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SAD, Cong lambast each other at Shaheedi Jor Mela
Bajwa blames Akalis for messing up state’s finances
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AAP eyes like-minded forces for LS poll pact
List of detainees inflated: CM
Release all Sikh detainees, says Mann
Residents of Beant assassin’s village mum over his release
Come Jan, cancer patients to get free treatment up to
Rs 1.5 lakh
2013 Review
economy
Lavish spenders on taxman’s radar
Amritsar village is Japan economist’s subject of study
Youth Cong alleges bungling of funds by MC
Bir Devinder flays govt over partial prohibition order
Vigilance probe begins into laying of pipes in Patiala
SSP’s CONVICTION
Two more escaped undertrials nabbed
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SAD, Cong lambast each other at Shaheedi Jor Mela
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of SAD's conference at the Shaheedi Jor Mela here today, the Chief Minister said the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had overexploited groundwater to make the country self-reliant in food production. But, their contribution had never been recognised, he said, adding that it was high time that the nation must repay by giving them royalty on water and foodgrain supplied to the country. Earlier, Badal and state BJP chief Kamal Sharma appealed to the people to put all the 13 Lok Sabha seats into the NDA's kitty. Addressing the conference, the leaders advised the masses to elect such a government at the Centre that would help the state in its development. Badal said: "These elections will be important for the state. The entire country is gripped by the Modi wave and we should all ride it." He appealed to the masses to make BJP Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi's February 23 rally in the state a huge success. "It should be the biggest ever political rally in the country. The voters must take inspiration from the Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh elections to teach the corrupt and inefficient Congress a lesson by routing them," he added. Kamal Sharma also appealed to the public to convert the "Modi wave" into "Modi tsunami". "We have to strengthen his hands," he said.
Sukhbir, Majithia give rally a miss
Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday skipped the Shaheedi Jor Mela as he left for a personal trip abroad the previous day. Most ministers, including Bikram Majithia, remained absent at the mela, which is watched with much political interest every year. Except for few Akali bigwigs, including SS Rakhra, SS Dhindsa, BS Bhunder and Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, all others remained absent.
Atta-dal relaunch soon
Announcing that the new atta-dal scheme would be launched within a month, Badal said small and marginal farmers would be brought within the ambit of this scheme. The beneficiaries would be given wheat flour for Rs 1 per kg. He said the work of making cards for the 32 lakh beneficiaries, up from 16 lakh earlier, would be completed soon, after which the scheme would be formally launched.
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Bajwa blames Akalis for messing up state’s finances
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 Addressing an impressive rally at the Shaheedi Jor Mela here today, Bajwa said he would soon file a public interest litigation in the court for seeking a CBI probe into the international drug racket. He said the government should have ordered a CBI probe after the names of some SAD leaders had come to the fore in the case. Bajwa alleged that the SAD-BJP government had patronised the drug mafia as drugs were being manufactured in the state and supplied all over the world. He said in six years, only 6 per cent of the registered unemployed youth were given jobs. "The Badals are only concerned with their own business interests. They have created a hype that the state is on the path of progress and that investment worth crores of rupees is coming to Punjab", he said. "There is no Modi wave in the country as is being claimed by the BJP. The Modi balloon would burst and the Congress would return to the power with thumping majority," Bajwa claimed. He ridiculed the claims by Sukhbir that Punjab would soon become power surplus. Earlier, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal alleged that the government was hand in glove with mafia. During the Congress regime, sand and gravel were easily available at reasonable rates, but now these cost a bomb, she said. Shamsher Singh Dullo, former PPCC president, said the SC/BC category people were being treated badly by government. Others who spoke included former Finance Minister Lal Singh, SS Libra, MP, and MLAs Kuljit Singh Nagra, Randeep Singh Nabha, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Mohd Saddique and Balbir Singh Sidhu.
Senior leaders missing
Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, who had advised Bajwa not to air his views on party candidates in public, was not present at the rally. Bajwa had earlier claimed that all party leaders had been sent an invite. Patiala MP Preneet Kaur also gave the rally a miss
Leaders develop cold feet
A majority of the Congress leaders were seen wearing socks on the stage and those who were not were seen rubbing their feet due to cold. Earlier, the leaders paid obeisance at the Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara, which witnessed a huge rush of devotees
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AAP eyes like-minded forces for LS poll pact
Chandigarh, December 26 The AAP has given a call to all “like-minded” social, political groups and activists to join the party to launch a nationwide movement to “cleanse the political system” in the country. The party yesterday held a meeting with representatives of such groups at New Delhi, in which party strategist Yogendra Yadav and other supporters such as Kuldip Nayar were present. Besides teachers from various universities, social activists from the state also attended the meeting. Kuldip Nayar, an eminent journalist and social activist, said he would persuade activists Medha Patkar and Aruna Roy to join hands with AAP. Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Nayar said, “A serious effort has been made to bring about an element of morality in the Indian politics by AAP. Its evidence is already here. If AAP had not been there, other parties would have used all available means to form the Government in New Delhi.” He said, “The challenge before us is to remove poverty by bringing about a definite change in the existing political culture. It’s because of AAP that the Union government had to bring about an effective Lokpal,” he said. Those who attended the meeting from the state said AAP had given three options to social activists and groups. First is a merger with AAP. Second is the social group concerned should maintain its identity but work in tandem with AAP and the third option is to extend help to the AAP movement in any form. They said Yadav’s stress at the meeting was on the merger of various forces engaged in political and social change in the country. They said AAP was, however, yet to make its ideological and political line public. Sumel Singh Sidhu, a student activist of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who belongs to Bathinda district and is associated with AAP in Delhi, said it was a big challenge to defeat the well-entrenched political parties. “There is a need for a big fight in this regard,” he said, adding that at his behest, AAP made teaching of Punjabi in Delhi an election issue and included it in its manifesto. Sidhu said senior leaders of AAP were expected to visit Punjab soon.
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Manpreet hints at alliance with AAP
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 Talking to mediapersons during the Shaheedi Jor Mela here today, he said the AAP had brought revolution in Delhi and time had come for the people of Punjab to respond in the same manner in the coming parliamentary elections. Manpreet said there was every possibility that both the parties formed an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, although no formal talks had been held yet. He said he was invited by AAP spokesman Sanjay Singh to the oath-taking ceremony of Arvind Kejriwal and he would attend the same. On CM's refusal for a CBI probe into the international drug racket, he alleged many ministers were involved in the trade, which was being carried out in VIP vehicles. On the recently concluded investors summit, he said why would big business houses come to Punjab when Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had invested all his money in projects outside the state. He said instead of giving incentives to outsiders, the local industry should be promoted. Later addressing PPP's political conference, he compared the rule of Badals with that of Aurangzeb's, alleging that they had been looting the state with both hands. He said the scale of Guru Nanak Dev had said "tera tera" (it's all yours) while that of Badals said "mera mera" (everything is mine). Bhagwant Mann, president, youth wing of the party, said the SAD claimed to be a Panthic party even as its leaders were involved in illegal activities. The PPP's political conference attracted a huge gathering despite the fact that it was organised on the outskirts of the town. The organisers alleged that they had hired a site in front of the district administrative complex, but the landowner backtracked at the last minute under pressure of the administration.
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List of detainees inflated: CM
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 He said the list of 118 detainees issued by panthic organisations was inflated and the state jails did not have more than four to five convicts under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act). “We will be ready with a detailed list of all convicts and undertrails within a week. Everything will be crystal clear then. I want to tell the people the exact number of such convicts," said Badal while addressing the media at the Shaheedi Jor Mela here. Speaking at the Akali conference at the mela earlier, the Chief Minister appealed the masses against “getting carried away by the issue”. "Punjab has already suffered a lot during the 15 years of militancy. We should not allow any powers to breach the peaceful environment in the state," he said.
Badal: Life term means sentence till death
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has said life term meant sentence till death, and not for 14 years, as was being interpreted. "Remissions are a matter of policy of different states. Moreover, the lists being provided by panthic organisations have several other convicts who were convicted for murder and other crimes. Would you like to take a soft stand on such criminals? In case of TADA convicts, I have spoken to Chief Ministers of four states myself for facilitating grant of parole to these inmates who were convicted by courts of other states.
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Release all Sikh detainees, says Mann
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 He said if all the detainees were not released, there would be a great resentment among the Sikhs. He said the Union Government was provoking China and Pakistan for a war in which case the state would suffer a huge loss. Mann asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to make public the three ministers who had been named by drug lord Jagdish Bhola. He alleged that Badal was trying to hush up the case by expressing ignorance on the matter. He said minorities would not be safe under Narendra Modi who had "evicted" a large number of Sikhs from Gujarat. Mann also criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for issuing a stamp in memory of former Chief Minister Beant Singh. Mann demanded strict action against those committing crime against women. He welcomed the SC ruling on gay sex.
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Will not end fast till all detainees let off: Khalsa
Amritsar, December 26 He was accompanied by Lal Singh, who was detained in the same case was released on six weeks parole recently. Three committee members - RP Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha, advocate Harpal Cheema and Satnam Singh of Paunta Sahib along with a large number of people accompanied Khalsa. Even as Gurmeet Singh and Lal Singh have been released on parole, the issue of six Sikh convicts, languishing in jails despite completing their sentences, has not died down. Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher Singh who have been lodged in Burail jail at Chandigarh after they were sentenced to life term in the same case, have still not been released. The others, who have not been released, are Waryam Singh, lodged in an Uttar Pradesh jail in a different case and Gurdeep Singh, in a Karnataka jail in a TADA case. Upon reaching the Golden Temple, Khalsa, who did not appear in good health, did not end his fast. He has come to participate in the bhog ceremony of the akhand path to be held tomorrow. It is being performed in the wake of the issue. "I am here only to take part in the bhog ceremony of the akhand path. I will not eat anything till all the six detainees are free," he said softly. Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, said he had urged Khalsa to end his fast as one of the Burail jail detainees was expected to be released tomorrow. Hails Congress for support Earlier in Mohali, Khalsa had announced that he would end his fast at Golden Temple as soon as any third Sikh detainee reached there after coming out of jail. Khalsa also hailed the Congress, especially the family of Beant Singh, for supporting him in the release of Sikh detainees. "I am thankful to the Congress and members of Beant Singh's family for supporting my protest," he said Khalsa. He added that he would likely to go to his home on December 28 to take some rest and then again start his struggle to set free all the detainees.
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Residents of Beant assassin’s village mum over his release
Narangwal Khurad, December 26 Grateful to Gurbakash Singh Khalsa for paving the way for his son’s release, Darshan Singh said the paper work for the release had been completed at Mohali on Wednesday. He further said the release was delayed as the administration had not completed the formalities. Lakha's sister Paramjit Kaur said all the members of the family were eager for his release. “We were told yesterday that Lakha would be released on Thursday, but sadly that was not to be,” said Paramjit. A former Punjab Police constable, who was the first to be arrested in connection with Beant Singh’s assassination, was born and brought up here. Wishing to remain anonymous, villagers echoed similar views that everybody, irrespective of caste or creed, who has completed his or her sentence, should be released from prison. Overall, villagers were grateful to Gurbakash Singh Khalsa for paving the way for the release of certain detainees, including
Lakha.
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Sikh high priests ban sale of gurdwara land in Nepal
Amritsar, December 26 Meanwhile, the amendments in the Nanakshahi calendar have been deferred for the next meeting. The matter pertaining to the sale of Nepal Gurdwara Singh Sabha was brought to light by three Sikhs - Pritpal Singh, Kulwant Singh and Dalbir Singh, all hailing from Nepal. Pritpal Singh had complained that against religious ethics, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, located in Butwal, Kathmandu, had been sold by Pritam Singh, who owned the land on which the gurdwara was erected. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said considering the fact that the gurdwara was around 45-years-old, the land owner had been directed to withdraw the deal. He said the sale of the gurdwara land would hurt religious sentiments. There are four places of Sikh religious significance in Nepal. These are connected with the life of Guru Nanak Dev and his son Sri Chand. Nepal is set to become the next religious tourism centre for Sikhs as many Sikh pilgrims from Punjab had for the first time participated in the Parkash Utsav celebrations held to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev.
Religious significance
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Come Jan, cancer patients to get free treatment up to
Rs 1.5 lakh
Chandigarh, December 26 Under the previous version of the plan, patients were allowed concession on 118 listed medicines and the charges of various medical tests were reimbursed by the Punjab Government at PGI rates, which were comparatively less than the incurred charges. As such, a sizable amount of treatment cost had to be borne by patients themselves. Private hospitals had earlier argued that they could not provide services at highly subsided PGI rates, following which Punjab revised the rates to match the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The CGHS rates are not as low as that of the PGI. So, the grievance of private hospitals was taken care of. For example, a first visit or a revisit costs Rs 10 at PGI whereas the same is offered at Rs 61 under CGHS. Similar concessions have been extended for more than 500 different procedures under CGHS rates in different outpatient and surgery categories, besides specialties in different fields, including ears, eyes, throat, liver, pediatrics and physiotherapy. “While charging CGHS rates, hospitals will be compensated on a par with the Union Government-approved rates. But at the same time, this will be lesser than market rate. In the whole process, a patient is the ultimate gainer because he does not have to pay a single penny,” said Dr Adapa Karthik, Special Secretary, Health and Family Welfare. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Vinnie Mahajan, said, “A patient will be treated on cashless basis, meaning no money will be charged from him up to Rs 1.50 lakh cost.” Under the revised scheme, bed charges (including food) for patients admitted up to 10 days shall be waived by empanelled facilities. Hospitals have also been asked to put flexi-board at prominent places on their premises indicating the price list of drugs at government rates, said
Mahajan.
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Cry for justice to Pak migrant gets shriller
Faridkot, December 26 About three month ago, people in Deep Singh Wala village of the district allegedly registered Jarnail Singh’s 7 acres in their name. It is alleged that revenue officials were involved in the “fraudulent” land deal. Singh, who lives in a dilapidated house and is unmarried, said that after migrating from Pakistan, he was allotted 7 acres in the village in lieu of about 200 acres his family owned in Pakistan. “I was offered to exchange my land for the one near my house. I agreed because poor visibility and old age did not allow me to tend to my land situated at a distance. But the accused got the ownership of my land transferred in their name. I was not given any document. I came to know about the fraud when the accused came to take the land’s possession,” Singh said. He had lodged a complaint with the police against seven people, including document writer from Sadiq. “Jarnail Singh has been running from pillar to post to get his land back,” said farmer Nirbhay Singh Dhudi. “The police are not taking action against the accused because of their political influence,” student union leader Rajinder Singh said. “About a month ago, the police had assured that an investigation would be launched into the fraudulent land deal, but the matter is sill hanging fire,” farmer Davinder Singh Ghalli said. ADC Mohan Lal assured the protesters that the accused would be arrested in two days. “I have asked the SP (Detective) to conduct an inquiry and take action,” SSP Varinder Pal Singh said.
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Govt’s dismal show on fiscal front, even salaries not paid on time
Ruchika M. Khanna Tribune News Service
Though the state’s financial position improved in November, this year will be remembered as one of the toughest for the state’s finances. Properties mortgaged
Left with no means of additional income and burdened under ever-increasing expenditure, the state, through Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), was forced to mortgage government properties and raise loans to carry on its day-to-day business. The state continued to avail its ways and means advances (WMA) and even remained in overdraft for many days, though both the WMA and overdraft were cleared by the state government on time.
Revenue mismatch
Through the first eight months of the year 2013, the revenue growth in the state had slowed down substantially. The growth in revenue was just over 10 per cent whereas the growth in expenditure remained at almost 19 per cent. This growth in expenditure was mainly because of the ever-increasing salary, wages and pension bill of the state government, which is growing at 18.54 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Thus, the mismatch between what the state earned and what it spent continued to add to the state’s revenue deficit.
DA installment not paid
In practical terms, it meant that the state was unable to pay salaries to its over three lakh employees in time; the bills of employees and departments received by the treasuries were not
cleared for months; and, the state was unable to give two DA (dearness allowance) installments to its employees. Even the first DA installment given to employees was released partially. What added to the state government’s woes was the inability of the Union Government to release the Rs 680 crore that is pending with it as the CST (central sales tax).
Some positive signs in Nov
Towards the end of the year (November onwards), the state government’s fiscal health started showing signs of recovery. This is inspite of the fact that the state continued to dither on increasing VAT rate or on imposition of new taxes, for fear of alienating the urban voters from the Akali-BJP fold, especially with the General Election round the corner. By this time, the government had finished
most of its debt-serving, which eased the pressure on the state’s monthly income and expenditure mismatch. Growth
in revenue, too, was witnessed after the government started realising property tax, and from composition fee charged for regularisation of illegal colonies —though this money went into the kitty of the Local Bodies Department and PUDA, respectively.
Festive season to rescue
With the festive season at its peak in November,
the high sale of goods, especially consumer durables, in the state led to Punjab’s VAT collections increasing and showing a growth of 9 per cent, and the state’s
non-tax revenue increasing by 20 per cent. But inspite of these growth figures, Punjab will continue to be revenue-deficit this year, though this deficit is likely to be less (around Rs 3,500 crore) as compared to the revenue deficit of Rs 4,219 crore
in 2012-13. Fiscal indicators (April-Nov 2013)
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Lavish spenders on taxman’s radar
Jalandhar, December 26 Income Tax Commissioner Rakesh Suri said, “The department does not bother genuine tax payers.” Sources said the Income Tax sleuths have found that those splurging on palatial houses and commercial properties were mostly NRIs. The sleuths felt they were dumping black money in India. Moreover, the Income Tax Department’s special drive targeting firms that were not allegedly paying tax in proportion to their income has started yielding results. Several enterprises in Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Dasuya, and Mukerian have surrendered undeclared income of over Rs 10
crore. The Income Tax officials had detected several ‘discrepancies’ in the accounts of these firms, including suppression of actual sale figures. Sanjay Mishra, Income Tax Commissioner (Jalandhar-2), said Jalandhar-based Leader Jewellers and Parkash Bakery have surrendered Rs 4 crore and Rs 1.25 crore respectively. Similarly, the Lifeline Hospital, Nawanshahr, had surrendered Rs 1.2 crore, Raja Diagnostic Care and Hospital, Nawanshahar Rs 75 lakh, Pamma Jewellers of Dasuya in Hoshiarpur district Rs 1.30 crore and Ashoka Boot store of Mukerian in Hoshiarpur Rs 1.5 crore, said Rakesh Suri, Income Tax Commissioner (Jalandhar-1). He had supervised the surveys conducted by the investigation wing of the department in Nawanshahr, Dasuya and
Mukerian. Sources said the department detected the discrepancies on the basis of the Advance Tax returns filed by the firms. “The companies were likely to pay tax on surrendered amount at the rate of 32-33 per cent,” said Rakesh Suri.
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‘Hand of God’ revives brass craftsmanship
Hoshiarpur, December 26 “Brass craftsmen now have work. Thanks to the people’s preference for installing decorative religious pieces in homes. People come to us with their ideas and we turn them into the reality,” Krishan Gopal Anand from a family of craftsmen said. The brass craftsmanship in Hoshiarpur took root one-and-a-half century ago. It gained a distinguished identity of its own. In pre-Independence period, there were nearly 70 workshops making utensils such as ‘gaagar’, ‘valtohi’ (kind of brass pitchers), ‘deg’ (large cooking utensils) and several other decorative items. It is said that before Partition, people from Peshawar (now in Pakistan) used to visit the city to buy brass items. But, with the passage of time the brass pieces lost its value. Blame it on government apathy. The final nail in the coffin was struck around 1990 when the Central Government abolished the brass quota for the craftsmen, resulting in the closure of many workshops. Only 10 workshops were left and those running them were barely earning their livelihood. “The number of brass craftsmen has shrunk and those who are still into the trade are old people, who do not want to give up their ancestral occupation,” Randhir Singh Wadhawan from the family of craftsmen said. The sorry state of affairs was such that no one from the craftsman families wanted to continue the profession since there was no aid from the governments of the day. Craftsman-turned-contractor Mohinder Pal Anand said, “The carvings on brass items are a work of master craftsmen. This gives us a worthy livelihood and pleasure to the buyers. Now, we take contracts to prepare the items and then install them.”
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Amritsar village is Japan economist’s subject of study
The village has remained a subject of study earlier as well. “In 1921, the Board of Inquiry of the UK government had conducted a survey on the village. Then in 1970, a team of economists from Japan had conducted a research on the village,” Usmai said during a visit to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here. “I have taken samples from the Gagarbhana village but have not compiled the research. It will take time to complete the work,” he said. Usmai said that probably he would publish a book on the subject, as it was an important research work that would provide a glimpse into the changes occurred in rural Punjab in the past one century. Usmai is known for popularising National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data among Japanese for research. The data is used to conduct surveys on poverty, employment, land attorney, unorganised sector. “Earlier, the states used to make estimates but, with the use of NSSO data, the research becomes authentic,” Usami said. Usami came to India as a tourist during his student life in 1967 and was impressed by its diversity. After completing his graduation in Japan, he took admission in the economics department of the PAU as a research scholar in 1972. After six months, he quit the doctorate programme and returned to Japan, where he joined Osaka Prefecture University as an assistant professor.
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Youth Cong alleges bungling of funds by MC
Nangal, December 26 He said the higher authorities did not take any action despite repeated complaints in this regard. The protesters demanded a CBI inquiry to determine the amount spent by the civic body on works such as laying of paver blocks and construction of a swimming pool and a park. Pamma said, "The council had spent crores of rupees to set up Sutlaj Park. A natural small lake in the garden was supposed to be developed. Boats were also purchased for it. The chairman had sanctioned a huge amount for cleaning work at the lake but neither the lake was cleaned nor the boats were used." "The pathways in the garden have started eroding and the mast lights are out of order. This leaves an impression that inferior quality material was used," claimed Pamma. He said a swimming pool, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, could not be started as its design was found to be "faulty", he added.
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Docs pulled up for ‘poor’ treatment to panch in custody
Patiala, December 26 Dharam Pal (42), who is a panch in Pasiana village, was brought to the hospital on December 23 by the police after his kin filed an application in a court that he was thrashed by the police after taking protection warrant from court and his life was in danger. The court had directed the police to get him admitted at the Rajindra hospital. The minister pulled up hospital authorities for not getting his tests done properly. She said they did not bother to get his ultrasound done, which was important to determine the truth behind the allegations. She directed the hospital authorities to set up a medical board. Dharampal’s elder brother Chain Ram alleged that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Rohi Ram had framed his brother in a false case as he was a part of the panchayat, which staged protests against Rohi Ram for “threatening” Pasiana villagers and “extracting money” from them. Meanwhile, the ASI denied the allegations saying Dharampal was a habitual offender, who already had seven cases are registered against him. “He is deliberately targeting me to shift the focus from his misdeeds,” he said.
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Bir Devinder flays govt over partial prohibition order
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 Millions of devotees thronged Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib from all parts of north India to pay homage to the martyrs. Vends remained open for the sale of country made and foreign liquor all through the day as routine. The district administration was found completely naive to comprehend the sentiments of the Sikh community, Bir Devinder alleged. "The restriction order issued by the district administration for the closure of vends covers only negligible radius of just 3 km from the historic gurdwara of Fatehgarh Sahib, which did not even cover the entire municipal town of Sirhind," said Bir Devinder. The state government seemed to be more friendly and careful to watch the fiscal interests of liquor contractors rather than respecting the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice to uphold the dignity of the Sikh faith. "In view of the solemnity of the occasion, there is nothing insurmountable, nor does it entail constitutional amendment to extend the jurisdiction of the order to the entire Municipal town. Rather there should have been complete ban on the sale of liquor and Tobacco in the entire district of Fatehgarh Sahib at least for three days of Shaheedi Jor Mela from 25th to 27th of December, he said.
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Jobless linemen disrupt SAD rally
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 The protesting linemen appeared from the crowd and started raising slogans only to be overpowered by policemen posted inside the conference. The Chief Minister was taken aback, paused a bit and soon resumed his address. The police had just overpowered the first group of protesters that another group emerged from the crowd and started raising slogans. Five youths were detained by the Sirhind police. Responding to a query by mediapersons, Badal said the government had appointed 2,000 such linemen. “But, it is not possible to employ all those who come out of training institutes every year,” he said.
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Vigilance probe begins into laying of pipes in Patiala
Patiala, December 26 On the first day, the team, consisting of Patiala Vigilance Bureau Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) KD Sharma, Inspector Paramjeet Singh, Sub-Inspectors Ravi Kumar and Harinder and Assistant Sub-Inspector Randeep Singh along with the technical team in charge of the Chandigarh Vigilance Bureau RPS Kamal and SDO Harshvardhan, collected nine samples from three places. Six of the samples were collected to check the quality of pipes and the rest for checking sewerage lids. Though the Sewerage Board and the Vigilance Bureau has called it
a routine checking, the fact that checking is being done on the directions of the head office authorities has raised many an eyebrow.
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DGP gets 2 weeks to reply
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 26 Billu’s widow Sukhwinder Kaur had, in 1993, levelled the allegation of custodial death against Virk, then Sunam Superintendent of Police (Detective). As per the CBI, on the intervening night of May 12 and 13, 1993, Virk, along with his team picked up Billu and his father Budh Singh from their house in Ram Nagar, Sunam (Sangrur), for their suspected terrorist link. It was alleged that the police had given Billu and his father third-degree torture in illegal custody and were set free after four days. In June 1993, Billu was again picked up by the police. He has not returned since. The CBI court, Patiala, convicted Virk along with five other policemen in March. Kaur is seeking action against Virk from the date of his conviction and sentence on March 11. Her lawyer Pardeep Goyal has quoted Rule 16.2 (2) of the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, underlining dismissal if a police officer who is convicted on a criminal charge and sentenced to imprisonment.
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Two more escaped undertrials nabbed
Moga, December 26 They had been brought here from Faridkot Jail for a court appearance in various cases registered against them. Three of them are still at large. Two of them were arrested within minutes of escaping. The two arrested today have been identified as Palwinder Singh and Kuljinder Singh of Vairowal village in Tarn Taran district. They have been shifted back to Faridkot Jail. The three fugitives are identified as Lachman
Dass, Kirpal Singh and Sukha Singh. Senior Superintendent of Police
(SSP) KJS Dhillon said he had constituted police teams to nab them.
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Chandigarh, December 26
Ludhiana December 26