P U N J A B

Top stories | Community | Courts

Crime | Education

TOP STORIES

Daunting task was to keep secrecy, says PPSC chief
Jalandhar, November 29
“The most daunting task before me was to ensure secrecy in the PCS examination and evaluation system. After its successful accomplishment now I am the happiest man on earth,” says Lieut Gen Surjit Singh (retd.), Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission.

Lieut-Gen Surjit Singh (retd), Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, at his Urban Estate residence in Jalandhar on Saturday. — Photo by S.S. Chopra.

Rights panel seeks ADGP report in NRI harassment case
Chandigarh, November 29
Taking cognizance of a complaint filed by a non-resident Indian (NRI) accusing Inspector General of Punjab Police Sanjeev Gupta of victimising him, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission has directed Additional Director General of Police (Crime) to submit a report in the matter before February 23, 2004 — the next date of hearing.

Jakhar blames NDA for blocking agriculture policy
Abohar, November 29
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar regretted that the NDA government led by Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee had not been able to finalise an agriculture policy even when it enjoyed full term in office.

24 villages in dark for two days
Jalandhar, November 29
About 24 villages in the district have been without power for the past about two days. The power supply was, however, resumed in a number of villages including Nangal Fateh Khan, Naull, Mehdipur, Isharwal, Uccha, Jethpur, Moosapur, Bhakriana, Sarnana, Chandpur, Muzzaffarpur, Patara, Choka, Johal, and Bolina, at around 6 p.m. this evening.

Tribune impact
School in widows’ locality to get award from Dalai Lama
Amritsar, November 29
Philanthropists, Master Ajit Singh and Mr Brij Bedi who run a school for orphans of drug-addicts in Maqboolpura, termed locality of widows, had won Rs one lakh award and silver plaque to be presented by His Holiness Dalai Lama on behalf of the Organisation of Understanding and Fraternity (OUF) at a function to be organised at FICCI Auditorium, New Delhi on December 10.

A view of the Citizens’ Forum Vidya Mandir, a school in the Maqboolpura localiy in Amritsar, where 150 persons have died due to drug-addiction in the past, on Saturday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

Shamsher Mehndi’s wife files plea against ex-SSP
Patiala, November 29
Shamsher Mehndi ‘s wife Balwinder Kaur has filed an application in the local court against former Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, Paramraj Singh Umranagal and four other police officials here today.

Director of company of Sukhbir’s in-laws remanded
Kharar, November 29
A local court today remanded Chandigarh-resident Gurpinder Singh Grewal, a director of a company owned by Sukhbir Badal’s in-laws, in judicial custody till December 12.

Police raids SAD leaders’ houses
Mohali, November 29
Raids were conducted by the Kharar police on the houses of SAD leaders here today. The houses of Mr Kiranbir Singh Kang, senior vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal, Mr Amrik Singh Mohali, senior vice-president of the Ropar district unit of SAD, and Mr Har Sukhinder Singh Badal (Babbi Badal), president of the local unit of SAD, were raided.

• Law and order situation reviewed
  

Punjabi University Diary
Varsity to send reply on charges to Chancellor next week
Patiala, November 29
Composing a reply to an explanation called by the Punjab Governor and the Chancellor of Punjabi University, Justice O.P. Verma (retd), with regard to allegations levelled by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr R.N. Pal seems to be a job defined for the university authorities this week.

COMMUNITY

Trade delegation goes to Pakistan
Amritsar, November 29
A 134-member group of the Indian chapter of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) today crossed over to Lahore on an invitation of their Pakistan counterparts.

Members of the Indian chapter of the Young Presidents Organisation at the Wagah check-post before crossing over to Pakistan on a goodwill visit on Saturday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

Pak troupe given emotional send-off
Wagah, November 29
An emotional send-off was given to a 27-member Pakistan theatre troupe at the Indo-Pakistan joint check-post here today.

Spirit of patriotism at Wagah

Former PSEB official alleges harassment
Amritsar, November 29
Mr Jaspal Singh alleged ‘harassment’ by the director MMT, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Jalandhar. In letters to the Chairman, PSEB, the Chief Minister, ADGP Vigilance, the former power engineer stated that the MMT director Mr MD Mahajan had demanded bribe of Rs 50,000 from him. His refusal led to his harassment by the director.

Foundation stone removed at Talhan village
(Talhan) Jalandhar, November 29
An uneasy calm prevailed at Talhan village after certain persons removed the foundation stone of the Salempur village-Shahid Baba Nihal Singh Gurdwara road constructed by the gurdwara management committee at a cost of Rs 15 lakh and threw it into a nearby canal distributary last night.

Asha Parekh visits Golden Temple
Amritsar, November 29
It was a long-cherished dream come true for yesteryear heroine Asha Parekh who arrived here late last night in a quiet visit to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Yesteryear heroine Asha Parekh (L) and veteran actress Shammi visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

Reinstate expelled members of Khalsa Dewan, says Sidhu
Amritsar, November 29
Capt Chanan Singh Sidhu (retd), president of the Sikh Forum, Punjab, today sought the reinstatement of 284 expelled members of the Chief Khalsa Dewan (CKD), a 101-year-old socio-religious institution of the Sikhs, before conducting its election.

Dalits, landlords give amity a second chance
Sangrur, November 29
Dalits and landlords of Hasanpur village, near Dhuri, reached a compromise once again last night under the supervision of SP(D), Sangrur, to create a cordial atmosphere and restore spirit of brotherhood in the village.

Clash between SAD workers, arhtiyas averted
Amritsar, November 29
A clash was avoided at new Sabzi Mandi at Vallah between arhtiyas and members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of Verka constituency by the police here today.

SGPC seeks ban on rally

10-yr RI for rape accused
Moga, November 29
Additional Sessions Judge Sukhdev Singh convicted and sentenced Bhagwan Singh to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined him Rs 5,000 in a rape case yesterday. In case of default in paying fine he would have to undergo further imprisonment of six months.

Sarpanch booked for fake SC certificate
Amloh, November 29
On the basis of a complaint of Mr Harmohan Singh, advocate, and resident of Sakrali village near here, the Bhadson police has registered a case against Som Singh, sarpanch of Sakrali village, under Section 420, 467, 468,471 and 120-B of the IPC.

Cop nabbed on bribery charge
Bathinda, November 29
A team of Vigilance Bureau led by the DSP, Mr Vinod Chaudhary, today nabbed Barjinder Singh, a Head Constable, posted at Talwandi Sabo police station, while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 500 from Mr Gurmeet Singh, a resident of the same town, for extending him a favour in the court trials.

EDUCATION

Move to privatise technical institutes decried
Patiala, November 29
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Punjab Polytechnics and IITs yesterday condemned the state government’s move to privatise government polytechnics and ITIs .