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science conclave
12,650 quintals of fodder seed for farmers: Phillaur
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Students block highway
against hike in exam fee
Capt loyalists confident he will remain as PCC chief
Cong defends Rahul’s remarks on drug menace in state
Raise memorial for innocent lives lost during terrorism, demands BJP
Congress leaders pull up monitoring body officials
SAD gaining strength in Patiala, claims Badal
Heart-rending scenes as bodies of four Indians reach Buani
Gastro cases: Central team visits Batala’s affected area
Shruti Abduction Case
Rail coach factory staff strike work
Land earmarked for cemetary in Amritsar
Recruitment of woman police constables under HC scanner
Woman burnt to death; husband, in-laws booked
Ludhiana fire victim succumbs to injuries
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science conclave
Jalandhar, October 12 Inaugurating the second phase of the national science conclave at the Lovely Professional University here, Nair said policies alone could not bring about the desired change in the society as the common man’s participation was imperative. “The people should join hands and come forward to seek solutions to problems in agriculture, water and power supply and healthcare sectors. Just thinking that the government does not care can bring no solution. The truth is policies cannot be of much help unless the people are aware,” he said. Over 1,500 scientists from various parts of the country have been participating in the four-day conclave, the theme of which is “Science for global development”. Besides, a large number of villagers, farmers, artisans and students are also participating. Referring to the university students seated among the crowd,
Nair, a 1963 batch IAS officer from Punjab cadre, said, “It’s a joy to be among the young. It reminds me of my college days…. We all should strive together to prove ourselves worthy citizens.” Nair is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management,
Kozhikode; the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development. He also served as the Punjab Chief Secretary. He has remained Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office during the tenure of three Prime Ministers, including IK
Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. Scientists warn against excess mobile phone usage A study conducted by researchers from the Lovely Professional University has pointed out that children and the aged were more prone to be affected by harmful radiations emanating from mobile phones and towers as they had fragile immune system and skull structure. High levels of absorption of mobile radiations may lead to excessive cell damage and in turn, cause chronic diseases, it said. The study was conducted by Deepak Basandrai and AK Dhami of the university’s Division of Research and Development. The two researchers stated that they measured radiation levels in case of those residing near hospitals and schools. The scientists mentioned in their paper that cell phones should not be used for more than 30 minutes in a day and never for more than six minutes at a single stretch.
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12,650 quintals of fodder seed for farmers: Phillaur
Jalandhar, October 12 Addressing farmers at a state-level seed distribution function at Kartarpur near here, Phillaur said, "Punjab will be spending Rs 6.65 crore on quality fodder seed. Not only this, the government has already introduced a number of schemes to attract the farmers toward dairy farming." Phillaur said high-quality semen straws had been imported from countries like the US and Canada to improve livestock quality of cows and buffaloes. "Farmers are being encouraged to take more interest in
piggery, pisciculture and poultry. Nine new poly-clinics at district level and 19 veterinary hospitals have been set up at the tehsil level at a cost of Rs 33.50
crore," Phillaur said.
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Students block highway
against hike in exam fee
Ropar, October 12 The students started gathering on the premises of the college in the morning and later blocked the traffic for more than one hour. They alleged that the management had unjustifiably increased the examination fee. The management was demanding Rs 1,200 against Rs 700, the students said. They also alleged that the management had charged Rs 10,000 as training fee from students during the first semester, but no such training was imparted to them. However, the students lifted the blockade only after the intervention of the police. The spokesman of the institute, Sanjiv
Tejpal, said the management had asked the students for examination fee according to the PTU’s guidelines.
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Capt loyalists confident he will remain as PCC chief
Chandigarh, October 12 The camp proved that it called the shots by mustering the support of 33 legislators and 20 former district Congress committee (DCC) presidents today. The Amarinder camp had been put on the defensive yesterday with a number of former Pradesh Congress and DCC presidents calling for his ouster in favour of a person "steeped in the Congress culture." Sources said the show of strength put up by Amarinder loyalists served as a message to the party high command that the PCC chief continued to be the most popular Congress leader in the state. The Amarinder camp was at its diplomatic best stating that Rahul’s visit had boosted the morale of the party rank and file, urging him to conduct more such exercises. It has, however, adopted a rigid stand against “vested interests” who it claims had launched a “disinformation campaign” during Rahul’s visit. Claiming that even the media had been “misled” by such people, the MLAs and district presidents urged the party high command to identify such leaders and take strict action against them. The leaders claimed that contrary to reports, there was no demand for a change in the PCC leadership during Rahul’s visit. Rather, an overwhelming number of leaders, including block presidents, district presidents, former district presidents and MLAs had told Rahul that Amarinder was the tallest leader in the state who alone could take on the Akalis. The Congress leaders claimed that an attempt was being made by these "vested interests" to give the impression that Rahul’s visit was aimed at changing the leadership in Punjab. This, they said, was far from the truth as Rahul had visited Punjab as part of his nationwide tour to meet party workers. Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar said Rahul had gone with the impression that Amarinder continued to enjoy the confidence of the party rank and file. Jakhar said in his view, Amarinder would continue as PCC chief, but with a few riders. Perhaps under a new arrangement, deputies could be attached with the PCC chief to assist him in day-to-day affairs. Among the senior leaders and MLAs signatories to the statement released by the Amarinder camp today were Fatehjang Singh Bajwa and Rana KP besides legislators Lal Singh, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Ashwani Sekhri, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Kewal Dhillon, Arvind Khanna, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Joginder Singh Panjgrian, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Mohammad Sadiq, Harchand Kaur, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Hardayal Singh Kamboj, Guriqbal Kaur, Balbir Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sunder Shyam Arora, Sangat Singh Giljian, Rajneesh Babbi, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Aruna Chaudhary, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sukh Sarkaria, OP Soni, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Rana Gurjeet Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurcharan Singh Boparai, Surinder Dawar, Navtej Cheema and Amrik Dhillon.
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Cong defends Rahul’s remarks on drug menace in state
New Delhi, October 12 Rahul’s observation was criticised by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who described the Congress leader as a “national joke” for making derogatory statements about the youth in the state. Hitting back, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari quoted from an affidavit filed by the Punjab Government in court stating that 70 per cent of youth in Punjab was addicted to drugs. “The Akali government reacted with its classic sense of ignorance and arrogance,” Tewari said, adding that it should apologise for the remarks made yesterday. He said the state government should thank Rahul for drawing attention to the problem as the SAD Government had refused to take responsibility for the rampant menace. He asked Badal to explain the measures taken by the state administration to check the increasing cases of drug abuse by the young. Addressing a rally at Panjab University, Chandigarh, yesterday, Rahul had expressed concern at the enormity of the drug menace in the state, pointing out that 70 per cent of the youth was addicted to drugs. Rahul spent two days in Punjab (Oct 10, 11) interacting with party cadres and university students.
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Raise memorial for innocent lives lost during terrorism, demands BJP
Chandigarh, October 12 He said a peace memorial on the lines of Jallianwala Bagh should be built as a tribute to them. The BJP spokesman, Manoranjan Kalia, said his party was against any act which glorified the period of terrorism in the state. “Let the memorial be built in memory of all those who died fighting terrorism.” The SGPC is raising a memorial for all those killed inside the Golden Temple complex during Operation
Bluestar.
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Congress leaders pull up monitoring body officials
Gurdaspur, October 12 All three BJP legislators of the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency, Deputy Speaker Dinesh Babbu (Sujanpur), Seema Kumari (Bhoa) and Ashwani Sharma (Pathankot), decided to stay away. Gurdaspur legislator GS Babbehali was also absent. “Obviously, the BJP-SAD legislators are not comfortable attending a meeting presided over by a Congress MP. If this political incongruity is not removed, such meetings will lose their relevance,” remarked a senior official. Bajwa and Dera Baba Nanak legislator Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticised the slow pace of implementation of schemes such as Indira Awaas Yojna, MGNREGA and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). They demanded an explanation from the officials regarding the tardy progress of these schemes in their Vidhan Sabha segments. The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Abhinav Trikha, ensured that the meeting went off smoothly despite the frayed tempers. The focus of the meeting was link roads in the Pathankot assembly segment. “Funds have been allocated out of the PMGSY for construction of several link roads in and around Pathankot. However, Forest Department officials claim that their land can be acquired only if their department is given land and not money as compensation. Hence, all works have come to a standstill,” said Bajwa. Legislator Randhawa claimed that the Deputy Commissioner (DC) should inquire into the alleged embezzlement of IAY funds in Sahari village in Dhariwal. “A sum of Rs 35 lakh has been credited directly into the account of the sarpanch against all norms.” The DC said an inquiry into the matter was being conducted by the Additional DC, Development.
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SAD gaining strength in Patiala, claims Badal
Patiala, October 12 Speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating an 11-day annual Saras Mela at Sheesh Mahal here today, Badal said the SAD was committed to the overall development of Patiala and party activists were already working to consolidate the party's base in the district. The claims made by the Chief Minister could be substantiated from the fact that apart from the increasing visits of the Badal duo and Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia to Patiala, either a Cabinet Minister or the Chief Parliamentary Secretary would be visiting the mela on a daily basis. On October 14, Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa would visit the mela. On October 15 and 16, Sukhbir and Majithia, respectively, would be in the city for the mela. However, in Patiala, which was considered to be the fiefdom of the Congress, the strengthening of the SAD could be gauged from the fact that during the 2007 Assembly elections, the Congress won seven seats out of eight and during the 2012 state poll, the Akali Dal managed to wrest three seats, with the Congress winning just five. During the past few years, the Akali Dal had given a push to the party's activities in Patiala. "The defeat of the scion of the Patiala royal family Raninder Singh Tikku, who contested elections against Surjit Singh Rakhra, boosted the morale of the party cadre,” feels a majority of SAD leaders. Party leaders also feel that entry of Deepinder Singh Dhillon, who was close to Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, will also pay dividends to the Akali Dal in the 2014 general elections, as Dhillon is a mass base leader. Meanwhile, on the statement made by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi pertaining to drug addiction among youth in Punjab, Badal said, “The Centre has time and again ignored the issue of inflow of drugs in Punjab and now the Congress is accusing us of the drug menace. It is simply ridiculous. Drugs come either from across the border or from Rajasthan and hence, the matter can be dealt only by the Centre. Our government has sought assistance from the Union Government in this regard, but there has been no positive outcome so far.” Congress leader from Patiala Ajay Thapar has announced to join the SAD along with his supporters. Confirming the same, Thapar said he had worked in a dedicated manner for the strengthening of the Congress, particularly the party's youth wing. He said, "Despite the fact that I had served the party in various capacities since 1992, I feel ignored and cornered. I have decided to quit the party and will be joining the SAD in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on October 15 in Patiala”. Though no Congress leader from Patiala is ready to make any statement on record, a senior party leader on the condition of anonymity, said, "If the Congress leader and activist from Patiala deserts the party, it is certainly a matter of concern”.
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Heart-rending scenes as bodies of four Indians reach Buani
Doraha, October 12 Agony and anger seemed to be writ large on every face as the pyre was lit. “Today our wait is over. How can the Almighty be so cruel as to give such a terrible end to the story of a mother and her three sons? Never could I think about such a misfortune. How can anybody be so cruel to kill all four of them in one go?” asked Jang Singh, the wailing grandfather, as he placed a toy, which he had bought last month, near the bodies of his grandsons. Jhajj, who brought the bodies to India, said the Belgium government was in the process of a thorough investigation and was on the lookout for the Bangaladeshi man who was found missing ever since the murders were committed. Nirmal Singh, Rajvir’s father, said, “Today when I performed their last rites, I believed that my daughter and grandsons are no more. But I have the satisfaction that they were cremated with honour and their souls will find peace”. Jasvir Jhajj, a close friend of the family, said they were indebted to the Punjab government, which had assisted the family in bringing the bodies back. PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who came to attend the cremation, assured them that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had promised to render every possible support to the bereaved family. “The Punjab government will exert pressure on the Central government to pressurise the Belgium government to nab the accused as soon as possible,” he said. Punjab Speaker and local MLA Charanjit Singh Atwal, Adviser to the Chief Minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal, chairman, Subordinate Services Board, Santa Singh Umedpuri, national general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal (Women), Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, Rahul Tiwari, and local leaders Lakhwinder Singh Lakha and Kartar Buani were also present.
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Gastro cases: Central team visits Batala’s affected area
Gurdaspur, October 12 The local Civil Hospital authorities were not ready to tell the exact cause of the deaths although a second lab report says that at least one patient had died of cholera and another of food poisoning. Meanwhile, the Sewerage Board authorities have decided to replace rusted water pipes in the Gandhi Camp area. The Deputy Commissioner said 274 new water supply connections would be provided to the residents. A Central Government team of the Department of Health and Family Welfare comprising Dr Amit Karad, Consultant Epidemiologist, National Council for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Somnath Karmakar, Joint Director, NCDC, and Dr Rajat Parsad arrived here this morning and visited the affected area. Ambika Khanna, former president of the Batala MC, claimed that water tanks in the Gandhi Camp area had not been chlorinated for the past several months, a claim that was corroborated by top municipal officials. Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Avinash Rai Khanna, who donated Rs 22 lakh from the LAD (Local Area Development) Fund for improving the facilities in Gandhi Camp, and BJP national executive member Swaran Salaria visited the affected families.
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Shruti Abduction Case
Faridkot, October 12 Cutting across party lines and wearing black badges, leaders and activists of almost all political parties, including the SAD, participated in a protest rally. Senior BJP leader and former Health Minister Laxmi Kant Chawla said: “The Faridkot Member of Parliament is a woman but for some unknown reasons, she has remained mum on the kidnapping." She asked the people to socially boycott all those "protecting" the culprits and burn their effigies on the Dasehra festival. Senior CPI leader Joginder Dayal and former MLA Hardev Arshi alleged a nexus between the bureaucracy, politicians and goons. Senior Congress leader Avtar Singh Brar also addressed the protesters. Deep Malhotra, Faridkot legislator (SAD), who participated in a dharna in front of the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police, pledged support for the victim's family. He faced uncomfortable moments with several speakers accusing SAD leaders of shielding the culprits. The local Action Committee members gave a two-day ultimatum to the government to trace the girl and arrest the kidnappers. On the sidelines... Over 3,000 police personnel were deployed on Faridkot roads Doctors, chemists, vegetable vendors, dhaba owners and even liquor shops keeping their shutters down All private education institutions remained shut; the presence of students in govt institutions was thin Over 1,000 students under the PSU banner held a protest march
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Rail coach factory staff strike work
Kapurthala, October 12 A large number of employees under the banners of RCF Employees Union, RCF Mazdur Union and RCF Men's Union today observed a tool-down strike on the factory premises and criticised the government's move for introducing public-private-partnership (PPP) mode in the factory. The unions claimed that the RCF was a profit-generating unit of the Railways and it had produced a variety of coaches, including double-decker coaches. They claimed that the "dedicated" employees had created history by recording the highest-ever production of 1,602 coaches in 2010-11. The decision for corporatisation of the factory has caused a widespread resentment among the employees, claimed union leaders Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Suresh Pal and Rajbir Sharma. They have requested the Ministry to review the decision.
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At
anganwaris, it’s back to firewood Bathinda, October 12 Anganwari staff supervising the preparation of food said that cooking would be tough in the winter season. “We get Rs 85 per month for LPG use for a centre catering to 40 beneficiaries," said Hargobind
Kaur, president of the Anganwari Employees' Federation of India. She said it was strange that the government had hiked the rate of LPG cylinders to the anganwaris despite the fact that the mid-day meal scheme was a welfare scheme. A teacher at an anganwari school here said: “We require two cylinders for 150 children every month. We just can't afford to spend so much money on LPG."
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Land earmarked for cemetary in Amritsar Amritsar, October 12 Punjab State Minorities Commission Chairman Munnawar Masih, who held a meeting with district administration officials here today, said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had promised a sum of Rs 25 lakh for the community hall. He said the municipal authorities had prepared a draft proposal which would be presented at the next meeting of the MC House. Also, the House would pass a resolution earmarking land for the cemetery on the Chabal road. — TNS
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Recruitment of woman police constables under HC scanner
Chandigarh, October 12 Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa today directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, to examine the CD of the recruitment process to the post of female police constables conducted on May 14, 2011. Kiranjit Kaur and Prabhpreet Kaur of Patiala district had challenged the selection and appointment of 34 female constables made by the Subordinate Recruitment Board, Punjab Police. The petitioners had contended that four of the selected woman constables had failed in the physical efficiency test. When the petitioners sought a copy of the CD showing the video of the physical efficiency test under the Right to Information Act, it was denied to them on one pretext or the other. When summoned by the Punjab Information Commission, the Patiala Superintendent of Police claimed that the CD could not be produced as it had got infected by a virus. The respondents today produced a report dated September 3, 2012, from the Directorate of Forensic Science, Gandhinagar, mentioning that the examination of the CD could not be carried out since the read/write head of the computer storage media was not in a working condition. The counsel for the petitioners, HC Arora, submitted before the court that in the face of allegations levelled by the petitioners that the CD had been tampered with, a direction be issued to some other forensic laboratory for examination as to whether the CD had been infected with virus or it had been tampered with. About the case The High Court has ordered forensic examination of a CD containing a video of the recruitment process Two Patiala girls had challenged the appointment of four constables They had alleged that the four selected woman constables had failed in the physical efficiency test
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Woman burnt to death; husband, in-laws booked
Sangrur, October 12 In his complaint, the victim's father, Ramesh Kumar, alleged that the accused poured kerosene over his daughter and then set her afire. The police has registered a case against three persons, including the victim's husband Tejinder Pal, father-in-law Raghbir Parkash and mother-in-law Satya Sharma, under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. However, no arrests have been made in the case so far. The Dhuri Station House Officer said the police received information about Ritu's death from a local hospital last night.
2 held with heroin
Amritsar: Jawans of 80th battalion of the BSF today nabbed two smugglers, Sardul Singh and Harpal Singh, both residents of Mehandipur village, and seized 4 kg of heroin worth Rs 20 crore, a Pakistan-made pistol, two magazines and 12 live cartridges from them. During patrolling in the Khemkaran sector, the jawans noticed the two behaving in a suspicious manner while harvesting their fields.
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Ludhiana fire victim succumbs to injuries
Ludhiana, October 12 While politicians are busy getting their photographs clicked with the victim, none of them has come forward to offer financial support to the victim's family. “So far, Rs 40,000 has been spent on the girl’s treatment. As the case is critical, the hospital authorities are not pressing us to arrange the money. We know that we have to pay the cost of the treatment and it is expected to cross over Rs 1.5 lakh. We are poor and barely earn two square meals by doing odd jobs. It is getting tough for us to arrange the money,” said Sonu, victim’s uncle. However, the family members of an acid-attack victim has extended support to the burn victim today and demanded capital punishment for the accused persons. Parkash Kaur, mother of the acid-attack victim Sandeep Kaur, who died in June 2007, said the gory incident had brought back the sad memories of her daughter’s death. “I can understand the family’s plight as I had also undergone a similar situation. My daughter suffered an acid attack on April 1 and underwent treatment for nearly three months. Around Rs 10 lakh was spent on her treatment. We had not only lost our daughter but also faced huge financial loss. Unfortunately, no one came to our help”. Prem Grover, president of the Voice of Youth Foundation, and Raman Goyal, president of Helping Hands Club, two NGOs pursuing the case, demanded registration of a double murder case against the accused. “Now that it has been established that the girl, who was set on fire was pregnant, the accused, Gopi, should be booked for two murders,” they said. They said the police should have preserved the foetus as it was crucial evidence. They also offered financial support to the victim’s family.
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Jalandhar, October 12
