|
|
|
|
|
Badal 'bahu' strikes emotional chord with Gidderbaha voters
Manpreet promises to end corruption, drug menace
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Heritage Complex
Join SAD, Badal tells Ramoowalia
Bone diseases common in Malwa region: Study
Health workers’ strike from today
All convicts in Mumtaz Yousuf murder case back home from UAE
Constable drowns while saving girl
Lieut-Gen Sujlana is PPSC Chairman
PSIEC told to allot plots
Teachers of aided colleges on dharna
Stone laid for child development centre
Perjury proceedings against IGP Uppal stayed by High Court
Properties on UT’s periphery
Cong leader Dullet’s killing
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Badal 'bahu' strikes emotional chord with Gidderbaha voters
Gidderbaha, November 22 During a series of Sangat Darshan programmes in Bhalaiana, Sahibchand, Chotian and Chhateana villages of the Gidderbaha constituency, Harsimrat was highly critical of the Congress-led UPA government, but she eschewed any harsh remarks against Manpreet. Introducing her as a “bahu” of Gidderbaha, Harsimrat sought to strike an emotional chord with the voters, telling them that all political power Badals got in the state had its beginning in Gidderbaha. “The Badal family is highly indebted to you all,” said Harsimrat, addressing a public gathering in Bhalaiana. Inflation, high rates of agriculture inputs and low remuneration to farmers were the main points in Harsimrat’s speeches. She said she would raise these issues in the winter session of Parliament, which started today. On being asked whether or not she will contest the Gidderbaha seat, Harsimrat said she would abide by party directions. “However, I’m sure whosoever contests election on the SAD ticket in Gidderbaha, will surely win because in every SAD candidate here, voters see only Badal sahib”. Reiterating SAD-BJP’s commitment to bring back black money stashed in Swiss banks, Harsimrat said the party would raise this issue in the current session of Parliament. She also said the winning women’s team in kabaddi world cup next year would get the award money on a par with the men’s team.
|
|
Manpreet promises to end corruption, drug menace
Gobindpura (Bathinda), November 22 Manpreet was interacting with mediapersons after addressing a public gathering at Gobindpura village. “Preliminary analysis of Chiranji Lal Garg’s prospective to contest elections from the PPP shows good results. However, there is a final sieve which will clear the air,” Manpreet said. He added that the lawyer son of former Punjab minister was equally good. With the PPP already declaring to follow the path of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Garg was seen distributing sweets and posters of the great martyr a few days ago. Rupinder Singh Brar of the PPP said Chiranji Lal or his son were yet to join the party. Advocate Rajan Garg, son of Chiranji Lal, said it was too early to say anything about his or his father’s probability of contesting elections on PPP ticket. Meanwhile, admitting to his visit to a dera, Manpreet said his line of thought matched with that of the dera which, too, was working for the betterment of the people of Punjab. He urged the villagers not to keep in mind his party or his stature, but the future of the coming generations. “If the government is formed under my wings, my first task would be the banning of red beacons, sirens and unnecessary police security. My other tasks would be checking rampant corruption, drug addiction and unemployment in the state,” he said. He pointed out that his close relatives who were in power were behaving like viceroys of the British period. He drew huge applause when he said, “We want food not ‘chhamak challo’”. Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann also captivated the audience with his anecdotes blend with real life experiences.
|
|
Anarchy-like situation in state, says Capt
Kapurthala, November 22 Criticising the incident of violence in Kapurthala jail that led to the killing of an inmate, he supported the demand for setting up a judicial commission for a thorough probe. “Akalis have converted jails into drug trading centres,” he said. He alleged that better surveillance and security apparatus could have prevented the incident. “The incidents of robbery, looting, snatching, murders etc have become order of the day. The 12-hour-long violence in Kapurthala Jail has exposed poor governance of the coalition. The incident has shown that the combine is not capable of running the affairs of the state. Jathedars have virtually been handed over the control of police stations. Instead of reporting to their seniors, the SHOs are reporting to jathedars,” said Amarinder, ridiculing the style of functioning of the government. Putting forth his vision of development, he said the diversification of agriculture, industry and trade held the key to success. “Agriculture is in dire need of diversification as the population is growing and landholdings have been shrinking. The Punjab industry needs to increase its productivity to generate more employment avenues for 47 lakh unemployed youth, besides contributing to state revenue in the shape of taxes. We had started the ‘field-to-fork’ project in conjunction with Reliance Industries, but the Akalis undermined it, causing a huge loss to the farmers”. Congress’ Punjab affairs incharge Gulchain Singh Charak said during the past 22 days of the Punjab Bachao Yatra, he had observed that the count of people at the Congress rallies was continuously growing.
hoardings dot Ferozepur
Ahead of the “Punjab Bachao Yatra” here on Wednesday, the local Congress leaders, who are aspirants for party ticket, have made all out efforts to catch a glimpse of those who matter in the state unit. This could be gauged from the large number of hoardings put up on the roads leading to the Dhobi Ghat ground, the rally venue. In a bid to outdo “rivals” within the party, the ticket aspirants have affixed hoardings and flex boards even on electric poles, therefore, posing a threat to the lives of passersby. The hoardings show pictures of local leaders pasted beneath those of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Congress’ Punjab affairs incharge Gulchain Singh Charak. The roundabouts, where the District Magistrate has banned the placing of any hoardings, have not been spared either. DCC chief Anoop Singh said every leader wanted to project himself as the most popular and deserving candidate and, hence, had put up these hoardings.
— Anirudh Gupta
|
|
SGPC house to be constituted on Dec 5
Chandigarh November 22 The SGPC house has 15 co-opted members and also has the head priests of Akal Takht, Amritsar, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Takht Patna Sahib, Takht Hazoor Sahib, Nanded, and Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, as its non-voting members. After the co-option of 15 members, five from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and 10 from the rest of India, the names will be sent to the MHA which will then notify the process, formally constituting the SGPC house. After the notification process, that normally takes about 2 months, the members will meet again to elect the SGPC president. The Shiromani Akal Dal (SAD), that won 157 seats in the September elections with Sant Samaj as its alliance partner, has been accusing the Union Government of deliberately delaying the co-option process and constitution of the house at the behest of the Punjab Congress. Punjab Congress leaders, on the other hand, feel that the SAD has been keen on the constitution of the house so that it can use the SGPC to influence voters in the assembly elections. The SGPC looks after the functioning, maintenance and funding of Sikh gurdwaras. It also runs educational institutions and undertakes dharma parchar (propagation of religious teachings). According to Justice HS Brar, Chief Election Commissioner Gurdwara Election Commission, the meeting will be held on December 5, at 1 pm in Teja Singh Samundari Hall, Amritsar. Not more than five co-opted members will be residents of Punjab as described in Section 43-A of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. The co-option of 10 members from outside Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh gives a national character to the SGPC general house and enables Sikhs living away from the region to have a say in religious affairs. The house has one member belonging to the SAD (Amritsar) and six Independents. Though the SGPC general house will elect its president in a couple of months, highly placed sources indicate that Avtar Singh Makkar is likely to continue as the SGPC president to ensure the urban Sikh votes go to the SAD.
|
|
Heritage Complex
The state government had planned to invite film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini apart from singers Asha Bhonsle and Jaspinder Narula for the inauguration ceremony. Some Sikh organisations were particularly angry at the invitation to Bachchan, alleging that he was one of those who had instigated the anti-Sikh riots in 1984. Addressing a press conference here this evening, the Akal Takht chief said: “There will be recitation of Gurbani Kirtan. The Sikh high priests, SGPC members, representatives of the government, Sikh organisations and heads of different religions will participate in the momentous occasion,” he announced. He clarified that Bachchan had not been invited. On a query regarding Asha Bhonsle, he said: “There will be only recitation of Gurbani in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib.” On the participation of BJP president Nitin Gadkari, he said anybody could pay a visit to a gurdwara. Former SGPC secretary Manjeet Singh Calcutta, the All-India Sikh Students Federation and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had approached the Akal Takht Jathedar to stop the SAD-BJP government from inviting film stars for the inauguration of the Khalsa Heritage Complex. In his letter to the Jathedar, Calcutta had said that the event should be held under the guidance of the Akal Takht and Sikh intellectuals, writers, historians, generals and sportspersons invited so that they could be a role model for the next generation of Sikhs.
|
Join SAD, Badal tells Ramoowalia
Ramoowalia has been in talks with the SAD for the past few months to set terms for his entry into the party. However, the process was derailed when a section of LBP leaders opposed the move. Ramoowalia had been forced to delay any announcement on the issue, although he had made it clear that it was in the party’s interest to align with the SAD. With this announcement, the Chief Minister has given Ramoowalia the required push to take the plunge. The LBP chief has a called a party meeting at Badowal in Ludhiana tomorrow where he will announce his decision. Sources said he was likely to announce his party’s alliance with the SAD. Ramoowalia said he was in favour of an alliance with the SAD but did not want to merge his party. “I have kept the party alive for 14 years,” he said. When questioned about earlier disagreement in the party to align with the SAD, he said few people did disagree, but now they had returned to the party fold and had given him the authority to take a decision on behalf of the party. Sources in the SAD said Ramoowalia was likely to be given a ticket of his choice to contest the forthcoming assembly elections from Sangrur while it was not clear if any other person from his party would be accommodated.
|
|
State no more top paddy producer
Ludhiana, November 22 In all, 339.89 lakh MT of paddy was procured across the country in 2010-11 (the market year ends in September). Andhra Pradesh and Punjab were followed by Chhattisgarh (37.38 lakh MT), Orissa (24.72 lakh MT) and Uttar Pradesh (24.66 lakh MT). Haryana stood next with the procurement of 16.87 lakh MT, followed by Tamil Nadu (15.83 lakh MT), West Bengal (12.34 lakh MT), Bihar 8.83 (lakh MT) and Madhya Pradesh (4.8 lakh MT). Dr MS
Sidhu, Head, Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agriculture University, said Punjab remained at the number one position in terms of paddy production for the past several decades. "But, Punjab is still at the top in terms of wheat production,” he said. Dr Pritam Singh Rangi, Consultant, Punjab State Farmer Commission, Mohali, said the main reason behind the loss in production was that a large number of Punjab farmers had of late taken to basmati production, the crop giving them good returns. Secondly, the area under cultivation in Andhra Pradesh (43.9 lakh hectares) was much higher as compared to Punjab (27 lakh hectares).
|
|
Bone diseases common in Malwa region: Study
The fact has come to the fore following a research by the Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, in collaboration with Stockholm University. According to WHO directive, the fluoride content in groundwater should be less than 1.5 mg/l. However, it runs as high as 2.33 mg/l in some parts of the district. Dr Naval Kishore and Dr KP Singh, who conducted the research, said the indifferent attitude of the authorities was leading to further problems. “In a survey conducted as part of the research, we found that almost two members in each household complained of joint and bone problems, including persistent pain in synovial joints. A majority of these problems are due to increased fluoride content. However, not just residents, even the local health authorities seem unaware of the fact,” said Dr Kishore. “Water in many areas is not essentially saline and the soil has increased alkalinity. We think it is the new age pesticides, but we cannot put the entire blame on them. The people have grave dental and bone problems and groundwater treatment is need of the hour,” he added. The endocrinology department of PGIMER is also probing the role of excessive fluorides on endocrine system and even conception. “We are still conducting a research on it, but as far as the bone health is concerned, the situation needs to be dealt with immediately. What comes as promising point is the fact that not many people are consuming groundwater directly from hand pumps,” said Dr Sanjay Badada of PGIMER. About skeletal fluorosis It is a bone disease caused by excessive consumption of fluoride. In advanced cases, skeletal fluorosis causes pain and damage to bones and joints. The symptoms are mainly promoted in the bone structure. Due to a high fluorine concentration in the body, the bone is hardened and thus less elastic, resulting in an increased frequency of fractures. Other symptoms include thickening of the bone structure and accumulation of bone tissue, which both contribute to impaired joint mobility. Most patients suffering from skeletal fluorosis show side effects from the high fluorine dose such as ruptures of the stomach lining and nausea.
|
|
Health workers’ strike from today
Patiala, November 22 They will organise a state-level demonstration at Chandigarh tomorrow where thousands of health workers will protest outside the office of the Directorate of Health Services. It is worth mentioning that the last time when these workers went on strike for almost a fortnight, the work of the Health and Family Welfare Department was affected to a large extent as they are the ones who are actually in direct contact with people. The ANMs are the backbone of the Health Department. It is through their activities that people perceive health policies and strategies. They perform multifarious activities, including immunisation, nutrition, deliveries and medical termination of pregnancies, family planning schemes, record keeping, conducting surveys, taking care of minor ailments, providing health education and helping in implementing all other national programmes. Similarly, LHVs supervise their entire working and are equally important. District president of the ANM and LHV Union, Pal Kaur Dhaliwal said the government had extended favours to various government employees but had deliberately ignored the interests of ANMs and LHVs. Though the government has assured us that our grades will be revised soon, they have not issued any notification in this regard yet,” she added. General secretary of the Union, Simranjeet Kaur said despite repeated requests, the department was not ready to listen to their requests. “Our counterparts in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are getting much higher grades. The government should at least bring our salaries on a par with them," she added. The ANMs are seeking a grade of 5910-20200-3000 and LHVs 10300-34800-4800. With the implementation of these grades, the salaries of ANMs and LHVs will be increased by Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,800, respectively.
|
|
Despite ban, hippo forced to perform
Patiala, November 22 Confined to a small pool of water, Raja looks frail and sick and his eyes have developed some disease leaving him partially blind. However, ignoring his ill-health, the hippo is being made to perform despite a notice issued to the circus authorities advising against it. Given the fact that his two square meals a day are the most expensive in the circus as the hippo is fed on a bag full of carrots and other vegetables, circus authorities feel that Raja is now a burden because of a consistent low turnout at the circus. Declared medically unfit by Dr Gurmeet Singh, a government veterinary doctor of Patiala, the hippo has been advised treatment and regular monitoring of his health. “We have advised the authorities not to make him a part of the daily shows till further orders”, Dr Gurmeet Singh told The Tribune. “Raja had performed just for two days but when we received a notice, we stopped his performance”, claimed the manager of the circus. Interestingly, an official document, which is in possession of The Tribune, signed by veterinary doctor Gagandeep Singh of the Government Polyclinic, gave a fitness certificate to the hippo on November 18. Following this, the hippo, despite listed as not performing in the records, was showcased in the show. “I had seen the hippo in a critical condition”, claimed local resident Harpreet Sandhu, who had seen the circus last week. Following a report in The Tribune, Patiala DFO (Wildlife) sent a letter to Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vikas Garg, but the DC has failed to take any action to rescue the animal. Ironically, Garg had inaugurated the circus last week. “I have not received the letter but I will look into the matter”, Garg said. Earlier, the Animal Welfare Board of India had issued a show-cause notice to the circus authorities for their failure to reply to earlier notice when the hippo was showcased despite suffering from “corneal opacity and its vision being very less”. Patiala DFO (Wildlife) Ashwani Kumar again visited the circus and warned the circus authorities to take proper care of their animals and ensure that the hippo is not showcased.
|
|
All convicts in Mumtaz Yousuf murder case back home from UAE
Chandigarh, November 22 While four of Sachin’s accomplices - Rakesh Kumar of Maqsudaan, Sukhpal Singh of Bathinda, Charanjeet Singh of Nawanshahr and Rashwinder Singh of Moga — had returned to India on November 4, three others — Kuldip Singh of Moga, Hardev Singh of Kotkapura and Amarjeet Singh of Goraya, returned yesterday to a rousing welcome from their parents, relatives and friends. Sachin’s return was delayed by a day because of security clearances. Two other convicts in the case — Mohammed Ansar Chaudhary and Shahid Hussain - were repatriated in October at the end of their sentence period. SP Singh Oberoi, who played a major role in getting the settlement done between the families of the victim and the convicts was present at Chandigarh airport to receive Sachin Kumar Sharma. Though the number of Indian workers, convicted and sentenced to death in bootlegging-cum-murder cases, is already in triple figure, settlement under “Diya” — payment of blood money — has already brought home 11 Indian boys during the past three months. At least 17 Indian boys, who also have their death sentence waived, are now facing a civil case before they can return home.
|
|
Constable drowns while saving girl
Patiala, November 22 Passersby said a girl, identified as Sunam, a resident of Akriti and currently living in Patiala, was walking near the canal when she suddenly fell into it. “On seeing this, Mohan Singh, who was passing by, took off his clothes and jumped into the canal to save the girl,” they said. Inspector Sarabjeet Singh Cheema, SHO of the Passiana police station said, “While the girl was thrown upside by the water current, Mohan was drowned and could not be located,” he said, adding that they had intimated the police station in Khanuri to fish out the constable’s body. SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill said the constable was on duty and his act had made the department proud. GS Dhillon, Commandant of the 5th Battalion, said they had informed the deceased’s family members in Doraha and were in touch with the district police to locate Mohan. The deceased is survived by his wife and a 12-year-old daughter.
|
|
Lieut-Gen Sujlana is PPSC Chairman
The three-member committee was constituted on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Earlier, a search committee had shortlisted three names for the prestigious post. Besides others, two PPSC members and senior IAS officers, including Dr BC Gupta, were in the race. The Chief Minister wanted to appoint Harish Rai Dhanda as Chairman. Dhanda, who was elected to the Vidhan Sabha from Ludhiana, had resigned from the assembly to take over as the PPSC Chairman.
But he could not be sworn in after his appointment was challenged in the High Court. The court later laid down guidelines for making such an important appointment. When applications were sought again, Dhanda withdrew from the race. Born on June 5, 1951, at Ambala, he did his schooling from Punjab Public School, Nabha, and his Master’s degree in defence studies from the Madras University. The General commanded the same infantry battalion as his father. He was commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment in June 1971. As a young officer, he took active part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He had five tenures in counter- insurgency/terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.
|
|
|
PSIEC told to allot plots
Chandigarh, November 22 An assurance to this effect was given by the Chief Minister in a meeting with the delegation of the Bathinda Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its president Raman Watts, here. Badal also agreed to setting up a fire substation near ITI Chowk on the land available near the industrial area.
— TNS
|
|
|
Teachers of aided colleges on dharna
Ferozepur, November 22 The non-teaching employees of these colleges have also joined the protest for the fulfillment of their own demands. While talking to The Tribune, Prof JR Prashar, state executive member of the PCCTU, said the teachers were agitated as the government has failed to implement the pension and gratuity scheme for the aided college teachers despite the Punjab Pension and Gratuity Act,1999.
|
|
Stone laid for child development centre
Patiala, November 22 The minister said these centres would be run with the help of NGOs. However, the administration of these centres would be with the state government.
|
|
Perjury proceedings against IGP Uppal stayed by High Court
Chandigarh, November 22 The High Court directed the lower court not to proceed in the perjury proceedings case till further directions. The orders were passed during the resumed hearing of petitions filed by the duo challenging the trial court's orders. The petitions will now come up for resumed hearing on December 21. The High Court also appointed a new amicus curiae in the case as Ashok Aggarwal has now been appointed Punjab
Advocate-General. Uppal, in his petition, had also alleged the case was not one of “absolutely no evidence”. In the appeal argued through counsel RS
Cheema, Uppal had asserted that the judgment, whereby the decision of filing the complaint was taken, itself revealed the great hurry with which the special judge wanted to pass the same. The special judge did not bother to record the statements of the accused under Section 313 of the CrPC and chose to acquit the accused hurriedly, although “the case is not such which could be said to be one of absolutely no evidence on record, which the accused were required to
answer”. Uppal went ahead to say the role of investigating officer Surinder Pal Singh was also not put under the scanner.
|
|
Properties on UT’s periphery
Chandigarh, November 22 The case pertains to the acquisition of properties by the high-ups on Chandigarh’s periphery. As it came up for hearing this morning, the Bench headed by Justice MM Kumar heard: “The inquiry officer vide letter dated November 14 reported that out of 2,734 officers, information regarding 115 officers, which include 36 IAS officers, 17 PCS officers, 4 IPS officers, 38 PPS officers, four IFS officers, six IRS officers, two IA&AS officers, four excise and taxation officers, three doctors and one civil officer, does not tally. “It was said they have either not disclosed their properties in the prescribed performa issued by the inquiry officer or in the annual property returns made available to their administrative departments. “The inquiry officer suggested their case be sent to the administrative departments concerned for verification and further necessary action in the matter. With regard to the officers of the State of Punjab, their administrative departments have been asked to seek their comments within 10 days. In respect of officers of the Government of India, respective ministries have been requested to take further action as per the law”. The Bench asked the state counsel to seek instructions whether the matter was to be handed over to a tribunal. The state was given a week’s time to respond to the query. The matter was brought to the High Court notice by Nayagoan resident Kuldip Singh. Accusing a senior police functionary of a land grab bid in Nayagaon, he had sought protection, while praying for registration of an FIR and a CBI probe.
|
|
Cong leader Dullet’s killing
Sangrur SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar said the main accused in the case, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, alleged to have shot at Dullet at the crime scene. “Sukhi was intercepted at a naka near the Ubbawal Road when he was traveling in a car,” Bhullar said. The police is claimed to have recovered a gun and seven bullets from
the accused. Bhullar said the police had identified Amandeep Singh, Goldy Pehalwan, Attar Boxer, Hardeep Singh Gaggarpur and Kimmi as co-accused in the case. “They will be arrested soon as we are conducting raids,” he added. Earlier, the police had registered an FIR against Sultan Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, DSP Sangrur Kuldeep Sharma, additional SHO Sangrur city Surinder Bhalla and a SAD worker Amanvir Singh Cherry, on the statement of Rajinder Kaur. All, except Sukhi and Sultan, are yet to be arrested. SP Sangrur Paramjit Singh Guraya, who heads the Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the matter, said they had summoned Cherry and others accused of conspiracy, but they were not arrested as the investigation was
still on.
|
|
Prisoners booked for rioting
Jalandhar, November 22 With the jail workshop still smouldering, prisoners have been left sans blankets, medicine and ration. Food is being cooked in a makeshift kitchen in the barracks. The jail authorities are making efforts to nab two inmates who escaped from the high-security jail during the clashes between prisoners and the jail staff on Sunday. “ Efforts are underway to restore normalcy. The barracks will be repaired one by one. I have written to the government for more funds for purchasing blankets and medicines for the inmates,” said DGP (Jails) Shashi Kant. He said the jail security was being tightened. Meanwhile, workers of the the Pendu Mazdoor Union led by Tarsem Peter and Kashmir Singh Ghughshor held a dharna at Shahkot seeking registration of murder cases against jail officials. Workers of the Pendu Mazdoor Union and the Democratic Teachers’ Front held a protest at Lohian under Kulwinder Josan. The Pendu Mazdoor Union and the Democratic Teachers’ Front rejected the magestrial probe, saying that the Principal Secretary (Home) and the DGP (Jails) had already indicted jail inmates for the trouble. The Pendu Mazdoor Union alleged that prisoners in Punjab jails were living in inhuman conditions. Uneasy Calm
|
|
| 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 | |
Amritsar, November 22
Chandigarh, November 22
Chandigarh, November 22
Chandigarh, November 22
Patiala, November 22