may be mentioned that some candidates and their parents had lodged detailed complaints with the senior functionaries of the IIT-Kanpur accusing some invigilator in one room of the examination centre of giving undue help some aspirants. The complainants had also demanded the cancellation of the exam and proper investigation into the matter.

Acting upon the complaints, the IIT-Kanpur took the decision.

Principal of the GZSCET, Tejinder Singh Sidhu feigned ignorance about the matter while the centre in-charge in question, Balwinder Singh, did not respond to repeated phone calls made to him to get his version.

Bathinda, May 14
The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, organised its first cultural programme since its inception in 2009 here today.Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman was the chief guest on the occasion. Students from different disciplines participated in a variety of activities.

Two guest performances were given by a professional artiste Kuldeep Chamak that included Punjabi songs.

The focus was on themes such as drug addiction, dowry system, female foeticide and other social evils. Another programme based on Punjabi culture, Trinjan, was also staged.

Vice-chancellor Jai Rup Singh presented a memento to the chief guest.

The VC also announced that 11 new courses will be started by the Central University from this session. The vote of thanks was proposed by Shyam Kiran Kaur, an M.Phil student from the School of Comparative Literature.

Abohar, May 14
Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal has assured that more women would figure in the list of the party candidates to be announced for the February 2012 Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, claimed Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, president of the Istri Akali Dal (women wing of the ruling party).

Speaking on the sidelines of a rally, Gulshan said the number of women candidates may not exactly be 33 per cent of the list but it would surely be double than in the 2007 elections. She urged all parties to coordinate in getting the bill for reservation for women passed in Parliament before the next general elections.

Meanwhile, Nirmala Bishnoi of Balluana segment has been appointed as member of the general council of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Paramjit Kaur Gulshan informed that Vijay Luxmi Bishnoi has been appointed as state general secretary, Asha Rani Bajaj as district president, Zila Parishad member Ravinder Kaur as in-charge of the Balluana segment and Luxmi Devi as circle vice-president of the women wing. 

Ferozeur, May 14
In an apparent retaliatory measure, a Congress leader owing allegiance to Parminder Singh Pinki, former general secretary, PPCC, has got a criminal case registered under Section 323 of the IPC against three Congressmen close to Ravinder Singh Babbal, ex-MLA, which has further brought to the fore the serious differences within the Congress rank and file in this area.

As per the information, Avtar Singh Dulchike, Block President, Congress, who is close to Pinki, had got a complaint lodged with the police that some persons had snatched his gold chain and taken away his wallet during the brawl that ensued in the aftermath of the argument between two warring Congress groups during a party meeting held on May 11 at Ferozepur.

Acting on thebasis of that complaint, the police registered a case against Ravinder Singh, Gurwinder Singh Dhindsa and Bhupinder Singh besides some other unidentified persons.

Yesterday, the police had booked nine Congressmen close to Pinki including his brother-in-law Harinder Singh Sangha ( Bittu) on the charges of alleged attack with an iron rod on Gurwinder Singh, a youth Congress leader.

Sangha had vehemently denied the charges and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.

It is pertinent to mention that both Babbal and Parminder Singh Pinki are contenders for the party’s ticket from the Ferozepur assembly segment.

Senior Congress leaders hailing from the area maintained that the open display of acrimony by the two warring factions was denting the image of the party at this crucial time when assembly elections were not very far away.

Abohar, May 14
The teachers of government aided private schools, who had retired after May 31, 2003, again feel betrayed by the politicians in Punjab. The Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh had in 2003 resolved during a cabinet meeting that the teachers recruited by the managing committees of private schools against sanctioned posts would not be entitled to pension, if they retire on superannuation of service after May 31, 2003.

Since then the affected persons had been fighting to get the decision annulled asserting that they had deposited their share for getting pension benefits at par with the state government school teachers.

A memorandum signed by scores of former teachers and principals has now been faxed to the Chief Minister and Education Minister urging them to get the benefits released well before the enforcing of Model Code of Conduct by the Election Commission.

Fazilka, May 14
Two questions are being hotly discussed among a large number of residents of this town or the past two days. The first question is whether the local BJP MLA Surjit Jiyani would be inducted into the Punjab cabinet tomorrow or not. The other question is whether he would be able to fetch district status for this town after becoming a minister.

Sushil Gumber, Convener, Sanjha Morcha, said the Punjab government had promised that a decision in connection with elevation of Fazilka as district would be taken by May 25. If no such decision is taken, the Sanjha Morcha would hold its meeting to decide future course of action.

“Our hopes for district status for Fazilka have become stronger as Jiyani is likely to be made minister tomorrow,” he said. He added that Sanjha Morcha would not settle for anything less than district status. The cotton-rich town has witnessed a 150-day long agitation under the banner of Sanjha Morcha, an umbrella body of all the organisations in the city, for getting district status. Even Tikshan Sud, former Forest Minister, Punjab, had publically announced that the town would get district status by the end of April instant. Jiyani, Charan Singh, president, SAD, Fazilka circle, and Mohinder Partap Dhingra, chairman, Improvement Trust, also observed a fast-unto-death at the clock tower for a a few days in January this year for the district status.

Ashok Gulbadhear, President, Beopar Mandal, Fazilka, said the Beopar Mandal would discuss the issue and take a decision accordingly. Meanwhile, Jiyani, who remained minister from 1997 to 2002 in previous SAD-BJP government, said the district status for Fazilka was on cards.

He said the meeting of Sukhbir-Kalia committee could not take place due to some reasons and hence the district status for Fazilka could be announced. On being asked whether he would launch an agitation if Fazilka was denied district status, he claimed that there was no need of any agitation as Fazilka was going to get district status under all circumstances. 

Ferozepur, May 14
Jasvir Singh, forest range officer and Mohamad Mustafa, forest guard, were placed under suspension by the chief conservator of forests, Punjab, MS Dhillon, after a sizeable number of trees were felled by unscrupulous elements in the forest area of Hussainiwala, located a stone’s throw away from the Indo-Pak joint check-post (JCP) and National Martyrs’ Memorial, recently.

The cutting of trees by unscrupulous elements has given a major setback to the Punjab government’s plan to develop Hussainiwala as a major tourist attraction. Official sources said Dhillon had placed both the officials under suspension after in the preliminary inquiry conducted by Manish Kumar, DFO, Muktsar, it was confirmed that shisham trees had been felled in the Hussainiwala forest.

Dhillon said he had asked DFO, Ferozepur, Sanjeev Tiwari to conduct a comprehensive inquiry by visiting all the forest areas of the district. He added that a final decision in connection with the action, which could be taken against Jasvir Singh and Mohamad Mustafa, would be taken after the inquiry was completed. 

Bathinda, May 14
Under the banner of the Class IV Employees Union (Education Department), hundreds of Class IV employees, mid-day meal scheme staff and part-time and daily-wage employees burnt an effigy of the state government in protest against non-acceptance of their long-standing demands, at the Fauji Chowk here today.

Their main demands include an unconditional promotion to those Class IV employees, who have completed five years in service in the Education Department, honorarium of Rs 5,430 per month to mid-day meal scheme workers as per the Central government’s new rates, a permanent post of Chowkidar in every school, filling up of vacant posts of Class IV employees, job on compassionate ground to the wards of deceased employees and abolition of contract system.

The protesters gathered near the Gurdwara Hazi Rattan here and took out a march carrying the effigy to the Fauzi Chowk. They also blocked traffic at the rotary by holding a dharna. They also raised slogans against the Punjab Government and in support of their demands.

The leaders warned the state government that if their demands were not met by May 31, they would be compelled to intensify their agitation.

The protesters lifted the blockade when Bathinda Tehsildar Avtar Singh along with police officials visited the blockade site and received a memorandum from them with an assurance of forwarding the same to the state government.

Among those present were chairman of the union Rangi Ram Kotli, state president (Matric Pass wing) Kaur Singh Doda, state president (General) Bara Singh, Bathinda district president Raju Singh Ablu Kotli, Jagsir Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Jarnail Singh Joga and Baldev Singh Sadiq. A large number of women also participated in the protest.

Chandigarh, May 14
Personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) can now expect a better deal if they are invalided out on medical grounds.The Central government has implemented a new scheme for grant of a lump sum ex-gratia amount to disabled troopers in addition to the existing pensionary benefits.

The orders for this were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs this week, sources said.

The CAPF were earlier known as central para-military forces that included CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF etc, and over the years, these have been heavily involved in counter insurgency and anti-terrorist operations.

The new grant was proposed by the Union Finance Minister in his budget scheme and the provisions are also applicable to members of the armed forces. Separate orders in this regard will be issued by the Ministry of Defence.

Under the new scheme, personnel with disability attributable to or aggravated due to service conditions will now be entitled to Rs 9 lakh for 100 per cent disability.

The amount will be proportionately reduced for lesser percentage of disability.

The ex-gratia lump sum is a fresh welfare measure with no connection with the recommendations of the pay commission and hence shall be made applicable only to those personnel who were invalided out or boarded out with more than 20 per cent disability after April 1, 2011.

Sources added that this lump sum amount will be in addition to the war-injury pension or disability pension or lump sum compensation in lieu of disability or war-injury element and other welfare-related schemes already in vogue.

Bathinda, May 14
The unit-III of the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant (GHTP), Lehra Mohabbat, located at 23 km from here, created a record of sorts today by producing electricity continuously for 151 day without tripping.Earlier, the unit-III of 250 MW had run for 121 days continuously without any tripping ever since it was commissioned.

Official sources said the unit-II and unit-IV of the GHTP had produced power for 112 days and 113 days continuously without tripping. The unit-I, which is the oldest, held the record of producing power continuously for 196 days.  

The sources added that the unit-III was running at its full capacity without any interruption or tripping since December 14, 2010, when it was restarted after an annual overhaul. The units I and II of 210 MW each are also running to their full capacity since February following their annual overhaul. The combined plant load factor (PLF) of all the three units during March, April and May (till date) was 100.9 per cent.

RP Saini, Chief Engineer, GHTP, said with the achievement of such high standards of performance, the GHTP would generate maximum power during the coming paddy season. He added that a high performance of the three units had also improved the overall parameters of the functioning of the GHTP.

Bathinda, May 14
The 165 MW captive power plant of the Bathinda refinery was damaged on Friday when one of its filters caught fire.The power plant commissioned by the BHEL was on a trial run when it caught fire. The fire tenders at the refinery extinguished the fire.

Meanwhile, the trial run of the Rs 19,000-crore refinery that was to begin before March 31 has been delayed.

The chief executive officer of the refinery, Prabh Dass, had recently told Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal that the trial run of the refinery would begin much before March 31 and full-fledged operations would start by September.

However, it is learnt that the supply of crude oil through the 114-km-long pipeline between Mundra and the refinery has not yet begun.

Work on various components of the refinery was progressing and would take some time to complete.

The refinery would produce LPG, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, coke and polypropylene, besides other products.