|
|
|
|
|
AG office at it again
Convicted cops to go: DGP
Engineers stage protest, block road
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
‘Tainted’ officials at the helm of Dasuya MC
Badal slams UPA for delaying SGPC
session
BJP, Cong leaders blame each other for controversy
Get enrolled as voters, Manpreet urges youth
Devotees barred from carrying ‘palki sahib’
Kin of youths detained by Kuwait company seek help
All set to market Bathinda refinery products
Ailing protester released from jail
Lt-Gen Rajinder Singh to be honoured
Fight against drugs, IG tells policemen
Timings of Patiala govt schools cut by 20 minutes
2 held with ornaments worth `1.5 crore
Missing paddy: Rice mill owner booked
|
AG office at it again
Chandigarh, October 21 In their petition filed through counsel DS Patwalia, Brijeshwar Singh Chahal and Sudeepti Sharma have also sought directions for quashing an order dated September 23 absorbing advocate Sonu Chahal as senior Deputy Advocate-General in a "totally pick-and-choose manner, ignoring the legitimate right of the petitioners". Directions have also been sought to the state of Punjab and other respondents to frame a policy for "making appointments, absorption, or redesignation to the post available in the office of the Advocate-General". Issuing notice of motion to the state and the AG, Justice Nirmaljit Kaur directed: "Meanwhile, the services of the petitioners be not terminated". In the petition, Patwalia on the petitioners' behalf has contended: The order is not only illegal and arbitrary but has also been passed without there being any policy or criteria for making such appointments, thereby ignoring the rightful claim of the persons like the petitioner, who are otherwise eligible and more meritorious having more experience of working in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice". Elaborating, Patwalia added: "Even on the basis of principle of natural justice, the petitioners should have been considered for absorption, along with Sonu Chahal, and even the principle of doctrine of legitimate expectations applies in the present case because the incumbents, working in the office much prior to Sonu Chahal, should have been considered prior to her for absorption to the post of senior Deputy AG. The petition comes at a time when the AG office is already facing criticism. Only recently, the BJP lodged a protest against Ashok Aggarwal's appointment as the AG. Available information suggests the the matter has even been taken up with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. As of now, mass resignation of Punjab law officers owing allegiance to THE BJP is not being ruled out. It is believed that the BJP is aggrieved over the fact that the party was not consulted by the SAD on the issue of appointment. The top brass of the party is apparently of the opinion that the SAD should have taken the coalition partner in confidence, particularly when it was appointing an advocate who was not from its party fold.
|
|
Convicted cops to go: DGP
Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Punjab government to remove police officials convicted in criminal cases. The court has also stayed the operation of a circular, issued by a former DGP, in which he had directed the authorities not to remove police officials convicted for criminal offences where the sentence under the IPC was less than three years. The DGP had also recommended a lenient view against them. Talking to the Tribune on the sidelines of the Police Commemoration Day at the PAP Complex here today, Anil Kaushik, DGP, said, “We welcome the directions of the court. We will initiate action against the tainted policemen shortly. The department will consult the Advocate-General on what action has to be taken in the wake of the judgment”. He said the police heads at all police districts would be asked to submit lists of such officials. The DGP, however, claimed that action against such personnel would be taken after examining all legal parameters. Replying to a query on the possible involvement of Sikh outfits in the RDX seizure in Ambala, Kaushik said, “So far, no link has been established in this regard. But we suspect that they are involved somehow. We are examining all angles”. The DGP reiterated that they were geared up for the ensuing assembly elections in the state. He added that the paramilitary forces would be deployed in sensitive areas.
|
||
|
Engineers stage protest, block road
Mohali, October 21 The engineers, who have been striking work in all departments of Punjab and Chandigarh, gathered at Dasehra Grounds in Phase 8 here, and demanded implementation of the already approved 7,800-13,500 time scale after eight years of service from January 1, 1996, 30 litres of petrol, conveyance allowance of Rs 1,000 on the pattern of other employees. Satnam Singh Dhanoa, Chairman of the Council of Diploma Engineers, said despite the demands being accepted in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on January 6, 2011, the state government had failed to implement the same. While the government was announcing bonanza to other employees, the already accepted demands of the junior engineers was not being implemented. Abnesh Dadwal, a senior member of the council, said the junior engineers would go on pen-down strike from tomorrow till their demands are accepted. He said if the state government did not accept their demands, they would hold a state-level rally at Bathinda and march to the ancestral Badal village of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal.
|
||
|
‘Tainted’ officials at the helm of Dasuya MC
Serious lapses were detected by Lt-Gen BS Dhaliwal (retd), technical adviser to Punjab Chief Minister, who conducted the first inquiry in June 2010. He inquired into the civil and maintenance works got done by the president and other officials of the MC. In his report, Dhaliwal pointed out that the quality of work was very poor, fake entries were recorded and rules had been violated while making payments. Though, the inquiry was conducted on a complaint by one Kailash Bassi and Gopal Rakhra, Dhaliwal suggested that a team of technical officials should be constituted to probe works for which Rs 53 lakh had been paid. During an on-the-spot check, Dhaliwal found many works to be non-existent for which money had been paid. He also suggested that erring executing agencies should be blacklisted from being entrusted work in future. But the same agencies continue to get additional work. The Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Local Bodies, sent a team again to inquire into the matter in July 2010. The Department of Local Bodies, meanwhile, dragged its feet on Dhaliwal’s report for eight months, letting the officials continue “irregular practices”. The initial complainants, meanwhile, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking directions for action. The court directed the department to take action within two months. However, the department chose to overlook the court directive, inviting a contempt of court petition. The MC officials, especially the section officer and accountant who have been charge-sheeted continue to function as such. It was found that for civil works like laying of interlocking tiles, the MC Dasuya paid Rs 59 per sq ft, while for the same work costs Rs 34 per sq ft. This resulted in an over-billing by Rs 7 lakh. Similarly, for the repair of a nullah, Rs 23.22 lakh were paid both for excavation and earth filling. Many works like plain cement concrete were charged for 4 inches, but found to be 3 inches. RCC work was paid for 12 inches, but found to be 8 inches. No execution agency has been blacklisted till date. The section officer and the accountant have been entrusted with the task of recovery. After the contempt petition was listed to come up on December 12, VP Singh, CVO, Local Bodies, conducted another inquiry and found many irregularities and bogus entries. He is expected to submit his report by November 15.
|
||
Badal slams UPA for delaying SGPC session] Tarn Taran, October 21
“We vehemently oppose these tactics of the Congress,” he added. Slamming the Sanjha Morcha formed by former finance minister Manpreet Badal and former CM Surjit Singh Barnala along with the Left parties, Badal said the Morcha had no standing in the state and would be routed in the forthcoming assembly elections. He said the fate of the Congress and its entire leadership of the state “which is supporting this Morcha in a covert manner” would also be the same. “The Sanjha Morcha is, in fact, a pack of power-starved opportunists and I have full faith that the wise voters of Punjab would teach these people a lesson similar to the one taught to the Panthic Morcha in the recently held SGPC elections,” he added. According to him, the Sanjha Morcha “is directionless alliance with neither any ideology nor any mass base”. On the possibility of SAD expanding its alliance, the Chief Minister reiterated that the SAD would welcome any such alliance which aims to defeat the Congress. When asked whether it may also forge an alliance with the BSP, he said, “We are open to joining hands with anybody who wants to defeat the Congress”. Badal said the SAD-BJP regime had laid special emphasis to impart quality education to the students in the far flung areas of the border regions. “For the first time in the history of the state, we have constituted a separate cadre of teachers for both regions so that the meritorious students of these areas could contribute in the spreading of quality education”. The CM also laid the foundation stone of Baba Farid University Regional Centre at Sri Goindwal Sahib. Earlier, he also inaugurated Government Adarsh Secondary School at Baler Khurd village and a model school at Valtoha. He also inaugurated a power station at Algon village, which has been upgraded from 66 KW to 220 KW.
|
||
|
Stay on conversion of Moga MC into corporation
Moga, October 21 Barjinder Singh Brar, president of the MC, has alleged that councillor Surinder Singh Goga and others who filed the petitions are supporters of the local Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain who is trying to hold back the process of development in this town without looking into the merits of the corporation status. Adding that the corporation would have attracted more funds and special schemes for the development of this town which was neglected for the past many decades by the successive governments, he said, “It’s unfortunate that they have filed this petition”. On the other hand, Jain brought Goga before the media today who revealed that the SAD-BJP councillors collected money to file the petition for reinstating the council because most of the councillors are ‘poor’ and they lost their monthly remuneration ever since the government raised the status of the local body. The term of the council is expiring in May 2013. Clarifying that it’s wrong to blame him for this controversy, Jain said the legal battle has been initiated by the councillors at their own level for their vested interests. “Being a local MLA how can I be against the development of this town, he questioned?” Former MLA Vijay Sathi, also a working committee member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), said the process of development should not be stopped for vested political interests. “Whosoever have filed this petition may have been misguided for this act, therefore, I will try to apprise them of the sentiments of residents so that they can rethink on withdrawing the petition in the interests of the local people”, he added. Another Congress MLA Darshan Singh Brar, President of the Punjab Mahila Congress Dr Malti Thapar, local Congress leaders Dr Harjot Kamal and Gursharanveer Singh are also of the view that the corporation status could have changed the very face of this town. “We will mobilise a public opinion on the issue and expose the politicians who are trying to come in the way of development”, they said. Senior Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh said he was exploring legal options to vacate this stay pressing upon the state government to file a review petition before the Division Bench of the High Court. The BJP leader and vice-president of the MC, Anil Bansal said a resolution was passed by the councillors with absolute majority recommending the state government to change the status of the local body, on the basis of which, the Local Government Department notified corporation for this town, therefore, there is no question of any SAD or BJP councillors behind the filing of this petition.
|
||
|
Get enrolled as voters, Manpreet urges youth
Chandigarh, Ocotber 21 “I exhort all those eligible to vote in Punjab, especially the youngsters, who haven’t got their votes made thus far, to go and get it done before the Election Commission’s deadline expires on October 24. A failure to register shall make you ineligible to vote, thereby denying you the chance to cast your vote in the elections likely to be scheduled early next year,” he said. In his appeal to the youth, he said, “Ever since I started my crusade against the deplorable state of affairs that Punjab finds itself in, I have got the support and affection of the youngsters in abundance. I feel overwhelmed by it and deeply touched when they say that they don’t deserve governments better than what but they have been forced with. More importantly, they want to be a part of the change process, which is why voting is all the more important”. “The excellent thing about parliamentary democracy is that it allows you to see for yourself the past performance and potential of leaders and make your choice accordingly. If you are not voting, that means, you are just a fence-sitter, who wants to criticise but doesn’t want to own up responsibility. “It is the youth that want change as you have communicated to me during my interaction with you in rallies, through mails and through social network, then you need to first fulfil your responsibility as the citizens of India,” he added.
|
|
State award for 44 teachers
Kahnuwan (Gurdaspur), October 21 Hussan Lal, Principal Secretary, Education, urged the teachers to rise above vested interests and work for the betterment of society. Prominent among those present included Mohinder Kaur Josh, Parliamentary Secretary, Education, and Mohinder Singh Kainth, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner. Earlier, the function was slated to be held in Mohali on September 5 to coincide with the Teachers' Day. However, at that time, the election code of conduct for the SGPC elections was in force, following which the Education Department postponed the proceedings.
|
|
|
Devotees barred from carrying ‘palki sahib’
Amritsar, October 21 A section of devotees have even complained to SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar. Manjeet Singh, Makkar’s PA, said chief gurdwara inspector Mukhtiar Singh had been asked to probe into the entire episode. He said the practice was discontinued on the orders of the Darbar Sahib manager after the installation of Guru Granth Sahib inside the sanctum sanctorum got delayed by 15 minutes on the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ram Das allegedly due to the devotees. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said he was not aware of the
matter. — TNS
|
|
|
Kin of youths detained by Kuwait company seek help
Jalandhar, October 21 Of the 60 youths detained in Kuwait, family members of 20, a majority of them from Hoshiarpur district, today met former general secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) Monty Sehgal here today and narrated the sequence of events that landed these youths in trouble. Those illegally detained in Kuwait include Jaswant Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Hanbansh Singh, Kashmir Singh, Avtar Singh, Rajiv Khas, Labh Singh, Madan Singh (all from Hoshiarpur), Kulwinder Kumar, Deedar Singh (both from Jalandhar), Jaspreet Singh, Dhanwant Singh (both from Ludhiana), Kamal Singh and Desh Raj (both of Nawanshahr), Gurmel Singh (Phagwara) and Kulwinder Singh of Muktsar. The anguished family members claimed that the youths, in a group of 60, had migrated to Kuwait on a two-year work permit through different travel agents in the state. A Kuwait-based construction company - Arab Centre Ajgirani - had hired these youth in April 2009 for two years and had taken their passports into its possession. As their contract expired in April 2011, the entire group was detained. The company has been demanding money for the deportation, the family members alleged. They lamented that the company is neither returning their passports nor allowing them to return home. The youths have been held captive in a single room and are being forced to live in pitiable conditions. The youths are not even being served adequate food and potable water, alleged the families. The company management has been demanding Rs 1 lakh from each detainee for their release and passport. Monty Sehgal said he would meet Union Minister for State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and apprise her of the plight of the detainees. He added that he would suggest the constitution of a board to deal with the case to her.
|
|
|
All set to market Bathinda refinery products
Bathinda, October 21 Pipelines have been laid from Raman Mandi-Bathinda (Phoos Mandi) and from Raman Mandi to Bahadurgarh, near Delhi, for the transportation of finished petroleum products. Sources in the refinery said work on both projects had been completed. While Raman Mandi-Phoos pipeline is 30-km long, its 10-inch diameter pipes would carry 1.37 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of fuel, mainly petrol and diesel. Similarly, the Raman Mandi-Bahadurgarh pipeline is 250-km long and with a diameter of 18 inch, it would transport 4.71 MMTPA of fuel to Bahadurgarh. The pipeline would pass from areas of Sardulgarh, Julana, Meham, Hansi, Rohtak, Sampla and Bahadurgarh. Also, Rattangarh Kanakwal village’s railway station, around 5 km from Raman towards Sirsa, has been upgraded as the railway gentry of the refinery from where finished products would be transported through the Bathinda-Sirsa railway line. Talking to TNS, Shyam Sunder Gupta, divisional railway manager, Bikaner division, said while the refinery had invested in upgrading the infrastructure, the railways was managing the technical aspects of this special facility. “More than 95 per cent of the work at the railway station has been competed. Presently, the work on signals is going on. We expect the project to be finished by the end of this month,” he added. The station will largely handle loading and unloading of the petroleum products. It is learnt that the railway authorities, too, are looking forward to an early commissioning of the Bathinda refinery as the resulting freight is expected to improve the economic health of the Railways.
|
|
|
Farad Kendra Staff Stir
Bathinda, October 21 An official told TNS that the parents of Deepak Kumar met Bathinda SDM Sandeep Rishi and briefed him about the ill-health of their son. In view of this, the SDM ordered Deepak’s release on furnishing of a personal bond. A leader of the protesters, Kush Verma, told this reporter over the phone that after his release, Deepak was admitted to a private hospital in the city as he had been perhaps suffering from dengue fever. His condition was very bad at the time of his release, he added. Verma also said the health condition of two protesters, Pawan Kaur (Hoshiarpur) and Inderjit Kaur (Ludhiana), who had been observing fast-unto-death since October 17 (when they resumed their agitation) here had been deteriorating.
|
|
|
Lt-Gen Rajinder Singh to be honoured
Nabha, October 21 He also commanded the strategic 24 RAPID Division and 10 Corps, guarding the Nations Desert Frontier. He was the official spokesman of the Army for a long time.
|
|
|
Fight against drugs, IG tells policemen
Patiala, October 21 Gill said while extremism had been curbed, there was need to fight new tactics of neighbouring countries who were trying to spoil the youth of Punjab by supplying drugs. “We need to get our acts together and ensure that our youth is saved and that would be a true salute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the past”, he added. —
TNS
|
|
|
Timings of Patiala govt schools cut by 20 minutes
Patiala, October 21 DEO (Secondary) Parmod Kumar said the decision would be implemented with immediate effect and now the school timings would be from 9 am to 3 pm instead of 3.20 pm. The teachers had been demanding reduction in school timings for the past two years. The teachers gave thumbs up to this decision stating that they were glad that the government had accepted their demand. “While summer timings were 8 am to 2 pm i.e. six hours, the winter timings were six hours and 20 minutes, which was unjustified. Moreover, six hours as such was a long period, additional 20 minutes were of no use,” said one of the teachers. Meanwhile, out of 44 teachers, as many as six teachers from Patiala were given state awards today. Those awarded are Ajit Singh Bhatti, principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Phil Khana, Satpal Singh, lecturer at Government Senior Secondary Girls School, Kulburshan, Jaspal Singh, headmaster of Government High School, Mandor, Kuljeet Kaur, Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, Patiala, Juvreet Kaur, Hindi mistress at Government Middle School, Chaunth and Lakhwinder Singh from Primary School from Udaipur Dewan Singh Wala. The DEO informed that this award has been given on the basis of record of their services for the past five years. These teachers were presented Rs 10,000 in cash, a medal and a shawl.
|
|
2 held with ornaments worth `1.5 crore
Patiala, October 21 The police has handed over the case and valuables to the Excise and Taxation Department while they are questioning the accused, one of whom had an identity card of the Delhi Police. SP Rajpura Manmohan Sharma told TNS that a Ford car was stopped near shambhu barrier and when search was conducted, the ornaments were recovered. “Initial investigations show that the consignment was meant for a jeweller but the case is still under investigation,” he added. The police has lodged a separate FIR and is investigating the role of Manoj Kumar who was arrested with the valuables after he stopped policemen on duty from searching the vehicle claiming himself to be a Delhi policeman.
|
|
|
Missing paddy: Rice mill owner booked
Patiala, October 21 The police said paddy worth Rs 4,67,18,684 is missing. “Though no arrests have been made so far, the case is under investigation and the accused will be arrested soon,” said Lakwinder Singh, investigating officer in the case. A case under Sections 420 and 406 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Tainted Punjab Police personnel will have to face the music with the department drawing up a list of such officers following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this context.
Jalandhar, October 21
Chandigarh, October 21
Interacting with mediapersons after inaugurating the newly constructed University College at the cost of Rs 10.47 crore here, the CM alleged that the Congress was interfering in the religious matters of the Sikhs which was not tolerable. He said earlier the Congress had delayed the SGPC elections by around two years and now it was not convening the first meeting of the newly elected body, resulting in a delay in the election of new executives of the “Parliament of Sikhs”.