Mohali, May 18
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon was today acquitted of corruption charges by Mohali Special Judge Rajinder Agarwal after most of the prosecution witnesses, including government officials like District Development and Panchayat Officers turned hostile.

Acquitting Kahlon, the court observed that investigating officer Surinder Pal had not conducted proper investigation into the case. He is one of the Vigilance officers facing trial for deviating from the contents of the challan presented in the corruption case against the Badals that led to their acquittal with not only the complainant, but the material evidence too not supporting the case.

Kahlon, a former Rural Development and Panchayat Department Minister, was facing trial on the charges of making various recruitments in the department in an illegal manner after allegedly accepting money from the candidates.

On the basis of the allegations, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 120-B of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act on June 1, 2002.

The case took an interesting turn when the District Development and Panchayat Officers, prosecution witnesses, went back on their earlier statements made before the investigating officer. The Special Judge held that since there was no incriminating evidence against the accused, Kahlon and one more stood acquitted under Section 232 of the CrPC. Of the total 55 witnesses, 45 were examined and most resiled from their statements.

While pronouncing the judgment in the open court, the Judge observed that Investigating Officer Surinder Pal Singh, the then SP (Economic Offences Wing), had failed to conduct proper investigation into the case.

The court further observed that “the District Development and Panchayat Officer admittedly made wrong appointments without following proper procedure. If the accused Nirmal Singh Kahlon can be prosecuted on the ground that the said appointments were made at his instance, there is no reason why DDP, who allegedly made the said appointments on verbal directions of Kahlon, are not responsible for their criminal act. Therefore, the investigating officer should have prosecuted them for illegal appointments allegedly made at the instance of the minister”.

Ferozepur, May 18
The police today resorted to lathicharge to disperse the residents of five villages, falling under the Dona Telu Mal enclave, near the Indo-Pak border, after they took to stone-pelting. About 40 villagers were hurt, some of them grievously, in the police action. Four cops were injured too.

According to information, the violence started after the villagers tried to resist the attempt by a section of farmers to cut the wheat crop grown over hundreds of acres of land situated across the border fence, which is owned by the Government of India and some private individuals. The protesters alleged that the farmers who were harvesting the crop were doing so illegally and with the "backing of certain civil and police" officials.

Even the women were not spared. They were allegedly dragged out of their dwellings while being held from their hair. The policemen also resorted to firing later, though in the air, to make the protestors run, they claimed. Their ordeal, however, did not end here as the villagers who suffered multiple injuries were not allowed treatment at the Civil Hospital, Mamdot. In this connection, Civil Surgeon DP Godara said he directed the medical officers concerned to prepare medico legal report of only those persons who had suffered grievous injuries.

SDM Gurjeet Singh claimed that the police had to use force after the protesters turned violent and started throwing stones and bricks at them. He claimed that the protestors had blocked the path leading to the agriculture land holdings of farmers and cultivators and even damaged the combine harvester of a farmer when he tried to reap the crop.

Ferozepur SSP Kaustab Sharma said, "Four policemen also suffered serious injuries after being hit by stones and bricks thrown by villagers from their rooftops." About three dozen residents of Nihale Kilche, Gunde Kilche, Ruhela Haji and Bheema Haji villagers were taken into custody. 

Patiala, May 18
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has signed a power purchase agreement with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (a Government of India undertaking) today.

The agreement was signed by Arun Verma, Director Distribution, PSPCL, and Nikka Ram, Chief Engineer, NHPC. According to the agreement, power would be available after 2014.

Officials said that the NHPC was developing a 2000 MW hydroelectric plant in Arunachal Pradesh. The project would have eight units of 250 MW each and from this project, Punjab would get 64 MW according to the directions of the Union Ministry of Power.

“Punjab will start getting power from the plant after 2014. The agreement has been signed for five years which will be renewed automatically every five years till a new agreement is signed,” said the officials. 

Chandigarh, May 18
Interacting with party workers and getting a feedback is not an easy task. Punjab Pradesh Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh has realised this the hard way after holding five such meetings. Now the format of the workers’ meetings is being changed.

Besides making the meetings with party workers of each constituency more democratic and feedback-oriented, the PCC has got a survey conducted to identify the best candidates for all 117 assembly seats. It is in the process of getting another such survey conducted in a few months.

In an interview with TNS, Capt Amarinder said the five working meetings organised at Amritsar, Barnala, Jalandhar and Ferozepur recently did not fully serve their purpose. At most of the meetings party workers had been prompted by prospective candidates interested in their own projection and hardly gave any suggestion on how to strengthen the party in the area.

Amarinder Singh has now decided to make the meetings more structured and result-oriented. Meetings will be held in a hall and party workers encouraged to air their views through portable mikes. No party worker will be allowed to talk about any prospective candidate.

The PCC president said most workers were unhappy because they had been pushed around under the Akali-BJP rule. Besides, benefits of schemes meant for below poverty line (BPL) families had not reached the people and schemes like NREGA had been mismanaged by those aligned with the ruling party.

As far as selection of candidates was concerned, the Captain said he had got a survey conducted by a private agency and another would be conducted in the next few months. “Although we have a fair idea as to who is best for each constituency, it is good to get the same endorsed by an independent agency”, he said. These surveys are independent of those conducted by the AICC, according to sources.

“Winnability will be the sole criteria for granting the party ticket in the next elections. There will be no bhai-bandi ”, Amarinder Singh said.

The party may announce candidates for the assembly elections well in time. The PCC chief exuded confidence that the PCC organisation list would be expanded. He said all senior leaders who had been left out would be “adjusted” appropriately. The manifesto committee would also be expanded with former Finance Minister Surinder Singla on it, he added.

Chandigarh, May 18
Two of the eight Indo-Canadians, Tim Uppal from Alberta and Bal Gosal from Ontario, elected to the House of Commons early this month, have been included in the Canadian Council of Ministers.

Uppal has been made Minister of State for Democratic Reforms and Gosal Minister of State for Sports.

Uppal becomes the first-ever turbaned Sikh to become a Federal Minister in a country other than India.

Herb Dhaliwal was the first Indo-Canadian to become Federal Minister in Canada in the Liberal government headed by Jean Chretien. He was followed by Ujjal Dosanjh who remained Federal Health Minister in the subsequent Liberal government headed by Paul Martin.

Uppal, who has been elected for the second time from Edmonton-Sherwood, earlier served on the standing committees for Health, Citizenship and Immigration. He also worked as senior adviser with the Conservative Party of Canada. He has a long history of community involvement. He was named The Outstanding Young Edmontonian for 2005 by the Junior Chamber of Commerce . He was awarded an Alberta Centennial Medallion from the Government of Alberta. 

He was a member of the Capital Health Community Council and the City of Edmonton Chief of Police Advisory Council. Gosal, who defeated six-time MP Gurbax Singh Malhi from Bramalea-Gore-Malton and newcomer Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party, has worked as a commercial insurance broker. He has been a member of the Peel Regional Police Services Board and Peel Children’s Aid Society and has served as a member of the Brampton Board of Trade Marketing Committee. There was talk of four-time MP Nina Grewal, elected from Fleetwood-Port Kells with an impressive margin, and Parm Gill, who defeated glamour girl Ruby Dhalla (Liberal) in Brampton-Springdale, being made ministers.

Other names being mentioned were of Deepak Obhrai, who won for the fourth time from Calgary East. He was Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the last Conservative government.

Jalandhar, May 18
In a move that may give deserving, dedicated staff their due, the Punjab Government has introduced self-appraisal system for all its employees. The process would particularly matter at the time of promotion.

Earlier, only a select group of employees used to fall under the system. But now, every staffer would have to fill the appraisal form -- in not more than 100 words -- to be subsequently forwarded to the superior official who would add his evaluation (of the employee).

According to sources, the self-appraisal report would now be part of the ACR (annual confidential report), which would help in better assessing an employee. At the time of writing of the ACR, the superior official would have to ensure that the self-appraisal report has been duly filled. In the appraisal document, the employees would have to pen down a brief account of the duty performed and the important assignments handled by them during a particular period.

Subsequently, the superior authority would have to evaluate the self-appraisal report, add his remarks in the form of grades and then okay the ACR. The official would have to mention in Punjabi what kind of work the employee concerned had been doing and how was the quality of the task performed. A few words would also have to be added about the sense of responsibility and attitude towards work.

While the system already exists in most of the private organisations across the country, some universities in Punjab, too, had introduced it, though the practice did not find many takers.

Notably, the step holds significance in view of the fact that certain employees used to get “outstanding” and “very good” remarks from their superior authorities only by resorting to sycophancy or by handling their personal chores.

Matter of Performance

* Every staffer will have to fill self-appraisal report, in not more than 100 words, which would be attached to ACR

* They will have to pen down a brief account of the duty performed and the important assignments handled

* Subsequently, the report will go to the superior official who would add his comment in the form of grade

* The report, it is said, would particularly matter at the time of promotion

Chandigarh, May 18
Arresting a Ferozepur resident despite stay orders by the Punjab and Haryana High Court has cost a policeman dear. Justice Alok Singh has asked Punjab Director-General of Police to take appropriate action against the officer. The top cop has been asked to submit a report to the court within a month.

The directions came on a petition by Paras Sharma seeking regular bail in an abduction case registered on February 28 at the Ferozepur cantonment police station.

Justice Alok Singh observed: “The record reveals a joint petition was filed by the petitioner and Samita Sharma before this court seeking protection…. It was observed by this court that petitioner number one, Samita Sharma, is not ready to go with her parents as she fears that they might get her married to somebody else.

“This court vide order dated March 4 directed that, the accused(present petitioner), Paras Sharma, shall not be arrested or harmed in any manner... “Counsel for the petitioner has vehemently argued that the petitioner was arrested by the police on April 26 stating that the stay order granted on March 4 was not extended after March 15. Therefore, the police was free to arrest the petitioner”.

Justice Alok Singh said: “I have carefully perused the order dated March 4 as well as the order dated March 15 passed by a co-ordinate Bench of this court.

“The order dated March 4 nowhere says that interim protection was granted till the next date of listing. Rather, the order shows that, meanwhile, the petitioner shall not be arrested.

“Admittedly, the stay order was neot vacated. Thea arrest of the petitioner, at the face of it, is in gross violation of the interim protection granted by this court order dated March 4.

“Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, the present petition is allowed. Let the petitioner be released on bail to the satisfaction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ferozepur.

“KD Sachdeva, Additional Advocate-General, Punjab, has assured that he will recommend to the DGP to take appropriate disciplinary action against the officer who has arrested the petitioner in gross violation of the interim protection. This court believes and trusts Sachdeva.

Amritsar, May 18
Lashing out at the SAD-BJP government, PPP supremo Manpreet Badal today said mere resignations of BJP ministers from the state government over the recent corruption scam is not enough as in a democratically elected government, the entire Cabinet is accountable and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should clarify his stand on the issue.

Interacting with mediapersons here after extending support to the protesting Khalsa College teachers, Manpreet said, “It is the collective responsibility of the whole Cabinet to accept the flaw in the system, rather than only those who have been pinpointed in such cases.”

When asked whether he was demanding the CM's resignation over the issue, he replied in the negative. He said there was a need for zero tolerance towards corruption to root out the menace from society.

He said the PPP would contest the forthcoming Assembly elections on the issue of corruption and the people should give a “fatwa” against the evil. Manpreet claimed that the ongoing membership drive of the PPP has received an overwhelming response and they have already received 8 lakh forms out of the total of 30 lakh forms that were distributed in the state.

On the issue of alliances, he said they would take a call on it once the membership drive gets over on May 31.

Earlier, Manpreet visited the chain hunger strike venue of the Khalsa College teachers and assured his party's support to their cause.

Jai Singh Wala (Bathinda), May 18
In protest against the non-acceptance of their demands, six members of the AIE Teachers Union Punjab climbed the overhead water tank at about 11.30 am at Jai Singh Wala village, situated on the road leading to Badal village, around 13-km from Bathinda.

After about two hours, state president of the union, Swarna Devi, too, climbed on to water tank. However, she returned to the ground at about 4.30 pm to speak to Bathinda Tehsildar Avtar Singh when he and some union members convinced her. Her talks with the Tehsildar, however, failed.

At 5 pm, Bathinda SDM KPS Mahi contacted Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan over the phone and informed him about the incident. Sekhwan then spoke to Swarna Devi over the SDM’s phone and fixed a meeting with the union on May 24 in Chandigarh. The SDM also gave in writing the venue and time of the meeting.

Swarna Devi subsequently told her union members to climb down from the overhead tank. But they returned only at about 6 pm after the release of their colleagues (about 15) from the Sangat and Bathinda police stations.

At one time, a girl even lit a cloth atop the water tank to threaten the administration when the police started arresting the AIE teachers to prevent them from reaching the water tank area. Later, even Swarna Devi threatened to jump from the water tank but her colleagues prevented her from doing so.

The teachers have been demanding the admission of 1,488 alternative innovative education (AIE) teachers to the ETT course in July and chance for improvement to those AIE teachers who have less percentage in Plus Two examination.

Notably, climbing atop a tank — an act played by Bollywood actor Dharmendra (Viru) in 'Sholay' to pressure the aunt ('mausi') of the heroine in the movie for their marriage — has become a common practice with protesters nowadays. 

Day of drama atop water tank

11.30 am: Six members of the AIE Teachers Union (Punjab) climb on to an overhead water tank 
1:30 pm: Union’s state president Swarna Devi, too, joins her six colleagues protesting on the tank
4.30 pm: Swarna Devi climbs down to speak to Bathinda Tehsildar, but talks with him fail
5 pm: Bathinda SDM KPS Mahi makes Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan speak over the phone to Swarna Devi, agrees for a meeting with the union 
6 pm: All protesters climb down after their 15 arrested colleagues are set free 

Nahalaan (Jalandhar), May 18
On a call given by the environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, a sea of people today descended on the banks of Kala Sanghia drain near Nahalaan village in Jalandhar district to block the drain (also known as the drain of death), the toxic water of which is causing deadly diseases in the villages situated along its 45-km-long stretch.

The action was the direct fallout of the villagers’ anger over the years-long apathy of the district administration, Municipal Corporation Jalandhar (MCJ) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) authorities.

“The authorities, all these years, had not paid heed to the people’s genuine demand to stop the inflow of domestic sewage and toxic industrial effluents into the drain. Hence, our action is justified,” said Sant Seechewal in his address. “Villagers residing along the drain are dying of cancer. The 45-km drain is also polluting the Sutlej and ultimately, the Indira canals, which are carrying water to several districts of Rajasthan and causing health hazards there also,” added Seechewal.

Earlier, the residents of over 70 villages situated along the drain started gathering at the venue. Thousands of gunny bags filled with earth were kept ready by volunteers to throw them into the drain.

The villagers had also arranged trucks and trolleys, loaded with tonnes of earth. A temporary bridge was also made over the drain to swiftly execute the action. Heavy police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incident. Sensing that the villagers were determined to act, officials, including Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, SR Ladhar, DC Jalandhar Priyank Bharti, DCP Arun Pal Singh, Commissioner MCJ, Vinay Bublani, and senior officials of the PPCB, rushed to negotiate with Baba Seechewal but to no avail. Through his address, SR Ladhar made a last-ditch attempt to pacify the villagers. He promised that all measures required would be initiated from today. However, his proposals drew a big thumbs down from the irked protesters.

* Seechewal announced that plantation would be done along the drain.

* Senior officials, including DC Priyank Bharti, inaugurated the plantation drive with saplings offered by the Baba’s followers

* Once it dries up, Baba and his followers will de-silt the drain

* A few serving and former Rajasthan MLAs, hundreds of villagers from several districts of Rajasthan and southwestern districts of Punjab also participated in the action

Ferozepur, May 18
After reportedly being humiliated at the hands of colleagues, Ramesh Kumar Bhagat, an assistant professor in the local Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology, allegedly committed suicide by driving into the Sirhind Feeder Canal in his car, near Makhu, late last night.

A case has been registered against another assistant professor Navneet Kaur, her husband Gurpreet Singh and Navtej Singh Ghuman on the complaint of Bhagat Ram, father of the deceased in police station Makhu.

The body and the car were extricated from the canal today with the help of divers and cranes, which were pressed into service by the Makhu police under the supervision of SHO Gurpreet Singh. Police sources said that victim Ramesh, who was working as assistant professor, was taking exams of the M. Tech course in the same college. Navneet Kaur, who was performing invigilating duty in the examination room, did not allow him to attempt his paper.

In the evening, he was allegedly beaten up by Gurpreet Singh, husband of Navneet Kaur, and Navtej Singh Ghuman, another assistant professor of the college.

Ramesh, who stayed alone in his staff quarters, left the college campus late last night in his car. Sources said that he also made a call to TS Sidhu, principal of the college. However, what transpired between them could not be known. Gurpreet Singh, SHO, said as per his information, Ramesh kept on crying during the call.

Gurpreet Singh, husband of Navneet, denied the allegations made by Bhagat Ram. 

Patiala, May 18
Winning medals at international meets doesn’t end the misery of sportspersons in Punjab. Players in the state are upset with the fact that they have not been offered any job by state government past or present.

Powerlifter Karamjit Singh, who won a bronze medal in the Asian Championship in 2001 and is a two-time national champion, said that he was running a gymnasium in order to make both ends meet.

“When I won a medal for India, I thought my future was secure. I wanted to keep playing at the highest level, but when I had to struggle for a job, all my dreams were shattered.

“After waiting for several years, I opened a gym with the help of my relatives. That is my sole source of my income,” he said. Discus thrower Amarinder Singh, who is working as a contractual employee with the PSPCL for the past seven years, said the neither the government nor the PSPSL was doing anything for them.He said, “I along with 50 more players have been working on a meagre salary of Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,500 which has recently been increased by Rs 2,500. Can you imagine running a family with around Rs 10,000 that too after giving good performance in sports all these years? Few of my sporting friends have quit playing and taken to farming.”

Sensing the seriousness of the problem, archer Gagandeep Kaur, who recently won a medal at the Commonwealth Championship, said she was concentrating harder on her studies due to the state government’s apathy.

She is doing her Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication from Punjabi University, Patiala. “I have put in all my strength in sports, but am not sure about the end result. I am also concentrating on my studies in order to find a job,” she added.

Victim Gurmukh Singh claims he was illegally picked up and sexually assaulted at the police station at the behest of the SHO after he objected to a raid at his brother’s shop 

SHO (Kotwali) Hansraj has denied his involvement saying Gurmukh Singh, a habitual offender, was arrested on gambling charge and bailed out on the spot as per law 

Nurpur Bedi, May 18
The police has arrested two persons operating in parts of Nurpur Bedi, Anandpur Sahib, Kiratpur Sahib and Himachal Pradesh.

Talking to mediapersons today, SSP Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the accused were involved in a number of snatchings.

They attacked their victims with sharp-edged weapons and had murdered a woman in the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh.

With the arrest of Rajesh Kumar, alias Titu, of Dhamai village, and Gaurav Rana of Samudara village in Garhshankar, the police had solved six cases of snatching and theft, the SSP said.

On April 26, Dilbagh Singh, alias Bago, of Sandoe village had complained to the Nurpur Bedi police that he had been deprived of Rs 80, 000 and a mobile phone. The police traced the accused. Both were lodged at the Hoshiarpur jail. The Ropar police arrested them on a production warrant and brought them here. During questioning they confessed to have committed the crime.

The DSP of Anandpur Sahib, SS Dhaliwal, said the accused had attacked Dilbagh Singh when he was returning from Hoshiarpur. The accused first hit his motorcycle and then attacked him with sharp-edged weapons as he lay on the road writhing in pain. The two then fled with the victim’s cash and his mobile phone.

On the same day, they went to Bathri village under the Haroli police station in Himachal Pradesh and attacked Jarnail Singh of Manai village under the Shahpur Kangra police station. Jarnail was walking towards his village when he was attacked by the two who took away his mobile phone and some cash. Later, the accused attacked Savarni Devi at her shop in Bathri village. She died on the spot,

The two took away Rs 2500 from her shop and fled. On April 4, Charan Singh of Mohalla Sheeshganj, Anandpur Sahib, was deprived of Rs 16, 400 cash near Ghanaru village.

On May 5, 2010, Nirbhai Singh of Kot Kehlure village in Bilaspur and his wife were looted of a gold chain and a mobile phone.

Similarly, on February 25, Chhatar Singh of Raipur Sahni village and his wife were going on their motorcycle when they were stopped and deprived of ornaments, cash and a cell phone. The police said the accused, who were produced before a court at Anandpur Sahib that sent them to police custody, had admitted to have committed these crimes.