R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Chandigarh
SAD, BJP to hold dharna on Jan 24: The SAD and BJP legislators will stage a dharna in front of the Governor's residence here on January 24 against the "step-motherly" treatment meted out to Punjab by the Centre in extending tax concessions to neighbouring hill states and denying Punjab industrialists a level playing field. The Akali MPs will raise the issue of the Centre having sought UK's help for planning the Army action at the Golden Temple in Parliament. They will seek details on the nature and extent of help sought.

House Session by mid-Feb likely: The Vidhan Sabha session is likely to be held by mid-February. This is being done to ensure various ordinances promulgated do not lapse and are made into law within the stipulated six months’ time.

PU exam schedule:Panjab University (PU) has announced the tentative schedule of its undergraduate and postgraduate examinations. PU Controller of Examinations Dr Parvinder Singh said the undergraduate practical examinations of PU and its affiliated colleges would start in the first week of March.

Faridkot
Woman constable held:A woman constable, Manpreet Kaur, was on Monday arrested for allegedly assisting her brother in kidnapping a 45-year-old woman and stealing Rs 2.35 lakh and gold ornaments. The police have also booked her brother, father and two others.

Ludhiana
Cancel waste management firm’s contract: Valmiki union:The Bharatiya Valmiki Sewa Dal said it would hold a "chakka jam" if the MC fails to cancel the contract of A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd and regularise sewer men and those working on the DC rates.

New Delhi
Kuldip Nayar gets Sahitya Sabha award:Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar has been awarded the Punjabi Sahitya Sabha award for his contribution in the field of literature. Nayar had recently published a Punjabi novel, 'Mainu Anera Kyun Nahi Lagda', which will be released in New Delhi on Tuesday. It is also the first Punjabi book of his long and illustrious writing career. The novel covers the period between Operation Bluestar and the 2002 Gujarat riots. The award carried along a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

Patiala
Case against Chahal quashed:BIS Chahal, who was the former media adviser to ex-Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, has got a breather after the High Court quashed a case against him. Chahal's counsel briefed the court that the matter had been amicably resolved. Chahal was booked after a local businessman alleged Chahal refused to return his Mercedes car.

Sangrur
Two get 14-year jail for rape: In a rape case, additional sessions judge Virinder Aggarwal today awarded 14 years' imprisonment each along with a fine of Rs 25,000 to Bhupinder Singh and Kamaldeep Kaur. The imprisonment was awarded to both under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act-2012. They were booked on the complaint of a 14-year-old girl from a village near Dirba.