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Majithia’s name not to figure in first chargesheet against druglord Bhola
Accused jagdish Bhola
PRTC told to pay Rs 1.25 crore to clear PF dues of drivers
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To check inter-state crime, officers discuss better policing measures
AAP nominee says no to police cover
Bains turned rebel when denied ministry: Badal
Liquor distributed at Sukhbir’s rally
SAD must explain stand on
SYL: Bajwa
Jat Mahasabha felicitates Amarinder
Amritsar SAD, BJP district chiefs fined Rs 90,000 each
Sukhbir says Cong candidates made ‘scapegoat'
Congress, AAP wooing Hans
Lakhowal seeks votes
at gurdwara meeting
Rajindra Hospital under scanner over waste disposal
Only 138 NRIs enrolled as voters in state
Declining water table: Central scheme to cover entire state
Clergy declares Hamilton
gurdwara panel ‘tankhaiya’
Patna Sahib management panel dismisses Jathedar
Farmers, labourers
protest
Kalam calls for increase in agricultural produce
Medical college hopeful of more seats
HC pulls up Abohar judge for illegally sentencing official
Abohar judge pulled up by High
Court US court reserves ruling in riots case
Youth dies in judicial
custody, probe ordered
Travel agent commits suicide
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Majithia’s name not to figure in first chargesheet against druglord Bhola
Chandigarh, March 20 Former Punjab Police Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdish Singh Bhola is the main accused in the case. Though Bhola had also alleged the involvement of Bikram Majithia, Revenue Minister, and Damanvir Singh, son of Jails Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, the duo’s name would not figure in the chargesheet, said sources. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), it has been learnt, was trying to corroborate the statements made by Bhola against Majithia and Damanvir by interrogating at least 15 other accused in the case. Sources said the first chargesheet would focus entirely on Bhola’s alleged role. It is to be filed in a Patiala court by March 22. In his statement to the ED, Bhola had alleged that Majithia acted as a mediator in a drug deal gone sour between Manjinder Singh Bittu Aulakh and Jagjit Singh Chahal and duo’s Canadian accomplice. During his interrogation regarding the main players in the drug trade being run in Punjab, Bhola had alleged that Aulakh and Chahal supplied poor quality pseudoephederine (synthetic drug) to the Canadian dealer, which did not match the standards set by the latter. The deal was reportedly struck at Rs 1.50 crore. The dealer either sought replacement of the consignment or refund of his money. Bhola reportedly said that it was only after Majithia mediated on behalf of the Canadian dealer that a fresh consignment was delivered to the latter and another Canada-based man. The ED is now reportedly trying to corroborate the statement by trying to get Aulakh and Chahal’s versions, both of whom are in judicial remand. Bhola had also named Delhi-based synthetic drug supplier Varinder ‘Raja’, who is in Patiala jail. He had alleged that Damanvir had introduced Varinder “Raja” to Chunni Lal Gaba, who owns a pharmaceutical unit in Baddi. Bhola alleged that Gaba was supplying pseudoephedrine (used to make ICE) to Raja, who in turn was supplying the synthetic drugs to Canada. The ED has issued the second summon to Damanvir and told him to appear on March 27 while Gaba has been asked to appear on March 26. The department is also reportedly examining the money trail, and trying to unearth all properties that Bhola and others involved in the case could have gotten from the proceeds of crime. The involvement of other people in the drug trade and the money trail will form the supplementary chargesheet that the ED will file in the case later. Allegations and rebuttal * Bhola had alleged the role of Bikram Majithia (Revenue Minister) and Damanvir Singh (son of Minister Sarwan
Phillaur) * The ED is reportedly trying to corroborate Bhola’s statements against the duo by interrogating other accused *
Bhola had alleged that Majithia acted as mediator in a drug deal gone sour between two other accused (Aulakh and Chahal) in the case and their Canadian dealer *
The two accused reportedly supplied poor quality pseudoephederine, which was rejected by the Canadian dealer *
A fresh consignment was allegedly delivered only after Majithia intervened
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PRTC told to pay Rs 1.25 crore to clear PF dues of drivers
Faridkot, March 20 In a letter to all the nine PRTC depot managers in the state, Assistant Commissioner VK Dhawan on Monday accused the private contractor of cheating bus drivers of their retirement savings. He alleged that the contractor had not remitted PF dues to hundreds of bus drivers between 2002-2011. The private contractor provides drivers to the PRTC, which is charged for all the statutory dues such as the PF contributions on the salaries of these drivers. Demanding strict action against the contractor, Dhawan directed the PRTC depot managers at
Faridkot, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Budladha, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Kapurthala to forfeit all deposits and securities of the contractor. The letter stated that besides the payment of the PF by the private contractor, the contractor is also yet to remit the PF share paid by the PRTC to the drivers. The order comes after the PF Department received complaints of fraud by the affected drivers. The drivers had alleged that despite the “embezzlement” by the contractor, he was not debarred by the PRTC. Avtar Singh Brar, chairman, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, said the contractor would not be spared and his deposits will be forfeited to make recovery. Meanwhile, Mohan Lal, chief accountant officer, PRTC, said the allegations were being looked into. The Assistant Commissioner warned the PRTC depot managers that if they failed in making the payments, the PRTC would be deemed as an employer in default of Rs 1,25,96,206. Dhawan warned the depot managers of sale of buses, arrest and detention of the defaulter if the dues were not cleared. “Legally, we are the principal employer of these drivers. Any shortcomings in the statutory dues could devolve on us," said a PRTC official. Letters sent to 9 depot managers *
In a letter to all the nine PRTC depot managers in the state, Assistant Commissioner, PF, VK Dhawan has accused a private contractor, who provides drivers to the PRTC, of cheating employees of their retirement savings *
The letter states that besides payment of the PF by the private contractor, the contractor is also yet to remit the PF share paid by the PRTC to the drivers *
Dhawan has warned the depot managers that they can face sale of buses, arrest and detention of the defaulter concerned if the dues are not cleared
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To check inter-state crime, officers discuss better policing measures
Fazilka, March 20 “We have identified 24 points to plug infiltration to ensure peaceful polling. Necessary information regarding criminals with past record and proclaimed offenders will also be exchanged periodically,” said a police officer. Support from the Railway Police will also be sought for checking smuggling through the Sriganganagar-Fazilka-Ferozepur super fast train.
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AAP nominee says no to police cover
Chandigarh, March 20 In a letter addressed to Harbir Singh Atwal, Ropar Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shergill said his party was against VIP culture and not interested in using security as status symbol. The police had sent two security officials to his residence this morning. “I have written to the police authorities concerned against the security as well as telephoned them,” he said. Shergill said instead of providing security to politicians and other VIPs, police personnel should be deployed to protect the common people, prevent accidents, regulate traffic and prevent crimes. Only then could an atmosphere of security provided to the society as a whole, he said.
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Bains turned rebel when denied ministry: Badal
Ludhiana, March 20 Hitting out at the Independent MLA at a rally in Dana Mandi, Badal alleged Simarjit had approached the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Badal, with his demand, which was turned down. Simarjit is contesting as an Independent from Ludhiana parliamentary constituency. “Don’t talk about them (Simarjit’s brother is also an Independent MLA). Even if he wins as an Independent, what can he do in Parliament?” he said while seeking votes for SAD nominee Manpreet Singh Ayali. Taking a dig at the Congress, Badal said the party’s leaders were allegedly running away from the contest as they were sure of defeat. “(Partap Singh) Bajwa has been forced to re-contest from Gurdaspur while Capt (Amarinder Singh) is being pressurised to fight from Amritsar. The Bathinda seat has been thrust on Manpreet Singh Badal by the Congress… Rahul Gandhi never asked any question in Parliament and a majority of the time he stayed absent. This shows his lack of interest,” he said. The Chief Minister alleged that the Centre had done injustice with Punjab on all fronts. He reiterated his complaint of the state being denied a special package. “When we came to power, we could fulfill only 70 per cent of the power demand. But now, we are surplus for the next nine months. We are self-sufficient for the paddy season too,” he said. SAD leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal said, "The Bains brothers are not loyal to anybody. A person who is not loyal to his parent party can be loyal to none.” Badal addressed another rally at Sunder Nagar (in Ludhiana-North constituency) in the evening. Evasive on crime Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was evasive when asked why the law and order problem was deteriorating in Ludhiana district. “The Lok Sabha elections are round the corner and let’s talk about what is going on in Delhi," he said.
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Liquor distributed at Sukhbir’s rally
Ghanaur/Bhadson, March 20 Sources said chaos prevailed as free liquor being distributed among SAD workers went out of stock during rallies at Ghanaur and Bhadson. At Ghanaur, SAD workers were seen pushing each other to grab cartons of liquor that were "promised" to them for participating in the rally. When The Tribune team tried to follow some of the workers, they fled the scene with their "booty". Eyewitnesses said police and district administration officials present at the spot turned a blind eye to the illegal activity. A SAD worker said: "I came here only after I was assured two bottles each for my people." The eyewitnesses said workers hurriedly loaded liquor cartons in vehicles used to ferry people to the rally site. Many workers showed slips which they said would help them get their "share" from a designated liquor vend. A number of MNREGA workers who were brought to Ghanaur and Bhadson too claimed that they were marked present at work. "Besides, we are promised liquor for participating in the rally", a worker said. When the matter was brought to the notice of District Electoral Officer Gopal Krishan Singh, he said he would get a report from the Rajpura Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Ghanaur MLA Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur denied that liquor was distributed. "You show me the pictures and we will identify the workers if there was any such incident," she said. Meanwhile, Dhillon's reported sharing of a helicopter with Sukhbir will cost him dear as half its expenses would be added to his election expenditure. Earlier addressing a rally, Sukhbir said: "Leaders like Partap Singh Bajwa and Manish Tewari did not want to contest. Now when they are forced into the poll fray, they are trying to prevail on the Congress leadership for Capt Amrinder Singh's candidature from Amritsar", he alleged. Dhillon said Preneet Kaur had failed to get a single development project for the area. "Despite being Union Minister, she failed to fulfill promises made to the voters", he said. A late evening rally near Quila Chowk in Patiala led to traffic snarls. Commuters and shopkeepers had to suffer a great deal as the city police had sealed certain routes to facilitate movement of VIP vehicles. Eyewitness’ account *
Chaos prevailed as free liquor distributed among SAD workers went out of stock at the rallies in Ghanaur and Bhadson *
At Ghanaur, workers pushed one another to grab cartons of liquor "promised" to them for attending the rally *
Police and district administration officials at the spot turned a blind eye to all this *
Many workers showed slips which they said would help them get their "share" from a designated liquor vend
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SAD must explain stand on
SYL: Bajwa
New Delhi, March 20 Talking to The Tribune here today, Bajwa said Sukhbir had campaigned for INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala's grandson. “Badal will have to explain his stand to the people of Punjab as the state’s interests cannot be sacrificed at the altar of his social ties with the Chautalas,” he said. He accused the SAD of double standards. He said while the SAD was a part of the NDA at the Centre and had an alliance with the BJP in Punjab, Sukhbir had been canvassing for the INLD that was fighting elections against the BJP and the HJC. "The BJP's opportunism has also been exposed as it has chosen to keep mum on the matter," Bajwa said. He said his party was ready to take on the SAD. He said the situation in Punjab was made. The state's per capita income was Rs 46,000 against Haryana's Rs 62,000 and Himachal Pradesh's Rs 48,000. "The Akali Dal will be exposed during the campaign," he said. He claimed that the battle in Bathinda would prove to be SAD's Waterloo. "Rahul Gandhi’s intervention in according approval to the ex-servicemen's demand for one rank, one pension will pay handsome dividends," he claimed.
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Jat Mahasabha felicitates Amarinder
New Delhi, March 20 He was all praise, for Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Union Ministers Ajit Singh and Kapil Sibbal for their role in granting reservation to the Jats. He was speaking at a convention organised by the All-India Jat Mahasabha here to thank him and Sonia Gandhi. He said Jats in 14 states could not be brought under the quota policy as the legislative assemblies in these states had not passed the mandatory resolution recommending that the Jats be included in the OBC category. He said he had written thrice to Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal on the issue. “I do not know why he did not act,” he said. Hooda also spoke on the occasion.
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Amritsar SAD, BJP district chiefs fined Rs 90,000 each
Chandigarh, March 20 Acting on a complaint by Punjab Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira, alleging code violations by BJP's candidate from Amritsar Arun Jaitley, the returning officer has imposed a fine of Rs 90,000 each on the SAD and BJP district chiefs for defacing public property with flex boards. A similar action was likely to be taken against the SAD in Bathinda, said Additional CEO Raminder Singh. PPP chief's complaint
The EC has asked the Principal Secretary, Home, to inquire into allegations by PPP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal, against IGP Jatinder Jain, IGP Paramjit Singh Umranangal and SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar for acting at the behest of the SAD leadership and harassing voters in Bathinda. The Additional CEO said the Principal Secretary had been asked to inquire and report within 24 hours. He said a complaint had been received against Ferozepur SSP Manminder Singh by Parminder Singh, alleging that the officer had been intimidating him. “We have also marked an inquiry in this case to the Principal Secretary,” he said. Bittu complains against rival
Congress candidate from Anandpur Sahib Ravneet Bittu has complained to the Election Commission that SAD candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra’s son Simranjit Singh is campaigning for his father. Being Deputy Advocate General, he could not campaign for any candidate, he has alleged. Complaint against DTO
The Punjab Congress has complained to the Election Commission against the DTO, Muktsar, returning officer, Lambi block, alleging he is acting at the behest of the SAD. The complaint says he has been specially posted in the CM's home constituency so that he can "advance the poll prospects of Harsimrat Kaur Badal". Clean chit on atta-dal cards
The Election Commission has received a report from the Secretary, Food and Supplies, saying no new blue cards with photographs of the CM and the Food and Supplies Minister have been distributed post the model code of conduct.
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Sukhbir says Cong candidates made ‘scapegoat'
Dera Bassi, March 20 Addressing a rally in support of party candidate Deepinder Singh Dhillon, here today, he claimed senior Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Manish Tewari had tried their best to escape contesting the elections and had pushed for their rivals' candidature to make them a scapegoat. Sukhbir claimed the SAD was flooded with requests from Congress leaders to take them into the Akali Dal fold. Appealing the people to vote for Dhillon, Sukhbir promised to change the face of the area. “When the NDA is voted to power, we will accelerate the pace of development in Punjab,” he said.
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Congress, AAP wooing Hans
Chandigarh, March 20 Both the Congress leadership and AAP are said to be wooing Hans. Hans, who has come out openly against SAD candidate from Jalandhar Pawan Kumar Tinu, may be expelled from the party, say sources. Hans says Tinu had worked against him during the 2009 Lok Sabha poll. “They have not only ignored me, but also allotted Tinu the party ticket,” said Hans, who lost to Congress' Mohinder Singh Kaypee with a margin of about 37,000 votes in 2009. Hans enjoys a considerable influence over the Balmiki community that has a strong presence in Doaba. There are about 2.5 lakh Balmiki votes in the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency. The Ravidasia sect has an even bigger presence with over 3.5 lakh votes. Tinu is a Ravidasia. Hans had secured 3.86 lakh votes in the last Lok Sabha elections. Several Balmiki organisations have asked Hans to quit the SAD. Hans said he had received phone calls from senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa. “My community members want me to switch sides though I don’t want to desert my party,” said Hans. Sources said senior Congress leader and former state minister Chaudhary Jagjit Singh visited Hans, asking him to support the Congress candidate in Jalandhar. When contacted, Chaudhary said it was a ‘courtesy call’ and had nothing to do with politics. Sulking singer *n Hans Raj Hans, SAD vice-president, may back the Congress candidate or contest on the AAP ticket *
Hans, who has come out openly against SAD candidate from Jalandhar Pawan Kumar Tinu, may be expelled from the party *
Hans enjoys a considerable influence over the Balmiki community that has a strong presence
in Doaba.
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Lakhowal seeks votes
at gurdwara meeting Moga, March 20 Announcing support for the SAD-BJP candidates, he called upon the union workers to defeat the Congress, alleging the party had ignored the plight of farmers in the past 10 years. Lakhowalsaid the farming community felt cheated at being denied remunerative prices for paddy and wheat. Lakhowal praised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for speaking up for the farmers. He claimed the BJP PM candidate, Narendra Modi, had promised that his government in Gujarat would not displace Sikh farmers and, if needed, the local laws would be amended. “The Akali leadership will prevail upon Modi to amend the law”, Lakhowal added.
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Defeat Cong, Majithia tells YAD cadre
Chandigarh: Youth Akali Dal (YAD) president Bikram Singh Majithia today asked YAD activists to work hard to oust the Congress at the Centre. He said it was time to save the country from the clutches of the Congress, which had always "discriminated" against Punjab. "The Congress worked to create unemployment in Punjab with the manufacturing sector shifting to neighbouring states. Now is the time to ensure that the NDA storms back to power. The SAD, being an important component of the NDA, will be able to get economic packages and more industrial projects to Punjab," he said. In an oblique reference to incidents of violence by YAD activists, Majithia said these workers had to bear the consequences. "Move ahead and show that you are a disciplined party. Such incidents spoil the party's image," he said. In a dig at PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa, he said his position was akin to that of a general leaving its soldiers in the midst of a battle.
Khet mazdoors to show black flags to Akalis Muktsar: The Khet Mazdoor Union has decided to burn effigies of the state government on Friday and not vote for SAD candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal, said senior leader Lachhman Singh Sewewala. A large number of activists had gathered at Lambi village. They were not allowed to proceed towards the CM's village with the police barricading the Fazilka-Delhi national highway.
Boon for truck body builders Fatehgarh Sahib: Elections may prove a blessing for the 29 truck body builders of Sirhind, who have been issued notices by the SDM to vacate their workshops along the GT Road, Sirhind, for encroaching Punjab Mandi Board land. Ruling party leaders are bent on getting these orders stayed, just to get votes. They have reportedly met election officials several times on the issue.
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Rajindra Hospital under scanner over waste disposal
Patiala, March 20 The issue came to light during the cleanliness drive of the Paryavaran Welfare Society, which has voluntarily taken up the cause of cleaning up the hospital. It found an unused blood bag and many used injections, syringes, medical gloves and other waste dumped behind the Gynaecology Department. Members of the society found that instead of scientifically disposing of the bio-medical waste, it was thrown in the bushes and it could put the lives of patients and their members of family at risk. Society president Rajnish Kumar told The Tribune: “In spite of getting grants worth crores of rupees, the hospital authorities do not pay heed to the sanitation and cleanliness.” He said garbage dumps could be seen in various parts of the hospital. “Senior doctors and other staff are parking their vehicles in front of these dumps. No one bothers to get the mess cleared,” Kumar said, adding that he the urinals were in a bad shape with many of them overflowing, forcing many patients to use open spaces. Kumar claimed that on one hand, the government was spending crores of rupees to organise blood donation camps and, on the other, unused blood bags are being dumped. “Blood is precious. If it was infected or not used for some reason, it could have been returned to the blood bank or dumped properly to ensure safety of patients since women who have recently given birth and newborns were highly prone to infection,” he added. Dr Jatinder Kansal, a medical officer who is the in-charge of bio-medical waste, said the hospital was generating about 1-quintal waste every day and it was being disposed of in accordance with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) guidelines. “The hospital has initiated an inquiry into the matter. Whoever found negligent will be held accountable,” Dr Kansal added. Rakesh Nayyar, PPCB Environmental Engineer, who is the area in-charge of the hospital, said this was not for the first time that the hospital had disposed of bio-medical waste in an improper manner. “We had found bio-medical waste dumped at the place where they dispose of solid waste. The hospital has been issued strict warnings. We will look into the mater and take action,” he added. In poor health *
An unused blood bag, used injections, syringes, medical gloves and other waste found dumped behind the hospital's Gynaecology Department *
Garbage dumps could be seen in various parts of the hospital * Paryavaran Welfare Society president Rajnish Kumar claim that in spite of getting grants worth crores of rupees, the hospital authorities do not pay heed to the sanitation and cleanliness
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Only 138 NRIs enrolled as voters in state
Muktsar, March 20 Procured from the Punjab Chief Electoral Office (till January 6 this year), the figures show that of the 138 NRI votes, maximum 31 are in Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency. And surprisingly, all are women. Ludhiana parliamentary constituency is second with 26 NRIs voters -- all men. Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency is having 15 NRI voters, all being women. Faridkot and Sangrur parliamentary constituencies have 14 NRIs Punjab (all men). But Jalandhar parliamentary constituency, from where a large number of Punjabis have gone abroad, has only 13 NRIs (all women) enrolled as voters. The segment stands on fifth spot. Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency has 12 NRIs, Anandpur Sahib nine and Ferozepur has four.\Records showed that Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala constituencies did not have even a single NRI voter.
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Declining water table: Central scheme to cover entire state
Chandigarh, March 20 The programme was earlier confined to the Kandi area. The Punjab Government had approached the Centre seeking its help in arresting the declining water table in most parts of the state. Acting on the project report submitted in this regard, the Centre has told the state government authorities to fine tune the same and give top priority to areas where water table had gone down to a critical level. Under the programme, check dams were built in the Kandi area. Water is stored in check dams for use for irrigation. The system has not only facilitated irrigation but also checked the erosion of lower Shivalik hills. However, as ground realities and situations severely differs in the plains as compared to the kandi areas, the authorities concerned would have to adopt a different approach in this regard, said Dr JS Samra, Chairman, Rainfed Area Authority of India. He said manpower would have to be trained to handle the project. There was a provision in the project to employ educated youth from diverse fields such as agriculture, social sciences etc to implement the project, he said. Dr Samra said Rs 323 crore would be available to the state government to implement the programme. “People in the state must make an efficient use of water. To achieve this, there is a need to introduce the sprinkling system, laser levelling, drip irrigation and to avoid flood irrigation. Under the project, water accumulated in the village ponds will be effectively utilised,” he said. Timely move * The Centre has decided to expand the scope of the Integrated Watershed Management Programme to the entire state *
It was earlier confined to the kandi areas * The Centre has told the state to fine tune to give priority to areas where water table has gone down to a critical level
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Clergy declares Hamilton
gurdwara panel ‘tankhaiya’
Amritsar, March 20 Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said they had received a complaint about the Hamilton gurdwara following which they had sought a clarification from its committee. On the issue of a Rajasthan-based educational trust, he said they had decided to give another opportunity to the trust members, who were declared ‘tankhaiya’, to appear before them. During the meeting, the Sikh clergy also objected to printing ‘Ek Onkar’ on the slips issued for ‘parshad’. They also directed the Ravidas Community leaders to make proper arrangements as per 'maryada' for the installation of Guru Granth Sahib at their shrines. The clergy also warned holding of ‘Akhand Path’ at Samadhs. In another significant development, the architect of the original Nanakshahi Calendar, Pal Singh Purewal, met the high priests and discussed the controversy surrounding it.
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Patna Sahib management panel dismisses Jathedar Amritsar, March 20 However, the Akal Takht has given a clean chit to Giani Iqbal Singh. Interestingly, the Patna Sahib committee said the dismissal orders were issued on March 17. But, it was disclosed to the media today when Giani Iqbal Singh participated in the meeting of the Sikh clergy for the first time after his suspension. The committee also issued a copy of his dismissal letter to the media, but it was preceded by a lot of confusion. Initially, the committee released a copy of the missive that it had shot off to the Akal Takht Jathedar today, objecting to his move to invite Giani Iqbal Singh to the meeting of the clergy. In the letter, committee general secretary Charanjit Singh said, “You allowed him to participate in the meeting despite the fact that we had placed him under suspension... Takht Sri Patna Sahib will never accept decisions that are taken with the consent of Giani Iqbal Singh.” Later, the committee rang up mediapersons to tell them that they had already dismissed the Jathedar. However, the copy of the letter subsequently released to the media mentioned the word “suspension”, and not “dismissal”, as claimed by the committee. The panel made the correction and then again released the letter. The committee dismissed him after levelling serious allegations against him, besides accusing him of “long absence from Patna Sahib”. Surprisingly, the letter written to the Akal Takht Jathedar dated March 20 also used the term “suspension”. When contacted, Giani Iqbal Singh said he was not aware about any dismissal order against him. “Whatever action has been initiated by Takht Sri Patna Sahib Management Committee is not legally valid as the panel members have already been booked on attempt to murder charges, he said. Meanwhile, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has given a clean chit to Giani Iqbal Singh. Justifying his participation in the meeting, the Akal Takht Jathedar said Giani Iqbal Singh was still serving as the Jathedar of Patna Sahib.
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Farmers, labourers
protest
Sangrur, March 20 They alleged that the Punjab Government
had not met their “already accepted” demands, including a
government job and Rs 2-lakh compensation to the next of kin of
debt-ridden farmers and labourers who committed suicide, a fresh
survey of debt-ridden farmers who ended their lives and possession of
plots to labourers. The government has taken the view that the
demands could not be met in view of the model code of conduct. A
leader of the protesters questioned the government over this. “Wasn’t
bicycles with the Chief Minister’s pictures that were being unloaded
for distribution among girl students in Dhuri and Moonak earlier this
month a violation of the model code of conduct?” he asked. — TNS
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Kalam calls for increase in agricultural produce
Ropar, March 20 He was speaking at the annual convocation of the Rayat-Bahra Group of Institutes. “The path to attaining higher agricultural produce is ridden with challenges such as less availability of land, shortage of water and reduced availability of agriculture workforce,”
Kalam, who was the chief guest, said, adding that the agriculture experts in partnership with farmers had to strive for increasing average productivity to three times. Besides presenting 14 gold medals to postgraduates, 199 students of B Ed, 35 of M Ed., 16 of
LLB, 20 of BBA, 24 of BCA, 28 of MBA, 15 of B Pharmacy, 31 of M Pharmacy, 345 of B Tech and 30 of M Tech were awarded degrees. — TNS
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274 conferred PhD degrees
Patiala, March 20 The Governor conferred honorary degree of D.Litt on renowned scholar Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi and D.Sc. on agricultural scientist Dr GS Kalkat. Pawan Kumar Singla, Controller of Examination, said it was the first time that the university had awarded PhD degrees to such a large number of students in one year. Nisha Singla was awarded Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in academics. Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh awarded 113 degrees and medals to students of various streams. Varsity sets up sports award
To acknowledge the efforts of sportspersons for their contribution towards winning the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, the Punjabi University has introduced the Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in sports. The first award was presented to international cyclist Rekha
Rani.
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Medical college hopeful of more seats
Patiala, March 20 At present, the college has an intake of 150 students in the MBBS course. He clarified that Government Medical College did not have a tainted image. “The college has a good reputation. I do not see why the MCI would deny us the permission to add seats to the MBBS course,” Singh said, adding that the MCI had pointed out certain anomalies and the authorities were working to remove them.
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HC pulls up Abohar judge for illegally sentencing official
Chandigarh, March 20 “The Civil Judge (Junior Division), Abohar, needs to equip himself with the knowledge of law, practice and procedure to be able to effectively and wisely discharge the onerous duties of a Judge dispassionately, disinterestedly and objectively to avoid embarrassing himself and this court to take up such a matter in public view….The impugned order dated February, 20, 2014, is per se illegal and appears to have been passed without much thought paid to the law on the subject of detention in civil prison,” Justice Rajiv Narain Raina ruled. The ruling came on a petition filed by Ashok Kumar Dhusiwal, an officer in the Punjab Education Department. In the case, a decree was passed in favour of an employee, Hans Raj. In the execution proceedings that followed, Punjab was the judgment debtor or a person against whom a judgment ordering payment of money has been obtained and remains unsatisfied. The first execution application filed in the matter was withdrawn. Subsequently, a fresh execution application was filed before the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Abohar, claiming further “unspecified amounts of alleged service dues”. Taking up the matter, the court issued non-bailable warrants of the petitioner’s arrest and he was sentenced to three months’ civil imprisonment. Justice Raina asserted: “The petitioner is only an officer of the State of Punjab, where Hans Raj, since deceased, had served…. The decree in execution does not hold the petitioner personally liable to pay any amount of money owed to Hans Raj by the Department. “Suffice it to say that an officer of the government is not personally liable for the actions of the State unless it is specifically ordered by a court of law, fastening personal liability, or the state government proceeding against its officer departmentally for creating or causing deliberate financial loss to the state through wrongful, or irregular actions of public servant or when such liability is fastened and governed by statutory law…. “The rights, duties and obligations attached to holders of public office by government servants do not justify passing of the impugned order, and that too, contrary to and beyond the decree in execution to which he was a party, not by name but by virtue of office held….”
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Abohar judge pulled up by High
Court Chandigarh, March 20 “The Civil Judge (Junior Division), Abohar, needs to equip himself with the knowledge of law, practice and procedure to be able to effectively and wisely discharge the onerous duties of a Judge dispassionately, disinterestedly and objectively to avoid embarrassing himself and this court to take up such a matter in public view….The impugned order dated February, 20, 2014, is per se illegal and appears to have been passed without much thought paid to the law on the subject of detention in civil prison,” Justice Rajiv Narain Raina ruled. The ruling came on a petition filed by Ashok Kumar Dhusiwal, an officer in the Punjab Education Department. In the case, a decree was passed in favour of an employee, Hans Raj. In the execution proceedings that followed, Punjab was the judgment debtor or a person against whom a judgment ordering payment of money has been obtained and remains unsatisfied. The first execution application filed in the matter was withdrawn. Subsequently, a fresh execution application was filed before the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Abohar, claiming further “unspecified amounts of alleged service dues”. Taking up the matter, the court issued non-bailable warrants of the petitioner’s arrest and he was sentenced to three months’ civil imprisonment. Justice Raina asserted: “The petitioner is only an officer of the State of Punjab, where Hans Raj, since deceased, had served…. The decree in execution does not hold the petitioner personally liable to pay any amount of money owed to Hans Raj by the Department. “Suffice it to say that an officer of the government is not personally liable for the actions of the State unless it is specifically ordered by a court of law, fastening personal liability, or the state government proceeding against its officer departmentally for creating or causing deliberate financial loss to the state through wrongful, or irregular actions of public servant or when such liability is fastened and governed by statutory law…. “The rights, duties and obligations attached to holders of public office by government servants do not justify passing of the impugned order, and that too, contrary to and beyond the decree in execution to which he was a party, not by name but by virtue of office held….”
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US court reserves ruling in riots case New York, March 20 Manhattan’s US Federal Judge Robert W Sweet reserved his ruling after the Congress, challenging the “extra-territorial jurisdiction” of US courts, asked it to respect India's sovereignty. It argued that the US court should decline to hear the case as the party could not be held liable in a US court for "acts occurring in India nearly three decades ago, involving only residents of India, with no plausible nexus with the US ". If the case was allowed to continue, " it will be a frontal attack on India's sovereignty," it said. Urging Sweet to continue with the 1984 case, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) attorney Michael Fitzgerald said the 1984 violence was not an accident or coincidence, but a plan to eliminate the Sikhs. The death of 3,000 Sikhs in the violence could not be characterised as "elimination", countered the Congress, pointing out that millions of Sikhs lived in India that had a Sikh Prime Minister since 2004. Challenging the Congress' contention that the 1984 case was "time barred" under the US laws, Fitzgerald argued that Sikh rights' violation was a "continuing offence" because Congress still provided impunity to perpetrators of the 1984 violence. — IANS
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Youth dies in judicial
custody, probe ordered
Faridkot, March 20 However, minutes after entering the jail, Sukhwant allegedly started showing physical complications. He was rushed to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital where he died after sometime. The doctors treating him suspect overdose of some synthetic drug for the death. A judicial inquiry has been ordered.
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Travel agent commits suicide
Hoshiarpur, March 20 He alleged that the trio had duped him of Rs 50 lakh. The police are investigating the case. The matter came to light when he did not open the door of his bedroom even after repeated knocking. In the note, Rajat has written that he was running an IELTS training centre earlier. He was convinced to join travel business by a Ludhiana-based travel agent. He allegedly duped Rajat of Rs 20 lakh on the pretext of sending a client abroad. Later, Rajat and his partner entered into a partenership with two Malerkotla-based travel agents who duped them of Rs 30 lakh. — OC
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The Enforcement Directorate is all set to present this week its first chargesheet in the Rs 6,000 crore synthetic drug racket.
Former Punjab Police Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdish Singh Bhola is the main accused in the case.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today alleged that Simarjit Singh Bains, a former
Akali, had turned rebel after being denied a ministry.
Government Rajindra Hospital is once again under the scanner for not making enough arrangements for the proper disposal of the bio-medical waste.
He has asked Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh to clarify his stand on the SYL, pointing out that Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had been campaigning for INLD's Hisar nominee.