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Ex-DGP misusing Moga police: Cong
Poll code in place, EC gets going
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Fresh boundaries drawn, new faces to slug it out here
Sukhbir & Manpreet in secret pact: Kushaldeep
Cong’s hand behind all ills: Gadkari
No ticket for relatives, says Cong poll panel
Poll Snippets
Overseas Punjabis sulk over neglect
Row over shifting of accused
Data on cancer patients to be ready in two years
Fatehgarh Sahib DC constitutes poll committees
Villagers cite risk to their health
Prisoner’s escape: Police begins probe
Chamar Mahan Sabha calls off stir
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Ex-DGP misusing Moga police: Cong
Moga, December 24 Sources close to him revealed that he held a "secret" meeting with a few of his "confidential" cops last night. The details of the meeting were not available but it was the talk of the town today that Gill had allegedly given certain guidelines to them, which could apparently benefit him in the electoral battle. Accusing Gill of misusing the police machinery, local Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain has said that he would bring the issue to the notice of the Election Commission (EC). A couple of days back, the home department had granted promotion to Satpal Singh Bhangu, DSP (City) of Moga town. He is considered as the "blue-eyed boy" of Gill who has been retained at Moga and given the prime posting of SP (D), here. Though the Police Department has scrapped the illegal post of SP (city) of Moga on the directions of the Election Commission, the man who was holding the post, GS Aulakh, is reportedly being given a prime posting of SP (Vigilance) in the Ferozepur Range based at Ferozepur. The Vigilance Bureau's Moga office also falls under this range. The local DSP of the Vigilance Bureau, Banarsi Dass, has also been promoted as SP but has been retained at Moga office. It is for the first time that an SP-rank officer has been posted in the Vigilance Bureau here. Local Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain has alleged that Aulakh and Bhangu were both 'yes men' of Gill and could be misused by him to influence upon the voters. "I am writing to the EC requesting to transfer them from their present assignments for holding free and fair elections," he said. Jain alleged that Inspector Jasbinder Singh Khaira, SHO of police station (rural) against whom a criminal case was registered following directions from the High Court earlier this year, has been given an out-of-turn promotion recently. Similarly, the SHOs of police station (City-1) and police station (City-II) have been given out-of-turn promotions. All these three police stations fall under the Moga assembly constituency and these SHOs were allegedly helping Gill in his poll campaign. Interestingly, the jurisdictions of the DSPs posted at Moga, Dharamkot, Baghapurana and Nihalsinghwala sub-divisions had recently been altered in accordance with the areas of the assembly constituencies, which indicate that these police officials would go well with the candidates of the ruling party, said Jain. Earlier, before his retirement, the former top cop also endorsed rank promotions to more than 50 cops in the district, most of whom were allegedly keeping an eye on the movements and strategies of his opponents within and outside the party.
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Poll code in place, EC gets going
Chandigarh, December 24 Following the imposition of the code, as many as 27 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state to keep a vigil and ensure fair and peaceful polls. These forces will keep tabs on carrying of cash, liquor and narcotics by putting up nakas at different places. This was announced today by the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Kusumjit Sidhu. She said in all, 200 companies of Central forces would be deployed in the state for the elections. Sidhu said 130 observers would also be deployed and they would include general officials as well as police officials from other states. It is the first time that IPS officials have been appointed as observers. The teams will be authorised to search the vehicles for cash, liquor or drugs, if any, upon suspicion or a tip-off. Passenger as well as goods vehicles will be liable to be searched. In case any cash/jewellery of value above Rs 1 lakh is found and the person is unable to explain it's source, it will be liable to be seized and handed over to the income tax authorities. Banks have also been instructed to report all suspicious cash transactions above Rs 1 lakh from any account and these shall be monitored by the Election Department as well as the Income Tax Department. The baggage of all persons traveling by chartered helicopters and aircrafts shall be checked before take off and at disembarking. The final voter lists would be published throughout the state on January 2 and those persons whose names are not included in the lists may contact their local booth-level officer, or the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, under whose jurisdiction their area of residence falls. A 24X7 complaint-cum-call centre has been set up in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Toll-free number 1950 has been obtained. Election Commission directions n
Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work n
Government aircraft, cars and manpower cannot be used for electioneering n
There shall be no monopoly over open spaces for holding election meetings and no use of helipads and rest houses n
No advertisements will be released at the cost of the public exchequer in the media n No foundation stones, inaugurations, grants or payments out of discretionary funds
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Fresh boundaries drawn, new faces to slug it out here
The Ludhiana (East) constituency has new geographical contours drawn post-delimitation. Several areas that earlier used to be part of the Ludhiana (Rural) segment now fall in this constituency.
But as the Health Minister (from the BJP) is likely to sell his dose of development among Ludhiana (Central) electorate, the constituency would be with the SAD. The ruling Akalis, therefore, would have to work overtime to promote their pill of promises among the voters seeing the fact that the segment now includes several areas that are considered “under-developed”. Both the SAD and the Congress have started scrutinising candidates for the seat. While Madan Lal Bagga, Daljit Singh Grewal and Ranjit Singh Dhillon have been vying for the SAD ticket, the names of Malkiat Singh Birmi, Gurmel Pehalwan and Jagmohan Sharma have been doing the rounds from the Congress. Ramanjit Singh Lali is expected to try his luck on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket. In all, there are 1,43,216 voters in the constituency, with 5,000 more names likely to be added. The count of polling stations stands at 139 even though there is a possibility of 15 auxiliary booths being set up. PROMISES: In its poll manifesto, the BJP had assured new roads, better civic amenities, new development works and jobs for the unemployed youth. However, not many of the promised projects have seen the light of day. A majority of the roads here are in a pathetic condition while several localities are yet to witness the laying of a sewerage system. Unattended garbage dumps in a few areas speak volumes about the allegedly apathetic civic sense of the authorities concerned. VOX POPULI: Though Gosain claims to have spent crores on various progress works, the residents feel "real development" was missing in the constituency. A local, Atam Singh, claims Ludhiana (East) is “under-developed” as compared to other constituencies in the district. Moreover, the spurt in crime in recent months was an issue of concern, he says. Drug abuse among the youth, too, was rampant and going unchecked, he adds. LOOKING BACK: Satpal Gosain had won from the seat in 2007. Prior to him, the constituency was represented by Surinder Dabar of the Congress. In the 1997 poll, Gosain had defeated Dabar. — TNS
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Sukhbir & Manpreet in secret pact: Kushaldeep
Faridkot, December 24 Under a secret pact with Sukhbir, Manpreet had floated the PPP so that all dissident Akalis join this new party and keep raising their overly zealous sentiments against the Congress and Akalis thus leaving no space for these dissidents in SAD (B) and Congress and completely removing them from the politics. “It was the sole agenda of Akali Dal,” said Kushaldeep Dhillon today while addressing a gathering of his supporters in Faridkot. “Since the day I and many other dissident Akalis joined the PPP, the conspiracy theories were a handy thing. As per the strategic political pact, there were many hidden SAD (B) puppeteers in PPP and they never allowed any party leader to utter a word against the Badals,” alleged Manpreet. Like Sukhbir Badal in SAD, Manpreet Badal was also strictly controlling all aspects of party affairs in PPP by coercive measures, thus giving hints of the PPP being a totalitarian party, bereft of any democratic ideology, alleged Dhillon. Anti-Congress propaganda was the only area where almost absolute freedom of speech was allowed in the PPP but there were many restrictions on the PPP leaders to utter any word against the SAD. “So feeling suffocated, me and some others left the PPP,” said Kushaldeep. Once many leaders left the PPP, all of sudden, there is a dramatic change in Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's political barbs against Manpreet Badal this week. Some days back, time and again, Manpreet was being referred as a ‘traitor’ by the Chief Minister but now ,Badal Sahib is calling his nephew Manpreet Badal a docile chap, said
Dhillon.
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Cong’s hand behind all ills: Gadkari
Jalandhar, December 24 In the city to address the party’s statewide rally for the assembly elections slated for January 30 next, Gadkari targeted prominent Congress leadership, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi. The UPA, claimed he, was to blame for corruption, inflation, poverty, unemployment and the vulnerable internal security. “The Congress’ hand (poll symbol) is never with the common man. In fact, it is being used by the party’s leadership to pick the countrymen’s pockets…. The Indian economy is facing a crisis; rupee has stumbled to a record low. The growth rate, which remained above eight per cent during the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, is likely to go down even below seven per cent,” he said. Almost all senior BJP leaders projected Badal as the next Chief Minister and sought mandate for another term in his name. Carrying forward the Congress bashing, Badal alleged that the party had failed on all fronts. "The Congress has remained in power for most of the time post-Independence. But it failed to bring about the desired progress due to its corrupt deeds," he said. Lokpal's structure weak: Arun Jaitley BJP leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said the structure of the proposed Lokpal institution in the Bill was such that it would become a "puppet" in the hands of the Congress-led UPA government. He said all powers to suspend and remove the members of the Lokpal were vested in the government. "In the days to come, a mass movement will begin against the Congress-led government in the Centre," he added. He said that by making the setting up of the Lokayuktas, a part of the Lokpal Bill, the UPA government had mounted an attack on the Indian federalism. — TNS
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No ticket for relatives, says Cong poll panel
Chandigarh, December 24 The recommendations were made and accepted in a meeting held today wherein it was decided that the Congress could fight the SAD effectively if it projected itself as a party of the people instead of a family party. It was further decided that since the Congress had a dominant urban vote bank, there should be no tinkering with the seat allotment to Hindus that had been given to SC, ST and backward classes in the past. The committee, chaired by Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh, was of the view that Jat Sikh candidates who lost in the last elections and were now looking for urban seats would not be accommodated on urban Hindu seats. The Congress has decided to boycott PTC TV channel. Union Information Minister Ambika Soni, who was also present in the meeting held today in Delhi, said she was aware about PTC "turning into a mouth peace of the SAD". The Congress would approach the Election Commission and also find legal ways to seek a ban on PTC while the election process was on. But most heat was generated in the meeting over the induction of three former SAD leaders into the Congress. These include one SGPC member and two senior vice-presidents of the People's Party of Punjab. Capt Amarinder said both Jagmeet Brar (AICC member) and Avtar Brar (Faridkot MLA) were consulted before inducting the defecting Akalis into the Congress. However, both Jagmeet and Brar strongly disputed the claim saying that this was wrong averment of the facts. Calling defectors from other parties "ticketoos" (ticket seekers), CLP Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said in future no such persons should be adjusted in the Congress as it demoralised the party loyalists and caused differences in the party. Former Congress president Mohinder Singh Kaypee also opposed the induction of "defectors" and said he was not taken into confidence before accepting these leaders. It was disclosed that no commitment of granting party ticket had been made to these three leaders. Though Captain Amarinder, Bhattal and Gulchain Singh Charak, in-charge of Congress affairs in Punjab, were present at the induction ceremony of these leaders, it is for the first time that it has been revealed that consultations were held with leaders who would be directly affected by the move. Others present at the meeting included Preneet Kaur, Ravneet Bitoo, Raj Kumar Verka and Brahm
Mohindra.
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Poll Snippets
Jalandhar/Hoshiarpur: PPP's received another blow on Saturday when two founder members of the party, Gumeet Singh Daduwal and Lakhbir Singh Lakhi, joined the SAD. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had been camping in Jalandhar since last night and did not take a chance in delaying the induction ceremonies that were organised at Daduwal’s residence in Daduwal village, near Nakodar (Jalandhar), and Lakhi’s home in Gilzian village, near Tanda in Hoshiarpur district. Welcoming them into the party fold, Sukhbir said due respect and office would be given to all those joining the SAD. — TNS Aspirants make beeline to Delhi Gurdaspur: The National Capital seems to be the new address for Congressmen eyeing the Gurdaspur ticket as a majority of the 19 aspirants have made the AICC office in New Delhi their new abode. Hectic parleys were going on between senior party leaders in New Delhi to decide the candidates for the coming assembly elections. Gurdaspur MP Partap Bajwa, after camping in Delhi for a few days, returned to Chandigarh on Friday. The MP, it is said, is seeking ticket for his wife Charanjit Bajwa and his brother Fatehjung Bajwa for Qadian or Gurdaspur seats. — TNS
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Overseas Punjabis sulk over neglect
Chandigarh, December 24 Though People's Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Singh Badal kept his date with the select audience comprising retired and serving bureaucrats, academicians, industrialists, farmers' representatives and the media, top leaders of other political parties, including the SAD, BJP and Congress, gave a miss to the debate that continued for over three hours. While the NAPA representatives not only assailed both the politicians and the bureaucrats for the present slump of Punjab from top to 17th position in the country, but also warned the political leadership of growing alienation of second and third generations of overseas Punjabis from their grassroots. This, they explained, was the reason that not many overseas Punjabis were evincing any interest in the ensuing political battle that would chose rulers for next five years. The second rung leaders of major political parties, on the other hand, dabbled in rivals bashing blaming their opponents for the poor fiscal health and deteriorating healthcare, education and civic services in once prosperous State. Interestingly, Punjab NRI Minister Balbir Singh Baath wondered as whether the whole exercise was focused only on coming elections or for building Punjab in the next 10 to 15 years. Winners and losers in the coming Assembly elections, he said, would be the people from Punjab. Former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh said that there was no place for honest and committed political workers, they get shunted out for raising fingers against their corrupt leaders and colleagues. Manpreet Singh Badal, who wanted police, bureaucracy and legislators accountable, education revolution, correcting urban development and infrastructure, cutting administrative flap, bringing Vigilance under Lok Pal, also gave a call to electorates to send 100 good people to the Assembly so as to restore the glory the State. Taking a dig at Manpreet Badal, Sunil Jakhar of Congress said that he had been a part of the present ruling SAD-BJP alliance and lost an opportunity to cleanse the system. Supporting FDI in retail, Sunil Jakhar said that it would eliminate commission agents and benefits would be passed to the farmers. Industrialist Jagjit Singh Kochhar said, "What is good for Punjab should be supported by all major political parties and should not be opposed for the sole purpose of opposition. Punjab has missed many opportunities, including the IT revolution." Bhupinder Singh Mann of Bharti Kisan Union blamed the system for being anti-farmer or producer, while Umendra Dutt of Khet Virasat Mission suggested focus on promoting organic farming so as to save and protect environment in the State that was gradually becoming cancer capital. Dalwinder Singh Dhoot and Satnam Singh Chahal of the NAPA not only assailed the successive governments for overlooking grievances of the NRIs and overseas Punjabis, but also wanted that it was the time for the State to embark upon a consensus agenda that can bring it back on the forefront as a strong economic power.
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Row over shifting of accused
Chandigarh, December 24 Taking cognisance of the matter, Punjab Director-General of Police (Prisons) Shashi Kant has not only ordered their shifting back to the Gurdaspur jail with immediate effect but has also ordered an inquiry into the episode. It is believed that all four accused were initially lodged at Kapurthala jail, but were moved out after the trial was shifted out of Jalandhar to Gurdaspur on the High Court orders. The DGP, when contacted, refused to divulge the details, but confirmed their shifting back to the Gurdaspur jail. DGP Kant said the action followed a notice by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a contempt petition filed against their shifting back to the Kapurthala jail. Gurkirat Singh Sekhon, alias Gikki, a hotelier's son, was allegedly murdered by SAD MLA Sarabjit Makkar's nephew Ram Simran Singh Makkar, alias Prince, also a SAD councillor. Gikki and Prince were childhood friends as they had studied together. Gikki was murdered outside a popular hangout, Baba Rasoi, in the Model Town area in Jalandhar. His father Rajbir Singh, claiming himself to be an eyewitness, had accused Makkar of shooting his son in the back from close range after a brief scuffle. The trial was shifted on a petition filed by Ram Simran Singh Makkar. He had moved the High Court for transfer of trial out of Punjab on the ground that a fair and an independent trial could not be expected in the state, as there was a very strong hate campaign against the accused in the case. Alleging that complainant Rajbir Singh was playing an active role in the hate campaign, the petitioner had submitted that the district administration, too, had become paralysed to protect the accused. Makkar had alleged that his father was murdered by a terrorist, who continued to be a proclaimed offender; and certain political parties were instigating people against the accused.
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Data on cancer patients to be ready in two years
The Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, had written to all the civil surgeons two months back to order all persons concerned in hospitals (private or public), pathological, clinical and radiological laboratories and institutions imparting medical education and providing diagnostic, treatment and any other healthcare related facilities to report online diagnosed or suspicious cases of cancer and send a hard copy to the Head of Pathology Department, Government Medical College, Patiala. The investigating agencies have called a meeting of all civil surgeons of the State on January 11 to ensure that all such cases without any exception be reported to the College. "This would help us in collecting reliable data, which will be used for undertaking epidemiological studies and help in planning cancer control activities. We have already started registration of individual cancer patients with the help of social workers, data entry operator and a research scientist. After collecting data, we will send it to the headquarters of the National Cancer Registry Programme, Bangalore, where it would be processed according to the requirement," informed Dr MS Bal, Principal Investigator of the Population-Based Cancer Registry Programme, Government Medical College, Patiala. He said the project had been initiated to gather information regarding number of cancer cases and the pattern of the disease in Punjab. "Though most of the medical practitioners are cooperating, but a few are little reluctant to disclose about their practice. This is where we are facing certain problems, but we hope to resolve it soon with the help of the Health Department," added Dr Bal.
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Fatehgarh Sahib DC constitutes poll committees
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 24 As soon as the code of conduct was enforced, Yashveer Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, immediately called a meeting of the election officers and constituted flying squads and surveillance committees under each police station to keep a close watch on the candidates especially in regard to the distribution of cash, liquor and other items during the elections. He briefed them about the directions of the Election Commission. He directed the videography monitoring and accounting and expenditure committees to get ready to cover the nominations of the candidates. — OC
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Villagers cite risk to their health
Village sarpanch Satnam Singh said that one each 220 KV power transmission lines were passing through north and south of the village. "These lines are as close as 50 metres to some households and in addition to this, two more 400 KV lines are being erected in close proximity of the existing power lines," added Ajit Singh, a resident of the village. Brig Dhandev Singh Dhillon (retd) said that as per the studies conducted by the World Health Organisation, UK, Saudi Arabia and the USA, there was a health risk to those who live within a magnetic field of 2 Milligaus generated by power transmission lines. "If these studies are to be believed, then these transmission lines are a health hazard to the village. A large segment is in the risk of the 2 Milligaus magnetic field, generated by the 220 KV power lines. Once the additional 400 KV lines are energised, the health risk will be increased," added Brig Dhillon. The residents demanded that the Corporation should evaluate the current and future health risks of the villagers and then take suitable action in this regard. Though the official concerned was not available for comments, but on the condition of anonymity other officials said that transmission lines were being set up in accordance with the rules and regulations.
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Prisoner’s escape: Police begins probe
Patiala, December 24 Police believed that the cops had concocted a story after the undertrial escaped and claimed that three unknown persons had attacked them near the Central Jail here and managed to escape. According to the FIR lodged at Tripuri police station, accused Baljit Kumar, a resident of Haibowal, Ludhiana, was taken for a court hearing in Ludhiana on December 21. "When two constables accompanying him reached Patiala, three unidentified persons attacked the police team and fled with Baljit, injuring the cops", reads the FIR. "We are probing the matter and initial probe suggests that two constables Rajiv Kumar and Pardeep Kumar had taken Baljit Kumar to Ludhiana, where they were duped and the accused managed to escape ", said a senior police officer. SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill confirmed that they were probing the matter following the suspicion statements of the two constables.— TNS
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Chamar Mahan Sabha calls off stir
Chandigarh, December 24 An announcement for the postponement was made in a staement here today by president of the sabha, Paramjit Singh Kainth. He said the sabha would take its next decision regarding the matter after the next government would take guard in the state after the elections. —TNS
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Faridkot, December 24
Jalandhar, December 24
Chandigarh, December 24
As per the steps taken by the ECI to ensure free and fair polls, static and mobile surveillance teams will be set up to ensure random checking of vehicles and remedial action in case of complaints pertaining to expenditure.
Represented by Health Minister Satpal Gosain in the present assembly, the seat now has a large number of voters from newly added areas, including Mori Nagar, Basti Jodhewal and from Noorwala Road to Jamalpur. 
Patiala, December 24
Patiala, December 24