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TOP STORIES

Rain, hailstorm damage wheat crops
Bathinda/Mansa, April 18
High velocity winds accompanied by hailstorms and rain which hit various parts of the districts have caused significant damage to the standing wheat crops apart from destroying the cotton crop.

A farmer of Jassi Pauwali village looks dejected after seeing his entire wheat crop destroyed by hailstorm that lashed Bathinda on Wednesday. — PTI

Warrant officer rescues 3 from illegal custody
Bhagta Bhai Ka (Bathinda), April 18
Three residents of Malooka village of Bathinda district were rescued from the illegal custody of the local police tonight by a warrant officer appointed by the Punjab and Haryana high court.

Chahal gets 15 days’ time
Chandigarh, April 18
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today gave 15 days’ time to B.I.S. Chahal, media adviser to previous Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, to be personally present in the court for the hearing of the contempt case against him. This, the court said, was the last opportunity being granted to Chahal.

‘Doc-chemist nexus claims patient’s life’
Chhak Bhatian (Pathankot), April 18
An alleged doctor-chemist nexus, illegally selling blood in the Civil Hospital, Pathankot, claimed a patient’s life last evening.

Human Trafficking
Paramjeet’s in-laws paid money to agent
Feroz Sanghowal (Kapurthala), April 18
The woman, Paramjeet Kaur (26), whom a Gujarat BJP MP Babubhai Katara tried to take on his wife Shardaben Katara’s passport to Toronto belongs to this village of Bholath subdivision in Kapurthala district.

Rural funds
Centre’s threat to Punjab
Chandigarh, April 18
The union ministry of rural development has made it clear that Punjab may not be eligible for grants in the rural sector as several guidelines to avail itself of the funds and ensure proper utilisation do not exist.

Blueprint for restructuring SAD
Chandigarh, April 18
Working president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Sukhbir Singh Badal has started preparing a blueprint for the restructuring of the party as well as its frontal organisation such as the youth wing and student wing from the grassroots to the top level.

COMMUNITY

War of succession
Balbir Singh appointed heir by Nihang chief
Talwandi Sabo, April 18
The war of succession, which has been going on among various groups of Nihangs owing allegiance to 96 Crori Shiromani Panth Akali Baba Budha Dal, headed by Baba Santa Singh, today came to an end when Baba Santa Singh formally announced Balbir Singh as his legal heir.

World Heritage Day
Police vacates 231-yr-old heritage building

Amritsar, April 18 The Police Department completely vacated the 231-year-old building, adjoining the historical Ram Bagh Gate, marking the World Heritage Day, here today. The 231-year-old heritage building adjoining the Ram Bagh Gate in Amritsar. — A Tribune photograph

Complaints against VC: Governor seeks comments from govt
Patiala April 18
The Governor-cum- chancellor, Punjabi university, has sought comments from the Punjab government on the complaints against vice-chancellor Swaran Singh Boparai.

Security for VIPs reviewed
Chandigarh, April 18
The security arrangements for several VIPs were reviewed at a meeting of senior Punjab police functionaries today at which it was pointed out that a full-time officer of the rank of SP or DSP was required with former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Manpreet to interact with admin secys
Chandigarh, April 18
Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal will interact with all heads of departments and administrative secretaries concerned before finalising the state budget.

Govt to recruit more drug inspectors
Gurdaspur, April 18
The Punjab Government will recruit more drug inspectors. The decision has been taken by the Health Department considering the vacancies of drug inspectors in different districts, according to Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Punjab health minister, who was on a visit to the city here on Monday.

Duleep Singh’s bust to be auctioned today
Amritsar, April 18
Even as Baba Mohinder Singh , head, UK-based Nishkam Jatha, has reportedly decided to stay away from the auction of the 150-year-old bust of Maharaja Duleep Singh, proposed to be held at New Bond Street Bonhams tomorrow, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief expressed hope that ‘come what may, the bust would be brought to India .

Kirtan with traditional string instruments at Harmandar Sahib
Amritsar, April 18
Devotees visiting the Golden Temple here today got an opportunity to hear kirtan with traditional string instruments by the jatha of Gurnam Singh, professor and head of the Department of Gurmat Sangeet, Punjabi University, Patiala.

Guru’s birth anniversary celebrated
Tarn Taran, April 18
The 503rd birth anniversary of the second Sikh Guru, Angad Dev, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Khadoor Sahib, 24 km from here, today.

Treasure trove of Gurbani found abandoned
Amritsar, April 18
In a surprise visit to the abandoned ramshackle, an ancient dera , a jatha of Akal Takht and the SGPC , headed by Giani Gurbachan Singh , head granthi, Darbar Sahib, found a treasure trove of the Gurbani, including a bir of Guru Granth Sahib, and rare books on the Sikh religion published in Lahore here today.

Tussle over toll tax leads to jams
Hoshiarpur, April 18
Frequent traffic jams at toll plazas located on the Balachaur-Dasuya and the Hoshiarpur-Tanda BOT roads by private bus; three-wheeler and truck operators have become a headache for commuters.

First phase of water supply scheme okayed
Chandigarh, April 18
Even as approval was given today to start the first phase of the ambitious Rs 1,280 crore World Bank-aided water supply and sanitation project, the Punjab government made out a strong case for reducing the user charges that are to be paid by the beneficiaries of the scheme.

Badal case adjourned to April 28
Chandigarh, April 18
The disproportionate assets case against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and wife and some others was today adjourned to April 28 as the special judge hearing the matter did not attend court due to ill health.

Daler’s revision petition dismissed Patiala, April 18 In a significant development in the Daler Mehndi case, his revision petition against the summoning orders by the trial court was today dismissed by additional district and sessions judge, Patiala, Sukhwinder Kaur. This has cleared the legal hurdles for framing of charges against the pop singer in trial court on May 9.

ADMINISTRATION

Punjab transfers
Chandigarh, April 18
The Punjab government today ordered the transfer of two IAS and one PCS officer. Vijay Kain, has been posted as principal secretary, health and family welfare replacing D.S. Jaspal. Kamal Kishore Yadav has been posted as additional deputy commissioner (Development), Hoshiarpur.

Wildlife advisory board to be dissolved
Chandigarh, April 18
A decision has been taken to dissolve the Punjab wildlife advisory board.

CRIME

Son cuts mother’s hair for marrying again
Malout, April 18
Parkash Kaur, a resident of Samewali village of this subdivision, was yesterday dragged, beaten up and shorn off her hair by her son and kin of her former husband, in the Shamkhera village of this area.

Man commits suicide
Amritsar, April 18
Surinder Kumar, a resident of Sundar Nagar, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with a ceiling fan due to financial constraints today. A suicide note in his pocket stated that his wife, his in-laws and neighbours were responsible for his death as they were not returning his money, which had led to severe financial constraints. The police initiated an inquiry after registering a case.

EDUCATION

New courses at Punjabi University
Patiala, April 18
The Punjabi university, Patiala, has decided to start M.Phil at its regional campuses from the next academic session. In a press release issued today, the university authorities have stated that decision has been taken in wake of UGC move to consider M.Phil eligible for appointments in colleges affiliated to various universities.

Video

Sikh Pilgrims return home.  (56k)