POLITICS

Bhattal dares SAD to arrest her Patiala, December 13 Challenging the SAD-BJP government to arrest her along with Congress workers from Chandigarh-based Congress Bhawan or Civil Secretariat, PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today hoped that Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh, would come out clean of the City Centre case. PPCC president Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Preneet Kaur at the Congress dharna held in Patiala on Thursday. —A Tribune photograph

Chawla-Langha Row
Health minister queues up at CM’s sangat darshan
Chandigarh, December 13.
There is palpable tension among some BJP leaders in Punjab over the manner they are being treated by the bureaucracy and fellow SAD legislators in a government claiming its partnership being based on a strong alliance. 

Vendetta Politics 
Capt Kanwaljit ready for debate with Cong leaders
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 13
Punjab co-operation minister and general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal Capt Kanwaljit Singh here today challenged former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for an open debate on the claims being made by him on false cases registered against Congress men following `politics of vendetta’ by the SAD.

COMMUNITY

Muktsar, Hoshiarpur to have 50 MW wind mills
Chandigarh, December 13
The Punjab government will enhance power generation by using wind energy. Initially two wind power projects of 50 Mega Watts (MW) each wiill be set up in Hoshiarpur and Muktsar districts. 

Bhindranwale Portrait 
Shiv Sena leader, 14 SAD(A) workers held
Tarn Taran, December 13
Keeping in view the “Punjab bandh” call given by the Shiv Sena (Hindustan), the district police have arrested more than a dozen workers from both sides, Sena and SAD(A), for maintain peace in the area. The call was given to oppose the installation of the portrait of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale.

Rural dispensaries sans medicines
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 13
Shortage of medicines and medical equipment have hit rural dispensaries as supply of medicines across the state has virtually been stopped. The alternative delivery system started by the government to provide health care to the rural areas through Zila Parishads has been greatly affected by the shortage of medicines.

Man attempts immolation at in-law’s house  Ropar, December 13 Khoob Singh a resident of Hoshiarpur, set himself on fire after sprinkling petrol on his body at the residence of his in-laws here today afternoon. He received 40 per cent burn. Civil hospital Ropar authorities referred Khoob Singh to the PGI, Chandigarh.                       Seema, the victim’s wife. — A Tribune photograph

ETT students hold protest
Sangrur, December 13
ETT students led by state president of the DIET Students Welfare Association Punjab Jagtar Singh Jhabar today took out a protest march from the local District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) to the district administrative complex against the non-acceptance of their demands by the state government.

Ropar wildlife on new year cards
Ropar, December 13
The Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal today released the new year card prepared by Roopnagar culture and tourism society, headed by the deputy commissioner A.K. Sinha.

COURTS

HC extends protection to Amarinder till Dec 18
Chandigarh, December 13
Extending the protection granted to Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in an alleged corruption case till December 18, Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed his release on bail if he was required to be taken in custody till that date.

High Court
Inquiry permited in zimini case
Chandigarh, December 13
Adding another dimension to the Bhadaur clash controversy, two Barnala district residents have sought permission of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for placing on record the zimini or the diary report on inquiry conducted by SP (Crime), Patiala.

Contempt case against truck union member
Chandigarh, December 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today took serious note of derogatory remarks by Banur truck union member Amrik Singh and directed the initiation of contempt proceedings against him before sending him to the custody.

Pension Delay
HC notifies Punjab on retired employees’ petition
Chandigarh, December 13
Acting on a petition alleging non-release of pension and terminal benefits to retired employees, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Punjab principal secretary, local bodies, to take immediate steps in this regard.

AGRICULTURE

Cotton Yield
In Talwandi Sabo it’s 22 maunds to state’s 18
Bathinda, December 13
With cotton production across the state showing a downward trend of an estimated four lakh bales, farmers of 48 villages in Talwandi Sabo block of the district, which have been adopted by Markfed for cotton production, have emerged winners. Average yield per acre of raw cotton in Talwandi Sabo block is expected to be 22 maunds 
(1 maund = 37.324 kg) this year, 
compared to an expected 18 maunds in the state.

CRIME

Sugar mill head shot dead by cane manager
Hoshiarpur, December 13
President of A. B. Sugar Mill, Randhawa (Dasuya) Abhijeet Singh Jaspal(35) resident of Urban Estate, Jalanadhar, was allegedly shot dead in the mill premises by cane manager of the mill Guriqbal Singh Kahlon in the forenoon today.