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Marginal increase for pensioners as legislators fatten their purse
Notice to state, Deputy CM, DGP on jailed social worker’s petition
Role of sports clubs abroad, police officials under scanner
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Advance tax freezes investors’ interest
SAD, Cong in war of words over land deals
Maur clash
2 Kapurthala jail officials shifted
for negligence
Pak to restore Sikh ‘Samadhi’
Policy lacking, tourism remains in sorry state
Punjabi writer, wife die in Amritsar road mishap
Lawyers in Punjab to hold statewide protest today
Centre not clarifying on mining projects, High Court told
Badal promises support to Dasmesh Academy
12 yrs on, Ropar hospital building lies in ruins
The hospital building lying abandoned at Chaklan village near Morinda. A Tribune photograph
Ill-equipped Rajindra Hospital turns away swine flu patients
One-year visa for Myanmar family
PWD officials under scanner for shoddy repair of roads
22 hurt in bus mishap near Phagwara
HC notice to Pbi varsity VC, Registrar
Suspended SHO, banker
held in corruption case
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Marginal increase for pensioners as legislators fatten their purse
Bathinda, November 12 As per information obtained from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha seceratariat, in 1986, MLAS were paid a telephone allowance of Rs 600 per month, which rose to Rs 1,500 in 1992 and has now gone up to Rs 15,000. In 1986 every MLA was paid travelling allowance to the tune of Rs 2 per km, which was revised to Rs 3 in 1992, to Rs 6 in 2009 and to Rs 15 in 2011. The constituency allowance and postal expenses were paid at Rs 1100 per month in 1986, which have now gone up to Rs 25,000 per month, a rise of 22 per cent. The government started giving MLAs a medical allowance of Rs 250 per month in April 2003, which now has no limit. The MLAs have the facility to get themselves as well as their family members treated in India and abroad, even as hundreds of elderly persons await for pension. In Bathinda’s Sooch village, Surjit Kaur, a widow, lives with her paralysed son in a one-room house. “Old-age pension is measly and we cannot survive on it. I work as a labourer in the village to make both ends meet,” she said. Mahinder Singh, 75, of Bandi village has a handicapped son and and an ailing wife. “Old-age pension is not even enough to pay for bus fare, leave alone treatment for my wife. Politicians remember us only during the elections. Otherwise we are non-existent for them,” he said. In its 2007 election manifesto, the SAD had promised to hike old-age pension from Rs 250 to Rs 400. But nothing happened over the next five years. In 2012, the SAD manifesto promised to double the pension from Rs 250 to Rs 500. The promise is yet to be honoured. As of now, there are 14 lakh persons entitled to old-age pension. They have not got pension after June 2013. Those in Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozepur got pension till July. Social Security and Women and Child Development Department Secretary Jagpal Singh Sandhu said he was not aware if any hike in the pension was under consideration. Bathinda Rural legislator Darshan Singh Kotfatta said: “The daily expenses are much more than we are paid and at times we end up spending from our own pocket. As compared to other states, the salaries and allowances of Punjabi MLAs are rather low.”
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Notice to state, Deputy CM, DGP on jailed social worker’s petition
Chandigarh, November 12 In his petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Sehgal — currently confined in Faridkot district jail — has also alleged that he was implicated in the abetment to suicide case at the instance of Sukhbir. Taking up the matter, Justice Daya Chaudhary today issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab, the CBI, the Centre, Punjab DGP, Deputy Chief Minister and other respondents for November 25. His petition for CBI probe in the case says: “On the day of occurrence, October 13, 2013, the deceased along with his companions was creating a scene at Dussehra festival…. “When the deceased was apprehended, video-filming was going on. Photographs were also taken at that time, which show that the deceased was apprehended by the police and the petitioner was not present there. As such, no question arises that the petitioner has given thrashing to the deceased during the Dussehra festival”. In an attempt to substantiate the contentions, Sehgal has appended photographs and video clips. Referring to the post-mortem report of victim Amritpal Singh, Sehgal claimed “the deceased has not committed suicide. But, in fact, the theory of suicide has been created by the police in order to implicate the petitioner in the present case”. Sehgal claimed he was picked up from his house on October 14 without intimating the reason. At the police station, he was threatened and asked to withdraw cases against Sukhbir or strike a compromise. He was even beaten up and made to sign blank papers. Sehgal alleged he came to know of his implication after he was produced in a Faridkot court. Elaborating, he said the FIR dated October 14 under Section 306 of the IPC was registered on the statement of one Mangal Singh. As per the FIR, the petitioner was nursing a grouse against the victim as his family was having good relations with one Gurmej Singh. Sehgal claimed Gurmej Singh has since long shifted to Canada and he was not having any grouse against his family. “In fact, when the deceased committed suicide, the complainant was not present at Kotkapura”. Sehgal said he was told the victim was given severe beatings by the police. “He was under the influence of drugs and could not bear the beatings of the police and died in the police station”, Sehgal alleged.
Case file *
Naresh Kumar Sehgal, social worker, has a long history of litigation against Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal *
Sehgal, who has approached the HC, has claimed the man for whose suicide he was held was beaten up by the police *
The court has issued notice to the State of Punjab and Deputy Chief Minister among others ‘Assaulted by Sukhbir’ Sehgal has all along been claiming he was allegedly assaulted by Sukhbir on September 5, 1999, during the Lok Sabha poll. An FIR in the matter was registered after the HC intervention against Sukhbir and others. Since then, he alleged that he was being subjected to harassment at the instance of Sukhbir. The High Court on Tuesday issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab and Deputy CM for November 25.
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Role of sports clubs abroad, police officials under scanner
Patiala, November 12
The manufacturing, packing and supplying of drugs took place from various places in India. The role of some senior police officers is under the scanner for shielding the accused. Olympic medallist Vijender Singh is likely to be questioned at a later stage, say sources. Sources said it had been revealed that Sports clubs in Canada and Europe were being used for the distribution of drug consignments. “In recent years, the spending on kabaddi and wrestling tournaments by NRIs has increased tremendously,” said the police. Bhola was arrested near Delhi yesterday. Already his interrogation has led to the seizure of drugs worth over 20 crore and 26 passports from various hideouts. “Clues on foreign nationals involved in the drug trade in India have been shared with appropriate agencies for a follow-up,” said Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) HS Mann. “Boxer Vijender Singh is a small fry and his role will be probed later. As of now, our focus is on the main suppliers abroad,” Mann said. Bhola, a dismissed DSP, who introduced ICE manufacturing in India, was part of a network supplying synthetic drugs to markets in Europe, Canada and the UK inside picture frames of religious leaders through air and ship cargo. “The role of some senior police officials is being probed for letting Bhola and his couriers off the net when apprehended,”said an officer investigating the case. Sources said the counter-intelligence unit and operations unit would probe the financial status of some sportsmen, over 60 NRIs and police officials suspected to be in touch with Bhola. “We need to know his links with top suppliers in India and abroad and how he managed to supply ICE in Goa, Mumbai and Delhi,” the sources said. During investigation, several recipients of the contraband had been identified, including Sarabjit Singh alias Nick of Baliaon village in Khanna (now in Vancouver, Canada), former kabaddi player Nirankara Singh Dhillon from Phillaur (now in Brampton, Ontario, Canada), Harbans Sidhu from Ludhiana (now in Toronto), Dara Singh Mathoda from Jalandhar (now in Vancouver), promoter of Azad Kabaddi Club in Toronto. Onformation about the foreign drug recipients have been shared with the Police Liaison Officer in the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi. Mohali: Druglord Jagdish Singh Bhola was produced in the court of IS Dhaliwal (First Class), here on Tuesday evening. He sought a CBI probe into the case registered against him. “If I am found guilty, hang me. But I wanted a CBI probe into the case,” he said. The court sent Bhola and his accomplice Sarabjit Singh Saba to a week’s police remand. On Bhola’s demand for a CBI probe, the court asked him to give evidences in this regard during the trial. Dy CM cancels lunch with Bhola's
kin Commendation for cops * The DGP has also granted local-rank promotions to five police officials, including three from the counter-intelligence wing and two from Patiala district *
Two Head Constables of the Counter-intelligence and one posted in Patiala district have been promoted to the local rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector. An
ASI, Counter-Intelligence, and an ASI of the Patiala district police have been promoted to the local rank of Sub-Inspector About saba The SSP said that Bhola's accomplice Sarabjit Singh Saba was a vehicle thief who stole hundreds of vehicles in
Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan. He gradually became a major operative of the drug cartel controlled by Bhola policespeak Let CBI probe: Bhola
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Advance tax freezes investors’ interest
Chandigarh, November 12 Highly placed sources say the going has not been easy for the high-profile team of the Punjab Government, led by the Deputy CM himself. Top corporate honchos have brought up the subject of the state’s new taxation regimen, particularly advance tax, into the discussions, maintaining that it is not “industry-friendly”. Last week, when the team had met the top management of ITC Limited (led by its chairman YC Deveshwar and executive director Kurush Grant) company officials had reportedly warned that the decision to impose advance tax could be a deterrent for several companies, especially FMCG companies, in investing in Punjab. The officials said that advance tax (on the sale of its goods) was not in the manufacturers’ interest when it was not certain whether the goods would actually find buyers. The Deputy CM then clarified that the tax was being imposed to bring out small traders and retailers from the stranglehold of the Inspector Raj and to ensure they were allowed to do business without interference of the Taxation Department. He also said the tax would be applicable only on 37 items. The company also raised the issue of imposition of “sin tax”. The state government had imposed the tax on cigarettes in its Budget for 2013-14. The state government had raised the VAT on cigarettes from 22.5 per cent to 55 per cent, hoping to collect Rs 200 crore. The money thus collected was to be used to fund the treatment of poor cancer patients and to set up drug de-addiction centres. Since the imposition of this tax, the sale of ITC cigarettes in the state has dropped sharply, while the sale of cigarettes smuggled from outside the state or unbranded ones manufactured by units within Punjab has increased. Officials said the Deputy CM assured the company officials that the government would look into the matter.
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SAD, Cong in war of words over land deals
Jalandhar/Chandigarh, November 12 “Congress leaders are trying to cover Bajwa’s illegal occupation of public property. No Revenue Department official or audit wing has reported any evasion of stamp duty by Sharma or any Akali leader. But, in case of Bajwa, the findings are clear that he had evaded stamp duty worth Rs 44 lakh in the purchase of land at Bhornjian village in Mohali,” said Majithia while talking to The Tribune. Congress leaders, including PPCC secretaries Anil Datta, Varinder Sharma, Satnam Bitta and Ashok Gupta, asked the Revenue Minister to clarify if the Badal government was not against the Justice Kuldip Singh Tribunal then why had it filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court against its constitution? “The tribunal findings have named many leaders belonging to the ruling alliance, bureaucrats and police officials who had indulged in irregular land deals. But, the government is silent and no action has been taken against any of them,” alleged Datta. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh today, PPCC spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira said Majithia was “blinded by animosity and hatred” against Congress leadership by alleging evasion of stamp duty. Khaira said the SAD-BJP government had overlooked evasion by Akali leaders, particularly Chief Parliamentary Secretary NK Sharma. By repeatedly attacking Bajwa, Majithia was trying to cover Sharma, who had “evaded stamp duty worth Rs 1.30 crore” on the purchase of 11 acres of land in Zirakpur vide sale deed no. 18310 dated 28.03.13.
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Expel Chhajalwadi for outburst against PPCC chief: Dimpa
Amritsar, November 12 He countered Chhajjalwadi’s allegations against PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa on “discrimination” against Dalits. He said it was Chhajjalwadi who was resorting to caste politics. “The Congress is committed to the welfare of the Dalits,” he said. “Chhajjalwadi is not aware of the Congress ideology as he has been changing loyalties. He was once with Surjit Singh Barnala, then switched loyalty to Parkash Singh Badal and then joined Gurcharan Singh Tohra and even the Ravi Inder-led Akali Dal,” he said. Dimpa warned Chhajalwadi that he would be taught a lesson if he dared to show black flags to Bajwa. He demanded Chhajjalwadi’s expulsion from the party. “We will approach the party high command to prove that Chhajjalwadi is hand in glove with the Akalis,” he said. Earlier in the day, Chhajalwadi held a press conference at Chandigarh, accusing Bajwa of appointing a couple of rebel party leaders as acting block presidents without including them in the party fold. He claimed that these leaders were earlier expelled from the party for anti-party activities. The rivalry between Dimpa and Chhajalwadi began during the 2012 assembly elections when the Congress fielded the latter from the Baba Bakala assembly seat. This displeased Dimpa as the constituency was carved out of the Beas assembly seat which he had represented in the past. He reportedly threw his weight behind party rebel Baljit Singh Bhatti who polled over 17,000 votes and played a key role in Chhajalwadi’s defeat. Dimpa, who contested from Amritsar (South), lost to SAD's Inderbir Singh Bolaria. Chandigarh: President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), embroiled in a controversy over a land deal, saw fresh rebellion within the party with former MLA and Congress in charge for Baba Bakala block Ranjit Singh Chhajalwaddi accusing him of ignoring leaders from the reserved categories and promoting groupism. Addressing a press conference here, Chhajalwadi, who was accompanied by leaders of the Amritsar District Congress Committee, said if their grievances were not addressed, workers would approach the party high command in New Delhi and show black flags to Bajwa when he came to Baba
Bakala.
Old rivalry *
The rivalry between Dimpa and Chhajalwadi began during the 2012 assembly elections *
The Congress fielded Chhajalwadi from the Baba Bakala assembly seat * This displeased Dimpa as the constituency was carved out of the Beas assembly seat which he had represented in the past *
He reportedly threw his weight behind party rebel Baljit Singh Bhatti who played a key role in Chhajalwadi's defeat *
Dimpa, who contested from Amritsar (South), was defeated by SAD's Inderbir Singh Bolaria Chandigarh: President of the PPCC, embroiled in a controversy over a land deal, today saw fresh rebellion within the party with former MLA and Congress in charge for Baba Bakala block Ranjit Singh Chhajalwaddi accusing him of ignoring leaders from the reserved categories and promoting groupism. Addressing a press conference here, Chhajalwadi, who was accompanied by leaders of the Amritsar District Congress Committee, said if their grievances were not addressed, workers would approach the party high command in New Delhi and show black flags to Bajwa when he came to Baba Bakala. — TNS
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Maur clash
Maur, November 12 Local residents allege that they had brought the matter of rising incidents of rowdyism, eve-teasing and illegal sale of liquor by a gang to the notice of the police, but no action was taken. On Diwali night, some unruly youths again created trouble, but Station House Officer Kulwinder Singh not only sided with the accused but also allowed them to flee, they alleged. This led to a clash between residents of both the villages. At least 11 persons, including the SHO, were booked in the case. The residents said the social boycott threat was being used as a pressure tactic by some residents of Maur Khurd at the behest of certain politicians. Members of a committee formed to probe the incident, Manohar Lal, Mahavir Kumar, Purshottam Dass, Ravi Mangla and Ashok Kumar, said they appreciated the efforts by the government to settle the matter, but were pained at the boycott call. Lal is the father of BJP Yuva Morcha district president Kantesh Singla who was injured in the clash. Some Maur Khurd villagers said only families whose kith and kin were behind the bars were calling for a boycott of the Mandi area merchants. An elderly villager said both the villages served the interests of each other and that any boycott was not possible.
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2 Kapurthala jail officials shifted
for negligence
Kapurthala, November 12 The employees, a Sub-Inspector and a Havildar, were shifted following the questioning of the inmate, Sukha Kahlon, a notorious criminal. Sukha allegedly filmed video-clips depicting violence between prisoners inside the jail and uploaded these on Facebook through hi-tech mobile phone. Sources said the duo were shifted as they were allegedly found to have developed friendly relations with Sukha. Sukha is also learnt to have told the police about an alleged drug mafia operating from behind bars and “involvement” of jail officials in smuggling drugs, electronic gadgets, including mobile phones and SIM cards, and money inside the jail. He reportedly disclosed that several inmates involved in human trafficking had been operating through sophisticated gadgets from the jail. Inspector General of Police (Prisons) JS Sra said the Jalandhar Deputy Inspector General, GS Dhillon, was investigating the case. On being contacted, Dhillon remained tightlipped on queries related to revelations made by the dreaded criminal, though he said he visited the jail to sensitise the staff about measures that needed to be taken when
history-sheeters like Sukha had to be guarded.
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Lahore, November 12 The Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Ram, a spiritual guide to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the temple of Jhingar Shah Suthra, a Hindu mendicant of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's time, are the two monuments which are planned for restoration, the Dawn reported. The Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Ram, entirely built in marble, is a beautiful and
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Policy lacking, tourism remains in sorry state
Chandigarh, November 12 Such was the “neglect” that among bureaucrats, the posting as the corporation’s Executive Head was considered a “punishment” assignment. The shifting of priorities of the state government on issues relating to security during the dark days of terrorism from 1980 to around 1996 resulted in the tourism sector being relegated to far background. A senior government official quipped: “The government should not be blamed for the poor state of affairs. What we require is a few professional hands to run the show.” He said tourism projects often lacked vision.
Projects in limbo
In 1989, the Punjab Government had laid the stone of a five-star hotel in Sector 34, Chandigarh. But the project was shelved later. Similarly, Punjab could not give shape to its hotel project in
Mohali. Projects like the Amritsar International Hotel came under scanner over alleged wrong choice of the site. An official said, “There was no need for a three-star hotel in a crowded area near the Golden Temple when the tourism department had an alternative site on the Lawrence Road.” The hotel was sold to an NRI family for Rs 56 crore in 2007 under the state government’s disinvestment policy. But, the project continued to lie abandoned. Director (Tourism) Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa said, “There has been no communication with the NRI family over the revival of the project.” He said the department will clear a tourism policy within a fortnight for approval by the state government. Another stuck-up government project pertained to ‘Holiday Homes’, a chain of hotels that were to come up outside Punjab in
Goa, Manali, Dharamsala, Manali and Mussoorie.
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Punjabi writer, wife die in Amritsar road mishap
Amritsar, November 12 Talwinder was a well-known short story writer. The accident occurred on the Amritsar-Attari bypass road when the family was returning home in Majitha after attending the marriage function of their relative. Talwinder Singh was seated next to his son Sumeet Singh who was reportedly driving the car. His wife and daughter-in-law were at the rear seat. The police said their car reportedly collided with an unidentified vehicle, killing Talwinder Singh and his wife Balwinder Kaur there and then. Sumeet and his wife Rupinder Kaur were rushed to hospital by Talwinder Singh’s daughter and son-in-law who were travelling in another car. Harish Behal, Station House Officer (SHO) of the Chheharta police station, said eyewitnesses had reported to have seen a military truck hit the car (PB-02-BK-3787) head on. A case under Section 304-A, IPC, had been registered against the driver of the unidentified vehicle on Harinder Singh’s statement, the SHO said. The postmortem was conducted at the Civil Hospital this afternoon. The cremation at Chatiwind was attended by hundreds of personalities from the literary field. Talwinder Singh, who transliterated the works of prominent writers of Pakistan Punjab, will be remembered for his contribution to Punjabi literature. He prepared a pamphlet for transliterating Shahmukhi to Gurmukhi and vice versa. He wrote two novels, “Loh Hon Tak” and “Yodhe” and several short stories.
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Lawyers in Punjab to hold statewide protest today
Ludhiana, November 12 As per the new Act, the rent cases will be tried by the respective sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs)/revenue officers of the districts instead of the judiciary. The appellate tribunals would be set up only at four districts of the state to hear appeals against the decisions of SDMs. A decision to block roads was taken by the steering committee of lawyers in a meeting held here at Ludhiana court complex yesterday. Meanwhile, the city lawyers observed complete strike today. This extreme step was taken by the legal fraternity as they felt that the government was not keen on resolving the issue. Parupkar Singh Ghumman, Vice-Chairman of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana-cum-District Bar Association, Ludhiana, said it would not be in
the best interests of the general public. “It is best that judges decide the disputes between landlords and tenants,” said Ghumman. Hoshiarpir Bar Association president VK Menon said that there was every possibility that SDMs would take their decisions under political pressure. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, convenor of steering committee-cum-president, Kharar Bar Association, said that the setting up of appellate tribunals only in Amritsar, Bathinda, Mansa and Patiala would cause a lot of harassment, mental tension and agony to the aggrieved litigants. It would be difficult for litigants across state to approach these tribunals. “Such appellate tribunals must be set up at all district headquarters for the convenience of litigants and these must be headed by judges,” Dhaliwal said. Lawyers were of the view that the powers to decide Rent Act cases should only remain with the judiciary and not with the executive/revenue officers. The meeting was also attended by Jalandhar Bar Association president Mandeep Singh Sachdeva, Phagwara Bar Association president Ramesh Sharma, Nakodar Bar Association president VK Khattar,
Gurdeep Singh Salh, vice-president of DBA Ludhiana and its secretary Rustam Pal Singh.
Bone of Contention *
As per the new Act, rent cases will be tried by the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs)/revenue officers of the districts instead of the judiciary *
The appellate tribunals will be set up only at four districts of the state to hear appeals against the decisions of SDMs There is every possibility that Sub-Divisional Magistrates will take decisions under political pressure. It is in the best interest of the public that judges decide the disputes between landlords and tenants — Parupkar Ghumman, Vice-Chairman, Ludhiana Bar Assn Such appellate tribunals must be set up at all district headquarters for the convenience of litigants and these must be headed by judges. At present, tribunals are only being set up in Amritsar, Bathinda, Mansa and Patiala — Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, president, Kharar Bar Assn
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Centre not clarifying on mining projects, High Court told
Chandigarh, November 12 In an affidavit submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court by SEIAA chairman AS Dogra, the authority also blamed Punjab authorities for not having up-to-date information on projects. As a result, they had to approach the authority for obtaining environment clearance for mining projects. The affidavit came in response to a contempt notice issued by the High Court last month for non-compliance of court directions on illegal mining in the state. The High Court had also issued contempt notices to Punjab Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Karan Avtar Singh Tendering an "unconditional apology", the chairman said any non-compliance of High Court directions was done "inadvertently and unintentionally owing to a bonafide mistake". Elaborating on reasons for delay in clearance of mining projects in Punjab, the affidavit said according to state expert appraisal committees (SEAC) "neither the environmental consultant nor the officers of the Department of industries & Commerce, Punjab, were aware of proper location of the mining site, surroundings of the mining site, name of water body in which the same is located and distance among quarries located in the same river/ Choe/ Nalah etc. so that it can be ascertained if any clustering of sites is taking place". The affidavit added: "The map showing the features within the radius of 10 km was not up to the mark and the same was not legible". As a result, Punjab Department of Industries & Commerce officials had requested for three weeks’ time to submit the noted information. "However, the information is still awaited", the authority has told the High Court.
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Badal promises support to Dasmesh Academy
Ropar, November 12 The institute would help students seek permanent commission into the armed forces on the pattern of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) at Mohali, he said. Presiding over the annual sports meet at the Sri Dasmesh Academy, Badal said the AFPI had enabled its students to successfully get commissioned into the armed forces. Badal pointed out that this move was significant since lesser number of people from the state were being appointed as officers in the armed forces. The Chief Minister said we needed to uphold the age-old tradition of youngsters from the state joining the armed forces. On the occasion, he announced that an auditorium would be constructed in the academy and the existing sports infrastructure there strengthened. —TNS
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12 yrs on, Ropar hospital building lies in ruins
Ropar, November 12 It was on August 23, 1997, that the then local MLA, Satwant Kaur Sandhu laid the foundation stone of focal point at Chaklan village. A grain market, a mini hospital, a veterinary dispensary, a bank and community centres were to be set up on both sides of the Morinda-Chamkaur Sahib road. While all the facilities were opened after the construction work was completed in 2001, the seven-room hospital building constructed on a two kanal plot was abandoned. After so many years of being neglected, the building was recently noticed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Amarjit Singh Shahi, when he visited the village for the inauguration of a Rural Haat nearby. He then asked the local panchayat to repair it and wrote to the Health Department to appoint staff there. Village sarpanch Chajja Singh, who headed the local panchayat in 2001, said, “The hospital building has been rendered useless as no staff or infrastructure was provided. Several lakh rupees of the taxpayers’ money were wasted. Hopefully, the hospital will run this time,” he said. Ropar Civil Surgeon Rajnish Kumar Sood said he had taken up the issue with his seniors several times but the state Health Department never approved any health facility for Chaklan village. However, the department had been running a dispensary at nearby Dumna village, he said.
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Ill-equipped Rajindra Hospital turns away swine flu patients
Patiala, November 12 Several suspected cases of swine flu are not admitted as the hospital does not have a ventilator in its isolation ward set up for swine flu patients. A senior doctor requesting anonymity said, “What is the use of setting up an isolated ward for swine flu patients if it is not fully equipped to handle them? Patients are regularly turned away due to shortage of ventilators. Of Surjan Singh (50) of Sangrur died on his way to PGI, Chandigarh, after the Rajindra Hospital turned him away due to shortage of ventilators. He was suspected to have swine flu. The hospital has also failed to tackle swine flu cases with adequate care. Five-month-pregnant Sangeeta, who was a suspected swine flu patient, was kept in the ICU for over 10 days instead of being admitted to the isolation ward. After she was tested positive, the Health Department failed to administer medicines to other patients in the ICU. Dr VK Sharda, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said he would soon get a dedicated ventilator for the isolation ward set up for swine flu patients.
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One-year visa for Myanmar family
Amritsar, November 12 Noor Hussain and Dilraj Begam and their seven children were lodged in the central jail even as
their jail term ended in year July 2009. They were arrested by the Chabal police without valid documents in 2008 following which a case was registered against them. On completion of their jail term in July 2009, they were kept in the transit camp inside the jail. For now, the family has been handed over to the Tarn Taran police. They will be kept under a watch. Earlier too a Myanmar family was granted a one-year visa. Sona Ali, his wife Julaha Begam and three children were arrested by the Chabal police. They too also in the custody of the Tarn Taran police.
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PWD officials under scanner for shoddy repair of roads
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 12 The premix that was used to fill up patches on a 500 metre stretch on the state highway no 12 was dislodged this morning. Sources said the stretch from Jyoti Sarup Chowk to Aam Khas Bagh was repaired yesterday. Several commuters were inconvenienced as they struggled to drive on the road with loose gravel strewn around. Those riding two-wheelers even got hurt as their bikes slipped. This forced the PWD officials to take action and they subsequently directed the contractor to remove the loose gravel from the road. The department had undertaken the road repair work in the town in view of the Shaheedi Jor Mela to be held in Fatehgarh Sahib in December. PWD Executive Engineer Vipin Bansal said the gravel was dislodged due to the sudden sudden drop in temperature. He said the
contractor had been directed to repair the road immediately.
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22 hurt in bus mishap near Phagwara
Jalandhar, November 12 The bus (CH-01-G-8865) had started its journey from Amritsar in the evening and was close to Phagwara when the accident occurred. Those hurt included 16 men, five women and a child. One passenger got grievously hurt and was taken to a private hospital, while the rest were admitted to Phagwara Civil Hospital. Phagwara Sadar SHO said the injured were safe. The sambar died in the mishap. —TNS
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HC notice to Pbi varsity VC, Registrar
Chandigarh, November 12
* Dr Jaspal Singh (see pic), VC, and Registrar AK Chawla are accused of committing contempt of court by not filling 414 non-teaching posts Justice MMS Bedi issued contempt notices for January 31, 2014, on a petition filed by Pavitter Singh. Referring to a PIL filed by Harsharan Kaur and others, he said the High Court had directed the university to fill vacant 414 non-teaching posts, then occupied by employees appointed on an ad hoc basis or as a stop-gap arrangement. The process was to be completed by May, 2010. The directions were issued on the basis of an undertaking given by the university through its counsel who said the respondents had violated the directions and had been giving extension in service to the ad hoc appointees. He referred to the decision taken by the university Syndicate on June 11 for extending the tenure of 206 such non-teaching employees up to September 30. The petitioner’s counsel, HC Arora, said the respondents had deliberately violated the directions by continuing with the ad hoc non-teaching employees.
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Suspended SHO, banker
held in corruption case
Sangrur, November 12 Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu said manager of a private bank Devi Dayal, who had played the role of middleman in the case, had also been arrested. He said another accused havildar Devinder Singh, reader of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rural, Sangrur, was at large. The bribe money of Rs 1.35 lakh had been recovered, he added. The complainant, Karnail Singh, alleged that he had given Rs 7 lakh to Harwinder Singh of Nabha to secure a seat for her daughter at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, but he failed to do so. Karnail said when the accused refused to return his money, he approached the police. He alleged that Devinder took Rs 55,000 from him for getting a case registered against Harwinder while the SHO took Rs 80,000 for helping him in getting the accused arrested. The bribe money was given through Devi
Dayal.
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With the successive state governments failing to frame any concrete policy to manage the existing projects and plan new ones, Punjab’s tourism industry continues to be in a neglected state.
The Punjab Tourism Corporation came up as an independent entity in the 1970s. But, it never received the desired support from the state government, even in issues like landscaping and maintenance, which happened in case of neighbouring
Haryana.
A hospital building that was constructed 12 years ago at a cost of several lakh rupees at Chaklan village on Morinda-Chamkaur Sahib road lies in ruins. Interestingly, the Health Department has never approved any health facilities at the site.
It was on August 23, 1997, that the then local MLA, Satwant Kaur Sandhu laid the foundation stone of focal point at Chaklan village.
Besides allowances, the Punjab Government decided to pay each MLA a monthly salary of Rs 4,000 from April 2003, which has now been raised to Rs 25,000 per month. The salary and other allowances of every MLA total Rs 94,000. 
While the Congress questioned Majithia as to why he was silent on the “evasion of Rs 10 crore stamp duty in the purchase of land at Bishanpur village near Zirakpur by Chief Parliamentary Secretary NK Sharma”, Majithia defended the SAD-BJP government’s stance claiming that no such evasion had been reported by the Revenue Department.
The Punjab Tourism Corporation came up as an independent entity in the 1970s. But, it never received the desired support from the state government, even in issues like landscaping and maintenance, which happened in case of neighbouring
Haryana.
in a spot