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IFFCO to launch telecom project

Abohar, May 21 The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has sought permission from the Punjab government for launching its telecom network for providing the benefits of the latest IT technology to farmers. This was stated by IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar here today.

IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar discusses IFFCO’s Kisan Sanchar Ltd (IKSL) project with computer engineers. —Photo by Raj Sadosh

Recruitment of doctors hits bottleneck
PPSC blames archaic rules for delay
Patiala May 21
The government move to recruit 147 specialist doctors through Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has hit a roadblock. The PPSC authorities here have written to the government to clarify regarding the basic qualifications required for the specialist doctors.

Border with Haryana sealed
Bathinda, May 21
The Punjab-Haryana inter-state border falling in Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts of the state have virtually been sealed. Paramilitary forces, Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Punjab Police Commandos and Punjab Police personnel have been deployed.

 

Security personnel stand in front of the main gate of Naam Charcha Ghar at Dera Sacha Sauda in Patiala;(centre) activists of the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) hold placards during a motorcycle peace rally against Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Amritsar; and (right) Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, jathedar, Akal Takht, and Giani Iqbal Singh, jathedar, Patna Sahib, address a press conference at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar on Monday.—Tribune photos by Rajesh Sachar and Rajiv Sharma

Sec 144 extended in Abohar; schools closed today
Abohar, May 21
District magistrate Bhawani Singh Detha in Sriganganagar area has extended prohibitory orders u/s Section 144 CrPC to May 23. The security has further been beefed up and armed guards deployed at all sensitive places, including gurdwaras and Naam Charcha Ghars of Dera Sacha Sauda. Satsang was cancelled at the Naam Charcha Ghars that wore a deserted look today.

 

POLITICS

Joshi made BJP youth wing member
Chandigarh, May 21
Vineet Joshi has been made member of the national executive of the BJP youth wing for the third consecutive term. The announcement in this regard was made by the BJP youth wing national president Amit Thakkar here today.

Dera Issue
SAD used Akal Takht, says Mann group
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 21
The Mann group today accused the SAD (B) of using the Akal Takht to fulfill its political motives. Ranjit Singh Cheema, official spokesman of SAD (A), in a press release strongly criticised the SAD (B) for using the Akal Takht for its benefit on the Dera Sacha Sauda conflict issue. Cheema said jathedar Akal Takht should not have ordered the closure of all the deras of Sacha Sauda in the state. 

COMMUNITY

Follow-up
Kandi canal: Plugging of breach starts

Talwara, May 21 The authorities have started plugging the breach that developed in the Kandi canal (stage-I) at Datarpur village, near here, yesterday morning with the help of JCB machines and labourers.   The work of plugging a breach, that developed in the Kandi canal (stage-I) on Sunday, in progress at Datarpur village, near Talwara, on Monday. —Photo by K.S. Saini

SAD calls for peaceful bandh
Chandigarh, May 21
The working president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, today asked party workers across the state to remain vigilant and ensure that the Punjab bandh tomorrow passes off" peacefully".

Instant money order scheme for all tehsil headquarters
Chandigarh, May 21
Buoyed by the success of the instant money order (IMO) scheme in all head post offices located across the state, the Punjab circle of the Department of Posts and Telegraph will now extend the scheme to all tehsil headquarters in Punjab.

Govt aid for Kanwaljit’s family
Sangrur, May 21
In the wake of registration of a case against Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Bathinda, secretary-general of the SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today asked the head of the dera to join police investigations.

Struggle only against dera chief: Bhoma
Chandigarh, May 21
Making a significant statement, president of the all-India Sikh students federation Manjit Singh Bhoma here today said that those belonging to the Hindu and other communities should not have any fear in the prevailing situation in the state.

Amusement mela or gambling den?
Nabha, May 21
Gambling is in full swing at an amusement mela being organised at an open space around the lone cinema hall here in the name of Red Cross. The organisers have arranged number of items for children and others to mask their real motive. Surprisingly, the police seems to be shielding them.

DTF to hold protest on May 24
Barnala, May 21
The state Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) has decided to stage a dharna in front of the office of DPI (secondary), Punjab, in Chandigarh on May 24 to express the resentment against the indifferent attitude and dilly-dallying tactics of the Akali-BJP government

PSEB staff to strike work on June 6
Patiala, May 21
The Technical Services Union and Employees Joint Forum of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) have decided to observe strike on June 6 to protest against the privatisation of the board.

Car camp a big draw
Patiala, May 21
Maruti Udyog has been rated the best in customer satisfaction by J D Power for the 7th time in a row.

Social worker honoured
Patiala, May 21
S.D. Verma, a silent social worker keenly devoted to serving patients at Government Rajindra Hospital, was honoured at a function conducted by the National Theatre Arts Society. The ceremony, held in memory of humanist Dasaudhi Ram, was conducted at the State Bank of Patiala branch of the hospital. Manager of the bank S.P. Maheshwari presented the award to Verma.

Threat to Life
Dera chief’s ex-driver approaches SC
Bathinda, May 21
Khatta Singh, a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda who worked as a driver of its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for about eight years, has approached the Supreme Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court for the police protection for him and his family members, as they have been apprehending a threat to their lives from the dera functionaries.

Chahal files anticipatory bail plea
Chandigarh, May 21
B.I.S Chahal, the media adviser to former Punjab chief minister, filed a petition seeking anticipatory bail in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today.

High Court
Dimpa’s bail plea dismissed
Chandigarh, May 21
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Jasbir Singh Dimpa, former Congress MLA from Beas constituency.

ADMINISTRATION

34 officers transferred
Chandigarh, May 21
The Punjab government today ordered the postings of five IAS and 29 PCS officers.

CRIME

Woman kills husband’s paramour
Bhadson, May 21
Daljit Kaur, wife of Malkiat Singh of Tedan village, today shot dead Rani, the alleged paramour of her husband.

Nursing home owner arrested
Hoshiarpur, May 21
A team of doctors led by Dr Vijay Gupta, senior medical officer of Primary Health Centre, Budda Bar, raided Bedi Nursing Home, Naya Bhangala, last evening and found medicines and apparatus needed for abortion.

Gang of 12 loots Rs 14,000
Sangrur, May 21
A gang of 12 robbers looted a family of Rs 14,000 and two tolas of gold near Lehragaga, 40 km from here. They also injured five members of the family, namely Pala Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Harbans Kaur and Labh Kaur. All injured persons have been admitted to Sunam Civil Hospital for treatment.

EDUCATION

Guru Nanak varsity postpones exams
Amritsar, May 21
Guru Nanak Dev University here has postponed all theory and practical examinations scheduled for May 22 citing administrative reasons.

Pbi exams put off
Patiala, May 21
The examinations of Punjabi University, Patiala, scheduled for tomorrow on the campus and affiliated colleges have been postponed.

Baba Farid varsity exams postponed
Chandigarh, May 21
The theory examinations of medical ,dental, ayurveda and other faculties of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, scheduled for tomorrow, have been postponed. According to authorities, the fresh date for examinations will be notified later on.—TNS

Meeting postponed
Patiala, May 21
The UMC meeting of Punjabi University, Patiala, which was scheduled to be held on May 22, has been postponed. The new date of the meeting will be announced later.—TNS

BUSINESS

2 coal-based thermal plants on the anvil
Chandigarh, May 21
Big players in the power generation sector have shown interest in setting up two coal- based super thermal plants in Punjab. The two plants, each of 1,200 MW, will be set up at Banawala near Talwandi Sabo in Mansa district and at Nabha, respectively, through the project developers on build, own and operate (BOO) basis under the tariff-based international competitive bidding.

Dera row hits tourist inflow
Amritsar, May 21
At least 30 per cent decline in the tourist flow to Amritsar has been recorded following dera-Sikh conflict in the state. Most of the hotels have been receiving frantic calls from the tourists who wish to visit the holy city to pay their obeisance at the Harmandar Sahib, to know the current situation in the state.