J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Purchasing capacity of farmers has gone down: Lakhowal
Amritsar, November 15
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) headed by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal would be holding a Kisan Maha Panchayat here on November 25. Addressing a press conference at Bhagtanwala Grain Market here today, Lakhowal said the maha panchayat would mark the start of a bigger protest against Union government.

Mandi Board chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal (right) addresses a press conference in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal

Rana Gurjeet ridicules Valtoha’s charges
Jalandhar, November 15
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and former MP Rana Gurjeet Singh today ridiculed the ‘baseless allegations’ levelled by SAD (Badal) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha that the un-accounted money seized from Shambu border by the Punjab Police was meant for the PPCC President Capt Amarinder Singh.

Train crushes man to death
Jalandhar, November 15
A person was killed when a Diesel Multiple Unit train on the railway lines near Urban Estate Phase I ran over him. Traffic remained disrupted for an hour as the railway officials had closed the level crossing.

15 domestic gas cylinders confiscated
Batala, November 15
The DFSC Gurdaspur, Sukhdev Singh, along with his staff and police party raided halwai shops of the town to check the misuse of domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes.

Child labourers rescued
Nawanshahr, November 15
The district-level task force conducted raids at several business establishments at Banga and Nawanshahr and rescued four child labourers today. The owner of Rana Biscuit Bakery in Nawanshahr was booked for allegedly employing a child, identified as Suresh.

Body found in bushes
Phagwara, November 15
A youth identified as Gurcharan Singh (16) was found dead in the fields at Zandiala Manjki village yesterday. The body had multiple injury marks, said police. The deceased went to a nearby marriage palace for a job, but did not return, said family members.

Purchasing capacity of farmers has gone down: Lakhowal
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 15
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) headed by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal would be holding a Kisan Maha Panchayat here on November 25. Addressing a press conference at Bhagtanwala Grain Market here today, Lakhowal said the maha panchayat would mark the start of a bigger protest against Union government.

The BKU is aimed at drawing government’s attention towards various issues concerning farmers.

The Mandi Board Chairman said the union demands that minimum support price of crops should be decided as per Swaminathan Commission’s report. He said the linking of MSP to the price index is very crucial for ensuring sustainability of agriculture.

He said, “In 1966-67, the wheat was priced at Rs 75 per quintal and gold at Rs 200 per 10 grams. At present wheat is roughly Rs 1,250 and gold is Rs 30,000. The purchasing capacity of the farmers has gone down considerably.”

He said the government should also provide OBC status to the farming community. He added the BKU would soon launch a nation wide protest on these issues.

The leader also said the Seed Bill introduced in the parliament is uncalled for and they oppose any move to pass the bill.

Rana Gurjeet ridicules Valtoha’s charges
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 15
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and former MP Rana Gurjeet Singh today ridiculed the ‘baseless allegations’ levelled by SAD (Badal) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha that the un-accounted money seized from Shambu border by the Punjab Police was meant for the PPCC President Capt Amarinder Singh.

The SAD-BJP government and leaders have already bitten the dust on the issue by trying to blame one of our legislators earlier, said Rana Gurjit Singh in a statement issued here today.

The PPCC general secretary said it was strange and surprising that the Akalis had not learnt any lessons from their past ‘experiments with lies’.

“Once bitten twice shy seemingly does to apply to Akalis. Valtoha and his Akali masters seem to have grown fond of getting bitten repeatedly,” he remarked while adding instead of feeling ashamed for having levelled baseless allegations and then withdrawing those, they are now trying to transfer the allegations on to the PCC President.

Ridiculing Valtoha’s claim of possessing proofs to back his claims, Rana Gurjeet said, “We have seen your proofs in the first case. We are awaiting for your proofs on Swiss Bank accounts as well,” said Rana.

“You have to account for all your lies before the public who will seek your explanation for every lie you utter in the coming elections,” he added.

Train crushes man to death

Jalandhar, November 15
A person was killed when a Diesel Multiple Unit train on the railway lines near Urban Estate Phase I ran over him. Traffic remained disrupted for an hour as the railway officials had closed the level crossing.

Incident occurred this morning, when local DMU train was heading towards Jalandhar from Nakodar. Rajesh Kumar, the victim, was walking on the railway lines unaware of the approaching train. Eye witnesses said the deceased was counting money while walking on the railway lines. Rajesh Kumar was a resident of Urban Estate Phase II.

The deceased had left home early in the morning to take money from some person. Eye witnessed alleged no cop of the GRP came to remove the body. They alleged the DMU train, which crushed the man, came back on the same track and ran over his dead body once again. — OC

15 domestic gas cylinders confiscated
Our Correspondent

Batala, November 15
The DFSC Gurdaspur, Sukhdev Singh, along with his staff and police party raided halwai shops of the town to check the misuse of domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes.

While talking to the media persons, Sukhdev Singh said eight domestic gas cylinders were impounded from Vijay Bakery. Five domestic gas cylinders were impounded from Sunny Hotel. Two cyclinders were recovered from Lajje Di Hatti. DFSC Gurdaspur has sent information to the police to register cases under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act at the concerned police stations.

Child labourers rescued
Our Correspondent

Nawanshahr, November 15
The district-level task force conducted raids at several business establishments at Banga and Nawanshahr and rescued four child labourers today. The owner of Rana Biscuit Bakery in Nawanshahr was booked for allegedly employing a child, identified as Suresh.

In Banga the task force has registered cases against three business establishments, Bhanot Chappal Store, Arora Gift Centre and Krishna Traders. Rahul Kumar, Sunny and Kumardeep Yadav were the three children found working there.

Body found in bushes
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, November 15
A youth identified as Gurcharan Singh (16) was found dead in the fields at Zandiala Manjki village yesterday. The body had multiple injury marks, said police. The deceased went to a nearby marriage palace for a job, but did not return, said family members.

Police has registered a case under Section 302 and 34 of the IPC and sent the body to the local Civil Hospital for post mortem examination.