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TOP STORIES

108 ayurvedic docs sans salary, medicines
Ludhiana, February 4
The Directorate of Ayurveda, Punjab made appointments of 108 ayurvedic officers (AOs) in Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres across the state in November 2008 but the health centres were not provided with medicines to be given to outdoor patients. The ayurvedic officers were appointed on one-year contract following special examination.

NRI alumni may review trauma centre project
Chandigarh, February 4
It seems even alumni of the Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital are losing faith in the Punjab government’s promise to bring the hospital back to its former glory. An NGO, comprising mainly NRI alumni, is in the process of rethinking the prestigious trauma care centre project, for which it has been earmarked land on the hospital premises.

Tikshan not to quit: Badal
Kumkalan, February 4
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, said here today there was no need for Tikshan Sood to resign following the death of five infants at Rajindra Medical College and Hospital in Patiala.

Health Dept clarifies

Cong rift comes to fore Rival factions hold parallel rallies Amritsar, February 4 Parallel Congress rallies, organised by rival factions here today, gave a clear message that the party in the state, despite claims to the contrary, is still a house divided.
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal at a rally organised by MLA OP Soni (extreme right) in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Three DCs transferred
Chandigarh, February 4
The government today transferred three DCs, seven IAS officers and four PCS officers. Bhagwant Singh is new DC and in addition to chief administrator, Amritsar Development Authority, Amritsar. Neelkanth S Avhad becomes DC, Gurdaspur, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh goes as DC, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. KS Pannu is new special secretary to the CM.

Minor gang-raped, sold twice
Moga, February 4
A minor Dalit girl and student of Class V was allegedly gang-raped and then sold twice by youths. The police had initially registered a case of “missing” as reported by the parents of the girl. After four-and-a-half months, when the victim came back to her house, the police investigated and registered a criminal case against seven persons, including a woman, yesterday.

POLITICS

SAD (Bittu) men join Cong
Amritsar, February 4
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Presidium), led by Daljit Singh Bittu, suffered jolt when Gurjatinder Singh Bhikhiwind, one of the five members of the Presidium, with his supporters joined the Congress in the presence of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, at a rally organised by Congress MLA Om Parkash Soni here today.

COMMUNITY

Mohali-Phagwara expressway cleared
Go-ahead to five-star hotel in Bathinda, AC bus stand at Mohali
Chandigarh, February 4
The Punjab government today approved an expressway to provide high-speed connectivity of the proposed international airport at Mohali with Phagwara.

MC projects worth Rs 79 cr okayed
Chandigarh, February 4
The Local Bodies Directorate today gave sanction to projects worth Rs 79 crore proposed by the various Class-A municipal committees across the state. The projects were cleared during a meeting of the Minister for Local Government Manoranjan Kalia with the presidents of 27 committees.

HC order on escort slashes police petrol bill
Chandigarh, February 4
The order of Punjab and Haryana High Court on pilot and escort vehicles provided to ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries and senior police officials has proved boon to the Punjab Police, which has witnessed sharp drop in its fuel bills.

Ex-servicemen want pension anomalies rectified
Patiala, February 4
The Punjab Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association said its “one rank, one pension” demand, had only been accepted in principle by various governments. In April 1999, the association claimed, the Defence Minister had assured the ex-servicemen the demand would be implemented the moment he reached Delhi but nothing was done.

TA contingent bags R-Day honours
Chandigarh, February 4
The Territorial Army (TA) contingent has bagged the award for the best marching contingent among the three services at this year’s Republic Day parade. This year’s TA contingent was from the Punjab Regiment.

3 killed in mishaps
Malerkotla, February 4
Three persons were killed here in accidents. Sadiq Mohammad of Roshiana village was run over by a truck at Bhasour village today.

COURTS

Robbery bid at petrol station
HC asks convicts to compensate victim
Chandigarh, February 4
Nearly seven years after efforts to foil a robbery bid at a petrol station in Jalandhar ended in the loss of eyesight of an alarm-raiser, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has furthered the cause of justice by making the convicts pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the victim of crime.

Mann acquitted of sedition charge
Bathinda, February 4
A fast-track court here today acquitted Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (A), and three others of charge of sedition made at Talwandi Sabo on June 8, 2006.