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EC acts tough, overrules
state poll officer’s decisions
For now, no move to shift state CEO
‘Appeal on wheels’ gets going
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Cong seeks paper-trail EVMs for Bathinda
Back with SAD, Libra accuses Cong of selling party ticket
CPI’s Kashmir files papers from Faridkot
Bains holds impressive road show
Capt corners BJP on Kutch farmers
SAD to gain from Cong infighting, says Sukhbir
Disgruntled Amloh MLA backs Preneet
AAP activist joins Congress
Badal brothers refrain from attacking each other at rallies
Differently-abled woman defies odds, clears PCS
Patiala schools ‘force’ parents to pay more for books, uniform
122 students not allowed to take exam
22 youths to soon return home from Riyadh
Protest against irregular power supply
Let off in terror cases, man moves HC to get passport
Indo-Brit actress to star in Hollywood film
DPI’s posting as Text Book Board Director legal: HC
Ropar court frames charges against Hawara
3 get 10-yr jail in drug case
BSF seizes Rs 65 cr heroin, weapons
‘Giani gang’ busted, four held with arms
Train, tractor collide; one hurt
Two die in accidents
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EC acts tough, overrules
state poll officer’s decisions
Chandigarh, April 3 Despite a clean chit by the CEO regarding “political activity” on Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib, the EC has issued a notice on code violation. The CEO was also ordered to stop the distribution of bicycles carrying Chief Minister’s photo under the Mai Bhago scheme in Sangrur district. In another instance, the CEO had found no evidence of liquor distribution at a SAD rally in Ghanaur. But despite that the Deputy Commissioner concerned was transferred following EC orders. VK Singh, CEO, said: “The Election Commission is the supreme authority. It can overrule any of our decisions. It has many sources of information, particularly central agencies”. Additional CEO Supreet Singh Gulati said: “There are certain issues which do not fall within the CEO’s jurisdiction. We don’t have answers to all questions.” PPCC spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira said “The EC’s actions have put a question mark on the working of the CEO’s office”. The CEO’s office now is faced with two complaints. In one case, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner has said the expression “dhaun marorni” (wrenching the neck) was used by Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia as an idiomatic expression only. In another case, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner has maintained that the video showing the alleged use of unparliamentary language against government officers was tampered. In a spot *
Despite a clean chit by the CEO regarding “political activity” on Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib, the EC has issued a notice on code violation *
The CEO was ordered to stop the distribution of bicycles carrying Chief Minister’s photo in Sangrur *
The CEO had found no evidence of liquor distribution at a SAD rally in Ghanaur. Despite this, the DC concerned was transferred following EC orders
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For now, no move to shift state CEO
New Delhi, April 3 Sources said the EC has been nudging the election authorities in Punjab on providing a level playing field, but has so far decided against replacing Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Singh. Elections in Punjab are to be held on April 30 and there is no guarantee that the officer appointed from among the state cadre will be able to withstand pressure from the Chief Minister. The Punjab Congress has accused the CEO of being partisan. Over the years, various committees on poll reforms have recommended that the CEO must be from outside the state so that the officer does not buckle under pressure. This is especially important in states where regional parties are strong. During the 2007 Assembly elections, Punjab-cadre IAS officer of the 1977 batch Sundaram Krishna was appointed CEO though he had spent more than 20 years on central deputation and on sensitive posts.
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Abohar, April 3 Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh witnessed 84.94 per cent and 83.93 per cent polling, respectively, in the assembly elections. To ensure record participation this time, District Collector RS Jakhar today flagged off the “Voter Rath” under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme to cover all segments of the two parliamentary constituencies. At a meeting today, Sriganganagar Chamber of Commerce veterans Bansi Dhar Jindal and Tejinder Pal Singh Timma assured the district administration that all establishments would motivate people to vote on April 17. The government employees will get a paid holiday on the polling day. Jakhar said the Election Commission (EC) had evolved strategies to urge people to vote. Some of them are dissemination of information providing electoral assistance, developing a habit of voting, helping voters overcome psychological barrier, reaching out to youths in colleges and universities, increasing women’s participation, promoting election watch and democracy platforms, designing communication campaign, designing and producing communication material on pilot basis and quality control of state-level products. — OC
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Cong seeks paper-trail EVMs for Bathinda
Chandigarh/Bathinda, April 3 Bathinda is one among 15 constituencies declared super-sensitive across the country. In a communiqué to Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, Khaira said, “The Election Commission has placed an order of about 20,000 VVPAT machines to be selectively used in different states on an experimental basis. They will be launched in Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal.” He accused the Badals of polluting the electoral system through the use of money, drugs and muscle power. “As the seat is being contested by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is the Chief Minister’s daughter-in-law and the Deputy Chief Minister’s wife, it will be appropriate to allocate VVPAT EVMs for the constituency,” he said. In Bathinda, a day after his namesake Manpreet Singh, also from Badal village, filed his nomination from Bathinda, People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief also demanded allocation of paper-trail EVMs for the constituency. Manpreet is the joint candidate of the PPP, Congress and the CPI. He said the EVMs with a print option gave a voter the right to have a printout of his vote. “The voter can verify that his vote has been cast correctly,” he said. How they work *
As a voter presses an EVM button, a paper slip comes out of the VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) attached to the EVM *
The slip exhibits the name and symbol on which the vote has been cast * The voter can, thus, verify that his vote has been cast correctly
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CPI leaders campaign for Manpreet in Bathinda
Bathinda, April 3 On the other hand, her main challenger, Manpreet Badal, joint candidate of the PPP, Congress, CPI and SAD (Barnala), largely captains his ship with his family members supported by alliance leaders. Though CPI leaders Hardev Arshi and Jagjit Singh Joga have joined his campaign actively, the promised help of senior Congressmen is not visible so far as they are themselves stuck in their constituencies. Even as the Akalis have been concentrating more on Amritsar seat to defeat Congress stalwart Capt Amarinder Singh, they maintain retaining Bathinda seat for the Badal Bahu too was a priority with them. Harsimrat’s campaign is led and aided by her father-in-law and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and husband-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. Her brother and Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia also spent two days here. Senior SAD vice-president Balwant Singh Ramoowalia has been handling the campaign in Bathinda rural areas. He is also holding meetings in urban areas. His oratory skills are being used to the optimum to check the impact of Manpreet’s poetry-laced speeches. Only BJP leaders have been missing so far from her campaign. “Fend for yourself” seems to be the message for the Congress and its alliance candidates so far after the party revised its strategy to field stalwarts than young candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. Sources in the Manpreet camp said the star campaigners had told that they had to concentrate on their seats and may be available after April 15. Manpreet has been getting the support of local Congress leaders. His family members, including his wife Veenu Badal and son Arjun Badal, are his main campaigner. Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa who pushed the alliance with Manpreet is also yet to campaign for him.
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Back with SAD, Libra accuses Cong of selling party ticket
Chandigarh, April 3 The Congress has fielded Sadhu Singh Dharamsot from Fatehgarh Sahib. Libra claimed he had not set any conditions for his return to the SAD fold. Neither had he been offered any "benefit." Libra was asked to resign from the SAD after he bailed out the Manmohan Singh Government by abstaining from a no-confidence motion introduced against the UPA Government. The Akalis had then accused him of accepting money from the Congress. Sukhbie Badal, SAD president, denied that they had ever accused Libra of graft. “He had joined the Congress of his own free will. Being disillusioned with the Congress, he has now decided to return to his parent party. It is home-coming for him,” he said, adding that Libra would campaign for SAD candidate Kulwant Singh in Fatehgarh Sahib. Libra said he was impressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and had, thus, supported him. “However, I realised that groups within the Congress were against him and those who supported him were gradually sidelined. Congress leaders do not know the pulse of the party cadre and are far removed from the ground reality," he said, adding that Congress was not just anti-Sikh but also anti-Punjab. Dhillon back with SAD
Bathinda: Former Congress Health Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhillon and his son Amardeep Singh Dhillon re-joined the SAD at a function in Rampura today. Rampura falls in the Faridkot Assembly constituency where Paramjit Kaur Gulshan of the SAD-BJPcandidate. Welcoming Dhillon family back into the party fold, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal said they would be given high responsibility in the party. Three times MLA Sukhdev Singh Dhillon served as a Health Minister in the Surjit Singh Barnala Government. He was elected MLA from Talwandi in 1972 and 1977 and from Maur in 1985. He joined the Congress in 2002. “A few days ago, Manpreet Badal came to my house to seek support. I asked him to list his agenda. He had nothing constructive to say,” claimed
Amardeep.
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Rajoana’s sister files papers as Independent
Patiala, April 3 Kamaldeep will be contesting against Congress heavyweight Preneet Kaur, SAD's Deepinder Singh Dhillon and AAP's Dr Dharamvir Gandhi. She has assets worth Rs 79.67 lakh as per the affidavit submitted by her to the poll officials. Her movable assets are worth Rs 34.49 lakh and immovable Rs 45.18 lakh. Kamaldeep has been campaigning in the constituency for almost two months now. Amrik Singh too filed his papers as an Independent. Asseto-meter * Kamaldeep Kaur has assets worth Rs 79.67 lakh * These include movable assets worth Rs 34.49 lakh and immovable Rs 45.18 lakh * She is pitted against Preneet Kaur (Cong), Deepinder Dhillon (SAD) and Dr Dharamvir Gandhi (AAP)
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CPI’s Kashmir files papers from Faridkot
Faridkot, April 3 After an alliance for the Bathinda seat where the CPI has announced support to PPP-Congress candidate Manpreet Badal, the speculations were rife that the CPI might have some understanding with the Congress for the Faridkot seat. The picture became somewhat clear after the Congress declared Joginder Singh Panjgraian, Jaitu MLA, as party candidate from Faridkot. However, there were still speculations that the Congress might replace Panjgraian and back a CPI candidate. Acknowledging that there was an attempt to forge a tie-up with the Congress, Kashmir Singh said as the Congress could not vacate the Faridkot seat for the CPI, the alliance could not be finalised. A senior Congress leader said the party high command was inclined to forge a pact with the CPI, but some communist leaders of the region were firmly against it.
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Bains holds impressive road show
Ludhiana, April 3 Bains was gheraoed by his supporters who jostled with on another to get near him. His hands folded, he was carried atop a vehicle amid sloganeering. His brother, Balwinder Singh Bains, also an MLA, accompanied him. Speaking with The Tribune, Bains said the people of Punjab were fed up with the Congress and the Akalis who had done little good to the state. " Now sugar and sand are being sold at the same price and corruption is widespread," he said. He said he had requested the Election Commission to transfer officers, including the Commissioner of Police, as "some of them have become puppets in the hands of the government."
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Capt corners BJP on Kutch farmers
Khasa (Amritsar), April 3 At his first public meeting here, he said: "They've brought in Arun Jaitley to contest from Amritsar. He has recently presented his vision for the constituency. First, you should tell the people why you have thrown out your MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was liked by the people. He was simply seeking the development of Amritsar and your government didn't do anything for it." He wondered as to what Jaitley would do for Amritsar when the ruling alliance had meted out a raw deal to its own MP for fighting for the welfare of his constituency. On the issue of Sikh farmers facing eviction in Gujarat's Kutch area, Capt Amarinder targeted Arun Jaitley, saying: "If you love Amritsar and Punjab, In a bid to project BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as "anti-minorities", he accused him of being involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots and of doing little for the Sikh farmers in his state. He said the Christians in Gujarat too were being treated as "third-rate citizens". The former Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the top SAD leadership, particularly Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia. He lashed out at Majithia for "criminalising politics" in Amritsar district. He said he had been harassing Congress workers and would have to pay for it. He said though Majithia belonged to a cultured family, he was not behaving in a civilised manner. " He must remember that he cannot use the police for long and when the time comes, he will be made accountable for every act of omission and commission," Amarinder warned Majithia. He criticised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for turning a blind eye to Majithia's "activities". Appealing to the people to vote for him, he said it was time that the Badal Government realised its failures and mistakes. Accepting Jaitley's challenge for a debate on national issues, Amarinder said: "He is welcome to debate on any issue of his choice which he may think to be national. For me issues concerning the common man of Punjab are as important as those that Jaitley considers national." He asked the BJP leader to check his own record in Parliament before questioning his (Capt’s) attendance in the Punjab Assembly. Amarinder said: "The Opposition, under his (Jaitley's ) leadership sabotaged and undermined democratic functioning. I'm sure Jaitley must not have forgone his perks during the parliamentary session." He said crores of rupees had been wasted with the Opposition holding Parliament to ransom. Capt Amarinder said he may not have attended all House sittings but when he did so, he found the behaviour of the treasury benches disgusting. He pointed out that there were very few sittings of the Vidhan Sabha in the past seven years and even these were "hijacked" by the treasury benches. "The Akali leaders always conspired to keep me out of the state Assembly with their unconstitutional and illegal expulsion order that was later set aside by the Supreme Court with severe strictures against the Akali Government," he said. Amarinder described the SAD-BJP alliance as "most opportunistic". He pointed out that while the two parties were fighting the election together in Punjab, in neighbouring Haryana, they were fighting against each other. Recalling his association with Attari, Capt Amarinder said during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had constructed Sham Singh Attari Road in memory of the Sikh General. Congress leaders Tarsem Singh DC projected Capt Amarinder as the "messiah of farmers". They lashed out at the SAD leaders for the drug menace in the state. Amarinderspeak If you love Amritsar and Punjab, why didn't you raise the issue of Kutch farmers with your party's government in Gujarat from where you have been Rajya Sabha MP for the past many years? He (Arun Jaitley) is welcome to debate on any issue of his choice which he may think to be national. For me, issues concerning the common man of Punjab are equally important I am glad that Saini has been shunted out. He should have been removed long back. A person with criminal cases against him should not be Punjab DGP
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SAD to gain from Cong infighting, says Sukhbir
Chandigarh, April 3 With Capt Amarinder Singh, contesting from Amritsar, and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa, trying to retain his Gurdaspur seat, locking horns over the issue of projecting a chief ministerial candidate, the Congress is failing to project a united face. This may prove advantageous for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Commenting on the development, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Congress infighting would prove highly beneficial to his party. Bajwa, who has never tried to hide his ambition, has now publicly proclaimed that he is the Congress' chief ministerial candidate for the 2017 assembly elections. His archrival Amarinder has not taken kindly to this. Amarinder tried to unsettle Bajwa by floating the idea of a PPCC working president and named Laal Singh for the post. The divide within the party is not just at the top. It runs to the lowest level. With Amarinder entering the fray from Amritsar, the Majha leaders seem to have united to lend support to him. But dissidence in the party's Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur units could affect the party's prospects at the hustings. On quite a few seats, while the MLAs owe allegiance to one camp (led by Amarinder or Bajwa), the contestants owe allegiance to the opposite camp. "While the SAD is a disciplined party, infighting in the Congress, will see leaders working against each other. This will result in an impressive showing by the SAD. Other than three seats, where we see the Congress giving us a fight, it will be a clear win on the remaining seats," said a confidant Sukhbir. He said he was confident that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would not cut into the SAD votes but would hit the Congress. “Historically, when the Akalis win the elections, they manage to get 70 seats. In case they lose the election, they still retain about 50 seat. So we have a better cushion and a larger support base than the Congress,” he said. Shadow boxing *
PPCC chief Partap Bajwa and Amarinder are lock-horned over the issue of projecting a CM-candidate *
On quite a few seats, local MLAs are aligned with one camp (Amarinder or Bajwa) whereas the contestants owe allegiance to the opposite camp *
The divide within the Congress is not just at the top. It runs to the lowest level Is Rahul outsider in Amethi?: Jaitley Amritsar: Arun Jaitley, BJP candidate, on Thursday asked his rival Capt Amarinder Singh whether he considered Rahul Gandhi an “outsider” in Amethi after he was declined a domicile certificate by the local officials. Talking to the mediapersons, Jaitley said: “Now that the officials have denied Rahul Gandhi a domicile certificate, he is an outsider in Amethi as per Captain’s definition.” On whether any action would be initiated against Navjot Singh Sidhu for his outburst against the CM, he said Sidhu as well as his wife were campaigning for the party. On Amarinder's remark that he was neither a good politician, nor a good lawyer, he said: “I thank him for not saying that I am not a good human being.” He defended himself for his track record in Rajya Sabha, arguing that if they had not protested, scams in UPA-II would not have been unearthed. Clean chit for Majithia Chandigarh: The Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar has given a clean chit to Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia accused of using unparliamentary language against former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Supreet Singh Gulati said: " The report received by our office says that 'dhaun marorni' (twisting the neck) was used as an idiomatic expression." He said the DC had accepted SAD's Ludhiana candidate Manpreet Ayali plea that the video clip showing him shouting at some officers was tampered with, Gulati said. — TNS
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Disgruntled Amloh MLA backs Preneet
Patiala, April 3 Sources said following local MLA Sadhu Singh Dharamsot’s candidature from Fatehgarh Sahib, Preneet was forced to seek help from her bęte-noire Kaka Randeep Singh.” Sources further said almost a fortnight ago, Randeep Singh had refused to meet Preneet Kaur and Captain Amarinder Singh on one pretext or the other. The disgruntled leader agreed to meet Preneet in Delhi on the intervention of senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed. “Randeep Singh was not happy with the way the royal family had treated him and had even opposed an MLA ticket for him during the 2012 polls,” a source said. During Preneet’s visit yesterday, several of Kaka’s supporters sought an assurance from the MP that they would not be ignored again. Preneet assured them of meeting their demands, and announced that her Nabha office would operate from Randeep Singh’s house. Preneet confirmed the MLA had pledged his support to her. Randeep was shifted to Amloh after Nabha was notified as a reserved seat after delimitation before the 2012 assembly elections, while incumbent MLA Sadhu Singh Dharmsot was brought from Amloh to contest from the region. In 2009, Preneet got a convincing lead of 10,751 votes from Nabha. Randeep’s father and former PWD Minister Gurdarshan Singh had been elected as an MLA from Nabha thrice. Randeep said on the intervention of the party high command, he had assured support to the MP. “I will support Preneet and campaign for her”, he added. However, Preneet is yet to placate a group of disgruntled city leaders, led by former Mayor Vishnu Sharma, who has been rebelling against her. Despite Preneet’s several attempts to seek their support, the group has been opposing her. Resolving differences *
A fortnight ago, Randeep Singh had refused to meet Preneet Kaur and Captain Amarinder on one pretext or the other *
The disgruntled leader, who alleged he was ignored by the royal family, agreed to meet Preneet in Delhi on the intervention of senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed
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AAP activist joins Congress
Fazilka, April 3 Jakhar, the Congress nominee from Ferozepur, and other leaders welcomed Sonia and her supporters into the party fold. Congress leaders put up a united show during the rally as several leaders of the warring factions shared stage with Jakhar. In attendance were Ferozepur legislator Parminder Singh Pinki, former Congress legislators Hans Raj Josan, Mohinder Rinwa and Bhai Harnirpal Singh Kukku, party coordinator of the Malwa zone Anish Sidana, state Congress general secretary Mehtab Singh, District Congress Committee president Kaushal Kumar Bouk, and block Congress committee urban and rural presidents Darshan Lal Watts and Raj Baksh Kamboj. Guruharsahai legislator Rana Gurmeet Sodhi remained conspicuous by his absence. Jakhar trained guns on his opponent SAD-BJP combine candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya. He alleged that Ghubaya had spent 80 per cent of his MPLAD funds on the Bathinda parliamentary constituency to appease his political masters. “Almost every section of society is on warpath to get justice. The law and order has collapsed following the interference of ruling party leaders in the functioning of civil and police administration,” Jakhar alleged.
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Badal brothers refrain from attacking each other at rallies
Lambi, April 3 And this is evident from their speeches during public rallies. They have not indulged in petty politics of mudslinging, pointing that their bonhomie is still intact even after contesting the assembly elections in 2012 against each other. Though the estranged Badal brothers — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his younger brother Gurdas Badal — are regularly campaigning to secure victory for their next generation, This time, the Chief Minister’s daughter-in-law, sitting Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Gurdas’ son, PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal, are in the fray from Bathinda. Badal brothers avoid even of naming each other during public rallies. While Badal accuses Manpreet of stabbing the SAD in the back, Gurdas urges public to vote for change and bring reform by electing his son. Badal brothers are unlike their next generation who rarely miss a chance to accuse each other on any public platform. When this correspondent asked the reason for not naming Gurdas in his speeches, Badal said, “I do not even want to mention the name of Manpreet, but some facts are necessary to be made public.” He further said that they (both brothers) still had cordial relations, but circumstances separated them. It is an open secret that they often met before the announcement of elections. When asked about his affection towards his elder brother, Gurdas gets a bit emotional. “Badal Saheb is more than my elder brother. We had a good time together. Every time he went abroad, he made it a point to bring some thing for me. I looked after his constituency in his absence. The circumstances changed and we had no other option but to separate.” The locals say the Badal brothers are like Ram-Laxman as they were known as “Pash te Dass di jodi”. Badal villagers say whoever wins, they would get a Badal as their MP who would definitely develop the area, as both are educated.
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Controversial leader’s aide gets AAP ticket Staff eager to skip election duty Maalkhanas full as drug seizures up AAP opens election office in Phagwara
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Differently-abled woman defies odds, clears PCS
Patiala, April 3 Born into an agricultural family, Kulwinder lost both her hands in an accident when she was in Class VII. Her father Karnail Singh is a farmer and mother Lakhveer Kaur a housewife. She has two brothers, Tarsem Singh and Gursewak Rana, who help her father in the fields. Kulwinder said she lost both her hands when she was playing with farm machinery. “I didn’t go to school for many days. But with the support of my teachers, Baljeet Singh and Gurmeet Kaur, and my parents, I gathered the courage to go back to school soon,” she said. After clearing her matriculation exam, Kulwinder never looked back. She took admission in Public Girls School-College, Patran, which was run by social worker Harpal Singh Ghagga. He waived of 50 per cent of her fee after Kulwinder showed promise. Later, she did her Bachelors of Law from Punjabi University in the year 2008 and Masters in 2011. Thereafter, Kulwinder cleared the NET in 2012. However, instead of taking up a job, she decided to prepare for the judicial exams. “I am grateful to my family and my teachers. As a judge, my aim will be to provide speedy justice to the poor,” she added.
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Patiala schools ‘force’ parents to pay more for books, uniform
Patiala, April 3 These shops are charging “unreasonable” sums for the items, especially books, since every school prescribes books of different publishers which are not available at other shops. Besides, the designated shops sell only a complete set of books, leaving no choice for parents to reuse books of their elder child. The booksellers are forcing people to purchase stationary like school bag, pencil box etc. They are also being forced to buy atlas and dictionary even if not required. A city resident whose ward studies in British Co-Ed School says: “My friend’s son is one year senior to my son. I took some of his books for my son. But the shop owner refused to sell me the remaining books”. Another resident whose child is studying in Our Lady of Fatima School alleged the school kept changing books every year to force parents to buy a new set each time. Rosa Alicia
Kurcharskyi, principal, British Co-Ed School, said as per her agreement with the bookstore, the latter was bound to give only books which were required. “If I receive any complaint, I will take necessary action,” she said. Meanwhile, AAP candidate from Patiala Dr Dharamvir Gandhi has taken up the issue with Patiala Deputy Commissioner Priyank
Bharti. He also submitted a memorandum in this regard to Bharti.
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122 students not allowed to take exam
Fazilka, April 3 The students staged a protest in front of the college main gate and raised slogans against university and college authorities. Sources said these students had applied for admission with late fees and the permission for admission was to be granted by the Panjab University authorities. It is stated that the university authorities refused admission on plea that the college management granted admission to more students against the prescribed numbers — OC
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22 youths to soon return home from Riyadh
Hoshiarpur, April 3 Of the 38 youths, 22 have chosen to return. The company has issued them exit slips to facilitate their return to India. One of the boys, Jagjit Singh, will board the flight to India in a day and 21 others will be sent in two groups in the next two to three days. The rest of the youths have decided to stay back with the company. They will be paid three-month salary, their driving licences and all expenditures, besides a a written assurance they would be given the job of drivers after clearing the requisite test. Jagmit Singh of Kapurthala district said that after The Tribune reported the matter, the travel agents contacted them, asking them not to talk to the media. The agents assured that they would solve the matter in two weeks. "The main travel agent in Mumbai visited us. He tried to negotiate with the youths. He offered three-month salary, licences and other facilities, if we stay back. Some of the youths agreed, but we have no faith in him. So we want to return. He has to agree to our demand," Jagmnit said. The Mumbai agent had asked them to wait for a couple of days so to arrange for their departure by taking up the matter with the company. "Now, the company has agreed to issue us the exit certificate and return our passports. These formalities are being completed. Eight of them have been issued the exit certificate and the process for all others is on. Jagjit will be leaving for India in a couple of days. His mother is seriously ill. Family thanks media for intervention Hoshiarpur: One of the youths family from Hoshiarpur was overwhelmed at the news of their son returning home. "It is all because of you people. The Tribune understood our plight and brought the matter to the fore. We are thankful to Waheguru and the media. Jagjit, too, has thanked the media over phone. He says had not the media intervened, no one would have listened to them." Jagit Singh's mother Sukhvinder said. On learning about the news, Jagjit's sister Gurjit Kaur she came to her parents house to welcome her brother. Jagjit's wife Manpreet Kaur was happy to know that he'll be back home in a couple of days. — TNS
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Protest against irregular power supply
Abohar, April 3 The bone of contention was officials allegedly connecting a transmission line with a rural feeder under the dictates of ruling politicians to oblige the electorate in villages. Enhanced power load on the feeder resulted in frequented power breakdowns. The residents alleged that the staff was indifferent to their complaints when the power supply was suspended for two days. Some of them alleged that an official had demanded bribe to redress their grievances. The protest took an ugly turn when a junior engineer sought to explain that change in supply terminals cannot be executed since the election code of conduct was in place. The “lame excuse”, in the words of protesters, triggered protest. The staff and protesters exchanged abuses in the presence of scores of women and children. The situation would have worsened had not senior citizens intervened. The residents dispersed when the officials relented to dispatch technical staff to improve the power supply. — OC
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Let off in terror cases, man moves HC to get passport
Chandigarh, April 3 Taking up the matter, Justice Ritu Bahri put the state, Amritsar Regional Passport Officer, and other respondents on notice. His counsel BS Baath asserted: “The petitioner was framed by the police during terrorism days in the state. But the petitioner was acquitted and discharged in all the cases registered against him and there is no case pending against the petitioner in any competent court of law as well as in any police station across the state”. He said the petitioner’s grievance was that Amritsar Regional Passport Officer declined the passport facilities to the petitioner on the grounds that Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police had submitted an adverse report against him. But the SSP’s report was not based on true facts as “the petitioner has been acquitted in all the false cases registered against the petitioner much before the submission of application for passport facilities,” Baath insisted. He said the right to leave India and return was part of personal liberty guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution. Refusal to issue passport amounted to deprivation of personal liberty. About the case *
The Amritsar Regional Passport Officer declined the passport facilities to the petitioner on the grounds that Gurdaspur SSP had submitted an adverse report against him *
The petitioner's counsel said the SSP's report was not based on true facts as the petitioner had been acquitted in all the false cases against him.
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Indo-Brit actress to star in Hollywood film
London, April 3 Panjabi, who is a familiar face of US television with the hit show ‘The Good Wife”, will be playing a reporter in the film titled “San Andreas”. The action thriller is being directed by Brad Peyton and stars Dwayne Johnson as a rescue worker trying to save his former wife and daughter during the largest earthquake in California’s history. It is scheduled for release in June 2015. Panjabi, who is known in the UK for her role as Pinky Bhamra in Gurinder Chadha's “Bend It Like Beckham”, won an Emmy Award for her role as Kalinda Sharma in “The Good Wife”. Her other credits include “The Widower” and “The Fall” and she next appears in Fox Searchlight's “I Origins”. Panjabi was born in north London in 1972 and got her break playing Meenah Khan in 1999's “East Is East”.
—PTI
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DPI’s posting as Text Book Board Director legal: HC
Chandigarh, April 3 Gurpal Singh had alleged that he was posted as the Text Book Board Director on the date of his joining as Director Public Instruction (Colleges), even though he was ineligible to hold the post. Dismissing the petition, Justice Bindal asserted: “The contention raised by counsel for the petitioner is that he was transferred to a post, which is not part of the cadre, without his consent, and the same is impermissible. However, the contention is totally misconceived…. “It is an undisputed case of the parties that status or emoluments of the petitioner have not changed as he will be drawing the same salary, and further the status of the post is equivalent to the post substantively being held by the petitioner…. “Once there is enabling provision in the service rules applicable to the petitioner, in terms of which he can be transferred to any other post included in any other service, the order of posting of the petitioner as Director of the Board does not suffer from any illegality…. “The order of transfer of a Government employee is not generally interfered with by the courts as it is the wisdom of the employer to see where the services of an employee can be best utilised. Though the issues regarding the qualifications and the meeting of the Board had also been raised, it will not be sufficient to set aside the order of posting of the petitioner once no malafide has been alleged”. In his petition, Gurpal Singh had earlier asserted that he did not possess the essential qualification of MA Punjabi, as he had done MSc and MPhil in Physics. Challenging the order dated January 10, Gurpal Singh had added he was illegally and without jurisdiction posted from college cadre post of Director Public Instruction to the post of Text Book Board Director. The new posting, he added, was outside the College Cadre Service and “in a non-government office”. “The order has been passed without jurisdiction by an incompetent authority, without any decision being taken by the Board to appoint him as its Director. The petitioner is in any case cannot be appointed the Board Director even as per the Article of Association of the Board and the duties of this post are absolutely different from that of DPI Colleges,” he insisted. What the court said *
It is an undisputed case of the parties that status or emoluments of the petitioner have not changed as he will be drawing the same salary *
Further the status of the post is equivalent to the post substantively being held by the petitioner *
If there is an enabling provision in the service rules applicable to the petitioner, in terms of which he can be transferred to any other post, then the posting order is legal The petitioner’s plea *
In his petition, Gurpal Singh had asserted that he did not possess the essential qualification of MA Punjabi, as he had done MSc and MPhil in Physics *
Challenging the order dated January 10, he had said he was illegally posted from the college cadre post of Director Public Instruction to the post of Text Book Board Director *
He said the new posting was outside the College Cadre Service and in a non-government office
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Ropar court frames charges against Hawara
Ropar, April 3 Hawara, a convict in the former Chief Minister Beant Singh assassination case, is lodged in the Tihar Jail. He is facing trial in three cases in the local court. The Delhi police had brought him from Tihar for a court appearance here. Hawara was booked under the IPC and the Explosive Act after a bomb blast on January 9, 2005, at Dhamana village near the dera of Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala at Nurpur Bedi. Another case was registered against Hawara under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act and TADA by the Chamkaur Sahib police in an encounter case. The third case was registered against him on December 23, 1998, following the death of an SPO during the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Chamkaur Sahib. The three cases have been fixed for hearing on April 24 and May 8.
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3 get 10-yr jail in drug case
Abohar, April 3 They have been fined Rs 2 lakh each. The convicts are Gurlal Singh of Dabwali, Girdhari Singh of Nohar and Jitender Bishnoi of Delwan. — OC
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BSF seizes Rs 65 cr heroin, weapons
Amritsar, April 3 The BSF seized 13 packets of heroin worth Rs 65 crore in the international market, a modified .30 bore AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 24 live cartridges. The seizure of a sophisticated weapon such as the AK-47 has baffled the security agencies. “The rifle is a very sophisticated weapon. Though we cannot ascertain its make, it appears that it might have been modified in Pakistan by the anti-national forces,” said MF Farooqui, Director Inspector General (DIG), BSF. He said the BSF jawans foiled the miscreants’ attempt to smuggle the contraband and arms across the border on the intervening night of April 2-3. Farooqui said the miscreants opened fire when challenged by the jawans. He said the jawans then retaliated and the suspects fled. The DIG said the BSF seized 13 packets of heroin besides arms and ammunition wrapped in a plastic pipe during a search operation launched the next day. The BSF have been put on high alert in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll. The BSF has issued guidelines to further strengthen the border and check smuggling.
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‘Giani gang’ busted, four held with arms
Barnala, April 3 Sharanjit Singh, Superintendent of Police (Detective), Barnala, said the “Giani gang” had been active in the area for a long time. He said on a tip-off, the police arrested the gang’s kingpin, Jagseer Singh Giani (Sangherra), Baljinder Singh Kinda (Kotduna), Navdeep Singh Chatha (Bathinda) and Fateh Singh (Gobindpura Nagri) from Khudi Kalan and Jodhpur villages. Singh said the police had seized two .32 bore pistols, two.315 bore pistols, a .32 bore revolver, eight cartridges and two cars. He said a case under the IPC and the Arms Act had been registered against them. The SP said nine cases of looting, snatching and murder had already been registered against Jagseer Singh Giani in Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur and Bathinda districts.
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Train, tractor collide; one hurt
Fazilka, April 3 After getting the first-aid at Ladhuka railway station, the victim, Ram Jaipal Parsad, was shifted to Railway Hospital, Ferozepur. A major tragedy was averted. The accident took place at the unmanned railway crossing near Behak Khas village on the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway, 11 km from here. The train left Fazilka at 2.14 pm for Ferozepur. The driver of a sand-laden tractor-trailer, who perhaps could not spot the train, tried to cross the crossing near the village at 2.25 pm. The train hit the vehicle’s rear portion. Following the collision, the trailer was detached from the tractor and veered onto fields. The train driver was injured, while tractor the driver remained unhurt. He fled the spot on his tractor. — OC
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Tarn Taran, April 3 Amarjit Kaur (55) of Thathi Jaimal Singh village died, while five of members of her family injured when their Indica car collided head on with Verna car near Dibbipura village, 45 km from here. They were returning to home after attending a family function. A case under Sections 304-A, 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the IPC was registered against the driver of Verna, Gurpreet Singh of Valtoha village, and his friends travelling in the car. In the second accident, SGPC employee Balkar Singh was crushed by a vehicle near Kairon village, 20 km from here. A case under Section 304-A of the IPC was registered against unidentified persons. — OC
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Congress Member of Parliament from Fatehgarh Sahib Sukhdev Singh Libra today re-joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Talking to
mediapersons, he said since the Congress had "sold" the party ticket to various aspirants, those like him with limited resources were forced to quit the party.
Supporters of Simarjit Singh Bains, who is contesting as an Independent from
Ludhiana, gathered at the local railway station for his road show. They welcomed him amid dhol beats and presented him a siropa as a young girl, addressing the gathering on a microphone, described him as a "lion" who would rid the state of "corrupt politicians."
Launching his election campaign from the Attari Assembly segment today, Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh said the BJP had "thrown Navjot Singh Sidhu out of
Amritsar" and that the saffron party had no sympathy for the displaced Sikh farmers in Gujarat.
Three-time Member Parliament Preneet Kaur met Amloh MLA Kaka Randeep Singh, who has a strong base in Nabha, to seek his support ahead of the elections. Though the MLA’s supporters have been complaining that Preneet had been ignoring them for some time, Randeep Singh pledged his support to her.
An activist of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from Jalalabad, Sonia, has left the party. She joined the Congress during a rally attended by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar, among others, at the district’s Jalalabad town yesterday.
In all, 122 BA students studying in local MR Government College could not appear in their first paper of English as their roll number were not released by Panjab University due to alleged official wrangles.