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moga bypoll
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SAD engineers defections as during DSGMC poll
SAD workers join Congress
Monumental neglect in patiala
State to have new industrial policy by next month: Joshi
Property Tax
Education Dept takes steps to curb cheating in board exams
Punjab teachers reluctant to adopt new teaching aids
Meeting to nominate DSGMC members today
Need for authentic, critical analysis of news: Experts
Doctors ‘refuse’ first aid to rape victim in Rama Mandi
Stray dogs maul man to death in Amritsar
Woman, son get 7 years’ RI for abducting minor
Another Punjabi shot in Philippines
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moga bypoll
Moga, February 12 Supporters of former Director-General of police (DGP) PS Gill and those of former municipal committee president Makhan Brar are reluctant to back Jain. Gill's supporters are peeved at the SAD for changing its face in the constituency. Councillors supporting Brar, who is former Agriculture Minister Tota Singh's son, are insecure as they feel Jain will promote his own team if elected. Jain's team consists of former Congress men who defected to the SAD along with him.This en masse desertion has affected the Congress as Jain was virtually running the party in the constituency since the past 10 years. The Congress is banking on the fact that the people will punish Jain for switching loyalties for "selfish interests" rather than any ideological fallout with the party. Jain is trying to explain his action by claiming that he had done so for the people of Moga so that they would have a say in governance. The SAD, which was seen to be trailing behind the Congress, is gradually getting stronger. Faridkot MLA Deep Malhotra, who is camping in the office of Aggarwal Sabha president Manjit Kansal, today told arhtiyas that it was best to be part of the government. Kansal maintained that the Aggarwal community would support Jain's candidature. However, the reluctance of Gill's supporters to support Jain is affecting his chances. "How do we back a person we had opposed only a year back," asked a supporter, adding that even Gill was finding it difficult to convince his supporters to toe the party line. Gill, when questioned, said he was telling all his supporters to support Jain wholeheartedly. In such a situation, it is SAD president Sukhbir Badal's presence alone in Moga that might work for Jain. Sukhbir has been meeting a cross-section of voters and has cajoled some councillors into backing Jain. He also has to win over BJP workers who are not enthused over Jain's candidature with talks of the SAD getting a majority on its own in the assembly if it wins Moga. The Congress is trying to put Jain on the defensive and Sathi has succeeded in this partially. Sathi's speeches target Jain for his "opportunism" and other "habits" which draw applause from the crowds.The fact that Pradesh Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh and local constituency in charge Rana Gurjit Singh are camping here and leading the campaign from the front is also helping Sathi. The SAD campaign in the city is picking up with more local leaders joining the Akalis. Former Bar Association president and Congress man Naseeb Bawa joined the SAD along with his supporters today. The Congress campaign has been suffering from a lack of spending power as well as the fact that the party has more leaders than workers in the constituency. The coming days will be tough for the urban voters of Moga, who comprise 65,000 of the 1,00,000 electorate. They will have to decide on whether to opt for the SAD's development plank or respond to the Congress' call for conscience voting.
SAD Scenario
Cong
Gameplan
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SAD engineers defections as during DSGMC poll
Moga, February 12 Even before the Congress campaign could start off, the SAD had won over senior district leader Jagroop Singh Takhtupura, one of the aspirants for the Congress ticket. Today, the SAD inducted a number of local Congress leaders to create a wave in its favour. Among them were senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's confidant Kewal Singh, ex-chairman of the Block Samiti, Baldev Kaur, former sarpanch of Droli Bhai, and Congress workers led by Jalor Singh. These defections were reportedly engineered by Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia. Naseeb Bawa, president of the Moga Bar eight times and a three-time councillor, also joined the SAD this evening. Bawa and his supporters held a big function, giving a fillip to the Akali campaign in the town. The SAD has concentrated most on rural areas, where it claims to be already ahead of its rival party. The Congress claims that these "defections under duress" will not have any impact on the party. But SAD leaders disagree.
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Despite election code, Sukhbir announces canal water project
Daroli Bhai, February 12 Addressing a well-attended public gathering at Daroli Bhai village, Sukhbir said he was aware that these villages required canal water for irrigation facilities.Therefore, the government had decided to provide canal water to Daroli Bhai and nearby villages. "I have already asked Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon to draft a project in this regard which we will approve soon after the elections," Sukhbir said. Claiming that the SAD was a party of marginal farmers, the poor and the downtrodden, he claimed that his father had implemented several projects for the farmers during his various tenures as Chief Minister. The District Election Officer, AS Thind, said: " I will ask for a report from the returning officer which will be sent to the Election Commission." No surplus water for neighbours: Capt Kahansinghwala: Punjab does not have surplus water to give to neighbouring states, said Amarinder Singh while addressing a rally here. He said the water table had declined drastically. “We require more water to protect the farm sector,” he said. Later, addressing a gathering at Kaliewala village, CLP Leader Sunil Jakhar claimed that had Amarinder Singh not annuled the water treaty with Haryana, the entire Malwa region would have been rendered barren. Former minister Darshan Singh Brar claimed that Vijay Sathi would win by a huge margin. Congress MLAs Karan Brar and Rana Gurjit Singh Sodhi also addressed rallies. Sukhbir: Probe loan waiver scheme Daroli Bhai: Sukhbir Badal demanded a probe into alleged irregularities in the Congress scheme launched just before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections under which farm loans worth Rs 60,000 crore were waived. He said as per the scheme, loans of 3.5 crore farmers were waived, but according to the CAG, many farmers had not received any benefit.
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SAD workers join Congress
Kahansinghwala, February 12 Amarinder said unlike the SAD, the Congress was a democratic and secular party. On Sukhbir’s remark that he was picking “diamonds among the stones” with the Congress, Amarinder mocked at him, saying: “ We are not diamond-crazy.You keep the diamonds and we will keep the workers.”
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Monumental neglect in patiala
Patiala, February 12 Recently, the state government had authorised the Punjab Urban Development Authority to pull down a century-old building. It once used to be the residential quarter of one of the royal ministers in the erstwhile Pepsu state. The government has also set the ball rolling for vacating the Patiala Central Jail; the inmates are to be shifted to Nabha jail. The prime jail land is to be auctioned, with the government planning to be richer by Rs 1,500 crore through its sale. The state government’s decision of dismantling the buildings, however, has invited sharp criticism. Heritage lovers and those associated with the tourism industry have been accusing the cash-strapped state government of taking an easy route to make a fast buck. They claim that instead of making available funds for restoration, heritage buildings are being sold one after the other. “No city in Punjab has as many heritage buildings as in Patiala. If the state government wants, it can easily promote the city as a tourism destination. But, it’s on a selling spree. Heritage structures, which can never be rebuilt, are being sold to raise revenue,” says a resident. On tapping Patiala’s tourism potential, Financial Commissioner (Tourism) Geetika Kalha says, “Currently, we have no funds to promote tourism in Patiala... We had spent some a few years ago.” Promoting tourism left aside, the state government is not even releasing funds for the repair of buildings that are linked to history, he adds. As a result, several of them are on the verge of collapse. Many buildings house government offices, but their condition is no better either. As the work for restoration is divided between various departments, officials find it easy to pass the buck than expedite renovation work, a historian points out.
Govt Mohindra College
The Government Mohindra College, which is one of oldest colleges in the country, has also been battling official apathy. Set up by Maharaja Mahendra Singh in 1870, the college recently had to ask its old students to donate paint boxes so that the management could get the huge building painted. Famous for its architectural excellence, the college for a long time was the only such institute between Delhi and Lahore, serving as a major hub of higher education. It used to be a favoutire among foreign students too. “With the meagre grants released by the state government, it is not even possible to get the ceilings of a portion of the college fixed, leave aside painting the entire building,” says a college functionary.
PWD Rest House
The PWD Rest House, another heritage marvel, may also be brought down soon with officials quietly raising a new building in its rear. The rest house has a sprawling lawn in the front.
Baradari Gardens
The offices of the Patiala Inspector-General and the Deputy Inspector-General are located in Baradari Gardens. The building, however, has been crying for upkeep. A portion of the building had collapsed during a meeting last year, says a policeman, “duty-bound to stay put in the unsafe building”.
Other historical buildings
Prominent among other heritage buildings are the ones housing Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS), Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters, Excise and Taxation Department, Government Medical College and Hospital, Government TB Hospital, Neemrana Heritage Hotel, Yadavindra Public School and Military Headquarters. Of these, the NIS, Yadavindra Public School and Neemrana Hotel are well maintained. Scion of Patiala’s royal family Raninder Singh claims, “The Chief Minister is talking about charging cess to preserve historical buildings. But if he is that serious, why is he clearing the demolition of heritage buildings in Patiala? Is the royal city’s heritage not worth being preserved? They are selling whatever they like and taking away funds out of Patiala to pay employees’ salaries.” Principal Secretary (Cultural Affairs) SS Channy says, “We have funds for the restoration of old buildings in Patiala in the 13 Finance Commission and Rs 25 crore out of it will be released soon. An initial project report is being prepared and once that is done, we will invite tenders from specialist architects by February-end.”
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State to have new industrial policy by next month: Joshi
Joshi said the industrial policies of states like Gujarat, Madhya Pardesh and Haryana were being studied. “To attract new industrial units and retain the existing ones, the government is also contemplating to offer incentives to industrialists,” the Minister said. The minister claimed that concessions worth Rs 1,300 crore had already been given to sick industrial units in the state. “We have decided to divide the state into various zones where industries will be established according to the availability of raw material and market. For example, textile industry will be developed in the Malwa belt where cotton is available in abundance,” said Joshi.
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Property Tax
Ludhiana, February 12 The review started on February 6. The physical verification will be completed within 60 days. The MC is also getting satellite mapping done with the help of the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) located at the Punjab Agricultural University. The properties will be allotted a unique identification number by the PRSC, which has already completed the mapping work. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation will be imposing Property Tax from April 1, for which the city will be divided into eight zones and each zone will have a different unit value, to be fixed by a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner. PS Ghuman, MC Joint Commissioner cum Nodal Officer (Property Tax) said they had already completed the physical verification of a total of 562
properties. “At present this survey is being carried out in two blocks but soon it would start in all blocks,” he said. The annual unit value will be 5 per cent of the total unit value for residential properties, 15 per cent for commercial property and 20 per cent for malls and five star hotels The payable Property Tax will be 1 per cent of the annual unit value Open lands, vacant plots will also be taxable. The tax on vacant plots will be 0.25 per cent of the annual unit value. For example, if Property Tax of a residential
house is Rs 1,000 per annum, the Property Tax of the plot of the same size will be Rs 250 per annum.
Vital Info
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Education Dept takes steps to curb cheating in board exams
Mohali, February 12 The meeting was headed by Maluka and attended by Kahan Singh Pannu, Director General School Education, Tajinder Paul Kaur, chairman of PSEB, Dr Balwinder Singh, secretary, PSEB, and all District Education Officers (DEO). “The DEOs will be responsible for checking the menace and action will be taken against anyone found flouting the norms,” said Maluka. It was also decided that the Deputy Commissioner and Sub Divisional Magistrate of the area could also inspect the examination centre in their area
anytime. “Officials in the flying squads and examination centres have been selected on the recommendation of the DEOs so they would be held responsible if a case of cheating is reported from their area. “Action would also be taken against the school,” said Dr Balwinder Singh, secretary of the PSEB. He claimed all arrangements had been put in place for the forthcoming exams of Class 10 and 12, starting from March 12 and
March 1. As many as 4,25,812 students would take the Class 10 examination while 3,26,290 students would take the Class 12 exam. As many as 3,236 examination centres across the state will be set up for
the purpose.
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Punjab teachers reluctant to adopt new teaching aids
Chandigarh, February 12 The trainer found the teaching community’s attitude too hostile in their approach to change. Most of those, who were attending the seminar, were school principals. A principal, posted in a government senior secondary school in Amritsar district, said, “Most of our students are not even familiar with the basics of subjects such as mathematics and English. What can they learn on computers when even the teachers are not equipped to use these?” A Kapurthala district school principal said, “We teach students from very backward sections of the society. Many of them might never study beyond school. As far as teaching basics to these students is concerned, the old tried and tested methods cannot be discontinued just to facilitate the entry of some private entrepreneurs in the education sector.” At the same time, younger participants showed keen interest in the new teaching aids applied to different subjects. “I was impressed by the teaching aids applied to make mathematics more interesting. The method could work since it is a tough subject,” a principal said. Another participant said, “I agree that all schools are not suited for the change in teaching methodology, at least in the immediate future. At the same time certain schools showed excellent results with the support of the NRIs in the area. These aids can also be
promoted through government schemes.”
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Meeting to nominate DSGMC members today New Delhi, February 12 Leaders of the SAD (Delhi), led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, cannot file nominations as at least 16 votes are required to get nominated. Sarna has only eight elected members while the SAD has 37 elected members. Representation of the SGPC will be given to Gurmeet Singh Lubana. The meeting will be organised by the Directorate of Gurdwara Election. Within 15 days of the meeting, the elected DSGMC members will elect their leader.
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Need for authentic, critical analysis of news: Experts
Patiala, February 12 While tracing the historical development of media and information science, Damdami said information had always been an important tool to rule. He stressed the need for authentic, positive and critical analysis of news for the welfare of the society. Dr IV Malhan, Head of Department, Library and Information Science, Central University, Dharmashala, stressed on the need for educating masses about media and information literacy. In his presidential address, Dr Jaspal Singh said media and information science could tremendously help in fostering sustained inclusive growth.
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Doctors ‘refuse’ first aid to rape victim in Rama Mandi
Bathinda, February 12 The profusely bleeding child was allegedly refused first-aid by doctors there who insisted that the victim be taken to the Talwandi Sabo Civil Hospital. A volunteer alleged as there was no doctor at the Talwandi Sabo hospital, they took the girl to the Bathinda Civil Hospital. “We have traced the parents of the girl, who has been admitted to the Bathinda Civil Hospital,” he said. Civil Surgeon Ajay Sahni said he would seek an explanation from doctors of the Rama Mandi hospital regarding the allegations of the NGO. Bathinda SSP Ravcharan Brar went to the Civil Hospital to probe the incident. He later went to Rama Mandi where some protesters stopped a train.
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Stray dogs maul man to death in Amritsar
Amritsar, February 12 The incident took place at 10.30 pm when Tajinder was passing by a hadda rodi near the village. On hearing his cries, local residents rushed to the spot. But by that time, dogs had injured him severely. Tajinder died on way to the hospital. Station House Officer of the Kathunangal police station Preetinder Singh the police had initiated proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.
— TNS
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Woman, son get 7 years’ RI for abducting minor
Sangrur, February 12 The judge awarded both three years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500 each under Section 363 of the IPC, seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 each under Section 366 of the IPC, and seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 each under Section 120-B of the IPC. All sentences will run concurrently. On the statement of the victim’s mother, a case was registered by the Sangrur city police on March 25, 2012 against the duo under Sections 363, 366-A and 120-B of the IPC. Thereafter, the police recovered the girl from them on March 30, 2012. As per the case, the victim’s mother had alleged that her daughter had disappeared on March 5, 2012.
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Another Punjabi shot in Philippines
Jalandhar, February 12 Over 200 Punjabis have been killed in the Philippines in the past eight years. Most of them belonged to Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur of the Doaba region. The victim's son, Harjinder Singh Kang, said they were informed about the death by one of their relatives in the Philippines." My father was here for my marriage on December 16 last. He returned to the Philippines on January 29." The victim's wife Manjeet Kaur was inconsolable.
Soft targets
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Mohali, February 12