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Fogging delayed, waterlogged areas face epidemic threat
Jaitu residents protest broken sewerage
Congress seeks action against SDM
PPCC move to quell dissidence
BJP magic fading: Bajwa
Surprise checks: 68 officials found absent
Unbundling of FCI has commission agents jittery
Vacate properties: Waqf Board
‘Conman’ Gill used impostors for property deals
Expect cheaper sand by mid-Oct
Farmers, labourers to rally today
Soon, town on pattern of Singapore island
Woman dies after delivery, kin allege negligence
Centre to conduct survey on drug abuse in state
Patiala college told to make fresh merit
list
Complaint lodged against 9 politicians
Changes in education policy only after debate, says HRD Minister
Academy faces action over axing of trees
Minister Tota Singh in ‘unpalatable’ row
School for Sikh students in UK
HC sets deadline for starting town planning schemes
Jail inmate hurt in scuffle with DSP
Extradited from Oz, youth sent to two-day remand
Liquor seizure: SSP rejects probe report as incomplete
Month on, police yet to act against Kauni’s guard
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On mission rescue, SGPC team leaves for J&K
Amritsar, September
16 Today, it sent a five-member medical team to the flood-hit areas. The team comprised three doctors, including a paediatrician and an orthopaedist, working in Shri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital, Amritsar. The team will set up a medical camp at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib in Budgam. It has taken along medicines worth over Rs 2 lakh. The team will be in touch with the SGPC that will send medicines as and when required. Kulwinder Singh, SGPC official, said they had set up a relief camp at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib where at least 5,000 people were served ‘langar’ everyday. The SGPC had deputed its Amritsar staff for the task. It had sent 80,000 packets of cooked food and 100 quintals of ration, including rice, ‘pulses, sugar, flour, ghee, oil, tea leaves, mineral water, biscuits and bread for the flood-hit. It had also sent essential items such as soap, toothpaste,slippers and clothes. The SGPC-run Shri Guru Granth Sahib World University today sent one lakh packets of biscuits, 1,100 packets of bread, 1,000 packets of salt, 500 kg sugar, soap and toothpaste. The relief material was airlifted to Kashmir. A team of 12 SGPC officials, led by additional secretary Daljit Singh Bedi, is camping in Srinagar to coordinate rescue and relief operations. The SGPC has brought back at least 300 survivors from the Kashmir valley in the past few days, booking air tickets for them in private airlines. The SGPC has decided to set up offices in SGPC-run gurdwaras for collecting funds and relief material for affected people. It has opened an account with the HDFC Bank (A/C No. 02631770000013) so that the people can deposit money for helping the flood-hit. Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC chief, said the relief work would be stopped only after the situation in Jammu and Kashmir turned normal. More institutes pitch in Fatehgarh Sahib: SGPC institutions — Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Mata Gujri College, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Polytechnic College, Baba Zorawar Singh Fateh Singh Senior Secondary School – today sent relief material to the flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. The consignment was flagged off by SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar. It comprised 2,000 blankets, 1,000 towels, 5,000 mineral water bottles, 1,000 candles, 1,200 matchboxes, 2,500 bath soaps, 2,500 toothpaste tubes and 150 kg of snacks.
Makkar said the staff of the SGPC institutes would donate their two days’ salary for the flood
victims. Lending a helping hand to the flood-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir: * A medical team comprising three doctors, including a paediatrician and an orthopaedist, has reached J&K *
The team will set up a medical camp at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib in
Budgam * It has taken along medicines worth over Rs 2 lakh and will be in touch with the SGPC for more
help * A relief camp has been set up at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib where 5,000 people are being served ‘langar’
everyday * The SGPC has sent 80,000 packets of cooked food and 100 quintals of ration, including rice, ‘pulses, sugar, flour, ghee, oil, tea leaves, mineral water, biscuits and bread for the
flood-hit * It had also sent essential items such as soap, toothpaste,slippers and
clothes * Shri Guru Granth Sahib World University has sent one lakh packets of biscuits, 1,100 packets of bread, 1,000 packets of salt, 500 kg sugar, soap and toothpaste for the
flood-hit * A team of 12 SGPC officials, led by additional secretary DS Bedi, is camping in Srinagar to coordinate relief
operations * The SGPC has brought back at least 300 survivors from the Kashmir valley in the past few
days * It has decided to set up offices in SGPC-run gurdwaras for collecting funds and relief material
* It has opened an account with the HDFC Bank (A/C No. 02631770000013) for the purpose No handbags Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC chief, said that carrying handbags inside the Golden Temple had been banned in order to strengthen security inside the holy shrine.
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Houses for 1 lakh BPLfamilies by October 2016: Sukhbir
Chandigarh, September
16 Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has issued directions to departments concerned to identify land in the towns and cities to complete this “mega welfare project” in stipulated
time. In a meeting here today, Sukhbir said the government had planned the project to provide reasonably priced houses to all by 2022. The first phase of this project would be completed by October 2016. “These houses having all basic amenities would be provided to the BPL category beneficiaries at 10 per cent of its total cost,” he
said. He stressed the need to provide inexpensive houses to weaker sections.
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Fogging delayed, waterlogged areas face epidemic threat
Muktsar, September
16 Villagers said the administration needed to begin fogging as the mosquitoes were breeding at a fast pace and the threat of an epidemic loomed large. Balkar Singh, sarpanch of Badian village in Gidderbaha block, said, “We have repeatedly urged the authorities concerned to start fogging, but to no avail. The inundated fields provided a breeding ground for
mosquitoes” A visit to the Civil Surgeon’s Office revealed that the chemical used for fogging was out of stock. Muktsar Civil Surgeon Dr Narinder Singh said, “Fogging had already begun. We will fog the remaining villages in the next couple of days.” He further claimed that there had been no outbreak of any disease. On the availability of the chemical used for fogging, he said, “Our officials will get the chemical by
tomorrow.” Moreover, several horse breeders in Khunnan Kalan village in the district are worried that their animals might get infected with the rise in mosquitoes. Charges & Counter-charges We have repeatedly urged the authorities concerned to start fogging, but to no avail. The inundated fields provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes — Balkar Singh, sarpanch, badian village Fogging has already begun. We will fog the remaining villages in the next couple of days. Officials have gone to collect the chemical used for fogging — Dr Narinder Singh, muktsar civil surgeon
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Jaitu residents protest broken sewerage
Faridkot, September 16 The residents gave a call to boycott the forthcoming local body elections as the elected Municipal Committee members had failed to address important issues.
A week ago, when the residents protested, many senior officers assured them of looking into the matter. However, no action had been taken, alleged the protesters.
In the evening, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jaitu, and many senior police officers met the protesters and promised to look into the
matter. The matter at hand *
Sewage has been overflowing in the town for over a
week * The protesters blocked the Bathinda-Amritsar road * They said they would boycott the forthcoming local body elections as the elected Municipal Committee members had failed to address important issues
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Congress seeks action against SDM
Fatehgarh Sahib, September 16 While Congress workers burnt an effigy of the SDM near the district administrative complex, the SAD women wing demanded action against the MLA. The Congress workers alleged the SDM misbehaved with the legislator. They submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Arun Sekhri seeking action against Syal. On the other hand, Balvir Kaur, district president of the SAD women wing, sought action against Nagra. Sekhri said he would take action after recording the statements of Syal and Nagra tomorrow. Chandigarh: The Congress alleged certain officials were trying to play "ultra-loyal" to the SAD-BJP government. While senior leader Capt Amarinder Singh took exception to the "breach of protocol by the Fatehgarh Sahib SDM," PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa said it was wrong on the part of the SDM to ask the people to contact her directly instead of approaching their elected representative. — TNS
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PPCC move to quell dissidence
Ropar, September 16 The list was being finalised and the names for all districts would be announced in a day or two, said PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa. He said the district in charge would send monthly reports of block level and district level activities of the party workers. “The party will evaluate workers on the basis of reports submitted by these leaders,” he said. Bajwa said the names of party candidates for the forthcoming civic body elections would be finalised only after the recommendation of the newly appointed in charge for districts. Asked about dissent against him by various Congress leaders in different parts of the state, Bajwa said the number of such leaders was not significant. He claimed a majority of the party workers in the state were with him.
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Surprise checks: 68 officials found absent
Chandigarh, September
16 Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister, said at least 68 employees were found absent while 96 others arrived late at office. He said it was found that 16 employees had not been coming to the office for a long
time. The minister said 111 offices were raided in Nabha (Patiala) division where 12 employees were found absent, 34 late-comers and 10 were absent for long. Similarly in Jalandhar division, 64 offices were raided where 36 employees were found absent, 47 late-comers and three absent for long. During the checking of 63 offices in Faridkot division, 20 employees were absent, 15 late-comers and three were absent for
long. Cheema said students idealised the teachers. “The teacher should maintain high moral and ethical standards. Punctuality is a fundamental moral principle,” he added.
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Unbundling of FCI has commission agents jittery
Chandigarh, September 16 The FCI is a Central Government agency. It has monopoly over the management and distribution of the foodgrain procured for the central pool by it or on its behalf by state
agencies. The committee has representatives of the Punjab and Chhattisgarh governments, a professor of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and another from Hyderbad as its members. Former chairman of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices Ashok Gulati is also a member of the
committee. The committee has invited suggestions and comments from all stakeholders, including state governments concerned, commission agents, farmers, owners of private godowns with regard to unbundling of the FCI till September
30. The Modi government has asked the committee to give its report by November-end. The Central Government appears to be keen to put in place the new system of procurement, stacking and distribution of foodgrain before the harvesting of the rabi crop that begins in April every
year. Sources said one of the main viewpoints was that there should be separate organisations for each of the three processes — procurement, stacking and distribution – to make the entire system scientific and cost
effective. In states such as Punjab, nearly 90 per cent procurement is done by state government agencies. Sacking is also done at their level by involving private players. Some of the states have their own organisations like Punsup for the distribution of foodgrain under the
PDS. Only permit is given by the FCI for the release of foodgrain under the PDS which has been replaced by the Food Security Scheme. However, there are some states where procurement is done by the FCI because of lack of infrastructure with the state governments concerned. About 18 million tonnes of foodgrain is stacked at the level of the FCI or on its
behalf. There is apprehension that the real motive behind unbundling of the FCI may be handing over the entire process to private players. Already some corporate houses such as Adani are in the business of stacking foodgrain. The commission agents apprehend that their business may suffer with the entry of private
players. Punjab, which has its own procurement and market network, is more concerned about the scientific storage of foodgrain procured for the central pool and its quick movement to deficit states. The state stacks foodgrain to the tune of 11 million tonnes. Due to space constraints, some of the foodgrain is stacked in the open which often leads to its
deterioration. Punjab wants an independent body to decide cases relating to dispute over the quality of rice and other foodgrain procurement for the central pool. There is no neutral agency to intervene in case the foodgrain is rejected due to quality reasons by the
FCI. Misgivings galore *
It is apprehended that the real motive behind unbundling the FCI may be to hand over the procurement, stacking and distribution of foodgrain to private
players * Already some corporate houses such as Adani are in the business of stacking
foodgrain * Commission agents fear that their business may suffer with the entry of private
players * Punjab has its own procurement and market network. Its main concern is scientific storage of grain
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Vacate properties: Waqf Board
Jalandhar, September
16 The department is running schools, mostly elementary, from these places. In a letter to Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary, the board has given details of the encroached properties and the nature of their “illegal
use”. The issue was put on the backburner after the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to accept the board’s claim in the absence of a “waqfnama” for these properties in 2007. But after the Supreme Court got some of the board’s properties vacated on the basis of the 2008 notification of the Survey Commissioner of India, the process has resumed in Punjab. The Waqf managed to reclaim its properties in Ludhiana and Bathinda recently, although it lost a case in
Jalandhar. Mohammad Izhar Alam, chairman, Punjab Waqf Board, said they had several times informed the Education Department to vacate their properties, but no action had been taken so
far. He said with the amendment to the Waqf Act in 2013, the issue could be resolved easily. “Earlier, there was no option with the government but to vacate the Waqf properties. The government can now acquire the properties or take these on lease,” Alam said. He said the board might move the court in case the government failed to take any action.
The properties in question are more than 100 years old. Most of these are in dilapidated condition and are poorly maintained due to the ongoing tussle between the government and the board. Kaushal and Anjali Bhawra, Principal Secretary (Education), refused to comment.
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‘Conman’ Gill used impostors for property deals
Chandigarh, September 16 Gill is presently in judicial custody for allegedly duping a number of investors, mainly Punjab Police officials, in the Sky Heights Project.
The forged documents, made through Gill’s private secretary Dhan Raj, were used to fraudulently sell a plot worth Rs 4 crore in Phase IX, Mohali, it has been alleged.
The plot was owned by NK Dua, who had not visited the property for years. The complaint states Devinder allegedly got a driving licence made in Dua’s name by pasting Dhan Raj’s pictures on it.
Dhan Raj subsequently impersonated as Dua and sold the property to Gill. Stamp papers worth Rs 4.5 lakh were attached with the sale deed. Gill is learnt to have sold the property further.
Documents attached with the complaint show Dhan Raj’s PAN card along with his picture. Also attached is Dua’s driving licence. Both carry same pictures. The police claim to have failed to trace real NK
Dua. Ajay Chaudhry, as associate of suspended Inspector General Gautam Cheema, along with Rashmi, a former friend of the alleged conman, had filed this complaint against Gill. Both Chaudhary and Cheema are wanted for the alleged kidnapping of a proclaimed offender, Sumedh Gulati (Gill’s associate), from a Mohali police station.
Rashmi had lodged this complaint before Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at his Sangat Darshan. Sukhbir had asked the police to investigate the matter.
Cheema, Chaudhry, Rashmi, Gill and Gulati were all partners initially. They parted ways after the failure of the Sky Heights Project. They have now been filing complaints against each
other. Dhan Raj is already a proclaimed offender in a case filed against Devinder and others by Yashpal Gupta, a Delhi-based businessman, for allegedly cheating him of over Rs 2 crore on the pretext of providing him a 2.5-acre farmhouse in the Sky Heights
Project. Sources said Dhan Raj was Gill’s confidant and used to sign as a witness in his property deals.
The police said they were investigating the matter along with several other complaints against Gill for dishonouring property documents that he signed with some investors.
Inder Mohan, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, said they were awaiting legal opinion on the investigation.
The complaint regarding forged documents has sent alarm bells ringing as the scam may even involve officials in the Revenue Department. It is suspected that more such registrations of property may have been done using forged documents. Shady business *
Devinder Gill bought a Rs 4 crore plot from his own secretary, who impersonated as its owner
* Gill’s private secretary Dhan Raj allegedly impersonated as NK Dua, owner of the * Dhan Raj posed as the owner of the plot and sold it to Gill, who sold it further
* Dhan Raj allegedly prepared fake PAN card and driving licence of Dua
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Expect cheaper sand by mid-Oct
Chandigarh, September
16 After the Cabinet gave its approval to the new mining policy earlier this month, the Industries Department has initiated steps to start operating 37 sand and gravel quarries, and extract minor minerals (sand and gravel).
Since environment clearance for operating these mines was obtained from the environment impact assessment authority on behalf of the Industries Department, the state government has now moved the case for transferring this NOC (no-objection certificate) in the name of Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation
(PSIEC). Talking to The Tribune, industry Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said they had already moved the case for getting the NOC transferred from Central Environment Impact Assessment Authority (for quarries above 10 hectares) and State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (for quarries less than 10 hectares) in the name of
PSIEC. “We expect this procedure to be completed by the end of this month. Once this is done, the government will start operating the quarries,” he
said. The PSIEC has already been asked to float tenders for inviting applications to get heavy duty machinery to extract sand and aggregate (sand and gravel) from the 37 quarries. “While the machinery will be outsourced, the Finance Department is sanctioning Rs 8 crore to the PSIEC to buy weighing machines to be installed at each of these quarries and for construction of sheds to keep the extracted material,” said the minister. He said a private security agency would also be hired to protect the extracted material.
Mittal said since the area from which sand would be extracted by PSIEC (2,350 acres) was much more than the area on which 49 quarries were already running under private contract, the government would become a major player in the market, thus bringing down the prices of sand and
gravel. As of now, the price of sand is Rs 2,700 to Rs 2,900 per 100 cubic feet while that of aggregate is Rs 2,800 to Rs
3,000. Mittal denied some of his Cabinet colleagues were not on board with regard to the new mining policy, which was his brainchild, and as reported in The Tribune.
He maintained that when this policy was presented in the Cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister Tota Singh had said he did not want sand and gravel to be offloaded in
mandis. Mittal said he agreed to it immediately. “It would in any case have led to additional cost in transportation and the idea of bringing down the prices of sand and gravel would have been defeated to some extent. The Mandi Board will give us only one employee at each mandi for booking sand and gravel, and they will be hiring a transport company (on a per kilometre basis) for transporting sand from a quarry to the house of a consumer,” he said. Vying to be major player * Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation would extract sand on 2,350
acres * The area would be more than that of the 49 quarries (leased to private players) that were already functional in the
state * As such, the state government would become a major player in the mining field
* Presently, the price of sand is Rs 2,700 to Rs 2,900 per 100 cubic feet while that of aggregate is Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,000
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Farmers, labourers to rally today
Moga, September
16 BKU general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri said the motive behind holding the rally was to press upon the state government, especially the police machinery, to catch “big fish” involved in the illegal business of drugs rather than harassing the common people. “Many big drug smugglers are openly operating under the patronage of politicians,” he
alleged. The state government would also be urged to take action against big industrial units that had failed to install water-treatment plants at their units, thus polluting rivers and the groundwater, he
added. He said they were demanding financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh and a government job to the families of farmers who committed suicides, 5-marla plots to the houseless, payment of pending salaries to all MNREGA workers, fixing of MSP and prices of agricultural products as per the Swaminathan Report, writing off farm loans and Rs 5,000 per month compensation for border area farmers.
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Soon, town on pattern of Singapore island
Chandigarh, September 16 A recreation zone, on the pattern of Sentosa island, having a waterfront, an amusement park, water sports and a theme park, is proposed to come up here.
Leading specialised infrastructure development company Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited has reportedly approached the state government for setting up the project in the state.
Sources say the company officials also held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal yesterday to discuss the modalities of setting up the project.
The company, which has created an aerotropolis (‘Skycity’) at Durgapur in West Bengal, is reportedly looking at developing this recreation and amusement park on 1,000 acres of area. The company will also be developing a ‘Skycity’ near here.
The MoU for setting up the project was signed a few years ago, but the project remained shelved for some time.
Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC), which is facilitating the setting up of the project, is now working on reviving the
MoU, which it had signed earlier for the development of just a ‘Skycity’. Sources said an international consultant was likely to be hired for preparing a report for going ahead with the project.
This is the second recreational project being okayed by the Punjab Government after the state’s new industrial policy was announced.
Another waterfront and recreational project was coming up at Doraha near Ludhiana. It has already been approved by the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion.
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Woman dies after delivery, kin allege negligence
Patiala, September
16 The deceased’s husband, Jokhu Ram, is a daily wager. He said: “The doctors said there was nobody to operate the ultrasound machine and sent us to the Rajindra Hospital where we were asked to submit the reference slip. As we had not been given any slip, we had to return to Mata Kaushalya Hospital. By that time Aarti’s condition had worsened. She was hospitalised. After about 30 minutes, I was told that she had delivered a stillborn. After I returned from the child’s burial, I was told that my wife had died too.”
The officiating medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr HK Sodhi, claimed that the doctors did their best to save the patient.
Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr HS Bali said the body had been sent for a postmortem examination.
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Centre to conduct survey on drug abuse in state
New Delhi, September
16 He said Punjab was on the priority list of the Union Government when it came to checking drug
abuse. A team of the ministry visited four districts of the state and held meetings with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other officials to prepare an action plan for tackling the
situation. The Centre has assured Punjab to provide assistance for 59 integrated rehabilitation centres for drug-addicts in different districts of the state. The government had also established a sports centre for the disabled at Zirakpur at a cost of Rs 50 crore, the minister said.
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Patiala college told to make fresh merit
list
Patiala, September 16 During a meeting held between the university and college officials, it was decided to accommodate both girls, Navjeet Kaur and Paramjeet, who have been on a fast for the past five days, if their merit was higher than the last admitted
student. College Principal Jasvir Kaur said, "I have expressed my inability to increase seats on my own and now when the university will create two additional seats and send me the confirmation, I will admit the
girls." Dean (Colleges) JA Khan said, "The college authorities have been directed to prepare a fresh merit list of all students and if both girls ranked on the merit list, we will assure that they get the admission."
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Complaint lodged against 9 politicians
Jalandhar, September
16 The complaint was filed after the information obtained under the RTI Act revealed that hundreds of transfers of government schoolteachers were made by the Education Department on the recommendation of
politicians. The activists alleged the so-called "lok sewaks" were interfering in the working of government departments and making officials violate rules. They alleged the trend of political recommendations had got an official attestation as the Education Department had created a special column in its records mentioning the name of political leaders on whose recommendations each transfer was
made. The activists have demanded a suitable action on the issue so that the trend could be
discouraged. Barring Tikshan Sud, who said he would be able to comment only after he had seen the RTI papers, most politicians had no qualms in admitting to making such recommendations claiming it to be their right as public
representatives. Garhshankar MLA Bhulewal Rathan said, "Some teachers were involved in confrontations. We have to adopt various ways to resolve such cases. We have nothing more in hands than recommending their
transfers." Thandal said he made recommendations only and it was up to the Education Department to see whether it was a fit case under relevant norms and provisions. CPS Tinu said he might have made such recommendations in case of some teachers who were
irregular. Bibi Jagir Kaur said she might have made some recommendations for transfers on vacant seats. "I advocate that teachers must be allowed to serve near their homes for a better performance. It is natural for us to make recommendations," she
said. Arunesh Shakar said he had only been forwarding to the Education Department the applications of employees received by
him. Sahi did not respond to phone calls. Those on target Political Adviser to the CM Tikshan Sud, Jails Minister Sohan Singh Thandal, CPS Pawan Tinu, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur, Sukhjit Kaur Sahi and Surinder Singh Bhulewal Rathan, former minister Arunesh Shakar, Hoshiarpur Zila Parishad president Sarabjit Singh and SAD in charge Urmur Arwinder Singh
Rasoolpur.
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Changes in education policy only after debate, says HRD Minister
Amritsar, September
16 Addressing a national seminar on ‘Revitalising Education Policy for Safer Women World’ at DAV College here, Smriti said that education needed resurrection and a new policy should only be made after a national-level discussion, which would see all the stakeholders participating in it.
She said these deliberations would focus on challenges facing the education system, loopholes and possible amendments. She emphasised that self-motivation towards building a “strong-character society”, and not just policy-driven approach, was required to ensure safer women world.
“We have to go back to our culture, bring in a value-driven approach in education at primary level before we start condemning anything or anyone. We have a tendency to value our traditions and heritage only when it has been re-packaged by the West, which is is a matter of serious concern,” she
said. Defending her decision to ask schools to celebrate the Sanskrit Week, Smriti said learning about the country’s heritage was as important as learning contemporary theories.
Mentioning the Nirbhaya case and its repercussions, she said, “Women were empowered even during the Maurya period when Chandragupta Maurya had recruited women in his army. As a woman, I am often accused of having a regressive thinking because I wear a sari. We do not become regressive by knowing our culture, respecting our heritage. The question is not of rights, but our duties. Building a healthy value system will only be possible if we respect our culture of holistic education rather than just learning a few
concepts.” Earlier, she paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir. She also paid tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwalla Bagh. She took some time out to sip a hot cup of tea at a famous tea stall. She addressed the BJP workers at Khanna Smarak and stressed on having toilets at schools and colleges while speaking on women safety.
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Academy faces action over axing of trees
Ropar, September 16 The land was given to the academy after the management gave an assurance that no tree would be
felled. District Forest Officer Naresh Mahajan has recommended for the cancellation of the land lease, besides taking legal action against the academy. The Chief Forest Conservator has written to the Principal Chief Forest Conservator, Punjab, for the cancellation of the approval of land transfer to the
academy. Academy director Sukhjinder Singh, however, denied any violation. He said the land was handed over to them in 2005 and only three trees stood there then. — TNS
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Minister Tota Singh in ‘unpalatable’ row
Ludhiana, September 16 On a visit to the Kisan Mela at the PAU, Tota Singh had expressed “dissatisfaction” over the food served to him at the university guesthouse, utton House. He had described the chapattis served by the Faculty Club caterers as “rubbery”. A visibly unhappy minister is learnt to have questioned the Vice Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, about the quality of chapattis served to him. The minister’s culinary concern led Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Suresh Kumar, to remark that the chapattis seemed to be made of refined flour. A delectable discussion on the nutritional value of whole wheat flour followed. The minister continued his tirade against the " rubbery"
chapattis. Following the chapatti episode, the university authorities, it is learnt, pulled up the canteen contractor. He was threatened that his contract could be terminated. An inquiry has reportedly been marked to fix responsibility in the
‘Chapattigate’. Despite several attempts, Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Estate officer, PAU, could not be contacted. Other officials said they were not authorised to talk with the
media. The minister said a routine talk at the dining table had unnecessarily been made unpalatable. “I did not ask the Vice Chancellor or other officials to take action against anyone.The chapattis tasted different from the ones served in villages. I merely pointed out the difference,” he said. Culinary concern * Agriculture Minister Tota Singh (in pic) had complained that the chapattis served at the club were “rubbery” * An inquiry has reportedly been marked into the ‘Chapatti-gate’ The PAU authorities have reportedly imposed an unofficial ban on the varsity’s Faculty Club caterers
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7 killed, 28 hurt in mishaps
Abohar, September
16 Witnesses reportedly told the police that the trailer collided with the bus, when it was trying to overtake a mini bus. They complained that the highway ambulance reached after an hour. The accident led to a traffic jam for a few hours.
In another accident, a person was killed when a Spacio car collided with a truck at a bus stop in Munsari village in Bhadra segment of Hanumangarh district.
The deceased include Manjit Kaur (55) of Fatehpur Dhalia village, Anusuiya Sharma (35) of Hanumangarh, bus driver Mohan Singh (42) of Chak 1C village and Gopi Ram Bhakar (50) of Berwala Khurd village.
The injured have been admitted to civil hospitals in Hanumangarh and
Sriganganagar.
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School for Sikh students in UK
London, September
16 The Seva School in Coventry kicked off term this week with 130 students, with plans to increase the strength to 1,450 over the next five
years. The newly opened school has been set up under the UK Government's free school system, which functions on an independent state-funded model and is free to attend. — PTI
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HC sets deadline for starting town planning schemes
Chandigarh, September
16 The High Court also directed the corporation not permit “fresh use of commercial activities in residential premises till the schemes are
finalised”. The directions by Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Kuldip Singh came on three petitions by Rameshwar Dass and other petitioners. The regulatory “Town Planning Schemes” are framed under the Punjab Municipal Act, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act and the Punjab Town Improvement’ Act. As the local bodies are “main agencies” to monitor the development activities within the municipal areas, the role of town planning schemes is considered
vital. The schemes contribute to the implementation of master plan and, among other things, regulate development in a planned manner, “in which residential plots of various sizes and roads of different hierarchy are
proposed”. In one of the petitions, a resident of Patiala’s New Lal Bagh Colony had sought directions to the corporation against permitting commercial activities in buildings in residential areas of their
colony. The court was told that the state government approved commercial activity from YPS School to Thikriwala Chowk vide approval dated October 16, 2008, in pursuance of resolutions passed by the corporation.
During the pendency of the petitions, Patiala Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police, and Municipal Commissioner were directed to seal “all those premises which are being run without getting the building plans sanctioned for commercial activities”.
The Municipal Commissioner and the Chief Administrator of Patiala Development Authority were later permitted to apply for exemption from sealing certain premises identified to avoid inconvenience of the residents.
In case of hospitals and nursing homes in residential areas, indoor patients already admitted were allowed to continue with the
treatment. An affidavit by Assistant Town Planner was also filed saying “the notices of expression of interest were published in the newspaper to prepare a survey and layout plans for preparation of Town Planning Schemes”.
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Jail inmate hurt in scuffle with DSP
Gurdaspur, September
16 Jail Superintendent DK Sidhu, who is on leave, said that “some incident" had occurred inside the jail in his absence. He claimed Karnail Singh had sustained injuries in a scuffle with fellow prisoners. The DSP who allegedly beat up Karnail Singh said the latter grappled with him in full public view following which he ordered that he be shifted to another
barrack. The DSP said: “I have done nothing wrong. I have informed the Jail Superintendent about the
incident." The sources said Karnail Singh was admitted to the jail hospital. After his condition deteriorated, he was referred to the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital. However, he was not taken there as the jail authorities feared for their reputation, said an official. The DSP said the convict was to appear in a Panchkula court tomorrow and that he had mailed the “facts regarding the convict's conduct" to the Panchkula
court. A jail officer said there was a long-standing animosity between the DSP and the convict that went back to 2007. Meanwhile, 20 jail inmates have signed a statement in which they have claimed that the DSP had beaten up Karnail Singh. They have demanded action against the officer.
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Extradited from Oz, youth sent to two-day remand
Jalandhar, September
16 Rommy Uppal and Rantaj Singh have still been evading arrest in the case. The police suspect the duo may be in touch with Jassa, and that his interrogation may help the police reach the accused. The police the duo too may have fled the country.
The special police team that managed Jassa’s extradition arrived at Delhi airport yesterday. A special escort team from Jalandhar had reached the Capital yesterday night to bring Jassa to the city. He was produced in the court of the Civil Judge (Junior Division) GS Sekhon, who sent him to two-day police
remand. “We have taken Jassa’s remand to inquire about the whereabouts of Rommy and Rantaj. We also want to know in what circumstances Yannick was attacked,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Naveen Singla. He said the police had moved an application in the court to try Jassa under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the
IPC. Yannick, who remained in coma for two years after the murderous attack in Jalandhar on April 22, 2012, had died at his home on July this year. He was airlifted to Burundi in an air ambulance from Patiala Aviation Club on June 16.
Seven of the nine attackers have been sentenced to 10-year imprisonment. Rommy, who was among the seven convicts, had obtained 28-day parole on March 6.
He was supposed to return to the jail on April 4, but he jumped parole. Had married a doctor A senior police official said Jassa had married a doctor and was trapped after he applied for citizenship in Australia. As the Australian police were processing his citizenship documents, they got to know that Jassa was wanted by the Punjab Police, who had approached the Interpol for his extradition. He was arrested in Australia a few days after he met with an accident in May.
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Liquor seizure: SSP rejects probe report as incomplete
Patiala, September
16 Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi said he had no faith in the "police officer probing the case". He was in a rush give a clean chit to the actual culprits due to their proximity with senior SAD leaders, he
said. Earlier in the day, SP (City) Pritpal Thind said he had sent his probe report to the Patiala SSP. The inquiry had established that "the seized liquor belonged to the servant and not to the Akali councillor or his father," he said. "I could not establish the role of any SAD leader and have forwarded the report to the SSP," he told The
Tribune. In the evening, Patiala SSP Hardial Singh Mann said the probe report was incomplete. The investigating officer was yet to include the chemical report of the seized liquor and to ascertain the origin of such a huge quantity of liquor. "Let the final report come to me," he
said. On September 2, the Patiala police sent a decoy customer to the farmhouse of the father of Akali councillor Virk. Despite confiscating a huge stock of liquor, the police registered a case against migrant labourer Jawahar Singh claiming that the owners of the farmhouse did not live there and it was maintained by servants only. According to the FIR, Jawahar Singh was one of the occupants who lived there and was involved in liquor
trade. Patiala SP (City) Pritpal Thind monitored the case. Jawahar was immediately bailed out as the police did not press for his remand to ascertain origin of the liquor. "Surprisingly, the Patiala SSP marked the probe to Pritpal Thind. He has close proximity with Rajinder Virk and will surely bail him out. The probe is an eyewash only," said AAP legal in charge Chetanya
Sharma. Sources confirmed that Thind submitted his report to the SSP, but it was again sent back to him as the inquiry officer had not waited for the chemical report of the confiscated liquor and also failed to establish the "source of the liquor". AAP’s contention *
The police should probe if the SAD leader is involved in liquor trade, besides checking the financial position of his
aide * Pritpal Thind should not have been entrusted with the inquiry as he has been posted in Patiala for the past many years *
Surjit Singh Rakhra's backing to Virk should also be
probed.
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Month on, police yet to act against Kauni’s guard
Muktsar, September 16 Speaking over the phone, Harpal Singh, Deputy CEO, said, “The CEO office had recommended action against Harbans on August 4 after he was identified by the Muktsar district administration. But, we haven’t yet received a reply from the DGP office. We will soon send a reminder to the
office.” The Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit had uploaded a video on its official Facebook page in May this year. The video that was shot in Kauni village in Gidderbaha allegedly showed some Akalis paying voters Rs 500 to vote for them on polling day on April 30. Harbans Lal was seen in the
video. The man who shot the video had informed the then Muktsar Deputy Commissioner, alleging some supporters of SGPC member Navtej Singh Kauni were distributing money at Kauni village. Thereafter, a team headed by the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gidderbaha, had gone to the village to verify the facts. The case * The video that was shot in Kauni village allegedly showed some Akalis paying people
Rs 500 to vote for them on polling day on April
30 * Harbans Lal was also seen in the video
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Residents of Jaitu town today observed an indefinite dharna in protest against the authorities’ failure to fix the broken sewerage in the town. Sewage has been overflowing for over a week. The protesters blocked the Bathinda-Amritsar
road.
The Punjab Waqf Board has asked the state government to vacate its 295 properties, including mosques and graveyards, which are under “illegal possession” of the Education
Department.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani today said the NDA government plans to kick off a nationwide debate on the current education policy through seminars, starting January 2015, which will form the basis for the changes to be made in
it. Addressing a national seminar on ‘Revitalising Education Policy for Safer Women World’ at DAV College here, Smriti said that education needed resurrection and a new policy should only be made after a national-level discussion, which would see all the stakeholders participating in it.
With the extradition of Jaskaran Singh alias Jassa from Australia after 29 months, the police are now hopeful of nailing the remaining two accused in Burundi national Yannick Nihangaza’s murder case.
* The PAU authorities have reportedly imposed an unofficial ban on the varsity’s Faculty Club caterers