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TOP STORIES

Govt may extend incentives to projects approved earlier
Chandigarh, June 27
Having drawn flak for limiting fiscal incentives to new investors only, the Punjab Government is now considering extending this largesse to all those investors whose projects were approved earlier, but could not take off for some reason.

PANCHAYAT Elections
SAD leader injured in Moga clash
Moga, June 27
A senior Akali leader of the overseas wing of the SAD and four others were injured in a clash between two groups of the ruling party at Rania village in Moga district late last night.
The overturned SUV that was carrying an injured Devinder Singh Rania (inset), senior SAD leader, after a clash in Moga on Thursday. The overturned SUV that was carrying an injured Devinder Singh Rania (inset), senior SAD leader, after a clash in Moga on Thursday. A Tribune photograph



YOUR TOWN
Chandigarh



EARLIER STORIES



Uploading clip of pannu assault
He is innocent, says accused’s father
Bathinda, June 27
The family of Baljinder Singh, reportedly detained by the Uttarakhand police for allegedly uploading a clip showing IAS officer KS Pannu being thrashed at Gobind Ghat, has sought his immediate release.

PS Bajwa Bajwa: It’s a warning to honest officers
Chandigarh, June 27
Partap Singh Bajwa, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief, today said that the assault on senior IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu was a wake-up call for the people of Punjab and the bureaucracy to understand the "sinister" designs of the SAD-BJP Government.


PS Bajwa

Cyber cell begins probe
Chandigarh, June 27
The cyber cell of the Punjab Police has launched a probe to trace the person who uploaded the video clip of the assault on the Director General School Education, Kahan Singh Pannu, during the rescue operations in Uttarakhand.





 

POLITICS

Tarn Taran MLA, Brahmpura locked in tug-of-war
Tarn Taran, June 27
The forthcoming panchayat elections have triggered a tug of war between SAD stalwart Ranjit Singh Brahampura and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Tarn Taran legislator.

Buta Singh (extreme right), a contestant for the post of sarpanch, during campaigning at Pandori Waraich village in Amritsar on Thursday.
Buta Singh (extreme right), a contestant for the post of sarpanch, during campaigning at Pandori Waraich village in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Book Langah for violating poll code: Cong
Chandigarh, June 27
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today demanded that a case be registered under the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, against former Akali Dal minister, Sucha Singh Langah for "violating the model code of conduct and indulging in corrupt practices during campaigning" for the panchayat elections scheduled for July 3.

Panchayat poll: Cong, Akali leaders lock horns in Faridkot village
Faridkot, June 27
Two senior political leaders are in fray for the chair of sarpanch in a village here. The duo had sought a ticket for the Faridkot seat during the last Assembly elections.


COMMUNITY

Price of a vote as high as Rs 10,000, claim candidates
Muktsar, June 27
With 754 candidates, 51 sarpanches and 703 panches, declared winners unopposed, the results of 32 per cent seats in the district have been declared. Now, elections will be held for the rest of the 68 per cent seats.

In Patiala dist, 2,781 elected as panches unopposed
Chandigarh, June 27
As many as 24,373 candidates have been elected panches for the total 81,412 seats without any opposition. This figure does not include unanimously elected candidates from Fazilka and Ferozepur.

Now, school board staff can retire after 20 years in service
Mohali, June 27
In a major decision, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has reduced the service duration for voluntary retirement from 25 to 20 years.

Power Corp sub-divisional complex gutted in Abohar
The sub-divisional complex of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in Abohar in flames on Thursday.
The sub-divisional complex of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in Abohar in flames on Thursday. Photo: Raj Sadosh

BKU rejects Rs 60 paddy MSP hike
Chandigarh, June 27
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) has rejected the Rs 60 hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy, as announced by the Union Government today.

Ropar thermal plant staff holds protest
Ropar, June 27
More than 100 engineers of Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant today held a dharna in protest against the filing of a chargesheet against 22 officials for the December 29 fire at plant.

Excise Dept blocks tax ID number of 400 traders
Ludhiana, June 27
Cracking the whip on traders for availing tax concession without submitting C forms, the Excise and Taxation Department has blocked tax identification number (TIN) of nearly 400 dealers across the state to prevent them from carrying out trading activity.

Short of power, PSPCL begins scheduled cuts
Jalandhar, June 27
With the demand for power rising up to 8,700 MW, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has started imposing scheduled cuts in the domestic and industrial sectors.

Booming trade to help improve ties: Pak body
Chandigarh, June 27
Imran Sohail, leader of a 14-member delegation of Jhang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan, has termed the bilateral trade as the most potent instrument for improving relations between India and Pakistan.

They waited at a river bank in U’khand for 48 hrs
Sri Hemkund Sahib pilgrims being greeted in Muktsar on Wednesday. Muktsar, June 27
Eight Muktsar residents who returned from Sri Hemkund Sahib yesterday have expressed resentment against the Uttarakhand Government alleging nobody from the state administration came forward to lend a helping hand even though they remained stuck on a river bank for two days.


Sri Hemkund Sahib pilgrims being greeted in Muktsar on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Radiotherapy bunkers to be set up at Rajindra hospital
Patiala, June 27
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India has given the go-ahead to the construction of radiotherapy bunkers at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, to set up linear accelerators that will help in the treatment of patients suffering from various types of cancer.

Police accompany Mohan Lal, SP, out of a Dera Bassi civil hospital, where he was examined on Thursday. SP admits to ties with victim, but denies murdering her
Mohali, June 27
Mohan Lal, the then Punjab Police Superintendent of Police (SP), headquarters, Batala, today admitted he was in a relationship with 23-year-old victim, Lovepreet Kaur, who had allegedly committed suicide by jumping off his rented flat on the sixth floor at Zirakpur on May 27.

Police accompany Mohan Lal, SP, out of a Dera Bassi civil hospital, where he was examined on Thursday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Bhinder makes it to Bar Council again
Chandigarh, June 27
Sukhdeep Singh Bhinder, former senior Additional Advocate-General of Punjab, has won the Bar Council elections for the third time in a row.



CRIME

US-based NRI booked for posting wife’s nude photos on social media
Moga, June 27
Two years after her marriage, a woman of a Moga village has accused her NRI husband of uploading her nude photos on the social media by creating a fake identity. She alleged the act followed as her family could not meet his dowry demands.

3 drug traffickers held in Muktsar, contraband seized
Muktsar, June 27
The district police today claimed to have arrested three inter-state narcotics smugglers and seized 25.5 kg of opium from their possession.



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TOP STORIES

Govt may extend incentives to projects approved earlier
Notification to implement new industrial policy soon, says Joshi
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
Having drawn flak for limiting fiscal incentives to new investors only, the Punjab Government is now considering extending this largesse to all those investors whose projects were approved earlier, but could not take off for some reason.

Sources told The Tribune that the government was now actively pushing the case for extending its new list of fiscal incentives to 47 investors whose projects were approved by the high-powered committee on investments after the 2009 industrial policy was announced.

However, these investors had not started their projects either because of economic slowdown and lack of capital or because of high cost of land and power and unavailability of labour.

The sources said the government was concerned that these projects had been left in the lurch and was now willing to offer all fiscal incentives announced earlier this month as part of the new industrial policy. Though the government has decided to revive these old investments that failed to materialise, it is yet to be decided whether these investors will have to apply afresh for their projects as the old industrial policy has been replaced.

The incentives that these investors will get include concessions in VAT and CST, exemption from electricity duty, stamp duty and property tax, besides getting advantages of a single window clearance and online acceptance of applications and self-attestation.

Though the incentives were announced in the beginning of the month and an assurance had been given that unlike the previous industrial policy wherein the notification took almost two years, all notifications to make the new policy effective immediately, would be issued within a month.

All the departments like power, excise and taxation, pollution control board, town and country planning, revenue, labour and the industries department seem unlikely to issue the notifications by the end of one month (since the incentives were announced).

Industries and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi said they were in the process of asking all the departments to issue parallel notifications to implement the policy. He said these notifications would be issued at the earliest and other major policy decisions regarding the new industrial policy like amendments to labour laws, creation of a venture capital fund and making common facility centres would also be announced and notified soon.

Booster dose
Benefits may be given to 47 investors whose projects were approved by a high-powered committee after the 2009 industrial policy was announced
These investors had not started their projects due to several reasons, including slowdown
The incentives include concessions in VAT and CST, exemption from electricity duty, stamp duty and property tax

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PANCHAYAT Elections
SAD leader injured in Moga clash
Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS

Moga, June 27
A senior Akali leader of the overseas wing of the SAD and four others were injured in a clash between two groups of the ruling party at Rania village in Moga district late last night.

Supporters of Paramdip Singh Gill, former state police chief, and sitting legislator from Nihalsinghwala (reserve) Rajwinder Kaur clashed over the election of the village sarpanch.

Devinder Singh Rania, a Gill confidant, and his associate Surjit Singh received bullet injuries. They were referred to a private hospital at Ludhiana. They are out of danger. One of their associates, Mangaljit Singh, received minor injuries.

Rania's sister-in-law Narinder Kaur is in the fray for the post of sarpanch of Rania village. She is pitted against Ajit Pal Singh who is backed by the local 
legislator.

Last night, Rania called a meeting of his supporters and tried to woo an Independent candidate. This was objected to by Ajit Pal, whose supporters reached the meeting venue and allegedly attacked Rania and his men. At least, five persons, including Rania, were injured. Ajit pal's supporters Sarabjit Singh and Mangal Singh were also injured. They were rushed to the district hospital where the doctors on duty referred them to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.

Rania and his supporters fled in an SUV. The speeding vehicle overturned on the way to hospital.

Surjit Singh Grewal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), said an FIR under Sections 307, 323, 324, 148 and 149 of the IPC and the Arms Act had been registered against six identified and 12 unidentified persons at the Badhni Kalan police station.

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Uploading clip of pannu assault
He is innocent, says accused’s father
Amarjit Thind
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 27
The family of Baljinder Singh, reportedly detained by the Uttarakhand police for allegedly uploading a clip showing IAS officer KS Pannu being thrashed at Gobind Ghat, has sought his immediate release.

Sukhdev Singh, Baljinder Singh's father, a resident of Kanakwal, said he was shocked at the turn of events. "My family is pained at my son being painted as a villain. I have come to know that he has been detained by the Uttarakhand police on pressure from senior bureaucrats. Four others from the village have also been detained."

He said his son had not assaulted anyone but only filmed the incident. "The real culprits are those who thrashed the officer," he maintained. "My son, who likes to record events, only tried to highlight the maltreatment of a senior officer providing succour to the flood victims," he emphasised.

He said they had received a call from a police officer, instructing that Baljinder be told to remove the clipping on the net.

He said it was wrong to say his son was an Akali supporter and that Pannu had been targeted by Baljinder and his friends because of a feud between Pannu and a Cabinet Minister. "In fact, we are Congress supporters," Sukhdev Singh said.

Sources said the attack was pre-planned and had been executed by Onkar Singh alias Cuckoo and his friends while Baljinder was asked to film it.

Sukhwant Singh, Baldev Singh and Gurjit Singh, who had travelled to Gobind Ghat in Cuckoo's SUV, were supporters of Balbir Sidhu, constituency in charge, Talwandi Sabo. They had joined the SAD with Sidhu at a public ceremony.

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Bajwa: It’s a warning to honest officers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
Partap Singh Bajwa, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief, today said that the assault on senior IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu was a wake-up call for the people of Punjab and the bureaucracy to understand the "sinister" designs of the SAD-BJP Government.

In a statement, he reiterated that the attack on Pannu was a deep-rooted conspiracy to warn honest officers to "fall in line with the corrupt regime or face public humiliation."

Bajwa alleged that the person who had uploaded the video on the assault on Pannu on YouTube was an associate of Balbir Singh Sidhu, SAD in charge of Talwandi Sabo, who had joined the SAD at the instance of Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka.

Nawanshahr: The Master Cadre Union, Punjab, has condemned the assault on Kahan Singh Pannu during rescue operations in Uttarakhand. The Union has sought an inquiry into the incident and stern action against the guilty.

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Cyber cell begins probe
Sanjeev Singh Bariana and Akash Ghai/TNS

Chandigarh, June 27
The cyber cell of the Punjab Police has launched a probe to trace the person who uploaded the video clip of the assault on the Director General School Education, Kahan Singh Pannu, during the rescue operations in Uttarakhand.

The Director-General of Police (DIG), Cyber Crime Cell, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, said: "We are tracing the link that went viral.”

Sources said the police department had taken suo motu notice of the assault on the officer and the adverse comments pasted on the Facebook. Pannu had not filed any complaint on the attack.

“Surely, a written complaint is a must to register a case. So far we have not received any complaint from the victim,” said a senior police official. He said the police was waiting for further orders.

The video has raised certain questions over the intentions of those involved in the attack. The nearly eight-minute clipping begins rather slowly from a distance before the camera is zoomed in on the assault site. Certain police jawans shown at the beginning of the video recording are nowhere to be seen at the time of the assault.

The Managing Director of the Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, is seen standing with Pannu throughout the clipping.

About the clip
The nearly eight-minute clip begins rather slowly from a distance before the camera is zoomed in on the assault site
Certain police jawans shown at the beginning of the recording are nowhere to be seen at the time of the assault
The MD of the Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, is seen standing with Pannu throughout

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Tarn Taran MLA, Brahmpura locked in tug-of-war
Perneet Singh/Gurbax Puri
Tribune News Service

Tarn Taran, June 27
The forthcoming panchayat elections have triggered a tug of war between SAD stalwart Ranjit Singh Brahampura and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Tarn Taran legislator.

The bone of contention is the post of sarpanch. Brahmpura's relative and four-time sarpanch Balbir Singh is pitted against Sandhu's aide Gurmej Singh at Gohalwar village.

Tension between the two groups was simmering ever since the nomination papers were filed. It came out in the open on June 24 when returning officer Jarnail Singh rejected Gurmej Singh's nomination papers, contending that it didn't carry the signatures of those seconding his candidature.

At this, Sandhu's supporters staged a noisy protest on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road. Sources say the matter reached the office of the Chief Minister that said that nobody's nomination papers should be rejected deliberately.

District officials subsequently called the two sides yesterday to allot them the election symbol. They were stunned when assistant returning officer Hardeep Singh backed the returning officer's move to reject Gurmej Singh's papers. He reportedly filled Form No. 9, declaring that Balbir Singh had been elected unopposed as sarpanch of Gohalwar village.

As the meeting was underway, SAD workers owing allegiance to Brahmpura, led by their district unit chief Arvinderpal Singh Pakhoke, staged a dharna against the administration.

Deputy Commissioner BS Dhaliwal said they had not received anything in writing from the assistant returning officer as yet.

A report had been prepared and the matter brought to the notice of the State Election Commission, he added.

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Book Langah for violating poll code: Cong
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today demanded that a case be registered under the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, against former Akali Dal minister, Sucha Singh Langah for "violating the model code of conduct and indulging in corrupt practices during campaigning" for the panchayat elections scheduled for July 3.

Addressing a press conference at the party office here, party spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira said there was documentary evidence showing Akali leaders asking voters at a gurdwara in Dera Baba Nanak to take a pledge to vote for the SAD.

In a joint press note by MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board RR Bhardwaj alleged that the SAD had taken it in writing from residents of Mughal Nangal village that "we have chosen Gurmeet Singh as our candidate for the post of sarpanch. We pledge to remain loyal to the SAD, whether we win or lose the elections."

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Panchayat poll: Cong, Akali leaders lock horns in Faridkot village
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, June 27
Two senior political leaders are in fray for the chair of sarpanch in a village here. The duo had sought a ticket for the Faridkot seat during the last Assembly elections.

Last week, when a former SGPC member and chairman of the District Planning Board, Lakhbir Singh, jumped into the poll fray for the post of sarpanch in his native village Arianwala, it caught many by surprise.

The Akali leader was one of the strong claimants for the SAD(B) ticket for Faridkot Assembly constituency in the 2012 elections. Though he failed in getting the ticket, the SAD-BJP government appointed him as the chairman of the District Planning Board.

Now, after the expiry of his one-year term of chairmanship, the Akali leader is contesting the election for the post of sarpanch.

Significantly, a senior Congress leader, Harcharan Singh Sandhu, is pitted against Lakhbir Singh. Two years ago, Harcharan Singh was also a strong contender for the Congress ticket for the Faridkot seat in the Assembly elections.

As both these heavyweight leaders have locked horns in Arianwala village for the post of sarpanch, people are looking forward to an interesting contest.

With stakes high, these leaders are making every effort to win the election.

Lakhbir Singh has asked the district police to register a criminal case against Sandhu as he allegedly had voter identity cards at two places -Faridkot town and Arianwala. Akalis are demanding the cancellation of Sandhu's candidature as his name figures on the voters' list of two different places.

On the other hand, Sandhu claimed he had already got his vote in Faridkot deleted. "The Akalis are raising a hue and cry for no reason. Lakhbir Singh wants to be elected an unopposed. That is why efforts are being made to get my nomination papers rejected," alleged Sandhu.

Sources said to build pressure on the district administration and the police for cancellation of Harcharan Sandhu's nomination papers and registration of a criminal case against him, Akali leaders had even approached the office of the Chief Minister. But as a BJP Cabinet Minister from the Majha area is also facing the allegations of dual vote - in Amritsar and Tarn Taran -the CM's office reportedly did not go ahead with recommending action against the Congress leader.

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Price of a vote as high as Rs 10,000, claim candidates
Archit Watts/TNS

Muktsar, June 27
With 754 candidates, 51 sarpanches and 703 panches, declared winners unopposed, the results of 32 per cent seats in the district have been declared. Now, elections will be held for the rest of the 68 per cent seats.

For 2,304 seats, as many as 7,302 persons had filed their nominations. But after scrutiny and withdrawals 4,608 candidates were left in the fray.

In the Muktsar block, 18 candidates have been elected unopposed to the post of sarpanch and 243 as panches. In the Malout block 16 candidates have been elected as sarpanch and 189 as panches, in Lambi nine have been elected as sarpanch and 125 as panches and in Gidderbaha eight candidates have been elected as sarpanch and 146 as panches.

Candidates claimed that some voters were demanding Rs 10,000 per vote. A first-timer for the post of sarpanch from a village on the Jalalabad road said: "These elections are proving more expensive than the assembly elections. In some villages, candidates have spent Rs 30 lakh-Rs 35 lakh to woo voters. Some voters have been demanding residential plots.And the candidates are happily meeting the demands."

Another contestant claimed: 'A large number of families with four votes are demanding a motorcycle (which costs nearly Rs 40,000) or cash."

Meanwhile, fearing violence, the police has demanded additional deployment in the district. When contacted, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Muktsar, Surjit Singh, said: "For peaceful polling, we have deployed two Superintendents of Police, four Deputy SPs, 65 Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 543 Head Constables, 700 constables and 425 Home Guard jawans."

He said 228 polling booths in the district had been declared "super sensitive" and 228 as "sensitive".

The panchayat elections are being held on a non-party basis and two or more candidates from the same party are fighting for the same post in a number of villages.

In such a situation, no MLA or constituency in charge is openly coming out in support of any candidate.

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In Patiala dist, 2,781 elected as panches unopposed
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
As many as 24,373 candidates have been elected panches for the total 81,412 seats without any opposition. This figure does not include unanimously elected candidates from Fazilka and Ferozepur.

At least 2,069 candidates have been elected unopposed to the post of sarpanch- 214 in Gurdaspur,199 in Ferozepur, 198 in Patiala, 157 in Ludhiana,148 in Amritsar, 24 in Pathankot, 23 in Mansa and 15 in Barnala. The figure does not include unanimously elected candidates from Fazilka.

The maximum number of 2,781 candidates have been elected panches unanimously in Patiala followed by Hoshiarpur (2,404), Jalandhar (2,283), Sangrur (1,606) and Amritsar(1,423).

The election office received the highest number of complaints from the Congress on "arbitrary" rejection of nomination papers by the election staff. These were sent to the State Election Commissioner, SS Brar, for a follow-up action at the district level.

For the seats of panches, Ludhiana saw the maximum withdrawals (4,982), Amritsar (4,855), Gurdaspur (4,397) and Tarn Taran (3,656). For the post of sarpanch, the maximum withdrawals were seen at Patiala (2,248), Gurdaspur (2,064), Amritsar (1,921), Ferozepur (1,823) and Ludhiana (1,739).

The panchayats in Lubana and Dhanetha villages of Patiala district have been elected unanimously.

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Now, school board staff can retire after 20 years in service
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 27
In a major decision, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has reduced the service duration for voluntary retirement from 25 to 20 years.

The decision was taken at the Board of Directors meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Tajinder Kaur Dhaliwal, PSEB chairperson.

Board secretary Balwinder Singh said several important decisions had been taken at the meeting, key among them being approval to a new pension scheme for the newly recruited employees, constitution of a committee to set modalities of grace marks for sportspersons and a golden chance for amendment in the date of birth certificates for old students.

About the pension plan, Balwinder said the employees who had joined the PSEB on or after January 1, 2004, would be benefited under the new scheme.

The Board of Directors also approved grace marks to sportspersons who had achieved the top three slots at the state and the national level after March this year.

“The achievers at the state level will get 15 extra marks while the national-level achievers will be given 25 grace marks. A committee will be constituted to set modalities so that achievers in the field can benefit,” he said.

The board has also decided to give a golden chance to old students for making any changes in the date of birth certificates. “The students will have to apply within 45 days,” said the Secretary.

Earlier, all the members of the Board of Directors extended their support to Kahan Singh Pannu, Director General of School Education, by criticising the assault on him at Uttarakhand.

Key decisions
Service eligibility for voluntary retirement brought down from 25 to 20 years
Approval to a new pension scheme for the newly recruited employees
A committee constituted to set modalities of grace marks for sportspersons
Golden chance for amendment in the date of birth certificates for old students

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BKU rejects Rs 60 paddy MSP hike
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) has rejected the Rs 60 hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy, as announced by the Union Government today.

Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal alleged the government had been unfair to farmers by giving a negligible hike in the MSP, “which will not even cover the hike in input costs”. The government today announced that the paddy MSP had been hiked from Rs 1,250 per quintal last year to Rs 1,310 per quintal during the coming marketing season.

In a statement, Rajewal said the cost of diesel and labour had gone up substantially this year and the hike did not even cover the huge hike in the input costs.

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Ropar thermal plant staff holds protest
Want charges against 22 officials withdrawn
Tribune News Service

Ropar, June 27
More than 100 engineers of Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant today held a dharna in protest against the filing of a chargesheet against 22 officials for the December 29 fire at plant.

Niranjan Singh, joint secretary of Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association said documents available with the association proved that the charges framed against the engineers did not establish the cause of fire. “This has caused a lot of resentment among the staff. The engineers are already working in pathetic conditions. There is a shortage of staff at both the executive and subordinate levels,” he said.

Sanjiv Jain, regional secretary, demanded that the charges against the engineers should be withdrawn immediately. All officers to whom appreciation letters were issued in the past had decided to return these in protest, he said.

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Excise Dept blocks tax ID number of 400 traders
Had availed tax concession without furnishing mandatory C form
Manav Mander
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27
Cracking the whip on traders for availing tax concession without submitting C forms, the Excise and Taxation Department has blocked tax identification number (TIN) of nearly 400 dealers across the state to prevent them from carrying out trading activity.

The action was taken after the department detected that some unscrupulous traders were causing loss to the state exchequer by either not submitting C forms or by submitting fake forms.

“It was found that more than 3,000 traders have availed a lower rate of tax without depositing C form. Some have even submitted bogus C forms. The revenue loss involved in these cases could be more that Rs 100 crore,” said Aurag Verma, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab.

Sources said in several cases, notices had been issued to traders to either pay tax or produce C form.

“Blocking TIN is no solution as some genuine traders have also got entangled. The C forms are in short supply. Several traders had even procured these from neighbouring states. The department should cancel the VAT number of traders who had deposited fake forms. Their list should be posted on the website so that nobody transacts with them," said Jatinder Khurana, president, Taxation Young Lawyers Association.

“There is an acute shortage C forms. The department has announced several times to make these forms available online, but it has not been done so far," said Jagjeevan Rai, a trader.

What is a C form?

It is a document which certifies that the goods sold outside Punjab have been properly accounted for by the purchaser. The form has to be submitted first by the purchaser to the seller who then submits it to the Excise Department. In case the trader submits the C form, he is charged only 2 per cent central sales tax (CST) on the goods sold outside the state.

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Short of power, PSPCL begins scheduled cuts
Umesh Dewan/TNS

Jalandhar, June 27
With the demand for power rising up to 8,700 MW, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has started imposing scheduled cuts in the domestic and industrial sectors.

Sources said during the past few days, several cities of Punjab were reeling with the PSPCL imposing three to four hours of power cuts.

The power corporation has also announced a two-day weekly off for the general category industry and a three-day weekly off for induction furnaces. It is learnt that at present, the PSPCL is short of about 700 MW.

Talking to The Tribune, a spokesperson for the PSPCL said power cut for one hour was being imposed in cities and for two hours in district headquarters. However, people in Ludhiana, Mohali, Sangrur, Phagwara, Jalandhar and some other districts are complaining of the two to three hours of power cuts during the day time.

The power demand recorded in the state yesterday was 2,100 lakh units (LUs) whereas the availability was 2,000 LUs. “To bridge the gap between the demand and supply, the power corporation is left with no other option but to impose power cuts,” said KD Chaudhri, CMD, PSPCL, adding with the monsoon expected to gain momentum in the coming days, the problem would end soon.

Coal stocks dwindling

A report issued by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on June 25 revealed that two state thermal plants are having less coal stock than the normative level. The Bathinda and Lehra Mohabbat thermal plants are having coal stock for 18 days against the normative requirement of 30 days.

Burnt meters to be replaced in 5 days

Jalandhar: In a relief for power consumers throughout the state, the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has made certain amendments to the process of installation of electricity meters. As per a notification issued by the PSERC on June 21, in caseS where the electricity meter is installed outside the premises of the consumer, the consumer will not be responsible for its protection from theft or for damage to the meter seals or tampering.

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Booming trade to help improve ties: Pak body
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
Imran Sohail, leader of a 14-member delegation of Jhang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan, has termed the bilateral trade as the most potent instrument for improving relations between India and Pakistan.

He said with the trade between the two countries, particularly between the two Punjabs, getting prominence, all other contentious issues could be pushed to the backseat.

He was addressing a joint meeting of businessmen from Jhang district in Pakistan Punjab and businessmen from the state organised by the PHD Chamber here today.

The delegation from Pakistan is here to forge better ties with local businessmen and find a potentially huge market for their products here. “A booming bilateral trade may well be the strongest pillar of India-Pakistan relations so much so that it shall not only overtake the pace of general confidence building but also have a substantial impact on each other’s mutual perceptions,” he said.

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They waited at a river bank in U’khand for 48 hrs
Archit Watts/TNS

Muktsar, June 27
Eight Muktsar residents who returned from Sri Hemkund Sahib yesterday have expressed resentment against the Uttarakhand Government alleging nobody from the state administration came forward to lend a helping hand even though they remained stuck on a river bank for two days.

Balwinder Singh of Jalalabad said, “It was turning out to be an endless wait sitting near the river. The third day, we made up our minds to swim cross. But as soon as I along with a few others tried to jump in, security personnel stopped us and immediately arranged a helicopter to evacuate all of us to a safer place.”

He said the relief material being provided to the stranded people through the choppers was not reaching intact. “On the first two days, we ate only ‘bhujia’ and grams (chana) that we were carrying in our bags.”

All the eight persons had remained stuck in Hemkund Sahib from June 16 to June 23. They had to return without even paying obeisance at the shrine. Apart from getting washed away in the flash floods, the pilgrims died due to cardiac arrest too, he said.

“The locals are fleecing the stranded people. Having no other option left, people still stuck there are selling off their vehicles to the locals on half the market rate,” said Narinder Singh, a resident of Kacha Thandewala road.

Worried about their cab driver, Narinder, another pilgrim, said, “Though we have returned, Fakir Chand, the driver of the cab we had hired, is still stuck there. He is waiting for the roads to re-open so that he can bring back his car.”

8,000 rescued so far
Chandigarh: With the arrival of 500 more pilgrims from Rishikesh to Punjab, 8,000 people were so far evacuated from different parts of Uttarakhand, officials said here today. The Punjab Government intensified its operations to evacuate over 2,500 pilgrims at Badrinath as heavy rains lashing the route halted rescue operations for a few hours, they said. Concerned over the forecast of rains, the government today dispatched a special rescue and relief operation team led by Adapa Karthik to Badrinath. — TNS

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Radiotherapy bunkers to be set up at Rajindra hospital
State-of-the-art cancer institute to come up in two years
Gagan K Teja/TNS

Patiala, June 27
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India has given the go-ahead to the construction of radiotherapy bunkers at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, to set up linear accelerators that will help in the treatment of patients suffering from various types of cancer.

The team of experts from Tata Memorial Cancer (TMC) Hospital, Mumbai, along with the high-power committee, headed by Dr KK Talwar, adviser to Government of Punjab, Dept of Health and Medical Education, has already finalised the list of machinery and other things required for the setting up of this state-of-art unit. The construction work will begin next month.

Dr KD Singh, Principal of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, said the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had directed them to set up a cancer institute in the hospital that could cater to patients from all parts of Punjab. “A team of oncologists from TMC had already visited Rajindra hospital in the past and had taken account of the facilities available here. They even performed live surgeries and apprised doctors about the latest advancements in the field of cancer. They have assured us that they would render every possible help in setting up this unit,” he informed.

Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary of Medical Education and Research Department, said keeping in view the increasing number of cancer patients in Malwa region; we needed to increase the staff strength. “We are soon going to advertise for the vacant posts. Moreover, we are also in the process of identifying doctors and nurses that can be trained for assisting in cancer treatment. We are thinking of training committed gynaecologists also as the cases of breast and cervix cancer has been on the rise,” she said. Mahajan said the Punjab Government had decided to request TMC to place orders to purchase required equipment needed in radiotherapy units and laboratories required for radiotherapy units. “Since they have experience in this field, we want them to guide us to chose the best equipment for us at a reasonable price. Moreover, specialists from TMC and PGI, Chandigarh, have given their consent to train our doctors and other medical staff in handling cancer patients,” she said.

Mahajan said the entire process might take about two years but once it was functional, it would be among the best cancer units in North India.

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SP admits to ties with victim, but denies murdering her
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 27
Mohan Lal, the then Punjab Police Superintendent of Police (SP), headquarters, Batala, today admitted he was in a relationship with 23-year-old victim, Lovepreet Kaur, who had allegedly committed suicide by jumping off his rented flat on the sixth floor at Zirakpur on May 27.

Mohan Lal, who had surrendered before the police yesterday evening, was taken for a medical examination at a hospital in Dera Bassi this evening. A case of abetment of suicide was registered against him on June 24 following the complaint by the victim’s father Lakhwinder Singh, Head Constable in the Punjab Police.

Mohan Lal said, “If I was guilty, why didn’t Lakhwinder Singh complain to the police immediately after the incident.”

Mohan Lal has denied Lakhwinder Singh’s charges that he had raped and murdered the victim.

Earlier, Mohan Lal was remanded for two days under police custody.

Balwinder Singh, Superintendent of Police (Detective), Mohali, who is probing the case, said that all angles were being investigated.

Lakhwinder Singh has also filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding a CBI inquiry in the case.

The case
On May 27, Lovepreet Kaur commits suicide after jumping from her flat on the sixth floor in Zirakpur
Her father Lakwinder Singh, Head Constable in the Punjab Police, alleges she was raped and murdered and seeks a CBI inquiry into the case
On June 24, a case of abetment of suicide registered against SP Mohan Lal
Mohan Lal surrenders on June 26 and denies all charges

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Bhinder makes it to Bar Council again
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27
Sukhdeep Singh Bhinder, former senior Additional Advocate-General of Punjab, has won the Bar Council elections for the third time in a row.

Bhinder was first elected as a member of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, in 2002 and then again in 2007.

He also remained the vice-chairman of the Bar council.

Prominent among those elected 25 members are Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu, Mindejeet Singh Yadav, Harpreet Singh Garcha, Rajmohan Singh, Rajeev Kaswan and Dr Vijender Ahlawat.

The Bar Council is a statutory body of advocates established under the Advocates Act, 1961.

It consists of more than 70,000 advocates of Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh; and the Advocates-General of Punjab and Haryana are the ex-offico members of the Bar Council. The polls are held after ever five years to elect 25 members.

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US-based NRI booked for posting wife’s nude photos on social media
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Moga, June 27
Two years after her marriage, a woman of a Moga village has accused her NRI husband of uploading her nude photos on the social media by creating a fake identity. She alleged the act followed as her family could not meet his dowry demands.

The police has registered a criminal case under Sections 498-A, 406 and 385 of the IPC at Ajitwal police station against her husband Sukhdeep Singh, his father Daljit Singh and mother Surinder Kaur.

Hailing from Moranwali village in Hoshiarpur district, the family is currently residing in the US.

In her complaint, the woman stated she got married to Sukhdeep on March 6, 2011. After a couple of months, he flew back to the US while promising to call her abroad in a couple of months. But in October 2012, he allegedly rang her up and demanded Rs 15 lakh for fulfilling her visa formalities.

Her parents, however, refused to give the money claiming they had already spent a huge amount on the marriage. This led to strained relations between the couple.

Within some time, the victim discovered her nude photos had been posted on a social networking website through a fake ID. After establishing the charges prima facie, the police has booked the family and now plans to issue look-out notices against the members.

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3 drug traffickers held in Muktsar, contraband seized
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 27
The district police today claimed to have arrested three inter-state narcotics smugglers and seized 25.5 kg of opium from their possession.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surjit Singh said, "Acting on a tip-off, a naka was laid by the CIA staff and the accused, who were in a Maruti car, were intercepted near Malout village on Tuesday.”

He said though they denied carrying any illegal material, the CIA staff in-charge Sub-inspector Iqbal Singh searched the vehicle and found 25.5 kg of opium wrapped in two packets from the gas tank of the car. The tank was fixed with a sealant.

Those arrested have been identified as Dyal Singh, his son Nirmal Singh and Udey Lal, all residents of Bundi district in Rajasthan.

The SSP said during preliminary interrogation, it was found that the accused were old smugglers.

Dyal Singh was arrested with 15 kg of opium in the area falling under Sadar Muktsar police station in 2002. "He even remained in jail for five and a half years after he was convicted for the crime. He was again arrested along with 13 kg of opium in 2009 from the area under the jurisdiction of Jaito police station in Faridkot district. He was released on parole but did not return to the jail," said the SSP.

A case under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against the accused at Sadar Malout police station.

The SSP appreciated the efforts of Sub-inspector Iqbal Singh for tightening the noose around drug traffickers and said the drive against drug peddlers would continue.

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