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Class X English question paper leaked in Muktsar
Finance Minister rebuts Congress charges
Will oppose property tax: Jakhar
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To check tax evasion, House passes amended VAT Bill
Congress objects to maximum security for SAD leaders
Bajwa gives brother charge of party office
‘Ban’ on kirpan: Sikh clergy summons US gurdwara chief
Hola Mohalla celebrations begin at Anandpur Sahib
Devotees throng gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib to pay obeisance during the second phase of the six-day Hola Mohalla festival at Anandpur Sahib on Monday. A Tribune photograph
CRPF takes on police for ‘irrational’ deployment
Lakshmi Mittal may hike stake in Bathinda refinery
Property tax format to be simplified, says Minister
Prison warders can now check inmates for drugs
Amended anti-rape law to ensure women’s safety: Harsimrat
Harassed, chemists decide not to buy or sell certain drugs
Jail staff get special powers to fight drug menace
Court refuses bail to Moga MLA’s family
Keep tabs on bidders’ cartels, says HC
Man booked for misbehaving with Naib Tehsildar
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Class X English question paper leaked in Muktsar
Muktsar, March 25
The entire process took a long time as both the A and B sets of the question paper were handwritten and lengthy, which could be accommodated on eight and nine pages, respectively. Some photostat question papers were also given, which, students claimed, were partially illegible. The exam could begin only around 11:30 am in urban areas and post noon in rural centres. There was commotion all around and students even protested at a few centres. But in Gidderbaha, some students boycotted the exam and came out of the examination centre within a few minutes. District Education Officer Devinder Kumar Rajouria, however, claimed the paper was not leaked from Muktsar. He said all packets containing question papers were found to be sealed in all 79 examination centres set up across the district. Rajouria said, “I received a call from Malout last night that the English paper, scheduled for today, had been leaked. Upon my request, the caller even sent me a copy of all the three sets of question paper, which I immediately sent to the higher authorities for verification.” As the Class X exam started late, the Class XII students who had to appear in sociology exam too had to bear the brunt. Their exam could not start as per scheduled. The board chairperson said, “The sets of leaked paper were tallied and found to be almost similar to the original ones. Initially we decided to cancel the exam, but later settled upon sending fresh sets of question papers so that students could be saved of harassment.” Dhaliwal said an FIR had been registered against unidentified persons and a departmental inquiry will also be conducted to check any “black sheep” within the board. She said fresh sets were distributed in Banur (Patiala) as well following complaints of paper leak.
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assembly in session
Chandigarh, March 25 Claiming that the latter had never read out his own Budget speeches as Finance Minister, he said the loss being attributed to public sector undertakings was misleading. He went on to claim that most of the Rs 64,000 crore debt attributed to PSUs by the former finance Minister was in fact bank guarantees, many of which had been taken by corporations who had "sufficient" income. Dhindsa indicated that CLP Leader Sunil Jakhar was being forced to adopt a confrontational policy by his MLAs and that he looked "sad and forlorn" because he was a victim of internal Congress politics. Dhindsa, claiming that Punjab was on the path to fiscal consolidation and had improved on all major fiscal indicators, said the revenue deficit as well as debt accumulated by the state should be seen in larger context. Even in India, growth had receded to 5 per cent of the GSDP and inflation had increased to 10 per cent. Rebutting Congress claims that debt had increased whenever the Akali-BJP alliance was in power, Dhindsa said that debt due to militancy in the state had been calculated between Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore.This should be struck off. On expenditure, the minister said a major component went on salaries and pensions and not power subsidy, as was usually made out. He said an attempt was being made to ensure revenue expenditure did not increase by more than 10 per cent every year. He said revenue income was increasing by 17 per cent annually and soon "we will have an extra monetary cushion of Rs 3,200 crore," he said. Dhindsa said students would get tablets this year, whether or not the Akash tablet was launched. More funds would be earmarked for unemployability allowance, if necessary. Expressing remorse at the backlog in distribution of the Shagun dole to newly weds, he said the same would be cleared in three or four months. However, the minister failed to explain whether Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) had been given separate funds for research or if the Rs 300 crore allocated to the university would only cover its salary bill, as was being claimed. Dhindsa said it had been decided to remove VAT on footwear costing less than Rs 750. Earlier this concession was for footwear costing less than Rs 250. He announced that Rs 10 crore would be earmarked for providing sports kits to government schools.
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Will oppose property tax: Jakhar
Chandigarh, March 25 “Isn't it strange that on the one hand the government says it has no funds and on the other is taking its MLAs on a sojourn to Goa,” he remarked. At the Congress mock assembly, Ashwani Sekhri spoke about a girl kidnapped outside a Batala college and rescued later. The police had not registered a case so far, he said. Legislator Sukhjinder Randhawa said a close associate of an Akali minister had thrashed a Motor Vehicle Inspector in Amritsar. No action had been taken in the matter till now. Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Kuljit Nagra said the state had failed to utilise Rs 18 crore for sports given by the Centre. Nawanshahr MLA Guriqbal Kaur said the government had not got the roads in her area repaired despite her meeting the CM on the matter. — TNS Notices to officers Chandigarh: Senior IAS officers have been issued notices for not being present in the Vidhan Sabha when required. They have been asked to explain their position. There is a separate officers' gallery in the assembly hall. Besides taking note of the issues discussed, the officers extend help, if required, to their respective ministers in giving replies to questions asked by House members. Source said some officers who were present in the House were also issued notices. They had brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Secretary. — TNS
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To check tax evasion, House passes amended VAT Bill
Chandigarh, March 25 The amendment is aimed at a more transparent recording of intra-state transactions on the pattern of inter-state transactions.This will check tax evasion. Tax payers often delete or destroy bills after goods have reached their destination, causing losses to the exchequer. This service was introduced by the government last year but was opposed by traders. With the iron and steel industry going on strike against e-TRIP, the decision was kept in abeyance. Initially, e-TRIP called for information regarding intra-state movement of goods (within Punjab) by persons with sales of Rs 3 lakh or above in a single transaction on the website of the Excise and Taxation Department. In case of iron and steel, information was to be furnished for transportation of goods valued at Rs 2 lakh and more. Under the new rules, this information has to be submitted by all sellers. Sources said the necessary software had been developed for the purpose. “We had a dialogue with traders before introducing the amended Bill in the Vidhan Sabha. Necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the traders are not inconvenienced while uploading their intra-state transactions on the department website,” said a senior official. Punjab is banking on a substantial increase in its VAT collections in 2013-14 to tide over its huge revenue deficit. This year, the state hopes to earn Rs 17, 760 crore from VAT collections.
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Congress objects to maximum security for SAD leaders
Patiala, March 25 Punjab cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia continues to get Z+ security while Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and ex-Governor SS Barnala’s security is downgraded to Y category. Bathinda MP Harsimrat gets security under Z category. Most of the persons on the list are associated with the coalition government, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, who enjoys security under the Y category. BJP president Kamal Sharma also gets security under Y category. Earlier this month, many Punjab Congress leaders had questioned the government for providing more than two dozen security gunmen to Bikramjit Majithia, even though his name did not even figure on the threat list. Senior officials confirmed Majithia would also be protected by personnel from the central forces following recent inputs that suggest “serious threat” to his life. Dinkar Gupta, Additional DGP (Security) said, “We have to provide security to whosoever features on the threat list that is cleared by a committee headed by the intelligence wing. Even central agencies’ approval is sought to clear the list.” A Congress MLA said, “It is for everyone to see how the government machinery is being misused to provide security cover to the government’s blue-eyed boys while many senior leaders are being ignored.” Punjab Congress’s chief spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira rubbished the Punjab Police’s claim. “Everyone knows that the police cannot say no to their political bosses. If there is any threat to Bikram Majithia, the police should make it public or withdraw his security cover,” he said. Who gets what
Over 36 personnel, including some from the NSG are duputed to provide Z+ security. In Z category, 22 personnel provide security cover and 11 personnel do the same in Y category.
Z+ security list Z security list Y security list
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Bajwa gives brother charge of party office
Chandigarh, March 25 These appointments indicate that though Bajwa may have maintained after his elevation that he would continue with the same team, he has, like his predecessors, chosen to give the important responsibility of the party office here to his closest confidants. Dhuri MLA Arvind Khanna was the in charge of the party office during the presidentship of Capt Amarinder Singh. Bajwa loyalists said it was important for the PCC president to have his own men controlling the party office. They said Fatehjang Bajwa was already a general secretary and he was only given an additional assignment. Fatehjang was known for his management skills and amiable nature which was needed the most to run the party office, they said. However, the manner in which the new PCC president has elevated former MLA Khaira may not be liked by the Amarinder faction. Khaira had been completely sidelined during the Amarinder’s stay as PCC president and was among the first to rebel against the latter’s leadership after the 2012 assembly election debacle. This act resulted in him becoming close to Bajwa. Khaira said the appointment was recognition of his relentless fight against the “Akali misrule”. Others who have been given important posts include Rajanbir Singh, son of former Akali Minister Balwant Singh. Rajanbir has been closely associated with Bajwa for the past some time and was largely ignored by Amarinder. The other two secretaries appointed today include Rajinder Deepa, who has worked with the PCC president during his Youth Congress days and is also the man behind Bajwa’s recent branding exercise, and Ashok Chaudhary, husband of party Deena Nagar (Gurdaspur) MLA Aruna Chaudhary. He is a retired government official. j
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‘Ban’ on kirpan: Sikh clergy summons US gurdwara chief
Amritsar, March 25 Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said though they received a letter from Badesha, saying that there was no ban on ‘kirpan’, the Sikh high priests have asked him to personally appear before the Akal Takht and give his clarification along with relevant documents. Warning issued The clergy has warned him of action as per ‘Gurmaryada’ if he fails to follow their directions. Earlier, it was alleged that the board of trustees of the Gurdwara of Rochester had itself got a ban imposed on wearing ‘kirpan’ in the shrine. Sacrilege in Pakistan The Sikh high priests have also taken a note of reports of sacrilege pouring in from the gurdwaras in neighbouring Pakistan. The Akal Takht Jathedar said the SGPC has already written a letter to the Pakistan government as well as Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The meeting saw serious deliberations on the issue, following which the PSGPC was directed to pay attention towards managing gurdwara affairs in a proper manner. Restricting loudspeakers The Sikh clergy has also directed all the gurdwaras to restrict the volume of loudspeakers within the premises so that it doesn’t cause any inconvenience to students and patients. Ban on use of scent In another move, the Sikh high priests have directed the Sikh Sangat not to spray scent during the Holla Mohalla celebrations at the Golden Temple on March 28, contending that some scents also have alcohol content, which is tantamount to sacrilege. Website launch deferred The launch of the Akal Takht’s website, which was to take place today, has been postponed to April 1. It will be inaugurated by SGPC chief Avtar Singh
Makkar.
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Hola Mohalla celebrations begin at Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib, March 25 “Paths” and religious diwans will also be held at other gurdwaras in the town, including Sheesh Ganj Sahib, Bhoura Sahib, Shaheedi
Bagh, Guru Ka Bagh, Harian Velan and Gurdarshan Parkash Sahib. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
(SGPC) is expecting the arrival of more than 25 lakh devotees in the town for the festival, which will conclude on March 28. A number of groups of nihangs have started reaching the town to participate in “Mohalla” (religious procession) on March 27, which will be followed by a display of martial
arts during the closing ceremony. Hundreds of social organisations from different villages have set up community kitchens, which will serve a variety of delicacies to the visitors. Various political parties have also started preparations to organise their conferences. The Congress, which did not organise any conference last year, will hold one near the Panj Piara park while tents are being erected by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at the main ground opposite Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib. The SAD (Mann) will organise a conference near the
sarovar. As the entry of trucks and buses has been banned in the town till March 28, the district administration today started a free shuttle service for the visitors.
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CRPF takes on police for ‘irrational’ deployment
Chandigarh, March 25 As the matter came up for resumed hearing, IGP Kulbir Singh said the ADGP (Security) was requested to provide one section of CRPF personnel from 13 battalions at the disposal of the Punjab Police. But “the police under the garb of VVIP securities” was adamant and did not part with any section. In his reply submitted before Justice Ranjit Singh, Kulbir Singh added: “The Punjab Police has not considered the matter in the right perspective and has not rationalised the deployment of CRPF to spare a section”. As a result, delay in the deployment of CRPF personnel occurred. He added the delay was bonafide and not intentional. “It is a procedural delay because the State of Punjab refused to give any section for the security of the petitioners….” The reply came in response to a notice issued to the CRPF IGP for initiating contempt of court proceedings for not providing security to the petitioners. The notice was issued after petitioner’s counsel Gurvinder Singh Sidhu appeared before Justice Ranjit Singh with a plea that the previous orders for providing protection to the Tarn Taran victim, the family and other petitioners have not been complied with. Soon after the issuance of the notice, the CRPF provided eight personnel to the victim and her immediate family. But her uncle Gurmukh Singh, village sarpanch Sukhraj Singh and star witness Jagjit Singh were left without protection. Accepting Kulbir Singh’s explanation, Justice Ranjit Singh directed the withdrawal of contempt notice. Justice Ranjit Singh also directed the Punjab Police to provide security to the remaining petitioners from the Punjab Armed Police Force or the Indian Reserve Battalion.
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Lakshmi Mittal may hike stake in Bathinda refinery
Chandigarh, March 25
Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said it was encouraging that Mittal was keen to double his investment in the energy sector. It is learnt that the government has made a provision of Rs 250 crore in the Budget to meet some of the promises made to Mittal. Dhindsa said he was hopeful that Mittal would encourage other industrialists to set up ancillary units to prepare finished goods from refinery products. “We have sought Mittal’s help in promoting Punjab among the industrial fraternity. We have the best infrastructure in the country. We have the quality manpower to work on big ticket projects”, claimed Dhindsa. Besides, Mittal, the Hero group is also keen to invest in the state. “If Punjab becomes a power surplus state by the end of the year, there is a possibility of some industries coming to the state from other parts which are facing acute power shortage,” said a senior official.
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Property tax format to be simplified, says Minister
Chandigarh, March 25 “If need be, the existing law will be changed. But the tax will stay otherwise the Centre will not release grants to the state under the Jawaharlal Urban Renewal Mission,” he said. A committee, headed by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, is working on the new format, said Mittal. Following the issuance of a notification regarding the property tax in November last year, the authorities concerned were told to work out the tax on the basis of the formula prescribed in the notification. Under the formula, the tax was to be levied on rented commercial properties as well, which faced stiff opposition from traders all over the state. Sources said the government was likely to adopt the Chandigarh pattern in case of tax on residential properties.
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Prison warders can now check inmates for drugs
Bathinda, March 25 The Sections 42 and 67 empower the designated officials to enter and search any premises and effect seizure. These powers were earlier vested with the officers of the Jail Department. The Punjab department of Home Affairs and Justice has sent these orders to all prisons, empowering these officials with power to search and check the menace of smuggling of narcotics under the two Sections. Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) said the order was issued on March 22 and has come into force with immediate effect. In the recent past, several incidents of smuggling drugs into prisons, especially in Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Nabha, have come to light and the fresh order of the government has come to check the menace. Those visiting the jails to meet their relatives and friends were in many cases detected to be carrying narcotics concealed in vegetables and other eatables.
Tightening noose *
The orders have come following seizures of drugs and other prohibited material inside jails *
Action can be taken under Sections 42 and 67 of the NDPS Act * These sections empower the officials to enter and search any premises and effect seizure *
These powers were earlier vested only with the higher Jail Department officials
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Amended anti-rape law to ensure women’s safety: Harsimrat
Mohali, March 25 She said new clauses had been added to the anti-rape law to make it more effective and this was a small step towards women's safety. "Laws have always been there. What is more important is the enforcement of these laws," said Harsimrat. Later, addressing a gathering to launch the Nanhi Chhaan Edu-Earn Policy, she urged women to come forward to bring about an attitudinal change in society as women were not getting the respect they deserved. She appreciated the institute for launching the new Edu-Earn Policy, the first-ever in the country, enabling girl students to earn Rs 2,500 - Rs 25,000 per month while pursuing their studies. Equipped to meet their education expenses, the initiative would encourage the girl students to opt for vocational courses. On the occasion, students at the institute pledged to fight the menace of female foeticide and dowry. They also staged a play against the social evils.
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Harassed, chemists decide not to buy or sell certain drugs
Ludhiana, March 25 The six salts are dextropropoxyphene, nitrazepam, pentazocine injection, buprenorphine, codeine and diazepam. The Punjab Chemists Association today handed over memorandums to the Civil Surgeons in their area in this regard. There are over 28,000 chemists in Punjab and 3,700 from Ludhiana district. Balram Luthra, Drug Inspector, Ludhiana, said, “Around a year ago, the state government stopped the sale and purchase of these drugs that were prepared with these six salts by chemists. The aim behind this was to keep a check on the misuse of these drugs by addicts. The state government decided to put a red stamp on drug licences while renewing them which meant that the licensees could no longer sell or purchase these drugs.” Drug licences are renewed every five years. Now on the call of Punjab Chemists Association, chemists, including those whose licences are yet to be renewed, across the state have decided not to sell or buy these drugs from today. Tikka Dalip Singh, general secretary of Punjab Chemists Association said, “We no longer wish to harassed by the police so we have taken this step. As far as the needs of the patients are concerned, it will be the responsibility of the state government to provide the medicines.” Aman Ahuja District, president of Ludhiana Retail Chemists Association, approved the decision. “This decision will check the easy availability of these drugs. Patients can get these medicines from the doctors who should keep stock of these medicines.”
Upping the ante *
Around a year ago, the state govt stopped the sale or purchase of drugs with six particular salts *
In order to check the misuse of these drugs, chemists with renewed licences weren’t allowed to sell or purchase these *
Expressing solidarity with those who are banned from selling these drugs, all chemists have stopped selling these drugs
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Jail staff get special powers to fight drug menace
Patiala, March 25 As per the new notification issued by the Department of Home Affairs, Head Warder and Head Matrons would be able to perform their duty under the NDPS Act, within their respective jurisdiction. Earlier, in a majority of the cases, the jail staffers would catch the inmates with the drugs and refer the case to the local police that would register the case. "The recoveries made by the jail officials would, however, get rejected in the court," said jail officials. "It is for the first time in the country that such a power has been designated to the jail officials in the rank of Head Warder and Head Matrons," said additional DGP (Jails) RP Meena. As many as 2,429 male and 86 female convicts are imprisoned in the 26 Punjab jails. They also house 4,283 male and 203 female under-trials booked under the NDPS Act.
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Court refuses bail to Moga MLA’s family
Faridkot, March 25 Jain’s wife Swaran Lata, sons Akshit Jain and Punit Jain and daughter Rohini Jain have been evading arrest after a local court on March 14 issued arrest warrants against them for not appearing in the court in the six-year-old criminal case. The case was registered against the MLA and his family members under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act in August 2007 for allegedly raising an unauthorised residential colony. The court had allowed exemption from personal appearance to the MLA. But taking a serious view of the failure of his family members to appear in the court in the last five hearings, the court had directed the police to arrest them and produce them before the court on March 22. On March 16, the family members of the MLA moved an application seeking anticipatory bail before the Session Court, Faridkot. On March 22, the police demanded more time from the court to arrest the accused.
No reprieve *
Jain's wife, two sons and a daughter have been evading arrest after a Moga court, on March 14, issued warrants against them *
A criminal case was registered against the MLA and his family members for raising an “unauthorised” residential colony *
The court had allowed exemption from personal appearance to the MLA *
But it issued arrest warrants against others after they failed to appear in the court
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Keep tabs on bidders’ cartels, says HC
Chandigarh, March 25 It has also directed the state and other respondents to accord “serious consideration” at the “highest level” to ensure cartels formed by truck or labour unions do not prevail and prevent other bidders from making offers. The directions by the Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain came on a petition filed by Khem Singh and another petitioner against the state of Punjab and other respondents. The directions came after the petitioners alleged they were not even supplied tender forms by the state and other respondents for a public work even after the issuance of notices inviting tenders. Even after the petitioners and others were able to get the tender forms, they were not allowed to submit the same with the district offices concerned. Appearing before the Bench, their counsel had alleged that they were prevented “because of the muscle power shown by the truck and labour unions. “Such is the clout and influence of the unions that the ordinary persons are rendered disabled to get the forms and submit the same,” the petitioners had added. Disposing of the petition, the Bench asserted: “It is the right of every eligible person to obtain and submit bids pursuant to notice inviting tenders. Evaluation of the tender may be a different matter; and on the evaluation to whom the contract is to be awarded will depend upon the comparative merit of the bidders. “However, those who want to bid cannot be denied the right of submitting the bids and their consideration which right is drawn from Article 14 of the Constitution of India. “We, thus, dispose of this writ petition with direction to the official respondents to supply forms to each and every person, including the petitioners, who approach for the same. Likewise, they would permit the petitioners or such other persons to submit the bids as well”. Before parting with the order, the Bench directed the Registry to forward the order’s copy to all the official respondents.
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Man booked for misbehaving with Naib Tehsildar
Barnala, March 25 Tallewal police station SHO Harwinder Singh Khehra said Naib Tehsildar Jaspal Kaur had gone to Bhotna village to recover Rs 6,000 as stamp duty and fee from one Saudagar Singh. However, Saudagar Singh was not available at home, but his neighbour Ranjodh Singh reportedly misbehaved with Naib Tehsildar and tried to gherao her, he added. So far, no arrests have been made in the case. — TNS
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Concluding the debate on the Budget, which resulted in passing of Budget estimates of Rs 56,051 crore for 2013-14, Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa today took on former Congress minister Laal Singh, who had presented a 'critique' of the Budget at a mock assembly session.
The second phase of the six-day Hola Mohalla started here today. The celebrations of the historic festival began on March 23 at Kiratpur Sahib.
The “akhand path” will start at Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib tomorrow. “Paths” and religious diwans will also be held at other gurdwaras in the town, including Sheesh Ganj Sahib, Bhoura Sahib, Shaheedi
Bagh, Guru Ka Bagh, Harian Velan and Gurdarshan Parkash Sahib.
All the three sets (A, B and C) of the question paper were found similar to the leaked papers. Fresh question papers — in two sets (A and B), rather than the mandatory three sets — were hurriedly sent through e-mail from the board’s head office. But, these too were not kept secret. The school heads and superintendents went to private shops to get them printed to distribute among students.
“We will simplify it in a big way to make its implementation transparent and easy for all concerned”, said Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal. He alleged the Central Government had forced the state to levy property tax on the urban population.
The MP, who arrived late by two hours, said it took nearly 25 years for rape cases to be decided. Moreover, culprits were punished in a mere 25 per cent cases.