R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

DERA BASSI
Strike by panchayat officers: The indefinite strike by panchayat officers entered its 24th day on Wednesday. The employees have been demanding release of their salary. They have not received the same for the past four months. Following the call given by the gram sewak union, the employees went on a strike. Block development and panchayat officer Preetinder Singh said the employees’ demands were being considered.

Hoshiarpur
DC raids CDPO office, schools: To ensure the arrival of government employees right in time in their respective offices or institutions, Deputy Commissioner Dharam Dutt Tarnach made surprise checking of the office of CDPO, Block I, elementary schools at Pur Hiran and Rahimpur here today. According to a press note issued by the office of the District Public Relations Officer, employee Gurmukh Singh was found absent in the office of CDPO, Block I. All teachers in the schools were present and had maintained discipline.

Jalandhar
BJP observes foundation day: The local unit of the BJP observed the 31st anniversary of the foundation of the party on its office premises here today. A havan yagya was performed in which MLA K.D. Bhandari, Mayor Rakesh Rathour and president of the local unit of the party Subhash Sood participated. This was followed by speeches by leaders in which they recalled the origin of the party. The party leaders highlighted the achievements of the BJP, while also discussing the current issues being taken by them in the opposition, such as those on price rise, inability of the government in bringing back the black money to India and corruption matters. BJP councillors and office-bearers also attended the event. A march was taken out by Party workers last evening, which started from Company Bagh and culminated at Patel Chowk.

Phagwara
Man killed in train mishap: Surjit Singh of Mehli village was run over by a Rahon-bound relief train on Phagwara-Nawanshahr rail section today. Railway sources said the relief train was going to Rahon to normalise rail traffic, which was hit due to derailment of an engine this morning. The deceased was crossing the tracks, but could not hear the train approaching due to prolonged deafness. The Railway Police has sent the body to the civil hospital for the post-mortem examination.

CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh
Candle march: A peace-cum-candle light march is being organised by Panjab University students in association with student NGOs from Gandhi Bhawan at 6pm on April 7 to spread awareness about rising corruption. Students will be supporting Anna Hazare’s fast-till-death to pass the anti-corruption bill in Parliament.

Mohali
Construction banned near ammunition depot: District Magistrate Varun Roojam has imposed Section 144 of the CrPc around the ammunition depot located at Dappar. A ban has been imposed construction activities in an area measuring 1200 yds around the ammunition depot and on the burning of wheat stubble by farmers in the area. The ban remains enforced till June 3.

HARYANA

KAITHAL
2 caught copying: Two students appearing in the BA part 1 English-A exam being conducted by Kurukshetra University were caught copying at Centre No. A 66 at Pundri on Tuesday by a flying squad. Centre superintendent RP Mann said the students had been charged with using unfair means and their case had been forwarded to the university authorities for further action. He, however, clarified that these students could appear in other examinations as per schedule.

Marketing board: The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has incurred an expenditure of Rs 104.7 crore on the construction and maintenance of roads, upkeep of mandis and construction of stadia in the district during the past six years. Giving this information to mediapersons here on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner Amneet P Kumar said Rs 26.37 crore had been spent on the construction of rural link roads and Rs 18.91 crore on road repairs.

KURUKSHETRA
KU ranks third: Kurukshetra University has been ranked third by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for 2010-11. Stating this here on Tuesday, a spokesman for the university said a cheque for Rs 3 lakh (prize money) had been received by the university from the Ministry of Sports for winning the third position.

ROHTAK
IGNOU course: Government Dental College, Rohtak, has been chosen by Indira Gandhi National Open University for conducting its one-year Postgraduate Certificate Course in Oral Implantology. Eight BDS doctors, mainly from outside the state, have been selected for the first batch of the course. According to Dr Sanjay Tewari, Principal of the college, of the 290 dental colleges in India, only three colleges, including the local Dental College, have been selected by IGNOU for conducting this course.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Srinagar
Boycott panchayat poll: Geelani: The hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, on Wednesday appealed to the people to boycott the panchayat elections, as these offered no solution to the Kashmir issue. He said the participation of the people in the elections in no way guaranteed a solution to the issue.

DEHRADUN

DEHRADUN
Semwal is Doon IT Commissioner: Dr DP Semwal has taken over as Commissioner, Income Tax (IT), Dehradun. He had earlier held the post of Commissioner Income Tax, Appeal I and II. Dr Semwal delivered judgments on appeals linked to Kumaon and Garhwal areas, apart from dealing with International taxation appeals. Before coming to Dehradun, Dr Semwal was Director, Central Board of Direct Taxes. Significantly, he was also instrumental in framing Direct Taxes Code for the country. Meanwhile, Sanjay Awasthi, a 1989 batch India Revenue Service officer, has now been appointed as Commissioner, Appeal.

5 booked for taking loan fraudulently: Five persons allegedly took a loan of Rs 70 lakh through some fraudulent way from Uttaranchal Gramin Bank (UGB). Soban Singh Rawat and Renu, both residents of Patelnagar, Vinod, a resident of Manuganjh, Mahender, a resident of Khurbura Mohalla, and Kunwar Singh, a resident of Dalanwala, have been booked on the compliant of GC Pant, Manager of UGB, Premnagar branch. A case under Section 420 of the IPC has been registered.

Case against 2 for forging signature: Rajender Singh and Birender Singh were booked for allegedly forging signature of Rajesh Rani, a resident of Dalanwala to get the complainant’s residence on his name and submitting the documents to the Municipal Corporation. A case under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC has been registered.