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Scarcity of Godowns
Punjab mandis face wheat glut
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Baisakhi overrides bad vibes of number 13 for candidates
Manmohan’s admission endorses he is weak PM: Kalia
Nangal MC Polls
Patiala, Bathinda are key seats in Punjab
Ex-PYC chief Singla files papers
Be impartial, Amarinder’s appeal to officers
First checking of EVMs done: CEO
Punjab urges EC to review decision on implementation
Detection of uranium will take time: DAE team
Turban Day celebrated at Akal Takht
Takht Jathedar flags off Khalsa March
Launch drive against liquor, drug smuggling: IG to SSPs
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Scarcity of Godowns
Sirhind/Bassi Pathana, April 13 Principal Secretary DS Guru said today lifting would begin from April 15. He visited grain markets of Sirhind and Bassi Pathanan to review procurement and talked to farmers, commission agents and farmer organisations. He was accompanied by senior administrative officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP of Fatehgarh Sahib. Officials of grain markets of Sirhind and Bassi Pathana said trains carrying rice had been suspended and would be resumed once wheat supply was complete. The direct lifting of wheat from mandis would also reduce cost on maintenance of stock in Punjab godowns. Punjab was facing problem of storage of space ahead of wheat procurement season. Efforts were made for additional space, besides seeking Centre’s help to speed up movement of wheat from state. Punjab had also decided to tie-up with private players to provide open plinths for storing 23 lakh tonnes of wheat. Punjab has a total storage capacity of 170 lakh tonnes against requirement of 220 lakh tonnes. The officials said so far,12.5 lakh tonnes of wheat had been procured in Punjab and arrival in grain markets was 15 lakh tonnes. While farmers still faced problem of increased moisture due to recent rain, government agencies claimed procurement was going
on smoothly. In Fatehgarh Sahib district 58,634 tonnes of wheat has been procured so far. Pungrain has purchased 5801 tonnes, FCI 6948 tonnes, Markfed 6948 tonnes, Punjab Agro 9506 tonnes, Warehousing Corporation 9141 tonnes, Punsup 11308 tonnes and private players 53
tonnes.
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Punjab mandis face wheat glut
Patiala, April 13 The figures have indicated that arrival of the crop in the market has got advanced this year as just 93,165 tonnes of wheat had arrived in Punjab mandis by April 13 last year. It straightway means that Punjab mandis have received around 15 times more quantum of the crop this year. What could be joyous news for farmers who are worried over the lifting or purchase of their produce, is that 12.42 lakh tonnes of wheat has already been procured by the state agencies and nearly 2,600 metric tonnes of wheat has been purchased by private traders so far. “Farmers are facing no problem this time as far as wheat-procurement operation in the state is concerned. Not only their produce is being purchased and lifted within the stipulated time frame, but they are also getting payment against it within 72 hours of sale,” said DS Guru, Principal Secretary to the Punjab Chief
Minister, who undertook a round of mandis in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur districts. He was accompanied by Patiala Divisional Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir and Punjab Food and Civil Supplies director GS
Grewal. Interestingly, Patiala district has come to the forefront by witnessing maximum arrivals in the state at 4.51 lakh
tonnes. Of this, a major share of 4.41 lakh tonnes has already been purchased by the procurement
agencies. Grewal and Bir said the procurement process was going on smoothly in the Patiala division like elsewhere in Punjab.
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Harsimrat files papers with fanfare
Bathinda, April 13 Parkash Singh Badal and his son Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal were present at the time of the filing of papers by the two before assistant returning officer Upjeet Singh Brar. Harsimrat’s two daughters, Harkirat and Gurleen and son Anant Bir specially flew from Delhi to be present on the occasion. She touched the feet of Parkash Singh Badal and Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary, SAD, before filing the papers. After filing, Parkash Singh Badal said the contest in Bathinda was between the SAD and the Congress and he did not subscribe to the statement of his son Sukhbir that the contest was between the Badals and Capt Amarinder Singh. All streets leading to the mini-secretariat were choked as SAD supporters descended on the town in a long cavalcade that followed the Badals through several villages and Takht Damdama Sahib where they paid obeisance before filing the papers. The cavalcade started from their Badal village in the morning and turned out into a road show in which Harsimrat was accompanied by Parkash Singh Badal, Surinder, Sukhbir and other relatives, including Gurdas Badal and Bubby Badal. Akali supporters raised slogans as the Badals came out of the mini-secretariat after filing the papers. Parkash Singh Badal claimed that he had always fought politically and never became vindictive like Amarinder who gave a personal twist to his fight with the SAD. “I have never criticised any individual Opposition leader,” he said. He claimed that the SAD did not implicate Amarinder in the Ludhiana City Centre scam, but the Vigilance Bureau had during the Congress regime brought the scandal to the fore.
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Baisakhi overrides bad vibes of number 13 for candidates
Chandigarh, April 13 According to sources, a number of candidates wanted to file their nomination papers tomorrow, but since it was a holiday, they chose the eve of Baisakhi. Those filing nominations today include SAD candidate Harsimrat from Bathinda, Congress candidate Vijay Inder Singla from Sangrur, SAD candidate Sher Singh Ghubaiya from Ferozepur, independent candidate Karamjit Singh, who made a failed attempt to assassinate former PM Rajiv Gandhi from Patiala, and Rattan Lal, also an independent, from Sangrur. According to sources close to Harsimrat, she has an ardent belief in Guru Granth Sahib and is known to conduct akhand path at her Delhi residence every month. They said because of this Harsimrat had chosen Baisakhi eve to file her papers. A supporter said there was a feeling that Mondays were good for Harsimrat and that this could also be a reason for choosing today. Meanwhile, the sources disclosed that most candidates, including those from the Congress and the SAD, were delving in numerology, astrology and also advice from saints close to them to decide when to file nomination papers and had even made a minute-to-minute schedule for this task. However, as the tenets of Sikhism do not allow believe in superstitions, none is ready to admit to any personal superstitious belief. The sources disclosed that for instance both Congress candidate Preneet Kaur and SAD candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra were scheduled to file their nominations on the same day, on April 16, from Patiala. “This can be due to the fact that both their names start with the letter ‘p’”, the sources added. However, Preneet when asked whether there was any special reason to choose April 16 said, “I can not fit it in anywhere else and since Raninder is filing his papers on April 17, I thought I must do it one day earlier”. Congress Sangrur candidate Vijay Inder Singla, who also filed his nomination papers today, when asked if he had any particular reason to do so, said if one was to go with numerology two to three dates had been recommended to him. “However, I chose to go with the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi”, he added. Meanwhile, more candidates are filing nomination papers in the coming days, including Congress candidate from Ferozepur Jagmeet Brar, who has chosen a particular time on April 15 to do so. Other candidates are also taking serious efforts to ensure they are before their respective Returning Officers at specific times but nonchalantly brush away inquiries saying superstitions are last on their minds. So for the record, superstition does not come into play in filing nominations in Punjab.
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Jarnail declines offer to join SGPC
Amritsar, April 13 “I am thankful to the SGPC for their offer, but I have politely declined to accept it,” said Jarnail. He claimed that after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, the SGPC president told him that the “doors of the SGPC are open for me in case I need their help”. However, he said his job with the Hindi daily was still protected. Jarnail had visited the Golden Temple complex with his wife and children. He was honoured by the SGPC in its Information Office with a siropa (robe of honour) and a picture of the Golden Temple by Jathedar
Avtar Singh. He said he had come to pay obeisance as a humble Sikh and also to support a humanitarian venture undertaken by a Group of Social Activists in imparting education to orphans of drug addicts in Maqboolpura, a shanty locality in Amritsar. However, when accosted by mediapersons later, he clarified that he stood by his cause and never apologised for pressing his cause. “My act was not pre-meditated,” he said. It was a protest against injustice meted out to the victims of the 1984 riots for the past 25 years”. He further said though the way of his protest could be interpreted as breach of journalistic ethics, breach of justice had been more reprehensible and brazen. He said even Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh’s statement “Der aaye drust aaye” vindicated his stand. Jarnail said he was not inclined to join politics and would not work for any political outfit. It is pertinent to mention here that leaders of some political parties had offered him to contest Parliament seat from Punjab. He, however, said he was being targeted for his emotional outbursts, but he had no intention to harm anyone as he only wanted to bring the attention of the government to the core issue afflicting the community. Jarnail said more than 25 years had lapsed, but the case was still hanging fire due to political interference. He said there was need for greater introspection among the present leadership and authorities as to why the guilty had not brought to book all these years.
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Manmohan’s admission endorses he is weak PM: Kalia
Punjab Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia said Dr Manmohan Singh’s admission that he had not been even informed clearly indicated that either someone else was running his department or he had not any control on his departments, including the CBI, which is otherwise directly under PM’s charge. Kalia further stated the Tytler issue was a very serious matter and the CBI should have brought it to PM’s notice about its intention to give him a clean chit. The minister stated this at a function organised here where an independent councillor Joginder Singh Tony, along with his supporters, joined the BJP on Monday. Kalia said Dr Manmohan Singh’s admission endorsed the statements of senior BJP leaders, including PM-in-waiting LK Advani, that he was the weakest Prime Minister the country ever had. Commenting on Dr Manmohan Singh’s another statement that he had not been taken into confidence at the time of allotments of tickets to Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, Kalia said it showed lack of confidence Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other leaders in the Prime Minister. However, the minister evaded direct reply when asked questions about BJP candidate from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi’s derogatory statements against minorities. At the same time, he justified the allocation of BJP ticket to him. Kalia was accompanied by MLAs Bhagat Chunni Lal, KD Bhandari, SAD district chief Gurcharan Singh Channi, BJP district chief Ravi Mahendru and its state media co-convenor Rajat Mahendru.
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Notification on wards illegal: HC
Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 13 The Bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Hemant Gupta has ruled the notification, under the Delimitation of Wards of Municipalities Rules, 1972, “suffers from patent illegality and irregularity and therefore, cannot be sustained in law”. The Bench has asked the state to finalise the delimitation of wards in accordance with law, and to conduct the election as expeditiously as possible, preferably before June. The directions follow a bunch of two petitions filed in 2005 by Rakesh Sharma and another. In one of the petitions, the notification dated September 1, 2005, was challenged. The petitioner had contended the elections to Municipal Council, Nangal, were due in November, 2005, but the state decided to increase the number of wards from 17 to 19. It was claimed as many as 21 objections were received after the delimitation board’s proposal was notified by the state government, “but no weightage was found”. On August 8, 2005, an additional secretary in the department of the local self government observed the numbering of the wards had been done from north-east and it was decided to change it from north-west. The petitioner contended such change was contrary to the delimitation board’s recommendations. It was made effective at the instance of local member of legislative assembly belonging to the then ruling party, whereas the petitioner was a member of BJP, then in Opposition. It was pleaded the change was effected so as to reserve the ward for women from which the petitioner was to contest the election. The Bench ruled: The stand of the respondents that ward number was assigned starting from north-west boundary of the city is not correct….” “If the state government was of the opinion that numbering of wards is not proper, it was expected to invite objections and suggestions again. Having not done so, we are of the opinion that the procedure adopted by the state government violates the principles of natural justice as none of the affected persons, objectors and the voters, were made aware of the change of ward numbers. Thus, we are of the opinion that notification suffers from patent illegality and irregularity.
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missing girl child — I Rahon (Nawanshahr), April 13 With state agencies making it difficult for families in Punjab to abort the unwanted girl child, several alternative “solutions” have found their way into the flourishing ‘female foeticide market’. 32-year-old Taranjit Kaur (name changed) of Rahon is a mother of three daughters. The Tribune team sought her out hoping to find an example of a mother who had said no to female foeticide and was now living happily with her daughters. But this is what she had to say: “I had daughters waiting to have a son. And I don’t want another daughter. If I don’t have a son there would be no one to take care of me and my husband in our old age and we would die lonely deaths.” she said with tears streaming down her eyes. Taranjit and her husband who is working in Dubai, are among the many young couples of this NRI belt of the state who are desperate for a son and have decided to get a sex determination test abroad and come back for an abortion here in case it is a girl. “The use of ultrasound machines to determine gender is banned in India but not there. Tests are not as expensive as an abortion. Once the test confirms that it is a girl, the abortion can be done here on some pretext,” reveals Taranjit. In Surrey, Canada, where a large number of Punjabis are settled, local newspapers carry advertisements of scan centres offering sex determination tests to the Indian community. In Ontario, this test costs 65 Canadian dollars and is done as early as 12 weeks of the pregnancy. A skewed gender ratio is already becoming a tell-tale feature of Punjabis settled in Canada, USA and UK. A Canadian magazine Western Standard examined the gender ratio among Surrey residents and found that there were 111 boys under the age of five for every 100 girls in 2000. An Oxford University study showed that among children born to Indian mothers between 1990 and 2005, the sex ratio was 1040 to 1080 boys for every 1000 girls. In cases where there is a third child, the ratio is even more skewed, 1130 boys for every 1000 girls. The Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) Punjab had last year got a ban imposed on websites offering at-home sex determination facility of US-based testing centres. “It was called the gender mentor DNA testing kit. Popularly called jantar mantar in rural Punjab the kit was priced at $275 and was sold through websites. These websites were banned after we went to the court,” said Manmohan Sharma executive director, VHAI. Cocking a snook at government efforts to monitor scanning centres are the hi-tech mobile sex-determination vans. “Portable machines operators work through the nights where they screen pregnant women in villages. One such machine operator was even nabbed in Mohali,” said a health official.
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Patiala, Bathinda are key seats in Punjab
Patiala, April 13 Both Capt Amarinder and Badal are engaged in a grim political battle at these two seats. Preneet Kaur, two-time MP, is seeking re-election from the Patiala parliamentary seat on the Congress ticket. She is being challenged by Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, an ex-minister in the Surjit Singh Barnala government in Punjab. Stakes are equally high in Bathinda where Raninder Singh, son of Capt Amarinder Singh, is engaged in a grim electoral battle with Harsimrat Kaur, wife of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Harsimrat and Raninder are both first timers. Raninder says he is committed to removing unemployment, fighting drug menace and implementing Central schemes. Harsimrat is a social worker and shot into prominence with her campaign against female foeticide — “Nanhi Chhan”. Her commitment to the cause of the girl child is bound to stand her in good stead.
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Ex-PYC chief Singla files papers
Sangrur, April 13 As per the affidavit, submitted before the Returning Officer by Singla, who is also a former president of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC), he has shown his education qualification as senior secondary, which he passed from Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala, in 1989. He has shown his moveable and immoveable assets more than Rs 1.50 crore and his wife Deepa’s Rs 80 lakh, while his son Mohil’s worth Rs 5.27 lakh and his daughter Gauri’s Rs 2.59 lakh. According to the affidavit, he has moveable assets worth Rs 59,23,047 (individual) and Rs 25,38,420 (as karta of HUF), while his wife has Rs 41,29,076, his son Rs 5,27,842 and his daughter Rs 2,59,475. He has immoveable assets worth Rs 67 lakh (individual) and Rs 2 lakh (as karta of HUF), while his wife has immoveable assets worth Rs 39 lakh. He has taken loan from Punjab National Bank, Patiala, whose outstanding amount up to March 31 was Rs 3.75 lakh. Before filing nominations papers, an election rally in favour of Singla was held at a marriage palace here where the Congress party today again put a united face, as besides Capt Amarinder Singh and Lal Singh, all seven Congress MLAs from the Sangrur LS constituency, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (Lehragaga), Razia Sultana (Malerkotla), Harchand Kaur Ghanauri (Sherpur), Surinder Pal Singh Sibia (Sangrur), Surjit Singh Dhiman (Dirba), Kuldip Singh Bhattal (Dhanaula) and Kewal Singh Dhillon (Barnala) were present.
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Be impartial, Amarinder’s appeal to officers
Chandigarh, April 13 In an appeal issued here today, Amarinder said barring a select few officials who had openly identified themselves with the ruling party, he had full faith in officers and employees of the state government that they would not be bullied or cowed down by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) alliance. The former CM assured the officers, “You need not worry. I am there with you and for you and nobody dare intimidate or victimise you for being honest and upright in the conduct of your duties”.
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First checking of EVMs done: CEO
Chandigarh, April 13 Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kusumjit Sidhu said today Comet was search-enabled database of polling station-level communication for focused tracking on the polling day. She said the system operated through well-structured multi-layer communication teams at the assistant returning officer (ARO), district electoral officer (DEO) and CEO level. Every team has clear-cut geographical area and communication-related responsibilities geared to quick crises resolution and grievance monitoring and information flow. Sidhu said the polling station presiding officer would have telephone numbers of his sector magistrates to report priority information. Each sector officer will be supervising 10 to12 polling stations and he will relay this information in respect of the polling stations of his areas to the ARO. The CEO said there were 18,707 polling stations in Punjab with more than 137 auxiliary stations. She said the first level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) had been completed and all machines numbered and signed. She said the DEOs had now completed the first stage of randomisation and moved the EVMs to the Assembly segment storage points. A survey has revealed there are 152 visually handicapped persons who are familiar with the Braille. These voters are spread over 48 polling stations in Punjab. The DEOs have been directed to prepare Braille signage and ballot papers for such voters.
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Punjab urges EC to review decision on implementation
Chandigarh, April 13 The EC, earlier, had turned down the state government’s request on this issue, saying it was contrary to the model election code. Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh said the government had requested the EC to allow it to implement Pay Commission’s recommendations. He said the government had requested the term of the panel had ended on March 30 and it had finalised its recommendations. He added the letter also stated the EC had allowed central public service utilities to implement new pay scales. “We have learnt similar permission had also been granted to Chhattisgarh”, he said.
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Containing Spread of Hepatitis-C Virus
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 13 Nearly 1,500 residents of Jandali village were vaccinated against hepatitis B and C and blood samples of members of 100 families were taken to detect the virus at a camp organised yesterday. Dr Nazar Singh, SMO, Panj Garayian, said a group of NRIs, led by Rashwinder Lalli and Jagwinder Singh, had coordinated for a survey and management of carriers of hepatitis virus. As many as 499 members of 85 families were found to have history of hepatitis. Besides testing the target families, the authorities vaccinated about 1,500 persons. As all those suspected of hepatitis could not afford the high cost of treatment, Nirmal Singh, an NRI from the USA, said his associates had decided to contribute for the treatment of poor patients. “Though it is the duty of the government to provide free medical facilities to residents, we will not let our brethren die for want of treatment. We also impress upon residents of the area to take preventive measures, which cost nothing,” said Nirmal Singh. Residents of Kanganwal village still live in fear of the disease. The paramedical staff had conducted a survey but no vaccine was provided to the suspected cases or carriers. As many as 17 families were found to have history of hepatitis virus, the survey revealed. Admitting there was no provision of free treatment and vaccination for the disease, Dr Nazar Singh said a camp would be organised in the village on Monday. Chlorine tablets were distributed among villagers to disinfect drinking water as a preventive measure. Many residents of Kanganwal the largest village of erstwhile Malerkotla estate, had said they would not vote for any candidate in the Lok Sabha elections till tests for all, including hepatitis C and cancer, were conducted for the population. The Tribune had carried a story on the issue. Reacting to reports published in these columns, NRIs from Jandali Kalan village came forward to get the population of the village screened for the virus.
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Uranium in Water
Jalandhar, April 13 Like other heavy metals, uranium can not be neutralised by the RO technique. The Punjab government’s exercise of setting up of over 200 RO plants in Bathinda, Mansa and surrounding districts has proved futile. Experts claim that the government has to go for other techniques to decontaminate potable water of uranium and other heavy metals. Dr Rohit Mehra, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, who examined hand pump water in 34 villages, found uranium in water was more alarming in Mansa district of Punjab compared to Faridkot. The study found that the level of uranium, radium, thorium and potassium in soil samples was also higher. “The possible reasons for high level may be the extension of Tosham Hills under soils of Bathinda region, but for the final conclusion more analysis is required,” he said. Dr Mehra claimed that the RO system was not suitable for the separation of uranium, radium, thorium and certain other heavy metals from the water. Instead of filtration, the RO plant could develop certain faults, he revealed. The government should either go for some other technique for purifying the water for uranium and other heavy metals or only the canal water be used in RO plants. He, however, ruled out the possibility of high level of uranium in water drawn from deep bore wells. On the presence of uranium in air, Dr Mehra claimed the mismanagement of fly ash in huge quantity in Bathinda might be another factor contaminating underground water as well as air. Mud houses, as loose soil contains uranium, and construction material having permissible quantity of fly ash, apart from marble and granite, should be avoided to get rid of the problem. Chief Engineer (South), Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Punjab, SR Aggarwal, claimed that the government had taken up the setting up 98 RO plants in Bathinda district and 78 in Mansa district alone. Setting up of one RO plant costs from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. “The plants are being installed in identified villages, besides those on the tail end of the canals. The department has been planning to get waters tested afresh from known laboratories and research centres after the apprehensions of uranium level in potable waster in the region,” claimed
Aggarwal.
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Detection of uranium will take time: DAE team
Bathinda, April 13 “We have brought samples from Faridkot. If at all these samples contain uranium, it will be traced. Testing soil, water and vegetation samples takes time. On our report it will be decided whether the matter needs further study. It needs systematic and meticulous scrutiny,” the team said today. About the presence of uranium in Faridkot air, Swapnesh Kumar Malhotra, on the phone from Mumbai, said there were background radiations which could not be associated with the presence of uranium in any way.
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Turban Day celebrated at Akal Takht
Amritsar, April 13 The APKF had appealed to Sikhs all over the world to wear saffron-coloured turban to mark the day. The organisation had also urged Sikh women to wear saffron headgear on the day. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh informed the devotees about the significance of turban on the occasion. “To a Sikh, turban is most sacred. For centuries, the Sikhs have been preserving the pride of the Sikhs”, he said. The turban has long been considered the crown of spirituality. It is the essential part of the Sikh dress. Earlier, the APKF had developed a software to facilitate the youth to select “stylish turbans” which suit their faces. “Convener, APKF, Jaswinder Singh Advocate, an SGPC member, said most of the Sikh boys normally get their hair shorn before entering Bollywood. However, the effort of the APKF helped in producing turbaned actors who lately became role models for the younger generation,” he said. The APKF chief said turban was considered as the symbol of royalty and used in place of the crown in the ancient times. He said the endeavour of the APKF had been a stepping-stone for Sikh youths aspiring to become models and actors. Among those who were present on the occasion included Roop Singh, additional secretary, SGPC, Kuljit Singh, Manjit Singh, Jaswinder Singh Jassi and Harpreet Singh. Meanwhile, SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said Baisakhi, which falls on April 14 as per Nanakshahi Calendar, would be celebrated at Akal Takht, Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib and other Sikh shrines with religious fervour.
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Takht Jathedar flags off Khalsa March
Amritsar, April 13 The placards, carried by participants, praised Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and slain militants, including Sukhdev Singh Babbar, a former self-styled chief of the Babbar Khalsa International. The Sikh bodies by a resolution maintained that any disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib or any challenge to its guruship would not be tolerated. They also lauded contribution of former Jathedar, Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh who, along with Kabul Singh, allegedly killed Nirankari chief responsible for Baisakhi killings. Boys and girls led by Ranbir Singh, president of the recently formed Sikh Youth of Punjab, carried flags and placards with provocative messages. The gathering sought ban on the Sirsa dera, Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan (DJJS), and scrutiny of the police and civil officers supporting these cults. Addressing the gathering, Harcharnjit Singh, president, Dal Khalsa, said logistic support and patronisation of the Dera and its chief by the Congress had caused anguish to the devout in Punjab. Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh, convener Khalsa Action Committee, said Sikhs had been passing through a critical phase. Former Jathedar, Akal Takht, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, former president, Dal Khalsa, Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib, Kanwarpal Singh, a Dal Khalsa spokesperson, Dr Manjinder Singh, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, Jasbir Singh Padhri, Narain Singh, Akal Federation, activists of the All-India Sikh Students Federation, the Khalra Mission and the Akal Purakh ki Fauj were also present.
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Launch drive against liquor, drug smuggling: IG to SSPs
Hoshiarpur, April 13 Official sources here yesterday said the IG in a circular had said narcotics seized in the state had also been among the highest in the country. During elections, smuggling of narcotics and liquor in the state and from neighbouring states goes up as political parties use drugs and liquor to influence voters in violation of model code of conduct. Besides, it leads to crimes like murder, clashes, eve-teasing, robberies, burglaries, theft, domestic violence etc. He has also sought weekly reports as directed by the ADGP intelligence. The report should reached his office on every Monday.
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Jalandhar, April 13