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Support for Sarna not good for social harmony: Pinki
Ferozepur, December 21
The border state of Punjab has seen worst time and has suffered irrevocable loses in all spheres of life on account of decade long terrorism.

Minor among six killed in mishaps
Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 21
Three persons were crushed to death by a truck near village Nahranwali late on Sunday night. As per information, Prem Kumar of village Dhaban was returning home along with his brother Ram Kumar and a friend Krishan Kumar on a motorcycle. They had gone to Gharsana town on Sunday morning for some social work.

First swine flu casualty in Muktsar, 2 more test positive
Muktsar, December 21
Muktsar today recorded its first swine flu death as a woman succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 virus while two others, both women, tested positive.


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Region witnesses more cases
Bathinda, December 21
The results of samples of two suspected swine flu patients, sent to the PGI, Chandigarh, were received by the district health authorities here today. As per the reports of the samples, both patients tested positive for swine flu.Talking to this reporter today, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Dharampal Singh Sekhon said the district health authorities had sent the samples of Khushi, a two-and-half-year old girl from Bathinda, and Bipan Bansal (23) from Goniana Mandi for swine flu test to the PGI, Chandigarh. He said according to their test reports, both tested positive for swine flu.

Two test positive in Mansa
Mansa, December 21
Panic over swine flu has spread in Mansa as two confirmed and two suspected cases came to light. According to information made available by the from health department, Dr Raman Kumar, who is posted at Ludhiana in CMC, was found infected with swine flu. He is being administered treatment in his house at Mansa by creating an isolation room.

Inter Varsity Cricket Tourney
Duleep’s spell wrecks Hisar University
Bathinda, December 21
A fine all-round show by Duleep Kumar (5 for 49 and 28) enabled BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar to beat Guru Jambeshwar university, Hisar, by five wickets in the North Zone Inter University cricket tournament played at the Rajindra College ground here today.

Scourge of Drugs-II
High on dope, false hope
Muktsar, December 21
Unemployment, peer influence, thrill-seeking and opening of illegal chemist shops in rural areas are some of the factors leading to rot among rural youth, students and even government employees.

Animal fair concludes
Animal husbandry minister Gulzar Singh Ranike handing over prizes to the winner on the concluding day of the Khetri Pashudhan Mela in Bathinda on Monday. Bathinda bags 105 awards
Bathinda, December 21
Curtains came down on the three-day annual cattle fair at the Pearl Township on Goniana road here today.Chief guest Gulzar Singh Ranike, animal husbandry minister, said that Punjab government would be recruiting 100 veterinary doctors and 225 veterinary inspectors soon.

Animal husbandry minister Gulzar Singh Ranike handing over prizes to the winner on the concluding day of the Khetri Pashudhan Mela in Bathinda on Monday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Spicy break pops up for movie buffs
Bathinda, December 21
Watching movie in the Big Cinemas here will become spicy from December 23 when a variety of popcorn flavours would be launched for the visitors by India's largest domestic and international cinema chain.

‘Work on township in full swing’
Bathinda, December 21
Claiming that the work concerning Pearls Township in Bathinda was on fast track, the AGM (Marketing) of the Pearls Infrastructure Projects Ltd (PIPL) Akarshak Mishra said about 600 residential plots spread in 65 acres was being developed in the first phase. The company would start giving possession within 36 months, he added.

New website of varsity launched
Bathinda, December 21
The new website of Punjabi University campus, Maur (Bathinda), was launched by Dr Jaspal Singh, vicechancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, on Monday.

MP visits villages
Bathinda, December 21
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal today visited seven villages of Bhucho Assembly constituency. She distributed cheques worth Rs 65 lakhs among Panchayats for development of their villages.

One hurt as train hits tractor-trailer
Ferozepur, December 21
Deet Singh, a resident of this district, suffered multiple injuries when the tractor-trailer, which he was driving, collided with a speeding train on an unmanned railway crossing near Chok Tehal Singh Wala village on Ferozepur-Fazilka rail section, on Monday morning.

No-confidence move against MC president
Councillors alleged that the president was doing nothing for the welfare of Mansa
Mansa, December 21
A no-confidence motion was on Monday moved against the president of municipal council, Mansa, by 15 municipal councillors, out of total 21. As per the information, 15 MCs have submitted a no-confidence motion with the executive officer against council president, Atamjeet Singh Kala. A copy of the motion was sent to the Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul. Some councillors, who had signed no-confidence motion, alleged that the president was not doing anything for the welfare of the city.

 





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Support for Sarna not good for social harmony: Pinki
Tribune News Service

Ferozepur, December 21
The border state of Punjab has seen worst time and has suffered irrevocable loses in all spheres of life on account of decade long terrorism.

A handful of vested interests have again been trying to disturb its atmosphere and damage hard won peace.

While stating this, senior Congress leader and secretary, Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Parminder Singh Pinki, said that situation in Punjab had reached at a point where the right thinking political parties were worried about its future.

“Some leaders have brought Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) leader Paramjit Singh Sarna into Punjab to communalise certain incidents, which have taken place in Punjab in the recent past,” alleged Pinki while talking to TNS this evening today adding such activities must be nipped in bud. “Congress party with its strong secure credential cannot afford to favour a particular school of religious thought. If any member of the party has some views on a particular issue, 
he must first take up the same matter at various party forums and then if the party approves the same, it can be propagated in the public,” he pointed out.

The Congress leader said that with a view to promote personal agenda, a leader had been using party forum to promote which was bound to damage the image of party. No member was above the party.

If any leader did not abide by the party discipline, he was then liable for disciplinary action, he added.

For the first time, the image of party in the state had reached a level where almost 46 lakh people had openly applied for party membership.

Hence it was time to build strong relationship with people which would not only be good for the state unit but could be an example for whole of the country.

He urged the leader that instead of focusing on personal agendas, the efforts must be made for championing the cause of poor and those, who had been suffering on account of failure of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on all fronts.

Pinki said that though Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had been claiming that Punjab would be power surplus by 2011 despite the fact that farmers of Punjab had been getting only four hours of power supply in 24 hours.

The development had brought things to a standstill and industry had started shifting to other states where law and order was better, he said.

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Minor among six killed in mishaps
Tribune Reporters

Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 21
Three persons were crushed to death by a truck near village Nahranwali late on Sunday night. As per information, Prem Kumar of village Dhaban was returning home along with his brother Ram Kumar and a friend Krishan Kumar on a motorcycle. They had gone to Gharsana town on Sunday morning for some social work.

Prem Kumar died on the spot as the truck hit the motorcycle. Ram Kumar and Krishan Kumar were shifted to the civil hospital at Anoopgarh but both succumbed to their injuries on Monday. A case has been registered.

Fazilka: A child was killed in a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a tractor-trailor on Monday near the local grain market. As per the details, Rajan (7), student of class II and a resident of Dhani Kharaswali on Malout road, was returning from school on bike with his grandfather Bishan Singh. As the bike reached near the grain market, it collided with a tractor-trailor. He died on the spot. Bishan Singh and his granddaughter, riding the pillion, had a narrow escape.

In yet another road accident, Darhsan Singh, a resident of Bagheke Hithar in Jalalabad sub-division also died in a collision between a truck trailor and a jeep.

According to Balwant Singh, his cousin Darshan Singh (42) was returning to his village from Fazilka in his jeep. The jeep collided with a truck trailor coming from the opposite direction near village Sukhera Bodla resulting in death of Darshan Singh.

Ferozepur: With thick fog engulfing the area, normal life was thrown out of gear. Several road accidents were reported owing to poor visibility. On Ferozepur-Fazilka highway, a jeep bearing number HR01F7058, collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction near village Dharmuke. The jeep driver Darshan Singh, died on the spot. In another accident, a mini-bus collided with a canter. No casualty was reported but the passengers suffered minor injuries.

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First swine flu casualty in Muktsar, 2 more test positive
Ravi Dhaliwal

Muktsar, December 21
Muktsar today recorded its first swine flu death as a woman succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 virus while two others, both women, tested positive.

One of the patients has been shifted to the Adesh Hospital and Research Centre while the other has been referred to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana.

Jaswinder Kaur (29) of village Doda, 12 kms from Muktsar in Gidderbaha tehsil, had delivered a baby ten days ago and was not feeling well for the last few days. Late yesterday evening, her family members insisted that she be taken to the Adesh Hospital and Research Centre, Muktsar, for swine flu tests. However, after being prompted upon by a friend of hers, her family members took her to a quack in the village. After she was given 'medication' by the quack, her condition deteriorated. Sources disclosed that the quack actually could not control the initial swine flu symptoms of Jaswinder Kaur and after getting panicky, gave her a strong dose of medicines, some say steroids.

However, when her condition aggravated, her family members took her to a private clinic run by Dr Ravi Kamboj in Gidderbaha. The doctor conducted preliminary tests for swine flu and she tested positive following which he asked Jaswinder's family members to shift the patient to Bathinda Civil Hospital.

Jaswinder Kaur died on her way to the Bathinda Civil Hospital.

Dr Sanjeev Sethi, the nodal officer for monitoring swine flu cases in Muktsar district, said that Jaswinder's death was due to swine flu, a fact recorded by Dr Ravi Kamboj who had written “suspected flu case” on the slip given to the patient's kin before they decided to take her to Bathinda.

Dr Sethi said he had asked the Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Gidderbaha, to take samples of Jaswinder's kin immediately and report to him.

The nodal officer confirmed that two other women of Muktsar district have also tested positive for the disease.

Sharanjeet Kaur (28) of Gidderbaha has also tested positive for the disease and has been referred by Dr Ravi Kamboj to the Bathinda Civil Hospital. However, on insistence by her family members, the patient was taken to the Adesh hospital, Muktsar, where, according to latest reports, she is recuperating.

Dr Sethi also disclosed that the third swine flue positive case pertains to Ankita who is six months pregnant. A few days ago, she had some breathing problems and was taken to Dr Madan Mohan Bansal's clinic located on the Bathinda road.

Dr Bansal, suspecting that she had swine flue, referred her to DMC, Ludhiana, while her swab was sent to the PGI, Chandigarh. Ankita is a confirmed case of swine flu, according to PGI test reports.

These three cases, one dead and two suspected, have sent a scare through this city, which till yet had recorded no positive case of the disease. Dr Ashish Sukhija, Chief Administrative Officer of Adesh Hospital, said, "Our hospital is ready to deal with swine flu cases. We have an isolation ward to deal with such cases."

Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam said,"People should not panic. We have taken all precautions to check the sickness. The district administration is putting its best foot forward to ensure that the disease is arrested at an early stage.” 

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Region witnesses more cases
Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 21
The results of samples of two suspected swine flu patients, sent to the PGI, Chandigarh, were received by the district health authorities here today. As per the reports of the samples, both patients tested positive for swine flu.

Talking to this reporter today, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Dharampal Singh Sekhon said the district health authorities had sent the samples of Khushi, a two-and-half-year old girl from Bathinda, and Bipan Bansal (23) from Goniana Mandi for swine flu test to the PGI, Chandigarh. He said according to their test reports, both tested positive for swine flu.

Dr Sekhon said Khushi was now admitted in the PGI, Chandigarh, while Bipan Bansal was admitted to the Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, for treatment.

Dr Sekhon further said that keeping in view the seriousness of the disease, the district health authorities had started the treatment of contacts of both the patients without wasting any time. He said five members of the family of Khushi were being treated here and at Patiala while eight contacts of Bipan Bansal were being given treatment here and six at Patiala. He said the contacts were being given Tamiflu capsules.

Seminar: The local Naujwan Welfare Society organised a seminar on swine flu awareness on the premises of truck union here on Monday. Truck operators and drivers attended the seminar. The society also distributed masks among the truck drivers and operators. Aman Singla, a society activist, gave information about the symptoms of the Swine flu on the occasion. — TNS

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Two test positive in Mansa
Parmod Mehta

Mansa, December 21
Panic over swine flu has spread in Mansa as two confirmed and two suspected cases came to light. According to information made available by the from health department, Dr Raman Kumar, who is posted at Ludhiana in CMC, was found infected with swine flu. He is being administered treatment in his house at Mansa by creating an isolation room.

Another confirmed case was that of Pushpinder Kaur, daughter of Jagmail Singh, a resident of Lalluana. Pushpinder is a class X student of Samarfield School, Mansa. She was admitted to the Civil Hospital in the isolation ward where she was being given treatment.

Samples of both the patients were sent to the PGI Chandigarh from where the disease was confirmed on Sunday.

One more suspected patient, Vikas Kumar, son of Subhash Chand, a student of Gandhi School in Mansa was admitted to the Civil Hospital. His swab was also sent to the PGI for test

Thirteen-year-old Sadakhan of Mansa died on December19 when he was being taken to the PGI Chandigar h for treatment in a serious condition. According to the health department, it was a suspected case of swine flu.

Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon, Mansa Dr Pritpal Singh said that proper treatment was being provided in the isolation ward of the Civil Hospital, Mansa. An awareness campaign has also been launched to control the disease.

Dr Yashpal of the Civil Hospital said that morning prayers were banned in schools where suspected and confirmed swine flu cases were reported. To make the people aware of swine flu, pamphlets have been distributed and teams of doctors have also visited schools and some other places in the city.

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Inter Varsity Cricket Tourney
Duleep’s spell wrecks Hisar University
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, December 21
A fine all-round show by Duleep Kumar (5 for 49 and 28) enabled BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar to beat Guru Jambeshwar university, Hisar, by five wickets in the North Zone Inter University cricket tournament played at the Rajindra College ground here today.

The Hisar skipper misread the wicket which had a fair sprinkling of grass on it which was well and truly exploited by fast bowler Duleep Kumar. After castling opener Sushil Saini with a vicious in dipping yorker, Duleep ran through the middle order keeping a fine line and length throughout. The only one to stand firm among the ruins was middle order batsman Dinesh Kumar. He scored a sedate 42 which included 8 hits to the ropes. Once he was consumed by Sanjeev Kumar, it was just a matter of time before the Hisar innings folded at a measly 92.

The Jalandhar team lost a couple of early wickets but their ship was steadied by a useful 56 runs partnership between Duleep Kumar and Harpreet Singh.

Scores: Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar: 92 all out ( Dinesh Kumar

42, Duleep Kumar 5 for 49, Sanjeev 3 for 25)

Dr BR Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar: 93 for 5 (Duleep Kumar 28, Harpreet Singh 26, Rohit Kumar 2 for 20)

In another match, star studded Allahabad University beat Kashmir University by four wickets. Kashmir opted to bat and started off well with openers Nadeem Ahmed and Tahir Hussain putting on 50 runs. Nadeem was consumed by Sudhanshu Mishra when he moved far across to a delivery which kept straight only to be trapped LBW.

Two runs later, Tahir was lapped up. With the removal of both the openers, it was left to the middle order to make a match out of it. However, Kashmir innings ended up at 102.

In reply, Allahabad overwhelmed the target in just 22 overs with Janmeji Shah standing out with some stupendous shots.

Scores: Kashmir University: 102 all out (Nadeem Ahmed 56, Tahir Hussain 29, Sudhanshu Mishra 4 for 41, Mayank Kumar 2 for 30) Allahabad University: 103 for 6 (Janmeji Shah 49, Sudhanshu Mishra 13, Sajid Bajaj 2 for 19)

In another match at the Police Public School ground, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar downed Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary sciences, Ludhiana by 117 runs. 

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Scourge of Drugs-II
High on dope, false hope
Ravi Dhaliwal

Muktsar, December 21
Unemployment, peer influence, thrill-seeking and opening of illegal chemist shops in rural areas are some of the factors leading to rot among rural youth, students and even government employees.

Here in southwest Punjab, particularly its central point -- Muktsar -- the saying doing the rounds is that being high on dope is a normal experience where the district administration raids and seals shops which open later to cater to the demands of addicts.

Some raids were conducted by the previous Muktsar DC, Rajat Aggarwal, in August but now things are back to square one with chemists, both legal and illegal, supplying addicts with their quota of dope and false hope. Muktsar DC Varun Roojam said: “It is really a tough fight against drugs. We have two de-addiction centres in Muktsar and Badal village but both are virtually non-functional. We intend to open a new 15-bedded de-addiction centre on the civil hospital premises. Drug abuse has led to an increase in the crime rate. Addicts resort to crime to pay for drugs. Drugs remove reservations and damage decision-making to commit offences. We will fight this scourge with the help of local NGOs. The setting up of a new de-addiction centre is a step in the right direction in our battle against drugs.” It is not that the police is not making efforts to catch smugglers. A couple of years ago when LK Yadav was Muktsar district police chief, he managed to reign in cops who were part of the police-smuggler nexus. Police insiders say that when Yadav was the SSP, smuggling was minimised and lower level cops were so disgruntled that they broke off their contacts with Rajasthan-based smugglers.

“The story of drug addiction begins out of an adventure and soon turns into a scary experience,” disclosed RK Bansal, a clinical psychologist working with a local hospital and research centre.

“A fallacy about de-addiction is being spread in the region. Some advertisements are outrageously promising de-addiction treatment within 48 hours. Parents of rural youth who are addicted to poppy husk fall in the trap and end up paying money to these private de-addiction centres without getting the desired results,” said Ranjeet Singh Maan, a multi-purpose health worker.

For many years Muktsar has been the transit point for drugs from neighbouring Rajasthan. Muktsar SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill said: “We are making all efforts in an attempt to nip the evil in the bud. I am personally supervising the anti-drug operations in the district”. (Concluded)

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Animal fair concludes
Bathinda bags 105 awards
Ravi Dhaliwal

Bathinda, December 21
Curtains came down on the three-day annual cattle fair at the Pearl Township on Goniana road here today.Chief guest Gulzar Singh Ranike, animal husbandry minister, said that Punjab government would be recruiting 100 veterinary doctors and 225 veterinary inspectors soon.

He said his department was just awaiting formal sanction from the finance department and as soon as approval was received, the process to recruit these doctors would be initiated. He said the last time such appointments were made was during the previous rule of the SAD-BJP combine. He hastened to add that the Congress government did nothing as far as recruiting veterinary doctors was concerned.

Ranike claimed that the government had imported one lakh special doses of diet from the US and Canada which would enable cows to improve their milk yield to 65 to 70 kg per animal. These doses will be distributed to dairy farmers shortly.

The minister disclosed that the Punjab government had sanctioned a grant of Rs 1.05 crore to hold the north India cattle fair at Muktsar.

Meanwhile, Bathinda district bagged 105 prizes, the highest among all participating districts in the fair. Ferozepur won 45 while Barnala bagged 42 prizes.

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Spicy break pops up for movie buffs
SP Sharma
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 21
Watching movie in the Big Cinemas here will become spicy from December 23 when a variety of popcorn flavours would be launched for the visitors by India's largest domestic and international cinema chain.

Cajun Spice, a blend of mixed herb, cheese and pepper, tomato chilli and sweet and tangy lime, a juicy blend of fresh lime with sugar and aromatic spices are some of the long list of flavors that will be available in the popcorn flavor bar.

Big Cinemas, a division of Reliance MediaWorks Ltd and a member of Reliance ADA Group is launching an exclusive and unique popcorn flavor bar at their property here as a part of their Movie Munchies brand.

The popcorn flavor bar is a one of its kind concept where Big Cinema guests can request for flavors to be added to their regular popcorn in a specially designed shaker bag which will be available at the counter. The flavored popcorn will be available at Rs 10 more than the existing medium popcorn rate.

"We at Big Cinemas are aiming to create a food and beverage experience styled for an overall enhanced audience entertainment,” said Arindam Chakravarti, head, F&B, Big Cinemas.

Apart from the pop-corn flavor bar, movie munchies also includes 22 other products. 

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‘Work on township in full swing’

Bathinda, December 21
Claiming that the work concerning Pearls Township in Bathinda was on fast track, the AGM (Marketing) of the Pearls Infrastructure Projects Ltd (PIPL) Akarshak Mishra said about 600 residential plots spread in 65 acres was being developed in the first phase. The company would start giving possession within 36 months, he added.

Addressing media during a dealers meet here today, Mishra said that the proposed township spread in 250 acres on Goniana road would have all important facilities such as roads, parks, schools, dispensary, shopping-cum-office area and others. The project is promoted by PACL India Ltd and marketed by PIPL.

Officials of PIPL Ayush Saraf, Gurpinderjit Brar and others were present on the occasion. — TNS

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New website of varsity launched
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 21
The new website of Punjabi University campus, Maur (Bathinda), was launched by Dr Jaspal Singh, vicechancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, on Monday.

The brochure of Maur campus was also released by the VC. According to Dr DK Madaan, principal, the development of this campus in Malwa region has been fast under the leadership of VC and Dr Manjit Singh, Dean, College Development Council.

He appreciated the effortsof the faculty of campus, especially Dalbir Singh for the development of the website - www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in/maur/index.html. 

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MP visits villages

Bathinda, December 21
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal today visited seven villages of Bhucho Assembly constituency. She distributed cheques worth Rs 65 lakhs among Panchayats for development of their villages.

She also handed over pension sanction letters to the Panchayats to distribute the same among 158 beneficiaries of the pension scheme in the villages.

At Mehma Sarja village, she said that on the issue of rising prices the Punjab Congress leaders were issuing baseless statements. — TNS

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One hurt as train hits tractor-trailer

Ferozepur, December 21
Deet Singh, a resident of this district, suffered multiple injuries when the tractor-trailer, which he was driving, collided with a speeding train on an unmanned railway crossing near Chok Tehal Singh Wala village on Ferozepur-Fazilka rail section, on Monday morning.

Information gathered by TNS revealed that ‘3 FF passenger train’ running between Ferozepur-Fazilka hit the tractor-trolley at C-20 unmanned railway level crossing at around 9.50 am. While Deet Singh suffered multiple injuries, the tractor-trolley was damaged beyond recognition.

Information revealed that Deet Singh, who was taken to Ferozepur based hospital first, was referred to Amritsar due to his serious condition. A case in this connection was registered in the railway police station. — TNS 

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No-confidence move against MC president
Councillors alleged that the president was doing nothing for the welfare of Mansa
Our Correspondent

Mansa, December 21
A no-confidence motion was on Monday moved against the president of municipal council, Mansa, by 15 municipal councillors, out of total 21. As per the information, 15 MCs have submitted a no-confidence motion with the executive officer against council president, Atamjeet Singh Kala. A copy of the motion was sent to the Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul. Some councillors, who had signed no-confidence motion, alleged that the president was not doing anything for the welfare of the city.

They alleged that discriminatory policy was adopted by the president with some wards regarding development works. Defected sewerage system and problem of drinking water caused difficulties for the residents of the city but the president did not bother about it.

Meanwhile, DC Kumar Rahul and executive officer of municipal council SK Gulati have admitted that they received copies of no confidence motion against the council president. It has been signed by 15 members, they added. Notably, the councillors of Akali Dal and BJP have also signed the no confidence motion. Efforts were made to know the comments of president but he could not be contacted.

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