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Bathinda villagers clash with SGPC activists
Release of tube well connections from Dec
Govt may appoint new PPSC chief by month-end
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Dal Khalsa, Cong question ‘VIP treatment’ to Majithia
Congress seeks investigation into cases against its workers
People will soon lose faith in
AAP: Badal
Book Akali MP for seeking votes in Panth’s name: AAP
‘Attacked’ by Akalis, Cong polling agent writes to Akal Takht
State told to consider setting up independent agency
Canada Post releases stamp on Komagata Maru
Pbi varsity staff not paid salary this month
Ludhiana MC demolishes
over 15 illegal structures
Majithia’s name appears in plea filed by Patiala man
Batala industrialists want freight equalisation policy reintroduced
Truck drivers protest faulty weighing machine
ADC wants clip checked by forensic lab
Undertrial escapes from GND Hospital
HC upholds state’s right of land use for gas pipeline
HC attaches salaries of PRTC officers
Nihangs attack TTE
Conman held in Abohar
2 nabbed for duping Army aspirants
Murder convict flees from
open jail
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Bathinda villagers clash with SGPC activists
Bathinda, May 7 When the auction for letting the 161-acre plot on contract or lease began, workers of the SGPC task force allegedly attacked the local gurdwara committee members and other villagers. Several persons on both sides were injured. Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar reached the spot with a huge posse of police and stopped the auction. SSP Gurpreet Bhullar said, “The issue has been resolved. We are recording the statements of the injured persons and action will be taken accordingly.” Surjeet Singh, a village resident, said that the auction was taking place at the house of local SGPC member Jawadh Singh. SGPC secretary Sukhdev Singh, additional secretary Kewal Singh, the SDM and SP(D) were also present. But Bhai Roop Chand Sewa Langar Society acting president Rajwinder Singh and Subedar Nand Singh started protesting against the auction. This led to an altercation. When both sides gathered at the local gurdwara, the villagers were not allowed to speak on the loudspeaker. Both sides clashed and resorted to stone-pelting. All the injured were taken to Civil Hospital, Rampura Phul. The SGPC is reportedly claiming ownership stating that it had won the case, which it had filed in the Supreme Court. On the other hand, villagers said the land had been donated by Bhai Roop Chand and that even the village had been named after him. The Bhullar community and the Bharatiya Kisan Union members joined hands and blamed the SGPC for allegedly encroaching upon the land.
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Release of tube well connections from Dec
Patiala, May 7 The Congress alleged that with an eye on the elections, the SAD-BJP Government had summoned the record on the demand notices at the PSPCL head office. It had then asked the halqa chiefs to issue these to farmers in their constituencies. But with the government now facing an acute coal shortage for its thermal plants, the much-hyped scheme may be delayed, perhaps till the next paddy season. Sources said the PSPCL was not in a position to release the tube well connections by September and the process would now commence after December, that too in a phased manner. The annual subsidy bill on account of these connections would be a whopping Rs 670 crore per annum, the sources said. About 70,000 farmers had applied for connections before 2007. When contacted, PSPCL chief KD Chaudhri said they would start releasing the connections beginning December this year and the process would be completed by July 2015. The All-India Power Engineers Federation patron, Padamjit Singh, said it was wrong on the part of the government to announce the release of tube well connections days ahead of the poll code. Also, the Green Tribunal had ruled that in view of the depleting groundwater table, releasing a large number of tube well connections was illogical, he added.
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Govt may appoint new PPSC chief by month-end
Chandigarh, May 7 Highly placed sources in the government say the government is looking for a candidate who can be in office for a minimum five years to streamline the PPSC functioning on the pattern of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The post fell vacant on May 2 after Lt Gen (retd) MS Buttar retired after serving as Chairman for almost nine months. His predecessor, Lt Gen (retd) RS Sujlana was in office for two years. Sources said the state government would be selecting the next PPSC Chairman by the month-end. Top government functionaries say since the tenure of the PPSC chief is fixed for six years or till the incumbent reaches the age of 62, only a person who can implement the process of bringing transparency in the public service commission should be appointed Chairperson. The PPSC recruits Punjab Civil Service officers, state medical officers, SDOs, college lecturers. Over the past two years, the state government has been striving to make the recruitment process more transparent. The exam system has been re-designed on the pattern of the UPSC examination. No recruitments are made without candidates clearing a written test. More weightage is being given to the written examination and marks for the interview have been reduced. The criteria *
The post is unlikely to be offered to a person aged above 60 * Highly placed sources say the government is looking for a candidate who can be in office for a minimum five years *
This, they say, is a must if the PPSC functioning is to be streamlined on the pattern of the Union Public Service Commission
(UPSC) * The post fell vacant after Lt Gen (retd) MS Buttar retired on May 2.
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Dal Khalsa, Cong question ‘VIP treatment’ to Majithia
Amritsar, May 7 Addressing a press conference here, Lalli Majithia claimed, “The Sikh high priests had directed him (Bikram Majithia) to perform ‘sewa’ a day each at all the five Takhts. But he did it at two Takhts on a single day.” He also raised questions on some SGPC members accompanying him while performing the ‘sewa’. He also accused “the minister of resorting to a mere show off” while alleging that those accompanying him were “performing the actual ‘sewa’ and he was merely pretending to do so”. Lalli accused Bikram of playing with the sentiments of the people by allegedly considering the ‘tankhah’ against him as a mere formality. Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh also alleged that Majithia was defying and defeating the very spirit of “tankhah” and making mockery of a punishment. He said, “Bikram is politicising the ‘tankhah’ and trying to gain mileage out of it. The manner in which he performed ‘sewa’ at both the Takhts reflects that there is no humbleness in him.” He has also urged the Akal Takht to seek explanation from the SGPC regarding the violation of ‘maryada’ “by forcing the raagi to perform ‘kirtan’ to suit Majithia’s presence”. On the other hand, Majithia has rejected the charges levelled against him. He said he was performing the ‘sewa’ as a “humble Sikh”. He said the ‘tankhah’ awarded to him only required him to wash utensils and contribute monetarily to the ‘langar’ but he was voluntarily dusting shoes and listening ‘gurbani’. He also denied that he was being given any VIP treatment at the Takhts.
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Congress seeks investigation into cases against its workers
Chandigarh, May 7 Jakhar, Joginder Singh Panjgrian, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Parminder Singh Pinky, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa met Suresh Arora. They alleged that for minor scuffles, Congress workers were being booked for attempt to murder. The DGP reportedly assured the MLAs that he would look into the matter. Talking to mediapersons later, the MLAs, who were accompanied by former MLA Kushaldeep Dhillon, alleged that post-poll, Congress workers were being harassed by the police at the behest of the SAD. “Sensing a defeat, they are trying to frame our party workers in frivolous cases,” they alleged. The MLAs said they had submitted to the DGP a list of seven such cases. Jakhar said no case had been registered against any Akali worker even though Congress workers had been attacked and injured. He said Congress workers had been booked under serious offences in Jalalabad, Gidderbaha, Malout, Rampura Phul, Fatehgarh Churian, Dera Baba Nanak and Sangatpura. “After our pleas went unheard, we decided to approach DGP Arora and demand a thorough probe,” Jakhar added.
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People will soon lose faith in
AAP: Badal
Rakhra (Patiala), May 7 On the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) prospects in Punjab, Badal said: “The people of Delhi have seen their style of working and very soon people in Punjab will discard the party too." For the anti-incumbency sentiment, the CM blamed the Congress-led UPA Government, which, he alleged, had failed to release enough funds for the state for completion of developmental projects. Badal was here to attend the bhog of the death anniversary of Cabinet Minister SS Rakhra’s mother, Jaswant Kaur. Denying that efforts were made to bribe voters, he asked a mediaperson if he had been a witness to such malpractice. He claimed that sitting MP Harsimrat Badal had worked hard in her constituency and would, hence, be re-elected. “I am not saying so because she is my daughter-in-law. She worked hard in her constituency and the state government cannot take the credit away from her.” On Manpreet Badal’s future, he said he was ready for a pact, “but that’s possible if he wants it too.”
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Book Akali MP for seeking votes in Panth’s name: AAP
Faridkot, May 7 They boycotted the courts and staged a dharna in front of the SSP’s office today. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too joined the protest. It has demanded that the Election Commission should take notice of a large number of pre-recorded voice messages sent by the Akali candidate across the constituency on April 13. The party alleged that one such pre-recorded voice message, generated on the mobile number of Dr Rupinder Singh, son-in-law of Paramjit Gulshan, reportedly seeking votes on the name of the Panth, was received by a large number of voters in the nine Assembly segments of the constituency on April 13. Offended, Faridkot advocate Jagdeep Singh Bajwa reportedly replied to the recorded message with an SMS and made some offensive remarks against the MP. On April 24, Gurpreet Singh, Paramjit Gulshan’s PA, lodged a complaint with the police. A case was registered under Section 66-A of the Information and Technology Act and Section 125 of the Representation of People’s Act. But on May 6, the police added a non-bailable offence, hurting the religious feelings of a person (Section 295-A) in the FIR and Jagdeep Singh was put behind bars.
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‘Attacked’ by Akalis, Cong polling agent writes to Akal Takht
Mansa, May 7 The injured Congressman, Paramjit Singh Pamma, has now written a letter to Akal Takht about his beard having been pulled by Dilraj Singh Bhunder, son of the Rajya Sabha MP, and another Akali worker Jatinder Sodhi. On the same day, doctors at the Mansa Civil Hospital submitted the medico-legal report of the victim to the local police station. The police recorded his statement, but didn’t register the case. The police instead booked Paramjit under Sections 295, 324, 323 and 506 of the IPC on May 2 on an Akali worker’s complaint. SSP Mansa Bikrampal Singh Bhatti said, “A cross case was registered. Please get the details from the Station House Officer.” The SHO refused to comment. DSP Sardulgarh Gobinder Singh said, “A case against Paramjit was registered on the complaint of Maha Singh. No case has been registered on Paramjit's complaint as we are investigating the case.” Congress MLA from Sardulgarh Ajit Inder Singh Mofar said, “The police is totally biased. The Akalis injured our worker, but the police booked him instead. If the police fail to register a case against Dilraj, then we will stage an agitation against the government.”
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State told to consider setting up independent agency
Chandigarh, May 7 The directions by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli came on a petition filed by Ravinder and other petitioners for bringing to the fore inaction on the part of the Punjab Government and other respondents in repairing the main road between Bhagtanwala and Ibban Kalan village near Amritsar. The petitioners claim that the road, laid about eight years ago, had developed cracks and turned into potholes. As the case came up for hearing, the Bench was told that the area was under the domain of the Punjab Mandi Board and the Amritsar Municipal Corporation. It was stated that 1.34 km came under the Mandi Board, while the remaining stretch was under the MC jurisdiction. Appearing before the Bench, Punjab Additional Advocate General said re-carpeting of the road was to be done by the Punjab Mandi Board. Taking up the matter, the Bench observed: “We have heard the counsel for the parties and perused the records. There is no dispute that the condition of the road is abysmal. This possibly arises on account of the quality of work done as there appears to be no independent agency to verify the work carried out. “We call upon the Punjab Mandi Board to see as to how, till the road is re-laid, it can be made at least functional. We also call upon Punjab to consider establishing an independent agency outside the departments for the purpose of quality control, which is half the problem.” Referring to the issue of removing encroachments, the Bench asserted: “The Municipal Corporation is required to maintain a constant vigil and see that there is no obstruction, at least on the road and unauthorised construction/occupation is removed.” The case *
The directions came on a petition that brought to the fore inaction on the part of the Punjab Government and other respondents in repairing the main road between Bhagtanwala and Ibban Kalan village near Amritsar *
The petitioners claimed that the road, laid about eight years ago, had developed cracks and turned into potholes
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Canada Post releases stamp on Komagata Maru
Jalandhar, May 7 Canada’s Federal Employment and Multicultural Minister Jason Kenney and Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra released the stamp at an impressive ceremony, owing to the efforts of the Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation, a Vancouver-based NGO. Speaking to The Tribune, foundation president Harbhajan Gill said they had sent an application to the Canada Post two years ago for the stamp’s approval . “This is the best tribute to what our pioneers went through 100 years ago in Canada and then at Baj-baj Ghat in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal,” he said. He said the hall where the ceremony took place was jam-packed. On the functioning of the foundation, he said that it was a non-profit, non-government organisation that worked towards creating awareness on the Komagata Maru incident, besides promoting the Punjabi culture through seminars and plays. Harbhajan said Punjab and Indian Governments, too, should honour the legends. Harbhajan Kaur, granddaughter of Baba Gurdit Singh, who had hired Komagata Maru, said she had written several letters to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging them to establish a memorial at Baba Gurdit Singh’s native village Sarhali in Amritsar. However, none had bothered to answer her letters. Welcoming the initiative of Canada Post, she observed: “Here in India, we have spent money to raise a memorial at Baj-baj Ghat in West Bengal. Not a single rupee was provided by the government, but the West Bengal Government named a railway station after Komagata Maru. Our family has not been considered for the freedom fighters’ quota,” she said. Dr Raghbir Kaur, Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall Committee general secretary, said the Punjab Government must take a lead in paying due respect to its legendary figures. About Komagata Maru *
A Japanese steamship, Komagata Maru, sailed from Hong Kong, Shanghai, China to Yokohama, Japan, and then to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada *
It reached there on May 23, 1914. It carried 376 passengers from Punjab. Of them, 24 were admitted to Canada *
The remaining 352 were not allowed to land in Canada. The ship, hired by Gurdit Singh, was forced to return to India *
Among the passengers were 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims and 12 Hindus, all British subjects *
This was one of the several incidents in the history of the 20th century involving exclusion laws in Canada and the US designed to keep out immigrants from Asia *
The ship was forced to return to India, where at Baj-baj Ghat in West Bengal, 20 passengers were shot dead and others imprisoned.
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Pbi varsity staff not paid salary this month
Patiala, May 7 The teachers are also annoyed with the government not releasing 20 per cent amount of the pay arrears related to the revision under the Sixth Pay Commission of the UGC. The arrears pertain to 43 months from January 1, 2006, to August 31, 2009. Harried over the delay, the teachers led by the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) have submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, seeking solution to their problems. Their demands include timely release of salaries and submission of pending DA instalments in the GPF and CPF accounts. One of the professors, on the condition of anonymity, said the state government was least concerned about education. Punjabi University Registrar AS Chawla said the authorities were waiting for the government to release the grant and, soon after, payments would be made. “It is the second time in this year that salaries could not be paid on the first day of a month due to some problems. The issue of arrears is pending with the government. As soon we receive the money, we will release it,” he added. Refuting the allegation that the fiscal mess was due to the mismanagement of finances, Chawla attributed the problem to the steep hike in salaries of the teaching and non-teaching staff.
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Ludhiana MC demolishes
over 15 illegal structures
Ludhiana, May 7 The buildings were constructed on the MC land and the possession holders were occupying the structures for more than three decades. The MC officials, including the Assistant Town Planners (ATP) and the Joint Commissioner, led the demolition drive. The officials had yesterday identified some areas to carry out the demolition drive and their survey did not include Ghumar Mandi. Area councillor Gurpreet Gogi objected to the demolition and claimed that no notices were served on the shopkeepers. “If they knew that their shops and houses are to be razed, they could have vacated the premises on their own. But no time was given to them,” he said. For Gogi’s intervention, the police detained him for more than three hours. Assistant Town Planner (headquarters) Kamaljit Kaur said the drive was conducted following a contempt of court filed by an RTI activist in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A few more structures would be razed in the coming days, she added.
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Majithia’s name appears in plea filed by Patiala man
Chandigarh, May 7 In his petition filed through Kulbir Singh Dhaliwal, he has claimed that he is a “victim of enmity”, which he and his family have with a senior politician. In his earlier petition, Narinder had alleged that Majithia’s father and others were trying to take possession of land that was with him for the past two decades. Pointing out that a case each had been registered against him in Punjab and Haryana, he had expressed the fear that he could be implicated further as he was already getting calls from the Tarn Taran police.
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Batala industrialists want freight equalisation policy reintroduced
Batala, May 7 Businessmen say that the abolition of FEP in 1992 had played havoc with the industry. Under the policy — introduced in 1948 for equal growth of industry across the country — a factory could be set up anywhere in India and the transportation of minerals would be subsidised by the government through the railways. The policy resulted in a massive growth of industry in post-Independence days in Batala. Following the policy’s withdrawal, businessmen started shifting base to other states, which offered various incentives including tax benefits. “Businessmen are fast surrendering sales tax numbers, power and telephone connections. Industrial plots, too, have no buyers,” said Iqbal Singh Saimi, owner, Saimi Engineering Corporation. Industries department officials said there were more than 2,000 foundries in Batala in 1980 but now just 530 remain. Out of 550 firms manufacturing agricultural implements, just 128 are doing business. “Hand tool manufacturers have been wiped off the industrial map while producers of galvanised pipe, conduit pipe, brass cutting and aluminium doors and windows are gasping for breath. There were 2,500 industries dealing in lathe drill machines in the late 1980s and now just 705 remain. Industries dealing in wooden and steel furniture have also been decimated,” said Sukhjinder Singh, owner, Rajindra Group of Industries. Sources said due to the abolition of FEP, in the last two decades, more than Vishwa Mittar Goel, proprietor, Gee Kay Group of Industries, said, “In the 1980s, there was militancy and in the early 1990s, FEP was withdrawn. This was the last nail in the coffin. For the past one decade, the town has been registering a negative growth rate. The cost of raw materials procured by Batala’s foundries now exceeds the price of the finished goods produced by units located in the vicinity of steel and coal plants. The upgrade of the existing infrastructure or other development works has become an unthinkable proposition.” Downward trend for industries *
Over 60% industrial units have shut down in Batala in two decades, sources said *
Industries department officials say there were more than 2,000 foundries in Batala in 1980 but now just 530 remain *
Out of 550 firms manufacturing agricultural implements, just 128 are doing business
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Truck drivers protest faulty weighing machine
Muktsar, May 7 The protesters alleged that the company was "under-weighing" the wheat being brought to the godown for storage. Receiving this information, when the officials concerned reached the spot, an on-the-spot verification was done, in which the weighing scale was found to be faulty. The truck, trolley operators said they had come to know about the anomaly when they weighed a truck on another weighing scale. “We want our money back, which was reduced due to incorrect weight. The wheat stacked in the godown should also be weighed again,” said a truck operator. Kashmir Singh, Assistant Food Supply Officer, Malout, said, “The godown has five weighing scales and one of them was weighing incorrectly.” About 150 trucks loaded with wheat come to this godown for storage everyday. Repeated attempts made to contact company officials proved futile.
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ADC wants clip checked by forensic lab
Muktsar, May 7 The village is in Gidderbaha assembly segment, which is part of Faridkot parliamentary constituency. The probe officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Ramvir Singh, however, failed to record the statements of SGPC member Navtej Singh Kauni and a security guard purportedly shown in the videos (shot through spy cameras) offering money to villagers in lieu of votes on April 30 (polling day). Ramvir Singh has proposed that before coming to a conclusion, both the videos needed to be sent to a forensic lab to ascertain their authenticity. The report mentioned that the “video did not reveal the distribution of money”. “The timing of the video is also suspicious. There is no reference to the 2014 elections or any candidate. Even Kauni’s appearance is contradictory as the complainant says Kauni was less visible as he was sitting in dark,” the report reads. Gidderbaha SDM Hardeep Singh Dhaliwal, who is shown in the video inquiring into the matter and then allegedly speaking to an Akali leader by taking the phone from Kauni, said, “The video seems to have been tampered with. There is a gap of three-four seconds. The date on a video is also of June 10, 2013.”
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Undertrial escapes from GND Hospital
Amritsar, May 7 The undertrial, Vikramjit Singh, lodged in Patti sub-jail, was admitted to the hospital some days ago. Three Tarn Taran-stationed policemen — Head Constables Makhtool Singh, Angrej Singh and Randhir Singh — were assigned the duty of escorting him. They too ran away from the hospital premises. The matter came to light when ASI Gurgian Singh of the Tarn Taran police went to conduct a surprise check at about 4 pm. Investigating officer ASI Jaspal Singh of Majitha Road police station said that a case had been registered against them. Earlier also, there were instances when jail inmates got themselves admitted to the hospital before making their escape. “They first win the confidence of the escorting policemen and later give them the slip,” said Amritsar jail superintendent RK Sharma.
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SAD leader Tota Singh chargesheeted
Mohali, May 7 The others against whom charges have been framed in the court of the Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge Dilbagh Singh Johal are Varinder Kumar, OSD, board chairperson, former OSD Major Charanjit Singh Meelu, former joint secretary Pavitar Pal Kaur, former secretary Jagjit Singh, Amar Singh, Tirath Singh, Mohinder Singh, Tej Ram Goel and Amarjit Singh. The next date of hearing has been fixed for May 14. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered a case against Tota Singh and others for irregularities while recruiting 134 clerks and helpers during his stint as state Education Minister. The case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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HC upholds state’s right of land use for gas pipeline
Chandigarh, May 7 Challenging the acquisition, Mohan Lal Saggar and other residents of Duley and Chubki villages in Ludhiana district had earlier contended that the Union of India and other respondents had laid down a gas pipeline from Mathura Refinery (in Uttar Pradesh) to Bathinda Refinery for the supply of natural gas. But the proposed gas pipeline was being diverted illegally and unlawfully through the villages falling within the residential zone in the notified master plan of Ludhiana. Responding to the averments, the Union of India contended that the acquisition of right of user in land was for public purpose, and the pipeline was sought to be laid for supply and transportation of natural gas to fertiliser plants, power plants, industries and transport sector such as the CNG and PNG in Punjab. Taking up the matter, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli took note of the petitioner’s grievance that they were not served with notice, as provided under Rule 8 of the Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in the Land) Rules, 1963. “It appears, perhaps, the re-routing of the gas pipeline, as was being suggested by the petitioners, was not found to be feasible by the authorities. As a result, the scheme had to be implemented as originally perceived. That being so, we hardly see any prejudice suffered by the petitioners, even if it is assumed that there was no literal compliance in terms of Rule 8. Thus, grievance being made on this score is wholly misplaced,” the Bench said. Dismissing the petition, the Bench added: “As is discernible from the record, the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in the larger public interest, felt the necessity to provide natural gas through the gas pipeline to the entire country, by establishing a gas pipeline grid. “The network would ensure overall development of this region. It would provide impetus to the industry and would generate employment and prosperity in the state. Natural gas would cater to the need of the domestic customers, which would change the way of life of the residents around the gas pipeline. “Laying down of the gas pipeline is claimed to be a project of national importance, which cannot be set at naught…. The entire activity for laying down the pipelines, beneath the surface in an area of approximately 80 km from Ludhiana to Jalandhar is complete….. We indeed find this petition devoid of both public interest and merit. Thus, the petition is dismissed.”
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HC attaches salaries of PRTC officers
Patiala, May 7 The court has attached the salaries of PRTC MD Bhupinder Singh Rai, newly appointed Chairperson Avtar Singh Brar and General Managers of all PRTC depots. These officials won’t be able to withdraw their salaries till further order. The High Court had, on February 22, directed the PRTC management to release pending dues of its superannuated employees before May 7 or face strict action. The court had also made the Punjab Government a party in the case, instructing it to give more than Rs 45 crore of grant-in-aid to the PRTC for clearing a part of its dues. This is not for the first time the salaries of the PRTC officials have been attached. In July 2010, the court had attached the salaries of the then MD and all first-class officers due to non-release of benefits, including gratuity, commutation of pension and revised arrears of DA. The PRTC MD, Bhupinder Singh Rai, confirmed that the corporation had received the High Court order today morning. “The management is in touch with the Chief Minister’s office regarding the order and seeking legal advice on it,” he said. Rai added that the state government had already sanctioned ~35-crore loan and as soon as they receive it, they would clear the dues. In fiscal mess The PRTC management is in a fiscal mess as it has pending liabilities of around ~200 crore. While the management has used around ~50 crore that has been deducted from the salaries of its employees, which should have been in the GPF Trust, the management is yet to pay ~148.5 crore to its employees. The benefits include those of retirement and pay commission arrears. These bring the cumulative losses to around
Rs 200 crore.
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Nihangs attack TTE
Amritsar, May 7 The unidentified accused were trying to get into the executive class bogie of the train without ticket. When Mehta tried to stop them, they allegedly had a heated verbal exchange and the Nihang Sikhs later attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon on his arm. The suspects fled the scene.
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Conman held in Abohar
Abohar, May 7 Amandeep was provided security by the Punjab Police last year as he had claimed to be a Youth Akali Dal leader, but SAD leaders had refuted his claim, sources said. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal said Harjinder Singh of Moga had lodged a complaint alleging that Amandeep, who claimed proximity with some high-rank police officers, had duped him of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of getting him recruited directly as Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police. Preliminary investigation has indicated that Amandeep owns 20 acres of agricultural land, seven acres of which was part of his ancestral property. Some of his bank accounts have been sealed since transactions in 2012 exceeded limits. He has a BMW luxury car priced at Rs 52 lakh and pays Rs 35,000 as monthly installment for the car loan. The police have also received complaints alleging that he had also been instrumental in grabbing immovable property illegally. A case had been registered earlier at the city police station. The Station House Officer alleged that Amandeep had tried to interfere with the interrogation of some criminals, who had been arrested in Rajasthan. Amandeep has been remanded in police custody till May 10 by a court here.
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2 nabbed for duping Army aspirants
Ferozepur, May 7 Kikar Singh, Inspector, CIA, said the accused were arrested while they were roaming in the cantonment area following an input by military intelligence officials. CIA officials also recovered fake appointment letters and certain other forged documents from their custody. Earlier on February 7, five persons, including three from Mansa and two from Allahabad, had been booked on similar charges. Out of them, two persons were arrested. Besides, during the Army recruitment rally held at Ferozepur in January, two youths were booked on similar charge. — OC
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Murder convict flees from
open jail
Abohar, May 7 When the inmates were called for attendance yesterday, Hakimuddin was found absent. Open jail superintendent Pawan Kumar said a case under Section 224 of IPC had been registered.
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Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli Majithia today questioned the alleged VIP treatment being accorded to Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia while he is undergoing ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment). The ‘tankhah’ was awarded to him by the Sikh clergy for his blasphemous speech during an election rally here.
The Centre and the state governments have yet to acknowledge the significance of the Komagata Maru incident, but the Canada Post Corporation yesterday released a commemorative postal stamp on the incident in Ottawa on its 100th anniversary.
The Municipal Corporation conducted a demolition drive at the posh Ghumar Mandi area of the city today. More than 15 illegal shops and a few houses were razed.
