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State faces Rs
400-crore overdraft
DCs again in wrong lane, buy SUVs out of Red Cross funds
Rain, wind flatten basmati crop
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Bt cotton output trebles, claims US firm Monsanto
Haryana campaign ends, so does Daduwal’s jail stint
Rahul visit triggers one-upmanship
PPP chief’s cousin resigns as district president
Black Diwali for 20 lakh elderly, widows
No relief in sight for kin of farmers who committed suicide
Jamalpur : SIT begins probe
Accidental fire killed SP, say police
Fazilka residents protest choked sewerage
Year on, cops seek to reinvestigate case
2,791 teachers selected, to get job letters soon
Ragging: Medico expelled, slapped Rs 1 lakh fine
HC orders filling of 1,925 posts of teaching staff
Apex court sets aside HC verdict in 45-year-old case
IG seeks bail in
another case
Domestic help kills self as police find missing baby’s body
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State faces Rs
400-crore overdraft
Chandigarh, October 14 Bills worth hundreds of crores are pending with the treasury and the state is finding it difficult to meet its committed liabilities. Employees of the government-aided institutions have been awaiting their salaries for several months. Contractual employees hired under various Centre-sponsored schemes have also not received their dues. RBI rules clearly state that any government getting into overdraft has to clear its overdraft limit within 15 working days. Sources in the Finance Department have told The Tribune that the state has been in overdraft for around five days now and it needs to clear it by next week. Once the political leadership is back in the state, after the election din subsides in Haryana tomorrow, a decision on clearing the overdraft will have to be taken immediately. Officials in the Finance Department said they were hopeful that VAT collection (an average of Rs 1,200 crore per month) would be available by then to clear the overdraft and get the state out of the current fiscal mess. Though 2.75 lakh state government employees are getting their salaries on time and two lakh pensioners are also getting their pensions regularly, the state government has been unable to clear DA arrears to be paid to employees since 2013. The total liability of all unpaid arrears is estimated to be around Rs 1,000 crore. The government has yet to clear the arrears of 10 per cent DA announced for employees in July 2013. This decision was implemented in February and the benefit is being paid to the employees in their salaries since then. The arrears of seven months (from July to December) were to be released in August. The bills for the same were submitted, but the amount could not be released due to paucity of funds. Another DA instalment of 10 per cent was announced in January this year. The payment was to be made in November, including arrears. The government has now decided to implement the decision from October and revise the salary from this month. It, however, remains silent on the payment of arrears for the period from January to September. The Centre and several states, including neighbouring Haryana, have announced a third hike of 7 per cent in DA from July, but Punjab has remained silent on that count. Cash-strapped govt’s Diwali gift for staff *
Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday gave nod to release 10 per cent dearness allowance (DA) with October 2014 salary (payable in November) *
With the release of this DA instalment, the allowance rate will reach 100 per cent of the basic pay or pension in the state *
The decision on paying DA arrears for the period from January to September will be taken later on A lot remains unpaid *
Staff of government-aided institutions have not got their salaries for several months *
Contractual employees hired under various Centre-sponsored schemes have also not received their dues *
The total liability of the government on account of unpaid arrears is around Rs 1,000 crore
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DCs again in wrong lane, buy SUVs out of Red Cross funds
Bathinda, October 14 Besides, the DCs have been using these funds to run their camp offices. The DC is the president of the Red Cross Society in every district. Information procured under the Right to Information
(RTI) Act states that the Mansa Red Cross Society bought a new Innova car (PB31J2021) worth Rs 11.75 lakh in 2012. Soon after its purchase, the vehicle is with the DC. When contacted, Mansa DC Praveen Kumar Thind said his predecessor had bought the vehicle. The Mansa Red Cross Society does not own any other car for its use, sources said. In
Hoshiarpur, the chairperson of the Hospital Welfare Section (the DC’s wife) has been using an Innova (PB07AJ0900) worth Rs 12.07 lakh bought from the Red Cross funds in the 2013-14 fiscal. The information states that for the past five years, Rs 14,000 monthly was being spent on DC office and camp office. Red Cross secretary Naresh Gupta said the Hoshiarpur DC had In
Patiala, an Innova (PB11V2002) was bought from Red Cross funds in the 2011-12 fiscal. When Fazilka was made a district, the Red Cross bought an SX4 car for the DC. After some time, an Innova was also purchased. The DC’s office has retained both the vehicles. Red Cross secretary Subhash Arora said the DC was using these for official work. The Kapurthala DC too bought an Innova (PB09N0010) in June 2011 out of the society funds. The Red Cross has spent Rs 1.05 lakh on the vehicle’s fuel, insurance and repair. The Ferozepur DC was given an Innova (PB05V2627) bought out of the Red Cross funds in December 2011. An NGO, Resurgence India, had filed a public interest litigation
(PIL) in the High Court following which a two-member judicial committee was formed in 2009 to probe into the usage of Red Cross funds. After the committee submitted its report, the Punjab Government had to return the entire money that had been misused to the Red
Cross. Hemant Goswami, general secretary, Resurgence India, claimed that as per rules, these vehicles could not be used for any other purpose than for Red Cross itself. He demanded action against the DCs who had violated the norms. He said the NGO would approach the high court again. All India Red Cross Society state secretary CS Talwar said the vehicles could only be used for “specific purpose”. He said he was unaware about Innovas being bought out of the Red Cross funds. Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal was not available for comment. Principal Secretary (finance) Vinni Mahajan said the Red Cross was an independent agency and could take its own decisions. “The purchase of vehicles is not in my knowledge. I will check it,” she said. No lessons learnt *n In 2009, an NGO had filed a PIL in the HC against purchase of cars out of Red Cross funds *
The HC formed a two-member probe panel * On the panel's recommendations, the Punjab Government had to return the entire misused funds to the Red Cross
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Rain, wind flatten basmati crop
Chandigarh, October 14 Sources said wind blowing at a considerable speed flattened the basmati crop which was on the harvesting stage. Morinda-based farmer Parminder Singh Chalaki said villages in Kharar, Morinda and Chamkaur Sahib witnessed rainfall this morning. He said though there was no impact on other crops, the 1121 variety of basmati was flattened in most fields. He said there were also reports of rainwater flooding grain markets. Reports of rain have come from almost entire parts of Malwa and a major part of Doaba. Some areas along the Shivalik hills too witnessed substantial rain. Though the harvesting of paddy and basmati started about two weeks ago, it picked up pace this week. The arrival of paddy in grain markets across the state has gone up substantially. In another development, there has been a further fall in the price of 1509 basmati variety. It has come down to Rs 2,000 per quintal in Batala where the maximum price today was Rs 2,300 per quintal. In Fazilka, it is up to Rs 2,500 per quintal. Commission agents said the reason for price reduction was the arrival of 1121 variety of basmati. In Fazilka, 1121 variety fetched up to Rs 2,800 per quintal. Rice millers prefer 1121 over 1509 because it has a ready acceptability in the international market. Last year, the 1121 variety was sold for up to Rs 4,400 per quintal in some markets in Punjab. Patiala: Farmers who have been waiting for government agencies to lift their paddy produce from grain markets are in for a trouble due to the recent rain. Since there is no storage facility in most grain markets, the farmers are forced to stock paddy in the open. The moisture content of the produce has increased due to rain. Neither the rice millers nor the agencies are ready to lift the produce. Despite claims of the government that adequate steps have been taken to ensure smooth lifting of the paddy, the procurement is going on at a snail's pace. Baldev Singh of Rorhgarh Rorhewala village, who has brought over 200 quintals of paddy to the grain market, is perturbed over the tardy lifting. He said he had been waiting from the past four days. "When I brought the produce to the mandi, its moisture content was 17 per cent, but after the rain, the level has gone up to 19 per cent. The government is not taking any steps to speed up the lifting process while our crops are being ruined." Another Patiala farmer Baldev Singh said non-payment to the farmers for paddy procured by the state agencies had exposed the poor fiscal condition of the government. "Most state ministers are busy with the Haryana elections. They are not bothered about our plight. We are worried due to tardy procurement since the quality of our produce is bound to take a hit with each passing day. The commission agents are awaiting clearance of payments by the government," he said. Under the new system of payments, launched three years ago, the commission agents have been issued smart cards by banks. Paramdeep Singh from Charerhi village, near Shambhu in Rajpura, said while paddy was not being lifted by the state procurement agencies, labourers had started creating troubles for them. "They used to charge about Rs 4 per quintal for drying paddy, but they are now asking for Rs 7 to 8 per bag of 35 kg each. We have no option but to dry paddy ourselves. While the authorities are indifferent, we are at the receiving end," he said. "While few prosperous and influential farmers have managed to get their produce lifted, the marginal farmers are slogging day and night to convince the authorities to lift their paddy," a farmer said. The Patiala administration claims that over 75,000 tonnes of paddy had been procured in the district so far. — Aman Sood Rain bane * The Light to moderate showers accompanied by high velocity wind on Tuesday morning hit the rabi crop, especially 1121 variety of basmati * The Basmati crop has flattened in most fields in Kharar, Morinda and Chamkaur Sahib Tardy lifting * Farmers in most grain markets have been waiting for government agencies to lift their produce for the past several days * Despite government claims of having taken steps for smooth lifting of the paddy, the process is going on at a snail's pace Moisture content up Baldev Singh of Rorhgarh Rorhewala village, who has brought over 200 quintals of paddy to Patiala grain market, says the moisture content of his produce was 17 per cent four days ago, but after the rain, the level has gone up to 19 per cent ‘Govt least bothered’ A Patiala farmer says non-payment to the farmers for paddy procured by the state agencies has exposed the poor fiscal condition of the government. "Most state ministers are busy with the Haryana elections. They are not bothered about our plight," he adds
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Bt cotton output trebles, claims US firm Monsanto
Talwandi Sabo, October 14 Nandra said the cotton yield averaged 604.4 kg per hectare in the last decade against 304 kg per hectare during 1993-2001. As a result, the country's cotton production had gone up to 375 lakh bales in 2013 from 136 lakh bales in 2002-03. Cotton exports stood at 129.57 lakh bales in 2011-12 even as the country had been importing cotton till 2001, he said. He said: "Indian farmers' choice to plant hybrid cotton seed with insect protection (Bt cotton) over 90 per cent of area under cotton cultivation is testament to the value created by better seed, technology and farming practices." More than 600 farmers during the past fortnight have visited the Centre of Excellence farm which is exhibiting its first agricultural produce of cotton crop since the Punjab Government allotted 18.9 acres of land to Monsanto earlier this year. Arun Gopalakrishna, a senior manager, said: "The centre is working on innovations to increase production. The maize production in Punjab was 34 quintals per acre as compared to 90 quintals per acre in the US. We have set a deadline of 2030 to show results, particularly in cotton, maize and vegetables." Dr Ranjit Thakur, technology development manager, Monsanto, said: "The farmers are happy with a sizable reduction in the number of times they have to spray their cotton crop (32 times on an average) when they planted normal varieties. We are not promoting any particular company for seed. More than 40 seed selling firms are in the market. Farmers are free to make their choice." ‘Concerns remain’ Umendra Dutt, executive director, Kheti Virasat Mission, said: "The Bt varieties have many unanswered questions, mainly on health hazards as was evident from the refusal to accept the Bt variety of soya by China recently." He said China had decided not to continue with a programme to developed genetically modified rice and corn. "This technology uses herbicides, which, if employed extensively, is harmful. Why is Monsanto pushing for hybrids when it is proved that high-density planting of cotton can yield more,” he asked. He alleged it was shocking to see that even university experts were promoting Bt varieties under government pressure.
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Haryana campaign ends, so does Daduwal’s jail stint
Faridkot, October 14 Shruti Sharma Pandey, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, accepted the bonds of Daduwal and his supporters Harjinder Singh and Randhir Singh for Rs 50,000 each. She ordered their release from preventive detention in Central Jail, Faridkot. Daduwal claimed the main aim behind keeping him behind bars was to prevent him from campaigning against the Akali Dal candidate from Mandi Kallianwali in Haryana. He claimed he had mass following in several villages in Sirsa district (Haryana), which were part of Kallianwali constituency. “It is political vendetta. I was arrested on frivolous grounds. The Akalis were miffed when they got to know I will campaign against their candidate. How can my release coincide with the culmination of campaign in Haryana,” he asked. On October 9, Daduwal and his two supporters were re-arrested minutes after their release on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They were held under Section 107/151 of the CrPC (preventive detention).
I was arrested on frivolous grounds. The Akalis were miffed when they got to know I will campaign against their candidate. — Baljit Singh Daduwal, sikh leader Deadline extended Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has extended the deadline for filing the self-appraisal reports of 2013-14. The Reporting Officer could now write the ‘Self Appraisal Reports’ of his subordinate employees by October 15. Similarly, the Reviewing Officer could write reports by October 31.— TNS
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Rahul visit triggers one-upmanship
Chandigarh, October 14 Amid the factionalism, young turks have been preparing to convince Rahul for showing the door to the old leadership whose tussle, they claimed, had made the party a "laughing stock". Both the factions are learnt to be busy mustering up numbers for a show of strength. While Bajwa is learnt to be banking on district and block unit presidents, most of whom were appointed by him, the Amarinder camp is said to be gathering MLAs and MPs on its side. However, some young leaders said they would talk about unity and how the fight between the two leaders had harmed the party. This group would pitch for handing over the leadership to a young leader. Rahul is scheduled to felicitate young leaders of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) who won the student elections in Panjab University. He would also address the office-bearers of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. However, all eyes were on the post-lunch session with the MLAs and the MPs from the state. This session is likely to be stormy as Capt Amarinder, being MP from Amritsar, may be present there.
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PPP chief’s cousin resigns as district president
Muktsar, October 14 “I have been criticised that I neither attend telephone calls of party workers nor go to villages. So I have decided to resign from the post,” he said. Sources said he had quit as he had a personality clash with Manapreet’s brother-in-law Jaijeet Singh Jauhal. Jauhal, vice-president of PPP, said, “There has been some communication gap. Honey has been promoted to the post of senior vice-president of the PPP.”— TNS
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Black Diwali for 20 lakh elderly, widows
Chandigarh, October 14 A pension bill in respect of 19,96,139 beneficiaries was sent to the treasury by the Social Security and Development of Women and Children Department two months ago, but it was yet to be cleared. Another bill was sent in July, but nothing had been heard about that since then. The amount for May was 49.38 crore, June Rs 49.39 crore and that for July Rs 49.71 crore. The dues have further piled up for August and September. The beneficiaries include 14,14801 old-age pensioners, 3,05,577 widows, 1.26 lakh dependent children and 1.5 lakh physically disabled persons. All of them are paid Rs 250 per month. The writ of the Punjab and Haryana High Court does not seem to run in the state in this case. Despite orders to deposit pension amount on the first of every month, the government does not do so for months together. The state has created a dedicated fund for the purpose by imposing a cess on all land sale deeds and power consumption. The SAD- BJP alliance had listed all such allowances in their poll manifesto, but such promises have been followed more in breach than in compliance. Despite claims by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal that all was rosy on the financial front, the situation is indeed precarious. Crores are being spent every month on their travel bills and new vehicles are being purchased, but no planning has done to clear the dues of such beneficiaries. Social Security and Development of Women and Children Minister SK Jyani said the pension had not been disbursed due to some technical reasons, but the department would do it soon. Awaiting dues *
In all, 14,14801 old-age pensioners, 3,05,577 widows, 1.26 lakh dependent children and 1.5 lakh physically disabled persons are awaiting their dues for the past several months *
They get Rs 250 per month.
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No relief in sight for kin of farmers who committed suicide
Chandigarh, October 14 The state has a scheme to allow a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of farmers or farm labourers who committed suicide. But it is applicable only in respect of suicides that took place between 2000 and 2011. The government will now have to undertake a fresh survey on suicides by farmers (2012 onwards) and then decide on awarding compensation to their families. Officials in the Revenue Department say financial assistance is extended to such families on the basis of a survey conducted by economists from three state universities. The survey conducted by experts from Punjab Agricultural University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University identified 4,685 farmers who committed suicide across the state between 2000 and 2011. The maximum number of cases were from Sangrur (1,132), followed by Mansa (1,013) and Bathinda (827). Over the past two years, the government has already given Rs 90 crore as financial assistance to the families of these farmers. "The state can decide on giving assistance to the families of farmers who committed suicide after 2011, but there is no proposal to conduct a fresh survey to identify such cases so far. The final call on the issue will be taken by the Chief Minister," said a senior official. The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) claims though compensation has been awarded to around 4,600 families, the number of farmers who actually committed suicide because of debt is much more. Bathinda: Families of farmers who committed suicide after March 31, 2013, and homeless Dalits who were promised 5-marla plots by the government held a protest at the Bathinda district complex yesterday. Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Shingara Singh Mann and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union president led the four-hour protest. Mother of six daughters, Veerpal Kaur of Kalalwala village in Bathinda witnessed the death of her husband Balla Singh (35) on April 26, 2013. Balla worked as a farm labourer. He committed suicide due to debt and poverty. "My father-in-law died following a heart attack. We had to spend a lot of money on the treatment of my mother-in-law as she was suffering from cancer. We came under debt. Now, I work as a maid to support my family. I am still awaiting the promised government compensation so that I can marry off my daughters," she said. (With inputs from Bharat Khanna in Bathinda )
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Ludhiana, October 14 The SIT today visited the spot where the alleged encounters took place here. Fingerprint experts were also called to the house again. Harpreet Kaur alias Simran, owner of the house and lone eyewitness, was summoned to describe the turn of events. After the killings, Simran was kept at an undisclosed location. She arrived amid heavy police protection today and was whisked away after the recording of her statement. Harinder and Jatinder, the brothers from Bohapur village near Machhiwara, were allegedly killed by SAD leader Gurjeet Singh on September 27 in the presence of policemen. — TNS
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Accidental fire killed SP, say police
Patiala, October 14 The police have ruled out suicide as of now. Sources said it meant that a family member of the officer might get a government job on compassionate grounds. The SP was found dead at his residence on Monday afternoon. An AK-47 rifle, issued to his gunman, was recovered from the spot. Though there were rumours of suicide by the police officer, the district police claimed the officer died of accidental fire while cleaning the rifle. The victim was today cremated at his home town Barnala where many senior officers were present. The police confirmed two shots were fired from the weapon which pierced through the officer’s neck.
Hardyal Mann, Senior Superintendent of Police, said: “This can happen if the weapon is on automatic position. An AK-47 can be put on auto mode. We have sent the weapon for an examination and will wait for the ballistic report.”
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Fazilka residents protest choked sewerage
Fazilka, October 14 Local residents Bhajan Lal, Des Raj and Vinod Kumar alleged the sewerage had been blocked for the last three months. They claimed this had resulted in sewage entering the houses on street number 3, 5 and 6 in Nai Abadi locality and colonies situated on Ganjuana Hasta Road. They further alleged the smell in the area had become unbearable. Residents said the council had failed to drain the rainwater accumulated near the historical Raghuvar Bhawan adjacent to Nai Abadi locality. “We face a health hazard with sewage accumulating in the streets,” they said. Gurdas Singh, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Fazilka, promised to resolve the issue soon.
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Year on, cops seek to reinvestigate case
Moga, October 14 Superintendent of Police (Detective) Harjit Singh Pannu filed an application in the court of additional district and sessions’ judge Manju Rana on Monday, seeking permission to reinvestigate the case even as the challan has already been submitted to the court. The court has fixed November 7 for framing the charges against the accused policemen. While deciding the next date of hearing, the judge remarked in the open court, “You (police) enjoy vast powers and are free to reinvestigate any case. Then, why are you seeking permission in this case particularly.” The remarks of the court acquire significance because the challan has already been filed in the court and charges were likely to be framed against them on Monday. However, one of the accused policemen did not appear in the court, seeking exemption on medical grounds. So the court fixed another date. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jarnail Singh and Munshi Jasbir Singh were arrested from the Nathuwala police post on the intervening night of September 6 and 7, 2013. One of the policemen, Head Constable Devinder Singh Billa, had escaped the spot. As much as 168 kg of poppy husk, 66 bottles of liquor and Rs 46,000 cash were recovered from the police post. An FIR under the NDPS Act and the Punjab Excise Act was registered against them. All the three policemen were dismissed soon after their arrest. The poor functioning of the police also came to light when the investigating officer did not file the challan in the court within 180 days as per the rules. Due to this, the accused policemen were granted bail by the court. Now, the application filed in the sessions’ court seeking permission to reinvestigate the case further raises suspicion on the functioning of the police. The police took more than 6 months to probe the case. Now, after submitting the challan they were seeking permission to reinvestigate the case. The said policemen were also taken into custody for investigations in another case of drugs smuggling. As many as 10 bags of poppy husk were recovered from Gajjanwala village on June 19, 2013 in the case. However, no one was arrested. It is rumoured that the dismissed policemen have persuaded ruling Akali Dal leaders and senior police officers to give them a clean chit. About the case *
ASI Jarnail Singh and Munshi Jasbir Singh were arrested for allegedly selling drugs at the Nathuwala police post on September 7, 2013 *
As much as 168 kg of poppy husk and 66 bottles of liquor were seized *
Three policemen were dismissed in the case * The investigating officer did not file the challan in the court within 180 days as per the rules *
Due to this, the accused policemen were granted bail
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2,791 teachers selected, to get job letters soon
Chandigarh, October 14 Disclosing this here today, Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the headmasters would be appointed in schools under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. He said as many as 38 PGT and 20 TGT posts would be filled in Adarsh schools. Cheema said the recruitment process for the selection of 2,469 master cadre teachers under six different subjects had been completed. He said 548 English teachers had been selected, 1,282 social sciences, 172 mathematics, 84 science, 382 Punjabi and one agriculture. The minister said the recruitment process had been completed in a fair and transparent manner. "We will upload the list of selected candidates on our official website along with their merit list. Every candidate can check his marks and merit on the website," he said. Cheema said after taking acceptance letters from the selected candidates, the appointment letters would be issued within a week. He said once the appointment letters were issued, the selected candidates would be asked to join the duty at the earliest. He congratulated the selected candidates and urged them to perform their duties with utmost devotion and honesty and help improve quality of education in government schools.
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HC orders filling of 1,925 posts of teaching staff
Chandigarh, October 14 The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal also directed the state to fill the next batch of 484 posts by March 2016, and the remaining 957 posts by March 2017. The Bench also fixed a three-month deadline for the state to take a decision on filling 964 posts of non-teaching staff. The state was also directed to consider carrying out the process of cadre review after filling the posts. The direction came after counsel for the petitioners submitted that cadre review had not been carried out for teaching and non-teaching staff in the government-aided colleges since 1980.
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Apex court sets aside HC verdict in 45-year-old case
New Delhi, October 14 A Bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and RF Nariman pointed out that the HC had, in its March 2004 judgment, ruled that under a clause in the mortgage deed it was clear that the landlords had recognised all tenants. In view of this, the landlords’ suit for vacant possession of the properties was not maintainable in law. But the HC did not go into the issue as to whether the tenancies were created before or after the mortgage deed had been executed. The SC noted that the tenants of the mortgagee continuing in possession after redemption could not be allowed as it rendered the right to redeem an illusion. The landlords would not be able to get back possession on redemption which would in fact be an interference with their right to redeem, it said. The apex court, however, sent the case back to the HC for deciding other disputes involved in the case.
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IG seeks bail in
another case
Chandigarh, October 14 The Mohali police had booked Cheema and three others on the allegations of forcibly taking away a proclaimed offender, Sumedh Gulati, from the Phase 1 police station on August 26. Gulati is a co-accused in a fraud case along with coloniser Davinder Singh Gill. Gill's wife Krispy Khaira had filed a complaint of molestation against Cheema. The fresh bail plea, filed through counsel KS Khehar, was placed before Justice Chauhan. It will come up for hearing on October 16. The CCTV footage shows that Cheema did not accompany Gulati to Max Hospital in a private vehicle. Co-accused Ajay Chaudhary was also not seen in the footage. Taking cognisance of the matter, Justice Jitendra Chauhan had yesterday ordered stay on his arrest and directed him to join investigation. The footage is significant as the FIR in the case says Cheema went to the police station and abducted Gulati before taking him to Max Hospital. The FIR states he was accompanied by Chaudhary and two unidentified persons.
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Domestic help kills self as police find missing baby’s body
Abohar, October 14 The police said a DNA test would be conducted to ascertain whether the skeleton belonged to Munshi Ram’s baby that was reportedly kidnapped on September 24. The police had been interrogating Raj for the past few days in the case. Residents alleged she had been harassed by the police. Sub-Inspector Raghubir Singh admitted the woman was being questioned. Chhabra’s along with his wife Saroj Rani returned to their native village after Saroj gave birth to a baby in Sriganganagar on September 16. The baby had gone missing from their house on September 25. A police team recently found a skeleton from the septic tank at Chhabra’s house. Case history * She jumped in a water tank after the police recovered the skeleton of an infant from a septic tank at Munshi Ram Chhabra's house *
The police said a DNA test would be conducted to ascertain whether the skeleton belonged to Munshi Ram's baby *
The baby was reportedly kidnapped on September 24
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The production of Bt cotton has gone up from 7.50 lakh bales in 2002 to 21 lakh bales in 2013, showing its mass acceptance in the state, said Baljinder Singh Nandra, general manager, corporate affairs (North India), Monsanto, during a special visit to the Centre of Excellence at Shekhpura village here today.
Nandra said the cotton yield averaged 604.4 kg per hectare in the last decade against 304 kg per hectare during 1993-2001.
Even as families of 99 debt-ridden farmers who committed suicide staged a protest in Mansa against denial of financial assistance, the state government says it cannot extend any monetary compensation to these farmers.
Residents of Nai Abadi Islamabad area today protested against the authorities that have failed to unclog the choked sewerage. They alleged the Swachh Bharat campaign had failed to take off in the region.
Local residents Bhajan Lal, Des Raj and Vinod Kumar alleged the sewerage had been blocked for the last three months. 
Raj Kaur (47), who had been working as a domestic help in Kalian village, 7 km from
Sriganganagar, reportedly committed suicide today. She jumped in a water tank after the police recovered the skeleton of an infant from a septic tank at Munshi Ram Chhabra’s house.
Alleges vendetta