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Govt eyes Rs 4,800 crore excise revenue in next fiscal
Farmers to resume stir as state fails to keep promise
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10,000 cops to man Modi rally today
DGP Sumedh Saini taking stock of security arrangements in Jagraon on Saturday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
27 projects in a day, Harsimrat goes on stone-laying spree
Rabbi Shergill may be AAP
Simranjit Mann to contest from Khadoor Sahib Shashi Kant quits AAP
Murthy promises 5,000 jobs
No shortcut to success: Army Chief
PCS prelims postponed to March 23
Diabetes a disease of the rich : UK doc
Future of healthcare lies in smart phones: Dr Sagar
Dayanand Hospital to
open centres
Court raps police for shoddy probe in rape case
Cop among 6 booked for
abducting, killing manPuneet Pal Singh Gill
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Govt eyes Rs 4,800 crore excise revenue in next fiscal
Chandigarh, February 22 It is learnt the government, faced with a slower growth in revenue from excise collections during this fiscal, has decided to revert to the 2012-13 policy, thus increasing the number of licencing units or groups (as these are called) from the present almost 350 to 600. This is being done to ensure that excise collections continue to yield at least a 20 per cent increase in revenue over this year’s total excise collections. The government’s audited statement of finance shows that the excise collections till November 31, 2013, were Rs 2,496.01 crore as against Rs 2,238.18 crore in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal (an increase of 11.52 per cent). But it was still much lower than the targeted increase in excise collections of 17.88 per cent for the entire fiscal. During the current fiscal, the government has set a target of Rs 4,020 crore through excise but given the slow growth, this seems to be a tough task. Sources said there was a growing feeling that the main reason for the slow growth in excise collections was the policy of restricting the number of groups, based on their proximity to the corporation or municipal limits of a town/city, which was done so as to remove any unhealthy competition in prices by competing groups. However, the government now feels that not only did it lose revenue by amalgamation of groups during this year but it also led to monopolisation of the liquor trade. Sources said a part of the excise collections next year would also be set aside as education cess and for development of sports. Other than the new excise policy, the Cabinet is also expected to clear several ordinances that have to be converted into bills in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha session that begins on March 3. The Cabinet is also likely to give a go-ahead for having ambulances in jails. Excise collection 2012-13 fiscal:
Rs 3,410 cr 2013-14 (till Nov):Rs 2,496cr 2013-14 target: Rs
4,020 cr
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Farmers to resume stir as state fails to keep promise
Bathinda, February 22 Earlier, the farmers had called off their six-day long protest, wherein they had also laid siege to the District Administrative Complex (DAC) in Bathinda, after signing an agreement with the government. After blocking the GT Road, the farmers had blocked all the four entrances to the DAC to keep government officials, including the DC and the SSP at bay. The farmer’s act had forced the local authorities to declare a holiday. General secretary of BKU (Ekta-Ugraha) Sukhdev Singh Kokri said the decision to resume the protest was taken today after the government took a U-turn on the matter. The state government had promised to release nearly Rs 6.5 crore for the landless labourers of Gobindpura village of Mansa and give possession of the already allotted plots to the poor in villages across the state. The state had also assured them of giving a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of debt-ridden farmers, who had committed suicide. “Only 50 per cent of the victim families have received compensation,” Kokri said. State president of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union Jora Singh Nasrali said the effigies of the Chief Minister would be burnt simultaneously across the state between 8 am and 9 am. He said an announcement to boycott the Fateh Rally in Jagraon had also been made. Those participating in Modi’s rally tomorrow would be welcomed with black flags, he added. What the state agreed to * Will release nearly Rs 6.5 crore for the landless labourers of Gobindpura village of Mansa * Give possession of the already allotted plots to the poor in villages across the state * Release a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of debt-ridden farmers, who had committed suicide
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10,000 cops to man Modi rally today
Ludhiana/Jagraon, February 22 More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed at the rally venue and in nearby areas even as the Gujarat Chief Minister would be addressing the public from a bulletproof stage. Three different stages have been erected for the leaders while the pandal for the audience is spread over 96 acres of land. Over 100 acres (taken on rent from farmers) has been reserved for the parking of vehicles. Apart from Modi, BJP president Rajnath Singh, BJP Punjab affairs in charge Shanta Kumar, party’s state chief Kamal Sharma, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Punjab Cabinet Ministers and among those expected at the rally. The SAD-BJP alliance leaders have been claiming that more than 2 lakh people were expected. Sharma said over 5,000 vehicles, including buses, had been fired to ferry the supporters. Moga-Ludhiana closed *
The Moga-Ludhiana highway would remain closed for general commuters on Sunday and only vehicles ferrying people to the rally would be allowed to travel on this stretch. The entry of heavy vehicles has also been banned on this highway. "These steps have been taken to avoid traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public," said Jagraon SSP Ashish Chaudhry. People travelling from Ludhiana to Moga would have to go through Hambra, Bhundri, Sidhwan Bet, Kishenpura and
Dharamkot. Slum kids clear venue *
Some poor children were allegedly seen doing labour at local Sugar Mills grounds, the venue for BJP leader Narendra Modi's Fateh Rally, today. The rally will be held tomorrow. The children were allegedly draining out the rainwater accumulated at the venue after it rained last night. Sources said the administration forcibly brought some children from nearby slums to work at the venue. "The organisers forced the children to drain out the rainwater from the venue," alleged sources.
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SAD bets on sitting MP Ghubaya from Ferozepur
Muktsar, February 22 Ghubaya (52) belongs to the Rai Sikh community, which has a huge presence in the constituency. Elected an MLA from Jalalabad in 1997 and 2007, he successfully contested the Lok Sabha poll from Ferozepur in 2009. He had defeated Congress stalwart Jagmeet Brar by 21,071 votes. Before foraying into politics, he used to work as an accountant at a brick kiln. He has also remained a member of the Punjab Committee on Water Resources. "Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal announced my candidature in the presence of several senior leaders at my house today,” said Ghubaya. Vardev Singh 'Nonny' Mann, SAD Guruharsahai assembly constituency in charge and son of three-time Ferozepur MP Zora Singh Mann, was also in the race for the ticket. With the announcement of Ghubaya's candidature, the SAD-BJP alliance has declared candidates from eight of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. About the leader * Sher Singh Ghubaya (52) belongs to the Rai Sikh community * Was elected an MLA from Jalalabad in 1997 and 2007 * Defeated Congress stalwart Jagmeet Brar in the 2009 Lok Sabha poll * Has remained a member, water resources panel
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27 projects in a day, Harsimrat goes on stone-laying spree
Bathinda, February 22 She launched 27 projects worth Rs 33.76 crore in the district, making it an unusually hectic day for government officials, who remained on their toes the entire day. She began with the inauguration of a 50-bed hospital for women and children and a drug warehouse at the local Civil Hospital. Most of the projects were related to upgrade of schools. This was done in Aklia Kalan, Jeeda, Jandawala, Bhucho Khurd, Gehri Devi Nagar, Koreana, Teona Pujariya, Sekhu and Pathrala and Bathinda city. This was followed by projects of Water Supply and Sanitation Department in Bahoyatri, Sangat Kalan, Bhagu Road, Lakhi Jangal, Mari, Natt and Giana. Apart from these, the MP launched three projects of Mandi Board and two each of the Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) and Health Department. The last project on Harsimrat’s itinerary was a Policing Outreach Centre at Nandgarh. “Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal was supposed to inaugurate the first such centre in the state at Ludhiana around 11:30 am. It was decided that the Nandgarh centre would be inaugurated only after that,” said a police official. “Harsimrat Badal and other politicians in the state are pushing for the completion of projects as the code of conduct will come into force soon,” said a health official.
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Rabbi Shergill may be AAP
Amritsar, February 22 Talking to The Tribune, AAP’s campaign committee convener in Punjab, Sumel Singh Sidhu, said Rabbi had been associated with the party and he had been campaigning for it as well. He, however, said there was no official word yet on his candidature from Amritsar and it was mere speculation as of now. But, he confirmed that Rabbi would be campaigning for AAP in Punjab in the Lok Sabha elections. — TNS
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Simranjit Mann to contest from Khadoor Sahib Chandigarh, February 22 Jaswant said he would contest from Anandpur Sahib. The other candidates are Harjinder Singh Jakhu (Hoshiarpur), Talib Singh Sandhu (Ludhiana), Mohinder Pal Singh (Patiala) and PS Bedi (Karnal), he said. In Haryana, the party would also contest Ambala, Hisar, Kurukshetra and Sirsa seats.
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Shashi Kant quits AAP
Chandigarh, February 22 Kant alleged the party also appeared not ready to give the Bathinda Lok Sabha ticket to the unemployed woman teacher who was thrashed by the police during an anti-government protest. In a message sent to the media, he said he was unhappy that the AAP had failed to raise several other issues, including the cane-charge on protesting farmers.
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Murthy promises 5,000 jobs
Mohali, February 22 He was here with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for the foundation-laying ceremony of the campus. The first phase of the project would be completed within three years, said Murthy in his address at the venue, adding that the construction work would start from October 1. Murthy also laid the foundation stone of the biggest Infosys campus in the country at Nagpur this morning. He said creation of jobs was the need of the hour. He is scheduled to lay the foundation stones of two more complexes, in Noida on Sunday and in Indore on Monday.
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No shortcut to success: Army Chief
Patiala, February 22 Addressing the students, he said: “As there is no shortcut to success, it is always better to choose the tougher right path than the easier wrong path. Only those who work hard are the ones who get lucky in life." It was the General’s maiden visit to the institute, which, he said, was his “earnest desire as the school was considered the main competitor of Punjab Public School (PPS), Nabha” (his alma mater). “When I agreed to preside over the function, several of my friends from PPS called up to say I was going to the rival school. I laughed away saying YPS was a competitor not an enemy,” he said in a lighter vein. Gen Singh exhorted the youth to aim high and follow their dreams. “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough,” he quoted former President APJ Abdul Kalam as having said once. Among others, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, her brother-in-law and SAD leader Malwinder Singh and eight members of the School Board of Governors and eminent dignitaries from the Army were present. A special highlight of the programme was the attendance of a delegation of 15 students and two staff members from Insitituto Di Instruzione Superiore, Lovere, Italy. Meritorious students were awarded on the occasion.
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PCS prelims postponed to March 23
Chandigarh, February 22 Sources said the exam had been postponed as the date almost coincided with the Holi festival. However, AAP leader Prof Manjit Singh said it was surprising that the PPSC had chosen to conduct the exam on the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh. —TNS
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Diabetes a disease of the rich : UK doc
Ludhiana, February 22 He said more and more affluent people had become diabetic. Dr Sahot has also been a member of the London Assembly since 2012. Sahota said environment and health were interrelated. Apart from physical and biotic environment, social environment was also playing an important role in health issues, he said. “Genes in humans are related to social class as more and more people of the same professions are getting married among each other. Our genes had become less diverse due to these reasons,” he said. On entering the political arena, he said he wanted to give voice to people’s concerns and formulate policies for their health and welfare. Dr Sahota still practises medicine once a week in order to keep his
licence.
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Future of healthcare lies in smart phones: Dr Sagar
Ludhiana, February 22 “There are several applications available for clinics and consumers such as medscape, uptodate, skyscape and e-medicine. One can also download apps on fitness, diet and nutrition, and speedometers,” said Dr Sagar. He said certain devices that could be attached to smart phones to check eye sight, haemoglobin and blood sugar were also available in the market. Dr Sagar said one such app, I-triage, could guide patients to get some tests done or consult a doctor. He further said there was no data to prove or disprove the fact that use of cell phones led to headache or heart disease.
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Dayanand Hospital to
open centres
Ludhiana, February 22 Munjal, who is also the Joint Managing Director of Hero MotoCorp, attended the ongoing 69th Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India in Ludhiana. “We regularly organise rural outreach programmes to provide healthcare to people in far-flung areas,” said Munjal. He said open heart surgeries had been made affordable for the poor at the hospital. — TNS
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Court raps police for shoddy probe in rape case
Chandigarh, February 22 Justice RP Nagrath also admonished the “administrative machinery” for being ignorant of reprehensible activities. The Judge also upheld the conviction of Balwant Singh, who was running the care home at Ladhuwal village. Another accused in the case, Jaswant Singh, stands acquitted. Justice Nagrath asserted: “It is painful and distressing to observe that such types of self-styled institutions/NGOs are permitted to mushroom in town and cities. “This was a sensational and senseless crime… It is surprising that the police did not hand over the investigation to a senior officer but felt complacent with the investigation being conducted by an Assistant Sub-Inspector. Had the investigation been entrusted to a senior police officer, he would have contacted other inmates of the care home and collected more and proper evidence. It was rather required to constitute a special investigation team and monitor the progress,” the court said. Both Jaswant Singh and Balwant Singh were accused of raping the minor. It was alleged that the two would consume liquor in the care home and the complainant had seen them rape the victim and also video-graphed the act on his mobile phone. The two were convicted for rape under Section 376 of the IPC and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years. After hearing arguments on their appeal, Justice Nagrath asserted: “I find that there is cogent, convincing and direct evidence to prove the charge of rape against Balwant Singh…. “Admittedly, videos with regard to the sexual acts prepared on both days relate to Balwant Singh committing sexual intercourse with the victim. Therefore, in the absence of sufficient proof, the trial court fell in error in convicting Jaswant Singh.”
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Cop among 6 booked for
abducting, killing man
Ludhiana, February 22 The head constable, Parminder Singh, and Deepak Kumar allegedly took the victim, Gulzar Singh Chaudhary (60) of Ali Majra village near Rajpura, without registering a case in Ludhiana or informing their counterparts in Patiala. It has been learnt that the duo allegedly acted at the behest of Bhupinder Singh Soma, a property dealer and one of those booked, over a monetary dispute. Soma had allegedly approached some police personnel posted at Haibowal police station after his cattle went missing on February 15. He had blamed Gulzar for the act, a police official said. Instead of registering a formal complaint, Parminder and Deepak struck a deal with Soma and reportedly unofficially proceeded to Rajpura in a private vehicle. Gulzar was reportedly brought to Soma’s shop in Rishi Nagar (Ludhiana) where he is believed to have been assaulted after which he passed away today morning. A case under sections 302, 365, 363, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered against six persons at PAU police station. Ashu, Gahley and an unidentified person are the others booked for the crime. The complaint was lodged by Chaudhary’s friends Gurwinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Confirming the development, Dhruman Nimbale, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West), said Gulzar and Soma had met a few days ago and they had an altercation over some monetary issue. Four persons had been arrested while Parminder and Soma were at large, said Nimbale. On wrong side of law * Head constable Parminder Singh and Home Guards employee Deepak Kumar allegedly abducted Gulzar Chaudhary from his house in Rajpura * They allegedly acted at the behest of a Ludhiana property dealer, who had a dispute with the victim * The duo neither informed the Ludhiana police nor their counterparts in Patiala
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Elaborate security arrangements have been made for BJP's PM-designate Narendra Modi’s ‘Fateh Rally’ at Jagraon Sugar Mill grounds tomorrow.
Bathinda, February 22
In a big boost for the Information Technology sector, Infosys will provide at least 5,000 jobs to software professionals after the completion of the first phase of its campus, worth Rs 425 crore. The announcement was made by Infosys founder and executive chairman Narayana Murthy here today.
Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh presided over the 65th ‘Academic Day’ function of Yadavindra Public School (YPS) here today.
The doctor further said it was a great injustice that nowadays more people from the poorer sections of the society were getting ill and had shorter lives.