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Delhi bypoll: BJP may not seek SAD help
Sikh outfits target SAD over '84 riots
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Mass killings: MP seeks apology from Centre
Focus on rehab, state may release 2,000 jailed drug addicts
Court hearing on Arjun Gill’s petition today
After plaza, bigger langar hall & serai on cards
Explain your dealings with criminals, SAD asks Bajwa
Kairon has ties with smuggler, alleges Cong
Ban on stubble burning goes up in smoke
Protesting block chiefs
replaced
Truck operators block road as union polls
disrupted
Two factions in tug of war over medical association
elections
AAI shelves plan to
set up airport in Ferozepur
Muktsar de-addiction centre lying defunct for three years Fazilka guest lecturers’ strike enters Day 3
Tarn
Taran clash Wheat MSP hike meagre: Amarinder Anganwari workers to protest in Badal village
Discussion on burning of paddy stubble
Hoshiarpur’s Hundal in race for Mayor’s post in US
Post-Matric
Scholarship Scheme for SC students
HC notice to state
on selection of 195 English masters
After hectic
arguments, HC reserves verdict in Ashutosh case
Jamalpur killings:
Status report filed
5 cops dismissed
for extortion
Theft case: People
who ‘thrashed’ Rwanda nationals go scot-free
2 cops among 30 booked
Bodies of woman, 2 kids found in tank Two youths snatch bag with
Rs 16 lakh
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Delhi bypoll: BJP may not seek SAD help
Chandigarh, October 29 “We will call them if needed,” said RP Singh, BJP national secretary, when asked if the alliance partners would campaign together for the byelections. He said the Akalis had little influence in the three seats. But Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, SAD vice-president and in charge of Delhi affairs, claimed that local leaders of the two parties were in touch with each other though no official meeting had been held on the campaign strategy. He emphasised that the SAD-BJP ties were rock solid, “We have been allies in Delhi and Punjab since long. We are willing to help our alliance partner in the Delhi byelections,” he said. Sources said that no discussions on a joint election campaign took place between MPs of the two parties during Diwali Milan organised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The
SAD-BJP alliance had jointly fought the Delhi Assembly elections. Three of the four SAD candidates had won their seats, two of them on the BJP symbol. The Sikhs constitute about six per cent of the total electorate in New Delhi that has a sizeable Punjabi population. Most Chief Ministers of Delhi have
been Punjabis. The Congress has made a Sikh MLA from Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab), Kuldip Nagra, in charge of Delhi affairs. Nagra claimed that Punjabi votes would be crucial in the three Delhi seats.
Chasm in ties
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Sikh outfits target SAD over '84 riots
Amritsar, October 29 Addressing mediapersons here today, All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed, Manjeet Singh Bhoma, Kanwarbir Singh Gill and Bhai Mohkam Singh said the SAD-BJP government must act against the perpetrators of 1984 riots, besides initiating measures for rehabilitation of the victims. They said the Akalis were earlier taking a premise that there was a Congress government at the Centre, but now that the NDA had come to power, they must deliver justice to the riot victims. They said the Akali Dal must spell out the deadline by which their government would act against the guilty. They also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act tough against those who carried out "massacre of Sikhs" in 1984. Talking about their Punjab Bandh on November 1, they said it would be a peaceful protest and they would not resort to any excesses. They said they would stop rail traffic from 5 am to 10 am. Road traffic and commercial establishments would also remain shut. They appealed to all communities to support the bandh call as it was meant to seek justice for the riot victims. They said their aim was to seek justice, and not to harass anybody. On a US court issuing summons to Amitabh Bachchan for his alleged role in the 1984 riots, they hailed the court move and said they even had the evidence to show how the actor incited people against the Sikhs in 1984. They said a protest would be staged outside the UN headquarters on November 7 and the issue of 1984 riots would be raised with the UNO. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Laxmikanta Chawla has appealed to the state government to ensure that the rail and road traffic was not disrupted during Punjab Bandh on November 1. She said it would only lead to harassment of public, although the grudge of those giving the bandh call was against the government.
Rehabilitate victims: Manpreet Chandigarh: People's Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Singh Badal on Wednesday said justice continued to elude thousands of victims of the 1984 riots even 30 years after the tragedy. He questioned the policies adopted by the state government for rehabilitation of the riot-hit. The wheels of justice had moved too slowly, he said. Years had been wasted in appointing one commission after another without any tangible results, he said. He alleged that the parties like the Akali Dal had been cashing in on the suffering of riot victims. Thousands of those who migrated to Punjab looking for safety were still waiting to be properly rehabilitated. They were mobilised by the Akali Dal during every election to cash in on their sufferings. It was callous and inhuman, he said. Erect a memorial: Phoolka Amritsar: Noted lawyer and AAP leader HS Phoolka has written a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh urging him to set up a memorial to those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots at 12, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road in New Delhi. He said the then MP Ram Bilas Paswan was staying at 12, Dr Rajindra Prasad Road, in 1984 and the house was burnt because he gave shelter to a Sikh. "Paswan had to run away after scaling the rear wall of the house, but the old Sikh whom he had given shelter was caught by the mob and burnt alive. Now, the house is allotted to a leader who has lost the recent Lok Sabha elections and it is likely to be vacated soon. The house should be converted into a memorial," reads the letter.
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Focus on rehab, state may release 2,000 jailed drug addicts
Patiala, October 29 With 15,000 persons jailed on similar charges, the prisons are overcrowded. The move follows the recent crackdown on drug peddlers and drug addicts in the state. Officials in the government confirmed that as per sections 27, 39 and 64-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, an undertrial can be provided immunity from prosecution to addicts volunteering for treatment. To get direct feedback from the field, the state Home Department today held meetings in various districts to discuss the problems faced by undertrials. A meeting chaired by Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary, Home, Rajpal Meena, Additional Director General of Police (DGP), Prisons, stressed the need to ensure that undertrials, especially in NDPS cases, were given an opportunity to volunteer and approach the court for a rehabilitation programme. Officials, including Deputy Commissioners and Jail Superintendents from various districts of the state, attended the meetings on the issue in Patiala and Ludhiana. Sources confirmed the officials discussed the various remedies available for the undertrials and the need for counselling them, once out of jail. Sandhu said, “As per the provisions of the NDPS Act, those booked with small quantity of
drugs can voluntarily ask the court to seek rehabilitation.”
Will check overcrowding in jails
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Court hearing on Arjun Gill’s petition today
Chandigarh, October 29 The plea came up for hearing this morning but was adjourned for a day after advocate Rabindera Pandit appeared for the complainant and sought time to argue the matter at length. Arjun Gill had moved a local court for anticipatory bail, alleging that he had been falsely implicated in the case registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the daughter of an Inspector-General with the Punjab Police. The complainant alleged that Gill had tried to outrage her modesty after inviting her to his place. Claiming that he was innocent, Gill alleged that the complaint was lodged after he “refused to marry” the complainant on the ground of compatibility. He claimed that the registration of a false case amounted to “misuse of power” as the complainant’s father was “in active service of the Punjab Police, posted as Inspector-General in Chandigarh”.
Case history
Thirty-year-old Gill was booked by the Chandigarh Police on October 11 on charges of outraging modesty, attempt to rape, breach of trust, criminal intimidation and other offences under Sections 354, 354-A, 354-B, 406, 506, 376 and 511 of the IPC and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. In her complaint, the IGP’s daughter claimed that Gurpreet Singh Gill and his wife Nikka Gill had approached her father in the first week of August with their son’s marriage proposal. She alleged that Arjun Gill started demanding dowry after the marriage date was fixed and a list was handed over to her parents. On October 9, she and her parents went to meet the Gill family at their residence but they refused to listen to them. Left with no other option, they submitted a complaint with the police.
Gill’s defence
Gill in his bail plea has alleged that the “FIR, on the face of it, appears to be a heap of lies”. He claims that he first met the complainant in June at his friend’s house. After that, the two met almost everyday, frequently talking to each other on the phone. In an attempt to substantiate his contention, Gill has placed before the court his call records. He claims that the allegation that he had demanded dowry was false, baseless and fabricated. “These false allegations are a willful attempt to malign the reputation of the applicant and falsely implicate him in criminal proceedings. No jewellery was ever brought by the applicant from the complainant or her parents. This version in the FIR is absurd, frivolous, false, baseless and illogical. “Rather, she rejected the wedding ring and asked for a gold ring with a solitaire. A solitaire gold ring was then made to her satisfaction. She even told his parents on several occasions that she was going to Dubai for her wedding shopping,” Gill’s counsel said.
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After plaza, bigger langar hall & serai on cards
At present, Sri Guru Ramdas Langar Hall at the Golden Temple Complex can accommodate 5,000 pilgrims at a time. However, some times the facility seems inadequate vis-à-vis the huge number of devotees visiting the shrine. In view of the current scenario, the SGPC has embarked on a project for the expansion of the "langar" hall. Once the project is completed, the capacity to seat those coming to partake "langar" will increase substantially. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said the new building of the "langar" hall would have a cold storage to keep vegetables fresh, a dishwashing facility, an air-conditioned kitchen, "langar" halls, proper LPG supply for kitchen and solar heating equipment. Safety features like fire extinguishers would also be in place. The new building, having four floors (including the basement), would be completed in a year or so, he added. The existing "langar" hall was constructed by Baba Kharak Singh Karsewawale in 1979-80. The new building would be clubbed with the existing one to form an integrated "langar" facility at the holy shrine. According to the SGPC, around 65 to 70 quintals of wheat flour, 18 quintals of "daal", 16 quintals of vegetables, 10 quintals of rice, 5,000 litres of milk and 10 quintals of sugar are used daily in the shrine's "langar" facility, which is open round the clock. The SGPC needs around 5,000 LPG cylinders every month for its
"langar" facility. The work on the 10-storey Saragarhi Niwas is at the final stage. Coming up at a cost of Rs 25 crore on the main road leading to the shrine, the Saragarhi Niwas will have 238 rooms, besides a number of halls. The 10-storey building will have a capacity to accommodate 2,000 pilgrims. The inn, having a heritage look, would be equipped with amenities like basement parking, ATMs, "langar" facility, terrace garden, solar water heating system, VRV air-conditioning and rainwater harvesting. It will have an ultra-modern power supply system, which will save 40 per cent electricity.
About the community kitchen
About Saragarhi Niwas Saragarhi Niwas, a 10-storey building, is being built at a cost of Rs 25 crore. It will have 238 rooms, besides a number of halls. The inn, having a heritage look, will have a capacity to accommodate 2,000 pilgrims. It will be equipped with amenities like basement parking, ATMs, "langar" facility, terrace garden, solar water heating system
etc.
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Explain your dealings with criminals, SAD asks Bajwa
Chandigarh, October 29 "It is now a proven fact that Bajwa routinely hobnobs with criminals and even uses them to settle political scores," said SAD general secretary Maheshinder Singh Grewal. He was speaking about recent revelations that a gangster of the Paras gang—Pala Brar—was specially summoned by the PCC chief to the Punjab Congress Bhawan during Rahul Gandhi's visit. In a statement, the SAD leader alleged that Bajwa also took help of arms racketeer Gurtej Singh Pannu to keep Congress men inimical towards him away from Rahul Gandhi. Bajwa said the ruling party was levelling allegations against him through Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police SS Kahlon. He warned Kahlon against functioning as part of private militia of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
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Kairon has ties with smuggler, alleges Cong
Amritsar, October 29 Gill released a photo of the accused along with the minister. Demanding that Kairon be sacked, Gill claimed that Sahib Singh was an Akali leader who was seen at Kairon’s swearing-in. In a press statement, he said a number of police officials in Tarn Taran were hand in glove with drug smugglers. Kairon could not be contacted despite several attempts. His aide, SGPC member Khushwinder Singh Bhatia, termed the allegations as baseless.
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Ban on stubble burning goes up in smoke
Patiala, October 29 With the harvesting of paddy over, farmers have started burning paddy stubble despite repeated warnings by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). Four accidents have already been reported in various parts of the state this year due to low visibility caused by smoke generated by stubble burning. Despite the state government having issued a formal notification to prohibit burning of straw and stubble in the fields, 51 cases of violations were reported in 2013. The PPCB filed court cases in that regard. "We intend to do the same this year and anyone found burning stubble in fields would be booked," said PPCB Chairman Ravinder Singh. Stubble burning not only affected soil fertility, but it also led to health hazards. People in such areas face difficulty in breathing due to smoke. Moreover, this practice leads to elimination of a farmer-friendly beetle
(Zygogramma Bicolorata). As per reports, farmers in Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar, Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Kapurthala and many other districts are indulging in stubble burning. According to sources in the Agriculture Department, people who have encroached upon "shamlat" land in various villages do not wait for natural drying up of moisture in the soil after the paddy crop is harvested. "They usually burn stubble in the fields. This serves them two purposes—moisture content is reduced and the cost of removing stubble is saved," they said. Earlier, whenever Deputy Commissioners ordered such a ban in their respective districts under Section 144 of the CrPC, local politicians would come to the rescue of the accused farmers. Armed with the new Act, the PPCB can now directly book violators and file court cases. "The Agriculture Department provides machines to farmers at nominal rates to help them use the crop leftover in the fields as fertiliser," said the PPCB Chairman. "Stubble can also be used for producing power. A number of sites have been earmarked where farmers can leave their leftover crop and earn some money in return," he said.
Hazy dawn greets Moga residents Moga: Residents of Moga city and its nearby villages woke up to a hazy dawn on Wednesday as smoke caused by burning of paddy straw had engulfed the region. Normal life and traffic on highways and link roads remained affected almost throughout the day. Those driving motor vehicles were seen complaining of low visibility due to smog-like conditions till afternoon. The unpleasant condition caused irritation in eyes and respiratory problems to the elderly, said Dwarka Bansal chairman of the local senior citizens' council. "I am facing irritation in the eyes for the past many days since the beginning of the harvesting season," he said. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) count has also gone up due to ploughing of fields. Met officials attributed the above-normal temperature in the region to the burning of paddy straw and increase in dust particles in air.
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Protesting block chiefs
replaced
Ludhiana, October 29 In a bid to woo “miffed” party leaders, Bajwa is learnt to have visited some of them. “I’m trying to address the concerns of party leaders and workers at all levels,” he said. Observers say Bajwa’s visit to Ludhiana at this juncture has made his task of forging unity in the party even more difficult. The controversy over the replacement of DCC (urban) chief Pawan Dewan is far from over. Five block presidents have launched a signature drive against the PPCC chief. Besides, it will be a herculean task for Bajwa to win over those considered close to former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, they argue. The “rebellious” block presidents have been replaced with immediate effect. This decision was taken at a meeting of district and block Congress committees of Malwa-I zone here today. Harish Chaudhary, Secretary, AICC, and in charge of Punjab affairs, presided over the meeting. Talking to The Tribune, Bajwa said the party’s disciplinary committee would initiate action against the removed block presidents. “They took to the streets to protest against a PPCC chief. Have they ever protested against the anti-people policies of the SAD-BJP government,” he asked. He said it was an open secret as to who was instigating them. “They are pawns in the hands of a few persons.” Meanwhile, Pawan Dewan has distanced himself from the anti-Bajwa camp, saying he had no role in the protests.
Black flags & slogans
* * * The party's disciplinary committee will initiate action against the removed block presidents. They took to the streets to protest against me. Have they ever protested against the anti-people policies of the SAD-BJP government?... They are pawns in the hands of a few persons. — Harish C, PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa has weakened the state Congress. This cannot be allowed. Workers at the grassroots level are a demoralised lot. We will approach the party high command in Delhi and plead that Bajwa be removed from his post
forthwith. —
Maninder Pal Singh Teetu, dissident
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Truck operators block road as union polls
disrupted
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 29 The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-D), the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Fatehgarh Sahib District Transport Officer (DTO) took away the voting box. The box was sealed in the presence of Zila Parishad chairman Baljeet Singh
Bhutta. Thereafter, several truck operators ghearoed the DC’s office. They declared that they wouldn’t lift paddy from grain markets until the matter was resolved. Nirbhai Singh, Mohinder Singh and Gurjinder Singh, members of sangharsh committee, said the truck union that had 446 trucks was being run by Ranjit Singh Libra and his family for the last 60 years. They alleged that the union was being run like a private firm and that they were being fleeced. They demanded an end to the dynastic rule at the union. Nirbhai Singh said they had met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal at a Sangat Darshan programme in this regard. They said Sukhbir had directed the DC to conduct truck union elections. The truck operators said the DC had set the motion and asked the DTO to complete all formalities for the elections. They said in the presence of the DTO two senior members were elected to conduct the elections and two candidates filed the nominations. They alleged ADC (D), SDM, DSP and Fatehgarh Sahib DTO along with a heavy police force took away the ballot box at 2pm, when 80 per cent of the members had cast their votes. Neither the DC nor Ranjit Singh Libra could be contacted. Fatehgarh Sahib SDM Pooja Syal Grewal said they had sealed the ballot box in the presence of the truck union members and the Zila Parishad chairman. She said the next course of action would be decided as per state government orders.
Bone of contention
What admn says We had sealed the ballot box in the presence of the truck union members and the Zila Parishad chairman. The next course of action will be decided as per the state government
orders. — Pooja Syal Grewal, Fatehgarh
Sahib sdm
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Two factions in tug of war over medical association
elections
Patiala, October 29 While one group is led by Dr BL Bhardwaj (president) and Dr DS Bhullar (general secretary), senior faculty members of Government Medical College, Patiala, the other group is headed by Dr Harshinder Kaur as president and Dr Gurmeet Singh as secretary. The groups allege the bodies formed by each group were unconstitutional. They are now gearing up for a face-off at the elections. Earlier, both the groups had reached a consensus and constituted a State Action Committee of Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association. The committee was formed to put forward their demands. Interestingly, both the groups have been meeting senior ministers and officials of the state government under the name of the same association to press for their demands. Dr Gurmeet Singh said, “The term of the elected members expired on September 14, 2013. Dr Bhullar, who had been appointed as an office-bearer of the defunct association, had written to the Directorate of Research and Medical Education (DRME) in May 2014. He had said that after the retirement of Dr JPS Walia, the association had become defunct and the state shouldn’t pay heed to the demands of the unlawful assembly. So, how can they constitute another body without holding elections?” He further said the old association didn’t take up their demand of time-bound promotion of faculty members. Dr Gurmeet alleged they were only interested in increasing the retirement age from 62 to 65 years, which irked the younger faculty members. He further alleged some Patiala members of the association had been misusing the association for personal aims. However, Dr DS Bhullar denied the allegations. He asked if the association was defunct then why did the other group constitute an action committee of the same name? “They are just trying to confuse the government and other faculty members in order to take credit for the work we have been doing for the past many years,” he said. Dr Bhullar further alleged there was a provision that the tenure of the association would be regularised as soon as the general body meeting was held.
Charges The term of the elected members expired on September 14, 2013. So, how can they constitute another body without holding
elections? — Dr Gurmeet Singh, member of assn Counter-charges If the association was defunct then why did the other group constitute an action committee of the same name? They are just trying to confuse the government.~ —
Dr DS Bhullar, president of assn
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AAI shelves plan to
set up airport in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, October 29 The
move has come as a major blow to this border district, where locals
have accused the successive central and state governments of giving
them a “step-motherly treatment”. Several projects such as the
reopening of the Hussainiwala–Lahore border, setting up of a PGI
satellite centre, shifting of Central Jail, besides the abolition of
octroi are hanging fire here. “The decision to shelve the airport
project is the last straw for the growth prospects of this district,”
said Sunil Vij, ex-chairman, Traders’ Cell. In June last year, a
team of the AAI led by Narendra Mukhija, joint general manager
(engineering) had visited this border town to assess the feasibility
of setting up a low-cost airport, following the decision of the then
UPA Government to set up airports in Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Patiala and
Ludhiana. The project had been cleared by a high-powered committee
led by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The AAI team had also
visited probable sites for the airport. The proposal had enthused
residents, who hoped for the revival of the economy, which has been in
a shambles since the closure of the Hussaniwala-Lahore border for
trade and transit. It was shut after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. “The
proposed airport would have catered to both civilian and defense
requirements, besides it would have been a perfect tribute to the
gallant martyrs, who were unceremoniously cremated here on the banks
of the Sutlej,” said Dr Kamal Baghi.
Left high and dry
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Muktsar de-addiction centre lying defunct for three years
Muktsar, October 29 A portion of the Civil Hospital in Muktsar has been earmarked for the de-addiction centre, but it remains locked. In such a situation, if someone comes for de-addiction, hospital staff refer him to the hospital at Malout or Badal. Moreover, the number of such patients getting admitted elsewhere is sharply decreasing since the Health Department started charging fee. Information procured from the department for the month of October till 25th revealed that only four new patients were admitted for detoxification in the government run de-addiction centres in Malout and Badal village. The figures revealed that as many as 1,009 addicts had come as new patients to get medicine in the corresponding period in Muktsar district. However, if we compare this data with the past, then on an average, 200 patients were coming daily to get medicine for de-addiction. At present, the department charges Rs 200 per day from a patient after admission in the de-addiction centre, which was earlier free. Similarly, if an addict approaches any government-run hospital to get medicine of de-addiction, he would have to pay Rs 10 as registration fee, which was earlier free. When contacted, Dr Narinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said, “Nearly 43,000 addicts have got medicine for de-addiction from the Civil Hospitals in Badal and Malout since June 20. Besides, 569 patients have been detoxified after they were admitted in the de-addiction centres at Malout and Badal.” About the defunct de-addiction centre at Muktsar, the Civil Surgeon said, “We tried our best to find a psychiatrist to make the de-addiction centre functional. Even the Chief Minister too wanted to bring a psychiatrist here, but as of now the vacancy exists and the centre is lying defunct.” The state government on Tuesday claimed that as many as 2.93 lakh drug-addicts had been treated at the out-patient departments (OPDs) and 9,427 had been detoxified at the indoor patient departments (IPDs) in the 24 drug de-addiction centres across the state till date.
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Fazilka guest lecturers’ strike enters Day 3 Fazilka, October 29 Lecturer Sher Singh Sandhu said the government had fixed a salary of Rs 10,000 per month for a guest faculty lecturer two years ago. Sandhu said the state government had issued a notification last year in which it had decided to give an increment of 10 per cent in salary every year. The lecturers have been demanding that enhanced salaries should be paid to them as per the provisions of the notification. Officiating Principal Rajesh Kumar, while talking to The Tribune, said the management did not have sufficient funds in te PTA account to pay the enhanced salaries every year.
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Cong activists
protest tardy lifting
Sangrur, October 29 Though the court ordered
that the procurement should begin on September 26, the government
agencies started lifting paddy on October 10, Zira said. He said
the agencies had also not paid the farmers on time. Zira alleged due
to the Centre’s faulty policies, the rice milling industry was on
the verge of collapse in the state. Kalan said no state minister
had visited the grain markets to take stock of the ongoing paddy
procurement. He alleged the farmers were being fleeced as none weighed
the sold paddy. Kalan demanded a compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre
to paddy farmers as they had spent more money on diesel due to a
deficit monsoon. He also demanded a compensation of Rs 25,000 per
acre for farmers whose crops had been damaged due to drought or
floods. Among others who were present on the occasion were senior
Congress leaders Rajinder Deepa and Sanmukh Singh Mokha.
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Post-Matric
Scholarship Scheme for SC students
Chandigarh, October 29 The directions came
nearly three months after the high court admonished the state for
making schemes for the welfare of students and then not providing
funds to the beneficiaries. As the case came up for resumed hearing,
a status report filed by way of an affidavit was placed before the
Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice
Anupinder Singh Grewal. In the report, Punjab Director, Welfare of
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Paramjit Singh said the
Department of Welfare received Rs 17,069.74 lakh from 2007-08 to
2012-13; and the amount was disbursed to 2,14,745 eligible Scheduled
Caste students. The high court was also told that out of Rs 227.2
crore sanctioned, 50 per cent of the total fees had already been
disbursed for 2013-2014 to most of the institutions and the remaining
claims would also be cleared. Taking up the report, the Bench
asserted: "In view of the status report dated September 16 filed
by the Director, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes,
Punjab, we direct the respondent to disburse the remaining amount to
all institutions that have not received their full due within a period
of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order". The
Association of Volunteers for Students' Rights had earlier told the
court that the scheme was to be implemented by state governments and
Union Territory administrations on 100 per cent assistance from the
Centre. In the petition against the Union of India and other
respondents, it was added that the state government was not
implementing the scheme, despite receiving assistance from the Central
Government. The state had initially told the court that it had
completed the formalities for the release of funds, but the matter was
still pending with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment. The Bench was later told that the Central Government had
sanctioned Rs 280.81 crore as assistance; and the payment of
scholarship was to be made in bank accounts of the students and
institution through online banking management system. In all, 3.5 lakh
students were entitled to the benefit in more than 2,000 institutions.
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HC notice to state
on selection of 195 English masters
Chandigarh, October 29 Taking up a civil writ petition filed by
Chamkor Singh and seven other candidates against the selection of 195
"ineligible candidates", Justice Rajiv Narain Raina issued
the notice to the State of Punjab and the Director, Education
Department (Secondary Education). A notice was also issued to the
Director, Punjab Education Recruitment Board. Justice Raina also
ordered the issuance of notices for December 15 to 27 "ineligible
candidates" out of 195 candidates, whom the petitioners had
impleaded as respondents. The petitioners said a Division Bench had
already ruled that only those candidates who read English (elective)
during all three years of graduation were eligible for appointment as
English masters and mistresses. However, the Punjab Education
Recruitment Board selected at least 195 candidates who did not fulfil
that criterion. Justice Raina also ordered that appointments, if any,
would be subject to the decision on the civil writ petition. Petitioners’ plea
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After hectic
arguments, HC reserves verdict in Ashutosh case
Chandigarh, October 29 The hearing, which continued till 5 pm saw
questions being raised on the authenticity of a letter produced by Jha
to prove he was Ashutosh Maharaj’s son. Questions were also raised
by the dera on the locus standi of Jha and Maharaj’s former driver
Puran Singh to move the High Court for handing over his body. The
Bench, on a previous date of hearing, had asked for the marriage
photographs of Jha’s parents and the birth or school certificate
carrying details of parenthood. The Bench posed questions on Jha’s
date of birth and his parents’ marriage. The High Court made it
clear that the body would have to be cremated and that the government
should not be sitting over the matter. The court questioned the
state on how the body could be allowed to stay in a freezer and for
how long. The Bench had earlier asked Punjab Advocate-General to
clarify the state’s stand on the issue of initiating inquest
proceedings in case of Ashutosh Maharaja’s mysterious death on April
4. Justice MMS Bedi has already dismissed a habeas corpus petition
for Ashutosh Maharaj’s “release” asserting: “From the report
of the doctors, it is apparently clear that the alleged detainee at
the time of presentation of the petition was clinically dead. The
present habeas corpus petition cannot be used as an instrument for
publicity. In my opinion a petition for habeas corpus is not
maintainable after the death of the alleged detainee. “I am of the
considered opinion that the High Court can direct to have the body of
the person detained to be brought before it in order to ascertain
whether the detention is legal or illegal. The scope of habeas corpus
cannot be extended to issue any directions pertaining to a body which
has been declared to be clinically dead”.
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Jamalpur killings:
Status report filed
Ludhiana, October 29 In the meantime, the dismissed station
house officer (SHO) of the Machhiwara police station, Manjinder Singh,
has been booked under Section 201 of the IPC for distorting evidence. The
police has sought court’s permission to conduct brain-mapping and a
narco-analysis test on all the accused persons. The all-party action
committee fighting for justice for the two brothers has decided to
convene a meeting in Chandigarh tomorrow to discuss the future course
of action. A former MLA from Raikot, Tersem Jodhan, said: “We had
asked the SIT not to jump the deadline. But I have not received any
call in this regard so far. I have spoken to other members of the
action committee and we have decided to meet in Chandigarh to discuss
the matter.” The victims' father, Satpal Singh, said that the
police were deliberately buying time in the hope that the issue would
gradually die down. Brothers Harinder (25) and Jatinder (23) of
Bohapur village near Machhiwara were allegedly killed by Akali leader
Gurjeet Singh on September 27 in the presence of policemen. Police
officials had initially claimed that the two brothers were killed in
an encounter. Later, they claimed that the two were killed while
they were trying to snatch a Home Guard’s rifle.
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5 cops dismissed
for extortion
Batala,
October 29 On
October 8, the SSP had suspended a head constable and four constables
on the charge of taking a bribe of of Rs 25,000 from a local resident. A
case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against all
five with the Civil Lines police station. The SSP said more such ‘black
sheep’ would be identified and action taken against them as per the
law. The SSP, who conducted the probe into the allegations levelled
against the five policemen, said one Tarundeep Singh of Thakriwal
village had approached him on October 8. He had complained that some
policemen had forcibly taken him to the police station at Batala on
October 6 and coerced him into paying Rs 25,000. “They
intimidated him, saying he would be implicated in a false case if he
did not pay the money,” the SSP said. The officer said the erring
policemen had been dismissed from service and a case under Section 384
of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act registered against
them. These policemen are Head Constable Joga Singh and constables
Sukhdeep Singh, Saranjeet Singh, Naresh Kumar and Gurjit Singh.
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Theft case: People
who ‘thrashed’ Rwanda nationals go scot-free
Jalandhar, October 29 The
youths, who are reportedly pursuing a BCA from a private university,
were today sent to 14-day judicial remand. They were arrested
yesterday. A third accused is still at large. The police during
interrogation have found that the visas of the two accused had expired
a few months ago. Station House Officer (SHO) Rama Mandi Vimal Kant
said he had brought the matter to the notice of the foreign
registration office. On action taken against those who reportedly
thrashed the accused, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Naveen
Singla said, “We found that no one thrashed them. They were tied to
a pole. The public has the right to do that under section 43 of the
CrPC.” On action taken against a police officer also seen
thrashing the youth, Singla said, “We are yet to identify the
person. We are on a lookout for the third accused. We may also add
another section against the two under the Foreigners Act since they
did not get their visas renewed.” Jaspal Kaur, complainant and
owner of the departmental store, had said the youths stole cash from
her cash box. LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal said, “The police have so
far not inquired from us. I have seen the news, but could not verify
if the youths study at our university.”
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Tarn
Taran clash
Tarn
Taran, October 29 Among
the accused are Tejinder Singh’s wife Rajwinder Kaur, their son
Lovepreet Singh, Harjit Singh Fauji, Balkar Singh, Rinku, Sucha Singh,
Gagandeep Singh and 14 others. All of them have absconded. With the
situation still tense, policemen in strength have been deployed in the
village. the Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Rashpal Singh
Ghuman, said 70 policemen were manning different points. Also, a riot
control vehicle had been stationed at the village. The Akal Takht
Jathedar and members of Sikh organisations today visited the area and
criticised dera supporters for “attacking innocent Sikhs”. Sikh
women from the village held a dharna at the deputy commissioner’s
office in Tarn Taran to lodge their protest.
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Bodies of woman, 2 kids found in tank Abohar, October 29 The bodies were reportedly spotted by Satveer’s father-in-law Gurmail Singh after he returned from fields in the evening. After a post-mortem examination was conducted, the bodies were cremated on Wednesday. Her father Bagga Singh and mother Manjit Kaur reached Sahuwala today. They were told that Satveer’s husband Lakha Singh had left for the fields on Tuesday morning and was joined by his father Gurmail Singh, who carried food for his son in the afternoon. Sources said prima-facie, it appeared that Satveer, who had been sick for the past few days, decided to take the extreme step and jumped with children into the eight-foot-deep water tank.
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Two youths snatch bag with
Rs 16 lakh
Faridkot, October 29 The police said, Sat Pal, employees of Panna Lal Manoj Kumar, a commission agent, had withdrawn the money from the State Bank of India. After the withdrawal, when Sat Pal was going to his office on a bicycle, two unidentified youths on a motorcycle allegedly snatched away the bag containing the money at the main bazaar of the town. The police are examining the recordings of CCTV cameras installed in the bank. Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police SS Kahlon said the accused would be arrested soon. An FIR has been registered and the investigation is on. — TNS
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Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi has demanded that the Central Government apologise for the various mass killings in the country in the forthcoming session of Parliament that begins on November 1.
Citing the example of the Canadian Government that recently apologised for the Kamagata Maru killings in 1914, Dr Gandhi said the Centre had not apologised for several such incidents.
“Thousands died in Delhi during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and several Muslims died in Gujarat riots, but till date no one has been punished. Both the Congress and the
SAD-BJP government have been responsible for the murder of hundreds of youths in fake encounters held in the state,” he added.
While the first phase of the Golden Temple Entrance Plaza has been inaugurated to facilitate easy movement of the pilgrims at the holy shrine, a couple of key projects like the expansion of the
"langar" hall and the construction of a multi-storey "serai" to deal with the increasing rush are also inching towards completion.
At present, Sri Guru Ramdas Langar Hall at the Golden Temple Complex can accommodate 5,000 pilgrims at a time.
Senior Congress leader from Tarn Taran Harminder Singh Gill today accused Cabinet Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon of links with drug smuggler Sahib Singh. The latter was arrested from Patti in Tarn Taran yesterday.
Sahib Singh, a former BSF jawan and a resident of Patti, was nabbed by the state’s special operations cell (SSOC) with 14 kg of heroin worth Rs 70 crore in the international market and Rs 9 lakh in cash.
Call it lack of awareness or adamant attitude of the farming community, the unhealthy and dangerous practice of stubble burning continues unabated in almost all parts of the state.
With the harvesting of paddy over, farmers have started burning paddy stubble despite repeated warnings by the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
Fazilka, October 29
Amritsar, October 29
