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TOP STORIES

Power Corp engineers to resume statewide stir
Patiala, November 8
With the state government failing to issue the approval letter for setting up of the 1320-MW Thermal Plant in the state sector at Mukerian, Hoshiarpur, the engineers working with the Power Corporation, have announced the decision to resume their state-level agitation.

Protesting linemen face khaki wrath again at CM’s function
Faridkot, November 8
Unemployed linemen A policeman beats up unemployed linemen while they were on their way to CM's Sangat Darshan in Faridkot demanding jobs were thrashed by the police while on their way to the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s Sangat Darshan function here today. Even passersby and mediapersons were not spared.

A policeman beats up unemployed linemen while they were on their way to CM's Sangat Darshan in Faridkot on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph 




YOUR TOWN
Chandigarh



EARLIER STORIES



Iran keen on strengthening ties with Punjab
Chandigarh, November 8
For strengthening bilateral relations with India in general and Punjab in particular, Mohammad Aliabbadi, Deputy of the first Vice-President of Iran, arrived for a three-day official visit of Punjab yesterday.





 

POLITICS

Manpreet’s Sanjha Morcha is ‘B team’ of Congress: Badal 
Faridkot, November 8
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Sanjha Morcha, floated recently, was in fact the "B" team of the Congress and its sole purpose was to ensure the defeat of the ruling SAD in the coming assembly election in the state.

Won’t let you loot shrines, Amarinder tells Sukhbir
Amritsar, November 8
Former Chief Minister and PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh today categorically made it clear to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal that he would not let them “loot and plunder” the gurdwaras.

‘SAD desperate, looking for nondescript allies’
Nadala (Kapurthala), November 8
Amarinder Singh, Sukhpal Khaira and (below) Rajinder K Bhattal.Continuing his tirade against Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal, PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh today said the father-son duo had become so “nervous and desperate” that they were looking for even “non-descript” allies and were resorting to “semi-nude dances”.



Amarinder Singh, Sukhpal Khaira and (below) Rajinder K Bhattal. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Tongues wag as Cong MLA meets Ramdev
Moga, November 8
Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain with Baba Ramdev in Moga Congress MLA for Moga Joginder Pal Jain has earned the displeasure of his party men for meeting Baba Ramdev a couple of days back. Local leaders say the meeting was “against the party interests.” They have reportedly brought the matter to the notice of PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh.




Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain with Baba Ramdev in Moga on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph 

Manpreet Badal asks state MPs to lobby for Punjab package
Chandigarh, November 8
Chairman of the Sanjha Morcha and former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today said that like West Bengal, Punjab should be given an economic package by the Centre without delay. Speaking to The Tribune, he said the Centre had selected three states, West Bengal, Punjab and Kerala, for a financial bailout. A committee was set up by the Union Finance Ministry on the issue.

Ramoowalia defers decision on pre-poll pact 
Jalandhar, November 8
Lok Bhalai Party chief Balwant Singh Ramoowalia has deferred a decision on reaching a pact with any political party ahead of the assembly elections after he faced bitter opposition from within the party on the issue yesterday.

COMMUNITY

Power Corp inks purchase pact with Delhi firm
Patiala, November 8
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sam India Hydro Power Private Limited, Delhi, for the purchase of power from 1.2-MW Mini Hydro Project. The project that would comprise two units of 0.6-MW is being established by the company at Bowani village in Ludhiana district.

Vivekananda Express reaches Patiala 
Patiala, November 8
The Vivekananda Express, a train showcasing the life, teachings and works of Swami Vivekananda at the Patiala Railway StationThe Vivekananda Express, an exhibition train showcasing the life, teachings and works of Swami Vivekananda reached the Patiala railway station today.




The Vivekananda Express, a train showcasing the life, teachings and works of Swami Vivekananda at the Patiala Railway Station on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Clerks protest against PSSB’s selection criteria
Mohali, November 8
The change in the selection criteria by the Punjab Subordinate Selection Board (PSSB) for recruitment of around 800 posts of clerks in different departments today attracted strong protest by the candidates appearing against the posts.

Junior doctors on strike from today
Patiala, November 8
Junior doctors working in Punjab’s three government medical colleges have announced a two-hour strike from tomorrow in the wake of the delay in the non-acceptance of their demands. They will go on an indefinite fast from November 10.

Anganwari workers want job regularisation
Patiala, November 8
Anganwari workers hold a protest in support of their demands in Patiala Anganwari Helpers and Workers Union initiated a “Jail Bharo Andolan” in Patiala today, demanding regularisation of their jobs. Around 300 workers staged a dharna outside the mini-secretariat and raised slogans against the state government.




Anganwari workers hold a protest in support of their demands in Patiala on Tuesday. Photo: Rajesh Sachar

Book on farmers’ suicide released
Chandigarh, November 8
Gurnam Kaur of Sangrur district lost her three sons to financial distress with each committing suicide for inability to repay farm loans. She now suffers the trauma alone. There are many more like her undergoing the same suffering.

University appointments put on hold
Chandigarh, November 8
Taking up the petition alleging backdoor appointments in Punjabi University, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today restrained the Vice Chancellor from carrying out appointments without the Bench’s permission.

Another controversy rocks women kabaddi
Ludhiana, November 8
Kabaddi players at Guru Nanak stadium, Ludhiana.Merely three days before the inaugural edition of the women’s Kabaddi World Cup, another controversy has erupted-this time on ”unfair” selection trial.




Kabaddi players at Guru Nanak stadium, Ludhiana. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan


COURTS

HC quashes plea seeking shifting of school from fort
Chandigarh, November 8
Refusing to entertain a petition against the shifting of a government school from a protected fort at Payal, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that encroachments at a historical monument are not justified.

HC: Police did bundle Dhanaula into a car
Chandigarh, November 8
Referring to a photograph carried in a newspaper, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today observed rebel SAD leader and former SGPC executive member Tek Singh Dhanaula was indeed bundled into a car by the police.

CRIME

Two Moga residents held for cyber crime
Mohali, November 8
Two Moga residents were arrested by the cyber crime branch of the Punjab Police for creating a fake profile of a girl on social networking site Facebook.

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Power Corp engineers to resume statewide stir
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 8
With the state government failing to issue the approval letter for setting up of the 1320-MW Thermal Plant in the state sector at Mukerian, Hoshiarpur, the engineers working with the Power Corporation, have announced the decision to resume their state-level agitation. Speaking to the Tribune News Service, the PSEB Engineers’ Association president H.S. Bedi stated that during their October 22 meeting with the Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, the latter had given the approval to the proposed Mukerian Thermal Project in principle. However, even after two weeks, the government has not issued any letter in this regard to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

“While the proposed Mukerian Project is being delayed unnecessarily ever since the PSPCL mooted the proposal in April this year, the state government is giving a nod to the proposals of private investors for setting up of thermal projects at a supersonic speed”, rued Bedi.

As per the schedule of the protest agitation given by the Association, the engineers working with both the power utilities of Punjab would stage a two-hour walkout on November 17, from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm and will stage a state-level protest demonstration at Patiala on November 22. Furthermore, in case the government still fails to settle the issues, all the power engineers will proceed on one day mass casual leave on November 30.

The general secretary of the association, Bhupinder Singh, said that it was promised by the Chief Managing Director of PSPCL that by October 31, the necessary notification for the grant of the promotional scales would be issued but nothing has been done so far. “It was also assured that the employees provident fund trust will be made operational by October 28 by putting in an initial amount of Rs 250 crore in the fund. The employees’ provident fund trust has been created but Rs 250 crore, as promised, has not been put in the account”, he claimed. 

Power less engineers

Feel betrayed that approval letter to set up 1320-MW thermal plant Mukerian project not issued

Will stage a two-hour walkout on November 17, from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm

State-level protest demonstration at Patiala on November 22

All the power engineers will proceed on one day mass casual leave on November 30

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Protesting linemen face khaki wrath again at CM’s function
Passersby, mediapersons not spared either; 2 cops suspended
Balwant Garg
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 8
Unemployed linemen demanding jobs were thrashed by the police while on their way to the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s Sangat Darshan function here today. Even passersby and mediapersons were not spared.

The police snatched the cameras ond cell phones of mediapersons to prevent them from taking pictures of the protesting linemen being beaten in the presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Punjabi Tribune reporter Jaswant Jass was manhandled, bundled into a jeep and taken to the police station. He was released after mediapersons held a protest dharna at the Chief Minister’s Sangat Darshan.

Several sarpanches at the function complained of police misbehaviour at the instance of Akali leaders who suspected that they (sarpanches) were supporters of Manpreet Badal’s Punjab People’s Party.

It was after over two hours of dharna that the police budged from its stand and SHO Gursher Singh and constable Bohar Singh booked for wrongful confinement of the reporter. “The SHO and the constable have been suspended”, said Sat Pal Sidhu, Senior Superintendent of Police.

Distributing cheques to village panchayats, the Chief Minister sought their support for the coming assembly elections. Senior Akali leaders, including a former legislator faced criticism for “bullying” the locals with the help of the police.

The Chief Minister inaugurated a modern jail constructed at a cost of Rs 122 crore.

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Iran keen on strengthening ties with Punjab
Prabhjot Singh/TNS

Chandigarh, November 8
For strengthening bilateral relations with India in general and Punjab in particular, Mohammad Aliabbadi, Deputy of the first Vice-President of Iran, arrived for a three-day official visit of Punjab yesterday.

“Iran has strong cultural and trade links with Punjab. It is why I have chosen the sacred Eid festivities to cement the bonds further,” said Aliabbadi on his first-ever visit to Chandigarh and Punjab. “I am here on the invitation of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to attend the second Kabaddi World Cup tournament. Besides, I am also looking for opportunities to strengthen bonds with Punjab.”

More trade would be beneficial for both Punjab and Iran, he said. Iran was also exploring the possibility of better educational, cultural and agricultural exchange programmes with Punjab. Of the 10,000 Iranian students in India, nearly 1,000 were in Punjab.

Aliabbadi, who is President of the National Olympic Committee of Iran as well as the Olympic Council of Asia, is likely to sign a memorandum of understanding with India in the sphere of sports, particularly training and coaching.

“We hope to invite President of the Indian Olympic Association to Iran to sign an MoU so that expertise available in both India and Iran can be used for producing better teams for international competitions.

“We are also exploring the possibility of helping the Punjab Government set up its State sports institute in Jalandhar,” said Aliabbadi. Accompanied by Shahrokh Shahnazi, President of the National Olympic & Paralympic Academy, Parvinder Singh Chandhoke, a Tehran-based NRI, and A. Saeid S. Moulemi, Minister Counsellor in the Iranian Embassy in Delhi, Aliabbadi, held discussions with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal last night.

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Manpreet’s Sanjha Morcha is ‘B team’ of Congress: Badal 

Faridkot, November 8
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Sanjha Morcha, floated recently, was in fact the "B" team of the Congress and its sole purpose was to ensure the defeat of the ruling SAD in the coming assembly election in the state.

Badal said, “Both Surjit Singh Barnala and Manpreet Singh Badal have stabbed their own party in the back by joining hands with the Congress in a clandestine manner." He termed Sanjha Morcha, floated by Barnala and Manpreet, as a "pack of power-starved opportunists who want to to grab power in the state by hook or by crook".

Badal was addressing a gathering here during a Sangat Darshan programme. Earlier, he inaugurated the modern jail constructed here at a cost of Rs 122 crore. — PTI 

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Won’t let you loot shrines, Amarinder tells Sukhbir
Perneet Singh/TNS

Amritsar, November 8
Former Chief Minister and PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh today categorically made it clear to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal that he would not let them “loot and plunder” the gurdwaras.

Addressing a public rally here today, Amarinder said, “You have looted and robbed Punjab all these years and now you are trying to do the same with the gurdwaras, which I will not let you do…. You should better be content with sand, gravel, transport, cable and liquor and spare God’s place at least.”

Referring to the Rs 24 crore deficit in Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, the PPCC chief ridiculed Sukhbir’s statement that it (deficit) in gurdwaras should not be politicised. “Should that mean, we allow the loot go unchecked?” he asked Sukhbir.

Amarinder said gurdwaras were not run for profits, but they could not be allowed to be “looted, robbed and plundered” by anyone, including the Badals. He pointed out it was for the first time in history that Darbar Sahib was running into deficit and asked the Badals, “who were controlling it”, to explain where did all the money go despite massive offerings.

The Punjab Congress chief pointed out how the Akalis had “destroyed and devastated” Punjab and it was on the verge of bankruptcy with debt touching Rs 1.72 lakh crore. He said the ruling coalition created such a situation that the big investors like Mukesh Ambani of the Reliance preferred to withdraw from here. He said if Ambani would have been allowed to continue with his farm to fork project, it would have changed the agriculture economy of the state as more investors would have felt encouraged. “But the Akalis sabotaged the project just because they thought the farmers, who would have got benefited with it, might turn towards the Congress, which they already have,” he said.

Party incharge for Punjab Gulchain Singh Charak, claimed only the Congress could provide a good government in the country and the state. CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal lashed out at the Akalis for "being most corrupt and not even sparing the gurdwaras for their greed". Among those present were PPCC general secretary Arvind Khanna, Congress leaders Jasbir Singh Dimpa, Tarlochan Singh, Sardool Singh, Lali Majithia and Harpartap Ajnala. 

Makkar dubs it as ‘bundle of lies’

Reacting to former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's remarks on deficit in gurdwaras, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today dubbed it as a "bundle of lies". In a statement released here, Makkar said, "Capt's remarks are far from truth. He is making such misleading statements to gain cheap publicity." He said the SGPC affairs are totally transparent and its audit is being done by government auditors. 

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‘SAD desperate, looking for nondescript allies’
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Nadala (Kapurthala), November 8
Continuing his tirade against Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal, PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh today said the father-son duo had become so “nervous and desperate” that they were looking for even “non-descript” allies and were resorting to “semi-nude dances”.

Amarinder, who was addressing a public rally here, was referring to Badal’s statement regarding an alliance with anti-Congress parties. He said Badal had become nervous after watching the “massive public response” to his Punjab Bachao Yatra.

Referring to his alleged used of “unparliamentary” language against the Badals, the state Congress chief said, “From now onwards, I will address them as ‘Buddha Chor’ and ‘Jawan Chor’ or just ‘Chor Ji’ instead of ‘chors’.”

Amarinder Singh reiterated that the Badals, after allegedly looting Punjab, had now turned to gurdwaras, a fact vindicated by the Rs 24 crore deficit at the Harmandar Sahib.

On Badal looking for new allies, he said, “Now, Badal is looking for partners like Lok Bhalai Party chief Balwant Singh Ramoowalia or those from the Sant Samaj for his survival. He (Badal) should remain sure that it is the Congress that is coming to power. So, no alliances will work.”

Amarinder also challenged Sukhbir to hold a rally at such a “massive scale” as that of the Congress. “Akalis have become so desperate that they are now resorting to semi-nude dances to draw crowds. Instead of political rallies, Sukhbir is now turning to kabaddi matches. The people of Punjab want development and not semi-nude dances,” he quipped.

Among others leaders present at the rally were MP Partap Singh Bajwa, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Gulchain Singh Charak, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Arvind Khanna and Maj Amardip Ram Lubhaya. 

Sekhri denies getting show-cause notice

Gurdaspur: PPCC vice-president Ashwani Sekhri today said that he has not been issued a show-cause notice by the PCC chief for the poor turnout at the Punjab Bachao rally in Jalandhar a few days ago. In a Press note, Sekhri said Capt Amarinder Singh had only asked him to submit a report as to what had gone wrong since he was the coordinator of the event. "The report will provide details of preparations of the rally and the performance of various leaders," he said. Sekhri also said he was present at the Kalanaur rally yesterday where he had met Capt Amarinder Singh at the helipad. He said he had to return to his native town of Batala where he was scheduled to attend some functions. "I took permission of the PPCC chief before I drove back to Batala."

Amarinder vows not to let Alam win

Nadala (Kapurthala): PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday not only blamed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the Operation Bluestar but also vowed not to let former DGP Izhar Alam win Malerkotla seat. Alam, Amarinder alleged, was involved in the killing of hundreds of Sikh youth during the militancy period. "It was Badal who had been criticising former DGP Izhar Alam and Vigilance chief Sumedh Singh Saini for years for killing Sikh youth and now he is honouring them with top positions and even "siropas". People still remember those black days when the bodies of murdered Sikh youths were found floating in the Rajasthan feeder and Sirhind canals. We will see how Izhar Alam wins the polls from Malerkotla," he said. — TNS

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Tongues wag as Cong MLA meets Ramdev
Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS

Moga, November 8
Congress MLA for Moga Joginder Pal Jain has earned the displeasure of his party men for meeting Baba Ramdev a couple of days back. Local leaders say the meeting was “against the party interests.” They have reportedly brought the matter to the notice of PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh.

Ajay Sood, a social activist, said that Baba Ramdev was a confused person because on the one hand he was talking of bringing back black money stashed in foreign banks and on the other had met Jain facing a case regarding the smuggling of foreign currency.

The Customs Department had recovered foreign currency worth more than Rs 16 lakh from Jain at the Delhi international airport on January 28, 1988, when he was caught trying to travel to Bangkok on a fake passport.

Two FIRs under Sections 417, 419 of the IPC, Section 12 of the Passport Act and Sections 132, 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act:1962 were registered against Jain the following day. After he was elected MLA in the last assembly elections, Jain was detained by the local police under COFEPOSA and he remained in jail for two months.

Jain said that being the local MLA, it was his duty to welcome Baba Ramdev to the town. “I addressed the gathering in the presence of the Baba to apprise him of the large-scale corruption by the SAD-BJP leadership in the state,” he explained.

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Manpreet Badal asks state MPs to lobby for Punjab package
Sarbjit Dhaliwal/TNS

Chandigarh, November 8
Chairman of the Sanjha Morcha and former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today said that like West Bengal, Punjab should be given an economic package by the Centre without delay.

Speaking to The Tribune, he said the Centre had selected three states, West Bengal, Punjab and Kerala, for a financial bailout. A committee was set up by the Union Finance Ministry on the issue.

Whereas West Bengal had been given a package of Rs 21,614 crore some months ago, the Centre was now preparing an additional package of Rs 19,000 crore for the state. “As Punjab is facing a serious fiscal crisis like West Bengal, it should also be give a similar package”, said Manpreet. He urged all Members of Parliament from the state to lobby with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for the same. “See, how hard West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party MPs lobbied at the PM level to secure the package”, he remarked. “ I did my best to secure a package as Finance Minister. But, my efforts were nullified by forces working against me.

They wanted to deny me any credit for the package”, said Manpreet Singh, indirectly hitting at senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Da l headed by Sukhbir Singh Badal. 

Morcha attacked on SYL issue

Chandigarh,: The Shiromani Akali Dal lashed out at the Sanjha Morcha for including the construction of the SYL canal in its common minimum programme. “By doing so, PPP President Manpreet Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) leader Surjit Singh Barnala and other leaders of the morcha have betrayed Punjab,” said SAD secretary Dr Daljit Singh Cheema in a statement here today.

Dr Cheema said the morcha had mentioned in its CMP that the issue would be resolved as per the Rajiv-Longowal accord. Dr Cheema said the accord had been rejected by Punjabis long time back. In addition, the Punjab Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed the Termination of Agreements Act-2004 to cancel all water pacts.

Rebutting the statement of PPP leader JS Brar, he said it was Parkash Singh Badal who had in 1979 issued a notification for acquisition of land for the SYL canal — TNS

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Ramoowalia defers decision on pre-poll pact 
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 8
Lok Bhalai Party chief Balwant Singh Ramoowalia has deferred a decision on reaching a pact with any political party ahead of the assembly elections after he faced bitter opposition from within the party on the issue yesterday.

Ramoowalia had said that he would announce his decision on the matter today.

A Press note by the general secretary of the party Ramandeep S Bharowal said the opinion of various office-bearers was being elicited. “It had been decided to consult leaders from 62 assembly segments where the party has its base. The party men will be taken into confidence before reaching any decision. Segment-wise reports regarding the political scenario will be prepared and a meeting held”, the Press note said.

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Power Corp inks purchase pact with Delhi firm
Umesh Dewan/TNS

Patiala, November 8
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sam India Hydro Power Private Limited, Delhi, for the purchase of power from 1.2-MW Mini Hydro Project. The project that would comprise two units of 0.6-MW is being established by the company at Bowani village in Ludhiana district.

The PPA was signed at the PSPCL Patiala headquarters by the Director (Distribution), PSPCL, Arun Verma, on behalf of the PSPCL and Karan Aggarwal, authorised signatory on behalf of the Sam India Hydro Power Private Limited, Delhi.

"The project is being set up at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore and will generate employment in the area and facilitate harnessing of clean and renewable energy. The project will be commissioned in December 2012," said PSPCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director KD Chaudhri.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the claims made by various industrial associations criticising the PSPCL for failing to meet the power requirement, Chaudhri said barring a few weekly off days, supply to the industry was much better in comparison to previous years.

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Vivekananda Express reaches Patiala 
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 8
The Vivekananda Express, an exhibition train showcasing the life, teachings and works of Swami Vivekananda reached the Patiala railway station today.

Director of Thapar University, Abhijit Mukherjee, inaugurated the exhibition. The express is touring India to commemorate the 150th birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda.

A large number of city residents, including schoolchildren, reached the station to catch a glimpse of the train which has special exhibits and write-ups of the sage.

Members of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Seva Samiti gave detailed information about various paintings and works of Swami Vivekananda.

On this occasion, the Patiala coordinator of the Samiti, Dr RL Mittal, said that this train was touring India with a view to apprise youngsters about the life of Swami Vivekananda and motivate them to emulate him. He said that the train would be stationed at the Patiala railway station for four days.

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Clerks protest against PSSB’s selection criteria
Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 8
The change in the selection criteria by the Punjab Subordinate Selection Board (PSSB) for recruitment of around 800 posts of clerks in different departments today attracted strong protest by the candidates appearing against the posts.

The candidates under the banner of New Clerks PSSB association staged a protest stating that after clearing the written test and figuring in the merit list, the PSSB changed the criteria of the Punjabi typing test. Initially, it was stated that the test has to be cleared had to be cleared within an year, now the condition has been changed to clearing the Punjabi typing test ahead of the appointment.

They were of the view that the condition is not only arbitrary but would deprive many eligible candidates of the chance to get the appointment. The Chairman of the PSSB assured the candidates that he would take up the case with the Chief Minister.

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Junior doctors on strike from today
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 8
Junior doctors working in Punjab’s three government medical colleges have announced a two-hour strike from tomorrow in the wake of the delay in the non-acceptance of their demands. They will go on an indefinite fast from November 10.

President of the Junior Doctors’ Association Dr Ashish Jangir said: “The stipend for junior residents in the state is very less. The existing pay of junior residents is Rs 16,200 plus DA whereas the Centre’s new pay commission has placed them in the pay scale of Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100 with a pay grade of Rs 5,400 and NPA, Transport Allowance and HRA,” he said.

“Despite repeated reminders in the past two months, no substantial action has been taken. We will hold a token strike on Wednesday from 11 am to 1 pm. If we do not get a response from the authorities, we will be forced to go on an indefinite strike,” Dr Ashish warned.

Meanwhile, on the call of the Punjab State Pharmacists Association, pharmacists throughout Punjab remained on leave on November 8 and 9. Gurkamal Singh Gill, district press secretary of the association,said protest rallies were held outside the district headquarters today.

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Anganwari workers want job regularisation
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 8
Anganwari Helpers and Workers Union initiated a “Jail Bharo Andolan” in Patiala today, demanding regularisation of their jobs. Around 300 workers staged a dharna outside the mini-secretariat and raised slogans against the state government.

One of the representatives said that earlier they used to get a fixed pay of Rs 2,300, including Rs 1,500 from the Centre and Rs 800 from the Punjab government which was later doubled to Rs 4,600, but it was still insufficient.

“While we have been given so much work and extra duties, our salary is not even on a par with the clerks of the Punjab government. Therefore, we are demanding the implementation of the pay scale for anganwari workers and the government should fix the scale of helpers on a par with Class IV employees and workers at par with the clerical staff,” she added.

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Book on farmers’ suicide released
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Gurnam Kaur of Sangrur district lost her three sons to financial distress with each committing suicide for inability to repay farm loans. She now suffers the trauma alone. There are many more like her undergoing the same suffering.

Inderjit Singh Jaijee, who has co-authored a book titled “Debt and Death in Rural India, the Punjab Story”, says that 40,000 to 60,000 farmers and landless labourers have committed suicide in the state during the past two decades. The book is based on the doctoral research of his daughter Aman Sidhu who died in an accident a few years ago. Aman had worked on farmers’ suicide after doinh her post-graduation in International Business from South Bank University, London.

“Various farmer organisations claim that 90,000 farmers have committed suicide since 1990. The Punjab Police puts the number at seven (from 2001 to 2008) and the Revenue Department at 232,” says Jaijee.

“If we go by the data collected by Punjab Agricultural University in two districts, the total number of suicides in the state will be 28,000”, he says, adding that the state had been concealing the data. “In fact, it did not admit for years that farmers under debt were committing suicide,” he said.

Commenting on the book, Dr Sucha Singh Gill and Dr Ranjit Singh Ghuman, eminent economists said: “The authors deserve appreciation for documenting the issue in a scientific manner. There can be difference of opinion on the number of suicides but the way they have projected the crisis in agriculture is commendable”. The book was released by SS Boparai, former Vice Chancellor.

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University appointments put on hold
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Taking up the petition alleging backdoor appointments in Punjabi University, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today restrained the Vice Chancellor from carrying out appointments without the Bench’s permission.

The Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina also issued notices to former Vice Chancellor SS Boparai along with incumbent VC Jaspal Singh.

The directions came on a petition filed in public interest by Santosh Kumari and four other unemployed persons qualified for appointment as lecturers.

They are seeking directions to Punjabi University to fill teaching and non-teaching posts in the university occupied by “backdoor appointees”, recruited without inviting applications from eligible candidates through advertisement. The High Court had earlier taken serious note of the fact that all 922 employees working on contract/ad hoc basis against permanent posts in Punjabi University, Patiala, were appointed without following the process of issuing advertisement for inviting applications.

An affidavit was filed through Registrar Prof Manjit Singh giving the list of 922 persons working against regular posts on an ad hoc and contract basis.

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Another controversy rocks women kabaddi
This time on ‘unfair’ selection trial
Mohit Khanna/TNS

Ludhiana, November 8
Merely three days before the inaugural edition of the women’s Kabaddi World Cup, another controversy has erupted-this time on ”unfair” selection trial.

The team has already been announced, but a seven-member selection committee will hold a meeting in Bathinda on November 10 to decide on which player is to be dropped to make way for one Virpal Kaur.

Virpal Kaur was found positive during the first dope result announced by NADA and could not make it to the Indian squad.

But the second dope result was found negative following which she lodged a complaint with the cup organisers. A SAD leader stood in her support and vociferously advocated her inclusion into the squad. There was confusion at Guru Nanak Stadium as the Indian women kabaddi team was asked to assemble amid word that selection trials would be held again. The announcement led to heated arguments between players and selectors.

A player alleged that efforts are on to help Virpal Kaur obtain a “backdoor entry.” Sikandar Singh Maluka, general secretary of the organising committee said selection committee chairman Shivdev Singh and Balwinder Singh would have the final word on the matter. The inaugural match of the women’s kabaddi cup is to begin in Amritsar on November 11.

Meanwhile, a day after Jatinder Kaur was announced captain and Harwinder Kaur vice-captain, the selectors re verted the decision today.

Now, Priyanka of Haryana and Jatinder Kaur from Hoshiarpur have been named captain and vice-captain. 

Selection committee to hold a meeting in Bathinda on November 10 to decide on which player is to be dropped to make way for international player Virpal Kaur

Virpal Kaur was found positive during the first dope result announced by NADA

After the second dope result was found negative, she asked the cup organisers for inclusion in the squad

A SAD leader vociferously advocated her inclusion in the squad

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HC quashes plea seeking shifting of school from fort
Saurabh Malik/TNS

Chandigarh, November 8
Refusing to entertain a petition against the shifting of a government school from a protected fort at Payal, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that encroachments at a historical monument are not justified.

The directions by the Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina came on a petition filed by the “Payal Division Welfare Association” and “Shopkeeper Association, Payal” against the State of Punjab and other respondents.

The petitioners were seeking directions to the respondents not to shift the Government Girls High School, Payal, running in “Qila Payal” for the past 35 years.

Directions were also sought for quashing the order dated December 21, 2009, passed by Punjab Director Archeology and Museum Department, declaring that the “Qila” was a protected monument and “encroachment was required to be removed as per the directions issued by a Division Bench of this Court in Munshi Ram versus the State of Punjab case decided on October 4, 2008”.

The Bench asserted: “It has not been disputed that the Qila was declared a protected monument by the Government of Punjab, Department of Cultural Affairs, Ancient and Historical Monument and Archaeology, vide notification dated March 16, 2009….”

“It has also remained undisputed that the school was housed in the Qila and being run from there. It was virtually encroachment of a protected monument, which was declared as such under the 1964 Act.

“The directions issued by the Division Bench were also binding. Accordingly the respondents in compliance with the directions issued by this Court have shifted the school in question to Government Senior Secondary School, Payal, on April 19, 2010.

“We are of the view that once the Qila at Payal has been declared protected monument under the 1964 Act, mandamus issued by a Division Bench of this Court for removing any encroachment from the monument has to be complied with.

“It is well settled that a mandamus issued by a writ cannot be nullified by another direction as is well settled by an authoritative pronouncement of the Supreme Court rendered in the case of Naresh Shridhar Mirajkar versus the State of Maharasthra and another. Moreover, encroachment in a historical monument like Qila at Payal would not be justified. Therefore, the instant petition does not merit admission and is thus liable to be dismissed”. 

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HC: Police did bundle Dhanaula into a car
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Referring to a photograph carried in a newspaper, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today observed rebel SAD leader and former SGPC executive member Tek Singh Dhanaula was indeed bundled into a car by the police.

Dhanaula was “arrested” by the Punjab Police, despite orders directing the issuance of a five-day pre-arrest notice. Even as Dhanaula’s counsel ML Saggar has alleged non-compliance of the orders, the Punjab Police is refuting the allegations.

As the case came up for hearing this afternoon, Justice MMS Bedi observed the the court’s previous order contained two directions - issuance of a five-day pre-arrest notice and directions against his arrest. But when Dhanaula appeared on November 5 to join investigations, he was arrested. “The order is on the investigation file. You cannot deny it,” Justice Bedi verbally observed after going through the case record.

Justice Bedi also observed that the original notice, purported to have been served on Dhanaula, was still on the file. State counsel Anupinder Singh Grewal, on the other hand, contended that a copy of the order was served on Dhanaula and the original retained. Moreover, the High Court orders against arrest were applicable to a fresh case. The case will now come up on November 16. Dhanaula had unsuccessfully contested the SGPC poll on the Panthic Morcha ticket. 

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Two Moga residents held for cyber crime
Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 8
Two Moga residents were arrested by the cyber crime branch of the Punjab Police for creating a fake profile of a girl on social networking site Facebook.

In her complaint to the police, the girl (whose name is being withheld), who also hails from Moga, said she had given her laptop to the accused, Kamaljeet Singh and Harmandeep Singh.

The accused, the complainant alleged, managed to secure her photographs and uploaded them on her fake Facebook account.

Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, State Crime Branch DIG, said the accused even used the Facebook account to chat with the girl’s friends and used obscene language with a motive to tarnish her image.

A case has been registered under various sections of the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code. 

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