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Faux pas by CM
Announces, then denies framing of charges against Badal
Ropar, May 1
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, while addressing a political rally in favour of party candidate Shamsher Singh Dullo at Chamkaur Sahib this evening, said charges would be framed against former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal on May 4, the next date of hearing in the corruption case.

• Ropar court to try Badals, says CM
• CM flayed for giving ‘clean chit’ to leaders
• Clash outside DCC office; senior Congress leader beaten up
• Sonia to address rally in Phagwara
• Preneet: NDA anti-labour
• Capt Kanwaljit misused funds, says Preneet
• Ludhiana page: CM alleges double standards by EC 

Badal fears rigging in state
Kapurthala, May 1
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), has expressed apprehension of rigging of Lok Sabha poll in Punjab by the ruling Congress.

• EC discriminating against SAD, says Badal
• FCI Workers Union to support Sukhbir Badal
• Employees’ bodies back Dhindsa
• Poonam woos voters for Vinod Khanna

Phagwara, May 1
The Union Disinvestment Minister, Mr Arun Shourie today gave full credit to the Vajpayee led NDA government for ushering in cordial relations with Pakistan. The Union Disinvestment Minister, Mr Arun Shourie today gave full credit to the Vajpayee led NDA government for ushering in cordial relations with Pakistan. Talking to newsmen at the local PWD rest house in the presence of Prof Brij Lal Rinwa, former Punjab BJP President, Mr Shourie declared that cordial relations between India and Pakistan would boost peace not only in South Asia but in the world.

Probe ordered into code violation by CM
Jalandhar, May 1
The Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Mr G.S. Cheema, today asked the Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Dr Sawaran Singh, to submit a detailed report on the alleged violation of model code of conduct by some of the state officials during the recent visit of the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, to the city to campaign in support of the Congress nominee, Rana Gurjit Singh, for Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat.

• Election arrangements reviewed
• Liquor shops to remain closed from May 8 to 10

INSIDE BABUDOM
Lobbying for top post in Cooperation
Chandigarh, May 1
Lobbying has started for the coveted position of Financial Commissioner (Cooperation) in Punjab as the previous incumbent, Mr Jagbir Singh Kesar, a 1972 batch officer, retired yesterday on attaining superannuation. Cooperation figures in the select list of five departments for which “trusted” Financial Commissioners are chosen. Other departments being Revenue — which normally goes to the seniormost Financial Commissioner — Development, Taxation and Industries.

COMMUNITY

SGPC Chief Secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta releases the 10th Sikh Guru's compositions Selection from Sri Dasam Granth, translated by Piara Singh Sandhu, at Khadoor Sahib on Saturday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma Young girls during a religious procession taken out on the occasion of Gurpurb in Amritsar on Saturday. — PTI

Panchayat samitis’ staff not paid for 6 months
Ropar, May 1
Leaving aside tall claims being made by the present government regarding the transfer to power to the local bodies, the employees of the panchayat samitis in the state have not been paid salaries for the past six months. The employees of the panchayat samitis who have not been paid any salary include the panchayat secretaries who were recruited on contract basis a few months ago.

May Day: tributes paid to Chicago martyrs
Jalandhar, May 1
Tributes were paid to Chicago martyrs during a function organised to mark the May Day by the Bairagi Mahan Mandal Punjab at Kishanpural locality here today. The mandal also announced its support to the Congress candidate, from Jalandhar, Rana Gurjit Singh. Addressing the gathering, Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, the president of the Bairagi Mahan Mandal Punjab, said the May Day reminded us of the sacrifices made by people to get their rights.

• May Day rallyists question India Shining campaign

Farmer’s widow given Rs 5 lakh cheque
Tarn Taran, May 1
A cheque for Rs 5 lakh was given to Ms Amarjit Kaur widow of farmer Angrej Singh by the Punjab Government today. Angrej Singh died in police firing at Mannanwala village on March 29 in ‘Rail Roko’ agitation, call for which had given by the Kisan Sangharash Committee and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta).

Industrialists not to pay water bills
Jalandhar, May 1
A group of various industrialists’ associations today announced that they would not pay for water and sewerage bills in protest against the unprecedented hike in user charges by the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation.

ADMINISTRATION

Discuss illegal sale of MC land, urge councillors
Kharar, May 1
Nine municipal councillors here yesterday requested the council president to call an urgent meeting of the House to discuss the issue relating to the illegal sale of council land to a coloniser.

EDUCATION

Award for college, Principal
Nawanshahr, May 1
Amardeep Singh Shergill Memorial College, Mukandpur, near here, as well as its Principal, Dr Surjit Singh Bhatti, will be honoured with the National Udhyog Excellence Award and the Jewel of India Award, respectively, by the International Business Council in New Delhi on July 15.

Reference to Laden by VC condemned
Patiala, May 1
The Forum for Educational Action and Reform organised a meeting to take a ‘strong exception’ to a reference of Osama bin Laden made by the Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor on the occasion of the foundation day of the varsity here yesterday.