 |
|
|
|
|
|
It’s govt vs SAD on 40 ‘muktas’ tercentenary
Muktsar, May 2 The Tribune team visited the venue of the state government’s conference today. The administration had erected a huge pandal, the work on which was on for the past 10 days. Government officials from neighbouring districts were also assigned duties and were seen attending guests at an exhibition inaugurated by the Revenue Minister, Mr A.S. Samra, today morning. Water tankers from various districts of the state had been lined in a queue so as to ensure adequate water supply. As the state government’s venue is on the outskirts of the city, the administration has also organised a fun fair. A number of swings have also been put up to attract rural masses, besides stalls of Markfed, Agriculture Department, Industries Department, DRDO, and Verka. Sources said none of the swing owners was ready to pay for installing these and they were allowed to do the same free of cost. But the fair means bad news for the patients admitted at the Civil Hospital, which is next to the venue. Blaring sound of music being played there is testing their eardrums and patience. As of now the administration’s bid to attract people through the fair has delivered nothing as few persons turned up for the fair. The administration has also started an animal fair to attract crowd. Sources said officials of all neighbouring districts had been asked to bring a particular number of people to the state government’s conference. The number game does not end here. Sources said the ruling party was also eyeing people who would be brought to attend the SAD conference. They said on the day of political conferences the traffic would be diverted in such a manner that all trucks and buses would be routed to the state government’s venue. Unconfirmed reports said the traffic on the Malout road, which leads to the SAD venue, would be diverted from Barkandi road and those willing to attend the SAD rally would have to make a full round of the city. Meanwhile, at the akhand path none of the district officials was present at its start. It was now being held by a city resident and only his family was present at that time. Surprisingly, during this much-hyped historic event meat and liquor shops were open as usual in the city. Neither the SGPC nor the state government has made any appeal to keep these shut for three days. On the contrary, the Meat Sellers’ Union has decided to keep their shops closed on May 4. The only loser in the ongoing game of one-upmanship between the state government and the SGPC seem to be people of Muktsar, who are feeling cheated as development works remained only on paper. Sources said the administration had constructed only those roads on which the Chief Minister’s cavalcade would move.
|
|
Govt, SGPC kick off parallel programmes
Muktsar, May 2 The SGPC took out a traditional nagar kirtan in the morning which started from Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib and culminated at Gurdwara Shahid Ganj Sahib with the ‘parkash’ of Guru Granth Sahib there. The last Akhand Path in the series of 40 also began at Gurdwara Shahid Ganj Sahib in the presence of SGPC chief Jagir Kaur. The SGPC had also organised amrit sanchar yesterday in which about 900 persons were baptised. A sport fair was also held at Guru Nanak College. The SGPC felicitated mountaineers Sukhwinder Kaur and Paramjeet Kaur, and Bhupinder Singh, a judo-ka. They were awarded Rs 21,000 each. The SGPC officials said Bhai Maha Singh and Mai Bhago memorial gates would be inaugurated tomorrow, while the foundation stone of another memorial in front of Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib would be laid along with it. The SGPC has come out with brochures on the history of Muktsar in Punjabi, Hindi and English. These would be distributed to the devotees free of cost. Religious programmes would begin at the SGPC stage on the Malout road from tomorrow. On May 4, jathedars of all five Takhts would deliver a message.
|
|
Cong trying to divide Sikhs, alleges Sukhbir
Bathinda, May 2 He alleged that the Chief Minister was trying to create confusion among the Sikhs at the behest of the Congress high command. He accused the CM of making bids to weaken the SGPC. He said bureaucrats of Punjab were assigning duties to their subordinates to ensure massive crowd at the Congress programme in Muktsar. Replying to a query, he said the other Akali factions should also reach Muktsar on the martyrdom tercentenary of the 40 ‘muktas’. Mr Badal said the people who were talking about the release of the Sikh youths from jails were themselves responsible for throwing them in jails during militancy. He said the CM was taking up such matters as the government had no issue.
|
|
Khalsa chetna march begins
Amritsar, May 2 Earlier, bhog of Akhand Path was held at Gurdwara Sahib followed by kirtan darbar. A nagar kirtan was also held which started after the ardas performed by Giani Kewal Singh former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. The vehicle carrying Guru Granth Sahib was decorated with flowers. Led by Panj Piaras, shabadi jathas, religious societies, schoolchildren and bands participated in the procession. The sangat had organised langarand provided water, tea, fruits etc to the devotees. Earlier, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, asked the sangat to follow the path shown by martyrs.
|
|
Punjab Govt to consider pension scheme for journalists
Chandigarh, May 2 This was announced here today by the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, while addressing more than 500 journalists who gathered for the third state-level annual conference of the Chandigarh Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ). The Punjab Chief Minister asked Finance Minister Surinder Singla to examine the demand of the journalist and formulate a policy within 15 days. The Chief Minister also assured full financial support for a Press Institute on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh in Mohali. He asked the journalists to give the government a blue print of the institute which the government could support. The Chief Minister also agreed in principle for a welfare fund of Rs 50 lakh for journalists. Capt Amarinder Singh also donated a handsome amount to the union for its activities. The Haryana Excise and Taxation Minister, Venod Sharma, IJU President Suresh Akhaouri, its Secretary Madan Singh, CPUJ President Vinod Kohli and its Secretary Charanjeet Ahuja and representatives from districts were also present. The CPUJ in its charter of demands presented to the Chief Minister demanded that the union should be informed in advance if any police action is taken against a journalist. They demanded free travel facilities in government buses and in trains and concessional lodging facility for sub-editors. The union demanded allotment of a couple of rooms for its office either in the Kishan Bhawan or in the MLA hostel or any government building. The union sought a piece of land at concessional rates for a housing society for journalists which it plans to float soon. It also demanded representation to it in the Press Accreditation Committee and such other bodies. Mr Kohli announced that 442 journalists had been given an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh each by the union. The list of insured journalists was released by the Punjab Chief Minister. Addressing the journalists, the Chief Minister urged the journalists not to mix facts with opinion in reporting. Singla also stressed on these points. Mr Sharma urged the Punjab Chief Minister to sympathetically consider the demands of the journalists. The IJU President asked the government to avoid siding with the owners of newspapers and support journalists who are striving to uphold public interest vis-à-vis "business interests." Addressing the gathering, the CPUJ President Vinod Kohli lashed out against the system of contract jobs for journalists, saying it was undermining independence of media. Later the general house unanimously authorized the union President to reconstitute his new team.
|
|
Punjab CM defends Forest Hill Resorts
Chandigarh, May 2 Addressing a gathering of journalists at the third annual conference of the Chandigarh Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ) here today, the Chief Minister asked the media to be responsible while making a comment on a situation, saying that opinion makers (media) may even influence judiciary. A section of the media had raised the issue of alleged violation of norms by the Forest Hill Resort. Captain Amarinder Singh said he had been pushing for setting up industries in Punjab but there had been a demand from investors to build up infrastructure and recreation facilities in the state. The Chief Minister had a dig at a section of the media for raking up the issue of his son’s involvement in the Punjab Internet saying reporting on the issue was divorced from facts. He said the company was neither a venture of the Punjab Government nor did the Punjab Government invest any money in it. Nor was there any hawala transaction in this matter. The Chief Minister also said that the government had not taken any U-turn on the issue of participation of private parties in education asserting it was his personal opinion which was given a twist by media.
|
|
|
Challenge Rajasthan’s claim on river waters,
Chandigarh, May 2 Speaking to The Tribune, Mr Kumedan said that nowhere in the world was a non-riparian province or country allowed to draw water from the share of a riparian province or country. Even in India, no riparian state except Punjab gave water from its share to non-riparian states. But Rajasthan, even though it was a non-riparian state, had been drawing a huge share of 11.2 MAF from Punjab waters for a long time, said Mr Kumedan. Its capitalised value was Rs 6 lakh crore, he added. Rajasthan was drawing 8.6 MAF of water from the Ravi-Beas system through the Rajasthan canal, also called the Indira Gandhi Canal. It was one of the biggest canals in the world having the capacity to carry 18,500 cusecs of water. Rajasthan was also getting 1.5 MAF through the Bhakra Mainline canal besides 1.1 MAF through the Gang canal, also called the Bikaner canal, said Mr Kumedan. Mr Kumedan said that except on 1.1 MAF of water, which Rajasthan was getting through the Gang canal by paying “seigniorage” (revenue) to Punjab, there was no justified claim of that state on Punjab waters. He said that as the then Union Irrigation Minister, Gulzari Lal Nanda had allocated 8.0 MAF to Rajasthan from the river waters on January 29, 1955, at a meeting of the Chief Engineers of the states concerned. No agreement was signed between Punjab and Rajasthan at that meeting. Allocation was made just on the basis of the proceedings of the meeting to Rajasthan, he added. Later on January 31, 1981, Indira Gandhi increased Rajasthan’s share to 8.6 MAF, forcing the then Punjab Chief Minister, Darbara Singh, to agree to this. Mr Kumedan today urged the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, to file a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the claim of Rajasthan on Punjab river waters. He said that in fact all political parties of Punjab should file a joint petition in the Supreme Court challenging the allocation of water to “ non-riparian” Rajasthan. He said this was the most important issue which should be got settled once for all. Mr Kumedan said that the Bhakra Beas Management Board was an unconstitutional body and its setting up should also be challenged in the apex court.
|
|
|
Govt not to stand guarantee for traders
Chandigarh, May 2 The trade show named “Made in Punjab” is slated to start on May 19 in Canada. The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, will open the show and small scale industrialists from Punjab are expected to participate in it. A senior functionary said the government was trying to route the names of participants through the Canadian Consulate and it could stand guarantee for anybody. The right to grant a visa or deny it to any trader or industrialist wrests with the Canadians. Also the government is not going to route the names of any employee or an agent of the participants to the “Made in Punjab” show. They will be on their own as no system exists to even verify the names and their backgrounds. Also each applicant whose name is being forwarded will have to give an affidavit, saying “he or she has no intention of staying back in Canada and if he or she does not return within the stipulated period, permissible legal action may be taken.” On its own, the Punjab Government is also carrying out a three-level check on the traders. Sources in the government said firstly the industries associations had been asked to verify each person. The Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) is doing its own check. Those with sick and closed down units are not be allowed at any cost, said the sources.
|
|
Punjab may abolish special police dists
Chandigarh, May 2 The sources in the Punjab Government assert that a decision to abolish the districts is expected to be taken during the Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday morning. Besides this, the reduction in value added tax (VAT) on certain items, enhancement of arms licence fees and further ralionalisation of the police force in the state are likely to be discussed in the meeting. They add that a major reshuffle in the police force is likely to be announced in a day or so. A meeting in this regard has already been held between Punjab Director-General of Police S.S. Virk and other senior officers government officers. Giving details, the sources say the move to abolish at least some of the special police districts is in tune with a decision taken on April 24, 2002, by the authorities concerned. Going into the background of the matter, they say that Batala, Majitha and Tarn Taran were converted into special police districts because these areas were extensively infested by the militants. Proximity to the border was one of the reasons behind intense militant activity in these areas. Khanna and Jagroan were also accorded the status of special police districts because Ludhiana was the base of several militant organisations during the dark days of terrorism. Barnala too was converted into a special district because of similar reasons. The sources add that the government is likely to allow Tarn Taran to continue as a special district. The authorities are likely to choose between Khanna and Jagroan for the purpose of retaining another district. As of now there are 23 police districts. They add that immediate provocation behind implementing the order after three long years is not immediately known. Regarding decision on VAT, the sources say the lowering of tax rates on certain items from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent and from latter to zero per cent is also expected to be taken up during the Cabinet meeting. This, the sources say, is in sync with recommendations of a high powered committee on VAT headed by West Bengal’s Finance Minister Asim Das Gupta.
|
|
Woman gagged to death by in-laws
Batala, May 2 Dr Jitandra Kumar Jain, SSP, Batala police district told this correspondent here today that a case under Sections 304-A and 427 of the IPC had been registered against three persons. The accused have absconding. The father of the deceased, Mr Jagir Singh, said his daughter, Balbir Kaur, was married to Kuljit Singh, resident of Shikar Machhian village, in August 2002. He said Balbir Kaur’s mother-in-law, Gurmeet Kaur, brother-in-law, Amrit Pal Singh and husband started to pressurising her to bring dowry after marriage. On April 30, Balbir Kaur rang up her parents. She was very nervous and begged her parents to take her from her in-laws house. Balbir Kaur’s uncle, Mr Kashmir Singh said on April 30, they went to her in laws’ house , where her mother-in-law, Gurmeet Kaur, admitted that Balbir Kaur had been beaten up but assured that it would not happen again. At Gurmeet Kaur assurance, Balbir Kaur’s parents did not insist on taking her back with them. However, yesterday, two men from Shikar Machhian village came to their village and told Balbir Kaur’s parents that she had died. When they went to the house of Balbir Kaur’s in-laws, they saw injury marks on the neck of the dead body. The mouth was stuffed with cotton and the body had burn injuries.
|
|
‘Tantriks’ befooling people, says Samrat Shankar
Jalandhar May 2 This is the observation of famed magician Samrat Shankar (original name Shiv Kumar). He shared his experiences with The Tribune and laid the subtle and mysterious world of magic threadbare. Explaining the difference between magic and ‘tantar’, Samrat Shankar said, “There is no ‘tantar’ and it is a myth created by certain self-styled ‘tantriks’ to fleece people. Similarly, there is no ‘jadu-tona’. If there is anything that touches the boundary of metaphysical world, it is magic.” “Magic is based on perfect combination of hypnotism and tricks. In magic, 75 per cent part is that of trick and rest 25 per cent is based on hypnotism or you can say mass hypnotism. For hypnotism, you need a great degree of concentration and this comes through yoga and sadhana. I practise yoga and sadhna for an hour everyday to keep my magic prowess intact,” he says. Samrat Shankar can converts a ring into holy ash in less than a second in front of your alert eyes. The best part of his show is when he makes a girl, chosen from the crowds, float in the air without any support. He mesmerised a VVIP of the stature of Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat by making his own daughter-in-law invisible during his son’s marriage at New Delhi on February 13. “Had I donned yellow clothes of a ‘baba’, I could have minted money like anything. But I want to make people aware that they need not go to ‘babas’. If a person could do nothing during his life, how can he or she be a great power after his death? That is the simple logic the explain that ‘jadu-tona’ is non-existent and that it could do nothing good or bad,” he says. “It is unfortunate that in place of hard work, people resort to ‘jadu-tona’ or go to ‘babas’ to bring good luck,” he says. Born in 1950 at Ellnabad in Haryana, Samrat Shankar later got settled at Sri Karanpur in Rajasthan. He has been honoured with a number of awards in India and abroad, including, “The Best Magician of the East”, “Jadu Rattan”, “Jadu Bhaskar”, “Prashasti Tamra Patra” of the Rajasthan Government and “Jadu Samrat”. Initially, his family was against his passion for magic that he developed at the age of 12 when he witnessed a show of eminent magician Dev Kumar at Sri Karanpur. He became a disciple of magician B.N. Sarkar. He still rates India to be the best on magic front. Of 7-8 best magicians of the world, 3-4 belong to India. “Magic can be a good career option provided it is supported by the government like it is done in the USA or other countries. I am planning to set up a national magic institute provided the government supports me,” says Samrat Shankar.
|
Puri, Sanjay elected to MC posts
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 2 These elections had been pending since long. Election was postponed last month on the day of election as one of the members was not issued agenda of the meeting. One of the candidates went to High Court and the court issued directions to conduct the election within one month. Though both the elected office-bearers do not belong to Dr Harbans Lal’s camp but they succeeded in pursuing him to support them.
|
|
Youth Congress office-bearers resign
Bathinda, May 2 Irked over the officials’ behaviour, some Congress leaders have gone to the extent of saying that they have to grease the officials’ palms even to get genuine works done. Mr Paramjit Singh Kotfatta presided over the meeting of the Youth Congress office bearers. The meeting passed a unanimous resolution announcing their intent to send their resignations to the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. They said it had become difficult for them to work in such an environment. The resolution stated that all the tehsil offices had turned into dens of corruption and Bathinda tehsil tops the list. The meeting also took notice of the bribe demanded from the office- bearers of the Youth Congress.
|
Panel to discuss Rajasansi airport work
Amritsar, May 2 Dr Gill, while speaking to newspersons here yesterday after inspecting the airport, said he had been distressed at the continuing neglect of the only airport in the state. He said he had apprised the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, about the discontinuation of the construction work of the terminal building due to last minute change in the design of the outer structure of the building. He said the minister should not have given this direction to re-design the facade, which had been earlier approved, as the construction was going on as per plan. The former Chief Election Commissioner said more than 50 international and domestic weekly flights operated from this airport, which was lacking the basic facilities. He said the airport operates from refurbished temporary sheds with negligible passenger facilities and the new building meant for 500 passengers has been under construction for over five years. He added that almost 30 per cent of the air traffic from the Indira Gandhi International Airport was being generated by Punjab and added that the government should take immediate steps to restart the construction of the stalled building. He expressed dismay that Air India had started its express flights with 30 per cent cheaper fare to the Gulf countries, with 30 and more flights operating from Kerala and Mumbai while neglecting Punjab. He urged the minister concerned to visit the airport to get first-hand knowledge of the problems faced by the passengers and take immediate steps to redress these. Mr Gill asked the Central Government to lift the “disturbed area state tag” from Punjab as it was inhibiting the grant of visas to Pakistanis wanting to visit the state. He said he would take up the issue with the Prime Minister. Dr Gill strongly favoured for release of Sikh youth languishing in Jodhpur jails without trial. Taking up the issue of the SEZ (special economic zone), Dr Gill said the Punjab Government must take initiative to get this zone through on an urgent basis. He said the Prime Minister had already announced approved SEZ, for which he had promised Rs 1100 crore. Earlier, Dr Gill inaugurated a computer lab and guest room at the boys’ hostel at Guru Nanak Dev University.
|
|
Ayurvedic pharmacy awaits funds for raw drugs
Patiala, May 2 The institution received around Rs 5 lakh last year for the manufacture of drugs. This money was not enough to manufacture the medicine needed to be supplied to the 507 government ayurvedic dispensaries in the state. The pharmacy has not been able to benefit from the planned budget too. This is because though Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned to the department under the 10th five-year plan, this money has not been released to the department till now. The Pharmacy Superintendent, Dr Shivraj Singh, said the institution tried to explore all possibilities but had not met with any success. He said recently the institution had asked the Ayurveda Department to allow it to purchase raw drugs from the Rs 15 lakh grant received from the Centre under a central scheme. He said the scheme was aimed at the supplying of the essential drugs to the rural and backward areas of the state. The Superintendent said, according to the scheme, drugs worth Rs 25,000 were to be provided to the identified dispensaries during the plan period. He said as the medicines proposed to be supplied were classical formulations, the pharmacy had requested for permission to purchase raw drugs to make this possible but the move could not be carried through. Ayurvedic Department Superintendent K. K. Sharma when contacted said Rs 15 lakh had been received for the purchase of medicines and that the department had decided to purchase the same from reputed private companies. He said the department had to proceed according to the laid down rules. He said the identified medicines could not be purchased because the department received the money only on March 28, following which the entire purchase process could not be completed in the three remaining days of the financial year. Mr Sharma said as the money had lapsed, the department was not trying to get the scheme revalidated. He said the department did not have any more money at its disposal for the pharmacy. “We are already giving the annual budget of Rs 5 lakh to the pharmacy for the purchase of drugs”, he added.
|
|
Fungus-infested meals: 2 CDPOs suspended
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 2 While talking to The Tribune on the phone Ms Gurkanwal Kaur said the CDPO, Sirhind and Bassi Pathana, had been suspended duo to the negligence of duty. She said though the sub-standard material had been purchased, but the distribution could have been stopped and brought to the notice of higher officials. She said it was unfortunate that the officials were playing with the lives of children by feeding them such sub-standard material. She said the Programme Officer had been charge-sheeted. She said she had also written to the Deputy Commissioner to probe the matter. Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner said he had entrusted the inquiry to the Assistant Commissioner.
|
|
Youths brave sun at recruitment rally
Ropar, May 2 Out of 7,000 youths, who participated in the preliminary round, only 3,500 have been issued tokens to appear in the various tests which will continue till May 10. Only those who will clear all the tests, including medical test, would be called for a written test to be held on May 29. The tests are being conducted under the supervision of the Director, Recruitment, Ludhiana, Col R. Mathew, who was accompanied by Col D.Vaidya, Director, Recruitment, Patiala. A team of Army officials from various places has been involved in the recruitment process. Since early morning, the youths were seen waiting for their turn to pass through the various physical tests in the stadium. Most of the youths, who had come from distant places, had to stay in the local gurdwara and the stadium last night for want of any arrangements for their stay. They will continue to stay in the open for the next eight days. Interaction with job-seekers revealed that most of them were not happy with the system, saying that only influential ones could get jobs in other fields. “Even after getting higher qualification, we are not sure to get job on the basis of merit. Therefore we are here to get job on the basis of merit,” they said. Col R.Mathew said that the recruitment camp was organised here to give an opportunity to youths of this region, especially of Kandi areas, to get job in the Army.
|
|
Residents without water for five days
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 2 The Tribune office is flooded with complaints from residents. They say that they had been visiting the council office regularly to urge the officials to get the motor of the tubewell repaired at the earliest and to make alternative arrangements but no body heeds to their request. Their answer is that motor has been sent for repair. Early in the morning, hundreds of women, schoolgoing children and men could be seen making a queue at hand pumps. Blaming the council for failing to provide drinking water, they said that it was just the beginning of summer and the tubewell had gone out of order. The operator at the tubewell said the bore of the tubewell was faulty and it required a new bore. He said that was why the water motor go out of order regularly. He has urged the authorities to purchase a stand by motor but it does not seen to be making an impact. He revealed that the motor had been sent for repair and it was with the mechanic and he would deliver the machine only after getting the payment. When contacted the municipal president, Mr Charanjeev Channa, and Mr Tarsem Lal, Executive Officer, said it had been brought to their notice that the water motor was out of order and they would get it repaired at the earliest. They also demanded fund allotment for buying a new tubewell. Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner said a cheque worth Rs 9.75 lakh had been given to XEN Water Supply, two months ago for installing new water tubewell but the work was yet to began. He also directed the EO, Municipal Council, to immediately purchase a stand-by water motor for the tubewell and to ensure water supply by tomorrow positively.
|
|
Road repair at snail’s pace
BHOLATH (Kapurthala): Travel on the dusty, uneven 12 km stretch of the Kartarpur-Bholath road has been proving to be gruelling for commuters between the two townships for nearly five months.
Work on the Rs 52.55 lakh road-strengthening project, initiated jointly by the Public Works Departments (PWD) of Jalandhar and Kapurthala last November, has been going on at a snail’s pace, much to the inconvenience of people. A distance that could be easily covered in about 20 minutes by car if the road were good, now takes almost double the time. The road is often used by, among others, political leaders, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, president, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), who goes to her dera in Begowal, just across Bholath, and Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khera, who lives in Ramgarh village. Villagers say that for months they have been seeing contractors dumping stones, filling gaps with soil and sprinking water on the road. However, metalling of the road has not taken place anywhere, they add. With the passage of time, stones have got scattered all over, even damaging the part of the road that is not being repaired. Residents of Pandori Arayian and Pandori Rajputan villages lament that the level of the road is being raised too high and fear that rainwater may enter their homes during the coming monsoon. While the residents have been demanding the early completion of the NABARD-assisted project, PWD officers say they are helpless in the matter as they are not getting funds in time. Mr Ajmer Singh, Executive Engineer, PWD, Jalandhar, says the department is awaiting a grant of nearly Rs 16 lakh to continue the work, even as he has ordered the first coat of coal tar on the road. He says had the department been getting funds regularly, the project would have been completed by March.
|
|
‘Contaminated’ food leaves 6 unconscious
Ludhiana, May 2 Raju William, his family members, including his minor son whose birthday was being celebrated, were admitted to Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital by the police. Three other persons, include two videographers and a family friend. They had stayed back after the guests had left and had eaten some substance. The police is investigating the case.
|
|
|
Acid attack victim’s husband cremated
Nawanshahr, May 2 Sanjiv died on Friday and before his death he had written a detailed letter to the SSP, Mr M.F. Farooqui, accusing his wife Sunita Sharma, his employer Ujjagar Singh Suri and Bahadur Singh of Suri Hospital, Balachaur, of hatching a conspiracy
against him. In the letter Sanjiv had held them responsible.
|
|
Kanjhla seeks probe into appointments in
Sangrur, May 2 Mr Kanjhla said this here today when his attention was drawn towards the Chief Minister giving the clean chit to the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) and a Deputy Commissioner in response to the charges levelled against them by him. His son, Gagandeep Singh, had sought a government job as kanungo in the Revenue Department on compassionate grounds as he was the dependent of his mother, Mukhtiar Kaur, wife of Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, who died in government service in September 2004.
|
|
|
Kandi area sarpanches meet Chief Engineer
Ropar, May 2 The road is the main link from National highway-21 to a large number of villages of the Kandi areas and Bhaddal colleges. The carpeting of the road, will facilitate the villagers and students. Mr Bali has assured to open tenders and start work very soon, informed Principal of the college, Prof
I.K. Kataria here today.
|
high court Our High Court Correspondent
Chandigarh, May 2 The petitioner, Mr Amarjit Singh of Ludhiana, has stated that a song picturised on the hero of the film Sunny Deol has the words ‘Bole So Nihal’ in it. The song has the hero mouthing these words while he is dancing with girls on a beach. The petitioner has objected to the use of these words in the song, saying that they are sacrosanct for the Sikh community and their use in this way was not acceptable. He has said that the action of the respondents has inflicted a major insult to the community. He has also prayed for withdrawal of posters of the movie offending the religious susceptibilities of the community and withdrawal of all music cassettes of the movie. Apart from quashing of the censor certificate under Section 5-B of the Cinematography Act 1952, the petitioner has demanded that all music cassettes of the movie be immediately withdrawn. Today, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Mr Chief Justice Mr Justice D.K. Jain and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta issued a notice of motion for May 9 to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Central Film Censor Board, Mumbai, film director Rahul Rawail and distributor Ponty Chadha.
|
|
Lok adalat settles 54 cases
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 2 Lok Adalats were presided over by Mr J.S. Kular, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr D.S. Johal, Mr J.S. Dhillon, Mr K.S. Sullar (all Judges). Several cases were settled by mutual compromise by parties.
|
Kapurthala fish seed farm to have eco-hatchery
Chandigarh, May 2 Sources in the department say that the breeding of endangered and valuable species of fish will be undertaken on the farm. The work of setting up the hatchery and the nursery tanks has already started, they add. Fish diversity in the wetlands is currently facing a threat due to the increasing demand for water besides a rise in the number of migratory birds and pollution levels. The Director and Warden of Fisheries, Dr Baljeet Singh Sidhu, adds that Rs 16.67 lakh has already been released for setting up the hatchery and the nursery tanks. The amount, Dr Sidhu adds, is part of a Rs 75-lakh project sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Environment for the preservation of fish, besides the conservation and management of the wetlands. The intention, the sources add, is to restore the ecological balance. They say that for the purpose of maintaining the wetlands and preserving fish, a study is also being carried out by scientists from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Giving details of the project, the sources say that every year about 10 lakh seed of endangered species will be produced in the Kanjali wetland in Kapurthala district alone. They say that the ambitious project of maintaining the wetlands — prepared by the Fisheries Department — was initially submitted to the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology. It was, subsequently, approved by the Central Government. The state has already achieved the highest average per hectare fish production.
|
4 of family die in road accident
Kapurthala, May 2 The family was on its way to their home in Batala after attending a function at Jalandhar when their car hit a private bus in a head-on collision. The accident reportedly occurred at 3:30 pm in an accident-prone area opposite the rest house of the Forest Department of Dhilwan. The car driver could not judge a turn in the road and it got crushed under a bus coming from the Amritsar side. Ashwini Luthra, his wife Santosh Rani, their newlywed son Rohit Luthra and their daughter-in-law Pooja died on the spot. Twelve-year-old Varun Luthra, younger son of Ashwini Luthra, is reportedly serious. He has multiple injuries and is fighting for his life at a hospital in Beas. A case has been registered under Section 304 A of the IPC. The bodies of the deceased have been brought to the Kapurthala Civil Hospital mortuary.
|
|
Murder case solved, 2 arrested
Hoshiarpur, May 2 Mr Lok Nath Angra, SSP, Hoshiarpur, said here today that the body of Vijay Kumari an employee of anganwari school of Ajnoha village was recovered from a bedbox in Kewal Singh’s house who is living with his family in the UK. The Mahilpur police had registered a case under FIR no. 173 on September 25, 2004, under Sections 302/379 of the IPC. Vijay Kumari was looking after the house in the absence of Kewal Singh and his family. She disappeared on September 23, 2004, from the house. Her family members searched her everywhere and later found her body from the bedbox in the house. The SSP said the police arrested the culprits Gursharan Singh, alias Jugni and Charanjit Singh, alias Sunny. During investigation it was revealed that few days before her murder Vijay Kumari saw Gursharan Singh entering the house of a village girl. She told the villagers about the relations of the girl with Gursharan Singh. She also gave evidence against him in the village panchayat due to which Gursharan Singh became annoyed and wanted to take revenge. He hatched a conspiracy with Charanjit Singh who was related to Kewal Singh, owner of the kothi. On September 23, 2004, Gursharan Singh and Charanjit Singh entered the house and consumed liquor and strangled Vijay Kumari. They hid the body in the bedbox.
|
|
8 arrested for ‘supari’ killing
Jalandhar, May 2 District police chief S.K. Asthana stated here today that on of a tip-off that a gang of criminals was gathered at a defunct brick-kiln near Littran village and was planning to commit a robbery, police party raided the spot and arrested all the members of the gang. The arrested persons were identified as Daljit Singh, alias Balli, Balwinder Singh alias Kala, Satnam Singh,Sukhjinder Singh alias Sukha, Gurmej Singh, alias Sabi, Santokh Singh and Sukhdev Singh, the SSP said adding that personal search of gang members led to the seizure of three country-made pistols with ammunition and sharpedged weapons. The SSP further stated that during preliminary interrogation the accused revealed that two months back Balwinder Singh had met Manjit Kaur alias Jiwan Kaur, a resident of Nurmahal. Manjit Kaur gave a “supari” of Rs 2 lakh to kill Surinderjit, elder brother of her expired son-in-law, with whom her daughter was having some property dispute, Mr Asthana added. After getting the “contract”, Balwinder, along with his other accomplices, allegedly murdered Surinderjit at the latter’s residence on April 23 last, Mr Asthana said, adding that all the seven members of gang and Manjit Kaur had been arrested by the police. While a case under Sections 399 and 402, IPC, and the Arms Act has been registered against the gang members, Manjit Kaur has been arrested under Section 120-B, IPC for hatching a conspiracy for murder, the SSP added.
— PTI
|
|
|
Encounter leads to arrest of 2 robbers
Jalandhar, May 2 One of the criminals and a policeman sustained bullet injuries. Mr S.K. Asthana, SSP, said though six members of the gang had already been arrested, two absconding gang members had been identified as Tirath of Kotla and Sunny of Pandori village in the Nakodar area. A tip-off suggested that Tirath and Sunny were near Kotla Janga village and separate parties were deployed to keep a watch on the entry and exit points of the village. They intercepted two scooter borne youths. When they were signalled to stop, the youth riding the pillion fired a shot and the scooterist pounced at a police official with a sickle. The pillion rider, later identified as Tirath, again fired a shot at SI Angrez Singh. Meanwhile, ASI Jarnail Singh took out his revolver and fired at Tirath, who was injured. The accused were overpowered and arrested. The police has also succeeded in solving the broad daylight armed robbery committed in the Nurmahal area on April 16, with the arrest of one of the five robbers, who has been identified as Gurinder Singh Gill of Bundala.
|
|
|
Rs 30 lakh found “missing” from coop bank
Sangrur, May 2 When contacted this evening, Mr Narender Kaushal, DSP (Rural), Sangrur, said the manager of the bank visited the bank branch the previous day (Sunday) and found about Rs 30 lakh missing from the safe of the bank. He informed the higher authorities of the cooperative bank at Sangrur, who lodged a complaint with the police in this regard. Mr Kaushal said it was a matter of surprise for every one as no lock of the bank or the safe had been broken to steal such a big amount. Besides, the keys of the bank had also been lying with the manager only. In these circumstances, the needle of suspicion also pointed towards the involvement of the manager in the theft or embezzlement because the Gehlan branch was one-man branch where the manager also functioned as cashier, he added. Mr Kaushal also said after the registration of a case in this regard, the police was now investigating the case on different theories.
|
|
Jail warden arrested with poppy husk
Patiala, May 2 According to police sources, warden Amarjit Singh was stopped for a check while he was entering the jail complex during a change of guard yesterday along with other wardens. The sources said the manner in which he was walking attracted the attention of the
jail staff. The sources said when the warden was stopped, he panicked and soon the checking staff found a packet containing 800 gm of poppy husk from his person. Amarjit Singh was presented before Jail Superintendent Balbir Singh who called in the Kotwali police. The warden was promptly put under arrest and taken to Kotwali police station. The Jail Superintendent has also initiated departmental action against the warden. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the jail official. This is the first such case of smuggling of narcotics which has been unearthed in the Nabha jail although there have been continuous allegations that narcotic substances were finding their way into the jail. Earlier in June, 2003, 200 gm of opium was recovered from the Central Jail in Patiala.
|
|
|
Booked for cheating court
Pathankot, May 2 According to informed sources, Kumodh Kumar was arrested by the railway police on the charges of receiving stolen property. He was later released on the bail. Sources said two impersonators under the false name of Balbir Singh and Ajit Singh posing as surety and attestator appeared before the magistrate as surety attested by revenue officials of Jalandhar. On the subsequent date when the accused jumped the bail, his bail bonds were ordered to be forfeited, and non-bailable warrants issued against the surety and a notice was also sent to the verifier. The warrants issued for the accused remained unserved for quiet some time. On verification by the authorities concerned it was found that neither the surety ever resided at the given address nor the attesting witness as alleged in the court. Sensing some foul play Mr R.K. Garg, Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, here today, ordered the registration of criminal case against the abettors and conspirators under IPC provisions.
|
|
|
Woman succumbs to burns
Hoshiarpur, May 2 Beant Kaur, in her statement before the Duty Magistrate, Dasuya, in the Civil Hospital, Tanda, had stated that her mother-in-law, Nirmal Kaur, and sister-in-law, Paramjit Kaur, sprinkled kerosene on her while she was preparing tea on a gas stove in the kitchen of her house at 6 am on April 29 morning. Her clothes caught fire from the stove and she was seriously burnt. She had alleged that her husband Joginder Singh, mother-in-law and sister-in-law used to torture and quarrel with her since her marriage for more dowry. A case has been registered.
|
|
|
Murder case solved after 12 years
Barnala, May 2 SSP Amit Parsad while talking to mediapersons today stated that a police party of the CIA on a tip- off arrested Chuhar Singh and Darshan Singh of Rurekr Kalan for the murder of Niranjan Singh committed on December 15, 1993. The SSP said during the interrogation Darshan Singh had confessed that his father Karnail Singh, who was gunned down during militancy, used to tell him that Niranjan Singh had hired Hari Singh to liquidate his uncle Kaka Singh in 1971. Hari Singh got convicted while Niranjan got scotfree. The police after arresting the duo also managed to recovered the gun used in the crime. Meanwhile, the police had also arrested four proclaimed offenders. Amritpal of Kutba, Ranjit of Harchowal, Surjit Singh of Bharowal and Jasvir Singh of Ludhiana.
|
|
|
One killed, 6 hurt in road mishap
Batala, May 2 Dr Jitendra Kumar Jain, Senior Superintendent of Police, said that the autorickshaw overturned and its driver Manjit Singh, a resident of Kotla Saraf village in Batala subdivision, was injured. He later succumbed to his injuries in the Civil Hospital, Batala. A case under has been registered against the car driver, Bawa Ram, who has been arrested and the car impounded.
|
|
|
Eleven remanded in police custody
Jagraon, May 2 These persons were arrested yesterday while they were planning to commit a crime.However, five members of the gang managed to flee. Scooterist killed:
8 booked: Jagrup Singh, Mohra Singh, Pal Singh, Bagh Singh, Jinder Singh, Channa, alias Raju, Nek Singh and Sheera of Aligarh have been booked for allegedly assaulting Jagpal Singh with sharp- edged weapons. The local police has registered a case under Sections 325, 323, 148, 149 IPC. Some old enmity is said to be the reason behind the incident.
|
CM gives Rs 1 cr for needy students
Patiala, May 2 According to a release here. During a visit to Yadavindra College of Engineering at Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo, Vice-Chancellor Swarn Singh Boparai discovered that 22 poor students who got admission in the comprehensive Engineering Course on the basis of their merit were taking only one time meal in a day to reduce expenses. A girl student who has been the topper among all admitted students is also one of these starving students. Unable to bear the mess expenses of their children. These students decided to shun foods but not studies and continued to struggle with their situation. Moved by their determination and commitment towards their education the Vice-Chancellor gave Rs 10,000 from his own pocket to meet their mess bills. When he brought this fact to the notice of the Chief Minister today he announced Rs one crore for these students.
|
|
GND varsity reschedules exam dates
Amritsar, May 2 However, the timings and venue of the examination centres would remain the same. Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, said examination of BA/BSc part-I that had been postponed to May 15 included economics — a (122), defence and strategic studies — a (142), fine arts — a (152), sociology — a (126), education — a (161), history of art — a (159), commercial art-I (157), sculpture — I (158) and chemistry — I (169). Similarly, examinations of BA/BSc part-III rescheduled from May 7 to May 15 were history — b (621), mathematics — b (667), psychology — b (640), quantitative techniques — b (654), religious studies — b (644) and zoology-b, option — I (676), II (677), III (678) and IV (679) the Registrar added.
|
|
GND varsity to conduct refresher course
Amritsar, May 2 Dr Vikram Chadha, Professor of Economics and Coordinator for the course, said here today that the thrust area of the course would be “India’s external sector reforms: progress, problems and prospects”. He said that Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, would inaugurate the refresher course on May 5, while Dr Nagesh Kumar, Director-General of Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi, would preside over the valedictory session of May 25. Mr Chadha said that Prof Bhatacharya, Director, Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi; Prof P.K. Chobey of the Indian Institute of Public Administration; Dr Jyoti Bhatt, Director, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, and Prof I.N. Mukherjee of Jawaharlal Nehru University were some of the prominent resource persons visiting the university to address the participants.
|
|
Need for new work culture: experts
Nawanshahr, May 2 The workshop was conducted by the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration. Punjab at Rayat College of Law, Rail Mazra, about 40 km from here yesterday. Mr V.N. Ojha, Director-General of the institute, inaugurated the workshop, organised as part of a training programme under the UNDP project.
|
|
Protest against move to privatise schools
Bathinda, May 2 Village sarpanch Malkit Kaur announced that they would block traffic for indefinite period from tomorrow. The government school in the village has 133 students and a single teacher. The sarpanch said a majority of the school students were Dalits. She said the government should recruit more teachers for the village schools. Unconfirmed reports said the government had been preparing to privatise about half a dozen schools of Sangat and Talwandi Sabo blocks. The villager got an air of this plan which irked them to an extent of taking out a protest rally. Residents of Kalalwala village were also peeved at the government move.
|
|
|
PCCTU elections on May 15
Doraha, May 2 A total of 450 delegates shall participate in the voting and they have been instructed to bring along their identity cards. Equal number of nominations have arrived for the post of office bearers from both the groups i.e. Hundal -Tiwari group and Jagwant-Brar group.
|
|
|
Daljit Singh Principal of Khalsa College
Amritsar, May 2 The appointment of Dr Singh has been cleared by the Selection Committee, including both the nominees of GND University.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
