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Takht supports complete marriage Act
1,105 teachers promoted
Ineligible SHOs removed, but vacant posts not filled
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'Tainted' cop posted as SHO
Probe finds six cops on wrong side of law
Control rooms set up for power complaints
Illegal colonies under scanner
Punjabi varsity’s info officer gets show-cause notice
Scientists suggest trench method for maize farming
Agriculture Dept selling paddy seed rejected by PAU
Five IPS, 30 PPS officers shifted
Train engine catches fire near Barnala
HC quashes land acquisition proceedings
Harpreet case
Jatinder Singh
Mystery shrouds prisoner’s death
5 booked for attack on
PPP leader
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Takht supports complete marriage Act
Amritsar, May 15 Addressing a seminar organised by the Chief Khalsa Diwan here today, the Jathedar said the draft should be widely circulated and also put on the internet so that the Sikh Sangat from across the world could access it and a debate be initiated on the issue. He said he will also talk to SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar to organise a meeting of Sikh intellectuals and legal luminaries, besides representatives of the DSGMC and the Punjab Government, to deliberate on the draft so that it could be further strengthened in all aspects.
Talking to mediapersons later, he rejected the amendment being made in the Anand Marriage Act 1909 while asking how could Parliament pass it without the consent of Sikhs. Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjeet Singh Chadha said the Anand Marriage Amendment Bill 2012, which is in the Rajya Sabha, will only facilitate a "lame Act" for Sikh marriages. "We are aiming for a complete marriage Act as other minority communities like Muslims and Christians have," he said. Chadha urged the Jathedar to form a committee comprising Sikh intellectuals and legal experts to dwell on the draft and chalk out future course of action over the issue. The participants opined that the amendments being made in the Anand Marriage Act 1909 were not sufficient and were not as per the aspirations of the Sikhs. While the Chief Khalsa Diwan had extended its full support to the draft, Sikh History Research Board director Roop Singh said the draft was "weak" from the aspect of Sikh 'rehat maryada' (code of conduct). He stressed on the need of defining a Sikh strictly on the basis of 'rehat maryada'. On the other hand, Dr Daljeet Singh attributed the inclusion of Sehajdharis as well as 'Patits' (apostates) in the definition of a Sikh in his draft to the fact that the blueprint prepared by him was based on inclusion theory. He said the draft had been prepared keeping in view the Sikh 'maryada' and thoroughly deal with several issues, including definition of Sikh and 'Anand Karaj', divorce, alimony and property rights and adoption. The draft does not touch the subject of gay marriages, which are prohibited under the Sikh traditions. Including another significant point, the draft says "no marriage among Sikhs shall be solemnised in any place other than a Sikh gurdwara".
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1,105 teachers promoted Chandigarh, May 15 The Education Minister said it was a long pending demand of the master cadre and with this move, the government would be able to fill vacancies of lecturers in schools across the state. He said the list of promoted masters had been uploaded on the official website of the department. He said the posts falling vacant due to these promotions would be filled soon and orders had been issued to all District Education Officers (DEOs) to send the list of vacant posts in their districts to DPI and DGSE within a week. The Minister said the government had extended the date to submit applications for state awards till May 25. Maluka said to educate dropout students, it had been decided to call back all 1,400 special trainers after completion of their training. He said the remaining 494 special trainers would report to the DEOs. Summer vacation from June 1 Summer vacations in the schools would be from June 1 till June 30, he said. It had also been decided to give a minimum 36 periods to a school lecturer, he added. Panchayat accounts to go online Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra today said all panchayat accounts would be made online to bring about transparency and accountability in the department. In a statement here, the minister said this step would enable the people to know about funds allotted to panchayats and where these were spent. Rakhra said the work was in progress in 20 zila parishads and 142 block samities. He said out of Punjab's 12,776 villages, accounts of 4,668 villages had been made online.
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Ineligible SHOs removed, but vacant posts not filled
Chandigarh, May 15 DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, in his order on May 11, had directed all SSPs and police commissioners to replace 36 SHOs and 92 police post in-charges who did not fulfill guidelines with suitable officials immediately. All officers were asked to file compliance reports. The order was passed to discourage attachments from armed battalions or other cadre to the district police and ensure implementation of the cadre structure as laid out in the Punjab Police Act, 2008. It was also aimed at stopping non-gazetted officers with local rank or ad hoc rank from being posted as SHOs or police post in-charges. Sources said at many places despite the incumbent SHO being relieved, no replacement had been made. In Patiala, no SHO has been posted at Shatrana, Bhadson and at the CIA police station, Rajpura. Similarly, three SHOs removed in Ludhiana at Jamalpur, Focal Police and Police Station No. 5 have not been replaced. In Faridkot, two of the three such posts are vacant. At some places, replacements have been made. In Tarn Taran, all three posts of SHO at Khemkaran, Serai Imanat Khan and Jhabbal have been filled. The sources said this was not the first time that the police had swung into action to remove SHOs and police post in-charges "imposed" on the district police from other cadres. In August 2009 also, the DGP had directed all district police chiefs not to It had specified that any such attachment could be done in rare circumstances for a limited period of one year. It had also made it clear that personnel opting for any such attachment would be barred from occupying posts in police stations and would also be rendered ineligible for posting in special units like CIA, economic offences wings and "goonda" staff. The order was, however, never put into force. Taking partial orders DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, in his order on May 11, had directed all SSPs and police commissioners to replace 36 SHOs and 92 police post in-charges, who did not fulfill guidelines, with suitable officials immediately At many places, despite the incumbent SHO being relieved, no replacement has been made
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'Tainted' cop posted as SHO
Patiala, May 15 Following the registration of an FIR pertaining to his role in the kidnapping bid lodged by the Khanna police in 2011, the Inspector is yet to get a clean chit. The Khanna police had moved ahead with their investigations into the kidnapping bid, involving an NRI, and with the recovery of a car used in the crime. The car was recovered by the Khanna police after they approached Sharma on his mobile phone. "The case investigations have been handed over to a Special Investigating Team," said Khanna SSP Inderbir Singh. "The SIT would summon the Inspector if need be and submit the report in the next fortnight," he stated. In August 2011, the Khanna police had claimed to have solved a case involving the kidnapping of Varinder Kumar and his wife Parminder Kaur, allegedly by his younger brother. The younger brother, Dharminder Sharma, who reportedly lives in the USA, allegedly got his elder brother kidnapped along with his wife with a motive of getting him tagged as a drug addict and later grab his property. Khanna police said Inspector Ashok Kumar Sharma, then posted as in-charge of the Patiala Range control room, was found prima facie to be involved in a kidnapping case involving his relatives by allegedly siding with his NRI relative. "He was constantly in touch with the accused NRI on his mobile when the kidnapping was taking place", the police said. Ashok Kumar told The Tribune that the said kidnapping bid case against him was a year old. "A departmental probe conducted earlier by a SP rank officer had already given me a clean chit and another inquiry with the Khanna police would also decide in my favour," Sharma added. Senior officers said the Inspector got the benefit of doubt after the SP ranked officer gave him a clean chit. However, the Ludhiana Range DIG has marked another departmental probe after he was not satisfied with the probe conducted by the SP. "There are some very serious findings available with us and therefore no clean chit has been given to Inspector Ashok Kumar or anyone else in the kidnapping case," DIG, Ludhiana Range, MF Farooqui told The Tribune. "I cannot comment on his present posting, but assure that no one will be spared," he added. Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill confirmed that the case had come in his knowledge and he would act after reading the inquiry report against the Inspector. "We will surely take action", he promised.
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Probe finds six cops on wrong side of law
Chandigarh, May 15 After an inquiry into the arrest and use of third degree methods to force the patwari commit "illegal" manipulation of revenue records, the secretariat has recommended a Vigilance inquiry against former SSP Shiv Kumar and five other senior police officials. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had ordered an inquiry on the complaint of Punjab Patwari Association alleging that former Vigilance SSP Shiv Kumar had illegally arrested patwari Mohan Singh and kept him in illegal confinement for refusing to mutate 14 biswas of usurped land by Shiv Kumar Sharma adjoining to his Garden Estate Marriage Palace on the Patiala-Sirhind road. Chief Minister's Special Principal Secretary KS Pannu has submitted his report indicting Shiv Kumar Sharma and five other officials. The inquiry has recommended registering of an FIR against Shiv Kumar (retired now), former Vigilance SSP
(Ferozepur) Jaspal Singh, former Vigilance SP (Ferozpeur) Banasri Dass and Inspector Issar Singh. The inquiry has recommended legal action against Surinderpal Singh for tampering with record and departmental probe against Jagraon SSP Surjit Singh
Grewal, then Vigilance SSP at Jalandhar. The inquiry has also recommended that a separate inquiry should be held into the assets of Shiv Kumar as he had apparently acquired properties disproportionate to his known sources of income. The role of
Grewal, who was acquitted in a fake encounter by a Chandigarh court two days ago, should also be investigated through a departmental inquiry. Once his involvement in the illegal detention of Mohan Singh was proved, then an FIR be registered against him as well, the inquiry recommended. The inquiry report mentioned that all these officials connived with each other to help Shiv Kumar acquire the land of a neighbour and forced the patwari to mutate the land in favour of the police official. When the patwari refused to do so, he was threatened and framed in a false case of "illegal assets" under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Mohan Singh was picked up on the basis of an anonymous complaint by one Kaka Singh allegedly written at the behest of Shiv Kumar.
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Control rooms set up for power complaints
Patiala, May 15 The Tribune had highlighted the issue of harassment being faced by consumers on account of alleged misconduct by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees. Sources said, in order to get information about the power supply and planned shut downs, the consumers can call the respective zone office. The contact details of the officers in the control rooms of the five zones - Border Zone, North Zone, Central Zone, South Zone and West Zone -- have already been advertised by the PSPCL in newspapers. PSPCL officials say, besides the zone offices, a central control room for the entire state has also been set up. The contact numbers of the main control room are 96461-21458 and 96461-21459. An appeal has been made by the PSPCL authorities that consumers should lodge complaints for interruption of power supply or replacement of damaged transformer with the local complaint centre or should contact respective SDO/SEE and in case the complaint is not registered or unattended, the consumer may contact the control room.
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Illegal colonies under scanner
Chandigarh, May 15 Sukhbir issued instructions for restructuring and strengthening the department to translate urban development policies of the state in the true spirit. Presiding over a meeting of Housing and Urban Development Department which was also attended by Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Health and Family Welfare Minister Madan Mohan
Mittal, Sukhbir said haphazard planning, mushrooming of illegal colonies in the peripheries of cities, unlicenced colonies and differential planning norms for different cities were bane of urban development. He said to streamline urban development, the Town and Country Planning Department would have to be strengthened by giving it enforcement and punitive powers. The Deputy CM said he had already issued instructions to segregate residential and commercial areas, strictly enforce change of land use norms and encourage planning of building as per norms and streamline the process of sanction of building plans. Sanctioning 190 posts of Town and Country Planning Officer, Sukhbir said all recruitments should be made purely on merit within three months.
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Punjabi varsity’s info officer gets show-cause notice
Patiala, May 15 The Commission has asked in the notice that why penalty should not be imposed and why disciplinary action should not be recommended against the PIO for defying instructions issued by the Commission. The SIC orders dated May 14, issued by the division bench comprising Chief Information Officer RI Singh and State Information Officer Narinderjit Singh, mentioned that despite the instructions issued by the Commission, the Punjabi University PIO did not provide information to appellant Dr Aditya
Angiras, regarding relevant instructions/provisions of law, which confer powers on the university to withheld the General Provident Fund
(GPF) amount. The SIC has sought written explanation from the PIO on the next date of hearing, fixed for June 25. "The PIO may also appear in person on that date and avail the opportunity of personal hearing", reads the order, a copy of which is with The Tribune. On February 22, 2012, an appeal filed by Dr Aditya was closed by the SIC, with a direction to the varsity that it should supply the complainant a copy of the relevant instructions/provisions of law, which confer powers on the university to withhold the GPF amount, lying in the account of Dr
Aditya. However, on April 9, Dr Aditya again approached the SIC, alleging that the university had not complied with the orders of the Commission in providing information. On May 14, the Commission issued orders, which reads, "We have considered the matter. Failure to furnish the information after specific direction from the Commission would amount to persistent denial of the information under the provisions of Section 20 (2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Therefore, it is a fit case to issue a notice to the
PIO/Punjabi University, Patiala."
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Scientists suggest trench method for maize farming
Moga, May 15 As three out of the four revenue blocks in Moga district and adjoining areas in the Malwa heartland have already been declared as dark zones by the central water commission due to fast depletion of underground water, the practice of trench method would not only help save water but also help naturally control weeds, thereby, resulting in better yield. Moga chief agriculture officer Dr Harpreet Singh and agriculture development officer Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said the Agriculture Department had fixed a target of sowing maize in 5,000 hectares in Moga district. “Last year, the area was negligible — just 500 hectares,” they claimed. Scientists say the rice-wheat cultivation cycle was taking a toll on underground water; therefore, opting for alternative cropping system was the need of the hour. Brar said, “We have hybrid varieties of maize and scientific methods for its cultivation, which can help in more production as compared to paddy or other crops to get equitable returns.” Studies conducted by agriculture universities and the state Agriculture Department suggest that optimum row spacing in trenches should be 60 cm and there should be 70,000 plants per hectare to get maximum yield, he said. Both the agro-scientists said they had so far organised over 20 camps in villages to provide practical knowledge on scientific cultivation of maize with a transplanter by making trenches. “Adoption of recommended chemical control for maize borer is also very important in early planting. Mid May and early June are good for sowing,” they recommended. Tips for better yield Scientists suggest that optimum row spacing in trenches should be 60 cm while the plant-to-plant spacing should be 22 cm A maximum of 70,000 plants per hectare should be grown for getting the desired yield Eight kg seed is sufficient for an acre and it should be treated with fungicide Bavistin 50wp or Derosal 50wp before being sown Best season to sell Experts from the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, have observed that the market price of maize in the state would remain low during June-September due to arrival of spring maize crop and start rising after October and remain high up to May next year. In 2011-12, maize prices hovered around Rs 700 to Rs 1,100 per quintal from June to September last year and reached the maximum Rs 1,400 in April this year.
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Agriculture Dept selling paddy seed rejected by PAU
Amritsar, May 15 While the PAU has issued two advisories in the current season to dissuade farmers from sowing two paddy varieties researched by Haryana Agriculture Univeristy — HKR 47 and HKR 127 — the Agriculture Department and Punseed are openly selling them. As a result, the farmers are a confused lot not knowing whom to follow in such a situation. Besides, the PAU had also advised the farmers against sowing Basmati 1121, Pusa 44 and traditional basmati varieties. All these varieties have not been researched by the
PAU. One of the advisories issued on April 26 by PAU director of extension education MS Gill says, “Farmers should shun varieties HKR 47, HKR 127 and Pusa 44, which are being promoted by private agencies, as they are not resistant to prevailing pathotypes of bacterial blight disease.” The PAU had issued the same advisory last year as well. But, Punseed and the Agriculture Department did not pay any heed. This time, the Agriculture Department has sold the seed at its block-level offices. Interestingly, no other seed of varieties that the university recommends are available at these places. A local farmer, Kuljeet Singh, said, “The people have bought HKR 47 and HKR 127 seed from the Agriculture Department. Now what do we do with them?” he asked. He said after discarding these two varieties, the farmers would be left with Basmati 1121, which last year had fetched the lowest price. Director (Agriculture) Mangal Singh confirmed that the HKR 47 and HKR 127 seed were sold to farmers at block levels. However, the seed were sold prior to the PAU advisory.
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Five IPS, 30 PPS officers shifted
Chandigarh, May 15 An official spokesman said among the IPS officers, Neeraja had been posted DIG, Vigilance Bureau (Economic Offences Wing) while S. Bhupati had been made AIG/SSOC, Amritsar, with additional charge of AIG/CI, Amritsar. Rahul S goes as AIG, SB-1/Intelligence; Nilambri Jagadale as SP (Detective), Khanna, while Bikrampal Singh Bhatti has been shifted as Deputy Director, (Outdoor), MRS, PPA, Phillaur. Among the PPS officers, Mangal Singh had been posted as SP, SSG, whereas Manjinder Singh had been made SP, Intelligence. The other fresh postings are: Navjot Singh, ADCP, Headquarters and Security, Jalandhar; Shivdev Singh, Commandant, 27th Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar; Kanwar Bahadur Singh, AIG, Transport; Mohinderpal Singh and Gurmail Singh, Assistant Commandants, 27th Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar; Mander Singh, AIG/IVC, Punjab; Rajinder Singh, Assistant Commandant, 25th Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar; Bahadur Singh, Assistant Commandant, 7th Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar; Jatinder Singh, AIG, Intelligence, with additional charge of staff officer to DGP, Punjab; Arun Saini, AIG/Counter-Intelligence; Ravinder Kumar Bakshi, Commandant, PRTC, Jahan Khelan; Bhupinder Singh, Assistant Commandant, 2nd CDO Battalion, Bahadurgarh; Amandeep Kaur, Assistant Commandant, 3rd IRB, Ludhiana; Hitender Singh Ghai, AIG, Counter-Intelligence, Bathinda; Rachhpal Singh, Assistant Commandant, 5th IRB, Amritsar; Jasdev Singh, Assistant Commandant, 2nd IRB, Ladda Kothi, Sangrur; Baljit Singh, Zonal SP (Crime), Bathinda; Jaspal Singh, AIG (Law and Order); Balwinder Singh, SP (Detective) SAS Nagar; Naresh Kumar, ADCP (Crime) Jalandhar; Lakhwinder Singh, SP (Headquarters), SBS Nagar; Jagtar Singh, Assistant Commandant, 7th Battalion, PAP, Jalandhar; Sarabjit Singh, AIG (PPCR), Chandigarh, with additional charge of AIG (Principal), CID, Training School Punjab; Darshan Singh, Zonal AIG (CID), Bathinda; Ajay Maluja, AIG, Ferozepur; Gursharan Singh, Deputy Director (Indoor), MRS/PPA, Phillaur and Sanjeev Kumar Rampal, SP/CM Security, Punjab, New Delhi.
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Train engine catches fire near Barnala
Bathinda, May 15 Government Railway Police officials said the train arrived at the Barnala railway station at 2.25 am and its drivers noticed some spark in the battery area of the engine. The train was stopped after fire erupted in the engine near the Handhiaya railway station at 2.55 am. The driver turned off the engine and informed the authorities. The officials said the driver adopted a pro-active approach and decided to halt the train to check the spread of fire. Two fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames. An alternative engine reached the spot at 3.25 am and the train left its onward journey at 3.50 am.
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Govt to honour Yuvraj
Chandigarh, May 15 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Olympic Association president SS Dhindsa, who is an MP too, would honour Yuvraj with a cash prize of Rs 1 crore at a function here tomorrow, an official spokesman said. The left-hander has been forced out of action for the past few months following a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs.
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HC quashes land acquisition proceedings
Chandigarh, May 15 The relief for the landowners came on a petition filed by Balkar Singh and other petitioners against the State of Punjab and other respondents. In their petition placed before the Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice AN Jindal, Balkar Singh and other landowners of Juenpura village in Fatehgarh Sahib district had contended that their land was intended to be acquired vide notification dated June 13, 2011. Their counsel asserted the petitioners filed objections under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Still, notification under Section 6 of the Act was published on December 9, 2011. Challenging the declaration under Section 6 of the Act, counsel added the petitioners were not given opportunity of hearing regarding the objections filed by the petitioners under Section 5-A of the Act. The Bench asserted: "In the written statement, the stand of the respondents was that the notices were served upon the petitioners by beat of drum in the locality. On April 18, counsel for the respondents sought time to examine the question, as to whether the substituted service can be effected without making any attempt to serve the petitioners personally." "He states that the petitioners, who have submitted objections as owners of the land on the date of publication of the notification under Section 4 of the Act will be heard…. It is, thus, conceded that the notification under Section 6 of the Act, qua the petitioners be quashed to give liberty to the respondents to publish a fresh notification under Section 6 of the Act after considering the objections filed by the petitioners. "In view of the fact, the notification under Section 6 of the Act is quashed qua the petitioners with liberty to the respondents to publish a fresh declaration after hearing the objectors in accordance with law". Notice to Punjab over misuse of rice by millers
Acting on a petition seeking CBI probe into the alleged embezzlement of rice by the millers in Punjab having nexus with local politicians, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today put the State of Punjab and other authorities on notice. The notice came on a petition filed in public interest against the state, its Director-General of Police, the Food Corporation of India and other respondents by Rahul Mittal. Claiming to have worked with rice mills in Bathinda district, the petitioner contended that the rice millers have a nexus with the local politicians and the ruling government. "At times, the private rice millers give sub-standard rice to the FCI, without any objection to it." Quoting the example of Rampura Phul area, the petitioner added: "None of the rice millers would have complete stock, which they have procured from the procuring agencies." "Some of the rice millers have not even sent a grain of rice to the FCI for the last more than two years as they enjoy political patronage."
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Harpreet case
Chandigarh, May 15 In their petition, Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi and Paramjit Singh Raipur have sought directions for setting aside the Patiala CBI court orders, convicting and awarding five-year imprisonment to them in case. The petition comes just about a month after the trial court held: “The prosecution has been able to prove that accused Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, Paramjit Singh Raipur and Nishan Singh abducted Harpreet Kaur, who was a major, by deceitful means”. Dhesi was Bibi’s “trusted friend” and related to Paramjit Singh Raipur, who was Bibi’s political confidant.
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Kin suspect foul play in NRI’s death
Hoshiarpur, May 15 Son of Mohinder Singh, Jatinder used to work in Milan, Italy. The deceased’s younger brother, Mandip Singh, said Jatinder got married on March 3 this year and left for Italy only 10 days ago. Mandip said another local resident who was also working in Milan informed the family about the death. He said the family was told that Jatinder died after falling from stairs. The Italian police had taken the body into its custody for getting a postmortem done. However, Mohinder Singh, whose right leg is paralysed, suspected foul play in his son’s death saying Jatinder had a quarrel with his roommates who too were from Purhiran. Mohinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to get a probe done into the incident and sought help from the government for bringing the body to India. He said he would also approach Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna in this connection. Fatal fall in italy Jatinder Singh (32) had left for Italy 10 days ago and reportedly died after falling from stairs
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Mystery shrouds prisoner’s death
Faridkot, May 15 The deceased, Gurtej Singh, was a resident of Chak Ram Singh Wala village in Bathinda district and was convicted last year. He was shifted from Bathinda jail to Faridkot jail a few days back. Jail Superintendent Tejinder Singh Maur said the apparent cause of death was cardiac arrest, though the post-mortem report was awaited. In another incident at Faridkot jail today, two inmates allegedly attempted suicide by ramming their heads into iron bars after 38 small packets of smack powder were recovered from them. During the search of a few inmates, the jail staff allegedly recovered smack from Hoshiar Singh of Patiala and Manoj Kumar of Muktsar. Immediately after the recovery, Hoshiar Singh and another inmate, Ravinder Singh of Moga, allegedly attempted suicide. Besides booking these inmates for the offence of possessing smack, a case relating to attempt to suicide has been registered against them, Maur said. Suicide bid by two Two jail inmates allegedly attempted suicide by ramming their heads into iron bars after 38 small packets of smack powder were recovered from them
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5 booked for attack on PPP leader
Bathinda, May 15 DSP Randeep Singh Mann said one of the accused had been identified as Gurtej Singh of Sadhana village while the rest were yet to be identified. Lakha, who was shot at from close range a few days ago, had received two bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana. — TNS
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The farming community in Punjab is in a state of confusion due to lack of co-ordination between premier research institute Punjab Agricultural University
(PAU), Agriculture Department and Punseed. While the PAU has issued two advisories in the current season to dissuade farmers from sowing two paddy varieties researched by Haryana Agriculture Univeristy — HKR 47 and HKR 127 — the Agriculture Department and Punseed are openly selling them.
The engine of the Kalka Mail caught a minor fire near the Handhiaya railway station today. The train got delayed for over an hour due to the incident. Railway officials said no major damage was reported.
Government Railway Police officials said the train arrived at the Barnala railway station at 2.25 am and its drivers noticed some spark in the battery area of the engine. 
Giani Gurbachan Singh said it was high time that the Sikh politicians rose above party lines and supported a complete Sikh marriage Act. He lauded Daljeet Singh for "bringing the Sikh community face to face with reality".