Chandigarh, July 29
Stung by criticism from the Supreme Court as well as widespread public outcry over wastage of thousands of tonnes of wheat, Punjab is now focusing its energy on construction of silos to store food grains in a scientific manner in the state.

The state, however, wants help from the Centre to fast track silo construction in order to store grain in bulk.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal stressed this point during their recent visit to Delhi in talks with the Prime Minister as well as others. The state wants incentives for the private sector so that silos come up fast, said Sukhbir.

Talking to the Tribune after a meeting of the state Cabinet, he said the Centre had been requested to give tax incentives as well as put silo industry on the priority list so that investors could get easy loans.

Punjab also wants silos to succeed in the long term and not go the way of various big godowns, which have run down or are not functioning because the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has not got into long term contracts with them.

“We want that all silo owners should be offered a minimum rent for storing food grains which should cover a 10-year period,” Sukhbir said.

He said the minimum amount should be given whether FCI stored food grains in the silo or not.

Earlier, a proposal had been put up before the FCI to guarantee a seven-year storage rental to new silos. The state wants this increased to 10 years due to the heavy investment cost of silos. The Adani group has at present constructed a silo in Moga at a cost of Rs 600 crore for storing two lakh tonnes of food grain.

The state has in a separate request also demanded that silos be constructed adjoining “mandis”. This has been done to reduce costs in shifting of food grains from one place to another.

Meanwhile, in another development, the state has requested Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to speed up the movement of food grains out of the state. The state has also pointed out that the paddy crop would be in the market in another two months and that it was imperative to move wheat out of the state through special rakes.

Patiala, June 29
Solid waste management is one of the biggest problems being faced by the Patiala Municipal Corporation. Even after the Supreme Court ruling in 2000 that all municipal corporations and committees must construct solid waste management plants, the Patiala MC has failed to finalise an appropriate site for the plant.

Despite, identifying sites for the plant time and again, they have failed to make any remarkable progress on the project. One can see dumps of garbage even in residential areas and many plots have been turned into dumping grounds. There is no provision to recycle this waste.

The SC had instructed the MCs to eradicate solid waste dumps from their areas and to ensure that no waste existed in the residential areas. It had also instructed the MCs to construct solid waste management plants and recycle material like plastic, glass etc. The remaining material should be used for levelling low-lying areas.

According to the Act, nodal officers should be appointed in all districts and they should submit their report to the Punjab Pollution Control Board about to the progress on the project, which was then to be submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board. The Punjab Government hired IL and FC agency on one-year contract for the project, but even after 10 years, the position was the same in Patiala.

Despite PPCB’s repeated warnings to the MC, it is yet to take an action. There has been no processing of waste. Every year, the MC gives the excuse that it does not have adequate land or is short of money to establish such a plant.

Municipal Commissioner MS Narang maintained the MC had identified a few sites, but the land had not been finalised yet. He said, “Earlier, we were supposed to construct a plant for the combined cluster of Sangrur, Barnala and Patiala, but then the site was finalised for Sangrur and Barnala at Kadyal village. Now, we have proposed 2-3 sites and the officials have inspected them. We hope it will be finalised soon.”

Jalandhar, July 29
Congress MP from Gurdaspur Partap Singh Bajwa has sought to raise the issue of thousands of Hindus and Sikhs who have come to India from Pakistan on valid visas but do not want to go back in the Lok Sabha.

He has given a notice under rule 377 to raise the issue in the House. “My notice has been accepted by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and I may get an opportunity to speak on the issue,” Bajwa told The Tribune on phone today. He said the major fear of the Hindus and Sikhs, who did not want go back to Pakistan, was the prevailing bad law and order situation and the poor economic conditions in that country.

There are about 200 such families living in Jalandhar and almost an equal number in Amritsar. Such families are also living in other parts of the state besides Rajasthan and Delhi. “These Pakistani nationals desire that instead of extension of their long-term visas, they should be given asylum in India so that they can get residency rights and identity cards to enable them to have access to various welfare schemes,” said Bajwa in the notice given under rule 377. 

Amritsar, July 29
Director General (School Education) Krishan Kumar and members of the editorial board of “Gian Sarovar”, an encyclopedia for primary classes, today apologised for the objectionable chapter on Bebe Nanaki at the Akal Takht here.

Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh accepted the apology and directed the Sikh Sangat to consider the “Gian Sarovar” issue closed.

President, SAD (Amritsar), Simranjit Singh Maan had complained about the matter to the five Sikh high priests, who forwarded the same to the Dharam Prachar Committee. Giani Gurbachan Singh said, after thorough examination, it was felt that the errors were inadvertently committed. He verified ‘Kharara’ (original text) of the encyclopedia and also copies of its proof readings. He advised intellectuals and writers to comprehensively study Sikhism before publishing any book.

Krishan Kumar said as soon as the mistake came to their notice all copies were withdrawn and the printer was directed to re-publish it on its own expenditure. He said, on moral grounds, “I apologise to the Sikh community for hurting the religious feelings.” He informed that a request has been forwarded to register case against the printer, who had also tendered apology.

“In order to carry out in-depth inquiry into the matter, a three-member committee, comprising head, Religious Studies Department, Punjabi University, Dr Harpal Singh Pannu, Director Languages Department and Director School Education (secondary) has been formed.” The committee would submit its report to Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur within 10 days.

Besides, the Sarva Sikhiya Abhiyan has decided to withdraw the book “Balu De Wal” from schools. Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said the book contained some factual errors regarding ‘Kesh’ and here today informed that the SGPC had asked former cine star and MP Raj Babbar to delete some objectionable portion on Kashmiris from his serial on legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Ludhiana, July 29
Shocked at the alleged rape of a minor girl by a granthi on the premises of a local gurdwara, the SGPC has demanded capital punishment for the accused.

Talking to The Tribune, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the incident had sent shock waves across the nation and called for exemplary punishment to the accused.

"Such incidents are a violation of the sanctum sanctorum of religious places and shake the faith of the people in religious workers. The granthi should be hanged," Makkar said.

He added that in addition to the punishment that the court would mete out to the accused granthi, the SGPC would also direct the gurdwara committee to take "strictest possible action against him".

On July 27, Amanpreet Singh (28), granthi of Gurdwara Sahib Sherpur Khurd, had allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl when she had gone to the gurdwara pay obeisance along with her elder sister.

The accused had sent the victim's elder sister home after giving her food. He then took the victim to a room and allegedly raped her. The incident had occurred around 9 am, following which, the accused fled.

The girl reached her home and narrated the incident to her parents. She reportedly collapsed while narrating her woes and was rushed to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition.

On interrogation, the gurdwara authorities had expressed ignorance about the whereabouts of the accused as the latter was hired just a few days ago.

In the meantime, the Sherpur police registered a case under Section 376 of the IPC and launched a search to arrest the culprit.

The granthi was arrested this morning from Sherpur Khurd with the help of area residents by a police party led by Inspector Sandeep Kumar Wadera, SHO, Focal Point police station. 

Fazilka, July 29
The local Graduate Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF) with the support of other associations and individuals launched the “dial-a-tree” service - first of its kind in the country - to carry out plantation drives in a big way on the doorstep of citizens.

Earlier, the town, which has been facing blatant neglect by successive state governments, has made a mark in the field of education, social service and other human welfare activities when various organisations launched eco-friendly rickshaw, set up car-free zone and cyber cafes in localities inhabited by poor people. Three green ambulances would be launched for tree plantation, replacing the dying saplings and treating the injured plants in the town on August 1 to mark the occasion of Anand Utsav, an annual function organised by the GWAF to create awareness among people regarding environment.

“The tree plantation as per the demand will start formally on August 1. The Zamindara Farm Solutions and the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, have joined hands with us for making this task a big success,” said Navdeep Asija, Secretary (administration), GWAF.

Chandrika Ahuja, coordinator of the dial-a-tree project, said they converted three cycle rickshaws into green ambulances in service to transport and plant tree saplings.

Chandigarh, July 29
To give further impetus to planned urban development in the state, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal gave in principle approval to the master plans of Jalandhar, Patiala and Gobindgarh under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Development Act.

A decision to this effect was taken by Badal during the 19th meeting of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Development Board held here under his chairmanship this evening.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesman said a similar project on the lines of Aerocity (Mohali) would also be developed in Jalandhar.

It was informed in the meeting that by December, 2010, as many as 40 master plans of different towns and cities would be finalised.

The board also approved the Free Enterprise Zone for Dera Bassi as an integrated part of the master plan, as it already existed before the formation of the master plan. 

The Chief Minister asked the board to bring the master plan of Zirakpur in the next meeting after incorporating certain amendments as discussed. 

Malerkotla, July 29
The Punjab Urdu Academy (PUA) has become a victim of “politics” with the SAD government allegedly ignoring the project started by the previous Congress regime.

Sources said the previous Congress government had started work on the academy in 2006, but after the SAD government took over, it became non-functional.

They alleged that the PUA might not figure on the priority list of the government, which didn’t appoint anyone to run the academy after the secretary, who was on deputation to the PUA, retired in 2008.

An educationist said the Urdu-knowing people of Punjab, particularly of Malerkotla, were upset as the work had been stopped on this project. He said windowpanes of the under-construction building had been broken. An Urdu writer of the area claimed that had the PUA been completed, it would have promoted Urdu in many ways.

Razia Sultana, local MLA and vice-chairperson of the PUA said the SAD government did everything to sabotage this dream project. The government had not even bothered to call a meeting to discuss the issue.

Sources in the higher education and language department asserted that the government was serious to revive the PUA. 

Jalandhar, July 29
Residents of Uppal Bhopa village today saw the fulfilment of the last wish of Pooran Singh, a hawker, whose ashes reached the village after 63 years of his death in Australia.

The urn containing the remains of Pooran, which were preserved by an Australian family to fulfil his last desire to take them to his native land, reached his village, which he had left in 1899 to go to Australia.

Harmel Uppal, a grandson of Pooran’s brother Sultani Ram, brought the urn today to their native house. He was accompanied by historians Len Kenna and Crystal Jordan, who are doing research on the lives of Sikh migrants settled in Victoria state in the early 20th century, and Manpreet K Singh of SBS Radio of Australia.

Talking to reporters, Len Kenna, who traced the story of Pooran Singh, said she was interested in such stories, particularly of Sikhs, as her father was posted in the British Army in pre-Independence India and was moved back to England during the Second World War and then to Australia.

A number of Sikhs migrated to Victoria state of Australia in the late 19th century.“We are keenly researching their contribution to Victoria state and their lives,” she added.

Manpreet K Singh said descendants of the families, which were once close to Pooran Singh and his likes, approached the owners of cemetery to revive the memories of their childhood. “Some of the descendants can still recall how Pooran and other hawkers used to play with them and made delicious dishes for them at their homes,” he said.

The historians took with them about 50 photographs of Sikhs who migrated to Victoria in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

After staying in the village for nearly four hours, Harmel Uppal, along with others took the ashes to Haridwar to immerse them in the Ganges.

Rajpura, July 29
In a tragic accident, a family from Rajpura lost its three children leaving parents critically injured. Though the accident took place last night, the bodies of the children, Gonu (13), Nonu (7) and Rajji (13) were brought to Rajpura this evening.

While Gonu and Nonu were real brothers, Rajji was their cousin. Gonu and Nonu were children of Ranjeet Singh and Satnam Kaur. Rajji was their niece.

Ranjeet was driving the vehicle while his children were sitting behind him and his wife and niece were sitting on the rear seats.

Two-year-old daughter of the couple, Noni, survived in the accident but is said to be critical. The child is undergoing treatment in a hospital at Panipat. Relatives said Ranjit Singh was visiting his in-laws in Delhi. He left with his family around 2 pm yesterday. Their car met with an accident at 10.30 pm in Sonepat.

Gurmeet Singh, father of Rajji and brother of injured Ranjit Singh, said the car collided head-on with a speeding truck.

Patiala, July 29
“Sakubai”, the play staged at Kala Bhawan, Punjabi University, here last evening exposed social evils and religious hypocrisy along with exploitation of the underprivileged, especially women.

The solo performance enacted by TV actress Sarita Joshi of “Baa, Bahu aur Baby” in the play, directed by Nadira Zaheer Babbar. The Department of Theatre and Television, Punjabi University, and North Zone Cultural Centre hosted the play.

The play laid bare the prevailing social pressures and compulsions relegating the women to the lowest ebb.

Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University Dr Jaspal Singh, who was the chief guest, said the play portrayed distinct worlds on one stage through solo performance of Sarita Joshi. Real poetic justice provided a befitting climax to the play.

Dr Sunita Dhir, head of the Department of Theatre and Television and GS Saroya, director of the cultural centre thanked “Ek Jut”, a troupe that had produced the play.

Though Sarita Joshi didn’t understand much Punjabi but the artiste in her could feel the warmth of audience.

Chandigarh, July 29
More than two years after a Jandiala Guru resident disappeared, Justice Gurdev Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI probe.

Jaswant Singh Mosha is the husband of Manjit Kaur, Congress candidate for Jandiala Guru Municipal Committee elections. She was seeking re-election to the MC for the third time. His scooter was found from the Beas. His disappearance had led to blocking of Amritsar-Jalandhar road in protest. Slogans were also raised at that time against the Punjab Government and the police. The protesters had alleged that Jaswant was kidnapped at the behest of the ruling party on the election day.

Taking up the matter, Justice Gurdev observed: “It appears that the investigating agency did not take the trouble to join the petitioner and her family in the investigation in order to find the truth, which appears to be lying somewhere in bottom….”

Justice Gurdev asserted: “Either the investigating agency is inefficient or it does not have the spirit and willingness to find out the truth for the reasons best known to it”.

Giving the premier investigating agency three months to complete the probe, Justice Gurdev directed that the investigation should be carried out thoroughly. All persons concerned should be interrogated irrespective of the fact whether he was petitioner or was holding any post or was a member of the ruling party or is being supported by ruling party or politicians.

Moga, July 29
The additional district and sessions judge of Moga, SK Aggarwal, today sentenced a 68-year-old man and two contract killers hired by him to life imprisonment for killing his daughter’s boyfriend, who refused to marry her, and his cousin. However, the wife of the old man and another person have been acquitted of the charges. The girl and two others have been declared proclaimed offenders by the court.

According to the case file, the accused, Amanpal Kaur, was in love with Jasbir Singh of Canada and wanted to marry him. She had migrated to Canada about six years ago while Jasbir was already living there. But Jasbir refused to marry her suspecting her character, upon which she threatened him that if he did not marry her, she would not allow him to marry any other girl and kill him.

In December 2007, Jasbir returned to India along with his parents and other family members and went to Saidoke, his native village, in Moga district to solemnise his marriage. His sister’s marriage was also fixed a day before his marriage.

On February 13, 2008, a day before his marriage, when he and his family members were returning to their village from Kishan Singh Wala after performing the marriage of his sister, some persons following them in a Honda City car stopped them on the Madoke link road and one of the persons sitting in the car fired four shots at Jasbir and two shots at his cousin Harpreet Singh, who died on the spot. The assailants fled from the spot.

Subsequently, a criminal case was registered against Panjab Singh, father of the girl, Shaminder Kaur, mother of the girl, Ashwani Kumar, Amit Madan (both contract killers), Vishal Saini, Gursewak Singh, Amanpal Kaur and Rajwinder Singh under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. Gursewak, Amanpal Kaur and Rajwinder did not appear in the court and were declared proclaimed offenders. The contract killers tried to destroy the evidence by burning the car at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh and throwing it into a gorge, which was confirmed from an FIR lodged at the Kasauli police station. The illegal revolver used in the crime was also recovered by the police. Ashwani, a sharp-shooter who was working in the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), fired the shots from this weapon.

After going through the arguments put forth by the prosecution besides the facts and circumstances of the case, the additional district and sessions judge has sentenced Panjab Singh, Ashwani Kumar and Amit Madan to life imprisonment while Shaminder Kaur and Vishal Saini have been acquitted of the charges for lack of evidence against them. 

Anandpur Sahib, July 29
No official from the Russian Embassy turned up at Anandpur Sahib court today where Russian national Olga Timoshik’s case came up for hearing. The court has sent Olga to 15-day judicial remand.

After Anandpur Sahib court rejected her bail plea, the Ropar court granted her bail for two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each besides laying down strictures for 
Olga to follow.

The case had come up in the court of judicial magistrate Kapil Aggarwal.

Her counsel Sachin Kaushal told The Tribune that Russian embassy officials, including Savetlana assistant attaché, and Evgeny N Kalinin, second secretary to the embassy, had been following the case.

Kaushal said he had duly informed the embassy on time about her bail but no official turned up today. “The officials are expected tomorrow,” he added.

The police today presented a challan in the court and the defence counsel took its copies. The case will be again heard on August.

Earlier, Russia had written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), objecting the repeated postponement of Olga’s bail plea hearing. Olga is in the Punjab Police 
custody for her alleged involvement in espionage activities.

The letter sent to South Block on July 20 by the Russian Embassy read that impression was gaining ground that the judgment was being delayed in the interest of prosecution.

This was the second time that the Russian mission has written to the Centre in this regard.