Tuesday, July 27, 1999
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Tuesday, July 27, 1999 |
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Mantar Singh joins SAD KOTKAPURA, July 26 — In an important political development in the sensitive Faridkot parliamentary constituency, Mr Mantar Singh Brar, an Independent MLA from this segment, today announced his joining the Shiromani Akali Dal on the other hand, the SAD workers' panchayat of this area decided to oppose the entry of Mr Brar into the party. No
groupism in Cong: Bhattal |
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co-opted onto GND varsity Syndicate Making mockery of justice Plea on remarks in textbook
disposed of Netaji conference ends
Bhai Ranjit will have to submit
trust accounts Pensioner ready to be human bomb
2 held for robbery Mittal donates Rs 1 lakh Employees want promises fulfilled |
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Mantar Singh joins SAD KOTKAPURA, July 26 — In an important political development in the sensitive Faridkot parliamentary constituency, Mr Mantar Singh Brar, an Independent MLA from this segment, today announced his joining the Shiromani Akali Dal on the other hand, the SAD workers' panchayat of this area decided to oppose the entry of Mr Brar into the party. The workers' panchayat at a meeting at Guru ki Dhab historical gurdwara held this evening decided to oppose the entry of Mr Brar into the party and gave two days’ time to SAD president and state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to review his decision of having Mr Brar back into the party. A senior spokesman of the workers' panchayat comprising 47 sarpanches, 18 municipal councillors, truck union activists, Arhtiya Association activists and "taksal" activists of the party on the condition of anonymity said about 80 per cent workers of the party owing allegiance to Mr Mohinder Singh Brar, who was defeated by Mr Mantar Brar in the last Assembly elections, had decided to support Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, a prospective candidate of the Congress party from Faridkot constituency in the coming Lok Sabha elections if Mr Badal allowed Mr Mantar Brar to join the party. Mr Surinder Singh Dabrikhana, president of the Sarpanch Union of Kotkapura block, while addressing the workers' gathering at Guru ki Dhab said the future course of action of the workers' panchayat would be decided on July 29 at Kotkapura. "We will oppose Mr Mantar Brar's entry into party. It would be decided on July 29 as to whom we should support in the next Lok Sabha elections if Mr Badal does not review his decision," he added. Certain workers told TNS that they had taken a pledge in the gurdwara not to support Mr Sukhbir Badal in the coming elections in case Mr Mantar Brar was taken back into the party. On the other hand, Mr Mantar Brar while addressing a rally at his house said it was his homecoming. He added that SAD was his mother party and he had wanted to join it again after he had parted his ways with it in 1997 during the Assembly elections. Mr Brar in the last Assembly election contested independently from here and defeated SAD candidate Mohinder Singh Brar with a big margin. In the last parliamentary elections, Mr Mantar Brar threw his weight with Mr Jagmeet Brar and campaigned for him. Mr Badal who along with
his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, SGPC president, Bibi Jagir
Kaur and Union Industries Minister Sukhbir Badal
participated in the rally, said with the inclusion of Mr
Mantar Brar into SAD the party would become more
powerful. |
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No groupism in Cong:
Bhattal BATHINDA, July 26 — Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today said there was no groupism in the state unit of the party and added that the party was witnessing a healthy and positive competition among workers. Addressing a press conference here, she pointed out that different leaders had different style of functioning and it could not be taken as groupism in the party. She clarified that she was happy with the performance of Capt Amarinder Singh as PPCC president. She added that she welcomes the new entrants in the party. When asked whether the Congress would gain or lose in the forthcoming elections due to infighting in the party, she said as there was no infighting so the Congress was sure to win all 13 Lok Sabha seats with big margins. She claimed that people would vote in favour of Congress candidates as they had been fed up with the non-performance of the SAD-BJP government of the state. She added that the SAD-BJP government had brought the state on the brink of financial disaster due to its non-planned and wasteful expenditure. She alleged that after getting frustrated over his non-performance Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in connivance with his associates was indulging in political victimisation number of Congress leaders, including herself, had been booked for false criminal cases. She pointed out that on the one hand, the SAD-BJP leaders indulged in wasteful expenditure for their self-promotion while on the other hand development activities came to a stand still in the state . The government could not implement even a single promise made in the 51-point programme. She alleged that press reporters were being implicated in false cases while the ministers of Punjab Government were running police stations from their offices. She demanded that cases registered against all press reporters should be withdrawn. Regarding alliance with
other parties for the coming elections, Ms Bhattal said
as far as Punjab was concerned the Congress was strong
enough to win all seats on its own steam. She added that
a final decision in this regard would be taken by the
party high command which would be respected at all cost. |
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Bundh snowballs into major row HOTIPUR (Sangrur), July 26 — A bundh, built by villagers of this district here to save their fields from flood waters of the Ghaggar, has become a centre of controversy and could well endanger the Bhakra main line canal at Khanauri leading to a catastrophe. The bundh, which has been built by villagers on the embankment of the Ghaggar near this village in Moonak subdivision, ensures that water spilling over from the Ghaggar at a bend in the river cannot flow across the Batisdara drain. The Batisdara is a natural drainway of the Ghaggar, which by passes Khanauri to join the main river later on. The drainway, which is presently tilled by farmers, if used, could ease pressure at the RD 460 where the Ghaggar passes through a siphon beneath the Bhakra main line canal. The siphon is geared to cater to only 15,000 cusecs of water while nearly 1 lakh cusecs accumulates there during the monsoon season. Consequently, this water forms a lake at Khanauri destroying crops in five villages in Patiala district. The five villages could be saved from flooding if water overflowing from the Ghaggar is allowed to flow into the Batisdara after removing the bundh. Strong stone pitching on the Ghaggar embankment at this point ensures it will not breach. Even lowering of the height of the bundh would result in excess water overflowing into the fields and flowing into the Batisdara. However there is no meeting ground between the Patiala and Sangrur district administrations on the point. Presently, the Sangrur police has posted its personnel at the bundh to ensure that a law and order problem does not arise as the villagers affected by floods in Patiala district are demanding it to be cleared immediately. No solution is in sight despite Divisional Commissioner D.S. Kalha holding a meeting on the issue here which was attended by the Deputy Commissioners of both Patiala and Sangrur besides other senior officials recently. Mr Kalha said he had ordered a survey to be conducted to see how the bundh had affected the flood prone villages in Patiala and what was the situation earlier. He said besides this the Sangrur administration had been told to ensure that the height of the bundh was not raised any further and ensuring the people of Sangrur were not affected if the bundh was to be removed for construction of a channel or for any other purpose. However, sources said the height of the bundh was being steadily increased and it stands at nearly 760 feet above the sea level. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir, while saying the Sangrur administration should not have allowed setting up of the bundh, urged the people to desist from raising such illegal bundhs. Mr Bir said in case the water collected at Khanauri there was a possibility of the Bhakra main line giving way which would be catastrophic for Sangrur and Mansa districts. He said engineers had taken up the issue of lowering the bundh height with the higher authorities. Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Anirudh Tewari contested the claim that the bundh was an illegal construction, saying it had been constructed by villagers on their private land. He claimed the bundh did not obstruct the natural flow of water, adding the choice was between 26 villagers of Sangrur who would be affected by its levelling and five villages of Patiala. Mr Tewari also called for taking a decision on the fate of various bundhs, saying all of them should go if necessary. While saying that the bundh was being patrolled by the district police to counter any law and order problem, he denied that its height had been increased recently. For the villages adjoining the R.D. 460 where water accumulates annually to flood agricultural land of Gurunanakpura, Matauli, Tejpur, Kangthala and Rasoli villages, it is an endless agony. Ironically, most of the people of these villages had migrated from Pakistan hoping for peace and prosperity. Additional Deputy
Commissioner R.S. Randhawa felt the best remedial action
could be constructing a channel corresponding to the
width of the Batisdara from the Ghaggar and ahead until
it rejoined the river. |
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3 co-opted onto GND
varsity Syndicate AMRITSAR, July 26 — The Senate of Guru Nanak Dev University which met here today co-opted Mr Dilbir Singh, renowned industrialist-educationist of Amritsar Mr Prem Singh, advocate from Jalandhar, and Mr Panna Lal Mahajan, former President of the Amritsar Municipal Committee, onto the Syndicate of the university till June 30, 2000. Earlier, the Senate unanimously authorised Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor, to make these cooptions. Dr Soch presided over the meeting in which more than 45 members participated. Before initiating the formal agenda, the Senate paid tributes to the martyrs of the Kargil conflict. A two-minute silence was observed in their memory. The Syndicate of the university which met this afternoon also paid homage to the Kargil martyrs. The Senate and Syndicate have also unanimously passed a resolution to thank the Chancellor of the university and the Punjab Government, especially Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, for extending the one-year term of Dr Soch. They also congratulated Dr Soch on the extension given to him as Vice-Chancellor and hoped that the university would scale new heights of development in the coming year under his able stewardship. The Vice-Chancellor thanked the members for the sentiments expressed by them and assured that he would try his utmost to fulfil the desires of the eminent fellows. He said the university would make sincere efforts to involve the members of the Senate in its smooth functioning and would form sub-committees on the pattern of the Vidhan Sabha, For restoration of the powers of the Senate which were withdrawn during Emergency, Dr Soch said a sub-committee of the Senate members would be constituted which would take up the issue with the state government. He said only need-based appointments would be made in future. Talking about the establishment of the Department of Education, Dr Soch informed the members that he would place the matter in the next meeting of the finance committee. If approved, this department would be established very soon. He said the university had brought out two books, namely "Hymns of Sheikh Farid" by Dr B.M. Sagar and "Ahiyapur Wali Pothi" by Prof Pritam Singh. Answering a query raised by Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA, regarding contract system the Vice-Chancellor clarified that the university had not implemented the contract system at any stage. He assured the members that syllabi of BA Part-I would be reviewed. Earlier, some members raised the issue of heavy syllabus of BA Part-I. The Vice-Chancellor also assured the members a committee would be set up to rationalise the fee structure in different affiliated private colleges. Mr Prem Singh, Mr Dilbir
Singh, Principal Jagdish Singh, Principal Inderjit Singh,
Mr Panna Lal Mahajan, Dr R.K. Bedi, Mr G.S. Ranike, Mr
Harkanwal Korpal, Mr Rai Jasbir Singh, Prof Pritam Singh,
Mr Gurcharan Singh Syal, Prof Jagir Singh, Mr Charanjit
Singh Chadha, Mr D.S. Mahal, Mr Kirpal Singh, Dr S. P.
Singh, Dr Satinder Singh and Mr Ajay Pal Singh Mirankot
took part in the discussion. |
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Making mockery of justice AMRITSAR, July 26 — Neither they were on parole nor they had been acquitted. Yet they were enjoying all comforts of family life. Taking benefits out of loopholes of the system, two persons who were lodged in the local Central Jail here on charges of murdering a migrant labourer succeeded in admitting themselves to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital with the alleged connivance of the jail authorities, doctors, in the government hospital and the security personnel who were deputed with them. Anil Sekhri and Shammi Kapoor, who were arrested by the local police for beating to death a migrant labourer Raghu Rishi for stealing a bird from their poultry farm on March 26 this year, were produced in the district court after completing all formalities. After being lodged in Central Jail, the accused persons devised a novel way to remain in their respective houses. The two allegedly won over the jail authorities and got themselves admitted in special rooms (no. 18 and 10) with the connivance of the doctors concerned of the government hospital and the security guards. Both the accused use to stay at their houses during the night. Thus, they enjoyed family life. They would return to the hospital after taking breakfast in the morning. The police raided the houses of the accused and arrested them from there. According to sources, the alleged accused actually had no health problem. On the pretext of suffering from backache they got themselves admitted in a special ward. The police has also arrested constable Ranjit Singh who was on guard duty while the rest of the seven security personnel are likely to be arrested soon. The local police is
investigating the involvement of the jail authorities and
the doctors concerned of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. A
senior police officer who is investigating the case said
some more arrests are likely to be made in the near
future. He said this was the first such case ever
reported anywhere in Punjab. |
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Plea on remarks in textbook
disposed of CHANDIGARH, July 26 — The Director of NCERT has stated that the objectionable remarks against the creator of Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh, have been deleted from the book, "Modern India-A History Textbook for Class XII", as per the order of the Division Bench dated April 29, 1996. The new edition of the book was produced in the court. Mr Justice V.S.Aggarwal, hearing the petition disposed of the contempt petition after going through the impugned para’s of the aforesaid book. Aman Preet Singh, a student of Class XII of Govt. Model School, Sector 16, Chandigarh had filed a writ petition in April, 1995 against the objectionable remarks regarding Guru Gobind Singh. Ultimately, the Division Bench, then consisting Mr Justice R.P.Sethi (now Judge of the Supreme Court) and Mr Justice S.S.Nijjar, had ordered that the objectionable portion of the book — Guru Gobind Singh's joining Bahadur Shah's camp as a noble of the rank of 5000 zat and 5000 sawar and accompanying him to the Deccan where he was treacherously murdered by one of his Pathan employees — should be deleted from the aforesaid book. But the NCERT did not delete the remarks in spite of the Division Bench order. Two more editions of the book were brought out in February, 1998 without deleting the objectionable remarks. The petitioner filed a contempt petition through Dr M.S.Rahi alleging that it was a big insult to the great Guru especially in the tercentenary year of the creation of Khalsa, to continue to teach such objectionable remarks in schools even after the court decision. The instrumentalities of
the State should show respect the sentiments of the Sikhs
after a decision by the court. It was alleged that the
respondents had committed contempt of this court. |
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Netaji conference ends ROPAR, July 26 — Even after more than 50 years of Independence, the country could not become the India of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s dreams because its leadership had "failed" to provide a true socialistic pattern to the country and establish a society free from exploitation and communalism in letter and spirit. This was stated by Mr Debarajan, a delegate from Kerala, while initiating deliberations on "Master plan for creating an India of Netaji’s dreams" at the last session of the fifth all-India Netaji conference which concluded here last evening. Mr Debarajan said the most serious threat to the nation was from communalism. It was essential to have complete communal harmony and a sense of nationalism. He said Netaji wanted India to be a socialistic country free from exploitation of any kind and communalism. Another delegate from Bangalore, Swami Rajayogindra Veerayya-swami, said the India of Netaji’s dreams could be created by imparting nationalistic and constructive education. He stressed the need to explain the ideology of Netaji to the students. He said they should be motivated to be ready for any sacrifice till the last drop of blood in their body. He said every section of society shall have to make its contribution if the nation had not restored to its old status of being the golden sparrow of the world. Mr Vishwa Bandhu Tiwari, a delegate from Lucknow, said countrymen had to work for complete economic, social and political justice to all for making the country the India of Netaji’s dreams. He said death defying efforts and missionary approach like that of the INA people only could fulfil the dreams of Netaji. Concluding the deliberations, Mr V.P. Saini, convener of the conference, said the real cause of the present day problems was our "irresponsible" leadership. He said because of lack of commitment for national interests the present day political organisations and leaders were not in a position to solve the problems of the nation. He stressed on the need to have a new organisation with new leadership and absolutely committed cadre to fulfil Netaji’s dreams. Mr Saini said it appeared that the time had come to find a new leadership because the present day leadership could not prove its ability to lead the nation. In the late evening.
"Ek Sham Krantikarion ke Naam" was organised in
the new complex of the Netaji School which was presided
over by Mr Kultar Singh younger brother of Shaheed Bhagat
Singh. Patriotic songs were sung. A play on the life of
Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, "Chhipan To
Pehlan," was staged by artistes of the Chetna Kala
Manch of Chamkaur Sahib. |
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2 Pak intruders arrested GURDASPUR, July 26 (UNI) — A man and woman, who intruded from Pakistan, were arrested by the police from the border village of Bambial on Saturday, the police said on Sunday. The district police chief, Mr Varinder Kumar, said both the man (approximately 40 years) and the woman (in her early thirties) had no document with them to prove their nationality and hence were arrested when they tried to flee. Asked if they could be agents of Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Mr Kumar said that the possibility could not be ruled out. Meanwhile, a case under
the Passport Act and the Foreigners Registration Act has
been registered. |
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Bhai Ranjit will have to
submit trust accounts AMRITSAR, July 26 — Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, has said that Bhai Ranjit Singh, sacked Jathedar of Akal Takht, would be directed to submit the accounts of the 'Sarbat Da Bhala Trust' floated by him during his stint as Jathedar, Akal Takht. To a q uestion, Giani Puran Singh said it was the prerogative of the Sikh sangat to ask for submitting the accounts as lakhs of rupees were collected in the name of Akal Takht. It is pertinent to mention here that the trust was constituted by Bhai Ranjit Singh when he was the Jathedar, Akal Takht. The Sikhs all over the world were asked by him to donate at least Rs 101 each. The amount was proposed to be used for the welfare of needy and destitutes. Bhai Ranjit Singh himself had contributed Rs 20 lakh which he had received from the Sikh sangat earlier. The categorical
statement of Giani Puran Singh has raised speculations
whether he would summon Bhai Ranjit Singh at Akal Takht
or not in case the latter refused to submit the accounts.
The sacked Jathedar has already appreciated Justice
Kuldip Singh for appearing before the Sikh clergy at Akal
Takht saying that he himself (Bhai Ranjit Singh) could
appear before any five Sikhs, if directed. |
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Pensioner ready to be human bomb JALANDHAR, July 26 (PTI) — In a touching gesture reflecting courage and indomitability of human spirit, a 74-year-old former superintendent of the Customs and Central Excise Department has not only donated Rs 500 for the Prime Minister's Relief fund but also offered his services to be used as a human bomb in defence of the motherland. Mr H S Virk, in his letter to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, said since his age may not allow him to serve alongside the troops on the front fighting against Pakistani intruders in Kargil, he could make himself useful "by becoming a human bombs." The streak of patriotism
in Mr Virk seems to be a deeply ingrained one as he had
offered to fight alongside the troops in 1965 also when,
too, he had donated a sum of Rs 151 to the Army Central
Welfare Fund. |
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Minor girl restored to parents AMRITSAR, July 26 — The Batala police has recovered a minor girl within 36 hours of her missing from school from New Delhi railway station. The girl, Manpreet Kaur (13), went to the school in the morning on July 23. During the recess she left her schoolbag in the classroom and managed to give a slip to the watchman at the main gate. When she was found absent, it was brought to the notice of the police by the school authorities. According to Mr Lok Nath Angra, district police chief, Batala, the police found out that the girl had gone to the railway station and tried to purchase a ticket for Delhi. Interaction with girl's classmates and school staff revealed that the girl was quite smart and probably thought of making it big on her own in a big city. It was learnt that she might also try to escape to Mumbai. The police was sounded in Delhi and Mumbai and a copy of a poster with a photograph of the girl was faxed to these stations. The girl was apprehended by the GRP at the railway station. A police party was
despatched to Delhi and the girl was handed over to her
parents yesterday. |
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2 held for robbery LUDHIANA, July 26 — The police has arrested two persons, Rajeev Kumar and Raman Kumar, and recovered charas, a Maruti car, a Hero Honda motor cycle and two scooters from their possession. According to the police,
the two were involved in a spate of robberies in
Haibowal, Kitchloo Nagar, Sarabha Nagar and Model Town.
They were also involved in a robbery in New Kundanpuri in
1998, where they had stolen Rs 2,16,000 from the house of
a businessman. |
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Mittal donates Rs 1 lakh CHANDIGARH, July 26 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supply Minister, and his brother have donated Rs 1 lakh to the Prime Minister Relief Fund in memory of their father Mr Ram Sarup who expired on July 12. The cheque was presented by Mr Mittal and his brother to Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Vice-President of the BJP, at a Rasam Pagri ceremony yesterday. Among those who were
present at the ceremony included Jagat Guru Sankracharya
Swami Madhav from Badri Nath dham, Mr Krishan Lal Sharma,
SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, BJP’s Punjab
unit’s president, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, several
Punjab ministers and officers. |
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Employees want promises fulfilled CHANDIGARH, July 26 — Mr Hari Singh Tohra President, Karamchari Dal, in a statement issued here today urged the Punjab Government to fulfil the promise made to the employees posted in Patiala city. Mr Tohra said on May 1 last year the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, addressing a rally at Patiala had promised to give 15 per cent house rent to the employees. He said despite several
announcements the Punjab Government had not released the
report of the anomalies committee. The government had
earlier fixed December 31 last to release the report and
then June this year. However, till date report has not
been released. The instalment of dearness allowance was
due in January, but it has been given from September
last. No bonus has been given and work charged staff with
a service of more than 15 years has not been regularised. |
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Puar, others granted bail PATIALA, July 26 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr B.C. Rajput, here today granted bail to the former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Joginder Singh Puar, and others in a case of alleged misappropriation of funds while hosting the 83rd Indian Science Congress. The court directed these persons to surrender their passports in court and not to leave the country during the pendency of the case. It also directed them to cooperate with the vigilance authorities in investigations. The Patiala Vigilance
Bureau had registered a criminal case against Dr Puar,
the university Registrar Dr Ranbir Singh Sarao, and some
teachers of the university on charges of irregularities
in the matter of recruitments, admissions and
misappropriation of funds during the 83rd Indian Science
Congress on the campus. |
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Cinema ordered to be closed LUDHIANA, July 26 — The district administration has ordered the closure of Kailash cinema following the selling of tickets over and above the capacity of the hall and on the black market. According to information available from the Deputy Commissioner's office, a film called "Hindustan ki Kasam" was being screened in this theatre and when the inspection team visited the theatre, they found that a ticket originally costing Rs 15 per person was being sold at the rate of Rs 20 per ticket. The inspection team also
found many people standing near the entrance of the hall
and watching the film as the hall was packed to its
capacity. |
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SAD (A) youth wing seeks a
seat FEROZEPORE, July 26 — The youth wing of the SAD (A) wants to contest one of the Lok Sabha seats in the state. This was stated by the youth wing chief Balwinder Singh Bains here today. He said the youth wing had raised the issue with the SAD (A) president, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann. He, however, refused to disclose the constituency from where the youth wing wanted to contest the poll. Talking to mediapersons he apprehended that a largescale bungling might take place during the poll. Mr Bains accused that the SAD-BJP government was violating the code of conduct and transfer of officers were being made in back dates. He asked the Election Commissioner, Punjab, to order a probe into this matter. Earlier, he held a
meeting of the youth wing at Khalsa Gurdwara. |
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