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IIT Ropar to set up units to convert husk into oil
New vehicles to help BSF patrol marshy terrain along border
Hoshiarpur farmers’ new way to sow sugarcane sweetens yield
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assembly in session
Cure worse than the malady
SAD delegation asks EC to take action against Rahul
Speaker disallows resolution against Gujarat Govt
Cong’s Randhawa creates
flutter
Indigenous microbial cultures to boost local industry, exports
Primary school in Jalandhar village reopened
Major fire at factory owned by PM’s nephews
Trio rescued from kidnappers in Hong Kong back home
To curb pollution, firework display now only for 12 minutes at Golden Temple
Temple entrance plaza to miss Diwali deadline
Plan to let prisoners spend time with families scrapped
Police steps up vigil in Sangrur
HC notice to state on plea by former PPSC chairman
Another accused held
in ASI’s murder case
2 cops booked for criminal breach of trust
3 Jalalabad youths killed in accident
Jailed Batala councillor died of poisoning: Report
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IIT Ropar to set up units to convert husk into oil
Ropar, November 1 Professor Robert Berry, Executive Dean of Aston University, said the Pyroformers would be set up for a year before its mass use could be recommended. The technology, in addition to opening new avenues of income for the farming community would help in protecting the environment, he said. The unit pyrolyses husk and straw at around 375 degrees Celsius and produces bio char, bio oil and gas. While bio oil and gas can be used to run pump sets at farms, bio char can be used for co-combustion in thermal power plants or as a
fertiliser. “The response to the Pyroformer has been great so far,” Prof Berry said. “Though one such unit will cost nearly Rs 30
lakh, the farmers can recover the cost within five years,” said project in charge Sudhakar
Sagi, from Aston University. The pyroformer * Each unit pyrolyses husk and straw at around 375 degrees Celsius and produces bio char, bio oil and gas * While bio oil and gas can be used to run pump sets at farms, bio char can be used for co-combustion in thermal power plants or as fertilisers * Each unit will cost nearly Rs 30 lakh and the farmers are expected to recover the cost within five years * The Pyroformers would be run across the state for over a year before their mass use is recommended
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New vehicles to help BSF patrol marshy terrain along border
Jalandhar, November 1 It would be for the first time that the vehicles would be used in the North, though these were already in use in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Rise in seizures
The BSF has already seized 281.051 kg of heroin to date this year whereas the figure stood at 288.125 kg last year. While fake currency with face value worth Rs 46.21 lakh was seized in 2012, the same has already touched Rs 52.04 lakh in the current year. Against 5.5 kg of poppy husk seizure in 2012, the BSF has recovered 246.6 kg this year. The BSF has already conducted field trials in three patches of low-lying areas close to the 553-km border with Pakistan where the movement of troops becomes difficult during rains and floods. These areas are Basti Ram Lal Tapu, DT Mal and New Gazniwala, all in Ferozepur district. “We are in dire need of the ATVs for tackling drug trafficking and other border crime. These have already been put to exhaustive field tests and their performance is satisfactory. A detailed report and proposal has been sent to our Delhi headquarters for clearance and we expect the delivery of vehicles soon,” said Ajay Kumar Tomar, BSF Inspector-General, Punjab Frontier, Jalandhar. He said other touch patches fell in Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Ferozepur districts. “We face maximum problem of border-related crime at islands of the Ravi and the Sutlej. Parts of these islands are in Pakistan. So, we need to be extra cautious there,” said Tomar. Both seizure and smuggling activities, particularly of heroin and fake Indian currency, from across the border have witnessed a considerable rise over the past one year. The new trend has seemingly baffled the BSF authorities and forced them to upgrade their vehicle inventory. RPS Jaswal, BSF Deputy Inspector-General, said the pick-up of the vehicle was superb due to its electronic fuel injection pump, which helped in negotiating in marshy, sandy, muddy and water-logged terrain having depth of approximately one-and-a-half feet. Asked as to how many ATVs were to be deployed, Jaswal said they needed eight to 10 of these, though the number depended upon clearance from the BSF headquarters. The vehicles have proved to be an asset for security forces in other countries, particularly where the terrain is tough and marshy.
Mean machine Adaptability: ATVs can be easily used on undulating ground and can climb on a gradient of 25-30 degrees Tubeless tyres: Ride becomes smooth and facilitates negotiation in marshy, sandy and muddy areas Electronic fuel injection pump: Improves the pick-up of the vehicle Light in weight: Due to its fibre body, the vehicle can be easily lifted by five to six persons if stuck in mud
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Hoshiarpur farmers’ new way to sow sugarcane sweetens yield
Hoshiarpur, November 1 The results of this method conducted by experts of private sugar mills in Dasuya and Mukerian have brought cheers to sugarcane growers. The method is not only economical but also increases crop yield by 25 per cent, besides providing farmers relief from labour shortage. The farmers are doubly benefited as the method also promotes intercropping in sugarcane fields on a large scale. Moreover, harvesting can be done mechanically. The farmers who opt for this technique can also avail subsidies on sugarcane harvester, which is likely to be introduced in the coming months, claims Sanjay Singh, chief cane manager of a Mukerain-based sugar mill. Dr Kulbir Singh Deol, Chief Agriculture Officer, Hoshiarpur, says the method is being followed by farmers in Phagwara, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Gurdaspur districts and the yield is handsome. Against the conventional method of sowing sugarcane, the single bud growing method is more economical as just 5 quintal of seed is enough for an acre and the yield is nearly 100 quintal. Under the conventional method, the farmers have to procure 30-35 quintals of seed to get 350 quintals yield, Dr Deol says. Farmers are thus able to save nearly Rs 7,000 per acre since there is less use of fertilisers and pesticides besides seed saving as the seed-mortality rate is quite less, he adds. Under this method, Sanjay Singh says the distance between two rows where seed is sown is 4-ft and 2-3 ft between two plants. This not only provides more air and sunlight to every plant but also gives enough space to roots to get a proper diet for a healthy growth, the official says. Jasbir Singh Dhindsa, agriculture officer, Mukerian, says the trial is being conducted over 1,000 acres of land in Naushaera Pattan, Purana Sala, Chak-Allabaksh, Khanpur, Devi Das, Mansoorpur, Harse Kalota, Kolian Santnagar and some other villages of Mukerian block and the results will be known after harvesting the crop. The farmers can also cultivate wheat, peas, mustered, potato and rapeseed, besides other cash crops like spinach, radish, turnip and coriander. Waryam Singh of Khanpur and Baljit Singh of Chak-Allabaksh village, who have opted for intercropping, say they would harvest potato, mustered, rapeseed and other cash crops as well before harvesting the sugarcane.
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assembly in session
Chandigarh, November 1 The Union Food Ministry today raised the 4 per cent norm for damage and discolouration for paddy to 12 per cent, a senior official of Food Corporation of India (FCI) said. "To provide relief to paddy growers, the norm for damage and discolouration has been raised from 4 per cent to 12 per cent," the official said. However, he said the extent of crop damage should not be more than 5 per cent. The new norms come into effect from today. The relaxed norms are applicable to 12 districts, including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahar, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar, Sangrur and Bathinda. The official said the norm for moisture content remained unchanged though farmers wanted it to be raised from 17 per cent to 20 per cent. Paddy growers bore the brunt of inclement weather in the state. Farmers have been complaining that they are being forced to sell their produce at a price less than the minimum support price (MSP). There are reports that farmers at several places have been forced to sell their crop at Rs 1,000-Rs 1,200 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 1,345 per quintal. At some places, rice millers and procurement agencies have refused to buy the crop, citing discoloured and damaged grains. This has triggered protests by farmers. The Punjab Government had urged the Union Food Ministry to relax specifications for moisture content and discoloured grains. A central team had visited various mandis in the state last week and taken samples to assess the extent of damage. — PTI
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Cure worse than the malady
Chandigarh, November 1 The Bills passed by the Assembly on Tuesday take the power of deciding cases away from judicial officers and bestow it on the Sub-Divisional Magistrates
(SDMs). The amendments actually imply taking the powers away from the judiciary and handing these over to the executive. Despite the delays in courts, many feel that as compared to civil officers, judicial officers are difficult to approach and influence. Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate SK Garg Narwana feels that the faith people have in the judiciary is far greater than that in the executive. It is also felt that the SDM’s orders would be open to appeal and possible delay. Fair play The Executive director, North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), Satnam Singh
Chahal, welcomes the developments but questions the transfer of powers from judicial officers to civil officers. “These officers always remain under pressure from the political leaders and will not be able to deliver justice to the affected NRI Community. “Powers should be allocated to fast-track courts to decide NRI cases within a certain some time frame,” he asserts. The amendments Available information suggests once the law is in place, NRIs and Army personnel with land on lease or rent will get it back without providing alternative arrangements for stay. A single ownership proof and a visit to the SDM would do the needful. In 2008 too the state government had enacted a law empowering the NRIs and armed forces personnel to get their single property vacated from the tenant. But now with the amendment, the NRIs and the armed forces personnel can get vacated ancestral and other properties owned by them for at least five years. The “five-year” clause too seems to be arbitrary, with no reason whatsoever being specified for fixing the time frame. Otherwise too, it leaves in the lurch NRIs with properties purchased more than five years ago. The classification is being dubbed as “unreasonable” by legal experts. Second amendment The Punjab Government had in 2011 amended the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act 1953 and the PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act-1955 to give a sense of security to landowners, hesitant to lease out land for a long period. The government had amended Sections 9(1), 9(A), 17 and 18 of the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act:1953 in order to ensure tenancy for a fixed term. The amendment was to ensure that the tenant vacated the land in accordance with the period mentioned in the agreement. The amendment did not have much for the NRIs and was not with retrospective effect. Need for change The need for carrying out amendments was never a matter of dispute, but its current form is a matter for debate. A former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court says the parent Act (Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act: 1953) had little to offer to the
NRIs, though it had something for the Army men. Section 13-B of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949”, amended by the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction (Amendment) Act, 2001, provides for special rights in favour of landlords under the category of non-resident Indians. Already, the provision of law for providing speedy remedy to NRIs “in bonafide need of premises let out to tenants” has been upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. But the judge says the Act does not come to the rescue of NRIs with properties in semi-urban and rural areas. Implementation An arm is as effective as its ammunition. Former Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill says the amendments carried out in the law can be effectual only if effectively implemented. “The need of the hour is to supplement the laws with special courts and tribunals with effective and bold officers,” he says. Agrees Satnam Singh
Chahal: “ As of now, there are so many laws in Punjab for protecting the properties and lives of the NRIs visiting the state, but these are not being enforced properly, compelling the NRIs to run from pillar to post to get justice.” Political ends Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira says the NRIs will soon feel the heat. Khaira believes the ruling party has adopted a methodology that will take the NRIs to the SDM’s office. Describing the office of SDM as “highly politicized”, he says the NRIs may soon find themselves forced to approach the officers through local Akali leaders or halqa chiefs. However, NRI Sabha president Jasbir Singh Gill says, “the amendments will ensure expeditious vacation of properties belonging to the NRIs without compelling them to go through the gruelling process.” Who exactly will benefit from the provisions? An authority on NRIs affairs, advocate Anil
Malhotra, says before conferring benefits, the term NRIs needs to be defined. “As of now, the definition continues to be vague,” he says. Union Ministry of Indian Overseas Affairs estimates suggest that more than 14 million Punjabis are settled abroad. What the amendments imply *
The ammendments mean taking powers away from the judiciary and handing these over to the executive *
The legislation leaves in the lurch NRIs with properties purchased less than five years ago
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SAD delegation asks EC to take action against Rahul
New Delhi, November 1 The delegation alleged that the speech made by Rahul Gandhi at Churu in Rajasthan not only violated the election code but also hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. It said the Congress leader’s comment that his grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhiboth had been assassinated and that he too could meet a similar fate could have a serious bearing on the country’s law and order situation. “The Election Commission has assured us action against Rahul Gandhi. In case there is no action, we will announce our further course of action,” said Manjit Singh. Earlier on Saturday, the DSGMC had written to the Election Commission, stating: “The Shiromani Akali Dal is extremely pained and anguished to read the speech delivered by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at his election rally on October 23 at Churu in Rajasthan... “He had reopened old wounds of the anti-Sikh carnage. He is trying to incite and provoke people against the Sikhs so that communal riots similar to those in 1984 should recur.”
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Speaker disallows resolution against Gujarat Govt
Chandigarh, November 1 The Congress MLAs wanted to bring in a resolution to compel the Gujarat Government to withdraw the appeal filed by it in the Supreme Court on the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their land in the Kutch region. When the Speaker, Charanjit Singh Atwal, did not allow the resolution to be taken up, raising slogans against the SAD- BJP Government, the Congress MLAs rushed to the well of the House and then walked out. The protest came at a time when the House was to hold a two-minute silence in memory of those killed in the 1984 riots. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal remarked that the Congress was “anti-Punjab and that is the reason Congress MLAs want to keep out of the House.” Tardy lifting
The issue of tardy paddy procurement was taken up in the House by Gidderbaha MLA Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. He said state government agencies had failed to do their job. He pointed out that the farmers were forced to sell their paddy at prices lower than the minimum support price (MSP) with government agencies refusing to lift their produce. Food and Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairaon then explained the process of procurement and said it was only in cases where paddy did not meet the quality specifications laid down by the Centre that the agencies were unable to procure paddy. Other issues *
House holds two-minute silence in memory of those killed in the 1984 riots *
Gidderbaha MLA Warring speaks up for harried farmers * Says state government agencies have failed to lift the stocks; farmers resorting to distress sale
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Cong’s Randhawa creates
flutter
Chandigarh, November 1 Speaking on the issue of the growing drug menace in the state, Randhawa said all 117 elected MLAs of the assembly should take an oath at the Golden Temple that they would not distribute drugs and money to buy votes. He was supported by Jagmohan Kang, another Congress MLA. Randhawa said it would be wrong to say the BSF was not vigilant enough to stop the inflow of drugs, especially heroin, from across the border. Politicians who approached the police to set free drug peddlers who were caught were also responsible for the drug menace, he said. Earlier, Akali MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha, who initiated the discussion on drugs, said the Cente should increase the strength of the BSF and arm it with the latest gadgets to check smuggling. Former India hockey captain Pargat Singh (SAD) said the root cause of the problem was inadequate spending on human resource development. Congress MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar said the Congress was prepared to extend support to the state government in its fight against the drug menace. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who holds the Home portfolio, said he had instructed the police chief not to spare anyone involved in the drug trade. He said the help of the Rajasthan Government was a must to stop poppy husk and opium smuggling. He said he had talked to the Rajasthan Chief Minister in the regard but to no avail. He said a joint delegation of SAD, BJP and Congress legislators should meet PM Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the issue. Sukhbir said during the past nine months, the Punjab Police had registered 11,500 cases and arrested 13,270 persons involved in the drug trade. Earlier, during a debate on inflation, Akali MLAs Virsa Singh Valtoha, Tota Singh and Daljit Singh Cheema and BJP legislator Ashwani Kumar blamed the Centre for the soaring prices. However, Congress MLA Charanjit Singh Channi, Sunil Jakhar and others blamed the Punjab Government for not slashing VAT on petrol. Session ends Chandigarh: The five-day assembly session ended today on a cheerful note. Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP Minister Madan Mohan Mittal were seen exchanging Divali greetings with MLAs. After the House was adjourned, SAD, BJP and Congress MLAs shook hands with one another. There was no bitterness despite a fierce discussion on certain issues earlier in the day.
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Indigenous microbial cultures to boost local industry, exports
Chandigarh, November 1 The cultures have been developed by the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) here, and were released to the pharmacopoeia last week. These cultures are very important in quality control as they are required for establishing acceptable performance, validating methods and assessing the performance in sterility tests, said Dr Girish Sahni, IMTECH Director . So far only the US, UK and Japan have developed their own microbial reference cultures, and India has been importing them for use in the drug manufacturing industry. IMTECH is a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and is engaged in biotechnology research. There are about 10,000 manufacturers and allied establishments dealing with drug production and testing in India, and about 90,000 brands of Indian-made drugs are available in the market. Further, Indian drugs are exported to 218 countries. The indigenous development of microbial cultures would not only cut imports, thereby saving foreign exchange, but also open up the possibility of exports to other countries. In India, besides drug manufacturing, where about 1,600 basic formulations are being used, the focus is now shifting to drug discovery research. No mean feat * The cultures are required for establishing acceptable performance and assessing performance in sterility tests *
There are about 10,000 manufacturers and allied establishments dealing with drug production and testing in India *
The indigenous development of microbial cultures will cut imports and thereby save foreign exchange *
So far only the US, UK and Japan have developed their own microbial reference cultures
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Primary school in Jalandhar village reopened
Jalandhar, November 1 The six-decade-old school was earlier closed and merged with another school in Dhanal Kalan village, located 2 km away, on the plea that it did not have adequate student strength. The Phoolpur Panchayat then decided to run the school on its own. District Education Officer (DEO), Primary, Kuldeep Sharma said: “We have decided to reopen the school. We have received a report from Jalandhar Block Education Officer Kuldeep Singh that states that the village residents want the school re-opened.” Headteacher Meenakashi and teacher Parminder Kaur have been transferred back to Phoolpur from the school at Dhanal Kalan. Calling it a victory for the village panchayat, former MLA Jagbir Brar, accompanied by sarpanch Jaswinder Kaur, social worker Des Raj, Block Samiti member Kamla Devi and panches Gurbachan Singh, Jaswinder Kaur, Harpreet, Lakhwinder and Harshveer today distributed candles and sweets among the school tiny tots.
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Major fire at factory owned by PM’s nephews
Amritsar, November 1 However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. Fire brigade officials said nine tenders were rushed to contain the blaze that engulfed the entire factory within no time. Hardeep Singh said, “The fire broke out around 10.15 pm and a short circuit appears to be the cause. Finished pipes and raw material, besides machinery, were reduced to ashes.” He said losses may run into lakhs, though the exact amount was yet to be calculated. The factory staff initially tried to douse the flames using a fire extinguisher but they failed in their effort.
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Trio rescued from kidnappers in Hong Kong back home
Khanna/Machiwara, November 1 The trio, Akali leader Manmohan Singh Khera and his two aides Satwinder Singh Mavi and Gurinder Singh, said, "At one point of time, we had lost all hope. But, the Almighty was kind enough on us that we are here today to celebrate Diwali with our family members." Khera said, "Youth Akali Dal leader (of Samrala) Upjinder Singh alias Pali Sekhon and his accomplice Simranjit Singh met me and assured that a deal of my land will be finalised. They lured me to reach Hong Kong to get payment of Rs 10.9 crore by a Hong Kong-based party for my commercial property situated in Ludhiana. As I knew Pali, I trusted him and left for Hong Kong with my two friends." He said as soon as they landed at the Hong Kong airport, they met four persons who took them in a car and said that they had booked a room for them in a hotel. After roaming for about two hours in the car, the victims got to know that they had been kidnapped.
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To curb pollution, firework display now only for 12 minutes at Golden Temple
Amritsar, November 1 Talking to The Tribune, SGPC secretary Manjeet Singh and Darbar Sahib manager Partap Singh said the fireworks at the Golden Temple on Diwali this year will take place for only 10 to 12 minutes, which is three minutes less than last year. The duration used to be half an hour prior to 2011 when the SGPC decided to curtail it down to half. The SGPC said it was looking forward to the Sikh Sangat's response to their initiative of paper balloons with lights as they were keen on minimising pollution around the shrine. They said these balloons had been tried earlier too at the shrine. At present, the SGPC has been using high-altitude fireworks even though it has been looking for smokeless crackers. It had also tried a laser show once at Anandpur Sahib, but it didn’t meet the expectations of the Sikh Sangat. In 2011, the SGPC had reduced the time of fireworks for the first time. The move had come after the Punjab Pollution Control Board advised it to ban bursting of firecrackers at the Golden Temple Complex. However, the SGPC had said it could not discontinue with the practice altogether as it was the traditional way to celebrate the occasion and the devotees sentiments were attached to it. In an effort to curb pollution, the SGPC has already stopped ground display of fireworks. Concern over pollution
The high level of pollution is causing harm to miniature paintings and gold plating at the shrine, besides leading to corrosion and blackening of white marble. Its adverse effect can be seen on the gold plating on the outer walls of Akal Takht. Though the local administration in the past has initiated various measures like banning coal-run hearths being used by goldsmiths and providing LPG connections to them, still a lot needs to be done to make the vicinity of the shrine smoke-free. Autos also to blame
While the number of private vehicles plying in the area is also high, rickety auto-rickshaws running on adulterated fuel also pose a threat to the architectural marvel that the Golden Temple is. The SGPC too is initiating measures like reducing the duration of fireworks on occasions like Diwali and modernising the kitchen alongside its langar hall in a bid to curb pollution.
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Temple entrance plaza to miss Diwali deadline
Amritsar, November 1 Agencies involved in the work were planning inauguration of the sprawling open space in the plaza to facilitate pilgrims on Diwali while work on the basement would have continued. However, that doesn’t seem possible. Though work on the marble flooring is around 80 per cent complete, final touches are pending, sources said. Work is underway on a war-footing, but it would take some time to facilitate open space and free movement of devotees. The district administration said the new ‘jora
ghar’ (shoe-keeping facility) and ‘gathri ghar’ (baggage room) will be thrown open for pilgrims on
Diwali. These are the only facilities on the ground floor. The rest will be in the basement. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal is monitoring the project. Around 80,000 square feet area will be paved with ‘makrana marble’, one of the finest varieties of marble. Ornamental plants, benches and lights to facilitate pilgrims will also be put up. The sprawling plaza area will facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims. The underground facilities would include a state-of-the-art interpretation and information centre for tourists, VIP lounge, bank, ATM, airlines and railway inquiry, a multipurpose hall, security and services area, toilets and other public conveniences. As there is a lot of VVIP movement at the Golden Temple, the plaza will have a separate lounge to accommodate dignitaries and their entourage. An auditorium with a seating capacity of 100-150 persons would be built so that a visiting dignitary could address the media. At present, there is no proper place in the shrine complex where mediapersons can interact with VIPs. The shrine is visited by thousands of devotees from across the globe every day and their number crosses the one
lakh-mark on special occasions such as Gurpurab.
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Plan to let prisoners spend time with families scrapped
Patiala, November 1 The scheme was designed to achieve the twin objectives of rewarding inmates for good behaviour and tackling drug menace. It was proposed in 2009 by the then Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabhria. Gabhria had also advocated the plan to construct 15 to 20 residential quarters inside the jail premises for enabling inmates to spend time with their wives. A source said, “The scheme is fraught with risks, considering the difficult conditions inside the jails.” He said the plan was to help prisoners relax by spending time with their families as most inmates had gotten lonely and started taking drugs. “I have not heard of any such scheme. But, if there is any, then it needs to be closely scrutinised and discussed before it can be implemented,” said RP Meena, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jails, during his visit to Central Jail Patiala, here today. Meanwhile, Meena announced that vocational courses in music, yoga and library sciences would be run from the jail premises for bright inmates. He further said the jail canteens had started earning more than Rs 2 crore from their factory-made biscuits and namkeens. “We have also issued smart cards that can be used to buy goods from the jail canteen,” said Meena, during the inauguration of the milk centre and the yoga workshop on the jail premises.
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Police steps up vigil in Sangrur
Sangrur, November 1 To check drunken driving, the police has laid several nakas across the city. Sangrur SSP Mandeep Sidhu said the police had increased checks to instill confidence among the masses ahead of Diwali.
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HC notice to state on plea by former PPSC chairman
Chandigarh, November 1 Convicted by a Ropar court and sentenced for six years' imprisonment in a cash-for-job case, Sidhu was seeking suspension of his sentence till the appeal filed by him against the conviction order was pending in the high court. The court had on July 16 found Sidhu guilty on two counts: Section 13 (for fraudulently converting a property/service entrusted to him as a public servant for others to use) and Section 7 (for taking gratification other than legal remuneration) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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3 held in fake registry scam
Ludhiana, November 1 Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh Gill said while Rajiv Aggarwal, Kamal Krishan Jaiswal and Gurinder Singh alias Gaggi were held, Balbir Singh, a clerk at the office of the Sub-Registrar (East), was on the run. The police said that Rajiv was booked in several theft cases, Gurinder is a property dealer and Kamal runs a shoe shop in Ghumar Mandi. Gill said the accused in connivance with an employee of the Revenue Department had prepared 150 fake registries. “We are still at the preliminary stage of investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter further,” said Gill. The police said the accused would procure land registries of the dead and photocopy these. Thereafter, they would make fake stamps of the Revenue Department, forge the signature of the official concerned and get the document registered in their name. The gang also connived with land owners to get multiple loans from the bank. In these cases, the fraud would only come to light when the land owners failed to pay the loan instalments. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Swapan Sharma said a case had been registered and that more arrests were likely to follow. When contacted, the Revenue Department said Balbir Singh had been on leave for the past few days. The way they worked The accused would procure land registries of the dead and photocopy these. Thereafter, they would make fake stamps of the Revenue Department, forge the signature of the official concerned and get the document registered in their name
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Another accused held
in ASI’s murder case
Patiala, November 1 Mintu of Bheni Khurd village in Fatehgarh Sahib district and two more accused, Amanpreet Singh alias Jeeti Jalandhri and Amandeep Garg, were held at a naka on Sirhind-Rajpura highway near Upli village. The police recovered three pistols along with several cartridges from the accused who were travelling in an Audi car. A case under the Arms Act was registered at the Sadar police station in Rajpura. Bhupinder Khatra, Superintendent of Police (SP), Rajpura, said, “On preliminary investigation, we have found that Rajinder Singh had formed a gang with Palwinder Singh alias Pinda and Talwinder Singh alias Tally. They had allegedly killed ASI Gurdev Singh at Haveli restaurant in Jalandhar in April 2013.” The recent arrests follow the arrest of Palwinder Singh Pinda along with his female companion in Patiala a few days ago. Earlier, Pushpinder Singh alias Noni and UK citizen Tavinder Singh alias Tally were arrested within days of the murder. Sources said Noni, who was sentenced to 20 years in another murder case, was also involved in the ASI's murder. He was released on parole on March 15. Tally, a resident of Tut Kalan village in Nakodar, had returned to India some time ago, sources said. Arrested in the case *
Mintu of Bheni Khurd village, Amanpreet Singh alias Jeeti Jalandhri and Amandeep Garg held with arms on Sirhind-Rajpura highway today *
A few days ago, Palwinder Singh Pinda was nabbed along with his female companion in Patiala *
Pushpinder Singh alias Noni and UK citizen Tavinder Singh alias Tally were arrested within days of the ASI's murder
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2 cops booked for criminal breach of trust
Ludhiana, November 1 Station House Officer (Division No. 8) Davinder Chaudhary said the duo, Inspector Maninder Bedi and Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurbaljit Singh (posted in Amritsar), were booked on the complaint of a Mullapur Dakha resident, Jagshir Singh. In his complaint, Jagshir Singh, who was arrested in the aforementioned case registered under IPC sections 408, 420, 465, 468, 471, 506 and 120-B, alleged that the accused policemen did not deposit property (seized in connection with the case) worth Rs 15,000 and a mobile phone found on him during his search at the police station ‘malkhana’ (store). The police swung into action after Jagshir's wife wrote letters to the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India stating that the policemen had allegedly tampered with official record. The Punjab Human Rights Commission had taken cognisance of the matter and referred it for an investigation to the Additional Director General of Police (Crime). The inquiry, it has been learnt, had indicted the duo. Jagshir said, “I was implicated in the case at the behest of my influential employer. Now, law has taken its course and those who booked me in a false case are themselves in the dock." On wrong foot *
Complainant Jagshir Singh has alleged that the accused did not deposit goods seized in the case at the police station
'malkhana' * The police swung into action after Jagshir's wife wrote to the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India
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3 Jalalabad youths killed in accident
Fazilka, November 1 The police said Parmjit Singh (16), Tirlok Singh (17) and Chhinderpal Singh (19), all neighbours and residents of Bahmniwala village in Jalalabad sub-division, were returning home on a bike after finishing their work when the accident occurred. As their motorcycle reached near Kathgarh village, it rammed into a stationary tractor-trailer. Overloaded with paddy, the tractor-trailer was parked on roadside.
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Jailed Batala councillor died of poisoning: Report
Chandigarh, November 1 In a report submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Gurdaspur Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) has minced no words to say: “I am of the opinion that the death of undertrial Rajbir Singh Bhullar was not in natural circumstances, but due to organophosphorus poisoning.” Available information suggests organophosphate poisoning (OP) mostly occurs from exposure to insecticides. There are around 1 million OP poisonings per year worldwide. The report says that on February 6 at about 8.30 am, Bhullar turned unconscious and was gasping for life when he was referred to the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital. “The final cause of death was OP compound poisoning,” the report says. The report came on a petition for a CBI probe filed by the victim’s mother, Satinder Kaur Bhullar, through counsel Ramdeep Partap Singh. In her petition, she has also sought criminal and departmental action against jail officials responsible for the death of her son. A compensation of Rs 25 lakh has also been sought on the ground that “the jail authorities prima facie failed to protect the life and liberty of the petitioner’s son.” Bhullar was lodged in the Gurdaspur jail in connection with an FIR registered on September 9, 2011, for murder and other offences. It was registered against Bhullar and five others, including his brother Yadvinder Singh, who was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender in the case. The case pertains to the murder of a Canadian NRI, Gurinder Singh Gill. He was murdered in broad daylight outside the court premises. After Bhullar’s death, the Jail Superintendent sent a letter to the Gurdaspur District Magistrate regarding an inquiry into the incident. He contended the postmortem report suggested Bhullar was well-built and well-nourished. Expressing apprehension of a biased probe, he said the jail officials were senior functionaries in the Police Department and would surely interfere with the investigation report. Case file *
Rajbir Singh Bhullar was lodged in the Gurdaspur jail for the murder of NRI Gurinder Singh Gill outside the Batala court premises *
A case was filed on September 9, 2011, against Bhullar, his brother Yadvinder Singh and three others *
Yadvinder was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender
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Jalandhar, November 1
Chandigarh, November 1
Goods worth lakhs were destroyed in a fire that broke out last night at VK Pipe Industries, a factory owned by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s nephews Mandeep Singh Kohli and Hardeep Singh Kohli.
The prestigious Golden Temple Entrance Plaza project would miss the Diwali deadline set by the state government. Work on the plaza that started in May 2011 is far from complete and it is now expected to open only by February next year.
In the wake of the Diwali festival, the police has stepped up vigil. It is carrying out searches in public areas and running a campaign against drunken driving. The police can be seen searching malls, bus stands with the help of sniffer dogs and metal detectors. 
