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Akali Dal can’t be blamed for misdeeds of a few, says Badal
Rein in SAD leaders: Cong to Akal Takht
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waterlogging
13 years, 3 stones but not a brick laid
Infighting ails Batala BJP unit ahead of LS poll
stubble
burning
Chill fails to take sting out of dengue
Ludhiana Police Commissioner’s transfer raises eyebrows
Most hospitals have no data on alcoholism cases
India wants Nepal to promote Sikh shrine
Will take up demand for train linking five Takhts: Kharge
NRI couple found dead in California
Illegal arms trade thriving in state
ringside
view
Take steps to recover stamp duty: HC to govt
Man held for molesting 9-yr-old stepdaughter
Man, daughter die in accident
3 travel agents booked for Rs 8.6 lakh fraud
4 nabbed with drugs, hooch
Two booked for abducting minor sisters
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Akali Dal can’t be blamed for misdeeds of a few, says Badal
Sultanpur Lodhi, November 17 He was speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating a 30-bed Community Health Centre here. The Chief Minister was replying to media queries on the alleged involvement of Youth Akali Dal leaders and workers in the synthetic drug racket unearthed following the arrest of former DSP Jagdish Singh Bhola. “Law will take its own course to penalise drug dealers. The state government is committed towards zero tolerance on drug trafficking,” he said. Badal also did not miss opportunity to hit out at the Centre over the drug menace afflicting Punjab: “The Union Government has failed in effectively checking cross-border drug smuggling.” On the Election Commission’s ban on exit polls till December 4, Badal said such surveys were "imaginary, illusive and unrealistic", and did not reflect the actual picture. “The exit polls are just imaginary, illusive and unrealistic," he said. Citing an example, he said in exit polls, the SAD-BJP alliance was projected to lose in the 2012 Punjab assembly elections but the actual picture was completely different and "we were voted to power consecutively for the second record term." On internal differences, Badal said any constituent, ally or party could have its own views, but that did not amount to a difference.
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Rein in SAD leaders: Cong to Akal Takht
Amritsar, November 17 It also urged the SGPC to form district-level committees to screen the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) leadership. PPCC spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged: "It has become clear that the ruling alliance lacked the will to control the drug menace. In fact, it is shielding Akali leaders involved in the racket". He said druglord Jagdish Bhola's disclosures led to the arrest of Maninder Singh alias Bittu Aulakh, YAD general secretary, and his accomplice Jagjit Chahal. "It is evident that the trio (Bhola, Aulakh and Chahal) have close relations with senior Akali leaders of Majha region, including Bikram Majithia, Rattan Singh Ajnala and Veer Singh Lopoke. These leaders are trying to shift the blame on each other," he said. Vikas Soni, president, Youth Congress, Amritsar, said: "The Youth Akali Dal has turned into a den of criminals and drug peddlers, besides cable, mining and land mafia. Many of its leaders have been accused of heinous crimes, but no action has been taking sowing to the political influence". He said the Youth Congress would launch a crusade against criminalisation of the political system.
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waterlogging
Muktsar, November 17 However, no action has ever been taken against any official for negligence in the construction of drains. As per the report submitted by the panel headed by Chief Minister’s technical adviser Lt Gen BS Dhaliwal (retd), there were several deficiencies at the planning, execution and maintenance stages while constructing drains. The report states: “The drains were designed to carry surface water only. Depth was not provided for lowering the water level below the root zone of crops to sustain agriculture”. It adds: “There is inadequate cross drainage work done. The rainwater evacuation is very slow because the full supply level of out-falling drains is lower than the full supply level of main drains.” It has highlighted deficiencies during the execution stage. The alignment of drains changed from what was planned due to administrative and miscellaneous reasons. The main drains have been executed with 90 degree bends. Besides, a number of drains have been added to the main drains without increasing their capacity. The deficiencies found by the panel in the maintenance stage include hindrance in cleaning of drains due to construction of roads along the drains. Even regulators have not been maintained. The cleaning of drains by machines through which excavated material is dumped on the roads is also a reason behind the flooding of area. GS Dhillon, former Chief Engineer, Drainage Department, said: “The findings of the state panel are factual. But besides giving suggestions, it should summon and seek explanation from the engineers responsible for the faults.”
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13 years, 3 stones but not a brick laid
Gurdaspur, November 17 Exactly a year later, not even a single brick has been laid owing to an assortment of reasons, including lack of funds and red-tapism, leaving tax-paying residents fuming at the government’s apathy. Almost every district in the state has such a complex, which houses all government offices under a single roof. But in Gurdaspur district, the project has become controversy’s favourite child. The first foundation stone was laid by the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2000. For six years, the prestigious project remained in a limbo before Capt Amarinder Singh, in 2006, decided to outdo his predecessor by laying another foundation stone at the same place. Again, for another six years, the venture went into hibernation till Sukhbir Badal decided to lay the third foundation stone. This time, the location was changed and it was decided to construct the complex where the new judicial complex has been constructed. Why the location was changed and who were the politicians and officers responsible for it remains a mystery. Earlier, a powerful politician wanted the complex to be built on the outskirts of the city but an equally powerful real estate baron wanted it to be constructed where the two Chief Ministers (Parkash Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh) had laid the foundation stones — near the Animal Husbandry Office. The tug-of-war between these two power soaked people meant the residents had to suffer for no fault of theirs. Days after Sukhbir laid the stone on November 3 last year, residents heaved a sigh of relief. However, work on the venture failed to take off even then. Chandigarh-based officials asked Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Trikha to go in for cost-reduction measures before the green signal could be given by them. This reduction meant many offices, including those of the Civil Surgeon and Fisheries and Public Health departments, could not be adjusted in the proposed complex. The basement, which was there in the original plan, too had to be taken off the scheme of things. Till work starts, harried residents will continue to scoff at the three foundation stones laid by the politicians and will also continue to mock at the efficacy of the administration officials.
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Hindu, Sikh migrants from Pak living in penury
Jalandhar, November 17 Over 2,000 such migrants are settled in Jalandhar, Khanna, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amritsar and Ludhiana districts. Their repeated pleas to the Centre for citizenship have apparently fallen on deaf ears. Most of them are daily wage earners and
live in penury. "The Indian Government has been dilly-dallying on the issue of granting them citizenship. They have been left to the mercy of local policemen and leaders," said Surinder Kumar Billa of the All-India Shiv Sena. Kala Ram, a Pakistani Hindu based in Jalandhar, migrated from Sialkot in Pakistan about 17 years ago to escape forcible conversion into Islam. Fed up with the Indian officialdom, he regrets his decision to migrate here, claiming he was better off in Pakistan. " There, we did not have to run from pillar to post and from police
station to the DC's office for basic rights. Here, most of us are at the mercy of local policemen, who
keep demanding money from us on occasions like Republic Day and Independence Day under the garb of verification. "Though most Pakistani Hindus who had migrated before December 31, 2004 —the cutoff date for issuance of the LTV — had applied for the same, none had got any such visa so far," claimed Kala Ram. Billa said it was strange that the state government did not have any information as to how many migrants from Pakistan were living in Punjab. "We have been seeking this information through the RTI from office of Deputy Commissioner but to no avail," he alleged. Raj Kumar, another
migrant from Sialkot, said: "Our children remain deprived of higher education." Another problem faced by these Pakistani Hindus was getting mobile phones in their names. "We are forced to use the phones issued in the names of our relatives. Our condition is pitiable. Our children remain deprived of higher education and jobs,"
said another Pakistani Hindu who did not want to be identified. When contacted, Praneet Bhardwaj, Jalandhar Additional Deputy Commissioner, said the district authorities had received as many as 144 applications for grant of citizenship and these had been sent to the Home Department.
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Infighting ails Batala BJP unit ahead of LS poll
Batala, November 17 The party received its first jolt when its sitting MLA Jagdeesh Sahni joined the Congress ahead of the 2012 assembly elections. Earlier, Sahni during his tenure as a legislator had divided the party by installing his daughter Ambika Khanna as the president of the Municipal Committee (MC) against the wishes of the party rank and file. Thereafter, Lodhinangal masterminded Khanna's ouster and made his blue-eyed boy Jatinder Kalyan of the BJP the president of the MC. This move kicked up a row as the BJP enjoyed a clear majority in the MC House. The BJP was then quick to expel Kalyan from the party, dividing the party rank and file even further. Fissures in the party also came to the fore when two rival groups began lobbying for their respective candidates for appointment as the Improvement Trust chairman. Naresh Mahajan and Ashok Modgil were vying for the post. The factionalism has forced the BJP state leadership to put the move on hold. Moreover, Lodhinangal claims that a SAD man should get the post as the Batala seat had been given to the SAD under the seat-sharing agreement with the BJP. The party received a big blow two months ago, when Batala city president Baldev Kishen Puri was removed from the post after he had a verbal spat with district president Suresh Bhatia. A senior leader said, “The party had suffered a heavy loss in the last elections when alliance candidate Lodhinangal lost. It will have to pull up its socks if it wants to put a good show in the elections.”
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Not joining SAD: Barnala
Chandigarh, November 17 Speaking to Morcha leaders at a meeting at his residence here last evening, Barnala told them that they should not trust media reports about his family's overtures to join the SAD. Barnala's party Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) is a constituent of the Sanjha Morcha. At the meeting, Morcha leaders dwelt on the role of drug money in state politics. PPP president and chairman of the Morcha Manpreet Singh Badal said: "There should be a CBI inquiry into the funding of state politicians by those involved in the multi-crore drug trade." He said infiltration of smugglers and hardcore criminals in political ranks was a matter of concern. The Sanjha Morcha would hold a conference on this matter soon.
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Cong sponsoring trips to woo pilgrims
Mohali/Amritsar, November 17 Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Ravneet Singh Bittu today announced that a jatha of 100 pilgrims would be taken to Hazur Sahib every month and the expenses borne by him. A similar gesture was made by Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu two days ago when he announced to take 100 senior citizens
of his area to the Golden Temple every month free of cost. Bittu, who had accompanied 400 passengers during the maiden run of the Chandigarh-Amritsar intercity (also called Darbar Sahib Express) on Friday, said: “This is our (Congress’) befitting reply to the religion-based politics of the SAD-BJP alliance. “When we have met the main demand of the people of the area by starting these trains, why shouldn’t we get the credit for the same,” remarked Bittu. He said he was confident that such gestures would pay his party rich dividends in the parliamentary elections. Bittu and the Mohali legislator sponsored a jatha of 450 elderly persons today. “Apart from pilgrims and tourists, Darbar Sahib Express will prove a boon for businessmen as well as those commuting daily to Ludhiana and Jalandhar,” Bittu added.
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stubble burning
Gurdaspur, November 17 The university has sown different varieties of paddy on an experimental basis over 35 acres inside the complex. After the crop is harvested and taken to the laboratories for further examination, the stubble is re-ploughed into the earth. A negligible amount of straw is given Paramjit Singh, acting Director of the regional station, said the university had been trying to educate farmers about the positive effects of re-ploughing the straw but the latter were insensitive to what was being preached and practiced by the university. Barely a km away from the centre, agriculturists can be seen burning stubble. Huge smoke rising menacingly from their fields causing air pollution is indicative of their traditional mindset. They refuse to listen to PAU officials and believe that there is no other way of getting rid of straw. Abhinav Trikha, Gurdaspur District Commissioner, had announced a series of measures to check the menace, including registration of criminal cases and severance of power supply connections. However, these fail to deter farmers from burning straw. Environmentalists allege that the authorities are not focusing on the real issue. Banning residue burning is not a solution. There is a need for more practical measures, they say. An official said: “Burning straw does not come under the purview of the Air Pollution Act, 1981. Action can be taken against the erring farmers only under the Public Nuisance Act which is not sufficient.” Not a single farmer has been booked in Gurdaspur or Batala for setting ablaze their farms even as tonnes of paddy straw is going up in flames.
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Chill fails to take sting out of dengue
Chandigarh, November 17 A number of cases of the disease are being reported in various hospitals of the state daily. Ludhiana and Patiala districts are the worst-affected. To date this year, 10 persons, of the 3,181 confirmed cases, have succumbed to dengue in the state. Doctors doing private practice, however, refuse to accept that the toll could be that less, saying the Health Department was “downplaying the figure”. Dr AP Singh, Additional Secretary, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, confirmed the unprecedented high occurrence of dengue this year. Dr Gagandeep Grover, State Epidemiologist, however, blamed a “wrong mechanism” for the high number of cases. “Private practitioners are conducting unapproved tests based on ‘Rapid Cards’ available in the market. These are not 100 per cent reliable,” he said. Dr Grover said nearly 3,100 patients had been discharged post-treatment from 15 health centres in the state. He said ‘Mac-Elisa’ was a government-approved test for confirming the disease. There were only 770 cases in 2012, 990 in 2011 and 205 in 2009. “There is definitely a very high number of
viral fever cases in hospitals during and after monsoons. Doctors subject them to Rapid Card tests and in a majority of the cases, the result is positive,” Dr Grover said.
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Ludhiana Police Commissioner’s transfer raises eyebrows
Ludhiana, November 17 The officer’s “inaccessibility and failure to curb corruption” in the department are stated to be the reasons for his transfer. Insiders said the transfer orders came when Gill was sitting in a hotel where the Deputy CM was holding a meeting with industrialists. Gill, a shrewd investigator, is credited with solving more than 10 murder cases in the past four months. It is learnt that he was close to solving the Namdhari Avtar Singh Tari case. Tari was shot dead near Sahnewal in April 2011. Gill had cracked the whip on the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs, leading to the seizure of drugs worth over Rs 10 crore. He had recently organised a meeting with businessmen, NGOs and local leaders to work out ways to ease traffic. “The transfer has yet again proved that the ruling alliance is focusing on vote bank politics and governance is last on its agenda. Where was the need to appoint Gill as Commissioner if he was to be transferred within months,” remarked Congress leader Ishwarjot Cheema. During his tenure as Commissioner, at least seven policemen were booked under various charges, including corruption and torture.
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Most hospitals have no data on alcoholism cases
Chandigarh, November 17 Information obtained under the Right to Information Act (RTI) has revealed that barring one odd case, healthcare centres in Banga, Khamano, Sardulgarh, Barnala, Mehal Kalan, Tapa, Ferozeshah, Atamwala, Chak Sherewala, Morinda, Bharatgarh and Ropar have not reported any such case for treatment in the past 10 years. Chandigarh-based RTI activist Dr Jasdeepak Singh said: “The problem is poor data availability because of which alcoholism does not get due attention, as in other countries. Going by the sharp rise in alcohol consumption in the state, as indicated by state excise figures, the RTI reply is unbelievable.” In Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s constituency Lambi, the village dispensary has received no alcoholism case while Badal village has received 32 patients for treatment of psychiatric problems stemming from alcoholism. The Malout dispensary has 69 patients undergoing psychiatric treatment. Sangrur has reported seven deaths owing to alcoholism and Dhanaula one during the past one year. When contacted, Managing Director of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation Hussan Lal said: “The state has initiated a programme to tackle alcoholism. With the coming up of the proposed 10-bed centres in 24 towns and 50-bed centres in five cities, the state will soon have an integrated action plan in place.” The RTI activist had sought information pertaining to the number of patients with alcohol-related problems, those who had relapsed after treatment, the number of deaths and those undergoing psychiatric treatment. On a query pertaining to expenditure, the activist was told: “No hospital budget mentions funds under a separate head for care of alcoholics.” Dr Jasdeepak Singh said maintaining a data bank was a must in tackling alcoholism in the state.
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India wants Nepal to promote Sikh shrine
Kathmandu, November 17 Guru Nanak Dev visited the river bank in Kathmandu 497 years ago when the Malla dynasty was ruling Nepal, said Pritam Singh of Guru Nanak Satsang in Kathmandu. When the King of Nepal learnt that an Indian spiritual guru was in Kathmandu, he tried to meet him to seek treatment for his ill son. Nanak, however, had already left for Varanasi. The King then visited Varanasi and met the guru and his son was subsequently cured. The happy King then donated some land in Kathmandu to Guru Nanak for establishing the shrine, Singh said. “If Bishnumati Guru Nanak shrine can be developed as an important pilgrimage site, international visitors and pilgrims can be attracted, which can promote tourism in Nepal,” said Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae during Guru Nanak’s 546th birth anniversary celebrations. — PTI
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Will take up demand for train linking five Takhts: Kharge
Dhuri (Sangrur), November 17 The demand was put up by Member of Parliament (MP) from Sangrur Vijay Inder Singla. The minister said since the five Takhts — Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Sri Patna Sahib (Patna) and Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) — were located in different zones of the railways, he would have to discuss the matter with various officials. Earlier, The Sangrur MP urged the Union Railways Minister to consider plying the train at least once a month. He also asked the minister to initiate an online ticket booking system in Punjabi language. Singla urged the minister to deploy guards at over 800 unmanned railway level crossings in the state to check accidents. Kharge was here to lay the foundation stone of three railway projects. These are electrification of the 123-km-long Jakhal-Ludhiana rail section at a cost of Rs 123 crore, colour light signalling and tokenless working on the Jakhal-Ludhiana rail section at a cost of Rs 50 crore and light iron over-bridge at the railway level crossing here at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The minister said Railways had sanctioned thousands of railway over bridges (ROBs) and railway under bridges (RUBs) in the country to reduce the number of accidents at unmanned railway-level crossings. He said an amount of Rs 46,000 crore was required to build these ROBs and RUBs and as there was a paucity of funds, these would be constructed in a phased manner.
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NRI couple found dead in California
Fresno (California),
November 17 A woman relative who lives in 6500 block of West Celeste Avenue found the couple dead around 12:20 pm yesterday. The shooting might have taken place on Friday, the last time family members had contact with them. The police found a semi-automatic handgun next to the victims, who appear to be in their 30s. Family members and friends told the police that the victims were married three months ago in India. Police officials said they had not found anyone in the neighbourhood who heard shots fired because it was a big house. Family members of the victims declined to comment. The police is investigating the case.
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Illegal arms trade thriving in state
Patiala, November 17 Investigations suggest that arms dealers from other states come to Punjab to get illegally imported firearms. As many as 18 prohibited weapons were recently seized by the Rajpura police. In July, the Patiala police had arrested Muzaffar Rehman of Srinagar, who was an active member of a module engaged in supplying illegal arms in the country. Rehman's bank accounts showed that he received money from weapon dealers in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. On July 13, an arms dealer from Ferozepur, Vaneet Dabra was arrested with 18 imported pistols near Rajpura. His interrogation revealed that clerks in the DC office in Amritsar and Ferozepur helped him. "The role of all such officials is under the scanner. We will recommend strict action against them after finishing the probe," said investigating officer Bikramjit Brar. Investigations also reveal that illegal weapons from China are being smuggled into India by LeT operatives. The Patiala police had arrested Muzaffar Rehman of Srinagar who was involved in supplying arms to Ghaziabad-based dealers. Earlier this year, the Rajpura police had uncovered a ring of arms dealers spread across the country. Police records suggest that more than 500 weapons were found to be illegally transferred from one client to other in connivance with officials in Amritsar and Ferozepur. "Many of these weapons were transferred to outsiders on fake addresses," said Bhupinder Singh Khatra, who investigated the case and questioned over 24 dealers. Explaining the modus operandi of weapon dealers, a senior IPS officer said through their contacts, dealers get illegal arms registered or transferred in the name of a genuine applicant as an additional weapon without his knowledge. The additional weapon is then passed on to the illegal buyer. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Hardyal Singh Mann said innovative measures were adopted by the smugglers to convert imported weapons into legitimate ones. "Fake documents are prepared in connivance with arms licensing branch officials. The smuggled weapons are entered into records and sold at market rates," he added.
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ringside
view
Ask anyone the name of Dharmendra’s native place and the obvious answer will be, Sahnewal. The answer is wrong. Dharmendra, the original he-man of the film industry, belongs to Dango, a village that prominently figures in Punjabi folklore. A village dominated by the Deols, Dango is located near Pakhowal, 25 km from Ludhiana. Dharmendra’s close kin (paternal uncles and aunts) still live there. The star also has landed property in the village.
Dharmendra ancestral house was demolished some years ago. Sahnewal is the village where his father, Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, was a schoolteacher. So the family shifted there from from Dango. Dharmendra lived in Sahnewal before leaving for Mumbai to try his luck in the film industry. Dharmendra, who is in Punjab these days shooting for a film, visited the Dango village along with director Subash Ghai last week. For residents of the village, it was one of the greatest moments. They lapped every bit of it. “Dharmendra wept like a child when he met the village elders. He repeatedly apologised for not visiting the village even once since childhood. He was born in 1935,” said Amritpal Singh, village sarpanch, who had invited Dharmendra to the village. “The entire village was out in the streets. Dharmendra did not disappoint anyone. He met everybody-children, women, the elderly. He spent more than two hours with us,” said Amritpal, who gifted the star a shawl and a picture depicting Punjabi culture. Dharmendra shared some childhood anecdotes with the residents. “When I was in school, I remember my father telling me that my features were not as attractive as that of my elder brother,” he told Amritpal. It is another matter that when Dharmendra was at the peak of his film career during 1970-80s, he was chosen among the finest looking men in the world. His innocent smile coupled with a manly physique, a rare
combination, he came to be known as a lady-killer.
All perks, no accountability
It seems Punjab cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers want all perks and no accountability. While they are eager to avail of education allowance for their children, they want the government to do away with the rider of furnishing receipts of the school fee paid by them. The Children Education Allowance Scheme for the IAS officers posted in the state, was approved by the state government in September this year. Under this scheme, the expenses incurred by these officers towards the education of their children (maximum two children), from nursery to Class XII, will be reimbursed by the state (a maximum of Rs 15,000 per child).
The scheme is being implemented with retrospective
effect from September 2, 2008. As a result, all officers desirous of availing the allowance are required to furnish the fee receipts of their wards with the Personnel Department. However, the officers, in order to avoid the hassle of collecting old fee receipts from schools, have now moved a file, urging the Finance Department to waive this condition. Instead, they have suggested self-declaration on the education expenses incurred by them. Of the 200-odd IAS officers in the state, 150 officers are likely to avail of the allowance, which will burden the state exchequer with Rs 45 lakh per annum. Since the receipts to be submitted by these officers are for five years (2008 onwards), the officers are demanding a waiver from submitting receipts totalling Rs 2.25 crore.
Gap picks Sikh model
New York-based Waris Ahluwalia, who has acted in nearly 12 Hollywood films and created a niche for himself in the world of jewellery design, has another feather in his cap. He has featured
in an advertisement for the famous apparel company, Gap. Waris was five when his family migrated from Amritsar to the US in 1974. Associated with major fashion icons worldwide, the jewellery designed by him is sold at the most luxurious boutiques. His creations are said to bring together “old world techniques and marvelously modern designs.” Some of the films he has featured are “ The Life Aquatic” “Inside Man”, “Darjeeling Limited”, “Missed Connections” and “I Am Love”. He has also featured in television series “The Unusual” and “The Carrie Diaries”.
Mum is the word
During her visit to Bathinda some days ago, Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Paramjit Kaur Landran preferred not to comment on cases that came up for hearing. “I will not comment. I have earlier faced the media wrath for speaking out my mind,” she maintained. She was probably referring to her remark at Jalandhar in July blaming “growing impatience” in girls as a reason for martial discord, drawing the ire of many. Truly, a case of once bitten, twice shy.
Number game
A first-timer MLA from Muktsar district, who “impressed” many during the recent Vidhan Sabha session with his oratory skills, has mastered the art of hogging the limelight. Before he visits a dharna site, he calls up mediapersons for a feedback on the number of protesters to ensure his picture appears in the papers the following day. Recently, when residents of a water-logged village came to lodge their protest in front of the District Administrative Complex, Muktsar, the MLA failed to turn up. He had learnt that the crowd gathered there was too thin to attract media attention.
Desi roots
—
Contributed by Sarbjit Dhaliwal, Sanjeev Bariana, Ruchika M Khanna, Megha Mann and Archit Watts
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Take steps to recover stamp duty: HC to govt
Chandigarh, November 17 The assertion came in response to a petition filed in public interest by Tarsem Jindal Neeli Chhatriwala of Barnala. He was seeking directions to prosecute guilty officers and recovering deficient stamp duty deposited for registration of documents in the offices of tehsildars "The petitioner seeks to file a PIL pointing out that stamp duty and registration fee worth Rs 200 crore has been evaded in the State of Punjab. If it is so, the state government ought to be taking steps, in our view, for recovery of the deficient stamp duty. If there are officers responsible for negligence of duty, appropriate action would be taken," said the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay K Kaul and Justice Augustine George
Masih.
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Man held for molesting 9-yr-old stepdaughter
Nawanshahr, November 17 The accused, Baggo (30), allegedly took her to a sugarcane field and molested her yesterday. He also threatened her to not tell anyone about it. However, the girl narrated the incident to her mother. The girl said it was second such attempt by her stepfather. The girl was taken to the local Civil Hospital for medical examination. The police nabbed Baggo, who is a contractual powercom employee at Jadla, and a case
has been registered against him at the Sadar police station.
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Man, daughter die in accident
Muktsar, November 17 The Gidderbaha police has arrested the accused.
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3 travel agents booked for Rs 8.6 lakh fraud
Hoshiarpur, November 17 Baldev Singh of Bhawani Nagar alleged Gurdial Singh of Akash Colony in Hoshiarpur and Mohinder Pal of Nangal Shahidan village took Rs 7 lakh from him in 2005 but failed to send his son to Japan. In the other case, Sunil Kumar of Mohalla Kamalpur alleged that Vinod Kumar of Basti Tir Nath in Jalandhar took Rs 1.6 lakh from him a year ago while promising to send him to Italy. But, the accused failed to do so, he alleged.
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4 nabbed with drugs, hooch
Hoshiarpur, November 17 The Chabbewal police has arrested Kulbir Singh of Mola (Garhshankar) from Singhpur village with 200 capsules containing narcotic chemical and Balihar Singh of Golian (Garhshankar) with 700 banned tablets. Both have been booked under the NDPS Act. Meanwhile, the Tanda police has arrested Jeeta and Raju, both residents of Abdullapur village, from Miani Adda with 1.8 lakh ml of hooch. An FIR has been registered against them under the Excise Act. Further investigations are on.
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Two booked for abducting minor sisters
Tarn Taran, November 17 The two girls are of the age 16 and 15 years. The victims’ mother told the police that the two, who worked as farm labourers, were abducted a week ago.
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Sultanpur Lodhi, November 17
Dhuri (Sangrur), November 17
Sahnewal. The answer is wrong. Dharmendra, the original he-man of the film industry, belongs to Dango, a village that prominently figures in Punjabi folklore. A village dominated by the Deols, Dango is located near Pakhowal, 25 km from Ludhiana. Dharmendra’s close kin (paternal uncles and aunts) still live there. The star also has landed property in the village.
Having spent her childhood in Mullanpur Garibdas, on the outskirts of Chandigarh, Devi Sharma has been appointed the first woman Speaker, Winnipeg City Council. She migrated to Canada in 1974. Politics runs in her family. Her grandfather was the first sarpanch of Mullanpur post-Independence.