 |
|
|
Assembly byelection results: Record margin in Jalalabad
Sukhbir as Deputy CM |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Parents of students cry foul
Registrar of Punjab Technical University Sarojini Gautam Sharda tries to pacify the candidates who had come for counselling at Jalandhar-Kapurthala campus
on Thursday. Photo: Malkiat Singh
‘Separate SGPC in Haryana not in Sikhs’ interests’
Murder of DGP’s Father
March by Dera Sacha Sauda followers
Bank staff go on strike
Zirakpur residents block highway
Punjab okays urban estate at Mullanpur
Attack on Substations
Extension of ESI scheme
House Tax: MC slaps notice on YPS
Theatre workshop at Punjabi varsity
Bagicha Singh surrenders
HC questions Home Secy on remedial steps in jails
Man kills wife, commits suicide
|
Assembly byelection results: Record margin in Jalalabad
Chandigarh, August 6 DARK DEMOCRACY: Hans Raj Josan, the Congress candidate at Jalalabad, waited in the counting hall till the arrival of Sukhbir Badal after the ninth round of counting. He then congratulated the junior Badal, hugged him and walked out. Outside, he blamed his defeat to the “free flow of money, use of muscle power, misuse of government machinery and rigging by SAD leaders”. It was a dark day for democracy, he said and lamented that electoral officers took no notice of his complaints. “ I am thankful to those 26,000 and odd voters who still voted in favour of me despite the odds,” he declared. PROMISES TO KEEP: Sukhbir Badal reiterated his promise that his constituency would soon have a women’s college, a rice export hub, 100 water works, improved sewerage and irrigation facilities. He attributed his victory to the ‘development agenda’ of SAD-BJP, eight hours of uninterrupted and free power supply to farmers and the government’s vision of having expressways, thermal plants and international airports in the state. WINNING SPREE: The SAD president had reasons to celebrate on Thursday. The Akali Dal has been on a winning spree since the general election earlier this year. It first won the Nur Mahal seat in the byelection and then followed up with a clean sweep of all the three byelections in Banur, Jalalabad and Kahnuwan. The party actually wrested the Kahnuwan seat from the Congress and improved its winning margins in the other two constituencies. FAQ: On Thursday, the most frequently asked question put to Junior Badal , who had to step down as the Deputy Chief Minister after he failed to get elected to the Assembly, was when he is going to be elevated as the deputy chief minister or , as some mediamen persisted in asking, as the chief minister. The decision would be taken by the Chief Minister in consultation with other senior SAD leaders, replied the SAD president. CLEAN SWEEP: With SAD wresting the Kahnuwan seat on Thursday, all the 11 Assembly seats from Gurdaspur district are now held by the Akalis. This was the solitary seat won by the Congress in 2007 but with Pratap Singh Bajwa winning a berth in the Lok Sabha from Gurdaspur, the Assembly seat fell vacant. Pratap Singh Bajwa had won the Assembly seat for the Congress in both 2002 and in 2007. THIRD TIME LUCKY: Both Sewa Singh Sekhwan, the victorious SAD candidate from Kahnuwan, and the defeated Congress candidate, Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa, had lost the last two Assembly elections. For Sekhwan it was a case of being third time lucky as he had lost this same seat twice in 2002 and 2007. Bajwa had lost from Sri Hargobindpur constituency in 2002 as an independent and in 2007 as a Congress candidate. Banur
REDUCED MARGIN: Banur turned out to be the only constituency which the SAD won on Thursday with reduced margin. While Captain Kanwaljit had won the seat with a margin of 42,000 votes in 2007, the son managed to retain it this time with a margin of just 19,000 votes despite the sympathy factor. Akali candidate Jasjit Singh Bunny’s victory from Banur Assembly constituency byelection polling for which was held on August 3 is being attributed to the good work his father late Capt Kanwaljit Singh had done for the voters of the area. KEEN CONTEST: While all three Assembly constituencies had recorded high turnout in the byelection, Zirakpur segment registered a paltry 38 per cent voting. But despite the low turnout here, the SAD maintained lead here too. The keen contest in Banur got reflected in village Chatt, where both the main contenders were registered as voters. In one part of the village, Congress candidate Deepinder Singh took a lead of 100 votes but in the overall tally, SAD’s Jasjit Singh Bunny led him by over 300 votes. (Inputs from S.P. Sharma, Anirudh Gupta, Praful Chander Nagpal, Chander Prakash and Raj Meet Singh)
|
|
Sukhbir as Deputy CM
Bathinda, August 6 Beaming over his victory, Sukhbir said on the telephone leadership of the SAD would shortly take a decision on the matter. Sources in the BJP said their party high command had rejected having two Deputy Chief Ministers and giving one of these posts to the BJP. Sukhbir Singh claimed breaking previous record of victory margin of the Assembly elections in Punjab by winning the Jalalabad seat by over 80,000 votes and defeating his rival Hans Raj Josan of the Congress. Never in the history of Punjab or elsewhere in the country any candidate had won in the Assembly elections with that high margin, he claimed. Josan had lost by 44,077 votes in last Assembly election to Sher Singh Ghubaya of the SAD. The Jalalabad seat fell vacant due to the election of Ghubaya to the Lok Sabha. Sukhbir has surpassed his father and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who led by 9187 votes over his Congress rival and relative Mahesh Inder Singh in the Lambi segment in Assembly
election in 2007. The highest victory margin of 48,676 votes in last Assembly election was of Hira Singh Gabria of the SAD in the Ludhiana (rural) constituency.
|
|
Parents of students cry foul
Jalandhar, August 6 The parents raised slogans against the PTU authorities, smashed glass doors and even tried break the computer systems alleging the PTU officials were trying to hide facts on availability of the seats being dropped by some students so that these could be sold out later in management quota for money . The parents, who had come from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal said they had checked up the vacant-seat status online on the university site but this did not tally with the figures put up on screens showing the seats in the same colleges as nil. A parent from Gurdaspur said he had checked up with Beant College there and found that 60 seats were vacant but the PTU this morning put the figures as nil. The PTU officials, too, realised mismatch between the vacant-seat status available with them and being provided by the colleges. The officiating registrar, Admission PTU said, “The Chitkara Institute could not provide me exact details till 2.30 pm. So, we decided to postpone the entire schedule.”
|
‘Separate SGPC in Haryana not in Sikhs’ interests’
Sangrur, August 6 Dhindsa said the Congress was dividing Sikhs on the issue of separate SGPC for Haryana. Regarding holding of separate stage by the SAD (Longowal) under the leadership of the Barnala family on August 20, Dhindsa said it would not affect their programme. Everyone knew the Badal government was observing the death anniversary of Sant Longowal for a long, he added.
|
|
Murder of DGP’s Father Moga, August 6 He was arrested by the police from outside the court complex on Tuesday in a fresh criminal case of submitting false documents to get a police clearance certificate by fraudulent means for seeking Canadian citizenship. He had come here to appear in the court in a previous case, he was facing of allegedly murdering former MLA late Nachattar Singh Gill, who was the father of the present DGP of the state. After expiry of the one-day police remand given to the police by the duty magistrate on Wednesday, the investigating officer produced him before the court of Karunesh Kumar Kakkar chief judicial magistrate here this afternoon and demanded another 14-day remand for further probe. However, Ramesh Grover, the defence counsel, while opposing the police remand brought into the notice of the court that the life and liberty of Jagdev Singh was in danger because of the personal enmity of the DGP with him. He also objected to the plea of the prosecution side that they needed to take Jagdev to Orissa and Mumbai for verification of a passport and some travel documents on the basis of which he went to USA and then to Canada. Grover argued that that there was no need to take him to these places because all the evidences required by the police were official documents that could be collected even without his presence. "The police may kill him in a fake encounter during the police remand by concocting a false story of his escape," he feared.The CJM reserved the decision for sometime but after couple of hours granted a five-day remand to the police. Speaking to The Tribune in the court room, Jagdev Singh said that he was falsely implicated in this case of fraud because the police clearance certificate given to him was genuine and he legally went to USA and then to Canada. "The DGP wants to eliminate me and harass my family because of his personal grudge with us," he alleged. His brother Hardev Singh, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in this controversial case of murder, alleged that his father Joginder Singh was picked-up by the police on August 13, 1991, from their house and since then his whereabouts were not known to them. "My father was also tortured and killed by the police in a fake encounter and his body was also not given to us," he added. It may be mentioned that DGP Paramdip Singh Gill and his elder brother Rajdeep Singh, who is at present director of the state police academy were both serving as IPS officers when their father was murdered in Moga. Pritam Kaur, the mother of Jagdev Singh, while recalling the police torture she and her family faced after the incident also alleged that her husband was killed in a fake encounter. "I will file a petition before the High Court on Friday to reopen the case and seek justice for my son demanding a CBI probe into the whole episode," she said.
|
|
March by Dera Sacha Sauda followers
Abohar, August 6 Led by Harjit Singh , a member of the 25-member state committee of the Dera Hardev Singh, Master Gurcharan Singh, Harminder Singh, Vicky Gandhi, Gian Chand, Amarjit Singh, Subhash Chander and Arjun Ram also participated in the march . Followers from Fazilka, Balluana, Khuyiansarwar, Kikkarkhera and Kabulshah Khubban besides others thronged the “naam charcha ghar” on the outskirts of the town since morning. The placards reading “Nirdosh mare koyi maan jaya, kiyon Badala tainu taras na aya,” (why Badals have no regrets when innocent persons are killed), “Kursi te baithe piyo te put, jadon maran nirdosh hon dovein khush” (Father-son (Badals) feel happy when innocents are killed). Other slogans described Badals symbols of lawlessness and atrocities. Over 1,000 placards and banners were carried by the protesters. Women carrying placards passed through streets of Subhash Nagar and Waryam Nagar. Naib tehsildar from Khuyiansarwar received the memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Punjab CM, from the protesters as they reached Azeemgarh Chowk. The Dera followers warned recent attacks on Lilly Kumar and Bhola Singh and wanted dismissal of some Mansa- based police officers . The memorandum urged the state govt to get the culprits arrested. Sangrur: Dera Sacha Sauda followers , including women, today marched here to protest against the murder of Dera follower Lily Kumar in Mansa some days ago and attacks on Dera followers in the state. State committee members of the Dera Sacha Sauda Ram Karan and Harinder Sharma led the protest. The protesters raised slogans against the Badal government and in favour of Lily Kumar. The march started from Naam Charcha Ghar here and ended at the district administrative complex (DC office complex) here. Protesters sat on the main road in front of the DC office . SDM Pardeep Aggarwal visited the protesters and received memorandum from them, assuring to forward the memorandum to the state government .
|
|
Bank staff go on strike
Amritsar, August 6 Leaders of bank staff unions criticised the going back on of the Indian Bank’s Association from earlier offers of wage revision, already settled issues of compassionate appointments and second option of
pensions. SANGRUR: As part of the two-day nation-wide strike, a demonstration was held by the employees of public sector banks in the town in front of main branch of State Bank of Patiala here today. Central Committee Member of the State Bank of Patiala Employees Union Sunil Jain said the agitation would be intensified if their genuine demands were not
accepted.
|
|
|
Zirakpur residents block highway Zirakpur, August 6 Around 100 in number, the residents were holding the protest to register their resentment against the alleged apathy on part of the Punjab State Electricity Board and Zirakpur civic authorities towards their problem. Till the filing of this report, the police was requesting the protesters to lift the blockade.
|
|
|
Punjab okays urban estate at Mullanpur
Mohali, August 6 The Board also approved channelisation and cleaning of “N choe”, a seasonal rivulet, passing through Mohali at a cost of Rs 3.55 crore. It also gave in principle approval to establish art and handicraft zone, food corner, stage show and games zone over an area of 12.02 acres in Sector 62 to be named as ‘Punjab Haat’ in Mohali. It will be developed by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. A plan for a cultural centre and theme park over an area of 16.43 acres had also been conceptualised and prepared by a Singapore-based company, JURONG. In another decision, the Board also gave nod to the policy to regularise nursing homes being run in residential areas, besides giving permission to run professional consultancy services after seeking prior permission from the competent authority to allow only the owner in the residential premises up to maximum extent of 50 sq mt or 25 per cent of the covered area, whichever is less. It also approved a waste dumping station to be jointly set up by the GMADA and the government. The authority also approved the widening and strengthening of old roads dividing the sectors. In another meeting of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Board of the Housing and Urban Development Department, it was decided to prepare a zonal development plan under the master plan of Mohali. The meeting also decided to adjust two mega projects of M/s Nector Life Sciences (Lalru) and M/s Parabolic Drugs (Dera Bassi) approved by the empowered committee in the regional plan of the GMADA
|
|
|
Attack on Substations
Muktsar, August 6 The meeting was held in wake of the recent attacks by farmers on 66 KV Midda and Aulakh substations, both falling in Malout subdivision. Jolted by the twin incidents, the district administration convened a meeting to chalk out an elaborate plan to diffuse any potentially untoward situation, which may arise due to erratic power supply in the future. Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal asked the PSEB officials to be extra vigilant while attending to complaints of people and told them to inform residents in advance in case any power cuts were to be made. He added that in future the administration would take necessary action against farmers indulging in arson of any kind. The PSEB officials admitted that there was a wide gap between demand and supply and added that they were doing their best to bridge the gap. They added that scanty rainfall in the region had only added to people’s woes. They said in future they would attend to farmers’ complaints on priority basis.
|
|
Extension of ESI scheme
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 6 Terming the government decision window dressing, activists and office- bearers of the Private School Teachers Union urged the government first accept demands, including restoration of pension and lifting ban on appointments. “ As we are insured by companies of our choice, there wil be little benefit of paying premium to the corporation. Moreover, number of employees on approved posts has become so low that very few institutes will be having 20 approved posts filled,” said president of local unit of the union Raghbir Singh Grewal. As the communication received at these institutions does not specify categories of employees eligible under the scheme, majority of the institutions have sought clarification. While officials in the inspection wing of the Employees State Insurance Corporation have initiated extension of the ESI scheme to employees posted with over 500 private-aided or partially aided schools of the state under Section 1(5) of the ESI Inspection offices of the corporation at the divisional level have directed heads of the private-aided and partially aided educational institutes to furnish information on teaching and non-teaching staffs .
|
|
House Tax: MC slaps notice on YPS
Patiala, August 6 According to sources in the MC, the school, after having been slapped a recovery notice, was called for hearing to file objections under Section 137 of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1976. However, the school management did not file any objection. The school management has filed a petition in the court of the Divisional Commissioner but it has so far not got any stay orders. The case could not be taken up for hearing since the Divisional Commissioner, Jasbir Singh Bir, has gone abroad. The MC had issued notices to several government departments, including the Sessions Court, Food and Supply Department, and PWD, for the recovery of outstanding house tax. MS Narang, Commissioner, MC, said here today that over Rs 1 crore was to be recovered from these departments on account of house tax arrears, which had been pending for the past many years. Narang said notices under the Municipal Act had been sent to 137 persons and departments. These parties had been informed that in case they did not clear the house tax arrears, the MC would be constrained to take action against them. Narang said Assistant Commissioner Najar Singh was looking after the matter.
|
|
Theatre workshop at Punjabi varsity
Patiala, August 6 The workshop on "communication", aimed at educating students to strengthen rapport with media, masses and arts for their excellence and promotion of theatre movement, will be concluded on August 8. Dr Sunita Dhir, head of theatre and television department, Punjabi University, has invited theatre activists, litterateurs and art lovers on the concluding interaction session, said Pran Sabharwal, a guest observer and coordinator.
|
|
Patiala, August 6 He is also an accused in the attack on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Bagicha Singh’s name had also cropped up during investigations into the murder of Dera follower Lily Kumar Patwari in Mansa last week. The police said no case had yet been registered against Bagicha Singh, even as investigations were on.
|
|
HC questions Home Secy on remedial steps in jails
Chandigarh, August 6 The Bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia issued the directions after taking on record a report submitted by the Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police. The Bench also directed the Home Secretary to send a copy of the report to the jail reforms committee headed by Justice Amar Dutt. The Bench of the Chief Justice had appointed two committees on June 4 for Punjab and Haryana, but their functioning is yet to gain momentum as the high court directions on handing over the matters to it are reportedly being conveyed after a considerable delay. A discreet investigation carried out by the Punjab police had earlier revealed that the jail authorities had not been able to arrest the flow of contraband and liquor into the prison premises. Money could open the doors to “luxury”, while the penniless have to suffer “humiliation” at the hands of jail staff. The business runs with the active connivance of the jail authorities. Definition of Sikh
A petition seeking review of the high court’s verdict on the definition of the Sikh will be heard by the Full Bench, comprising Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal, on Friday. The review petition has been filed by Delhi Gurdwara Sikh Management Committee (DGSMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna by adopting the plea filed by advocate and Sikh scholar Dr Malkiat Singh Rahi and Bhai Harinder Singh from Alwar.
Summoned
Justice Rajesh Bindal today asked the head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Kharar, to appear in person on August 11 for explaining why a report sent to the chemical examiner by a medical officer had still not been submitted. The directions came on a habeas corpus petition by Ratta Singh of Beli village in Ropar district. He was seeking production of his son Piara Singh, allegedly in illegal confined since May 22. The petitioner had also direction for compensation for the alleged illegal detention of his son by the respondents with whom he used to work as a farm hand.
|
|
Man kills wife, commits suicide
Ferozepur, August 6 Inderjit Singh (52) suspected his wife Paramjit Kaur (48) of having illicit relations . Last night, he had liquor and quarrelled with his wife on this issue. He took a spade and hacked her to death. When his teenaged daughter Jaswinder Kaur (16) intervened to save her mother, Inderjit attacked her too, leaving her seriously injured. She was later admitted to a nearby hospital where her condition was said to be serious. His two sons who witnessed this incident ran away from the house and reported the incident to the village people and the police. By the time people and the police reached the spot, Inderjit had consumed pesticide and ended his life. The police said the family shifted to this village 20months back from Tibba village in Fazilka sub-division of the border district. There also, the woman had extra marital relations and to save family Inderjit sold land and property there to settle Bholuwala village.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Nobody in Punjab had ever won an Assembly election with a margin of over 80,000 votes, pointed out the Shiromani Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Thursday.
Jalandhar, August 6
Moga, August 6