|
|
|
|
|
Pay relief to acid victims in 4 weeks, HC tells govt
Badal failed to get any help from Centre: Cong, PPP
|
|
|
Central panel wants cash transfer of subsidy
‘Anomaly’ in policy deprives
benefits to kin of awardees
DCs told to cancel licence of hotels flouting anti-smoking law
Notice to state on ailing dispensaries
Vigilance inspection of DTO records stirs row
MPs should visit Iraq: Chottepur
Chinese string slashes girl's neck
Hotels flouting smoking ban to lose licence
Badshahpur rape guilty get 4-yr jail
Bus runs over two in Abohar
6 injured in firing as two groups clash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pay relief to acid victims in 4 weeks, HC tells govt
Chandigarh, November 29 The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Raj Rahul Garg gave the directions after taking serious view of inaction by the Punjab Government in releasing adequate compensation to the victims-cum-petitioners. The said directions came on a petition filed in public interest by them and Poor Patients Relief Society through advocate HC Arora. As the case came up for resumed hearing, the State filed an affidavit through Under Secretary (Home) Harchand Singh, claiming that financial assistance was being given to the acid attack victims. In case of face disfigurement, compensation of Rs 3 lakh was paid, and in case of death due to acid attack, the amount was Rs 5 lakh. The Punjab Government, on a previous date of hearing, had undertaken to provide for “free treatment in recognised hospitals” to acid attack victims, instead of reimbursing medical expenses. The State has also allotted Rs 100 crore for providing compensation to victims of rape, acid attack and other specified crimes. The government also filed a short affidavit stating that it had issued a notification on March 5, providing for 100 per cent medical reimbursement of treatment of acid attack victims, including their plastic surgery.
10-year jail in acid attack case Ropar: Three years after Manjit Singh of Zirakpur threw acid on a Morinda girl, injuring her seriously, a local court has sentenced him to 10-year imprisonment. A fine of Rs 25,000 has also been slapped. It was on December 8, 2011, when Manjit entered Inderjit Kaur’s house and threw acid on her face as she had declined his offer for marriage. Inderjit suffered serious burn injuries on her face, eyes, neck, hands and other parts of the body. Manjit was arrested and tried under Sections 307 and 452 of the
IPC.
|
|
Badal failed to get any help from Centre: Cong, PPP
Bajwa said the Badals should explain what fiscal or other help had been extended by the Modi government to Punjab in the past six months. He claimed the previous UPA government did not turn down even a single demand of Punjab. "There is no drought relief, no waiving of loans, no solution to problems being faced by Punjabi farmers in Gujarat, no special package for the state and no concessions for the industry," he said. People's Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Singh Badal claimed the state might face an early poll because of widening of the rift between the SAD and the BJP. He said what to talk of waiving loan worth Rs 1 lakh crore and extending financial help to the state, the Centre was not even ready to give money for the procurement of paddy. He said Badal had submitted a list of demands to Modi in September, but there had been no response yet. Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khaira too alleged state farmers were being facing harassment in getting payment for paddy due to biased attitude of the
Centre.
|
|
|
Court allows criminal complaint against Sidhu in Gurbani row
Chandigarh, November 29 The court has admitted the criminal complaint and adjourned the case for recording of evidence on December 23. Lawyers for Humanity, an NGO, filed the complaint through its president advocate Ravinder Singh, seeking the court’s intervention to register a case under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting its religion) and 298 of the IPC. It is alleged in the petition that the complainant was shocked to see that Sidhu “wrongly attributed the hymns of Gurbani of Guru Arjan Dev during his speech at a rally held in Dana Mandi in Ludhiana”. Sidhu attributed the Guru’s words to the Arjun of Mahabharata, which is blasphemy and distortion of the Gurbani, he alleged. “The words of Guru Arjan Dev on page 1,096 of the Guru Granth Sahib have been intentionally, deliberately and apparently attributed to the Arjun of Mahabharata. The act has intentionally insulted the Sikhs and outraged their religious feelings. It is, therefore, prayed that in view of the submissions, the accused be summoned, tried and punished,” states the petitioner. He did no wrong, says wife
Amritsar: Even as Sikh bodies continue to voice their protest against former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu over the Gurbani row, his wife and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu today said they believed in Guru Granth Sahib and her husband would go anywhere as a humble Sikh if he had hurt anybody’s sentiments. Talking to mediapersons here today, Dr Sidhu said, “We are Sikhs and we respect our religion. We have immense faith in the Sikh Gurus. He is ready to go anywhere if his utterances have hurt anyone.” She was responding to media queries regarding Sikh outfits’ demand that Sidhu be summoned to Akal Takht for his controversial speech in Ludhiana. Dr Sidhu has written a letter to the PMO, seeking an impartial probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds meant to be disbursed among the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims living in Ludhiana. She said a sum of Rs 2 lakh per family was sanctioned in 2006, but a number of identification cards issued in Ludhiana were found to be bogus. She also alleged that those who received the benefit got only Rs 1 lakh while Rs 1 lakh was taken as bribe.
|
|
|
Central panel wants cash transfer of subsidy
Chandigarh, November 29 With the government going ahead with financial inclusion on a war-footing through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, it would only be a natural progression if the subsidies were to be directly transferred in the bank accounts of beneficiaries. While one of the proposals being considered by the committee was to transfer the fertilizer subsidy in the accounts of farmers and give food subsidy (under the Public Distribution System) in the accounts of beneficiaries, it is proposed that the farmers be given income support. The committee, headed by Shanta Kumar, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP, was in the town for two days and has held a series of meetings with various stakeholders to take suggestions on how to go about the restructuring of the FCI. He met representatives of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh during these two days, with today being reserved exclusively for the various stakeholders in Punjab’s food grain procurement process. Talking to The Tribune, Kumar said one of the suggestions, which his team found viable, was that of cash transfer of subsidy. “Since food security is assured only when the income of farmers is assured, a suggestion that has come our way is to give more subsidy on those food grain that the country is facing shortage of. It is proposed that the cash subsidy of those food grain be increased so that farmers produce these crops in a particular year. In case there is shortage of pulses or oilseeds, farmers can be given higher cash subsidy, and asked to sow these. This will also lower our food import bill,” he said. Kumar said the final decision would be taken by the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs once the committee submitted its report next month. He said each year the government gave over Rs 2 lakh crore as subsidy, but various reports suggested that these were not reaching the beneficiaries. “The government spends Rs 3.65 for each Rs 1 worth of grain that goes to a consumer under various food security programmes. About 40 per cent of targeted beneficiaries are not getting these subsidised food items. Even the system of minimum support price is benefitting just 8 per cent of farmers,” he said. Kumar said that another suggestion that his committee was considering regarding unbundling of the FCI was to give procurement of food grain to the state governments (on behalf of the Centre), storage and transport of foods grain be handled by Central Warehousing Corporation and state warehousing corporations while they hand over all surpluses to the FCI. The FCI would then take responsibility of supplying surplus to food-deficit states and also maintain the buffer stock, he said.
Release paddy payments: Capt Patiala: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today lashed out at the Punjab Government for its failure to make payments to the farmers for their paddy crop. Amarinder said even after a month of their crops having been procured, the farmers were yet to receive any money. In a statement issued here, he said the last payment was made on October 31.
— TNS
|
|
|
‘Anomaly’ in policy deprives
benefits to kin of awardees
Chandigarh, November 29 Several war widows have jointly written to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal a few days ago, seeking removal of anomalies in government rules and accord the same status to the relatively small number of affected families. The "Honour and Gratitude" policy introduced by the state government in 1999 offered appointments to the widows or dependants of all categories of war heroes killed in action on or after January 1, 1999 in any battle or operation in India. In June 2000, the benefit was extended to all families of soldiers martyred before 1999, but a circular issued in this regard mentioned only Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra awards and made no mention of these "peacetime" equivalents such as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra. The war widows point out in the current "no war, no peace" environment prevalent in J&K and the Northeast a number of soldiers have laid down their life in the line of duty and have been decorated with the Ashoka Chakra series of awards. They say it is an irony that while post-1999 recipients of such awards have been awarded all benefits, those who were given the same awards prior to 1999 have been ignored.
Left in the lurch
|
|
Sampla offers aid to cancer patients in Moga village
Moga, November 29 He visited the village on Saturday and told villagers there was no dearth of funds for this purpose. The villagers urged him to transfer the control of the local dispensary from the zila parishad to the health department. “I will talk to the Health Minister and assure that it is transferred to the Health Department at the earliest,” he said. The villagers said sewage and waste material was being disposed of in ponds, which posed health risks. The minister said he would ask the state government to provide potable water to people, besides making proper arrangements for proper disposal of waste water. He directed the district magistrate to initiate work for laying sewerage lines and make efforts for proper waste disposal. He also asked the village panchayat to stress on cleanliness of streets. District Magistrate Parminder Singh Gill told Sampla that a total of 77 people had died in the village since January 1, out of which 14 people had died of cancer, two died of hepatitis-C and the rest of the deaths were due to accidents and natural causes. He said health workers were going door-to-door for a survey of these diseases at Marhi Mustafa and its adjoining villages. “In the past couple of days, we have examined 543 persons, out of which eight people have been detected with cancer. They have been referred to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital for treatment,” he said.
|
|
|
Vidhu Jain’s family hopeful of justice as case goes to CBI
Sangrur, November 29 Talking to The Tribune over phone, Vidhu’s father Navneet Jain said he was hopeful that his deceased son would get justice soon as the CBI would “not leave any stone unturned” to expose his killers. He said they had been seeking a CBI inquiry for a long time as the Punjab Police had “completely failed in performing their duty”. Navneet said the police had been given three weeks’ time to hand over all relevant papers of the case to the CBI. He said now his wife Aarti too was sure that her son’s killers would be nabbed soon. Prem Jain, Vidhu’s uncle, said, “We have now reached the threshold of justice.” He added, “We had been running from pillar to post to get justice from the Punjab Police but they failed to crack the case, perhaps due to pressure from some quarters.” He said the court had directed the CBI to investigate the case on a petition filed by Vidhu’s mother Aarti. Fearing danger to the life of Naman Jain (8), Vidhu’s younger brother, the family had shifted to Ludhiana in March. They are of the view that the killers are still roaming free in
Malerkotla.
|
|
|
DCs told to cancel licence of hotels flouting anti-smoking law
Chandigarh, November 29 A communique issued by Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to all DCs and heads of departments stated that smoking and passive smoking were both dangerous. He said the government had already declared 18 districts as smoke free and was in the process of making the whole state smoke free within the next three months. Kaushal said 12 per cent population of the state still consumed tobacco in one or the other form. “Licence of hotels, restaurants and commercial institutions violating the anti-smoking law must be immediately cancelled,” he said. He said every DC was duty-bound to enforce the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and submit a monthly report to him. The Chief Secretary said all enforcement and counselling departments, especially the police, education, local government, transport and excise and taxation, should act in unison to enforce the law.
|
|
|
Notice to state on ailing dispensaries
Chandigarh, November 29 The notice came on the petition filed in public interest by advocate HC Arora. He alleged that even basic medicines were not available in the 1,186 rural dispensaries functioning under the Punchayti Raj Department through zila parishads. He submitted before the dispensaries were transferred to Panchayati Raj Department in 2005, it was decided that the Health Department would remit funds to zila parishads through the Panchayati Raj Department at the rate of Rs 7,500 for each such rural dispensary for providing basic medicines. But, the supply of such medicines was stopped in May 2013. As a result, the rural dispensaries were not having even basic medicines for blood pressure and diabetes. Even paracetamol and bandages were not available. The funds being spent by the government on salaries of doctors and pharmacists were going waste in the absence of medicines, he contended.
|
|
|
Vigilance inspection of DTO records stirs row
Faridkot, November 29 Vigilance officials claimed they searched the transport office after bringing the matter to the notice of the higher authorities. They said two gazetted officers were accompanying them during the search operation to assist and witness the inquiry. Led by two DSP-rank officers, Vigilance officials from Mansa and Faridkot began the inspection yesterday. They alleged the transport authorities were not assisting them. The clerk in possession of the record in the DTO office was missing for the past two days, they said. It is alleged that the ownership of vehicles is being transferred in the name of state residents without seeking a no-objection certificate from the parent state, causing revenue loss to the state exchequer. Nachhatar Singh Brar, DTO, said he had informed the higher-ups about the search operation. "Before searching the record of the Transport Department, we expect Vigilance officials to inform us and seek our cooperation," he said.
|
|
|
Sikh pilot’s statue unveiled in UK
Jalandhar, November 29 This was possible due to the efforts of Gravesham borough councillor Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who not only made efforts to raise the money but also convinced the Gravesham borough council and its leaders, both ruling and the Opposition. Speaking to The Tribune, Dhesi, former mayor and Labour Party MP candidate for Gravesham, said, “It is a momentous day, not only for the community of Gravesham, but for the entire nation. I’m sure that such initiatives will help in further integrating our community members. He said Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend, had helped in raising a considerable amount of money. Gravesham mayor John Caller welcomed everyone and talked about the long journey to install the statue of the “extraordinary local hero”. He praised the intricate detail and magnificent work of sculptor Douglas Jennings. Air Vice-Marshal Edward Stringer elaborated on the history of the “courageous” officer pilot. He pulled the cord to unveil the 8-ft bronze statue mounted on a 4-ft Portland stone plinth. About the WW-II hero Mahinder Singh Pujji went to the UK in 1940 and joined the Royal Air Force during the World War II. He died in 2010 at the age of 92 in Gravesend.
|
|
|
MPs should visit Iraq: Chottepur
Ludhiana, November 29 This, he said, would help them get first-hand information. He said the Aam Aadmi Party was willing to offer the services of Bhagwant Mann, who had earlier too volunteered to go on such a mission. A TV channel recently reported the “death” of 39 Indians in Iraq but External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj denied it in Lok Sabha. She had quoted six communications/letters received from different sources, including Red Crescent, which she said are confidential/secret in nature.
— TNS
|
|
|
Chinese string slashes girl's neck
Amritsar, November 29 The string badly damaged her throat's muscles and veins. She bled profusely before she was taken to the hospital. She was operated upon in the evening and is stated to be out of danger. Her father Surjinderjit Singh, an Assistant Sub Inspector, said the incident took place at 8.30 am when her daughter was standing at the terrace of the house. "I rushed upstairs after hearing her cries. I saw her bleeding profusely and took her to hospital," he said.
|
|
|
Hotels flouting smoking ban to lose licence
Chandigarh, November 29 A communique issued by Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to all DCs and heads of departments stated that smoking and passive smoking were both dangerous. He said the government had already declared 18 districts as smoke-free and was in the process of making the whole state smoke-free within the next three months. Kaushal said 12 per cent population of the state still consumed tobacco in one or the other form. “Licence of hotels, restaurants and commercial institutions violating the anti-smoking law must be immediately cancelled,” he said. He said every DC was duty-bound to enforce the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and submit a monthly report to him. The Chief Secretary said all enforcement and counselling departments, especially the police, education, local government, transport and excise and taxation, should act in unison to enforce the law.
|
|
Badshahpur rape guilty get 4-yr jail
Patiala, November 29 Sub-Inspector Naseeb Singh, who was accused of dilly-dallying on the complaint against the accused and even “pressuring” the victim to reach a compromise, has been acquitted. Those convicted are Balwinder Singh of Badshahpur, Gurpreet Singh (alias Aman) of Baras village, Sandeep Singh of Rampur Partan village and Shinderpal Kaur. They were tried on the charges of rape, kidnapping, causing hurt by means of poison, criminal conspiracy and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offense Act. A fine of Rs 10,000 was also slapped on each of the convicts. Balwinder and Gurpreet kidnapped the victim with Shinderpal’s help and raped her at a room on the farm tubewell owned by Sandeep. She was later dumped at her village in an unconscious state. The girl filed a complaint, but Naseeb (Badshahpur police picket in charge) allegedly did not act on it. The victim family had complained that the police allegedly started summoning the girl to the picket at odd hours for questioning. She shifted to her maternal aunt’s house in Samana where she allegedly committed suicide. She blamed the accused and the Sub-Inspector in her suicide note. The Punjab Government, on the basis of a preliminary inquiry, had dismissed Ghagga Station House Officer Gurcharan Singh, Naseeb and also suspended Patran Deputy Superintendent of Police Harpreet Singh. About the case
Rape-accused nabbed Jalandhar: A rape accused, Sonu, who had escaped from police custody on November 21, has been arrested. The police said he was arrested from the Mukandpur area after they got a tip-off about his whereabouts. He had allegedly kidnapped a 25-year-old B.Ed student from outside her college in Banga and then raped her. — TNS
|
|
Bus runs over two in Abohar
Abohar, November 29 Witnesses told the police that Surjit Singh of Buania village in Gidderbaha and his brother-in-law Santokh Singh of Barewala in Kotkapura were sleeping on roadside when the bus allegedly ran them over. The victims were travelling in a tractor-trailer, which they parked on roadside after its tyres got deflated. It was laden with cotton sticks. The mishap occurred about 3 km from Qabarwala. Both the victims were aged 35 to 40 years. The injured passengers were shifted to the Civil Hospitals in Malout and Abohar. A case has been registered against the bus driver and conductor, who fled the spot. Some residents of Qabarwala and Karamgarh villages assisted the authorities in removing cotton sticks to restore traffic on the highway. — OC
|
|
|
6 injured in firing as two groups clash
Tarn Taran, November 29 These are Balkar Singh, a commission agent, Jaspal Singh, a labourer, and Dharam Pal, a tractor mechanic. The firing was a result of a tussle between two groups of the area. Two cars were also damaged. The incident took place near a police station. The accused used automatic weapons and fired from the close range. Eyewitnesses said armed persons led by two brothers namely Sukhjinder Singh and Rajinder Singh allegedly opened fire on the victims. — OC
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Chandigarh, November 29
"Earlier, Badal would visit Delhi frequently to meet then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but since Modi came to power, there has hardly been any significant meeting between Badal and the PM," said Bajwa.