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BJP yatra to be in Punjab for two days
Ludhiana, April 10 Starting from Amritsar on May 4, it will cover a distance of about 600 km during two days and will move on to Hanumangarh in Rajasthan on the evening of May 5. The party President will address about a dozen meetings at various places during his yatra. Briefing reporters here today, the national secretary of the BJP, Mr Harjit Singh Grewal, disclosed that Mr Rajnath Singh would enter Punjab on April 29 also. However, it would not form part of his Punjab programme since he would be moving around in Himachal Pradesh on that date and would touch Pathankot en route. Mr Grewal was accompanied by other party leaders, including Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Mr Vijay Sampla, Prof Rajinder Bhandari and the organising secretary, Mr Prashant Arora. Interestingly, the state BJP president, Mr Avinash Rai Khanna, was not present. He was said to be busy with a party rally at Ropar. The rally there was scheduled to be held in the evening. The BJP secretary criticised those opposing the yatra of the two senior party leaders, Mr L. K. Advani and Mr Rajnath Singh. He observed that the issue the party had taken up was quite an important one and concerned the security, unity and integrity of the nation. He held that those opposing the yatra were doing it just for their vested interests and were only worried about their vote bank. Mr Grewal, who is in charge of the yatra in Punjab, sought to play down the absence of Mr Khanna. He presided over a meeting of party leaders, including district presidents, from across the state to finalise the arrangements of the yatra. He asserted that there was “a lot of enthusiasm” among the party workers and the yatra would be accorded “a tumultuous welcome” wherever it goes. He said a massive rally would be held in Amritsar. The BJP leader expressed optimism that the party, in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal, would win the Assembly elections and form the government. He claimed that the Congress government had lost the confidence of the people and it would be difficult for the party (the Congress) to go to the people for votes.
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Illegal felling of trees continues in Donera range
Gurdaspur/Hoshiarpur, April 10 This has been going on despite the fact that the Secretary (Forest), in an undertaking to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, had stated that no felling permit would be issued till the public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the illegal felling was pending before the court. The
DFO, Gurdaspur, Mr Jasmer Singh, when asked, said the felling permits issued were that of dead and dry trees standing in cultivated fields. No permit had been issued for the trees falling in the 10-year felling plan. However, sources said green trees were being felled in the forest area. As a rule, no tree is felled from April to June. Because of heat during these months, fire can break out in forests. The twigs and branches that are left in the forest after cutting can be the cause of forest fires. As per information provided under the Right to Information Act, 5,723 trees were marked for felling in Balsudal village under the 10-year felling plan. Most of the cultivated fields in the village were covered under Sections 4 and 5 of the Forest Act. Most of the small fields developed here were encroachments on forest lands and the felling of trees on them had to be under the felling plan. Most of the trees in the fields were on steep slopes and felling them would increase the risk of soil erosion. Indiscriminate felling and uprooting of khair trees was also reported from Kukanate village. Here, many green trees were felled after the permits for felling dead and dry trees were issued. The Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, Mr D.K. Tiwari, has ordered an inquiry into the felling of trees. However, forest officials have not booked anyone for illegal felling of trees so far. It is interesting that only Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur forest divisions have issued permits for felling of trees in cultivated fields while all other divisions, including Dasuya and Garshankar, have not issued any such permit. Forest officials from Gurdaspur have also admitted that government lands have not been demarcated to differentiate them from private lands. All village common lands are government lands. However, if the areas have not been demarcated, the probability is always there that the trees can always be felled in government land, which is totally illegal.
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2-degrees-for-one proposal gets HRD, government nod
Jalandhar, April 10 Dr S.K. Salwan, Vice-Chancellor, PTU, confirmed the status of the proposal to The Tribune here today. He said if the proposal gets the approval, a student who completes a degree course under the programme would ultimately get two degrees. While PTU would award one degree, the second one would come from the New South Wales state government Department of Education and Training, Australia, through TAFE Global Pvt Ltd, an education consultancy firm. As per the proposal, a student will complete the first half of the course in Mohali and second half in Australia, thereby acquiring a legal chance to move abroad. The foolproof idea has been brought up by an immigration agency which also runs Canadian Institute for International Studies (CIIS) in Mohali as its sister concern. But the students certainly will have to pay a premium as the fee structure of the dual-degree technical course is slated to be quite high. The CIIS owners had accompanied a delegation led by Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Minister for Technical Education, Punjab, and Mr R.S. Khandpur, a PTU-BOG member and Director-General of Pushpa Gujral Science City, to Sydney in September last year. Since then, the minister was herself said to be taking keen interest in getting the project cleared. On the pattern of CIIS many PTU-affiliated colleges have now started looking for dual-degree options with foreign universities. Dr Salwan said Chandigarh Engineering College, Landran, and Chitkara Institute, Rajpura, were also planning to tie up with some foreign universities for a similar proposal. He said the colleges were interested in offering such programmes for courses related to IT
and computer science engineering.
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Case against journalists to be
withdrawn
Muktsar, April 10 The police had also arrested school principal’s husband, Gurpreet Singh Kataria, later who was later released on bail. SSP LK Yadav said the police would initiate action against the school management for obstructing traffic by erecting barricades. The SSP stated he was looking into the matter and the cancellation of the false case registered against the journalists would be subject a legal procedure. On the other hand, reacting to the latest developments, journalists said it had proved that the police had acted in haste while registering the case. The police had booked Mr Gursewak Singh Preet of Punjabi Tribune, Mr Baldev Singh Bham of Ajeet and Mr Pawan Taneja of another vernacular daily on the charges of kidnapping bid, robbery and assault. Two of these had an altercation with Mr Kataria when they were taking photographs of the barricades put up by the school in front of its premises yesterday. Mr Kataria, along with the school staff allegedly had assaulted both, journalists complaint of which was made to the police in the morning. The police didn’t register a case on their complaint till evening. At 7.15 pm, Mr Kataria admitted his son to Civil Hospital and alleged that three journalists attempted to kidnap his son during which he got injured. He also alleged that they also snatched gold jewellery of his wife. The police registered a case on his complaint and followed it up with a cross case against Kataria, his wife Rajni Kataria and a school watchman.
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Amarinder Singh lauds role of armed forces
Chandigarh, April 10 Inaugurating the Civil-Military Liaison Conference between the Punjab Government and Headquarters Western Command here today, he lauded the role of the armed forces. He said that he was proud of the age-old bondage between the services, the people and the state government. In a noticeable departure from convention, the conference was held in a prominent local hotel and organised by the Punjab Government. Such conferences have traditionally been held at Chandimandir under the aegis of Western Command In his address, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt-Gen Daljeet Singh, thanked the Chief Minister and the state administration for a positive response on various issues taken up with them. He pointed out that Punjab had been in the forefront for extending benefits to battle casualties or their next of kin and that other state governments were taking a lead from it. The Army Commander also expressed satisfaction on the close rapport existing between the Punjab Government and the armed forces, adding that this understanding and goodwill should be further strengthened. Civil Military Liaison Conference is held annually to discuss issues of mutual significance and resolve any difference of opinion on matters concerning each other's functioning and interests. The Chief Minister said a quota would be fixed for 100 per cent disabled soldiers of Punjab domicile in housing and township schemes under the proposed mega-projects as well as finalise modalities to exempt all serving personnel from entertainment tax. He also assured that the issue of re-notification of the Hoshiarpur field firing range would be resolved and directed the Deputy Commissioner concerned to take up the matter with the state revenue department. The Chief Minister also agreed to transfer the Saraghari memorial in Ferozepur to the local military authorities, with a trust comprising military and civilian officers being set up to manage the affairs of the memorial.
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CM takes notice of contaminated water in canals
Abohar, April 10 Speaking at a function in Dhingawali village, near here, he said the Chief Minister assured him that effective steps to stop discharge of effluents by industrial units in Ludhiana and Ferozepore divisions would be taken on priority. Earlier, Mr Jakhar inaugurated development projects in the village. He said NABARD was expected to approve the Rs 38 crore scheme soon. The state government planned to remodel some canals within six months to enhance water supply by 25 percent. This will solve the problem of shortage of water in the region. The Irrigation Department had been directed to take up desilting of canals during suspension of supply. Mr Jakhar said the benefit of Sanjivani Health Scheme would be passed on to members of the cooperative societies in rural areas. A membership fee of Rs 300 would entitle the member to lifelong healthcare benefits. Dependants, too, would get the benefit through a small annual subscription.
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Punjab initiates steps to check dropout
rate
Chandigarh, April 10 Talking to The Tribune, DPI Secondary, S.S. Randhawa, said that even a disabled or a child with special needs would be allowed to have access to the schools. Not only this, the department has also directed all the school heads that no teacher should be called out of the class while the teaching was in progress. In addition to this, the D.P.I informed that the absence of a teacher from the class would be considered as absence from the school. To this end, if a teacher is found missing, strict action will be initiated against him or her by the school head. The department from now onwards has also prohibited all the teachers from indulging in activities like reading the newspapers, knitting or talking to each other during the class hours. To this end, a flying squad has also been constituted that will make surprise checks in various schools on regular basis. Meanwhile, both the teachers and the school heads will also be required to maintain daily diaries recording their day to day activities in them. Also a provision has been made to boost up the sports activities in the schools. Physical Education teachers will now be required to take classes in the evening as well. Mr Randhawa informed that various sports centers would be used for this purpose where the evening wing for the sports classes would be started.
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Govt has failed to utilise grants:
Badal
Patiala, April 10 Mr Badal, who attended a number of social functions at Pathan Majra, Suller and here, pointed out that people belonging to all walks of life had come to know that Capt Amarinder Singh had been destroying the economy and social fabric of Punjab for his political interests and hence they had decided to teach him a lesson in the coming Assembly elections. Talking to media persons, he said false claims made by Capt Amarinder Singh in connection with the development of Punjab had been exposed by the fact that the state had gone down to No. 5 from No. 1 due to anti-Punjab and anti-people policies being followed by the Chief Minister. “The Suller area, which is located just behind the boundary wall of New Moti Bagh Palace, the private residence of Capt Amarinder Singh, is the best example in terms of development carried out by the present ruling set-up. Broken roads reflect the interest of the Chief Minister as to how much he is serious about development in the state,” pointed out Mr Badal. He claimed that Capt Amarinder Singh had only been making false claims that he had succeeded in bring industry worth crores of rupees to Punjab, apart from setting up a number of special economic zones (SEZs). The ground realty showed that people were being denied even the basic amenities in certain pockets of Punjab. The main stress of the Chief Minister was on introducing privatisation in all fields. Not only this, Capt Amarinder Singh had made a number of people unemployed on the one hand and, on the other, he had failed to give job to any single person in the past four years. Mr Badal alleged that Capt Amarinder Singh had been interfering in the functioning of the SAD and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) to gain some political dividends. The Chief Minister had also failed to probe those allegations which he levelled against him (Mr Badal) and others in the Supreme court.
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BJP Mahila Morcha submits memorandum to Governor
Chandigarh, April 10 In a memorandum submitted to the Punjab Governor, Gen S.F. Rodrigues, here today the President of the Punjab Mahila Morcha, Mrs Vijaya Laxmi Bhadoo, said the issue of reservation for the women in the legislatures had been pending since long. Therefore, the UPA Government must bring a Bill in this regard in the next Lok Sabha session. Mrs Bhadoo also handed over several cloth banners signed by about 70,000 women in support the morcha demand to the Governor, who assured her that the memorandum would be forwarded to the Centre. Later, Mrs Bhadoo told newsmen that the Morcha had divided the state into eight parts for intensifying its activities and to mobilise the people to participate in the Rath Yatra of the BJP President, Mr Raj Nath.
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Sikhs urged to wear kesri turbans on Baisakhi
Patiala, April 10 The French Sikh delegation headed by Mr Gurdial Singh, president of the Dastar Action Committee, France, was in Patiala to personally invite Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa, president of the Sikh National Organisation, to come to France to present the case of the turban to the French Parliament. The delegation appealed to the Punjab Assembly to pass a resolution about the importance of articles of faith in Sikhism and send the same to the United Nations and French Parliament. They said they would meet the Punjab Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in this regard. The delegation members also said they were seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appeal to him to get a resolution passed from the Indian Parliament for expressing their deep concern to the Indian people against the violation of religious rights of tender aged school-going children in France against various UN conventions.
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Devotees start pouring in for Baisakhi Mela
Bathinda, April 10 Talking to The Tribune, the takht manager, Mr Bharpur Singh, stated that about 10,000 devotees reached the holy town today. The Khalsa March from Desu had also arrived, he said. The ongoing kar seva at the takht is also attracting devotees in large numbers. The SGPC is making special lighting arrangements at the takht on Baisakhi to mark Sampooranta Divas. Takht jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh said April 12-15 would witness “Amrit Sanchar” under the SGPC’s “Singh sajo lehar”. As per information available, a kavi darbar will be organised at Bhai Dall Singh Diwan Hall on April 13 night in which poets Rajinder Singh Josh, Ravinder Singh Masroor, Jagjeet Singh Komal and Bibi Sukhjinder Kaur are expected to participate. Meanwhile, sites have also been allotted to various political outfits for holding conferences. The Congress and SAD are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a huge turnout at their respective conferences. However, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s poor track record has sparked off speculations over his participation in the ruling party’s conference. While sources say it may be difficult for the Chief Minister to make it in the wake of his programme at the newly formed district of Mohali and Anandpur Sahib on the same day, local Congress leaders are claiming that he would address the party’s conference.
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Encroachments pose threat to ASI monuments
Batala, April 10 The most significant historical monument protected by the ASI is the tomb of Shamsher Khan. The tomb was built by Shamsher Khan a eunuch ruler of the area during the regime of Akbar. The tomb was known as ‘Hazira’. The word Hazira has come from the Persian word Hazirah. In the recent past ASI officials wrote to the Chief Secretary Punjab regarding the alleged attempt by some local politicians to tamper with the protected land and the building. The ASI officials in their complaint alleged that the local council authorities tried to fill the pond surrounding the protected building ‘Anarkali’. Had water been filled in the pond it would have disrupted the protection measures being taken by the ASI to restore the building. Moreover, the attempt was aimed at stopping the ASI from the possession of the prime land adjoining the monuments. Talking to The Tribune officials of the ASI said rule 32 of the Ancient Monuments, Archaeological sites and Remains Act, 1958, prohibits mining and construction up to 100 metres from the protected limits. The Act has barred any construction, excavation and mining within the said area without the permission of the Director General, ASI. However, a large number of constructions have come up near the protected monuments. A temple has been constructed by the encroachers right between the two protected monuments, the tomb of Hazira and Anarkali. The illegal building blocks the view of monuments from either side. The colonisers have carved out illegal colonies around the monuments and houses have come up in violation of the rules. ASI officials said that they have served legal notice on the encroachers. However, in the absence of the active support of the local administration they cannot remove the encroachments. The History Society of Gurdaspur has expressed concern over the encroachments on the protected sites of the ASI.
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Work on Lehra power plant (II) halts
Chandigarh, April 10 Sources in the PSEB said today that construction work on all major works, including two cooling towers, the boiler area, cooling water pump house, chimney and coal-handling plant, had almost come to a halt. The sources said that BHEL, which had been given the task of raising Stage II, having two units of 250 MW each , had tied up with a private company for the supply of cement. As the price of cement in the open market had shot up, there were problems in its supply at the plant site. Moreover, most of the cement companies had imposed a heavy cut on the manufacture of OPC and switched over to pozzolana portland cement in which a certain percentage of fly ash is mixed. About 10,000 bags of cement were used daily in the construction work.In fact, most of the works involved the heavy use of cement and steel. " Some stocks of cement were brought to the plant site yesterday. And some more stocks were expected soon, but these will not be enough to meet the daily requirement", said a senior officer posted at the plant site. The Tribune tried to contact the Member (Generation) at the PSEB headquarters at Patiala today to get the official version but he was away to Delhi. No one picked up the telephone at the office of the Chief Engineer (Civil) at the plant site. A PSEB official said the first unit of 250 MW of Stage II, which was to cost Rs 2,000 crore, was to be completed in December last. However, it had already been delayed by four months. And as per the current pace of work on the project, the completion of the first unit was expected to be delayed by five more months. Had the work on the first unit of Stage II been completed in December, the unit would have stabilised by now and started contributing to the state's power grid.The second unit of Stage II was to be completed by March , 2007.
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Rs 1 cr for hospital at Nalwa’s village
Gurdaspur, April 10 Mr Pratap Singh Bajwa Minister for PWD, Culture and Archives stated this to The Tribune. Mr Bajwa said Gujjaranwala was the birth place of Hari Singh Nalwa. During a recent visit to Pakistan he had requested the authorities there to raise a memorial in the name of famous Sikh general at his birth place. The authorities told him a maternity hospital was needed at Gujjaranwala. The proposal of the maternity hospital was put up to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who accepted the idea. The hospital when constructed with grant from by Indian Punjab government would be handed over to NRI Sikhs for running. He added the government had decided to renovate memorials associated with 40-year rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, freedom struggle in Punjab and people who contributed to the development of Punjab. A heritage village scheme has been launched in villages in which heritage sites are located would be provided a grant of Rs 1 crore each. In Gurdaspur district Kahnuwan village would be provided a grant of Rs 1 crore for the Chhota Ghalu-ghara gurdwara. The historic gurdwara commemorates ‘Chhota Ghalughara’ (mass massacre) of Sikhs at the hands of
Mughals. Many ancient artifacts, bones of the persons massacred and pieces of weapons are still found from the area around the Tibri cantonment.
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Poor heart patient needs monetary help
Ropar, April 10 Showing his PGI records, Ranjit Singh told Chandigarh Tribune that the doctors at the PGI had advised him to get the operation done within a month. “I have four children but no source of income. Earlier I used to work as domestic help to run my family. For the past two months I could not even walk properly due to the disease” he added. “My condition is deteriorating day by day. From all my sources I have managed to collect only Rs 50,000. If any NGO or social worker could bear rest of my operation expenses I would live and look after my family,” he said.
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Foundation stone for water supply
project laid
Kharar, April 10 Mr Charanjit Singh, president of the municipal council, said that under the new project every house in the town would be provided with a water supply and sewerage connection. He said that out of the total amount of Rs 22 crore, a sum of Rs 14 crore would be spent on the work of providing sewerage and Rs 8 crore on water supply. He said that 80 per cent of the amount, being spent on the project, had been provided by the government through the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. The rest has to be contributed by the civic body. He said that an amount of Rs 1 crore had already been deposited in this regard by the council. The work on the new project will be undertaken by the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board and it would take about two years to complete the work.
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Sugar mill workers hold rally
Patiala, April 10 Mr Gurmeet Singh, general secretary of the union, said that the Punjab Government had connived with the rich and sold out interests of its employees and farmers to them. He added that the Punjab Government had pushed the employees of the sugar mill and farmers to a point where they were feeling that they were on the verge of starvation. He said that six employees of the sugar mill, who were under tension because of anti-employee policies of the state government, had died.
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Friendship letter from Pak
Amritsar, April 10 Talking to the media, an American student, John Silliphant, claimed that the card was the world's longest letter which carried messages of friendship.
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4 die in mishap
Phillaur, April 10 According to reports received here today, a truck driver lost his control while overtaking a tractor trailer and rammed into a tree. Four deceased were identified as Budh Ram (45), Soni (15), Jaswinder Singh (35) and Rahul of village Nurpur Beit,while one Chindi was injured in the accident. All bodies were handed over to the family members of the deceased.
— OC
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Arrest of ex-wildlife warden stayed
Hoshiarpur, April 10 While granting an interim stay on the arrest of Mr Gunraj Singh, the CJM fixed April 19 as the next day of hearing. The forest department officials raided the farmhouse of Mr Gunraj Singh in Hoshiarpur on April 7 and recovered body parts of a Sambar like legs, skin and head. — TNS
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Officials told to check sound pollution
Chandigarh, April 10 The guidelines were issued at a meeting held here in the light of an order of the Supreme Court to state governments to implement the laws effectively. — TNS
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Lawyers strike work
Abohar, April 10 Document writers and others working in the subdivisional complex also took part in the procession. A complete strike was observed by lawyers and the document writers. They held a demonstration at a showroom owned by two accused. The showroom has been lying closed for the past three days. The protesters went to the police station and met the SP (D), in charge of investigation. He reportedly assured them that the police would discharge its duty properly. The police has rounded up some persons for interrogation. The police conducted raids and searched the houses of the accused. Meanwhile, Mr Arshdeep Singh, SHO, City police station, has been shifted to the CIA staff. Mr Talwinder Singh is the new SHO here.
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FCI to procure 15 pc of wheat production
Rajpura, April 10 Talking to reporters after inspecting the local grain market, Mr Dubey informed that the FCI had made elaborate arrangements for the storage of the wheat. A proposal to set up centres for the direct procurement of wheat from the farmers was under the active consideration of the corporation, Mr Dubey added. The Senior Regional Manager of the FCI, Mr T.C. Gupta, informed that about 1.80 lakh quintals of wheat had been procured from Patiala district at the rate of Rs 650 per quintal. The procurement agencies had been directed to make prompt payments to farmers selling wheat in the market, he added. The District Food Supply Controller, Capt H.S. Mokha (retd), claimed that the procurement was going on smoothly in the district. Prominent among those present were Mr A.P.S. Virk, SDM, Mr B.D. Singla, District Mandi Officer, Mr Karam Singh, Chairman of the Market Committee, and the general secretary of the Arhtiya Association, Mr Prem Chand Fauji.
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Lunatic raped in hospital, waiter held
Amritsar, April 10 The suspect. a waiter of a newly opened private hotel on the Wagah road, was severely beaten up after being overpowered by the security staff and relatives of the victim. The suspect, who was in an inebriated condition, was later handed over to the Majitha road police station. The Director of the hospital, Dr B.R. Goyal, wrote to the police, narrating the deplorable incident though the relatives of the victim were opposing registration of a case, as they did not want a social stigma attached to the family. The son of the victim threatened to commit suicide in front of the media if a case was registered. However, it was after about a three- hour persuasion that the relatives gave their consent for the registration of a case. Mr Harmanbir Singh Gill, S.P. (City), said the suspect, Budh Singh, hailing from Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, had been arrested. It is intriguing how the accused entered the hospital despite the presence of security guards. Dr Goyal said the incident occurred in the wee hours. He said he had ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said the responsibility of taking care of the victim was with the relatives since she was in the family ward. Almost a decade ago, Gurmeeto, an inmate of the hospital, was raped by staff members and later gave birth to a child.
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Export company dupes 90 persons of lakhs of rupees
Amritsar, April 10 Mr Rakesh Kaushal, SP (HQ), said a police party was likely to be dispatched to Mumbai to raid the premises of the company after registering a case. He stated that a person, Surinder Singh, was rounded up and was let off after he was also found to be a victim. Kenya Exports Company running its office from a rented building in the posh locality of Ranjit Avenue had lured a large number of candidates by advertising in vernacular newspapers, claiming to fly them to Singapore and Doha, Qatar, within 10 days. As many as 81 candidates had applied for going to Doha and nine for Singapore. For Doha each candidate deposited Rs 31,500 and for Singapore Rs 1.40 lakh. The advertisement had asked for candidates for various jobs, including carpenters, masons, drivers, plumbers, office clerks, office boys, time keepers, labourers and helpers. A resident of Bhattike village, Baba Bakala tehsil, Jalwant Singh (37) said he had applied for the job of driver. He said he was the only bread winner in his family of six. He managed the amount by taking a loan. He said there were four employees in the office, including manager Surinder Singh, a resident of Lakkadwala bazaar, his two helpers Palak and Rajani and a peon. Mr Vijay Kumar, a resident of Mohni Park, said he had applied for sending his son Manil to Doha. He stated that the manager first of all issued a referral form for a doctor working at Smt Parvati Devi Charitable Hospital for getting the medical examination done. He claimed that his son, like rest of the candidates, got the medical done and paid Rs 1,500 to the doctor but was not given any receipt. Subsequently, they gave a demand draft for Rs 15,000 favouring Kenya Export Company, Mumbai, and Rs 15,000 in cash. An agreement was signed between the candidate and the company. Mr Jagjit Singh (27), a resident of Abdal Sohi village, said he was unemployed and took loan at 5 per cent monthly interest from a moneylender. He said like all candidates he was told to collect ticket and passport from the office on April 3. However, all of them were shocked to find that the office was opened but there was nobody to attend except a peon. He also vanished on the plea of depositing a bill and did not return. After waiting for hours they went to the area police chowki and submitted a complaint. Mr Vijay Kumar alleged that the office was rented out in the name of Kuldeep Singh of Siliguri, which raised suspicion.
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A novel con act foiled, 5 held
Muktsar, April 10 According to sources, an announcement was made on the public address system of the village gurdwara on Thursday that a team had arrived from Delhi for administering Hepatitis-B vaccines to people, following which they deposited Rs 10 each. Noted Punjabi writer Mr Gurdev Singh Rupana brought the matter to the notice of the media. Mr Rajinder Kumar of the society claimed that they had opened their office on Malout Road in Muktsar and Rakesh Kumar was appointed as the district in charge. He said they had come to the village for booking for which they charged Rs 10 per person. He said they would then administer ‘Hepatitis-B vaccine’ by charging Rs 30 for children below 10 years of age and Rs 60 from adults. When confronted by mediapersons he could not show any authorisation from the district health authorities in this regard. He then claimed that he had reached an agreement with a city-based doctor and the vaccination campaign was being carried out under his guidance. But the doctor named by him distanced himself from their campaign saying he knew nothing about it. When contacted over phone, Rakesh Kumar came out with another claim stating that the society had got a verbal permission from the Civil Surgeon in this regard. On the other hand, Civil Surgeon Dr J.P. Singh said they hadn’t given any permission to the society and they would raise the matter with the police after conducting a probe into the matter. Meanwhile, two boys and three girls, who were also present on the spot, revealed that they were employed by Rakesh Kumar at a monthly salary of Rs 3,000, besides commission on booking. They alleged that till now they had not been paid a single penny and instead they were spending on conveyance from their own pocket. The state incharge of the society said if Rakesh Kumar didn’t seek permission from the authorities in this regard then he himself was responsible for it. Later, the police authorities swung into action and arrested five persons, including Rajinder Kumar and Rakesh Kumar. They have been booked under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 15 (2) of the Indian Medical Act, 1956.
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Fake currency racket busted
Barnala, April 10 Mr G. Nageshwar Rao, SSP told reporters today. The police seized a Rs 80,000 and fake currency worth Rs 90,000, a Palio car , mobile sets from their possession. He said their modus operandi was to cheat people on the pretext of getting their money doubled. For this they would bring fake currency alongwith the genuine currency money to befool people. The fake currency, used was produced with the help of a computer. Their area of operation was Nabha, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Sherpur and Mehal Kalan. When a person wanted to get his money doubled he would approach the accused at pre-selected site, the accused alongwith the police employees used to reach there. The cops would let the prey flee by threatening them if they did not leave the site the police would register a case against them for being involved in fake currency but the cops would seize the genuine money from them which they would bring with them for getting it doubled. Mr Rao said this was the eighth incident in Sangrur district but first in Barnala police district. The gang looted about Rs10 lakh from people.
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Land dispute victim dies
Kharar, April 10 According to reports available, Gurpreet Singh, son-in-law of Gurmeet Singh, died at the PGI in Chandigarh. Gurmeet and his sons Gurpreet and Sukhvir were also injured in the clash yesterday. They were allegedly injured in a clash with a group of armed persons who came to take possession of a piece of common village land. A case under Sections 25, 27 and 54 of the Arms Act and Sections 307, 148, 149 and 447 of the IPC was registered.
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School for hearing impaired inaugurated
Patiala, April 10 The school was taken up as a special project by the Punjab Child Welfare Council and is the first to be set up in the state. Giving details, Mrs Jaspreet Talwar president of the council, Patiala, said the school had a covered area of around 10,000 sq feet and the total cost involved was around Rs 54 lakh with the an additional sum of Rs 5 lakh spent by PUDA on developing a playground cum park in the adjoining open space. The school proposed to provide quality education and vocational training to its students. The school was equipped with an audiometric lab for detection of hearing impairment. Training would be imparted in computer education, home science, short hand and stenography. Mrs Talwar added that all these courses would be affiliated to the Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET) under a special Government of India scheme. The certificates so obtained would help trainees seek better employment opportunities. Mrs Talwar said the teaching staff for the school would be recruited in April and admissions would commence from May. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Preneet Kaur appreciated the efforts of the council in setting up the school in Patiala. She hoped that it would fulfill a long standing need of parents whose children were physically challenged. She also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the provision of furniture and other infrastructure for the school. Others who spoke on the occasion included Lt Col Uma Ratra, Secretary, Child Welfare Council, Punjab, Mrs Surinder Kaur ,Secretary of the district unit of the council and Mr Tejveer Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala.
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