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Drug issue to dominate Maghi Mela rallies today
AAP rules out poll alliance with PPP
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal addresses a gathering in Faridkot on Monday. Tribune photo |
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Fearing for Bhola’s life, father moves HC
Bir Devinder for CBI probe
SAD, Cong not to organise Takhtupura rallies
CM reluctant on quota to Jats: Amarinder
Muktas memorial a picture of neglect
Textbook board director in a spot
PIMS reopens, over 400 patients get registered
A doctor attends to a patient at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
patna clash
Kiratpur Sahib resident digs up hillock ‘illegally’; officials unaware
Govt teachers to protest on January 18
BSF launches op to check intrusion during nights
Amritsar to have hi-tech surveillance network
Finally, construction of Fazilka administrative complex begins
Adarsh students stare at uncertain future
Students of Government Adarsh School, Middumaan, in Faridkot sit in the open in front of a partially constructed building on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Student assaulted in Oz undergoes successful surgery
Oberoi meets families of youths in Abu Dhabi jail
PTU Board, VC get contempt notice
Notice to state on plea seeking SAD leader’s arrest
Onus for accident compensation rests on state, rules HC
Woman booked for killing husband
Youth booked for rape
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Drug issue to dominate Maghi Mela rallies today
Muktsar, January 13
Leaders of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance have planned to target Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Partap Singh Bajwa for his alleged role in the drug trade. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said: “Even former PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh has accused Bajwa of being involved in the drug trade. The infighting in the Congress has exposed the party”. Bajwa has also planned to raise the issue of drugs from the Congress stage. “The arrested druglord, Jagdish Singh Bhola, has named Bikram Singh Majithia in the multi-crore drug racket. We will seek a CBI probe into the matter.” When asked if Capt Amarinder Singh, Jagmeet Brar and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would participate in the rally, Bajwa said: “We have invited all our senior leaders. It is now up to them. Punjab Congress affairs in charge Shakeel Ahmed and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have confirmed their participation in the rally.” The Sanjha Morcha has also planned to take on the ruling alliance over drug menace in the state. PPP president Manpreet Singh Badal said: “The matter is very serious. We have been demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the drug racket. The matter will be prominently highlighted by Sanjha Morcha leaders. The recent seizures have proved that the state has become a hub of drug smuggling.” Manpreet today reviewed the arrangements and preparations at the rally by visiting the site. Also at the Mela… * Renowned singer-cum-MLA from Bhadaur Mohd Sadique to entertain public at the Congress rally. Famous Punjabi comedians Bhajna Amli and Santi will also perform * Dhaadi jatha will perform in the SAD's political conference; a religious ceremony will also be held * SAD (A) also to hold conference on Dera Bhai Mastan Singh road * AAP will put up some stalls in the town for its membership drive. But, no state-level or national leader is expected * For the first time, ETT teachers are also holding a conference regarding their main demand of bringing zila parishad schools under the Education Department. * A large number of Nihangs from far away places have arrived in Muktsar town to take a holy bath in gurdwara sarovars
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AAP rules out poll alliance with PPP
Chandigarh, January 13
On the reported statement of former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP-Jails) Shashi Kant, who today joined AAP, that people needed more “heroes” like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Yadav clarified that the militant leader was “no hero for AAP”. Shashi Kant had recently visited Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali to lend support to the fast-unto-death by Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa where he reportedly praised the late militant leader. Yadav said he was not privy to Shashi Kant’s statement, and that the former DGP was the best person to clarify his position. But, Shashi Kant preferred to remain quite on the issue. Admitting that AAP in Punjab was weaker as compared to neighbouring Haryana, Yadav said a decision on contesting the Lok Sabha seats in Punjab was yet to be taken by the party leadership. Yadav also held a meeting with the United Sikh Movement headed by Mohkam Singh, former spokesman of Damdami Taksal. The United Sikhs Movement has assured support to AAP in Punjab. Ropar: As part of its statewide membership campaign that started two days ago, AAP activists today started enrolling members in the district. The party has set a target of enrolling 50,000 members in the district over the next month and a half. AAP leaders claimed over 400 persons were made members today. PPP expels Amargarh leader Chandigarh: The PPP central committee, which met in Muktsar on Monday, expelled Ajit Singh Chanduaryana from the party. PPP president Manpreet Badal said Ajit was constantly staying away from the party activities from a long time and was in Canada for the past two years. Ajit Singh was the PPP candidate in the last Vidhan Sabha elections from Amargarh constituency. Earlier, a number of PPP activists joined AAP in Mukerian on Sunday.
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AAP no match for SAD: Sukhbir
Faridkot, January 13, 2014 Addressing a public gathering in Faridkot today, Sukhbir claimed AAP had imitated SAD in providing subsidised water and in launching other proposed plans. The SAD had started all these schemes two decade ago, he said. “The Akali Dal need not worry if AAP has topped the applecart of many political parties in the country. The SAD-BJP alliance will trounce all parties, including AAP in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Accompanied by Bikram Majithia, Sikander Maluka and Deep Malhotra, Sukbir was here to address a gathering organised by former Congress minister Avtar Singh Brar, who joined the Akali Dal two month ago. Majithia refuted the allegations levelled by Jagdish Bhola, saying the latter’s statement had been dictated by Congress state president Partap Singh Bajwa. “I am open to any inquiry,” he said. “Investors’ summit showing results’ Muktsar: Sukhbir today laid the foundation stone of 34 MW solar power project at Panjawa village in Lambi assembly constituency today. Azure Energy Private Limited is to set up the project on 170 acres. Sukhbir said the MoU worth Rs 350 crore regarding the project was signed during the Punjab Progressive Investors’ summit held in the state in December 2013 to attract investment. He said the state government had also issued allotment letters to 26 companies for setting up 250 MW solar energy projects and this project was one of these. Preet Sandhu, co-founder of Azure Energy Private Limited, said, “This is the biggest solar power plant in North India, comprising the National Capital Region. Solar power is the need of the hour as it is pollution free,” he said. PEDA Director Balaur Singh said the department had set up about 1.5 lakh bio-gas plants.
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Fearing for Bhola’s life, father moves HC
Chandigarh, January 13 In his petition, Balshinder Singh said Bhola had told the media that he would be revealing the name of another minister on the next date of hearing. As such, he may be killed in a fake encounter, he alleged. Bhola is slated to appear before Mohali district courts on January 20. Balshinder Singh said Bhola’s life and liberty were in danger as attempts may be made to bury the truth. Going into the background of the controversy, he said Bhola had already named Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia, who was very close to the Deputy Chief Minister. A dismissed Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bhola and his four associates were arrested from Ghanaur near Delhi on November 11 last year; and synthetic drugs were allegedly seized. Taking up Balshinder Singh’s petition, the High Court did not issue notice, but ordered the petition to be tagged along a similar petition for CBI probe filed by co-accused in the case of Jagjit Singh Chahal. Both the cases will now come up for further hearing on February 20. Chahal had alleged “shady, biased and malicious investigations” for shielding bigwigs “enjoying the patronage of the state”. He had categorically asserted that the media reports and sensational claims of the investigating agency exposed “the unholy nexus among drug traffickers and persons occupying key positions in the political and power hierarchy in Punjab”. Chahal said CBI probe was, in fact, required in view of “urgent need to unearth the unholy nexus involving officials, ministers, bureaucrats, leaders of political parties and other such persons occupying positions in higher echelons of power and authority with the drug racket in the State of Punjab”. Chahal claimed the investigations currently being conducted were “merely aimed at sensationalising the issue without any real intent to reach at the truth”. Directions were also sought for bringing about police reforms, especially in the area related to separation of investigation police from the law and order police” to ensure speedier probes, better expertise and improved rapport with the people. Chahal said the police in the garb of investigations had unleashed a rein of terror. The process of law was being subverted; and whims and fancies of the officials had taken precedence over rational, objective and defined parameters.
Mystery deepens * Balshinder Singh has alleged that his son Jagdish Bhola, alleged druglord, may be eliminated in a fake encounter * He claimed the reason was to prevent him from naming another politician allegedly involved in the drug racket *Bhola had told the media that he would be disclosing the name of another minister on the next date of hearing in Mohali on January 20 * He has already named Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of the Deputy CM
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SAD-BJP govt can’t influence probe: Capt
Chandigarh, January 13 Amarinder Singh as such, the Punjab Police should be allowed to complete its investigation. Once that done and if the probe report failed to satisfy the Congress, only then should the party demand a CBI inquiry or an investigation by a high court sitting judge, he said. “It will not be proper to hand over the investigation, which is likely to be completed in two to three months, to the CBI as the central agency may take 10 to 12 years,” he said. Amarinder Singh said the Congress should not follow what a “criminal” had been alleging but should go by what the investigation had been throwing up. Various central agencies, including the Investigation Bureau, the BSF, the Revenue Intelligence and the Narcotics Control Bureau, were helping the police in the case, he said. The Congress leader said one should look at the track record of Patiala SSP Hardial Singh Mann, who had exposed several drug rackets during his postings at Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar and Mansa. “There are some bold and honest police officials who should be honoured for not toeing the line of the arrogant Akalis,” he said. Amarinder Singh said in case the Congress announced any agitation on the issue, he would participate in it “but there would be no change in his stand with regard to the CBI probe till the police investigation was completed”.
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Bir Devinder for CBI probe
Patiala, January 13 He said Capt Amarinder Singh's opposition to a CBI probe into the matter was "preposterous". "I appreciate the Punjab Police for busting the international drug racket. But it is important to investigate how this notorious trade of drugs flourished in Punjab to such an enormous scale. It is not possible for the drug mafia to operate without political patronage," he said. He urged that the Punjab Government to work earnestly to put an end to the drug menace in the state. — TNS
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SAD, Cong not to organise Takhtupura rallies
Moga, January 13 SAD senior vice-president Jathedar Tota Singh said the party had decided to keep the Maghi celebrations at Takhtupura purely a religious event. “The SGPC has begun ‘akhand path’ at the biggest historic shrine built in the memory of Guru Guru Nanak Dev in Takhtupura, the bhog ceremony of which will be performed on Thursday,” he said. Apart from this shrine, two more historic shrines dedicated to Guru Hargobind Singh and Guru Gobind Singh are also located in the village, situated 40 km from the district headquarters. Congress district president Darshan Singh Brar has also announced not to hold a public conference at Takhtupura. “Instead, we are planning to hold a big rally in Moga in February to kick off our election campaign for the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. The PPP-led Sanjha Morcha has never organised any public rally at Takhtupura but its constituent CPI holds a rally every year. This year as well, the CPI has planned to hold a rally to target the state government on the plight of MGNREGA workers and weaker sections of the society, said a party worker. The SAD (Mann) has also decided to hold a rally.
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Congress rally to test Rana Sodhi’s mettle
Bathinda, January 13 Rana Sodhi is in charge of the rally. Its success would strengthen his case for the seat. Party insiders said the high command was looking for a candidate with a prove record from the area. The Congress has not won the seat since 1985 when Gurdial Singh Dhillon got a majority of votes. The Akalis have won all subsequent elections with BSP leader Mohan Singh winning it once in 1996. The sources said Sodhi had emerged a strong contender for the ticket after winning the Guru Har Sahai assembly seat thrice. Sources said he enjoyed proximity to rival camps within the party and could get support of all. “I am a soldier of the party. I will accept any task given by the high command,” said Rana Sodhi, adding that he had proved his mettle earlier and would continue to do so. Supervising the preparations, Rana Sodhi said all senior leaders, including Capt Amarinder Singh, were likely to attend the rally, which would be a big success. He has a major challenge as the SAD-BJP alliance backed by the official machinery and its vote bank in the SGPC often put up a better show.
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CM reluctant on quota to Jats: Amarinder
Chandigarh, January 13 At a press conference here, Capt Amarinder said as per the procedure, the state government should first notify Jat Sikhs and Jaats in the OBC category and then recommend it to the Central Government. He said the Centre was prepared to do the same. Sainis too seek BC status Ropar: After the demand for reservation by Jat Sikhs in Punjab, now the Saini community too has demanded Backward Class (BC) status. A resolution to this effect was passed during a meeting of the community here. — TNS
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Muktas memorial a picture of neglect
Muktsar, January 13 Ironically, the monuments built in their memory are lying in a poor condition.
The Mukt-e-Minar, having the tallest “khanda” (81-ft), is in a state of neglect. Neither the SGPC nor the district administration has bothered to maintain it. The rings girdled with the “khanda” are now covered with rust. The wall tiles are crumbling. The lights installed to illuminate the “khanda” are missing. Plants grown to beautify the monument are drying up. Locals claim since the monument was built in 2005 during the Congress government, the SAD-BJP government is not bothered for its upkeep. Instead, it had laid the foundation stone of another martyrs’ memorial on the Tibbi Sahib road here, but not a single brick has been laid so far. The issue of its construction seems to have been “dumped” as neither its design nor name has been finalised as yet. Besides, memorial gates built on the outskirts of the city are also in a bad shape. The issue has been raised a number of times before Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and Deputy Commissioner Parmjit Singh, but to no avail.
Picture of neglect * The Mukt-e-Minar was built in memory of 40 Muktas who died fighting the Mughals in 1705. * The memorial with the tallest "khanda" (81-ft), is in a state of neglect. * Neither the SGPC nor the district administration has bothered to maintain it.
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Differently abled dancer clears audition of TV talent show
Sangrur, January 13 Talking to The Tribune over phone this evening, Subhreet said she had been dancing from her childhood days but a chance given to her by a TV channel through its programme had changed her life. She said she had done a General Nursing and Midwifery course from Moga in 2007 and a make-up course from Chandigarh in 2013. She said she had lost her left leg due to an accident near Chandigarh in 2009. Her leg had been amputated at the CMC Hospital, Ludhiana, in 2010. She said after recovering, she started standing on one leg and later started dancing gradually in 2011. She said before going for the audition for the TV show, she had taken training in dance from an academy at Chandigarh for a month. She performed in the show, which is telecast on a national TV channel, on November 18, which was aired last night. Subhreet said though she had cleared the auditions, she had no information about the second round so far.
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Textbook board director in a spot
Chandigarh, January 13 The necessary qualification for this post was a PhD, an MA in Punjabi along with having studied elective English at graduation level. But, the government has appointed Principal Gurpal Singh, who possesses an MSc Physics degree and has neither studied elective English in graduation nor is he a published writer. Gurpal had joined as DPI Colleges on January 10 and on the same afternoon he was posted as Director of the board instead of continuing as DPI(C). Sources said Principal Gurpal Singh had refused to accept the posting orders as he wanted to continue as the DPI Colleges. Gurpal was serving as the Principal of Government College, Jandiala, when he was promoted as the DPI(C) on January 10. Interestingly, the Punjab State Textbook Board has not had a regular Director for the last seven years. Till now, Director, Language Department, Balbir Kaur was given the additional charge of the textbook board. At the same time, the post of DPI Colleges had also been lying vacant since April 30, 2012. Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Gurdev Singh Ghuman was looking after the work of the DPI. Sources said though the Department of Higher Education held a meeting to discuss departmental promotions on July 22 last year the orders for Principal Gurpal Singh were issued after almost seven months. The meeting of Departmental Promotions Committee (DPC) was also held after 15 months whereas it is mandatory for it to hold a meeting after every six months. The textbook board came into existence in 1983 with its head office in Chandigarh. Five years ago, the office was shifted to the Language Department, Punjab, situated in Patiala. The government had allocated the work of writing, printing, publishing and marketing of books to the board. However, in the absence of a head and required staff, the board could not carry out its duties. Principal Gurpal said he had consented only for the post of DPI(C). However, the Government College Teachers Association (GCTA) and Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union have opposed the move and urged the government to withdraw the orders.
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PIMS reopens, over 400 patients get registered
Jalandhar, January 13 Students and patients heaved a sigh of relief as the employees resumed their duties after having been paid their due wages. The employees had not been paid for the past over seven months. The employees, doctors and management staff were seen wishing each other on the occasion of Lohri today. The newly inducted members of the PIMS management lit a bonfire at the main gate of PIMS and distributed sweets among the employees. The strike that had crippled services at the 450-bed premier healthcare institution and adversely affected the studies of 300 MBBS students, ended after seven newly appointed members in the management held several rounds of talks with the management. Dinesh Mishra, who was recently appointed as a Financial Controller at PIMS, Sunil Kapoor, a part-time adviser to PIMS management, and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh were instrumental in ending the stalemate. Mishra revealed the agitating employees called off the strike after signing an agreement with the management. Kapoor said it was agreed that the salaries of the employees be paid on the 7th of every month and that their due wages be paid. He said a five-member committee comprising two members of the paramedical staff and three from the management would be constituted to look into the discrimination against the employees. Kapoor said they would formulate a policy on promotions after conducting an audit by March 31. The paramedical staff members, who were the last to call off the strike, claimed they had only put off the strike for the benefit of the patients and students. Dr Kulbir Kaur, Director-cum-Principal of PIMS, was pleased over the development and hoped that the institute would run smoothly in the future. “We are in the process of chalking out a plan to cover the backlog of syllabus so students are prepared for the forthcoming examinations,” added Dr Kaur.
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patna clash
Amritsar, January 13 Talking to The Tribune, former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said there was a need to have proper rules for jathedars. He said he had directed the SGPC to frame norms in this regard during his tenure in 2000 so that the esteem of these prestigious posts was upheld. But, the SGPC was yet to follow the directions because of which there was a lack of transparency in the appointment and removal of Sikh high priests, he added. Vedanti said the management committees of all five Takhts should jointly set the norms. Noted Sikh scholar Ashok Singh Bagarian too felt that there should be guidelines for the jathedars of all Takhts. He said the tenure of the high priests should be fixed with a rider that no extension would be granted to them. Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has also urged Akal Takht Jathedar Gaini Gurbachan Singh to formulate norms for the jathedars in association with executive committees that are managing affairs of the SGPC, DSGMC, Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib and Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh opined that ignoring merit while appointing high priests of various Takhts had created a crisis of sorts in the Panth. Referring to Patna Sahib clash and flip-flop by Jathedar Gaini Iqbal Singh, he said time and again unsavoury situations arose because there were no set rules and procedures. He stressed on the need to evolve a code of conduct for the exalted offices of heads of all five Takhts. He said Takht jathedars were supposed to enjoy the confidence of the entire Sikh Panth. However, the “arbitrary” decisions taken by them under pressure from their appointing authorities had eroded their credibility. He alleged that the SGPC had always shrugged off from codifying the post of Takht Jathedar to keep it under its tight control for vested interests. Meanwhile, the stalemate at Takht Sri Patna Sahib continues after Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh backtracked from the compromise reached between him and the management committee following the intervention of a five-member SGPC committee. Not the first time This is not the first time that a Takht jathedar has been suspended or removed from his post. Earlier, Bhai Ranjeet Singh was unceremoniously removed from the post of Akal Takht Jathedar in 1999 in the midst of a tussle between the ruling SAD and Akali stalwart Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Similarly, Giani Puran Singh was removed from the post when he locked horns with the then SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur in 2000. Later, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti too was removed from the same post in 2008 and replaced by Giani Gurbachan Singh.
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Kiratpur Sahib resident digs up hillock ‘illegally’; officials unaware
Ropar, January 13 On January 8, Jatinder Singh of Bharatgarh near Kiratpur Sahib sough permission from the Mining Department to level his 3 kanal and 10 marla land in Bhatoli village and dump the removed earth in the lower areas of grain market in Kiratpur Sahib. The department, while granting permission to level the land, mentioned specifically that the applicant would remove earth from higher reaches only. During a visit by officials, it was found that a JCB machine was digging the earth and land was already dug up to 20 feet. The locals claimed that the hillock was dug up in connivance with officials concerned and the reclaimed land would be used for the construction purpose, following which there would be a spate of such activity putting the ecology of the area in danger. The residents said Singh did not get the demarcation from the Revenue Department before digging the land. Numberdar Rajpal Jagirdar said land should have been demarcated in his presence before digging it. “In the absence of demarcation, there is every chance of encroachment on government land,” he said. Singh’s land is surrounded by forest. Jatinder said he took permission from the Mining Department for levelling the uneven land. “I did not know that demarcation was required before digging the land,” he added. Ropar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) said the matter was brought to his notice today and he had directed officials to ensure that the owner did not dig up the forest area.
What’s the matter * On January 8, Jatinder Singh sought permission from the Mining Department to level his land * The department mentioned specifically that the applicant would remove earth from higher reaches only * During a visit by officials, it was found that a JCB machine was digging the earth and land was already dug up
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Govt teachers to protest on January 18
Patiala, January 13 The teachers will go on a mass casual leave on the day of protest. “The Punjab Government has put teachers in financial hardship by not releasing their salaries for the past three months,” said Davinder Rehan, member of the Punjab Aided School Teachers and Other Employees’ Union. Lecturers, Class 4 employees and lab attendants are among the aggrieved lot. “Teachers had been told that the government was considering their demand, but nothing has been done so far,” Rehan said.
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BSF launches op to check intrusion during nights
Ferozepur, January 13 Up for the challenge, the BSF has taken a series of measures to combat the hostile weather conditions and defeat the sinister designs of the adversary. BSF officials told The Tribune that special operations, including “Operation Tiger” and “Operation Panther” had been launched to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements and the Pakistan’s ISI agents to intrude into the Indian territory by taking advantage of inclement weather. “Our troops have not only protected the border from external aggression, but also keep a hawk’s eye on the intruders and cross-border smugglers commonly called ‘snakes’ in this area who become active during the winter,” a BSF official said. Ravi Joseph, DIG, BSF, Ferozepur sector, said at certain pockets and riverine gaps where cobra fencing had not been laid due to topographical restraints, special boat barricades were put up. “Apart from mounted, mobile and foot patrolling, more troops have been deployed to form a physical barrier along the border,” the DIG said. “The battalion headquarters has been shifted to the frontier this season for ‘deep nakas’ to keep the intruders at bay,” another official said. At a few vulnerable places, the BSF troops sporadically resort to speculative firing during night these days. The nakas which are considered sensitive are opened and interlocked with other adjoining nakas to form a human chain. The BSF is using modern equipment such as thermal and IR imagers, HHTI, LORROS and other ground sensor equipment to penetrate heavy fog and thick ‘sirkanda’ growth near the border. Special alarm systems such as “Jingle Bells”, stun grenades and “Trip Flare” is being used to prevent any incursion attempt. For the first time, the BSF has introduced spy cameras to monitor the movement along the zero line. Last year, seven Pakistani smugglers and intruders, including a woman, besides three Indian smugglers were interdicted.
Up for the challenge * At a few vulnerable places, BSF troops sporadically resort to speculative firing during night these days. * The BSF is using modern equipment such as thermal and IR imagers, HHTI, LORROS and other ground sensor equipment to penetrate heavy fog
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Amritsar to have hi-tech surveillance network
Amritsar, January 13 Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) had transferred Rs 5 crore to the Home Department, which was busy preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this regard. He said tenders for the project would be floated soon. Local resident NS Gabarhia said with the project getting budgetary allocation, people felt the project would now see the light of day. “With the roads getting more deadly by the day, the need for installing the surveillance equipment was felt more,” he said. A first-of-its-kind project in the state, it was supposed to be completed by the end of 2011. Sources said the police department had already identified 52 key points in the city, where the CCTV cameras would be installed to track the activities of those breaking the law and traffic norms. They said the police department had already sent a report regarding the number of cameras required to the government. Sources said the government was finalising the modalities to release funds for the project. The high-resolution day and night vision cameras would transmit real-time footage through dedicated broadband lines to a centralised control room. Some of the key locations where the CCTV cameras would be fitted include GNDU chowk, Putlighar chowk, T-point Ram Tirath Road, bus stand, railway station, T-point Daburjee bypass, T-point Vallah bypass, Verka bypass, Majitha Road bypass, Fatehgarh Churian Road bypass chowk, Gumtala bypass and Chheharta
chowk.
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Finally, construction of Fazilka administrative complex begins
Fazilka, January 13 The complex would be raised at a cost of Rs 32 crore in about five acres
of land adjoining the existing Sub-divisional Administrative Complex (mini-secretariat), which houses the office of Deputy Commissioner. The foundation stone of the complex was laid by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on July 27, 2012, on the
first anniversary of elevation of Fazilka as the district headquarters. “The complex will be a five-storey complex with a covered area of about 1,96,000 square feet and it will be completed in one and a half years. It will comprise three blocks, the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police and the Engineering section,” said the DC. The complex will house over four dozen offices and offer various services to people under one roof. Official sources said a sum of Rs 1.5 crore had been released by the government for initiating the construction work. This amount would be spent for the purpose till the end of this financial year (2013-14), they said.
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Adarsh students stare at uncertain future
Faridkot, January 13 While these schools at Mallan and Middumaan lack infrastructure, the teaching staff have not been paid since October last year. What’s worse, the students at the Adarsh School in Middumaan are forced to sit out in the open in this harsh cold. All the 22 teachers of Mallan School and 41 teaching and non-teaching staff in Middumaan School got their wages of July, August and September just a few days ago. The teachers reportedly have to wait for another three months to get their salaries of October, November and December. Moreover, the schools that were known as the pet projects of the Chief Minister are not getting miscellaneous expenses. The teachers have to buy stationery from their own pocket and at times even pay the electricity bills. However, the teachers are more worried about getting CBSE affiliation as otherwise they would not be able to get Class IX students registered for the next year’s board exams. It is mandatory for Class IX students to register with the CBSE board to appear for the board exams, but this is only possible after the schools get CBSE affiliation. Anjali Bhawar, Secretary, state Education Department, admitted that not getting the affiliation was a serious lapse. “I will look into the matter,” she said. Sources revealed these schools could only get the affiliation after building the requisite infrastructure. Launched under a Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) mode, the private managements of these schools have already abandoned the projects.
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Student assaulted in Oz undergoes successful surgery
Hoshiarpur, January 13 The victim, Manrajwinder Singh, is improving and would soon be discharged from The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. His parents reached the hospital around 5 pm today. His mother Sarabjit Kaur and father Surinder Pal Singh told The Tribune over phone that Manrajwinder was operated for his jaw’s displacement. The surgery lasted for more than eight hours. He is yet unable to speak due to wounds. The parents said they were happy to see their son. The doctors told them that Manrajwinder’s condition was improving and the recovery was satisfactory. He might be discharged in a few days, though it would take a few days to recover completely, they said. Its mentionable that after the attack his parents were longing to see their son at the earliest. Manrajvinder’s Surinder Pal Singh father had returned from Greece to go to Australia along with his wife to see and take care of Manrajvinder. They were given visa on Thursday by the Australian Commission and had left for Delhi on Sunday night from their native village Nangal Kalan to take a flight to Melbourne. On December 29, Cambridge College student Manrajvinder (20) was assaulted by eight thugs while he was sitting at a sidewalk with two of his friends in Melbourne. The thugs kicked and beat him up with a stick.
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Oberoi meets families of youths in Abu Dhabi jail
Hoshiarpur, January 13 Oberoi came to Hoshiarpur this evening to meet them after being apprised about it by Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna. Parents of eight of these youths have urged Oberoi to help them in getting their sons released. He told the families that if the boys were innocent, he would try to get them out of the jail at the earliest. The family members gave him the details about the boys in jail. He was told that the boys had been kept in separate cells there in groups of four each and were not allowed to meet their friends in other cells. The matter came to the fore when Nishan Singh of Taran Taran got a phone call from Abu Dhabi that his son Nirmal Singh had been taken into custody for interrogation in relation to a murder case. Later, he got a call from his son who told him that he and 15 of his co-workers had gone to a restaurant, where two groups clashed. Nirmal told his father that they too had received injuries. Later, the police summoned them for interrogation and were detained and sent to jail.
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PTU Board, VC get contempt notice
Chandigarh, January 13 The petitioner society alleged that the two top officers intentionally violated the orders dated October 1, 2013, issued by the High Court. It had asked Punjab Technical University’s new Board of Governors to look into the allegations of “illegal” appointments made at different levels without following a transparent procedure. In its petition against the State of Punjab and other respondents, the society had alleged that appointments had been made to the Punjab Technical University without following a transparent procedure. It had added “huge amounts have been paid as emoluments to such illegally appointed employees”. The petitioner had added 400 appointments were made within a span of one year. “The endeavour is only to provide political benefit to the powers that be, by making more appointments in the university and burdened the university in such a manner that it can never survive”. Taking up the matter, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih asserted that a new Board of Governors had taken over; and directions had already been issued to it to re-examine the extension in service granted to the Vice-Chancellor by the earlier Board of Governors. Setting a three-month deadline, the Bench added: “In the given factual situation, we are of the view that the aspects, arising from these allegations, and denials be also examined by the new Board of Governors and if any infirmity is found, the new Board of Governors may suggest appropriate course of action.”
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Notice to state on plea seeking SAD leader’s arrest
Chandigarh, January 13 Taking up a petition filed by RTI Activist Tarsem Jindal, Justice M Jeyapaul also issued notice to Barnala SSP and other respondents. The petitioner alleged Municipal Councillor Hem Raj was an accused in an FIR registered on September 17 last year against Garg Food Industries. Jindal alleged Garg was a partner, but was not being arrested by the Barnala police due to his political connections. The petitioner claimed Garg was present before the police officers.
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Onus for accident compensation rests on state, rules HC
Chandigarh, January 13 In a first, Justice Bharat Bhushan Parsoon has also directed the state to either get their vehicles insured or establish a fund for the payment of compensation. Justice Parsoon has also asked the state not to maintain a double face by defending the driver before the claims tribunal on one hand, and proceeding against him on the other for recovering the compensation amount ordered to be paid. The decision is significant as the state often initiates recovering compensation from the driver in the absence of vehicle insurance or a separate fund. Taking up two petitions filed by Nazar Singh and Iqbal Singh, Justice Parsoon observed that the claims tribunal had in June 1986 ordered payment of just over Rs 3 lakh after holding Punjab Roadways driver Nazar Singh responsible for an accident. Justice Parsoon asserted that a motor vehicle owner was under the obligation “to obtain insurance for the vehicle to cover the third party risk”. But the state was exempted, subject to the condition of establishing and maintaining a fund to meet the liabilities. “It is, thus, clear that not the petitioners, but the respondents (state of Punjab and others) are to be blamed for the violation…. Had such fund been in place, liability arising out of the user of the bus driven by the petitioner could have been easily and conveniently met from that fund…. “The petitioner is merely an employee of the department, which is an entity of the state. It was the sovereign function of the state, which the petitioner was performing and while doing so, if some mishap had happened, it is the liability of the state, being sovereign as also the master of the employee, to discharge all such liabilities which arise due to such unfortunate accidents,” Justice Parsoon held. Quashing the recovery order, Justice Parsoon added that the government may recover the loss due to “acts of omission and commission of its employees” but opportunity of hearing must be given. “The Government should not admit or deny the fault of the driver by furnishing reply in accident claim petitions, but it should itself inquire into the details of the accident and in reply to the claim before the tribunal, contest should be made in line with such fact-finding inquiry and not on the version of the driver submitted in this behalf to the employer…. “A prior in-house probe, at least of preliminary nature, must be undertaken so that the stand of the respondents taken in their reply to the (claims) petition is not contradictory to the stand, which they may take later when recovery is sought to be effected from the errant driver.”
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Woman booked for killing husband
Abohar, January 13 On Monday, Tarsem was called to the fields by his wife and landlord and they allegedly forced him to consume an insecticide with the help of another farmer. Manpreet then raised an alarm to tell workers in the neighbouring fields that her husband had consumed poison in a bid to mislead people. Tarsem was taken to the local Civil Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
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Youth booked for rape
Phagwara, January 13 The 16-year-old girl in her complaint to the police stated that she was sleeping in her room on the first floor of her house when somebody knocked at the door. When she opened the door, the accused forcibly entered her room and drugged her. She said when she regained consciousness, she found herself without clothes. The accused is still at large.
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Devotees from across the state and other parts of the country have started arriving in this historic town to take a dip in its holy “sarovars” on
Maghi, which falls on January 14. The occasion is observed in memory of 40 Muktas who sacrificed their lives fighting against the Mughals in 1705.
Ironically, the monuments built in their memory are lying in a poor condition. The Mukt-e-Minar, having the tallest “khanda” (81-ft), is in a state of neglect. Neither the SGPC nor the district administration has bothered to maintain it.
With the end of the over month-long strike at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences
(PIMS), over 400 patients got registered at the OPDs that reopened today. Students and patients heaved a sigh of relief as the employees resumed their duties after having been paid their due wages. The employees had not been paid for the past over seven months.
A Kiratpur Sahib resident reportedly dug up a hillock three days ago without getting a clearance from the Punjab Mining Department.
Locals brought the matter to the fore and approached the police in this regard, following which digging was halted. No official from the Forest or Revenue Departments noticed the “illegal” activity.
On January 8, Jatinder Singh of Bharatgarh near Kiratpur Sahib sough permission from the Mining Department to level his 3 kanal and 10 marla land in Bhatoli village and dump the removed earth in the lower areas of grain market in Kiratpur Sahib.
The fate of 1,500 students at two Government Adarsh Schools in Faridkot district hangs in balance as the schools are yet to get affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education
(CBSE). The government had set up these schools three years ago to impart quality education to poor students from rural areas.
