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Nagar kirtan held on Gurpurb eve
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Pilgrims’ tents catch fire at Nankana Sahib
Lahore/Amritsar, November 20 About two dozen tents housing Sikh and Hindu pilgrims caught fire at the central Pakistani city of Nankana Sahib today though there were no reports of casualties, officials said.
Post-PSEB unbundling, tripartite pact inked
Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s nephew backs Manpreet’s cause
LPG connection scam may be tip of the iceberg
US President Obama celebrates
Gurpurb at White House
Fire in cloth shop, loss worth lakhs
Sexually abused minor hopes for justice
Temporary postings of staff cancelled
Sufi saints’ shrines in many police stations
Lt-Gen Sahni’s GCM adjourned till Dec 13
Pollution by Tanneries
Sufficient power for paddy: Chaudhri\
Perjury case
One held for selling LPG
in black market
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Nagar kirtan held on Gurpurb eve
Amritsar, November 20 Earlier, a religious procession took off from the Golden Temple complex at around 12 noon. Members of various religious sabhas and societies, students of schools and colleges along with their bands, band parties of the city, members of different gatka parties, the staff of the SGPC and its Dharam Parchar Committee and devotees participated in the event. The display of ‘jalau’, containing many rare and valuable historical objects, will be held in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple to mark the 542nd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev tomorrow. Limited to two-hour long display, starting from 10 am, the ‘jalau’ (show of splendour) will have jewels and jewellery donated by legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, five gold spades and as many battes (big shallow vessels), commemorating the first kar sewa and other objects d’ art donated by the Sikh sangat from time to time.
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Pilgrims’ tents catch fire at Nankana Sahib
Lahore/Amritsar, November 20 Thousands of pilgrims, including Indian Sikhs, have gathered at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak located 80 km from Lahore, to celebrate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh religion. The fire caused panic among the 'yatris' or pilgrims before it was brought under control. Nankana Sahib's district police chief Shahzad Waheed said some 200 pilgrims were present in the tents that caught fire though they safely evacuated. The Evacuee Trust Property Board's Deputy Director (Shrines) Fraz Abbas said an electrical short circuit sparked the fire. He said people present in the area managed to extinguish the flames even before fire fighters arrived on the scene. Over 3,000 Indian Sikhs arrived in Nankana Sahib yesterday. After attending the main function there tomorrow, they will travel Hasan Abdal, Narowal, Shiekhupura and Eminabad to visit several gurdwaras. Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims. In Amritsar, president, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Avtar Singh, regretted here today the burning of tents of Sikh pilgrims at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. He said he was grateful to the Akal Purkh (Almighty) for saving the precious lives of pilgrims on the eve of the holy occasion. About the tents catching fire, he said he was yet to receive information regarding this from the leader of the SGPC Jatha to Pakistan, Sawinder Singh Dobaliya, an SGPC member. He said the Pakistan Government must put in place fullproof and quality arrangements for the Sikh pilgrims visiting the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev from all corners of the world. He said tents were not a dependable way provided for the stay of devotees. He recalled that the SGPC had requested the Pakistan Government many a time for allowing it to raise serais near Gurdwara Janam Asthan. He added that even the SGPC members, accompanying as leaders of the Sikh Jatha to Pakistan, raised the matter umpteen times with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. However, the repeated pleas had not elicited any response so far.
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Post-PSEB unbundling, tripartite pact inked
Patiala, November 20 The agreement clearly mentions that both power utilities - PSPCL and PSTCL- will remain government companies. Representatives of employees unions and the PSEB Engineers Association have expressed happiness over the development. After the bifurcation of the erstwhile PSEB in mid-April this year, two successor companies - PSPCL and PSTCL -were formed. At that time, the government had given an assurance to employees unions, engineers association and the Joint Forum that a tripartite agreement would be signed within 10 days. After waiting for a few months, the unions launched protest demonstrations against the government and the managements of the PSPCL and the PSTCL. According to sources in the Power Department, in the wake of the increasing protests by the unions, it was decided not to delay the signing of the agreement. According to information, Special Secretary (Power) Arun Goel signed the agreement on behalf of the government, whereas Chairmen-cum-MDs of the PSPCL and the PSTCL KD Chaudhari and Anurag Agarwal, respectively, signed the agreement representing the power utilities. From employees and engineers’ side, representative of the Joint Forum, Engineers Association and the Council of Junior Engineers signed the pact. The main highlight of the agreement is regarding the non-retrenchment of the employees of the power utilities. “The government, the PSPCL and the PSTCL guarantee that there will be no retrenchment of any employee for any reason. Any employee found surplus will be trained by the power corporations and will be redeployed as per the work requirement,” reads the tripartite agreement. It also mentioned that all existing welfare measures prevalent in the erstwhile PSEB like medical reimbursement, electricity concession, group insurance, compensatory appointments, LTC etc would continue in the PSPCL and the PSTCL. The agreement also ensures that existing differential in the salaries of employees of the erstwhile PSEB vis-à-vis their counterpart in the government will be maintained. The system of the wage formulation committee of the erstwhile PSEB will continue in the successor entities. “Any modification in the transfer scheme, Memorandum of Association, Article of Association, qualification and experience of CMDs and Directors of the PSPCL and the PSTCL will be made after consultation and understanding with the signatories of pact. However, the government decision will be final in this regard,” reads the four-page agreement. The agreement further reads that existing recognition of the trade unions/associations by the erstwhile PSEB will be continued by the PSPCL and PSTCL as per the prevailing legal provisions. Spokesman for the Joint Forum Manjit Chahal said: “Though the issue was delayed for many months, we are happy that finally the government and the managements of the power corporations have conceded to our demand of the signing of the tripartite agreement. We urge state government to accept our other pending demands also.” PSEB Engineers’ Association president HS Bedi said their association was thankful to CM Parkash Singh Badal with whose intervention the agreement got signed.
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Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s nephew backs Manpreet’s cause
Chandigarh, November 18 In a note issued here today by Manpreet, Sandhu reaffirmed that if we did not clean the system immediately, it would be overthrown. The yatra would be a wake up call to kindle conscience and hearts of Punjabis all over the world for reviving Punjab’s economy, putting an end to corruption, poverty, illiteracy, addiction and unemployment. Sandhu agreed with Manpreet that it was necessary to concretise political freedom into economic freedom to fulfil dreams for which Bhagat Singh and thousands of freedom fighters made the supreme sacrifice. Sandhu also said Bhagat Singh had visualised that 15 years after their martyrdom, Britishers would be forced to quit, but the government that would step in would indulge in loot and plunder of people and vested interests would resort to self-aggrandisement. “People will forget us,” he noted, “within 15 years,” and added: “Then our memory will be revived and people will put our ideas to close scrutiny and for the reconstruction of a new social order working classes and honest people will unite together and this organisation will secure the fruits of labour to whom it belongs.”— TNS
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LPG connection scam may be tip of the iceberg
Chamkaur Sahib, November 20 There are around 1,7000 total domestic connections of Chamkaur Sahib gas agency. “Being the only gas agency in tehsil, it enjoys monopoly. There have been irregularities since long. Even after one-month waiting period, we do not get cylinders,” said Narender Singh from Manimajra, who reported large number of bogus connections. Maximum bogus connections were found from village Rasidpur. Around 52 bogus connections were detected in this village alone. Similar bogus entries were detected in villages of Kotli, Balrampur, Dholaran, Bassi Gujaran and nearby villages. Following these incessant complaints, the Food and Supplies Department sought data from the gas agency. “Despite repeated attempts, we did not get the data of consumers. At last, we picked the data from district headquarters, where the gas agency owners submit a CD of their consumers,” said Additional Food Supply Officer (AFSO) Rakesh Gupta. He reported the matter to the Deputy Director Food and Supplies, Jaswinder Singh, who formed a team of five persons. These included AFSO Rakesh Gupta, two Grade-I inspectors and two Grade-II inspectors. The investigation was done over a period of past one month. Out of the 1,783 bogus connections, 626 are from the city of Chamkaur Sahib, while rest are from 53 villages. The District Food Supplies controller Daljit Singh Bhatia said he had not received any orders from the senior officials for registration of case or any other action against the agency owners. Senior officials in the Food Supplies Office said active connivance of Hindustan Petroleum officials too could not be ruled out in the entire scam. “We don’t know how agency has fudged residential proof and other records of the non-existent consumers. Also, it needs to be further investigated that for how long this irregularity has being going on,” the official pointed out. Director Civil Supplies, Punjab, has already moved the entire case to senior HP officials and now the decision on fate of agency lies in the hands of higher officials.
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US President Obama celebrates Gurpurb at White House
Chandigarh, November 20 Dr Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, who helped in organising this celebration, said: “We are thankful to President Obama for this kind gesture of organising this celebration and issuing a message to the Sikh community. This is once again an acknowledgement of the Sikh community’s vibrant presence in America. Sikh youngsters are proud of their community’s recognition by the highest institution of the US.” President Obama issued a statement saying: “On Sunday, many around the world will observe the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. I send my best wishes to all those observing this extraordinary occasion. This is also an opportunity to recognise contributions that American Sikhs have made to our nation, and to reflect on the pluralism that is a hallmark of America.” “Sikhism’s principles of equality, service, interfaith cooperation and respect are shared by all Americans. As Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, people of goodwill everywhere can identify with his teachings on the equality of all humankind and the need for compassion in our service to others,” the statement added. Senior officials led by Christina M. Tchen, head of the White House office of public engagement, welcomed guests to the executive mansion at the function. She said 120 Sikh men in colourful turbans and women in traditional Punjabi dress gathered from all over America, adding that: “President Obama has deep regards for the Sikh community and we are eager to work with you all.” The programme started with kirtan with harmonium and tabla was performed by Ragi Nirmal Singh Nagpuri and Sukhjeevan Singh of the Golden Temple. They sang a hymn in praise of Guru Nanak Dev. Sehejneet Kaur (16) recited a shabad written by Guru Nanak Dev. Bandana Kaur Malik, program director of EcoSikh, spoke on Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy of equality, humility and service. Dr Karandeep Singh from Pennsylvania spoke on Guru Nanak Dev’s perspective of building society with respect and acceptance of all faiths and groups.
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Fire in cloth shop, loss worth lakhs
Goniana (Bathinda), Nov 20 It was at 8.30 am when some passersby witnessed smoke billowing out of the ventilator of the shop. They informed the police, fire brigade and the owner of the shop. Though the owner of the shop, Jasbir Singh, alias Pamma, refused to divulge details, people claimed that the shop was not insured. The SDM, KPS Mahi, said the report of the actual loss was yet to be prepared.
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Sexually abused minor hopes for justice
Faridkot, November 20 Now two years after the incident, the police had arrested the main accused, but she was still doubtful of getting justice keeping in view the way the entire incident was earlier “twisted by the police under political pressure to protect the culprit”. She was virtually “humiliated” by the police by booking her father’s uncle Pappu Singh charging him of raping her. The victim alleged that Jagga Singh of her village had sexually abused her on December 2, 2008. Her father knocked at the doors of a local court following which the court of Amarinder Pal Singh ordered the police to register a criminal case against Jagga Singh. However, he was eluding arrest for the past over 20 months. No matter, the police had arrested the main alleged accused last week, but at the same time, it also arrested her father’s uncle on Monday, even as the District and Sessions Court had recently stayed his arrest. In this case, the police was so “vindictive” that it had at one point of time filed an application in a Faridkot court to close down the case. But the court ordered a re-investigation into the incident, following which second FIR was registered by the police and the main accused was arrested. However, police officials said a DNA test of the victim was conducted which did not match with the alleged accused person, therefore he was not arrested and an application was filed to close down the case. However, the girl’s parents raised doubts on the credibility of the blood samples collected by the police arguing that they were not taken in the presence of any senior authorities of the administration. The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes also took up this matter reacting to protests by labour organisations in the area seeking justice for the victim. Dalip Singh Pandhi, a member of the commission, also visited the village and recorded statements of the girl, her parents and the other people of the village.
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Temporary postings of staff cancelled
Ferozepur, November 20 In a letter faxed to the district health authorities throughout Punjab, Dr JP Singh has ordered that all civil surgeons and medical superintendents of Punjab to cancel such postings of the staff members of Department of Health, which were effected by them or at the directorate level. Ravinder Luthra, President, Punjab State Pharmacists’ Association and chairperson, Coordination Committee, Paramedical and Health Employees, Punjab (Ferozepur unit), said the state health authorities had taken the decision as these two bodies had been lodging complaints against the bunglings being made by senior functionaries of the department under the garb of making deputation and temporary postings.
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Sufi saints’ shrines in many police stations
Dirba (Sangrur), November 20 The police stations of Dirba and Amargarh have shrines in their complexes whereas the Moonak police station was once housed in old buildings having a Sufi shrine. The Lalan Wala Pir shrine is housed in the Dirba police station, Pir Baba is housed in Amargarh police station complex whereas the Thanewala Pir shrine is housed in the old building that once housed the Moonak police station. The Sufi shrine of Pir Baba Abdullah Shah Ji is housed in the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, near Ludhiana. Policemen offer prayers at these shrines insaide the police stations every morning to seek the blessings of the great Sufi souls. “Every morning before I assume duty, I bow my head before the Sufi saint whose shrine is housed in our police station. I also pray for peace and tranquility in the area under my responsibility,” said Inspector Gurdev Singh Dhaliwal, SHO of Dirba police station. “Not only policemen, but local people, too, have great respect for the Sufi saint and come here to offer prayers on every Thursday.” Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD Minister who belongs to Sangrur district, told The Tribune that Punjab had a tolerant culture and they respected great people of various religious ideologies. “Punjab has been the seat to launching of various religious movements, including Sufi, Bhakti and Sikh movements. No wonder there are some police stations which have Sufi shrines.”
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Lt-Gen Sahni’s GCM adjourned till Dec 13
Jalandhar, November 20 Sources at 11 Corps Headquarters, Jalandhar Cantt, said the court proceedings had been adjourned for want of an independent defence counsel once again.“Lt-Gen Sahni will engage an independent defence counsel to defend his case,” said a senior Army officer, requesting anonymity. His previous defence counsel, Lt Col PN Chaturvedi, has proceeded on long leave. In the absence of a defence counsel, Lt-Gen Sahni was defending his case himself. Ever since the court proceedings began, as many as nine witnesses have appeared before the committee till November 19. The Army authorities also revealed that they were looking forward to complete the GCM before December 31. Earlier, too, the GCM was adjourned till August 18 as Lt-Gen Sahni was looking forward to engage a defence counsel to fight his case. Lt-Gen Sahni was attached with 11 Corps Headquarters on August 6 for the GCM. Meanwhile, the movements of Lt-Gen Sahni were restricted in the wake of the court proceedings and he cannot move out without the mandatory permission of the committee heading the GCM. General Sahni, who retired in 2006, is the highest ranking Army officer ever to face a GCM. He has been facing an inquiry by the Army into the expired rations purchased during his tenure as Director-General, Army Service Corps (ASC). He was indicted in the alleged irregularities in the supply of substandard dry ration to the troops stationed in the high-altitude areas.
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Pollution by Tanneries
Jalandhar, November 20 In Punjab alone, there are around 50 big tannery units in Jalandhar that dump TDS-rich effluents into the Sutlej via various drains. The main source of TDS waste is salt used as preservative to prevent the putrefaction of leather. Around 15,396 tonnes of salt is used in preserving these hides and skins in the state. This startling revelation came to the fore at a workshop on “Saltless Preservation of Hides and Skin” jointly organised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) here today. JS Kamyotra, member secretary of the CPCB, said besides causing health problems, water containing TDS, due to its very high salt content, increased the salinity of soil and reduced its fertility significantly. The inability to deal with TDS was also highlighted by PPCB chairman Rajat Aggarwal in his address. A senior PPCB official said though the upper prescribed limit of the TDS was 2,100 mg per litre, it remained around 7,000 mg per litre in the effluent generated by tanneries at present. However, Kamyotra said there was no limit fixed for TDS for such tanneries. Suggesting another alternative, UN Singh, senior environment engineer (CPCB), said as 80 per cent of such preservative salts were not applied in tanneries, in slaughter houses, they have developed a technique called ‘Lypholisation’ in which instead of salts application, vaccum-based equipment will be used to dehydrate hides and skin before the transportation to tanneries.
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Sufficient power for paddy: Chaudhri\
Patiala, November 20 Chaudhri informed that under the present arrangements being made by the PSPCL, the power borrowed during last summer was being returned and surplus power was being banked with Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pardesh and Madhya Pardesh, while adding that around 70 lakh units of power were being banked with these states everyday. “About 90 lakh units of power are being banked with Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan daily, so that this power is made available to Punjab during the 2011 paddy season,” he added. Chaudhri further said, “This year water level in dams is good and it is expected that power from hydel generation during the summer season next year will be more. Even at present 40-45 lakh units of more power are being generated from hydel stations as compared to last year”. Speaking on coal position, Chaudhri said sufficient stock was available at all three thermal plants.
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NRI surgeon dead
Faridkot, November 20 He came here to meet his father, Balwant Singh Dod, a prominent lawyer of the area who is 92 years old and at present bed-ridden due to ageing health problems. A member of the family said that Dr Dod had planned to go back this morning but he suffered a heart attack just before he went to sleep on Friday night. He has left behind his wife and two children, who are also settled in Los Angeles, the member of the family added. Dr Dod’s cremation is slated for November 22 at Faridkot.
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Perjury case
Mohali, November 20 Both these vigilance officers had investigated a disproportionate assets case against the present Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his wife and son when he was in the opposition. But after the Shiromani Akali Dal, led by him, was voted to power, both the officers turned hostile and gave the Badals a clean chit. While acquitting Badals, the court had held the officers guilty of perjury. The summons from the court, apparently, could not be delivered to the officers. The court had mentioned that it was an exceptional case wherein not only the complaint and the material evidence, but also the senior vigilance officers who investigated the case had failed to support the prosecution case. The Special Judge, while acquitting all the ten accused, including the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his wife Surinder Kaur Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, had observed that since there was no incriminating evidence against them, the case against them was being dismissed. But both officials were found to responsible for perjury. The summons had been issued on the basis of a criminal complaint for perjury and misconduct filed under Sections 120 B, 182, 193, 211, 218 and 219.
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One held for selling LPG in black market Ropar, November 20 The police arrested the driver of gas agency, Joginder Singh with eight cylinders. The SHO, Sadar, was passing from Sainik Rest House late Friday night, when he saw a tempo parked besides loaded with LPG cylinders. When questioned, Joginder Singh told the police that the owner of Vohra tea-stall at Purkhali had bought these cylinders at Rs 700 per cylinder. The police arrested Joginder Singh, while Anil Vohra of Vohra tea-stall fled away. The police has registered a case.
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Goniana (Bathinda), Nov 20
