|
|
|
|
|
Probe into land deals indicts revenue officials
Investment Potential-Part II Textile Sector
Govt snoops on rice mills to check tax evasion
Woman in US stands trial for killing mother-in-law
|
|
|
Strike by school non-teaching staff ends
Pak traders disagree with Nawaz, say no to war
Books scam: Panel for one more extension
Unemployed ETT teachers climb on Harike headworks
Finally, industrial policy notified
CM: Include kabaddi
in Olympics
30-ft breach in canal inundates fields
US Sikh body files amended plea against Sonia Gandhi
SAD-BJP govt circumventing new acquisition law: Capt
32-yr-old dies of burns in Australia
Protesters seek job for lineman’s widow
Badal for including kabaddi in Olympics
Police probing Dhami’s links with drug lords
Gikki murder case: Accused’s bail plea dismissed as withdrawn
Drug peddler sentenced to 15 years in jail
Another drug racket uncovered, 3 held
|
Probe into land deals indicts revenue officials
Chandigarh, December 5 Apparently, the inquiry is silent on Pradesh Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa who purchased land from bonafide sellers as mentioned in the revenue records. As per the revenue records, the status of shamlat had already been changed when Bajwa purchased it. There was nothing to prove that Bajwa had a role in changing the land ownership. The inquiry team has indicted two former officers of the Revenue Department and some of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat. Sources said the inquiry report had raised questions over the role of the Additional Director, Consolidation, Gayatri Jain, and Naib Tehsildar Balwinder Singh. It remains unclear as to how the land in question was divided and demarcated by the Revenue and Rural and Panchayat officials in violation of High Court orders. Sources said that Gayatri Jain, then Additional Director, Consolidation, in her order dated June 10, 1997, declared 783 bighas of ‘shamlat deh’ as ‘mustarka malkan’ property giving share rights to the villagers. On March 20, 1998, District Development and Panchayat officer (DDPO), Ropar, Kuldeep Singh, endorsed the previous order issued by the Director, Consolidation, terming the ‘shamlat deh’ as common village land shared by village residents. Highly placed sources said these decisions were in violation of rules and regulations governing such village land. In 1998, the village panchayat opined that 783 bighas be given on contract for cultivation and funds thus generated be used on village development. Reacting to this decision, the share-holders of ‘shamlat deh’ approached the court of Civil Judge (Junior Division, Kharar) on May 26, 1997, claiming that the land was in their possession and could not be given on contract by the panchayat. The matter was referred to the Lok Adalat where a compromise was reached. The Lok Adalat, on August 30, 1997, passed an order wherein then panchayat accepted the claim of the share- holders. Based on these orders, the Naib Tehsildar, Majri, Balwinder Pal Singh, in his order no. 1364 of February 5, 1999, entered in the records that the land in question belonged to the share-holders giving them ownership (intaqal) rights. Meanwhile, the gram panchayat approached the Director, Rural Development and Panchayat, challenging the orders. The Director reversed the orders, declaring that the land belonged to the panchayat as ‘shamlat deh’, implying that the claim of the share-holders was set aside. The share-holders moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Thereafter, Justice GS Singhvi , on August 28, 2003, ordered a status quo on the directions issued by the Director, Rural Development and Panchayat. The order was confirmed by the High Court in January 2004. But Panchayat Department officials did not get the court orders recorded in the official records (jamabandi) of the patwari. Following this deliberate lapse, the Tehsildar of Kharar, Barjinder Singh, divided and demarcated the 783 bighas into four blocks in the name of village residents in 2005. After this, the PPCC chief’s company, PCB Realtors, purchased 108 bighas of land, which was part of the 783 bighas of ‘shamlat deh’. The real sellers were Jagdish Bishnoi and others. The registeration of the purchased land was executed by Naib Tehsildar Roopinder Singh Mankoo. Deliberate lapse by panchayat officials
|
|
Investment Potential-Part II Textile Sector
Punjab is hard-selling itself as 'the' investment destination. In its endeavour to attract investors, the state is organising a two-day mega event, Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, on December 9-10, with focus on information technology, textiles, agro-processing, health and education. In this second part of the series, The Tribune takes a look at the investment potential of the textile sector.
Chandigarh, December 5 However, the textile unit owners feel that Punjab has not offered any major concessions to boost their growth. The government had earlier promised to bring out a separate textile policy, but now all that the textile industry gets is 80 per cent retention of VAT, besides an exemption from property tax, stamp duty and electricity duty. Only new integrated textile units, which manufacture everything from yarn to garments, will get an exemption from market fee, rural development fund and infrastructure development cess on the purchase of cotton. This, the textile industry says, is unfair. VAT retention benefit is only for units that sell their products within the state. In case a unit has more of inter-state sale or exports, it will not be eligible for this benefit. Industry leaders feel that the concessions offered to this sector are minimal as compared to what is offered by other states. One of the largest industries in terms of employment generation, the government should have come up with a separate policy on the lines of the 2006 Textile Policy. DL Sharma, managing director, Vardhman Yarns and Threads, said though the incentives offered by Punjab were attractive, an investor would weigh his options vis-à-vis other states. "Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh offer 5-6 per cent interest subsidy on capital assets for units qualifying under the Technical Upgradation Fund Scheme. Gujarat offers Re 1 per unit as electricity duty exemption. These incentives make other states more attractive. Punjab has the advantage of availability of good quality cotton. But this will only be enough to attract the existing units," he said. Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, however, feels that the state government is doing quite a bit for the textile sector. "Our policy is aimed at giving them a major boost. We realise the potential of this sector in creating employment. We are thus offering up to 90 per cent VAT and CST exemption to those setting up integrated textile units with an investment of over Rs 150 crore, besides other tax incentives," he added. What Punjab offers
What Gujarat offers
Rs 25,000 cr industry The value of textile industry in Punjab is Rs 25,000 crore and 28 per cent of manufactured goods, mainly yarn, is exported
|
|
|
Govt snoops on rice mills to check tax evasion
Moga, December 5 A senior officer of the department said the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners (AETC) of all districts had been asked to submit the PV reports of their respective areas to the head office within a week. A few days ago, the state government had waived levies to the extent of 7 per cent (2 per cent market fee, 2 per cent rural development fund and 3 per cent infrastructure cess) on the purchase of basmati for processing by the millers. The government, however, has not waived the purchase tax at 4 per cent levied on private traders. The exemption was granted to rice mills that exported their custom-milled rice out of the state. If they sell their produce (milled rice) within the state, they would have to pay purchase tax. In view of the past practices, there were reports that the millers may sell certain quantities of basmati and other varieties of good quality rice within the state, besides selling it in other states. To keep a check on the local sale, the excise and taxation department has decided to conduct a random PV of the mills. Moga AETC SS Channi told The Tribune that he had deputed three Excise and Taxation Officers (ETOs) and seven Inspectors to conduct a random PV of the rice mills in all five blocks of the district by getting reports of the private purchase from the local offices of the State Agriculture Marketing Board. “I have asked team members to complete the verification in a week. A report of stock position of private purchase of paddy will be sent to the head office by the end of next week,” he said. Nearly 13 million tonnes of paddy has been procured in the state. The government agencies have procured 95 per cent of paddy whereas the private traders has procured about 6.5 lakh tonnes of paddy, which comprises 5 per cent.
|
|
|
Woman in US stands trial for killing mother-in-law
Sacramento (California), December 5 Baljinder Kaur, 38, allegedly killed her mother-in-law Baljit Kaur, 68, with a small hatchet. Then six months pregnant, she was arrested for murder. Autopsy results revealed that Baljit Kaur had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Baljinder Kaur, held at the Sutter County Jail since her arrest, gave birth to a girl in January, 2013. The murder trial will come up for hearing on January 28, 2014, at the Sutter County Superior Court. Defence lawyer’s plea
Defence lawyer Mani Sidhu has stated that Baljinder, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, gave birth to her second daughter in the county jail. After years of “torment, isolation, abuse, and neglect,” she was intimidated into consulting a local gynaecologist for abortion of her unborn female child. “Refusing to follow through with the abortion, she became the target of calculated torture and abuse. Baljinder was forced to defend herself and her unborn child from imminent death at the hands of her mother-in-law. She was left with no choice but to protect the life of her child. Sidhu said Baljinder, an immigrant from Punjab, India, did not have any immediate family in California and was dependent on her in-laws for the necessities of life. “Her mother-in-law, Baljit Kaur, came from a culture in Punjab where males are preferred and more highly valued than women. In this culture, sex selective abortions and murder of female infants are common and a widely-known fact. “While sons ensure the continuation of the family name and wealth, daughters are perceived as burden on their natal families and considered outsiders in their husband's homes, valued only as potential mothers of sons... “These women have no options or alternatives. The continuing practice of dowry feeds the perception that sons are more profitable than daughters, as sons bring income to the family through marriage and daughters continue to be a financial burden.” He said while daily suffering atrocities at the hands of her mother-in-law and family, Baljinder had no choice but to protect herself and her unborn child as best as she could. Upon her arranged marriage in India to her husband, she was told by her father that after marriage, she no longer was a part of her birth family and was to remain in her husband's household at all costs. Therefore, seeking help or shelter away from her husband's home was never an option for her, Sighu stated. About the case
Her mother-in-law, Baljit Kaur, came from a culture in Punjab where males are preferred and more highly valued than women. In this culture, sex selective abortions and murder of female infants are common and a widely-known
fact
|
|
|
Strike by school non-teaching staff ends
Nawanshahr, December 5 Ministerial staff seeks arrears
Sangrur: Work was hit in government offices in Punjab as the ministerial staff today went on a two-day strike. They are protesting to demand payment of third installment of 30 per cent arrears of revised pay scales, announcement of installment of 10 per cent dearness allowance (DA) from July on the pattern of the Central Government, and removal of anomalies in the pay scales and pay grades. Employees of 22 government officestook part in the strike.
|
|
Pak traders disagree with Nawaz, say no to war
Amritsar, December 5 They say the two countries should join hands to build a new partnership for the better future of people residing on either side of the border, and that trade was a great uniting force. A number of traders from Pakistan have arrived to participate in the five-day Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) that kicked off here today. Haji Mohammed from Karachi says the two countries have gained nothing after fighting three wars in the last six decades. “Both the neighbours are engaged in a mad arms race, which will lead them nowhere. The huge amount being spent on building stockpile of deadly weapons should instead be utilised in healthcare and education sectors,” he says. There should be open borders for business so that the trading community doesn’t face any hassle, he says. “The people of both the countries want better ties, peace and development. But, there are certain forces that are out to sabotage such efforts.” Kasim from Lahore says traders have high hopes from Nawaz Sharif, who recently became the Prime Minister. “It will take time for him to initiate peace measures as currently he is busy setting his own house in order. Nawaz had earlier extended a hand of friendship during the tenure of the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while advocating the need for improving relations between the two neighbours,” he says. Waseem, another trader from Rawalpindi, feels trade fairs like these give a big fillip to business ties. The sixth edition of the PITEX began here today, though it would be formally inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal tomorrow. 10th Amritsar-Lahore peace fest kicks off today Amritsar: Continuing with its tradition of promoting peace between India and Pakistan, Punarjyot, an offshoot of Spring Dale Educational Society, is all set to host ‘Saanjh’ (10th Amritsar-Lahore Peace Festival) in collaboration with its Lahore-based counterpart Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (RPTW) from December 6 to 9. This year's celebration is dedicated to the late Faizaan Peerzada, former COO, RPTW, who co-founded Saanjh, along with late Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu and Manveen Sandhu. This year's itinerary of Saanjh includes a cultural evening in Delhi as well. Seventeen artistes, including singers Rizwan Muazzam, Nahid Siddiqui (both from Pakistan) and Nooran Sisters (from India), would participate.
|
|
|
Books scam: Panel for one more extension
Chandigarh, December 5 The delay is said to have occurred on account of complexity involved in verifying and fixing responsibility in purchase of library books, science kits, practical copies and maps for approximately 19,950 government schools in the state. The inquiry was ordered in June and was to be completed in three months. The panel’s current extension expires on December 8. The commission is said to have sought a three-month extension. The commission is working on issues of alleged irregularities in the purchase of books for primary and upper primary school libraries, science kits and supply of map masters in government schools. Talking to The Tribune, Justice Jindal confirmed having sought a the extension.
|
|
|
Unemployed ETT teachers climb on Harike headworks
Tarn Taran, December 5 The teachers climbed on 30-feet-high gates of the Harike headworks when police lathicharged to disperse them. The teachers who climbed on the gates of Harike headworks held Celphos tablets in their hands. The teachers threatened that they would end their lives in case the state government failed to accept their demands. The district administration had deployed police force, including lady personnel. Sukhchain Singh Mansa, State President of the Union, said the government had promised jobs to ETT teachers, but it did not keep its word.
|
|
|
Finally, industrial policy notified
Chandigarh, December 5 This is aimed at attracting maximum investment and helping projects affected by a negative sentiment take off, Industry Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said while announcing the government’s ambitious Industrial Policy: 2013 had finally been notified. It is for the first time that even small and medium enterprises setting up units in industrial focal points will be given fiscal incentives. Helpline for consumers
Punjab will soon set up a round-the-clock helpline to redress power complaints. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Thursday gave his nod to the proposal.
|
|
|
CM: Include kabaddi
in Olympics
Doda (Muktsar), December 5 On the sidelines of a match of the 4th World Cup Kabaddi here, Badal said: “If the Centre wants me to approach, I am ready for it. I will take up the issue with the PM and the Union Sports Minister so that kabaddi could be included in the Olympics soon.” Congress MLA from Gidderbaha Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the district administration had humiliated him by sending an invitation card for today’s matches just three hours before its start.
|
|
|
30-ft breach in canal inundates fields
Sangrur, December 5 Naib Tehsildar, Lehragaga, Gurmeet Singh Michra said the breach had been plugged this evening with sand bags by the staff of the canal department with the help of villagers of the area. He claimed farmers would not suffer major losses as the water would recede from the fields soon. However, farmers of the area said they would suffer huge losses as they had recently sown wheat in their fields. Michra said after getting information about the breach in the morning, he rushed to the site and got the water supply to the distributary closed from its main source. He said according to a junior engineer of the drainage department, the breach seemed to have occurred due to two reasons. The first reason could be holes on the banks of the distributary by mice and the second could be the supply of excess water in the distributary from its main source, he said. Meanwhile, the affected farmers of the area have sought compensation from the state government.
|
|
|
US Sikh body files amended plea against Sonia Gandhi
New York, December 5 The complaint filed on Wednesday states that the US court has jurisdiction over the case under US law. The complaint alleges that her "acts and omissions were deliberate, willful, intentional, wanton and malicious and should be punished by an award of compensatory and punitive damages." Sonia has till December 11 to inform the US Court whether she intended to answer the human rights violation allegations or move to dismiss. — IANS
|
|
|
SAD-BJP govt circumventing new acquisition law: Capt
Chandigarh, December 5 Amarinder in a press release stated that the very timing of the notification on acquisition of land was wrong and the move aimed at denying the affected farmers the benefits under the new law. The state government had issued acquisition notices to hundreds of farmers in Ludhiana and Patiala districts under the Land Acquisition Act,1894, which was enacted by the British to safeguard their colonial interests, he stated. He said the old Act stands repealed after the enactment of the new Land Acquisition Act enacted by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre in August. He said compared to the old Act, which was “totally against the farmers”, the new law aimed at safeguarding the short and long-term interests of farmers. He stated that under the new law, land could not be acquired unless 80 per cent of the affected farmers give consent to give their land. Besides, the compensation would be four times more than the amount being offered now in the rural areas and two times more in the urban areas. The very timing of the notification on acquisition of land was wrong and the move aimed at denying the affected farmers the benefits under the new
law
|
|
|
32-yr-old dies of burns in Australia
Melbourne, December 5 Detectives are now probing as to how she was doused in petrol and caught fire. Her body was engulfed in flames from head to toe and she collapsed in her driveway. Her neighbours reportedly saw Parwinder screaming while on fire and running out of her Rouse Hill home on Monday. The police said her 34-year-old husband Kulwinder Singh tried put out the fire with his hands. Kaur had earlier dialled the emergency number for seeking help. "She ran screaming from the house," a neighbour said, adding, "She was on fire." Another witness said she was burnt from the neck down. "There was nothing left of her clothes. (Her husband) was screaming and she had a blanket over her, still smouldering." Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said Kulwinder had been interviewed but there were conflicting versions of events. "It's a really horrendous, horrific death and very traumatic for the neighbours who assisted," Critchlow said. The police said Parwinder had earlier this year reported a domestic argument to them, following which the issue was resolved peacefully. — PTI
|
|
|
Protesters seek job for lineman’s widow
Fazilka, December 5 Raj Kumar was reportedly upset over the alleged callous attitude of the state government towards providing jobs to linemen. Raj Kumar’s widow and three minor children and members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) participated in the protest rally. The agitating linemen demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a job to the widow. Pirmal Singh, president, Berozgar Linemen Union, who led the protest, said the ashes of Raj Kumar would not be immersed till compensation was provided to the family members.
|
|
Badal for including kabaddi in Olympics
Doda (Muktsar), December 5 On the sidelines of a match of the 4th World Cup Kabaddi here, Badal said: “I will take up the issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Sports Minister.” He credited the success of World Cup Kabaddi to his son, Deputy CM Sukhbir
Badal. Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, who is the president of the Punjab Kabaddi Association, said: “For a sport to be included in the Olympics, it has to get affiliation from 12 countries.” Congress MLA from Gidderbaha Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the district administration had humiliated him by sending an invitation for today’s matches just three hours before their start.
|
||
|
|
Police probing Dhami’s links with drug lords
Patiala, December 5 A Mohali court today extended his police remand till December 9. The role of certain government officials who helped him procure documents for identity proof is also under the scanner. Highly placed sources said: “Some of those residing with him in his Jalandhar Urban Estate house were surely involved in drugs.” The sources said the police was gathering information on Dhami’s contacts abroad, who would send him money through online transactions. The crime branch today sought Dhami’s remand, arguing that his passports, one original issued in the US and the other bogus procured from Mexico, were yet to be recovered. Also, Dhami was found possessing a fake driver’s licence issued by the office of the Gurdaspur District Transport Office. A senior officer said Dhami’s links with those from the underworld and his possible role in the drug supply nexus was under scrutiny. Under scrutiny
|
||
|
Gikki murder case: Accused’s bail plea dismissed as withdrawn
Chandigarh, December 5 On April 21 last year,Gikki was murdered in the presence of his father.The case is an embarrassment for the SAD-led government as the young hotelier from Jalandhar, Gikki, was allegedly murdered by former MLA Sarabjit Makkar's nephew Ram Simran Singh Makkar aka Prince Makkar, who is also a SAD councillor. The prosecution story is that Gikki’s father, Rajbir Singh Sekhon, saw his son standing with Sukhdev Singh as he reached Baba Rasoi Dhaba in Jalandhar’s Model Town at about 12.45 am on the intervening night of April 20 and 21, 2011 . Accused Amarpreet Singh, Amardeep Singh, Ram Simran Singh Makkar and Jasdeep Singh were already there. The prosecution claimed Amardeep Singh took out his revolver and started fighting with Gikki. Instigated by Amarpreet Singh and Jasdeep Singh, Makkar took out his revolver and fired at Gikki, hitting him in his back. Giki died on way to hospital. Prince Makkar was Gikki’s close friend since childhood. An FIR in the case was registered on April 21, 2011, for murder, criminal conspiracy and common intention under Sections 302, 34 and 120-B of the IPC.The accused were also booked under the provisions of the Arms Act. Counsel Vikram Chaudhri and Jasjit Bedi appeared on the complainant’s behalf. Two years after the murder,people from across the world are still marching on to cyber space for seeking justice for the victim and also for combating crime. His Facebook account, gaining popularity ever since it was created about a year back, is “liked” on an average by nearly 60 persons a day. The account has registered more than 20,277 “likes” with so many others “talking about this”.
|
||
|
Drug peddler sentenced to 15 years in jail
Hoshiarpur, December 5 The convict, Parminder Singh Pinda, was fined Rs 1.5 lakh. In case he fails to pay the amount, the quantum of sentence will increase by two years. Pinda was arrested on May 8, 2012, for possessing restricted cough syrups, injections having narcotic effect and 360 gm of white narcotic powder. He was booked under Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic. Substances (NDPS) Act.
|
|
Another drug racket uncovered, 3 held
Patiala, December 5 They have been booked under the NDPS Act. Sources said following a lead from drug smugglers, including Jagdish Singh Bhola and Raja Kandola, the state’s Special Operations Cell (SOC) at Amritsar interrogated more than 100 peddlers. “The details that emerged were astonishing,” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Patiala Zone, Paramjit Singh Gill. He said the kingpin of the Delhi-based module was one Dev Behl of Chander Lok. Besides Behl, Rakesh Tinku, also from New Delhi, and Mohinder from Una (Behl’s driver), had been arrested. It had been revealed that at least three consignments of synthetic drugs had been recently funnelled to Canada by these peddlers. One of the recipients of the contraband had been identified as Iqbal Singh alias Pala of Canada. Behl was an influential businessman with varied interests. “Earlier, he owned a pharmaceutical company and had a big house in Delhi spread over an acre. Now, he has a 20-room hotel (Royal Farm) and a marriage palace in Himachal and an eight-acre marriage palace on the Karnal road, Delhi. “Tinku, his associate, is a garment exporter," the police said. Preliminary questioning of the accused has revealed that they would obtain raw material (chemicals ephedrine and pseudoephedrine), convert these into drugs like ICE and supplying the same to international markets, including Canada. The group was active since the past three years. It used innovative techniques to camouflage the contraband. In police net
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Nawanshahr, December 5
Amritsar, December 5
Sangrur, December 5
Yuba City resident Baljit Jaur, 68, was found dead in her house with injuries on her head in October last year