|
|
|
|
|
Milan Turban Issue
Protest
against FDI in retail
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cong also woos ex-servicemen
Mann urges Anna not to support
SAD-BJP alliance
Akalis fuel communal tension in state: Capt
Another officer in election fray
Kuldeep Manak
A first: EC to appoint police observers
‘Role’ in drugs trafficking Moga, December 1 Police department has terminated three cops from the service for their alleged involvement in drugs trafficking and protecting the smugglers by collecting ‘monthly’ on the name of senior police officials.
Teachers on strike, Punjabi University cancels exam
Panel to monitor paid news in assembly poll
4-yr-old found dead, residents damage factory
Technical education convention from Dec 16
HC issues notices on Sunday market
Hearing on info commissioners’ case listed for January 7
|
Milan Turban Issue
Taking up the case of Ravijodh Singh Dhupia, commander of Jet Airways flight 9W-141 from Milan to Delhi, who was made to remove his turban by airport officials, the SAD today gave a notice for adjournment of question hour in the Lok Sabha to discuss the matter. The party shot off a letter to the PM, reminding him of his failure to convey to the Italian authorities the significance of the turban in Sikh faith. The party’s Bathinda member Harsimrat Kaur Badal gave the notice to Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn all proceedings “over the incident involving the Jet Airways commander, hurting his and the entire Sikh community’s sentiments and the utter failure of the government to ensure the dignity of Sikhs.” Earlier, too, cases of Sikhs being asked to remove turbans had come to light. One such instance, which was raised in the Lok Sabha involved Amritinder Singh (coach of golfer Jeev Milkha Singh), who was also asked to remove his turban by the airport security staff at the Milan airport. “As per the settled international law, turban can’t be removed but Italian security officials continue to do so despite repeated assurances given to us in the Parliament by the External Affairs Minister,” Harsimrat said. Such instances were now coming to light from the US, France and Australia as well, the party added. In her letter to the PM, Harsimrat Badal said: “We urge the government to bring to the notice of the Italian Government and other countries that turban is the most recognisable feature of a Sikh. Unlike a head covering, it is an inextricable part of the Sikh identity and is worn at all times as an essential article of the community’s faith.”
|
|
Protest
against FDI in retail
Chandigarh, December 1 As the SAD only did a u-turn on FDI today evening and has now supported the BJP’s stand, the traders came out openly against the SAD for welcoming the FDI. PATIALA: The local student organisations have also joined the fight against FDI in the retail sector. Students under the banner of the Punjab Students' Union gathered outside Nehru Park and raised slogans against the Central Government. Jalandhar: The call of Bharat bandh by traders received a lukewarm response in Jalandhar. All markets, except Gur Mandi, were open today. The rail and road traffic remained unaffected. All commercial establishments, banks, schools and colleges functioned normally. Amritsar: Protesters stopped a DMU train at the Amritsar railway station as part of the country-wide bandh call given by traders to protest move to allow FDI in the retail sector. The bandh, however, evoked a partial response in the city today. Businesses in most parts of the city, however, remained unaffected. Muktsar: The bandh received a good response with most shops remaining shut during the day. "We have received good response for the bandh and a large number of traders at the Bank Road, Sadar Bazaar, Malout Road and Gali Hakeeman Wali closed their shops," said Ravinder Kataria, a leader of Beopar Mandal, Muktsar. Kotkapura: Here too the bandh got a good response. The protesting traders in Kotkapura were highly critical of the SAD supporting the FDI. “The government is supporting the FDI under the believe that it would benefit the farmers, but it should be oblivious of the fact that the international sourcing capabilities would be able to exploit the economies in procurement, storage, and distribution,” said Onkar Goyal, president, Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Punjab Karyana Retail Association.
|
|||
|
HC issues notice to ADGP Gupta
Chandigarh, December 1 Acting on the petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged accumulation of “nami and benami” properties by ADGP (Crime) Gupta, the High Court also issued a notice to the state DGP and the Home Department. A notice was also issued to the Mohali SSP on the issue. The notice by Justice KC Puri came during the hearing of a petition filed by Garja Singh of Nayagaon in Mohali district. Accusing the ADGP of being a land shark in uniform and investing “black money in immovable properties,” the petitioner argued that Gupta was into property dealing while in service. Garja Singh said he was a coloniser and had acquired properties, including benami properties, in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. He also alleged that Gupta and his agents were forcibly taking possession of his land in Nayagaon-Karoran village of Mohali with the help of police machinery. The petition filed through RS Bains, read: “Gupta has acquired a lot of movable/immovable properties and assets, including benami properties, worth crores with the help of Jasbir Singh Sandhu and Rana Iqbal Jolly. “His son Saurav Gupta, along with their agents and business partners, including Jasbir Singh Sandhu and Rana Iqbal Jolly, have carved out an illegal colony in Nayagaon and are grabbing land by threatening the locals. Hence, directions be issued to the CBI to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions of law against Sanjeev Gupta.” In an attempt to substantiate his claims, the petitioner submitted a bunch of documents mentioning transactions and properties in the name of Gupta, his family and in-laws. A detailed report of the properties owned by Gupta in Himachal Pradesh, Gurgaon and parts of Punjab was annexed with the petition.
|
|||
|
More Punjabis take to safer sex
Chandigarh, December 1 In contrast, the sale figures in Haryana have witnessed an increase of 45 per cent, from 50.46 lakh to 73.14 lakh in the same period. These figures pertain to the sale of only two brands of condoms, Deluxe Nirodh and Ustaad, distributed by HLL Lifecare Limited under the NACO-funded project. However, if the sale figures of other commercial brands are added, the total sale of condoms in Punjab and Haryana is likely to exceed 10 crore and 5.8 crore, respectively. NACO officials say the sale of condoms had gone up primarily due to the wide distribution network established through traditional (chemists etc) and non-traditional outlets like vegetable and fruit vendors. As compared to 1,826 traditional outlets and 2,825 non-traditional outlets in 2009-10, their number had gone up to 5,405 and 7,713 respectively in 2010-11. Arun R Gangadharan, Deputy Manager, Marketing, HLL Lifecare, said there had been an overall increase in the sale of condoms throughout the country following awareness programmes. He said seven districts, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Ropar and Mohali, in Punjab were enrolled with NACO where traditional and non-traditional outlets provided branded condoms on subsidised rates. However, Chandigarh had seen a 17 per cent decrease in the condom sales under the project-from 16.21 lakh condoms in 2009-10 to 13.46 lakh in the subsequent year. SACS director Dr Vanita Gupta attributed the decline to weak marketing.
|
|||
Cong also woos ex-servicemen
Chandigarh, December 1 Punjab Congress Ex-Servicemen Cell convener GS Jawanda said it was good that the supreme sacrifice of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was recognised, but that the Akalis had politicised the event for vested interests. Jawanda claimed that the Akalis had done nothing for the ex-servicemen during the past nearly five years with the Sanik Welfare Department had been rendered completely non-functional. He said even demands of ex-servicemen regarding employability had not been addressed. He said the Pradesh Congress was in the process of drafting the party’s agenda for ex-servicemen under the chairmanship of Maj-Gen Gopal Dewedi (retd). Jawanda said Capt Amarinder would also take up the demands of ex-servicemen, including that for one-rank one-pension, with the Prime Minister soon. Urging the ex-servicemen to see through the conspiracy of the Akalis to woo them during the election time, Jawanda said the people should compare what the Badal family had done for them vis-à-vis that of Capt’s family. He also claimed that the seven lakh ex-servicemen would not be affected by such attempts to woo them and that they would support the Congress in the forthcoming assembly poll.
|
|||
|
Mann urges Anna not to support SAD-BJP alliance
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 1 "Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his government and the SGPC, which is being controlled by him, are deep in corruption. Though, the Badals managed to get corruption cases registered against them settled by influencing witnesses, yet they have captured the sand, liquor, cable TV and transportation business and even they did not spare Sikh gurdwaras, alleged Mann, while addressing mediapersons at his Talania residence today. Lashing out at the district administration, Mann alleged that Fatehgarh Sahib DC and SSP were working as puppets in the hands of ruling party leaders. He said three of his party workers, who had caught an SGPC employee in a drunken state and two others involved in a theft case, were booked under Sections 107 and 151 of the IPC.
— TNS
|
|||
|
Akalis fuel communal tension in state: Capt
Ghanaur (Patiala), December 1 He alleged, “The Akalis started victimisation of their political opponents, particularly the dera followers and Congress workers, from day one the SAD-BJP came to power in the state. Now, the time has come to teach them a lesson through the power of ballot”. “I promise you that we will not only revoke the false cases but also fix all those found guilty,” he added. The PCC chief also asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to explain to the people of Punjab as how could he make thousands of crores from his 80-acre land he inherited from his father. “Badals own the most expensive hotel in Delhi, which was recently constructed at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore. They also own another hotel worth Rs 1,000 crores,” he alleged. State party in-charge Gulchain Singh Charak conveyed the message of Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi to the party workers that she was aware of the pain and victimisation they suffered all these years. Minister of State for External Affairs Perneet Kaur criticised the Akali-BJP government for “poor governance”. Congress Legislative Party Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal too had a dig at the Akalis saying they were the self-proclaimed guardians of the Panth. Prominent among others present on the occasion included PCC vice-president and MLA Laal Singh, MLA Ghanaur Madan Lal Jalalpur, MLA Shatrana Nirmal Singh Shatrana, PCC general secretary Arvind Khanna, DCC president Hardayal Singh Kambhoj and rally coordinator Ramesh
Singla.
|
|||
|
In Mehraj, CM talks of ‘unprecedented’ development
Bathinda, December 1 Badal mostly dwelt upon the “unprecedented” development of Punjab under the present SAD-BJP government and criticised the Congress for its “misrule” during its regime in the state. Badal regretted that the electorate in the Malwa region discarded the SAD in the previous assembly elections and he had become CM due to the support of the Majha and Doaba regions. He was hopeful that “the trend will not be repeated this time as the people have witnessed all-round development of their villages despite the area being represented by a Congress legislator”. He accused the Congress-led UPA government of giving “step-motherly” treatment to Punjab by tailoring schemes that were harmful to its economic interests. Badal said the alliance between the SAD and BJP was as solid as a rock and the differences, if any, would be settled through a dialogue. Badal also expressed grief over the death of legendary folk singer Kuldeep Manak who hailed from the nearby Jalal village. His death was a great loss to Punjab, he said. Ramoowalia accused the UPA government of “ignoring Punjab by giving concessions to the industry in the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh”. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a 66KV power substation at Mehraj village and laid down the foundation stone of a 66 KV power substation at Bhodipura village. He also announced to set up a college for girls in
Mehraj.
|
|||
|
Another officer in election fray
Ludhiana, December 1 Punjab Civil Services officer SR Kler, posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, resigned from the job yesterday and is set to contest from Jagraon. Former Punjab DGP Paramdeep Singh Gill is also expected to contest on the SAD ticket from the Moga constituency. Kler’s resignation comes days before the SAD rally at Dakha on December 4. He is expected to formally join the party at the rally, which is to be addressed by CM Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. Kler is likely to contest from the Jagraon constituency that has been declared reserved after delimitation.
|
|
Manak was a humble man, recalls his native village
Jalal (Bathinda), December 1 “He would meet us every six months till the death of his elder brother, when he almost stopped coming to the village. At the last rites of his brother, he was inconsolable and kept saying that he had lost all,” recalled Manak’s nephew Chhotu Khan. Hailing from a Marasi family, Manak’s actual name was Latif Mohammad. As a young lad, he was fondly called Ladha as he went round singing with his toombi (musical instrument), regaling the
villagers. It was Manak’s teacher Kashmira Singh who noticed his singing talent and asked him to sing during the morning assembly. “None had ever imagined that Masterji’s encouragement could catapult Manak to such great heights,” said his schoolmate Nachhattar Singh, a teacher in
Kangar village. Nachhattar Singh said Manak did not convert into Sikhism but had great reverence for Guru Gobind Singh and Baba Banda Singh Bahadar. “He always started his programme with Baba Banda Singh Bahadar’s vaar”, Nachhattar recalled. Manak’s close friend Darshan Singh Nambardar said that Manak would sing hymns in gurdwaras. Staff members at the village government school, where Manak studied till class VIII, said that Manak’s death had left a big void in Punjabi folk music. “No one can match the gusto with which Manak sang,” said Harvinder Singh, president of the school Parent-Teacher Association. Sarpanch Jagdish Singh said a memorial would be raised at the village in Manak’s honour. The last rites of Manak would be performed at Jalal tomorrow. At least 3,000 people were expected to attend his burial. Manak’s body would be brought at 10 am and kept in the ground on the village outskirts for darshan. “The ground has been cleared and so has the burial ground,” said Rupinder Singh, spearheading the arrangements.
|
|
|
A first: EC to appoint police observers
Jalandhar, December 1 Jalandhar deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Priyank Bharti said the ECI would appoint one observer for each police district in the state to keep an eye on the activities of the police personnel to ensure free and fair elections. PCC secretary Virendra Sharma said, “The appointment of police observers will ensure free and fair elections and it will definitely check the possible misuse of the police machinery during the elections”. SAD district president Gurcharan Singh Channi said, “The aim of appointing police observers should not be just to put pressure on the ruling alliance”. Chandigarh: The ECI has issued fresh instructions regarding the restrictions on the presence of a political functionary in a constituency after the campaign period is over. The ECI has directed that the district/police administration should ensure that all political functionaries that are not candidates in a constituency should leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period is over. Only elected MP or elected MLAs will be allowed to remain in a poll-going assembly constituency, however, such MP/MLAs will not be allowed to carry out any campaign.
— TNS
|
|
|
‘Role’ in drugs trafficking Moga, December 1 Confirming the termination of three constables - Gurnam Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Jarnail Singh, the SP (city) of Moga GS Aulakh told The Tribune that they had been terminated from the service for their involvement in drug trafficking and further investigations were in progress. As per the details available, the Faridkot police arrested one Akali panchayat member Mohla Singh and his nephew Amarjit Singh alias Pappa residents of Rode village of the Moga district and recovered 80 bags of poppy husk from his possession. Out of this cache, 50 bags were recovered from a tractor-trolley while 30 were recovered from their house. It was learnt that when the Faridkot police raided their house these cops were found sitting there under ‘mysterious’ circumstances. This matter was reported to the Moga police. During investigations, it came to light that these alleged smugglers were also involved in another smuggling case, in which, the Moga (City-1) police recovered 90 bags of poppy husk, the FIR of which was registered against some unknown persons on September 19, this year. The Tribune in its report on November 16 highlighetd that the accused Mohal Singh was already facing a narcotics smuggling case after he was nabbed with 28 kg of poppy husk five years back. Moga SSP SD Sharma initially handed over this inquiry to the Samalsar police, which was confirmed by SI Daljeet Singh the SHO of the police station. But, he refused to give details saying that the matter was under investigation. However, sources in the police said these cops were protecting the smugglers by collecting money on the name of senior police officers from the smugglers. Sources said the name of a local SAD leader has also come up during the investigations for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of drugs but due to the alleged pressure of the senior party leadership he was not being involved in the drugs smuggling case. On the other hand, the SP GS Aulakh said, “We are also taking legal action against the terminated cops.”
|
|
|
Teachers on strike, Punjabi University cancels exam
Patiala, December 1 Talking to The Tribune, controller examination of Punjabi University, Pawan Kumar Singla said that as all government college teachers had availed leave today and gone to Chandigarh to register their protest against Punjab government, the university had to cancel the exam that was to be held in these colleges. He further said that there was no change in the schedule of exams that were to be held at university and Khalsa College and students took their exam today also. Meanwhile, Prof Jai Pal Singh, president, Government College Teachers' Association, said that they had to take the step as the government was not paying heed to their genuine demands since long. "While our counterparts in neighbouring states had got their arrears, the teachers working in Punjab government colleges in Punjab is the only category of the government employees, who have been denied the first installment of 40 per cent of arrears," he said, adding that other government employees had got their arrears in May 2011. "Despite repeated requests, the government has not bothered to release our share. We don't want to disrupt students' studies, but the government has forced us to take this extreme step," Singh said. Notably, teachers have been demanding release of arrear installments, increasing retirement age as per the guidelines of the HRD ministry.
|
|
|
Panel to monitor paid news in assembly poll
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 1 He directed all the returning officers to strictly implement the Defacement of Property Act and to ensure that no candidate pastes any election related poster, banners, flex boards, flags and hoardings on public and private buildings. "These cannot be displayed even on private buildings without the written consent of the owner, he said, adding that it would be the accountability of the officers concerned to comply with the directions. He also reviewed the law and order situation and directed the police to keep a check on narcotics and other drugs being used to lure voters. The DC said for free and fair poll, committees had been formed to keep a watch on paid news, expenditure and other activities of the candidates during elections.
|
|
|
4-yr-old found dead, residents damage factory
Ludhiana, December 1 According to ADCP-II Satbir Atwal, the victim, identified as Sonu, was spotted by the security guards of the factory this evening. The victim, who lived in the adjacent colony, fell into the tank while playing. "Though residents staged a protest, but the situation is under control. We would register a case after receiving a complaint from the victim's father," said the ADCP. Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajiv Gandhi Colony, said that his son went missing while playing in the street and he was first killed and then his body was dumped in the septic tank.
|
|
|
Technical education convention from Dec 16
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 1 'Role and Relevance of Regulatory Bodies in Higher Education' would be the theme of the convention, he added. Punjab Technical University (PTU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Rajnish Arora, said vice-chancellors of various universities, along with researchers would participate.
|
|
HC issues notices on Sunday market
Chandigarh, December 1 The notice came on a petition filed by Dr Charanpreet Singh Grover and five others. In the petition placed before the Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina, the petitioners through counsel Kanwalvir Singh Kang sought directions to remove the encroachments from public roads every Sunday. Kang claimed, "The encroachments cause utter nuisance and paralyse vehicular movement in the Chotti Baradari and residential areas located behind Malwa Cinema, Patiala." Kang said that the PIL was filed the respondents failed in discharging their public duties of removing illegal encroachments from public roads every Sunday. Kang said: "The sprawling illegal encroachment, also known as 'Sunday Market', has deprived the residents of the surrounding areas of right to a peaceful life and freedom to move freely." "The market makes it impossible for them to even get out of their homes on Sundays, as the street vendors pitch tents and stalls right in front of their houses on the road," Kang said. Putting the authorities concerned in the dock, he said: "The respondents have deliberately ignored the representations made by the petitioners and continue to permit illegal encroachments and nuisance despite being condemned widely by daily newspapers." The copies of news reports carried in The Tribune were also attached with the petition. "A mere perusal of the news report dated June 21 reflects that vendors, who sell household goods, eatables, garments and electronic gadgets encroach upon the entire road behind the Malwa Theatre from 9am to 8pm and despite representations by the general public and residents of the areas, the authorities have not come out of their slumber," he asserted.
|
|
|
Hearing on info commissioners’ case listed
Chandigarh, December 1 The Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice RN Raina, vide interim order dated November 17, had restrained the governments of Punjab and Haryana from appointing state information commissioners “without following transparency”. The directions were based on the judgment in Salil Sabhlok versus Union of India case decided on August 17. The interim order was passed on Arora’s application following media reports that Ajit Singh Chanduraian’s name being recommended by the selection committee for the post of state information commissioner.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Ghanaur (Patiala), December 1
New Delhi, December 1