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Panels formed to rationalise staff deployment in schools
Pawar’s visit: Govt to seek direct relief for farmers
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Will field best leader against Harsimrat, says Manpreet
PPP president Manpreet Badal addresses a rally in Bathinda. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
Akali MPs seek discussion on Sikh killings
sealing of illegal commercial establishments
Punjabi University teachers stage dharna outside VC’s office
Sham Lal
Rain in Himachal Pradesh
Wheat export commences
Nod to 1,600 MW plant at Batala
Education hubs to come up in major cities: Sukhbir
Denies opening casino in state
Tipplers to ‘fund’ tablets for students
Clean chit to former Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner
MS Jaggi
No entry tax on green projects, says govt
Hooch toll rises to 16
Jagir Kaur out on 4-week parole
Back as SSP within days
Pay interest on arrears to sugarcane farmers: HC
HC: File affidavit on “effectively working” de-addiction centres
Police recovers 700 boxes of liquor, arrests 2
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Panels formed to rationalise staff deployment in schools
Chandigarh, August 8 The development follows a series of raids by officials of the Director-General of School Education (DGSE) in various districts, including Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala and Ludhiana. The raids had revealed irrational staff deployment in several schools, zero education in certain others and staff absenteeism for a long time (several years in more than 1,100 cases). Certain schools had loads of students and no teachers while certain others had staff but no students. The Education Department also discovered that fictitious student strength had been created by certain teachers to keep their posting intact in a particular school. According to the new policy, all surplus teachers in schools should be shifted out. Initially, a surplus teacher should be given an alternate place in the same city or town. In case the staff strength is still surplus, teachers who have stayed very long at a particular station should be moved to rural areas. Weekly work profile for different sections of teaching faculty is: principal (six classes); headmaster (seven for schools with 2,000 students and 15 for schools with 500 students); lecturer (36); and master\mistress (36). The policy envisages that classes below class V having 60 children should be taken care of by two teachers. The ratio for teachers till class VIII has been fixed at 1:35, 1:40 for classes IX and X; and 1:50 for classes XI and XII. It has been clarified that no staff member with disability of more than 50 per cent should be moved out from his present place of posting. The policy comes up for detailed discussion before implementation in a special meeting. Policy decision All surplus teachers in schools will be shifted out Surplus teachers who have stayed very long at a particular station will be moved to rural areas Weekly work profile for different sections of teaching faculty is: principal (six classes); headmaster (seven for schools with 2,000 students and 15 for schools with 500 students); lecturer (36); and master\mistress (36) Classes below class V having 60 children will be taken care of by two teachers The ratio for teachers till class VIII has been fixed at 1:35, 1:40 for classes IX and X; and 1:50 for classes XI and XII Rationalisation committees Rational distribution of staff for Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Kapurthala will be seen by a committee comprising Block Education Officer Manjit Singh, Baljit Singh and Malwinder Singh; for Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Fazilka by a team of Roshan Lal Sood, Harbans Singh Sandhu and Dharam Singh; for Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ropar and Ludhiana, by a committee headed by Block Education Officer Sudesh Kumari, Inderjit Singh and Rup Lal; for Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa and Barnala, by a committee comprising Deputy Director (Vocational) Surjit Kaur, Paramjit Kaur Sidhu and Venod Kumar; for the remaining areas of Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Tarn Taran and Patiala, by Deputy Director (Education) Narinder Singh, Bhagwant Singh and Neelam Kumari
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Pawar’s visit: Govt to seek direct relief for farmers
Chandigarh, August 8 With 27.80 lakh hectares under paddy in the state, this would mean a Rs 850 crore package for the state farmers. Sources say Punjab will seek direct compensation for the farmers. Pawar will assess the problems being faced by farmers in Punjab and Haryana at special meetings with representatives of both the governments. Punjab will also seek a Rs 1,530 crore central assistance for its electricity utility. The state will urge that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), which has purchased additional power as well as diverted power from other sources to nurture the standing paddy, should be given a special central assistance of Rs 1,530 crore. This translates into a total relief package of Rs 2,380 crore. The state will demand a drought relief of Rs 1,000 per acre for maize besides raising of the minimum support price (MSP) for cotton by Rs 500. It is also expected to demand a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on paddy. Punjab officials are likely to base their claim for drought relief on IMD reports that the monsoon in Punjab was deficient by 60 per cent to 99 per cent in June and July. The Financial Commissioner, Development, GS Sandhu, said the average rainfall deficit in the state was 70 per cent. Farmers have been using diesel to nurture their crops while the state has been purchasing power at exorbitant rates. The power corporation has already purchased short-term power for Rs 716 crore and is expected to purchase more for Rs 814 crore in August and September. Punjab claims that because of the drought-like conditions this year, at least 50,000 tubewells were deepened and submersible motors installed across the state. It says the farmers have spent an additional Rs 300 crore on this task. Main Demands A Rs 1,530 crore central assistance for the state power corporation Drought relief at Rs 1,000 per acre for maize Raising the MSP for
cotton by Rs 500 Bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on paddy
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Will field best leader against Harsimrat, says Manpreet
Bathinda, August 8 He was responding to speculations whether he would contest against Harsimrat Badal. Addressing mediapersons after staging a dharna here against the SAD-BJP policies, Manpreet said it was too early for him to announce the candidate for Lok Sabha elections. “We will field the best candidate against her. But elections are far off. It will be premature to talk much at this juncture. Further, I will not decide on any candidate without consulting our alliance partners. I can only say that the PPP will contest from Bathinda,” he said. He clarified that he had no intention of joining the Congress. “I have only one heart, which is for the PPP. I can’t give my heart to different parties,” he said. He criticised the SAD-BJP alliance for the poor financial health of the state government. “The state may have to announce financial emergency by the end of this year," he said, adding that the PPP was against giving extension in retirement age upto 60 years as it would put more burden on the state finances. Opposing the imposition of new taxes in the state, he said, “Looting people is not a way to improve fiscal condition. The government has to improve its resources.” Giving an example, he said the state roadways were running into losses, whereas private transport operators were earning huge profits. “The state government and the common man are becoming poorer and high and mighty are getting richer day by day. I believe a businessman should not be a part of the government. Sukhbir Badal is a businessman. He thinks of his profit, not of the people of the state.”
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Akali MPs seek discussion on Sikh killings
New Delhi, August 8 Speaker Meira Kumar had to adjourn the House at 11 am after the MPs demanded that question hour be suspended to discuss these issues. Akali Dal MPs held up the proceedings briefly when the House was re-convened at 12 noon. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal, who had given a notice for adjournment of question hour, asked the Speaker about the fate of the notice. She was supported by Ratan Singh Ajnala and Paramjit Kaur Gulshan. They wanted to discuss the safety of Sikhs in the US. “I have not received any notice of adjournment from your side. I only received a notice of suspension of question hour and question hour is over,” the Speaker told the Akali MPs.
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Sealing of illegal commercial establishments
Patiala, August 8 Newly constituted Patiala Beopar Bachaon Sangarsh Committee led the protest against the authorities, which will seal all illegal commercial buildings in 36 Town Planning schemes. Addressing the gathering, Nirmal Das Malhotra strongly condemned the proposed move to seal all the commercial establishments, operational from residential areas. “It is sheer injustice for the hundreds of shopkeepers. The state government should intervene in the matter,” he said. HC had ordered the MC authorities to identify all such properties with unsanctioned building plans by August 14 and to serve a three-day notice to the owners. The court had instructed the civic body to submit the compliance report to the court on August 22 after sealing all such buildings. When contacted, Patiala Municipal Commissioner Gurlovleen Singh Sidhu said the administration would ensure that HC orders are complied with. Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli went to Baradari Gardens to pacify the protestors. “I have assured the protestors that injustice will not be done. The matter is under consideration. But as of now, we are bound to enforce the court’s orders,” Kohli told the The Tribune. He also appealed to everyone to not break the law. Patiala Bar Association however strongly condemned the move and passed a resolution against it. It read: “Administration must take appropriate action in this regard.” A copy of the resolution was also sent to Patiala Deputy Commissioner G.K. Singh, SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill and Municipal Commissioner G.S.Sidhu Highly placed sources in the Department of Local Government, Punjab confirmed that the drive would be initiated in a phased manner.” “The big fishes are likely to be taken to task in the first phase,” said a senior official who wished to remain anonymous. Arrangements are being made for the deployment of heavy police force to ensure the sealing drive remained peaceful. “If Municipal Corporation Delhi can undertake such a drive few years back, why can’t Patiala MC,” said one of the district administration officials.
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Punjabi University teachers stage dharna outside VC’s office
Patiala, August 8 The PUTCC leadership criticised the state government for giving step-motherly treatment to the teaching community as other government employees had already received 70 per cent of their arrears. The PUTCC urged the authorities to release their arrears of 43 months on a priority basis. Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Convener, Teachers for Intervention in Education blamed the authorities for carrying out haphazard and unnecessary construction on campus and thereby sabotaging its master plan. Ran Singh Dhaliwal, Convener, Free Thinkers’ Forum, demanded that the VC remove all officials who were granted extension beyond their retirement age in teaching and non-teaching departments of the university. The speakers also condemned Dr Singh for not granting service benefits to university faculty. They blamed the authorities of trying to politicise the issue. Dr. Balwinder Singh, president, Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA), and Dr. Devinder Singh of GNDU, Amritsar also spoke at the dharna. Both PUTCC and GNDUTA resolved to work together in future to address various issues of the teaching community. PUTCC threatened to intensify the agitation in the coming days if their demands were not fulfilled.
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Undertrial’s death: Kin blame doctors, jail officials
Patiala, August 8 As all this happened, the same hospital continues to extend VIP treatment to Hardeep Singh Bhamra, former OSD to Punjab Chief Minister, despite being sent to the Central Jail, Patiala, by a Mohali court some 10 days ago. Sham Lal, who was lodged in the Central Jail on the charge of possessing drugs, was brought to the hospital in a serious condition. Family members alleged that Lal was hale and hearty till afternoon when his wife met him in the jail and suddenly in the evening they were informed by a relative that Lal was lying in a pathetic condition in the hospital. “When we reached the hospital, he was lying unattended in the General Ward number 13 where no doctor was attending to him and the lone jail staffer was sleeping next to him on another bed,” alleged advocate Raj Kumar, nephew of the deceased. “After three hours of waiting and continuous requests to shift him to the Emergency Ward, the hospital staff ordered some medicines for the victim, despite white foam like substance coming out of his mouth,” he added. Later, when doctors agreed to shift him to the Emergency Ward, he died. Almost a few hundred yards away, Bhamra was resting in an air-conditioned room, he was sent in judicial custody on July 26 in a disproportionate assets case. Well built musclemen did not allow anyone from The Tribune team to enter his room. Bhamra has not spent a single day in the jail despite the court orders and has been resting in the hospital on one pretext or the other. “He has some old history of a heart ailment and some shoulder pain. But no one in the hospital has the guts to shift him back to jail. On some days, he avails the facilities of the special room and later gets himself admitted to the ICCU. It is a mockery of the system,” said a doctor. Punjab Jails Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur said, “The Jail Department has nothing to do with the two cases. Medical staff is responsible for treatment.” When probed further, the Minister assured that he would look into the matter. Interestingly, hospital Medical Superintendent Dr VK Sharda said he was unaware of Bhamra getting any special treatment and would call back after collecting details. Later, he called up the correspondent to say that Bhamra was shifted back to ICCU. On being asked why a patient lodged in jail was given preferential treatment against norms, he said, “I am newly appointed at the post.” Medical College and Hospital Principal Dr KD Singh said he had immediately shifted the VIP patient back to general ward after he was informed. Interestingly, this was the ditto reply he gave to TNS when asked almost 10 days ago. Meanwhile, Lal’s relatives said had the jail officials informed them in time, they would have tried their best to save the sole earning member of their family.
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Rain in Himachal Pradesh
Patiala, August 8 However, the current water level in both the reservoirs is still below the level for the corresponding period last year. Last year, on August 7, the water level in the Bhakra and Pong dams was 1642.29 feet and 1363.25 feet, respectively. The BBMB official said the water level in the Bhakra and Pong dams was going up on account of rain in Himachal Pradesh and their catchment areas and melting of snow. During the last fortnight, water level in the Bhakra and Pong reservoirs has increased by about 33 feet. The Bhakra and Pong dams feed various canal systems in the region where a huge area depends on canal irrigation. However, because of the low-level of water in the Bhakra and Pong dams on July 17, the water supply to three states was cut by 10 per cent. Furthermore, with the increase in the water level in Bhakra and Pong dams, the hydro power generation from the BBMB projects is likely to improve. Due to low water level in the dams, the total hydro generation from the BBMB projects was 409 lakh units (LU) daily against last year’s generation of 446 LUs daily.
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Wheat export commences
Chandigarh, August 8 "The Union Government has given a mandate to export wheat to three agencies, including the State Trading Corporation (STC) and the Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC). We have been told to make wheat available to these agencies at various sea ports," said an FCI official. Wheat price has also started picking up in the international market, it is learnt. Earlier, several teams from Iran had visited the state to inspect foodgrain. Besides, the FCI has also got wheat samples tested at its own level. For export, wheat should be free from the Karnal bunt, a fungal disease. Wheat for export has been sent from Mansa, Talwandi Bhai and some parts of Ferozepur region. The government has been pressing the Centre to export wheat from the state. Sources said there was at present no plan to export wheat to Pakistan via the Wagha checkpost. "There is no instruction to us in this regard," said the FCI official. To exhaust wheat stock, which is much more than the buffer stock required in the country, the Centre has also allowed the open sale of the grain in the country. "About 7 lakh tonne of wheat has been sold in the open market to flour mills at subsidised rates to check the rise in the price of wheat flour. Of this, one lakh tonne has been sold in Punjab," the official said. The issue price of the wheat sold in the open market was earlier Rs 11.70 per kg, but it has now been revised to Rs 12.85 per kg. Meanwhile, because of the boycott by employees of various state government procurement agencies, the transportation of wheat to other parts of the country has come to a halt. About 145 lakh tonnes of wheat and 87 lakh tonnes of rice is lying in the state. Around 67 lakh tonnes is in the custody of the FCI. At present, the FCI is sending about 6 lakh tonnes of rice to other states. Employees, who have been protesting, allege that cases were registered against them on flimsy grounds and they were forced to give storage gain (weight gain) on wheat that is moved to other states even in a dry season.
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Nod to 1,600 MW plant at Batala
Chandigarh, August 8 For the commissioning of the project, Sekri will have to depend on the state government for a suitable site and coal linkages. Earlier, Sekri had got a slum development project cleared for his constituency of Batala as well as that of Sukhbir’s constituency of Jalalabad. Sekri, who met the Deputy CM yesterday, said the establishment of a thermal plant at Batala would help in the industrialisation of the Majha belt. Official sources, when contacted, said the Deputy CM had directed the Secretary, Power, to evaluate the feasibility of the project. The sources said land for the project was available in Batala. Earlier, the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises informed Sekri that the department was dealing with two central public sector undertakings, HMT and BHEL. It said that HMT was facing severe financial constraints and was not in a position to invest in new plants. It said BHEL already had an industrial valves plant at Goindwal Sahib. Therefore, BHEL could only go in for investment in power generation under the National Power Development Programme. Sekri was told by the Heavy Industries Department that it would consider setting up a thermal plant based on the super critical technology at Batala in tandem with the PSPCL. It has committed itself to 26 per cent equity in the project, probably in the form of heavy machinery.
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Verma is Ludhiana Metro MD
Chandigarh, August 8 Verma has been told to prepare a blueprint of the corporation at the earliest. Badal is keen to launch the project early next year. The Central Government, which has given its nod to the project, has directed the state government to send its feasibility report. The Centre is to pay 20 per cent of the total cost of the project and an equal amount is to be paid by the state government. The project will be built in the PPP mode. The major stake holder will be the private player to whom the bid would be allotted. For the project, Badal has also given his approval to two committees. One will be high powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary. The task of this committee will be to deal with inter-departmental issues. The other committee will be a group of officers and will be headed by the Principal Secretary, Local Government.
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Education hubs to come up in major cities: Sukhbir
Bathinda, August 8 The Deputy Chief Minister said top professional colleges, including business schools, were being contacted to set up their campuses in the education hubs to provide world-class education to the youth. Talking to mediapersons after inaugurating a 1.2-km overbridge to Badal village, Sukhbir criticised the Congress for denying the state drought relief of Rs 2,300 crore on political
grounds. Four-laning of highway
He also announced four-laning of the Bathinda-Amritsar highway through
Kotkapura-Faridkot-Zira. He said the process for allocation of work for Rs 2500-crore project of
four-laning of 220 km Bathinda-Patiala-Zirakpur expressway was underway. It would link Malwa heartland with state capital and shorten the journey time from the present four-and-a-half hours to two-and-a-half
hours. Bathinda airport complete
He said construction of Bathinda domestic airport terminal was almost complete and expressed confidence that domestic flights would commence in the next two to three months which would help create business opportunities and attract investments in the region. He said the setting up of a textile hub in Bathinda would not only benefit cotton growers of the region but also create numerous job opportunities for the youth, especially
girls. Sukhbir said anyone found guilty of developing illegal colonies and duping people would not be spared irrespective of his affiliation with any political party or group. He claimed the state government offices would become paperless in two years. He said the Excise & Taxation Department would be the first department to go paperless by December this year. Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included Education Minister Sikander Singh
Maluka, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sarup Chand Singla, MLA Darshan Singh
Kotfatta, Mayor Baljeet Singh Beerbehman, district BJP president Gulshan Wadhwa, and district BJP president (rural) Dayal Singh
Sodhi.
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Denies opening casino in state
Muktsar, August 8 Sukhbir, who was here to lay the foundation stone of four-laning of the Muktsar-Kotkapura road, said: "I have never said that the government will open a casino in the state. We have not even mooted any proposal in this regard. There are just rumours spread by the Congress". On PPP president Manpreet Badal's opposition to new taxes in the state, Sukhbir said: "He (Manpreet) is a confused man. He separated from the SAD as he strongly advocated new taxes and sought withdrawal of free power to the farm sector. But now he is opposing the same". He also criticised former Chief Minister Harcharan Brar's family of Sarainaga village for "failing" to solve the old problem of waterlogging in the area and appealed to the people to support the SAD in big numbers to solve their problems. Sukhbir said no officiating charge would be given to anyone during his and his father and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's stay in the US for a few days. "We are very much connected to the top officials, ministers and even party workers. So, there is no need to give officiating charge to anyone," he said. Sukhbir said the government had launched an ambitious Rs 13,000-crore project to connect every city and town with four or six lane expressways in the next three years. Besides, Rs 10,000 crore were being spent on providing safe drinking water and sewerage connectivity to each household in the state, he added. Meanwhile, it was a bit relaxed day for local residents as there was no power cut today apparently on account of Deputy Chief Minister's visit. The town, which otherwise witnesses four to six hour of power cut, received uninterrupted supply till late evening.
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Tipplers to ‘fund’ tablets for students
Chandigarh, August 8 Free tablet for students of classes XI and XII was one of the most ambitious pre-poll promises of the SAD-BJP alliance. The cash-starved state has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh for the purchase of tablets priced at Rs 7,500 each. The government has decided to provide tablets to 1.5 lakh students of class XII in the first phase by spending Rs 100 to Rs 110 crore. The remaining 1.5 lakh students will be given tablets in the second phase. Sources in the government said several companies had been asked to give a presentation to the committee. Tablets would be bought with Rs 326 crore education cess lying with the Excise Department since 2006, which the latter will release soon. Kahan Singh Pannu, Director-General of School Education, said a proposal had been finalised in this regard and the students would soon get tablets. The state had imposed education cess of Rs 10 per proof litre on liquor and had collected Rs 60 crore every year. However, for the last several years, the funds were not released for education. The government was using the cess to contribute the state's share in several Central Government schemes. It had lost Rs 300 crore of Central grant last year as it was only able to spend Rs 647 crore of the Rs 1,051 crore grant as it had no money to contribute its share in the ratio of 65:35.
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Clean chit to former Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner
Chandigarh, August 8 He was suspended on July 17 on the basis of an inquiry by ADGP (Intelligence) HS
Dhillon, who held him accountable for removing encroachments of a vegetable vendor after the latter had an altercation with his
(Jaggi's) wife. However, a fresh inquiry by Patiala Divisional Commissioner Ajeet Singh Pannu has given a clean chit to
Jaggi, stating "there was no element of corruption proved during the inquiry as money was paid for the vegetables purchased". Moreover, Pannu justified the removal of encroachments by saying: "Due to stringent orders of the High Court to remove encroachments, there is hardly any scope for any illegality in the action taken against the vegetable vendor." He stated it was possible that the vendor had asked Jaggi's wife to select lady’s finger herself, thus offending her. The report has justified the removal of encroachments, stating the action was initiated against encroachers in all parts of the city. Such action had been taken against the encroachers in the past too in compliance with the HC orders. The inquiry said even complainants Kamlesh Pal, Bahua and Chhottu had confirmed that Jaggi and his wife Inderbir always paid them for the purchases.
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No entry tax on green projects, says govt
Chandigarh, August 8 Besides, the government has also announced VAT exemption on equipment required for these projects. Majithia said government land, if available, would be provided on lease for a period of 38 years having no CLU, EDU and any other fees for setting these projects. He said the government would provide wheeling and banking facilities to the investors. It had also been decided to provide 50 per cent exemption on electricity duty on power used during construction period by investors of such projects, he said, adding that the state was looking for private/public sector partnership in the areas of mini-hydel projects, co-generation, biomass, solar energy, wind power etc for systematic and faster development of renewable energy sources.
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Hooch toll rises to 16
Gurdaspur/Batala, August 8 Batala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajpal Singh Sidhu said one of the prime accused,
Kamla, had been arrested under Section 304 of the IPC and the Excise Act. The police was searching for her son
Subash. The two were responsible for supplying illicit liquor to Johal
Nangal, Baleywal and adjoining villages from where 12 deaths had been reported. He said a case under Section 304,
IPC, had also been registered against five others for supplying hooch to the
villages. Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police Raj Jit Singh said Janak
Masih, who supplied hooch to Johal Nangal village, had been arrested. A senior police officer said Janak Masih had been operating in the area for the past several years. He enjoyed the patronage of a powerful Akali politician of the area. Police sources claimed that Janak
Masih, Kamla and Subash were well-connected politically. As a result, they were running the illegal trade in villages near Gurdaspur and Batala without any hindrance. “These people would purchase liquor from Shampura village that falls in the Batala subdivision. Families of a particular community in this village have been running this illegal trade for the last three decades. They have strong political links,” revealed the officer. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abhinav Trikha has asked the Gurdaspur Civil Surgeon, Dr Chandanjit Singh
Kondal, to survey neighbouring villages for more victims. “Teams of the Health Department have fanned out into different villages,” he said. Teams of the Excise Department have been stationed at the affected villages. There was panic in the area this morning following rumours that the death toll had crossed 20. Meanwhile, the DC said that no immediate compensation would be given to the kin of the deceased. “I have sent the case to the state government,” Trikha said. Activists of the Kirti Kisan Union and the CPI (Marxist-Leninist) had asked the DC to announce a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each of the affected families. The DC said it was up to the state government to announce relief and the district admnistration could do little in the matter Deputy CM orders crackdown on mafia Amritsar: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has ordered a crackdown on the hooch mafia. He said nobody, irrespective of his political connections, would be spared. “I have ordered the
IG, Border Range, to thoroughly probe the hooch deaths in Batala and submit a report ,” Sukhbir said.
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Jagir Kaur out on 4-week parole
Jalandhar, August 8 Her son-in-law Yuvraj Bhupinder Singh furnished sureties.The Bibi left for her dera in Begowal at noon where she held meetings with local Akali leaders in connection with the election of presidents of three Nagar Panchayats of Dhilwan, Begowal and Bholath scheduled for tomorrow. Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Alaknanda Dayal said: “I have merely completed the formalities. All proceedings have been carried out through the IG, Prisons.” The IG, Jagjit Singh, who was recently photographed accepting a siropa from Bibi during a religious function in jail, chose to play it safe. “I am away and can’t say anything,” he said. Jail Superintendent SP Khanna said: “Any convict is entitled to a four-week parole after four months of confinement. We have not side-stepped rules for Bibi.” Bibi’s parole after just four months in prison has shocked her opponents. Former Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Khaira said: “This is in contravention of the Supreme Court ruling that states that parole cannot be used as a tool by the governments to liberate criminals.” An Akali leader, a contender for the post of president of the Bholath Nagar Panchayat, said: “Bibi called all the contenders to a meeting where she took the opinion of several SAD councillors. We told her she could choose whosoever she wanted for the post.”
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Back as SSP within days
Chandigarh, August 8 Former Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu, who was posted SSP, Hoshiarpur, in the reshuffle, has now been posted Commandant, 1st IRB, and SP, Excise and Taxation, Patiala. PK Yadav, IPS, has been posted AIG, Counter-Intelligence, Bathinda; Param Pal Singh SP, Traffic, Mohali; Swaran Deep Singh SP, Mohali; Hatinder Singh Ghai, Assistant Commandant, II IRB, Ladha Kothi, Sangrur; and Jaspreet Singh Sidhu Commandant, 36th Battalion, PAP, Bahadurgarh, Patiala. The transfer orders of Bhupinder Singh, who was posted SP (H), Moga, has been cancelled. He will continue to work as SP (H), Faridkot. Satpal Singh, SP (H), Moga, will also continue on his present posting. — TNS
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Pay interest on arrears to sugarcane farmers: HC
Chandigarh, August 8 The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and T.S. Dhindsa directed the payment of interest at the rate of 10 per cent till September and 15 per cent after that. The Bench, on the previous date of hearing, had made it clear that the authorities could sell the sugar mills to make the payment to farmers, if required. The payment to farmers was to be made in the presence of the Cane Commissioner. The orders came on a writ petition filed by Consortium of Indian Farmers Association. It had claimed that due to ignorance of the state government and lack of policy for sugarcane growing farmers, they were not being paid for the entire year. ‘Check misuse of secrecy fund’ The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Government to evolve checks and balances for preventing misuse of secrecy fund by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). During the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by Advocate HC Arora for appropriate directions to the Punjab Government and the PSEB to evolve some satisfactory methods of auditing of secrecy fund, the counsel for school board informed the Bench that it has now reduced the amount from Rs 11 crore to Rs 2 crore. Not satisfied with the stand taken by the Board, the Bench directed the state government to file a separate affidavit, pointing out therein the ways and means, and checks and balances for the purpose of preventing the misuse of secrecy fund.
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HC: File affidavit on “effectively working” de-addiction centres
Chandigarh, August 8 Justice Paramjeet Singh directed that a drug addict be sent to a government-run rehabilitation centre for treatment on an experimental basis. “This court also directs the State of Punjab to identify the addicts involved under the NDPS cases and make arrangements for their treatment and consequential rehabilitation”. The State of Punjab was directed to file an affidavit on the number of “effectively working” drug de-addiction centres and the facilities available there. The state “will also file an affidavit to the effect whether rules have been framed for establishment of de-addiction centres and treatment of drug addicts”. Emphasising on cure rather than punishment, the High Court minced no words to say the “criminal justice system should work in tandem with the treatment system” and efforts should be made to rehabilitate the addicts. The unique judgment came on a petition filed by Gurjit Singh. He was seeking bail in a case registered on May 27 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Kotkapura. Referring to the counsel’s argument that Gurjit Singh was a petty addict rather than a drug peddler or a smuggler, Justice Paramjeet Singh said: “This court deems it fit that the petitioner and such persons need to be treated, rehabilitated and reintegrated into society?." The judge also observed that courts administering criminal justice could not turn a blind eye to the ground realities. “If the criminal courts were to be an effective instrument in dispensing justice, the presiding Judge must cease to be a spectator and a mere recording machine. He must become a participant in trial”. Before parting with the case, Justice Paramjeet Singh asserted: “The Special Courts with jurisdiction over NDPS cases should try to identify addicts and drug offenders, other than smugglers and drug peddlers?. “This court believes that addicts and beginners to the drug addiction at least can come back on track. The Government of India and the states should make efforts for bringing in a mass movement to say no to drug addiction.”
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Police recovers 700 boxes of liquor, arrests 2
Patiala, August 8 The SHO said police officials stopped the truck at a naka and recovered the liquor during search of the vehicle. “We have arrested Gurvinder Singh and Jobanjit Singh, residents of Batala. Both the persons were the occupants of the truck. We are questioning them further,” Brar said. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against the two accused. As liquor is cheap in Chandigarh, many liquor smugglers try to smuggle it to neighbouring states of Punjab and Rajasthan to make a quick buck.
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People’s Party of Punjab president Manpreet Badal today said his party would field its best candidate against MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Bathinda Parliamentary constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Patiala, August 8
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that education hubs would be developed over 300 acre each at
Bathinda, SAS Nagar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.
Absolving the former Municipal Commissioner of Ludhiana, MS Jaggi of corruption charges, the state government today reinstated his services and posted him as Special Secretary, Technical Education, Punjab. Jaggi will be posted at the headquarters. All charges against him have been dropped and he has been asked to be careful in future.
Jalandhar, August 8
