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Protesting pharmacists lathicharged
Finally, law to regulate private moneylenders |
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HC favours benefits to families of war heroes
Four-laning of Zirakpur-Bathinda highway
Panchayat poll
108 ambulance staff end strike
Book scam: Jindal panel begins probe
All pilgrims stranded at Gobind Dham evacuated
Some shopkeepers gave food free of cost
Pilgrims want corridor to Pakistan shrine
Rs 3 crore grant each for ravaged shrines Officer leading rescue team assaulted
SAD accused of framing Cong leader
Tarn Taran ASI’ death: Principal Secy told to finish probe in time
Army commander seeks more jobs for ex-servicemen
Survivors recount tales of horror
They owe their lives to valiant soldiers
Jagmeet returns to state politics
Governor: Set up R&D centres to
develop rural India
Confusion over NRI quota seats leaves aspirants jittery
Sugarcane growers in Fazilka await payment of
Rs 12 cr
Six historical cities to be linked to promote tourism
Panchayat Poll
Robbers’ gang busted, illegal arms recovered
Nine booked for extortion, one held
Two held with smuggled liquor
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Protesting pharmacists lathicharged
Patiala, June 24 They were demanding regularisation of their jobs and Rs 20 lakh compensation for the family of pharmacist Jaswinder Singh of Bathinda who recently committed suicide. Three protesters, Ram Singh Alowal of Patiala, Brajesh of Pathankot and Rupinder Raja of Moga were arrested. They were later released after chairman of the Employees Welfare Board Surinder Singh Pehalwan intervened in the matter. The chairman said they had sought a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on June 30. He said he would ensure that the family Jaswinder got due compensation. Another protester Devinderpal Singh Lassoi attempted self-immolation but the police and his colleagues aborted his move. After blocking traffic near the local bus stand in the morning, the pharmacists took out a protest march and blocked traffic at the Fountain Chowk. Devinderpal Singh said the government should understand that it was impossible to run a family with a salary of Rs 7,000 per month. "There are many like Jaswinder Singh who are struggling to sustain their families," he said. Gurmeet Singh, a pharmacist, said they were going to gherao the office of Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra when Patiala SDM Gurpal Singh Chahal came at the protest venue. He alleged while we they having a word with the SDM, the police suddenly started hitting them with lathis to stop them from moving ahead. The functioning of 1,186 health and 582 veterinary dispensaries throughout the state has come to a standstill with the rural pharmacists and class IV employees boycotting the work since June 1. The pharmacists and Class IV employees are getting a monthly salary of Rs 7,000 and Rs 3,000, respectively. They are demanding pay scales on a par with their counterparts in the Health Department. Key demands
Police action
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Finally, law to regulate private moneylenders
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has asked Financial Commissioner, Development, to come up with a legislation to abolish money-lending and, thus, safeguard the interests of the farming community. The instructions were issued after a delegation of farmers called on the Chief Minister here today. The farmers were led by Punjab Sangharsh Committee state president Satnam Singh Pannu. The Financial Commissioner has been asked to work out the modalities of the Bill. Private moneylenders are known to charge abnormally high rates of interest, at times as high as 24 per cent. Punjab's rural indebtedness is among the highest in the country. According to the Punjab Budget 2013-14, about two- third of the farmers in the state are under debt. The total farm debt is estimated at Rs 35,000 crore. The Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme announced by the UPA Government in 2008-09 did not benefit the state much. Since then, the debt burden on the farmers has grown and efforts made by the government by swapping the debt from private moneylenders with institutional finance (loan taken from a bank) has failed to yield any result. Official sources say that based on reports on rural indebtedness by noted agro-economists and a survey commissioned by the state government to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, a draft legislation was prepared by the government a few years ago. This legislation, among other things, says that moneylenders need to be registered. The interest rates charged by them need to be regulated and it must be ensured that the interest charged does not rise to twice the principal amount. The draft legislation has proposed that district-level settlement committee be formed for redressal of complaints between the debtor and the lender. It suggests that this committee should have the power to call for records of money-lenders (as old as 12 years) and check the principal amount and the interest paid over the years. The draft was reportedly not been approved under pressure from money-lenders and commission agents. Distressing signs
Uneven burden
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HC favours benefits to families of war heroes
Chandigarh, June 24 The Division Bench of Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain has asserted: "We are sanguine that the state government will take sympathetic view as and when notice/representation is sent to it to frame such a policy". The assertion by the Bench came on a petition filed by Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate HC Arora against the state of Punjab and other respondents. In his petition filed in public interest, Arora had earlier sought directions to the respondents that a "uniform policy should be framed for giving financial assistance and reserving posts in public employment by way of honour and gratitude for the families of those who lost their lives while defending the country in the 1971 war and thereafter". As the matter came up for hearing, the Bench observed: "This petition has been filed by taking note of some news item published in a newspaper. However, at the same time before approaching this court, the petitioner has not gone to the state authority concerned by issuing a demand notice etc". Before disposing of the petition, the Bench asserted: "We appreciate the efforts made in espousing a very good cause. If any such representation is filed by the petitioner, it be disposed of expeditiously". The High Court has already directed the Union of India to show a gesture of goodwill towards freedom fighters by allowing them the facility of travel concession on a par with widows of war heroes. During the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by Arora for directions to the Union of India to consider surviving freedom fighters and their spouses on a par with war widows and gallantry award winners, the High Court directed the Union of India to show the goodwill gesture. The war widows and gallantry award winners are given 75 per cent concession in airfare for travelling by government airlines.
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Four-laning of Zirakpur-Bathinda highway
Chandigarh, June 24 "Ministry officials have conveyed to us at a meeting in Delhi to prepare for fresh tendering, which will take at least six to nine months as the process to terminate the existing contract has been set in motion," said Ashok Singla, Chief Engineer, PWD, Punjab. The Rs 2,500-crore contract for four-laining of the 215-km-long highway, considered a lifeline for connectivity of the core Malwa region, was allotted in March last year. "At the meeting, officials of both the companies informed the ministry that they would not take up the work on this project due to escalation in the prices of raw material used for road construction and unnecessary delay in getting various clearances," said Singla. A decision on whether to forfeit Rs 50-crore security of both the companies would be taken by the ministry officials concerned. However, the companies have taken the plea that their security should be refunded. The PWD has been handling the project on behalf of the Union Ministry and the National Highway Authority of India. To make a fresh beginning, a consultant would be appointed in a few days. "Immediately after appointing the consultant, a detailed project report will be prepared. Fresh financial model of the project will be prepared and the traffic load on the highway will be assessed afresh," said Singla. After this, the project report would be sent to the Private Public Participation Appraisal Committee of the Union Government for clearance. "We are sure to prepare a fresh project report by July-end. Finally, this project will go for approval to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, headed by the Prime Minster," he said, adding: "We hope to start the work early next year." Hits roadblock
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Panchayat poll
Tarn Taran, June 24 In Gohalwar village, located on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road, SAD stalwart Ranjit Singh Brahmpura's kin Balbir Singh, a four-time sarpanch, is contesting against Gurmej Singh, a confidante of Tarn Taran MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu. In Chaudharywala village, Jasmeet Singh and Paramjeet Singh, both SAD leaders, are contesting against each other. Interestingly, both are said to be close to Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon. In Palasaur village, Sandhu's aides Tehalbir Singh and Gurpreet Singh are pitted against each other while the BJP, too, has fielded its candidate. In Rasoolpur Khurd village, Brahmpura's aides Hardeep Kaur and Paramjeet Kaur are locked in an electoral battle. In Pandori Ransingh, again Sandhu's supporters Sarabjit Kaur and Paramjit Kaur are contesting the poll. Bhajan Singh and Sham Singh, both supporters of Brahmpura, are facing each other at Kang village in Khadur Sahib. In Sarhali Khurd village, it's Mahavir Singh versus Chur Singh, both SAD leaders while in Cheema Kalan village, SAD leaders Hari Singh and Dilbagh Singh are up against each other. There is no Congress candidate in all these villages, which has turned the elections into an internal battle of the ruling party. Tarn Taran Congress unit chief Dharamveer Agnihotri could not be contacted. A party leader alleged the ruling party had misused the official machinery to make sure that Congress candidates could not file their nominations. Infighting sets off
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108 ambulance staff end strike
Amritsar/Sangrur, June 24 They employees staged a state-wide protest at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here today. They had been protesting since Sunday morning against their alleged exploitation by the management. Besides enhancement in their salaries, they are demanding an eight-hour duty schedule instead of 12 hours. The strike had crippled the ambulance service, causing inconvenience to a large number of people across the state, even as Ziqitza Health Care Ltd, the firm running the service, claimed of making alternative arrangements for smooth functioning of the service. There are 240 ambulances under this service in the state. Gaurav Chander, senior vice-president of employees association, said: "We are also demanding preventive vaccination for all the employees and recruitment of cleaners for the vehicles". Jitendra K Sharma, project head, Ziqitza Health Care, said a few employees who were terminated earlier this year were creating problems and misguiding others to disrupt the service. He claimed the company was complying with all the labour laws.
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Book scam: Jindal panel begins probe
Mohali, June 24 The commission comprising JusticeJindal, Amarjit Kumar, secretary, and Balbir Singh, nodal officer, gave one-week’s time to the Education Department to submit the record. Earlier, members of the commission met senior officials of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), including chairperson Dr Tajinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Secretary, Dr Balwinder Singh, Gurdip Singh, Additional Secretary (school education), Kamal Garg, DPI (secondary) and Darshan Kaur, DPI (education). The panel was set up after it was found that controversial books worth Rs 9.25 crore for school libraries and substandard science kits worth Rs 7.5 crore were bought using the Sarv Sikhiya Abhiyan funds.
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All pilgrims stranded at Gobind Dham evacuated
Chandigarh, June 24 Speaking on the phone from Joshi Math, Pannu said there was no pilgrim at Gurdwara Gobind Dham, which is 6 km from Hemkund Sahib, as of now. Likewise, there was no pilgrim at Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, he said. Pannu said they had been informed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that traffic on the damaged road between Gobind Ghat and Joshi Math would be restored in five days, if there was no heavy rain in the region. He said he would submit a detailed report to the Punjab Government suggesting measures to be initiated for the well-being of the pilgrims from Punjab travelling to Hemkund Sahib, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Housing and Urban Development Secretary A Venu Parsad, who is at Rishikesh to oversee the relief and rehabilitation operations, said till last night 5,000 pilgrims had been transported to their homes in Punjab. Speaking on the rescue operations, Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Khubi Ram said a fleet of 36 mini buses had left for Joshi Math from Rishikesh (a distance of 248 km). He said the Punjab Government had set up a base camp at Gurdwara Sahib, Rishikesh, and the stranded pilgrims were being transporting to the base camp. The Punjab Police was in the process of setting up its own wireless system at Joshi Math for better communication. The Punjab Government had set up another base camp at the Rishikesh Railway Station where rescued pilgrims were being given medical treatment. Parsad said the Punjab Government had stationed 10 ambulances at Joshi Math and Rishikesh to provide first-aid to the injured and to ferry the critically hurt to nearby hospitals. Rescue work
Playing truant Muktsar: Government employees are seeking exemption from election duty on the plea that they are stranded in Uttarakhand. The family of a government teacher posted at Mann village has submitted an application seeking that he be exempted from election duty as "he is stuck in Uttarakhand." Muktsar Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Ramvir Singh, said: “We have decided to ask the police to trace the location of the cell phone numbers of these employees ." — Archit Watts
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Some shopkeepers gave food free of cost
Phagwara, June 24 Walia said that some shopkeepers did not charge the 38-member jatha, of which he was a part, for juice, water, biscuits and other edibles. Walia and his friends, cut off from their families for about a week, pooled in money, bought eatables and cold drinks and organised langar (free meal) for pilgrims and tourists who had run out of money. "We made it to Hemkund Sahib on June 19 even though we were dissuaded from this (mis)adventure by one and all," said Walia with an immense sense of pride. Walia and two other pilgrims condemned the Uttarakhand police for its insensitivity towards the suffering of the flood victims. "Instead of extending help, they laughed at us. They charged at us with sticks when we approached them," said Jaspreet Singh and Mohkam Singh, who abandoned their pilgrimage mid-way. The pilgrims were also critical of the sevadars at Gobindghat. "The sevadars at Gobindghat ran away after the flood fury, leaving the stranded pilgrims to fend for themselves. Golaks were found robbed and the baggage of pilgrims was ransacked," they alleged.
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Pilgrims want corridor to Pakistan shrine
Dera Baba Nanak, June 24 They want a 4-km-long corridor constructed so that pilgrims do not have a harrowing time paying obeisance at the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. The distance between Kartarpur Sahib in Dera Baba Nanak and the gurdwara by the same name located in Shakargarh tehsil of Nanowal distrct of Pakistan is less than 4 km. But, pilgrims have to travel 237 km for paying obeisance at the shrine in Pakistan. Residents, particularly Sikhs and senior politicians, cutting across party lines, claim they have been urging the Central Government to take up the issue with the Pakistan government. "The project, which could act as a catalyst in bringing both the nations together, has been hanging fire for 15 years. Once a part of the composite peace process, this vital issue was kept on the backburner after the Mumbai attack in 2009," said Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Dera Baba Nanak MLA. The Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pakistan has historic significance as Guru Nanak Dev is said to have spent nearly 17 years there, outlining the basic principles of his religious philosophy, which later became the fundamentals of the Sikh religion. Dr Satnam Singh Nijjar, a Batala-based social activist, said: "At present, pilgrims visit Kartarpur Sahib through the Wagah border. In case the corridor takes shape, it would take a 15-minute journey for the devotees to reach the shrine". Former Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan said: "The issue should be taken up at the level of the Union External Affairs Ministry. It holds a lot of significance for the Sikh community as it concerns the religion's founder Guru Nanak Dev who sanctified this place with his holy presence". "The matter should be treated on a priority since it has the potential to bridge the gap between the two countries," Sekhwan added. Matter of faith
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Rs 3 crore grant each for ravaged shrines Chandigarh, June 24 The Cabinet also approved Rs 1 crore for the revamping of other infrastructure/installations damaged in the flood waters. The Cabinet, that met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, appreciated the pro-active role of the Army, the ITBP, the NDRF and other security forces. It also appreciated residents of Uttarakhand for showing exemplary courage in saving several lives. The Cabinet observed a two-minutes silence in memory of the deceased. It was informed that a helicopter placed at the disposal of the Uttarakhand Government and the Army had evacuated at least 575 pilgrims. As many as 280 vehicles, including buses, mini buses and trucks, were sent to Rishikesh and Joshi Math. Approximately 5,500 pilgrims were transported to safety. As many as 2,050 pilgrims stranded at Joshi Math were evacuated and sent back home in 61 Punjab Police buses and 25-seater vehicles of the state Transport Department. The Punjab Government assured the flood victims and the people of Uttarakhand of all support and assistance in the wake of the unprecedented calamity. The Cabinet meeting appealed to all Punjabis and countrymen to come forward for making liberal donations for relief and rehabilitation operations. DSGMC langar at Badrinath too The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), that has been running community kitchen for marooned pilgrims at Gaucher, Joshi Math, Gobind Ghat and Rishikesh, has also opened langar at Badrinath on Army’s request. Manjit Singh, DSGMC president, said so far 70 tonnes of eatables, blankets and medicines had been sent to the pilgrims stranded in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand. “Since the past one week, we have pressed into service 50 buses to transport the pilgrims back to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh,” said Manjit Singh. He said they were also providing monetary help to the victims." We will not stop our rescue operations until everyone reaches home safe,” Manjit Singh added.
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Officer leading rescue team assaulted Chandigarh, June 24 “I was attacked by some persons who insisted that they be evacuated first. We told them that our top priority was to rescue the feeble and the elderly and then women and children. But they would not listen. They hit me and I fell on the ground,” said Pannu. Pannu was not only attacked but also insulted and humiliated by the small group of youngsters who raised slogans against the Punjab Government before attacking him. They were reportedly led by a youth attired in blue. He said they also heckled a Colonel who was commanding the Sikh Regiment engaged in the rescue operations. “They were bent upon creating trouble and levelled petty allegations against me and the Army jawans and me,” Pannu said. Denying that he had hurled abuses at some persons at Gobind Ghat that had triggered the trouble, Pannu said that there was no reason for him to do so. “ I had gone there on a rescue mission and not to pick a fight,” he said. “Neither did I abuse anubody, nor did I hurt anybody's religious feelings. All such talk is rubbish,” said Pannu. Surprisingly, police jawans in uniform who were present there did not intervene to protect Pannu when he was being assaulted.
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SAD accused of framing Cong leader
Moga, June 24 Sathi has threatened to launch an agitation against the SAD-BJP government if the case against Kaka was not withdrawn immediately. A criminal case was registered against them at Dharamkot police station on Saturday. Kulwant Singh of Lohgarh village had complained to the police that when he went to submit his nomination papers at 2.45 pm on Saturday, Kaka and his two supporters Jaswant Singh and Gursewak Singh assaulted him and removed his turban. Kaka alleged that Kulwant’s wife Charanjit Kaur had tried to file her nomination papers after the deadline of 3 pm and they had opposed the move.
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Tarn Taran ASI’ death: Principal Secy told to finish probe in time
Chandigarh, June 24 Badal assured the delegation of Kisan Sangrash Committee, Punjab, that the inquiry would be completed on time at a meeting held at Punjab Bhavan. The delegation was led by its state president Satnam Singh Pannu. The Chief Minister also asked the state Director-General of Police (DGP) to “sympathetically” examine all the cases in which several representatives of the union participated in the statewide rail and road blockades. He asked the DIG to look particularly into those cases wherein no third party was involved. The Chief Secretary was asked to review the decisions that were in-principle taken at a meeting held with representatives of the union on December 18, 2011. The CM also asked his Principal Secretary to award Rs 5 lakh in compensation to the next of the kin of the two farmers who died during the agitation. Kirti Kisan Union state president Hardev Singh Sandhu said, “The inquiry was meaningless as the farmers in jail were still not released even as the judicial report is not yet completed.”
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Army commander seeks more jobs for ex-servicemen
Chandigarh, June 24 He requested the Chief Minister to create more job opportunities for ex-serviceman, particularly in various infrastructure projects and other government institutions. Highlighting the problems being faced by defence personnel from Punjab in their rehabilitation, he suggested that in all EWS schemes, two blocks for building houses be allotted to the Army. The CM said he would consider the same. He said more effort was required to improve the intake in Sainik School, Kapurthala, so that it regained its lost pre-eminence and contribution to the defence services. The CM pointed out that the preparatory school at Mohali needed expert advice to ensure there were no rejections on medical grounds.
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Survivors recount tales of horror
Nangal, June 24 Owner of an automobile shop, he said they reached Gobindghat, 19 km from Hemkund Sahib, on June 15 for onward journey by foot the following day. However, they could not peroceed from Gobindghat with heavy rain damaging a bridge en route the next halt at Gobind Dham, 6 km from Hemkund Sahib. Their ordeal began at 2 am with sewadars at the Gobindghat gurdwara asking everyone to vacate the building that was partially submerged in water. With the water level rising by 4 ft, they were forced to climb a nearby hill. "During the night, the buildings as well as vehicles parked in the area were washed away," Kuldeep Singh said. His wife Malkiat Kaur said a taxi driver was swept away as he tried to save his vehicle from being swallowed by the raging river. The stranded pilgrims were rescued by the Army and brought to Joshimath on June 18 where the local gurdwara management arranged vehicles for their journey to Srinagar. They were ferried in SGPC vehicles from Srinagar to
Nangal.
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They owe their lives to valiant soldiers
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 24 Talking to mediapersons, he said that accompanied by his wife Jasvir Kaur, son Pritpal Singh, daughter Amrit Kaur, elder brother Jasvir Singh, nieces Kanwaljit Kaur and Amanjit Kaur and driver Lakhbir Singh, they reached Gobindghat on June 16 in their Bolero jeep. At about 11pm, they were woken up by an announcement by the local gurdwara asking the pilgrims to shift to a safer place as the area had been flooded. They rushed towards their jeep but saw several vehicles being washed away.They then climbed a mountain. At about 2 am they were rescued by an Army team. The soldiers constructed a rope bridge. One by one they were taken to the other side of the river. From there they were taken to the Army base camp and provided food, shelter and medicine. His wife Jasvir Kaur claimed that locals and some sadhus were looting the pilgrims.
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Jagmeet returns to state politics Muktsar, June 24 At Mann village, Jagmeet and his supporters met families whose male members have been booked for the May 19 poll violence. He later visited Nehianwala village and met a pharamacist's family who allegedly committed at the Civil Veterinary Hospital, Singo, in Talwandi Sabo a few days ago. “I am back to state politics. I intend to visit every place from where I get complaints of police highhandedness at the behest of Akali activists,” Jagmeet said. He said despite government assurances, the police had yet to ascertain the role of Akalis in the May 19 violence. He said he would visit Kanianwali village tomorrow. A huge posse of police was deployed at Badal village.
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Governor:
Set up R&D centres to
develop rural India
Chandigarh, June 24 The governor was speaking at the national conference on linking growth drivers of food processing industry, organised by ASSOCHAM here today. “The industry should set up research and development (R&D) centres in rural areas to help the farmers get their due share, avoid the middle man and therefore make agro-products available to the common man at affordable prices,” he said. “The food processing sector can bring prosperity, growth and development in rural India, but unfortunately today farmers are being exploited, consumers are being cheated while the middle man is minting money,” he said. He emphasised that the corporate sector needed to work directly with farmers to help abate food inflation. Assocham also released a study, wherein the apex chamber has suggested that the industry must switch to renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power as the rural sector suffered from acute power shortage. It said infrastructure like cold chain/storage, continuous process plants and information technology-based innovation for supporting the farmers required electricity. “The government should adopt a stable and far-sighted policy for encouraging private trade procurement and this requires reforms on credit availability, storage limit and movement of grains,” highlighted the ASSOCHAM study. It stated that there was a compelling need to establish post-harvest infrastructure and encourage contract farming for faster growth. There was also scope for the private sector and even non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help raise awareness among farmers. A liberal credit policy for farmers, large investments in developing infrastructure for storage and preservation of fruits and vegetables to avoid wastage, logistics support and a farmer friendly approach in encouraging organic cultivation are some of the pre-requisites to achieve desired results in the food processing sector in rural India, said the ASSOCHAM study.
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Confusion over NRI quota seats leaves aspirants jittery
Faridkot, June 24 Each year, over 100 Indian and overseas students take admission under the NRI quota. But due to confusion this time, the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) could fill only two of the total 20 NRI seats for MD, MDS, and MS courses in Punjab during the last two days. The confusion was caused after contradictory notifications made by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the Dental Council of India (DCI) and the Punjab Government. In the notification at the time of holding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for under-graduate (MBBS, BDS) and post-graduate (MD, MS, MDS) courses, the MCI and the DCI did not clearly mention that the test was also compulsory for NRI quota seats. So many aspiring NRI medics did not appear in the NEET. But in its notification on June 5, the Punjab Government declared that only those candidates, who have qualified the NEET-2013, shall be eligible to apply for all seats, including NRI quota seats. The late notification of the Punjab Government disqualified hundreds of aspirants for NRI seats, who did not appear in the NEET. BFUHS Vice-chancellor Dr SS Gill said admissions to medical courses in all the categories shall be based solely on the marks obtained in the NEET as per the instructions of the state government. The university will issue the eligibility certificate to only those who have obtained the qualifying marks in the NEET, said Dr Gill. While several aspiring NRI medics criticised the MCI and the DCI for the ambiguity in the notification for the NRI quota seats, they termed the notification of the Punjab Government as discriminatory to NRI students as it was announced late, months after the NEET was conducted. Fifteen per cent of the total seats in private medical and dental colleges are reserved under the NRI quota. How confusion was caused
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Sugarcane growers in Fazilka await payment of Rs 12 cr
Fazilka, June 24 The situation has arisen despite the assurance by Sugarfed chairman SS Wahla, who had announced that payments would be made within 72 hours of purchasing sugarcane, at the time of inaugurating the crushing season at the Fazilka Cooperative Sugar Mills on December 10, 2012. "We were assured to make the payment immediately after procuring the sugarcane but we are yet to receive it. I had taken a loan to grow sugarcane, for which I have been paying interest," said Het Ram of Shajrana village. Official sources said 40 per cent payment of the procured sugarcane was yet to be cleared by the sugar mill authorities. The mill had crushed 12.48 lakh quintal of sugarcane during the previous season. — OC
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Six historical cities to be linked to promote tourism
Sangrur, June 24 An official spokesman of the government said the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) was preparing a Comprehensive Conservation and Tourism Infrastructure and Reuse Plan of cultural assets for the promotion of tourism. He said the PHTPB had invited tenders from consultants to develop the mega darbar circuit in Punjab. Information on the plan can be accessed at
www.punjabtourism.gov.in.
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Panchayat Poll
Chandigarh, June 24 At the same time, the High Court gave the petitioners the liberty to “avail remedy available to them in law, after the (panchayat) elections are over.” The Division Bench of Justice SK Mittal and Justice Rekha Mittal passed identical orders regarding 90 civil writ petitions, challenging reservation and rotation of seats for the post of sarpanch. The Bench observed: “As the election process has already started and even nominations have been closed, the petition is dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty to the petitioner to avail the remedy as per law, after the elections are over.” The order came after the Bench heard the matter for about an hour. During the hearing, the Bench was told that the election to the post of sarpanch was direct.The sarpanches were to be elected simultaneously by voters by casting a separate vote. The Bench made it verbally clear that it would not stall the election process.
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Robbers’ gang busted, illegal arms recovered
Patiala, June 24 The gang members had on June 21 snatched the service weapon of a Ludhiana policeman. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) HS Mann said the gang was planning to rob a bank but the PCR officials of Punjab Police led by Bhupinder Khatra, Superintendent of Police (SP), Rajpura, foiled their plan. The SSP said when the police tried to stop two cars at a naka at night, the accused fired at them. He said around six persons were seated in the Swift car (CH04AD- 4383) and Optra (PB24B- 0074) on Sirhind Road. Mann said that they even tried to snatch Head Constable Kuldeep Singh's carbine but his fellow policemen nabbed Jaswinder Singh alias Honey on the spot. He was carrying a 9 mm pistol with three live cartridges. Jaswinder's companions, Amritpal Singh, Tejinder Singh, Deepi, Mandeep Singh and Aman Bains got down from the car and ran away. An hour later, they nabbed Amritpal Singh with a .32 bore revolver and two cartridges, Mann said. With the help of statements from the two, the police nabbed their other companions - Devinder Singh, Sukhbir Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Pankaj Kumar and Mohammad Afzal from Hotel Sunshine in Una, Himachal Pradesh. The police also arrested two other accomplices - Harjeet Singh and Rampal Choudhary- who had locked themselves in a rented accommodation in Mohali. One of the accused Jaswinder Singh alias Honey and with his friends had snatched a 9mm pistol and a mobile phone from PCR employee in Ludhiana on June 21. A case under the Arms Act has been registered against the accused. Mann said, "With the arrest of the gang members, we are hopeful of cracking other cases, as they have been involved in several crimes that are still unreported."
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Nine booked for extortion, one held
Ropar, June 24 One of the accused, Jaspal Singh alias Jassi of Kalwan village near Nurpur Bedi, has been arrested while his accomplices are on the run. Ropar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) IM Singh Bhatti said the accused posing as officials of a local company were collecting money from tipper drivers. When home guard jawan Daljit Singh and driver Surjit reached the spot after receiving a tip-off, the accused attacked them. Soon, Nurpur Bedi Station House Officer (SHO) Gurwinder Singh along with several police personnel rushed to the spot. But, the accused had fled by then. The accused are identified as Jaspal, Lakhwinder Singh, Harpreet Khandu, Birender, Roop, Munna, Lakki, Sukha, and Kulwindder alias Gindi. The police later arrested one of the accused named Jaspal at his house. A case under Section 382, 353, 186, 427, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused and hunt for the others was on, said
Bhatti.
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Two held with smuggled liquor
Sangrur, June 24 Mandip Singh Sidhu, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sangrur, said the accused were identified as Rajpal Singh and Gurvir Singh, both residents of Amani village in Fatehabad district in Haryana. Sidhu said they confessed to smuggling cheap liquor from Haryana to Punjab. A case under Sections 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act and Sections 61/1/14 of the Excise Act was registered.
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