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Talwandi Sabo poll loss
Power cuts are back again
Students damage seven pvt buses, 20 booked
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Cheema orders probe into cheating at TET
Won’t join BJP, say Gill’s supporters
Doors closed for BJP leaders: CM
BJP wants taxes rationalised
Development officers threaten strike over ADC postings
Thermal power plants in state starve for coal
Sharp decline in water table
Payments not cleared, firms refuse to supply goods to jails
Woman dies in custody; police call it suicide
Balad Kalan land row: Dalits burn Dhindsa’s effigy
molestation charge against igp
Bhattal meets Hooda, seeks relief for riot-hit
Struggling Batala industry wants freight policy reintroduced
Sexual assault on toddler triggers protest
Cotton sold at prices higher than MSP
Two students killed as car rams into tree near Morinda
Complete bandh in Samrala
Nullah project hangs fire for want of funds
Private solar plants to be reality soon
Dera chief Ashutosh Maharaj case
HC summons Faridkot SSP in youth’s kidnapping case
Roadways GM arrested for bribery
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Talwandi Sabo poll loss
Talwandi Sabo, August 27 Making up for his delayed statement on the election loss, Bajwa today dubbed the victory of SAD candidate from Talwandi Sabo as an “example of subversion of the democratic process through blatant rigging and brazen use of money and muscle power”. In an apparent move to cover his lost ground on account of a strong statement by his bête noir Capt Amarinder Singh on the alleged misuse of official machinery in the constituency by the ruling alliance, Bajwa levelled charges against Talwandi Sabo election observer Sunil Chaudhry for having switched off his mobile phone after 3 pm when “massive rigging and booth capturing had taken place”. Bajwa said: “It is a matter of grave concern that the officials concerned have given a clean chit to all Akali and BJP leaders who had stayed in the constituency even after the end of canvassing period.” Bajwa slammed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal for “violating the poll code and misusing the official machinery”. Besides a routine exercise in charging the ruling SAD, the statement holds significance as it showed the divided house of the Congress that is engaged in the battle of one-upmanship. Capt Amarinder’s supporters say Bajwa’s statement that he (Captain) hijacked 40 MLAs is true as it shows that the PPCC chief has no control over them. “It is rather an admission that party leaders are inclined towards the former CM and not Bajwa,” says a Captain’s close aide. Bajwa supporters, on the other hand, say “one should not jump to conclusions just on the basis of a rigged election”. “The Congress is undergoing the proverbial churning. Leaders given the task to handle the party during tough times will prove their worth, they add. PPCC president’s claim Capt loyalists react
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Power cuts are back again
Patiala, August 27 At present, the PSPCL has daily availability of 2,150 lakh units of power, but the demand has reached 2,300 lakh units. Sources in the PSPCL confirmed that the power supply had been restricted to the agriculture sector from the promised eight hours to less than six hours daily. Farmer leaders across the state, however, said they were not getting power for even five hours. With the area facing deficient monsoon, crop production might be hit, they said. A senior PSPCL official said the urban industry in small towns was also facing five-hour power cuts. "Except Bathinda, Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana, which are facing unofficial cuts of less than an hour on some days, all districts are facing power cuts," he said. In a letter to the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Fuel), the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a Government of India undertaking, has stated in July 2014 that the CCL had promised to supply 86 rakes against which the Railways allotted 64 rakes and 52 were actually supplied. "Initially there was some delay in sanctioning of programmes by the Railways. The materialisation also suffered due to submission of programme by the PSPCL from the Jharia fields only. It was repeatedly requested to submit few programmes from Giridih side to improve materialisation," reads the letter sent by CCL GM on August 18, 2014. Despite the CCL asking the PSPCL to ensure availability of more rakes from the Railways and improve the performance of its washery, nothing concrete has been done till date. Chairman-cum-Managing Director, PSPCL, KD Chaudhri confirmed that cuts were being imposed for the past two days, but these were not on account of coal shortage. "Our plants are running full capacity and we are closely monitoring coal supplies. We are trying our best to augment supplies and have met with success. The power availability from the central sector projects has gone down by around 700 MW these days," he said. He said he was hopeful that things would improve soon. Abohar: Electricity supply remained suspended in Abohar for over seven hours on Wednesday. The Consumer Movement, an NGO, lodged a protest through social media against, what the NGO chairman Satpal Khariwal called bias against the constituency represented by Leader of the Opposition Sunil
Jakhar. The shock
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Students damage seven pvt buses, 20 booked
Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur), August 27 The students alleged that “musclemen” of private bus operators entered the college premises with swords and lathis with the intention to harm them. In retaliation, they hurled bricks at private buses parked outside the college. The driver of Dhillon Bus Service, Raghbir Singh, claimed that the trouble began this morning when a group of students “beat up” his bus conductor, Vicky. Thus provoked, bus employees blocked the college road by parking buses there. They lifted the blockade after more than two hours on being assured by the police that appropriate action would be taken against the “erring” persons. Leader of the Punjab Students Union (PSU) Shankar Badra claimed that the college students were provoked after employees of private buses misbehaved with some students and snatched their identity cards. “We went to the Badrukhan police post to report the matter where we were told that a bus conductor had been beaten up. We returned to the college. Meanwhile, musclemen of private bus operators entered the college with swords and lathis. They were chased away by students, even as some miscreants threw bricks at the buses parked outside the college,” he said. He said there was an ongoing tussle between students and private bus operators. While the students wanted to travel on bus passes, the latter refused to give them any concession. Windows of the office of the college principal were also broken in the melee. Some students tried to snatch the camera of a TV channel employee. The police had to use lathis to control the mob. In the evening, the police registered a case against 20 persons for damaging buses and snatching the cash bag of a bus conductor. Station House Officer at the the Longowal police station, Gurmail Singh, said PSU leader Badra was among those booked under Sections 341, 323, 427, 356, 379 and 149 of the
IPC.
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Cheema orders probe into cheating at TET
Fazilka, August 27 Garg recorded the statement of complainant Suman Rani of Jorki Kankarwali of Fazilka district. She had taken the TET test. Suman had alleged in her complaint that was sent to higher authorities, including Cheema, that an invigilator provided a candidate sitting in front of her with a solved answer sheet in room number 13 of DAV Centenary Public School, Fazilka. She further alleged that the authorities did not pay heed to her protests that day. Thereafter, she took the solved answer sheet from the candidate and photocopied it. She had sent copies to higher-ups. The DPI, Rajesh Kumar, invigilator on duty and others then visited the DAV Centenary School. “We have procured a copy of the CCTV footage and will scrutinise it,” said Garg. He said the probe report would be submitted to the Education Minister. Karnail Singh, SDM, Fazilka, is also conducting a probe in the matter. Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Brar had directed him to do so. The matter at hand
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Won’t join BJP, say Gill’s supporters
Moga, August 27 Gill’s cousin and confidant Dr Sharanpreet Singh Gill alias Micky Gill, today called a meeting of Gill’s supporters who announced that being loyal Akali workers, they would not join the BJP at any cost. Among those present were Devinder Singh Rania, general secretary of the NRI wing, Jaspal Singh, block samiti member, former councillor Ashok Kumar and sarpanches of nearby villages. Dr Gill studied with Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal at Sanawar. Sources said the latter called up Gill yesterday, asking him to hold a meeting of party workers and express loyalty to the SAD to send out the message that SAD’s Moga unit was intact. Talking to a section of mediapersons, Dr Gill announced that he would soon hold a rally. The Chief Minister, the Deputy CM and senior party leaders invited to address the rally. The former president of the Moga District Bar Association, Sunil Garg, his elder brother Praveen, Satish Sood, Kishan Sood, Ajay Sood, Jarnail Singh Duneke and former councillors, did not attend Dr Gill’s meeting. Damage control
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Doors closed for BJP leaders: CM
Patiala, August 27 To a qery, he said only the BJP could explain its decision to take Gill into the party fold. Badal blamed the Congress for the Maharashtra government’s move to reduce SGPC representation on the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board and for the problems in Haryana. “The Congress is working against the Panth and is trying to divide the Sikhs,” he alleged. He was addressing a gathering at the annual convocation of the local Government Medical College. He said the state government would help provide the best treatment to cancer patients at its medical colleges in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot. The Chief Minister announced an award of Rs 1 lakh for each of the 11 gold medallists in various streams. He was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Anil Joshi and Surjit Singh Rakhra and the Patiala Member of Parliament, Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, among others.
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BJP wants taxes rationalised
Chandigarh, August 27 The SAD president, Sukhbir Singh
Badal, and state BJP chief Kamal Sharma met here this afternoon to lay the ground for a joint coordination committee meeting of the two parties tomorrow. Sources said the leaders discussed the need to jointly take responsibility for all government decisions and to remove “irritants” such as property tax, unavailability of sand and gravel and
VAT. Sukhbir reportedly said that there was a need to mobilise additional resources and that it would not be possible to slash down the taxes. Both the presidents agreed on a middle path so that the urban voter was not alienated. The state BJP chief had earlier in the day held a meeting with the three members of the joint coordination committee, Rajinder
Bhandari, Ashwani Sharma and Narrotam Ratti. It is learnt that SAD members SS
Dhindsa, BS Bhunder and RS Brahmpura too would hold a separate meeting tomorrow morning. ‘No scope to cut taxes’ Sukhbir has reportedly said that there is a need to mobilise additional resources and that it will not be possible to slash down the taxes.
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Development officers threaten strike over ADC postings
Chandigarh, August 27 The association said the Chief Minister had written a letter to the Chief Secretary some years ago, asking for posting at least 10 development officials as the ADC (Development) in the state. At that time, the total number of districts in the state was 20 and the CM had given instructions to put development officials as the ADCs in half of the districts. The executive committee of the association, which met today, said the government had posted only five development officials as the ADCs from amongst development officials in the rank of the Deputy Director or the DDPO etc so far. The number should have been at least 11 as per the CM's instructions. Development officials were posted as the ADCs in small districts, whereas non-development officials were posted in big districts, they alleged. The association said retired PCS officers, who have been asked to rejoin the service, had been posted as the ADCs in some districts, ignoring the serving officials of the Rural Development Department. The association said ADCs dealt with panchayat land and other sensitive cases. "Can the state government allow sensitive cases to be decided by re-employed retired PCS officials? Who will be responsible if any dispute arises over the cases decided by reappointed retired PCS officials," the association said. Their grudge
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Thermal power plants in state starve for coal
The state-run Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat thermal plants have coal stock for just three days. The normative requirement of coal for the Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat thermal plants is 25 and 30 days, respectively. The Bathinda thermal plant has coal stock for just six days against the normative requirement of 30 days. Normative requirement is the amount of coal stock that has to be maintained at the thermal plants. The situation
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Sharp decline in water table
Chandigarh, August 27 Statistics show the decline in the water table has been the maximum in Sangrur, Moga and Ludhiana districts. Though, the Doaba and kandi areas, located at the Shivalik foothills, received slightly more rainfall than Malwa , the decline in the water table remained high. "There has been no adverse impact on crops because of the drought-like situation. But Punjab has suffered a great loss in having exhausted its ground water," said an expert.
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Payments not cleared, firms refuse to supply goods to jails
Bathinda, August 27
The local Rajindra Gas Agency is yet to be paid more than Rs 7 lakh. Even small bills, totalling Rs 2.5 lakh, have yet to be cleared, reveals information under the Right to Information Act (RTI). The Open Jail, Nabha, owes Rs 4.50 lakh to Bora Kalan residents Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh, Rs 1.80 lakh to Pal Khad Store and Rs 1.12 lakh to Juneja Petrol Pump. The biggest defaulter is the Central Jail, Amritsar, which owes nearly Rs 2.50 crore to 35 firms, including Rs 27.74 lakh to 12 medical stores. The cash crunch can be gauged from the fact that the authorities have yet to pay Rs 45,198 as postmortem fee to the local Civil Hospital. The jail has yet to pay stitching charges amounting to Rs 2.25 lakh incurred on uniforms for the jail guards. The Central Jail, Patiala has outstanding dues amounting to Rs 17.64 lakh since 2012. Several firms have stopped supplies. The jail authorities owe Rs 1.20 lakh to local shopkeepers. The Barnala sub-jail is hard-pressed for money. It owes Rs 96 lakh to the Open jail, Nabha, Rs 8.99 lakh to the Bathinda Jail and Rs 1.82 lakh to the Sangrur jail. Several of its bills have not been cleared since 2002. The Ferozepur Jail authorities have failed to clear dues totalling Rs 21.77 lakh. The Borstal Jail in Ludhiana owes Rs 8.80 lakh and the Sangrur Jail Rs 30 lakh to various firms. The Bathinda Central Jail cleared its dues just a few days ago. Minister for Jails Sohan Singh Thandal said a sum of Rs 1.20 crore had been released to clear pending bills.
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Woman dies in custody; police call it suicide
Amritsar, August 27 Sources said the body of Sukhwinder Kaur's daughter-in-law, Sarbjeet Kaur (25), was found hanging from a ceiling fan yesterday. On the complaint of the victim's parents, the police today arrested Sukhwinder Kaur and her son Mohinder Singh (26) for questioning. Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu, SP (Detective), said Sukhwinder had hanged herself to death with the help of her stole in the bathroom. “Sukhwinder and her son were arrested after an FIR under Sections 304-B and 34 of the IPC was registered against them. At around 11.30 am today, they were to be produced before a magistrate. Sukhwinder said she wanted to go to the toilet. A woman constable accompanied her. She knocked at the door after 10 minutes, but there was no response. She immediately informed the duty officer and the door was broke open. Sukhwinder's body was found hanging with the bathroom shower pipe,” he said.
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Balad Kalan land row: Dalits burn Dhindsa’s effigy
Sangrur, August 27 The protesters took out a protest march from the dharna site to the traffic light chowk via main bus stand and raised slogans against the administration. Under the banner of the Zamin Prapati Sanghrash Committee, the Dalits are demanding implementation of administration’s proposal relating to cultivation rights of Balad Kalan panchayat land (reserved for SCs), and cancellation of cases against 41 Dalits. Gurmukh Singh, their representative, said they would intensify their agitation soon as they could not wait for long to get their demands accepted. Terming the district administration and the government “anti-Dalit”, Bhupinder Longowal, a Dalit leader, said the administration had not been initiating steps to resolve the issue. The leaders warned the government if the matter was not resolved, the Dalits would initiate steps to take the possession of the land reserved for the SCs in Namol, Matoi and Balad Kalan villages. The controversy
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molestation charge against igp
Chandigarh, August 27 Khaira has accused the senior Punjab Police officer and Chaudhary of molesting her at her residence. Her mother, who was accompanied by Maninderpreet Gulati, wife of Sumedh Gulati (a co-accused in the Rs 2 crore land fraud case with Thapa), sought an early redressal of their complaint. Khaira had attempted suicide on Monday and since then she is admitted to hospital. While Thapa was arrested earlier, Gulati was arrested last night. Sukhbir asked the DGP, Vigilance, to inquire into the matter and submit a report by Friday. The complainants had alleged that the police officers had made heavy real estate investments with Thapa and Gulati. Sukhbir directed senior police officers to ensure speedy and timely settlement of grievances highlighted during his Sangat Darshan programmes and said the pendency should not be more than a week. To resolve the grievances of Punjabis living in and around New Delhi, Sukhbir announced that a similar Sangat Darshan would be held in Punjab Bhawan, Delhi, every Saturday. He promised sportspersons of government jobs and reiterated that the state government would provide jobs to medal winners who have exhibited extraordinary talent in various national and international sports events. At the Sangat Darshan, more than 840 people met the Deputy CM to seek redressal of their grievances and issues.
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Bhattal meets Hooda, seeks relief for riot-hit
Chandigarh, August 27 Bhattal told Hooda that the Sikhs in Haryana had suffered a lot during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots during which their homes, factories and other properties were destroyed. Hundreds of Sikh families had lost men, women and children in the carnage. Many of them had to flee the state to save their lives, leaving behind their hearth and homes, she said. Bhattal urged Hooda to give adequate compensation to the affected Sikhs so that they could start their lives and businesses afresh. She told the Haryana CM that these aggrieved Sikh families had all proofs and relevant documents which made them eligible for government aid. Hooda assured Bhattal that all possible help would be extended to the affected Sikh families. The delegation included Santokh Singh Sahni, president, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Committee, Gurgaon, vice-president Sahib Singh and Parminder Singh Gill, former chairman of the Kisan Mazdoor Front and others.
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Struggling Batala industry wants freight policy reintroduced
The FEP was put in place by the Central government to facilitate equal growth of industry all over the country. The FEP meant that a factory could be established anywhere in the country and transportation of minerals would be subsidised by the government through the Railways. The policy resulted in the growth of heavy industry in post-Independence days outside the mineral-rich regions of the country. Foundry owners interested in setting up plants anywhere in the country would get pig iron, iron ore, aluminum and coke at the same price as their counterparts paid in mineral surplus states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chattisgarh or Orrisa. The withdrawal of the FEP has spelt doom for the Batala industry. There were more than 2,000 foundries in 1980 and only 530 remain. There were nearly 550 firms manufacturing agricultural implements and now just 128 are in business. Manufacturers of hand tools have shut shop, while producers of galvanised pipe, conduit pipe, brass cutting and aluminium doors and windows are struggling to stay in the black. Likewise, there were 2,500 industries dealing in lathe drill machines in the late 80s and now just 705 are in business. Industries dealing in wooden and steel furniture are also struggling for survival. During the General Elections, numerous delegations of industrialists had met all prominent candidates who assured them of bringing back FEP. Now industrialists expect BJP MP Vinod Khanna to reintroduce FEP. JS Nagi, president, Batala Foundry Industry Association, said, “Trade is so dismal that none is interested in buying industrial plots.” His views were echoed by many other industrialists such as Beant Khullar, Dalbir Singh Matharu and Kalidass Aggarwal. “The withdrawal of the FEP has meant the introduction of actual freight. 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 plants,” they added. About Freight Equalisation Policy Freight Equalisation Policy (FEP) was put in place by the Central government to facilitate equal growth of industry all over the country. The FEP meant that a factory could be established anywhere in the country and transportation of minerals would be subsidised by the government. The policy resulted in the growth of heavy industry in post-Independence days outside the mineral-rich regions of the country
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Sexual assault on toddler triggers protest
Abohar, August 27 Her parents alleged that Gurmej (45), an ex-serviceman, took her to his house and sexually assaulted her. He let the child return home when she got injured. Her parents informed the Women Police Station in Hanumangarh and took the victim to the Civil Hospital. Superintendent of Police Sharat Kaviraj assured the parents of stern action.
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Cotton sold at prices higher than MSP
Abohar, August 27 However, the mood was sombre among the traders and cotton growers. Arhtiya Association president Pramil Kalani said the arrivals had decreased from 5 lakh to 1.6 lakh bales in the past five years. He said heavy rain might ruin the standing crops. Another trader Jagat Periwal said the state government should urge the Centre to launch commercial purchase in prime cotton markets through the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). He said the agency’s performance last year had merely been symbolic. Cotton growers in villages close to the Rajasthan border had been selling in Sadulshehar and Sriganganagar to get a better price. The traders complained that the Punjab Mandi Board had been earning crores of rupees through market fee, but had failed to repair dilapidated roads and sheds. They said the state even failed to provide potable water and set up street lights in the area. The traders alleged since the boundary wall and the entrance to the new grain market had not been repaired, stray cattle entered the premises and damaged the produce.
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Two students killed as car rams into tree near Morinda
Morinda, August 27 Injured Parveen Singh and Tanveer Singh, both brothers and residents of Ropar, were taken to a local hospital from where Tanveer was referred to the Ropar Civil Hospital, while Parveen was discharged after first-aid. Harkirat Singh, Station House Officer, Morinda, said the victims were travelling in a Maruti Swift car from Kurali via Morinda to Gharuan. Some unidentified vehicle hit their car while overtaking it near Dhiman Palace at about 9.30 am. Prabhjot who was driving the car lost control over the vehicle and rammed it into a tree, he said.
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Samrala, August 27 Two Valmiki youths were injured in a road accident near here. They were taken to the Civil Hospital where Sagar Kalyan (19) died. Sagar’s family alleged that he died due to the negligence of doctors. During the bhog ceremony of the youth today, leaders decided to present a memorandum to the SSP Khanna tomorrow. — OC
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Nullah project hangs fire for want of funds
Sangrur, August 27 The contractor erected pillars at the site to support the slabs, but reportedly stopped work midway about a month ago due to want of funds. The council has reportedly paid about Rs 30 lakh to the contractor so far. The total cost of the project is Rs 1.08 crore. The stone of the project was laid on February 28, 2014. The nullah was to be covered from Gurdwara Sri Har Gobindpura Sahib to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk. Residents of Nurpura locality have been demanding that the mosquito-infested nullah be covered immediately. Chetan Sharma, Executive Officer of MC, admitted that the council had no funds to finish the project. Cash-starved MC
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Private solar plants to be reality soon
Chandigarh, August 27 Under the policy, all PSPCL consumers would have an option to install solar photovoltaic plants on their rooftops or in vacant spaces, covering up to 80 per cent of their sanctioned load. The capacity of these plants would range from 1 KWp to 1,000 KWp. Majithia said the power generated at these solar plants could be offset by consumers against their consumption from the grid. The power so generated would be accounted for through bi-directional meters. The billing settlement period would be one year.
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Dera chief Ashutosh Maharaj case
Chandigarh, August 27 As a petition by the Maharaj’s “son”, Dalip Kumar Jha, for handing over the body for last rites came up for resumed hearing, Justice K Kannan made it clear that the government should not be sitting over the matter. Justice Kannan fixed September 2 as the next date of hearing when the dera will make its stand clear on the issue. Seeking directions for a postmortem examination of his father’s body, Jha’s counsel SP Soi had earlier said that he suspected the Maharaj had been poisoned in an attempt to usurp his movable and immovable assets. Justice Kannan, on the previous date of hearing, had asked the state on how the body could be allowed to stay in a freezer and for how long. The High Court had also asked Punjab Advocate-General to clarify the state’s stand on the issue of initiating inquest proceedings into the mysterious death on April 4. It directed Advocate-General Ashok Aggarwal to file a reply on the need for carrying out inquest proceedings. An inquest report, among other things, describes wounds that may be found on the body, the manner in which these could have been inflicted and the weapon or instrument used for inflicting such wounds.
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HC summons Faridkot SSP in youth’s kidnapping case
Faridkot, August 27 In his orders, Justice Paramjeet Singh said the court was constrained to direct the Faridkot SSP to appear on September 15, failing which the DGP will be summoned. Since the alleged kidnapping of Manoj Kumar, who was working with a private company to feed currency in ATMs in Faridkot, on May 25, there have been many protests in the district. Manoj’s family members and many voluntary organisations are on an indefinite dharna outside the police station in Faridkot. Demanding a CBI probe into her brother’s kidnapping, Neetu Kapoor has approached the High Court. In an affidavit filed in the court, Neetu alleged despite approaching many senior police officers, no action was taken in the case. Achin Gupta, counsel for Neetu Kapoor, said soon after learning about her brother’s kidnapping, she informed the Faridkot police that her brother had password of 24 ATMs. “But the police paid no heed to my claims. In the next four hours, three ATMs were looted in the area,” Neetu claimed in her petition. She alleged that she had informed the police at 2 pm on May 25 and the robbery at ATMs started at 2.35 pm. The last robbery was committed at 6.10 pm, she claimed. "I requested the police to trace the location of my brother's mobile phone, but for the next three days the police made no efforts. Later, it was found that the location of my brother at 2 pm on May 25 was at Sandhwan village, 6 km from Faridkot," she said. The location of the prime suspect in the case was also found at Sandhwan village at that time, but the police failed to take action against him as he was a relative of a senior BJP leader in Punjab, Neetu alleged in her petition.
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Roadways GM arrested for bribery
Moga, August 27 Surinder Kumar, DSP, said Khushkaran Singh of Bathinda and his partners had given four buses to the Punjab Roadways under the kilometre scheme at Rs 6.81 per/km. One of the buses was plying on the Moga-Jalandhar route, covering 200 km. The GM demanded Rs 20,000 from Kushkaran to extend the route. Khushkaran paid Rs 5,000 to the GM on August 19 and the rest of the amount today. — TNS
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Fazilka,
August 27
Sukhwinder Kaur (60), a widow and a resident of Nawanpind, died in mysterious circumstances while in the custody of the Jandiala police. The police claimed that she had committed suicide. But her family members alleged that she had died during rigorous police grilling. They staged a dharna outside the police station and demanded action against the "guilty" policemen. The deceased’s daughter, Harbant Kaur, said her mother may have been beaten up and tortured.
Sangrur, August 27
Chandigarh, August 27
Abohar, August 27
Morinda, August 27
Bajwa reportedly said state party leaders did not work as a team as a majority of the 44 MLAs campaigned in Patiala while only a few turned up at Talwandi Sabo despite repeated communications. He lashed out at the Badals for "violating the poll code and misusing the official machinery".
Capt Amarinder's supporters say Bajwa's statement that he (Captain) hijacked 40 MLAs is true as it shows that the PPCC chief has no control over them. "It is rather an admission that party leaders are inclined towards the former CM and not Bajwa," says a Captain's close aide
We will not allow any BJP
leader to join the SAD
Jalandhar, August 27
In Punjab, 71 per cent of cultivated land is irrigated by tube wells and 23 per cent by canals. "Studies show that the water table has declined by 1-1.5 metre since June 1. Owing to scanty rains, farmers had to extract more and more ground water for irrigation," said Dr Rajesh Vashisht, Agriculture Department, Punjab. 
Batala, August 27