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Campaign in own seat or face music: Cong to MLAs
Now, Jaitley’s house purchase sparks slugfest
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Sukhbir: No takers for Capt’s vendetta politics
The remains of the 1857 martyrs of Ajnala being immersed in the Ravi on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
Former Cong unit chief to join SAD today
Delhi leaders make beeline to Amritsar
Kaypee not informing me about campaign programmes: Santosh Sitting Hoshiarpur Congress MP Santosh Chowdhary (left) is not campainging for party candidate from the seat Mohinder Singh Kaypee (right)
ICP expansion plan in final stages: Port authority
13 crushers sealed in Ropar
22 years on, Fatehgarh Sahib district lacks basic facilities
Migrants not issued ration card in Ropar
Sluggish start to season for harvester owners
Rid us of wild animals, get votes: Hoshiarpur farmers
Tributes paid to Jallianwala Bagh martyrs
Political tug-of-war over medical college intensifies
Engineer ‘turns blind eye’ to power thefts to favour Akalis in Majha
Armyman booked for wife's death
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Campaign in own seat or face music: Cong to MLAs
New Delhi, April 13 A host of state leaders are either not campaigning for Congress Lok Sabha candidate in their respective segments or are busy backing senior candidates outside their segments. In a strongly worded directive issued this evening, the Congress leadership has told all Punjab MLAs and leaders who contested the last poll (assembly or Lok Sabha) to return to their constituencies and ensure the victory of local candidate in the area. To give a signal that the central leadership means business, the directive (accessed by the Tribune) says the performance of legislators and past candidates would be judged strictly by the number of votes the party’s Lok Sabha candidates secure in their respective assembly segments. Sources said the party could deny a ticket to errant MLAs if they continued to cold shoulder local LS candidates. The directive, issued on behalf of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi by party general secretary in charge of Punjab Shakeel Ahmed, says: “It has been brought to our notice that a number of MLAs and candidates who contested the last elections have been campaigning for party’s Lok Sabha candidates outside their assembly segments. While there is nothing wrong in this, the principal responsibility of legislators is to canvass for Lok Sabha candidates in their own segments. This is to inform that their performance will be judged by the number of votes the Lok Sabha candidate secures in their respective assembly constituencies. You are therefore directed to go back to your areas and work for the victory of your Lok Sabha candidate.” The letter has been issued to Punjab Congress president Partap Bajwa with further directions to mark the same to all MLAs and old contestants. The move follows reports that several Congress candidates are being cold shouldered by legislators and senior leaders of their areas. Party’s Sangrur candidate Vijay Inder Singla is facing this problem. Two legislators from Sangrur, Kewal Dhillon and Mohd Sidique, are busy canvassing for senior leaders Ambika Soni and Amarinder Singh in Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar, respectively, and have not canvassed for Singla. Other MLAs in the area Harchand Kaur and Arvind Khanna are nowhere to be seen in Sangrur campaign of Singla. PPCC chief Bajwa is also facing problems in Gurdaspur where top Congress leaders said they had to constantly pester local MLAs and leaders to back Bajwa’s campaign. Ashwani Sekhri has recently joined Bajwa. Likewise, legislator Rana Gurjeet who hails from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary segment is aiding Amarinder Singh in his Amritsar campaign while the Congress candidate locally, Harminder Gill, has been left alone to fend for himself, party sources said, admitting that Punjab legislators appeared “somewhat obligated to senior leaders while local candidates suffered”.
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Now, Jaitley’s house purchase sparks slugfest
Amritsar, April 13 Amarinder took a dig at Jaitley for buying a house worth Rs 1 crore in the city and "publicising the purchase with sole political purpose". "Buying a luxurious house does not win you an election, only winning the people's hearts will do… This is too little and too late for Jaitley to fight the tag of an outsider," he said. Replying to a media query during his visit to the Jallianwala Bagh where he had gone to pay homage to the martyrs, Amarinder said he would move the Election Commission so that the purchase of this house was included in Jaitley's poll expenditure. "This house has been purchased with the sole purpose of convincing people here that he be considered a local, which means he has done it with the purpose of winning the election. This makes it a clear case of election expense," he said. Amarinder said Jaitley had himself "admitted that he had bought this house since he was being considered as an outsider". Terming it a "poll gimmick", Amarinder asked him, "You have been a Member of Parliament from Gujarat for the last 14 years. How come you never felt the need to buy a house there?" Asked whether he too intended to buy a house here, Amarinder stated in a lighter vein, "Anyway it is good that Jaitley has purchased a house here in Amritsar, which he will never need to live in. But in case he wishes, he can certainly rent it out to me after the elections as I will need one here." He said it was better to live in people's hearts than to purchase a house to "make a political statement, which people are not going to buy". Jaitley too took potshots at his rival over the issue during a press conference to announce the inclusion of a former Congress councillor, Harjinder Singh, in the SAD. "He had advised me to buy a house on the Indian side of the border. Now that I have purchased one, I will advise him not to buy a house on the other side of the border," he said. On Amarinder questioning the timing of purchase of his house, he said he was free to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. Incidentally, Jaitley took a jibe at Amarinder moments after saying that today's generation disliked the politics of allegations and counter-allegations and, therefore, he had decided to contest on a positive agenda. He said he learnt about this following an interaction with the youth in the city last evening. Jaitley, however, later admitted that he did get into verbal duel with Amarinder at times in the recent past, saying "otherwise you all will get bored".
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Sukhbir: No takers for Capt’s vendetta politics
Chandigarh, April 13 Amarinder also seemed to have forgotten that the people had rejected his “vendetta politics” by ousting the Congress from power in 2007, he alleged. “As if the defeat of 2007 was not enough, Capt again took up his “khunda” in the run-up to the 2012 assembly elections and espoused a policy of vendetta which was again rejected by the people. Now, he has again threatened to send all his rivals to jail. The peace-loving residents of the holy city will give him an appropriate answer on April 30,” he said. Sukhbir said the reality was that PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa had “conspired” against Amarinder, “forcing” him to contest from Amritsar. “Before the announcement of his nomination, Amarinder had even made a public statement saying he would not be able to do justice to the people of Amritsar,” he alleged.
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Cong, BJP failed to help riot-hit: Kejri
Sangrur, April 13 Kejriwal lashed out at the Congress for doing nothing for the 1984 riot victims. He alleged even the SAD-BJP failed to provide relief to the victims as their NDA Government remained at the Centre for six years. He said by attacking him in the public, his opponents could not stop him from speaking the truth. He alleged state minister Bikram Majithia had been pushing youths into drugs. He said people were in search of an alternative which they were seeing in AAP. Kejriwal claimed that there was no Modi wave in the country as he had been seeing resentment among the masses against top leaders. AAP candidate for Sangrur Bhagwant Mann introduced the party chief as Arvind Bansal Kejriwal. Sources said Mann had tried to win support of the Aggarwal community as Bansal was another gotra of the community. Malerkotla: Kejriwal was accorded a warm welcome by a large number of supporters near Gurdwara Haa Da Naara Sahib here. Supporters wearing party caps showered rose petals on their leader amid raising of slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Arvind Kejriwal Zindabad” and “AAP Zindabad”. Mann accompanied Kejriwal in his vehicle during a roadshow here. The crowd thronged the raods to have a glimpse of Kejriwal and listen to him. In his spirited speech, Kejriwal said: “Prominent political leaders are afraid of Kejriwal because I am one of you. They are afraid of the common man.” He told the people that they had got an opportunity to change the government and their lives and
they should not miss this chance. Kejriwal honoured Nursi Ram (65), a resident of Ravidass Nagar, Malerkotla. Ram, who had lost both his hands, earns his livelihood by pulling a rehri. Bhagwant Mann said:
“It is only AAP that honours common persons instead of dignitaries or personalities”. Mandi Ahmedgarh: Kejriwal tried to strike an emotional chord with members of various communities and groups by speaking on their respective religions and interests during his roadshow here. Party candidates Harinder Singh Khalsa (Fatehgarh Sahib), HS Phoolka (Ludhiana) and Maan (Sangrur) accompanied Kejriwal for the roadshow that started from local bus stand and culminated at Jagera road after passing through Anuvarat Chowk, Old Bus Stand road, Chaura Bazaar, main market, Railway road, Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Ambedkar Chowk and Gaushala road. Though the administration and party activists were cautious to prevent any untoward incident, Kejriwal shook hands and interacted freely with enthusiasts of all ages and groups. He accepted gifts presented by office-bearers and activists of various social and religious
organisations.
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Remains of Ajnala martyrs immersed
Amritsar, April 13 Gurdwara Saheed Ganj Committee president Amarjit Singh Sarkaria said, “Small pieces of martyrs’ mortal remains have been immersed while larger bones and skulls have been kept for preservation.” He said smaller bones along with the soil dug out from the historic well were put into 31 pitchers before being immersed in the river after performing rituals in the presence of members of various social organisations. He, however, lamented that neither the Centre nor the state governments did anything to preserve the remains. “The delay in initiating the preservation process has started taking a toll on the mortal remains that are kept on the gurdwara premises,” he said. Local historian associated with the excavation of the well, Surinder Kochar, cautioned that if the remains suffered any further damage, the Centre and the state governments would be held responsible for it. He said the advisory committee constituted to look into the matter by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is expected to submit its report on April 15. Dadian is the village where 150 soldiers part of the sepoy mutiny in 1857 were believed to have been washed away in the river. In all, 282 other soldiers were captured by the British. While some of them died of asphyxiation, certain others were killed before their bodies were thrown into a well which later came to be known as Kalianwala Khu. The state government had set up a committee last month to probe into all aspects of the incident as there were different versions about it. The panel will first try to establish facts and build a consensus before proceeding further on the matter of raising a memorial at the historic site.
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Gulshan faces ire for ‘not’ reaching out to rape victims
Faridkot, April 13 Extra police force reached the village to prevent any untoward incident and rescue the sitting MP. Gulshan faced the ire for allegedly not raising voice for rape victims in the past five years when several such incidents came to light. At the time when every person, irrespective of their political loyalties, was joining the protest against the rape and kidnap of a 15-year-old girl by a politically supported gangster, Gulshan neither entered Faridkot for more than three months not uttered a word against the accused, the protesters said while speaking from a stage set up in front of the Akalis’. Gulshan was forced to beat a hasty retreat after heavy police force was called in.
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Former Cong unit chief to join SAD today
Bathinda, April 13 An influential landlord, he is reportedly joining the Akali Dal in protest against the Congress alliance with People’s Party of Punjab president Manpreet Badal. Sources said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal would induct Bhola into the party during a function tomorrow. He is a victim of land grab and may accuse the Manpreet camp of it tomorrow, sources said. The development assumes significance as Singla has not joined the campaign in favour of Congress-PPP candidate Manpreet, who has claimed to the media that he had invited Singla many times. Sources close to Singla said the ex-MP was hesitant to campaign for Manpreet because his camp is accused of grabbing Bhola’s land. Bhola is like a son to Singla. Sources further said that Bhola did not get support from the state Congress leadership and was left to fend for himself.
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Delhi leaders make beeline to Amritsar
Amritsar, April 13 While SAD (D) president Paramjit Singh Sarna has come out in the support of Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh, DSGMC chief Manjeet Singh GK has reached here along with his supporters to campaign for BJP candidate Arun Jaitley. Manjeet Singh GK said they were deputing 10 teams from their Delhi unit comprising 200 members for campaigning in Amritsar. He said they would be active in the urban areas of the constituency and had been assigned specific duties in terms of campaign among different sections of society such as BPL families, Ramgarhia Sikhs and Khatri Sikhs. He said they had sent another group led by DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Sirsa to Bathinda. “We will also campaign in Anandpur Sahib, Jalandhar and Patiala. We will remain in Punjab till April 28,” he said. Sarna said he had been campaigning for Amarinder for the last few days. “This is my second visit to the constituency ever since his candidature was announced. I will again campaign for him from April 22 to 28.” He said the Congress’ move to field Amarinder from Amritsar would have a cascading effect in other constituencies of Punjab as well. “The winds of change have started blowing with Capt’s entry into the electoral arena.” He alleged the SAD had brought in Jaitley to Amritsar merely “to throw Navjot Sidhu out of the constituency”.
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Kaypee not informing me about campaign programmes: Santosh
Phagwara, April 13 She was replying to a query on former PPCC
president Shamsher Singh Dullo, who was denied party ticket from Jalandhar parliamentary seat, announcing to finalise his next strategy after consulting his supporters within two-three days. When asked why she has not campaigned for Congress candidate from Hoshiarpur Mohinder Singh Kaypee till now, Chowdhary said Kaypee had stabbed her in the back by keeping her "in the
dark" till the last minute. She said he was not informing her about any campaign-related programme. She alleged that she, being a Dalit woman, was ignored and those with money and muscle power were given a preference. She said most of the Congressmen could not tolerate a Dalit leader serving people. Chaudhary said despite “injustice”, she would remain loyal to the party.
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Congress leader joins AAP Anandpur Sahib: Congress dissident Davinder Kaur Daboor, who had contested the 2012 Assembly elections from Anandpur Sahib as an Independent, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here on Sunday. AAP candidate from Anandpur Sahib constituency Advocate Himmat Singh Shergill was present on the occasion. Daboor said she decided to join AAP as she found the policies of party convener Arvind Kejriwal “pro-people”. Belonging to a traditional Congress family, she was probably the first woman candidate to contest from Anandpur Sahib constituency as an Independent. Govt staff to
vow to vote Muktsar: To increase voting percentage, the District Electoral Officer has told all government employees across the district to vow on April 15 to vote in the Lok Sabha elections. A circular has been sent to the heads of various departments with a sample document. To ensure that no employee is left out of the pledge, returning of all signed documents to the district election office has been made compulsory. As per the document, all government departments will conduct a ceremony at 11 am on Tuesday wherein the employees will first take the pledge and then sign the document. No ads on
govt buildings Chandigarh: The EC has banned advertisements of political nature on any building or space owned by the government or public sector bodies even if the space had been rented out to private contractors. Supreet Singh Gulati, Additional CEO, Punjab, said this communiqué was received in response to a complaint. The EC has directed shifting of 6,400 EVMs to Punjab from Haryana, Odisha, Delhi and Karnataka for smooth conduct of the General Election. The move was necessitated in view of more than 15 candidates in 10 of the 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. Sheetal, Danny
fall in line Faridkot: After three days of political rumbling that they caused in Akali and Congress camp in the Faridkot parliamentary constituency, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, general secretary of Punjab Youth Congress, and Sheetal Singh, three-time Akali MLA, withdrew their nominations as Independent candidates on Saturday. Sheetal Singh, former SAD MLA and son-in-law of Gurdev Singh Badal, said he decided to pull out on the suggestions of a religious leader. Danny said he did so following instructions from Rahul Gandhi’s office. Leading in disposal
of complaints Fazilka: The district administration has taken the lead in quick disposal of complaints related to the Lok Sabha elections. At present, no complaint is pending with the District Election Office.
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ICP expansion plan in final stages: Port authority
Amritsar, April 13 Earlier this year, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Pakistani counterpart Khurram Dastagir agreed on opening the ICP 24X7. The
ICP built over 130 acres will be extended by another 300 acres. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said they had surveyed around 300 acres for the expansion. He said the report was sent to the LPAI that further discussed the matter with the Border Management, the Ministry of Home Affairs. At a cultural programme organised to mark the second anniversary of the ICP, Saneh Lata Kumar, Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, and VS Sherawat were the chief guests. BSF Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) MF Farooqui, Manager VK Mahajan, and ICP Assistant Commissioner Amanjit Singh were also present on the occasion. The ICP constructed at a cost of Rs 150 crore was commissioned on April 13, 2012. At present, India exports fresh vegetables, soyabean, cotton, cardon dioxide, etc. to Pakistan and imports cement,
soda ash, gypsum, glass, sugar and dry dates through the ICP. Meanwhile, the LAPI authorities informed that the volume of trade had considerably increased since it was commissioned in 2012. The total trade volume in the current financial year was pegged at Rs 5,300 crore. The custom officials revealed that imports had increased from Rs 1,700 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 2,000 crore in 2012-13 while exports had jumped from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,300
crore.
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13 crushers sealed in Ropar
Ropar, April 13 Bhagat said six crushers were sealed in Bindrakh village and the rest sealed in Sarsa Nangal area. In December last year, the department had submitted a list of 212 illegal crushers and screening plants to the police, demanding that their owners be booked. It was found that these plants were running without permission from the pollution department. The department had also found that several plants were storing more raw material than stated in the documents. Thereafter, the licences of these crushers were cancelled. The Ropar police then returned the letter to the Mining Department so it could vet the list of the offenders. Bhagat said since then many of the crusher owners had completed the formalities and legalised their plants, leaving around 100 illegal plants.
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22 years on, Fatehgarh Sahib district lacks basic facilities
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 13 Though the steel industry in Mandi Gobindgarh has generated several crores for the state and the Centre, the town has remained poor. Political parties make tall claims at the Shaheedi Jor Mela every year, but nothing has been done so far. The district lacks basic health facilities. The construction of a children’s hospital at Peerjain village has not been completed. The community health centres at Hansalai and Chanarthal villages constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore each are not functional due to shortage of staff. Several projects such as the widening of roads connecting the district, the construction of bus stand, the setting up of water supply and sewage treatment plants at Sirhind and the laying of rain water pipes are hanging fire. The historic Aam Khaas Bagh of the Mughal era is a picture of neglect. Many traffic lights at various chowks in the major towns of the district do not work and have led to several fatal accidents. Bassi Pathana, once famous for the sewing machine industry, and Amloh remain backward as no major industry has been brought to these towns The steel industry in Mandi Gobindgarh is in bad shape with 30 per cent of the furnace and steel units having closed down or shifted to Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. However, the government has completed a few projects. It has built the advocates’ chambers, bypass road, railway flyovers in Brahmanmajra village, four martyrs memorial gates and set up the Guru Granth Sahib World University. Since the SAD-BJP government came to power in 2012, few projects have been brought to the district and many of these are yet to be completed. These include the widening of Madhopur to Bhaironpur bypass and the beautification of the Sirhind rivulet.
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Migrants not issued ration card in Ropar
Ropar, April 13 Ram Dyal, a native of Badaun in UP, said he had moved to Punjab around 15 years ago. “I have been working in the fields of Nurpur Bedi for years now, but I haven’t been issued a ration card. So, I cannot avail any of the schemes launched by the state or central governments,” he said. Moreover, since the families are illiterate and poor, they do not send their wards to school. “When my children work in shops and earn at least Rs 200 per day, why should I send them to school,” said Chhote Lal, a father of five. RTI activist Dinesh Chadha said it was the responsibility of the state to enrol these children. Ropar Deputy Commissioner PK Agrawal said any person could apply for the voter card. There was no need to show a residence proof.
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Sluggish start to season for harvester owners
Muktsar, April 13 However, as the demand picks up, the prices are likely to go up by Rs 200 per acre as diesel has become costlier. Moreover, there is a shortage of labourers. Combine harvester owner Gurjeet Singh said, “Those who are harvesting their crop now can hire our machines at cheap rates. But as the demand picks up, we will charge more.” He said the shortage of labourers would increase the demand manifold. Several labourers would not work as they would be paid to attend political rallies. Farmers then would have no choice, but to hire combine harvesters. Most farmers are happy using the giant machines since these save time as compared to harvesting manually.
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Rid us of wild animals, get votes: Hoshiarpur farmers
The villagers lamented that during every election, leaders promised to resolve their problem and work towards facilitating compensation for damages but they forget about it after the elections. This time, the farmers said they had resolved that before they vote, they would seek a concrete plan of action to solve their problem. Maize (corn) is the main crop here and the productivity is too low. What makes things worse is
the damage caused by wild animals. Wild boars, chamois (sambar) and nylghau cause huge losses to farmers. Capt Narinder Sharma of Janauri village said, “Once a herd enters a field, there is nothing a farmer can do. For the past three to four years, farming has been a low-paying affair as wild boars would come and destroy the crop, leaving nothing for us to reap." The makeshift watchtowers (machans) were erected where farmers spent sleepless nights to keep wild animals away by bursting the crackers or beating drums. Mohan Singh, an ex-serviceman of Jhonowal village, said, “No boundry wall or fencing can stop them. After a herd of wild boars passes through a field, it seems as if someone has dug it out with shovels. Most of the farmers in area have served in the Army and have guns but we can’t fire due to strict laws.” Hari Narayan Singh Rana of Janauri village said, “The menace of monkeys, too, is growing. They come in large groups and take away everything they find to eat. They enter houses, open drums containing grains and eat everything. This time, we will vote to ensure a practical solution for this problem.” Ravi Kumar of Nara village said, "Sambars and nylghaus come in large groups. The way they have been destroying our farms, it seems they have developed a taste for our crops. The fields which are situated next to the jungle are the most vulnerable." Agricultural Cooperative Society, Garhi Mansowal, president Kabal Singh said, “Farmers have been demanding help for many years but every time
we are given promises, which are not kept after elections. This time we will see what they have
to offer in solution to our problem.” Bet Bhalai Committee representative Ajayab Singh of Adda Jungian said, “This time mere promises will not do.
The process to seek permission for hunting animals that cause damage to our crops is too
tedious. There is a provision for compensation to farmers for the destroyed crop but that process,
too, is lengthy and troublesome.” “The need of the hour is to make these processes easy and short,” he said.
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Tributes paid to Jallianwala Bagh martyrs
Abohar, April 13 Addressing the gathering, Sikka said the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh gave a new direction to the freedom struggle. “The barbaric incident became the cause of the Non-cooperation Movement by the Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter, Satyagrah, Swaraj, and finally, the Quit India Movement, which brought the nation closer to freedom,” he said. Consumer Movement chairman Satpal Khariwal rued that the Municipal Council had not taken the pain of dusting the memorials of freedom struggle heroes even today. He said the sanitation system had collapsed in the sub-divisional town.
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Delay in funds mars canal repair in Abohar
Abohar, April 13 The move aims at ensuring availability of water
in villages located at the tail end of the canal system. However, it will not be helpful in
preventing breaches as funds for repair are yet to be released. “Almost all the canals in the region witnessed breaches in the last financial year as funds were not released to repair the side walls that were damaged due to various reasons. The authorities had temporarily plugged the breaches and filled the damaged portion of the sidewalls by stacking sand bags,” Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) stated. “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal when apprised of the problem on various occasions at rural gatherings had announced that sufficient funds would be made available but people
are still waiting,” the BKU said. Notably the canal system was closed on April 1 for a month in the Abohar circle and the neighbouring Sriganganagar district in Rajasthan. The neighbouring state has to go ahead with
pending work on the lining of some burjis of the Gang (Bikaner) feeder whereas the annual repair work was essential in the Abohar circle as farmers require plenty of water for the next sowing in May after harvesting of the wheat crop. The ongoing work will be suspended for a day on April 17 in Sriganganagar district to enable workers to exercise their right to vote. Efforts are being made to finish the work
by April 29 in Punjab since polling is scheduled for April 30. Sources in the Irrigation Department said water had been released in the Malukpura sub-canal after achieving the target for cleaning within the prescribed period. The work might be finished in other sub-canals within the next two weeks, they said.
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Political tug-of-war over medical college intensifies
Abohar, April 13 Aggarwal had sought the district adminstration's permission to organise an exhibition of equipment that he had purchased for the medical college, at Sukhadia Circle. However, his plea was turned down. People thronged the Aggarwal's commercial complex on Sunday as he changed the venue and organised the exhibition of equipment worth Rs 26 crore here. He had offered to provide equipment worth Rs 80 crore for BD Aggarwal Govt Medical College, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for which was signed by the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government last year. The trust headed by Aggarwal has to donate Rs 213 crore for the college, to be raised inside the district hospital. There were reports that BJP leaders have been trying to make the Govt College project a damp squib to corner Aggarwal's ZP and benefit a private institute that had initially got clearance for the medical college project. Aggarwal has been an arch critic of Vasundhra Raje as she had not responded to his offer for the construction of the college in public sector during her last term as the Chief Minister. He said today that he was fully prepared to follow the MoU and was confident about turning the dream of providing medical education at affordable prices a reality.
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SAD at it again: ‘Kundi’ connection for CM’s rally
Dakhoa (Jalandhar), April 13 At a rally in Dakhoa village, wires were illegally connected with the main supply line in violation of the norms. A similar case was reported in Mukerian on Saturday. Badal was here to address a series of rallies in favour of party candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu. Badal denied having played any role in fielding Manpreet Badal’s namesake from Bathinda. On the role of Bathinda Deputy Commissioner who allowed the candidate Manpreet Singh to use “Badal” surname despite his not furnishing any document, the CM said: “I do knot know much about it.” On a video footage aired by the electronic media wherein Badal had openly asked industrialists in Jalandhar to contribute to Tinu’s poll fund, Badal said: I have not taken any money. Ask the Congress whether they do not raise funds?”
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Engineer ‘turns blind eye’ to power thefts to favour Akalis in Majha
Patiala, April 13 The complainant, Assistant Superintendent Engineer Nirmal Singh, had held the post of executive engineer, enforcement, Amritsar, for about seven months in 2012. Nirmal has accused Amarjit Singh, Deputy Chief Engineer, Amritsar (Enforcement), who is reportedly close to Akali leaders, of continuing at the same post from over four years. PSPCL sources said despite the poll code in place, the CMD forwarded the letter to a two-member committee instead of reporting the matter to the EC. Chaudhri said the letter had been marked to a committee already probing complaints and counter-complaints between the two officers. “In some earlier complaints, we had issued chargesheet to Amarjit Singh. The present complaint will also be dealt on merit,” he said. On not forwarding the complaint to the EC, Chaudhri said he was waiting for a probe report. Amarjit Singh said he had never supported those indulging in power theft. “My posting is in the hands of the CMD. I am posted here due to my good work”, he said. Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh said his office had got some complaints pertaining to the PSPCL and they would soon take action.
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Armyman booked for wife's death
Abohar, April 13 Her father Shyam Sunder alleged that Babita, who was married to Jitender last year, was harassed for dowry. He alleged that her in-laws wanted her to bring a car and Rs 2 lakh from her parents. The police have also booked Jitender's father, mother and brother under Sections 304, 498A of the IPC. — OC
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Phagwara, April 13
Hoshiarpur, April 13