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High Court wants convicted cops removed
Transport Scam
SGPC may stick to traditional fireworks
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New tubewells a worry for Power Corp
Congress to start ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ from Nov 1
SMSes, e-cards hit greeting card industry
Punjabi Sahit Ratan award for Mohinder, Parkash Khannvi
London Mayor stresses on waste segregation at domestic level
Campaign against defectors, Anna urged
CM lauds Fauja’s feat
Education policy
Agri varsity for immediate sale of basmati by farmers
Minimum wages for unskilled workers up
EO fined for failing to furnish info
PIL cannot be used to settle political scores: High Court
Two killed in accident
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High Court wants convicted cops removed
Chandigarh, October 19 The Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina also stayed the operation of a circular issued by the Punjab Director General of Police on May 18, 2010. The DGP, vide the circular, had directed all appointing authorities in the Police department not to remove police officials convicted for criminal offence for which the sentence announced under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was less than three years. The DGP had also recommended a lenient view against them. The directions came on a PIL filed by advocate HC Arora. The petitioner had earlier contended that Rule 16.2 (2) of the Punjab Police Rules provides that “an enrolled police officer convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on a criminal charge shall be dismissed, provided that in case the conviction of a police officer is set aside in appeal or revision, the officer empowered to appoint him shall review his case keeping in view the instructions issued by the government in this behalf”. He contended provision for taking a lenient view in such cases was not there under Rule 16.2(2). The petitioner also mentioned 20 police officials retained in service by giving them the benefit of the circular, despite conviction for criminal offences, including for theft, wrongful confinement, causing death by negligence, electoral offences, or possessing poppy straw. The petitioner had also furnished the names of 17 police officials convicted for offences for which the prescribed sentence was more than three years. They have been retained in service on spacious ground that their appeal against conviction is pending, and they have been granted bail, the petitioner contended. He added the retention of police officials in service on ground of pendency of appeal or suspension of sentence was against Supreme Court judgments and even instructions issued by the Punjab Government. Taking a serious view of the matter, the Bench directed all police officials convicted for criminal offences be removed from service by taking action against them under Rule 16.2 (2) of the Punjab Police Rules, and by disregarding the impugned circular. The Bench further directed the Home Secretary to file an affidavit on the next date of hearing - November 2 - that no convicted police official, except in whose case the conviction itself has been stayed in appeal, is in service of the Police Department in Punjab. Showing No Mercy
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Transport Scam
Chandigarh, October 19 Responding to the status report, the petitioner, Barrister-at-Law Himmat Singh Shergill, has asserted: “There is not even a whisper or a word in the status report as to which transport companies are owned by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and their relatives; and in which transport companies they are shareholders”. The petition is based on The Tribune exposé on how the transport policy has been manipulated for driving private players in Punjab towards profits. Shergill has been seeking a probe into the matter by the CBI or a High Court Judge. In his counter-affidavit, Shergill has asserted: “The details of CM’s family ownership and shareholding in the integral or super luxury category is very necessary to be placed before this court, as there has been a tax reduction of 93.33 per cent in this segment, whereas for ordinary buses the tax reduction is only 10 per cent”. Shergill has averred the “tax reduction per km per vehicle per day in ordinary buses is 10 per cent, whereas tax reduction in high vacuum air-conditioned buses is 50 per cent. The tax reduction in case of integral buses is 93.33 per cent. Referring to the investigations carried out by The Tribune, Shergill has contended the reports “categorically mention that in case of ordinary buses, the mentioned tax reduction was only 25 paise from Rs 2.50, whereas in case of high vacuum air conditioned or luxury buses, the tax reduction was of Rs 1 from Rs 2. In case of integral or super luxury buses, the tax reduction was of Rs 7 from Rs 7.50. Describing the unequal tax reduction as an “irregularity”, Shergill has added there is no justifiable legal reason for it; and it is “prima facie an arbitrary exercise of power, which seems to have been exercised for extraneous considerations”. The case is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Bench of Acting Chief Justice M.M. Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina on October 21.
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SGPC may stick to traditional fireworks
Amritsar/Patiala, October 19 SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said they could not discontinue with the fireworks altogether as it was the traditional way to celebrate the occasion and the devotees’ sentiments were attached to it. He, however, said if the PPCB had any solution, they should suggest it to the SGPC. Makkar said though they had opted for high-altitude fireworks last year, they didn’t yield the desired results. He said they had also invited bids for smokeless firecracker display by giving advertisements in the print media, but no company came forward for it. He said they were still trying to find a solution and will hold a meeting to review the issue. Regarding laser show as a possible alternative, he said they had organised it once in the past in Anandpur Sahib but it didn’t meet their expectations. In view of the pollution threat, the SGPC has already stopped ground display of fireworks, he said. At present, whatever fireworks take place it is all at high altitude. On Diwali and gurpurbs, thousands of people flock to the temple to enjoy the fireworks. The show is, undoubtedly, a visual treat for the onlookers, but it causes irreparable damage to the architectural marvel that the Golden Temple is. Firecrackers emit toxic gases such as sulphur-di-oxide and oxides of nitrogen, which are extremely corrosive in nature and cause harm to gold-plating. The frescoes inside the sanctum sanctorum are done with vegetable dyes, which make them extremely vulnerable to fading away with corrosive gases. The white marble is also getting yellowed. PPCB chairman KS Pannu had written to the Secretary, SGPC, Amritsar, Dilmegh Singh, requesting him that on Diwali and gurpurbs fireworks should be replaced with some alternative. A request had been made by the Board chairman in the wake of fact that bursting of crackers could adversely affect the building of the Harmandar Sahib Complex. Citing that fireworks lead to drastic increase in Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the Harmandar Sahib Complex, which has already been declared a sensitive zone by the PPCB, Pannu's letter read, "The maximum limit for RSPM in the complex is 100 microgram cubic metre but it has been observed that on Diwali night, it touches 500 microgram cubic metre, which is alarming."
Tackling pollution
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New tubewells a worry for Power Corp
Patiala, October 19 Though the decision to release the tubewell connections has brought smiles on the face of farmers, there are apprehensions that in a power-deficit state like Punjab, the cash-strapped PSPCL may face problem in meeting the additional power demand. Notably, as per the announcement, 45,000 tubewell connections will be released under the Accelerated Release of Tubewell Connections (ARTC) scheme, whereas 30,000 tubewell connections will be released under the general and other priority categories. PSPCL Chief Managing Director KD Chaudhri said, "As per rough estimates, the power subsidy being given to the agricultural power consumers in Punjab will go up by Rs 21 crore a month. With 75,000 new tubewell connections, the power subsidy figure would increase from Rs 322 crore (Rs 3,864 crore a year) to Rs 343 crore a month (Rs 4,116 crore annually), which the state government would provide to the PSPCL.” Chaudhri said the new tubewell connections would be installed by December-end. According to sources in the PSPCL, the demand and supply of power in Punjab varies throughout the year. “The shortfall of power during the peak demand season can go up to 30-35 per cent,” they added. PSPCL Director (Distribution) Arun Verma said, “Because of proper planning for meeting the power demand in the state, the shortfall in the demand and supply of power in the recent past has come down drastically. In order to meet the additional power requirement of about 200 MW in the next summer season, the PSPCL will have to purchase it. Furthermore, after 2012 summer, the PSPCL will be itself in a position to generate more power." PSEB Engineers' Association president HS Bedi has hailed the decision that the PSPCL was working towards clearing the pendency of the tubewell connections. “As additional power will be required to meet the power demand of 75,000 tubewells, it will be important to ensure the augmentation of the grid sub-stations and sub-transmission lines, otherwise the distribution system will get overloaded," he added.
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sweet fruit
Chandigarh, October 19 Though multinational agri corporates are yet to make their entry in the mandis, exporters from Kolkata are buying the maximum quantity of cotton from mandis of the state. It is learnt that these exporters, mainly Four Star International, LGW, Arvind Mills and Ginny Filament, are purchasing roller ginned cotton at Rs 3,700- Rs 3,800 per mound (one mound is equal to 37.5 kg). Rakesh Rathee, president of The North India Cotton Association, said this year, cotton exporters were playing a major role in the purchase process. The maximum quantity of cotton purchased would be exported to China, followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan, he added. Information available with The Tribune shows that these exporters are making purchases in large quantities in the mandis of Sirsa, Ellanabad, Fatehabad, Bhuna and Kalanwali. “As of now, narma arriving in the mandis of Punjab has a slightly higher moisture content. But as the season advances, the problem will be resolved and we expect exporters to play a major role in the purchase process. Other than the above-mentioned companies, big agri corporates like Cargill, Olam, Louisd Dryies and Nobel are expected to make purchases from here. With their entry, we are hoping that the prices will go up,” said Bhagwan Bansal, president of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginners Association. Meanwhile, cotton arrival in the mandis has picked up. However, the prices at which narma is being purchased is much less as compared to the last year’s rates when cotton prices touched a peak of Rs 7,000 per quintal. In various mandis of Punjab, narma is selling at Rs 4,300-Rs 4,700 per quintal. In Bhikhi mandi of Mansa district, farmers are getting Rs 4,500 per quintal for their produce.
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Gobindpura Land Row
Gobindpura (Mansa), October 19 Later, the farmers said they would give their opinion on the land only after the release of the two leaders. Grewal said efforts were on to release the two leaders who were arrested during a protest in Gobindpura village a week ago. “I am waiting for farmers’ opinion who are likely to give their nod by late in the evening today. Once they agree, the matter will be resolved in the next few days or so,” he said. Ravinder Singh said the land (of different dimensions) shown to the farmers at six different places in Phulowala Doad and Satike villages near Gobindpura was fertile with power-based and diesel-run tubewell connections. All sites shown are within one kilometer from the acquired land. “Around 70 acres of land which was refused by the farmers by not accepting the cheques would be given to them at alternative places, he said. The farmer leaders, Jhanda Singh Jethuke, Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, Ram Singh Bhainibagha and some family members whose land was acquired were among those who accompanied the police and civil officials to see the alternative land.
Protests cost them Rs 50 lakh
To keep the protests rolling, various farmer organisations protesting against the forceful land acquisition in Gobindpura have spent more than Rs 50 lakh in nearly three months. A major part of the money was spent on meals, fuel, tents and loudspeakers, medical etc. “We have been collecting money from farmers at the village, block and district levels, which is later spent on protests and other help extended to poor farmers,” said Ruldu Singh, president of the Punjab Kisan Union.
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Congress to start ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ from Nov 1
Chandigarh, October 19 The modalities of the yatra were finalised today at a meeting of the party's campaign committee chaired by party incharge Gulchain Singh Charak. The meeting was attended by senior party leaders, including Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, CWC member and MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee, MPs Partap Singh Bajwa, Vijay Inder Singla and KS Libra. Later, addressing a meeting of senior party leaders and prominent workers, Charak said it was the beginning of the final and decisive battle that the party was waging in Punjab to throw the corrupt and incompetent Akali-BJP government out of power. He maintained that the Congress was perfectly placed to assume the power in the state as the rank and file of the party had suffered immensely during the last about five years. The party incharge also told the workers to remain united and maintain discipline at all costs.
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Now, govt to make payments online to arhtiyas, farmers
Patiala, October 19 Kairon said based on the pattern of international banking, he had got a special card made for arhtiyas through the Central Bank of India. After they swap their card, the payment for the produce would automatically be transferred in their account. This would enable them to make timely payments to the farmers. Named after the minister, this card would be called Kairon card and every arhtiya would be issued this card. “Arhtiyas will have to swap this card in the machine, which would be available with the Food and Civil Supply Inspectors, and the bills produced by the arhtiyas will be entered in the machine itself. They will also get a receipt of the entry on the spot. The entry would be registered in the main server of the head office at Chandigarh.
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SMSes, e-cards hit greeting card industry
Patiala, October 19 Firstly, it is convenient to send e-cards and SMSes to relatives and friends who live at far-off places because it cuts down on the effort of purchasing a card and then sending it to those places. Secondly, it also cuts down on the expenses. Earlier, while one had to shell out at least Rs 30-40 to purchase a card now they can wish each other without spending a penny or may be just Rs 1-2 for sending SMSes on special days. As a result, the greeting card industry is the biggest casualty of this recent phenomenon. Youngsters feel that it is convenient to use e-cards and SMSes because it
saves their time and effort. "In this hectic schedule, one does not have enough time to go and purchase greeting cards and then post them. Therefore, it's convenient to send an e-card or SMS because it saves time. Moreover, even if one forgets to buy a card in advance, it just takes few seconds to
wish them. Therefore, the chances of missing an occasion are less," said Parveena, a university student. Another girl Vidushi feels that it's not just about money. "It's really difficult for anyone to preserve the cards. Rather, it is easier if the things are in your mail. Moreover, why waste money on cards when e-cards are there," she added. Talking about the changing trend, an Archies Gallery owner in Tripri informed that nowadays youngsters are not very keen on purchasing greeting cards like they used to be. "Especially when it comes to festival cards, the demand has certainly decreased. May be kids these days are very tech-savvy and use alternate methods of greeting each other," he added.
Changing trend
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unsafe, cut it out
Patiala, October 19 Manmohan Singh informed that he went to purchase apples and while he was checking them, his hands slipped on the apples. “I had recently heard through a news channel about use of wax on apples in Haryana. So, I got suspicious and started peeling the apple with a blade. I was stunned to see large amount of wax on the apple. Then, I went to many other vendors and did the same and was shocked to see that all of them had used wax on the apples to make them look lustrous. I immediately called up senior medical officer and he sent his team on the spot,” he informed. Dr Harinder Singh confirmed that the team had conducted a raid and took samples of apples from various vendors. “We cannot yet ascertain as to how much harm consumption of these apples might have caused as we are yet to check the type of wax that had been used on these apples, but consuming wax certainly is not good for health. We
will have to wait for the laboratory reports in order to issue further details,”
he added.
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Punjabi Sahit Ratan award for Mohinder, Parkash Khannvi
The Punjabi Sahit Ratan and Shiromani Awards for 15 different categories were also finalised. Dr Gill, a former principal of Mata Sundri College, Delhi, has authored more than 100 books on Sikhism while
Khannvi, a Sahitya Akademi award winner, is one of the major contemporary short story writers. Other winners are Surjit Haans and Dr Tejwant Mann who bagged the Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar Award; Gurbachan Singh and Krishan Kumar Rattu - Shiromani Hindi Sahitkar Award; Sardar Anjum and Dr Rubina Shabnam - Shiromani Urdu Sahitkar Award; Shiv Parshad Bhardwaj and Dr Mahesh Chander Sharma Gautam - Shiromani Sanskrit Sahitkar Award; Surinder Gill and Surjit Judge - Shiromani Punjabi Poet Award; Harbhajan Singh Bhatia - Shiromani Punjabi Critics Award (2010); Saroop Singh Alag - Shiromani Gyan Sahitkar Award (2011); Veena Verma and Jarnail Singh Toronto - Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (Foreigner) Award; Darshan Singh “Bhau” and Harbhajan Singh Komal - Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (outside Punjab) Award, Sukhdev Singh Grewal and Kamaljit Nillon - Shiromani Punjabi Bal Sahit Writer Award; Hukam Chand Sharma - Shiromani Punjabi Patarkar Award; Gurwinder Singh Dhaliwal and Jagdish Singh Waryam - Shiromani Punjabi Sahitik Patarkar Award; Joga Singh Jogi and Nirmal Singh Khalsa - Shiromani Ragi/Dhadi/Kavishar Award; Jatinder Kaur and Kesar Singh - Shiromani Punjabi Television/Radio/Theater Award; and Amarjeet Gurdaspuri and Kuldeep Manak - Shiromani
Punjabi Singer/Musician Award for 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Punjabi Sahit Ratan Award carries Rs 5 Lakh each, a shawl, medal and plaque while Shiromani awards winners will get Rs 2.5 each a shawl, medal and plaque. It has also been decided to honour Kirpal Singh Badungar and Harvinder Singh Khalsa with Rs 1.5 lakh each and Gulzar Singh Shounki with Rs 1 lakh award money.
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London Mayor stresses on waste segregation at domestic level
He said segregation of garbage at household-level was initiated by the local government in London long ago, for which the key aspect was to make the residents aware about the utility and necessity of this system. In fact, the cost of the three-coloured bins, which are positioned in front of every house in London, is borne by the residents. The corporation’s responsibility is only to lift the garbage regularly and dispose it off, he said. Sharing his experiences, Amrit Mann said to facilitate the public and attend to their grievances, the authorities should constitute quick reaction teams in every wing of the corporation. Citing example of London, he stated that the complaints of residents like non-functional streetlights and potholes in roads is resolved by the authorities promptly. Suggestions were made by Amrit Mann to Ravinder Pal Singh, Mayor, Chandigarh MC, that both the corporations should share the technologies in respective areas which they are adopting in various wings of their corporations.
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Campaign against defectors, Anna urged
The CM was addressing public during his Sangat Darshan programmes in the Lambi assembly constituency today. Badal said, “I urge Anna sahib to launch a campaign against defection also. As the existing law to check defection is not efficient and the need of the hour is to ensure that the law gives effective results”. Mixing his anti-Congress rhetoric with some Manpreet bashing, the CM said Manpreet had fallen prey to the divide and rule policy of the Congress and had left the party which had nurtured him politically. “Now, as per Congress’ political maneuvering, Manpreet has floated a ‘Sanjha Morcha’ with the help of some opportunists political leaders in Punjab”. Terming Surjit Singh Barnala and Manpreet as traitors and defectors, Badal said on the pattern of its anti-corruption drive, Anna should give a serious thought to the anti-defection law for its proper implementation. On a tour of some villages of his home constituency, Badal distributed 201 bicycles to schoolgirls.
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CM lauds Fauja’s feat
Lauding the spectacular achievement of Fauja Singh, the CM said through his success, the veteran athlete has brought laurel for the country in general and Punjab in particular. Fauja Singh amazed the world when he completed a 42-km marathon at Toronto to enter the Guinness Book of World Records recently.
— TNS
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Education policy
Chandigarh, October 19 The minister gave some suggestions, especially to deal with the problem of copying in exams. "The suggestions will be included in the policy," said
Kahlon. "The committee will meet again on October 24 to go through the final draft. The next day, it will be submitted to
Sekhwan," he said. Some important recommendations such constituting the Punjab school education regulating authority has been made in the new policy. In fact, it deals with all important issues related to the education at the primary, secondary and higher education levels. What steps should be taken to improve the standard of education and research in the universities, which has been reduced to mere examining bodies, has been defined in the policy.
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Agri varsity for immediate sale of basmati by farmers
Ludhiana, October 19 However, the advice has notgone down well with the farmers, who feel since the area under Basmati has increased , they have a good chance to sell their produce if brought slowly in the market.Dr Jagrup Singh Sidhu, in-charge, AMIC, said harvesting and marketing of Pusa-1121, which accounts for about 80 per cent of the total basmati rice production in Punjab, had started. — TNS
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Minimum wages for unskilled workers up
Chandigarh, October 19 According to Labour Minister Arunesh Shakir, the unskilled workers employed on monthly wages had been given a raise of Rs 174 per month while those employed on daily wages would get a raise of Rs 6.67 per day. He said that unskilled workers working in 61 different trades would get revised minimum wage with effect from September 1.
Online payment
of all taxes
The Punjab Government has decided to accept all kinds of taxes on commercial vehicles through online payment system only. This system has come into force from October 20, 2011. According to Anurag Aggarwal , Secretary Transport, the online payment of taxes has been implemented in Punjab as part of e governance project implementation in the state.
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EO fined for failing to furnish info
Nabha, October 19 In an application filed on March 21, complainant Vijay Gupta had sought a copy of the work order no. 6/1 pertaining to the flooring in Sangat Pura Street Ward Number 1. Inspite of 4 hearings in the commission, the copy of the work order was not provided to the applicant.
— OC
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PIL cannot be used to settle political scores: High Court
Chandigarh, October 19 The order was pronounced a couple of days back, but detailed judgment has now been made available. Mann had approached the High Court in public interest with a prayer for issuance of directions to the Union of India and State of Punjab to hold an independent inquiry preferably by the CBI on “the status of Arvind Khanna, who has been contesting election for the office of MP and MLA from Sangrur constituency”. The Bench asserted: “The allegation levelled against Arvind Khanna is that he, being a British citizen, cannot contest election. The petitioner has political career like Arvind Khanna. The public interest litigation cannot be used for settling political scores.” Referring to the apex court judgments, the Bench added: “In a recent judgment, the SC has expressed the view that if there is element of personal interest, the forum of public interest litigation cannot be utilised - State of Uttaranchal versus Balwant Singh Chaufal and others.” Before parting with the order, the Bench added: “Moreover, there is nothing on the record to suggest that the respondent, Arvind Khanna, is a British citizen, except some indirect evidence. There is no merit in the writ petition and the same is accordingly dismissed.”
The allegation levelled against Arvind Khanna is that he, being a British citizen, cannot contest election. The petitioner has political career like Arvind Khanna. The public interest litigation cannot be used for settling political scores
— Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice RN Raina
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Two killed in accident
Patiala, October 19 SHO Pasiana Sarabjeet Singh said a case under Sections 304A and 279 of the IPC has been registered against the driver. “Gurpreet Kaur belonged to Dhakrabba village. Mandeep Kaur was a resident of Mehmedpur village,” he
added. — TNS
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Chandigarh, October 19
Chandigarh, October 19
Lambi (Muktsar), October 19
Chandigarh, October 19