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Sultanpur Lodhi gets holy city status
Kapurthala, November 30 Talking to mediapersons here today, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Raminder Singh, said a notification to this effect would be issued on April 1. Chairman of Ek Onkar Charitable Trust Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal was also present in the press conference, who had demanded the holy city status in his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh held in Chandigarh on May 30. State Home department sent a communication to the Deputy Commissioner today in which it was mentioned that the notification regarding the holy city status to Sultanpur Lodhi would be issued from April 1 as the licenses of liquor vends would expire on March 31. He said all the liquor vends and meat and cigarette shops located in Sultanpur Lodhi city would be shifted outside the octroi after the issuance of the
notification. Baba Seechewal welcomed the state government decision declaring Sultanpur Lodhi a holy city. The state government had declared Kali Bein as holy and renamed as holy Bein in October. In reply to a question about the progress of the work for stopping the sewerage water of towns and villages from falling into holy Bein, he said that work of digging up ponds in the villages by Baba Seechewala’s disciples was going on war footing and the work already completed in the 19 villages. Ending the confusion once for all, both the Deputy Commissioner and Baba Seechewal reiterated that there was no plan to acquire the land of the villagers along the Bein rivulet in the name of green belt. The encroachers of bed of holy Bein were spreading rumours among the villagers regarding the acquisition of land. Mr Raminder Singh has withdrawn a controversial letter reportedly written by District Revenue Officer Shashi Kumar Chadda on September 1 for acquiring the land without taking his prior approval. He has directed the SDM, Mr. Karnail Singh, to look into the role of the DRO and submit report soon.
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Cong, not BSP, wants poll alliance: Maya
Tajpur (Jalandhar), November 30 Ms Mayawati, who was addressing the state-level “Nirnayak Bano Sankalap Maha Rally” here today, also left no stone unturned to project that the base of the BSP had got strengthened in Punjab and elsewhere after she became the party’s national president. Reacting to Capt Amarinder Singh’s reported statement that the “BSP was a spent force” in Punjab as far as possibility of its poll alliance with the Congress was concerned, Ms Mayawati said there was no need for the BSP to have a poll truck with the Congress. “Who wants to have an alliance with the Congress? I want to tell the Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, that it is Congress which is desperate to have an alliance with the BSP. The BSP does not want to enter into any such alliance. “Capt Amarinder Singh should confirm it from his party’s UP-based leaders whether the Congress is dying for a poll arrangement with the BSP or not? What is the base of the Congress in the UP. We gave them 126 of a total of 425 Assembly seats during 1996 elections and it accepted that gladly. Now it (the Congress) has become more humble before the BSP and is even ready to accept seats lesser than this number. Is there a single political party in the country which is not dying for an alliance with the BSP?” questioned Ms Mayawati. She was accompanied by the Punjab BSP president, Mr Avtaar Singh Karimpuri, BSP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, Mr Santosh Mishra, former MP, Mr Mohan Singh Phallianwala, and BSP’s Haryana unit
chief, Mr Man Singh Manhera. “It is ironical that Capt Amarinder Singh said the BSP has died after the death of Mr Kanshi Ram, but your gathering in lakhs has proved that he was wrong. It is the Congress, which is going to die in a couple of years in Punjab. “I want to clarify that we will not enter into a poll alliance with any political party in Punjab. We have learnt from our prolonged UP experience that since our vote is transferable, alliance partners get benefited, but since their vote is not transferred to us under the Manuwadi thinking of their supporters, we stand to loose the game. So, we have decided to go it alone at all 117 Assembly seats of Punjab and elsewhere also,” said Ms Mayawati. The former UP Chief Minister also did not spare the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and subjected it to her sharp criticism in her own peculiar manner. “The SAD leaders keep saying that they are in touch with the BSP’s central leadership in connection with an alliance. It is a farce. I have never talked to any SAD leader about any alliance at any point of time. Akalis themselves are a divided house. They want to take advantage by using the BSP’s name. We will rather prefer to strike an alliance of various communities than to enter into an alliance with any political party,” said Ms Mayawati.
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HC: Which law permits politicians in govt ads?
Chandigarh, November 30 During resumed hearing of a PIL that seeks directions to the governments of Punjab and Haryana to desist from inserting pictures of leaders of the ruling party in various government advertisements, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vijender Kumar Jain and Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar came down heavily on the respondents. Observing that photographs of ministers, MPs and MLAs are being published in the advertisements carried by newspapers, the Bench said the expenses for such advertisements come from the pocket of taxpayers of the states. It directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana as well as the Union of India to file affidavits, explaining therein "under what provisions of law the taxpayers' money was being spent on such advertisements, resulting in publicity of the above class of persons". In his petition, advocate H.C. Arora has sought directions to the respondents to recover the cost of political advertisements published on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late Rajiv Gandhi and other occasions from the pocket of the advertisers. On an earlier hearing, a Division Bench of the High Court had observed that advertisements published by the respondents showing photographs of late Rajiv Gandhi and All-India Congress Committee chief Sonia Gandhi "had absolutely no connection with the administration in Punjab and Haryana though undoubtedly they reflect the leadership of the ruling Congress party". The same order also observed that another advertisement published by the Punjab Government inviting attention to a state-level function eulogising the sacrifices of late Harchand Singh Longowal too had no connection with the achievements of the government. The court had asked the governments to evolve a policy to be adopted in such matters. Today, counsel for the Punjab Government informed the court that it had stopped the practice of publishing photographs of the Chief Minister, ministers and others in tender notices. However, the Bench was not satisfied and after directing the governments to file an affidavit, adjourned the matter to February 1, 2007.
Transfer order stayed
A Division Bench of the High Court today stayed the operation of the order issued by the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Punjab, on November 24 by which the transfer orders issued on September 29 and October 13 had been cancelled. However, the stay has been granted only in regard to the six petitioners. In their petition, Mr Karnail Singh and five other revenue officers had challenged the order of November 24 on the ground that since they were on election-related duty and their transfer had been banned by the Election Commission vide order of October 11, the orders issued by the FCR were illegal and arbitrary. As per the order issued on November 24, the earlier orders issued with regard to transfer of Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and Revenue Officers had been cancelled. Today, taking up the petition, the Bench comprising Mr Justice J.S. Khehar and Mr Justice S.D. Anand also issued notice of motion for January 9.
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It’s rally season, but who gives the moolah ?
Chandigarh, November 30 After the Shiromani Akali Dal's rally in Chandigarh, the Congress rally in Ludhiana and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) rally today in Jalandhar, now it is the turn of the Shiromani Akali Dal ( Longowal) to hold a rally in City Beautiful on December 7. And then the second round of rallies by the Congress and the SAD headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal will begin on December 8.The BSP had chosen Jalandhar because it regarded the area as its stronghold. The Congress will hold its second rally at Badal, the native place of the SAD President, on December 8. On the same day, Mr Badal's party will hold its rally at Moga. Obviously, the public focus is at the moment on rallies, organised to exhibit the popular base of the party concerned. Parties spend lakhs of rupees on such
rallies. Who finances the rallies? " Big industrial houses, which have a major interest in the state's economy, especially real estate, are footing the bill. And they will get returns in the form of various concessions from the party that comes to power,” says a senior CPI leader. The BSP, which has announced candidates for 50 Assembly segments, today made it clear that it would contest all 117 seats. It has been nominating candidates from all communities and has not confined itself only to
Dalits. It announced to take on the ruling Congress in the state. As Dalits constitute a big vote bank for both parties, there will be fight between the two parties to grab the maximum share from it. For several years, the BSP has remained on the periphery of the power structure in the state. In spite of having a strong organisational network at the base level, the BSP has failed to reach the corridors of power in Punjab, where about 30 per cent of the population is Dalit. Besides Dalits, backward classes also form a significant part of the population.
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Police thrashes, arrests
photo-journalist
Ropar, November 30 He was arrested by the police when he was taking photographs of truck drivers, who after losing control over the vehicle due to
brake failure, had hit a number of vehicles on the national highway passing through Kharar. Samuel was released on bail at about 8 pm. The police claimed he misbehaved with the traffic cop and prevented him from performing official duty. So, he was arrested under Sections 353, 186, 332 IPC. The police later released the truck driver on the ground that no person had registered a complaint against him. "When I was taking photographs of the truck driver, the traffic police stopped me from doing so. I was also thrashed by police persons," said Samuel. The press clubs of Ropar, Anandpur Sahib and Kharar condemned the incident. A large number of journalists of the district have decided to participate in the meeting to be held tomorrow in Chandigarh to extend support to Samuel.
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Man, wife reunite after 10 years
Sangrur, November 30 Ms Paramjit Kaur, a resident of Sangherra village, near Barnala, had got a case registered under Sections 498-A, 406 and 506, IPC, on April 20, 1996, at Barnala against her husband Malkiat Singh Kothe Gur village in Bathinda district, and his relatives. Due to this, both parties filed 27 more cases against each other, now pending in different courts of Punjab. Mr Mehta made the parties understand to lead a smooth matrimonial life. On this both the parties entered into a compromise. Ms Paramjit Kaur joined the company of her husband and even touched the feet of elders in the court today, while the other party paid respect by way of giving “shagun” to her. The marriage between Malkiat Singh and Paramjit Kaur was solemnised in 1986. As 27 more cases, filed by both parties against each other, are pending in different courts in Punjab, not only this case will come to an end after more than 10 years but also 27 other cases will also be put to an end.
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Sukhbir takes a dig at Amarinder
Barnala, November 30 He was here to win public support for Mr Malkiat Singh Keetu, MLA, Barnala. Exhorting people to vote in favour of Mr Keetu, the junior Badal reminded the public that soon it would have to decide in whose hands it wanted to hand over the destiny of Punjab. He said all sections of society in Punjab were feeling miserable under Capt Amarinder Singh’s regime. Prominent among those present during the rally were Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, MLA, Sherpur, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, MLA, Sunam, Mr Gobind Singh Longowal, MLA, Dhanaula, Mr Gaganjit Singh Barnala, MLA, Dhuri, Mr Balbir Singh Ghunas, MLA, Bhadaurm, Mr Parkash Chand Garg, vice-president of the party, and Sant Tek Singh Dhanaula.
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BKU (E-S) splits Sushil Goyal
Sangrur, November 30 Mr Balkar Singh Dakonda told The Tribune on the phone the decision, regarding the expulsion of Mr Sidhupur and his supporters from the union, had been taken in the larger interests of the farmers as the group led by Mr Sidhupur had been playing “anti-farmer” and “anti-union” role for the past two years. Mr Dakonda also stated the union’s group, led by Mr Sidhupur had “shown back” to the farmers during various farmers, agitations, including the movement against land acquisition. Besides this, Mr Sidhupur’s group had also been imposing baseless leaders on the union by way of “bogus membership of the union” in different districts.
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Peeved at SAD, BJP leaders in Delhi
Chandigarh, November 30 A meeting was held at Chandigarh of the BJP Punjab unit. The leaders are reportedly peeved at the way the SAD leaders have been openly saying that they will only talk to the Central leadership of the BJP on the issue of seat sharing in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state. They will ask their leaders to intervene as the statements of the SAD leaders are causing embarrassment to them in the state. In the past, the leaders of both parties have differed over the seat sharing formula in public and through statements in the media. The BJPs acts of holding independent rallies in the Malwa belt has also not gone down too well for the Akali Dal.
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Ex-minister tries to woo traders
Nabha, November 30 He said the traders in Punjab were being forced to pay Rs 4,000 crore by way of taxes by the Congress government. Talking to media persons here, he alleged that people were fed up with the dictatorial rule of Capt Amarinder Singh and would vote for a change.
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Probe Saragarhi school demolition: Dang
Amritsar, November 30 Mr Dang said here today said that he had urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately to ensure reversal of the government's decision not to demolish the school, which had dealt a big blow to the future of a very large number of students of the school. Even trees, which were as old as the school itself, were being cut to make way for the parking in the area. He said the government should initiate enquiry into the case as the government had retreated from the move earlier and expose those vested interests who had made the proposal to the government. He said though the administration was now arguing that a new school building has been constructed for the students so that their education did not suffer, they failed to note that the site was far away from old walled city and it would cause great inconvenience to the students. The demolition of old majestic school building (Town Hall) which was the first school constructed in the state by the British Government after annexation of Punjab started on war-footing in the presence of heavy posse of police yesterday. Various NGOs had launched a 'Chipko Movement' to save the 200-year-old trees in the school building premises. The police deployed at the site did not allow anybody to enter its premises. Shockingly, the demolition started a couple of days after the Heritage Festival, organized with a huge expenditure on the pretext of preserving heritage of the Holy City.
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A trip down memory lane
Muktsar, November 30 Accompanied by his wife Dr Ruhi Khalid, who is a Professor at BN University, United Kingdom, Dr Aftab said: “It has been a truly nostalgic journey for me and I can’t express my feelings in words. My kin still remember their good old days in Muksar very fondly”. He also met the present owner of his ancestral home, Rana Jai Preet Singh, apart from visiting his father’s shop, which now houses the office of the Muktsar MLA, Mr Sukhdarshan Singh Marar. Dr Aftab also paid obeisance at Gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib where he was presented a ‘siropa’ by the gurdwara committee. The Nagar Council president, Mr Gurinder Singh Koki, gifted his birth certificate to him. It mentions his birth place as Kacha Udrekan road, Muktsar, and date of birth as July 13, 1944. His father’s friend and a freedom fighter, Mr Mukand Lal Bhandari, said: “Aftab is like my grandchild and he reminds me of my friend Mohammad Khan. Today, it seems that the life has turned full circle for me.” Mr Vakil Chand Chhabra said: “Dr Mohammad Khan was a government veterinary doctor and his shop was located right in front of his residence. Dr Khan had come to know of the Partition and bought some property in Pakistan before the Partition took place”. Later, Dr Aftab was accorded a warm reception at the Red Cross building by Congress leaders Gurdas Girdhar, Sunny Brar and Karanbir Brar.
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Poor to get 200 units of free power
Chandigarh, November 30 This decision will come into force with immediate effect and be applicable for sanctioned loads of 1,000 kw or less. Already Dalit families enjoy this facility in the state. This will cover all economically weaker sections of society, said the Chief Minister, adding that the decision was likely to benefit 3.19 lakh families in the rural areas and 1.25 lakh families in the urban areas. The state government was likely to pay an additional subsidy of Rs 120 crore per annum to the PSEB on this count. Separately, while speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said rice millers were indulging in pressure tactics and making unjust demands. There had been almost no unseasonal rain this year and discolouration of the grain was not high, as claimed by the millers.
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Stir against DC spreads
Tarn Taran, November 30 On the second day of the agitation besides subordinate staff of the SDM offices in Tarn Taran, Patti and Khadoor Sahib, patwaris and other staff of the revenue offices staged dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Mr Daljit Singh, president, Government Teachers Union and Com Balwinder Singh along with the Document Writers Association and other trade unions have extended their support to the agitating employees. The day-to-day functioning in the revenue offices remained affected on the second day today. However, repeated attempts to contact the Deputy Commissioner proved futile.
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Graft charge against Food Inspector
Bathinda, November 30 According to sources, the complainant, Labh Singh, who is a contractor, had a payment of about Rs 2.5 lakh pending with the Food and Supplies Department. When he approached Food Inspector Surinder Kumar Gupta, who had the charge of Nathana and Rampura Phul, for the release of his payment, he reportedly demanded Rs 10,000 for the job. However, the deal was struck for Rs 4,000.
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Rail commuters stranded
Phillaur, November 30 Railway sources said the Shan-e-Punjab Express was stranded for an hour near Mandi Gobindgarh due to the
disruption. — OC
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A.K. Dubey is State Election Commissioner
Chandigarh, November 30 He will enjoy a five-year fixed tenure. He was due for retirement from the civil service in October, 2007. Senior functionaries in the Punjab Government confirmed the appointment of Mr Dubey here today. The present incumbent, Mr C.L. Bains, completed his tenure today. Mr Dubey, if he takes up his new assignment, will be the third IAS officer of the Punjab cadre to resign from active service in the past 10 months and take up an appointment elsewhere. Earlier, Mr Sanjit Sinha, a 1973 batch IAS officer, resigned and was appointed the Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission while Mr P.K. Verma resigned to take up the job of Information Commissioner a few months ago. Incidentally, had Mr Verma continued in service, he would have retired today.
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DGP Lal retires
Chandigarh, November 30 Hailing from
Moradabad, UP, Mr Lal is from the 1969 batch of the IPS. Mr Lal held several important posts during his service. He was also responsible for raising four commando battalions for anti-terrorist
operations. As the ADGP, Computer and Wireless, he was responsible for bringing the GPF records of the nearly70,000 strong Punjab police on the computer. Mr Lal was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Republic Day, 1987, and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service on Independence Day, 1993.
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ADC to Governor
Chandigarh, November 30
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Smuggler held with 1 kg heroin
Amritsar, November 30 Kanta, who had residence in Rajatal village, adjoining the border, has close ties with infamous Pakistani smugglers. Mr Makhan Singh, SSP, SNC, in a press note issued here, said Kanta was caught while he was going to deliver 1 kg of heroin worth Rs 1 crore. He was arrested in the Sultanwind area. The SSP said Kanta was to be informed through telephone to whom the contraband was to be delivered. Sultanwind police station has registered a case under Sections 21,61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. The SSP said Kanta, who was now residing at Mohindra Colony in the Sultanwind area, had been working as a courier to notorious smugglers, including Suba Singh and Punjab Singh of Rajatal, Sarwan Singh of Chak Pandori, under Majitha police district, and Paramjit Singh of Hawellian village. He said Kanta was in jail in a murder case and was currently on bail. He said Punjab Singh was already in jail as he was nabbed with 20 kg of heroin in Delhi.
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3 die in mishap
Ropar, November 30 The three victims are Ram Kumar, Jeevan Kumar, and Mahesh Kumar. They died on the spot. Kishan Kumar was referred to the PGI. The police has registered a case against the driver of the unidentified vehicle under 279, 304-A, IPC.
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Faux pas in teachers’ recruitment
Patiala, November 30 The figuring of names of same candidates in different merit lists has created an awkward situation for the government and candidates who could not make it to the final list. The recruitment agencies of the state government will not be able to fill vacant posts as candidates selected for different posts will opt for one post. No waiting list has been prepared by the authorities concerned under different categories of posts. Of particular significance is the merit list finalised for science and maths teachers where more than 50 candidates find themselves selected in both categories. It has also come to light that not only names of teachers have been repeated in the lists but many names that figured in several lists are those of headmasters and headmistresses. "This has created confusion among us. The government will not be able to fill all vacancies of any category. Besides, the recruitment agencies have not issued any waiting lists", pointed out a section of applicants.
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Sikh ‘Mahan Kosh’ translated
Chandigarh, November 30 A team of Punjabi University, Patiala, undertook this gigantic task of translating the “Mahan Kosh” into English, originally prepared in 1926 and published in 1930. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Mr S.S. Boparai, said that about two years ago, the university took the initiative to translate the work. This was supported by Major A.P. Singh, a grandson of Bhai Kahan Singh, and various linguistic experts and 24 translators.
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Fatehgarh Sahib, November 30