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TOP STORIES

Monumental neglect in patiala
Priceless possessions left to decay in neglected forts
Patiala, February 11
Priceless belongings related to the Sikh history have been decaying in the historic buildings located in Patiala, courtesy the state government's laxity in putting them on display for tourists and historians.
The neglected state of the Sheesh Mahal. The neglected state of the Sheesh Mahal. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sacha

VB clean chit to engineer removed from post for irregularities
Chandigarh, February 11
Nearly 17 years after the Punjab Government withdrew powers from Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s former Managing Director AS Dhami on the allegations of irregularities, the State Vigilance Bureau has given him a clean chit.





YOUR TOWN
Chandigarh




EARLIER STORIES



As fiscal year draws to a close, govt unlikely to meet poll promises
Chandigarh, February 11
The SAD- BJP Government is unlikely to fulfil its promises made to voters when it stormed back to power in March last year.





 

POLITICS

moga bypoll
Capt: Bypoll result will silence ‘arrogant’ Sukhbir, Majithia 
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh along with party nominee Vijay Kumar Sathi in Moga on Monday.Moga, February 11
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh today claimed that the Moga residents will give a befitting reply to the “arrogant” duo of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Majithia.


Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh along with party nominee Vijay Kumar Sathi in Moga on Monday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Several Congress leaders in line to join SAD: Sukhbir 
Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal along with SAD candidate Joginder Pal Jain at a rally in Moga on Monday.Moga, February 11
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today claimed that more Congress leaders wanted to join the ruling party but "we will pick only diamonds from among the stones."



Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal along with SAD candidate Joginder Pal Jain at a rally in Moga on Monday. Tribune photo

Candidate Profile
PPP’s Ravinder Dhaliwal eyes youth vote bank
Moga, February 11
Contesting from Moga for the second time on the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) ticket, 44-year-old Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal is hopeful that he would be able to pocket the youth votes.

COMMUNITY

Red Cross festival leaves Ropar stadium in mess
Garbage littered all over the Nehru stadium in Ropar on Monday.Ropar, February 11
The two-day Red Cross fete held recently at the local Nehru stadium proved a nightmare for sportspersons of the town.






Garbage littered all over the Nehru stadium in Ropar on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Fazilka woman dies of swine flu
Fazilka, February11
Santosh (27) of Chack Khiva village in the Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district died of swine flu at a private hospital in Sri Ganganagar yesterday.

Raise turban issue with Hollande, Tarlochan to Prime Minister
New Delhi, February 11
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former chairperson of the National Minorities Commission, Tarlochan Singh, has requested him to raise the issue of turban ban by the French Government with President Francois Hollande who would be visiting India on February 14.

Power demand dips in Punjab, 5 units shut
Patiala, February 11
After a long gap, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is in a comfortable position so far as the availability of power is concerned.

Revision of service charges on cards
Patiala, February 11
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has submitted a proposal to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking revision of general charges on various categories of services.

Dera head to move High Court
Bathinda, February 11
Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s counsel SK Garg today said they would move the High Court against the February 8 orders of the Additional Sessions Judge, asking the dera head to appear before the court.

Cooperative bank strike hits services
Sangrur, February 11
Working of all the branches of cooperative bank in the district remained paralysed today with the bank staff availing mass casual leave.

Rights panel video ‘exposes’ excesses by Punjab police
Chandigarh, February 11
The Human Rights Protection Forum (HRPC) today released a CCTV footage to the media showing a chemist shop being raided in Malerkotla (Sangrur) and medicines being taken away a day before an FIR was lodged against its owner Sarfraj.

Modern pig farming comes to Punjab
Chandigarh, February 11
Canada-based Polar Genetics (2012) Incorporated, a genetically-improved swine genetics trading company, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh-based Polar Genetics India Pvt Ltd to bring the modern pig farming to India, starting from Punjab.

Albino crow spotted at Bhakra Dam
Ropar, February 11
A bizarre albino crow was spotted at the Bhakra dam today. Prabhat Bhatti, a bird watcher, who spotted the crow, said the bird was sitting on a tree at Raipur Maidan on the banks of the Gobind Sagar lake in the afternoon.

Punjab cancels tender to hire private buses
Chandigarh, February 11
The Punjab Transport Department today called off its e-tender for hiring private buses to be engaged for its fleet of PUNBUS. Aspiring operators alleged e-tendering had been called off to facilitate certain parties.

Two run over by trains
Abohar, February 11
Two persons were run over by different trains here yesterday, GRP sources said. It is learnt that a youth was reportedly noticed jumping on the rail track when the Bathinda-Fazilka passenger train was approaching the Seetogunno road.

COURTS

HC dismisses Home Guards’ plea for regular job
Chandigarh, February 11
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that it can neither issue directions for framing a scheme for a regular job to Punjab Home Guards nor for creation of supernumerary posts though they have been working for several years now.

CM to decide on Bhattal’s eviction, High Court told
Chandigarh, February 11
The issue of evicting Punjab's former cabinet minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from a government house is pending decision before Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard this morning.

CRIME

Faridkot police arrests constable for raping 14-year-old schoolgirl
The accused constable and his accomplice (with faces covered) in a Faridkot court on Monday.Faridkot, February 11
The Faridkot police today arrested a constable and his accomplice for kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old Class IX student.





The accused constable and his accomplice (with faces covered) in a Faridkot court on Monday. A Tribune photo

Three arrested near Rajpura 
Patiala, February 11
With the arrest of three persons, Vigilance officials today claimed to have moved ahead with investigations into the  Rs 250-crore Patiala land scam. Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vikas Garg, an accused in the case, is yet to be arrested.

Couple, daughter killed in Kharar accident
The mangled remains of the car involved in an accident near Kharar on Monday.Mohali, February 11
A couple and their one-year-old daughter were killed in a road accident near Mamupur village on the Kharar-Ludhina road here today. The victims, Gurtej Singh (38), Sarbajit Kaur (36) and their daughter Sahib Kaur, were residents of Pakki Rurki village.

The mangled remains of the car involved in an accident near Kharar on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Three held for attack on Danish woman
Jalandhar, February 11
The Banga police has arrested three residents of Meharampur village, Tirath Singh, Santokh Singh and Onkar Singh, for allegedly attacking a Danish woman with hammers over a trivial dispute.

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TOP STORIES

Monumental neglect in patiala
Priceless possessions left to decay in neglected forts
Among them are relics belonging to Guru Gobind Singh and more than 3,000 medals collected by the former rulers of the Patiala royal family
Aman Sood
Tribune News Service

An old canon with damaged wheels, which was once a prized asset of the Patiala royal family, lies in ruins.
An old canon with damaged wheels, which was once a prized asset of the Patiala royal family, lies in ruins. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sachar

Patiala, February 11
Priceless belongings related to the Sikh history have been decaying in the historic buildings located in Patiala, courtesy the state government's laxity in putting them on display for tourists and historians.

Among these goods are the personal belongings of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh and a collection of over 3,000 medals collected by the erstwhile rulers of Patiala. Away from public glare, these are decaying in caskets.

Guru Gobind Singh's relics have been kept in a dingy room inside Qila Mubarak, which is already on the verge of collapse. These include a cloak given to Baba Triloka; manuscript (Bani), handwritten script of the guru; comb with hair and turban given to Syed Pir Budhu Shah of Sadhaura after the Battle of Bhangani in appreciation of his loyal services and three swords with inscriptions in Punjabi.

The medals (see box) have been kept in a museum inside Patiala's Sheesh Mahal. These are inaccessible to tourists for the past several years for reasons best known to the authorities concerned. The museum also has a rare collection of chandeliers, which lie defunct, weaponry and photography.

Delay in release of funds and political unwillingness are said to be the main reasons behind the neglect.

Built in 1845, the Sheesh Mahal itself also lies in a dilapidated condition. Several walls and a wooden bridge are on the verge of collapse. A portion of the building is in the possession of the Cultural and Tourism Department. The department officials, it has been learnt, allegedly connived with each together to lock a portion the building a few years ago in the name of repair, never to open it again.

Malvinder Singh, scion of Patiala's royal family, said: "The Sheesh Mahal has visuals depicting the poetry of Keshav, Surdass and Bihari, which are a treat for anybody's eyes. There are paintings that relate with the Hindu and Sikh mythology. These are timeless and the government should take steps to protect them."

The Art and Medal Gallery inside the Sheesh Mahal, which is out of bound for visitors and an outer view of the Sheesh Mahal.

The Art and Medal Gallery inside the Sheesh Mahal, which is out of bound for visitors and an outer view of the Sheesh Mahal.
The Art and Medal Gallery inside the Sheesh Mahal, which is out of bound for visitors and an outer view of the Sheesh Mahal. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sachar

Harpreet Mohinder Singh Rosha, a member of NGO 'Patiala Our Pride', said: "The over 3,000 medals collected by the Maharajas of Patiala lie locked inside the medal gallery. The government must explore options to put them on display."

Besides these belongings, there are other historic buildings that have been lying in a shambles.

The Bahadurgarh Fort, located on the Rajpura road, is currently in the possession of Punjab Police, which trains its commandos there. The fort was the outermost point of Patiala and it is said that a tunnel connected it with Qila Mubarak (where the royal family stayed), which would facilitate their exit in case of any emergency.

The fort walls as well as its interiors are in a bad shape.

Royal scion Raninder Singh said, "The Punjab Government should stop selling buildings in Patiala and manage facilitate finances for the maintenance of all historical buildings."

Principal Secretary (Cultural Affairs) SS Channy said, “An amount of Rs 44 crore had been earmarked for three buildings in Patiala. Of this, Rs 32 crore was for Qila Mubarak, Rs 8 crore for Sheesh Mahal and Rs 4 crore for Bahadurgarh Fort. We will start work soon after the initial project reports are submitted."

Asked why the tenth Guru's belongings lied locked in a room inside Qila Muabarak, Channy said he was seeking an appointment from the Chief Minister and only then he could shift them to Virasat-E-Khalsa museum in Anandpur Sahib.

On delayed work and non-release of funds for the projects in Patiala, Channy said he was new in the department and could not comment on the issue. 

Rare foreign medals in Sheesh Mahal's gallery

  • Order of the Garter' (1348): Studded with diamonds, it is known as the world's oldest historically documented order of chivalry and was founded by King Edward of England
  • Order of the Thistle' (1687): It is another order which has been restricted to only 16 men in history
  • The Order of the White Elephant': It bears the figures of elephants — it drew inspiration from Buddhist Jataka tales
  • Victoria Cross: The gallery has five such medals made from canons seized in Crimean war; these replaced the Order of the Garter in 1856

The Order of the Holy Ghost' (1579); 'Legion of Honour' by Napoleon; 'The Iron Cross', instituted by Prussia for the first time in the war against Napoleon in 1813; a medal containing 14 bars that was awarded to an Artillery driver G. Legg who took part in 14 campaigns

Rare Indian medals in the gallery

  • The Order of Ranjit Singh': It bears the portrait of the Maharaja with two swords, a bull and an eagle
  • Auspicious Star of Punjab': Presented to the Earl of Auckland, the Governor-General of Lahore, when he visited Lahore in 1838
  • The Order of Guru Ghar Manya Mandal': It carries the portrait of Guru Gobind Singh

The Sheesh Mahal has visuals depicting the poetry of Keshav, Surdass and Bihari, which are a treat for anybody's eyes. There are paintings that relate with the Hindu and Sikh mythology. These are timeless and the government should take steps to protect them
— Malvinder Singh, scion of Patiala’s royal family

An amount of Rs 44 crore had been earmarked for three buildings in Patiala. Of this, Rs 32 crore was for Qila Mubarak, Rs 8 crore for Sheesh Mahal and Rs 4 crore for Bahadurgarh Fort. We will start work soon after the initial project reports are submitted
— SS Channy, Financial Commissioner, Cultural Affairs

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VB clean chit to engineer removed from post for irregularities
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11
Nearly 17 years after the Punjab Government withdrew powers from Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s former Managing Director AS Dhami on the allegations of irregularities, the State Vigilance Bureau has given him a clean chit.

As an application filed by engineer A.S. Dhami against the Punjab Government and other respondents came up for hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Ranjit Singh took note of the fact that “the petitioner has been found innocent by the Vigilance Department also”.

Taking up Dhami's plea for quashing the proceedings against him, Justice Ranjit Singh also observed that the challan too has been presented before the court and the petitioner has not been arrayed as an accused in the matter. As a result, Justice Ranjit Singh dismissed his petition.

In his order, Justice Ranjit Singh referred to the Vigilance probe before observing: “That being the position, no case for quashing of any proceedings, as sought in the present petition, is made out. The present petition is rendered infructuous and is dismissed as such”.

The matter had its twists and turns. Available information suggests a preliminary inquiry was initially conducted by the Examiner, Local Funds Account. It was followed by another inquiry by Karl Reddy, an IAS officer. The government then withdrew Dhami's powers on December 3, 1996.

The then Chief Minister placed Dhami’s services under suspension on March 3, 1997, and ordered an inquiry by a former Commissioner of the Ludhiana Corporation. Dhami, meanwhile, retired on June 30, 1999.

At one point of time, it was proposed to reinstate Dhami as the proceedings against him “did not appear to be resulting in any major punishment”. Again the Chief Minister’s attention was drawn to the case by the then Special Principal Secretary in October 1998. The then Chief Secretary was asked to appoint an inquiry officer. After SS Brar declined to hold an inquiry, the job was given to CS Srivastava, who in his report on June 18, 2001, exonerated Dhami.

Though the then Principal Secretary, Local Government, disagreed with Srivastava, the Directorate agreed with him.

The case file

  • December 3, 1996: The Punjab Government withdraws powers from Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s former Managing Director engineer AS Dhami on allegations of irregularities
  • March 3, 1997: The then Chief Minister places Dhami’s services under suspension on and orders an inquiry by a former Commissioner of the Ludhiana Corporation
  • June 30, 1999: Dhami retires from service
  • June 18, 2001: An official inquiry exonerates Dhami of the charges

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As fiscal year draws to a close, govt unlikely to meet poll promises
SAD had promised tablets for Class XII students; employability allowance to jobless
Ruchika M Khanna/TNS

Chandigarh, February 11
The SAD- BJP Government is unlikely to fulfil its promises made to voters when it stormed back to power in March last year.

Though the cash-strapped government had made budgetary allocations for three of its promises, only one-providing assistance to families of farmers who committed suicide because of indebtedness, has been met so far.

As the financial year draws to a close, it seems unlikely that the state government will be able to use the money allocated in the Budget for the two other promises-buying tablets for Class XII students and providing employability allowance to jobless graduates.

The government had set aside some money to fulfil the three poll promises. While a sum of Rs 30 crore was set aside for providing assistance to dependants of farmers who committed suicide (Rs 2 lakh to each of the dependants), a sum of Rs 110 crore was set aside in the Budget proposals for buying tablets for 1.50 lakh Class XII students. The Budget proposals also made a provision for Rs 40 crore for employability allowance (Rs 1,000 per month) to all graduates registered with the employment exchanges for more than three years. This allowance was to be given to them for vocational courses.

Though the state Finance Department has released Rs 30 crore to the Rural Development Department for dependents of the deceased farmers, no major breakthrough has been achieved in fulfilling the other two promises.

Officials in the Education Department said a Central Government scheme to provide tablets to students at a subsidised rate was on the anvil. Hence, the state government plan to give tablets to Class XII students had been put on hold.

“Initially, we had thought of using Rs 326 crore collected by the Excise and Taxation Department as education cess for buying the tablets. But this money has still not been released to us by the Finance Department,” said a senior official.

It is learnt that there have been several meetings on utilising the Rs 40 crore amount set aside for employability allowance. 

Promises Unkept

  • A sum of Rs 110 cr was set aside in the Budget for buying tablets for 1.50 lakh Class XII students
  • There was also a provision for Rs 40 crore for employability allowance (Rs 1,000 per month) to graduates
  • The allowance was to be given to graduates registered with employment exchanges for more than 3 years
  • The allowance was to be given for vocational courses 

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moga bypoll
Capt: Bypoll result will silence ‘arrogant’ Sukhbir, Majithia 
Tribune News Service

Moga, February 11
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh today claimed that the Moga residents will give a befitting reply to the “arrogant” duo of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Majithia.

Addressing a public gathering at Charik village for Congress candidate Vijay Kumar Sathi, Amarinder said the Moga people will change the political scenario in Punjab by voting against the “anti-people” and “repressive” policies of the SAD-BJP government. The byelection is scheduled for February 23.

“Sukhbir and Majithia have spoiled the socio-economic balance of the otherwise prosperous Punjab for their personal interests,” he said.

Once defeated in the bypoll, the state Congress chief said, the downfall of the Akalis would automatically begin. “The greater impact will be witnessed in the next parliamentary elections when the SAD will be routed completely…. Byelections have usually been trendsetters. In Moga, the Congress will re-script the Adampur bypoll victory of 1998,” he said.

Amarinder also warned that the Akalis should not take it for granted that they would remain in power for the rest of their tenure. “Given the track record of the Akalis of poor governance and deteriorating law and order situation in the last six years, their government can fall any time,” he said.

Claiming that he had gauged the mood of the electorate during his stay in Moga for the past over a week, he said it was because of the “poor” state of affairs that the people were fed up with the government.

The PPCC president said the recent incidents of crime involving Akali leaders and workers had angered the state people and they wanted to teach the government a lesson.

Banking on his father Sathi Roop Lal’s legacy, Vijay Sathi said he had a “clean image and, therefore, was most suitable to be elected”.

Amarinder and Sathi also addressed gatherings at Malliana, Patti Sandhuan, Tarewala, Chupkiti and a few locations in Moga city. 

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Several Congress leaders in line to join SAD: Sukhbir 
Tribune News Service

Moga, February 11
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today claimed that more Congress leaders wanted to join the ruling party but "we will pick only diamonds from among the stones."

Campaigning for party candidate Joginder Pal Jain at Sadda Singh Wala, Kahan Singh Wala, Thamanwala and Jhandewala villages, Badal claimed that the Congress was on the verge of extinction, not only in Punjab but on other parts of the country too. He said the SAD would welcome only those leaders who believed in the SAD vision. The fact that more and more Congress leaders were joining the SAd was an indication of the confidence that the people have in the SAD-BJP alliance.

Criticising the Congress for its negative campaign, he said the Congress leadership was taking up non-issues as there were no real issues against the SAD-BJP government. He claimed that the SAD-BJP victories were nothing but the triumph of the pro-people policies of the the Parkash Singh Badal-led government. 

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Candidate Profile
PPP’s Ravinder Dhaliwal eyes youth vote bank
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Moga, February 11
Contesting from Moga for the second time on the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) ticket, 44-year-old Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal is hopeful that he would be able to pocket the youth votes.

In last year's assembly election, Dhaliwal had secured more than 9,800 votes. A graduate in veterinary science and a post-graduate in business management, his vote share was more than 7 per cent in 2012.

Prior to joining politics, Dhaliwal used to work as a manager in corporate communications with a multi-national food processing company. Currently, he is into real estate business.

PPP chief Manpreet Badal claims that Dhaliwal was influenced by the party's ideology and, therefore, left his fat-salary job and jumped into the election fray.

Dhaliwal, along with Manpreet, has adopted the traditional style of campaigning in Moga city by going door to door. In villages, the duo also holds 'nukkar sabhas'.

Claiming that he is getting "favourable" response from the electorate, the PPP nominee says the people are fed up with both the mainstream parties (the SAD and the Congress).

"The Moga voters, particularly the educated youth, are disappointed with turncoat Joginder Pal Jain who first represented the Congress and now is seeking re-election on the SAD ticket. As such, people are not interested in both the parties with which Jain is associated. They will vote for change," he says. 

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Red Cross festival leaves Ropar stadium in mess
Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service

Ropar, February 11
The two-day Red Cross fete held recently at the local Nehru stadium proved a nightmare for sportspersons of the town.

While the stadium remained out of bounds for them for three days last week, garbage left to rot at the venue made them cancel their practice sessions.

The fete was organised by the district authorities to generate funds for the needy. Forty-two stalls and tents for cultural programmes were put up at the venue. Though the fete was concluded on Saturday, no official bothered to get the stadium cleaned. This led to disappointment among sportspersons as they could not resume their practice.

Raminder Singh, a veteran athlete, said he could not visit the stadium for the past five days due to the event. Though there were many venues available for such events, this was the only stadium for the public, he said.

Sanjiv Budhiraja, secretary, Red Cross, said the municipal council had been asked to clean the stadium. It had promised to lift the garbage soon, he said.

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Fazilka woman dies of swine flu
Tarn Taran man hospitalised
Our Correspondents

Fazilka, February11
Santosh (27) of Chack Khiva village in the Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district died of swine flu at a private hospital in Sri Ganganagar yesterday.

Another patient, Daulat Ram (48) of Green Avenue, Ferozepur, died of the disease on February 6.

The deaths were confirmed by the District Health Officer, YK Gupta, here today.

He said Shashi Bala (48) of Zira in Ferozepur was discharged from DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, on January 24 while Gurmeet Kaur (65) of Ghallu village in Fazilka was discharged from a Bathinda hospital.

“All Senior Medical Officers in Ferozepur and Fazilka have been directed to organise awareness camps to check the spread of swine flu," Dr Gupta said, ading that there was no need to panic.

Tarn Taran: Gursewak Singh (55), a resident of Kirtowal village, diagnosed to be suffering from swine flu, has been admitted to a hospital in Amritsar, Dr Dharampaul, Civil Surgeon, said here on Monday.

He said Joga Singh (60) of Booh Havelian village had died of swine flu about one-and-a-half-months ago.

However, Sarabjit Kaur (40) of Chabal village, who was administered timely treatment, had been saved.

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Raise turban issue with Hollande, Tarlochan to Prime Minister
Tribune News Service

Tarlochan Singh New Delhi, February 11
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former chairperson of the National Minorities Commission, Tarlochan Singh, has requested him to raise the issue of turban ban by the French Government with President Francois Hollande who would be visiting India on February 14.

“The President of the Republic of France is visiting India for the first time after assuming office.

“I request you to raise with him the matter of Sikh turban and Sikh identity,” he wrote to the Prime Minister. He pointed out that the UN Human Rights Committee had in its decisions on two petitions filed by the Sikh community said that the turban was part of Sikh religious identity and that the French Government's decision to ban Sikh students from wearing the turban in schools was a clear violation of human rights.

Tarlochan Singh said the decisions of the UN committee were adopted on November 1, 2012 and July 22, 2011 and conveyed to the French Government. Yet the French Government had not lifted the turban ban.

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Power demand dips in Punjab, 5 units shut
Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 11
After a long gap, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is in a comfortable position so far as the availability of power is concerned.

Against the net demand of 840 lakh units (LUs) of power recorded on Sunday, PSPCL was having 931 LUs.

Due to low demand for power, as many as five units of state-owned thermal plants in Bathinda, Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat with combined generation capacity of 850 MW have been temporarily shut down.

The total installed capacity of all the thermal plants of the state is 2,630 MW.

PSPCL Director (Distribution) Arun Verma said the gross power availability on Sunday from own power generation was 520 LUs while from other sources, including central sector allocation, stood at 352 LUs. "Even after sparing about 90 LUs for banking, there was sufficient power available to meet the demand," he said.

Confirming that five thermal units have been shut down because of comfortable power scenario, PSPCL Director (Generation) GS Chhabra said two units each of 110 MW capacity of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, Bathinda, were closed on February 4.

"Likewise, from February 6, two units each of 210 MW capacity of Guru Gobind Sing Super Thermal Plant, Ropar, were closed temporarily because of low power demand. Besides, one 201 MW unit of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, was also shut down on February 9," he added.

Surplus power

  • Against the net demand of 840 lakh units (LUs) of power recorded on Sunday, PSPCL was having 931 LUs
  • Due to low demand for power, as many as five units of state-owned thermal plants in Bathinda, Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat with a combined generation capacity of 850 MW have been temporarily shut down

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Revision of service charges on cards
Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 11
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has submitted a proposal to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking revision of general charges on various categories of services.

The proposed increase in the charges varies from 72 per cent to more than 100 per cent. The commission has invited comments/objections on or before March 6 in this regard.

PSPCL proposes to drastically increase the charges for various services. The charges were last revised in 2008. A copy of the proposal which has been posted on the PSERC website reads: "There has been substantial increase in the establishment charges in the form of salaries and allowances of the staff and the cost of consumable material. Therefore the revised schedule of general charges has been submitted with the PSERC." 

Snag hits bill payment machines

Online power bill payment machines in Patiala and Mohali went out of order after a server of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) developed a snag on Sunday.

Sources said a server at the SAP Data Centre in Patiala developed a technical problem. Subsequently, bill payment machines in Patiala and Mohali stopped working.A PSPCL official said the staff was working to rectify the fault.

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Dera head to move High Court

Bathinda, February 11
Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s counsel SK Garg today said they would move the High Court against the February 8 orders of the Additional Sessions Judge, asking the dera head to appear before the court.

Garg said: “If we fail to get respite from the High Court, then Guruji (dera head) will appear before the court as we have to abide by the court decision.” So far there have been 25 hearings in the case registered under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or beliefs) of the IPC at the Kotwali police station. — TNS

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Cooperative bank strike hits services
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, February 11
Working of all the branches of cooperative bank in the district remained paralysed today with the bank staff availing mass casual leave.

They also held a rally in front of the head office of Sangrur Central Cooperative Bank here.

On the call of the Punjab State Cooperative Bank Employees Federation, the bank staff held the protest against the non-acceptance of their demands, which included medical reimbursement and leave travel concession on the pattern of the Punjab Government, payment of arrears of revised pay scales and ex gratia pending since 2006 and revision of the grade pay.

Mohan Singh, general secretary, The Sangrur Central Cooperative Bank Employees Union, said about 300 employees working in 62 branches of the bank in Sangrur and Barnala took part in the protest. He alleged the management had been adopting dilly-dallying tactics in accepting their long-pending demands.

Paramjit Singh Dhaliwal, district president of the union, said if their demands were not met, the employees would hold a massive rally at Moga on February 19.

Others present at the rally included patron of the union Surinder Singh Pandher, senior vice-president Ranjit Singh Cheema and vice-president Jaswinder Singh.

Main demands

Medical reimbursement and leave travel concession on the pattern of the Punjab Government, payment of arrears of revised pay scales and ex gratia pending since 2006 and revision of the grade pay

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Rights panel video ‘exposes’ excesses by Punjab police
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11
The Human Rights Protection Forum (HRPC) today released a CCTV footage to the media showing a chemist shop being raided in Malerkotla (Sangrur) and medicines being taken away a day before an FIR was lodged against its owner Sarfraj.

In separate communications to the Chief Minister and the Director-General of Police, Sarfraj's mother has alleged her son was rounded up by the police on November 6, 2012, and was tortured even as he was formally arrested on November 7. He was victimised because he had refused to pay bribe to certain local policemen from his earnings in the lottery business, she alleged.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harcharan Singh Bhullar said: "Sarfraj has at least 14 police cases pending against him. If he had been subjected to any third degree torture, he could have spoken about it during his court hearings".

The police had booked Sarfraj alias Jagga under Section 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act on November 7.

HRPF chairman Pushpa Salaria said she had met Jaswinder Singh, ADGP (Crime), and submitted a memorandum regarding the case to him. She said: "We have taken action now because the mother approached us only a few days ago".

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Modern pig farming comes to Punjab
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11
Canada-based Polar Genetics (2012) Incorporated, a genetically-improved swine genetics trading company, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh-based Polar Genetics India Pvt Ltd to bring the modern pig farming to India, starting from Punjab.

Alfred Wahl, president, Polar Genetics (2012) Incorporated, and Darshan Singh Ball, CEO, Polar Genetics India, said the idea was to run pig farming in the country on modern lines by making it more organised and scientific to increase productivity as well as profitability.

Scott Slessor, Canadian Consulate General in Chandigarh, and Gurbans Sobti, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate, were also present.

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Albino crow spotted at Bhakra Dam
Tribune News Service

Ropar, February 11
A bizarre albino crow was spotted at the Bhakra dam today. Prabhat Bhatti, a bird watcher, who spotted the crow, said the bird was sitting on a tree at Raipur Maidan on the banks of the Gobind Sagar lake in the afternoon.

Though the sight of albino crow had been reported from different parts of country in the past, it is for the first time that such type of crow was found in the region. The albino crow with a prey in its beak was in the flock of black crows, said Bhatti.

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Punjab cancels tender to hire private buses
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11
The Punjab Transport Department today called off its e-tender for hiring private buses to be engaged for its fleet of PUNBUS. Aspiring operators alleged e-tendering had been called off to facilitate certain parties.

Sumer Singh Gurjar, Director, Transport, said: "There was a technical glitch due to which we received complaints from different quarters. There were only four bidders in the fray. We are hiring a private party so we will like to give opportunity to as many bidders as possible. Fresh e-tendering is scheduled for February 28".

A bidder said: "The tendering process was to be held online. If there were complaints of technical glitch, we should have been informed earlier”.

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Two run over by trains

Abohar, February 11
Two persons were run over by different trains here yesterday, GRP sources said. It is learnt that a youth was reportedly noticed jumping on the rail track when the Bathinda-Fazilka passenger train was approaching the Seetogunno road.

Another person, identified as Sukhminder Singh of Muktsar, was run over by another train near Bahawalbassi rural station on the Abohar-Malout section.

Meanwhile, the body of an unidentified person has been recovered from the Malukpura canal near Dhaani Bishesharnath on the Abohar-Kandhwala road. — OC

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HC dismisses Home Guards’ plea for regular job
Saurabh Malik/TNS

Chandigarh, February 11
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that it can neither issue directions for framing a scheme for a regular job to Punjab Home Guards nor for creation of supernumerary posts though they have been working for several years now.

The ruling came on a bunch of 24 petitions filed against the State of Punjab and other respondents by Hardev Singh and other petitioners working as Home Guards, sectional leaders and platoon commanders without any break for a period ranging between 10 years and 30 years.The significance of the judgement can be gauged from the fact that one of the petitions was filed in 2004 by as many as 910 Home Guards.

They had approached the court for directions to the State of Punjab to treat them as regular employees and as a necessary corollary grant them regular pay scales and allowances, including pensionary benefits.They were being paid at the rate of Rs 90 per day, irrespective of the ranks.

Initially, a Division Bench had disposed of the writ petitions with a direction to the State of Punjab to decide their claims. In compliance with the directions, the state rejected their claim in 2004 on the grounds that the Home Guards were volunteers and were neither entitled to regular pay, nor treatment as regular employees.

Dismissing the petitions filed again, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain asserted: “No doubt the petitioners have been working for a number of years as Home Guards. However, at the same time, it is not possible for this court to either give directions for framing of a scheme for regularisation or giving direction to create supernumerary posts.

The law in this regard stands settled by the seven-member Bench of the Supreme Court in Uma Devi’s case….

“Again in a recent judgment in the case of the State of Rajasthan and others versus Daya Lal and others, the Supreme Court has re-emphasised that the High Courts will not give any direction for creation of posts or to frame a scheme for regularisation and such a direction can only be given by the Supreme Court in its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution….

“This court cannot help the petitioners in any manner and the relief as prayed for cannot be granted in exercise of powers under Article 226 of the Constitution. These petitions are accordingly dismissed”.

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CM to decide on Bhattal’s eviction, High Court told
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11
The issue of evicting Punjab's former cabinet minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from a government house is pending decision before Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard this morning.

Taking up the matter, Justice Rajesh Bindal directed State of Punjab to file a fresh affidavit. Justice Bindal also expressed surprise that the Punjab Police Housing Corporation had paid Rs 72 lakh while UT had shelled out Rs 40 lakh for the renovation of a house occupied by Punjab's former Director-General of Police PS Gill.

Justice Bindal also directed the Haryana Government to furnish the details of eviction proceedings against unauthorised occupants, including former MLAs.

As the case came up for hearing, the Bench was told that Haryana politicians Kiran Chaudhary was to pay Rs 29,12,995, Savitri Jindal Rs 89,29,455 and OP Jain Rs 38,08,723 for overstay in government houses.

The High Court had earlier sought details of huge expenditure involved in the maintenance and renovation of Gill’s house. During the hearing then, the High Court was also informed that the Punjab Government had issued an eviction notice to the former cabinet minister. But, she had requested the State to allow her retain the government accommodation on the grounds of ailing mother and threat to her life.

The developments took place on a PIL filed by local lawyer Surinder Pal Singh Tinna. The PIL is against the “illegal” and "forcible" occupation of government houses by politicians in prime Sectors of Chandigarh.

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Faridkot police arrests constable for raping 14-year-old schoolgirl
The accused had joined the police recently and was on probation
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 11
The Faridkot police today arrested a constable and his accomplice for kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old Class IX student.

Constable Kulwinder Singh and Kuldeep Singh allegedly kidnapped the girl from the house of her maternal grandparents in Sukhanwala village of Faridkot last evening. After raping the girl, the two dumped the girl near a water channel in Golewala village.

The victim reached home this morning and narrated the incident following which the police booked Kulwinder Singh and Kuldeep Singh.

Kulwinder Singh was recruited in the Punjab Police some days back and was under probation at the Faridkot city police station. "The medical examination of the girl has confirmed rape," said Jawinder Pal Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Faridkot. The accused were produced in the court of the Duty Magistrate and remanded to police custody for three days. The rape by a policeman has further soiled the image of the Faridkot police already facing flak for its role in the abduction case of a minor girl four months back.

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Three arrested near Rajpura 
Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 11
With the arrest of three persons, Vigilance officials today claimed to have moved ahead with investigations into the 
Rs 250-crore Patiala land scam. Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vikas Garg, an accused in the case, is yet to be arrested.

“Devinder Sandhu, Yashpal Aggarwal and Jaswant Singh near Rajpura. The three had played a crucial role in getting the land deal executed. They had been hiding in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi,” the Vigilance officials claimed. The suspended IAS officer’s pre-arrest bail plea in connection with the scam was turned down by the Supreme Court in January.

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Couple, daughter killed in Kharar accident
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 11
A couple and their one-year-old daughter were killed in a road accident near Mamupur village on the Kharar-Ludhina road here today. The victims, Gurtej Singh (38), Sarbajit Kaur (36) and their daughter Sahib Kaur, were residents of Pakki Rurki village.

They were travelling in their car when a private bus hit their vehicle.The car then collided with a Scorpio.The victims were taken to the Mohali Civil Hospital where they were declared "brought dead." Gurtej Singh was on his way to drop her wife, a schoolteacher, to school. The police has registered a case against the bus driver.

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Three held for attack on Danish woman
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 11
The Banga police has arrested three residents of Meharampur village, Tirath Singh, Santokh Singh and Onkar Singh, for allegedly attacking a Danish woman with hammers over a trivial dispute.

Britta Godiksen Hajen, 50, married to a resident of Mehrampur village near Banga, had complained to the police that her three neighbours had seriously injured her following a dispute over a common wall last evening. Hajen, who claims to be a city councillor of Copenhagen, Denmark, had arrived in the village 10 days ago to be with her husband Balkar Singh.

“We have arrested the accused under Sections 447, 323 and 506 of the IPC,” said Nawanshahr SSP Dhanpreet Kaur. Hajen had been taken to the Banga Civil Hospital, he added.

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