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With millers on strike, government agencies yet to begin procurement
Cancer claims 3 lives in neglected Abohar village
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Govt plans strict steps to check PNDT violations
Amarinder ridicules SAD for defending diesel price hike
Sangat Darshan adding to fiscal woes: Bajwa
Manpreet too takes on CM
Medico’s death: Parents allege police inaction
Kandi canal nears completion,
to help irrigate 1.25 lakh acres
PUDA plans urban estate in Tarn Taran
Regional languages may soon fade away, apprehend scholars
Muktsar villages unite against ‘polluting’ mill
Clean-India drive yet to take off in Hoshiarpur
Preparations on for 3 Sikh events
jamalpur killings
Excise official feared drowned in Bhakra canal
AAP dividing society: SAD
Scheme for women dairy farmers
CM vows to develop border areas
Sparks fly at Gurdaspur DCC meet
Seven months on, traders await online C-forms
Refinery set up, R’sthan plans to promote olive farming
Abohar cremation ground in disarray
Badal extends Eid greetings
Police remand of accused extended
Four killed in bus-car collision in Moga
Heroin seized in Ludhiana was meant for Delhi
Ex- priest robbed of
Rs 7 lakh
12 booked for firing in Tarn Taran
Hit-and-run claims life of motorcyclist
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With millers on strike, government agencies yet to begin procurement
Faridkot, October 5 In the past five days, these agencies have made a token purchase of just 155 tonnes of paddy in Faridkot district. With government agencies keeping away, private traders are purchasing paddy at rates much below the minimum support price (MSP). Unlike wheat which is stored in government godowns after purchase by government agencies, the paddy procured is sent to rice mills for processing and the mills transport the processed rice to the food agencies. The rice millers are on strike, opposing the Centr’s moisture norms for procurement. In a notification last month, the Central Government had kept the moisture content limit at 14 per cent. “Rice with moisture content beyond 14 per cent will not be accepted. The consignments will be rejected and will have to be taken back by the millers,” said Harpal Singh Sandhu, president, Rice Millers’ Assocation, Kotkapura. Tarsem Lal Saini, state president, Rice Millers’ Association, said the moisture content limit at 14 per cent or less was not right. “The paddy will lose elasticity, which is essential to withstand the pressure of rice polishing and the percentage of broken rice will increase,” explained Saini. There are reports that farmers are resorting to distress sale at Rs 1,350 per quintal. Ropar: Paddy brought to the the grain markets in the the district is yet to be lifted, five days after procurement began on October 1. Not a penny has been paid to the farmers so far. About 25 per cent of paddy that has arrived in the district grain till date is yet to be procured. Ropar deputy Commissioner Tanu Kashyap had, in a press note on September 30, claimed that arrangements for immediate lifting of paddy had been made and orders to make payment to farmers without delay issued. Today, a total of 1,055 tonnes of paddy arrived in different grain markets of the district (2,528 tonnes since October 1) of which 1,912 tonnes was procured by the FCI, Punsum Markfed and Pungrain. Commission agents at the Ropar grain market said not a grain had been lifted since October 1 as no rice mill had been authorised to store paddy. Also, the size of guny bags is creating hurdles. Earlier, each gunny bags carried 35 kg of paddy. Now, under the new norms, each bag will contain 40 kg of paddy. State farmers in double trouble
Millers’ plea to Union Government Fatehgarh Sahib: Rice millers have urged the Centre to increase the moisture limit from 14 per cent to 15 per cent. Nakesh Jindal, Punjab Rice Millers Association, said they had already handed over a memorandum to Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ram Bilas Paswan in this regard. “We have requested the state government to plead with the Centre to extend the delivery deadline for custom-milled rice. Shifting the deadline from June 30 to April 15 is unfair. When the FCI has procured rice that has moisture content more than the prescribed limit, there is no point in imposing this condition now,” Jindal said. —TNS
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Cancer claims 3 lives in neglected Abohar village
Abohar, October 5 Lila Devi (45), who had undergone a major uterus surgery, died on Sunday. She is survived by her husband and two daughters. She had been getting costly treatment at Bikaner and Bathinda for the past five years. Kamla Devi (50) too died of cancer on Monday. She is survived by her husband and six children. Bhim Sain Bhadoo (47) lost his battle against throat cancer on Saturday. He is survived by a family of six members.
Gram Vikas Samiti, an NGO, has found in a door-to-door survey that five persons died due to cancer last year. It also found that nearly 12 persons are suffering from cancer in the village. Suffering from an acute shortage of water, villagers have to get potable water from Daliyanwala village in Rajasthan, which is at a distance of 2 km. The Health Department has never surveyed the village that falls in Balluana segment. Village resident Inderjit Bhadoo said the reverse osmosis (RO) plant installed by the state government about three years ago didn’t function for more than a few days. Last month, water drained from Lambi area was allegedly pumped into the Abohar canal. “We have been facing an acute shortage of water for the past seven years, but the government paid no heed to our pleas. Each summer we protest over being supplied highly polluted water, but to no avail,” he said. Another resident Ratan Lal Yadav said, “Since we are not provided basic amenities, I hope the state government transfers our village to Rajasthan.”
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Govt plans strict steps to check PNDT violations
Patiala, October 5 Dr Sidhu said she was in talks with the Health Minister and senior officials for framing strict guidelines, especially with regard to sex determination tests. She said she would seek record pertaining to the gender ratio every few months. Dr Sidhu had recently carried out a sting operation with the help of a decoy patient at a private ultrasound centre in the city. She had found that the centre was conducting sex determination tests. On receiving complaints against the centre, Dr Sidhu had sent a pregnant woman to the centre with Rs 8,000 cash. The woman requested the doctor to tell her the sex of her unborn child since she already had three daughters. As soon as she left the centre, Dr Sidhu raided the centre along with the police and “recovered” Rs 8,000 from centre's owner Dr Harish Malhotra. Dr Malhotra claimed he had been framed. His ultrasound centre has been sealed. The CPS wrote to the Principal Secretary, Health, directing the department to file a charge-sheet against the doctor, besides cancelling his licence. Dr HS Bali, Civil Surgeon, said the department was preparing a case under the PNDT Act. "An advisory committee is already working on collecting documentary proofs to ensure that there are no loopholes," he added. Dr Sidhu said she had called a meeting of the civil surgeons two months ago and directed them to work towards improving the gender ratio in their respective districts. ‘Will fix accountability’ It is the duty of civil surgeons to check this practice. We are working towards fixing their accountability in case they fail to improve the gender ratio in their district. The officer showing good results will be
rewarded.
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Amarinder ridicules SAD for defending diesel price hike
In a statement, Capt Amarinder said the transportation cost would increase, which would burden the common man. “Given the extensive fleet of buses the Badals are operating, they must be having a better idea as to what the hike means for the common man and the ordinary commuters,” he said, seeking immediate reversal of the hike. The Amritsar MP said the farmers in Punjab should have got some relief as they had to use generators for operating tube-wells due to poor monsoon coupled with lack of power. “After the hike, the input costs of farming will further increase. Despite this, the Akalis have been trying to make us believe that the decision will benefit the farmers. In fact, the farming community will be the worst hit,” he said. The former Chief Minister said the diesel prices should actually have been reduced by the NDA Government as the crude oil prices had come down in the international market. He expressed surprise as to why the Union Government was not passing on the benefit of the reduction in crude oil prices to the consumers. “While the NDA Government is shying away from slashing fuel prices, the Akalis have instead slapped a hike in Punjab. When you can pass on the burden of hike to consumers, you must also pass on the benefit of reduced prices,” he pointed out. IGNITING A CONTROVERSY Maheshinder Singh Grewal, SAD general secretary, had on Saturday said the rate of diesel in Punjab was among the lowest in the country. He had claimed it was appropriate for the government to increase VAT by 1 per cent keeping in view the state's agrarian economy. The SAD had justified the state government's move to increase VAT on diesel, cold drinks and cigarettes to mobilise funds for development. 58 paise increase
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Sangat Darshan adding to fiscal woes: Bajwa
Chandigarh, October 5 “But the Chief Minister refuses to acknowledge this. Moreover, the grants too have not been spent uniformly. At least five villages should be selected in each district for a sample audit of the funds spent so far,” he said in a statement. The PPCC chief said the “refusal” of financial package to Punjab raised a question mark over the alliance between the Akali Dal and the BJP. “In such a situation, Harsimrat Kaur Badal has no moral right to continue as a minister at the Centre. She should quit immediately,” he said. Bajwa also hit out at the Akali Dal for defending the hike in VAT on diesel. Maheshinder Singh Grewal, SAD general secretary, had yesterday supported the state government’s decision. He had said the step had been taken to mobilise funds for development. “During the UPA regime, Badal had been misleading the people by alleging discrimination. But now, the Narendra Modi government too has refused to come to his rescue. In fact, the truth is the UPA Government, particularly former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, always treated you well,” he said. PPCC chief hits out at SAD leader Maheshinder Bajwa has criticised SAD Grewal for defending the hike in VAT on diesel. Bajwa asked Grewal to bring out a copy of the “chargesheet” that the SAD leader had allegedly released against Badal when Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra launched the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal at Alamgir after the split in the party in 1999. “Grewal then was a staunch Badal critic. But he is now always competing with other leaders in showering praises on every action that Badal does. He must tell the people whether the chargesheet he once issued was fake or real,” the Congress leader said. Bajwa said Grewal must explain whether he had disowned the ideology of Tohra, “under whom the latter grew politically”. Punjab Mahila Cong bodies dissolved Chandigarh: The state executive committee and the district bodies of the Punjab Mahila Congress have been dissolved with immediate effect as per directive of the party high command. This was stated by newly appointed state Mahila Congress president Kittu Grewal here. The order to dissolve the district bodies was issued by Netta D'Souza, secretary in charge of Punjab Mahila Congress, and approved by president of the All India Mahila Congress Shobha Oza. New bodies would be formed soon, Kittu said. — TNS
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Manpreet too takes on CM
Chandigarh, October 5 In a statement, the former Finance Minister said all state governments got financial assistance from the Centre under a set formula applicable to all states. “Earlier, the Chief Minister had accused the UPA government of discrimination. Now it is the NDA government that has outrightly rejected Punjab’s case for special assistance,” he said. Manpreet said as Finance Minister, he had taken up the issue of debt relief with the Centre which was objected to by the Chief Minister. “During campaigning, Akali leaders had claimed that money would start flowing to Punjab once Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. However, the Modi government has ditched Punjab and Badal owes an answer to the people.” Manpreet said the state government had been squandering money to consolidate its vote bank.
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Medico’s death: Parents allege police inaction
Jalandhar, October 5 The victim was daughter of Dr Balwinder Singh, District Health Officer, Jalandhar. Her mother is a lecturer at a Tanda college. They alleged that their queries had not been answered by the authorities. They said they had only been given a copy of their daughter's alleged suicide note while her diary (on which the suicide note was penned) was missing. They said Supriya's mobile phone was with the police. More than 5,000 people from various walks of life today held a protest march and blocked traffic here. They sought action against two professors and a student who had been harassing the victim. No FIR has been lodged so far. They warned if the government failed to take any action in two days, they would intensify the stir. Political leaders belonging to the SAD, Congress, AAP and the BSP along with various NGOs joined the protest. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Pawan Kumar Tinu, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Congress leaders Chaudhary Santokh Singh and Chaudhary Jagjit Singh were among those who participated in the protest march. The protest brought traffic to a standstill in front of the Bhogpur police station and the Adampur Chowk. Tinu said he would take up the matter with the government and ensure that the guilty were brought to book. Others who participated included doctors from the PCMS associations and the IMA, activists of social organisations such as Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Ambedkar Union, and
IPTA. Case file
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Kandi canal nears completion,
to help irrigate 1.25 lakh acres
Hoshiarpur, October 5 It will benefit 1.25 lakh acres of area under cultivation. The underground drain system for the supply of irrigation water to farmers from five existing dams of Hoshiarpur would be completed by May next year. KS Pannu, Secretary, Irrigation, today reviewed the progress of these projects. He said: "The second phase of the kandi canal would be completed with an expenditure of Rs 540.24 crore. At least 60 per cent of the work is complete and the remaining will be completed by the end of June." He said the Gogron lift irrigation scheme on the canal would benefit 1,200 acres of land in bet area. He inspected the progress of work near the railway line at Meghowal village where the proposed canal would pass beneath the railway line. He said Rs 2 crore was issued for cleaning the first phase of the 59.5-km-long kandi canal. He also reviewed the progress of Nara dam at Nara village being built with an expenditure of Rs 45 crore. He said the dam, too, would be completed by the end of June along with the complete supply system. Pannu said the work of laying underground pipelines for the supply of water to farmers in kandi areas from the existing five dams was also under progress. "For three dams, the work would be completed by January 30 next year and that of two dams, by May 31. It will ensure irrigational facilities for 8,212 hectares of land," he added.
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PUDA plans urban estate in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, October 5 Sources said PUDA had selected 75 acres of land for this purpose. The land belonged to Cooperative Sugar Mills, Sheron, 8 km from here. The mill has been lying shut for the last more than 12 years. The site is located near the Amritsar-Harike stretch of the national highway-15. It is close to the new Judicial Courts Complex and the upcoming District Administration Complex. Both these complexes are being constructed over 13 acres of land. Sandeep Rishi, Chief Administrator, Amritsar Development Authority, confirmed that PUDA had started the process to establish an urban estate at the land belonging to Cooperative Sugar Mills. PUDA has sought revenue records related to the ownership of the land, the official added.
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Regional languages may soon fade away, apprehend scholars
Jalandhar, October 5 The seminar was organised by the Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha along with the Punjabi Bhasha Akademi, Jalandhar, and Punjabi Akademi of Social Sciences, Language and Culture. The scholars discussed that while the languages of the people were playing second fiddle, English and Hindi had taken the centre stage across the country. Dr Vir Bharti Talwar, former professor, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, said among regional languages, the worst sufferers were the tribal languages many of which had become extinct while others were on the verge of extinction. He questioned the basis of inclusion of only 22 of the 1,640 languages of the country in the eighth schedule of the Constitution - the official list of the country's prominent languages. He said the importance given to languages had been confined to the whims of certain politicians of the country. This would have grave ramifications on the conservation of the Indian culture and its linguistic diversity, he said. Kanwar Sandhu, Executive Editor, The Tribune, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said not much effort had been made for the growth of Punjabi. "We should be proud of speaking in our dialect, but many people are giving up this habit," he said while underlying the need for opening centres of Punjabi in the areas having sizeable Punjabi population such as New Delhi and Uttarakhand. Professor Ali Javed, an Urdu writer and a Delhi University professor, said there was a need to organise a national workshop to deliberate on the issues concerning regional languages. Journalist and scholar Satnam Singh Manak and Dr Joginder Singh Puar, former vice chancellor, Punjabi University, said students in Punjab were not able to speak either Punjabi or English in a proper way. The political class had a big role to play in not allowing Punjabi to be the prime language in the state, they said, adding that it was shame that the judicial system, education and political affairs, all saw Punjabi playing second fiddle to English. Dr SP Singh, former vice chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, too, said religious and political factors had led to the decline of Punjabi language in the state.
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Muktsar villages unite against ‘polluting’ mill
Muktsar, October 5 The affected farmers, who gathered here today, claimed that residents of Rupana, Dhigana, Bhagsar, Maha Badhar, Rahurianwali, Goniana, Barkandi and Madrassa were suffering largely owing to the pollution caused by the mill. They claimed that these residents were suffering from diseases like cancer, hepatitis C, blindness and skin infection only because the district administration had not taken action against the mill authorities for violating norms. "Agricultural land too is gradually turning barren and the cattle has begun to give less milk," they claimed. Sukhraj Singh Khosa, a farmer of Rupana village, alleged that the mill owners were so influential that when an IAS officer started a probe last year, he was transferred out of the district. Khosa said his land had turned infertile. “I own 10 acres of land along the mill boundary. There has been a drastic fall in the yield over the years, but my appeals to officials of the Soil Conservation Department and those at the Agriculture Department have fallen on deaf ears." Jagdev Singh of Bhagsar village said his wife had died of cancer. He blamed the death on the pollution caused by the paper mill. They protesters alleged that the mill had a water treatment plant that was seldom functional. “The no-objection certificates (NOCs) obtained by the paper mill should be looked into as these seem bogus. “The fly ash emitting from the mill is a major cause of concern. Every morning, we see our houses covered with a thick layer of white powder.” To corroborate their claims, the villagers carried a pile of documents. The paper mill had recently been in the news for allegedly dumping waste into the green belt along the state highway. Attempts to contact Ajay Satia, mill owner, proved futile. His cellphone was switched off. The telephone operator at the mill said he did not have the phone numbers of any of the senior mill officials. The allegations
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Clean-India drive yet to take off in Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur/
Fazilka, October 5 The campaign was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner in the city. He had administered the oath of cleanliness to officials at district headquarters. But the campaign remains on paper. One can see garbage littered everywhere in the District Administrative Complex (DAC). Piles of garbage are strewn at the main crossing of the cit,y Ghantaghar Chowk (Clock Tower Crossing) and the old Civil Surgeon Office. Rly still to launch campaign The Railways Department has reportedly failed to effectively launch Swachh Bharat Abhiyan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The Fazilka Railway Station set up during the British regime owns a large piece of land but heaps of garbage can be seen dotting the area. There are several pools of stagnant water that emanate a foul smell. The area that is covered with wild trees is a haven for stray animals.
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Preparations on for 3 Sikh events
Amritsar, october 5 The SGPC has decided to hold grand celebrations to mark the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib on June 19 next year. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said they intend to plant 3.5 lakh saplings in and around Anandpur Sahib to make its surroundings green and beautiful ahead of the mega event. He said they had already launched "kar sewa" to lend the heritage look to the five historic forts in the holy town. Among these are Quila Anandgarh Sahib, Quila Taragarh Sahib, Quila Haulgarh Sahib, Quila Lohgarh Sahib and Quila Fatehgarh Sahib. Besides, the gold work inside Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib as also on its domes will be carried out ahead of the celebrations. He said nagar kirtans from different places, including the other four Takhts, will reach Anandpur Sahib to mark the occasion. He said a "taksal" of ancient weapons would be set up at Quila Lohgarh Sahib to revive the fort's religious significance, adding that these weapons would be displayed at the fort. He said they had already kicked off yearlong programmes to mark the laying of Anandpur Sahib's foundation by Guru Teg Bahadur 350 years ago. Former DSGMC president and Takht Sri Patna Sahib Management Board member Harvinder Singh Sarna said they were developing and beautifying the surroundings of Takht Sri Patna Sahib for celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on a grand scale. "The entire periphery of Takht Sri Harmandar Sahib, Patna, is being given a facelift. We have demolished all old structures, primarily offices, to replace them with modern buildings. Besides, a number of new inns and underground parking lots are being constructed," he said. The Bihar government too was allotting funds for widening of roads leading to the holy shrine, he said. There was also a proposal to construct an elevated road to the Takht. He said Baba Mahinder Singh from UK would undertake the gold work and other works at the shrine's main complex. Similarly, former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Bishen Singh said they were looking forward to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan in a befitting manner. He said they would chalk out their plans regarding it once the new body of the PSGPC was constituted. Grand celebrations planned
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jamalpur killings
Chandigarh, October 5 In a statement, he alleged the "killings are a fallout of the Badal government's policy to promote and honour policemen for extra-judicial killings. It appears the Badals, once vocal critics of stage-managed encounters by the Punjab Police, have done a turnaround and are now promoting and shielding those responsible for these extra-judicial killings.” He said the killings could be a part of a larger conspiracy to eliminate opponents. “Let them remove Saini as DGP. In today’s world, no sane person can justify such killings, even in the name of fighting terrorism. We have an appropriate criminal justice system under the Constitution,” Khaira said. The Congress leader said while some policemen had been given promotions out of the way, others had been awarded with important positions post-retirement.
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Excise official feared drowned in Bhakra canal
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 5 Harvinder Singh, Station House Officer, Sirhind police station, said they had already pressed into service divers to locate Kalia. Harvinder said they had informed various police stations to revert if any body was found. The police had found the Ford car with Chandigarh registration number, but nobody was found inside. The police have been suspecting it to be a case of suicide. Preliminary investigations suggested that the car was pushed into the water as the windowpanes of the vehicle were open. Chanderish’s parents, however, have refuted the claim by the police that their son had allegedly committed suicide.
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Chandigarh: The SAD has warned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership against playing the role of anarchists. Defending Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal for ‘prompt’ action over the killings of two brothers in Jamalpur, Akali leaders Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said it was unfortunate that AAP, which had failed to provide any responsible leadership, was trying to create fissures in civil society. "This will not be tolerated at any cost", they warned.
They said AAP state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur's demand that Sukhbir must resign was absurd. “Action has been taken against the police personnel involved in the incident and the district police chief on the basis of a preliminary inquiry. The law will take its course. We appreciate the Deputy CM for prompt action and are certain that justice has been done in the matter,” the leaders said. — TNS
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Scheme for women dairy farmers
Patiala, October 5 The Punjab Dairy Development Board has invited applications and will provide special facilities to women farmers interested in opening dairies. The Board will provide free training for two weeks and a shed for 20 animals. “We will also help women dairy farmers buy a good breed of cattle, milking machines and other infrastructure at a subsidy of 50 per cent,” said Board Deputy Director Ashok Rauni.
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CM vows to develop border areas
Kambo (Amritsar),
October 5 He said the government would chalk out a multi-pronged strategy to ensure the overall development of the border
districts. Badal exhorted the people to prioritise development works in their villages as per their needs so that the state government could take up these works at the earliest. He said Sangat Darshan had been an integral part of governance and would remain so. Earlier addressing gatherings at
Bhittewind, Kambo, Heir and Nangali villages, the Chief Minister said a scheme would be launched for constructing toilets in every rural household. “This scheme will be implemented from the next fiscal year. I have deputed officers to complete the requisite formalities,” he
said. Badal assured the people that they would be duly compensated for the damage to their houses caused by heavy rains. He said Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat had been directed to conduct a survey after which compensation would be paid to the affected residents. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh
Ranike, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Amarpal Singh Bonny Ajnala and Special Principal Secretary Ajoy Kumar Sharma. Members of the
SGPC, Jathedar Gurinder Pal Singh Lally and Jathedar Magwinder Singh, were also there.
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Sparks fly at Gurdaspur DCC meet
Gurdaspur, October 5 A few days ago, the MP, at a press meet, had said that PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa was "unfit" to lead the state Congress and that former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh should be handed over the reigns of the PPCC. All senior leaders attended the meeting, held at the Congress Bhawan, that was chaired by the DCC president and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Bajwa's wife, Charanjit Kaur, who is Qadian MLA, Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tripit Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chowdhury, PPCC member Raman Bahl and former minister Sushil Mahajan were among those present. Former Beas MLA and PPCC general secretary Jasbir Singh Dimpa conducted the proceedings along with Randhawa. Certain members pointed out to Ashwani Kumar having invited the Akali Chief Minister to inaugurate an old age home built through MPLAD funds that the MP had received under the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. On October 5 last year, Ashwani Kumar had invited Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to inaugurate the home at Babri village, 4 km from here. This had angered his party colleagues. The PPCC chief and all five sitting Congress MLAs of Gurdaspur district were not invited to the function. Today’s meeting, that was ostensibly convened to discuss VAT on diesel and other items, went off tangent when PPCC secretary Balwinder Singh Bhinda and DCC general secretary Bhupinder SinghThekedar voiced their concern at Ashwani's Kumar's “unethical practices.” “He is going to the media at the drop of the hat. This is causing damage to the party. Due consideration should be given to the fact that Ashwani Kumar had opposed Bajwa’s candidature during the 2009 and the 2014 parliamentary elections,” said an agitated
Thekedar.
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Seven months on, traders await online C-forms
Jalandhar, October 5 While the department has started generating C-forms online in Patiala on a trial basis, the facility is yet to be introduced in the remaining parts of the state owing to a few technical glitches, say sources. The government had earlier announced that for any purchases made by traders from outside the state, they need not visit government offices but could download C-forms in their respective offices or homes. When contacted, Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, said: “On the basis of a feedback from Patiala, we are in the process of making certain changes in the software. After this is done and the dealing staff is adequately trained, we will launch the facility in the corporation cities of Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Bathinda. “In the next phase, we will cover the rest of the areas in the state.” Dhillon did not specify the time frame within which the project would take off. All he said was that this would be done at the earliest. There have been reports that online C-forms used by traders in Patiala are being rejected by other states, such as Gujarat. The Patiala Industries Association is learnt to have taken up the matter with the Excise and Taxation officials. The Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, however, said that he was not aware of any such development. About the system
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Refinery set up, R’sthan plans to promote olive farming
Abohar, October 5 The refinery was inaugurated by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje recently near Loonkaransar on the Sriganganagar-Bikaner highway. “We hope it will be able to fulfill the country’s demand of olive oil in the coming years. We will also work out plans to tackle the shortage of canal water supply,” said Raje. Accompanying Raje on her visit to olive farms on the highway, Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini said the project was set up with the assistance of Israel. He said 1.12 lakh saplings were planted in 7 agro-climatic zones. At present, olive has been planted on 282 hectares in districts such as Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Bikaner and other segments of the state. The state has seven leading varieties namely Barnea, Arbequina, Crotina, Picholine, Picual, Coraniki and Frontoy. The government is planning to increase the area under olive cultivation to 5,000 hectares. Olive is a small tree and belongs to the Oleaceae family. Generally, it is found in coastal areas such as Italy and Spain. It is also available in northern Iran, south of the Caspian Sea. Agriculture Minister said 80 tonne of oil was being produced annually. “Olive farming has taken off. The state produces olives of international standards. During the initial stages, olive oil will be produced and later the farm produce will be used to manufacture cosmetics, medicines and cattle feed,” he added.
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Abohar cremation ground in disarray
Abohar, October 5 Shivpuri that had been carefully developed by Sanatan Dharam Sabha president Mahabir Prasad Kanodia about a decade ago, is in ruins. At the time, the Municipal Council had also shifted the dumping yard for carcasses to an isolated area near Killianwali village. However, the authorities reportedly succumbed to pressure mounted by contractors in 2008 and allowed the dumping of carcasses near the boundary wall of Shivpuri. This led to the ruin of Shivpuri. People allege that politicians and council officials did not hold an auction for the contract to dispose of carcasses. Sources said underhand deals were made to benefit some workers of the ruling alliance. Moreover, a sewage water treatment plant and the offices of the Food Corporation of India are located close to the dumping yard. Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar said, “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had asked the officials to shift the dumping yard to a suitable place at a public meeting in Rajiv Nagar on September 16. However, no action has been taken in this regard.”
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Badal extends Eid greetings Chandigarh, October 5 In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “Eid-ul-Zuha evokes feelings of brotherhood, charity and empathy for the needy and the underprivileged. Let us reaffirm our resolve to further strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, unity of cultural bonds, peace and national integration.” Badal appealed to the state people to celebrate this festival in unison by rising above petty considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion.Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Revenue and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia have also greeted the people.
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Police remand of accused extended
Ludhiana, October 5 The accused, Akali leader Gurjeet Singh, constable Yadwinder Singh and two Home Guards employees, were produced in the court of Duty Magistrate. The police had demanded extension in remand on the pretext of arresting Sukhbir Singh, another policeman, who too was part of the raiding team. Sukhbir’s name cropped up in the case during investigation. The lawyer appearing for the accused maintained that the police had already been given enough time. He said all relevant things pertaining to the murders had been recovered. The police have also learnt that apart from house owner Harpreet Kaur alias Simran, another person, identified as Vishnu Patel, was present in the house when the brothers were killed. Sources said the police had questioned Simran and Vishnu to recreate the crime scene. Both are eyewitnesses in the case. Simran has also been provided security cover. The accused had so far been claiming that the brothers, Harinder and Jatinder, were shot dead in self-defence. Gurjeet was accompanying the police team that conducted a raid at the house in Ahluwalia Colony in Jamalpur where the victims were hiding. They were wanted in an attempt to murder case. It has also come to light that Yadwinder and a home guard, Baldev Singh, were carrying weapons without the permission of the Station House Officer. The case is being probed by a special investigation team.
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Four killed in bus-car collision in Moga
Moga, October 5 The accident occurred near Mehna village, 10 km from the district headquarters, on the Moga-Ludhiana highway. Among those dead were two women. A teenaged boy was seriously injured. The locals and members of the community service society pulled out the bodies of the deceased from the car. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Five passengers travelling on the bus too sustained minor injuries. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surinder Kaur and Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh reached the spot to take stock of the situation. The deceased have been identified as Gurpreet Singh (55), who was driving the car, his wife Gurdip Kaur (51), sister-in-law Manjit Kaur and Manjit’s daughter Amandip Kaur (18). All of them were residents of Muktsar town. Gurpreet’s son Pratik Singh was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana where his condition was stated to be critical. Gurpreet and his family members were returning from the historic Nanaksar gurdwara when the mishap took place. The bus was on its way from Ferozepur to Chandigarh and was coming from the opposite direction. The bus too overturned and fell into the paddy fields alongside the road. The police have registered a case against the bus driver, who managed to escape. Preliminary investigations by the police suggested that the bus was at a high speed. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the family members after a post-mortem.
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Heroin seized in Ludhiana was meant for Delhi
Ludhiana, October 5 Rashpal was today produced before the Duty Magistrate, who remanded him in 14-day judicial custody. An official of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said the heroin had been kept in 40 packets of 1 kg each. “We have taken 80 samples of the contraband and sent these to laboratory for testing,” he said. He said considering the equal volume of packets, it appeared the contraband was meant to be smuggled abroad. It is estimated to be over Rs 100 crore in the international market. Hailing from Bhikhiwind village in Tarn Taran, 30-year-old Rashpal claimed he was only acting as a courier. He said he was promised Rs 50,000 for the task. The police was yet to ascertain for whom Rashpal was working. The truck (PB-46-M-4252) from which the heroin was found was registered in Tarn Taran. The accused had pasted “On Army duty” sticker on the truck probably to hoodwink the police. Rashpal claimed he had been ferrying goods for an Army unit in Jammu. Massive haul
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Ex- priest robbed of
Rs 7 lakh
Hoshiarpur, October 5 In his complaint, Mohinder Singh of Pajjoditta village said he had been working as a priest at Dera Baba Jawahar Dass. A few days ago, the managing committee had some dispute with him and a compromise was signed according to which he was paid Rs 11 lakh as compensation, he said. He said of this amount, he kept Rs 7 lakh in the glove box of his scooter and left for his village. On his way, one Gurdev Singh alias Bittu and his wife stopped him near Koontan village and snatched the money.
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12 booked for firing in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, October 5 Three of the accused have been identified as Navjot Singh, Maninder Singh and his brother Josh. The remaining were yet to be identified. Gurbax Singh told the police that the accused armed with weapons came on separate vehicles at his residential plot and opened fire at him. He claimed that he escaped by hiding himself.
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Hit-and-run claims life of motorcyclist
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 5 Sarvjit Singh, Sirhind Police Station in charge, said the Indica car with registration no. PB 65 G 2388 collided with motorcycle with registration no PB 23L 1808. He said Hardeep Singh was immediately rushed to the Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital, where the doctors referred him to the PGI, Chandigarh. He said the victim succumbed to his injuries at the PGI. He said a case was registered against the unidentified car driver.
6 held for murder
Abohar: The Hanumangarh police have arrested Ram Jas, Sohan Singh, Bhup Singh, Suresh Kumar, Sushil Kumar and Shrawan Kumar for allegedly beating Buta Singh (20) to death at Ramsara Narayan village on Friday. The accused persons allegedly killed him for having an affair with a girl from a senior secondary school. The police had booked 12 persons. Victim’s father Makhan Singh said his son was kidnapped from their fields. Hundreds of people had protested at the police station in Hanumangarh.
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Jalandhar, October 5
Jalandhar, October 5
Amritsar, october 5
Kambo (Amritsar),
October 5
Ludhiana, October 5
Moga, October 5
Amritsar, October 5
The hike in value added tax (VAT) by the state government has left diesel dearer by 58 paise in Punjab. It now costs Rs 57.93 in the state, higher than Rs 57.35 in Haryana but cheaper than Rs 60.04 in
Chandigarh.