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House seeks technology mission
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People being harassed: Cong
Sukhbir, not Badal, pens House script
House passes resolution on diversification Majithia Aurangzeb in making: Capt
Jagpreet grieves over the death of his younger brother Gobind. (inset) Relatives of the three youths at the accident site on Ferozepur Road near Gohar village. Tribune photos: Himanshu Mahajan
Pak delegation arrives for PAU Alumni Meet
74 food samples fail safety test in Sangrur
Pak Rangers’ team arrives for quarterly meeting
BSF Deputy Inspector-General PS Bains (L) with Pakistan Rangers Director- General Brig Mohammad Jamil at the Wagah border on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Patwaris not given medical reimbursement for 8 years
Misuse of non-subsidised domestic LPG rampant
Former Akali minister Raja Narinder dead
Sarna denies hospital ownership charge
Kala Sanghian to be pollution-free in 16 months, State tells HC
Avtar Henry citizenship case
Honour killing Saini’s Promotion
Sarpanch embezzled welfare funds: Probe
ASI’s murder: Fifth accused nabbed
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assembly in session
Chandigarh, December 19 Miffed, some Congress MLAs decided to take things into their own hands, said sources. A strategy was formed to disrupt Majithia’s speech. The MLAs were reportedly wary of the debate swinging in favour of the SAD if Majithia was to make certain “revelations” against them. Ferozepur legislator Parminder Pinky who was the first to stand up and heckle Majithia as he spoke. He was joined by Fatehgarh Sahib legislator Kuljeet Nagra also interrupting Majithia vociferously. Former Minister Laal Singh too got up on a point of order. Addressing the Speaker, he demanded Majithia’s dismissal from the state Cabinet. Soonafter, all Congress members trooped into the well of the House and started raising slogans, calling Majithia a murderer. Majithia’s speech was lost in the din. Majithia too adopted an aggressive posture. He levelled allegations against Rana Gurjit, OP Soni and Balbir Singh Sidhu. At this juncture, Rana moved towards Majithia menacingly, resulting in an altercation. The House was adjourned. Jakhar supported his MLAs in their protest. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal remarked that it was the Congress MLAs and not Jakhar calling the shots on the floor of the House. When the House re-assembled, Sukhbir told Jakhar: “You are helpless. You cannot control your MLAs”. Sources said it was decided at a CLP meeting last night that Jakhar would demand Majithia’s resignation for protecting “criminal elements” and that Congress members would not allow the House to function till this demand was accepted.
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House seeks technology mission
Chandiagrh, December 19 A resolution to this effect was moved by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The resolution also requested the Centre to release the promised relief package forthwith to bail out the Punjab farmers and the state government in the wake of the near drought-like conditions during the kharif 2012. The package envisages a relief of Rs 3,000 per hectare to rice growers and Rs 1,530 crore to the state government as compensation for supplying additional power to the farmers for irrigating paddy. The resolution said the constant increase in the cost of agriculture inputs and the subsequent non-remunerative minimum support price (MSP) had rendered the wheat-paddy cycle non-profitable. Punjab farmers were reeling under a heavy debt to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore. Repeated sowing of paddy had resulted in the depletion of ground water and it was the need of the hour to switch over to other alternative crops. The resolution said that the state farmers should be motivated to opt for diversification and that it was payback time and the Centre must acknowledge the “services rendered by our farmers (in making the country surplus in foodgrain) by giving them their due share.
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People being harassed: Cong
Chandigarh, December 19 Legislator Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, flashing pictures, claimed that a gurudwara in Fatehgarh Gheri in Ferozepur, built on panchayat land, had been recently demolished by a local Akali leader. “He was supported by a particular police officer.” Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal asked for the pictures with were delivered to the Speaker. Brahm Mahindra pointed out that in the Patiala constituency of Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, one Dharam Singh was wrongly booked under Section 307. He claimed that a top cop handling the matter had told him that he was “helpless.” Ajaib Bhatti, MLA from Buccho Mandi, cited the instance of a man who was beaten up only because he was opposed to a strongman of the local unit of the SAD. To this, Sukbhbir reacted: “Reach out to me and don’t wait for the Vidhan Sabha to meet to voice such issues.”
Health Insurance Unemployment Mining
restriction Choes in Sirhind
Mittal loses cool
'Eklavya' Jakhar
Majithia's barb
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Sukhbir, not Badal, pens House script
Chandigarh, December 19 The first incident occurred immediately after the altercation between Congress legislator Rana Gurjeet and Revenue minister Bikram Majithia. Even as there was chaos in the assembly, party legislators grouped around Majithia and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Badal sat forlorn and did not participate in the proceedings. The second incident occurred after the altercation when the House re-assembled. It seemed Sukhbir had come prepared with the course of action to be taken in the assembly. The CM made an attempt to get up and speak. But Sukhbir requested him to remain seated by going over to him and holding his hand. A lot is being read into both the incidents. Observers claim that if Badal Senior had been allowed to have his way, things would not have deteriorated on floor of the House to the extent they did. The Chief Minister is known for his ability to carry his bitter rivals along whenever needed. Sources said Sukhbir returned to the assembly after the altercation with an agenda and went on to implement it without giving Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar a chance to speak. His body language was aggressive. It was clear he did not want to compromise. Observers say the SAD's aggressive stance is partly because of Sukhbir's influence and particularly so after the SAD-BJP’s victory in the last elections. The SAD has adopted a derisive attitude towards the Congress. Sukhbir's supporters say the fact that he makes quick decisions and does not beat about the bush is not liked by many and is termed as arrogance. Be what it may, even Jakhar had a word of caution for Badal. “Pagri sambhal jatta” was Jakhar’s advise to Badal Senior. He said the people had given the reins of the state to him and that he should take back the reins from those who had “hijacked power."
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House passes resolution on diversification Chandiagrh, December 19 A resolution to this effect was moved by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The resolution also requested the Centre to release the promised relief package forthwith to bail out the Punjab farmers and the state government in the wake of the near drought-like conditions during the kharif 2012. The package envisages a relief of Rs 3,000 per hectare to rice growers and Rs 1,530 crore to the state government as compensation for supplying additional power to the farmers for irrigating paddy. The resolution said the constant increase in the cost of agriculture inputs and the subsequent non-remunerative minimum support price (MSP) had rendered the wheat-paddy cycle non-profitable. Punjab farmers were reeling under a heavy debt to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore. Repeated sowing of paddy had resulted in the depletion of ground water and it was the need of the hour to switch over to other alternative crops. The resolution said that the state farmers should be motivated to opt for diversification and that it was payback time and the Centre must acknowledge the “services rendered by our farmers (in making the country surplus in foodgrain) by giving them their due share.
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Majithia Aurangzeb in making: Capt Chandigarh, December 19 Blaming Majithia for the ruckus in the House, he warned that Majithia was an Aurangzeb in the making with all attributes of a despot such as arrogance, ambition and ruthlessness. Cautioning Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal against Majithia's overriding ambition, Amarinder said: "I wish you a long life, but the day you are not around, I am sure Bikram will take no time in usurping Sukhbir's position like Aurangzeb did to his brothers and father". He pointed out that Majithia was already grooming criminal elements through the Youth Akali Dal to firm up
his grip over the party, besides providing patronage to proclaimed offenders from across Punjab
and outside.
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Three youths die in Ludhiana crash
Gahor/Ludhiana, December 19 The victims were single and have been identified as Pritam Singh (22), Iqbal Singh (21) and Gobind Singh (20). They belonged to Attar Singh Wala village and Dhanola village in Barnala. Iqbal and Pritam took up farming after finishing their studies and Gobind was pursuing a diploma in electrical engineering. Jagpreet Singh, the elder brother of the deceased Gobind Singh, said the three had left the house last evening. Manjeet Singh, a relative of Pritam Singh said he had received a call at around 8:30pm last night. "Pritam had told me that they had reached Mullanpur and were going to reach Ludhiana soon. But destiny had other plans," said Manjeet Singh. While the police claimed that the accident took place in the wee hours today, the area residents said it took place at around 10pm last night. They claimed that they had heard the impact of the collision. The bodies were stiff when the ambulance arrived which indicates that the victims might have died over 10 hours ago. It is not yet clear how the motorcycle hit the tree located on the opposite side of the road. The police officers who were reconstructing the scene of the accident speculated that the motorcyclist, while trying to overtake another automobile, was hit by an oncoming vehicle and lost control. It is also suspected that the victims might have died of cold as the injuries they suffered did not appear to be life threatening. An emergency medical officer of 108 ambulance service said that after the accident the trio might have fallen unconscious and thereafter died of cold. Manjinder Singh SHO Mullapur said, “It appears that the incident took place early in the morning. The motorcycle hit the tree on the roadside and the victims fell into the bushes due to which they could not be spotted. We got the information about the death of the three youths in the morning.” The family members wrote to the police and sought no action in the case. The postmortem report of the victims is still awaited. Heartrending scenes were witnessed on Ferozepur Road when the victims’ relatives arrived to take the bodies back to their villages. They rued that the three should not have travelled on the motorcycle. Jagpreet, Gobind’s elder brother said the trio often used to donate blood.
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Pak delegation arrives for
PAU Alumni Meet
Ludhiana December 19 Dr Hafiz Abdul Quayyum, a graduate from the 1941-45 batch of Agriculture College of Lyallpur, will also be the part of the alumni meet. A poetry book about college days written by him and translated by Dr Gurdev Singh Sandhu, former Head of Department Agronomy, PAU, will be released on the occasion. Dr Zahid Ata Cheema, from the Department of Agronomy of the University of Faisalabad said, "We love to visit the PAU as there is a deep connection between the two universities. Moreover, both the states of Punjab that lie on either side of the border follow almost the same practices in agriculture. We like to exchange ideas on the technology used." Riaz Ahmad Parwaz, a radio presenter at Faisalabad, said, "We do not have words to express our happiness at being able to participate in the alumni meet. We are enjoying every moment and feel proud to be a part of this historic ceremony."
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74 food samples fail safety test in Sangrur
Sangrur, December 19 The health authorities have been collecting food samples since the implementation of the new Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) last year. The failed samples, included milk, cheese, curd, desi ghee, sweets, mustard oil, ice cream, namkeen bhujia, turmeric powder, atta, basin, dhania powder and tea leaves. Misbranded items are those on which the manufacturer has not mentioned the ingredients of the product, the date of manufacturing or expiry, price and the address of the manufacturer on the packets or containers. District Health Officer Dr Surinder Singla said out of the 74 failed samples, one product “chumchum” had been declared unsafe for consumption by the laboratory. — TNS
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Pak Rangers’ team arrives for quarterly meeting
Attari, December 19 “Unfortunately, there is high demand of heroin among Indians.... However, with such a huge infrastructure on the Indian side, I wonder how they (smugglers) manage to sneak in huge consignments of contraband,” observed Mohammad Jamil, Deputy Director-General, Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, who headed the delegation. He claimed that Pakistan had initiated elaborate measures to curb the menace. He said Pakistan Rangers had enhanced patrolling and nakas had been set up at strategic points to nab the smugglers. He blamed the Indian side for the increased instances of liquor smuggling. However, PS Bains, Deputy Inspector-General, BSF, said: “We want a more serious approach and greater concerted efforts from our friends guarding the border on the other side of the fence.” The Indian security and intelligence agencies have expressed grave concern at the rise in the number of smuggling cases in the past one year. Not only the porous India-Pakistan border fence, the rail cargo too has been used by anti-national elements for smuggling heroin and arms. Till date, the BSF has recovered 278 kg of heroin and counterfeit currency valued at over 41 lakh. Also, the Indian Customs has seized 117 kg of heroin from cement bags in the rail cargo. Bains said among the other issues which would be taken up at the quarterly meeting were discovery of tunnels in the Samba sector, firing on Indian posts in Jammu and Kashmir, defence constructions along the border fence and infiltration. The Indian delegation comprised Deputy Inspector-Generals (DIGs) from Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan, senior BSF officers from New Delhi and representatives of the Narcotics Control Bureau.
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Patwaris not given medical reimbursement for 8 years
Jalandhar, December 19 Sources said there were at least 100 such cases wherein ailing revenue officials were not reimbursed their medical claim. Representatives of the Revenue Patwar Union have already brought the matter to the notice of Land Records director and Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned but to no avail. Over 10 patwaris whose medical bills have not been reimbursed for several years belong to Jalandhar district alone, said Kuldeep Singh Lubana, district president of the Revenue Patwar Union. Lubana said the state unit had already made several representations to the Land Records director. The Jalandhar district unit has met Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti in this regard. He further informed that the general provident fund (GPF) of the patwaris posted in Jalandhar district was also not deposited from 2003 to 2009. Most of the patwaris were not provided the benefit of 4-9-14 promotion policy, he added. Priyank Bharti said, “I have asked the departments concerned to do the needful at the earliest.”
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Misuse of non-subsidised domestic LPG rampant
Chandigarh, December 19 The cost of non-subsidised domestic cylinder is Rs 935-Rs 940 (14.2 kg) while that of non-subsidised non-domestic cylinder (19 kg) is Rs 1,780-Rs 1,800. While the domestic consumer is availing six subsidised cylinders, at many places a nexus has emerged between consumers, non-domestic users like charitable and religious institutions which serve free or subsidised food, and LPG delivery men to divert the non-subsidised domestic cylinder for commercial use. Since the cap is only on the number of subsidised cylinders, the consumer is now free to book as many non-subsidised cylinders as he wants. He then sells it to the delivery man, who in turn sells it to the non-domestic consumers for Rs 1,200-Rs 1,300 per cylinder. The arbitrage of Rs 260-Rs 280 per cylinder is then shared between the delivery man and the consumer. It is learnt that the practice has started in almost all towns. With most of the 63 lakh LPG consumers in Punjab having already availed the three subsidised cylinders allowed this year, there has been a rise in cases where non-subsidised domestic cylinder is being booked with increased frequency, a proof of diversion of domestic gas cylinders for non-domestic/ commercial use. Sources in the state-run oil marketing companies here informed The Tribune that they had the knowledge of such practice. "The delivery boys, feeding on the huge demand for cheaper gas by charitable/religious institutions, are forming a network with consumers. We have asked all our dealers to check this practice and ensure that domestic cylinders are not diverted for commercial use," said a senior official of the Indian Oil Corporation.
The loopholes
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Former Akali minister Raja Narinder dead
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal expressed grief over the demise of the former minister. In his condolence message, Badal described Raja Narinder as a seasoned politician and disciplined solider of the party with rare qualities of head and heart. Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh said it was a personal loss to him. Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, he recalled his over four decade long association with the late leader. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal said leader of the masses Raja Narinder would always be remembered for his commitment and contribution in strengthening the SAD.
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Sarna denies hospital ownership charge Amritsar, December 19 He refuted all the allegations in this regard. He said the DSGMC under him has been managing the gurdwara affairs in the capital with complete transparency. Sarna said this while responding to a news report.
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Kala Sanghian to be pollution-free in 16 months, State tells HC
Chandigarh, December 19 Responding to a petition filed in public interest, the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has told a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that steps for preventing its pollution were in place, and the drain would be free from pollution by March 31, 2014. The claim came on a petition filed by Seth Hukum Chand Colony Welfare Society against the State of Punjab, the Union of India, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation limited and other respondents. Advocate Amarjeet Markan was appointed as amicus curiae by the court in the matter to plea for the petitioner. The development is significant as the Kala Sanghian drain was reportedly proving “cancerous” for villages located along its banks. The drain joins Chitti
Bein, a tributary of the Sutlej, which subsequently merges with the river. It was reportedly playing havoc with human lives and livestock, besides poisoning agricultural land as until recently it was carrying toxic effluents discharged by industrial units in the vicinity. As the matter came up for hearing, an affidavit by Jalandhar Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Paramjit Singh Jaggi was placed before the Division Bench hearing the matter. Besides short and long-term measures to control pollution in the drain, the affidavit said the work would be completed by March 31, 2014. Taking up the matter, the Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain observed most of the pollution related issues raised in the PIL had already been addressed; and the only issue left was the treatment of sullage water of Jalandhar City. The Bench added no further orders were required to be passed in the case and the matter was being closed.
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Avtar Henry citizenship case
Chandigarh, December 19 The Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain while directing the Commissioner to examine the complaint filed by RTI activist Ajay Kumar Sehgal and to order the registration of an FIR against Henry in case a prima facie case was found to have been made out. For the purpose, the Bench set a two-month deadline. In the PIL filed by the RTI activist, it was stated that Henry acquired British passport and British citizenship in 1969 under the name of Avtar Singh. He came to India on British passport the same year and obtained an Indian passport, which was renewed from time to time. He was also registered as a voter in the Jalandhar North assembly constituency as Avtar Henry and contested the elections to state assembly in 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. He also remained Cabinet Minister in 1992 and 2002. The petitioner contended Henry violated provisions of Section 125-A of the Representation of the People Act; Section 420, 467,468, 471 of the IPC; Section 12 of the Passports Act and Section 5 of The Foreigners Act. The petitioner further submitted the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in pursuance to the High Court order, issued on January 3, passed an order determining the citizenship of Avtar Henry. It was stated in the order he ceased to be an Indian citizen by acquiring the British Passport and British Citizenship in 1969. The petitioner, therefore, contended that Henry had been enrolling himself as voter, contesting elections and remained a Cabinet Minister by projecting himself as an Indian citizen. Thus, he committed the offences mentioned in the PIL, and was liable to be prosecuted.
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Honour killing Ferozepur, December 19 On the night of November 7, 2010, Rakesh went to meet Pooja in Kotwal village. On seeing them together, Pooja's mother Paramjit Kaur along with her relatives Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja and Billa attacked the couple with sharp-edged weapons and killed them on the spot. Their bodies were later recovered from the fields in the neighbouring Saiyanwala village. — OC
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Saini’s Promotion Chandigarh, December 19 In 2010, Punjab had denied the promotion to Devinder Singh Garcha, facing allegations in the Moga sex scandal, on the ground that a charge sheet had been filed against him.The authorities, rather, referred to a circular issued by Punjab Government on promotion rules in such cases. Seeking parity, Garcha approached the Central Administrative Tribunal but his plea was dismissed, compelling him to move the High Court. He argued that the government had taken a different stand in his case. Referring to the provisions of the Punjab Police Act, he said Section 6 specified that the state government may transfer a DGP, if he was convicted by a court or where charges were framed against him by a court. But Saini had been appointed DGP after the charges were framed against him, Balgopal said. He also referred to the observation made by the Supreme Court of India in its judgment quashing the appointment of PJ Thomos as
CVC.
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Sarpanch embezzled welfare funds: Probe
Gurdaspur, December 19 Gurdaspur Member of Parliament Partap Singh Bajwa and some Congress legislators have launched a virulent attack on the district administration, claiming that “certain top officials are hand in glove with a senior Akali leader”. In October, the issue was raised at a meeting of the Vigilance and Monitoring Committee following which Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abhinav Trikha had asked Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Baljeet Singh to investigate the matter. There were allegations that the saidcAkali leader had tried to hamper the probe when the ADC went to the village to verify the number of houses constructed under the theIndira Awas Yojna. While the DC refused to comment on the findings, other senior officials, including ADC Baljeet Singh, said that the inquiry had indicted the sarpanch of irregularities. A top official said the Block Development Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Dhariwal Block, had directly credited the amount to the sarpanch’s account. However, Dera Baba Nanak legislator Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa denied the involvement of the BDPO. “Top officials, including a former ADC, are involved in the fraud. This is not an isolated case. Financial irregularities pertaining to yojna funds are rampant in others blocks of the district,” Randhawa claimed. Sarpanch Varinder Singh denied any financial irregularities. He said he had been buying construction material to build houses for the poor under the Central scheme as “the beneficiaries have passed a resolution to this effect in the gram panchayat”.
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ASI’s murder: Fifth accused nabbed
Amritsar, December 19 “On a tipoff, a team of the CIA staff had been camping in Madhya Pradesh since December 16. It nabbed Rampal from a dhaba near Ramgarh, 90 km from Bhopal, early this morning,” said Ram Singh, Police Commissioner. The accused was produced in the court of the area magistrate and was remanded to police custody till December 21. Investigations revealed that Rampal was with the other accused, Ranjit Singh Rana, Dharamjit Singh alias Dharma and Gurbir Singh alias Bira, when the ASI was shot dead in Chheharta. Ram Singh said Vikramjit Singh alias Buanty had been arrrested for “hatching a conspiracy to murder the ASI” on the complaint of the deceased ASI’s daughter Robinjit Kaur. Prabhjit Singh, who had provided shelter to the accused, had also been arrested, the Police Commissioner said. Meanwhile, the Central Jail authorities today found two live cartridges from Rana’s possession. He was sent to judicial remand only yesterday. The cantonment police has slapped another case under the Arms Act against Rana, said sources.
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Chandigarh, December 19
A delegation of Pakistan Rangers arrived for the quarterly co-ordination meeting with their Indian counterparts today. The delegation blamed ‘high demand for drugs’ among Indians for the rising number of smuggling cases across the border.
Congress legislators were apparently not pleased with Jakhar’s speech on law and order and told him as much later. Jakhar had in his speech indicated that things were out of the Chief Minister’s control and that a parallel set up of goons, the police and other officers had taken shape. But he refrained from holding any one person as responsible for this state of affairs.
Reacting to allegations of poor handling of the Health Department, Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal lost his cool. " We don't need to get our brains checked but you (Opposition) sure do because you appear disoriented
(saanu koi lod nahin aapne dimaag check karvaun di, tuhanu hai kyunki hillya hoya
hai", the minister remarked. To this, Rana Gurmit Sodhi quipped: "Don't ask him too many questions on health because he has better assignments to undertake like sorting out issues with the Chief Parliamentary Secretary". He was making a reference to raids by Dr Navjot
Sidhu.
Patiala, December 19
A sum of Rs 35.10 lakh had been credited directly into the account of sarpanch Varinder Singh in gross violation of the yojna guidelines. Earlier, some Congress MLAs had accused the district administration of shielding the village head at the behest of an Akali minister, who is also the halqa (constituency) incharge.