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Year on, no headway in police assault case
Badal nod for cotton mechanisation plan
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Ramdev faces FIR for hurting
Sikh sentiments
Tardy lifting: Procurement agencies get notice
Five killed in Amritsar road mishap
PPP protests police inaction
Bains’ appointment as police complaints body chief
revoked
Coal shortage hits power generation in
state
Dry fodder demand sees surge in manual wheat harvesting
Hoshiarpur fire service lacks steam
Report on note-for-vote scam at Kauni village delayed
PPCB bears losses to ‘favour’ politician’s ally
Akali workers protest in Rampura Phul
All work, no pay for
cops guarding EVMs
Day after, Jalandhar victim’s husband threatens
suicide
Revised power tariff order by month-end
Five water sources in Goniana sealed
Cops deployed at canter union office after clash
Local bodies dept seeks funds for fire tenders
Funds sought in lighter vein, CM tells EC
Liquor sales went up in run-up to poll
Devotees take out rally on Parshuram Jayanti Coach derails, none hurt
Punjabis
detained in Texas
Punjabi man charged with murder in UK
Charges framed against 4 in drug case: State to HC
Non-bailable warrants against Joshi
Police seize drugs, bust gang of thieves
Jail clash leaves 1 injured
6-yr-old raped by teenager
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Year on, no headway in police assault case
Chandigarh, May 5 Directions have also been sought against the withdrawal of security cover provided to them. In the petition filed through counsel Nitin Thatai, the petitioners asserted: “Though a special investigating team headed by Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Amritsar, has been constituted, the petitioners do not have any faith in the Punjab Police, which had mercilessly beaten the petitioners in an inhumane manner. “The accused police officials are very influential and politically sound, having high links in the political circles and that may be one of the reasons that the police as well as the special investigating team is not initiating any action against them even after the registration of the FIR”. Taking up the matter, Justice Inderjit Singh put the State of Punjab and others on notice for May 23. The matter initially came under judicial scanner after the Supreme Court took a serious note of the incident when it appeared on news channels. The victim, her father and other relatives also moved the High Court for necessary action against the police “not only for blatant violation of their basic human rights and outraging the victim’s modesty in full public view, but also for threats being advanced to them for withdrawing the complaint”. Going into the background of the matter, Thatai has asserted that on March 3, 2013, the driver of taxi they hired for attending a marriage function started misbehaving with the girl. After the police arrived, the victim’s brother introduced himself as local president of Balmiki Sabha. The policemen then lost their temper and started pushing and hitting. She tried to intervene, but “the police personnel started pushing and hitting her too with batons in full public view”. Thatai said the incident took place at Tarn Taran and FIR against the erring police officials was also registered at the same place. “Therefore, the petitioners do not have faith that they would get justice in case the accused police officials were tried in the court at Tarn Taran. “The high-handedness, deliberate inaction and sadness of state police mechanism is very apparent from the fact that the state police is sitting over the matter and till today no recovery of cash and gold ornaments have been made by the police officials,” he asserted.
About the case
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Badal nod for cotton mechanisation plan
The project primarily aims at maximising the profit of the cotton cultivators, reducing input costs by overcoming the problem of expensive labour and making the process of cotton cultivation efficient to pave way for high yield of the crop. Under the ambitious programme, Punjab Agricultural University and the state Agriculture Department in tandem with renowned agro companies like John Deer, Bayer India and others would conduct trials on 1,500 acres near Malout. They would practice high density cotton cultivation, in which seven packets of cotton seed would be sown instead of two over one acre of land. John Deer would sow the cotton crop with pneumatic planters, to be supplied by the company, whereas Bayer India would import growth regulator and defoliant chemical, to be supplied free of cost to the farmers for ensuring one-time picking of cotton. To encourage the farmers to adopt high density cotton cultivation, the state government would provide a subsidy of Rs 4,000 per acre to them. John Deer would also provide six cotton picking machines to ensure the smooth picking of cotton. The government would also set up a cotton cleaner at Malout grain market at a cost of Rs 1 crore, besides signing a pact with Monsanto for establishing a centre of excellence at Bathinda, which would help in developing new varieties of cotton and focus on inventing new techniques of cotton cultivation. For ensuring better agronomic practices to benefit the farmers, Bayer India would fund a research project of PAU spread over 20 acres, which would emphasise on the development of new cotton seeds best suited for the state. The government along with these private firms had already conducted trials of cotton picking and cleaning over 50 acres in villages near Abohar. The trial had produced desirable results as the yield of cotton had witnessed an increase ranging from 30 per cent to 70 per cent, besides eliminating a major problem of the cotton cultivator regarding labour shortage.
About the programme
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Ramdev faces FIR for hurting
Sikh sentiments
Jalandhar, May 5 The yoga guru’s photographs seated on a high chair with the picture of Guru Gobind Singh lying near his feet during his programme at Talwandi Sabo had gone viral on the social media, after which the protests had started. Last week too, the yoga guru had remained in the eye of the storm with Dalit leaders protesting his comment against Rahul Gandhi. Ramdev had alleged that that the Congress vice-president visited Dalit homes for his “honeymoon”. Even then, the yoga guru had to apologise. He had claimed he was misinterpreted.
SGPC too hits out
The SGPC has also taken a serious note of Ramdev reportedly keeping Guru Gobind Singh’s photograph near his feet while sitting on the dais during an event. In a statement released here, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar termed the incident as unfortunate. “Though Baba Ramdev is famous for yoga, he has been into one controversy or the other. A person who doesn’t know that the photograph of gurus should not be kept below his own sitting place can’t be expected to preach anything to other people,” he said. He said there was widespread resentment among the Sikh community over his move and he should tender an apology without any delay.
Why the FIR Yoga guru's Ramdev’s photographs seated on a high chair with the picture of Guru Gobind Singh lying near his feet during his programme at Talwandi Sabo had gone viral on the social media, following which the protests began
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Tardy lifting: Procurement agencies get notice
Faridkot, May 5 Rules suggest that private contractors hired by the District Food and Supply Department for various procurement agencies have to lift foodgrain from the mandis within 72 hours of its procurement and shift it to the agency’s stores. The delay beyond 72 hours invites 25 paise per bag (50 kg) penalty, said Kulbir Singh Matta, District Mandi Office. Of the 39.78 lakh quintals of wheat procured in Faridkot, various procurement agencies have so far only lifted 33 per cent (13.89 lakh quintals). A huge stock of wheat procured about three week ago is awaiting lifting, which is hampering new arrival in the mandis. In Sadiq, out of 7.7 lakh quintals of wheat procured, only 1.9 lakh quintals has been lifted. In Jaitu, only 3 lakh quintals of the 8.2 lakh quintals procured has been lifted. Farmers alleged that the politically backed contractors and their arm-twisting tactics are to be blamed for the tardy lifting. Commission agents said most of the contracts to lift wheat from the mandis to godowns or stores of procurement agencies had allegedly been allotted to the henchmen of the ruling coalition leaders. “Immune to any pressure and fear”, these contractors allegedly adopted arm-twisting tactics to force the commission agents (arhtiyas) to bribe them or make their own arrangements to transport the procured wheat to the godowns. “Due to the delay in wheat lifting, we have been forced to delay the unloading of fresh arrival. We also have to guard the procured stock against thefts and rain and rising temperature, which can discolour the grain,” said the commission agents.
Agents hold protest
Abohar: Scores of commission agents led by Arhtiya Association president Pramil Kalani staged a dharna at the local Truck Union Office on the Malout road to protest the “poor” lifting of wheat and unloading arrangements. The protesters alleged that the lifting arrangements had completely collapsed. Official estimates indicated that about 30 lakh bags of wheat purchased by traders and different agencies awaited lifting from 36 purchase centres even as more than 100 trucks were waiting outside the godowns for unloading.
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Cong: Majithia deserves harsher punishment
Amritsar, May 5 “The legendary Jathedar, Akali Phula Singh, did not dither while ordering 50 lashes to Maharaja Ranjit Singh for marrying a Muslim woman." He said Majithia had been virtually let off at the instance of the Badals as distorting Gurbani was an offence more grave than that committed by Ranjit Singh. He wondered as to why the Jathedar had "chosen to shut his eyes" to the five-year sentence awarded to Bibi Jagir Kaur for kidnap and forcible detention of her daughter. "Why has not the Jathedar excommunicated Bibi," he asked.
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PPP protests police inaction
Hoshiarpur, May 5 MLA Sunder Sham Arora also met the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in this regard. The MLA informed the protesters that the SSP had assured that a case would be immediately registered against the accused. Thereafter, the gherao was lifted. Saini said, “The functioning of the police can be judged by its inaction in my case. If it took 17 days for the police to take action and lodge an FIR, and that too, after a two-hour protest, one can well imagine what they do with the common man.”
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Bains’ appointment as police complaints body chief
revoked
Chandigarh, May 5 The state government has withdrawn two other notifications dated March 4, vide which rules for setting up a state-level police complaints authority, and district-level police complaints authorities were notified. As the issue came up for resumed hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the state produced the notification issued by SS Channy, Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice, in the name of the Punjab Governor. Reacting to the latest notification, petitioner-cum-advocate HC Arora submitted that it amounted to the contempt of the High Court. Elaborating, he said the High Court had on September 18, 2013, directed Punjab and Haryana to set up district-level police complaints authorities within three months. As the order was not complied with, he had filed a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary. In the contempt petition, the Home Secretary filed an affidavit stating that the district-level authorities would be set up immediately after the parliamentary elections in Punjab were over. But now the Punjab Government has taken a U-turn by withdrawing the notification which was to be the basis for setting up the district-level authorities, he alleged. He added that the latest notifications on the state police complaints authorities, too, were issued in a clandestine manner. The Bench, comprising Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice HS Sidhu, expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s conduct in issuing the latest notification, and directed it to file an affidavit explaining reasons for it. Govt takes a U-turn
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Coal shortage hits power generation in
state
Patiala, May 5 PSPCL officials said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who holds the power portfolio, might summon top officials to discuss the matter. He could even initiate action against them. As of now, no thermal plant has the mandatory 21-day coal stock. The PSPCL is saving coal by shutting units alternatively to ensure enough power generation during the paddy season which begins next month. Sources said only six of the 14 units of state thermal plants were functional because of the severe coal shortage. The PSPCL is relying on other sources to buy power. A high-level meeting is scheduled to be held in the next two days to find a way out. In the last financial year too, thermal plants at Ropar, Bathinda and Lehra Mohabbat had failed to meet their generation targets because of coal shortage. The PSPCL management and the PSEB engineers’ body are already at loggerheads because of the repeated extensions given to the private coal supplying firm. “Coal crisis at the state-owned thermal plants is another failure of the PSPCL management. It did not act against PANEM, which was bound to supply uninterrupted coal as per the coal purchase agreement,” the engineers alleged. They demanded a probe into the matter. They claimed they had exposed the firm which had supplied inferior coal to the Lehra thermal plant and manipulated the coal testing procedure, causing losses worth crores to the PSPCL. “A single change of grade makes a difference of Rs 7 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per rake. Though the practice was checked, no action was taken against the firm,” said
PSPCL officials. KD Chaudhri, CMD, could not be contacted despite several attempts.
Staring at crisis
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Dry fodder demand sees surge in manual wheat harvesting
Amritsar, May 5 The farmers say while no increase in crop yield has been witnessed during the recent years, the increase in dry fodder prices has opened a new avenue for them. Kuljit Singh, a farmer from Malawali village near here, says, “A farmer can get about 10-24 quintals of toorhi from an acre of wheat if the field is harvested with combine harvester and then straw is chopped with straw reaper. But with manual harvesting, 22 to 26 quintals of dry fodder can be obtained.” Even as the harvesting season is in full swing and there is no dearth of dry fodder, the toorhi is being sold for Rs 400 per quintal. The prices would escalate as soon as the harvesting gets over and that why farmers are storing toorhi in large amounts, says Kuljit. A few farmers have even been spotted using new reaper-binder machines, which make ‘bunds’ after cutting the crop. These bunds are then fed into a thresher, as in manual harvesting, to separate grains from the chaff. Dheer Singh of Thatha village says, “The reaper-binder can harvest four to five acres in a day. On the other hand, six persons are required to harvest an acre. With reaper-binder, one can get the same quantity of toorhi as in manual harvesting.” District Agriculture Officer Paramjit Singh Sandhu says a field harvested manually helps a farmer generate Rs 5,000-7,000 per acre additional income because of the high prices of fodder. He says a noticeable increase in manual harvesting has been witnessed, which is also good for the soil's health as the farmer would no longer burn the straw for readying his fields for the next crop.
Golden harvest
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Hoshiarpur fire service lacks steam
Hoshiarpur, May 5 Moreover, there are around 33 large and medium-scale industries and 9,109 small-scale and micro industrial units in the district. The condition is such that if two-three major fire incidents occur at the same time, the resources in the district will not be able to tackle the situation. Apart from the Municipal Corporation (MC) at
Hoshiarpur, there are seven municipal councils and two notified area committees in the district. However, out of these 10 civic bodies, only the MC,
Hoshiarpur, has a fire-fighting service. Its four fire tenders include three heavy vehicles mounted and two light vehicles mounted fire tenders. One of these is around 30 years old. There are two fire-fighting bikes to reach narrow places and streets, but these are rarely used. This is all that the district has for an area of 3,386 sq km to tackle emergency fire situations. The other facility available in the district is 70 km away at
Talwara, and that too, of the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which sends its fire tenders only when there’s any such direction from the district administration. Fire officer Dilbagh Singh said, “We have only one functional fire tender (to send away) at the Talwara station because the other tender is more than 20 years old though its life was only 13 years. The third one has to be stationed at the dam permanently." Meanwhile, at
Hoshiarpur, there are only 12 permanent trained employees working at the fire station. Two posts of firemen and four posts of drivers have been vacant for long. If all four fire tenders have to be used at a given time, there would be a requirement of at least 16 firemen and four drivers in one shift and for running three shifts, 48 firemen and 12 drivers should be there, and that too, if none of then takes a weekly off or a leave. But there are only 10 trained firemen, besides 15 others deployed on daily wages who are not trained for firefighting. There is no driver at the station and the MC is trying to tug the cart by deploying 5-6 drivers on deputation from other branches of the MC. Sub fire Officer Narinderpal said, “The daily wagers try to do their best but they do not know the technicalities of fire fighting so in the this season, in which a lot of fires are reported, it becomes almost impossible for the trained permanent fire fighters to cope up with the workload.”
Inadequate fire-fighting resources
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Report on note-for-vote scam at Kauni village delayed
Muktsar, May 5 The ADC had summoned the complainant to his office. He was told that the latter was away to Bathinda to get medicine for his ailing father. The complainant, a resident of Doda village, told The Tribune over phone that he had made a video on Akali workers distributing money at Kauni village during polling. “I will go to the ADC’s office tomorrow to record my statement,” he said. The statements of four persons, including a woman, who appear in the 11-minute video uploaded on AAP’s Facebook page “seeking or receiving” money, have already been recorded by the ADC’s office. Sources said they had denied accepting or receiving money. Senior officers, including the DC-cum-District Electoral Officer, ADC (Development), Assistant Commissioner (under training), Gidderbaha SDM, and Naib Tehsildar, Doda, held several meetings till 4 pm. Sources claimed they were under pressure to give a clean chit to those seen in the video. The Aam Aadmi Party, which has accused SGPC member Navtej Singh Kauni of distributing money to voters on April 30, has sought the suspension of Hardeep Singh Dhaliwal, SDM Gidderbaha, who had conducted an on-the-spot inquiry. The ADC (D), Ramvir Singh, said: “The inquiry report will be finalised tomorrow as the
complainant could not come today to give his statement.”
About the video
A few men are shown interacting with residents at a house in Kauni village, asking them to vote in favour of the Akalis, promising ~500 for each vote. A policeman in uniform is seen with them. The SGPC member, Navtej Kauni, is shown speaking to someone over the phone, saying, “Oh ji, Gidderbaha SDM sign karvaun aaya. (The SDM has come for signatures).” He hands over the phone to the SDM, who is heard saying: “Complaint hoyi hai. CD banaayi hai kise ne, bheji hai (Someone has made a CD and lodged a complaint).” Another voice is heard saying: “Chaar-panj bandeya ton likha lo ke naa kise ne paise vande, te naa hi litte (Get it in writing from four to five persons that no money was distributed during polling).”
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Weak monsoon may mar irrigation
Chandigarh, May 5 Water from Bhakra caters to the irrigation needs of Punjab, Haryana and
Rajasthan. “In case of weak monsoon, the release of water has to be regulated to maintain adequate level at the dam. This will affect power generation as well as irrigation,” an official of the Punjab Irrigation Department said. The water level at Bhakra was 1582.08 feet this morning. It was 1568.21 feet on this day last year. “As of now, the water level is satisfactory. In case there is poor rainfall in the region during July and August, there can be a problem in refilling the reservoir. The dam is filled with rainwater every year,” a senior official of the Bhakra Beas Management Board
(BBMB) said, adding that “if there is good rainfall, there will be no problem”. With the melting of snow on the higher reaches of Himalayas starting from May, the flow of water in the dam goes up steadily. “The filling of Bhakra Dam normally begins in May and continues till the third week of September,” a senior official of the Irrigation Department said. This time, it appears that the melting of snow has not begun yet because of prolonged winter season. The snowfall on the higher reaches of Himalayas continued till the last week of April. The inflow of water was 17,266 cusecs against the outflow of 22,758 cusecs.
Amarjit Singh Dullet, Chief Engineer (Canals), Irrigation Department, said: “I hope there will be no problem as far as availability of water for irrigation is concerned.” He, however, cautioned that in case there was a highly deficient monsoon in this region, there could be a problem. The water level in Pong Dam was recorded at 1322.01 feet this morning against the last year’s level of 1313.48 on this day. “The water level in Pong Dam is higher compared with the last year. To fill the dam to the optimum level, good rainfall is a must,” the BBMB official said.
Paddy to be affected?
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PPCB bears losses to ‘favour’ politician’s ally
Faridkot, May 5 The new office building, which is situated in a deserted area near a mortuary and a waste water drain, has not only left many PPCB employees sulking but has also caused a financial loss to the PPCB as the rent is “exorbitant”. For the old office in Faridkot town, the PPCB authorities were paying Rs 27,000 per month rent for 1446 square yards of covered area. For the new building, set up over 1314 square yards, the PPCB is doling out Rs 40,000 per month as lease money and there is a condition of a 25 per cent increase in the rent after every three years. The decision to shift the office, which was taken by the PPCB authorities three months ago, was allegedly aimed at favouring a politically connected person, who is the owner of the new building. The regional office caters to Faridkot, Moga, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts. Surjit Singh Dhaliwal, executive engineer, PPCB, Faridkot, said there was a lot of questioning and clamour after the new building was taken on lease. “The state government has now ordered an inquiry after there were some complaints about this lease deed,” said Dhaliwal. While entering into a 15-year agreement to take this new building on lease, the PPCB authorities turned a blind eye to many technicalities. Earlier, while taking a building on lease, the PPCB authorities were very particular about the drafting of the lease deed with a condition that either of the parties (the building owner or the PPCB) could terminate the agreement with a three-month notice. However, in the latest lease deed, there was no such clause in the agreement, leaving no scope for the PPCB to vacate this building for the next 15 years. The state government has many vacant buildings in Faridkot, but instead of choosing these buildings that are situated in the middle of the town, the PPCB chose a building on the outskirts of the town, and too on exorbitant rates.
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Akali workers protest in Rampura Phul
Rampura (Bathinda), May 5 Sitting MP and SAD candidate from Faridkot Paramjit Kaur Gulshan were among those who organised the protest. Most shops re-opened in the afternoon. With tension in the town mounting, the police deployed an anti-riot vehicle on the town's outskirts. A case of attempt to murder and trespass has been registered against Rocky Kansal, former chairman of the market committee, Rampura, and Happy Bansal, former municipal council president, and five unidentified persons on the statements of injured Congress workers Rajesh Raju and Rakesh Rinku. While former Congress MLA Gurpreet Kangar accused the Akalis of forcing a shutdown, Gulshan said that Congress workers were disturbing peace. Rocky accused the Congress of giving a political colour to the incident. He said despite the fact that the incident (assault) had occurred at a public place, Akali leaders had been booked under Section 452 (house trespass) and Section 307 (attempt to murder) though the police had yet to receive Rinku's medical report. Gurpreet Bhullar, SSP, promised that a fair and transparent investigation would be held. He did not rule out the possibility of action being initiated against the complainants if their claims were found to be baseless.
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All work, no pay for
cops guarding EVMs
Patiala, May 5 They ask that if government officials were paid honorarium for just one day’s duty on April 30 (the day Punjab went to polls), why can’t the EC pay them for their fortnight-long job of guarding the EVMs? “The government officials deployed in polling booths and police personnel on duty for three days ahead of the elections were paid honorarium ranging from ~700 to ~3,000 per day in cash. But those who are guarding EVMs across the state will be paid nothing,” one of the police personnel said. As per norms, only those deployed on the polling day in booths and the ones on counting job are paid special allowance. The payments are made from the consolidated fund of the state treasury. Several officials, including the ones from the police, paramilitary and administration, deployed on election duties for the past more than a month are up in arms against the EC’s “apathetic” attitude towards them. “It is difficult to carry out duty in hot and humid conditions. And what do we get in return? Not a single rupee, while those on a day’s duty were paid. This is injustice,” said a police officer deployed in Ludhiana. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Singh told The Tribune that as per the EC instructions, only those deployed on April 30 were paid. “The personnel guarding the EVMs do not have to tackle any law and order problem. This is part of their standard duty,” he said. An SP-rank officer said some officers made money on the polling day, while those on general law and order duty got nothing. “It is not about money. All we are seeking is parity,” he added. Venting ire It is difficult to carry out duty in hot and humid conditions. And what do we get in return? Not a single rupee, while those on a day’s duty were paid. This is injustice~ —
Police officer deployed in
Ludhiana Status quo In the 2012 Assembly elections, police officers had sent representations to the EC, demanding remuneration for guarding the EVMs. At that time, poll officials assured that the demand would be considered in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But the status quo remains.
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Day after, Jalandhar victim’s husband threatens
suicide
Jalandhar, May 5 Harvinder's wife, in her suicide note, has accused her paternal aunt's family of blackmailing her. Inspector Rajinder Sharma, Station House officer (SHO), said Amritpal had been released on the orders of senior officers. “Although his name appears in the suicide note, he has not been accused of any wrong-doing by the deceased. There was, hence, no reason to keep him behind bars,” he said. Harvinder alleged the police was shielding Gurmej Singh who was a head constable posted at Pathankot. “It is up to the courts to decide whether or not to release an accused. I will commit suicide if the police fails to deliver justice to my children,” a distraught Harvinder warned. Ranjan Lakhanpal, senior advocate, Punjab and Haryana High Court, said: “The police should have arrested the boy as his name appears in the suicide note. It seems the police are favouring the accused". He also said Harvinder needed counselling. "Who will be responsible if he commits suicide," he asked. Meanwhile, Davinder Kaur and Gurmej Singh have been sent to police custody for two days.
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Revised power tariff order by month-end
Chandigarh, May 5 The commission has completed the task of holding public hearings and its officials are now working out the details of the order. Usually, the revised tariff order comes into force from April 1 every year. But owing to the Lok Sabha elections, it was delayed this year. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), in its petition to the commission, had sought an additional revenue generation of Rs 2,595 crore for this financial year. Sources said the revenue gap projected by the PSPCL was high. “The tariff hike, as we expect, will be minimal this year,” said a senior
official. After working out the order details, the commission would write to the state government to ascertain if it wanted to continue subsidy to the farm sector. “The government will have to give us an undertaking that it will compensate the PSPCL for the free power to the farm sector and poor sections for this fiscal ,” said the official. The government will also have to make a provision for power subsidy in its Annual Budget which is likely to be passed in July. RS Sachdeva, co-chairman, Punjab Committee of PHD Chamber, said the industry should be exempted from tariff hike as it was already paying 13 per cent electricity duty and an octroi of 10 paisa per unit. “While other states are reducing power tariff to help the industry grow, Punjab is doing the opposite. We will oppose any move to hike the tariff,” he said.
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Five water sources in Goniana sealed
Bathinda, May 5 The department has sealed five water sources at
Goniana. Water samples take from some schools too have failed the purity test. District Health Officer Raghubir Singh Randhawa said the water sources in Ward No. 4 and Ward No. 6 of Goniana had been sealed as a number of residents had fallen ill with cholera. The water samples of the Sangat Mandi water works, Bangi Rukku village, Bangi Ruldu village and Bangi Nihal Singh Wala village had also failed. The water works at Natt Road in Talwandi Sabo, those at the Mandi Board, Talwandi Sabo, Balianwali and Harkishanpura too had been found unfit for human consumption. Samples of drinking water at Bhai Behlo Public School
Bhagta, Guru Nanak Public School Bhagta, Summer Hill Senior Secondary School, Bhai
Rupa, and SD Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Rampura, too had been found impure. Dr Randhawa said: “We have issued notices to the officials concerned, asking them to carry out chlorination of water. They will have to reply to the notice. After 21 days, whether we receive a reply or not, we will check the water samples again.”
Testing waters
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Cops deployed at canter union office after clash
Abohar, May 5 Feeling frustrated, Rakesh allegedly tried to end his life and left behind a “suicide note” to expose the alleged nexus between the local police and workers of the ruling alliance parties. The police have registered a case of attempt to suicide against him. The complaint was lodged by the chief of the other faction, who had been arrested last year for attacking Rakesh and setting his vehicle ablaze. To prevent further violence, policemen were deployed at the canter union office. Meanwhile, a deputation of canter owners met Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajpal Singh this afternoon. They said the administration had locked the union office after clashes last year, but some miscreants had now broken the locks to take control over the office for their vested interests. They said this has created an unsafe environment for the canter owners at a time when the wheat season was on its peak. They demanded that a new managing body be elected to run the union in a fair manner. Canter owners meet SDM: A deputation of canter owners met Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajpal Singh this afternoon. They said the administration had locked the union office after clashes last year, but some miscreants had now broken the locks to take control over the office for their vested interests. They said this has created an unsafe environment for the canter owners at a time when the wheat season was on its peak. They demanded that a new managing body be elected to run the union in a fair manner.
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Local bodies dept seeks funds for fire tenders
Abohar, May 5 Responding to the contempt plea by CLP Leader Sunil Jakhar in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, local bodies principal secretary Ashok Gupta said Rs 11.70 lakh have been earmarked to get the abandoned fire fighting vehicles repaired at Abohar besides providing three more drivers and five firemen. Notably, the high court, on a PIL filed by Sunil Jakhar, had directed the state on February 12 to redress grievances related to the non-availability of fire tenders at Abohar within a month. As the state did not act, Jakhar approached the court with the contempt plea. As a make-shift arrangement, the state had shifted a vehicle
from Bathinda fire station to Abohar during the election season as this issue too dotted the
ruling coalition nominee’s campaign. Jakhar had pleaded that the state government had not bothered to replace the outlived fire tenders here even as Abohar is known as the richest cotton-producing area.
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Funds sought in lighter vein, CM tells EC
Chandigarh, May 5 Earlier, a report by the District Electoral Officer had downplayed the complaint against the CM, saying it was all good
humour. However, the EC held that prima facie the CM had violated the poll code and issued him a notice. Sources said: “The CM’s reply is only a detailed explanation of his earlier stand that the request for money to help the Jalandhar candidate was made in a lighter vein at the end of his speech during an interaction with industrialists.” A senior officer said: “We are not sure if the same reply sent for the second time will mean anything.”
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Liquor sales went up in run-up to poll
Muktsar, May 5 During these 12 days, 1,59,086 litres of Punjab-Made Liquor (PML) was sold, the figure up from 1,52,646 last year. The sale of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) increased to 18,827 litres in comparison to 17,844 litres last year. Officials said additional 830 cartons (each having 10 bottles of less than a litre) of liquor were sold. On April 27 and 28, ahead of the 48-hour ban on the sale of liquor due to the elections, the district witnessed a sale of 23,366 litres of PML and 2,948 litres of IMFL.
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Punjabis detained in
Texas
Chandigarh, May 5 The delegation led by NAPA chairman Dalwinder Singh Dhoot apprised Garamendi that the detainees remained on hunger strike for more than a week to demand their release on parole or on bond. The strike was called off after the NAPA intervened. The NAPA members told the Congressman that as per the rules and regulations of the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), any such detainee could not be detained for more than six months. The ICE authorities should follow the protocol to release the detainees on parole or on bond, the delegation demanded. The NAPA demanded that the cases should be transferred from the 5th Circuit Court to the 9th Circuit Court. Congressman Garamendi assured the NAPA that he had directed his office in Washington DC to look into the issue seriously. The Legislative Director Liz (Shelton) Crow of Congressman Garamendi (CA-03) office had been designated to keep in touch with NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal to ensure that justice is delivered to the detainees.
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Punjabi man charged with murder in UK
London, May 5 The victim is believed to have lived at the flat for four months, the Huddersfield daily Examiner reported today. The police were called to a flat in Newsome shortly after midday on Friday where they discovered the body. Later, a 30-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with the case but was released on bail, the report said. Sidhu appeared before the Bradford Magistrate's court this morning.
— PTI
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Charges framed against 4 in drug case: State to HC
Chandigarh, May 5 Furnishing a status report before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli, the government stated that charges had been framed against four accused. Another three were likely to face charges. In case of the remaining accused, the state government was awaiting chemical examiner’s report. The government sought 90 days to complete its investigation into the drug racket. Taking up the matter, the Bench allowed the state government to file a comprehensive status report at least three days before the next date of hearing on July 21. The government had earlier informed the court that the police had arrested 58 persons and seized 74 vehicles, besides 9,050 US/Canadian dollars, weapons and other drugs. The Bench was also told that the Chandigarh unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 51.49 kg of contraband in about a month. The figures, indicating the extent of drugs menace in this part of the region, were provided to the High Court by counsel for the Union Government Onkar Singh Batalvi. Batalvi told the court that beginning this year, 11.61 kg of hashish was seized. Another 39.88 kg of heroin was taken hold of. He told the Bench that five cases were registered and four persons with hashish were taken into custody.
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Non-bailable warrants against Joshi
Amritsar, May 5 The two had filed separate defamation cases against Joshi in February 2013 for calling them “blackmailers who do
not get enough cases to fight in court”, saying this had resulted in loss of clients and, thereby, a financial loss. The third case pertains to damage to a hotel located on Batala Road by municipal employees on October 2012. The advocates,
who own the hotel, had alleged that MC employees had damaged the property at Joshi's behest, who was then Local Bodies Minister. The court order reads: “Accused Anil Joshi has gone out of station without the court's permission and has not appeared in
the court at all. He is in the habit of filing one exemption application after the other. "Even today (May 3) he did not appear in the court. Hence, his exemption applications are declined in three cases. His bail bonds and surety bonds are cancelled.” PS Ghotra, Judicial Magistrate (First Class), has asked Joshi to appear before the court on May 20.
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Police seize drugs, bust gang of thieves
Patiala, May 5 The accused, Charanjit Singh, and his four accomplices used to sell copper wire to a scrap merchant, Hansa Ram, Patiala SSP Hardyal Mann told the media here today. Charanjit was going to Kaithal (Haryana) to sell the wire when he was apprehended near the Ghaggar bridge. “The police have seized 120 kg of copper wire and other equipment from Charanjit,” he said. In another case, the police have seized 15 kg of opium and arrested two interstate drug peddlers. The accused, Sagar Ram and Vajindera, are from Rajasthan. A case under Sections 18, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against them. “The accused bought opium from Rajasthan at
Rs 40,000 per kg and would have sold it in Patiala at double the rate,” Mann added.
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Jail clash leaves 1 injured
Barnala, May 5 Vishesh was attacked by Dhilwan gang supporters. The DSP said members of the Sherpur-Sanghera group attacked the Dhilwan group on Monday morning, but no one was injured. The jail staff overpowered the assailants. Rajwinder Singh, SHO, said the police had registered a case against Manpreet Tibba and five others. — TNS
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A year after a young woman was beaten up by policemen in Tarn Taran, the victim and her family have again moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking handing over of the case to the CBI on the grounds of “inaction” by the Punjab Police.
Jalandhar, May 5
The management of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is under the scanner for failing to take action against coal supplying firm
PANEM. The firm has been irregular in supplying coal that has hit power generation at the thermal plants in the state.
PSPCL officials said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who holds the power portfolio, might summon top officials to discuss the matter. He could even initiate action against them.
As of now, no thermal plant has the mandatory 21-day coal stock. The PSPCL is saving coal by shutting units alternatively to ensure enough power generation during the paddy season which begins next month.
Hoshiarpur, which is one of the largest districts of the state with a population of about 16 lakh, depends on only four fire tenders of Punjab Fire Services under its Municipal Corporation.
The district has 10 towns and 1,419 villages. Besides, the forest area in the district is 1,094 sq km. In the summer season, forests are prone to wildfires and many a times, these affect nearby colonies too.
Tension escalated in the town today with SAD workers launching an angry protest after two prominent Akali leaders were booked for assaulting Congress workers.
The local SAD leaders enforced a bandh in the morning and marched through the main bazaar. They threatened to step up their stir if the police failed to hold a fair inquiry into the Congress workers' allegations.
machines
(EVM) in 13 constituencies of Punjab rue that the Election Commission (EC) has not made arrangements to pay them for their duty.
They ask that if government officials were paid honorarium for just one day’s duty on April 30 (the day Punjab went to polls), why can’t the EC pay them for their fortnight-long job of guarding the EVMs?
Police personnel have been deployed at the canter (mini truck) union office here, following a clash between two factions over taking control of the body. Union president Rakesh Setia, alias Bantu, who had been attacked last year too, alleged that the police did not act on his request to nab the “goons” who had damaged furniture etc in the office, besides forcing people to leave office premises.
People were seen showering petals on participants. Soft drinks and sweets were served
on the route. Youth riding motorcyclists and horses added colour to the procession.
Women danced to religious tunes, others chanted "shlokas". A havan was organized at Hanumangarh. Brahmin Samaj president Kanti Bhardwaj led devotees in garlanding the statue of Lord Parshuram at
Abohar. OC
derailed minutes after the train had left the Amritsar railway station on Monday afternoon. None was injured
Amritsar, May 5
Patiala, May 5
Chandigarh, May 5
