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PAC asks Badal to seek bail Chandigarh, November 26 ‘’We have all respect and faith in the judiciary. But we will give a strong and befitting reply to the government for framing fabricated charges against the Badals’’, said the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh
Tohra, who presided over the meeting. It is the same PAC which had expelled Mr Tohra from membership of the SAD, when he parted ways with Mr Badal during the tercentenary celebrations in 1999. The PAC has also demanded that the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, should quit on “moral grounds’’ for failing to substantiate the charges that the Badals had amassed Rs 3,500 crore assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. The resolution said despite the best of efforts the “exaggerated challan’’ put up by the Vigilance amounted to only Rs 78 crore plus. This showed that the challan was “false’’. More so, the manner in which the Vigilance was used to investigate cooked- up corruption charges tantamounted to exerting political pressure and showed blatant misuse of investigating agencies. Briefing mediapersons, Mr Tohra said the real aim of the Congress was to target the SAD by hitting at it President. He gave a snapshot of how from the pre-Independence period, the Congress had always been “anti-Punjab, anti-Punjabis and
anti-Panth’’. The present challan was a product of the “vilification campaign’’ against the SAD as a party, since it had always opposed and exposed the Congress. Mr Tohra said, “The Akali Dal is credited with regional political parties coming centrestage in New Delhi to form a government, as an effective alternative to the Congress. This is not palatable to the Congress, whose Chief Minister is now pursuing political vendetta against the Akalis with the tacit understanding of the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, who is also being shown the case documents, which is unconstitutional as Capt Amarinder Singh is politically influencing the Vigilance’’. The PAC, Mr Tohra said, had seriously debated on all aspects of the fabricated challan against the
Badals, but refused to divulge the next step the party would take and said, ‘’Wait till December 1’’. He parried most of the questions. Among the resolutions passed was one in which the PAC thanked the Akali and BJP workers for participating in ‘rasta roko’ on Sunday and condemned the government for registering cases against them. ‘’It is a constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully and such a step by the government is deplorable’’, read the resolution. The PAC also passed two resolutions mourning the death of Union Minister Murasoli Maran and Punjabi singer Surjit
Bindrakhiya.
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SGPC member complains
to Akal Takht Amritsar, November 26 Mr Harinderpal Singh alleged that certain leaders of New Delhi had been taking Guru Granth Sahib to the high security zones which lead to the frisking of the holy book through metal detectors. He alleged that Guru Granth Sahib was taken through the metal detectors at a function where Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was presented with a ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) recently. He allegedly that this incident hurt Sikh sentiments and hence Akal Takht should issue a directive to stop such practice. He described such practice as gross violation of ‘Maryada’ (Sikh traditions). Mr Harinderpal Singh also submitted a copy of his complaint to the SGPC for taking action. He also appealed to the ‘Sikh Sangat’ to be vigilant against such forces out to denigrate the Sikh traditions. |
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PUDA owes crores to
allottees Mohali, November 26 The judgement is bound to have drastic implications for the Authority which now stands liable to not just review its process of amending its Rules but also logically ‘owes’ thousands of
allottees, crores of rupees collected as extension fee following this revision, which was later declared illegal by the court. PUDA levies and recovers extension fee according to rule 13 (3) of PUDA Rules 1995 according to which the rate of fee per square metre is Rs 1.50 for the first year successively increasing over the years. However without following the due process as prescribed in the Rules, PUDA, through a mere executive decision, enhanced the extension fee from Rs 1.50 per square metre to 2.5 per cent of the allotment price. The hike was challenged in the Court and in order to legalise its Executive Order, PUDA passed a notification to the effect in October, 2001, according to which the enhanced price was to be charged not just from fresh allottees but also retrospectively with effect from 1995. This notification also amended the rules, adding a clause in the PUDA Act giving itself all powers to enhance the extension fee whenever it felt like. This amendment in Rules was challenged in the court by a bunch of 21 petitioners and the High Court passed a significant judgement in the case on October 31, 2002. The court declared the collection of extension fee by PUDA on revised rates illegal and directed PUDA to charge extension fee at the rates prescribed in the rules before its amendment and to refund the excess amount recovered illegally. Following this decision, PUDA filed a Special Leave Petition against these orders in the Supreme Court which were dismissed by the Apex Court on July 15. According to members of the PUDA Pirit Society here, PUDA has not followed the directions of the Apex Court and made no move whatsoever to refund the allottees the excess extension fee charged illegally and also continues to charge the fee at enhanced rates. PUDA authorities on the other hand offer lame excuses to wriggle out of this situation which is likely to cost PUDA crores of Rs collected illegally. One officer even went to the extent of saying that since the judgement applied to only 21 petitioners, they would be the only ones who would be refunded the excess extension fee charged. While PUDA officials state that the matter is pending with the legal cell for opinion, the victimised allotees are contemplating filing a contempt of court petition against the Authority for alleged non compliance of the
judgement. |
No notice from EC yet, says Amarinder Abohar, November 26 Speaking to newspersons at Jakhar Fruit Farm, Maujgarh, near here today, the Chief Minister observed that the Union Law Minister and in charge of the BJP campaign in Madhya Pradesh was perhaps not informed about his movements in the state. His function at a school in Indore had been decided upon a few months ago. He went to the local gurdwara to pay obeisance and had avoided discussing politics there. The camera teams of the Election Commission would confirm this fact. He was taken to four villages, including Shivpur in a small Decon airplane. The Pradesh Congress Committee paid the charges of the fuel used on the return journey also. The PPCC President, Mr
H.S. Hanspal, and Mr Sunil Jakhar, MLA, escorted the Chief Minister to the press conference. He had discussions with former Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Balram Jakhar and the PPCC Vice-President, Mr Sajjan Kumar
Jakhar. |
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Amit wipes stain, emerges topper Chandigarh/Ludhiana, November 26 It was really painful, not just for Amit, but the entire family. He had been ranked 14th in 1998. As the government provided him another chance to prove his merit, he proved it by making it to the top. It was an ordeal. It was not just losing a job, but having been tainted. It was a matter of prestige and commitment. Amit’s father Chander Mohan Talwar is an Assistant Engineer, in the Punjab State Electricity Board. Uma Shankar, ranked second, says he didn’t take coaching for the written examination. Having qualified in the mains of the Union Public Service Commission civil services examination, he was thorough with the subjects. However, he took coaching for the interview, he said. Shankar put in 10 hours of study daily. He divided it rationally for mathematics, physics and statistics. For two hours he did general studies, including newspapers and books on economics, history and geography. Having been selected as a District Food and Supply Officer earlier, Shankar was determined to improve the previous result. Hard work paid off. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, a resident of Panchkula, has been placed eighth in the merit list. Having a brilliant academic record, he topped in Mechanical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College. He has won several prizes at national-level debate contests. At present he is working as a lecturer at PEC Sona Thind who has also made it in the PCS examination, is currently doing her doctorate at the Department of History of Panjab University on a UGC scholarship. She appeared for psychology, history and military studies papers. Sona did her schooling from Sacred Heart, Ludhiana, and college from Government College for Women, Ludhiana. Then she landed at Chandigarh to do her Master’s at PU. Sona said “ I am not sure whether I will join the services. A case with regard to the appointments is pending in court”. |
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Sacked officer tops PCS (Judicial) exam Chandigarh, November 26 He attributed his success to
hardwork, confidence and support of his family. More than rejoining the service, removing the disgrace of being one of the tainted candidates was more important for him. He was serving as the Judicial Magistrate in Patiala when he was sacked. |
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PCS re-exam shuffles hierarchy Amritsar, November 26 However, luck has played a ‘cruel joke’ on Mr Randip Singh Gill, a former GA to Deputy Commissioner and Mr Gurjeet Singh, a former Public Grievances Officer who have cleared the test but qualified only for the post of Tehsildars. The swapping of the posts will certainly put a mental pressure on these officers, who have been reverted due to the turn of events. Will they be able to adjust themselves to the changed circumstances owing to a new junior/senior equation is the main question. Dr Rishipal Singh, a former PCS was doubly blessed as not only he but his wife also got selected for the elite service. Talking to TNS both Mr Sandeep Rishi and Mr Dinesh Singh said their elevation to the PCS (EB) had vindicated their stand that they had not given bribe to anybody during their previous selections. They said they would now endeavour to get seniority of their previous service. However, they were dismayed over the failure of their batch-mate Mr Joginder Pal Batalvi, son of a cobbler to be re-selected. He had cleared the main examination. They said he (Mr Joginder Pal) was a very hardworking and intelligent person and deserved to be selected. |
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IAS failure coaches others to success Patiala, November 26 Mr Sharma, who had attempted but failed to clear the IAS exam himself, has been coaching students for nearly 20 years now. This time, 47 candidates who have figured in the PCS (Executive) and Allied Services list have taken coaching from his centre. Among the prominent candidates who have made it after being coached by him are Rahul Gupta, who stood seventh in the examination. The other five old candidates who have made it to the PCS have also been his students. They include Amandeep Bansal, Hargunjit Kaur, Kamal Kumar Garg, Karnail Singh, Gurjinder Binepal and Amandeep Singh number of candidates placed in the Allied Services list have also been coached by him. Among the successful candidates is Karnail Singh, who has topped in the Ex Servicemen category and made it to the PCS (Executive). Karnail said his position this time had vindicated his stand that he had been discriminated against in the interview held for the last examination in 1998. Mr Sharma said he took the exams of his students as his own. “If they do not do well, I take it as my personal failure,” he added. |
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Hope to bear child after 32 years of marriage Jalandhar, November 26 She saw a flicker of hope when she was told at a local hospital that she had succeeded in becoming pregnant, even though she had her menopause about 10 years ago. This is said to be a case first of its kind in the North. Ms Savinder Kaur, of Harchowal village in Gurdaspur district, and her husband, Mr Dilip Singh, a 58-year-old well-to-do farmer, had lost all hope as they were clearly told that after menopause there was no chance of conceiving. However, doctors at a local hospital told her that though slim, chances were there that she could conceive with the help of donor eggs from a young woman. “After her consent, donor eggs were arranged and fertilised with sperms from her husband by in vitro fertilisation and the embryos were transferred to her uterus. It worked, and the result is there to be seen,” says an elated Dr S.P.S Virk of a local hospital where the procedure was undertaken. She is more than 12 weeks into her pregnancy now. Explaining the process, Dr Virk says since the success rate in such cases is very low, four foetus cells were originally planted, which led to the development of four embryos. However, through an intricate process undertaken by a team of specialists, including Dr Gautam Allahabadia, Dr Geeta, and Dr Goral Gandhi, the number of embryos was reduced to two. “Now she will give birth to two children instead of four,” says Dr Virk. All that Mr Dilip Singh and Ms Savinder Kaur can say in their excitement is: “We had never thought this possible.” Dr Virk refuses to identify the woman who donated her eggs. The embryos were grown in the research lab, outside the body of the woman, for the initial 48 hours. The rest of the process was the same as in a normal pregnancy. |
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BSF acquiring thermal imagers Jalandhar, November 26 The BSF is currently using 30 such imagers, made by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, which can detect human movement from a distance of 400 m during day as well as night. Speaking to The Tribune, Mr Ajay Raj Sharma, Director-General of the BSF, said since the device had proved to be very useful for the force, particularly on the troubled LoC, where a number of infiltration attempts had been thwarted with its help, the BSF had decided to acquire 400 of these during the next two years. “In one incident, a thermal imager installed near the LoC detected 15 militants trying to cross into the Indian territory at night; they were subsequently shot dead. The thermal imagers we are planning to purchase would be both Indian and imported. The 30 imagers currently with the BSF have been taken from the Army,” said Mr Sharma. Under the five-year programme that took off in 2001 to modernise the force, Rs 2300 crore had been earmarked by the Central government. The BSF is also in the process of acquiring 14 small ships for patrolling large water bodies and the sensitive coastal areas. “Each ship has a capacity of carrying 40 personnel and arms and ammunition. Besides this, we are also in the process of acquiring seven MI-7 helicopters and four fixed-wing planes under the modernisation plan. The force now is modernised and a lot more attention is being paid to the welfare of our personnel deployed in sensitive areas, exposed to the vagaries of nature,” said Mr Sharma. Admitting that there was a lot of pressure on the BSF for extensive deployment on the borders, Mr Sharma said efforts were being made to ensure better training of officers and personnel. “Interestingly, when the force was raised with 67 battalions, we had 22 reserve battalions. After more than 30 years, the number of battalions has gone up to 157, but the reserve battalions still remain 22. This hampers training as most of the reserve battalions also remain deployed. As a solution, we plan to seek more reserve battalions from the Home Ministry,” said Mr Sharma. Talking about the possibility of infiltration across the border in the Punjab area, Mr Sharma said though efforts were being for effective monitoring, yet it could not be ruled out. “The possibility is more across the Rajasthan border, where huge shifting sand dunes sometimes cover the entire fencing. However, even infiltrators find it difficult to move over such sand. Now, they are exploiting new routes through Bangladesh, particularly after they ralised there were greater risks in crossing the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir borders. We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh,” said Mr Sharma. |
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Id celebrated with fervour Malerkotla, November 26 Maulana Hashim Shah Shabib, Shahi Imam of the local Jama Masjid, led the “namaz” at the Idgah. A large number of Hindus and Sikhs visited the houses of their Muslim friends in Malerkotla to convey their Id greetings. Id-ul-Fitr prayers were also offered by Muslims in various mosques of the town and adjoining villages like Binjoki Kalan, Dalergarh, Bhaini Kamboan, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh. BATALA: Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated with great enthusiasm today at Quadian, 20-Kms from here, at the international headquarters of the Ahmadiya Muslim Community. Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus participated in the Id festivities with great enthusiasm. Reports of Id celebrations also came in from Pathankot, Phillaur, Phagwara and Hoshiarpur. In Himachal Pradesh, Id was celebrated with fervour and gaiety at Shimla, Nahan, Chamba and Bilaspur.
PATIALA: Id was celebrated with fervour in the city today with Muslim brethren greeting members of other communities to mark the festival. Muslim gathered at the Idgah on the Mall Road to offer prayers on the occasion. Later at their homes they hosted feast in which traditional delicacy “sewiyan” was doled out among family and friends. Muslims also gathered at the mosque in Bank Colony to offer prayers. |
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Trust to be set up in memory of Bindrakhia Bindrakh (Ropar) November 26 The trust would comprise the Cultural Secretary, Punjab, two artistes, family members of the late singer and residents of Bindrakh village. The trust would be constituted within one month and Chief Minister has already announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for it. Mr Bir Davinder, Deputy Speaker, Punjab, made this announcement at the village today. He was here to attend the ‘bhog’ ceremony of the singer. Mr Bir Davinder said the basic objective of the trust was to promote the Punjabi folk singing that late Surjeet Bindrakhia represented. Villagers of Bindrakh have also donated 10 acres for setting up a college in the village in memory of the singer. The approach road to the village has also been named after him. The government has also decided to take the development of the native village of the late singer under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP). Under the said programme a sum of Rs 1 crore would be spent on the development of the village. Several singers, musicians and writers came to attend the ‘bhog’ ceremony. Gurdas Mann, Hans Raj Hans, Babu Mann, Harbajan Mann, Pammi Bai, Darshan Kumar, owner of T-series, Jaspal Bhatti, Jatinder Bhalla, Sardool Sikandar Sukhi Brar, Surinder Bagga and Karnail Sibia, were among those who attended the ‘bhog’ ceremony performed at the village gurdwara. |
Revitalise advisory body: ex-soldiers Chandigarh, November 26 Set up by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh within a week of assuming office in February 2002, the committee has not held single meeting since. In a letter written to the Chief Minister today, the All India Defence Brotherhood has pointed out that the eight-member committee, chaired by Maj Gen K.M.S. Waraich and including distinguished retired officers, is without office accommodation, a secretariat, telephone or other allied infrastructure. President of the Brotherhood, Brig Harwant Singh (Retd) said that the government should clearly lay down the aims, scope, status and charter of duties of the committee and provide the requisite office accommodation, staff and other wherewithal. The brotherhood has also suggested that the secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare, Punjab, be appointed as the committee’s member secretary so that its decisions and recommendations can be effectively implemented. Holding regular meetings and ensuring follow-up action as well as inviting suggestions and agenda points for discussions from all registered ex-servicemen’s organisations and prominent ex-servicemen has also been mooted. |
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Pak hurdles leave 35 trucks stranded Wagah (Amritsar), November 26 These trucks, including water tankers and garbage lifters are stranded at the International Border and are awaiting clearance by Pakistani authorities en route Kabul. According to spokesman of the Tata company, India had offered to provide transport services to beleaguered Afghanistan and had already supplied more than 100 passenger coaches and trucks in the past six months. He said everytime Pakistan would stop these buses during transit on some flimsy ground. He said the Afghan truck drivers trained to operate these trucks had been waiting to drive them through Pakistan since last Saturday. He was hopeful that Pakistan authorities would allow the consignment of 35 trucks to pass through its territory on way to Afghanistan. |
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Censor Board certificates found forged Bathinda, November 26 Mr Aggarwal, while talking to TNS today, said the certificates of Censor Board permitting the cinema operators to screen the film, on the basis of which a criminal case was registered against them by the police and the licences were cancelled by him were produced before Mr Sinha when the cinema operators filed an appeal before Mr Sinha against his order. He said the certificates were sent to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for verification and the ministry had subsequently sent the same to the Censor Board, Mumbai. It had been conveyed by the Censor Board officials that the certificates that had been produced before Mr Sinha were forged. He added that legal proceedings would be launched against the
cinema operators for their alleged involvement in producing the forged certificates before Mr Sinha, after an official report in this connection was received. After the cinema house operators filed an appeal against the order of Mr Aggarwal before Mr Sinha, he first granted a stay against the operation of orders of Mr Aggarwal and allowed the cinema houses to function again. However, the district administration managed to make the authorities concerned believe that licences had been cancelled after following due procedure of law and then Mr Sinha ordered the screening of films to Censor Board. Before the cancellation of licences of the two cinema houses, criminal cases were registered against their managers and others for their alleged involvement in screening X-rated films. The police also seized the prints and posters of the films which were being screened. Interestingly, Mr Sinha stayed the operation of order of Mr Aggarwal despite the fact that state minister, Mr Amarjit Singh Samra had directed Mr Aggarwal to take strict action against culprits on August 15, 2003 when representatives of as many as 11 social and voluntary organisations had apprised him of the issue. After that about 30 social and voluntary organisations took up the matter with the state government and district authorities demanding strict action against those cinema operators. Meanwhile, the police authorities had directed the field staff to protect the seized films from the cinema house so that no one could lay hands on the same to tamper with the evidence. |
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Tractor-trailers’ parking near village resented Phagwara, November 26 Last night, these trailers went up to his “haveli” which was on the other side of the village, he said. Nearly 12 roadside trees and six tree guards were trampled on by these trailers in the village, he alleged. Even a power transformer was hit and got twisted by one trailer , he said. There are six schools and a college in the village and the tractor-trailers were parked in front of these institutions causing inconvenience to the students, he alleged. Besides, a brawl took place among trailer owners causing nuisance to the villagers. Sarpanch of the village Surjit Lal today wrote to the SDM Pritam Singh, DSP S.S. Cheema, SHO Sadar Police Station and even to the Mill authorities about the
menance. |
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Misbehaviour by Civil Surgeon:
threat Amritsar, November 26 Mr R.C. Tayagi state general secretary of the BSP, in a press conference here yesterday along with Driver Union president and members, said they had asked the CS to solve the problem and apologise in three days failing which a court would be moved. However the civil surgeon refuted the charges as baseless. He said such an incident never occurred. He said some vested interests were behind this whole drama and he was not intimidated. Driver Surinder Kumar present at the meeting said the civil surgeon had used ‘belittling’ language to address him and had behaved
similarly. He demanded a case be registered against him under Prevention of Untouchability Act. |
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Girl escapes from flesh traders Amritsar, November 26 In her statement Sohna (name changed) said her family was lured by Amarjit Kaur, a resident of Jagdamba colony, on pretext to getting a job for her. Amarjit used to visit Sohna’s family often and a few months ago she promised to get Sohna a job, with a pay of Rs 2000. Instead she took Sohna to Jagdamba colony here where two boys, Vicky and Rakesh, allegedly raped her for months. Then she was taken to Poonam, a resident of Dugri colony, Ludhiana. She claimed a deal of Rs 70,000 was made for her. The victim stated that she was kept for nearly a month in Ludhiana before she was taken to Chandigarh, where she was again pushed into the flesh trade. After a fortnight she was sent to Jyoti, a resident of Mobile Tower, Hoshiarpur, from where she escaped. All five accused were booked today. |
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PRTC to get 100 more buses Patiala, November 26 The corporation has decided to take loans from various banks to add to its fleet instead of asking the government to give funds. The government will also not be asked to stand guarantee for the loans, said its Chairman Ved Prakash Gupta. The corporation is going in for the new buses to replenish its depleted fleet as well as increase its revenue. The PRTC has been forced to withdraw its buses from many routes. Though the corporation has gone in for hiring private buses under a “kilometre scheme” to ply on some of these routes, it feels new buses would revitalise the corporation and earn it more revenue, he added. Mr Gupta said the corporation would earn an additional revenue of Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore with the addition of those buses to its fleet. The corporation was aiming at getting out of the red before March so that it could be saved from
Disinvestment. Mr Gupta said he had made a case with govt for retaining the Corporation in its present form. |
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Bus from Samana to Delhi
flagged off Patiala, November 26 Speaking on the occasion Mr Gupta said the people of Samana had been demanding a bus service from Samana to Delhi via Pehowa and Kurukshetra. Mr Gupta who is also the President of the District Congress Committee (Urban), Patiala, said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had taken steps to root out corruption. He added that Mr Ravi Sidhu and Dr
J.S. Ahluwalia of the Punjab Public Service Commission and Punjabi University, respectively were the living examples. He did not hesitate to strictly deal with a former Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, his family members and his other associates. |
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Encroachments removed from
trust land Pathankot, November 26 The operation started around 4 pm amid protests by the dwellers, headed by the vice-president of the local municipal council. He was taken into custody by the police and later released. The SP, Manminder Singh, monitored the demolition drive. However, a liquor vend, which was also on the site of the encroachment, was not demolished which was resented by the dwellers. The police said the contractor had approached the court and stay order had been issued. |
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Probe sought into allegations against Nihang chief Amritsar, November 26 The residents along with the Communist Party Marxist had levelled serious allegations against the Nihang chief and his dera men of committing excesses against residents of the village. |
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H.S. Sohal for Philippines Chandigarh, November 26 The course will be held at the University of Philippines, Los Banos, near Manila from the end of this week till December 15. |
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German help for prosthetic centre Amritsar, November 26 The president of the society, Dr Inderjit Kaur, said funds to the tune of Rs 41 lakh for a building and other infrastructure for the centre was provided by a Canadian NRI, Ms Avinash Kaur. She said limbs manufactured at the centre would be provided to the needy free of cost. —
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ITI student
ends life Sangrur, November 26 According to information, the youth committed suicide at his home. —
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Pak child arrives
for treatment Amritsar, November 26 |
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Heritage festival from Dec 2 Amritsar, November 26 Mr Mishra said that the entire format of the festival was duly approved and accepted by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and was conveyed to the Punjab Government. |
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Call SSP on radio today Patiala, November 26 This will be the first such programme of the local radio stations of the state. The listeners can ask questions regarding the working of Patiala police on telephone Nos 2282394 and 2282779. They can also give suggestions to the police and highlight their demands and grievances. |
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Shamsher’s remand extended Patiala, November 26 |
Seminar on cotton cultivation Bathinda, November 26 Mr C. Roul, Director, Ministry of Textiles, said that Punjab was not getting much from the Cotton Technology Mission and the quality of cotton produce in the state was not good. He said that under the new rules of the economy the farmers would have to produce the best quality of produce. Mr Venu Parsad, Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board, said that the farmers should get ready for new ways of farming and should diversify for profits. He said cotton was the main crop in the economy of Punjab as well as the entire country. |
Drive against speeding vehicles Lalru, November 26 The challaning drive was launched to minimise the death rate and make driving on the congested Zirakpur-Jharmari stretch of the highway smooth. Violations have resulted in number of accidents for the past couple of years. The Kalka-Ambala and the Chandigarh — Patiala highways have claimed about 70 lives since the beginning of the year. The accidents have occurred within a distance of 20 km from Chandigarh thus putting a question mark on the safety of the motorists. For the past 10 years the government has been boasting to do the four-laning of these highways but till now the work has not been started. These highways have turned into death traps for the motorists. On the very first day of the drive, four motorists were challaned for over-speeding on the directions of Mr Manmohan Kumar Sharma, DSP, Dera Bassi, Lalru. While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Karan Sher Singh, SHO, Lalru, said vehicles exceeding the speed limits fixed by the National Highway Authorities (NHA) within a township area would be challaned. Motorists would be challaned on highways at Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, Lalru and certain other township areas where the National Highway Authority has installed signboards indicating speed limits for heavy and light vehicles, Mr Karan Sher Singh said. For the purpose, the Patiala police has purchased two radars along with printers. One radar is being used for challaning on the Mal Road, Patiala, while the second would used on the highways in Dera Bassi subdivision. The radar could sense the speed of a vehicle from a distance of 150 feet and subsequently a small pinter, attached to the radar, would give a printout of the vehicle targeted for challan. Earlier, the DSP while addressing a public meeting promised to set up a Community Police Recourse Centre at Dera Bassi, to start police neighbourhood watch and community policing in villages. He also assured to install mobile phone (with incoming call facility only) at Dera Bassi and Lalru police station besides the police posts so that the complainants could get their complaints registered with the police. |
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MC
Commissioner shifted Patiala, November 26 Mr Sanjay Kumar, a senior IAS officer, has been transferred as Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), and PCS officer Manvesh Singh Sidhu has been posted in his place. Sources said the government was forced to transfer the Commissioner due to the heightened acrimony between him and the Mayor, which had even somewhat affected the pace of development in the city. Recently relations between the two had deteriorated further with the Mayor asking the Commissioner to explain his various recent actions. The Mayor had asked Mr Sanjay Kumar to explain how he had given permission to a mobile phone company to put up lighted displays at various places in the city without taking any fixed charges from it. Mr Sharma had also recently asked Mr Sanjay Kumar to explain why the revenue of the corporation had gone down and claimed that the revenue had fallen by nearly 15 per cent in October. The Mayor had claimed that if the decline in revenue continued the corporation would not be able to meet its Budget obligations. Besides, earlier the Mayor had “pulled up” the Commissioner for not taking him into confidence before effecting transfers and had also brought this fact to the notice of the state government. The Commissioner had recently issued an order that only ITI-trained personnel should be given temporary jobs as tubewell attendants. As these jobs were traditionally given on the recommendations of the councillors, even they were agitated by the move. The sources said the government was now posting a PCS officer to the corporation to ensure good relations with the Mayor so that development work could be speeded up in the city. The government was anxious to ensure speedy completion of development work in the city as Mrs Preneet Kaur was the Congress candidate from the Patiala parliamentary constituency. Mrs Preneet Kaur had been focusing on the corporation
and the city during the past few months. She had even taken personal
views of all councillors during a special one-to-one meeting. The
Mayor - Commissioner spat had come in for special mention by
councillors during this meeting and there was a feeling that the
deepening of the rift was causing groupism in the corporation. |
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DC’s transfer stayed Chandigarh, November 26 He will continue there till further orders, says a press note. |
Dacoits confess to murdering 6 Kapurthala, November 26 This was stated here yesterday by SSP S.K. Asthane in a press statement issued here. The police had arrested Ashwani Kumar and his accomplice Manpreet Singh from an abandoned brick-kiln near here on November 21 when they were planning to commit a dacoity in the area. The accused confessed during interrogation that they had committed a murder of Satwant Kaur and her husband at Ranipur near village Phagwara on June 11, 2002, after looting cash and jewellery from them. On October 26, 2002, they killed Dalbir Singh and his wife Raj Rani of Selli Kulian village near Pathankot after looting cash and jewellery from their house. On May 11, 2002, they murdered Kuldip Singh Joshi and his wife Priya Joshi of Sehore Kalan village after looting their belongings. The gang members confessed to having wounded Bhupinder Nath, his brother Raj Kumar and his wife Krishana Devi in Kilashpur village near Pathankot after looting cash and jewellery on April 10, 2002. They also wounded Raj Rani and her husband Mohinder Singh at Manwar Shalipur Kandi village after looting cash and jewellery on May 12 last. The gang members confessed to having committed 14 robberies and dacoities in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kangra and Amritsar districts. The police has identified six other members of the gang as Subhash, Manju Nath, Raju, Thandu Ram, Gulams and Daler and the police parties have been despatched to nab them. Four members of this gang, identified as Girdhari Lal, Rakesh Kumar Dharam Pal and Dilbagh, had already been arrested by the police and were lodged in different jails at Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Meanwhile, the district police has identified four more members of the “Kala Kachewala” gang and Bangala Gang during the interrogation of Ashwini Kumar, alias Kishan Paul, head of the gang, and Manpreet, alias Vicki, two members of the gang. Mr S.K. Asthana identified these gang members as Girdhari Lal of Bharmar village in Kangra district, Rakesh Kumar, Dharam Paul and Dilbagh, all of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. —
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Cops suspect relatives
behind triple murder Patiala, November 26 Gupta, his wife Veena and son Jitesh were killed at their house at Indrapuri in the city. The murders took place days after the Guptas adopted a baby girl from Government Rajindra Hospital here. Earlier, the couple had adopted a boy around four years ago. The police is working on a theory that the adopting of the girl led to the murders. It is also investigating whether property could be behind the murder. District police chief A. S. Rai said the murder could have been committed by someone known to the couple as there was no sign of any forced entry. The police is also verifying the antecedents of the family which gave its daughter to the businessman. Besides, it is also investigating whether the murder was done by professional killers as the killers had slit the throats of the victims. Meanwhile, the police is still to solve the other blind murder case which was committed in the city in the last fortnight. A young boy, James John, had been murdered in his house while his parents were out of station. The police is currently questioning his classmates and other boys with whom he used to be seen. The SSP said the police was suspecting four to five youngsters of being responsible for the crime and the case was likely to be solved in a few days. |
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Police looking for Siti Cable MD Jalandhar, November 26 Meanwhile, the Siti Cable Managing Director, Sunny Gill, today denied his involvement in any such incident and maintained that he was falsely implicated in the case. He said he was attending a cable operators’ meeting at Timber Trail near Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh when the incident took place. He said this was not the first time when he had been implicated by his rivals in a false case, but an attempt was also made to kill him. Mr Rajpal Sandhu, SP (City), said the police was looking for the Siti Cable GM, Mr Ajit Singh Sachdeva, Bavinder, Gupta and Pathak, who had been booked under various sections of the IPC on a complaint of the two injured workers, Mahesh Kumar and Sanjay. Mr Sandhu said to prevent any such incident in future the police had been called a meeting of cable operators wherein they were told categorically to work in accordance with law and ensure peace. Talking on his mobile phone, Sunny Gill said he had submitted evidence with regard to his innocence to the Jalandhar
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Three arrested for stealing vehicles Bathinda, November 26 In a press note issued here today, Mr Kapil Dev, SSP said accused Jagtar Singh of Giljewala village, was held at a police check-post near level crossing on the Bathinda-Ambala section in the city. One double-barrelled gun with live cartridges was seized from him. It was later found that the motor cycle he was riding on was also stolen by him from Teona village. A case in connection with the theft of the motor cycle had been registered in the Sadar police station. In another case, two accused identified as Ravinder Kumar and Shri Pal, were arrested for their alleged involvement in stealing vehicles. One motor cycle was also recovered from them. Separate cases had been registered in the city police station in this connection and further investigation was going on, the SSP added. |
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7 held under Immoral
Trafficking Act Amritsar, November 26 The women arrested are Neelam, Usha, Gurdeep and Gurvinder, all residents of Gurnam Nagar. Two of the men arrested are Rohit Bhatia of Dashmesh Nagar and Rajinder Singh of Govind Nagar. |
Another recruitment scam alleged in college Bathinda, November 26 The college teachers association, which had earlier lodged complaints against the college authorities for their involvement in the lab technicians’ recruitment, have now decided to approach the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh, and the state Vigilance Bureau to seek a high-level probe into the same. Mr Lalit Mohan, secretary, of the college’s teachers association, today said the college authorities had allegedly recruited seven employees, including a lecturer (management), two clerks, a computer operator, an electrician, a technician and one peon without inserting advertisements for the same in dailies and without meeting the other norms established for recruitment in government-run institutes. He added that apart from it, the college authorities had appointed an employee of a private college as Deputy Registrar of the college on deputation while ignoring other deserving candidates, from within the college staff. He alleged that the college authorities had ignored even one order of higher authorities of the Technical Education Department, Punjab, passed in connection with various recruitment scams. He pointed out that the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Bathinda and SSP, Bathinda, had been conducting the probe separately in the alleged senior- technician-recruitment scam on the applications moved to these authorities by the GZSCET Teachers Association. He pointed out that if the association failed to get justice from the Chief Minister and the state Vigilance Bureau, it would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Dr Gurdip Singh, Principal, of the college, however, could not be contacted as he did not pick up his mobile phone despite repeated efforts made by this correspondent. |
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YOUTH FEST CONCLUDES Fatehgarh Sahib, November 26 In their address the guests called upon the students to work hard as tough challenges were ahead for them. They said that in the present age of competition and excellence and whosoever would be able to compete would survive. They urged the students to mentally prepare themselves for hard work, as it was the key to success. As per the results announced on the concluding day in the lok geet category JLN Memorial College Mandi Gobindgarh
(recommended), Government College Mohali, Saheed Kanshi Ram College of Physical Education Bhago Majra, GPC Mandi Gobindgarh all (recomended). In Giddha MG College Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), BJSBFS College, Morinda, JLN Memorial College Mandi Gobindgarh, SKRM of Physical Education Bhago Majra all (comended). In Bhangra, Government College, Ropar (recomended), MG College Fatehgarh Sahib, PMN College Rajpura all (comended). In classical dance Manu Priya Bhandari MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib, (recomended), Government College, Ropar (comended). In classical songs vocal Paramjit Singh Government College, Ropar (recomended), Damanpreet Kaur JLN College Mandi Gobindgarh College, Pavitar Singh Govt. College Mohali all (comended). In classical song (NP), Satish Kumar Government College, Mohali (recomended) Dimpal Bhatia JLN College, Mandi Gobindgarh (comended). In classical vocal Vinay Mattoo MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), Kuldeep Singh Government College, Ropar (comended). In group orchestra Government College, Mohali (recomended), JLN College, Mandi Gobindgarh, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib all (comended). In clay modelling, Gurinderjit Singh Government College, Mohali (recomended), Sunita Chitkara College of Education Fatehgarh Garhi, Lubana Bano MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jaswinder Singh Government College Dera Bassi all (comended). In cartooning, Pardeep Singh, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Gurpreet Kaur, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Navdeep Dhaliwal Government College Mohali, Parvez Alam Government College, Ropar all (comended). In play, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), BJSBFS Khalsa College Morinda, GTB Anandpur Sahib all (comended). In Histrionics, Rupinder Singh, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Mayuri Bhola Khalsa College, Morinda, Sandeep Singh, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Money Sabharwal BASJS College, Bela all (comended). In group songs, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), JLN College, Mandi Gobindgarh, Government College, Mohali and PMN College, Rajpura all (comended). In rangoli, Harmanpreet Kaur, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), Monika, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Baljit Kaur, JLN Mandi Gobindgarh, Amandeep Kaur, GPS Mandi Gobind garh all (comended). In the quiz competition, PMN College, Rajpur (recomended), Government College, Ropar (comended). In geet and gazals, Sangram Singh, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Monjalan JLN Mandi Gobindgarh, Bakshish Kaur, Government College, Ropar, Seema Rani MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib all (comended). On-the-spot painting, Pardeep Singh Government College, Ropar (recomended), Surinderpal, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), Jaswinder Kumar, Government College, Dera Bassi, Gurinderjit Singh, Government College, Mohali all (comended). In poster-making, Pardeep Singh, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Surinderpal, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), Navdeep Dhaliwal Government College, Mohali, Amandeep Kaur, PMN College, Rajpura all (comended). In debate, Simranjit Singh, Government College, Mohali (recomended), Tegmeet Kaur, MG College, Fatehgarh Sahib (recomended), Poonam Rani, GTB College, Anandpur Sahib, Manjeet Kaur, Chitkara College of Edu, Labhniya, PMN College, Rajpura all
(comended). |
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Organisation
formed to teach for slum children Patiala, November 26 Members of the samiti are using premises of government schools in various areas to further their aim of imparting quality education to the poor. Led by a philanthropist, Mr Ashwani Kumar, the samiti would provide free education to nearly 125 children in the evening. In the premises of Government Elementary School, Sirhind road, Government Primary School, Tripuri and Government Senior Secondary School which is also located in Tripuri township. The samiti has on its roll students of these schools who also teach in the evenings. |
Bank to offer loan for purchasing tractors Patiala, November 26 The bank would now become preferred financier for Eicher Tractors and brand Eicher in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The State Bank of Patiala has reduced the margin requirements from 15 per cent to 10 per cent and offered concessional rate of 11 per cent above Rs 2 lakh. The tenure of loan will be up to nine years with 12 months gestation period. The company on its part will extend cash discount of Rs 5,000. Mr J.R. Devgan, General Manager (Planning and Development), assured full cooperation from the bank for long lasting working relationship with the company and for the welfare of the farming community.
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