Clearance of Mega Projects
Govt decides to adopt two-stage policy
Chandigarh, August 20
The state government has decided to adopt two-stage policy for giving clearance to mega projects. Decision to adopt the new policy was taken at a high-level meeting held here today.

World trade centre for Mohali

Pbi varsity records burnt
Patiala, August 20
The records of the dean (colleges) of Punjabi University here were burnt under mysterious circumstances tonight. Security officer of the university Alamjit said it was a deliberate attempt to hush up evidence in the corruption case registered against B.S. Sandhu, registrar, and former dean (colleges).

 

POLITICS

YC accuses SAD, BJP of rigging
Bathinda, August 20
Vijayinder Singla, president of the Punjab Youth Congress, today alleged that the elections to the four municipal corporations in the state had witnessed the “murder of democracy”.

COMMUNITY

Malaysia may train Sukhoi pilots in India

Wagah, August 20 The deputy defence minister of Malaysia, Dato Haji Zainal Abibin, has said his country was contemplating to train its fighter pilots at the Indian Air Force establishments for its newly acquired Sukhoi MK 30 aircraft. A car rally marking the golden jubilee celebrations of Malaysia crosses over to India through the Wagah checkpost, near Amritsar, on Monday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

SGPC-run hospital shifted
Amritsar, August 20
The SGPC-run Shri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research was shifted to its old building near Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj, Chatiwind Gate, here today.

IAS officer fined
Chandigarh, August 20
The Punjab State Information Commission has fined an IAS officer for not providing information under the RTI Act. Information commissioners R.K. Gupta and P.P.S. Gill imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on S.S. Johal, a former MC commissioner of Jalandhar.

Immigration company officials detained, let go
Kharar, August 20
The Kharar police rounded up officials of a private immigration company from Chandigarh who had come to recruit people in Chhappar Chiri this afternoon following an anonymous call that fake travel agents were recruiting people for Kuwait.

Rs 67 cr fine for power theft
Patiala, August 20
The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) in a massive drive launched against power theft has imposed fines worth Rs 67 crore. The fine was imposed after raids were conducted by the enforcement wing of the PSEB across the state.

Rajiv Gandhi remembered
Chandigarh, August 20
The Punjab Congress celebrated the 63rd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi here today. Tributes were paid to the visionary who made the supreme sacrifice for the unity and integrity of the country, said a spokesperson of the Congress.

Rajiv ‘architect’ of modern India
Patiala, August 20
The Punjab Youth Congress organised various functions to mark the 63rd birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi today.

Ram Lila activists block traffic
Hoshiarpur, August 20
Activists of the Ram Lila Ground Sangarsh Committee led by their president, Vikramjit Singh Bhola, along with Dr Dilbag Rai, Congress block president, Mahilpur, Vijay Aggarwal, BJP district president, and Sanjiv Talwar, vice-president, Punjab Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha, blocked traffic on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh road today. They were protesting against the Punjab Mandi Board for allegedly taking possession of the local mela ground for setting up a grain market there.

SSP’s transfer sought
Amritsar, August 20
Amarjit Singh Ansal, secretary, Amritsar district council, CPI, today demanded the transfer of the district police chief alleging that he was not bothered about the problems of poor people.

Kisan union protest on August 28
Moga, August 20
The Kirti Kisan Union will hold a protest against the “unsatisfactory” supply of power in front of the local office of the Punjab State Electricity Board on August 28.

156 examined at medical camp
Patiala, August 20
A free medical camp for diabetic patients was organised by the Lions Club, Patiala Central, at Nehru Park, here today.

PDS kerosene on black market
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 20
Though more than 5.25 lakh litres of kerosene oil is being provided in the district every month for supply to the ration card holders, people in several areas are forced to buy it on the black market at high prices.

COURTS

Chahal gets bail in land-grab case
Chandigarh, August 20
Observing that no useful purpose would be served by further imprisonment of B.I.S. Chahal and other co-accused in the land-grab case registered at Ludhiana, Justice Surya Kant today allowed their bail plea.

3 more turn hostile in Badal case
Ropar, August 20
Three more witnesses turned hostile today in the case of Badals disproportionate assets case in the court of special judge G.S. Saran today. Moreover, the court dismissed the public prosecutor’s plea for examination of investigating officer in the case Surinderpal Singh Virk.

SAD (A) leader Bittu granted bail
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 20
Senior vice-president of the SAD (A) Daljit Singh Bittu, who had been booked by the district police on charges of sedition, was granted bail by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge P. S. Virk here today.

CRIME

Four held for killing five women
Moga, August 20
The CIA staff in collaboration with the police claims to have solved the mystery behind the murder of five women with the arrest of four members of a gang here today. The district police chief has identified them as Gulshan Kumar, alias Ricky, Mahavir, alias Veerpal, Harchand Singh and Sushil Kumar, alias Shila, all residents of Badhani Kalan.

EDUCATION

Schools to have vocational courses
Muktsar, August 20
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said today that the job-oriented courses would be started in three schools of each block of the state in its initial stage. Not only this, the state government has also decided to impart quality education in schools by equipping them with all sorts of facilities, including introduction of the science stream, he added.

Mann backs Boparai
Patiala, August 20
The VC of Punjabi University, Swaran Singh Boparai, has found a supporter in Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the SAD (A). Mann in a press conference held here today flayed the present government for targeting the VC.

Motivational programme for students begins
Patiala, August 20
The department of zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala, has organised a seven-day motivational programme for meritorious students of Punjab, which began here today.

Release transfer list, demand teachers
Bassi Pathana, August 20
Sukhwinder Singh, president Govt Teacher Union Punjab and G.S. Virdi former president has urged the government that teachers should not be forced to perform any other duty except teaching.