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Mgmt blinks, Khalsa College row over
SAD-BJP Dharnas Across The State |
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Students cry foul over denial of US visa
Sans sewerage, Bassi Pathana stinks
Fissures in Kapurthala Cong unit to the fore
Central Khalsa Orphanage gets new in charge
Three paddy workers electrocuted
Protests keep cops on toes
Touching Reunion
MLA opposes sale of hospital land
UAE Case
Three killed in Ropar mishaps
Kundi connection for anti-graft
dharna!
10 kg opium seized in Patiala, 3 held
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Mgmt blinks, Khalsa College row over
Amritsar, June 16
Also, the management has assured the teachers of revoking the notices served on them during the three months long agitation. On the other hand, the development has infused bitterness in the PCCTU camp as the teachers did not take them into confidence before reaching at a compromise with the management. Nevertheless, the main agenda of the meeting was focused on some way-out to establish the university without disturbing the Khalsa College's historic status and that it should also comply with the norms stipulated in the Punjab Private Universities Act 2010. Those representing the management included Khalsa College Charitable Society president Satyajit Singh Majithia and honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina while teachers' union president SS Rangi, secretary Daljit Singh, Prof Harbhajan Singh, Prof Sukhbir Singh and former principal HS Soch were from the other side. Honorary Secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina said: "Preserving the historic significance of the Khalsa College is our equally prime concern. Actually, it was a miscommunication between us and the teachers which led to such a chaotic outcome. All the cases, be those of registration of police case against the teachers, house evacuation notices or suspension notices served upon them will be withdrawn unconditionally." For his part, Khalsa College Teachers' Union president SS Rangi said: "We welcome the management's gesture to take the first step in resolving the matter. We had no objection over the proposal to establish Khalsa university. Our fight was just to preserve the historic sanctity of this over a century old institution and today, we are happy that management has clarified its stand and has given us written an assurance that Khalsa College's status will remain intact, even if a university comes into being." Meanwhile, the management has announced that students would be admitted in the college on the old pattern (as per GNDU norms) for the current session.
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SAD-BJP Dharnas Across The State
Chandigarh, June 16
The SAD president, Sukhbir Badal, led the dharna in Bathinda, which evoked a good response. Elsewhere, the turnout was moderate except in Ferozepur where Akali workers turned out in good numbers under the leadership of Irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon. Sukhbir lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government, accusing it of shielding those responsible for stashing black money in foreign banks. He claimed ministers in the UPA government were looting the public but no action was being initiated against them.
Among others who participated in the dharna were Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagdip Singh Nakai, Mayor of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation Baljit Singh Birbehman, district president of the SAD Sikander Singh Maluka and district president of the BJP (Rural) Dayal Dass Sodhi. Sukhbir said there was no financial crisis in the state, which was evident from the fact that the state had paid Rs 2,000 crore to its employees as Fifth Pay Commission arrears.
He expressed concern over illegal colonies. He said the Punjab Government’s Right to Service Act would certainly check corruption in government offices In Mansa, a dharna was held outside the office of the DC. Rajya Sabha MP BS Bhunder, SAD district president Harwant Singh Datewas and BJP district president Sukhdev Singh were at the dharna. In Muktsar, among those at the dharna were Malout MLA Harpreet Singh, SAD district president Manjit Singh Barkandi, Harnirpal Singh, Sukhdarshan Singh and Subhash Bhateja
(BJP).
* Qadian Akali MLA Lodhinangal creates a flutter, demanding
SAD-BJP regime should function in a more transparent manner
* Agriculture Minister Langah has a difficult time convincing angry supporters that funds for Gurdaspur town were flowing
in smoothly
The SAD-BJP activists handed over memoranda to respective Deputy Commissioners of their area. Addressed to the President, the memoranda demanded that black money stashed abroad by Congress leaders be brought back, names of those who held such accounts be made public and action be taken against them under the provisions of the anti-corruption Act. Party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the SAD-BJP alliance wanted an independent probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into various scams, including the 2G Spectrum scandal, Commonwealth Games scandal and Adarsh Housing scam, and measures to contain inflation. In Gurdaspur, district Qadian legislator Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal created a flutter, demanding the present regime should function in more transparent manner. Lodhinangal urged his partymen to stop indulging in corruption before taking pot shots at others. The rally evinced a mixed response with Gurdaspur district Congress president Sukhjinder Randhawa claiming the poor turnout proved the SAD-BJP combine had lost the confidence of the people. Towards the fag-end, the rally ceased to be an ‘anti-corruption’ affair with Agriculture Minister SS Langah having a difficult time convincing some angry supporters that funds for the development of Gurdaspur town were flowing in smoothly and all pending projects would be completed on time. In Kapurthala, Akali factions washed their dirty linen in public. Provoked at the arrival of Adampur legislator SS Makkar at the dharna site, supporters of former minister Raghbir Singh raised slogans “murderer go back” and “outsider go back”. The situation could have turned ugly but for the heavy posse of police personnel who formed a shield between the two groups. Finance Minister Upinderjit Kaur and former SGPC chief Jagir Kaur reached the venue separately with their supporters. Both groups submitted separate memoranda to the DC. In Hoshiarpur, workers led by Local Government and Industries Minister Tikshan Sud staged a dharna near the mini secretariat. A dharna was also held in Nawanshahr.
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Students cry foul over denial of US visa
Patiala, June 16 Talking to The Tribune, students Dashmesh Mahajan, Jaspreet Brar and Lovinder Singh said that they had taken admission in the course only with an aim to study in the USA. “After the completion of the first year, our batch of 12 students applied for visa, but only one request was accepted. We asked the university authorities to look into the matter. But even after numerous telephonic calls and e-mails between the university and American Embassy, we were asked to re-apply. But again, only one got the visa,” they said. “Now, the university authorities claim that they are helpless and are pressing us to complete our second year here. “This is unethical. Our fee structure is much higher than the general MBA. We have already paid Rs 3 lakh for the first year whereas the total fee for two-year MBA is just Rs 1.5 lakh. “Had we gone to the US, we would have had to pay Rs 8 lakh more as per the rule, but now, the university authorities are asking us to pay Rs 1.5 lakh for the second year here.” Punjabi University Dean Academics SS Tiwana said that he had not assured visa to the students before the beginning of the course. “We can only send the files to the embassy and a copy of the MoU with Wilkes University. Granting visa is altogether their choice. We had given an alternative in the prospectus that we would accommodate them here in the second year if they want,” said Tiwana.
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Sans sewerage, Bassi Pathana stinks
Bassi Pathana, June 16 The draining of domestic sewage into the ground has led to contamination of groundwater and there is a rise in various water-borne diseases. Bassi Pathana Senior Medical Officer Dr Usha Bansal admitted that there was a rise in diarrhoea cases. Residents have dug pits at a depth of 40 to 50 ft and use it to dump human waste. But they have also installed hand pumps or submersible pumps near the tank. The waste water in the pit contaminates the groundwater that is used for drinking. Residents rued that though the Punjab Chief Minister has distributed cheques to the tune of Rs 25.5 crore in four Sangat Darshans in the district, but nothing has been done to lay the sewerage in Bassi Pathana town. Kulbhushan Malhotra, president, Bassi Pathana MC, expressed helplessness as “people have no way out”. “Besides laying sewerage, the administration had promised to construct public toilets for those whose dry lavatories were demolished last year. But nothing has been done so far,” he said. Arun Pathak, member of the Bassi Pathana Grievance Committee, said that while roots of trees damage these pits, these pits, in turn, weaken the foundation of houses. These uncemented pits cost Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 and cemented tanks cost Rs 25,000 to Rs 30000, he said.
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Fissures in Kapurthala Cong unit to the fore
Jalandhar, June 16 senior leaders left the venue without conducting the meeting, leaving hundreds of workers in the lurch. Many among the gathering said they had contributed towards the expenses incurred on organising the event. They had to leave without water or tea. “We were not even thanked by the DCC chief for assembling here,” they complained. It was left to Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira, former minister Joginder Singh Mann, Jagjit Singh Bittu, president, DYC, Sarjeevan Sharma, chief, Mahila Congress, and others to carry on with the show. Parmar evaded queries on why he had not carried on with the function or who had pocketed the money collected for tea and snacks. Sources said differences among leaders had deepened after Parmar’s appointment. The latter enjoys the support of a former MP.
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Central Khalsa Orphanage gets new in charge
Amritsar, June 16 Confirming the development, Chadha said all the office-bearers had unanimously criticised Ankhi for approaching the media for issues that should have been first discussed within the governing body. He, therefore, has violated the constitution of the Chief Khalsa Diwan. "We wanted to give him a chance to explain his viewpoint before the members of the governing body, but he didn't turn up," said Chadha. In another development, the Chief Khalsa Diwan has unanimously appointed one of its members, Sarbjeet Singh, as the member in charge of the Central Khalsa Orphanage (a subsidiary) — the post earlier held by Ankhi. Irked over the alleged ineptitude behaviour of Ankhi, it was decided at the general house meeting of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (held in Kanpur on June 13) that Ankhi should be removed from the post. Speaking to The Tribune, Sarbjeet Singh said his priority would be to identify talent in the inmates at the orphanage. "I will organise competitive events for the inmates and endeavour to instill a sense of self-confidence in them so that they feel part of the mainstream," he said. It would be for the first time that Sarbjeet Singh, son of a former president of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, had been entrusted the sole responsibility of the orphanage. Ankhi, for his part, termed his removal from the post as "unconstitutional" and threatened to seize the bank accounts of the orphanage. He had also challenged the proceedings of the Kanpur meeting in the court, the hearing of which was still pending.
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Three paddy workers electrocuted
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 16 The land belonged to one Balbir Singh who had given it on contract to another farmer. The deceased have been identified as Rabi Mehto (50), Hari Mehto (45), both brothers, and Hori Lal. They entered the water to begin the sowing process. All the deceased belonged to the Sitamarhi area in Bihar. Ram Parvesh Mandal, son-in-law of Rabi Mehto, got seriously injured trying to save Rabi. He was rushed to a hospital in Patiala. Investigating officer Joginder Singh from Amloh police station said that the electric wire might have snapped after a short circuit due to some bird perching on it. Inquest proceedings have been initiated under Section 174 of the CrPC. SDM Poonamdeep Kaur, who visited the spot, said, “The Deputy Commissioner will visit the spot and an inquiry will be initiated. Powercom SDO and XEN too have been told to explain how the incident took place.”
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Protests keep cops on toes
Amritsar, June 16 The Left parties held a demonstration against the arrest of their leaders who were arrested recently while blocking rail traffic over the inordinate delay in the commencing of the Amritsar-Chandigarh Duranto train.
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Touching Reunion
Amritsar, June 16 Earlier, Dalbir Kaur had met Sarabjit at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore in 2008. While Dalbir handed over several things, including sweets, clothes, spices, pulses, soap and toothpaste, to Sarabjit, she got bangles and pencils in return, which her brother had himself prepared. According to Sarabjit’s daughter Swapandeep, who was denied a visa by the Pakistani authorities, her aunt tied a ‘rakhi’ on his wrist. “My aunt discussed his case and assured him that she is fighting for his release on the grounds of implication due to mistaken identity,” she said, adding he was upset about not being able to meet his wife and daughters. Dalbir was accompanied by Sarabjit’s lawyer Awais Sheikh during the hour and a half long meeting. “Dalbir Kaur informed the family that during the meeting Sarabjit revealed how he was implicated in the case. He said a file which proves his innocence was deliberately misplaced when he was arrested in 1990. Another file was forged within 22 days, which implicated him as one Manjit Singh who was responsible for the blasts,” said Sukhpreet Kaur, Sarabjit’s wife.
Pak court seeks reply on petition
Islamabad: A Pakistani court has sought reply within three weeks from the government on a petition “seeking judicial restraint” on the possible presidential pardon to Sarabjit Singh, a media report said. Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court passed the order on Tuesday after hearing the arguments of petitioner advocate Rana Ilumuddin Gazi. The petition said Dalbir Kaur, the sister of the convict, was making all efforts to win the sympathies of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to secure a presidential pardon for her brother. — IANS
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MLA opposes sale of hospital land
Jalandhar, June 16 In a statement, he said the land available with the civil hospitals should be used for expansion of hospital services or related facilities. Claiming that the Barnala Civil Hospital in particular was in a mess, he suggested that the prime land, instead of being put on sale, be used for a multi-level parking for visitors. He accused the government of selling prime properties under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands scheme to meet short-term expenses. Dhillon said the scheme was first proposed by the SAD-BJP government a decade ago to raise funds for developmental works, but had failed to show results. He said the SAD-BJP alliance had ruined the state economy and was carrying out “patch-up” work to meet the government's obligations.
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UAE Case
Chandigarh, June 16 Only last month, Kashmiri Lal, Pardeep Kumar and Tarlochan Singh, sentenced to death for the murder of their fellow expatriate Bikramjit Singh of Gurdaspur, were released on payment of Diya (blood money) to the victim’s family. Now, Jaswant Singh of Begowal village in Ludhiana and Harbhajan Singh of Mayhani village in Hoshiarpur may also be let of on paying blood money. An appeal court was informed by Dubai-based hotelier SP Singh Oberoi today that their families had reached a compromise with the family of Ratheen Vijayan, an expatriate from Kerala, who was murdered on November 30, 2007, after an altercation related to bootlegging. On September 29, 2010, Jaswant Singh and Harbhajan Singh were sentenced to death in the case. The family of the deceased, the court was informed, had accepted the convicts’ apology and agreed to accept blood money. In another case, Talvinder Singh of Kapurthala and Paramjit Singh of Gurdaspur, sentenced to death for the murder of expatriate Chhina Ganganna Chepuri of Andhra Pradesh, may also get a reprieve by getting the death sentence waived. Chepuri was also a victim of a bootlegging crime that took place on May 26, 2009 in Sharjah. In this case too Oberoi informed the court that the Chepuri’s family had accepted Talvinder Singh and Paramjit Singh’s apology and agreed to accept blood money. Meanwhile, the case of 17 Indian youths facing death for the murder of Pakistani national Mishri Khan has been adjourned to July 20. Mohammed Ramzan, who has been authorised by the victim’s family to represent them in court, reiterated that the bereaved family wanted revenge and not Diya. He said different individuals/groups had been making varying offers of blood money (between Pakistani Rs 1 crore to Rs 12 crore).As such the family wanted the law to take its own course. The court allowed the defence to make another attempt at a settlement before the next date.
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Three killed in Ropar mishaps
Nangal, June 16 The chowk is an accident-prone area as trucks remained stationed at the toll collection barrier. Meanwhile, late in the evening on Wednesday,
a truck and a car collided head-on near Shivalik Avenue leading to the death of two women. Seema Gupta (38), who was going with her family in the car, died on the
spot. Her relative Shashi Gupta died while she was being taken to the
PGI, Chandigarh. Seven persons sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at BBMB Hospital. The police has registered a case.
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Kundi connection for anti-graft
dharna!
Ropar, June 16
Workers of both parties staged a dharna in front of the offices of Divisional Commissioner, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), and the Agriculture Department. Deputy Commissioner GK Singh said that the protesters had taken prior permission to stage the dharna. “I am not aware of the kundi connection and I will probe it,” he added.
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10 kg opium seized in Patiala, 3 held
Patiala, June 16 He said that Gurpreet Singh Bhinder, station head officer, police station, Bakshiwala, was checking vehicles at Sidhuwala village on Bhadson Road yesterday when he spotted a car (MP 09 CA 9796) coming from Patiala side. “When the cops signalled the car to stop, the driver tried to flee. But he was caught. The three persons in the car, identified as Sonu Rathore, Saurabh and Angrez Singh, were arrested.” The suspects have confessed that they used to smuggle opium from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab, he said. In 2011, the Patiala police has seized 146 kg opium and 4,633 kg poppy husk.
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Chandigarh, June 16
Amritsar, June 16
Amritsar, June 16
Patiala, June 16
As the management announced that the university would be established without disturbing the heritage status of the Khalsa College, the teachers, who were on a chain hunger strike for the past several weeks, too, called off their stir. Now, the college would continue to remain affiliated with the Guru Nanak Dev University even after the proposed Khalsa university came into existence, it is learnt.
According to the students, the reason cited by the counsellors at the American Embassy behind the rejection of visa was that the course as well as Wilkes University are not credible.