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84% turn out for panchayat poll
Cong MLA: Officials worked at behest of SAD halqa chiefs
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Badals have throttled democracy: Bajwa
Akalis regain hold over CM's ancestral village
Badals skip voting
Polling agents spar in Sangrur village
Akali groups clash in Muktsar
SAD leader, son injured in attack
Akali MLA held captive by villagers
Four poll officials injured in acid attack
Violence in Amritsar, Tarn Taran
Cong, SAD leaders trade charges
State BJP executive meet from july 7
Candidate booked for distributing poppy husk
POLL
DIGEST
Basmati exports to US down as fungicide use in region goes up
Hike subsidy on solar water pumps, Badal asks Centre
Honey Singh in favour of censor board
Five mustard oil samples from Sangrur fail test
Premature release of rape convicts barred
Petition against postal ballot for dental council poll dismissed
Regularise constructions on basis of policy decision: HC to Punjab
Heroin worth Rs 50 cr seized
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84% turn out for panchayat poll
Chandigarh, July 3 The State Election Commission (SEC) put the voter turnout at 84 per cent. The turnout was almost 100 per cent in Dhani Mohna Ram village of Fazilka where 231 of the 232 voters cast their vote. Elections were held to 13,080 village panchayats. The results were out at most places by evening. Approximately 1.06 crore of the total 1,27 crore voters exercised franchise. Ajitgarh, Fazilka and Mansa districts topped the chart with almost 90 per cent polling. Amritsar recorded 65 per cent polling, which was the lowest. Polling was countermanded in 12 wards and three village panchayats, including Basti Kishan Singhwala in Ferozepur district, where ballot papers were burnt with acid. State Election Commissioner SS Brar said the elections in other villages was countermanded for technical reasons. Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president, claimed the Punjab Congress had faced the ire of the people for trying to scuttle the poll process by approaching the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He claimed that with the ruling alliance sweeping the panchayat poll as well, the Congress had been left with a "zero base". There was a scuffle between SAD and Congress supporters at Morewal village on the Ferozepur-Muktsar road. Stones were thrown at party agents in Talwandi Sallan village near Tanda in Hoshiarpur district. Polling was stopped at Hargobindpur village near Batala after a clash between two groups. Two persons were arrested. A repoll has been ordered in Sarhiali Khurd in Tarn Taran district. Patiala district will see a repoll for three seats of panches and two of sarpanch; Ghumanpura and Suchanderpur villages in Amritsar district will see a repoll in some wards; there will be repolling in Basti Kishen Singhwala and Shahwala warria villages in Ferozepur district for one ward each. Gurdaspur will see a repoll in three wards. Elections in the three Gurdaspur villages have been postponed because of death of candidates. Polling in Akbarpur village of Kapurthala district was held up because of confusion over the election symbols of two candidates. Elections in Mansoorwala Bet village of Kapurthala district were countermanded on July 1. The Congress lost in most wards in Qadian in Gurdaspur district. The seat is represented by Charanjit Kaur, wife of PCC president Partap Bajwa. Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira was able to get his candidate elected as sarpanch in Ramgarh village of Kapurthala.
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Cong MLA: Officials worked at behest of SAD halqa chiefs
Gurdaspur, July 3 The Gurdaspur Civil Hospital authorities claimed that there was a spurt in medico-legal cases in the emergency ward today. A doctor said the hospital had received 25 such cases. Congress Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tripit Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Dera Baba Nanak legislator Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa claimed that the four SAD halqa (Area) chiefs, former Speaker NS Kahlon, former Cabinet Ministers SS Langah and Sewa Singh Sekhwan and former legislator LS Lodhinangal, had pressured election officials to toe their line. Tripit Bajwa went to the extent of saying that some Batala-based district officials were hand in glove with Kahlon. “Despite being the sitting MLA, officials chose to turn a deaf ear to my grievances. They turned a blind eye to electoral malpractices by senior SAD leaders,” he said. It was at his insistence that voting in nearly six villages falling in the Fatehgarh Churian assembly segment was boycotted by the Congress. The polling commenced late in Shampura village, located in the Fatehgarh Churian Vidhan Sabha seat, as there was confusion pertaining to ballot papers.Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Trikha and Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Sukhwant Singh Gill intervened and defused the situation. There were reports from Harcharanpura village that officials were acting at the behest of a senior SAD leader. SK Kalia, Pathankot SSP, claimed that polling had been peaceful. Likewise, Gurdaspur SSP Sukhwant Singh Gill said the police had concentrated on Dhariwal, Dinanagar and Kahnuwan blocks, which had been declared hyper-sensitive. During the last panchayat elections, 21 cases were registered. However, only one FIR was registered today at Congress leader SS Chottepur's native village.
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Badals have throttled democracy: Bajwa
Chandigarh, July 3 In a statement, Bajwa claimed that the Badals had succeeded in "throttling" democracy in a state that had been a role model for other states in the country in the implementation of the Panchayati Raj. “The Badals have the rare distinction of not only doing away with all checks and balances to their unfettered rule, but also that of destroying all institutions that kept tyranny at bay” he said. The PPCC chief ridiculed the Deputy CM's claim that the panchayat elections had been peaceful and fair. He said the Deputy CM was only trying to justify the "large-scale rigging". What was even more shameful was that Sukhbir was patting the Punjab Police and the State Election Commission "which were party to the rigging.” He claimed the SAD-BJP Government had prevented the people of Punjab from electing candidates of their free will. He said that Opposition candidates were not allowed to even file nomination papers and that the Punjab Police was used to coerce SAD opponents. Bajwa said the role of State Election Commissioner SS Brar was "more shameful." He alleged that the latter had denigrated his constitutional post and had behaved as a puppet in the hands of SAD-BJP Government. " For the first time in the electoral history of Punjab ballot papers were photo-copied in marriage palaces and photostat shops by private contractors," Bajwa said. He reminded the Badals that the Election Commission of India and not the "handpicked" State Election Commission would conduct the parliamentary elections next year and such "irregularities and excesses" would not be tolerated by the august body. “The Badals must prepare to meet their nemesis at the hands of the oppressed people of Punjab who have been deprived of their rights at the hands of the Akalis and their partners in crime and misgovernment,” Bajwa added.
—PS Bajwa, PPCC chief
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Akalis regain hold over CM's ancestral village
Bathinda, July 3 The Akalis won eight of the nine seats of panch. In Ward No 6, the Akali candidate demanded recounting of votes and finally won the seat. The SAD candidate for the (reserved) seat of sarpanch, Sukhminder Singh, won by a margin of over 600 votes. He defeated PPP candidate Gurdas Singh. About 3,200 of the total 3,500 votes were polled in the village. Much was at stake for the SAD after its candidate lost the block samiti elections last month. The Badals have restored their dominance over their ancestral village, located a few kilometres Badal village.
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Badals skip voting
Muktsar, July 3 People's Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Singh Badal, his wife Vinu, father Gurdas Singh Badal and mother did not turn up at the Government Primary School, Badal village, to cast their vote. However, the Chief Minister's estranged cousin, Maheshinder Singh Badal, who had contested against him as the Congress candidate, and his family members, exercised their right to vote. Speaking over the phone, Manpreet said he was away to Karnal to attend a bhog ceremony.” A government official deployed at the Government Primary School, Badal, said the voter turnout was high, "but none from the ruling Badal family came to cast their vote.”
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Polling agents spar in Sangrur village
Sangrur, July 3 Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Jatinder Singh Tung said an assistant returning officer had been changed at a polling station at Thandhiwal village near Sherpur on complaints that he was not performing his duty well. At Bhalwan village near Dhuri, a candidate alleged that the ballot paper did not carry the election symbol allotted to him against his name. At a polling booth in Gullarri village in the Andana block and at a booth in Langarrian village (Malerkotla-2 block), voters complained against poor arrangements. The district officials were asked to speed up polling.
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Akali groups clash in Muktsar
Muktsar, July 3 The trouble began when an outsider, a supporter of former sarpanch Jagmeet Singh, tried to enter a polling station but was stopped by supporters of the rival faction led by Harinder Singh Mann 'Gora'. Meanwhile, supporters of one group fired into the air. The windshield of a jeep parked near the polling booth was damaged during the clash. A police party reached the violence site spot and restored peace. Jeep owner Gaganjit Singh said: "Last night, supporters of both groups took oath in the village gurdwara in the presence of the local SHO that none would indulge in violence. But Jagmeet Singh tried to poll bogus votes, which triggered the clash." Senior superintendent of Police (SSP) Muktsar, Surjit Singh, said: "Nobody has filed a complaint. The situation was brought under controlled within minutes." At Mukand Singhwala village, supporters of SAD groups threw stones at each other, injuring four persons, including Ajaib Singh, Tittar Singh, Nikka Singh and Gagan Singh. Polling was stopped for a few minutes at Sarainaga village with SAD and Congress activists sparring over poll bogus votes
SAD leader, son injured in attack
Faridkot, July 3 Sukhwinder, an aide of BS Ramoowalia, alleged that they were attacked while they were returning home after an election meeting.
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Akali MLA held captive by villagers
Faridkot, July 3 Tempers ran high at the polling station following allegations that some youths thrashed poll presiding officer (PO) and tore 49 ballot papers. Residents of some adjoining villages laid a siege to the polling station after Rajwinder Kaur allegedly entered the area where the counting of votes was in progress. A police team, led by a Superintendent of Police, reached the spot. The protesting residents alleged that the supporters of Rajwinder Kaur thrashed the PO and tore ballot papers in her presence after the candidates backed by Dharamkot MLA Tota Singh were declared elected. Later, Tota Singh also reached the polling station. He said Bhagike should not have entered the polling station. Bhagike refuted the allegations that her supporters thrashed the polling officer and tore ballot papers. "It was public anger against the partial attitude of the polling officer," she said
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Four poll officials injured in acid attack
Ferozepur, July 3 The injured were taken to the local Civil Hospital. They were discharged after first-aid. SSP said the attackers have been identified as Baljinder Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilbag Singh, Satnam Singh, Karamjit Singh and Pratap Singh. They had been booked along with 15 unidentified persons. In another incident in Mohrewala Village, the SHO on duty had to open into the the air to prevent a group of youths from capturing a booth.
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Violence in Amritsar, Tarn Taran
Amritsar/Tarn Taran, July 3 Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) MP Singh said the polling at Sarhali Khurd (Jandoke) had been cancelled following a clash between two groups. Sources said Chur Singh, a contestant, had alleged that poll officials allowed fake polling and one of them assaulted him. The polling remained disrupted for about two hours. When it was resumed, violence erupted again, forcing officials to cancel the polling. In another incident, 12 persons sustained injuries following a clash between two Akali groups at Uboke village. The sources said soon after the polling started, supporters of a candidate alleged that the opposite group was trying to capture the booth. Manjit Kaur, a candidate for the post of sarpanch, alleged when they tried to stop them, the latter attacked them. The other group refuted the allegations. The polling remained disrupted for nearly half an hour. Raj Jit Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), said a case of attempt to murder had been registered against Balwinder Singh and his group. Minor skirmishes were also reported in some villages in Amritsar. The police had to resort to mild lathicharge in Chhapa Ram Singh area when Narinder Singh, whose nomination papers were rejected, along with his supporters tried to disrupt the polling. In Chatiwind village, a contestant tried to disrupt the polling, alleging that his election symbol was changed by the authorities. However, the returning officer clarified that it was the fault of the candidate as he had campaigned on a wrong symbol.
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Cong, SAD leaders trade charges
Bathinda, July 3 Congress MLA Gurpreet Kangar, who is head, Malwa affairs, said that polling in his village Kangar remained suspended for two hours over allegations of bogus voting and interference by outsiders. He said some outsiders had tried to cast bogus vote in favour of the Akalis. He alleged that polling officials had refused to allow those accompanying physically challenged persons inside the booths to help the latter cast their vote. He said Akali supporters had attacked his worker and that police officials had openly supported the Akalis. Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka claimed that it was " frustrated" Congress leaders and workers who had summoned outsiders for bogus voting. "Akali workers maintained calm even when attacked," the minister claimed.
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State BJP executive meet from july 7
Amritsar, July 3 Sidhu, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue. His wife, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, said she had no idea whether or not he will attend the meeting. She, however, made it clear that she would participate in the state executive meeting. She revealed that her husband had gone to New Delhi to attend some meetings with senior BJP leaders there but did not divulge as to what transpired in these meetings. Sidhu has distanced himself from politics over the last six months and has been focusing more on his cricket commentary assignments. He was first busy with the IPL Season 6 followed by the Champions Trophy. He is also being seen in a comedy show on a TV channel these days. But, he hasn’t returned to the constituency even 10 days after the Champions Trophy came to an end. He was also conspicuous by his absence during Gujarat CM Narendra Modi’s rally at Madhopur in Pathankot on June 23, though his wife had attended it. In April this year, his wife had dropped a bombshell by stating that he might even quit politics as he was feeling ‘sidelined’ in the political system due to his honest ways and impeccable reputation. She had also hinted that he might not contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2014. During his brief visit to the city on May 9, Navjot Sidhu had expressed his displeasure with the way his favourite projects were scuttled in the holy city. Earlier, the cricketer-turned-politician was shown the door from the national executive body of the BJP by party president Rajnath Singh. Besides, his arch rival in the state BJP, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, was inducted as the state vice-president of the BJP. On the other hand, Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma said they had invited Navjot Sidhu to the state executive meeting and he should attend it as a respectable leader of the party. When asked whether Sidhu’s grievances had been redressed, he claimed that Sidhu had no issues and all was well between him and the BJP. About the agenda of the meeting, he said top party leaders, including BJP national president Rajnath Singh, would deliberate on the BJP’s strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, besides taking stock of the party’s performance in the past. Punjab BJP affairs incharge Shanta Kumar and senior party leader JP Nadda will also attend the meeting.
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POLL
DIGEST Abohar: The police arrested Sukhwinder Singh, headmaster of a government school, who was on election duty allegedly under the influence of liquor in Koyalkhera village. The police action followed complaints by voters. His medical examination was conducted at the Civil Hospital. Sukhwinder belongs to Burajmuhar village near Abohar. — Raj Sadosh Candidate's mother dies at polling booth Muktsar: The mother of a candidate for the post of panch died due to cardiac arrest while waiting to cast her vote at Thandewala village in the district on Wednesday morning. Surjit Kaur had gone to cast her vote in favour of her son Akali Singh. She was waiting for her turn when she suddenly collapsed. —
Archit Watts SDM seeks action against poll supervisor Jalandhar: Joginder Singh, a lecturer, may bear the brunt of delay in printing ballot papers as SDM-I Iqbal Singh Sandhu has recommended his suspension. In his recommendation to Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Shruti Singh, Sandhu said ballot-papers were not printed on time and poll officials were sent to respective booths without ballot papers. Joginder Singh, supervisor, did not respond to queries in this regard, he said. — Dharmendra Joshi Cong workers protest in Morinda Ropar: At Morinda block, Congress workers, led by local MLA Charanjit Singh Channi, sit in a dharna near Kajoli village. They alleged that Akali candidates had used unfair means in the elections. Channi said Baljinder Singh, a Congress worker, was winning with a margin of 47 votes for the post of sarpanch at Kajoli. After his rival Niranjan Singh of SAD demanded recounting, Baljinder sill won by 24 votes, Channi said, adding the counting was done for the third time and Niranjan was declared winner by one vote. Similar was the case at Kalaran village, he added. —
Arum Sharma Polling agent flees with ballot box Bathinda: Polling agent Jagjit Singh fled with a ballot box while counting was in progress at a polling statton in Bahadurgarh Jandiya on the outskirts of the city.As he learnt that Paramjit Kaur,contesting for the post of sarpanch, was close to being declared defeated, Jasjit Singh ran away with a ballot box, said sources. He also opened fire at police personnel who tried to stop him. While fleeing, he took out the ballot papers and tore them.District election officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav said he had filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the incident. — TNS
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Basmati exports to US down as fungicide use in region goes up
Chandigarh, July 3 Some of the major basmati growing states such as Haryana recommend the “judicious” usage of fungicide (tricyclozole). But Punjab, following the recommendations of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has not recommended its usage on the basmati crop. However, rice exporters in both Punjab and Haryana, who want to maximise their profits, prefer to buy substantial quantities of basmati for export from Haryana. This is mainly because they have to pay lesser tax on buying rice in Haryana (11.5 per cent), than they have to pay for buying rice from Punjab (14.5 per cent). Since most of the basmati meant for exports is bought from Haryana, where tricyclozole is recommended as a fungicide, the rice that is exported has higher traces of fungicide, and is thus subject to scrutiny for residual content of fungicide in major world markets. The Tribune on June 26 had highlighted that export of basmati to the US had been hit after the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had stopped all basmati consignments having tricyclozole level of over 0.1 parts per million (ppm), at various ports. All rice consignments reaching that country have been withheld for onward distribution to distributors and retailers in the US. As a result, the Indian basmati exports to the US have fallen by 72 per cent in the past three years, as Indian rice consignments to the US are either being rejected, or allowed only after a long, detailed analysis for the fungicide content. Talking to The Tribune, PAU Vice Chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon said that though the fungicide will not leave undesirable residues if used according to Good Agriculture Practices, farmers are prone to using fungicides indiscriminately. ‘A farmer wants to get the maximum returns for his produce, and his aim is to sell shining grains free from pests. In order to achieve that, he will spray the fungicide more than it is recommended. So, we have not recommended its usage in Punjab. In fact, PAU and Ratan Tata Trust have adopted 150 basmati growing villages, where we are teaching basmati growers integrated pest management,” he said. On the other hand, senior officials in the Haryana Agriculture department said that though they had recommended tricyclozole sprays, farmers are repeatedly asked to spray the fungicide just twice- at the time of emergence of rice blast and at the ear head emergence in the paddy. “However, farmers keep on spraying the fungicide till the time the crop is ready for harvesting. As a result, the chemical does not degrade and leaves its residual effect in the crop. However, we are also recommending two other fungicides which have lesser problem of leaving residue in the crop,” said the official.
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Hike subsidy on solar water pumps, Badal asks Centre
Chandigarh, July 3 During the meeting, Badal said the Centre provided 80 per cent subsidy of the benchmark price for solar water pumps as Central financial assistance till 2004, but thereafter reduced it to 30 per cent. He urged Abdullah to restore the earlier subsidy available to the farmers. The Chief Minister also asked Abdullah to introduce inverters and battery backup system in the existing scheme of solar water pumps so that the farmers can utilise their existing AC motor setup instead of purchasing new DC motors, which is not financially viable for them. Abdullah assured Badal that he would soon take up all these issues with the Prime Minister for early solution.
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Honey Singh in favour of censor board
Chandigarh, July 3 “I favour the setting up of censor board for screening songs before these are sung in public,” said Honey Singh, in a written statement filed in the High Court registry today. He also denied singing “main hun balatkari” meaning “I am a rapist”. “Some mischievous person has impersonated me,” he claimed. Honey Singh added: “I strongly condemn the lyrics of the song main hun balatkari”. The song, he said, has been on “You Tube” since February 2008 and has no connection with him. Honey Singh said he had never met the person who sang the song, nor discussed the issue with him. He said complaints were lodged with “You Tube” authorities in May and August last year and again in January this year. “You Tube” has even confirmed receipt of the complaints, “but are reluctant to solve the problem.” He said, “the person, who has sung this very song and uploaded it on the internet portal should be prosecuted for the wrong done by him and in this regard, the responsibility of the internet portal should also be fixed, in case they have acted in contravention of the provisions of law.” Honey Singh said he has been subjected to harassment because of registration of FIR, and could not concentrate on his work. Taking serious view of Punjab Government’s inaction to take cognisance of vulgar songs, and for not registering FIR against the singers, the High Court on the previous date of hearing had directed the initiation of action in accordance with law on the issue of gross songs. The directions came on a petition filed in public interest by NGO “HELP”. The Bench had added: “The song of Honey Singh available on You Tube indicates that it was sung at a concert in Gurgaon. Thus, it cannot be said that no action can be taken against its singer….” The petition is seeking the setting up of an effective mechanism to curb the menace of recording and playing lewd songs. The petitioner has referred to a news report on vulgar songs being recorded and played by Punjabi singers. A specific reference was made to the “balatkari” song.
— Honey Singh,
Punjabi singer
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Five mustard oil samples from Sangrur fail test
Sangrur, July 3 Members of the medical fraternity said sub-standard or adulterated mustard oil might lead to various skin and gastric diseases as it was commonly used for cooking and massage purposes.
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Premature release of rape convicts barred
Chandigarh, July 3 The petition was filed by advocate HC Arora for directions to the Punjab Government to put a complete embargo on the premature release of rape convicts sentenced to life imprisonment. Directions have also been sought to deny remissions to rape convicts. During the hearing, State Counsel Reeta Kohli produced before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih, a translated copy of the original notification issued in Punjabi by the Home Department. Arora, however, pointed out that the English version of the notification did not correctly reflect the contents of the original Punjabi version. At the same time, he expressed his satisfaction over the contents of the Punjabi version. At this stage, the Bench disposed of the PIL by observing that counsel for State of Punjab will place correct translated copy of the notification within a week.
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Petition against postal ballot for dental council poll dismissed
Chandigarh, July 3 In their petition against the Union of India and other respondents, Dr Jaidev Singh Dhillon and another petitioner had earlier assailed the mode of postal ballot for carrying out the elections to the Dental Council of India. Appearing before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih, the counsel for the petitioners had contended that the process of postal ballot was sought to be misused. Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted it was not in dispute that the relevant regulations provided for the system of postal ballot for carrying out the elections to the council. Referring to the plea against the postal ballot system, the Bench minced no words to say it could not be accepted. Dismissing the petition, the Bench asserted: “There is a distinction between challenge to the vires of the provisions and an infirmity in its implementation. The fact that some alleged misuse is happening cannot be a ground to set aside the regulations. If the petitioners are actually aggrieved against post election results, then the remedy is by an election petition." Before parting with the orders, the Bench observed: "We may also notice another aspect of the matter. The election process began in April 2013 and the postal ballots are to reach to the Returning Officer by July 6, 2013. The present petition has been filed on July 1, 2013, clearly a belated attempt by candidates to obstruct the election process. We, thus, find the writ petition to be completely misconceived."
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Regularise constructions on basis of policy decision: HC to Punjab
Chandigarh, July 3 In their petitions against the State of Punjab and other respondents, Tarsem Singh and other petitioners had earlier challenged the order issued under Section 12(2) of the Periphery Control Act. The Section deals with the “powers of demolition in respect of unauthorised construction within the periphery”. As the petitions came up for hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih was informed that a similar issue arose in the case of Continental Devices India Ltd versus the State of Punjab and others. Disposed of by a Division Bench on November 3, 2000, the judgment stated: “Orders/notices impugned in the petitions shall not be given effect to. If the state government takes a policy decision to regularise the constructions made in violation of the provisions of the 1952 Act, the competent authority shall pass appropriate orders for regularising the constructions made by the petitioner(s) strictly in accordance with such policy decision." The order further said: “If the construction, made by any of the petitioners, is not found to be covered by the policy decision and the concerned authority considers it necessary to take action for removal thereof, appropriate order shall be passed after giving notice and opportunity of hearing to the concerned person." “If an order adversely affecting the right of any petitioner is passed by the competent authority, the same shall not be given effect to for a period of 15 days from the date of its communication and within that period, the aggrieved party shall be free to avail appropriate legal remedy.” Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted: “The counsel for respondent prays that these petitions be also disposed of in terms aforesaid. Ordered accordingly. Petitions accordingly stand disposed of."
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Heroin worth Rs 50 cr seized
Amritsar, July 3 Custom officials found a seal of Pakistani Custom Department so that the smugglers here could retrieve the contraband by breaking the seal and later replace it with a new seal to deceive the custom authorities. Sources in the department said the involvement of custom officials in Pakistan could not be ruled out as the compartments are sealed in their presence after ‘thorough checking’. The seizure of a Pakistani seal has strengthened the doubts. However, Bahadur said the goods train remained in the custody of the Railway Department after it crossed Attari where customs officials rummaged the train and checked the seals. The compartment contained 488 bags of cement manufactured in Pakistan. He said 24 compartments of the train crossed over to India and reached the Attari railway station at 1.25 pm yesterday. After rummaging, the train remained stationed at Attari till 6.25 am today. The train was handed over to the Rail Cargo at 10.00 am. Bahadur said they had summoned the documents from the Railway Department to know who had exported and imported the cement.
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Chandigarh, July 3
Four members of a polling party at Booth No 2 of Basti Kishan Singh village were injured after miscreants walked into the booth and poured acid on the ballot boxes. The acid spilled on poll officials Labh Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sarabjit Singh and Santokh Singh. Varinder Pal Singh,
SSP, said six persons came to the booth with a milk container. The polling officer allowed them in, thinking that they had brought tea for them. They poured the pot containing acid onto the ballot boxes and fled.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Centre to enhance the subsidy on solar water pumps from 30 per cent to 80 per cent. The demand was raised by the Chief Minister during the meeting with Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah here.
The Rail Cargo custom seized 10 kg heroin worth Rs 50 crore hidden in cement bags
mported from Pakistan.
Vijay Bahadur, Deputy Commissioner, Customs, told the media that the consignment was concealed in a black bag, which was kept in the heaps of cement bags in a compartment of the goods train. The bag contained two bundles of 5 packets, each weighing 1 kg.
The
SAD-BJP Government has prevented the people of Punjab from electing candidates of their own free will. Opposition candidates were not allowed to file nomination papers. The Punjab Police was used to coerce SAD opponents
I strongly condemn the lyrics of the song “main hun
balatkari” that has been on You Tube since February 2008. Some mischievous person has impersonated me It has no connection with me.