Sangrur, December 22
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, Capt Amarinder Singh, today virtually sounded the poll bugle from here as he addressed a public rally organised by former Sangrur MLA Arvind Khanna. He was accompanied by Congress Legislative Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and other senior party leaders.

Apparently buoyed by a big turnout at the rally, Amarinder said: “The people of the state are fed up with the misrule of the Akalis as they have only looted the state for four years besides slapping false criminal cases on Congress workers.”

Lashing out at the Badals, he alleged that there was no government in the state and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had disappeared. “For the past eight months, we do not know anything about the Chief Minister”, he said, adding that “The CM has not even issued a single statement all this time.”

Making an appeal to the public to ensure that they voted the Congress back to power, the PPCC president said it was important to ensure all-round progress of the state. Otherwise, there would be no rule of law in the state, he added.

Amarinder Singh further said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had recently convened a meeting of senior police officers where he told them that there should be no more false cases, drug trade and land grabbing. “All these years he indulged in all these trades and now he feels tired of it,” he alleged, claiming that false police cases were still being registered.

He said a false case was registered against Mohali MLA Balbir Sidhu recently while he was away to New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Bhattal also lashed out at the Akalis and alleged that they had only indulged in vendetta politics. She claimed that the Congress did not believe in vendetta politics and the next Congress government would take into account every case of police atrocity on Congress workers.

Prominent among those who addressed the meeting were local MP Vijay Inder Singla, former minister Lal Singh, Arvind Khanna, MLAs Surinderpal Singh Sibia, Kewal Dhillon, Razia Sultana, Bibi Harchand Kaur and others. A majority of MLAs from the Malwa region were present on the occasion to give a signal of unity among Congress party leaders.

Meanwhile, groupism in the local unit of the party came to the fore when supporters of two rival factions, one headed by Arvind Khanna and the other by the sitting Congress MLA, Surinderpal Singh Sibia, started raising slogans simultaneously hindering the speeches of the speakers.

New Delhi, December 22
It was at a late night dinner hosted at a plush hotel in South Delhi last night that state Congress president Amarinder Singh, accompanied by his wife and Union Minister Preneet Kaur, gave his opinion on Punjab to a 1000-strong assembly of well-heeled Sikhs from the country and abroad.

His agenda vacillated between reminding the audience about the work he did for the historic gurdwaras and the state of dwindling economy of the state under the SAD-BJP rule - both sensitive issues for Punjab as they revolve around faith and pride. It was peppered with a sprinkling of “anti-Badal” talk.

The Sarna brothers - Paramjit and Harvinder - who manage the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and are the known followers of Amarinder, had hosted the show.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit also turned up briefly and termed Amarinder as “Punjab da sher”. And within minutes, the “welcome party” - that’s what the Sarnas had named it - had turned into a mini “political rally”.

The usual Amarinder acolytes, Rana Sodhi, Surinder Singla and BIS Chahal, were present. Among the audience was former Punjab and Maharashta DGP SS Virk --- a man whom the Akalis had targeted and also blamed of being close to the Congress.

Manjit Singh Calcutta reminded the largely Sikh audience how Amarinder has “always stood-up” for the “panth” (community). “…He resigned from the Congress in 1984 and yet again when the government send in police,” Calcutta said referring to Amarinder’s resignation to protest against the Operation Bluestar and the Operation Black Thunder-I.

Paramjit Singh Sarna added another anecdote on how the Patiala royals were instrumental in establishing the revered Panja Sahib Gurdwara in Rawalpindi. “Sikhs across the world have faith in you”, Sarna told Amarinder.

Amarinder addressing the urban audience said: “Punjab while feeding the nation had forgotten itself and was in debt trap.” He crafted it carefully saying that the state was earning not over Rs 20,000 crore annually out of which, half goes towards the expenses of the government and the other half could barely meet the interest on the huge debt.

Khanna, December 22
Even hope seems to be in short supply in Punjab. Rebel-for-a-cause Manpreet Singh Badal seems to be supplying it in good measure and if the response he got at today’s public meeting here is any indication, the mainstream political parties might have to reckon with a third front in the coming Assembly elections in the state.

Manpreet pulled at the heartstrings and thousands of people from this town as well as the nearby Assembly constituencies of Sirhind, Amloh and Bassi sat in silence as the “Jago Punjab” team spelt out its message for Punjab in a folksy form coupled with patriotic sentiment.

An officer sitting in a Gypsy in front of the rally ground told TNS it seemed nearly 20,000 people had gathered for the meeting. Inside one could see turbans of all hues indicating both Akali and Congress supporters had come to listen to Manpreet. So had traders and youth, many of whom had collected at the spot due to the efforts of former SAD youth leader Gurpreet Singh Bhatti.

Many youngsters who had come to the rally said they had never voted in their life but wanted to support Manpreet for what he stood for. “I see a ray of hope for Punjab in Manpreet”, said Gurpreet Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib. So did Nirmal Singh of Bhumadi village who said he was a Congressman but supported Manpreet’s vision of good governance.

The former Finance Minister said it was for the people that he had been thrown out of the SAD as well as the government. “I could not remain silent as FM when Punjab was going downhill”, he said even as he came out with his group’s agenda. “We have taken a vow to end corruption, poverty and employment”, he said, adding his group would give birth to a new Punjab in 14 months’ time when the state goes to the polls. Manpreet on his part did not mention his uncle and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal or Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal but he appealed to the people to work to overthrow the present system.

Though Manpreet’s supporters, including legislators Jagbir Singh Brar and Manjinder Singh Kang and former legislator Kushaldeep Dhillon, indicated they would launch a new party on March 23 on the occasion of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary at Khatkar Kalan, Manpreet, when questioned, said he was still in the midst of taking the reactions of the people and it would be arrogant to make any announcement as 
of now.

The main speaker at the event was former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh, who spoke for more than an hour effectively mixing poetry and politics to deride the SAD.

Amritsar, December 22
Sixty small trucks containing 600 MT of onions crossed over to the Indian territory from Pakistan at the Attari checkpost here. However, the common man still feels the heat as it is being sold at Rs 50 to 60 per kg by retailers and vendors while the wholesale prices of the essential commodity have further slashed down to Rs 30 per kg today.

To control the soaring onion prices, the Centre today abolished the customs duty on the import of onions bringing it down to zero from 5 per cent .

RK Duggal, Deputy Commissioner (Customs), Attari, said nearly 60 trucks of onions and two trucks of dry fruit crossed over to India. He said as the Centre had waived the customs duty, the import of onion might see a rise in the coming days. He, however, added that the import would depend upon the requirement in the Indian market and the availability of surplus onions in Pakistan.

Welcoming the step, Rajdeep Uppal, a trader, said this would further help in bringing down the prices which were hovering between Rs 30 and Rs 40 in the wholesale market till today. The prices were likely to lower down to Rs 25 by tomorrow, he said, confirming that 55- 60 trucks crossed over today.

Nirmal Rani, a homemaker, however rued that onions were being sold by venders and retailers at Rs 60 per kg. “We have been hearing statements by political leaders about controlling the prices, but this has not happened till now. We are still getting onions at Rs 60 per kg in the market. The government should also keep a check on retailers so the real benefit could reach to the common man,” she said.

Patiala, December 22
Despite the Sikh high priests appealing to politicians to avoid politicising religious functions, this year’s Shaheedi Jor Mela, to be held at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 26, 27 and 28, is all set to be a political affair for both Congress and Akalis. Hectic preparations for holding political conferences at the mela are on in both parties.

Lakhs of devotees attend the mela to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup. Though political conferences on the second day of the mela have been a routine affair during the three-day mela, but this year with Capt Amarinder Singh becoming the PPCC president, the SGPC elections scheduled next year and the SAD focusing on Patiala a lot, the royal city has become the hub of preparations for the mela.

Speaking to TNS, SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra said with an eye on the upcoming SGPC elections, the Akali Dal would try to woo SGPC voters at the Jor Mela and instead of limiting itself to just Congress bashing, they would try to highlight their own achievements from the stage. “It is a golden opportunity for us to reach to voters who would cast their votes in the SGPC elections and we do not want to waste our energy criticising the Congress,” he added.

Senior SAD leader and former Samana MLA Surjit Singh Rakhra said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had already convened a meeting of senior leaders from Patiala, Mohali, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

“We will stage a conference, which will have all SAD leaders on the stage and we will definitely expose corruption issues related to the Congress,” he added.

District Congress Committee (Urban) president Prem Krishan Puri said: “I will not quote any number but definitely we will be ensuring maximum gathering of the Congress workers at the mela.”

Asserting that party cadres are enthusiastically engaged in preparations for a big show during the mela, Congress MLA from Nabha, Randeep Singh, who is actively involved in the mela arrangements, said, “Senior leaders of the party, including former Punjab Finance Minister Lal Singh, are supervising the preparations. From Patiala district, party activists will be attending the political conference in large numbers.”

Meanwhile, it is learnt that some splinter Akali groups are also contemplating to set up their stage at the mela to air their opinions.

Mohali, December 22
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today cleared the proposal submitted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to simplify and curtail the procedure for change of land use (CLU) and to delegate more powers to senior town planners (STPs).

The extended powers would be exercised by the STPs posted at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, SAS Nagar and STP Headquarters at Chandigarh. The decision will not only curtail the procedural delay for granting CLU, but will also boost development activities in the state.

According to a press release, STPs would now be competent to grant “change of land use” up to 25 acres for residential, industrial and institutional purposes. They would also be competent to grant CLU for commercial purposes to the projects up to two acres. Earlier, the STPs were competent to grant CLU up to 10 acres for residential,institutional purposes and up to five acres for industrial purpose. They were not competent to grant CLU for commercial purposes and as such all cases used to come to the competent authority at Chandigarh for necessary approval causing delay. However, cases seeking CLU for projects above 25 acres (residential, institutional and industrial) and above two acres for commercial purpose would continue to be in the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development at Chandigarh.

Secretary (Housing and Urban Development) SS Sandhu said the STPs had been asked to ensure that each CLU granted should conform to the proposals of the notified master plan of that area. He said the grant of CLU in a notified planning area and areas where master plans had not been notified or where a non-statutory master plan existed, would continue to come to the office of the Chief Town Planner as usual. These cases shall be considered in a time-bound manner. Also, CLU in an area outside notified local planning area would be granted by STP concerned within the limits of the other above said areas.

Patiala, December 22
A day after a fire broke out at a cotton factory in Retgarh village near Samana that caused a loss of worth over Rs 6 crore, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress, have started playing the blame game. Both are blaming each other for their failure to allot a fire station to Samana, which ultimately led to a huge financial loss.

Sources said despite promises in the recent past to allot a fire station in Samana by Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, former (SAD) Samana MLA Surjit Singh Rakhra and MLA Samana Brahm Mohindra, nothing concrete had been done despite three major fires in the town that accumulated for losses in crores.

Known for its industry, Samana Industrialist confirmed that they had collectively paid taxes to the state government over hundred of crores but it was a tragedy that successive governments had failed to allot a fire station in the town.

Echoing similar thoughts Rakhra said he would get a fire station functioning in Samana by January 31 by all means as the entire industry was suffering. “I have personally spoken to the Punjab Chief Minister and it is a long-pending demand by the industrialists of the town and the CM has assured all possible help,” he said.

Mohindra alleged that the local people had been demanding a fire station in Samana from past many years and the Punjab CM during his sangat darshan in 2001 had promised one. “Six months back we had forwarded a request to the government, but nothing happened and the entire loss is due to the callous attitude of the government,” said the Congress MLA.

Chandigarh, December 22
The Punjab Government today released a list of 34 holidays for 2011. It will also observe 18 restricted holidays from which each employee can choose two days to observe as a holiday.

Public offices will remain closed on Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary (January 11); Republic Day (January 26); Basant Panchmi and Satguru Ram Singh’s birth anniversary (February 8); Guru Ravidas’s birth anniversary (February 18); Maha Shivaratri (March 2); Holi (March 20); Shahidi Diwas of Bhagat Singh (March 23); Ram Navami (April 12); Baisakhi and Dr BR.Ambedkar ’s birth anniversary (April 14); Mahavir Jayanti (April 16); Good Friday (April 22); May Day (May 1) and Parshuram Jayanti (May 6). Guru Arjun Dev’s martyrdom day (June 5); Kabir Jayanti (June 15); Shahid Udham Singh’s martyrdom day (July 31); Independence Day (August 15); Janamashtami (August 22); Id-ul-Fitr (August 31); Parkash Utsav Guru Granth Sahib (September 1); Baba Sri Chand’s birth anniversary (September 6); the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh and Agarsain Jayanti (September 28); Gandhi Jayanti (October 2); Dasehra (October 6); the birth anniversary of Guru Ramdass (October 9) and Maharish Valmiki’s birth anniversary (October 11).

Divali (October 26); Vishwakarma Day (October 27); Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (November 7); Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary (November 10); Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day (November 24); and Christmas (December 25). New Year Day (January 1); Lohri (January 13); Nirwan Diwas of Bhagwan Adinath Ji (February 1); Id-e-Milad (February 16); International Women’s Day (March 8); Hola Mohalla (March 20); Buddh Purnima (May 17); Nirjala Ekadashi (June 12); the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (June 29); the birth anniversary of Baba Jiwan Singh (September 5); Anant Chaturdashi (September 11); Karva Chauth (October 15); the birth anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (October 16); the birth anniversary of Sant Nam Dev Ji (October 26); Goverdhan Pooja (October 27); New Punjab Day (November 1); Muharram (December 6) and Jor Mela, Fatehgarh Sahib (December 26, 27 and 28) are restricted holidays in 2011.

Public holidays in the state in 2011 within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, are the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh (January 11); Republic Day (January 26); the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass (February 18); Holi (March 20); Bank Holiday (April 1); Ram Navami (April 12); the martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev (June 5); Independence Day (August 15); Janmashtami (August 22); Idu’I Fitr (August 31); Bank Holiday (September 30); Gandhi Jayanti (October 2); Dasehra (October 6); the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki (October 11); Divali (October 26); the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (November 10) and Christmas Day (December 25). — TNS

Jalandhar, December 22
As the wild animal menace has become acute in this region, including Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, wildlife experts have urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife immediately to tackle the issue.

The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the board.

The Himachal Pradesh Government has already issued a limited number of permits to cull the wild animals, which have become a threat to crops and even in some cases to human beings, such as monkeys and wild boars. Leopards entering areas of Punjab from lower forest regions of Himachal Pradesh have been posing a danger to human settlements.

Wildlife expert Gurmeet Singh said today that there was a need of scientific management of wild animals. “We should adopt the practices of developed countries to manage the wild animal population,” he said.

The culling of wild animals should also be handled in scientific manner and not haphazardly.

To deal with the monkey menace, he said the ban on export of monkeys should be lifted straightaway.

He said if permits could be given to kill monkeys what was the harm in allowing the export of these animals.

He said a meeting of the board should be convened to discuss the issues related to wild animals.

The officials concerned of the Wildlife Department have apprehensions with regard to the large scale of spill over in the state of wild animals from Himachal Pradesh where culling of such animals had been allowed. Punjab already have monkeys and wild boars in a large number.

Besides it, number of sambhars and blue bulls has also gone up substantially.

Blue bulls cause damage to crops at a large scale in the Mansa-Bathinda belt. Wild boars and sambhars cause damage in the Kandi belt.

Issues related to wild animals were not confined only to this region. Many other states were also facing problems in this regard. Some months ago, a meeting was convened by the Union Agriculture Ministry to discuss the damage caused to crops by herds of blue bulls. However, no concrete decision was taken at that meeting. Farmers at that meeting had urged the authorities concerned to tackle the menace soon. At the meeting, the Centre had declined to revive the practice of hunting of wild animals in any manner.

Chandigarh, December 22
For Charna and so many other Punjab Government employees, it’s justice delayed but not denied.

Thirty-two years ago, they refused to participate in a general strike. For their action, the labour court awarded them an increment of Rs 800 in 1990. But, instead of paying the “paltry” amount, the Punjab Government chose to contest the award; and fought a legal battle for 20 years only to emerge a loser.

Justice Ranjan Gogoi has finally dismissed the petition filed through the Executive Engineer, PWD, Patiala, with observations on the state’s conduct. The development is significant as the petition underscores how state governments --- the largest litigants---- contribute to the burden on the courts by filing worthless pleas.

Taking up a bunch of petitions against Charna, Parkash Chand, Rala Singh, Amar Nath and other employees, Justice Gogoi observed: “The challenge in the writ petitions by the State of Punjab is against a common award dated May 3, 1990, passed by the labour court, Patiala, holding the respondents-workmen to be entitled to the benefit of one increment for not participating in the general strike of state government employees that had occurred on February 8, 1978.

“The Tribunal reached the conclusion after due consideration of the case of the petitioner-employer that the respondents-workmen were work-charged employees and that no material had been laid by the employer in that regard. Accordingly, the respondents-workmen were directed to be treated as regular employees.

“The finding recorded by the labour court in the award under challenge is a pure finding of fact occasioned by the absence of any relevant material being placed before it by the petitioner-employer. Such a finding of fact will not be reopened by the Writ Court unless the same can be said to be opposed to the weight of the evidence and materials on record or the same is patently erroneous.

“This apart, the benefit of increment awarded by the labour court to the respondents-workmen is to the extent of Rs 800 (approximately) each. The writ petitions have been pending for the last over 20 years. In fact, it is incomprehensible why the petitioner-state had chosen to file the writ petitions challenging the paltry amounts made payable to the respondents-workmen by the award in question.

“I find no merit in any of the writ petitions under consideration. All the writ petitions, therefore, stand dismissed”.

Patiala, December 22
The Punjab Government will soon fill the reserved category vacant posts of the Rural Medical Officers (RMOs) in the rural dispensaries, being run by the Zila Parishad in Patiala. While stating this, Patiala Zila Parishad chairman Mahinder Singh Lalwa said, “The government is serious towards strengthening the rural health care.”

Giving appointment letters to the 10 RMOs during a programme held at Zila Parishad Office on Monday, Lalwa said the newly-appointed RMOs would be posted in rural dispensaries of Patiala that were lying defunct on account of vacancies of the RMOs. He further said the government had filled the general category posts of the RMOs but posts were still vacant on account of non-availability of the RMOs in specific quota categories like ex-servicemen, sports and backward classes.

Notably, there are total 61 rural dispensaries and 21 rural veterinary dispensaries being run by the Zila Parishad in Patiala. As many as the 56 RMOs are posted in the rural dispensaries, whereas the 21 RVOs are working in rural veterinary dispensaries.

“Rural dispensaries of Khanewal, Dugalkalan, Suro, Jand Mangoli and Budhmore are without the RMOs. The RMOs in ex-servicemen, sports and backward classes category are to be posted in these dispensaries. As soon as doctors in these categories are available for posting, the vacancies will be filled without any delay,” he said.

The RMOs who have been given appointment letters will be posted in the rural dispensaries, including that of Aheru Kalan, Kamalpur, Budhanpur, Kotla, Buphor, Dandrala Dhindsa, Alowal, Khanora, Kalwanu and Ghhaga. Lalwa also gave appointment letter to one RVO, who will fill up the vacancy of the Sultanpur rural veterinary dispensary.

Ropar, December 22
The LPG supply to Harsun Gas Agency has been suspended following 816 cylinders found missing from the custody of the gas agency. Consequently, IOC has suspended the LPG supply to Harsun and conferred the rights to sale its stock to another gas agency — Jyoti Gas Agency.

District food supplies controller Daljit Singh Bhatia said the consumers of Harsun Gas Agency should now contact at 97814-99299 to get their supply from Jyoti Gas Agency. A close relative of MLA Chamkaur Sahib is running Harsun GAs Agency. There have been several complaints against the agency regarding booking of cylinders.

As per the rule, any consumer can get his or her supply for re-filling booked on phone and the same is delivered within 20 days of booking. But the Harsun Gas Agency officials first asked consumers to submit empty cylinders with the agency and then wait for period of 15 days till the new supply is provided.

The rural consumers were worst to suffer who had to first travel all the way from their village to gas agency office to submit empty cylinder and then get it refilled after many days. Following this, many consumers did not get the LPG supply for weeks. Many a time irate consumers have held traffic jams and protest against the agency.

IndianOil officials manager (LPG) Jatindra Sormu and deputy manager Chetan Patwari conducted an inspection.

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 22
Security has been tightened in and around Fatehgarh Sahib district in a view of political activities anticipated at Jor Mela to be held here from December 27.

With an aim to cash in on the rush of lakhs of devotees, political parties have been gearing up to address maximum people during the function held every year to observe martyrdom day of younger Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh. The then rulers of Sirhind bricked alive Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh.

Besides senior government functionaries, various political parties workers too have been camping for past around one week to keep an eye over the preparations. While the police officials have been instructed to intensify security during the function, higher officials, including the SSP Fatehgarh Sahib, have been asked to keep an eye on criminals.

Chief Minister’s advisor Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar have been presiding over meetings with the local officials for smooth functioning of political and religious functions during the occasion. Entire traffic in the city, especially between Jyoti Swarup gurdwara and Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara will be diverted for smooth travelling of devotees.

Two days hockey and kabaddi matches will also be organised. The police and the Health Department have setup control rooms at different locations in the city and special teams of paramedics and police officials have been formed for the function.

Chandigarh, December 22
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that a complainant may eventually have to pay costs to the investigating agency if probe reveals the complaint to be false and fabricated.

In fact, Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ritu Bahri imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on a gram panchayat, after the CBI probe established its complaint alleging the implication of a father-son duo in a drug case as baseless. The amount is to be paid to the premier investigating agency.

As the case came up for hearing, the CBI placed on record a report in a sealed cover. After perusing the report, the Bench directed it to be resealed. At the same time, the Bench observed in open court that the CBI had given a clean chit to the cops. They were rather found to be lawfully discharging their duties; and the complaint was apparently motivated and fabricated. The Bench observed it was stopping short of ordering the complainant’s prosecution for putting to an end the entire unsavoury episode. But, also warned the complainant not to indulge in such misdemeanor in future.

The complaint was forwarded by Bhaini village gram panchayat in Ludhiana against Khanna “anti-narcotic cell”. Acting on the complaint, the CBI was asked to look into the veracity of the police version.

Justice Kumar had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of the complaint forwarded by the gram panchayat. At that time, Justice Kumar had asserted, “The gram panchayat through the sarpanch, members of the panchayat and other residents of the village have made a complaint against the in charge of the anti-narcotic cell, Khanna, Ludhiana, and his accompanying officials for the registration of a false case against Kuldip Singh, member panchayat, and his father Darbara Singh, who are residents of Bhaini village.”

Ropar, December 22
The Ropar police has arrested three persons for enacting a drama to usurp Rs 20.50 lakh from a Patiala resident.

Addressing mediapersons, Ropar SSP Jatinder Singh Aulakh said Kulvir Singh from Pathreri Jattan village in Ropar had lodged a complaint on December 16. In his complaint to the Morinda police, Kulvir alleged that some unidentified men took away a bag containing Rs 20.50 lakh when he was going on his scooter near Gopalpur village.

The money belonged to a Patiala-based contractor, Ashok Kumar, who had asked Kulvir to hand over the money to an NRI in Boormajra village in Ropar.

Kulvir, however, decided to usurp the money. With the help of his two friends, he concocted a story of robbery near Morinda. The other two have been identified as Karamjit Singh and Rupinder Singh, both residents of Boormajra village. Aulakh said the accused inflicted some injuries on his body and concocted the story. “He also claimed that he had fractured his arm in the incidence. To prove himself, he got his arm plastered from a doctor in the Balongi area near Kharar,” Aulakh added.

Following his complaint, the police has registered a case against three unknown persons. However, further investigations in the case revealed the way Kulvir had concocted entire occurrence.

The police has recovered Rs 8.90 lakh from Karamjit Singh, Rs 7.35 lakh from Kulvir Singh and Rs 3.80 lakh from Rupinder Singh.

The arrested were produced in the Ropar court after being booked under. Further investigations in the matter are still on.