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Counter set up for visa-on-arrival facility at Attari ICP
Trial of rape cases put on fast track: CJ
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The Central Jail In Amritsar. A Tribune file photoraph
Congress to discuss screening Majithia’s CD at Maghi Mela
DSGMC
Poll
CM’s U-turn on snub to Majithia
Re-totalling Scam
CBI to probe Kotkapura bank fraud
Cold conditions lead to increase in poultry prices
Projects worth Rs 708 cr for Mohali, Ludhiana
4 cases of swine flu reported in Patiala
188 Pak pilgrims arrive at Rauza Sharif
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Counter set up for visa-on-arrival facility at Attari ICP
Amritsar, January 8 The new agreement replaces the 38-year old visa regime signed by the two countries in 1974. Immigration officials said the counter would be open twice a year after a gap of at least 60 days. Their visitors would be allowed to stay for a maximum period of 45 days.They would be entitled to visit five places of their choice. However, J&K and Kerala would not be included in the list, the officials said. The visitors would be issued transit visa for Amritsar. Under the new set-up, the applicants would approach the designated counter and submit their passport along with a special form, which would be accepted with a fee equivalent to US $2. Thereafter, they would move to the regular counter for other formalities. The visitors would be exempted from police verification. But the officials maintained that they had the rights to deny entry to any suspicious person or one with an criminal past. Several tourists from Pakistan and Kashmir, who checked in at the ICP today, said the new visa regime, signed by the two countries on September 8, 2012, would be helpful in promoting people-to-people contact.
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Trial of rape cases put on fast track: CJ
Chandigarh, January 8 As a Division Bench of the High Court took up a petition in public interest on rape and suicide by a Patiala girl, Chief Justice Sikri asserted in the open court: "I have given directions on administrative side to constitute fast-track court for trial of rape cases in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh." The Chief Justice also directed Chandigarh Forensic Science Laboratory to submit the viscera report within three days from receiving the sample. Directions were also issued to the special investigating team to complete the probe within seven days from then, and submit the challan in the trial court before next date of hearing — January 22, 2013 The Bench of Chief Justice Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain said it planned to issue directions to the police officials on the manner in which crime against women cases were to be investigated and challans presented in the court. The Bench said it further planned to issue guidelines to the trial courts on the manner of conducting the trials in such cases. The Bench also expressed its intention to sensitise the judicial officers by giving them appropriate training for conducting trials in such matters. The Bench even requested the Judicial Academy at Chandigarh to impart appropriate training to the Judicial Officer going to man the fast-track courts in pursuance of the instructions issued on the administrative side. The Bench observed in its order that petitioners, interveners or respondents should come forward with suggestions on crime against women, as it was not an adversarial litigation. The Bench also issued notice to the Punjab Government in a related petition filed in public interest for quashing the circular of August 8, 2011, providing remissions to life convicts, including those convicted for rape. The PIL, filed by advocate HC Arora, was also clubbed with the rape-cum-suicide case. Speaking for the Bench, the Chief Justice orally observed that "in view of prevailing atmosphere in the country, it would be worthwhile for the Punjab Government to withdraw this circular". The observation was verbally made and does not amount to issuance of any direction to the state government. The Bench wondered how the state government could order premature release of the rape convicts, even prior to completion of seven years of statutory sentence, the minimum provided in the case of conviction for rape under Section 376 of the IPC. During the hearing, the Bench was also informed by the representative of the SIT that it was awaiting viscera report of the deceased rape victim. The Bench noted with anguish that the police officials concerned had not discharged their duties properly, and referred to delay in registration of the FIR and inaction on the part of the cops to arrest the accused. The High Court also recorded its dismay over the fact that the police officials concerned totally ignored plight of the victim. The Bench also refused to accept a request made by Punjab Additional Advocate-General Rita Kohli for additional time as the SIT was to take sample of the rape victim's handwriting to match with the "suicide note". The Chief Justice observed procedural delay should not take place in urgent matters, once the SIT has been set up.
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3 inmates flee Amritsar jail
Amritsar, January 8 The escapees, Budh Singh, Suraj Kumar and Narain Singh, were arrested under various Sections of the NDPS Act. They were also involved in theft cases. While five cases of theft and dacoity were registered against Narain Singh, a case for possessing 1kg of charas was registered against Budh Singh. As many as 2,100 capsules of Parvon Spas were recovered from Suraj Kumar. The three took advantage of the thick fog in the wee hours. It is learnt that they cut the iron grills (of barrack No 6) with the help of a saw. They then detached a 30-ft-long water pipe and used it to scale the jail's boundary wall. The jail staff on duty found them missing at about 3.30 am. The services of Assistant Superintendent Kulwant Singh, a head warden and six others have been placed under suspension. Jail Superintendent Amrik Singh Waraich said that an FIR under Sections 223/224/225 of the IPC had been registered with the Cantonment police station against six staff members for negligence. The security breach is alarming as the Central Jail houses several dreaded criminals, including former terrorists. Police Commissioner Ram Singh said: “ It is astonishing how the three managed to escape despite the strict vigil. We have formed special teams to nab them.”
CM orders probe
Chandigarh: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday directed the Director-General of Police, Jails, to ask the Inspector-General, Jails, to thoroughly probe the causes and circumstances leading to the incident and to submit the probe report within a week. He also sought suggestions to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
The Escape
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Oak Creek hero felicitated
Amritsar, January 8 At a ceremony held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in the Golden Temple complex, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar presented a gold medal, a shawl and a siropa (robe of honour) to Kaleka's wife Satpal Kaur and sons Pardeep Singh and Amardeep Singh. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Golden Temple's head granthi Giani Mal Singh and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa were present on the occasion. Makkar also presented a siropa to Kaleka's brothers and sisters. Makkar said Kaleka had displayed extraordinary courage in protecting the devotees. Seven persons were killed and 20 injured during the shootout. Makkar also praised Lt Brian Murphy who was seriously injured while saving the devotees. " A ceremony will be held in the US where Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh will honour Lt Murphy, he added.
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Congress to discuss screening Majithia’s CD at Maghi Mela
Bathinda, January 8 The Muktsar district administration fears that the move may trigger tension during the mela. Senior Congress leader and AICC member Jagmeet Singh Brar, when contacted, said he did not favour “mudslinging” at religious fairs. “The sanctity of religious fairs should be maintained and these should not be utilised as a platform to settle old scores.” He said he was hurt by the reported mudslinging by various parties during the recent Fatehgarh Sahib mela. At the same time, Brar said he would have no objection if the PCC leadership screened the CD during the fair. Deputy Commissioner Paramjit Singh said, “The Congress had so far not sought permission for screening the CD. "The district administration has to ensure that harmony is maintained during the Maghi Mela and there is no law and order problem.” The contents of the CD are available at social networking sites. Senior Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh, who are to arrive in Moga tomorrow for an anti-government rally, are expected to discuss the issue. People’s Party of Punjab chief, Manpreet Singh Badal, who is to hold a political conference of the Sanjha Morcha at the mela, is expected to utilise the occasion to attack the SAD-BJP coalition government on various counts.
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DSGMC
Poll
New Delhi, January 8 The Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) are contesting from all wards. Thee Kendriya Guru Singh Sabha have fielded 21 candidates and the Dashmesh Sewa Society 33. As many as 160 Independents have filed their papers. The SAD has fielded 24 dummy candidates from Vasant Vihar, Preet Vihar, Greater Kailash, Kalkaji, Shiv Nagar, Shakur Basti, Ashok Nagar, Vishnu Garden, Sahib Pura, Rajouri Garden, Moti Nagar, Punjabi Bagh, Wazirpur, Geeta Colony, Vivek Vihar, Kamla Nagar, Civil Lines, Paharganj, Rohini, Shakti Nagar, Karampura, Tibbia College, Patel Nagar and Vikaspuri. The SAD (Delhi) has field14 dummy candidates from Chandni Chowk, Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Malviya Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Janakpuri, Ashok Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Tibbia College and Vikaspuri. The Dashmesh Sewa Society’s 14 dummy candidates are from Shakur Basti, Janakpuri, Ashok Nagar, Tagore Garden, Vishnu Garden, Tilak Nagar, Ramesh Nagar, Moti Nagar, Tri Nagar, Wazirpur, Geeta Colony, Kamla Nagar, Rohini, Karampura. The society has a pact with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi-UK). The maximum number of Independents (9 each) are from Dev Nagar, Tilak Nagar, and Vishnu Garden followed by Karampura (8). The minimum number of candidates are from Rajinder
Nagar.
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CM’s U-turn on snub to Majithia
But at the same time, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patron maintained that senior leaders of the party needed to be given "priority" in various matters. Interacting with mediapersons at the Secretariat here, Badal said his remarks, including that Majithia, unlike senior Akali leaders, had never been to jail and now wanted to be all-powerful, were made in a lighter vein. The Chief Minister said Majithia and his team had done a good job to make the NRI Sammelan a "success" and "he admired them for that". But, he said, the old guard, including senior leaders like Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Balwinder Singh Bhundur, should also be given priority. He said the young leaders, including Majithia and Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa, needed to work in tandem with the seniors. Badal also tried to bury the chief ministership issue, which was raised by a few NRI delegates. They had advocated Badal handing over the reins to his son and deputy Sukhbir Badal. He said it was Sukhbir, and also the SAD, who had named him the party's chief ministerial candidate in the run-up to the assembly elections held earlier this year. He said he would continue to remain on the post till the party so wished. On another issue that he had raised in Jalandhar, he reiterated that while development and governance went hand in hand, it was important to win the people's confidence. He, however, qualified this by saying that Sukhbir was following in his footsteps and was taking everybody along, thus, indicating that he was not contradicting his son who had claimed that "only development was responsible for the party's victory". Sources in the SAD said there was a feeling that Badal's remarks had dented Majithia's image and that the Chief Minister himself felt the need for a correction course. There was also a feeling in the party that Majithia needed to be given his due for the "success" of the NRI Sammelan. Though Badal today tried to retract from his remarks against Majithia, he made it clear to the party rank and file that the senior Akalis were "all important" and would continue to remain so. His call for coordination between the youth brigade and the old guard is also important in view of the next parliamentary elections.
On handing over reins to Sukhbir Badal Badal tried to bury the chief ministership issue, which was raised by a few NRI delegates at the NRI Sammelan in Jalandhar. They had advocated Badal handing over the reins to his son and deputy Sukhbir Badal. He said it was Sukhbir, and also the SAD, who had named him the party's chief ministerial candidate in the run-up to the assembly elections held earlier this year. He said he would continue to remain on the post till the party so wished.
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Re-totalling Scam
Chandigarh, January 8 The resolution was passed at a meeting chaired by chairman of the council Dr Umesh Wadhwa. The council also demanded that the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and the university Dean be removed from their posts to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry into the matter. It resolved that since the university did not have legal status of a recognised university, all degrees awarded by it were under suspicion. It said the shifting of students from the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, to the Hoshiarpur University was done in a hasty manner in 2009 despite the fact that the latter university was devoid of infrastructure. It said it was ironical that the running batches of a recognised university were shifted to an unrecognised university. The council said keeping in view the legal implications, the state government should shift responsibility of the students of the Hoshiarpur university back to the Baba Farid University at the earliest. The Tribune had highlighted alleged malpractices in the re-totalling of marks after the semester examination in 2011 in Guru Ravi Das Ayurvedic University. There have been allegations that the identity of students on answersheets was tempered with. The then Controller of Examinations, Dr Loveleen Kaur, however, claimed that she was "bypassed" in the
re-totalling process.
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CBI to probe Kotkapura bank fraud
Faridkot, January 8 In the beginning, the embezzlement sum was assessed at Rs 10.47 lakh. As the probe progressed, it was revised to Rs 2.85 crore in October 2011 and then to Rs 6 crore. “As per the bank rules, if the misappropriated amount is more than Rs 1 crore and bank staff is involved in the crime, an FIR needs to be lodged with the CBI at the first stage,” said a senior bank officer. A case regarding the embezzlement was registered in Kotkapura on May 5, 2009, after Jagmohan Singh Kochhar, branch manager made a complaint to the police, alleging that Surjit Singh, Rural Development Officer (RDO) in the bank, had embezzled Rs 10.47 lakh. It later turned out that he too was involved in the scandal. Further inquiry into the case pegged the misappropriated sum at over Rs 6 crore. The police failed to arrest most of the accused who succeeded in getting bail and fled. Three of the 10 accused bank officials have been declared proclaimed offenders. The scandal came to the notice of the High Court when Kochhar approached the court for anticipatory bail. Amazed at the slow pace of investigations, the High Court ordered that the case be handed over to the CBI. The bank authorities have filed a money recovery suit of Rs 5.65 crore against the accused bank officials.
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BSF seizes heroin worth Rs 55 cr
Ferozepur, January 8 The troops seized 11 packets of heroin, worth Rs 55 crore in the international market, and fake Indian currency notes of Rs 11,90,500 denomination from the area of Khalra border outpost in Ferozepur Sector. BSF officials said keeping in view of the vulnerability of the border from the smuggling point of view, the BSF personnel had been issued operational guidelines to further strengthen border domination, especially seeing the prevailing foggy weather conditions to check the menace of narcotics smuggling on the Punjab border with Pakistan. At about 4:20 am today, the troops heard an unusual sound and rushed to the spot near the border security fence. However, Pakistani smugglers managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness and foggy weather. Later, when the area was searched, 15 packets, out of which 11 packets were of heroin and four packets containing fake Indian currency notes, were seized. The BSF jawans also seized a 12 feet long plastic pipe from the spot, located 200 metres ahead of the border security fence towards the Zero Line.
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Cold conditions lead to increase in poultry prices
As a result, the prices of eggs have shot up from Rs 280 per 100 eggs in last week of December to Rs 360 per 100 eggs now. The prices of live chicken have increased from Rs 60 per kg in December to Rs 75 per kg now, while that of dressed chicken have increased from Rs 100 per kg, to Rs 120-140 per kg now. Because of the high prices fetched by the poultry products, farmers are upbeat as they had continued to suffer huge losses through most part of the last year. Sources in the poultry business told The Tribune that the reason behind the increase in price of poultry products was that because of low demand through most part of 2012, the production of poultry products had come down. But because of a good winter season, the demand again escalated and the gap in demand and supply led to a price hike. Also, the input costs in poultry have increased manifold, with prices of poultry feed rising by almost 50 per cent over the last year’s rate. This also forced the poultry farmers to demand higher prices for their produce. Surjit Sagri, managing director of Sagri Group of Companies, a leading poultry unit, said through most part of the last year, the cost of production of a live bird was Rs 57- 59 per kg, while it continued to sell at Rs 48- 49 per kg. “The hatcheries had increased the parent population in their farms manifold in 2011. As a result, there was a glut of chicks in the market and prices remained low throughout 2012, thus leading to poultry units suffering huge losses. But now, the demand for poultry products has increased and production is low, leading to higher prices of poultry products,” he said. GS Bedi, president, Amritsar Poultry Industry Association, said farmers had increased the prices as cost of feed had gone up substantially. The prices of maize (which constitutes 60 per cent of the feed) had increased from Rs 1,100 per quintal to Rs 1,580 per quintal, he added. “Even the prices of soya have increased from Rs 1,800 per quintal to Rs 2,900 per quintal. This has led to the cost of production going up by 25 per cent. As a result, prices of poultry products have increased,” he said.
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Projects worth Rs 708 cr for Mohali, Ludhiana
Chandigarh, January 8 The approval came at a meeting of the Empowered Committee on mega projects chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his office here, a government spokesperson said. A ‘Multi-Model Logistic Hub’, with an investment of Rs 487.38 crore, would be set up on a 150-acre plot in Ludhiana. The project, a joint venture between the Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation Limited and the Container Corporation of India, would generate direct and indirect employment for 6,000 persons. The spokesperson said the Empowered Committee also gave its nod for the setting up of a cricket stadium-cum-sports complex in Mohali district. The project would involve an investment of Rs 221.50 crore by the Punjab Cricket Association. The stadium would have a seating capacity for 40,000 spectators. — TNS
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4 cases of swine flu reported in Patiala
Patiala, January 8 Importantly, a Rajpura resident, Kiran, has also tested positive for swine flu. Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Usha Bansal said Kiran could not be contacted yet as they were unable to trace the hospital where she was admitted. “The report sent by the PGI says that she is admitted in Malwaha Hospital but we have not yet been able to locate the hospital. We are busy in tracing the hospital,” she said. In wake of the increasing number of swine flu cases, casualness and non-coordination of the District Health and Family Welfare Department and the Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, also came to fore on Tuesday when the Civil Surgeon office and the authorities of the hospital provided different details of the patient, who was tested positive for swine flu and admitted at the Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. While the hospital authorities said the patient, who had tested positive, was Karamjeet Singh (45), the Civil Surgeon said the patient was Kanwalpreet Singh and his age was 40 years. Moreover, the hospital authorities had not shifted the patient to the swine flu ward even hours after receiving his confirmation report from the PGI, Chandigarh, for reasons of staff shortage and ill-preparedness. Moreover, even after the patient was shifted to the swine flu ward, he had to be immediately brought back to the dengue ward since the toilet seats of the rest room attached with the ward was broken causing inconvenience to the patient. Dr Savita Kapila, in charge of the swine flu ward, said “Since this had happened all of a sudden, we have to get some preparations done which caused the delay. We have staff crunch but now we have deputed proper staff that would take care of everything.”
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VAT’s the trouble for kite makers
Ludhiana, January 8 Negligible profit margins, which are not enough to sustain production, have forced many manufacturers across Punjab to close down their units or switch over to other vocations. The VAT on raw materials like thread, bamboo, paper and manjha is at the rate of 6.5 per cent, while 14.3 per cent VAT is imposed on finished product. For the past 20 years, the business was considered to be a profitable venture that prompted the present generation of the kite makers in the city to take it up for a living. But the scene has changed drastically in the past five years after
imposition of VAT on raw materials used in kite making. State Kite and Dor Association president Gulshan said “We are facing tough times since the imposition of VAT on raw materials used in making kites. Wholesalers, from neighbouring states, earlier used to buy kites from us but now they have stopped buying the product from us and have started procuring it from other states, where no VAT is levied.” Rakesh Chand, another kite maker from Trunk Bazar, said “With the imposition of VAT, our product is priced higher than those of manufacturers and wholesalers of the other states.” “The kite making is a seasonal occupation and sales peak during January and August. Earlier, we used to record good sales for two months, but now it has come down to only about 15 days. Currently, we are only catering to local demand while earlier kites were also bought by retailers and wholesalers from neighbouring states,”
he said.
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188 Pak pilgrims arrive at Rauza Sharif
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 8 The district administration claims to have made all the arrangements for their convenience, but the pilgrims are not satisfied and facing problems of money exchange and telephone. The three-day annual Urs, which is commemorated in the memory of great Sufi Saint Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui Sirhindi, would start from Wednesday. SDM cum Mela Officer Arvind Pal Singh Sandhu said all the arrangements have been made. The arrangement for stay has been made at Rauza Sharif and now it is their duty to provide all facilities. — OC
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More than me, my elder brothers are happy at the liberalised visa regime. They can now plan a visit to their friends and relatives. It would have been better had we been granted premission to stay in Punjab
I view the new visa norms as a New Year gift for elderly persons like me as I had given up the idea of visiting my relatives in Pakistan. But all that has changed now. I will soon visit my relatives
Chandigarh, January 8
Chandigarh, January 8