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GMADA to modify New Chandigarh’s master plan
State industry reels under unscheduled power cuts
Maluka’s science kit denial backfires
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Cong urges Justice Jindal to recuse from scam probe
Pro-Khalistani Cong leaders to blame for poll losses: Dullo
Cong urges Justice Jindal to recuse himself from probe
Now, Parampal may herself seek repatriation
Youth Congress to
gherao CM’s residence on June 5
Mad rush for labourers as paddy season nears
Patiala Medical college wants to add 69 MD seats
Expired medicines
Drive to check vector-borne diseases intensified
Will take up ropeway issue with HP: Phillaur
No market fee on export of fruit, veggies
Diversification: Deeds not matching words?
Clash between staff at Tarn Taran DC’s office
Education Minister’s daughter-in-law in IAS race
Officers awaiting elevation to IAS, IPS may have to take test
Rahul approves Bajwa’s social engineering model
Govt exempts market fee on export of fruit, veggies
SGPC, PSGPC at loggerheads again
Justice Dewan case
Man accused of molesting niece
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GMADA to modify New Chandigarh’s master plan
Mohali, May 30 The developing town has been renamed as New Chandigarh by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Development Board held yesterday. With a new set of instructions having received from the government, the GMADA authorities claim that work has begun in this direction. Talking to The Tribune, Manjit Brar, Assistant Chief Administrator, GMADA, said they would acquire more than 2,200 acres of land for the town's expansion. The land would be allotted for Educity, Medicity and Ecocity projects and for widening of roads. "Medical and education infrastructure is our top priority. We will acquire around 1,700 acres of agricultural land for Educity and an additional 161 acres for Medicity. For widening of planned roads, connecting New Chandigarh to Chandigarh, we need to acquire 135 acres," Brar said, adding a notification for the acquisition of land had been issued. He said certain amendments to the master plan were being done. The sectoral grid would be refined and planned roads widened from 100 ft to 200 ft as per the latest instructions. For better connectivity to Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Zirakpur and Airport, the new town would have four main roads. There would be one metro junction and two metro stations in the local planning area (LPA). With big projects like Educity and Medicity, about four 200-ft-wide connecting roads, metro terminal, residential projects like DLF, OMAXE, Altius etc, PCA cricket stadium and a civic and community centre, the government has been claiming to develop New Chandigarh over 10,000 acres of land in the foothills of the Shivalik Range better than Chandigarh. The government has announced to constitute two high-level committees for better development of Medicity and Educity. Around 50 acres have already been allotted to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. As the LPA has a number of intertwining rivers and water bodies, the GMADA has also planned to develop it as a waterfront urban area. There are three main rivers flowing through the LPA. These are Jayanti Devi ki Rao, Siswan and Patiala ki Rao. "The topography of the rivers and seasonal rivulets will be protected," said Brar. New Chandigarh will be divided into 20 sectors. As the LPA has about 32 large and medium sized rural settlements, their population would be merged in the new town by giving them benefit by way of special schemes, the authorities added. The Amendments Around 2,200 acres of land will be acquired for Educity, Medicity and Ecocity projects and for widening of roads The sectoral grid will be refined and planned roads widened from 100 ft to 200 ft For a better connectivity to Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Zirakpur and Airport, the town will have four main roads There will be one main metro junction and two metro stations New Chandigarh will be divided into 20 sectors
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State industry reels under unscheduled power cuts
Ludhiana, May 30 "We are facing unscheduled power cuts for two to four hours daily. It is easy to manage operations during scheduled power cuts, but unscheduled power cuts lead to losses for the industry. The power corporation should ensure that unscheduled power cuts are not imposed on the industry," said Surinder Mahajan, a Jalandhar-based entrepreneur. Badish Jindal, president, Federation of Association of Small Industries of India, said the schedule of power cuts had not been announced yet, but we are already facing unscheduled power cuts. "It takes nearly an hour to warm up the machines," he said. "Even after a hike in the power tariff, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is unable to provide us regular power supply. For extending benefit to the agriculture sector, the government is ruining the industrial sector. We are in no position to make alternative arrangements. It has become impossible to survive under such conditions," said Jagtar Singh, a cycle parts manufacturer. Meanwhile Suresh Aggarwal, an exporter, said: "Since the state is unable to provide regular power supply to the industry, we are dependent on generator sets. With an increase in the price of diesel, the production cost has also increased. We have no other option but to pass on the price hike to the buyers." In trouble Industrial units are facing unscheduled power cuts for two to four hours daily Entrepreneurs say it is easy to manage operations during scheduled power cuts, but unscheduled power cuts lead to losses They appeal to the power corporation to ensure that unscheduled power cuts are not imposed on the industry
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Maluka’s science kit denial backfires
Chandigarh, May 30 A detailed order from the Director Public Instructions (Elementary) was sent to all District Education Officers (Senior Secondary) in April 2013, stating (in Punjabi): “Science kits be supplied to the District Education Officers (Senior Secondary) concerned. The kits before being dispatched will be inspected by panels of the respective districts.” The order stated that the inspection panels will comprise three science lecturers and three science masters nominated by the DEOs. Attaching a list of the items in each science kit and the total price of the kit, the order stipulated that full payment be made on receipt of the kits. Another proof of the procedure of kit procurement being underway - available with The Tribune - is a copy of an inspection report of 150 kits to be supplied by one particular Ambala-based firm (out of total five), signed by six inspection team members. The inspection was conducted on March 22, 2013, for supply ‘order number 2837’. In Ludhiana, a letter was issued on May 23, 2013, by the DEO, as in charge, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, asking schools to collect the science kits from a particular school in Jawahar Nagar, Ludhiana. The order was withdrawn the next day, after The Tribune called up the DEO and the Principal Secretary, Schools, to inquire whether the supplies had been received. The withdrawal order also added that the schools that had collected the kits should not open those. That such procurements were irregular is substantiated by a letter issued by the Finance Department on July 26, 2012, which said: “It has been observed that in some departments the purchase procedures are extremely weak. Some of the departments like Education, Health and Social Security get substantial central grants, and funds are often sent to the district authorities for utilisation.” This letter, signed by then Principal Secretary, Finance, Satish Chandra, was in the context of uniform purchases. Mentioning an objection from the Accountant General, it said Rs 65.87 crore had been given to district authorities for local purchase. An August 6, 2012, letter issued by the Controller of Stores, Punjab, had stated: “Many departments make purchases through local quotations, which has been objected to by the Accountant General, Punjab.” March 2013: The Director Public Instructions (Elementary) asks DEOs to ensure schools under them receive science kits after inspection by a six-member inspection committee May 23: The DEO, Ludhiana, asks all district schools to collect the kits between May 24 and May 30 May 24: The DEO, Ludhiana, sends out another letter to all schools, asking them not to collect the kits till further orders, saying the previous order stood cancelled due to “special reasons” May 26: Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka denies any kit supply order finalised
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Cong urges Justice Jindal to recuse from scam probe
Chandigarh, May 30 In a statement here, Punjab Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira said Deepak Garg, Punjab Deputy Advocate General, was the son of Sheetal Garg, who is Justice Jindal’s brother-in-law. Khaira alleged that the Education Minister played a key role in Deepak Garg’s appointment. He also claimed that that the Garg family, which had close relations with Maluka, also hailed from Rampura Phul. Besides, Khaira said, Deepak’s brother Ashwani Garg was the BJP’s Barnala district unit general secretary. — TNS
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Pro-Khalistani Cong leaders to blame for poll losses: Dullo
Ludhiana, May 30 On a private visit to the city, Dullo said money power had also assumed overweening importance in the party. “Besides, the Congress had banked too much on the anti-incumbency factor, which failed to work at that time, partly due to the lack of coordination among the party functionaries.” He said the party needed to learn from its past mistakes. Dullo said the poor and the under-privileged had moved away from the Congress as their voice had gone unheard. To bring these sections back to the party fold, the party leaders needed to make concerted efforts, he said.
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Cong urges Justice Jindal to recuse himself from probe Chandigarh, May 30 In a statement here, Punjab Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira said Deepak Garg, Punjab Deputy Advocate General, was the son of Sheetal Garg, who is Justice Jindal’s brother-in-law. Khaira alleged that the Education Minister played a key role in Deepak Garg’s appointment. He also claimed that that the Garg family, which had close relations with Maluka, also hailed from Rampura Phul. Besides, Khaira said, Deepak’s brother Ashwani Garg was the BJP’s Barnala district unit general secretary. — TNS
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Now, Parampal may herself seek repatriation
Chandigarh, May 30 Sources said the Chief Minister could have cancelled the deputation of the officer immediately, but he preferred speaking to Maluka on the issue and made it clear that Parampal should be repatriated to the Rural Development Department. Rural Development Department Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra said he had not given any orders for Parampal’s repatriation yet. “I have not been able to meet the Education Minister for the last few days,” he said, adding the issue could be decided at the Directorate level itself. Sources said it was possible that Parampal Kaur could herself move an application, asking to be repatriated. They said if this happened, it would negate the need for the government to order her repatriation. This, they said, would ensure that no stigma would be attached to the officer and the Education Minister’s position would also not be affected. While the Congress has stepped up the pressure by targeting the retired judge appointed by the government to look into the irregularities committed in awarding contracts for library books in the Education Department, both Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal have sent signals that they were standing by the beleaguered minister. Badal gave the Education Minister the excuse to leave his house here a day before Congress activists were set to ‘gherao’ it by deputing him to attend a rally in his home constituency of
Lambi. Yesterday, even as the Congress activists across the state were agitating against him, Maluka was by Sukhbir’s side attending a school function in Delhi, which was also attended by BJP leader LK
Advani. Both acts are being treated as a signal to the SAD cadre that Maluka is here to stay for the time being.
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Youth
Congress to gherao CM’s residence on June 5 Chandigarh, May 30 A block samiti poll nominee, Sukhraj was killed in the run-up to the elections in Patti area of Tarn Taran. Addressing mediapersons here, Chaudhary said the SAD had allegedly unleashed a reign of terror throughout the state, particularly in Lambi, Majithia, Bathinda and Patti, their family domain. He said the notice issued to the Punjab Government following a plaint filed by the Youth Congress in the case in the High Court had "exposed the claims of Badal's son-in-law Adeish Partap Kairon that he had no connection with the main culprit". Chaudhary also hit out at the government for "launching a campaign to defame the victim and the party to which he belonged". He alleged Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini had played a partisan role in the case.
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Mad rush for labourers as paddy season nears
Patiala/Rajpura, May 30 The paddy season officially starts on June 10 and the anxiety among the farmers is palpable here as the number of labourers arriving in the state has been dwindling for some years. A recent Bihar Government survey indicated a drop of over 30 per cent in the number of labourers migrating to other states. Experts say with better opportunities available in their home states, more and more migrant labourers prefer to stay put. Such is the desperation among farmers to hire whatever labour is available, that farmers offer them extra money, free accommodation and intoxicants in a package deal. Experts say Punjab needs an average of 7,00,000 labourers to sow paddy on nearly 27 lakh hectares of land. The farmers here depend on migrant labour to do 90 per cent of their work. Jaspal Singh, who works for a landlord in Nabha, awaits the arrival of the Express train from Bihar in the scorching heat. “I have been told to get at least 50 labourers as none here wants to work in the fields and if they do they demand too much money. Hope the ones getting off the trains won’t quote too high a price,” he said. Another landlord from Sangrur, Harditt Singh, rued that migrant labourers, demanded almost Rs 3,500 per hectare in addition to food and liquor. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living from farming as profit margins have been declining every year due to high input costs,” he said. Ram Din, a labourer from Saharsa in Bihar, said, “I am getting work in nearby fields in Bihar. I am satisfied with my pay. This is my last year here and then I am planning on settling in my home state with my son, who works as a driver in Ludhiana.” Same is the case in Uttar Pradesh as more opportunities are arising for labourers there. Chottey Lal, an experienced paddy labourer who is now settled in Lucknow, said, “Earlier, we would stay in Punjab for almost 10 months, but now we come only in the winters and return to work on our fields after three months working here. We have ample work available in our home state.” Crisis in making Punjab needs an average of 7,00,000 labourers to sow paddy on nearly 27 lakh hectares of land However, as better opportunities have become available in their home states, more migrant labourers prefer to stay put
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Patiala Medical college wants to add 69 MD seats
Patiala, May 30 The college had got a clearance from the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in this regard and received a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Punjab Government before it submitted its application with the MCI. The college authorities will also submit a proposal to increase the number of MBBS seats from 150 to 250 with the MCI in September. A 20-member BFUHS team had recently inspected Government Medical College, Patiala, to check the functioning of the various departments in the wake of the request put forward by the college authorities to increase the MD and MBBS seats. The team took stock of the infrastructure development plans, the college had devised, in case it was allowed to increase its seats. While the central government has added 3,595 MBBS seats throughout India in 2012, the seats in the government medical colleges of Punjab have not been increased for the last 35 years. In fact, the MCI had further banned Chintpurni Medical College, Pathankot, from conducting counselling sessions for any of its 150 seats. Since the seats had decrease further, the college administration prepared a proposal mentioning all structural changes, staff and space arrangements required for the increase of MBBS seats from 150 to 250. The draft included the details of land that has been earmarked for constructing various labs, library, wards and operation theatres as per the requirements of the MCI. The last date of submitting its application with the MCI is May 31. Speaking to The Tribune, Dr KD Singh, principal of Government Medical College, said since the college was hopeful of adding 69 MD seats next year.
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Expired medicines
Patiala, May 30 Hussan Lal informed The Tribune that he along with Dr Tejveer Singh had been directed by the Chief Minister to carry out an in-depth investigation into the alleged purchase of expired medicines at the hospital. “Dr Tejveer Singh is checking the batch numbers of the medicines bought from the local market and will soon send the report to the Chief Minister,” Hussan Lal said. Dr Tejveer Singh confirmed that he checked the records today. “I am closely examining the indent books (demand records and issue of medicines) and the procedure adopted in issuing medicines,” he said. Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent, a few doctors and pharmacist Ripu Daman, held closed-door meetings at his office.
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Drive to check vector-borne diseases intensified
Ludhiana, May 30 State Epidemiologist Dr Gagandeep Singh said, “Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana; Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana; Adesh Medical College,
Bathinda; Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur in Patiala district; Guru Amar Dass Medical College,
Amritsar; and three government medical colleges have gotten involved in the National Vector-Borne Disease Control
Programme. Week-long workshops on this programme will conclude on June 1 at these colleges.”
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Will take up ropeway issue with HP: Phillaur
Ropar, May 30 Punjab Tourism Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur said the state would pursue the matter with an open mind and all the issues relating to the project would be sorted out amicably. Talking to the Tribune, the minister said he was told by officials in the department that the Himachal Pradesh Government had objected over the cost and income sharing clause of the project, citing that the major portion of the projects lay in the hilly state. According to the MoU, both the states are to fund the project equally and share the revenue in the same ratio. The modalities could be reworked. In the interest of the devotees, the project should not be stalled at any cost, said Phillaur. On July 26 last year, the then Punjab Tourism Director KS Sra and HP Tourism Director Arun Sharma had signed an MoU for the project, which was to cost Rs 85 crore. According to the pact between the two states, the take-off point for the ropeway was to be set up at Rampur village in Punjab with a halt at a distance of 274.58 metres at Kola Wala Toba in Himachal Pradesh. The other end of the ropeway was to be located at the temple. However, the change of government in Himachal Pradesh in December did not augur well for the project. The new government found the MoU lopsided and mulled terminating the pact. The officials as well as politicians in Himachal Pradesh raised concern over modalities of the pact, stating that there was no use of sharing the project with Punjab on a 50:50 ratio when a mere 275 metres of the 3,751-metre-long ropeway was to fall in Punjab. Himachal Pradesh Principal Secretary (Tourism) VC Pharka, said the review committee set up by the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was still examining the issue. Bone of contention Officials in the new HP government said there was no use of sharing the project with Punjab on a 50:50 ratio A mere 275 metres of the 3,751-metre-long ropeway was to fall in Punjab
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No market fee on export of fruit, veggies
Chandigarh, May 30 To facilitate the vegetable and fruit growers who intend to export their produce, the Chief Minister has approved the exemption of market fee by amending Rule 30(10) and Form K-3 of The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (General) Rules, 1962.
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Diversification: Deeds not matching words?
Amritsar, May 30 Talking to The Tribune, Narinder Singh Samra, who owns a six-acre orchard at Birbarpura village near Amritsar, rues they are getting power supply for two to four hours daily and that too with breakdown in between. "We need a minimum of six-hour supply between April 15 and June 10 when the farmers growing paddy/wheat don't require it. Once it starts raining, the requirement of water for irrigation to orchards reduces to almost nil," he says. Samra says he has primarily grown pears in his field but the fruit is suffering damage due to overheating as mercury has touched a new high of 48 degrees Celsius this season. "If we don't get the required power supply, it will certainly take a toll on the fruit's quality." He says he switched over to horticulture in 1992 and it took him almost a decade to turn his orchard commercially viable. But now, he feels those resorting to diversification are being discouraged. On the other hand, the government is encouraging the farmers who are into tradition wheat-paddy cycle by extending them adequate power supply, he claims. He says he has been corresponding with the Horticulture Department and the power officials since 2011, but the scenario continues to remain grim for them. Major Manmohan Singh (Retd), a progressive farmer who owns a huge farm having fruits like kinnow, pears and litchi at Phirwariyan village, says he participated in meetings with the Chief Minister to sort out the issue, but to no avail. "We started getting four-hour supply in the recent past, but it has again been reduced to three-and-a-half hours…. The government can levy genuine charges, but at least it should ensure electricity." He rues there is no clear policy for extending power supply to the horticulture sector in the state. "We cannot even afford generators to irrigate our land as the water table has declined too much." Deputy Director (Horticulture) Baaj Singh admits the horticulturists are indeed facing power problem. "Their problem is genuine as the requirement for power is at its peak in the horticulture sector between March and June. The government is working towards finding a solution to the problem," he says. Power Corporation Chief Engineer Iqbal Singh Maan, however, claims the department has been supplying electricity to the horticulture sector as per the directions from the higher authorities. Matter of figures Punjab produces 14.20 lakh tonnes of different varieties of fruit In 2009-10, a total area of 2.51 lakh hectares was under horticulture, including 1.83 lakh hectares under vegetables and 68,000 hectares under fruit In 2010-11, the area increased to 2.58 lakh hectares In Punjab, around 71,400 hectares have been put under cultivation for fruit like pear, kinnow, sweet orange, litchi, guava, peach, plum and grapes Vegetables are cultivated on an area of about 1.53 lakh hectares The estimated production is 25.88 lakh tonnes The vegetables include potato, onion, garlic, tomato, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, okra, chillies, peas, muskmelon, watermelon, vine vegetables and root vegetables
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Clash between staff at Tarn Taran DC’s office
Tarn Taran, May 30 The incident tool place when Vikram Sachdeva, a clerk, reportedly raised objection to contractual employees marking their attendance despite coming late to the office. Subsequently, there was a heated exchange of words between the two sides which virtually came to the blows. Sachdeva allegedly fell unconscious and was rushed to the local Civil Hospital. Lakhbir Singh, a service provider, received minor injuries while clothes of three service providers were torn in the scuffle. Nishan Singh, president, Service Provider Employees Association, alleged regular employees, led by their president Karwinder Singh
Cheema, attacked them. The regular employees later staged a dharna and demanded registration of a criminal case against the erring service providers and termination of their services. On the other hand, the service providers demanded transfer of the entire staff of the arms licence and establishment branches of the DC office. ADC Kulbir Singh said SDM Bakhtawar Singh had been told to probe into the matter within five days.
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Education Minister’s daughter-in-law in IAS race Chandigarh, May 30 Sources said the Rural Development Department had recommended Parampal's name for the lone IAS post under the state non-PCS quota around two months back. On the basis of this recommendation, Parampal has applied for the post advertised in April this year. The last date for seeking applications is tomorrow. After receiving the applications, the state government forms a panel and submits them to the Centre, which takes the final call on the matter. Besides Parampal, former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon's son Dr Shiv Kiran Singh Kahlon, who is a Senior Medical Officer in Amritsar, had also applied for the post, said sources. Repatriation stuck It has been two days since Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had reportedly expressed unhappiness over Parampal working in her father-in-law’s department. However, she is yet to be shifted to her parent department. Sources said it was a possibility that Parampal herself may now move an application for repatriation. They said if that happened, it would negate the need for the government to order her repatriation. This, they said, would ensure that no stigma would be attached to the officer and the Education Minister's position would also not be affected. Sources said the CM could have cancelled the deputation of the officer immediately, but he preferred speaking to Maluka on the issue and made it clear that Parampal should be repatriated to the Rural Development Department. Rural Development Department Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra said he had not yet given any orders for Parampal’s repatriation. So far, both Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir have been backing the beleaguered minister.
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Officers awaiting elevation to IAS, IPS may have to take test
Patiala, May 30 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to conduct an all-India test for such officers, leaving aside the long established method of induction of state cadre officers into the Indian civil or police services based on the exceptional ACRs. The decision will affect the state government officers under 54 years of age who are eligible for promotion and are ready to work under the Central government. States were asked for their comment on the issue by May 31, sources said. “Punjab has almost made up its mind, with some suggestions for changes in the draft received. A final decision may come tomorrow”, said a senior officer. “One sticky issue is how in-service officers will prepare for the exam,” he said. UPSC sources told The Tribune that the Centre had written to the states asking for their comments by May 31 as an earlier communiqué had not found much response. Sources said if the states failed to make any suggestion by May 31, it would be presumed that the state government had “no comment to make”. According to a recent decision, impressive ACRs of the state civil and police service officers will no longer be the sole criteria for induction into the IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (IFS) through promotion alone. “All such officers will have to appear in a competitive exam to be followed by an interview, which is to be conducted annually by the UPSC,” said a UPSC source. “We received a letter from the Central government on the issue. Our view will be decided at the chief secretary-level by tomorrow,” said Punjab Principal Secretary (Home) DS Bains. A senior UPSC official told TNS that the new 1000-mark examination pattern would be applicable after the final nod from the Department of Personnel and Training. The written test would include questions on General Knowledge and aptitude.
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Rahul approves Bajwa’s social engineering model
Chandigarh, May 30 There is a feeling in the Congress that prominent castes and sections in Punjab have not got their due in recent years, which has led to erosion in the traditional vote bank of the party. Accordingly, the party wants to make amends. The PPCC president has been told to correct the position as far as backward castes and Valmiki communities are concerned. There is a feeling that the party needs to develop Dalit leaders from the Valmiki caste in the Doaba region. Similarly, the party wants to induct fresh blood from the Punjabi Khatri and Aggarwal communities, which, it feels, is not appropriately represented. While this is a welcome step for the castes and communities concerned, the formula is likely to reduce the hold of the Jat Sikhs in the Punjab Congress. There is a perception that Jat Sikhs have a disproportionately high representation in the party structure. The community also got a lion’s share of the party ticket in the last assembly elections and there was a demand for correcting this, especially in Hindu-dominated areas where even the SAD had gone in for Hindu candidates. When contacted, Bajwa said he would be submitting the list of the new executive in about a fortnight. He said besides giving due representation to every community, he would work for creating consensus on the new office-bearers amongst the senior leadership. He is scheduled to hold formal meetings with the party organisation secretary for the state, Harish Choudhary, and other senior leaders on the issue. Bajwa said Rahul not only wanted to induct new blood, but also give the parameters of work to the new leadership and make it accountable. He said Rahul wanted the PPCC, District and Block Congress Committees to meet once a month. He said any members who did not attend a specific number of meetings would be automatically taken off the rolls of the party. The Congress vice-president has also asked Bajwa to submit a report on the party leaders who did not put in their best in the block samiti and zila parishad elections. Fresh look soon A new executive will be formed on the basis of the social engineering model Fresh faces are to be brought in the state unit on the basis of caste and regional equations Backward castes and Valmiki communities to be given due representation Fresh blood from Khatri and Aggarwal communities also to be inducted But, the model may reduce the hold of the Jat Sikhs
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Govt exempts market fee on export of fruit, veggies
Chandigarh, May 30 To facilitate the vegetable and fruit growers who intend to export their produce, the Chief Minister has approved the exemption of market fee by amending Rule 30(10) and Form K-3 of The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (General) Rules, 1962. — TNS
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SGPC, PSGPC at loggerheads again
Amritsar, May 30 The SGPC, whose jathas have been denied visas in the past due to this reason, has made up its mind this time to observe ‘gurpurab’ as per the amended Nanakshahi Calendar on June 12. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said he had already had a word with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi regarding visas to their jatha members. He said the jatha will observe the event on June 12 wherever they will be in Pakistan on that date. Makkar said the jatha will take up the matter of amended Nanakshahi Calendar with the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan, which looks after gurdwara affairs there, and try to convince them to allow the jatha to observe the event on June 12. “If they are convinced, we will hold an akhand path at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore to mark the event,” he said. While talking to The Tribune on the phone from Pakistan, PSGPC president Sham Singh said they would follow the original (non-amended) Nanakshahi Calendar and observe ‘gurpurab’ on June 16. He claimed the calendar being followed by them had been approved by the Akal Takht and they could never go against the Takht edict. “We will never do anything to challenge the Akal Takht's supremacy.” He said they had been printing calendars and diaries according to the original version of the calendar. He said they will hold an ‘akhand path’ to mark the event at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore on June 14 while its ‘bhog’ ceremony will be held on June 16. Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission had denied visas to SGPC jatha members in the last two successive years due to this very reason.
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Justice Dewan case
Chandigarh, May 30 About a week after 85-year-old former Chief Justice Dewan and wife Romilla asserted "they deserve to live a life of dignity and honour," a Division Bench today asked Justice Kuldip Singh, senior advocate ML Sarin and prominent tax consultant Ravinder Kishan to mediate. The decision to set up their panel for amicable resolution to the problem came during the hearing of an appeal filed by Chief Justice Dewan and his wife. The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice RP Nagrath, on a previous date of hearing, had made it clear that it wanted the matter to be resolved amicably and had asked the two sides to suggest names of friends and relatives who could mediate. Chief Justice Dewan's counsel Puneet Bali had furnished the names of Supreme Court Judges Justice Kuldip Singh, Justice HS Bedi, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court Justice SS Sodhi, former Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and senior advocate Sarin. Suvir's counsel had submitted a list of two sitting Judges. As the case came up for resumed hearing this afternoon, the Bench finalised the names and also made it clear that it wanted the Chandigarh Administration to come out with an effective mechanism for dealing with the complaints under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen's Act 2007. The assertion came after counsel for the Chandigarh Administration made attempts to convince the court that a mechanism was in place. The Bench observed that Senior Superintendent of Police was required to be contacted in case of a problem, but officers of such seniority were not easily accessible. The Bench also asked the Chandigarh Administration to devise a system where the aged and the infirm could be visited in case of an emergency. The Bench then directed the administration to file an affidavit in this regard by July 5. Bali earlier told the court that a report by NGO HelpAge India suggested that 32.71 per cent elderly persons have faced abuse in their house. The national average was 31.13 per cent while the highest was 77.12 per cent in Madhya Pradesh. The data collected during a survey in Chandigarh revealed that 23 per cent people admitted personal experience of abuse.
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Man accused of molesting niece
Moga, May 30 Though the victim's parents alleged she had been abused sexually, the police, instead of registering a case, has initiated an inquiry into the allegations. The child was taken to the district hospital for a medical examination. Sources said the parents went to a local Akali leader to seek justice, but he did not respond. The police was also seeing the allegations as an outcome of a political rivalry, they said. "The inquiry is on. If the allegations are proved, we will register a case against the alleged culprit," said a senior police officer.
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Minister Sikander Singh Maluka had claimed last Sunday that final decision on the purchase of controversial laboratory kits for government schools had not been taken yet. 
Punjab Youth Congress president Vikramjit Chaudhary today announced it would gherao the residence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on June 5 to protest against the failure of the state government to arrest the killers of Congress activist Sukhraj Singh.
As the paddy sowing season nears, hundreds of farmers from across Punjab are thronging various railway stations in the state, hoping to hire cheap migrant labourers arriving from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Rajpura is one such station.
