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Heavy security in Gurdaspur
Amritsar varsity student molested
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Power tariff may go up by 7%
Hola
Mohalla concludes with political conferences
Martial arts display steals the show
Traffic chaos plays spoilsport
Amritsar
rape case
Civil
military liaison conference
Forum flays govt on alleged diversion of tax revenue
Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link to miss yet another deadline
PSEB to reduce deficit, hike prices of books
Patiala SHO sent on leave
SI dismissed for ‘links’ with drug mafia
Panel to meet councillors to select Patiala Mayor
Rs 7,361-cr annual credit plan for Patiala
Rs 28 cr for law varsity
High Court stays e-auction of cattle fair
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Heavy security in Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur, March 28 The police is taking no chances with Inspector-General (Border) RN Mittal and Deputy IG Paramraj Umranangal camping in the town to monitor the situation, which the police says is ‘volatile’. These two officers, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of three police districts, Raj Jit Singh (Gurdaspur) SK Kalia (Pathankot) and Tulsi Ram (Batala), held several meetings today. As many as 3,000 additional police personnel from the adjoining districts of Armitsar, Batala and Pathankot have been deployed in the town. The BSF authorities have been asked to keep their guest house vacant. Hotels have been asked to put all bookings on hold till March 29. The native village of Jaspal Singh, Chaur Sidhwan, 12 km from here, is swarming with hundreds of policemen, both in uniform and in mufti. There are reports that Sikh hardliners, including Baljeet Singh Daduwal, Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, Simranjit Singh Mann, Tarsem Singh Moranwali and Bhai Mehal Singh will be attending the death anniversary function. Kanwarpal Singh of the Dal Khalsa is also expected to be here tomorrow. Intelligence reports suggest that what the police fears most is the likely presence of Daduwal, which may heighten tensions. He was slated to attend the bhog ceremony of the deceased in April last year but was taken into preventive custody from near Bathinda. Hoardings and banners carrying the pictures of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala and Jaspal Singh have come up in various parts of the town. Said Dal Khalsa's Kanwarpal Singh: "Bhindranwala was declared a martyr by the SGPC and the Akal Takht in 2003. The administration has no right to remove the hoardings.”
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Amritsar varsity student molested
Amritsar, March 28 Later, a gang of more than 12 youths allegedly ransacked the victim's house, beat up her parents and thrashed her brother. Bachu Lal, the girl's father, said three youths, Kunwar, Ankit and Ravi, who lived in the neighbourhood, would often harass his daughter. Hence, he had instructed his son to accompany her whenever she went out. "Today, when we were returning home, three youths came on a bike and molested my daughter. They also beat up my
children." Dheeraj, the girl's brother, said Kunwar, Ankit and Ravi were among those who had barged into their house and assaulted the family members with
iron rods. Joga Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Sadar, said: "We have recorded the statement of the victim and her family members. A case will be registered accordingly."
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Power tariff may go up by 7%
“We will be in a position to announce the revised tariff by the first week of April”, said a senior official of the commission. However, before the announcement, the commission would have to wait for the state government's response on the subsidy to be given to certain sections. “If the government wants to continue giving subsidised power to the farm sector and poor sections, it will have to give in writing to the commission that it will duly compensate Punjab State Power Corporation Limited for the same,” said the official. The state government has made a provision of Rs 5,785 crore in the Budget for power subsidy for the next fiscal. Whenever announced, the revised tariff would be applicable from April 1, 2013. In its petition to the commission, the PSPCL has projected an accumulated annual revenue gap of Rs 16,039 crore and the net revenue gap for 2013-14 of Rs 2,839
crore.
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Hola Mohalla concludes with political conferences
Anandpur Sahib, March 28 Bajwa said the Congress would take on the Akalis by the horns. "I will lead the party workers from the front and will take the first bullet, if required" said the party president. Most speakers at the conference spoke of rampant drug addiction, poor law and order and mining. Alleging that the Akalis had pushed the state into anarchy, Bajwa said there was no rule of the law. Asking party workers to get ready for the coming panchayat and parliamentary elections, he said the Congress would fight the SAD-BJP alliance tooth and nail. Alleging that the SAD leaders were misusing their political position to amass wealth, Bajwa said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Majithia had monopolised the mines, transport, liquor and cable business and were now venturing into real estate. He alleged that Sukhbir's claim that he was fighting the drug mafia was misleading. "The ground reality is that the drug mafia is flourishing with the blessings of the Badals," he said.Terming the property tax as jazia, Bajwa said the Badal government had burdened the people with heavy taxes like Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Countering the government claims on development, Bajwa said most development projects such as highways, bridges, over-bridges and roads were being executed under Central Government schemes. Ravneet Singh Bittu, Member of Parliament, said the Akalis and their henchmen were creating lawlessness. He mentioned the murder of an ASI at Chheharta in this regard. Among others present at the conference were Pradesh Congress vice-presidents Rana KP Singh,Tarlochan Singh, Charanjit Singh Channi, MLAs Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Guriqbal Kaur, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Sukhwinder Singh and former minister Ramesh Dutt Sharma. Akali stalwart Prem Singh Chandumajra, Bikram Singh Majithia, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and Mahesh Inder Singh eulogised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. They called the Congress "corrupt and anti-Punjab".
The Chief Minister alleged that the "step-motherly" treatment meted out to Punjab by the Congress government at the Centre had brought the state to the brink of disaster. "The anti- Punjab policies of the Congress has put the state farmers under a debt of Rs 32,000 crore," he said. Sukhbir spoke of the schemes rolled out by the SAD-BJP government for people's welfare. "The government has decided to end the menace of drug peddling and addiction and its result will be before the public very soon," he said. Youth Akali Dal president and Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia, who reached the venue in a cavalcade of 300 vehicles, termed the Congress as the party of the corrupt. “It is time to unfurl the party flag in Delhi too so that we need not look towards the Centre for funds”, he said. Others who spoke were BJP leader and Health Minister Madan Mohal Mittal, state BJP president Kamal Sharma, Ropar MLA Daljit Singh Cheema, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjit Singh GK.
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Martial arts display steals the show
Over 30 lakh devotees paid obeisance at various gurdwaras during the festival, which started on March 23 at Kiratpur Sahib after which the celebrations shifted to Anandpur Sahib on March 26. The most significant event of the festival was the procession of Nihang groups belonging to the Budha Dal, Harian Velan, Damdami Taksal and the Tarna Dal. The procession began from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib gurdwara at 2 pm. Nihangs exhibited their horse riding and martial art skills and sprayed Holi colours on the people all along the way. The procession halted for a while at gurdwara Kila Anandgarh Sahib at Agampur before it concluded at the Charan Ganga stadium where the Nihangs again displayed their skills. Baba Budha Dal distributed prizes and cash rewards among the winners. Earlier, the bhog ceremony of "akhand paths" was performed. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh delivered his message to the masses urging them to fight social evils like drug addiction and female foeticide. A police team, which was formed to check the menace of begging during the festival, nabbed nearly 100 beggars and pick pockets. Shopkeepers and vendors did a brisk business in the town.
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Traffic chaos plays spoilsport
Anandpur Sahib, March 28 The situation turned worst on the day of political conferences on Wednesday. Thousands of vehicles were seen stranded on the roads since morning. The town was busting at seams by the evening as devotees in large numbers arrived to participate in "mohalla", the closing ceremony of the festival. Ropar SSP Inder Mohan Singh said a huge turnout of devotees made things difficult for the police force. While the number of visitors increased by 30 per cent, waterlogging at the parking sites due to rain added to the traffic problem, he added. — TNS
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Amritsar
rape case
Amritsar, March 28 The order came after the victim's mother alleged her daughter was discharged from the hospital even though her condition was not stable. Commission vice-chairman Rajkumar Verka visited the residence of the victim to record her statement. He also directed the police to identify and arrest the accused within a week. Verka said: "The victim is in deep shock. She is not medically fit to give any statement. I have ordered the district administration to form a medical board for her proper check-up and treatment. The board will submit its report within three days". The victim's mother told the commission that the accused made her daughter sniff some intoxicant after which she fell semi-conscious. They later raped her in the car. "My daughter doesn't sleep at night and remains restless all through the day. She even could
not stand on her feet," she told Verka. ADCP (Crime) HS Brar, who appeared before the commission, said several suspects had been rounded up and further investigations were in progress.
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Civil
military liaison conference
Chandigarh, March 28 The Army projected a requirement of 500 acres for the base during the annual civil military liaison conference between the Headquarters Western Command and the Punjab Government at Chandimandir today, to which Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh replied that that the development of the area as a greenfield project could be considered. The issue of unauthorised constructions within the notified area around ammunition dumps in the state, especially around Patti ammunition dump, near Amritsar, was also discussed. It was decided to set up a panel that would study the case and come out with concrete recommendations. Responding to the Army's requirement for land for the Jai Jawan Awas Yojna and Army Welfare Housing Organisation colonies, the Chief Secretary mentioned the government was constructing housing colonies in 50 towns and a certain percentage could be shared with the Army. It was also pointed out that the Army was yet to be compensated for land it had given to the NHAI for constructing roads in the state. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, top Punjab administration and police officers, senior officers and formation commanders from the Western Command attended the conference, which is an annual affair to discuss issues of mutual interest. Badal agreed to extend support to bring up the standard of Sainik School, Kapurthala. He agreed to analyse whether wards of defence personnel could be classified as a "disadvantaged group" under the RTE Act. While highlighting various welfare measures adopted by the state government for ex-servicemen, war widows and gallantry awardees, Badal said 14,000 ex-servicemen had been re-employed by the state in the last two years, with a mandate to absorb another 8,000 in 2013-14. The government also sought coaches from the Army for training rowers.
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Forum flays govt on alleged diversion of tax revenue
New Delhi, March 28 Forum chief S Krishnan said tax payers, from whom the money had been collected, had every right to demand details of the manner in which the money had been spent. The forum has submitted a memorandum to the President and Prime Minister, seeking a “transparent and institutionalised system for selecting CAG.” The forum feels that selecting only former Secretaries to the post is not correct and deserving Deputy CAGs , who have a vast knowledge of government accounts and audit, should be given a chance. — TNS
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Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link to miss yet another deadline
Chandigarh, March 28 In the recent Union Railway Budget, Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had announced that this link would be operational for commuters by March 31. Records of the railway authorities revealed that the first trial run of the engine on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link was conducted on January 15, 2013. The trial of the first freight train trial was conducted on February 28. Last week, on March 20, the first electrical engine was successfully run on the track. Railway officials revealed that the authorities had missed all of its deadlines in the past 12 years and increased the project cost manifold from Rs 250 crore in the year 2000 to Rs 1,100 crore at present. The work on the project was started by Northern Railways in 2001. Operational hurdles and untimely release of funds delayed work on the link. The project was divided into three phases. The 45-km first phase from Chandigarh to New Morinda was completed in 2006. Trains such as the Amritsar Duronto and Jan Shatabdi have already been plying on this section. The 14-km third phase from Sahnewal to Ludhiana has also been completed. But the 51-km second phase between New Morinda and Sahnewal is yet to get clearance from the CRS. Sources in the construction wing said Rs 45 crore and Rs 250 crore had been allocated for the completion of this section in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 Rail Budgets respectively.
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PSEB to reduce deficit, hike prices of books
Mohali, March 28 With a deficit of Rs 29.12 crore in its budget, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is likely to increase the examination fee and the prices of its books. The board of directors passed the budget at a meeting, headed by PSEB chairperson Dr Tajinder Kaur Dhaliwal. Dr Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, secretary of the board, said in the previous financial year the deficit was Rs 42 crore as the income and expenditure in 2012-13 was Rs 207.46 crore and Rs 249.24 crore respectively. “We have reduced the deficit this year and in order to bring it down further, we are planning to introduce a nominal hike in the examination fee and the prices of our books,” said Dr Dhaliwal. He said the expenses would also be curtailed to decrease the deficit. “The number of examination centres would be cut down to half this year,” he said. He said they would also not recruit any more personnel even though 138 officials were due to retire this year. The board would also computerise its functioning to make up for the lost manpower. He said the State Welfare Department owed the board Rs 104 crore for the books sold and examination fee collected. The secret fund, which has been allocated Rs 2 crore this year, has been decreased by Rs 9 crore. A special fund of Rs 20 lakh will be spent on scholarships and special awards while Rs 21 lakh will be spent on furniture and other things to raise the standard of education in schools.
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Patiala SHO sent on leave
Patiala, March 28 He asked for the money on the pretext of helping local Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) halqa in-charge Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu observe the death anniversary of his father on April 11. Gill said, “We will initiate a probe into the matter once we receive a written complaint.” Sandhu and the SHO have both denied any involvement in the case. Sources said the SHO demanded money from local businessmen to observe the death anniversary of Akali leader’s father Jasdev Singh Sandhu which senior leaders, including Punjab chief minister, are expected to attend. Sources confirmed that a local businessman, who owns a theme park, complained about the matter to senior Patiala police officers and to Sandhu. “When I refused to pay the SHO Rs 70,000 for the function, he started threatening me,” the complainant said. Sandhu claimed, “I have never assigned anyone to collect money for the function. The SHO should be questioned for this. If I can invite the Chief Minister and the Deputy CM, I can pay for the function from my pocket.” SAD spokesperson Daljit Cheema said the party would not tolerate any such indiscipline from any leader and that he would bring the matter to the CM and the Deputy CM’s notice.
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SI dismissed for ‘links’ with drug mafia
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 28 SSP Hardial Singh Mann said the district police along with police parties of four other districts had raided the house of Sarbjit Singh at Nayagaon in Mohali district last night and recovered 2.6 kg of opium and 1 kg of chemical powder. He said the police had also recovered 10 empty cartridges of AK 47 and a .12 bore gun and 11 mobile handsets.
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Panel to meet councillors to select Patiala Mayor
Patiala, March 28 The post had fallen vacant after former Patiala Mayor Jaspal Pardhan had to resign in February due to his involvement in the murder case of his daughter-in-law. SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema today said Dhindsa, party general secretary, MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka were the three members of the committee. The date to elect the next Mayor is April 2. The top contenders for the post are Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha, Amarinder Bajaj, Ajit Pal Singh Kohli and Harpal
Juneja.
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Rs 7,361-cr annual credit plan for Patiala
Patiala, March 28 Last year, the government had earmarked Rs 4,236.49 crore for agriculture and allied sectors and this year, the allocation for the same has been increased to Rs 5,272.75 crore. Also, the grant for the non-agricultural sector has been increased from 431.99 crore to Rs 534.37 crore. The district administration plans to spend Rs 1,553.89 crore on technical sectors as against Rs 1,276.97 crore spent on the same last year. Mitra said this money would be spent on the overall development of the district.
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Rs 28 cr for law varsity
Patiala, March 28 The institute, however, is yet to receive Rs 13 crore from the total Rs 43.5 crore sanctioned to it last year as the government has been facing a financial crisis. The Punjab government released Rs 30.5 crore in two installments of Rs 27 crore and Rs 3.50 crore. Of the Rs 28 crore sanctioned to the university this year, 60 per cent would be spent on building the gymnasium hall and sports ground. The remaining 40 per cent grant would be spent on maintaining library, computer labs and payment of staff salaries.
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High Court stays e-auction of cattle fair
Chandigarh, March 28 The directions came on a petition filed by Mohd Naushad and other petitioners against the state of Punjab and other respondent. The Division Bench of Justice Naresh Kumar Sanghi and Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa also issued notice of motion. Counsel for the petitioners Kanwardeep Singh told the Bench that the earlier notice issued on March 9, inviting bids for the state-level auction for the cattle fair, was revoked by the state. This, he added, was done unilaterally. The state came out with another notice on March 26 for e-auction of the fair. This, he added, was against the provisions of the Punjab Cattle Fair (Regulation) Act of 1967. The petitioners also told the Bench that "e-auction" of the cattle fair would more be in the nature of e-tender. Elaborating, a bidder would now submit his offer, obvious of the bids made by his competitors. Though the highest bidder would stand the chance of emerging victorious in the entire process, the state would still be at a loss. This was because in an open auction the bids were constantly raised by competitors to outmatch the offers made by each other. After taking into consideration the issues raised by the petitioners, the Bench asserted: "The operation of the impugned notice (of March 26) shall remain stayed". The case will now come up for further hearing for April 8.
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Chandigarh, March 28
Chandigarh, March 28
Anandpur Sahib, March 28