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Spirited Doaba women lead the way
No leave for election staff
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BJP sure of repeat performance
Row over shifting of unused EVMs
Hawala Money Case
BSP will do well in Doaba:
Karimpuri
Tough contest behind record polling in Guruharsahai
Engineering admissions on basis of AIEEE merit
MBA/MCA entrance test in May
Jaundice outbreak in Nawanshahr
Calm returns to Malerkotla
Herb Scam
Science City to have 3 new galleries
“Panorama — Life Through Ages” depicts the early stages of man’s evolution at the Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala. A Tribune photograph
Border Check Posts
Films on science to be screened
For men in khaki, the job is half done
Canadian filmmaker here for documentary on foeticide
Finally, 4 tainted DSPs dismissed from service
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Spirited Doaba women lead the way
Chandigarh, February 1
The women voters recorded a poll percentage of 79.11 against 78.09 of men. As many as 93,20,878 men had registered themselves as voters while only 83,61,485 turned up to vote (78.09 per cent) while against 83,61,485 registered women, 66,14,555 (79.11 per cent) caste their vote. In 13 constituencies in the state, women turned out more in numbers than their male counterparts. Out of these constituencies, one each is in Malwa and Majha while 11 are in the Doaba area. The maximum number of women voters has been recorded in Dina Nagar constituency of Gurdaspur district in which 62,600 women turned out as compared to 62,126 men. The reason may be attributed to the maximum number of 3,155 service voters in this constituency. Percentage wise the maximum number of women have been recorded in Guruharsahai (89.44). While Ropar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur had one constituency each i.e. Anandpur Sahib, Kartarpur, Bholath and Dina Nagar, respectively, all the constituencies in Hoshiarpur, except Hoshiarpur city, recorded more number of women turnout. Similarly, all the three constituencies in Nawanshahr witnessed the same trend. In Hoshiapur district, Mukerian witnessed 63,963 women against 59,967 men, Dasuya 63,494 women against 58,229 men, Urmur 60,154 women against 55,535 men, Sham Churasi 57,058 women against 55,109 men, Chhabewal 53,129 women against 52,361 men, and Garhshankar witnessed 57,736 women voter turnout against 55,983 men. In Nawanshahr, all three constituencies - Banga, Nawanshahr and Balachaur - had more women turning up than men. In Nawanshahr, 83.01 per cent women and 76.48 per cent men reached the polling booths. "In Balachaur too, women outnumbered men as 83.05 per cent women and 74.61 per cent men voted," said District Electoral Officer Shruti Singh while congratulating Returning Officers, Dr Amarpal Singh (Banga), Neeru Katyal Gupta (Nawanshahar) and Anupam Kaler (Balachaur) for heavy turnout in their respective areas. In Banga, 1,13,400 voters out of 1,42,296 cast their votes. Of these, 69,483 were women and of these, 57,919 (83.86 per cent) excercised their right to franchise. On the other hand, just 76.20 per cent men cast their votes in the constituency. In Bholath, which is the only constituency to have more women voters than men, 50,411 women compared to 45,474 men polled their votes. In Kartarpur, 58,068 women voted against 57,550 men. While the districts having these constituencies can hold their head high for heavy turnout of women, Amritsar South has gained the notoriety of having the minimum number of women using their right (41,367) while many other constituencies have lesser number of registered women voters. It has the minimum percentage of votes polled by women (61.48 per cent). (With inputs from Varinder Singh)
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No leave for election staff
Chandigarh, February 1 Even while taking an off, these officials have to ensure the entire rank and file does not take an off on the same day. This was a direction given to the officials by Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu during a video-conferencing with the electoral staff. The deputy commissioners were asked to ensure the presence of SSP and returning officers (ROs) before taking leave. She said since each district had the tremendous task of safeguarding the EVMs, the senior officials would have to be responsible. The DCs were directed to ensure that an RO and a gazzetted officer should check the EVMs twice daily and the DCs themselves on every alternate day. Meanwhile, since it was the first video-conferencing after the elections, the CEO gave a pat on the back of all officials, appreciating the hard work they had put in to ensure a peaceful and fair polling. "Our video-conferencing with the EC has been a very stressful affair in the past. We were pulled up like anything if we were caught not taking our work seriously. But today we were really appreciated," said an official. It was, however, not a good session for the ROs of Abohar and Balluana, who were in news for transporting EVMs meant for training in a tractor-trolley. The CEO expressed her displeasure at this.
No honorarium for police personnel
The Election Commission will not pay any honorarium to the police personnel deployed as part of static and mobile surveillance teams. Nearly 55,000 cops, who were on poll duty, have already been paid. Almost similar number of cops who were part of surveillance teams would not be paid any money unless the EC decides at a later stage to do so, said sources.
104 poll officials booked
Ferozepur: The Ferozepur police has booked 104 officials belonging to various government departments under section 134 for dereliction of duty during the recently concluded elections. SSP Hardyal Singh Mann, while confirming the registration of two separate cases against the erring officials, said the action had been initiated against those officials who remained absent from poll duties without any information following instructions from the DEO. S Karuna Raju, DEO, said the action had been taken as per guidelines of the Election Commission (EC). Meanwhile, panic prevailed amidst all those officials against whom a case had been registered. Some officials even got themselves admitted in private hospitals to evade action while others were reportedly trying to secure medical certificate to escape the charges. — Anirudh Gupta
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BJP sure of repeat performance
Chandigarh, February 1 Contrary to the BJP claims, constituencies where the Shiromani Akali Dal supported the BJP saw a much lower turnout as compared to that in traditional Akali bastions. The three BJP segments of Sujanpur, Boha and Pathankot, that the BJP is confident of winning, saw a polling of 74, 69 and 72 per cent, respectively. The Amritsar (North) and Amritsar (East), also on the BJP “sure win” list, saw 66 and 68 per cent. Phagwara Reserve saw 76 per cent polling and Jalandhar (West, Central and North) 68, 69 and 74 per cent respectively. Ludhiana (North) saw a dismally low turnout of 58 per cent. This is a seat where BJP claims to be in the lead. The Fazilka seat saw a reasonably good turnout at 85 per cent. Party insiders, without wishing to be quoted, concede that the three seats where the party would fare rather poorly were Amritsar (Central), Ludhiana (West) and Abohar. On the rest of the seats, the it will a neck and neck fight, the BJP feels. Sharma said the party had devised a strategy to take on the Congress almost a year ahead of the elections by organising workshops for up to booth-level workers. Whole-timers were identified for the 23 segments that were contested by the BJP and these workers were briefed by the party leadership on various matters regularly. At certain places, central leaders like Arun Jaitley, JP Nadda and Shanta Kumar cajoled and pushed the workers to work harder. The BJP focused mainly on the issue of development that became the centre of its campaign, besides talking of inflation and corruption at the Centre. Sharma said the party’s anti-UPA basing would pay rich dividends. “This was evident at the state rallies that were addressed by the party’s central leadership”. There was some slowdown in campaigning after the distribution of ticket and the central leadership had to speak to leaders like Master Mohan Lal, who were dropped from the Cabinet and then denied the party ticket. The latter reportedly lent full support to Ashwani Sharma in Pathankot. This is one seat the BJP considers to be a cake walk. The BJP says the high voter turnout signals a “pro- government” rather than an “anti-government” wave. The party insiders say the poll results will be similar for both the BJP and the SAD. But unlike the SAD, the BJP is not so harsh towards Election Commission functionaries, maintaining that “the Chief Electoral Officer cannot be called totally impartial and there was some perceptible bias that could be felt in its dealing with different political parties”.
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Row over shifting of unused EVMs
Abohar, February 1 The panicky driver fled
the spot. The mob started shouting slogans against the Election Commission as well as the Punjab police. Virender Singh Brar, SP, along with DSPs Vibhor Kumar and Gurpreet Singh and RO Amarjit Singh reached the campus. They tried to convince the mob, but the protesters refused to relent. A kin of the Independent candidate even pushed
the SP since the latter was not in uniform, witnesses said. Besides, a Congress worker who spoke against the protesters was thrashed badly and was hospitalised. Later, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, who is SAD candidate from Balluana, and former MLA Parkash Singh Bhatti, a candidate from the same segment, also reached the campus. The officials led the three candidates to a room where the used EVMs have been stacked safely. The candidates got convinced and the situation was diffused.
Balluana RO blamed
A report has been sent to the EC blaming the Returning Officer of the Balluana constituency for the unpleasant situation. Brar said the RO should have got the poll material shifted well before sunset yesterday. No security guards were used to escort the tractor-trailer used for shifting the unused material to the DAV College of Education.
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Hawala Money Case
Rajpura/Patiala, February 1 While the police had initially claimed that the money was meant for Congress MLA from Bhulath, Sukhpal Khaira, it had later concluded that the money was meant for Sukhpal Bhullar, and that Khaira had nothing to do with the case. However in an official gaffe, Khaira’s name appeared in a section of the media and the perturbed Congress MLA filed a criminal complaint against Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Rajpura SP Manmohan Sharma, PTC Channel besides others accusing them of defaming him by dragging his name in the hawala money case. The case is currently being investigated by the income tax department. The investigation cell of the I-T department, Chennai, is probing the role of a firm, ETA Engineering Private Limited, which had sent the money for Sukhpal Bhullar, who had sold his land to the firm. “Of the total deal worth around Rs 8 crore, Rs 3.64 crore was to be paid as unaccounted cash by the firm. We had taken the possession of the money from the police and the firm will pay the penalty,” Rajinder Kaur, Joint Commissioner, I-T (Investigations), Patiala, told The Tribune. “Neither Khaira nor Bhullar figure anywhere in the case, as both had not received the money. The firm officials were the ones found in possession of the money,” she added. Back in Rajpura, the police booked property dealer Bhim Sen for misleading the police and the media by naming the MLA. “We have booked him and are further investigating the matter, as this was a serious issue,” claimed SP, Rajpura, Manmohan Sharma, adding that Khaira’s name figured nowhere in the FIR. The case had surfaced in November, 2011, when the Rajpura police had claimed that a middleman, Bhim Sen, in the entire property deal had named MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira after the police confiscated the money from two persons. However, Bhim Sen later backtracked and failed to substantiate if the money was actually meant for Khaira. A day after the incident, Khaira had gone to Rajpura and sought an apology from the Rajpura police, including SP Manmohan Sharma. He had also held a dharna there against the alleged high-handedness of the SAD-BJP government. Talking to TNS, Khaira’s spokesperson said the defamation case was still in court and they would take it to its logical conclusion.
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BSP will do well in Doaba:
Karimpuri
Chandigarh, February 1 “Our candidates put up a strong fight in the elections”, claimed Avtar Singh Karimpuri, president of the Punjab. “Our party will do exceptionally well in some constituencies”, he said. Asked if was now relaxing after hectic election campaigning, he said: “There is no concept of unwinding in our party". The BSP leader said in Doaba, their candidates would perform well in Banga, Phillaur, Phagwara, Nawanshahr, Adampur, Garshankar, Nakodar and Jalandhar(Cantt). In the Malwa region, the BSP would do well in Kharar, Chamkaur Sahib, Khanna, Fazilka, Budhlada, Bassi Pathana, Amloh, Amargarh, Ludhiana(North), Ludhiana (East) and Ludhiana (South). Predicting a hung Vidhan Sabha, Karimpuri said the balance of power could be in the hands of parties like the BSP. He alleged that there was free flow of money and liquor two days before the polling. “Though the EC took some tough steps, it failed to check the flow of money and liquor 48 hours before the polling.The big parties have been winning the elections with money and muscle power all these years,” he claimed. “Officials were reluctant to check vehicles of senior leaders. At most places, nakas were removed in the last two days, perhaps, for want of security personnel”, he claimed. He said that poor sections had voted by and large against the ruling SAD-BJP combine as education had become too costly and they could not send their children to engineering and medical colleges because of high fee and other charges. “No party tried to address these issues in the elections”. Inflation was another and life was becoming more and more difficult for the Scheduled Castes.
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Our next goal is LS poll, says Gurdas
Lambi , February 1 Gurdas Singh said he would not fight the Lok Sabha elections as “I’m sure to win the Lambi assembly seat. “ So, I am looking for an energetic candidate to take on the Akalis .” An optimistic Gurdas said despite a few leaders deserting the People’s Party of Punjab close to the elections, the party had got overwhelming support, especially from the
younth.
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Tough contest behind record polling in Guruharsahai
Ferozepur, February 1 The residents attribute the higher percentage of polling to a fierce contest which was witnessed here between sitting MLA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi of the Congress and national adviser of the Youth Akali Dal Vardev Singh Mann of the SAD. Sodhi had won the last two elections from this seat with comfortable margin. However this time, the SAD had preferred a new face over the veteran Paramjit Singh, who had won this seat in 1997, but had lost the following two elections. In several villages here, more than 95 per cent polling was recorded. In Bagguwala village, 97.92 per cent polling took place whereas in Ghulam Patra village, 97.63 per cent votes were polled. Meanwhile, DPS Kharbanda, Returning Officer, said all BLOs who were put on the poll duty did an excellent job in not only ensuring free and fair elections but also in encouraging the people to cast their vote. "We got support from all the candidates as well," he said, adding that as per EC directions, all absent, shifted, dead and duplicate voters were eliminated from the electoral rolls.
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Engineering admissions on basis of AIEEE merit
Chandigarh, February 1 "We started following the Central pattern from last year. In case, any change is made in that pattern from the next year, we will follow the same as a policy matter," said Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Punjab. Meanwhile, the Centre has proposed to follow a new pattern for admissions in IITs and engineering degree colleges, funded by it, from the next academic year (2013). Official sources said from next year, the Central Government had proposed to hold a common aptitude-cum-advanced knowledge test and to do away with the IIT Joint Entrance Test (JEE) and AIEEE. The IIT JEE is held every year for admission in IITs and AIEEE for other Centre Government-funded engineering colleges and also in some states like Punjab. The other change it had proposed was to give due consideration to marks secured in class XII for admission in engineering colleges.
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MBA/MCA entrance test in May
Jalandhar, February 1 Punjab Technical University (PTU), which has been authorised to conduct the Management Entrance Test (MET) this year by the state government, has decided to start the process of online registration by the end of this month and hold the test in the first or second week of May, instead of its usual time in July. PTU officials took the decision today after a meeting with representatives of participating universities, including Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Punjabi University, Patiala; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sikh World University, Fatehgarh Sahib; besides regional colleges. The PTU authorities have told the participating institutes to inform them regarding the last date of the examination for the eligible graduates so that the test date could be fixed at the earliest.
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Jaundice outbreak in Nawanshahr
Ludhiana, February 1 “ All these samples tested positive for Hepatitis A and E that spreads due to contaminated water.” He said the Health Department had sent another team today to take stock of the situation. In Ludhiana, dispelling fears of "viral jaundice", Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said: "There is nothing like viral jaundice. All such talk is rubbish" Dr Raju Singh Chhina, Medical Superintendent, DMCH, said: "We have also received jaundice cases from Hoshiarpur district but these are of Hepatitis A and E type.”
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Calm returns to Malerkotla
Malerkotla, February 1 Mufti-e-Punjab Ertiqa Ul Hasan urged the Muslims to remain calm as those involved in the incident had been arrested and a case registered against them. This satisfied the maulvis and the Imam of Ludhiana. Angry protesters had blocked the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway and threw stones at a bus last night, injuring some passengers and the bus driver Persons from various communities participated in the peace committee meeting. Some said the administration could have averted the tension
had it held the meeting before. Sangrur SP(D) Paramjit Singh Gorayan thanked the residents for their cooperation.
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Express train services back on rail
Phagwara, February 1 Sources in the railways told The Tribune here today that the biweekly Amritsar-Jaipur Express (19781/19782), Amritsar-New Delhi Super Fast Express (12459/12460), New Delhi-Jalandhar Express (14681/14682), Lohian-Ludhiana Passenger (74969/74970) and Ludhiana-Hissar Passenger (74967/74968), and Ambala-Jalandhar train (1333) had been restored and had started plying on their respective routes from today. This comes as a relief to thousands of commuters in the region.
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Herb Scam
Patiala, February 1 Due to the delay, the sole Government Ayurvedic Pharmacy of Punjab, which was sealed by the committee, is still lying closed. As a result, the production of ayurvedic medicines has been halted, causing a shortage of these at many hospitals and dispensaries. Sources in the department said the report had reached Principal Secretary Satish Chandra, but had been held back due to the Assembly elections. Jeet Singh, an RTI activist from Patiala, had filed a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court after the department delayed the release of the report. He had also met the Health Minister and the SSP, Patiala, in this regard and submitted a complaint, demanding proper inquiry into the alleged herb scam, but to no avail. Admitting the PIL, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued notice of motion to the Punjab government and other parties concerned, including the CBI. Also, Jeet Singh had filed an RTI application with the health department to know the credentials of the firm that had supplied sesame oil. The department had admitted that the address of the firm that had supplied the oil was fake. Principal Secretary Satish Chandra admitted that the results of the samples had reached the department. “I have referred the report to a committee of doctors and it will be disclosed within a day or two,” he added.
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Science City to have 3 new galleries
Kapurthala, February 1 Dr RS Khandpur, Director General, Science City, said: “The work on the three new galleries - ‘Panorama - Life Through Ages’, ‘Climate Change Theatre’ and ‘Gallery on Railways’ - is under way and will be completed soon.” The three galleries are likely to be inaugurated on the seventh annual day of the Science City when a two-day function, INNO-TECH, will be organised on March 19. He said “Panorama - Life Through Ages” would provide an insight into the evolution earth and subsequently life on it.” The panorama has been divided into 16 sections, demonstrating the major events from Big Bang, origin of life, multi-cellular animals/plants, dinosaurs and pre-historic man to modern man through 2D, 3D models, background paintings along with landscaping, providing a wide-angle view of the event. Each section defines an important event in the development of life on the earth. The gallery is being setup at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Further the “Climate Change Theater” gallery will provide a one-of-a-kind experience to the visitors. This multi-screen theatre will outline serious and contemporary challenges posed by climate change. The show will take visitors around the globe to explore the implications of a warming planet. The aim is to enable visitors have a better understanding and appreciation for the latest climate science and the issues surrounding the human role in climate change. Similarly, “Gallery on Railways” will provide information about sophisticated railway technology from across the globe. The gallery will have working models and dioramas on the “Bullet Train” of Japan, magnetic levitation train of Shanghai, metro train of New Delhi, narrow-gauge train between Kalka and Shimla, etc. A panoramic scene of the Shatabdi Express with models of a ticket collector, a guard and a station master will be displayed. Information kiosks will provide interesting facts, milestones and history of railways. Apart from technological details, the visitors will also get to see panoramic views of trains operating in hills, ridges, curvy tracks and other difficult terrains. The gallery is being set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways, which will spend Rs 90 lakh on the gallery.
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Border Check Posts
Chandigarh, February 1 The observations came after the Members of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs visited the Joint Check Posts at Attari, near Amritsar, and Hussainiwala, near Ferozepur, while reviewing the functioning of the Border Security Force. While the Retreat ceremony at Attari is highly popular, the one at Hussainiwala is lesser known. The committee felt that Hussainiwala is also home to the “samadhis” of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev and, therefore, there was a need to popularise the place among the public. According to sources in the BSF, around 15,000 spectators visit Attari during weekdays and this number swells up to 20,000-25,000 on weekends and holidays. The Retreat marks the lowering of flags of India and Pakistan at sunset by the BSF and Pakistan Rangers and is dominated by a drill, featuring aggressive and hostile gestures. It is, perhaps, the only ceremony of its kind in the world. While a new Integrated Check Post, having all border management, security and customs authorities under one roof with additional amenities, is coming up at Attari, a new visitor’s gallery is being constructed at Hussainiwala. The Home Ministry had sanctioned Rs 6.22 crore for the project around a year ago and the work commenced three months ago. The committee has recommended that there is an urgent need for a longer gallery to accommodate more persons as the existing one is quite small.
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Films on science to be screened
Chandigarh, February 1 A release here said the screen at the theatre is 23 metres in diameter, 10 times the screen used in regular theatres. The adventure film is a story of the worldwide water crisis and the great drought now plaguing the American Southwest. Audiences will join a team of explorers on an exhilarating Colorado whitewater adventure through the Grand Canyon, as they seek important answers about water conservation. — TNS
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For men in khaki, the job is half done
Patiala/Fatehgarh Sahib, February 1 Topping the list are the security agencies, including the state police and the central forces, which are still on job, even as many look forward to taking a break till March 6, when the results will be announced. After a successful stint in Punjab, where they managed the security issues and ensured free and fair elections across the state, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is now headed to Uttar Pradesh, where they will manage the security ahead of the elections that are round the corner. “Our stay is almost for a month in Uttar Pradesh, where we will be stationed till the results are declared on March 6,” said a CRPF officer deputed in Patiala. “The hospitality in Punjab was good and our role was limited. Also, there was no violence here,” he added. While various leaders planned their break after a hectic month, the CRPF officers boarded a train to Uttar Pradesh yesterday to start their duty within the next 48 hours. “We were stationed in Kashmir and were ordered to oversee elections in Punjab and UP. Half the job is still left,” said R Dubey, a CRPF officer deputed in Sirhind before catching a train for Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, it is back to routine functioning for the Punjab Police after a hectic election duty. “We will get around a month to clear the backlog of important files and start investigations into numerous FIRs registered with us,” said a senior police officer. “Now we will be stationed at police stations and clear pending cases on a priority basis,” he added. Around 73,000 personnel of the Punjab Police had been on election duty for the past fortnight. And, with the Election Commission relying heavily on them to keep things under control, their job was all the more demanding. “With the election duty over and no more VIPs visits on the cards, we can concentrate on routine policing,” claimed a DSP-level officer, adding that VIP movement would pick up once the new government was formed next month. “There has been some backlog, as the officers were busy with the election duty, but now the focus would be back on proper the follow-up and investigation of various cases,” said DIG, Patiala range, LK Yadav. “Due to round-the-clock police vigil, there was a drop in the crime rate,” he added, claiming that they would now focus on core policing.
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Canadian filmmaker here for documentary on foeticide
Patiala, February 1 Rama Rau, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker from Canada, is making a multilingual documentary on the various facets of female foeticide. She was in the city to shoot Dr Harshindar Kaur’s extensive interview at her residence here. She was accompanied by her team of technicians. Rau has made various documentaries under TriNetra productions. Her important works include “Loosing My Religion” in which she explores the connections between faith and religious tensions, weaving together the stories of three Canadians - A firebrand Muslim woman, a devout Sikh boxer and a staunch Indian Catholic. Talking to The Tribune, Rau said she toured various places, including Mumbai, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, to meet people who directly or indirectly indulged in this heinous practice and recorded their experiences. She said: “The gender-related killing of the female child, both before and after birth, has been the subject of umpteen research papers, media write-ups and documentaries. She added that the documentary featured real-life incidents of families that had aborted their female foetuses and also those bravehearts who rebelled against their family members to give birth to females. The documentary was expected to be ready in four months and would be screened at the UN and international film festivals.
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Finally, 4 tainted DSPs dismissed from service
Chandigarh, February 1 As a petition filed in public interest by advocate HC Arora came up for hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court this morning, the State of Punjab filed an affidavit by Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Welfare and Litigation) MS Chhina. In the affidavit placed before the Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice RN Raina, he stated that four convicted DSPs-Bhupinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh Chhina, Parminder Singh and Avinderbir Singh- had been dismissed from service. Bhupinder Singh and Parminder Singh were dismissed on January 19 and the others on December 19 last. The affidavit further said that 14 convicted cops had been retained in service as they had been acquitted on appeal. Four had either died or retired from service. The affidavit carried a list of 22 policemen given lenient punishment instead of being dismissed from service in pursuance of the DGP’s circular dated May 18, 2010, directing that those convicted for offences with prescribed sentence of up to three years’ imprisonment not be dismissed from service and recommending lenient punishment for a Sub Inspector, two ASIs, nine Head Constables and 10 constables. The policemen released on probation after conviction and retained in service include ASI Des Raj, constables Vasu Dev and Harbans Singh and Head Constable Karnail Singh. As the affidavit was handed over to the petitioner during the course of hearing, the Bench adjourned the PIL for further hearing to February 15 to enable the petitioner to argue the case for removal of the 22 convicted cops, along with those retained in service after being released on probation. The validity of the DGP’s circular shall also come up for consideration and arguments on the February 15. Truant ASI In an outlandish case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today found that an ASI with the Punjab Police has been holding on to an original “agreement to sell” property that he had taken from the trial court record with an undertaking to return it.Taking serious view of the matter, Justice LN Mittal of the High Court directed the DGP to ensure his presence before the court on the next date of hearing with the original agreement. The directions came during the hearing of a legal battle between Ludhiana residents Gurdeep Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Going into the background of the controversy, Justice Mittal observed: “For the investigation of the case, ASI Ram Dass took the original agreement from the record of the trial court with the undertaking to return the same after getting the signature/handwriting compared by an handwriting expert. “But, ASI Ram Dass failed to return the agreement to the Trial Court. It has been observed in the order dated March 10, 2006, of the Trial Court that ASI Ram Dass has come present. He was warned regarding his conduct in not returning the agreement in spite of an undertaking and was given a last opportunity to produce the original agreement in the Court. In spite thereof, the agreement has not been returned by ASI Ram Dass”. Issuing a notice of motion on the petition, Justice Mittal added: “A copy of the order be sent to the DGP, Punjab, with the direction to ensure the presence of ASI Ram Dass in this court….” The case will now come up for hearing on March 22.
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Malerkotla, February 1
Three new attractions will soon be added to the Pushpa Gujral Science City, which has already attracted over 22 lakh visitors since its inauguration in March, 2005.
Dr RS Khandpur, Director General, Science City, said: “The work on the three new galleries - ‘Panorama - Life Through Ages’, ‘Climate Change Theatre’ and ‘Gallery on Railways’ - is under way and will be completed soon.”
Chandigarh, February 1
The BJP top leadership claims that the party was the only one that contested the elections without any dissidence within its ranks and the high turnout on seats contested by the BJP indicated a committed cadre vote in favour of the BJP. 
State Nodal Officer for the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project Deepak Bhatia said: "The outbreak of jaundice was confirmed by our team a few days ago. We received information two weeks that some persons had taken ill. So, we obtained the blood samples of at least 20 per cent of the patients and got these tested at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. 
Even six months after the sealing of samples of ayurvedic medicines by an empowered committee of the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department in the alleged herb scam, to the tune of Rs 2 crore, the department is yet to disclose the lab report of these samples.