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EC seeks CD of Badal’s speech seeking funds
Eco-harvesting of wheat catches fancy of farmers
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Only quoted an incident: Bhattal on Chandumajra
Zail Singh’s daughter, Congress secretary Bhola join Akali Dal
Patiala’s river of sorrow yet to be tamed
Amarinder serves legal notice on Swamy
Don’t lower level of political discourse, Jaitley tells Capt
Badal Govt ignoring farmers: Preneet
PPCC leaders welcome poll panels
YAD activists heckle Bhagwant Mann
Soni’s ropeway promise has Cong leaders
in a bind
Farmers' body to oppose SAD-BJP candidates
Manpreet’s real face stands exposed: Harsimrat
Now, name trouble for Ambika Soni
SGPC chief’s Baisakhi message: Shun drugs
Lakhs throng Keshgarh Sahib
Hoshiarpur MC official under scanner for breach of poll duty
ED serves summons on singers on stage
Remains of Ajnala martyrs deteriorating fast: Historians
Panel formed to review
book’s contents
‘Ghadar Special’ dispirits nationalists
Man, son killed in road
accident
Tributes paid to 1971 war martyrs
Compensate deceased undertrial’s family, High Court tells state govt
Two cops booked for lodging ‘false’ case
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EC seeks CD of Badal’s speech seeking funds
Chandigarh, April 14 Sources said the CEO office received a call from the EC in the afternoon. As a routine, the CEO forwards reports to the EC following feedback from the districts. But in this case, the EC has sought the CD directly before any report went from the CEO office. The District Election Officer, Jalandhar, is also learnt to have received a copy of the reply from the Akali Dal in the evening. The SAD is learnt to have said: "Badal made the comment at the end of his speech during his interaction with industrialists only in a lighter vein. As such, he has not flouted any code of conduct". The CD shows Badal to have said: "Parde naal davo, samane na davo (give secretly, not openly)." He also said, "Tann, mann atte teeji ik gall hor vi hundi hai… oh tussi vi samjho, us vich vi maddad karo. Bada aukha kam hunda hai… karoran rupaiyya kharch hunda hai (besides physical and emotional support (for Tinu), there's a third thing too… please understand and help with it. Electioneering is a tough job and requires crores)." School buses seized The Hoshiarpur District Election Officer has sent notices to different schools from where at least 50 buses were deployed for ferrying public during Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's rallies at different places on Saturday, it has been learnt. BJP candidate Vijay Sampla has also been issued a notice. Election rallies were held at Dasuya, Mukarian and Hoshiarpur. New initiative The EC has launched a unique initiative of 'Electoral Roll Search Facility' to enable voters to search their names and polling stations in the nationwide electoral rolls. This service could be availed through internet on mobiles, tablets or computers, and SMS through mobiles. A voter can, by typing his EPIC number, not only confirm his polling booth but also the way leading to that booth.
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Eco-harvesting of wheat catches fancy of farmers
Moga, April 14 The soaring prices of wheat straw, commonly used as dry fodder for cattle, in the past couple of months has forced hundreds of farmers to turn away from the modern technology of combine harvesting. “The price of wheat straw has touched Rs 800 per quintal in the past few weeks, putting extra financial burden on the farming community engaged in dairying. Normally, the prices range between Rs 200 and Rs 300 per quintal,” said Gurinderjit Singh, farmer of Daata village. “As a matter of choice, it is better for farmers to prepare dry fodder on their own and store it for the coming months rather than purchasing it at higher prices from the market,” said Jaswinder Singh, farmer of Takhtuwala village. The harvesting through mechanised combine harvester produces 8 to 10 quintals of dry fodder from an acre of land under wheat, while the quantity goes up to 20 to 25 quintals when harvesting is done manually. Though manual harvesting costs more, the benefits go beyond the cost. It has been witnessed that the farmers in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Moga, Faridkot, Mansa and Bathinda districts export dry fodder to dairy owners in Rajasthan, where the demand has increased in the past couple of years. Apart from selling dry fodder in the open market, the farmers store it for their cattle. Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar, agriculture scientist, said manual harvesting helped farmers to sort out quality grains separately for preparing their own seed for the next cropping season. “The Agriculture Department has launched a drive in this district, appealing to the farmers to prepare wheat seed and dry fodder instead of purchasing them at higher rates,” he said. Moga farmers show way *n Rising prices of wheat straw has forced hundreds of farmers to turn away from combine harvesting *
The mechanised harvesting produces 8-10 quintals of dry fodder from 1 acre; quantity goes up to 20 to 25 quintals when harvesting is done manually *
The farmers sell dry fodder in the open market, besides storing it for cattle
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Only quoted an incident: Bhattal on Chandumajra
Ropar, April 14 Submitting her reply to a notice issued by the Election Commission (EC), Bhattal said she had “only mentioned about slogans “Chandu chor” and “Chandu daku” raised once against the Akali leader by the locals in Lehragaga”. Addressing a rally in support of Congress candidate Ambika Soni in Ropar on April 7, Bhattal had reportedly said that the people in Lehragaga described Chandumajra as “Chandu daku” and “Chandu chor”. Objecting to her expression, the SAD had lodged a complaint with the EC, which issued a notice to Bhattal. In the reply submitted to Ropar Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer PK Agrawal, Bhattal stated that she was against the use of derogatory language against anybody. She alleged that Chandumajra had used derogatory remarks against her at Lehragaga in the past, and that the people there resented by describing him “Chandu daku” and “Chandu chor”. She said she had only mentioned that incident while addressing the rally. She also wrote that she would abstain from citing the example in future.
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Zail Singh’s daughter, Congress secretary Bhola join Akali Dal
Bathinda, April 14 The function was presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Joginder Kaur and Bhola were with the Congress for generations. Bhola was reportedly miffed with the party over the nomination of Manpreet Badal as the joint Congress-PPP nominee. Interestingly, Kultar Singh, grandnephew of Giani Zail Singh, has been campaigning for AAP. He accompanied Jassi Jasraj, AAP candidate from Bathinda, during the filing of nomination papers. Bhola’s induction into the Akali fold is being perceived as a significant move by the party to garner urban votes. He organised a grand lunch at Mehta Enclave owned by him. Hundreds of his supporters, including influential residents, were present. For the last several days, the Akalis, led by Sukhbir and his team of strategists, were virtually burning midnight oil to win over urban voters. The party has rarely got lead from Bathinda city. Bhola reportedly enjoys good influence not only in the city but also among Hindu traders in grain markets across the constituency. He was a close aide of former Rajya Sabha MP Surinder Singla, who was named co-convener of the Congress’ campaign committee in the state. It needs to be seen whether Singla would campaign for Manpreet. While welcoming the Congress leaders, Sukhbir urged the voters to vote in his wife and SAD-BJP candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s favour. Sukhbir called Capt Amarinder Singh “a master in using rough language”. He said “it was the only way Amarinder knew to speak”. “Amarinder will lose badly as he is too lazy and stages a mere three public meetings daily compared to 15 by SAD-BJP’s Arun
Jaitley. Manpreet Badal accused of land grab Sadhu Ram Kosla, AAP ticket aspirant who also joined the SAD, read out a three-page statement on behalf of all those who joined the Congress. He alleged that Manpreet and his brother-in-law were involved in land-grabbing and usurping property in Bathinda and Gidderbaha. Have enough land of own, replies PPP chief Reacting to land-grab allegations, PPP chief Manpreet Badal said he had enough land of his own and was in no need to grab anybody else’s land. He said the allegations were referred to the period when he was a Minister with the SAD government, and that the Chief Minister could have taken action against him then. “It seems Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s soul has entered the Akalis who are effecting forced defections.” On the controversy surrounding the namesake of Manpreet Badal being given the kite symbol (used by PPP in the Assembly elections), Sukhbir said in a lighter vein: “Who knows which Manpreet is real. I think the Manpreet with kite symbol is the real one as (PPP’s) Manpreet Badal has already aligned with the Congress.”
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Patiala’s river of sorrow yet to be tamed
Patiala, April 14 But the politicians, it seems, have turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the residents. Says Darshan Singh, a villager, “During rains, we have to live in a constant fear of floods.” Darshan rues the scourge of cancer is the latest predicament to hit them. “More than 100 deaths have occurred in our area in the last few years. The pollution in the river has risen manifold but we have little option but to use its water for drinking and irrigation.” The problem of floods dates back several decades. In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, the then SAD candidate, Prem Singh Chandumajra, had banked on the plank: “Tussi Congress chuk deo, te main Ghaggar chuk dun (you vote out the Congress and I will address the Ghaggar issue).” The slogan clicked and Chandumajra won, but the problem remained unresolved. The problem To check devastation in its own area, Haryana constructed a 4-km toe wall at the point from where the Ghaggar flows into the state. Punjab failed to take any timely action and the matter is now sub-judice in the Supreme Court. The toe wall ensured that most of the flood water is diverted to Punjab. The villagers living alongside the Ghaggar have also reported high incidence of cancer in recent years, blamming the polluted water for the menace, which is used for drinking and irrigation.
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Amarinder serves legal notice on Swamy
Amritsar, April 14 In the legal notice, Amarinder has asked Swamy to tender an unconditional public apology, withdrawing the “false allegations” made against him. The notice reads: "The statements made by Swamy, individually as well as collectively, constitute deliberate malicious representations by him, impinging upon Amarinder's character, integrity and honesty. "The false statements of far-reaching import, so lightly made by you, have directly caused untold harm and damage to the name, reputation and public image of my client, especially given the ongoing elections in the parliamentary constituency of Amritsar, Punjab.” Amarinder today filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), seeking to include the cost of the house purchased by his BJP rival, Arun Jaitley, in his poll expenditure since it was “aimed at garnering support from the people as they have been considering him as an outsider”. The complaint, filed through his election agent Karanpal Singh Sekhon, says: “The said house has been purchased by Arun Jaitley as part of his election campaign, in what he perceives is a fulfillment of a promise made during his campaign speeches to the electorate of Amritsar. “The house has been purchased as an integral part of his campaign efforts and strategy to establish to the electorate of Amritsar that he is not ‘an outsider’ and so this ought not to be an impediment in their mind should they choose to vote for him.” The complaint points out that party symbols, flags and other material being affixed to such house would show that it has been specifically purchased and is being used for such election purpose and campaign. Suggesting that the actual cost of the house should be much more than Rs 1 crore, the complaint says: “This 340-square yard five-bedroom house in Green Avenue, one of the posh colonies of Amritsar, merits verification as the market value may be many times more.” Referring to the EC limit on poll expenditure (Rs 70 lakh), the complaint says since Jaitley has admitted in the public domain that he has purchased the house for Rs 1 crore (the actual value may be higher), he cannot be permitted to spend further on his campaign.
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Don’t lower level of political discourse, Jaitley tells Capt
Amritsar, April 14 In his ‘Campaign Diary’ posted on his Facebook page, Jaitley said: “I had promised that this being my ancestral town, I will have a residential base here. I have implemented that promise. What about Captain himself? Will the people of Amritsar have to wait for days together outside his Patiala palace in order to meet him?” Jaitley took potshots at Amarinder, saying: “Captain Sahib has an unbeatable capacity to singularly lower the level of political discourse. In a civilised issue- based election, he is a fish out of water. My advice to all my friends, supporters and well-wishers in Amritsar is that we must fight this election with elements of civility, dignity and keep it issue-based. "An increasing desire is being witnessed in Amritsar for Narendra Modi to be the next Prime Minister. I can also smell the positive attitude of the people towards me and the issues which we are raising. We must not deviate from this agenda.” Amarinder, in a jibe at Jaitley for advising him not to buy a house across the border, said: “It depends on the trust that people have in you, and yes I am proud of having built such confidence in the people, including you.” Taunting him further, he said: “Rest assured, if I intend buying a house across the border, I will definitely ask you to do so too. Since your wealth is multiplying so rapidly, you may be keen to invest anywhere across the world, be it Amritsar or Lahore, as long as it fetches you good returns.” Amarinder said he was proud of having successfully tried to build people-to- people contact between the Punjabs in India and Pakistan. Amarinder also asked Jaitley to seek BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s permission before promising to open the trade route between Amritsar and Lahore, as "Modi is speaking an entirely different language that is purely jingoistic and confrontationist”.
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Badal Govt ignoring farmers: Preneet
Patiala, April 14 Preneet, who opened her party office in the Patiala (Rural) assembly segment, was accompanied by Patiala (Rural) MLA Brahm Mohindra and daughter-in-law Reshma Kaur. She said while farmers were waiting in mandis with their produce since the past many days, the government had not yet made any provision to lift the wheat stocks. “During the Congress regime, the farmers didn’t have to spend a single night in the mandis. Even as there have been unexpected showers in the past few days, the farmers have had no option but to keep their produce in the open owing to lack of storage facilities,” she alleged. Meanwhile, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra canvassed for SAD-BJP candidate Deepinder Singh Dhillon in various parts of the city today. He claimed that Preneet's biggest failure was her inability to bring to the area any centrally sponsored project or industry that could have generated employment for the youth. Dhillon promised to transform the area into a prosperous one, if elected. Dhillon’s wife, at another meeting, appealed to the voters not to elect Preneet for the fourth time and instead give her husband a chance to serve the constituency.
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PPCC leaders welcome poll panels
Chandigarh, April 14 Amritsar candidate Capt Amarinder Singh said this would motivate all Congress leaders to launch a concerted campaign against the SAD-BJP Government. "And this will help the candidates in the election fray," he said. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had recommended a campaign and coordination committee after Amarinder Singh suggested that MLA Laal Singh should be made PPCC working president. She has now been appointed chairperson of the election campaign committee. Shamsher Singh Dullo, who has been made chairman of the election coordination committee, said: “We will formulate our action plan once we have held a meeting with Punjab affairs incharge Shakeel Ahmad.” Surinder Singla, who has been appointed co-chairman of the campaign committee, said having been an AICC spokesperson earlier, he would be able to do justice to his new assignment.
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YAD activists heckle Bhagwant Mann
Sangrur, April 14 The YAD workers showed black flags to Mann for "speaking against" SAD candidate SS Dhindsa and his family at his election rallies. This led to an altercation between AAP and Akali workers. Bhagwant and his supporters sat on a dharna and called the police. The AAP candidate accused the Akali workers of disrupting his campaign. A police team, including a Superintendent of Police (SP), two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and two Station House Officers (SHOs), reached the site and reportedly detained five Akali workers. But Sukhdev Singh Virk, Sunam DSP, denied the police had detained anybody. He said five persons were taken away in a police vehicle but were let off 200 yards away. He said no case had been registered as Bhagwant had not filed a complaint.
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Soni’s ropeway promise has Cong leaders
in a bind
Ropar, April 14 Moreover, Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister GS Bali, who was with Soni during her campaign last week, had said he would meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to revive the project at the earliest.
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Farmers' body to oppose SAD-BJP candidates
Amritsar, April 14 Committee leaders Sawinder Singh Chutala and Gurlal Singh Pandori alleged that government representatives had time and again promised them to release their colleagues, but they backtracked every time. The farmer leaders alleged that while the committee members were agitating on March 24, the state government “sent the police that encircled the dharns site and stopped the supply of ration to the protesters”. They said the incident "exposed the real face of the Badal-led state government which projects itself as pro-farmer”. The committee would intensify the protest. Its members would burn the effigies of the state government in villages and show black flags to the SAD-BJP candidates until the polling day (April 30), the farmer leaders said.
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Manpreet’s real face stands exposed: Harsimrat
Chandigarh, April 14 Welcoming Congress leaders, including municipal councillor Anil Bhola, into the SAD fold today, Harsimrat claimed that the atrocities committed Manpreet while in office as Finance Minister were being uncovered now. "Manpreet should come clean on the allegations levelled against him," Harsimrat said. She said Bhola had said that Manpreet had tried to grab 16 acres of his ancestral land in the heart of Bathinda in 2009. "Many other people in Gidderbaha have also complained of excesses at the hands of the PPP chief", she claimed. She said it was strange that the PPP chief had not bothered to reply to these allegations. "He talks about the need for probity in public life. But, it seems, this adage does not apply to him. The fact of the matter is that he misused his position as Finance Minister to arm-twist the people into obeying his dictates. "He may make high-sounding speeches on ethics and morality, but the people know only too well that he does not practise what he preaches," Harsimrat said. The Akali MP said she had tried to reach out to the people at a personal level through her "Nanhi Chhaan" initiative which, she claimed, had improved the lot of thousands of women in her constituency. Shopkeepers protest Sukhbir's visit Bathinda: Shopkeepers along Gurdwara Singh Sabha Market in Mansa today downed their shutters to protest Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's visit, forcing him to change his programme. The shopkeepers were angry over the closure of a path leading to the market through the gurdwara premises. Congress-PPP-CPI candidate Manpreet Badal reached the dharna site. Addressing the shopkeepers, he promised to solve their problem post-elections.
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Now, name trouble for Ambika Soni
Ropar, April 14 The returning officer has granted suffix of “Bittu” to an Independent candidate, Mandeep Singh. The suffix “Bittu” is likely to create confusion among voters as it is used by sitting Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is contesting from Ludhiana this time. Mandeep Singh, a resident of Sirhind, had filed his nomination papers on April 1 and applied for the use of suffix “Bittu” stating that he was better known with his nickname among his relatives and acquaintances, many of whom were residents of the Anandpur Sahib constituency. Mandeep when contacted said he was a novice in politics and yet to start campaigning. Mandeep is unemployed, but in his nomination papers, he has mentioned agriculture as his profession with an annual income of Rs 1,78,590. “My family owns 3-4 acres agriculture land. I am yet to get a job. I have done MTech from a college in Fatehgarh Sahib,” he said, adding that he and his family members had no connection with any political party.
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Citizens’ voice
If you were an MP, what would you do to improve things in your area I would have a lot to do regarding issues like sewerage management, traffic problems and hygiene. I would upgrade educational facilities with better infrastructure for schools and more scholarship-based programmes Deepika Shingari, first-time voter I would address basic issues such as cleanliness and security for the elderly citizens and women. I would ensure a safe and healthy life for the residents of the constituency. Ansab Khan, student and first time voter I would introduce initiatives to see that the citizens and law enforcement authorities worked in tandem to reduce crime. I would try develop a transparent system in every department Sanjeev Syal, schoolteacher in Jandiala I would improve the services provided to the underprivileged and lower income sections. As of now, they have no access to basic amenities such sa health and education Sargun Seth, entrepreneur from city I would have a permanent office manned by a competent person who would act as a liaison between me and the public. I would post my policies on the web. I would create a think tank of eminent citizens and professionals Neelu Gauri, head, INIFD, Amritsar I would take measures to fight drug addiction. Also, I would provide basic amenities such as safe drinking water, a sewerage disposal system and public urinals. Dr Gurpreet Singh, medical practitioner My first and foremost priority would be health and education. A common man spends almost 28 per cent of his income on health, yet the quality of healthcare is disappointing. Prof Joginder Singh, Namdhari
Guru Ram Singh chair I would work towards accessible and transparent governance. This is the only way to improve things, whether related to infrastructure or policy- making. Reaching out to the people is a must Sudharshan Walia, housewife What in your opinion is the most important issue in the Lok Sabha poll The most important issue is criminalisation of the democratic process. Most candidates have a criminal record and do not deserve to be elected. We need honest politicians, not criminals in Parliament. Deepika Shingari, first-time voter Lack of employment opportunities and a poor healthcare system are the two main issues confronting the people. Any nation must have healthy citizens if it is to prosper. But basic healthcare is missing in small towns. Ansab Khan, student and first time voter The most important issue is that of corruption. Every political party, whether corrupt or not, is talking of eradicating corruption. None is spelling out its action plan to achieve this target. Sanjeev Syal, schoolteacher in
Jandiala Good governance is definitely one of the main issues these elections. An accessible government that empathises with the common man is a must Sargun Seth, entrepreneur from city Corruption is the biggest issue confronting the nation. The citizens want a responsive, honest and transparent government. They are fed up with scams and the blame game in Parliament. Neelu Gauri, head,
INIFD, Amritsar The hard-earned money of the people are being wasted by corrupt leaders and bureaucrats. Half of the money that the government collects by way of taxes goes in foreign bank accounts Dr Gurpreet Singh, medical practitioner There has been no serious debate on the economic issues regarding health and education by any party. Budget allocations in these sectors are nominal. The government needs better policies. Prof Joginder Singh, Namdhari
Guru Ram Singh chair It is time to elect a strong leadership. We have already seen how alliances work at the Centre. Sudharshan
Walia, housewife
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Modi absent from SAD posters in Malerkotla
Sangrur: The SAD has adopted a different approach while campaigning in Malerkotla, a town dominated by the Muslim population. The party’s posters (see above in pic) and other publicity material have no mention of BJP’s prime minister candidate Narendra Modi. In contrast, 35 km away in Sangrur, Modi figures prominently in all posters, pamphlets and billboards put by the SAD. Sources said party’s Sangrur candidate Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had also been refraining himself from mentioning Modi in his speeches in Malerkotla, probably to find favour among the Muslim population. Cong takes on CM over poll office Chandigarh: Sukhpal Khaira, PPCC spokesman, asked CM Parkash Badal to explain his position for running a joint SAD-BJP office from Harbans Lal Khanna Samark in Amritsar, which was built in memory of the person “responsible for committing a sacrilegious act” against a Sikh Guru in 1984. The act was condemned by the SGPC, which had also issued a White Paper on it. Khaira said: “BJP candidate Arun Jaitley must explain how he deserves the votes of Amritsar residents when his party had humiliated its founder?” AAP’s Gandhi issues special manifesto Patiala: AAP candidate Dr Dharamvir Gandhi has released a local manifesto that contains over 48 important issues related to the Patiala constituency. Dr Gandhi has laid special focus on Patiala-centric issues, including devastation caused by the Ghaggar during the monsoons, ill-equipped Government Rajindra Hospital, ambiguity in various central schemes, inadequate price for farm produce and short supply of potable water and poor sanitation facilities to about 40 per cent people in the constituency. Dr Gandhi has promised that all issues of the “aam aadmi” would be resolved on a priority. PPCC questions CM’s ‘U-turn’ on realtor Fatehgarh Sahib: Sukhpal Singh Khaira, PPCC spokesman, on Monday said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should clarify his stand on the candidature of SAD nominee for Fatehgarh Sahib Kulwant Singh. Khaira alleged Badal had submitted a memorandum to the state Governor in 2006, levelling allegations of corruption against Kulwant Singh. He said people wanted to know how could the SAD own a person whom they had accused of involving in shady land deals few years ago.
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SGPC chief’s Baisakhi message: Shun drugs
Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), April 14 Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal paid obeisance at the gurduwara, but no other political leader addressed the public gathering during the festival. “The political colour is missing this time, though workers of the leading political parties are canvassing for their leaders,” said Gurwinder Singh, who came with his family from Khemuana village in Bathinda district, to pay obeisance. With VIP cavalcades, political leaders and heavy security forces missing this time due to restrictions imposed by the EC to hold political conferences ahead of the General Election, people were at ease while offering prayers. Unlike last year, the police set up only two barricades to regulate the traffic up to the gurdwara premises. Meanwhile, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar urged people to shun drugs. The gurudwara authorities made elaborate arrangements for the stay of devotees from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and other states. Villagers organised langar (community kitchen) on road. People enjoyed traditional sports of gatka and a few of them participated in the turban-tying competition.
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Lakhs throng Keshgarh Sahib
Anandpur Sahib, April 14 Jathedar Giani Mall Singh asked the devotees not to commit female foeticide and not take drugs. Though the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
(SGPC) held the main function at Damdama Sahib, devotees thronged Anandpur Sahib. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa panth on this day in 1699. The pilgrims also took a glimpse of Guru Gobind Singh’s weapons at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. At the
gurdwara, head priest Bhai Sukhwinder Singh offered ‘ardas’ after the ‘bhog’ ceremony was held.
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Hoshiarpur MC official under scanner for breach of poll duty
Hoshiarpur, April 14 The action was sought after MC Video Surveillance Officer-cum-Executive Officer Ramesh Kumar failed to reply to a show-cause notice issued to him on a report about a complaint pertaining to the display of hoardings of Congress Hoshiarpur candidate Mohinder Singh Kaypee. BJP candidate Vijay Sampla’s publicity in-charge Amit Taneja is the complainant. He pointed out that in violation of the model code of conduct, hoardings of the Congress candidate were displayed at four places in the city. The MC Video Surveillance Officer, however, said in his report that no hoardings were displayed in the city. But, the Naib Tehsildar, who is also the in-charge of model code of conduct, visited the places under question and found the hoardings displayed there. The SSP, Sushil Kumar, said he was yet to receive any such letter from the DC and that Kumar was yet to file his reply. “After he replies, only then any action may be considered,” he added. Poll code violation *n BJP candidate Vijay Sampla’s publicity in-charge pointed out that in violation of poll code, hoardings of Congress candidate Mohinder Singh Kaypee were displayed at four places in the city *
MC Video Surveillance Officer gave a clean chit to Kaypee * Naib Tehsildar, who is also the in-charge of poll code, visited the places under question and found the hoardings displayed there.
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ED serves summons on singers on stage
Chandigarh, April 14 Under lens for violating the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act
(FEMA), these entertainers - Diljit Singh Dosanjh, Miss Pooja, Gippy Grewal and film producers and financers from Jalandhar - Batra Showbiz and Gurfateh Productions - have so far been evading the summons from the ED. Left with no choice, the ED sleuths have now started keeping track of the programmes and public appearances that these singers have committed themselves to. Once these singers appear for these shows, the ED officials reach there and issue them the summons. The first one to be so issued summons is famous Pollywood heart throb Gippy
Grewal. Since the ED officials were unable to track him and issue summons to appear before ED and explain the routing of money to and from some foreign countries, they swooped down at the Gymkhana Club at Jalandhar last night, where he was to perform and issued him summons just before he got on stage to perform. The Enforcement Directorate is suspecting a
multi-crore foreign exchange transaction racket involving these stars and film producers. It is suspected that since a number of Punjabi movies and Punjabi songs, by these entertainers are shot at foreign locations, there is a likelihood of illegal transfer of money abroad, through illegal channels of money transfer. Also, the money being earned by these stars during performances abroad, and in case of film producers, the money earned through selling of overseas rights, is also suspected to be illegally routed back to them in India. Sources say that so far the case being built against these famous Punjabi stars is the on basis of some investigation and the real story will unearth only after they have been questioned and their replies solicited by the ED. The only Punjabi entertainer, who had received summons and appeared before the ED, for questioning is Diljit
Dosanjh. He was questioned on April 12. For all the other above mentioned stars, who have been evading the summons, the ED now proposes to employ a similar technique of serving summons to them when they come for their public performances. Staying a step ahead *
Diljit Singh
Dosanjh, Miss Pooja, Gippy Grewal and owners of Batra Showbiz and Gurfateh Productions have been under lens for violating the provisions of
FEMA * They have so far been evading the summons from the ED * Left with no choice, the ED sleuths have now started keeping track of the programmes of these singers *
Once these singers appear for the shows, the ED officials reach there and issue them the summons ED suspects hawala racket * The ED suspects a multi-crore foreign exchange transaction racket involving these stars and film producers
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Remains of Ajnala martyrs deteriorating fast: Historians
Jalandhar, April 14 Historian Surinder
Kochhar, who led the excavation of the 282 soldiers killed in 1857, alleged the government was taking too long to conserve the remains. “People from all over the world are concerned about the preservation of the remains, but our government seems least interested. As many as 90 skulls were excavated from the well, but only 15 are left. The bones are disintegrating fast,” he said.
Kochhar further said the remaining 15 may also disintegrate in the next few days. “I had asked the government to conserve the bones in a temperature controlled environment immediately. It hasn’t been done in over a month. If these bones are lost, the Indian government will find itself in an embarrassing position,” he said. On February 27, Kocchar had submitted his report to the government immediately after the excavations. “Currently, all the remains have been kept in basic wooden boxes. I had anticipated a better plan. Sometimes, ignorant villagers trying to clean the 72 coins found from the well inadvertently damage the imprints,” he rued. The government had so far only committed to submit a report on the issue, he said. SS
Channy, Principal Secretary (Home), said, “These bones can’t be kept in jars unlike others stored in hospitals. We also have to determine the identity of the soldiers. We will soon meet the representatives of the Government Medical College and
PGI, Chandigarh, on April 16. Our priority will be to shift the bones immediately.” Meanwhile, the British government is yet to respond to the Indian Workers Association (Britain) request on providing information regarding the names, ranks and other personal details of the martyrs. “The Union Ministries of Defence and Cultural Affairs are pursuing the matter with the British government,” Channy said. He further said that after the government report was released on April 16, a monument similar to the war memorial would be built in memory of the martyrs. He said land for the memorial would be sought by the Ministry of
Defence.
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Panel formed to review
book’s contents
Mohali, April 14 The board’s chairperson, Dr Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal, said the panel would discuss the matter with Anjali Bhanwra, Principal Secretary, School Education, and the Election Commission authorities. The committee would then decide on whether the objectionable contents or the entire lesson should be removed from the syllabus. A total of around 3.75 lakh copies of the book have been published, out of which about one lakh copies have already been distributed. Dr Dhaliwal said she had also sought an explanation from the subject experts, who finalised the contents of the book. The Election Commission had objected to the book being used for publicising the achievements and schemes of the Badal government such as the Mai Bhago scheme and the Shagun scheme. “The officials included the chapter to please the state government. The blunder has resulted in the loss of precious time of around 2.5 lakh students,” said a senior official of the board on the condition of anonymity.
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‘Ghadar Special’ dispirits nationalists
Bathinda, April 14 In 2008, the Punjab Government had approved the sale of liquor named ‘Rang de
Basanti’. It had to withdraw the brand after various associations opposed it. Before that the government had allowed the sale of brands named
"Rano", "rasbhari", "Heer" and "Tamanna". The Excise and Taxation Department approved the sale of ‘Ghadar Special’ on March 31 for sale in the fiscal year 2014-15. A product of a
Patiala-based distillery, it is priced at Rs 81 per bottle. Pulse Manch leader Amolak Singh said thousands of people had lost their lives in the Ghadar Movement. “It seems the government is trying to turn the youngsters towards liquor with such brand names,” he remarked. Social activist Lok Bandhu claimed that the remains of martyrs that were found in a well in Ajnala were of those killed during the Ghadar Movement. "By allowing a liquor brand to be named after this movement, the government is sending a wrong message to the youth," he said. Excise and Taxation Officer Rajbir Singh said the manufacturers claimed that the brand had been in the market for the past several years. Taxation Commissioner Anurag Verma said he was not aware of the matter.
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Man, son killed in road
accident
Fazilka, April, 14 A family of four from Behak Khas village of Fazilka district was on their way to Bajeke village to pay obeisance at the memorial of Baba Ram Thaman in their Maruti Zen car. As they reached near Jhuge Gulab village, 12 km from here, it collided with another car coming from the opposite direction. All four occupants of Maruti Zen and two occupants of other car sustained injuries. All injured were admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Doctors declared Jagdish Chander (35), who was driving Maruti Zen, brought dead, while his son Vansh (7) succumbed to injuries later. The injured have been identified as Chander’s wife Kanta Rani (33) and daughter Kajal (12). The occupants of the other car were Kanta Rani and
Kajal. — OC
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Tributes paid to 1971 war martyrs
Fazilka, April 14 The jawans of the 4 Jat Regiment led by Dharam Guru Suresh
Chander; Khema Ram, brother of martyr Ishwar Singh from Jhunjhnu (Rajasthan); Jai
Lal, brother of martyr Khannaya Lal from Hisar (Haryana); and Vinod Kumar, brother of martyr Mange Ram from Bhiwani
(Haryana); and members of the Shaheedon Ki Samadhi Committee, Fazilka, who has been looking after the memorial affairs, laid wreaths at the memorial. A “havan” was performed followed by a two-minute silence. After the ceasefire in the 1971 war, the mortal remains of 82 jawans of the 4 Jat Regiment were cremated by civilians by constructing a 90-feet-long pyre. The residents formed the Shaheedon Ki Samadhi Committee and, later, raised a memorial at the cremation site. Since then, the Army jawans of the 4 Jat Regiment, irrespective of their posting in the country, come to Fazilka to pay tributes to them on
Baisakhi. — OC
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Compensate deceased undertrial’s family, High Court tells state govt
Chandigarh, April 14 Taking up an appeal by relatives Lakhwinder Kaur and others appellants, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only admonished the state for its “unfair and unjust” stand on the issue, but has also ordered it to pay approximately Rs 5.50 lakh as compensation. The judgment is also significant as the High Court made a departure from the principle of “ex turpi causa non oritur action” or “from a dishonourable cause an action does not arise”, while ordering compensation in the case where the victim was an undertrial and his avocation was not known to the court. The court was also not told what criminal case he was being prosecuted for. Justice K Kannan observed the claims for the death of felons and sex workers have been the subjects of consideration in English jurisdiction, where courts have expressed difficulty in assessing compensation on the income earned by such a person due to the activities recognised by law as unlawful. Justice Kannan added in Burns versus Edman case, the claimants were dependents on a criminal who placed their extent of dependence on the proceeds of criminal offences. The case applied the principle of “ex turpi causa non oritur action”. Justice Kannan said the undertrial in the case in hand died after the police bus he was travelling in collided with a truck some 22 years ago. But the truck was neither chased, nor identified. “When a claim was made against the state, it ought to have owned up responsibility and provided compensation that was just. “It was unfair and unjust that the state must have taken up any plea in defence to state that the truck was not identified or chased. It was unfortunate that the state would take a defence that the claimants would have a right of action only against the truck driver, who was not caught and the truck owner who was not identified,” Justice K Kannan asserted. Justice Kannan added: “As far as the deceased was concerned, a person, who was bound to be transported with safety when he was in the custody of the police, had died and that itself was sufficient cause of action by the claimants against the state.
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Two cops booked for lodging ‘false’ case
Sangrur, April 14 The case has been registered under Sections 167, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B of the IPC for forging and fabricating evidence. The police said they would investigate the matter before taking further action against the accused policemen. The case has been registered on directions of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sangrur, after a petition was filed by one of the victims, Tara Singh of Harike village in Sherpur. Earlier on June 5, 2013, the Special Judge, Sangrur, had acquitted Tara Singh and Jagtar Singh, against whom the Sherpur SHO had registered a case on August 12, 2011, when the former “refused to bribe him”. The Special Judge had also ordered the police to explore the possibility of initiating criminal proceedings against Tejinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, but no action was taken against them. The accused In a two-year old case, then DSP (Vigilance) Balwinder Singh and then Sherpur SHO Tejinder Singh have been booked
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Joginder Kaur, daughter of the late President Giani Zail Singh, and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee
(PPCC) secretary Anil Bhola today joined the SAD along with several supporters here today.
Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh today served a legal notice on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy for his “malicious statements”, alleging that his wife and son had foreign bank accounts and that he had not mentioned these details in the affidavit filed with the Returning Officer at the time of filing his nomination papers.
Arun Jaitley, BJP candidate from Amritsar, claiming that he had “hundred per cent Majha blood in his veins” and that he owned a house in the city, asked his rival, former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, whether the people of Amritsar would have to wait outside his Patiala palace to meet him.
Congress candidate from Patiala Preneet Kaur today accused the Punjab Government of ignoring the interests of farmers.
This time, Baisakhi at Talwandi Sabo remained devoid of any political conferences in view of the restrictions imposed by the Election Commission (EC).
Apart from almost-yearly floods, the river has of late been blamed for carrying effluents, thus becoming a source of cancer. Almost every village near the Ghaggar has reported cancer deaths in recent years.