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Crime Against Women
Tells courts to act tough on drug traffickers
23 years on, Rs 5 lakh relief for ‘encounter’ victim’s kin
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Non-resumption of Toronto flight setback for Amritsar airport
Airport well-equipped, but in losses:
The airport, whose annual loss has mounted to Rs 55 crore, is high on infrastructure as it has been renovated with major capital. It is CAT-II compatible and can handle over 1,200 passengers at a time. It is capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft and has 14 parking bays. The growth in traffic was 22.7 per cent in 2009 when the new airport complex was established. Domestic and international traffic peaked to 9 lakh by 2012. The airport also has perishable cargo handling facility as well.
Amarinder Bajaj is Patiala Mayor
Patiala Mayor Amarinder Singh Bajaj with his supporters on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
Congress vice-presidents take charge
(From left) Congress vice-presidents for Malwa region Charanjit Channi and Gurpreet Kangar, CLP leader Sunil Jakhar, PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa, vice-presidents OP Soni (Majha) and Tarlochan Soondh (Doaba) after their installation in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan
Sukhbir: Demand for President’s rule a joke
BJP all set for Lok Sabha poll: Kamal
Rs 484-Crore drug haul case
Property tax: Govt devising new formula
Cops under attack again
Police officials show the weapons seized from the accused, in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
No headway in ASI murder case
Anna calls for unity against ‘corrupt system’
Anna Hazare pays tributes to martyrs at the Hussainiwala memorial in Ferozepur on Tuesday. A Tribune photo
Right to Service: Erring officers in line of fire
(From left) RTS Commissioners Dalbir Verka, SM Sharma and HS Dhillon at a press conference in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan
Swine flu: Rajindra Hospital violates safety
norms
IT Dept to crack down on companies not remitting
TDS
Farmers urged to bring dried produce to mandis
Basic amenities missing at mandis in Muktsar district
Amritsar-Chandigarh
flight discontinued
Sangrur residents stage dharna against police
Bailable warrants issued against Bollywood actor Jimmy
Shergill
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Crime Against Women
Chandigarh, April 2 The two states and the UT Administration were also directed to establish women police squads in each district along with transport facilities for quick response to the calls received from the victims of crime against women. This would be on the pattern of squads set up at Bathinda. These and many more suggestions came as the Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa disposed of four PILs on the issue. The Bench suggested to the Governments and the Administration that they should come out with a legislation for prevention of eve-teasing on the pattern of “Prevention of Eve-Teasing Act, 1998” enacted by Tamil Nadu. The Act declares “eve teasing” as a non-bailable offence and provides for 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction. The Bench also advised the State Women Commissions to adopt pro-active attitude and to act as a watchdog for protecting the dignity of women. The Bench also directed the respondent-Governments to appoint protection officers up to village level under the “Prevention of Domestic Violence Act”; and directed private hospitals not to turn away the victims of crime against women. The High Court reproduced in its order directions issued by Supreme Court in “Samputhiram’s case”. Those directions include deployment of plain clothed woman police officers near bus stands, cinema theaters, shopping malls, parks and places of worship, to install CCTV at strategic positions; and to set up dedicated women helpline in all cities and towns. The directions came just about three months after the Chief Justice asserted “enough is enough” while taking suo-motu cognisance of news-reports on suicide by a minor harassed by the police after being raped. Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri had asserted: “Delhi has already acquired the dubious distinction with infamous label rape capital of the country. Irony is that the state of affairs is not confined to Delhi alone and the situation in Punjab is also far from satisfactory. Not only there is upsurge in the crimes against the women generally in the state, heinous and ghastly crime of rape is also on the rise…. “There is also need for combating this rape culture by reforming various other institutions as well. Law for punishing such crimes appears on the statute book, it is the lack of adequate and enforcement system, which also contributes for repeated commission of such offences. There is a need for proper law and order machinery in preventing such occurrences….”
Other directions
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Tells courts to act tough on drug traffickers
Chandigarh, April 2 The aspect was required to be taken into consideration by the court even in cases were bail was sought on the ground that the quantity of contraband recovered from the alleged drug traffickers, when divided among them, was non-commercial. An accused in a drugs case cannot be granted bail in case of commercial quantity, but the law is not so stringent when it comes to non-commercial measure. The assertion by Justice Ranjit Singh came soon after the counsel for the alleged drug traffickers tried to impress upon the Court that the accused in a drugs case should be granted the concession of bail, as the quantity of contraband allegedly recovered from them was non-commercial. The development is significant as Punjab's grievous drug problem was revealed recently in a report by Guru Nanak University. The report declared that some 73.5 per cent of the state's youth between 16 and 35 years were confirmed drug addicts. The report was quoted in Punjab Government's disaster management plan. The latest ruling by Justice Ranjit Singh came as he disposed of two petitions against the State of Punjab. In both the petitions, the accused were seeking bail for offences registered against them under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act. As per the allegations in the FIR, the police patrolling party saw three persons moving around in Fazilka district. Upon spotting the police party, the trio tried to escape, but the police stopped the vehicle and apprehended them. The search resulted in recovery of intoxicants. "That is one aspect, but another equally important aspect to be kept in mind is that the persons, like the petitioners are indulging in drugs, which has spoiled the youths of this part of the country. That aspect has also to be kept in view by the court. Considering the totality of the circumstances, I am not inclined to extend the concession of bail to the petitioners. The petitions are accordingly dismissed," Justice Ranjit Singh ruled.
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23 years on, Rs 5 lakh relief for ‘encounter’ victim’s kin
Chandigarh, April 2 She pleaded Shiv Charanjit Singh, a Punjab Agriculture University student, was forcibly picked up from his house on July 9, 1989, around 8 pm by a police party. She added a telegram apprehending torture and implication of Shiv Charanjit, sent by her husband Gulwant Singh to the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 12, 1989, was treated as a petition for writ of habeas corpus. He also approached the police authorities after taking "respectable persons with him" and was assured of his release after interrogation by the police. However, the family came to know through newspaper reports that Shiv Charanjit Singh was killed in an encounter on July 19, 1989. In his inquiry report submitted on March 19, 1991, Ludhiana's then District and Sessions Judge DS Dhaliwal concluded that Shiv Charanjit Singh was indeed picked up by the police from his house on July 9, 1989, around 8 pm. The writ petition was subsequently decided in December 1991 and it was held that the responsibility for the death could not be fixed, but the picking up of Shiv Charanjit Singh stood established. After hearing the counsel for the parties, Justice Sandhawalia asserted: "The Court is of the opinion that the writ petition is liable to be allowed, since the petitioner has placed sufficient material on record to show that Shiv Charanjit Singh was picked up by a police party". Justice Sandhawalia added: "The father of the deceased had sent a telegram on July 12, 1989, and thereafter the deceased allegedly died in an encounter on July 18-19, 1989, in a firing of 10 minutes, in which AK47 rifles along with 20 empty cartridges and 20 loaded cartridges were recovered…. Admittedly, none from the police side was injured in the firing incident…. Regarding a scooterist stated to have been accompanying Shiv Charanjit Singh, effort was never made by the police to trace him…. The petitioner is awarded Rs 5 lakh for the death of her son who had been picked up by the police officials and was shot dead in a police encounter".
Killed in 'cold blood'
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Non-resumption of Toronto flight setback for Amritsar airport
Amritsar, April 2 Amritsar airport advisory panel member Gunbir Singh said: "The direct flight from Amritsar to Toronto was a phenomenal success. But it was withdrawn inexplicably a few years ago. On popular demand, an indirect connection via Delhi was started. The flight used to fly from Amritsar to Delhi and then head from Delhi to Toronto, literally flying again over Amritsar in keeping with the established air corridor. This non-conventional wisdom was beyond comprehension, but the solace of having a flight to Canada, albeit indirect, was still a relief. Now even this indirect flight has been withdrawn from the summer schedule of Air India". He said the Amritsar airport had been bleeding economically due to dwindling international flights. "This new development is discriminatory and commercially suicidal for the airport." He said hundreds of crores have been invested in the hospitality sector in Amritsar over the last five years and these star hotels were dependent on the feed from international carriers for their survival. It is imperative that the "discriminatory approach" to the Amritsar airport in favour of Delhi international airport was curtailed, he added. Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (Civil Lines) president APS Chatha said the suspension of the flight had come as a huge loss to the hospitality industry, which was already passing through a bad phase. "The flight used to bring a number of NRIs who were a major source of revenue for us." Amritsar Vikas Manch patron Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala termed the move as "anti-people" as the flight was popular among the Punjabi community living in Canada. He alleged the government was promoting the Delhi airport at the cost of other airports.
Airport well-equipped, but in losses The airport, whose annual loss has mounted to Rs 55 crore, is high on infrastructure as it has been renovated with major capital. It is CAT-II compatible and can handle over 1,200 passengers at a time. It is capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft and has 14 parking bays. The growth in traffic was 22.7 per cent in 2009 when the new airport complex was established. Domestic and international traffic peaked to 9 lakh by 2012. The airport also has perishable cargo handling facility as well.
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Amarinder Bajaj is Patiala Mayor
Patiala, April
2 The post had fallen vacant in February after the ouster of former Mayor Jaspal Pardhan following the registration of a murder case against him. Ahead of Bajaj’s election, high drama was witnessed in the city today. The climax came after all the SAD councillors declared to pass on their voting rights to the party president to unanimously elect the Mayor. Thereafter, Maluka asked Pardhan to propose Bajaj’s name for the post, which was backed by all the party members in the House. A Yadavindra Public School (Patiala)
passout, Bajaj is the son of former Improvement Trust chairman Indermohan Singh
Bajaj, who is the SAD district president. His name was cleared late Monday night when he along with other top contenders were summoned to Chandigarh to meet the Deputy Chief Minister. Sources said Bajaj’s elevation was a result of the efforts put in by his father, who has been with the SAD for the last over two decades.
Maluka said the decision to appoint Bajaj as the Mayor was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir
Badal. “The recommendations of the three-member committee that was appointed to hear all the councillors a few days ago were also considered,” he said. The appointment, however, has come as a setback for
Pardhan, who was eying to stage a comeback after a relief from the police in the murder case.
About the Mayor Amarinder Singh Bajaj (34), is the son of SAD's Patiala district president and former Improvement Trust chairman Indermohan Singh Bajaj. A Yadavindra Public School (Patiala) passout, he is a two-time councillor. After his appointment, Bajaj promised all-round development of Patiala. He said, "I have got an opportunity to serve the people at a very young age and I will try my best to live up to their expectations." Supporters damage office Minutes after his election as Patiala Mayor, Bajaj's aides damaged the door of the Mayor's office. The supporters also damaged the glass door at the main entrance of the Municipal Corporation office.
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Congress vice-presidents take charge
Chandigarh, April 2 Talking to The Tribune, Bajwa said he would personally start the fight against illegal mining this month itself. Claiming that illegal mining was being done past midnight with search lights in connivance with the police, he said he would personally lead “raids” against such activity. The PPCC chief was here at the Congress Bhawan to participate in the installation ceremony of four recently appointed vice-presidents, including OP Soni (Majha region), Tarlochan Soondh (Doaba) and Gurpreet Kangar and Charanjit Channi (Malwa). Bajwa said the maximum illegal mining was being conducted in Gurdaspur district, followed by Jalandhar as well as the entire Ghaggar catchment area. He said he would urge the Centre to order a CBI inquiry to determine who was behind the “mining mafia” in Punjab. The PPCC chief said prominent Akalis who were indulging in sand mining, including Jalandhar leader Sarabjit Singh Makkar and Guruharsahai leader Vardev Mann, had been given 150 to 200 police commandos who were allegedly posted at the mining sites. He said he failed to understand why anyone indulging in legal activity needed so many police personnel. Speaking at the installation ceremony of the four party vice-presidents, he said he would ensure free legal aid for all Congress workers “victimised” at the hands of the Akalis. Punjab Legal Cell co-chairman and Supreme Court advocate Jaiveer Shergill has been entrusted with this responsibility. Bajwa also announced that he would be present at the Congress Bhawan here twice a week and that all the four vice-presidents would be present at the Congress office on any given day. Earlier, Soni, Soondh, Kangar and Channi as well as Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Bittu focussed on the need to take on the Akalis aggressively. Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar alleged that there was “goonda raj” in the state as the criminals who had been used in elections were now seeking their pound of flesh.
Bajwa at combative best PPCC president Partap Bajwa was at his combative best. Hitting out at CM Parkash Singh Badal, he said he knew well how to wrest power from the ruling party and that he would even take the help of "Chanakya neeti" of senior leader Laal Singh for the purpose. Jeet Baisakhi conference convener The party appointed legislator Jeet Mohinder Singh as convener and former minister Jagmohan Singh Kang as observer for the Baisakhi conference at Talwandi Sabo on April 13 Capt misses court hearing too Former PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, who gave the installation function a miss despite his earlier claims that he would be present, did not turn up for his court hearing in the Amritsar Improvement Trust land scam case in a Mohali court on Tuesday. His counsel moved his exemption application, stating that the leader was busy in political meetings at New Delhi.
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Sukhbir: Demand for President’s rule a joke
Bathinda, April 2 On social activist Anna Hazare's state tour, Sukhbir said the SAD was already working on his (Anna's) agenda against corruption. He said the SAD and Anna had a common goal to eliminate corruption and "we are striking at the genesis of corruption by governance reforms like the Right to Service Act". Speaking to media persons at Jalalabad after laying the foundation stone of a 100-bed multi-specialty hospital, besides launching various projects worth Rs 152 crore, the Deputy Chief Minister asked how could PCC president, who had no power to appoint a secretary or a spokesperson, seek President's rule in the state. He said in the next four years, Jalalabad would be the top export zone of basmati. He said he would lay the foundation stone of a 100-acre special rice zone next month where 5 acres each would be allotted to ultramodern rice units. Other present included Surjit Kumar Jyani, Cabinet Minister; Sher Singh Ghubaya, MP; Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, MLA; and Dr SS Shergill, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.
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BJP all set for Lok Sabha poll: Kamal
Sujanpur (Pathankot), April 2 Sharma was accorded a warm welcome by party supporters in Sujanpur on his first visit to Pathankot district after being appointed state party chief. Three separate functions were held at Bhoa, Sujanpur and Pathankot to welcome the new party president. Sharma told a gathering that the party had done its homework on all the three seats, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur, and therefore, "we are in an unbeatable position". Sharma exhorted the people to vote for the party in full strength in the parliamentary elections. "I can see winds of change blowing in favour of the BJP," he claimed. Speaking at a function in Pathankot, former Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to announce a special industrial package for the border district of
Gurdaspur.
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Rs 484-Crore drug haul case
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 2 The police had decided to issue a lookout notice against them too. The police had raided the residences of the three accused on Sunday and recovered 10 kg of Ice and 230 kg of Pseudophedrine from the vehicles parked on their premises. Sources said international boxer Vijender Singh had come in contact with Anup Singh Kahlon through his sparring partner Ram Singh, who was married to Deol’s sister. Kahlon and Deol had come to know each other when the latter had moved to Mumbai after being declared as a PO five years ago for assaulting a policeman. Deol had been booked under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 384 (Extortion) on August 25, 2008. Sources said the police would soon summon Vijender boxer and suspended boxer Ram Singh to join the investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police Hardial Singh Mann said raids were being conducted at all the possible hideouts of the three accused. Sangrur cops out of loop Sangrur:
Though Fatehgarh police recovered the huge cash of drugs from a procolaimed offender Ravi Deol’s house in Sangrur, Sangrur police had no information on the drugs seized.
— TNS
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Pakistan repatriates Indian girl
Abohar, April 2 She along with her two minor brothers had taken a herd of cattle to graze near the border. She, however, had stayed there after sending her brothers back with the cattle to collect firewood. While deporting Pooja, the Pakistan Rangers also provided her with clothes, footwear, chocolates and sweets. After she was reported missing, the BSF had held four flag meetings with the Pakistan Rangers. The latter then spotted the girl and agreed to send her back. Khajuwala MLA Dr Vishavnath Meghwal had earlier faxed a letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, seeking his intervention through diplomatic channels. She was deported in the presence of BSF Commandant Subhash Chander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Babu Lal Bishnoi, Station House Officer Ram Chander Chaudhary and Tehsildar Ram Chander Pachar. The girl’s father, Sukh Ram Meghwal of Chak village 47KYD (Khajuwala), had on Friday night informed the police that his daughter had gone missing. Thereafter, the police and area residents sought the help of the BSF to trace the girl. The patrolling party near BoP Neelkanth spotted girl’s footprints close to the border following which they contacted their Pakistani counterparts.
Fruitful search
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Property tax: Govt devising new formula
Chandigarh, April 2 The committee, headed by Som
Parkash, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and a BJP MLA, is likely to submit its report within a fortnight.
Mittal said as the committee was working on the new formula, it was clear that the tax would not be charged on the basis of the existing formula. The property tax was imposed in November last year. It was to become applicable on the basis of the existing formula from April 1 in case of residential and other properties. The Minister said if need be, the law regarding property tax would be amended. The government action comes after concerns were raised across Punjab against the present tax structure, which, traders and shop keepers claimed, would put “too much” burden on them. Keeping in view the resentment among the traders as well as the general public, the BJP leaders had requested the Chief Minister to set up a committee to re-work the formula so as to substantially reduce the tax
burden. Mittal said the BJP was against the levying of the property tax, “but the tax had been forced on people indirectly by the Congress-led UPA government”. He said after the state government refused to levy the property tax, the Union Government had stopped releasing grants to tune of Rs 800 crore to Punjab, which were to be paid under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission.
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Cops under attack again
Amritsar, April 2 Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) HS Brar said after receiving information that a few youths were brandishing weapons in an Indigo car, nakas were laid at key points in the area. CIA in charge Arvinder Singh, who was heading the operation, claimed that when the car was signalled to stop at Dhapai railway crossing, its occupants opened fired at the police party. As the railway crossing was closed, the youths abandoned their car and tried to run towards Nawa Kot area. While two of the accused were nabbed after a chase on the streets, the other two managed to give police the slip. Though the police denied having seized any contraband from the car, sources said the youngsters had a criminal past. They said one of the arrested youths, Ranbir Singh Rana, had several criminal cases pending against him. Brar, however, denied the accused had any connection with the ASI murder case near Phagwara yesterday. The police has recovered several arms, including a .315 bore rifle, a Springfield rifle and a 32 bore pistol along with ammunition.
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No headway in ASI murder case
Phagwara, April 2 Claiming to have identified three of the four attackers (Ravinder Singh alias Mintoo of Fatehgarh Sahib, Parminder Singh Pindi of Nihaluwal and Tanvir of Tut Kalan (both in Jalandhar), the police today issued lookout notices for the assailants. The accused had fled in a car after shooting the police officer dead on the highway. Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Inderbir Singh said the lookout notices had been issued to prevent the accused from fleeing the country. Though the police had rounded up a number of habitual offenders, it had so far failed to trace the assailants. “Efforts are on to nab the culprits and raids are being conducted at their possible hideouts,” the SSP said.
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Anna calls for unity against ‘corrupt system’
Faridkot, April 2 "Our country is deep in the morass of an inefficient and corrupt political system as over 40 per cent of our elected leaders are bereft of any morale and virtue. They are duping the people who voted for them," said Anna Hazare, addressing a public gathering near Baba Farid shrine in Faridkot. Soofi Gilani, chairman, World Sufi Organisation, and Santosh Bharti were also accompanying Anna. "I have no political ambition or motive in this public awakening. But to stir the people's conscience and stimulate them to join hands to eradicate evil in the country which is deep-rooted and spreading its tentacles," said Anna. "You (people) are the masters. But you are being treated like slaves by your elected representatives," he said, adding: “Politics is now a business. Leaders invest to buy votes and plunder the country after being elected”. “The only potent weapon to relieve the people of their sufferings is awakening and their united strength,” he said. “To evolve true democracy, the awakening of the voters is a must and our campaign is an effort to bring awareness among the masses,” the social activist said. General VK Singh said: “Even the British did not plunder the country as brazenly as most of our elected representatives have been doing for the last over six decades”. Before addressing the
rallies, Anna and his companions paid obeisance at Gurdwara Baba Farid.
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Right to Service: Erring officers in line of fire
Chandigarh, April 2 Addressing a press conference, Dr Dalbir Singh
Verka, Commissioner, PRSC, said: "Under the Act, the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner had imposed a penalty of Rs 500 each on SDM and
CDP; Faridkot DC slapped Rs 1,000 fine on Jaito Tehsildar; and Rs 500 each on a steno and a clerk of the transport office; and Batala SDM imposed a fine of Rs 4,000 on Executive Officer, Nagar Council Fatehgarh
Churian". Commissioners SM Sharma, Iqbal Singh Sidhu and HS Dhillon said more strict action would be taken against officers not providing services in a time-bound manner. Dr Verka said up to February, as many as 81,24,209 persons had availed services under the Right to Services Act, 2011, in all the districts. Of the 590 appeals filed before the First Appellate Authority, 547 were disposed of. As many as eight appeals were filed before the Second Appellate Authority and seven of these have been disposed of. The commission also took suo motto notice of at least 57 cases. Of the total complaints disposed of, at least 66,03,131 pertained to the civil administration and the remaining 15,21,078 concerned the police department. Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner, Iqbal Singh
Sidhu, said Punjab was the first state of the country which had successfully implemented the Right to Service Act for providing time-bound and hassle-free delivery of services by the government departments.
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Swine flu: Rajindra Hospital violates safety
norms
Patiala, April 2 Sangeeta, a 23-year-old woman from Khanaouri Kheri village near Harpalpur village, was one of the seven unfortunate people who died of the disease. She breathed her last at Rajindra Hospital on Friday night. Sangeeta, who was five-month pregnant, was first brought to the hospital as a suspected case of swine flu around 10 days ago. The hospital authorities admitted her to the ICU instead of keeping her in the isolation ward. Once she tested positive, though the Health Department provided medicines to her kin, they didn’t administer the medicine to other patients in the ICU who were exposed to the flu. When questioned as to why suspected cases of swine flu were kept in the ICU, Dr VK Sharda, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said they didn’t want to spread panic in the hospital. “We don’t want to scare the patients by putting them in the isolation ward unless it is confirmed they have swine flu,” he said. Senior doctors called this a blunder and were of the view that ICU patients, who were already in a critical condition, should not be exposed to a disease such as swine flu. They said the hospital should set up an isolation ward where they should keep all suspected cases of swine flu.
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IT Dept to crack down on companies not remitting
TDS
Ludhiana, April 2 The Central Board of Direct Taxes
(CBDT) has asked all IT ranges to identify such organisations and initiate prosecution against them in court. “The department has detected some big cases of non-compliance in depositing tax stipulated under the TDS category. Prosecution can also be initiated where revenue involved is high and there is blatant violation of TDS remittance laws,” said a senior official from the department. Action will be taken under Section 276B of the IT Act and the convicted can get rigorous imprisonment varying from three months to seven years under the said provision, said the official. The measures have been taken by the department after some flagrant violations were detected by the Income Tax Department.
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Farmers urged to bring dried produce to mandis
Patiala, April 2 Patiala Deputy Commissioner GK Singh said the district
administration was geared up for the procurement season. All the arrangements had been completed and the District Mandi Officer had also inspected the crops in many parts of the district, Singh said. “Though the official procurement season began on April 1, it might take a few more days before farmers start bringing their crop to the mandis. A heap of wheat was brought to Rajpura mandi yesterday but it too wasn’t properly dried up,” he said. He further said the administration had purchased 10.23 lakh LMT wheat last year and they were expecting 11.17 lakh LMT wheat in mandis this year.
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Basic amenities missing at mandis in Muktsar district
Muktsar, April 2 Apart from the lack of availability of basic amenties, heaps of garbage lying around and large number of stray cattle on the premises of the grain markets are adding to the difficulties of farmers. The situation is similar in each mandi in the district. Some farmers, who had come today with their produce in the Muktsar grain market, said, “Large number of stray cattle at the mandi is damaging our grain.” When contacted, District Mandi Officer Kuldeep Singh Brar said, “Though the formal wheat procurement season began a few days ago, the arrival would begin in the middle of this month. The issues at all the mandis will be addressed by then.”
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Amritsar-Chandigarh
flight discontinued
Amritsar, April 2 Suneel Dutt, director, Shri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, said the flight had been discontinued from April 1 due to poor passenger traffic.
Gunbir Singh, member, CII National Council on Public Policy, said Air Mantra initially started its operations with competitive fares, but later the fares were increased, which hit the passenger traffic. Air Mantra had launched its operation on the Amritsar-Chandigarh route on July 23 last year with a 17-seater Beechcraft 1900D aircraft flying between the two cities twice a day.
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Sangrur residents stage dharna against police
Sangrur, April 2 On the complaint of the victim, the police had registered a case against Balkar Singh under Section 324 of the IPC. The victim had alleged that due to some enmity, Singh had stabbed her twice in the abdomen. Satwant Singh Khandewad, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), said if the police does not add Section 307 to the FIR and arrest Patwari soon, they would stage a dharna in front of the office of the DSP at Moonak on April 7. — TNS
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Bailable warrants issued against Bollywood actor Jimmy Shergill
Sangrur, April 2 A criminal complaint had been filed against
Shergill, who produced the Punjabi film “Taur Mittran Di”, in the court by an advocate on August 2, 2012, under Sections 499, 500, 120-B of the
IPC. The complainant had alleged that the film defamed the advocate community. Besides Jimmi
Shergill, the bailable warrants have also been issued against actor Ranvijay Singh, actress Amita
Pathak, writer Dhiraj Rattan, director Navaniat Singh and others. The bailable warrants were issued as the court was of the opinion that despite serving summons to the accused on several occasions, they did not turn up in court. So, the court said the warrants had to be issued to ensure the attendance of the accused.
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The Air India's decision not to resume the Amritsar-Delhi-Toronto flight this summer season as well has drawn flak from various quarters. Those who have come out against the decision say it will cause further loss to Shri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, Amritsar, which is already in the red.
Patiala, April
2
Punjab
Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa today said his
party would now, after having registering a “victory” by stalling the
implementation of property tax, go after illegal mining in the state.
A day after an Assistant Sub-Inspector was shot dead by drug smugglers on the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway, four car-borne youths fired at a police party near Dhapai railway crossing here today after the vehicle was signalled to stop.
In the action that ensued after the firing, two of the youth, Ranbir Singh Rana of Kandhowali village and Jagroop Singh of Romana village, were arrested.
Faridkot, April 2
Chandigarh, April 2
Ludhiana, April 2
