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Bank strike hits Rs
1,400 cr transactions in region
Students, lecturers gherao Dhindsa's house in Sangrur
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Ahead of poll, high-deficit Budget makes govt jittery
MP announces support for protesting villagers
Barnala’s book belies Badal’s claim: Cong
Capt misleading people: CM
Engineers observe black day, say CM violated pact
Govt must set up pay commission: Speaker
Truce with education volunteers may not last
11 EGS teachers still atop water tank
Badal gives Rs
3.5-crore grant to 118 villages
8 yrs on, Mahilpur awaits library
Health workers step up stir
Three months on, missing teenagers yet to be traced
Revamp road safety councils, High Court to state govt
Chief Justice Kaul presented the Constitution of Kenya
HC: Candidates seeking revaluation can apply for job
Book presented to Chief Justice
8 more tax inspectors in dock
Two cops among three held for graft
Two held for stealing
Rs 9-lakh ornaments
Hoshiarpur police seize 1,372 kg of poppy husk
Headmaster held for molestion
Five held with bogus cheques
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Bank strike hits Rs
1,400 cr transactions in region
Chandigarh, February 10 In the two days of the strike, business worth Rs 2,800 crore is estimated to be affected because of the strike. In the region, daily transactions worth Rs 1300 - Rs 1400 crore take place through almost two lakh cheques. The worst impacted by the strike is the tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali where the highest number of transactions through financial instruments (cheques) take place. Chandigarh, being the capital of Punjab and Haryana, records a daily transaction of anything between Rs 500- Rs 600 crore, which is effected through almost 50,000 cheques. Business was also hit hard in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, where the number of transactions is very high. In Ludhiana, the daily transactions are worth Rs 500 crore, through 35,000 financial instruments. JK Gupta, field general manager of Punjab National Bank for Haryana told The Tribune that though earlier most of the cheques were processed physically through clearing houses, the Cheque Truncation System (CTS) had now taken over in all major cities. "As a result, the images of cheques are processed, so the clearing is faster. Those, who would have deposited their cheques on Saturday, can expect these to be credited to their accounts on Wednesday itself, when the CTS becomes operational after the strike,” he said. Across the region, all public sector banks remained closed. The only reprieve for the common man was that all banks had loaded the ATMs to their full capacity, and people could withdraw money at will. Sources in the banking sector said that each ATM has the capacity to be loaded with anything from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 45 lakh cash. As per the directions issued by Reserve Bank of India, regarding this strike, based on the daily transaction at each ATM, banks had loaded the ATMs for cash withdrawals for three days - Sunday and the two days of the strike (Monday and Tuesday). Those having business dealings with private sector banks, too, were not impacted by this strike. The cash deposit machines and cheque deposit machines, which have been installed in major business centres by leading banks, were operational. Certain big banks like the Punjab National Bank and State Bank of India, which have self service areas in the big retail bank branches in major cities, also allowed some relief to the customers. Bankers in the region said that they had sent public notices urging their customers to complete their transactions before February 8, to avoid inconvenience. Banks have also asked their customers to use ATMs or Internet banking, during this strike. Ludhiana: The district suffered a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore on the first day of the two-day strike. Over 75,000 cheques could not be processed as over 3,500 employees in 350 branches of all the public sector banks did not work today. Badish Jindal, president of Federation of Associations of Small Industries of India, said the district was estimated to suffer a loss of Rs 1,800 crore and the state Rs 8,000 crore in the two days. Staging a protest at Bharat Nagar Chowk, Naresh Gaur, member of the UFBU, said, “We decided to go on strike to press for our demands as the Indian Bank's Association (IBA) refused to negotiate with us on the revision of wages in a meeting on February 6.” Jindal condemned the strike, stating it had become a routine affair. “The industry will have to pay an interest on the cheques and pay-orders that were not cleared. We have requested the RBI chairman not to charge any interest on any advances paid during these two days.” Patiala: At the protest rally held in the city by bank employees, Parmod Sharma, General Secretary, ABOA unit of State Bank of Patiala (SBOP), said the last wage settlement in the banking sector expired in October, 2012 and a revision was due. “Since discussions in the last one year have not led to any resolution, the United Forum of Bank Unions gave the strike call. The offer made by the Indian Banks Association (IBA) is not acceptable to the unions,” he said. He further said even though there was a substantial increase in the gross profit of the banks, they had delayed the revision of our wages. In Sangrur, the State Bank of India employees held a protest rally. The rally was addressed by leaders of various banks, including Sunil Jain, Pali Ram Bansal, DP Batish, Jatinderjeet Singh Laadi and Devinder Gupta. In Phagwara, thousands of customers were inconvenienced as bank employees took out protest rallies in Goraya, Phillaur, Noormahal, Bilga, Nakodar etc. Several bank offices were seen shut.— Ruchika M Khanna, Aman Sood & Charanjit Teja A lot of trouble *
The worst impacted by the strike is the tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali *
Chandigarh, being the capital of Punjab and Haryana, records a daily transaction of anything from Rs 500 to Rs 600 crore *
Business was also hit hard in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar * In Ludhiana, the daily transactions are worth Rs 500 crore But some relief *
The common man could withdraw money at will as all banks had loaded the ATMs to their full capacity *
Each ATM can be loaded with cash ranging between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 45
lakh. * Those dealing with private sector banks, too, were not impacted by the strike. *
The cash deposit machines and cheque deposit machines installed in major business centres remained operational.
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Students, lecturers gherao Dhindsa's house in Sangrur
Sangrur, February 10 Earlier, they took out a march through various markets. They were protesting against the state government for not accepting their long-pending demands. The dharna was lifted after the unions submitted memorandums of their demands to the minister’s wife, Gaganjeet Kaur Dhindsa. The guest faculty lecturers have demanded monthly salary of Rs 21,600, the basic pay of a lecturer, through state treasury and salary throughout the year instead of six to seven months in a year. The demands of the students include bus pass facility, withdrawal of hike in fees made by universities in the state, free education for girls at all levels and refund of fees received from Dalit students by the colleges. Guest Faculty Lecturers Union president Harminder Singh said if their demands are not met, they would hold a state-level road blockade in Mohali on February 18. Memos submitted *
The guest faculty lecturers have demanded a monthly salary of Rs 21,600 — the basic pay of a lecturer — through the state treasury. They said they should be given salary throughout the year instead of only for six to seven months in a year. *
The demands of the students include bus pass facility, withdrawal of fee hike in the state universities, free education for girls at all levels and refund of fees received from Dalit students by colleges.
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Ahead of poll, high-deficit Budget makes govt jittery
Chandigarh, February 10 While almost all neighbouring states - Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand - have decided to present their Budgets before the model code of conduct comes into force and take mileage by announcing sops and no new taxes. But Punjab, knowing that there is little room for any sops in its Budget proposal for the next year, and in an effort to ensure that this year's fiscal indicators do not become a poll issue, has decided to go for a vote on account in its session between March 3 and 10. The state's Budget will now be presented after the new government takes over at the Centre. A close look at the state's fiscal performance till date reveals that though as of now Punjab's revenue receipts are up by almost 13.7 per cent and its revenue deficit is down by more than 35 per cent over last year, this would change once the state pays salary arrears and 8 per cent DA to its employees. As of January 31, Punjab's revenue receipts were Rs 27,490 crore as compared to Rs 24,160 crore as on January 31, 2013. The revenue deficit this year (till January 31) is Rs 3,160 crore as compared to Rs 4,860 crore in January last year. The fiscal deficit too has shown a decline from Rs 6,100 crore last year to Rs 4,860 crore now. Though these figures are quite encouraging, the state still has a liability of Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in the form of payment of arrears of salary and DA. The state has already borrowed Rs 8,800 crore through auction of its state development loans. With just a month left for the financial year to end, the state can borrow just Rs 600 crore in March. This means that the state will have a high revenue deficit than its target of Rs 1,741 crore. This also means that the state will have no room for offering sops in the next financial year - a major reason why the government is not willing to table its Budget and give ready meat to the Opposition. Cover-up act *
The ruling alliance does not want to present a Budget that showcases its slow revenue growth and high fiscal deficit *
The state has a liability of Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in the form of salary arrears and DA to its employees *
It has already borrowed Rs 8,800 crore through auction of its development loansRs
600 crore in March * This will leave the state with a high revenue deficit *
This also means that the state will have no room for offering sops in the next financial year
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Sukhbir promises mega projects in two years
Jalandhar, February 10 Inaugurating a 21-storey group housing apartment scheme at the old jail site, he said the project, under which 832 flats were to be built, would be completed in two years. Soil test reports on the feasibility of the project are yet to be submitted. Taking credit for Central schemes, he said: “An amount of Rs 15,000 crore is being spent on the sewage system. Work has already begun in 52 towns. Matching grants are being spent to strengthen the road network. All connecting roads will be four or six-laned in six months.” As he pointed out that he had promised two flyovers to Jalandhar (Central) MLA Manoranjan Kalia, the latter intervened to say he had promised not two, but five flyovers. “ I am regularly holding meetings to discuss the progress of projects in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar. I am not saying this because of elections round the corner. I am not the kind of person who will make false promises,” Sukhbir claimed. Seeking support for NDA’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, he said: Badal Sahib and Modi ji are friends. We already have control over the state treasury. Once we form the government at the Centre, we will get truckloads of notes from Delhi,” he said in a lighter vein. To a query on the alleged involvement of BJP leaders in the 1984 riots, Sukhbir said none of the commissions and committees set up to investigate the massacre had indicted any BJP leader.
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MP announces support for protesting villagers
Ropar, February 10 Bittu, while addressing the gathering, at Nurpur Bedi said he would write a letter in this regard to Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. He said if the demand is not met, the Congress would raise the issue during the budget session in Punjab Assembly, which will begin on March 3. The protesters have been demanding restoration of the gram panchayat status to their villages saying they would have to pay various taxes, including property tax, after their villages are declared nagar panchayats. Sharma said the economic condition of these villagers was bad and they could not bear the burden of taxes. Local MLA and SAD spokesman Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, said, “The villages were declared nagar panchayat only after a resolution was passed by the gram panchayats of these villages. After the new status, these villages have been given grants of Rs 1.13 crore along with VAT share of Rs 40 lakh. The area will see a spurt in development works, which is pricking Congress leaders and thus, they are misguiding the locals.” Demand *
Residents of Nurpur Bedi and Saini Majra villages have been protesting against the state government’s decision to accord the nagar panchayat status to the villages *
They are seeking restoration of the gram panchayat status saying they will have to pay various taxes, including property tax, due to the new status.
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Barnala’s book belies Badal’s claim: Cong
Chandigarh, February 10 Khaira said: “The facts have been brought to public domain through SS Barnala's book ‘Quest for Freedom’ where the former CM clearly stated that he and Badal were arrested from their respective houses on June 10, 1984. They were subsequently flown to Bhopal in a BSF airplane to be finally lodged in comfortable guest houses and tourist huts at Panchmari, a small hill station in Madhya Pradesh.” Khaira said: “Badal had attended the 'shagun' ceremony of Pirthi Singh son of Jathedar Roop Singh at their residence in Gurhi Sanghar village (Gidderbaha) on June 3, 1984. Badal can be seen addressing a gathering in one of the photos while in some he was seated beside his brother Gurdas Badal and Dr Kehar Singh Sidhu, a freedom fighter from Muktsar”. “While hundreds of Sikh youth sacrificed their lives during the years of turmoil on incitement by Akali leaders, Badal conveniently chose to send his son Sukhbir Badal to the US on the pretext of education,” he added.
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Capt misleading people: CM
Pathankot, February 10 Speaking on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan held at Bhoa, the Chief Minister alleged it was ironic that Amarinder had preferred to become state president of a party that had given a severe blow to Sikh psyche by attacking the Golden Temple and killing thousands of innocent people in the anti-Sikh riots. Badal said it was a well-documented fact that he was put behind the bars by the successive Congress governments as he had opposed all its decisions which were detrimental to the interests of Punjab. He alleged as Capt had been shown the door by the Congress high command, he was making desperate attempts to appease his bosses by unleashing a malicious propaganda against his political opponents. Addressing a Sangat Darshan function, the CM said the “anti-Punjab” stance of the UPA Government had ruined the industry and agriculture of the state.
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Engineers observe black
day, say CM violated pact
Bathinda, February 10 Engineers of Guru Nanak Dev thermal Plant, Bathinda; Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat; and West Zone, Bathinda, today observed black day by sporting black badges. Baldev Sra, president of engineers' association, said they would begin a non-cooperation movement. The engineers would hold a candlelight march on February 26 in Bathinda, he said, adding that the agitation would be intensified by resorting to work-to-rule and even striking work. The association alleged that Chaudhri had called engineers for official meetings at Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar and coerced them to sign a pre-drafted letter in favour of his extension. "Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is known for his statesmanship, has violated the agreement signed with employee unions at the time of unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB)," Sra said. The association said the extension of service was not even given in central PSUs and organisations like the Army.
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Govt must set up pay commission: Speaker
Fatehgarh Sahib, February10 While talking to mediapersons here today, he said he would take up the matter with the state government. Answering a query on whether he would contest parliamentary elections from Fatehgarh Sahib constituency, he said he was a loyal worker of the SAD so if the party directed him to do so, he would. Latter, while addressing a function organised by the Punjab State Karamchari Dal, he said the employees on their part should work with honesty and dedication for people. Hari Singh Tohra, state president, Punjab State Karamchari Dal, demanded that separate funds be earmarked for semi-government and retired employees. He demanded that the government should remove the anomalies of the earlier pay commission, release arrears, regularise the services of daily wagers, regularly recruit in all the departments and that the minimum wages be Rs 10,000. He also demanded a regular policy for posting and transfers.
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Truce with education volunteers may not last
Chandigarh, February 10 Gagan from Abohar, who was among those who met the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here yesterday, said the teachers may have to go on strike again. A senior officer, requesting anonymity, said: “If the teachers resort to another agitation demanding jobs without fulfilling the eligibility criteria, it will be sheer blackmail. ” EGS Volunteers Association president Madan Lal said they had been given two years to clear the TET. “We might have to think of another action plan if we are denied justice. We have spent years educating children and doing the ETT course.” Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu said the EGS volunteers were given two years to clear the TET, as is mandatory under the Central Government rules. We cannot compromise with the quality of education.” Anti-govt slogans at Eknoor’s cremation Moga: Hundreds of people attended the cremation of 14-month-old Eknoor at Bambiha Bhai village in Moga district on Monday. Eknoor died at the Bathinda Civil Hospital on February 6 due to exposure to cold and infantile tremor syndrome while her parents were on a dharna. Eknoor's body was covered with the Tricolour. The pyre was lit by her mother. The village gurdwara committee refused to perform "ardaas", saying the child's parents had adopted Christianity. Congress leaders Gurpreet Singh Kangar and Sukhwinder Singh Danny attended the cremation. The EGS teachers gathered at the ceremony raised anti government slogans. — Kulwinder Sandhu
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11 EGS teachers still atop water tank
Bathinda, February 10 “The agreement is not in our favour. The decision on our main demand for regular jobs was not taken. Rather, a deputation of the EGS teachers was told during a meeting with government representatives that the matter would be settled later. The agreement has nothing for us than putting away the unemployed tag for two years,” Kulbir Singh told The Tribune. He is among the 11 teachers atop the water tank. The others are Birbal Singh, Manga Singh, Samma Singh, Sammar Singh, Sukhvinder Kaur, Veena, Mandeep Kaur, Ranjit Kaur, Sumandip Kaur and Paramjit Kaur. The rest of the agitating teachers left the city early morning. Kulbir said the teachers had also demanded that the condition of clearing the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) should not be applicable on the AIE/EGS teachers since they were recruited before the Right To Education (RTE) Act came into being. “The government representatives during a meeting yesterday stated that since the RTE Act had been implemented by the Centre, the state government couldn’t bypass it. Even after we clear the TET in two years, we don’t know when we would be employed,” he said. The teachers reiterated that they had been fooled by meetings several times earlier too and hence, this time they had decided to keep sitting atop the water tank till the government issues them joining letters.
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Badal gives Rs
3.5-crore grant to 118 villages
Pathankot, February 10 Well, this is what happened during Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s Sangat Darshan progarmme at Kanwan in the Bhoa assembly segment today. He took sarpanches by surprise, when midway during the programme, he said the panchayats were asking him grants only for re-carpeting of streets or laying roads. “The construction of roads is a necessity, but what irks me is that neither a single panchayat has yet spoken about the need for improving school education. I request the sarpanches to redraw their plans and ask me for more grants for government schools. I am willing to provide any amount of funds for improving school infrastructure in the border areas,” Badal said. The constituency is considered to be one of the most backward areas of the state because of its proximity with the border. Sources say that the Centre chips in with border area development funds but, over the years, the money has not been used properly. Badal distributed about Rs 3.5 crore to 118 panchayats of the assembly which is represented by BJP legislator Seema Kumari. “The government schools in the constituency lack basic infrastructure. This means that our children cannot have the best of education, resulting in children traveling to far-flung areas to complete their education,” a former minister said, adding that more funds needed to be pumped in for the upgrade of existing infrastructure and constructing schools. The programme evoked criticism from a section of the BJP leadership. “The Chief Minister has adopted a pick-and-choose policy in holding Sangat Darshan programmes in the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency allotted to the BJP. He had cancelled the Sangat Darshan programme to be held in the Dinanagar assembly seat last month at the behest of former minister SS Langah, who did not want the event to be held in Dinanagar owing to his differences with BJP halqa in-charge BD Dhuppar,” a senior BJP leader, on the condition of anonymity, said. Today’s programme was the third such event to be held in the parliamentary constituency recently. The earlier two programmes — each of them being a three-day affair — were held in Qadian and Fatehgarh Churian at the behest of senior SAD leaders. The Bhoa programme tuned out to be a one-day event with Badal not conceding to its alliance partner’s demand for converting it into a three-day event, leaving BJP leaders of the area fuming. Political observers claim that one Sangat Darshan programme has the potential to clinch at least 10,000 votes for the ruling alliance. “We are grateful to the Chief Minister for holding the event in one of the most backward areas of Gurdaspur. People may get some relief as grants have been announced for laying roads,” Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma said.
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8 yrs on, Mahilpur awaits library
Hoshiarpur, February 10 On December 23, 2006, CM’s then Deputy Principal Secretary Rakesh Ahir had laid the foundation stone for both structures. Residents had thought that their dream of having a community centre and a library would be realised soon. As construction never started, a park was developed there. But that too was not taken care of. Nagar Panchayat EO Ram Parkash said he was unaware of the matter. “It is an eight-year-old issue and I cannot say anything about it as I have no knowledge about it.” When asked about the park’s bad condition, he claimed that all parks were maintained properly. “We are taking care of all parks. All seven to eight parks in the city are properly taken care of.” On being told that a park was developed on the land reserved for the community centre and the library and it was in shambles, Parkash said: “I have no knowledge of any such park. If there is any park as you say, I will see it tomorrow and we will take care of it too.” Socialist Democratic Party president Jai Gopal Dhiman has demanded that Nagar Panchayat should start the construction else his party would protest. Official apathy *
The foundation stone for the community centre and the library was laid on December 23, 2006 *
Later a park was built there, that too is in a shambles now.
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Health workers step up stir
Muktsar, February 10 In one such incident, the Contractual Multipurpose Health Workers’ (Female) Union today took out a protest march in city, beating dish plates in their hands. The health workers said the government, on one hand, had regularised jobs of employees who were in service for three years and, on the other, employees like them who had been serving for six years were still not being
regularised. The pen-down strike of health workers entered the eighth day today. Health Workers’ Union president has been on indefinite fast for the past five days.
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Three months on, missing teenagers yet to be traced Faridkot, February 10 Harshit Sharma, 17, a mechanical engineering student in Solan, and his cousin Adarsh Sharma, 14, went missing a day after Harshit reached Faridkot to meet his maternal uncle Ravinder Kumar Sharma, a BSF sepoy. Harshit Sharma’s father, Rajesh Sharma, is also a BSF sepoy. He is posted in Chhattisgarh. He said they had tried to contact Harshit on his cellphone but it was switched off. Besides raising the matter with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, the families of the missing boys have approached local leaders for assistance. “After we spoke to Shanta Kumar, he raised the matter with the Punjab CM, but to no avail,” alleged Ravinder Kumar. “We are working on several theories. We have taken the help of mobile companies to trace the boys, but there has been no breakthrough so far,” said Varinder Pal Singh, SSP, Faridkot.
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Revamp road safety councils, High Court to state govt
Chandigarh, February 10 The Bench said the councils would comprise experts. It directed the states to abide by the directions of the Central Government issued in this regard. The Bench also ordered that the road safety councils would meet at least twice a month. While the Chandigarh Administration had constituted a council on the directions of the court last December, Punjab and Haryana are yet to finalise members for the same. The court, on the previous date of hearing, had come down heavily on Haryana for its inability to zero in on an expert and for limiting its search to serving or retired bureaucrats. The court had taken suo motu notice of a letter by vice-chairman of the Punjab State Road Safety Council Kamaljeet Soi on the callous attitude of the state.
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Chief Justice Kaul presented the Constitution of Kenya
Chandigarh, February 10 The book was presented by advocate Harpreet Sandhu and Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association president Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu. Sandhu was earlier invited by the Supreme Court of Kenya and presented the copy of the Constitution of Kenya and Kenya Rules for his upcoming comparative study. Sandhu was also greeted by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya Dr Willy Mutunga at Nairobi. Sandhu was informed about the functioning of the Kenyan laws and the Supreme Court to help him carry out his comparative study of Kenyan and Indian courts.
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HC: Candidates seeking revaluation can apply for job
Chandigarh, February 10 The High Court has also made it clear that advertisements issued in future for carrying out selections to “any post” would specifically mention that the candidates seeking re-evaluation in the eligibility examination “shall also be entitled to file an application provisionally while mentioning this fact clearly. They shall also be permitted to appear in the competitive examination, if any, provisionally. However, their provisional candidature shall be subject to production of the final result of re-evaluation on or before the date of interview/counselling. This will not affect any selection made or any advertisement already issued for selection.” The ruling came on a petition filed by Sunita Devi against the State of Punjab and another respondent. She had applied for the post of Punjabi mistress, but cleared the additional paper of Punjab after re-evaluation, the result of which was declared after the last date for submission of forms. Justice Rajesh Bindal asserted: “A candidate, who has applied for revaluation of his answer books and before the result is declared has applied for a post, he shall be at liberty to file a representation to the competent authority in the university/educational institute for expediting re-evaluation of his answer books so that he does not suffer on account of delay.” Justice Bindal directed that copies of the order be sent to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana and the UT Home Secretary for implementation”.
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8 more tax inspectors in dock
Bathinda, February 10 The department has recommended registration of an FIR against eight tax inspectors and the glass house owners. The Jalandhar firm had allegedly showed export of two glass consignments worth Rs 2.61 crore and Rs 2.67 crore to claim VAT refund. “Eight tax inspectors deployed at Moonak and Banur barriers showed movement of goods in trucks of the firm meant to reach two different locations in Jaipur (Rajasthan),” said SS Bangra, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner. The authorities in Jaipur have denied the receipt of any such goods by Jaipur-based Asian Traders while investigation is underway to enquire the same from Jagdambay Sales, another company to which the Jalandhar firm has claimed to have sold goods. “We have written to the higher authorities for the registration of a cheating case against the firm owner,” Bangra said, adding that the inspectors had allegedly showed eight vehicles crossing the barrier with fraudulent entries in their computer login. The scam *
The Jalandhar firm had allegedly showed export of two glass consignments worth Rs 2.61 crore and Rs 2.67 crore to claim VAT refund. *
The Excise Department has recommended registration of an FIR against eight tax inspectors and the glass house owners.
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Two cops among three held for graft
Ludhiana, February 10 Satinder Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police , Vigilance, said SI Darshan and Surinderpal were caught red-handed with a bribe of Rs 5,000, while HC Kanwaljeet was on the run. The VB team got into action on the complaint of Jagdish
Kaur.
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Two held for stealing
Rs 9-lakh ornaments
Abohar, February 10 Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal said Bal Ram of Mehmatpura village and Kala Ram of Balasar village of Sirsa district (Haryana) had burgled Jagriti Jewellers owned by Sandeep Soni at Green Avenue here on February 6. The accused were booked under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC. Both were remanded in police custody for two days. Preliminary investigation indicated that the accused had also been booked in the past by the Haryana Police in some cases.
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Hoshiarpur police seize 1,372 kg of poppy husk
Hoshiarpur, February 10 Two consignments of 1,372 kg of poppy husk seized by the Hoshiarpur police in a special operation in the past one week has revealed that the smugglers have changed their modus operandi. “Our teams intercepted a Canter carrying potatoes at a naka at Masitpal village. When searched, we found 1,300 kg of poppy husk stuffed in 52 bags and hidden beneath stacks of potato bags. We arrested the occupants Avtar Singh Taari, Satnam Singh and Raj Kumar,” said Hoshiarpur SSP Narinder Bhargava. A truck coming from J&K was intercepted and smugglers Mohammed Rafi Avaan and Sayeed Ali Husaain arrested at Miani Mod near Tanda yesterday. The police found 72 kg of poppy husk inside the truck’s oil tank, the officer said. “The consignment was concealed in two chambers inside the diesel tank which were linked to a pit in the truck’s body,” the SSP said. While Avtar Singh Taari, Satnam Singh and Raj Kumar had brought the poppy husk from Panagarh in West Bengal, Mohammed Rafi Avaan and Sayeed Ali Hussain, both residents of Baramula, had told the police they had brought the contraband from Pulwama. “Investigations revealed that Avaan and Hussain had crossed into Punjab, through the Madhopur barrier, 26 times during the past six months,” Bhargava said. Each of the two cavities in the truck could carry 40 kg of poppy husk. The arrested smugglers had confessed to supplying the contraband to particular customers, the SSP added.
Special operation
*
The Hoshiarpur police intecepted a Canter carrying potatoes at a naka at Masitpal village
*
It found 1,300 kg of poppy husk in 52 bags hidden beneath stacks of potato bags *
Canter occupants Avtar Singh Taari, Satnam Singh and Raj Kumar arrested *
Mohammed Rafi Avaan and Sayeed Ali Husaain arrested at Miani Mod near Tanda *
72 kg of poppy husk found inside their truck's oil tank.
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Headmaster held for molestion
Patiala, February 10 Station House officer of Kheri Gandian Hari Chand said a case under Sections 354 and 506 of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered against the headmaster on the victim’s complaint. She had alleged she was sexually assaulted in school on February 7. The headmaster’s brother alleged his brother had caught the girl with a boy and had reprimanded them both. “ The girl has implicated my brother to save her skin,” he claimed.
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transactions worth Rs 1,300 - Rs 1,400 crore could not be effected in the region today, because of the two-day nationwide strike by employees of public sector banks that began today. 
Chief
Minister Parkash Singh Badal seems to have managed only a temporary truce with
the agitating education volunteers working under the Employment Guarantee Scheme
(EGS), Special Trainer Teachers (STR) and Alternative Innovative Education (AIE)
schemes.
If
a Chief Minister points to the abysmal state of schools in villages during the
course of distributing grants for other development works, one can imagine the
priorities of panchayats.
