R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Batala
Purchase of mustard seed: As per its policy, Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation has started the purchase of mustard seed from farmers who had sown the crop under contract farming. About 800 bags of the seed were purchased by the corporation on Wednesday and the purchase operations were inaugurated by Mr BS Cheema, District Manager.

Bathinda
Protest: Students of Punjabi University’s Regional Centre today protested against the varsity’s alleged failure to fulfil the required formalities with the PRTC due to which they had not been issued bus passes since April 1. Addressing the protesters, student leader Gurvinder Singh Jhanduke said the students coming from far- flung areas were facing a lot of hardships in reaching the college. 

Hoshiarpur
Power cuts: With the onset of summer, the Punjab State Electricity Board has increased the duration of unscheduled power cuts in this district. About a week ago these cuts lasted six to eight hours but the duration has now been increased to 12 hours. As a result, production of small scale industrial units has been affected. Mr HL Virdi, SE, informed that the power cuts were being imposed by the head office of the PSEB.

Liquor seized: The Dasuya police has arrested Kashmir Singh, a resident of Panwan, under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act. According to police sources, 2,92,550 ml of illicit liquor has been seized from him.

Meeting: At a joint meeting of government officers, representatives of the Jain community and police officials held under the presidentship of Mr Pritam Singh, SDM, Hoshiarpur, here on Thursday, it was decided to close all meat shops and slaughter houses in the city on April 11 on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

SANGRUR
Conference: The two-day national conference on recent trends in engineering and application of computational techniques sponsored by the Indian Society for Technical Education, New Delhi, concluded at Bhai Gurdas Institute of Engineering and Technology here on Thursday. The conference was inaugurated by Dr SC Saxena, Director, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. Mr Hakam Singh Jawanda, Chairman, Bhai Gurdas group of institutions, honoured the delegates and students.

HARYANA

Ambala
SBI strike: The State Bank of India employees held a demonstration at the main branch of SBI at Kutchery Road in Ambala City today. They raised slogans and said their genuine demand for pension should be promptly accepted by the government. Staff association secretary, B.S. Sahni, said their indefinite strike would continue till such time their demand was not met. He said common people were being affected due to the non-cooperative attitude of the government.

Summer camp: A summer camp will be organised by the Ambica Jan Jagran Society in Ambala Cantt. from April 16 to June 16. A number of programmes will be held, including music, dance, toy making, painting, computer basics, chess, cutting & tailoring, personality development course, special coaching, handicraft, an English speaking course and Wushu. 

Art of Living course: A course is being run by The Art of Living Foundation in Aggarwal Dharamshala, Ambala Cantt.More than 80 persons are undertaking the course, which includes yogic practices, knowledge and techniques. The Art of Living-Part 1 course is an introduction to the skills and knowledge of the ancient art of living. The course also emphasises on the importance of service in life. The course ends on April 9. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Rewari
Rape charge against father: A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her father over the past few weeks at Pali village, about 15 km from here. The girl informed her mother, Mrs Mukesh Devi, who lodged a complaint in this regard with Mr Ved Prakash Godara, DSP, here on Thursday. Consequently the girl was medically examined at Civil Hospital. The Khol police has registered a case of rape under Sections 376, 292, IPC, against the accused, Ajit Singh Yadav.

Tributes paid to Devi Lal: Tributes were paid to the late Devi Lal at a function held to mark his fifth death anniversary at Mangal House here on Thursday. Recalling his services towards farmers, senior citizens and others, former minister ML Ranga, district INLD chief Jagdish Yadav and others asserted that he would always remain a source of inspiration for them. 

One killed in road accident: Narender Kumar, a resident of Jaitrawas village, near here, was killed when his motor cycle was hit by a speeding Haryana Roadways bus (HR 66-0728) on the Rewari-Bharawas road here on Thursday. The Model Town police has booked bus driver Om Prakash for rash and negligent driving.