|
|
|
|
|
ice drug racket fallout
drug flow in jails
Property tax return cumbrous, residents flock to
CAs, lawyers
Patiala farmers up in arms against acquisition
Heroin seizure may further hit bilateral trade, fear exporters
|
|
|
SAD, BJP activists compete to help fill wheat scheme forms
Police, Sikh radicals come face to face in Amritsar
Police personnel argue with members of a radical Sikh outfit outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
vat refund
Convict Nishan Singh on protest fast
Attack on Satguru
Tight security for kabaddi matches
The Doda village stadium in Gidderbaha subdivision in
Muktsar district. A Tribune photograph
Panic as earth caves in near Bhakra canal
Kabaddi or not, state youth high on dope
Finally, Delhi Express to halt at Dhariwal
Nawanshahr first to launch UPA’s health scheme
12 writers to be awarded
Avoid overstaffing, HC tells PSPCL
Parallel probes: Amicus curiae appointed
‘Misuse’ of Red Cross funds: HC for action against IAS officers
Pak smuggler shot,
Rs 45 cr heroin seized
Nine booked in firing case
Building inspector booked
|
ice drug racket fallout
Chandigarh, December 4 The department is working on identifying the supply chain of pharmaceutical drugs used in the preparation of recreational chemical substance. Confirming the development, Pradeep Matoo, Assistant Drug Controller, said: "Out of the total 517 drug dealers whose licences were suspended since January, more than 450 faced action since the recovery of party drug ICE by the Patiala Police. These suppliers or shopkeepers were unable to show authentic records of dispatch or receipt of six drugs". The six drugs identified by the department for a special watch are diapheoxelate, dextroprophyphene, codeine, buprenorphine, pentazupen and nitrazepam. These are used in the preparation of habit forming drugs like ICE. Sources said the department had cancelled licences of at least five suppliers last month. More were expected to follow, they said. The maximum number of suspensions have been reported from Ludhiana district (113) followed by Bathinda (70) and Amritsar (51). No suspensions have been reported from Fazilka and Pathankot districts, the sources said. Hussan Lal, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, said: "The department has started tapping the source of raw material for preparation of ICE and other party drugs. It was discovered that the records of certain dealers who supplied medicines to shops were not properly maintained. The dealers provided a list of chemist shops out of which several did not exist. This clearly meant the records were fictitious". Preliminary inquiries hinted that the licences of more drug stores would be cancelled. "Those found directly in line of preparation or the supply chain of the banned drugs could invite stricter penalties under the NDPS Act", he said. The department has asked for records of carrying and forwarding (C&F) agents of all the potential habit forming drugs on the list of the department. Food inspectors have been entrusted the responsibility of providing the records regularly.
On drug trail
|
|
drug flow in jails
Chandigarh, December 4 A Division Bench also made it clear that the jail superintendents may find themselves in trouble, if periodic checks revealed the use of drugs by inmates. The directions are in sync with recommendations made by the counsel for petitioner Tarlochan Singh. A Mohali resident, Tarlochan Singh was lodged at Ropar district jail at the time of filing the petition. The inmate is seeking an inquiry not only into the sale of intoxicants in the Ropar jail "in connivance with the jail officials" but also their "highhandedness towards prisoners reporting illegal activities". As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Punjab Government told the court that it would make arrangements for security of its jail by raising a "battalion of the Punjab Armed Police/Indian Reserve Battalion of the Punjab Police for manning outer ring of security jails". But the assertion failed to find favour with the High Court. The Bench, in fact, asked the Central and the Punjab Governments to convene a meeting to finalise the deployment of paramilitary forces in state jails.
|
||
|
Property tax return cumbrous, residents flock to
CAs, lawyers
Jalandhar, December 4 Speaking to The Tribune, Jalandhar-based CA Umesh Dada said: "Collector rates are mentioned as per square yards but landholdings are on marla basis. Besides, calculating property tax of multi-storey buildings is a tough task for the common man. For instance, the tax for first floor has to be calculated taking 60 per cent of the collector rate. The tax slab changes for subsequent floors. Unable to do these mathematical calculations, people in large number are approaching CAs." Ludhiana-based advocate Amanpreet Singh Sekhon said a number of people were seeking guidance from lawyers on the matter. Besides, the Local Bodies Department has failed miserably in disseminating information on collector rates among the people. The rates are mentioned on the MC websites but everyone does not have access to the internet. Camps organised by the civic bodies failed to serve the purpose as the camps were mismanaged and overcrowded. These views were expressed by several residents in Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar said: "Property tax charges have been revised more than once. Since the onus of the filing correct returns is on the residents, the latter are at the receiving end. Mistakes are bound to happen because of lack of clarity," he said. Jakhar said the Congress had urged the people not to file property tax
returns.
Important dates
BJP state president Kamal Sharma defended the government. "It (property tax) is for the betterment of the people. Whenever the government introduces a new policy, it takes time to iron out the practical difficulties, if any. The filing process will get streamlined in a phased manner," he
said. Priyank Bharti Director, Local Bodies, denied having received any complaint over the matter. He said: "The Urban Local Bodies will soon distribute booklets having complete details of collector rates."
|
||
|
Patiala farmers up in arms against acquisition
Sidhuwal (Patiala), Dec 4 The government claims that the farmers would be paid as per the new policy but the farmers have refused to part with their lands. The farmers want the government to wait for another month as they fear that they would get less compensation as part of the old land acquiring policy. “If the government waits for a month, every farmer will be liable to get two to four times more compensation as per the new bill,” said a farmer. Residents of Rongla and Sidhuwal villages said the new bill would also empower farmers in case a majority of them do not want to part with their land. They could resist the acquisition if they want, they said. According to notices issued by the secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, A Venu Prasad, a total of 958.36 acres of prime land in Seona, Jasowal, Sidhuwal and Rongla villages would be acquired. The notices were put up in these villages a few days ago, creating panic among villagers, many of whom have small land holdings and are not aware of the process. “The government wants to acquire land of farmers to build a modern living residential place. Is this why we voted for the SAD-BJP government?” rued a farmer. “The new land acquisition policy of the Central government will come into force in a month’s time. We will then be free to decide if we want to part with our land even at an increased amount. Why is the government hurrying the process?” he questioned. The agitated farmers have now approached Congress MP from Patiala Preneet Kaur and local MLA Brahm Mohindra, both of whom have promised to back their claim. “I will not let these farmers suffer at the hands of the Akali government, which wants to pay peanuts for the fertile land,” Preneet told The Tribune. Patiala already has three urban estates on the Patiala-Chandigarh road, where hundreds of plots have been sold and many are still lying vacant. A Venu Prasad told The Tribune, “We have just pasted the notices as of now. The entire process of acquiring the land will take some more time
and all farmers would be paid and dealt with as per the new policy,” he claimed.
The new Act
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2013,
will bring in stricter norms and increase landowners' compensation significantly. The developers will need the consent of 80 per cent of people, whose land is to be acquired for private projects and 70 per cent of the total landowners in the case of public-private partnership projects.
|
||
|
Heroin seizure may further hit bilateral trade, fear exporters
Amritsar, December 4 The availability of rail wagons had dipped in view of the steep decline in cement import after repeated heroin seizures in rail cargo from Pakistan. Talking to The Tribune, exporter Rajdeep Uppal said the incident was unfortunate and the Centre should take up the matter with the Pakistan Government. "Already the bilateral trade between the two countries via rail route has dropped by over 50 per cent. If such incidents continue, the trade may well come to a grinding halt". Another exporter Rajesh Setia said contraband seizure had been made in goods wagon of the Samjhauta Express which proved that the menace was continuing despite efforts from both sides. He said the incident had underlined the need to be more vigilant for the authorities in India. "In the past, there were some instances in which seals of bogies were found broken, which shows that the smuggling of drugs is on, although at times it gets caught". He said the authorities should ensure that once a train from Pakistan proceeded from Attari to Amritsar it should neither stop nor slow down in between, as that was where mischievous elements took advantage to perpetrate such activities. Besides, he said the train should be escorted by proper security till it was handed over to the Customs Department. Cement trader Pawan Arora lamented that repeated drug seizures had already finished off cement trade between India and Pakistan via rail route. He said the government must act tough against the elements who wished to sabotage the bilateral trade. He said seizures like these caused a lot of harassment to the traders who were only concerned with their business and would never indulge in such activities. The traders also felt that the Indian railways must step in to ensure proper security of goods arriving at the rail cargo facility in Amritsar so as to ward off any threat of contraband smuggling which adversely hit the trade. They have sought measures like ultramodern scanners and sniffer dogs to curb instances. It is pertinent to mention here that over 150 kg of heroin was recovered in rail cargo from Pakistan last year, which has brought down the cement import from Pakistan to a naught.
|
||
SAD, BJP activists compete to help fill wheat scheme forms
Abohar, December 4 Perturbed over a complaint that forms photocopied from newspapers are being sold for Rs 10, factions of the ruling alliance (SAD-BJP) competed in organising camps to fill forms of the BPL families. Supporters of a businessman, who had ensured BJP candidate Vijay Laxmi Bhadoo's defeat at the hands of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar, organised the first camp. This prompted the BJP to organise such camps. Bhadoo jumped in the fray and held camps at a banquet hall inviting people to fill forms for a pension scheme even as hundreds of applicants had been waiting for release of pension since long. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers were divided, as some were present at the camp organised by the business tycoon, while some attended the Bhadoo’s camp. Meanwhile, depot holders have decided to boycott the food security scheme as they would not get enough commission over the wheat supplied to blue card holders.
|
|
Police, Sikh radicals come face to face in Amritsar
Amritsar, December 4 Activists of the Panthak Sewa Lehar, Dal Khalsa, SAD (Panch Pardhani), SAD (Amritsar) and AISSF converged on Akal Takht at 9.30 am. Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh performed ‘ardas’ and claimed that the state government was with them over the issue. Trouble began when the activists broke into groups apparently after learning of police presence there. The police first stopped the group led by Panthak Sewa Lehar chief Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal near the main entrance of the Golden Temple. Subsequently, Daduwal and his aides were detained. (Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh was arrested from his Amritsar residence last night). The police then headed towards another exit of the shrine to prevent leaders like Harpal Singh Cheema and Karnail Singh Peermohammed from holding the 'Rihaee March'. The two sides virtually come to blows with the turban of a 'Panj Piara' flaying fell off. The police then allowed the ‘Panj Piare’ to proceed. Those stopped from joining the march staged a dharna on the road leading to the Golden Temple for an hour. The matter was resolved on the intervention of the Akal Takht chief and activists of radical outfits allowed to hold the march escorted by a police team led by Additional DCP Parampal Singh. In the meantime, another group of Dal Khalsa activists left for Mohali but were intercepted by the Beas police, following which they too staged a dharna in Beas. The detained leaders, Daduwal and Kanwar Pal, were let off in the afternoon. Talking to mediapersons here this evening, the Jathedar Gurbachan Singh said the confrontation was a result of a misunderstanding. He said the radical groups had not intimated the state government about their plan to take hold the march and the government was apprehensive that it may disturb peace. The issue was resolved after those leading the march assured the authorities that they would maintain peace, he said. He said he had met Gurbaksh Singh and forwarded his demands to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He said the Akal Takht too had been demanding the release of 'innocent' Sikhs. Meanwhile, the Dal Khalsa has flayed the government for it attempts to "foil" the march.
Sequence of events
|
|
|
Kandola was involved in human trafficking
Jalandhar, December 4 Kandola, who hails from Haippowal village near Banga in Nawanshahar, migrated to the UK at the age of 20. From there shifted base to the US where he married Rajwant Kaur Virk and had a son Bailley Singh, both of whom were nabbed by the Jalandhar (Rural) police after the arrest of Kandola late
last year. Raja Kandola (55) entered the drug trade about eight years ago after he came in contact with Delhi-based Nishan Singh Toni. Kandola gained access to a few diplomats and a visa officer of a Gulf country based in New Delhi. His well-qualified wife got a job with the embassy of Gulf country in New Delhi. This helped him in human trafficking. Toni, who developed ties with politicians of Malwa region and police officers based in New Delhi and Chandigar, was provided asecurity cover at the behest of a former Director-General of Police, police sources said. Kandola, police sources revealed, used to charge Rs 6 lakh from each of those aspiring to go abroad. Of this amount, he would give Rs 1 lakh to the visa officer, said highly placed sources associated with the ongoing investigations into the Kandola drug haul. Kandola and Toni also sent youths illegally to Germany and North America via South African countries, the sources said. Flushed with money, Kandola gradually became addicted to opium and smack and then to ‘ICE’ which he started making with the help of Chinese and Russian experts at a laboratory at his Samrala farmhouse. “Kandola has confessed to have been involved in sending between 2.500- 3,000 youths to the Gulf and other countries,” said a senior police officer. He said Kandola's girlfriend, IT professional Vanya Khanna, helped him in the trade. Well-oiled racket
|
|
|
vat refund
Patiala, December 4 Sources within the department said unscrupulous traders had connived with taxation officials and made a fortune. While the CBI is yet to take over the case files, officials under the lens are reportedly trying to push some industrialists to move court and seek relief. In its orders last week, Justice Jitendra Chauhan of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had said: “The court records its painful observation that on account of the unholy nexus between traders, officials and other beneficiaries, the state has been put to a huge loss.” The court observations came after a probe by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the Taxation Department pointed towards a modus operandi of traders claiming VAT refunds against bogus supplies.
|
|
|
Convict Nishan Singh on protest fast
Ludhiana, December 4 On the complaint of BS Gill, Superintendent, Borstal Jail, he had been booked for attempt to suicide. The Jail Superintendent said that Nishan Singh had developed suicidal tendencies. — TNS
|
|
|
Attack on Satguru
London, December 4 The 27-year-old's trial has been provisionally set for Birmingham Crown Court on February 10 and he has been remanded in custody until then. Toor, a non-Namdhari Sikh from the Oadby area in Leicester, was caught by members of the congregation present at Sunday prayers at the gurdwara. He was allegedly wrapped in a blanket as he moved towards the sect chief with “agandasa”, a traditional Punjabi farming tool, and aimed for his head. The victim suffered injuries on his face and
arm and was taken to Royal Infirmary in Leicester. — PTI
|
|
|
Tight security for kabaddi matches
Doda (Muktsar), December 4 As many as 2,236 police personnel from the
Bathinda zone, comprising Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Faridkot, Fazilka
and Ferozepur districts, have been deployed in and around the stadium where Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal are to witness the rural sport. A police spokesperson said six Superintendents of Police (SPs), 15 Deputy SPs, 42 Inspectors, 195 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 1,665 Head Constables and constables were on duty. To regulate traffic, four Inspectors, 13 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 115 Head Constables and constables, 14 women Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and 167 women Head Constables and constables had been deployed. The main Muktsar-Bathinda near Doda village would remain close. Meanwhile, the ETT Teachers’ Union has decided to show black flags to
the dignitaries. Congress MLA Amarinder Singh ‘Raja Warring’, who represents the Gidderbaha constituency, said: “The SAD-BJP Government has not invited me to the event being organised in my constituency. But persons without any constitutional or political post have
been invited only because they belong to the ruling Akali Dal.” He said he would lodge a protest in this regard, but "on the right platform and at the right time.” Deputy Inspector-General, (DIG), Ferozepur Range, Yurinder Singh, reviewed the security arrangements.
|
|
|
Panic as earth caves in near Bhakra canal
Ferozepur (Bassi Pathana), December 4 Bassi Pathana Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sukhdev Singh Mahal, District Revenue Officer (DRO) Jeevanjot Kaur and other senior officers, including Intelligence officials, rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Former sarpanch of the village Jasbir Singh said
if immediate measures were not taken, about one dozen villages in the area could be inundated anytime. “It seems substandard material had been used by the contractor on the bandh as it was repaired only two months ago,” said sarpach of Bagh Sikander village Balwinder Singh. He said the problem persisted every and he had asked villagers to keep a close eye on the spot to prevent any
major mishap. Farmers Harpinder Singh, Saudagar Singh and Kuldeep Singh said the authorities had done nothing in the past three days to check the submerging of sand bags. They said in case the banks of the canal give way, villages, including Bagh Sikhander, Damheri, Jallowal, Lohar Majra, Shalar Majra, Dadheri and Ferozepur, face the threat of inundation. District Revenue Officer Jeevanjot Kaur said she had directed the Executive Engineer, Canal and Irrigation Department, to initiate immediate action in the matter. She said necessary repairs would be carried out soon to avoid further damage.
|
|
|
Kabaddi or not, state youth high on dope
Gurdaspur, December 4 However, four years down the line, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s dream of making Punjab drug-free has proved to be a pipedream with experts saying that the incidence of drug use has increased menacingly, with the jobless educated youth the most affected group. Experts and NGOs working at ground zero in this border district claim there has been a manifold increase in the number of drug addicts here in Gurdaspur. "How can a kabaddi match wean away youth, particularly students, from drugs when the need of the hour is to provide them employment," observed an activist. “Figures culled from various sources, including the government-aided Red Cross Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre here, reveal that there has been a 15 per cent to 20 per cent rise in the consumption of drugs in this district ever since the last edition of the tournament,” said Romesh Mahajan, Project Director. “Kabaddi or no kabaddi, thousands of youths are hooked on drugs such as poppy husk, opium and cough syrups. India's border with Pakistan is not the only reason for drugs making their way into this district. It is evident from the Jagdish Bhola case that drugs are being manufactured in the state itself. We have reports that every third youngster in Majha is on drugs,” said a senior bureaucrat. A harried parent whose son is undergoing treatment at the de-addiction centre here, said: “The government should bring industry to the area instead of holding sporting contests. If the government can’t provide jobs, it must at least set up more Industrial Training Institutes
(ITIs).”
|
|
|
Finally, Delhi Express to halt at Dhariwal
Dhariwal, December 4 With this, a long-pending demand of the residents has been fulfilled. The train departs from Pathankot for New Delhi at 7 am and halts here at 7.50 am. Bajwa, Ferozepur Divisional Railway Manager SC Goel, Qadian MLA Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, and Congress leader Barinder Singh Ninu, among others were present. Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that he had been holding regular meetings with railway ministry officials in New Delhi to ensure that the train halted in the town. The train's stoppage assumes political significance as Dhariwal, famous for 150-year-old Egerton Woollen Mills known popularly as Dhariwal Woollen Mills, falls in the Vidhan Sabha seat of Qadian represented by his wife Charanjit Kaur Bajwa. When Bajwa was elected MP four years ago, he had tried to revive the Qadian-Beas rail link. The-then Railway Minister, Mamta Banerjee, had passed the proposal and announced the revival of the 'dead' rail link in the 2010 Railway Budget. In spite of clearances from the departments concerned, the project could not be put on the fast track as farmers in some areas, through which the rail line was to pass, protested against land acquisition. Bajwa told the media that he would approach the railway authorities to ensure that work on the Qadian-Beas line commenced soon. "I am eager to remove the bottlenecks so that residents of the area can benefit from the rail link," he added.
|
|
|
Nawanshahr first to launch UPA’s health scheme
Nawanshahr, December 4 Under the collaborative efforts of the Central and Punjab governments, selected government hospitals in the district would provide a package of healthcare services free of cost. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anindita Mitra here today said that the scheme had been rolled out in select districts of
the states. Under the scheme, every person would be issued a health card and an ID enabling him or her to have access to the package containing 20 essential healthcare services, including safe pregnancy (maternal and reproductive health services), infant and child health services, immunisation, contraceptive services, school and adolescent health services, emergency response and patient transport services, and emergency care. “In the first phase, the scheme will be implemented in two Subsidiary Health Centre (SHCs) at Garupar (in Aur, Gauopar and Balloni villages) and Urapar (Garhi Ajit Singh and Urapar villages) of the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Aur, having a population more than 11,000 from December 20," said Mitra, adding the entire district would be covered in three months. Soon, there would be round-the-clock staff at health centres. If any test is not available at the hospital , it could be conducted from another hospital for free.
|
|
|
12 writers to be awarded
Chandigarh, December 4 In Punjabi language, Gurmukh Singh Musafir Purskar will be given to Dr Manmohan Singh Dawoon for "Shayar Sagar"; Bhai Veer Singh Puraskar to Ninder Ghungayanwi for "Wadayan Di Sath"; Principal Teja Singh Puraskar to Sarabjit Singh Virdi for "Geetan da Kafla"; Dr Atar Singh Puraskar to Atma Singh Randhawa for "Shabad Sidhant Atte Sanwaad"; MS Randhawa Puraskar to Prof Harpal Singh Pannu for "Art Ton Bandgi Tak"; Ishwar Chandar Nanda Puraskar to Dr Sahib Singh for "Khamban Di Talash"; and Guru Harkrishan Puraskar to Dr Gurminder Singh Sidhu for "Chand di Barfi". In the Hindi category, Giani Sant Singh Puraskar will be awarded to Dr Shashi Prabha for "Bahut Kuch Anutrit"; Giani Gian Singh Puraskar to Yashpal Bangian for "Varishat Nagrike Adhbud Adhbudh"; and Bal Sahit Puraskar to Vijay Kumar for "Upkar ka Mulaye". — TNS
|
|
Avoid overstaffing, HC tells PSPCL
Chandigarh, December 4 The ruling came on a bunch of petitions by Ludhiana Hand Tools Association and another petitioner against the state of Punjab and other respondents. Alleging overstaffing, the petitioners had contended that it had a direct impact on the tariff fixation by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The petitioners had claimed that they and the general public were the sufferers in the bargain as the electricity tariff was to be based on the corporation’s balance-sheet. The court was told that the corporation to improve its functioning had engaged the services of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, an internationally renowned concern. In its report, “The Road Ahead”, the immediate need of linemen was stated to be zero. On the other hand, the corporation tried to recruit 5,000 linemen vide an advertisement issued in January, 2011. Taking up the matter, Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih asserted: “The corporation cannot continue to incur losses and yet continue to employ more personnel if there is no such requirement. The subsidy given by the State of Punjab really amounts to public money being spent by the corporation, which must make an endeavour to come out of the woods... “However, till the situation is achieved, there has to be a check and balance and that is possible within the framework of the regulatory mechanism already framed under the Electricity Act, 2003”. The Bench said the commission had been making observations regarding excess staff, which was affecting tariff fixation.
|
|
|
Parallel probes: Amicus curiae appointed
Chandigarh, December 4 Taking up an appeal where separate inquiries were held by officer in charge of a police station and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Justice M Jeyapaul and Justice Inderjit Singh appointed senior advocates RS Cheema and Vinod Ghai as amicus curiae Referring to the Code of Criminal procedure, the Bench observed: “In our considered view, a superior officer appointed by the state government in terms of Section 158, CrPC, may, at best, give some instructions to the officer in charge of the police station before filing a special report to the Magistrate concerned in terms of Section 157, CrPC…. “It is only the officer in charge of the police station, who has been empowered to investigate a cognisable offence. On completion of the investigation, it is only the officer in charge of the police station who has been empowered under Section 173 CrPC to forward a final report to a Magistrate empowered to take cognisance of the offence on a police report. “The scheme of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, does not contemplate any inquiry that may be conducted by any superior police official when the investigation is already embarked upon by the officer in charge of the police station”. The observations and queries came on the appeal filed by Sukhwinder Singh. In the case, the officer in charge investigated the case and recorded statements of witnesses. While the investigation was on, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Pritipal Singh Virk conducted an inquiry “unheard of under the scheme of CrPC” on a complaint from Sukhwinder Singh’s father.
|
|
|
‘Misuse’ of Red Cross funds: HC for action against IAS officers
Chandigarh, December 4 A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih called for a report in the matter on February 17. As the case came up for resume hearing, the Bench impleaded the Ministry of Personnel and Training as party in the case. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Arun Kumar Panda submitted that that IAS officers and ex-officio members of the Red Cross Societies work under the state cadres. But, department action against them, if any, has to be taken by the Union Government's Directorate of Personnel and Training. The inquiry committee of Justice AL Bahri and Justice RK Nehru has stated that it was of the prima facie view that district Red Cross funds had been misused, and suggested the circulation of a list of dos and don’ts to stop the misuse by the Deputy Commissioners-cum-ex-officio presidents of the Societies. Those included in the list of don'ts are grants to clubs, religious institutions, samitis or other organisations, expenditure on the maintenance of parks or beautification of cities. The High Court had earlier taken cognisance of apparent “large-scale and rampant misutilisation of funds” for Red
Cross activities in the region and has asked the two former judges to look into it. Reports indicate the funds have been used for paying electricity bills, buying water coolers and repairing escort vehicles of a Deputy Commissioner. Tsunami funds have not been deposited while cyclone funds have met the same fate.
|
|
Pak smuggler shot,
Rs 45 cr heroin seized
Ferozepur, December 4 Ajay Kumar Tomar, BSF IG, said following an intelliegence input, the troops observed the movement of two suspected persons near the zero line who were approaching the fence. When the troops challenged them, one of them opened fired, following which the BSF men also fired in self defence, he said. The IG said while one person was seen falling on the ground, the other managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Later, during a search operation, the BSF seized 9 kg heroin worth Rs 45 crore, two .30 bore Chinese pistols along with 15 rounds and three Pakistani mobile phones.
|
|
|
Nine booked in firing case
Tarn Taran, December 4 Village resident Kawaljit Kaur, in her complaint to the police, alleged that the accused fired at members of her family. They escaped.
|
|
|
Building inspector booked
Patiala, December 4 The police had on Sunday booked SAD councillor from Ward No 9 Sukhdev Singh Sandhu for allegedly thrashing the building inspector, who in his statement to the police had alleged that Sandhu and his men had attacked him when he asked a jeweller to stop illegal construction in Preet Nagar area.
|
|
|
Banker found dead in car
Hoshiarpur, December 4 The victim has been identified as Amrik Singh of Daduwal village near Mahilpur. He was working as manager of Central Co-operative Bank’s Dhade Kalan branch. He was considered close to Chabbewal MLA and CPS Sohan Singh Thandal. Senior Superintendent of Police Narinder Bhargav said prima facie it seemed a case of suicide as a note had also been recovered. He said a forensic team had collected samples to investigate the matter. The body was sent to the Garhshankar Civil Hospital for a postmortem. Sources said a car (PB24 B 0333) was seen parked near Vishvakarma Mandir on the outskirts of Mahilpur early this morning. Passersby informed the police after seeing the driver lying unconscious with blood oozing from his head.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Factionalism in the ruling alliance of Punjab surfaced today when the BJP organiaed a camp for BPL families to help them fill forms to avail subsidised wheat.
Perturbed over a complaint that forms photocopied from newspapers are being sold for Rs 10, factions of the ruling alliance
(SAD-BJP) competed in organising camps to fill forms of the BPL families.
There was a face-off between the police and radical Sikh groups at the Golden Temple complex here this morning as the police tried to stop a
'Rihaee March' in support of Gurbaksh Singh who is on a fast at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali to seek the release of Sikhs languishing in various jails since the days of militancy.
To prevent protesters entering the stadium during the World Cup Kabaddi matches to be held tomorrow at Doda village in the Gidderbaha subdivision of Muktsar district, the police has converted this village on the Muktsar-Bathinda highway into a fortress.
Land measuring 10-15 square feet on the banks of the Bhakra Mainline canal started caving in today, spreading panic among villagers of Bassi Pathana Block.
Bassi Pathana Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sukhdev Singh Mahal, District Revenue Officer
(DRO) Jeevanjot Kaur and other senior officers, including Intelligence officials, rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
A Pakistani intruder was gunned down and 9 kg heroin was seized during an operation carried out the BSF near Jagdish border outpost in this sector today.
The BSF also seized two .30 bore Chinese pistols. Ajay Kumar Tomar, BSF
IG, said following an intelliegence input, the troops observed the movement of two suspected persons near the zero line who were approaching the fence. When the troops challenged them, one of them opened fired, following which the BSF men also fired in self
defence, he said.
Many are now approaching chartered accountants and advocates to get help in filing property tax returns.
