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October
13, 2003,
Chandigarh, India
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Sales tax evasion worth lakhs detected Ludhiana, October 12 The department officials have sealed various records and other documents for further scrutiny. A team of the Excise and Taxation Department, headed by Mr H. S. Ghai, Additional Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, conducted the raid after specific information. Mr Ghai said that the raiding team had gone to the place early in the morning and a major tax evasion was expected to be unearthed in the case. He said that six AETCs, 28 ETOs, more than 50 police personnel and officials of the local administration and the police
took part in the raid. He said that the stock of toys had not been registered at any of the Information Centres on the barriers at state borders and the firm was not having any genuine bill. He said that the party had been called at the office of the Additional Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, at Patiala tomorrow to submit all details and bills, if any, with the officials concerned. Mr Ghai further informed that after thorough verification, penal tax would be charged and a case could also be registered against the guilty firm. The Additional Commissioner also disclosed that the department had planned special raids to check tax evasion in all parts of the state in coming days. He said that all efforts were being made to achieve the fixed target of Rs 3575 crore of taxes during the current financial year. He asked the traders to get their whole stocks voluntarily registered on the information centres, so as to avoid any kind of harassment. The flying squad from Jalandhar , Patiala and Ropar districts also took part in the raids.
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8 injured
in violence at Nanaksar dera Siahar, (Payal), October 12 The victims included three cops, who got injured when the group favouring the three sons of late Sant Meehan Singh pelted stones at the police and the dera under the control of the Baba Harnek Singh group. The police opened fire to disperse the mob that had gone berserk just after some compromise between the groups was going to be reached. The mob damaged the dera building, buses and even police Gypsies and vans. Tyres of the police vehicles were badly damaged when the mob cut these with swords and sharp-edged weapons. The mob also damaged the gypsy of SP(D) S K Agnihotri and stole the wireless set in the vehicle. The injured persons were Jeet Singh, Bant Singh, Achra Singh, Sohan Singh and Dakbir Singh. They were admitted in the DMC hospital here. The injured cops — Gurdev Singh, Jagat Singh and Bhagwant Singh — were admitted to a hospital in Khanna The Police is investigating if licenced weapons were used in the firing incident. A heavy police force was camping at the place for the past four days, which was reinforced last night and today morning. The immediate provocation of the villagers was against a head priest of the opposite group, who called names of the three sons of late Sant Meehan Singh. The place bore a police cantonment-like look today when a Ludhiana Tribune team visited the spot. All entry routes to the village were blocked by the police to prevent any gathering of people. All those going to the village were frisked and even mediapersons had hard time reaching the dera. The police was fearing that the followers of the dera outside the village may strike in retaliation. Only the villagers were opposing Baba Harnek Singh. One family in the village was given special police protection as it was the only one supporting Baba Harnek Singh. The villagers threatened to burn the
The police has registered a case of attempt to murder against 43 persons. All of these were residents of the village and supporters of the three sons of the late Sant, who founded the Thath and later joined the Nanaksar sect. The three sons — Mann Singh, Sewa Singh and Harchand Singh — were also rounded up and are in police custody. The villagers are demanding the control of the dera in the hands of Baba Mann Singh. The other group headed by Baba Harnek Singh refuses this, as the late Sant Meehan Singh had given his “gaddi” to him and not to his sons about a decade ago. Hectic talks mediated by the Khanna police, including SP(D) S K Agnihotri and DSP Amrik Singh Minhas were on between the groups to find an amicable solution. Much is at stake in the matter. The control of the dera would provide the beneficiary hold over near 7000 acres in Canada besides several thousand acres in Punjab and elsewhere in India. At present, Swami Kanwaljit (In charge Asian group) Mann Singh, Govinder Singh, Surjit Singh Jodhan are members of the Trust headed by Harnek Singh. The number of followers of the sect is in lakhs, including foreigners and VVIPs. The affairs at the Thath were normal till September 11, when the present management allegedly got the rooms vacated which were till now occupied by Mann Singh, Sewa Singh and Harchand Singh (sons of late Baba Meehan Singh). This angered the villagers. Mr Kamaljit Singh Sarpanch said the villagers view it as an insult of the sons of the late Sant. The three sons were settled in Canada and come to India in October and stay here till January. They are felicitated on January 13, when they are brought to the dera in a huge “palki” through the village. The “palki” has been manufactured at a cost of Rs 90 lakh. Both groups level allegations and counter-allegations against each other. While villagers accused Baba Harnek Singh of misconduct including drinking, the three sons are being accused of aiming to grab the property of the
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CBI inquiry sought into land scam Ludhiana, October 12 Claiming that the land scam was the biggest-ever in the region as more than 100 acres of agricultural land belonging to the provincial government was sold off by private persons, Mr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, the complainant in the case, has asked for the intervention of the Union Government to do justice. Mr Sharma, who has been given power of attorney by Harbans Lal, an allottee of 10 acres in Kulliewal, claimed that while district administration had claimed that it had taken the possession of 72 acres it had actually very small area in possession. The rest was with the occupants only. Mr Sharma, in his complaint, has alleged that the land under khasra number 48-3-4-5-6-7-8-14 and 15 and under khasra number 41-17-18-19-20-22/1 was allotted to him in August 1965. But the area was still with the illegal occupants only, he claimed. The land in question is in Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar, Swatantra Nagar, New Puneet Nagar and Sawan Vihar on the Tajpur road here. The scandal had come to light two or three years ago only and the selling of government land had stopped after former Deputy Commissioner Anurag aggarwal had taken up the matter. Former SDM (East) Bhavna Garg had on September 18, 2002, issued orders against the illegal construction on the land and had announced that action would be taken against the defaulters. She had even said that no cash in the form of installments would be given to the ‘‘owners’’, who sold the government land illegally. She had warned the residents against it also. The administration had swung into action and demolished some constructions in November last year and banned further construction. The residents were not aware of the fact that the area was agricultural land belonging to the provincial government, which was allegedly sold to innocent people by land grabbers in connivance with officials of the Revenue Department. The district administration had booked some property dealers, who had allegedly sold off government land in the infamous land
In the revenue estate of Kuliewal village there exist abut 72 acres 4 kanals and 11 marlas of Gair Mumkin land in the ownership of the Provincial Government which now falls in Swatantra Nagar, Puneet Nagar, Baba Jeevan Singh Nagar and Savan Vihar. In the sale agreements, the land grabbers had projected themselves as owner in possession and sometimes played the trick by projecting themselves as occupant. |
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Inquiry
into beating case begins Ludhiana, October 12 Jagdeep Singh, son of Mr Malkiat Singh Birmi, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, however, did not appear before the Inquiry Officer. A relative requested the Inquiry Officer to call him later as he was away to Delhi and would be arriving here today evening. Informed sources revealed that Vivek Chabhra, son of Municipal Councillor K.L. Chabhra, stuck to his stand that he was beaten up without any provocation. On the other hand, Mr Sandeep Wadhera, former SHO of the Sarabha Nagar police station, stated the circumstances under which he detained the youths. |
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Artistes
exhibit Bharat Natyam finesse Ludhiana, October 12 The function started with a dance by girls to the chanting of “Gayatri Mantra”. The next dance by tiny tots was dedicated to Lord Ganesha. “Pushpanjali”, the offering of flowers as prayer, was presented next. The dancers paid their homage to the Lord of Dance, Natraja, besides paying their obeisance to gurus and welcoming the connoisseurs. Another dance item was dedicated to Gajanam, Saraswati and Laxmi, followed by obeisance to Lord Vishnu. The most colourful item of the evening — Ganga — lent the feeling sorrow, unhappiness, inhumanity and grief into the air. The rendering of “Oh Ganga, why don’t you make people strong?” in the voice of Bhupen Hazarika added to the poignancy. “Namau Shivaye” was the last presentation. This “Punchakshara Stuti” (five-lettered chant) was composed by philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. Each letter is elaborated into a stanza. The music brought out the inherent mood of surrender, while extolling Shiva. The second part of the performance was by Dr Shreedhara A.R. of Bangalore. His first dance was dedicated to Lord Krishna. The adeptness of his feet, his hand gestures, his expressions of joy at the imaginary meeting with Lord Krishna and his extreme delight at His visit to his home was a sheer joy to behold. His other items included a rich tribute to Lord Shiva and Natraja. Dr Shreedhara A.R. is the first male solo dancer from Karnataka to have performed at the famous Khajuraho Nritya Samaroh. He was instrumental in training the students of the Nritya Bharati in the 10-day workshop that was organised by him before the dance performance along with Ms Pinky Choudhry. She started the Bharatnatyam Dance School to impart training of this great dance and bring resurgence of the ecstasy of dance in this increasingly materialistic world.
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Widows given monthly rations Ludhiana, October 12 Present on the occasion was Punjab Minister Pratap Singh Bajwa. He appreciated the good and charitable work being done by the Mandir Sabha. He granted a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the institution to help it carry on its noble work. Ms Gurkanwal Kaur, MLA, also announced that she would be donating Rs 51,000 shortly. Today’s programme was started by Vikram Rathore, a former member of the Indian cricket team. He lit the traditional lamp. Mr Surjit Rai, president of the Jalandhar Cricket Association, said every month a cricketer would be present on the occasion of distribution of pension to the widows.
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Rs 2 lakh for Valmiki dharamshala Amloh, October 12 He said it had been proved that only the SAD government could bring prosperity in the state. “The Congress government came into power because of a rift between the Badal and Tohra factions and it could not be seen as a mandate of the people,” Mr Tohra maintained. He pointed out that the “Shagan Scheme”, which was started for the daughters of the Dalits, was stopped by the Congress. He said the state government on the one hand was crying about the poor financial health, on the other hand it had appointed chairmen of corporations that were already undergoing losses. Mr Tohra held the Congress government responsible for corruption. He said though several Congress leaders and ministers had been charged with charges of corruption, the government had launched a corruption campaign against the SAD Chief and other leaders of the Akali Dal. The only motive behind the move was to malign the SAD leadership so that the Congress could win the next Lok Sabha elections in the state. Mr Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, member SGPC, announced on behalf of Amloh councilor Budh Ram the joining of hands of the Valmiki Sabha with the Shiromani Akali Dal. Mr Tohra appointed him as the district jathedar of the sabha. Among others, Mr Hari Chand Mittal, city unit president of the SAD, Mr Kahla Singh, Mr Rajpal Garg, former president BJP, Mr Randhir Singh Bhambri and Mr Tejwant Singh were present. |
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Police marries off Dalit couple Ludhiana, October 12 Jats were opposing the marriage on the ground that the Dalits cannot hold their marriage function in a gurdwara. No Dalit had been married here for the past 15 years, when the gurdwara was constructed. Mr Mukhwinder Singh Chhina said the administration helped Dalits as per Akal Takht no marriage of Sikh could be organised outside the gurdwara and the village had only one gurdwara, which is controlled by Jats. Another marriage of a Dalit couple would be solemnised tomorrow, he said.
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Two marriages solemnised Ludhiana, October 12 The marriages were solemnised under the supervision of Acharya Gopichand and the Head Granthi of Gurdwara Deep Nagar. Mr Pritpal Singh, president, Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, was the chief guest. |
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Man found murdered Ludhiana, October 12 Student kidnapped:
Man killed:
Cash snatched:
Case registered:
Assault cases:
The Sadar police has registered a similar case on the statement of Mr Joginder Singh, a resident of Bonkar Dogra village, against Surinder Pal and his wife Raj, Ghona and Sonu. The complainant alleged the accused beat him up on Friday. Two injured:
Held for gambling:
One arrested:
Knife seized:
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Man killed
by woman’s relatives Ludhiana, October 12 The victim, Abdul
Sattar, was missing from his house since last evening. The family members had informed the police. The mutilated body of a youth matching Abdul’s description was found from Machhiwara forest range this morning. A forest officer, Mr Gurcharan Singh, spotted the body. |
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