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Guru Gobind Singh Marg, Dashmesh Pillars face neglect
Better health services on anvil for Fazilka: Jyani
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Bhola produced in court; media not allowed to interact
Vasundhra writes to CM on polluted waters
18,770 industrial units shut in 7 yrs: Cong
BJP Kisan Morcha’s ‘Rail Roko’ on Feb 7
Cong VP should quit politics, says Majithia
Manpreet may contest from Bathinda, says Gurdas
Youth Cong leader on fast to seek atta-dal for poor
5 seats should be given to Hindu candidates: Cong MLA
Arrest Khanna attackers:
Cong
Ask UPA to act against guilty: SAD to Cong VP
Sikhs protest outside Rahul Gandhi’s
house
Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar puts forth conditions for truce
Monsanto to set up cotton centre in Bathinda
Tarn Taran ADC dies in accident near Beas
Roko Cancer to hold
1,500 camps in 2 yrs
Inquiry panel indicts firm for child labour, spares CPS
Gurdaspur civic body limits to be increased; MLA Babbehali to benefit
800 students pledge support to ‘Save The Girl Child’
Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar puts forth conditions for truce
Punjabi moneylenders in Manila lead a dangerous life
Indian-origin man held for
murder
Countries have benefited from diaspora: MP
4 denied bail in Moga acid attack case
BK Mehta is District and Sessions Judge
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Guru Gobind Singh Marg, Dashmesh Pillars face neglect
Muktsar, February
3 It is believed that the 10th Sikh Guru had taken this route from Anandpur Sahib to Talwandi Sabo. This 570-km highway connects about 91 shrines with which the Guru's name is associated.
Despite having such religious importance, the road named after Guru Gobind Singh is in a state of neglect. Most of the milestones on the road have been uprooted by anti-social elements and not been reinstalled. The condition of Dashmesh Pillars, too, is not up to the mark. A case in point is a pillar in the Red Cross complex here. Most of the tiles of this pillar, which has sacred verses inscribed on it, are missing. Moreover, no signboard has been put up to show the way to this pillar. Locals said the pillar was not cleaned and its boundary walls were not whitewashed since a long time. They appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is scheduled to visit Muktsar town on Tuesday, to visit all Sikh memorials and gates in the town to see their sorry state of affairs himself. Members of the National Consumer Awareness Group said about 81-km of this historic marg passes through Muktsar district and a large number of people had encroached on it. "Some liquor vends, too, have been opened on this historic marg. They demanded that these be immediately shifted to other locations. Some locals alleged that the state government was playing politics over these memorials. "The Dashmesh Pillar was set up by former Congress Chief Minister Giani Zail Singh and Mukte Minar near the District Administrative Complex was set up by another former Congress Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. May be that is the reason why these memorials are not being maintained properly," said Gurinderjit Singh, a local resident.
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Better health services on anvil for Fazilka: Jyani
Fazilka, February 3 Keeping in view the significance of the mandi and demand of residents of the area, Jyani also assured to upgrade the status of village panchayat to nagar panchayat. Jyani said large-scale expansion of health services was on the cards for the district. He said a city scan machine had already arrived at the District Hospital, which would be set up soon. Jyani was accompanied by Member of Parliament Sher Singh Ghubaya.
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Bhola produced in court; media not allowed to interact
Fatehgarh Sahib, February
3 Bhola was brought from the Nabha jail amid tight security in a private car probably to evade media
attention. Neither mediapersons nor photojournalists were allowed to enter the court. Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Superintendent of Police HS Sandhu discouraged the media from clicking Bhola’s pictures saying “he is a criminal and should not be given any
publicity”. Though Bhola was made to enter the court by the back door, he could be seen signalling towards the media to approach him post-hearing. The police have been keeping the druglord away from the media ever since he had named Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia as one of those allegedly involved in the racket.
Bhola had made the disclosure after a court hearing in Mohali recently. He had also announced then that he would be naming more Akalis when he was produced next in the court.
The police informed the Fatehgarh Sahib court that Bhola was one of the nine persons accused in the case pertaining to the recovery of 2 kg of phuedofedrine (a drug). But, Bhola’s counsel SS Duphera argued that his client was being “falsely implicated” as six persons named in the FIR had already been let off.
The court has framed charges and fixed February 22 as the date for production of evidence.
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Vasundhra writes to CM on polluted waters
Abohar, February 3 Well-placed sources said Vasundhra has said that industrial units in Punjab discharge hazardous waste into the Sutlej and and its tributaries. She has urged Badal to initiate strong measures against the industry and civic bodies as “untreated water has polluted river waters beyond proportions.”
Vasundhra expressed concern over the poor quality of water being released into Indira Gandhi feeder through the Harike barrage as millions of people in eight districts used this water for drinking. The polluted water had resulted in a spurt of water-borne diseases in the area, Vasundhra has said. The letter says the Punjab Government had ignored letters by Rajasthan on the issue.
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18,770 industrial units shut in 7 yrs: Cong
Chandigarh, February 3 In a statement issued here, Bajwa claimed the government’s performance on the industrial front could be gauged from the closure of such a high number of units. The PPCC chief claimed he had gathered information under the RTI Act. He said while so many units had shut down, “no major new industry had been set up”, which was contradictory to the government’s claims.
Dr Jasdeepak Singh, an RTI activist working for the PPCC, had sought information on the status of the MoUs inked recently. Bajwa claimed Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had only used the summit as a “publicity stunt”, and that nothing concrete was in the pipeline. He said since 2007, 8,053 small, medium and large industrial units had closed in Amritsar district while only four new units had come up. In Gurdaspur district (comprising Pathankot and Batala), 1,864 industrial units were closed and only seven medium and large sector units were set up. In Jalandhar, 1,850 units were shut down between 2007 and 2013 while 18 new units were set up. In Hoshiarpur, 1,240 units were closed while only three new projects came up. In Kapurthala, 1,035 units were shut down and only one new unit came up. In Ludhiana, called the ‘Manchester of India’, 2,819 units were shut down against the 11 new units that had come up, most of them being expansion units by the existing factories. In Mohali, 348 units were closed while 18 new projects were set up. In steel city Mandi Gobindgarh, 111 industrial units were closed while only five new units were set up. In Faridkot, 332 industrial units were closed and no new project came up. Nawanshahr saw the closure of 288 units and only one new plant was set up. Tarn Taran, Moga, Ropar and Mansa are four districts where no industry was set up during the last seven years. In Bathinda, the home constituency of Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, five units were shut down and seven new were set up. In Muktsar, the home constituency of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, 768 industries were closed and only one new project was set up.
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BJP Kisan Morcha’s ‘Rail Roko’ on Feb 7
Chandigarh, February 3 Announcing the action plan here today, morcha president Om Prakash Dhankad claimed that more than 1.45 lakh farmers had committed suicide during the nine-year rule of the Congress-led UPA Government. He said a majority of the suicides had been reported from Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra.
The farmer wing leader said trains would be halted at Bathinda, Rajpura, Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Fazilka, Sangrur and Hoshiarpur in Punjab and at Ambala, Karnal, Sonepat, Jind, Bhiwani, Rewari and Faridabad in Haryana.
Among the main demands of the farmers are implementing Swaminathan Commission’s recommendation on giving due share of profit from the crop sale to farmers, Rs 10,000 an acre compensation during natural calamities, rollback of hike in the prices of mixed fertilizers, adequate water for irrigation and giving back the land of de-notified special economic zones to
agriculturists. “We have no option but to resort to ‘Rail Roko’ as the Centre has turned a deaf ear to the basic demands of the community. Even the nationwide protests staged on January 30 in 571 districts across the country failed to move the government,” he
said. Dhankad demanded that Haryana farmers should be compensated in view of the losses incurred due to the recent rains. Places to be hit *
Punjab: Bathinda, Rajpura, Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Fazilka, Sangrur and Hoshiarpur
* Haryana: Ambala, Karnal, Sonepat, Jind, Bhiwani, Rewari and Faridabad Key demands *
Implementing Swaminathan panel’s recommendation on giving due share of profit from the crop sale to
farmers * Rs 10,000 per acre compensation during natural calamities * Rolling back the hike in prices of mixed
fertilizers * Adequate water for irrigation * Returning land of de-notified special economic zones to farmers.
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Cong VP should quit politics, says Majithia
Amritsar, February 3 Majithia said if Rahul could be instrumental in raising the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from nine to 12, he should show his capability by bringing the guilty of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence to book.
He said PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa should also clarify his stand on Rahul's statement. He claimed the days of the Congress were numbered and the party would not even get 50 seats in the next Lok Sabha elections. He also distributed 874 bicycles under the state government’s Mai Bhago Scheme.
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Congress factions call truce
Chandigarh, February
3 Sources said Congress leaders owing allegiance to Capt Amarinder Singh met at the residence of a Punjab MLA here this evening. The meeting, chaired by Capt Amarinder Singh, was attended by 20 senior leaders, including four MLAs.
The group reportedly decided to toe the party line on major issues and not embarrass state party president Partap Bajwa. But the peace between the two factions may be only temporary, until the Lok Sabha elections, say sources.
Among those who attended the meeting were MLAs Arvind Khanna, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Rana Gurjit Singh and Tripit Rajinder Singh Bajwa and senior leader Rana Kaypee.
The leaders reportedly decided to support the PPCC chief and help the party take on the SAD-BJP Government. The truce was brokered by senior leaders from Punjab. Ludhiana Member of Parliament Manish Tewari made the rebels see reason, especially with the General Election round the corner.
The two sides have been asked not to issue contradictory statements or go public with their differences. How the peace was brokered *
The truce was brokered by senior leaders from Punjab
* Ludhiana MP Manish Tewari played a key role * Amarinder Singh group met at the residence of an
MLA * It comprised 20 leaders, four of them MLAs (see pics) * The group decided to toe the party line on major issues
* But the peace may be only temporary.
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Bajwa outsmarts Amarinder
Bathinda, February
3 Reports say his name was suggested by Pradesh Congress Committee president Partap Singh Bajwa.
During a visit to his ancestral village Mehraj recently, Capt Amarinder Singh had announced that he would continue to play a role in state politics and had no ambition to shift to the Centre. Nonetheless, during his interaction with the media, Bajwa continued to suggest his candidature from Bathinda against the well-entrenched Harsimrat Badal. Bajwa has been arguing at party meetings that senior party leaders should contest from key constituencies. He believes the Akali leadership will be forced to concentrate on Bathinda if a charismatic leader like Capt Amarinder Singh contests from Bathinda. A Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, he has been silent on his own candidature.
Capt Amarinder Singh's son Raninder Singh was defeated by Harsimrat in the last elections with a huge margin. But she may find Capt Amarinder Singh a much tougher opponent, Bajwa believes. Those answering phone calls at her office in Delhi say Harsimrat will be touring her constituency after February
10. Though 14 leaders have applied for the party ticket from Bathinda, former Rajya Sabha MP Surinder Singla and former MLA Harminder Jassi are main contenders. Poll games *
The PPCC chief wants senior party leaders to contest key
seats * He says the Akalis will be forced to concentrate on Bathinda if Capt Amarinder is in the fray
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Manpreet may contest from Bathinda, says Gurdas
Muktsar, February 3 "We are into political fight with the ruling Badals. Manpreet may contest elections against them. I have told him to keep on going without any fear," said Gurdas while talking to The Tribune at the residence of his relatives
here. He said: "Badal Sahib is a good man. Everyone knows that we brothers (Pash and Dass) still have cordial relations, but politics is a separate issue that can't be mixed with our personal life. I have left active politics on health
issues." On SAD (A) chief Surjit Barnala's statement on the possibility of an alliance with the PPP-led Sanjha Morcha, Gurdas said: "The Sanjha Morcha can have alliance with any party except the SAD."
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Youth Cong leader on fast to seek atta-dal for poor
Sangrur, February 3 Besides her, two persons will sit on relay fast every day. Today, Vinod Kohrian and Shaktijeet Singh observed the relay fast. The protesters raised slogans against the Punjab
Government. “My aim is to highlight the miseries being faced by poor persons due to the non-supply of wheat and pulses,” said Kangra, who is squatting outside the district administrative complex here.
The fast would continue till the Badal government released wheat and pulses to the beneficiaries, she
said. District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC) Muneesh Narula said his office had not received the allocation of wheat and pulses for December and January from the state headquarters.
“Under the new atta-dal scheme, a fresh survey has been conducted. A list of new and old beneficiaries is being prepared. Subsequently, the entire quota of wheat and pulses will be allocated,” he said, adding that the staff of the Food and Civil Supply Department would distribute wheat and
pulses. Depot Holders’ Union, Sangrur, district president Sukhwinder Singh Kanjhla said they had been on strike since December 2. “In protest, we (depot holders) will not distribute even kerosene till the government accepts our demands,” he added.
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5 seats should be given to Hindu candidates: Cong MLA
Ludhiana, February 3 “There are 38 per cent Hindus in the state. Of the 13 seats, five should be given to Hindus. Congress leaders whose names have not been included in the list of PPCC office-bearers will meet the committee led by Mahinder Singh Kaypee next week in Chandigarh," he said during a state-level meeting of MLAs, former ministers and office-bearers of the
Congress. Earlier, Congress leaders discussed problems faced by people. They said the Deputy Chief Minister had said that rates of sand will decrease from February 1, but the prices had increased. The problem of increased power tariff and increased taxes was also discussed.
The meeting was attended by leaders, including Congress councillor Parminder Mehta, ex-Mayor of Patiala Vishnu Sharma, ex-Mayor of Amritsar Sunil Datti, KK Sharma, RR Bhardwaj and Aman
Aora.
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Arrest Khanna attackers:
Cong
Ludhiana, February 3 In a statement, PPCC vice-presidents Randeep Singh Nabha, Col CD Singh Kamboj and general secretaries Gurkirat Singh Kotli and Surinder Kumar Dawar demanded the arrest of those involved in the incident.
The Congress leaders alleged that Youth Akali Dal members were involved in heinous crime such as murder and robbery. They said it could not be a mere coincidence that YAD leaders were involved in most murder
cases. They questioned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal's silence on the matter, claiming the YAD had become a sanctuary for "criminals, drug traffickers, murderers and
rapists." The leaders alleged that Preetinder Singh, Patiala district Youth Akali Dal leader, had recently made a murderous attack on Congress leader Tarvinder Singh Lucky. Yet he had not been
arrested. Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira, in a separate statement, asked the Chief Minister Badal to ban ban YAD stickers on vehicles "which are used as a licence for illegitimate activities."
Cong cites earlier cases of lawlessness
* In June 2005, Major PS Benipal, Ludhiana Tehsildar, was beaten up by YAD activists
publicly * In December 2012, Ranjit Singh Rana, a YAD office-bearer and a Majithia protégé, attacked ASI Ravinderpal Singh in
Amritsar * In December 2012, YAD leader Sunny Johar allegedly beat up police officer SS Mand in a restaurant in
Ludhiana * Recently, Preetinder Singh, Patiala YAD leader, made a murderous attack on Congress leader Tarvinder Singh Lucky
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Ask
UPA to act against guilty: SAD to Cong VP Chandigarh, February 3 In a statement, senior Akali leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder said the Sikhs all over the world were closely watching Rahul Gandhi’s actions. “Rahul has admitted that Congress leaders were responsible for the anti-Sikh purge in Delhi and elsewhere in the country but has stopped short of taking any affirmative action, arguing that he was a young boy at that time,” the SAD said. In Amritsar, Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia today demanded an apology from Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly admitting to the “involvement” of some party leaders in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event, Majithia said, “Being a member of the party responsible for genocide, Rahul should have expressed his regret and at least a word or two of sympathy. But he blatantly refused to apologise.” He alleged such behavior was not suitable for a politician eyeing the prime ministerial post. Majithia said if Rahul could be instrumental in raising the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from nine to 12, he should also show his capability by bringing the guilty of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence to book. He said PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa should also clarify his stand on Rahul's statement.
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Wild boars keep farmers on tenterhooks
Tarn Taran, February 3 Farmers said the population of wild boars was on the rise and the government had failed to find a permanent solution to the problem.
Until last year, the wild boar menace was restricted to villages near Bohru Rakh and a few areas in Patti and Ajnala. However, this year, farmers of Cheema Khurd, Cheema Kalan, Rasoolpur and Havelian villages of the Gandiwind block, too, have complained of wild boars destroying their crop.
Mandeep Singh of Cheema Khurd village said, “The problem with boars is that they destroy more than they eat. Our sugarcane field was completely destroyed by these animals. The potato field of another farmer, Virsa Singh, was also destroyed.” He said the wilderness around the canal in the area was a new home for these animals.
The farmers in villages near the Bohru reserve area have been facing the problem for decades. The laws were strict earlier. These required farmers to obtain a licence for killing animals and deposit the dead animal with the department, besides a ban on the killing of female boars. Therefore, farmers have been using live naked wires around their fields to kill these animals.
Now, the wild life department claims that the laws have been eased but farmers still use the old method, which they say is cheaper and does not require guarding the fields at night.
Gurraj Singh Dhillion, whose family tills land in Mannan village near the Bohru reserve, said, “Last year, I visited the sub-divisional office to get a permit for killing boars. However, it did not prove fruitful and so, I abandoned the
way.” Gurraj said they wanted the government to put up a fence around the forest
reserves. Divisional Forest Officer NS Randhawa said, “We have a sent a proposal to put up a 70-km-long fence around the reserve forest area in the Amritsar Forest Range.” He said the periphery of the Bohru reserve was around 6.91 km long. They would assess the problem surfacing in the new areas, he said.
“Now, the farmers don’t have to deposit the dead animal with the department,” he said, adding farmers could also seek compensation by applying at the forest range office. Wild boar population on the rise *
Until last year, the wild boar menace was restricted to villages near Bohru Rakh and a few areas in Patti and Ajnala in Tarn Taran district.
* However, this year, farmers of Cheema Khurd, Cheema Kalan, Rasoolpur and Havelian villages of the Gandiwind block, too, have complained of wild boars destroying their crop.
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Sikhs protest outside Rahul Gandhi’s house
New Delhi, February
3 "We want Rahul Gandhi to reveal the names of those involved in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. We have given him a 72-hour ultimatum after which we will protest outside the Prime Minister's house," DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK said. In a recent interview to a TV channel, Rahul said that "some Congress men were probably involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots". The protesters, carrying placards and black flags, raised anti-Congress slogans, demanding justice for the riot victims. The DSGMC served langar to the protesters. "I have seen my son being killed. Why did these police personnel not act when Sikhs were being massacred in 1984? We want the guilty to be punished," said Lakshami Kaur. The protesting riot victims demanded ex-gratia relief and jobs. "In 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologised for the riots and promised an allowance of Rs 715 crore. The ex-gratia grant and compensation for damaged property were also enhanced, but we have received no relief so far," said Kuldip Singh Bhogal, president, All India '84 Riot Victims Relief Committee. Several protesters accused Rahul of "rubbing salt on the wounds of the riot victims”. In the interview, Gandhi had insisted that the Congress Government in 1984 had not abetted the riots but had tried to stop the violence. Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar are facing allegations of involvement in the riots. — PTI
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Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar puts forth conditions for truce
Amritsar, February
3 Talking to The Tribune over phone from Patna, Giani Iqbal Singh said he was not ready to withdraw the police case that he had lodged against the committee members and others following a violent clash there on January 7. He, however, said he might consider it if the management committee cancelled the two appointments.
He said the committee should send him a written document after which he would hold consultations with his lawyers and the Sant Samaj. He claimed though the committee had placed him under suspension, he continued to discharge his duties as the Takht Jathedar.
Giani Iqbal said the staff was also cooperating with him. On the issue being under the consideration of the Sikh clergy, he said the matter was with the police and the courts and, therefore, it should not be deliberated at the Akal Takht.
On the SGPC panel brokering peace between them last month, Giani Iqbal Singh said the SGPC committee “didn’t do justice” with him. He alleged that he was not allowed to read the letter of agreement and was made to sign it in haste. He also clarified that he hadn’t got any intimation to appear before the Sikh clergy during their meeting in Amritsar on February
6. There are also reports that the management committee members are not attending the office in view of the police case registered against them, which is taking a toll on official work. What he wants *
Annulling the appointments of Giani Partap Singh as additional granthi and Bhupinder Singh Sadhu as Dharam Parchar Board chairman
* The Jathedar says it is only then that he may withdraw the police case he had lodged against the management committee members
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Monsanto to set up cotton centre in Bathinda
Chandigarh, February 3 Sources in the government told The Tribune that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the company will be signed during the Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit scheduled for February 16 to 19.
The government will provide land to Monsanto to set up the centre to teach farmers the “best agricultural practices in cotton
cultivation”. Though government officials said the decision to allow Monsanto to set up a centre was aimed at promoting crop diversification, farmers and farm organisations have said the aim was to corporatise the agricultural sector. The organisations say the company has a history of monopolistic practices, and thus the entire purpose of crop diversification would be
defeated. Balbir Singh Rajewal, president, Bhartiya Kisan Union, said there was a larger game plan behind the move.
“The idea is to corporatise the farm sector and make farming unviable for small farmers so that big corporate houses can have a free run. It is sad that the state government, which claims itself to be pro-farmer, is going ahead with this plan,” he said.
Umendra Dutt, executive director, Kheti Virasat Manch, said they were opposed to this MoU. “Though the agriculture summit aims at promoting progressive techniques in agriculture, it seems that the purpose is to serve the interests of companies like Monsanto. The Punjab Government lacks vision to deal with the main issue of sustainability in agriculture. It should focus on sustainable and ecological agriculture instead of serving the purpose of companies like Monsanto,” he said.
It is learnt that during the summit, the government will be signing a pact with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to set up a radiation food processing plant near Jalandhar.
The centre will be set up at a cost of Rs 12 crore for removing residue of arsenic or pesticides in crops. Several rice millers from Haryana, under the aegis of Haryana Rice Shellers Association, are also expected to sign MoUs during the summit to set up shellers in Punjab to avail the tax concession of 7 per cent on rice in the state.
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Govt waives tube well charges
Chandigarh, February
3 A decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with MLAs and senior leaders
here. The move will benefit farmers of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Pathankot districts. It will cost the government Rs 6.50 crore. A three-member panel comprising Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Industries and Technical Education Minister Madan Mohan Mittal and Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Sarvesh Kaushal, has been formed to prepare a master plan for lift irrigation in kandi areas as a viable alternative to the traditional mode of tube-well irrigation.
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Tarn Taran ADC dies in accident near Beas
Jalandhar, February
3 Goindwal Naib Tehsildar Balkar Singh said the ADC's Honda Jazz hit a mini goods carrier near the Beas bridge. The officer was rushed to a nearby government health centre as he complained of breathlessness. He was declared dead within minutes of being brought
there. Patti Sub-Divisional Magistrate RK Verma said the Secretary, Market Committee, Paramjit, who was accompanying the ADC in his car, suffered multiple fractures. Three occupants of the goods carrier were grievously injured.
The ADC is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
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Roko Cancer to hold
1,500 camps in 2 yrs
Sangrur, February
3 Stating this here today, global ambassador of the trust Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal said Roko Cancer had organised 1,745 cancer check-up camps in Punjab so far where mammography tests were conducted on 67,000 women to detect breast
cancer. Dhaliwal said a mega cancer detection camp would be held on February 28 by an NGO, Dream
Sangrur, at War Heroes Stadium here in assistance with the
trust. Dhaliwal said they would urge the people to go for an early check-up in case they developed cancer symptoms.
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Inquiry panel indicts firm for child labour, spares CPS
Faridkot, February
3 The inquiry report claimed that since the company had engaged seven schoolchildren, the CPS had no role in it.
On the directions of the National Commission for Schedule Castes (NCSC), the administration had constituted a three-member committee led by the Kotkapura Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to inquire into the allegation of child labour.
The committee, in its report, has given clean chit to the CPS, but it has indicted the Barnala-based catering company for engaging schoolchildren in child labour in violation of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, that prohibits the employment of children below the age of
14. According to the report, the schoolchildren were given Rs 100 each to collect disposable plates, glasses, spoons and other trash from the venue for the CPS’ daughter’s wedding on January
16. Taking exception to exploitation of the schoolchildren, NCSC Vice-Chairman Raj Kumar Verka had visited Faridkot on January 22 and ordered an inquiry into the
incident. The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has registered a case after receiving a complaint in this
regard. Under Section 14 of the Child Labour (Prohibition And Regulation) Act, 1986, whoever employs any child or permits any child to work in contravention of the provisions of Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to twenty thousand rupees or with both. The case *
The inquiry report claimed that since the company had engaged seven schoolchildren, the CPS had no role in
it * According to the report, schoolchildren were given ~100 each to collect garbage from the venue for the CPS' daughter's wedding on January
16 * The NCPCR has registered a case after receiving a complaint in this regard
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Gurdaspur civic body limits to be increased; MLA Babbehali to benefit
Gurdaspur, February
3 With this, he has managed to bring in hundreds of SAD voters to the MC fold thereby reducing his dependence on the BJP’s local unit for the next assembly elections. As for the Lok Sabha elections, the development will help SAD’s alliance partner BJP because the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat is allotted to the saffron party.
As per an agreement between the SAD and BJP, the MC President’s post is reserved for the BJP, while the Improvement Trust Chief is always an Akali.
With the Local Bodies Department issuing a notification last month to add eight villages to the MC fold, Babbehali is in a position to cold shoulder the BJP and get his supporter elected to the post of the MC
President. “The configuration of the Gurdaspur Vidhan Sabha seat is such that whosoever controls the MC holds the key to winning the assembly seat. A majority of voters in Gurdaspur city own allegiance to the BJP, but with this move, Babbehali may make inroads into the saffron party’s vote bank. The number of MC wards will be increased from 21, and whenever elections to the MC are held, the MLA may get his man — an Akali loyalist — installed at its Chief,” said a bureaucrat, overseeing the exercise of including the villages to the MC limits.
For long peeved about the lack of support from the BJP in the 2012 assembly elections, Babbehali finally managed to pull off a coup of sorts by ‘coercing’ eight panchayats to pass a resolution to become part of the MC. Observers claimed that with this manoeuvring, the MLA would have the support of Akali voters and, at the same time, he had marginalised the BJP in the
district. “All this is being done in the name of urbanisation. The bottom line is that the MLA has killed two birds with one stone. He has snubbed the BJP that did not support him during the last assembly elections,” claimed a sitting Congress MLA of the
area. Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Trikha confirmed that the Local Bodies Department had issued a notification to include villages in the MC limits last month. He, however, ruled out political manipulation by Babbehali behind the
development. “With the defeat of his colleagues such as former Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, and former Cabinet Ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Sucha Singh Langah on the hustings from the district, Babbehali’s stature as an Akali leader had increased considerably. Now, by increasing the MC limits he has emerged politically more powerful,” a senior SAD leader
said. Sensing that the MLA had pulled the rug from under their feet, the district-level BJP leaders held confabulations with Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi when he was here for the Republic Day celebrations. Change in equations *
The district admn had last month issued a notification to include eight village to MC
* With this, Gurdaspur MLA GS Babbehali has managed to bring in hundreds of SAD voters to the MC fold thereby reducing his dependence on the BJP’s local unit for the next assembly elections
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800 students pledge support to ‘Save The Girl Child’
Patiala, February
3 She had started the campaign under her banner ‘Save The Girl Child’ five years ago in Toronto,
Canada. With today’s development, the number of students pledging support has surpassed 7,600. Kaur said 189 persons who supported her cause had married without accepting dowry.
During the function organised NSS Department of the college, She delivered a lecture on “Save the Girl Child — Save the Nation”. She explained to the students the historical, social and economic causes of female foeticide, dowry deaths and crimes against women. “The sex ratio has reduced not only in our country, but also several developed countries. Indians settled in developed countries don’t want girls,”
“To involve more and more youths is the only solution to end the menace and I am glad that 189 people have lived up to their promise of shunning the dowry practice. During my visit to foreign countries, many youths had pledged support to the cause. When I revisited these countries, those youths told me they had married without accepting or giving dowry,” she
added. Modi College Principal Khushvinder Kumar said the social evil of dowry would be eliminated by educating girls.
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Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar puts forth conditions for truce Amritsar, February 3 Talking to The Tribune over phone from Patna, Giani Iqbal Singh said he was not ready to withdraw the police case that he had lodged against the committee members and others following a violent clash there on January 7. He, however, said he might consider it if the management committee cancelled the two appointments. He said the committee should send him a written document after which he would hold consultations with his lawyers and the Sant Samaj. He claimed though the committee had placed him under suspension, he continued to discharge his duties as the Takht Jathedar. Giani Iqbal said the staff was also cooperating with him. On the issue being under the consideration of the Sikh clergy, he said the matter was with the police and the courts and, therefore, it should not be deliberated at the Akal Takht. On the SGPC panel brokering peace between them last month, Giani Iqbal Singh said the SGPC committee “didn’t do justice” with him. He alleged that he was not allowed to read the letter of agreement and was made to sign it in haste. He also clarified that he hadn’t got any intimation to appear before the Sikh clergy during their meeting in Amritsar on February 6. There are also reports that the management committee members are not attending the office in view of the police case registered against them, which is taking a toll on official work. * Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh wants the appointments of an additional granthi and Dharam Parchar Board chief annulled * He says it is only then that he would withdraw the police case against the management committee members.
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Punjabi moneylenders in Manila lead a dangerous life
Jalandhar, February
3 Gurmukh Singh, who belongs to Shahpur village near Nakodar, said: ‘‘I moved to the Philippines some years ago. Only a few Punjabis there have the licence to lend money. The others are in the business illegally. And that is why they become vulnerable and are targeted by criminals." The president of the gurdwara at Tarlac City, Iqbal Singh, said Punjabi moneylenders charged 20 per cent interest for two months, much higher than that by local banks. "Local people turn to Punjabi moneylenders to skip paper work. Also, they don't need to mortgage valuables to get loan from them," he said. Iqbal Singh said he was kidnapped in 2001 and attacked by robbers in 2008. "The police doesn’t do anything. That is why most moneylenders don't make a police complaint,” he claimed. He said they had invited officials of the Indian Embassy to the Tarlac City gurdwara several times and told them about their problems, but in vain. Gurmukh Singh said as Punjabis lent money without any surety bond, a borrower’s inability to repay often led to bad blood and even murder. "While on their way back home after daily collections, the moneylenders are often attacked by robbers. Also, bitter rivalry among them result in violent fights,’’ he said. Beant Singh, brother of Amrik Singh, who was shot dead months ago, said they did not know if the police were investigating the case. The NRI Sabha president, Jasvir Singh Gill, said he had written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal about a month ago and was awaiting a response. Chairman of the NRI Commission Justice Arvind Kumar (retd) said he had asked the state government to set up a three-member committee, headed by a senior IAS officer, to study the issue and find a way out. The Philippines Ambassador, HE Benito B Valeriano, was contacted for his version but did not respond. Genesis of the problem *
Local people in the Philippines turn to Punjabi moneylenders for easy
loans * They don't need to mortgage valuables to get loan from them *
As Punjabis lend money without any surety bond, a borrower’s inability to repay often leads to bad blood
* Also, moneylenders are often waylaid by robbers.
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Indian-origin man held for
murder
Toronto, February 3 Jimi Sandhu (24) was arrested in Vancouver and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Matthew Campbell, a high-ranking member of the Red Scorpions
gang. Campbell was stabbed on January 2 at a mall in Abbotsford, British Columbia. According to reports, Campbell took over leadership of the Red Scorpions after the fall of his close friends, the Bacon
brothers. Sandhu was to make a court appearance in the provincial court in Abbotsford today. He is known to have a criminal record, the paper said. —
PTI
Two Sikh youths killed in car crash
Sacramento: Two Sikh youths were killed in a car crash this morning. Their car plowed into a tree near Howe Avenue and exploded into flames. Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle that went off the road and hit a tree. Traffic around the crash site was diverted. Sacramento County office identified the victims as Deshpal Singh, 25, and Pardeep Singh Aulakh, 23. — PTI
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Countries have benefited from diaspora: MP
Patiala, February
3 The conference, second in row, is being organised by the university’s Punjabi Department in coordination with the newly established UGC’s Centre for Diaspora
Studies. Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who inaugurated the conference, highlighted the historical background of the Punjabi diaspora and its achievements in various fields. “They have been successful because of their enthusiasm to boost the economic level of countries where they have settled,” he
said. Verne A Dusnerbary, anthology professor, University of Hamline, US, focused on the concept of transnational mechanism, community and movement of the Punjabi diaspora, enabling them to set claims and assertions at places wherever they had settled. Punjabi diaspora’s migration, he said, initially a demographic dispersion had resulted into evolving their special identity with commonalities of interests and lifestyle
values. University Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh said, “The in-built character of Punjabis to participate in any activity with zeal helps to assimilate in the foreign culture.”
Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr Jaswinder Singh talked about the importance of ethical and social values of Punjabi Diaspora vis-ŕ-vis impact of such commanding and vigorous values as materialism and commercialism. While welcoming the delegates, he outlined the theme and structure of the three-day conference. Dr Lakhbir Singh, head of Punjabi Department proposed vote of thanks. The Vice-Chancellor released four books and presented mementoes to the guests.
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4 denied bail in Moga acid attack case
Moga, February 3 A youth, Harinder Singh, along with his three associates Parwaan Singh, Jagjit Singh and Deepinder Singh had allegedly thrown acid on his wife Mandeep Kaur and her father on July 11 last near Mehna village in the district. All the accused are in judicial
custody. Harinder's father Paramjit Singh, mother Karamjit Kaur, uncle Sukhwinder Singh and aunt Sukhmandar Kaur, all co-accused in the case, were given a clean chit by the police. But, on victim's plea, the court summoned them to face the
trial. They had sought anticipatory bail, but their petition was rejected
today. The victim's counsel said the government had not reimbursed medical bills worth more than Rs 10 lakh incurred on her treatment.
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BK Mehta is District and Sessions Judge
Nawanshahr, February
3
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Three booked in dowry case
Tarn Taran, February 3
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Local MLA and state Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani today announced to set up a 30-bed hospital at Ladhuka Mandi in Fazilka district.
As many as 18,770 industrial units had closed down in the state during the seven-year rule of the
SAD-BJP government, said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh
Bajwa. In a statement issued here, Bajwa claimed the government’s performance on the industrial front could be gauged from the closure of such a high number of units.
Chandigarh, February 3
Punjab Youth Congress General Secretary Poonam Kangra today began an indefinite fast to protest against the non-distribution of wheat and pulses under the atta-dal scheme for the past two months in the
district.
Keeping in view the high percentage of Hindus in Punjab, the Congress should field Hindu candidates from five parliamentary seats, said Congress Batala MLA Ashwani
Sekhri.
Sikh protesters led by the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee
(DSGMC) today held a protest outside Rahul Gandhi's residence, demanding that he gave names of Congress men allegedly involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh
riots.
Kulbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Tarn Taran, died in a road accident at Goindwal while on his way to office this morning. He suffered serious head injuries.
About two weeks after government schoolchildren were allegedly forced to pick up garbage at a family function of a Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) in
Faridkot, the district administration has asked the Assistant Labour Commissioner
(ALC) to take action against an owner of a catering company that provided food service at the
function.
Social activist Harshindar Kaur’s ‘no dowry campaign’ got a boost today with more than 800 students of Modi College, Patiala, joining the cause and pledging not to give or take dowry at the time of their marriage.
Bajwa claimed the Industries Department had failed to provide information on the MoUs signed by the government with various industrial houses that had participated in the recent investment summit organised in Mohali.
Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event, Majithia said, “Being a member of the party responsible for genocide, Rahul should have expressed his regret and at least a word or two of sympathy but he blatantly refused to apologise.” He alleged such behavior was not suitable for a politician eyeing the prime ministerial post.
What he wants