NEIGHBOURHOOD

Over 1,500 felicitated at Thapar University 
Tribune News Service

Patiala, Novemeber 14
The Punjab government has introduced smart cards for the accredited journalists to provide them with an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh. The insurance cover will be extended to all the journalists across the state, who hold yellow cards, thereby covering more than 3,000 journalists at the cost of Rs 35 lakh.

This was stated by the Punjab Information and Public Relations and Revenue Minister, Bikram Singh Majithia, today.

Accompanied by the Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Surjit Singh Rakhra, and Jangveer Singh, media advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister, Majithia was here to inaugurate the Patiala Media Club office.

After the inauguration ceremony, while addressing a gathering at Harpal Tiwana Kala Kendra, Majithia informed that the Punjab government has decided to set up press clubs in all the major cities across the state and the budgetary provision has already been made for this purpose.

Majitha urged the journalist fraternity to keep reporting as factual and investigative as possible to win the trust of masses.

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 14
Banks across the district distributed various types of loans to the tune of Rs 4,218 crore, against the fixed target of Rs 3,664 crore, for various developmental purposes.

“A loan of Rs 1,384 crore was given for development of the agriculture sector, while Rs 574 crore was reserved for the weaker sections of the society. Various priority sectors were also allotted a loan of Rs 3,341 crore and Rs 1165 crore were given to small and medium scale industries.” This was stated by Baljeet Singh Sandhu Additional Deputy Commissioner (D), while presiding over a meeting of Consultative Committee of various banks organised by the State Bank of Patiala, Lead Bank of the district, here today.

The meeting was called to review the progress of various government sponsored schemes entitled to the agriculture sector, industrial sector and weaker sections of the society.

He directed officials of all the banks to mention Aadhaar card numbers along with the bank account digits of customers, so that they may get the benefit of Direct Cash Subsidy. He said if the banks failed to do so, strict action will be 
initiated. “All the banks must follow the directions, otherwise strict action will be initiated against them,” said the Additional Deputy Commissioner (D).

He also directed them to implement DRI scheme and issue self-employment credit cards.

He asked bank officials to organise camps to distribute loans to the tune of Rs 15,000, at the rate of 4 per cent interest, under the DRI scheme, among those who have an income less than Rs 18,000 in rural areas and Rs 24,000 in urban areas.

AS Lugana from Reserve Bank of India, Sashi Kumar, AGM NABARD, Arvind Singla, manager, Lead Bank, also addressed the gathering.

Dera Bassi, November 14
Sri Sukhmani Group of Institutions in collaboration with NK Sharma Group of Companies organised an interactive conference titled ‘Industry and Educators Convention - A Symposium’.

The host institute, Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology (SSIET), invited delegates, scholars, experts from academia and industries on the occasion.

The aim of the symposium was to provide a common platform for experts to come together to discuss career enhancement opportunities and ways to improve condition of employed and unemployed youths.

The symposium was inaugurated by chief guest NK Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab.

“The conference will bring awareness regarding various career development certificate courses available for students,” said the Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Punjab, NK Sharma.

Ambala, November 14
Fire broke out in the store room of the SDM office here this evening.

Old documents related to driving licenses and registrations of the vehicles were destroyed in the accident. Furniture kept in the store room was also reportedly damaged. It was only after an hour that the fire could be controlled.

According to sources, sparking in the power board fitted in the room led to the incident — OC

Chandigarh, November 14
Just about two months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that the probe carried out by the Punjab Police was biased towards Patiala former mayor Jaspal Singh in his daughter-in-law's alleged murder case, Justice Amol Rattan Singh today virtually admonished the special investigation team for tardy investigations.

The team, headed by Punjab's Inspector-General of Police (Crime) RPS Brar, is probing the alleged murder of Parampreet Kaur. Daughter-in-law of former mayor Jaspal Singh was found dead on February 23.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Amol Rattan Singh directed the team to complete investigations and file a report before the High Court by Tuesday. Addressing state counsel AS Grewal, Justice Amol Rattan Singh minced no words to say: "I would like to know whether any genuine effort has been made to conduct the probe? Please tell us what probe has been done since September 30 to date."

Expressing dissatisfaction with SIT's functioning, Justice Amol Rattan Singh asserted: "Even though SIT has submitted its report, I am still little unconvinced with the investigation proceedings. Please tell the court that you (SIT) are genuinely investigating the matter or indulging in eyewash just to avoid any court order or direction?"

Appearing before the Bench, Grewal earlier told the court that they were in progress of investigating the matter and sought two months' time. Turning down the request, Justice Amol Rattan Singh questioned: "Why two more months? The same SIT report was supposed to be submitted before 45 days. What investigations have been done so far?"

On the previous date of hearing, SIT had submitted its report before the court. The report stated that Jaspal Singh joined the investigations on September 19 and 20 and again on November 2. The call details of three cellular phones used by Jaspal Singh for the past five months too were obtained and were being examined.

The matter was brought to the High Court's notice after a petition was filed by Amarjit Singh Sodhi of Patiala. He was seeking the CBI probe into the alleged murder of his daughter Parampreet Kaur.

Expressing lack of faith in the Punjab Police, the father had asked for a probe by the CBI or an investigating agency not under the control of the Punjab government. Just 29, Parampreet Kaur was found murdered under mysterious circumstances. Her family alleged that the former mayor was 'politically well connected and could stoop to any level'. 

y Parampreet Kaur (29), daughter-in-law of former mayor Jaspal Singh, was found dead on February 23.

y Expressing lack of faith in the Punjab Police, the victim’s father had asked for a probe by the CBI or an investigating agency not under the control of the Punjab government. 

Mohali, November 14
The police has booked the general manager and three directors of Chandigarh-based Sukham Infrastructure Private Limited for cheating, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

The accused have been identified as Mohinder Aggarwal, Tajinder Singh and V Rastogi, all directors, and Aprajit Sachdev, the general manager.

The complainant, Tarun Sachdeva, a US-based NRI, stated that he had purchased a plot at the company's Yellow Stone project for Rs 26.4 lakh. He said he had paid Rs 7.26 lakh to the accused who had failed to give him the allotment letter. Mohali Superintendent of Police (City) Swarndeep Singh said following the complaint of the NRI, they registered a case under Sections 420, 406 and 120B of the IPC.

He said they had been receiving complaints from the other residents as well. No arrest has been made so far. The company had booked commercial and residential plots/flats under their mega project in 2009. "Even after four years, the company has failed to give the possession of the plots to the buyers. It has not even started the construction work. We were kept in the dark. The project has not been cleared by the authorities concerned," alleged Rajesh Goyal, a resident of Sector 42, who claimed to have purchased three plots in the project. 

Panchkula, November 14
A trainee doctor at the Sector 6 General Hospital, Panchkula, was beaten up a full public view by the husband of a lady doctor for allegedly sending her objectionable messages.

However, they later reached a compromise and no police complaint was lodged.

Sources said the trainee doctor had been sending objectionable messages on the cellphone of his newlywed colleague, a gynaecologist.

As she showed the messages to her husband, he came along with his younger brother at the hospital and started thrashing the trainee doctor in full public view.

Civil surgeon Dr VK Singh said the dispute was resolved and no police complaint was made. 

Mohali, November 14
Five persons were injured in a clash between two groups near Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering and Technology at Tangori.

All the five injured are undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital in Phase VI here. The injured have been identified as Rajesh, Vikram, Udham Singh, Navdeep and Gurdarshan Singh.

While four of them have sustained serious injuries and are under observation, Gurdarshan has been discharged after administering first-aid. Old rivalry is stated to be the reason behind the clash.All of them are reported to be in the age group of 18 to 22 years.

Vikram is a BCom student, while Udham Singh is pursuing engineering. Both of them are from Mote Majra village.

Station house office (SHO), Sohana, Deepinder Singh said two persons from each group has been injured in the clash. He said the police had gone to record their statements at the Civil Hospital but they refused to divulge any details. “We will be recording their statements tomorrow”, said the station house officer.

Chandigarh, November 14
Ever heard of a 63-year-old mother accompanying her 35-year-old son to gym? Or about a young Punjabi lad who joins a gym, to remove his fat before shifting to Vancouver, and ending up winning a medal in his first ever competition.

Chandigarh, November 14
SGGS College Sector 26 won the title of Panjab University Inter-College Kho-Kho Championship for Men (A- Division), concluding at the ground of Panjab University campus, here today.

The Panjab University Constituent College, Nihal Singh Wala (Moga) and Panjab University Campus attained second and third spot, respectively. DAV College Sector 10 finished their campaign at the fourth spot.

In the league matches, played today, SGGS College beat DAV College by one turn and 9 points while in the Panjab University Constituent College, Nihal Singh Wala beat Panjab University Campus by 4 points.

Chandigarh, November 14
Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana, beat Khalsa College, Garhdiwala, by 13 runs in a match of the Panjab University Inter-College Cricket Championship for Men (B-Division), being held at the Cricket Ground of Panjab University campus here today.

The Ludhiana outfit, after electing to bat first, scored 167-runs for 10 wickets in 19.4 overs. Amandeep Singh remain unbeaten on 52 while Piyush Gulati (43-runs) and Bhupinder (32- runs) were the other main scorers for the team.

For the bowling side, Karambir claimed a five-wicket haul for 18-runs while Rohit managed to grab 2 for 8 runs. Rahul claimed 1 for 37.

In reply the Garhdiwala college scored 154 runs in their allotted slot of 20 over. Karambir Singh played an unbeaten knock of 71 runs while Sukhdev and Rahul scored 26 runs and 23 runs, respectively. For Ludhiana team, Dilveen claimed 2 for 26 runs while Amandeep 1 for 39 runs. — TNS

Chandigarh, November 14
In the opening match of St Joseph’s super league inter-school cricket tournament for boys (U-13), Saupin’s School Sector 32 defeated Mount Carmel School Sector 47 by 32-runs, here.

Putting to bat first, the winning team scored 184-runs in the 20 overs with Atul Jaswal 63-runs) and Manav (51-runs) scoring a lion’s share. Gaurav with 37 runs was the other noticeable scorer of the team. For the bowling side, Animesh claimed 3 wickets for 29 runs. However, the Mount Carmel School could manage to score only 152 runs. Sarab Sachdeva (34-runs), Abhey (29-runs) and Harshpreet (10-runs) were the top scorers of the team. Bowler, Aryan Bhatia claimed 2 wickets for 23 balls.