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Badal lays foundation stone of cancer hospital in Bathinda
Amritsar to join Green Pilgrim Cities Network |
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Lokpal IG probing Badals’ transport business shifted
Gakhar retains Patiala residence
Attack on Bhaniara Wala was well planned
The accused being taken to a court in Anandpur Sahib on Friday. A Tribune photograph
Delay in payment by PRTC
Gurdas Badal accuses Cong, SAD of tactical understanding
300 awareness camps in next three months
Bhattal slams govt for slow procurement
Ex-serviceman dies in police custody
18 police officers reshuffled
PM’s ‘unlikely visit’ triggers political debate
Panel submits education policy draft to govt
Fuel surcharge on power tariff to stay
Kabbadi World Cup
Power corp engineers to support striking JEs
Teachers to protest in Ludhiana tomorrow
Police recruitment test on Oct 31
Kewal Dhillon bereaved
Constable booked for cheating
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Badal lays foundation stone of cancer hospital in Bathinda
Bathinda, October 28 After playing down the spread of dengue in Bathinda a few days ago, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed concern over the rising incidence of cancer in Malwa. Accompanied by his father Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and MP wife Harsimrat Kaur, Sukhbir claimed that besides treating cancer, the hospital would also conduct research and trace the reasons behind the origin of the deadly disease. He further claimed that cancer patients would be able to get themselves treated in the hospital at charges equal to that of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Criticising state Congress party leaders of opposing PM’s visit at Khalsa Heritage Project, Badal said he had again requested the PM to visit Punjab in November. “We have requested the PM to inaugurate the Khalsa Heritage Project, but the Punjab unit of the Congress is opposing it by complaining about the matter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi that the project has already been inaugurated, which is not true,” said Badal. He pointed out that a special fund of Rs 20 crore had been formed for cancer patients where people might get money through the deputy commissioner concerned for treatment. Jobless linemen manhandled A number of unemployed linemen were mercilessly beaten up and dragged by the police before the CM’s arrival and also during his speech. Members of the Unemployed Linemen Union raised slogans against the Punjab government and accused the Badal family of looting the state exchequer by spending money to allure people ahead of the assembly elections. The linemen have been demanding appointment letters which got delayed despite counselling since July 26. Harminder Jassi, Congress MLA from Bathinda, condemned the beating of unemployed linemen. He said it was the murder of democracy. “What kind of progress the father-son duo is talking about when turbans of jobless people are removed mercilessly in front of everyone. Besides wasteful expenditure, the Badals are also dealing with people’s problems with an iron hand,” he said.
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Amritsar to join Green Pilgrim Cities Network
Chandigarh, October 28 The aim: The network will help people of various religions make their holy cities and sacred sites as environmentally sustainable as possible according to their own theologies and understanding The initiative: Washington-based EcoSikh has coordinated the Sikh participation in the upcoming summit and has worked with the SGPC and the Punjab Government to make a commitment to make Amritsar an environment-friendly city The network will help the faiths make their holy cities and sacred sites as environmentally sustainable as possible according to their own theologies and understanding. Ten faith traditions have nominated pilgrim cities or sacred sites to become founding members of the Green Pilgrimage Network, ranging as far as Louguan in the People’s Republic of China for Daoists to St Albans in the UK for Anglicans and Amritsar for the Sikhs. The city authorities of Jerusalem, a major pilgrimage destination for three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, will join the network to green the city for all pilgrims. In addition, Dwarka is also joining from India. Washington-based EcoSikh has coordinated the Sikh participation in the upcoming summit and has worked with the SGPC and the Punjab government to make a commitment to make Amritsar an environment-friendly city. The initiative was started when Bandana Kaur from EcoSikh and Victoria Finlay from ARC, the two organisations working with the Sikh community on environmental issues, met city officials in Amritsar to discuss the plans. With the strong relationship between Sikh teachings and the environment, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Kahn Singh Pannu readily agreed that Amritsar would be a great addition to the Green Pilgrim Cities Network. At Assisi, Pannu along with Dalmegh Singh, secretary, SGPC, will announce the Sikh commitment. Pannu said, “This is major step to bring together faith and environment in a concrete manner. I am very excited to be part of this initiative”. Dalmegh Singh said, “The SGPC has taken major steps to make environment as an important agenda in its operation and is committed to make the city of Guru Ram Dass a place of inspiration for nature preservation”. Dr Rajwant Singh, president, EcoSikh, said, “This is a great opportunity for Sikhs to show to the world that we are committed to save earth and this will start with our concerted action in Amritsar. The idea is to improve environmental practices through eco-friendly planning, and at the heart is the hope that devotees will be encouraged to be respectful to the nature throughout their pilgrimage by minimising waste”.
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Lokpal IG probing Badals’ transport business shifted
Chandigarh, October 28 Ironically, the IG, Sham Lal Gakhar, who was on the verge of being thrown out of his official residence in Patiala where he had overstayed after being appointed as IG Lokpal Pal, Chandigarh, has now been given the “plum posting” of IG Patiala zone. The move is set to delay the investigation into the alleged plying of 150 air-conditioned buses belonging to the Badal family as alleged by Global Human Rights Council president Arvind Thakur. The complainant has alleged that the buses are running without permits. Gakhar, who was given one-month time till November 1 to submit his report in the matter to State Lokpal Justice DS Dhaliwal (retd), did not submit any report before relinquishing charge today. He immediately took over as IG Patiala zone. Justice Dhaliwal told TNS that the documents of the case would remain in the office of the IG Lokpal under lock and key and that it would now be the responsibility of the next incumbent to take the probe forward. The Lokpal said he did not have any idea as to why the IG had been transferred at such a crucial juncture. He said his office had been repeatedly requesting the government to post officers in the investigation cell of the Lokpal and even now it was up to the government to post a new officer. Meanwhile, sources said there was no possibility of the probe moving forward until a new IG was attached to the Lokpal. The investigation cell does not have anyone senior than an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) after an SP posted in the cell was transferred more than a year ago. Gakhar, who has landed himself a “plum posting” after being in a “backwater” post for seven months, switched off his mobile phone today and was not reachable on his landline number as well.
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Gakhar retains Patiala residence
Patiala, October 28 Following the orders, Gakhar would now be able to retain his house on Rajbaha Road. Interestingly, the tenure of Gakhar as Lokpal IG was short and given his upright image, the government was on the defensive while shifting him. Gakhar was himself interested in Patiala where he has been residing for the past over a decade. Meanwhile, Chandra Sekhar Srivastava, secretary, Lokpal, said the new incumbent would join soon and would continue investigations into the Badals’ transport case. Almost three weeks ago, high drama was witnessed outside the Patiala residence of Gakhar with officials of the PWD and Revenue Department making desperate efforts to take possession of his residence. However, the officials had to return empty-handed, but they claimed that a penal rent amounting to over Rs 10 lakh would be charged. The Congress had criticised the government for using pressure tactics to harass the IG. Gakhar replaces senior IPS officer Paramjit Singh Gill, who is awaiting his new posting orders. “Now, the government can appoint a ‘suitable’ officer as Lokpal IG to ensure the inquiry is conducted by its own handpicked officer,” sources said. Naribhjit Singh Dhanoa, OSD to the Deputy CM, said it was a routine transfer and had nothing to do with the inquiry. “Anyone who would be replacing Gakhar would be an IPS officer and would continue the inquiry,” he added.
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Attack on Bhaniara Wala was well planned
Payal, October 28 The shocking revelation came to fore following the arrest of Harvinder Singh (24) of Rauni village, Gurvinder Singh (26) of Rajewal village and Dharminder Singh (26) of Fathegarh district. The trio visited the area located near Nurpur Bedi nearly a month ago for a picnic. Police sources said their vehicle developed a snag on reaching the area. Since they were hungry, they visited the dera and partook the free meal offered on the premises. “It was during their chance visit to the dera that they witnessed something which offended them. Even I came to know about it today,” said Gurdeep Singh, Harvinder’s father, while opposing the hand of any terrorist organisation, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), in the attack. “The trio is innocent and none of them has a criminal past. You can ask the villagers whether any of of them has been involved in any kind of anti-social activity,” said Gurdeep Singh. The sources said during their previous visit, they saw the security arrangements at the dera and planned their assault bid accordingly. The plastic pipe that was used in the attack had been chopped in the building material shop of Harvinder, said the sources. While Harvinder was a hotel management course dropout, Gurvinder had studied till Class XII. Harvinder is the only son among three brothers of Gurdeep Singh. From a well-established family, Harvinder has a huge chunk of land and a thriving business. Gurvinder was working at a dairy in Malerkotla. Gurdeep Singh said his son left the house on October 24, stating that he was visiting Golden Temple in Amritsar for Diwali. “Initially, I refused to acknowledge a call from the in-charge the of police chowki in Rauni village, who informed me about my son’s involvement in the attack on Baba Piara Singh.,” said Gurdeep Singh. The accused were today produced in a court which remanded them to police custody till October 31. Jatinder Aulakh, Ropar SSP, said, "The trio had visited a resort near Nurpur Bedi to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends and on their way back, they visited the dera. It was during the visit that they encountered something that led to yesterday's attack. There is no link of any terror outfit behind the incident".
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Delay in payment by PRTC
Patiala, October 28 Talking to The Tribune, Baljit Singh, president of KM Scheme Bus Owners’ Union, said as per their contract with PRTC, the management was supposed to pay Rs 6.59 per km to bus owners every fortnight but it’s been almost six months that they had not made payments and they were facing a lot of hardship. Worse is that it is for the first time in 10 years that the management has not made any payment on the Diwali eve, he added. He further said due to delay in payments, the bus owners were unable to pay the loan instalments for their buses. "There are around 283 KM Scheme buses running as of now and the payment of more than half have been pending for such a long period. Though PRTC continues to give assurances that they would make the payments soon but does not tell us when," he added. "Our condition has become miserable. We cannot even afford to provide basic facilities to our families due to the callous attitude of the state government and PRTC management. Banks on the other hand are continuously threatening us to pay instalments on time. How does the PRTC management expect us to continue running these buses without money is beyond
my understanding," added a bus owner.
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Gurdas Badal accuses Cong, SAD of tactical understanding
Muktsar, October 28 To have a smooth sailing for both, Parkash Singh Badal at Lambi seat and Capt Amarinder Singh on Patiala seat, the SAD(B) and the Congress leadership have already reached a strategic understanding of fielding weak candidates, without any mass following at the respective seats, alleged Gurdas Badal, addressing a public gathering at Ghumiara village of Lambi constituency today. The motive of fielding weak candidates from these two seats is obvious that there is no tough going for both these ‘popular’ leaders in winning the election, he said. “I don’t know about Patiala but in Lambi, I’m not allowing to make it a smooth sailing for Punjab Chief Minister,” he said while announcing his decision to contest the next assembly election from Lambi seat on a PPP ticket.
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300 awareness camps in next three months
Badal (Muktsar), October 28 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated the camp in Badal village to create awareness about cancer so that the dreaded disease can be diagnosed at an early stage and effective treatment be given. The camp attracted 939 suspected cancer cases and 89 patients underwent on-the-spot mammography and PAP-Smear test for the detection of cancer. ROKO Cancer, a charitable organisation of London which is camping in Punjab for the past over two years to crate awareness about the breast cancer, was cooperating the state Health Department today at Badal village in conducting the camp. The CM said the state government was endeavouring to check the spread of cancer and now the tests for detection of cancer were available free of cost to the patients at all the government hospitals across the state. Expressing concern over the spread of cancer, Badal said the disease was spreading rapidly across the globe but the most unfortunate thing was permanent cure for the disease was yet to be invented. He added that even research being conducted to find the root cause of the disease had also not yielded the desired results. However, the Chief Minister said these camps could provide the necessary impetus for checking the spread of disease as the early detection of it could help in controlling it. During the camp, the Health Department distributed bus tickets worth Rs 1,050 each to 76 cancer patients so that they could travel free to get the treatment. The CM said the government had already set up a corpus fund of Rs 20 crore for giving assistance to cancer patients and Rs 1.5 lakh was being given to every patient recommended by a Committee headed by the DC.
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Bhattal slams govt for slow procurement
Moga, October 28 Talking to The Tribune over phone, she alleged that the SAD-BJP government was insensitive towards the dilemma being faced by the farming community in the grain markets. She alleged that the farmers of Mansa and Bathinda districts living in the border villages near Haryana had been compelled to sell their produce in the neighbouring state instead of waiting for the procurement agencies in the home state. “Paddy is procured instantly in Haryana, whereas the state government agencies in Punjab are taking a week’s time to lift the produce,” she said.
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Ex-serviceman dies in police custody
Moga, October 28 Sneh Deep Sharma, Moga SSP, said the deceased, a Dalit, was working as a security guard in the telephone exchange at Fatehgarh Panchtoor village from where power back-up batteries were stolen. The SSP said Surjit had died of cardiac arrest in the police station. He was obese and suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure, he added. CJM Rakesh Gupta said he had asked the local judicial officer (ilaaqa magistrate) to conduct an on-the-spot probe into this incident. Ilaaqa magistrate Suresh Goel said the family members of the deceased were insisting on registering a criminal case against the policemen responsible for Surjit’s death, the judicial officer added. Shamsher Singh ‘Shera’, deceased’s son, has alleged that his father died of physical torture while in police custody. Meanwhile, Surjit’s family members and relatives gathered outside the police station and raised slogans against the police. GS Aulakh, SP, said a criminal case was being registered against SHO Gurjant Singh, head constable Charanjit Singh, home guard jawan Bikkar Singh, SDO of BSNL Yog Raj and a lineman on a statement of victim’s brother.
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Chandigarh, October 28 Among IG level officers, IG Lok Pal Sham Lal Gakhar has been appinted IG Zonal Patiala. IG Crime and incharge of anti-piracy task force C S R Reddy has been appointed IG security vice Tehal Singh Dhalwial who will now only hold the charge of IG Powercom. Among DIG-level officers, DIG vigilance A K Asthana has promoted as IG vigilance. DIG crime Shashi Prabha Diwedi has been promoted as IG crime. DIG IRB- 11 and training, Jalandhar, Kartar Singh has been promoted as IG training and armed battalions, Jalandhar. DIG Administration Arpit Shukla has been promoted as IG-cum-Director SCRB. Other DIGs transferred include the DIG Jalandhar Lok Nath who has been appointed as DIG Ferozepur Range. DIG Patiala Range Pramod Ban becomes DIG, administration IRB with headquarters at Ludhaina and also holds additional charge of DIG, Jalandhar Range. DIG Vigilance L K Yadav becomes the DIG Patiala. AIG community policing Shiv Kumar Sharma will look after the work of DIG legal affairs and Commandant 82nd Battalion Vijay Pratap Singh will look after the work of DIG PAP -2 and training. — TNS
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PM’s ‘unlikely visit’ triggers political debate
Chandigarh, October 28 The PM has been invited by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to inaugurate the Khalsa Heritage Complex, Anandpur Sahib, and the Mohali International Airport. After PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh and other party leaders expressed reservations over the Prime Minister’s visit, he in all probability is likely to decline the invitation; it is learnt from highly placed sources in Delhi. Though the PM had given “in-principle” consent to Badal when he met him last month, so far there is no official confirmation on the visit. There is a feeling in the Congress that the Prime Minister is soft towards the
Akalis. Several decisions taken by the Centre like going ahead with the SGPC elections at the instance of the Prime Minister, although the state Congress leadership was opposed to it, have only strengthened the argument. Though none of the Congress leaders is prepared to come on record on the issue, most of them said the PM’s visit on the eve of elections, particularly when the party would be holding public meetings against the government, would convey a wrong message. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has said the state government is keen that the PM inaugurates both big projects. However, it is unfortunate that the state Congress has been opposing the involvement of the PM in these projects, Sukhbir has said, adding that Dr Manmohan Singh is the Prime Minister of the entire country and not just of the Congress-ruled states. The same sentiment is echoed by some Congress leaders in Delhi. Meanwhile, state Congress leaders maintain that the Akalis had planned a careful move by inviting the PM so that it coincided with the public meetings and Punjab Bachao Yatra of the Congress. With PM unlikely to accept Punjab government’s invitation, Capt Amarinder seems to have pre-empted a carefully planned move by the
Akalis. But if the PM obliges the Akalis, it will further strengthen the impression that he is inclined towards the
Akalis.
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Panel submits education policy draft to govt
Chandigarh, October 28 These are some of the recommendations made by the expert committee set up by the government to frame the new education policy for the state. The committee, headed by Dr SP Singh, a former Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, today submitted the final draft of the interim report to Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan. Nishan Singh, nodal officer of the committee, said the minister and members of the committee would meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal next week to chalk out the plan to implement the policy. Every private university should have its syndicate of which five teachers should be from within the university. State education secretary and the DPI (colleges) should be members of the syndicate. Such universities should also have a senate. About the government universities, the committee has asked to review their administrative system and to make necessary legal amendments. These universities should be ensured regular flow of funds to pay salaries and to meet other expenses. The committee has made a detailed recommendation with regard to the private colleges also and the recruitment system to be adopted for the teaching staff. In case of primary education, the committee has recommended the starting of pre-primary wings in all primary schools. At the pre-primary section, children should be admitted at the age of three and there should be no formal education at this level. Pre-nursery and nursery classes should be in the pre-primary wing. It has also stressed on the need for restructuring the syllabi at the primary school level. Formal education should start from the first standard and it should be in mother tongue. Formal education of English should be from the second standard and from the third standard, the teaching of Hindi should also start as is the system now. There should be at least 240 working days for primary schools. Examination of Vth standard should be conducted by the State Council of Education, Research and Training (SCERT). The evaluation of answer sheets should be at the district level and results should be declared at the state level. The mid-day meal scheme should be outsourced. Teachers should have nothing to do with it. They should only focus on imparting education. All primary education blocks should be reconstituted and there should not be more than 40 primary schools in one block. The post of the centre head should be renamed as assistant block education officer and they should be empowered to inspect schools in their respective areas. The control of all primary schools, they may be being run by zila parishads and other government organisations, should be with the Education Department. There should be a biometric system to mark the attendance of the teaching staff in government primary schools. Each teacher should at least serve in a rural area for five years. There are several other recommendations in case all three wings of education, primary, secondary and higher, in the report. Key recommendations n Each private university should have its syndicate of which five teachers should be from within the university. It should also have a senate nThe government universities should be ensured regular flow of funds to pay salaries and to meet other expenses nAll primary schools should have pre-primary wings where children should be admitted at the age of three n
Formal education should start from Ist standard and it should be in mother tongue. English should be taught from IInd standard nThe mid-day meal scheme should be outsourced. Teachers should have nothing to do with it n
There should be a biometric system to mark the attendance of the teaching staff in government primary schools n
Each teacher should at least serve in a rural area for five years
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Fuel surcharge on power tariff to stay
Chandigarh, October 28 The Commission had allowed a surcharge of 8 paisa per unit for the first quarter of this financial year. Denying the electricity regulatory any increase, it has allowed it to levy the surcharge for the entire year now. The Commission was definite that there should not be any change in the tariff structure during the present year.
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Kabbadi World Cup
Chandigarh, October 28 Referring to hiring of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, whose hourly fee runs into crores of rupees, for the inaugural and concluding functions, Capt Amarinder said, the entire exercise seemed less of a Kabbadi tournament and more of personal promotion campaign launched by Sukhbir Badal at the cost of taxpayers’ money. He revealed that Shah Rukh Khan and at least one more Bollywood actress were being paid about Rs 5 crore for just two performances.
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Power corp engineers to support striking JEs
Patiala, October 28 General Secretary of the council, Davinder Singh informed that their demands include improvement in basic pay scale and grade pay, first time-bound promotional scheme scale of SDE after eight years service and 30 litre
petrol per month for field duties. President of the council, Swaran Lal said since these were common demands, Punjab Power JEs were equally concerned. "Extending our full support to them, all PSPCL/PSTCL JEs have decided to boycott stores, metering labs and stop construction work, including release of connections from today onwards till
November 8. We will also not use our own vehicles for field duties except attending breakdowns during these days. We will also take part in the protest rally at Bathinda on November 9," he added.
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Teachers to protest in Ludhiana tomorrow
Patiala, October 28 He said after a long struggle the government had invited them for a meeting on October 20 but they could not reach consensus on demands, including regularisation of their services, covering sikhiya karmis under the Sarv Sikhsha Abhiyan, enhancement in salaries on par with SSA teachers, maternity leave for women employees with pay, increase in casual leaves as per the Civil Services Rule, deduction of employees' provident fund from salaries and implementation of annual increment. He said the government was not taking notice of their demands and was unnecessary delaying the matter but they would not give up their strike till their demands were met. “We will continue to organise state-level protests and if the government continues to be adamant, we will chalk out future course of action to deal with the situation,” he added. Ajmer Singh has been on hunger strike for the past 33 days. He was forcefully lifted by the Patiala police few days ago and admitted to the Government Rajindra Hospital. Though his condition is said to be stable, he has lost almost 15 kg weight. Meanwhile, after he was taken away, two women members of the union, Manpreet Kaur from Sangrur and Harjeet Kaur from Ludhiana, replaced him and began their hunger strike, which has entered 10th day today.
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Police recruitment test on Oct 31
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 28 All the candidates having minimum qualification of 10+2 and 5'-7" height have been shortlisted and they should report in the ground at 8 am to collect their roll numbers, said SSP RS Khatra while talking to mediapersons here today. At least 5,000 applications were received for 154 posts of constable in the district. Though the minimum qualification required is 10+2 but majority of the applicants are graduates and postgraduates.
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Constable booked for cheating
Patiala, October 28 A case under Sections 420 and 465 of the IPC has been registered against the accused policeman following a inquiry conducted by SP, Crime, Patiala. According to the FIR, the
accuse1d, employed with the band staff, had used fake educational certificates to get employment. After a formal complaint was made, a police inquiry proved that he was guilty of forging documents. “We are yet to arrest the accused,” said the police.
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The Badal family today sought votes during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Advanced Cancer Diagnostic, Treatment and Research Centre at the Industrial Growth Centre here.
Amritsar will formally join the Green Pilgrim Cities Network, the first global network aimed at greening pilgrimage to be launched in Assisi, Italy, from October 31 to November 2. The event is organised by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in association with WWF and it will be chaired by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth’s
husband
The SAD-BJP government, which is being accused of coming in the way of the smooth functioning of the Lokpal by not allocating adequate staff, today transferred the Inspector General (IG) who had been probing the “illegal” plying of air-conditioned buses owned by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir
Badal.
The trio, apprehended for allegedly attempting to stab the controversial spiritual guru Baba Piara Singh Bhaniara Wala during his discourse at the dera campus, located in Damana Kala near Nurpur Bedi in Ropar district yesterday, had conducted a recce of the Dera previously and even partaken the free meal offered in the premises. Not only this, the trio had laid a trap near the dera for the last three days.
