|
|
|
|
|
Kabaddi World Cup takes off amidst glitz, glamour
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ahead of assembly elections, security of VIPs reviewed
Anjum returns Sahitkar Award
Police foils attempt to usurp farm land
Patiala nursing homes flouting PNDT Act
Food Adulteration
KP Rana for CBI probe into school board functioning
Cases of teenagers attempting suicide on the rise in Patiala
Teachers of aided schools to go on leave tomorrow
IAS officer’s kin lodge complaint against Saini
Gurdwara Gyan Godri
Child rights’ panel to conduct raids soon
Military intelligence celebrates Corps Day
Ferozepur ADC adjudged ‘Glory of India’ Constable thrashed for molestation attempt
Affidavit of credentials must for PIL, says High Court
Healthyway chief gets bail in 3 cases
Engg college told to refund fee
|
Kabaddi World Cup takes off amidst glitz, glamour
Bathinda, November 1 A rough estimate put the turnout at above 20,000. The stadium has a capacity for 10,000. Adrenaline ran high as Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan arrived at the venue at about 7.45 pm. A huge crowd of kabaddi fans reached out for him. The stadium broke into a thunderous applause. Before SRK’s arrival, all the 14 teams participating in the cup held a parade with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal taking the salute. He was flanked by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Chief Minister of a Provincial Council of Sri Lanka Mahiepala Herath and ministers.The police had to resort to mild force near gate numbers 4, 7 and 8 meant for the general public. The event began with a light and sound show and breath-taking fireworks. WWE wrestler Khali’s entry in an open jeep along with bhangra, gidda, jhoomar and luddi performers drew a deafening applause. Khali met the team captains and led them towards the stage as Sukhbir appeared on stage through a hydraulic system. The Deputy Chief Minister presented shawls and phulkaris to the captains. The event was declared open with athletes handing over the baton to the Chief Minister and Bollywood icon SRK. Giant audio-visual screens provided an overview to the spectators who just could not have enough. Speaking on occasion, the Chief Minister said the SAD BJP government had allocated a major part of its budget to sports. Oppn unimpressed It would have been better if the money (spent on the Kabaddi World Cup) was given to hospitals where the poor are treated — Amarinder Singh, PCC chief Instead of spending a hefty Rs 4.50 crore on inviting filmstar Shah Rukh Khan, the government should have first paid cash awards to those players who have excelled in the international arena — Raninder Singh, Congress leader
On the sidelines...
Khali unhappy
Talking to TNS later, Khali denied that he felt insulted. He said the event was great but the arrangements were poor. — TNS SRK approached us, claims Gabria Ludhiana: Jail Minister Hira Singh Gabria claimed that his government had not invited SRK to the opening of the Kabaddi World Cup. “We did not invite any Bollywood star. Witnessing the popularity of last year’s Kabaddi Cup, SRK approached us ,” the minister said. Asked if Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif would perform at the closing ceremony, Gabria said: “We have received offers from various filmstars but we have yet to take a decision on the names “. — Mohit Khanna
|
|
In poll mode, Cong begins ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’
Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), November 1 Gulchain Singh Charak, AICC general secretary and incharge of party affairs in Punjab, announced that the “yatra” would cover all the 117 constituencies. Before addressing a largely attended rally, Capt Amarinder Singh, Charak and Bhattal paid obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Takht Damdama Sahib. The rally organised by local MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu was attended by several other legislators and senior functionaries, including Jagmeet Brar. There was commotion when Sidhu’s supporters tried to stop Sukhdev Singh Chahal, Bhattal’s political aide, from accompanying her to the dais. The matter was sorted out by Bhattal there and then. Despite the unity show, factionalism was evident from the fact that while slogans were repeatedly raised in favour of Capt Amarinder Singh, Charak and Raninder Singh, none was raised in support of Bhattal. There was not a single poster or banner at the rally with Bhattal’s picture. The Congress leaders chose to target the Badal family rather than the state government. Capt Amarinder Singh asked his party workers to pick up lathis against the Akalis and “hit them twice if they try to hit you once.” He alleged that the Akalis had harassed and victimised Congress workers and “it is time to hit back.” Comparing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with dictators like Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak and Saddam Hussein, he said Badal would be thrown out in the coming elections. He asked Badal to list a single achievement during the past five years. Spelling out his party agenda, Capt Amarinder Singh said he wanted to see a prosperous and progressive Punjab, free of drugs and unemployment. He expressed concern at the poor health services in the state. The PCC chief criticised the Badals for spending extravagantly on the Kabaddi World Cup. “It would have been better if the money was given to hospitals where the poor are treated,” he remarked. Charak said he sensed a mood for change.The overwhelming attendance at the rally was enough indication that the people were waiting to vote out the “corrupt and brutal regime” of the Akalis. CLP Leader Bhattal lashed out at the Badals for wasting the state resources. CWC member Jagmeet Singh Brar said the Badals had crushed the voice of the people. He said the seizure of heroin worth Rs 300 crore by the BSF in Jallalabad indicated that the drug mafia enjoyed the patronage of some SAD leaders. Raninder Singh and Jeet Mohinder Sidhu also spoke. Prominent among those present were PCC general secretary Arvind Khanna, MLAs Avtar Singh Brar, Makhan Singh, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Darshan Singh Brar, Isher Singh Mehraban, Sher Singh Ghaggowal, Mangat Rai Bansal, Ajit Singh Shant, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Harmohinder Singh Pardhan and DCC (rural) president Narinder Singh Bhaleria.
Anna forewarned
Bathinda: Congress leader Raninder Singh has asked social activist Anna Hazare to keep in mind rampant corruption in Punjab before accepting any invitation by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and PPP chief Manpreet Badal to address rallies against corruption. “Anna is welcome in Punjab but he should be aware of the mining mafia operating in the state under the patronage of the ruling SAD,” Raninder said.
|
|
Ahead of assembly elections, security of VIPs reviewed
According to a communiqué to all SSPs and Commissioners in the state issued ahead of the elections, 33 VIPs have been placed in Z plus, Z, Y and X categories. The SHOs have been instructed to make tight security arrangements when these VIPs pass through their areas. Interestingly, apart from 18 active politicians, religious heads, retired police officers and a few scribes have been provided security. There are eight persons in the the Z plus category, including the Governor, the CM, the Deputy CM and PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, 16 in the Z category, six in the Y category and three in the X category. Interestingly, while the name of Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has been included in the Z category, MLA Bikramjit Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, has been included in the Z plus category. A senior police officer instrumental in the preparation of the list said: “The list has been prepared on the basis of the threat perception and the inputs by the state and central intelligence agencies and Majithia’s name features in the top of the list due to the threat perception”. Enquiries by The Tribune reveal that more than 2,500 policemen posted in various districts are unofficially attached with politicians. Despite orders by top cops, policeman are seldom sent back to their place of posting on account of political pressure. DGP Anil Kaushik could not be contacted despite repeated calls on his cell phone. The ADGP (Intelligence), Suresh Arora, confirmed the list but declined to comment.
|
|
seeking change
New Delhi, November 1 Some 4,000 Sikh community members were killed in the Capital in the aftermath of the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. The party intends to hold a “March for Justice” tomorrow. “Thousands of riot victims have yet to be given justice 27 years after the mass murder of the community in Delhi and other states of the country whereas those involved in the Gujarat riots have been punished. The government has also punished those involved in the killing of Dalits in Mirchipur in Haryana”, Manjit Singh observed. “When the Nanavati Commission report was submitted, the Prime Minister had assured in Parliament that those behind the riots would be punished. The victims will be given a relief package. But so far this has not been implemented,” he said. Despite an FIR against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, no chargesheet had been filed against him. He demanded that cases against Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish, Tytler, Dharam Dass Shastri and Kamal Nath be tried by “fast-track courts”. Action should be initiated against police officers who had refused to order the postmortem of Sikh victims. He demanded government jobs for family members of the victims and a hike in widow’s pension from Rs 2500 to Rs 5000.
|
|
Anjum returns Sahitkar Award
Anjum said, “I am close to the people and have always opposed the government irrespective of who is in power. I feel this pro-people and anti-government stance in my poetry has made some people uncomfortable and they think they can close my mouth with a cash award of Rs 2.5 lakh. But I am sorry to say, they will not succeed.” In a cautiously-worded tone laced with poetry, Anjum said, “I feel for the people, I wrote a serial during the days of terrorism in Punjab, which was opposed by the government. Did it not see my literary capabilities then? Or is the government not aware that I have 22 published books. Why have I been picked up for this award now?” Anjum complained that other recipients of the award were hitherto “unknown people and to equate him with them somehow did not go well with him personally, making him give up the award”. Not mincing words about the “character” of politicians, he said, “Sabhi ne lagaya hai chehre pe chehra, kise yaad rakhen kise bhool jaayen” (everyone is double-faced, whom do you remember and whom do you forget). Anjum has served Panjab University as the Head of Urdu Department. His feature film "Karzdar" is a venture to reduce the differences between India and Pakistan. He got the Padma Bhushan for literature in 2005 and Padma Shri in 1991. He was presented The Millenium Peace Award for his contribution to Global Understanding and Universal Outlook on behalf of International Peace Foundation of New York by the then US first lady Hillary Clinton. He has 19 state awards for literary works to his credit.
Past laurels
venting ire I feel this pro-people and anti-government stance in my poetry has made some people uncomfortable and they think they can close my mouth with a cash award of Rs 2.5 lakh. But I am sorry to say, they will not succeed
|
|
Police foils attempt to usurp farm land
Patiala, November 1 The police said the nihang group had no direct role in the issue and only a couple of their members are allegedly involved in the incident. While the police has arrested the accused, the situation is still tensed with villagers fearing re-occurrence of the events as the land belongs to the Harijan Society and they fear caste-based clash between the two warring groups. According to the police, Joga Singh, son of Surjan Singh, is in possession of five and half acres of prime agricultural land, which actually is owned by the Harijan Society and is non-transferable. “A couple of days ago, some local persons along with a few nihangs turned up at the agricultural land and forcibly stopped Joga Singh from tilling the land”, the police said. The complainant told the police that when he refused to budge, the accused threatened him. The police later arrested Satpal Singh, Satguru Singh, Leela Singh, Sukhvinder Kaur, Harmej Singh, Karnail Singh, Pargat Singh, Jaj Singh, Rattan Singh, Ranjit Singh and Dharam Singh. “Of these accused, Ranjit Singh and Dharam Singh are from Tarna Dal, Tibba Sahib Gurdwara, and were trying to create an atmosphere of violence”, said Samana SHO Jaswinder Singh. The villagers alleged that a few of these persons are now out on bail and can anytime enter their village again and create a law and order problem for others. “We have requested for round-the-clock security till the matter dies down”, they said. SHO Jaswinder Singh confirmed that the police was had made preventive arrest of Dharam Singh, under Sections 107 and 151 CrPC. He, however, said there was no direct role of any nihang group and these individuals belonged to various places in the state and a couple of them were already habitual offenders. Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill said no one would be allowed to break the law and strict action would be taken against those creating disturbance.
|
|
Patiala nursing homes flouting PNDT Act
Patiala, November 1 Though time and again office of the Civil Surgeon had claimed that regular raids were being conducted to check the illegal practice of sex determination at the ultrasound centres and the illegal termination of pregnancy in the nursing homes of Patiala district, there are reports that the PNDT Act is being flouted in the district, particularly in the rural areas. Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that at present there are 65 nursing homes and 62 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centres in Patiala which are registered with the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Though most of the people are unwilling to comment on the matter but preferring anonymity, many couples have confirmed that guidelines of the PNDT Act, including ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex of a foetus, is being violated by several ultrasound centres and the authorities concerned are not making efforts to strictly enforce the Act. Only yesterday, a Health Department team comprising Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Purushottam Goyal, District Family and Welfare Officer Dr Surinder Pal and Medical Officer Dr Kiranjot Kaur, had found that Rajan Nursing Home, located at the Rajbaha Road, was found violating various norms of the PNDT Act and was sealed for a month. However, independent inquiries conducted by TNS shows that these kind of the raids were rare. "If the authorities want to ensure the strict compliance of the Act, surprise raids have to be conducted at frequent intervals and harsh penalties should be levied on the violators", said Ramanjit Kaur, a resident of the Model Town. Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Varinder Singh Mohi admitted that many ultrasound centres were indulging in the practice of sex determination and illegal abortions. "We have decided to take strict action against the offenders and it has been conveyed to all the department authorities and field officers that no lapses in the implementation of the PNDT Act would be tolerated", he asserted, while adding that they would be increasing the frequency of surprise raids for the proper implementation of the PNDT Act.
|
|
Food Adulteration
Ludhiana, November 1 The reason being cited by the officers of the Health Department is repealing of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, and implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, from August 5 this year. With this change, the Health Department now has to provide laboratory testing results of food samples within 14 days. Earlier, it used to be 40 days. Talking to The Tribune, Balwinder Singh, a food analyst at the State Food Testing Laboratory, Chandigarh,
said, "This year, we received about 1,000 samples of different sweets and food items from all over the state for testing. However, the number of these samples was more than 2,000 last year.” With the repealing of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, and implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, from August 5 this year, the whole procedure of working also witnessed changes. So, it took some time to implement this Act properly in the state through district health departments." He further said instructions were also given to the Health Department officers and employees to collect meaningful samples only. He said,"We asked them to collect samples only
if there is a complaint as the cost of testing for each sample is very high. It costs us from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per test." Ashok Kumar, another food analyst at this state level laboratory, said,
"We have picked up the pace within two months and are testing all the samples which are pending with us." When asked why there was delay in releasing reports of the samples (the reports have to be furnished within 14 days as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006), Ashok Kumar said,"There is a provision in the Act that if there is rush of samples, extension can be taken. So, we have taken extension but trying to release the reports at earliest possible."
|
|
KP Rana for CBI probe into school board functioning
Chandigarh, November 1 Terming the appointments as a “typical example of the autocratic style of functioning” of the
SAD-BJP government, he alleged that the standard of the school education control body had been compromised with due to this
nepotism. Rana claimed that the appointment of PSEB chairman’s daughter as the Director, Computers, had come close on the heels of a similar attempt to appoint her as the Director, Academics. He said the appointment had been ratified by the Board of Directors at a meeting the same
day. Rana also demanded an inquiry into the expenses incurred by the Board on the deployment of flying squads. He said as per information available with the Congress, crores had allegedly been spent out of the PSEB secret fund on the exercise. The legislator said the Congress would initiate an inquiry into the working of the education Board once it was voted to power. Nothing wrong in daughter's selection: PSEB chairman Dr DS Dhillon has claimed that he had disassociated himself from the selection process and that it was for the first time that a vice chancellor and two experts were made part of the team formed for the selection process. He claimed his daughter had nine years of teaching experience and had authored six books and as many research papers. He claimed any agency could examine the selection record to ascertain the facts of the case.
|
|
Cases of teenagers attempting suicide on the rise in Patiala
Patiala, November 1 According to the physicians at the hospital, disturbed with the behaviour of their father, the teenagers are trying to end their life by making suicide attempts. Senior doctors working in the hospital said though suicides or attempt to suicide on account of poor academic performance, poverty and unemployment are common, now the new trend of trying to end the life just because of the unacceptable behaviour of father on account of liquor addiction is "worrying". As per the figures, during the past five months, the Government Rajindra Hospital received 11 cases (age group 10-13 years) wherein the youth made suicide attempts. Talking to The Tribune, city-based paediatrician Dr Harshinder Kaur said from total 11 cases, seven boys and four girls resorted to the extreme step. "All these children were in the age group of 10 to 13 years. Out of 11, seven were from the rural areas", she said. On the condition of anonymity, the doctors, who handled such cases, said the main reason for causing self harm was because of the abusive nature of their father. "Fathers of all these children were alcoholic and often assaulted their mothers as well as the kids. As a result, they took this extreme step to end their life but survived. While some children cut their wrist, some adopted other ways to commit suicide but couldn't succeed," said Dr Harshinder.
|
|
Teachers of aided schools to go on leave tomorrow
Chandigarh, November 1 While all serving teachers in such schools will proceed on a protest leave for a day on November 3, retired teachers will join the demonstrations. “We were assured by the government that the teachers, who retired after May 2003, will start getting pension from November 1. However, nothing has happened in this regard”, said NN Saini, general secretary of the Punjab Government Aided Private Recognised School Teachers and other Employees Union. He said even case files of about 3,000 teachers, who retired after May 2003, had not been called for processing to start the pension. However, who retired before May 2003, are getting their pension. The government had stopped the pension for teachers who retired after May 2003. union filed the case in the High Court, which decided in favour of teachers.The government filed the appeal in the Supreme Court.
|
|
IAS officer’s kin lodge complaint against Saini
Chandigarh, November 1 Janjua was arrested by a Vigilance Bureau (VB) team on the charges of accepting bribe from a Ludhiana businessman and subsequently a VB team raided the residence of his father-in-law, with whom he used to stay in Mohali. In his application, Bedi has demanded the registration of an FIR against Saini, Vigilance SSP (Ludhiana) SS Mand, DSP Ravcharan Singh Brar and other unknown persons for offences under Sections 120-b, 166, 398 and 458 of the IPC as neither an FIR was registered nor a search warrant obtained before “invasion” of his property by the police. A former principal at Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahalpur (Hoshiarpur), Bedi said Saini and other police officials allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with a “complainant” to implicate his son-in-law. He alleged that some of the belongings from his house were also looted. Bedi claimed that the police team, which raided his residence, wrongfully confined his daughter and school-going grandchildren in the house.
|
|
Gurdwara Gyan Godri
Amritsar, November 1 Addressing a press conference here today, AISC chief Gurcharan Singh Babbar said they would begin the march from Amritsar on November 7 which will pass through Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Yamunanagar, Paonta Sahib and Dehradun before reaching Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on November 10. Notably, Gyan Godri Gurdwara was set up at Har-ki-Pauri in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev who visited the spot in 1504-05. He had an interaction with local "teerth purohits" there. However, in the 1970s, the gurdwara was demolished in the name of renovation and was later handed over to Bharat Scouts and Guides, which still has its office at the same place.
|
|
Child rights’ panel to conduct raids soon
Mohali, November 1 The Commission would study the problem being faced by schoolchildren and do the needful as far as their rights were concerned, said Swaran Salaria, who recently took over as chairperson of the State Commission. Salaria, who is a special invitee to the national executive of the BJP, said the Secretary and other members of the Commission would soon be appointed. He said any child between five and 18 years of age was covered as far the child rights were concerned. Salaria said various departments like the Child Labour and Social Welfare Department would be roped in to protect the rights of the children, he said.
|
|
Military intelligence celebrates Corps Day
Chandigarh, November 1 The then Governor General-in-Council sanctioned the formation of Intelligence Corps (India)
in 1942. Air observation post units of the Army Aviation Corps came into being on this day in 1986. Lt-Gen SR Ghosh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, felicitated personnel of intelligence establishments and extolled them to continue working for professional excellence.Extending his greetings to aviation staff and wishing them accident-free flying ahead, he emphasised on special attention towards flight safety.
|
|
|
Ferozepur ADC adjudged ‘Glory of India’ Ferozepur, November 1 Kharbanda had initiated several ground-breaking measures to decongest the town and at the same time launched projects concerning the beautification, cleanliness and development of the holy city. Diplomats from various countries besides celebrities are likely to attend the awards function being organised by the India International Friendship Society (IIFS) in Dubai, said Gurmeet Singh, the secretary of the society. — OC
|
|
|
Constable thrashed for molestation attempt Abohar, November 1 He allegedly forced entry into a house under an inebriated condition and asked a middle-aged woman there to serve him tea. As the woman went to the kitchen, the cop allegedly tried to outrage the modesty of her married daughter. Enraged over his act, the daughter-mother duo caught hold of him and raised an alarm. Their male relatives, who were working in the fields nearby, rushed to the place and thrashed the cop before handing him over at Arniwala police station. The cop said he had entered the house as the woman belonged to his native village. The woman, however, refused to identify him. The staff on duty at Arniwala police station confirmed that the cop visibly appeared drunk and has been taken to the community health centre for medical examination.
|
|
Affidavit of credentials must for PIL, says High Court
Chandigarh, November 1 The Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina has further made it clear that petitions, not accompanied by the affidavit, would be dismissed. The assertion came
during the hearing of a petition filed by Sukhdev Singh against the State
of Punjab and other respondents seeking directions for relocation of an industrial unit situated in a residential area. The Bench asserted: “This Court has already framed Maintainability of Public Interest Litigation Rules, 2010. Rule 6 of the 2010 Rules defines the main categories under which a public interest litigation could be entertained. “It also includes the petitions pertaining to environmental pollution, disturbance of ecological balance, forest and wildlife. “Maintainability of a PIL is governed by Rule 2, which reads -No public interest litigation shall be entertained by the Registry unless the petitioner(s) has specifically disclosed his credentials and his direct or indirect personal motive or interest involved in the case, if any, by way of an affidavit.” “From a bare perusal of Rule 2 of the 2010 Rules, it is evident that an affidavit is required to be filed by the petitioner filing a writ petition as PIL specifically disclosing his credentials and direct or indirect personal motive or interest involved in the case”. The Bench added: “The Registry is directed to insist compliance of Rule 2 of the 2010 Rules, whenever any petition falling under any of the categories prescribed by Rule 6 of the 2010 Rules is filed in this Court. “Necessary steps in that regard be taken by the Registrar-Judicial by issuing a circular/notice in the daily cause list for the information of the members of the Bar and also putting the same on the High Court website.” Referring to the case in hand, the Bench added: “No such affidavit has been filed by the petitioner in the present case. Accordingly, we find no merit in the instant petition and the same deserves to be dismissed.”
|
|
Healthyway chief gets bail in 3 cases
Chandigarh, November 1 On August 16, Kakkar had surrendered in a court in a case of cheating registered against him in which a large number of clients had been duped of huge sums of money on the pretext of sending them abroad. The Sector 42 firm is accused of duping scores of youths on the basis of false promises of an easy migration overseas. The cases were registered against the company after the British Embassy provided the police with input of a massive fraud. Kakkar had 28 franchises in Punjab, eight in Haryana, two in Himachal Pradesh and one in Jaipur. The UT police had informed the police of these states after the registration of 10 cases against Kakkar. DSP Anil Joshi said they had prepared charge-sheets in five cases against Amit Kakkar. Out of these, three had already been submitted in court. He added that two charge-sheets were under legal scrutiny and in the coming days they would submit these before the court as well.
|
|
Engg college told to refund fee
Ferozepur, November 1 According to information, complainant Namreen Kaur of Ferozepur city had approached the forum with the grievance that she took admission in B Tech (Electronics & Communication) and paid a part of the fee. But, she said, when she sought refund of the fee, the college declined her plea.
— OC
|
|
| 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 | |
Patiala, November 1
Chandigarh, November 1