The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

NEWS AND VIEWS

PUNJAB

HARYANA

JAMMU & KASHMIR

HIMACHAL

REGIONAL BRIEFS

NATION

OPINIONS

LETTERS

BUSINESS

SPORTS

WORLD

SPECIAL COVERAGE

CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

J A L A N D H A R E D I T I O N

Villagers in gloom as Shahbaz Sharif cancel his trip
Jatti Umra (Tarn Taran), December 14
Hopes have faded and have virtually turned into despair for hundreds of residents of the ancestral village of Pak-Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who has left them in the lurch by canceling his India tour at the last moment.

Contractual conductors on strike
Tarn Taran, December 14
On the first day of the two-day strike called by the conductors working on contractual basis in the Roadways observed strike at the local and Patti depots. Lakha Singh, president of the local depot said, “We are working since six years on meager salary. We are demanding regularisation of our service.” — OC

CITU workers against FDI
Tarn Taran, December 14
The workers of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a rally to protest against the alleged anti-people and anti-working class policies of the Union and state governments, here today. — OC

EARLIER STORIES

	Officials of India, Pakistan commerce ministries hold meeting December 14, 2012
	‘Money, power had gone to Rana's head’ December 13, 2012
	Newborn found dead; another abandoned December 12, 2012
	Gateman’s error claims two lives December 11, 2012
	Govt students shine at science project December 10, 2012
	Govt to unveil new industrial policy next year: Joshi December 8, 2012
	Woman’s body found December 7, 2012
	Training programme for women councillors ends December 6, 2012
	Kin of ‘murdered’ woman stage dharna December 5, 2012

Safai karamcharis on indefinite strike
Nakodar, December 14
After 27 days long dharna before Nakodar Nagar Council, all safai karamcharis of Nakodar Municipal Committee yesterday went on an indefinite strike in support of their demands. The Protesters gheraoed the official car of the NC president and then staged dharna before the residence of vice-president Vijay Popli. Their demands include regularisation of the services of the safai karamcharis. — OC

Drug peddler nabbed
Nakodar, December 14
Zandiala police has arrested a drug peddler, Harjinder Singh alias Billa of Miherru village, and recovered 120 gm of intoxicant powder from his possession. The police has also impounded his pulsar motorcycle. He was nabbed at a naka near Zandiala village. — OC

Villagers in gloom as Shahbaz Sharif cancel his trip
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Jatti Umra (Tarn Taran), December 14
Hopes have faded and have virtually turned into despair for hundreds of residents of the ancestral village of Pak-Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who has left them in the lurch by canceling his India tour at the last moment.

A shadow of uncertainty has also started looming large on a large number of projects to ensure all-round development of the village. Now, villagers are not even sure whether the development works worth over Rs 2.25 crore, kick-started by the Punjab government ahead of Shahbaz's visit would get completed or not.

Harmesh Singh Pabla, deputy commissioner, Tarn Taran, said: "Since, the cheques worth Rs. 2.25 crores have already been issued to the PWD authorities by the Punjab government, the development works would be carried as per the schedule and that the cancellation of Sharif's visit will not affect any projects that is underway."

"We will write a letter to Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif to reschedule their visit to the village. I had even purchased a ring and a shawl as a token of love for Shahbaz. I don't know what to do with it," said Massa Singh, a close family friend of Nawaz and Shahbaz.

The villagers had made large-scale arrangements to offer a grandiose welcome to Shahbaz and six members of his family who had to visit the village on December 16. The villagers had even planned a 'Deepmala' on the night of December 15.

Every arrangement was in place. We had even arranged for food items. The ladies had made arrangements for 'sarson da saag' and 'makki ki roti' for the dignitaries. Entire village was almost off work for days together to ensure that nothing was left unprepared. Our hopes have crash-landed now," said Dilbag Singh, a member of the village panchayat.

"They are like crowns of our village. Everybody loves them like family members, so everybody desires to see them here. We are looking forward to their next visit," said Balwinder Singh.

Massa Singh fondly reminisced about the last visit of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and their six brothers in 1976. All the seven brothers descended to the village in their seven cars. They had brought along huge boxes full of mouth-watering sweets which we relished for days, he said.