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Power utilities ‘violating’ tripartite agreement
Diesel price hike may fuel farm distress
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Pradhan is Patiala Mayor
s Patiala Mayor (centre) Jaspal Pradhan with Senior Deputy Mayor Jagdish Rai (L) and Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli after their election. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
NRI quota: Medical varsity cracks whip
Centre approved 3,500 new MBBS seats, state got none
Playing with health of students?
Govt to frame policy to dispose of seized drugs
RTI reveals cancer cases higher in Punjab
Khanna Factory inferno
Open to CBI probe into misuse of funds: Ranike
Sanjha Morcha puts off protest
Education Dept told to give list of convicted employees
High Court notice to Punjab on groundwater usage
HC says no to independent inquiry in Shivali case
Hold DSGMC poll by Dec 31, Delhi Govt told
Suicide case: Arrest warrants against DSP
Heroin worth Rs 15 cr seized
Jalandhar man held for robbing Dera Bassi couple
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Power utilities ‘violating’ tripartite agreement
Patiala, September 17 Association president Baldev Singh Sran said they had been requesting the managements of the PSPCL and the PSTCL through verbal and written communications to maintain common seniority and common cadre of engineers as decided during the unbundling of the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) in April 2010, but to no avail. Sran said, “The issue of common seniority was one of the prime concerns of the association, which was agreed to by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Thus it was Association general secretary Sanjeev Sood said, “It is mentioned in the tripartite agreement that the employees will be transferable from one entity to another and thus their seniority and cadre will remain common.” Sood said, “The managements of both the companies are conducting separate recruitment of engineers. The next likely move of both the companies will be to separate the common cadre of engineers, which will be detrimental to the promotional aspects of the employees.” Representatives of the association said, “The agreed principle of maintaining common pay scales and allowances after unbundling for new employees is not followed by the power utilities, resulting in two scales and allowances for one cadre of employees.” “The move is causing resentment and unrest amongst the engineers. The association shall be compelled to resort to agitation if common seniority and cadre is not maintained,” they said. The association has appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene and direct the managements of the PSPCL and the PSTCL to maintain the sanctity and spirit of the tripartite agreement. “The companies should maintain common cadre, recruitment, seniority and pay scales,” demanded the association. Breaking Norms The managements of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited are conducting separate recruitment of engineers The next likely move of both the companies will be to separate the common cadre of engineers, which will be detrimental to the promotional aspects of the employees The agreed principle of maintaining common pay scales and allowances after unbundling for new employees is not followed by the power utilities, resulting in two scales and allowances for one cadre of employees
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Diesel price hike may fuel farm distress
Chandigarh, September 17 Farmers across Punjab and Haryana are already reeling under the impact of high urea and fertiliser costs and increase in labour costs for farming operations. The cost of phosphatic fertilizers has also gone up by 30 per cent since last year. The labour cost too has shot up to Rs 300 per day. The high diesel cost would not just hike the irrigation costs, but will also lead to higher costs for operating tractors and combine harvesters. As such, farmers have decided to take the protest route to air their grievances over such a steep hike in input costs. Over the past two days, farmers have been holding protest rallies at various places. A large number of farmers, under the aegis of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) are expected to hold a rally in Chandigarh tomorrow. They will also submit a memorandum to the Punjab Governor, demanding a rollback in the diesel price hike. Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal said the recent hike was "unjustified", especially at a time when delayed monsoon in the region had led to power shortage, thus forcing them to use diesel-operated pump sets. “The Centre has not announced any drought relief package for us. Instead, it has burdened us by increasing the diesel prices. The MSP of paddy has been increased marginally to Rs 1,260 per quintal. Though this will have an impact on the current paddy season, the real effect will be felt in the coming rabi season,” he said. Ever since the government announced a hike in diesel prices by Rs 5 a litre, the cost of diesel went up to Rs 45.65 per litre (including VAT at the rate of 10.23 per cent) in Punjab and to Rs 45.46 per litre (including VAT at the rate of 9.24 per cent) in Haryana. Figures collected by The Tribune show that the diesel consumption in Punjab during this paddy season was 9.10 lakh litres while the consumption in Haryana was 6 lakh litres. Sources in the oil industry said almost 40 per cent of the diesel consumed this season was in the agricultural sector — to run tractors and combine harvesters and for operating submersible pumps. A recent study by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana pointed out if the diesel price is hiked by a rupee, the input cost bill for entire Punjab's farmers goes up by Rs 100 crore. Dr MS Sidhu, farm economist at PAU, said with the present hike in diesel prices, the input costs across the state would go up by Rs 525 crore. The cost had been worked out after taking into account the number of tractors, combine harvesters and submersible pump sets, he said. As the power supply to farmers is restricted to six to eight hours a day, they have to use diesel-operated pumps to irrigate their fields. Hard to digest Farmers expect 6-7 per cent increase in input costs; plan protests Diesel is used to run tubewell pump sets, tractors and combine harvesters During paddy season, 40% (9.10 lakh litres) of the diesel consumption in Punjab was by the farm sector The hike by a rupee in diesel cost increases the farmers' input cost bill by Rs 100 crore The Rs 5 hike will raise the input cost bill across the state by Rs 525 crore With no other option left, farmers will pass on extra cost to the consumers
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Pradhan is Patiala Mayor
Patiala, September 17 The elections were not held by secret ballot but by raising hands when the names of the candidates for the three posts were announced. The special House meeting started at 11 am at the Patiala MC Headquarters. The Patiala Division Commissioner, AS
Pannu, presided over the proceedings. All 50 municipal councillors were administered the oath. Subsequently, Education Minister Sikander Singh
Maluka, who was the SAD’s election observer for Patiala, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra and Minister for Forest, Wildlife and Labour Surjit Kumar Jayani reached the meeting hall. Maluka carried the envelope with the names of the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The SAD
councillor, Malwinder Singh, proposed the name of Akali councillor (Ward No 39) Jaspal Pradhan for the post of Mayor. Jaspal Singh seconded the proposal and Pradhan was elected unanimously. For the post of Senior Deputy Mayor, BJP councillor Avtar Singh Happy proposed the name of BJP councillor Jagdish Rai (Ward No 37), which was seconded by another Lata
Aggarwal. Rai too was elected unanimously. The BJP councillor, Ruldu Ram
Khushdil, proposed the name of Harinder Kohli (Ward No 21) for the post of Deputy Mayor which was seconded by BJP councillor Balwant
Rai. Kohli was also elected unanimously. Born on April 17, 1952, Pradhan has had a long association with the SAD. He became councillor in 1992. During the 2007 and 2012 Patiala MC elections, he was elected unopposed. Pradhan was in the race for mayorship in 2007 too but he lost to Ajit Pal Singh
Kohli. Jagdish Rai, the new Senior Deputy Mayor, who hails from
Patiala, is a hardcore RSS activist. He is a first-time councillor. Deputy Mayor Harinder
Kohli, a two-time BJP councillor, is considered close to outgoing Mayor Ajit Pal Singh
Kohli. Patiala DCC (Urban) Prem Krishan Puri said Congress councillor Sanjeev Bittu from Ward No 25 had been unanimously appointed leader of the Opposition in the Patiala Municipal House. Rakhra triumphant With the elevation of Jaspal Pradhan as Mayor, it is clear that the group owing allegiance to Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra has established its stronghold in
Patiala. The influential Kohli and Bajaj families have been sidelined. Former Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli’s father and grandfather were both Akali ministers. Likewise, Amarinder
Bajaj, who was in the race for the Mayor’s post, belonged to a staunch Akali family. His grandfather, the late Mammohan Singh
Bajaj, was Chairman of the Patiala Improvement Trust and so was his father Inder Mohan Singh. With Rakhra defeating Pradesh Congress chief Amarinder Singh’s son Raninder Singh in the assembly elections, it was a different ball game this time. On the sidelines For the first time, Patiala has a
SAD-BJP municipal House for the second consecutive term The proceedings were video-recorded Supporters of the ruling alliance barged into the committee room, creating hindrance in the election process Former SGPC president
Badungar, TP Sandhu and Patiala SAD (urban) president Inder Mohan Singh Bajaj were among those present at the meeting After his election, the new Mayor paid obeisance at Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib, Gurdwara Moti Bagh Sahib and Kali Devi Temple Independents irked Ludhiana: A group of Independent councillors has decided to move court in an effort to ensure that the mayoral elections are carried out through secret voting and not by "show of hands". The group claims to have the support of 12 Independents. The Congress has 19
councillors. The independents are hopeful that if there is a secret ballot, a section of Akali councillors may resort to cross-voting. Daljit Singh
Grewal, Independent councillor from Ward No 8, said that he and other “like-minded” councillors were planning to move the court so that mayoral elections were held through the secret ballot. The DCC (Urban) chief, Pawan Dewan said the party would support the candidature of Independents.
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NRI quota: Medical varsity cracks whip
Faridkot, September 17 The university, which conducts the annual Punjab Medical Entrance Test for admission to various colleges in the state, will now accept applications to fill these vacant seats. Besides, its officials will also be part of the counselling team that will finalise the candidates. Earlier, only the colleges were allowed to invite applications. But now, in case a student felt that the college was not accepting his application or there was any "unwarranted" demand, the aspirant was at liberty to route his application to the college through the university. The final selection will be on merit. The cost of application is Rs 1,000 and the last date to apply is September 24. Vice Chancellor Dr SS Gill said the university had to pitch in to ensure transparency in the admission procedure. Recently, the market was abuzz with rumours that medical colleges that had vacant NRI quota seats had been given the approval to fill them on their own. As such, these seats would have been sold for as high as Rs 50 lakh each. In all, 39 MBBS and 522 BDS are to be filled. While Adesh college in Bathinda has 23 MBBS seats, the rest lie vacant at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences in Jalandhar. As the NRI quota seats would now be filled as per the rules governing the management quota seats, each MBBS student will now be charged Rs 4 lakh per annum. Similarly, the annual fee for a BDS seat will be Rs 1.5
lakh. Students to benefit 39 MBBS and 522 BDS NRI quota vacant seats are to be filled Adesh college (Bathinda) has 23 MBBS seats, the rest are at PIMS, Jalandhar Earlier, the university had allowed these colleges to fill the seats on their own Now, these seats will be filled as per the rules for management quota seats An MBBS student will now be charged Rs 4
lakh/yr The annual fee for a BDS seat will be Rs 1.5 lakh Students can now either apply to the university or to the college concerned Last date to apply is September 24 and the form cost is Rs 1,000
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Centre approved 3,500 new MBBS seats, state got none
Patiala, September 17 Parents of MBBS aspirants lament that the non-addition of seats and bringing down the earlier number by 150 will spoil the future prospects of their wards. They say that rather than demanding more seats, the state government remained a mute spectator and couldn’t take the issue to a “logical” conclusion when the seats were reduced in the Pathankot college. A Patiala resident, KK Singla, said the second counselling for MBBS and BDS seats was held on September 14 and September 15. But, the students till the last moment didn’t know the status of admissions at Chintpurni Medical College. “The future of 300 students (150 who were admitted to the college in 2011 and the rest who were to be admitted this year as per the Punjab entrance test merit) is at stake. Why did the Medical Council of India allow admissions last year when they were to be cancelled a year later? The infrastructure and other facilities at the college have improved as compared to last year,” he said. The Punjab medical entrance test was held on May 20 and the result was declared within two days. Ever since, students have been waiting anxiously for admissions to various medical colleges. Last year, candidates up to 827th rank on the merit list had secured admission in the MBBS course.
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Playing with health of students?
Ferozepur, September 17 A survey undertaken by an organisation for educational reforms, comprising senior teachers of the region, has revealed disturbing facts. It says 10 students and three women fell ill after eating
'panjeeri' at an anganwari centre in Niamiwala village in Faridkot district on February 8 this year. Principal Rampal and four teachers of a school at Malsari Khera village in Jind district of Haryana were sentenced to a seven-year jail term on March 31, 2009, for misappropriation of mid-day meal funds. The judge observed that exemplary punishment had been awarded as the case involved the interests of children. Fortytwo students of a government school in
Thanesar, Kurukshetra, were taken ill after they were served food contaminated with dead lizards. Cockroaches were reportedly found in the meals served to students at a school in Sector 17,
Panchkula. Lucrative contracts
Though agencies are reportedly supplying foodgrain bags 5kg-7kg less than the prescribed weight, this has not deterred contractors from hankering after lucrative contracts. Sources say a contractor in one block pilfers at least 25 quintals of
foodgrain, making Rs 40,000 per day. In this way, NGOs ostensibly doing social service are not only minting money but also playing with the students’ health. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the scheme has contributed to improving attendance in government schools. Disturbing Facts 10 students and three women were taken ill after eating 'panjeeri' at an anganwari centre in Niamiwala village in Faridkot district on February 8, 2012 The principal and four teachers of a school at Malsari Khera village in Jind district of Haryana were sentenced to 7-year jail term on March 31, 2009, for misappropriation of mid-day meal funds 42 students of a government school in Thanesar, Kurukshetra, were taken ill recently after they were served food contaminated with dead lizards Cockroaches were reportedly found in the meals served to students at a school in Sector 17, Panchkula
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Govt to frame policy to dispose of seized drugs
Moga, September 17 A huge quantity of seized contraband has been lying in government stores for the past many years. The move came following recent orders of the Supreme Court where it has asked all the states to provide details of the seized drugs and psychotropic substances in the past 10 years. It has also asked the states to frame a policy on its judicial supervision and procedure being adopted to dispose of the seized contraband. The Home Department of the state government, through the DGP’s office, has already asked all the SSPs to send details of the contraband lying in police stores so that a report could be compiled and send to the apex court for its perusal through the registrar general of the High Court by the end of this month. A senior police official said the government was considering to set up a gas incinerator in Mansa district to dispose of narcotics in an eco-friendly way. At present, the contraband is burnt by using firewood as fuel which caused air pollution and posed health hazards. The official said over a period of 10 years at least 20,000 cases had been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the state. There had been a sharp rise of more than 35 per cent in the registration of NDPS cases in the past two years, he added. Sources said the Supreme Court had sought these details because it feared that there could be every possibility of seized drugs re-entering the market due to procedural lapses, particularly those pertaining to its disposal. Keeping tabs The move follows SC directions to all states in this regard The govt is also compiling data on contraband lying in police stores It has proposed to set up a gas incinerator in Mansa to dispose of narcotics in an eco-friendly way The SC has sought these details as it feared that there could be every possibility of seized drugs re-entering the market due to procedural lapses
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RTI reveals cancer cases higher in Punjab
Faridkot, September 17 While the health department claimed detecting 5,276 cancer patients in Punjab, the information procured under the RTI by a voluntary organisation, Bhai Kanhaiya Cancer Roko Sewa Society in Faridkot, revealed that as many as 6,434 cancer patients were presently receiving treatment at just two government medical colleges in Punjab. While there are other government, private, charitable hospitals in and outside Punjab from where the patients from the state are receiving treatment, summing up the cancer cases to just 5,276 by the health department in Punjab is a wrong assessment of the problem, said Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, the president of the society. The health department had claimed there were 147 cancer patients in Faridkot. But the information procured under the RTI revealed that 865 cancer patients of Faridkot were receiving treatment at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College (GGSMC) in Faridkot. And 172 of the patients in Faridkot were receiving treatment at the Government Medical College in Patiala, thus taking the figure to 1,037, said
Chandbaja.
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Khanna Factory inferno
Ludhiana, September 17 Sodhi said during their visit to the premises of Sanjiv Agro Solvent Plant, the newly appointed Deputy Director (Factories), MP
Beri, told him that he was an electrical expert and did not know how the explosion took place. Under the given circumstances, the SDM said, it would not be easy to submit the report within the stipulated time. “Though it has already been confirmed that hexane gas leakage from chamber no. 10 led to explosion, how the gas caught fire is yet to be established,” the SDM said. He, however, confirmed that gas leak detectors were installed at the premises. But he could not precisely tell how many workers were present in the factory at the time of the incident. He said as per their information, the factory had 29 workers, out of which 15 were on
duty. Beri said he would again visit the factory tomorrow with experts from his department to ascertain the cause of explosion. His argument The newly appointed Deputy Director Factories, MP
Beri, is an electrical expert and does not know how the explosion took place Beri will again visit the site tomorrow with a team of experts It has been confirmed that hexane gas leakage from chamber no. 10 led to explosion. But how the gas caught fire is yet to be established
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Open to CBI probe into misuse of funds: Ranike
Amritsar, September 17 Talking to mediapersons amid a rush of his supporters at his residence here, Ranike denied directing the district administration to hand over cheques of various grants to his then personal assistant (PA) Sarbhdayal Singh, who has absconded. He said he did not empower Sarbhdayal to collect cheques from the authorities and if he was doing so, he should have been intimated him about it. He said the Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) may have handed over cheques for grants to Sarbhdayal, but they should have determined if these were reaching the beneficiaries. He advocated the need for online payment of welfare funds to the panchayats so that there was no embezzlement. On reports regarding anomalies in the Shagun Scheme in his constituency, he said an inquiry would unearth the truth. Asked if his opponents within the SAD had plotted against him, he restricted himself to saying that “the probe will reveal everything”. He said he was introduced to Sarbhdayal in 1997 by the then SGPC member Jagir Singh Varpal. He had been working for him since then. He denied that his supporters were demoralised after his resignation. Meanwhile, the hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of Sarbhdayal was deferred by Additional District and Sessions Judge PP Singh today, observing that the bail applications of the other two accused in the case, Om Prakash and Amit Kumar, were pending before another court and the same court would now hear Sarbhdayal's plea. Chandigarh: Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil on Monday accepted the resignation of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development and Welfare of SC/BC Minister Gulzar Singh
Ranike.
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Sanjha Morcha puts off protest
Chandigarh, September 17 In a press release issued today, senior vice-president of the party Gurpreet Singh Bhatti said since the central leadership of its allied parties, the CPI and the
CPM, had given a call for nationwide strike on September 20, the Sanjha Morcha had decided to postpone its protest of September 21. He said the People’s Party president, who is also sanjha Morcha chairman, of Punjab would soon fix a meeting of the Sanjha Morcha to decide on the next date of protest.
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Education Dept told to give list of convicted employees
Chandigarh, September 17 An official communication signed by Kahan Singh Pannu, has been sent to all Block Education Officers and District Education Officers (Elementary and Secondary) seeking lists of convicted employees who were still serving. Pannu has quoted a state government order dated August 5,1998, asking for the dismissal of employees held guilty by courts. Pannu said: “We don’t have the exact number of convicted employees who are still still in service. But the number of such employees is high”. The order clearly says that even if the convicted employee has approached a higher court and the conviction order has been stayed or suspended, he will not be allowed to work. If found innocent, the department would be liable to pay him all the financial benefits. Many employees have been convicted for financial irregularities, fudging of records and tampering with the examination module to help students. It may be mentioned that the Punjab Police had dismissed 52 tainted officials, including four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), as mentioned in an affidavit filed in the High Court in February this year. However, the department decided to retain at least 22 officials sentenced for a maximum three years or less.
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Playing with health of students? Ferozepur, September 17 A survey undertaken by an organisation for educational reforms, comprising senior teachers of the region, has revealed disturbing facts. It says 10 students and three women fell ill after eating 'panjeeri' at an anganwari centre in Niamiwala village in Faridkot district on February 8 this year. Principal Rampal and four teachers of a school at Malsari Khera village in Jind district of Haryana were sentenced to a seven-year jail term on March 31, 2009, for misappropriation of mid-day meal funds. The judge observed that exemplary punishment had been awarded as the case involved the interests of children. Fortytwo students of a government school in Thanesar, Kurukshetra, were taken ill after they were served food contaminated with dead lizards. Cockroaches were reportedly found in the meals served to students at a school in Sector 17, Panchkula. Lucrative contracts Though agencies are reportedly supplying foodgrain bags 5kg-7kg less than the prescribed weight, this has not deterred contractors from hankering after lucrative contracts. Sources say a contractor in one block pilfers at least 25 quintals of foodgrain, making Rs 40,000 per day. In this way, NGOs ostensibly doing social service are not only minting money but also playing with the students’ health. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the scheme has contributed to improving attendance in government schools. 10 students and three women were taken ill after eating 'panjeeri' at an anganwari centre in Niamiwala village in Faridkot district on February 8, 2012 The principal and four teachers of a school at Malsari Khera village in Jind district of Haryana were sentenced to 7-year jail term on March 31, 2009, for misappropriation of mid-day meal funds 42 students of a government school in Thanesar, Kurukshetra, were taken ill recently after they were served food contaminated with dead lizards Cockroaches were reportedly found in the meals served to students at a school in Sector 17, Panchkula
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High Court notice to Punjab on groundwater usage
Chandigarh, September 17 The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Jain issued the notices for October 3 on the PIL filed by advocate HC Arora. He was seeking the issuance of directions to deputy commissioners, municipal corporations and municipal councils through the Punjab Chief Secretary for imposing a ban on use of groundwater for construction purposes. He was also seeking adoption of other measures such as rainwater harvesting. For the purpose, Arora suggested amendments in the bylaws for making provision for the same.
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HC says no to independent inquiry in Shivali case
Chandigarh, September 17 An FIR was lodged against Inspector Balwinder Kaur and photojournalists Brijesh Kumar and Ravi under Section 306 of the IPC for abetment to suicide on August 30. Shivali was stopped while in the company of her friend at a police naka, which was set up to prevent incidents of eve-teasing. The photojournalists on the spot started clicking pictures. The arguments with Inspector Balwinder Kaur took an ugly turn. Shivali asked the photojournalists to stop clicking her pictures, to which they allegedly paid no heed, and kept clicking more pictures. The accompanying boy along with the girl left the spot and later, Shivali allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving train. The inquiry report submitted by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice confirmed Shivali committed suicide owing to harassment by the woman Inspector in presence of
mediapersons.
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Hold DSGMC poll by Dec 31, Delhi Govt told
New Delhi, September 17 A Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and Anil Dave also ruled that only those who had an identity card recognised by the Election Commission for allowing voters to exercise franchise could cast their vote in the DSGMC poll. The Bench clarified that the electorate would also be subjected to the DSGMC Election of Members Rules 1972 under which Sikhs alone could vote in the elections. The Supreme Court made it clear that the preparation of fresh electoral rolls and delimitation would have to be undertaken only if found necessary. The apex court passed the verdict while disposing of the appeals of the Dashmesh Sewa Society and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi UK), challenging the March 1, 2012, order of the Delhi High Court allowing holding of elections without undertaking a fresh revision of electoral rolls and delimitation of wards. Senior counsel KTS Tulsi, appearing for the Delhi Government, said the revised electoral rolls contained 4,05,332 eligible voters. However, the petitioners contended that only about 2.5 lakh of them were genuine and the rest were bogus voters. The Bench, however, maintained that “it is very difficult to accept” that 1.5 lakh voters could be bogus as only 5,000 objections had been received following the publication of the draft rolls. Tulsi said the Delhi Government was in a position to complete the election process in 10 weeks, subject to the availability of school buildings, teachers and police personnel for conducting the poll. Taking note of this, the Supreme Court asked all concerned to provide the necessary assistance and cooperation to the Delhi Government. “Let the elections be held without further delay. The order by the Division Bench of the High Court is fair,” the Judges remarked.
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Suicide case: Arrest warrants against DSP
Amritsar, September 17 Hardev Singh is at present posted as DSP, Zira. The warrants were issued after the two failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons. The Punjab Human Rights Organisation
(PHRO) had filed a complaint in the court alleging that the police officials had a role in driving Hardeep Singh and his family members to suicide. Hardeep reportedly scribbled his plight on the walls of his house before taking his life. Two other accused in the case, Manmohan Singh and Jaswinder Singh, have already got bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Sarbjit Singh, prime investigator,
PHRO, said enquiries by the organisation had revealed that harassment at the hands of Kultar Singh had driven Hardeep Singh and his family members to suicide. Suicide notes left by the victims also mentioned the former SSP’s name. “Hardev Singh managed to delete his name from the notes during police investigations,” Sarbjit alleged.
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Heroin worth Rs 15 cr seized
Ferozepur, September 17 PK Rathore Commandant, 143 Battalion, said after a tip-off, the BSF had increased vigil between BOP DT Mal and BOP Jagdish. Rathore said their jawans today launched a search operation during which sniffer dogs were also pressed into service keeping in view the thick growth of wild grass in the area. Officials said “Tyson” zeroed in on a spot near border pillar 193/89. On a thorough search, three packets of high quality heroin worth Rs 15 crore were recovered. The officials said further investigations were on and more recovery was likely to be made.
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Jalandhar man held for robbing Dera Bassi couple
Mohali, September 17 The accused, identified as Talwinder Singh alias Dimple alias Hitesh Kumar, a resident of Urban Estate, Jalandhar, is also wanted in a rape case and had also been lodged in jail earlier in a cheating case. Dimple along with his sister-in-law had recently looted an elderly couple of Gulmohar Complex, Dera Bassi, by drugging them at an eating joint there. Both the accused were waiting for their next victim in a car at Kharar at the time of their arrest. The police has seized two motorcycles, one LCD, 12 mobile phones, fake identity cards, passports, voter cards, PAN cards, driving licences, credit cards, ATM cards of various banks and other documents from their possession. Mohali SSP GS Bhullar said Dimple had confessed to his involvement in at least 20 cases of robbery. Revealing his modus operandi, the SSP said Dimple used to give advertisements regarding requirement for nurse/maid in Canada. “When interested parties approached him, he asked them to keep hefty balance in their own bank accounts for visa purpose. He then accompanied them to an ATM to get a mini-statement of their accounts and noted their passwords. Later, he offered them drug-laced tea or cold drink and robbed them of cash, ATM and other valuables,” said Bhullar said. He said Dimple and his wife Prabhjot Kaur had opened several fake bank accounts. He had looted at least Rs 50 lakh from people belonging to Meerut, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he said. Bhullar said the police was looking for officials who had helped him in preparing fake driving licences, voter cards, PAN cards etc. Dimple had been to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore on a fake passport in the name of Amanveet Singh. He also worked as a driver of a trailer in Dubai about five years ago.
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Three-time municipal councillor Jaspal Pradhan of the SAD was unanimously elected Mayor of Patiala.The post of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor went to BJP councillors Jagdish Rai and Harinder
Kohli, respectively. They too were elected
unopposed.
Putting up a brave front, former Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike today said he was open to a CBI probe into embezzlement of funds in his constituency as was demanded by certain quarters.
The Mohali police today arrested a Jalandhar resident along with his 15-year-old sister-in-law on the charges of robbing at least 20 persons after offering them drug-laced drinks.
The accused, identified as Talwinder Singh alias Dimple alias Hitesh Kumar, a resident of Urban Estate,
Jalandhar, is also wanted in a rape case and had also been lodged in jail earlier in a cheating case.
