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Makkar not to attend World Sikh Conference
Losses of state PSUs mount
‘Political Vendetta’
No ‘black
list’ of Indians, NRIs: MEA
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Surrender policy divides SAD, BJP
It’ll open Pandora’s Box, says Tondon
News Analysis
Gadkari blames faulty economic policies for all problems
Cancer registry project fails to take off
NFL Blast
PPSC scam: Health Minister seeks CBI probe
CITU calls for struggle against UPA policies
Government can hire private forensic experts
Lip prints can give vital clues: Expert
Teachers decry varsity’s promotion policy
Tributes paid to Reikhy
Mishap-prone areas get CCTVs
Now, industrial units can pay power bills online
26 kg heroin seized, 5 held
Accused in gangrape case flees from custody
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Makkar not to attend World Sikh Conference
Ludhiana, March 21 The DSGMC had recently announced the conference and invited Makkar to participate in it. However, the committee had specified that it would not invite Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal on the occasion. While the DSGMC claimed that the conference would be a platform for Sikhs across the world to come together and deliberate on the issues concerning them, Makkar alleged the motive was to create a row over the status of Akal Takht in the world. ‘‘I cannot withstand it. No true Sikh would like to do it. They may be alleging the misuse of Akal Takht by the SGPC, but they should know that all tenets and rules of the Sikhism are being followed by the clergy,” the SGPC chief said. Warning the Sikhs to snap all ties with former Jathedar Prof Darshan Singh, the SGPC chief said if anybody was maintaining any relationship with him, he would be as guilty of the Panth as Prof Darshan Singh was. The SGPC chief said it was shocking that despite being a well-educated person, Prof Darshan Singh was so adamant that he did not want to appear before Akal Takht. ‘‘The only way left for him is to shed his ego and appear before it humbly. The Panth will accept him,” he said.
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Losses of state PSUs mount
Chandigarh, March 21 According to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) released recently, the losses of PSUs increased from Rs 895 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 1,590 crore in 2008-09. The report, while giving the analysis for 2008-09, states that out of the 33 working PSUs, 13 of them incurred a loss of Rs 1,630 crore. The remaining 14 PSUs just about stayed afloat registering a profit of only Rs 40 crore. It said the PSEB was responsible for most of these losses with the board recording a loss of Rs 1,389 crore. The Punjab State Warehousing Corporation reported a loss of Rs 79 crore, Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation of Rs 69 crore and the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation of Rs 48 crore. Tracing the financial history of the PSEB, the report noted that the board had earned a profit of Rs 12.89 crore in 2005-06. It said even as the losses increased by the years, the turnover increased from Rs 6,701 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 7,913 crore in 2007-08. It said this meant that the percentage of return on capital employed, which was 8.66 per cent during 2005-06, was negative at present. Listing out the deficiencies, it said the PSEB failed to levy voltage surcharge on all large supply consumers resulting in under billing of Rs 266 crore. It said similarly the state government did not restructure loans depriving the board of a saving of Rs 229 crore. It said there was a consistent shortfall in achieving norms prescribed for repair of failed transformers during the past five years. The report, while listing out various milestones fixed through an MOU signed in March 2001 between the Union Power Ministry and the state government as a joint commitment on reforms in power sector, said the PSEB failed to achieve key targets. It said transmission and distribution losses, which were to be reduced to 18 per cent by March 2003, were 19.91 per cent in 2008-09. It said the board had also failed to replace all electro mechancical meters with electronic meters by March 2006. It said 34 lakh electronic meters had been installed against a target of 55 lakh. The CAG report made out a case for dismantling the PSEB by claiming that the PSUs could discharge their role efficiently only if they were financially self-reliant. It also called for introducing a performance-based system for accountability for
PSUs.
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In mess, PSEB needs a quick fix Patiala, March 21 In clear defiance to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), the state government has failed to pay subsidy for the free power in quarterly advance installments to board. Highly placed sources in the board have revealed that the board may not be able to disburse salaries to its employees, in case immediate remedial measures are not taken by the state government. Though last month, the government had assured the PSEB that pending subsidy would be cleared soon, but to no avail. The sources have also confirmed that fiscal health of the board has deteriorated so much so that payments to employees from their own provident fund, reimbursement of medical bills and TA bills of employees has been stalled. Besides, payments of suppliers and contractors have also been stopped, delaying the execution of various demand side management projects being undertaken for saving the power through conservation and anti-theft measures etc. Worried over the deteriorating financial condition of the
PSEB, the PSEB Engineers’ Association has shot off a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal. Association president HS Bedi mentioned in a letter, “PSEB has already taken out amount of over Rs 1,800 crore from the employees’ provident fund. Besides, an amount of Rs 700 crore in form of loan payment is due towards the PSEB during this month and the PSEB has not only overdrawn Rs 200 crore from its overdraw limit, but has also exhausted its borrowing limit.” Information available shows that since 2006-07, the PSEB had been continuously registering commercial losses. The figures of the loss incurred by the PSEB stands at Rs 1,800 crore (2006-07), Rs 1,611 crore (2007-08), Rs 1,292 crore (2008-09) and Rs 1,623 crore (2009-10). The sources said the commercial loss in the coming fiscal (2010-11) is expected to cross Rs 2,300 crore. Because of the continuous losses, the PSEB has been taking loans to meet its operational revenue expenditure with interest liability increasing from Rs 668 crore in 2006-07 to over Rs 2,000 crore during the current fiscal. Furthermore, perusal of some files brought to light that during the financial year 2007-08, in another defiance of PSERC instructions, out of total outstanding loan amount of Rs 3,075
crore, the state government had adjusted Rs 1,362 crore towards subsidy payable to the
PSEB. “Under the prevailing circumstances, the government should immediately pay the unpaid subsidy to the tune of over Rs 1,400 crore to the board in cash,” demanded the PSEB Engineers’ Association general-secretary Bhupinder Singh.
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Proposal to withdraw cases may die silent death
SAD-BJP combine distances itself from proposition Jangveer Singh Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 21 Though senior leaders of both the SAD and the BJP do not want to be quoted, they are clear that the proposal does not have the backing of their parties. The leaders made it clear and that the demand to withdraw what are perceived to be cases of political vendetta was a “spontaneous demand” and was not discussed in either of the party forums. BJP sources also made it clear that Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosain had raised the issue on his own initiative by writing a letter to Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon. They said the issue was raised in the Assembly by Congress legislator Makhan Singh. Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, when questioned on this, said he had already stated in the Vidhan Sabha that it needed to be studied whether criminal cases pending in the court could be withdrawn. Meanwhile, the SAD made it clear today that the cases registered against former the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, did not come under the ‘political vendetta’ category. Party spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said both cases of tampering of Vidhan Sabha record as well as the Ludhiana city scam were borne out of inquiries marked during the tenure of the previous Congress government. Sources in the SAD-BJP said the issue did not help them politically at all. They claimed it had in fact embarrassed the combine and had led to loss of political face. Simultaneously they agree that former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has gained by refusing to accept any “charity” on this score. With these revelations, it is becoming increasingly clear that the combine was not behind the issue raised by Congress legislator Makhan Singh. The Congress legislator has earlier raised issues like the “insult” meted out to the Speaker whose foreign visit to attend a conference was not cleared in time by the Finance Department. During the present session, Makhan Singh demanded that Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal should apologise for running down legislators. Manpreet had told a legislator who had appealed to the Speaker to ensure their salaries were increased that one did not do public service for money. The Speaker had earlier announced that he had spoken with the Chief Minister regarding increase in salaries of legislators and had been given an assurance that they would be increased. Meanwhile, there is also a divide in the Congress over how the issue should be taken up. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has demanded that cases registered against 16,000 Congress workers should be withdrawn first before dealing with cases of senior leaders. She has also questioned whether criminal cases can be taken up for withdrawal saying there must be a distinction between cases of political vendetta and cases of corruption where “solid evidence” is on record. Those facing trial in criminal cases include the Speaker himself besides Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh.
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No ‘black list’ of Indians, NRIs: MEA
Ludhiana, March 21 The deputy passport officer has stated this in reply to the query of one Satnam Singh of the United Human Rights Organisation. Satnam had filed an RTI application in December last seeking the black list of Indians and NRIs prepared after 1984. The External Affairs Ministry is responsible for putting objections on the passports of those travelling abroad or coming back to India. With this, the ministry has put a question mark on the claims of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram that they would abolish the ‘black list’. The United Human Rights Organisation has now written to the Prime Minister to make the list public, if there is any, or make an announcement that it does not exist at all, as claimed by the ministry. Meanwhile, Congress Legislator Jassi Khangoora has been claiming all along that ‘black list’ exists. It was estimated that the list contained 205 Sikhs in 1984, was raised up to 489 in 1998-1999, was reduced to 134 in 2003 and is currently believed to be over 200.
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Surrender policy divides SAD, BJP
Jalandhar, March 21 Terming the surrender policy for Kashmiri youth as dangerous for the country, the senior BJP leader said no concrete efforts were being made to rehabilitate the families who had to migrate to different parts due to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He made this statement while addressing a gathering at a function here today in the presence of BJP national president Nitin Gadkari, senior state BJP leaders, Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia and SAD leader and Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. Welcoming Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement made in Jammu on February 17 in which he had stated about the new surrender policy being drafted by the Union and Jammu & Kashmir governments, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal had stated on February 18 that the same policy should be widened to include other similar cases, including Sikh youth. Later, Chidambaram made it clear during his Amritsar visit on February 20 that the new surrender policy being drafted by the Centre was for one and all. He said the government would facilitate the return of Sikh militants settled abroad if they give up the demand for Khalistan and shun the path of violence. The state government has to send a proposal in this regard to the Centre on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir.
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It’ll open Pandora’s Box, says Tondon
Jalandhar, March 21 Talking to TNS on the sidelines of a function here today Tandon said: “If corruption cases against politicians are withdrawn, it will open Pandora’s Box by setting a set a wrong precedent following which non-political persons facing trials in different criminal cases will also demand similar treatment with them.” At the same time, he said two parties might reach a compromise in routine criminal cases except corruption matters. Finance Minister Manpreet Badal has refused to comment on the issue. He merely said: “This was a unanimous decision of the Assembly to seek legal approval for a proposal to withdraw vendetta cases against members of the House.” Punjab Congress Legislature Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said instead of trying to find a way to withdraw cases against senior political leaders, efforts should be made to take back those vendetta cases first that had been filed against nearly 15,000 Congress workers during the past three years by the
Badal-led government
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SAD firmly supports its veterans
RS nominations send out clear message Naveen S Garewal Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 21 The resignation letter dated February 1, 2010, runs into several pages and lists his achievements and completion of all work allotted to him. Dr Bajaj wrote that since most tasks given to him were either complete or on the verge of completion, he be relieved at the end of the current fiscal. In political circles, the acceptance of his resignation is, however, being viewed as putting pressure by him to secure a Rajya Sabha nomination. By denying him and many others the Rajya Sabha nomination, the SAD has sent out a clear message in support of old party horses, indicating “zero acceptance” of arm-twisting methods and no compromise with “loyalty”. This is contrary to the belief that SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal was replacing “old stalwarts” with his men. The message simply put means that the party still wants to keep its senior leaders happy and their positions are not up for the grabs. An aspirant for the Rajya Sabha seat, Bajaj and many others were believed to be dark horses till Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Naresh Gujral were re-nominated for the two vacant Rajya Sabha seats. In doing so, Sukhbir and his father, who was authorised to take a decision on the nomination issue, have sent out another message: “Stick to the job you are given and don’t aspire for more”. This is bound to upset many who are still hoping to fill the next Rajya Sabha vacancy coming up in July. Incidentally, The Tribune has learnt that the party high command has almost finalised the name of veteran Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder for this slot. The last SAD Core Committee meeting saw a very strong reaction from senior members, most of whom were also aspirants for the Rajya Sabha nominations, opposing talk about Rajya Sabha vacancies being filled by new faces. The argument put forth was that in case the SAD-BJP alliance does not perform well in Punjab’s next general election, senior leaders were the party’s best bet to make a noise in Delhi to minimise political vendetta in the state. Dhindsa became the first preferred choice in the core committee meeting, even though he had lost the Lok Sabha poll to a young Congress turk, Vijayinder Singla. It was felt that Dhindsa alone could marginalise the “Barnala factor” in the Sangrur area. Similarly, it was felt that the SAD had little clout of its own in Delhi and Naresh Gujral provided that important liaison support when it came to putting Punjab’s point of view across to the national leadership. By taking a “mature” view of the sentiment of senior leadership, the SAD President has shown sign of maturing politically. In comparison to the Winter Session, during the current Budget Session, where Sukhbir Badal performed the role of the leader of the house in the absence of the Chief Minister, he remained calm and did not get provoked or unnecessarily get dragged into an unwarranted debate. Accepting suggestions of listening more and “bragging” less have begun to make sense to him. This has also made him more acceptable as a leader both within the party and in the SAD-BJP coalition.
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Gadkari blames faulty economic policies for all problems Jalandhar, March 21 Speaking at the 100th financial help distribution function of the Shaheed Parivar Fund, Gadkari said wrong economic policies and bad governance were connected with almost all problems being faced by the country. He said the public at large was losing faith in political parties due to differences in words and deeds of its leaders and almost all parties were passing through the process of erosion. Urging the Centre to shun its appeasement policy, he stressed on the need of dealing militants with an iron will. The BJP chief said one could not do politics with ideals but should also think until when the populist decision were being taken. On this occasion Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, state Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Congress Legislature Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, BJP leaders Chaman Lal Gupta, Manoranjan Kalia, Tikshan Sood, Master Mohan Lal, Navjot Sidhu and Smriti Irani also spoke on the occasion.
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Cancer registry project fails to take off
Jalandhar, March 21 Announced in January by ASI secretary RK Karwasra, the association had announced a nationwide campaign for the registration of cancer patients. The information would have been used to generate a database of prevalence and geographical distribution of the disease across the nation. However, even after two months, the association has failed even to provide required questionnaire and guidelines to its members. The Tribune team contacted eminent surgeons in five major cities of the state. They expressed ignorance about the project. It was claimed that the association would provide questionnaires to its 15,000 members across the country and the database would be generated by compiling information provided in such questionnaires. Former principal of SGRD Medical College, Amritsar, Dr US Dhaliwal, said he had received no such questionnaire or guidelines from the association. Eminent gastro-surgeon Dr Ajmer Singh (Patiala), Dr GPS Nagpal (Bathinda) and IMA president (Ludhiana) Dr Narottam Dewan also expressed ignorance about the project. They are senior members of the ASI. Inability of Dr Rajinder Singh, head of the Department of General Surgery, PGIMER Chandigarh, and ASI (northern chapter) chief, to comment on the course of project proves that it has failed not only in the state but even across the region. “The IMA is going to hold its national meet at month end. I can comment on this matter only after that,” he said. Dr Karwasra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
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Authorities acted irresponsibly: SDM
Megha Mann Tribune News Service
Nangal, March 21 SDM Nangal Lakhmir Singh has stated this in his preliminary report submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Ropar Priyank Bharti today. Sources said NFL authorities justified their act of not informing the district administration by stating that it was an on-site emergency and hence the administration’s role was not required. It is learnt that the administration has taken a strong notice of this negligent attitude. The district administration plays a pivotal role in such situations like controlling the mob outside and taking other preventive steps. Confirming this, Bharti said that during the course of investigation, authorities would be indicted in the case. Bharti added that the SDM had recommended a detailed technical inquiry into the episode for which the administration would seek the help of industry experts. “We will write to the secretary industries demanding an external agency’s help to investigate the matter threadbare,” Bharti added. The SDM has pointed out five reasons as the cause of accident, which could be ascertained only after a technical inquiry. The listed causes include sudden increase in pressure of pipes or extra load on pipes, increase of temperature more than the permissible limits, leakages in pipes, untimely repairs or improper maintenance. Meanwhile, the condition of the NFL employee, Umesh Kumar, who got injured in the blast, is said to be stable and he is undergoing treatment at CMCH, Ludhiana. All the three deceased, including 47 years old manager mechanical Deepak Chhabra, 52 years old shift engineer production Mahinder Anand and 49 years old labourer on contract Jarnail Singh from nearby Mojewal village were cremated today.
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PPSC scam: Health Minister seeks CBI probe
Chandigarh, March 21 The irregularities were exposed by the Tribune early this month following which the CM had ordered Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal to conduct a probe into the matter and submit a report within a month. Talking to The Tribune, the minister said she had handed over a letter at the Chief Minister’s residence. “Considering the fact that several Punjab VIPs are involved in the appointments, it is essential that the agency that looks into the irregularities is from outside the state,” she said. She added that she had also discussed the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who had assured her that in case the process of appointments was found to be biased in favour of certain candidates, strict action would follow. “During the course of the interviews, I had received verbal complaints about the manner in which the selections were being done. I contacted a member of the PPSC who told me that everything was being done in a transparent and fair manner. However, from the news report, now it seems that a lot of injustice has been done to several deserving candidates,” she said. Even though the Akali-led state government responded promptly to the Tribune expose, the Congress’s silence on the issue is deafening. Even the otherwise vocal MLAs like Sukhbir Singh Khaira and Balbir Singh Sidhu have chosen to keep quiet over the issue. Sources said this had mainly to do with the fact that some of the more prominent members of the PPSC were appointed during former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s tenure. Also among the PPSC members is a senior Congress leader’s daughter-in- law. “It is politically unsuitable for the Congress to insist on an inquiry. It is no wonder that even while the state’s Advocate-General was giving his opinion on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha about the inquiry, the opposition insisted on an inquiry into the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) deal first,” said a political analyst. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary has received the records of the selections of doctors done by the PPSC. “The record is massive and it will take some time to go through it,” said Aggarwal.
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CITU calls for struggle against UPA policies
Chandigarh, March 21 The 13th CITU conference, which ended here today, expressed its grave concern over the deteriorating living condition of the poor people in the country. It noted that the working conditions of the workers were becoming from bad to worse. At a public rally held here today, newly elected CITU President Padam Nabhan, General Secretary Tapan Sen and representatives of Labour Movement, including M K Pandhe and Mohammed Amin, expressed their strong resentment on the conditions of the working class. Party leader Raghunath Singh emphasised the issues like soaring prices of essential commodities, growing unemployment, rampant corruption and “jungle raj” of employers.
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Government can hire private forensic experts
Chandigarh, March 21 In a communiqué circulated to various departments on March 17, the CVC has allowed them to rope in private forensic agencies after assessing their capabilities, quality and service. Forensics is the application of science to establish facts and answer questions that are of interest to the legal system and the dispensation of justice. Besides being of tremendous use in solving cases of murder, assault and theft, it also plays a vital role in cases pertaining to fraud, adulteration, tampering of documents and cyber crime. It’s primarily cases of the latter kind that would concern government and semi-government organisations. Use of forensic tools could improve the quality of investigations and ascertain facts that could be crucial for arriving at definite conclusions. However, in the Indian scenario, forensics is rarely used in departmental inquiries. A number of institutions in India offer courses in forensic sciences. With the widespread use of computers, the Internet, mobile telephony and networked applications, cyber forensics is fast emerging as a leading discipline. The commission is of the view that many professional organisations undertake forensic examinations that could be useful for solving important criminal cases and civil disputes. The idea to rope in forensic professionals came after the commission came across certain skills and tools that professional organisations and non-profit organisations possess that could be important for investigations.
Lip prints can give vital clues: Expert
Patiala, March 21 A research scholar Forensic Science Department of Punjabi University here, Ridamjeet says: “An individual’s lip print differs from another in terms of pattern and certain characteristics. If properly analysed, they can yield useful corroborative evidence. They are an important proof when it comes to individual identification.” The expert says her study was inspired by a case in a US court that accepted the testimony of two police experts that identification through lip prints, although seldom used, was very similar to fingerprint analysis. With increase in sexual assault cases, it becomes all the more important to find out some important proof against the accused and a lip print is a definite proof, says
Ridamjeet.
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Teachers decry varsity’s promotion policy
Patiala, March 21 As many as seven university teachers have expressed strong resentment
against the varsity authorities for not clearing their promotion cases. The protesting teachers include Rajesh Sharma (Department of English), Jaspreet Singh (Department of Chemistry), Prayumna Shah Singh (Department of Religious Studies), Inderjeet Singh Chahal (Department of Defence Studies), DP Singh (Department of Botany), Vishal Goyal (Department of Computer Sciences) and Simpel Jindal (Department of Computer Sciences, Punjabi
University Regional Campus, Bathinda). Elaborating the matter, Rajesh Sharma said all the above mentioned teachers are those who had joined Punjabi University after serving in different universities and colleges for many years. “We were assured by the Punjabi University that our previous service would be counted for promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) as per the existing rules, but till date we have not been given promotional benefits,” he told The Tribune. Sharma further claimed that following the instructions of University Grants Commission (UGC), the university syndicate adopted UGC instructions in 1994 and then again in 2008, which paved way for the promotions under the CAS by taking into account the past service of the teachers. “We fail to understand why we are being ignored,” he pointed out. Jaspreet and Inderjeet claimed that they had met the university authorities, including registrar many a times, but they have got nothing except verbal assurances. They further added, “We had even submitted a memorandum in this regard to varsity Vice Chancellor on September 10, 2009, but to no avail.” While stating that ignorant attitude of the varsity authorities towards their matter is adversely affecting the academic and research output, these teachers have decided to submit a memorandum to the university syndicate during its meeting on March 22. The teachers have also announced that they would not give up until the varsity gives them their due promotional benefits.
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Tributes paid to Reikhy
Patiala, March 21 Prominent among others, who paid tributes to Reikhy include SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar, SAD (Badal) general-secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra, Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh. The bhog ceremony was also attended by general-manager of The Tribune Sanjay Hazari, Dainik Tribune editor Ramesh Kaushal, Punjabi Tribune news editor Surinder Singh Tej, resident editor of Hindustan Times Ramesh Vinayak and
many senior reporters and mediapersons. — TNS
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Mishap-prone areas get CCTVs
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 21 A control room to monitor the cameras would be set up and the recording could be seen online by senior officials. The data would be stored for one month and could be procured even after 30 days if required. The cameras would start working in about a week after being inaugurated by a senior police official. Besides, three speed radars have also been installed to ascertain the speed of vehicles. The officials said efforts would be made to install display boards on roadsides so that the commuters should follow speed limits.
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Now, industrial units can pay power bills online
Patiala, March 21 The power board had introduced the facility on trial basis in different districts of the state last year. After receiving positive response from the consumers, the facility was extended to the entire state for all categories, except industrial users and consumers covered under “on-the-spot billing facility”. Figures available with The Tribune show that from June 2009 to November 2009, bills amounting to Rs 2.22 crore were paid through e-billing. Subsequently, PSEB had also initiated a media campaign to popularise the facility. The brains behind the facility - PSEB member (finance) Anurag Aggarwal said: “From now onwards, the industrial category consumers would also be covered under the online billing system.” Board chairman HS Brar said soon, the board would cover “on-the-spot billing facility” under the e-billing system. “Data is being collected and soon e-payment facility would be extended to this category as well,” said
Brar.
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26 kg heroin seized, 5 held
Amritsar, March 21 The arrested include Gurjant Singh, alias Bhola, Rachpal Singh, alias Pala, Hargurpreet Singh, alias Papu, and Sahib Singh, alias Shabha. Acting on a tip off, the police laid a trap on the Harike bridge and intercepted a Tata Safari carrying the alleged smugglers, who started firing at them. Cops retaliated and managed to overpower the alleged smugglers. SSP Kaustubh Sharma said the main accused, Gurjant Singh, was found in an injured state from near his vehicle. He dubbed to have been the main operator on the Indian border and had been running drug trafficking business allegedly with the help of his brother, Gurpreet Singh, alias Sony, of Havelian village. Gurpreet, however, managed to flee. The vehicle had a VIP parking sticker along with another sticker on which “ Rajiv Gandhi Vichar Manch Punjab” was inscribed. “Their modus operandi is to use weak points along the Indo-Pak border in rotation to smuggle narcotics, fake currency, explosives and weapons. The smugglers from this side and from the other side of the border work in tandem,” the SSP said. Their interrogation revealed that Gurjant Singh and Gurpreet Singh have close links with Pakistan-based smugglers, Abad Ali of Sharinwal, Kasoor, Zulfikar of Bhadana, Ashraf Bhola of Nagar Amin, PS Shehjra, Warris Khooni and Yousaff, and the gang members were part of an international smuggling ring. It was also revealed that Rs 10 lakh in fake currency and 26 kg heroin recovered on the Indo-Pak border by the BSF belong to the gang.
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Accused in gangrape case flees from custody
Amritsar, March 21 Kiran was gangraped by nine youths, led by her boyfriend Sona of Naushehra Pannuan, at a tubewell near here on March 18. The incident took place when a police party, headed by head constable Satnam Singh, was taking Sona to conduct raids on the suspected hideouts of the other eight accused. When they reached a canal adjacent to Naushehra Pannuan village, Sona complained of stomachache and requested cops to release him to enable him to answer the call
of nature. However, he managed to flee when the polecemen’s attention wavered. The chase by the police officials failed to yield any result. A case under Section 225 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Sarhali police station and head constable Satnam Singh has been put under suspension. Jasbir Kaur, the mother of the victim, had apprehended two days ago that her family was getting “threats” from Sona and his family and that the accused could not be detained for long as they were “politically well- connected”
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Ludhiana, March 21
Amritsar, March 21
