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selection of medical officers
Govt’s poor image behind poll losses: BJP to Badal
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Under pressure, SAD to gather feedback on property tax
Chandigarh, May 26 Under pressure from alliance partner BJP following losses in the Lok Sabha elections, the ruling SAD has kick-started a sort of self-evaluation on the contentious issue of property tax. Despite resentment among people, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, the government had gone ahead with the imposition of property tax on residential property in November last.
Health Dept sleeps over VB report in medicine scam
Three high-yielding maize varieties get approval
Akali Dal may revamp party structure
12 years on, soldier’s widow gets pension
State gets notice on dirty water supply to Rajasthan
Jails to have IGNOU centres for inmates
Nothing ‘Adarsh’ about this school
Hoshiarpur scientist to deliver lecture in Poland
Complainant’s kin in ex-Mayor’s case alleges frame-up
Unclean water: NHRC notice
to state govt
Decide on fee for Lok Adalat members, Secretary told
Police ignores ADC probe findings in land grab case
ATM loader goes missing
New gurdwara in US faces opposition from locals
Unemployment pushes karate champion into drug trade
Note-for-vote scam
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selection of medical officers
Chandigarh, May 26 The findings The SIT has asserted that prima facie a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against then chairman and members DS Grewal, Dr Satwant Singh Mohi, DS Mahal, Ravinder Kaur, Anil Sarin and others “for acts of commission and omission in connection with the selection”. The SIT has warned that the outcome of the case would, perhaps, be uncertain in the absence of direct evidence of quid-pro-quo (something that is given or taken in return for something else). The report says: “Evidence shows that the members of the PPSC with the active and aggressive connivance of SK Sinha, chairman, had decided to subvert the entire selection process...”. The report comes nearly three years after Sinha died.
The recommendations The SIT has said: “A case of disproportionate assets is, prima facie, made out against Dr SS Mohi, member, pertaining to his tenure in the PPSC from May 9, 2006, to December 16, 2011, and may be registered and investigated”. It says that separate offences, including, cheating and forgery under Sections 120-B, 420, 468 and 471, have been made out against all candidates who used forged certificates to claim weightage for social work in the medical field. “Such cases may be registered and investigated.” The report was submitted to the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli on a petition filed in public interest by Punjab’s former DGP KPS Gill. The PIL was filed on the basis of a series of investigative reports carried out by The Tribune. The Vigilance had earlier probed the selection process and had also indicted several members. But it was not made a part of the judicial record by the High Court
Influential candidates The report mentions the names of 12 selected candidates from influential families: Rupinder Singh Gill (son-in-law of MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan); Manpreet Kaur Gill (wife of an Additional District Judge); Taranjot Kaur (sister of a Sessions Judge); Rupam Chaudhary (daughter of ex-ADGP and ex-member, PPSC, Bakshi Ram); Nripjit Kaur (daughter of Justice Nirmal Singh); Surbhi Marwaha (wife of a SDJM); Swati Sharma (wife of IPS officer KK Sharma); Mahip Kaur (maternal uncle is Home Secretary); Geetanjali Sagar (wife of IAS officer KL Yadav); Navdeep Mittal (daughter of IPS officer Rajinder Parsad Mittal); Anand Jindal (son of Justice AN Jindal) and Manjinder R Kaur (wife of IPS officer SS Gill).
The rejected The report talks about six rejected candidates, who made it to the elite civil services. Gagan Kundra, Manavjit Singh Dhillon and Priti Sharma made it to the IPS, while Neha Arora and Mandeep Kumar Batish were selected as IAS officers. Maninder Kaur made it to the Indian Revenue Services
The proceedings As the case came up for resumed hearing today, the SIT, pursuant to the preliminary inquiry registered on January 22, submitted its final report in a sealed cover. Taking up the report, the Bench described it as a “damning indictment of the process of selection”. The Bench observed: “It is a tailor-made result. There is a deep sense of outrage against what has been done, as meritorious candidates, who struggled for the limited jobs, have been thrown out.” Summing up the findings, the Bench observed that the rules of the game were changed midstream. The weightage for viva-voce was raised while that for academic qualifications cut. The changed rules were not even intimated to the candidates and there was “open contact between the candidates and the select committees”. The Bench said there were unusual cash financial credits in Dr Mohi’s account and intervention of the chairman at every stage to tailor-make the result” The Bench observed Sinha awarded zero marks to 219 candidates, while awarding 100 marks to 14 candidates, “completely reversing the reflection of merit”. As such, candidates who did not do well in the written test were honoured, while others who had performed well were excluded. The same set of experts were called again and again, “despite there being a larger pool of talent and one of the members, Ravinder Kaur, was shown present while the logbook of her vehicle showed that she was at Chandigarh and not at Patiala”. The case will now come up for further hearing on July 1.
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Govt’s poor image behind poll losses: BJP to Badal
Chandigarh, May 26 Well-placed sources said the BJP in charge of Punjab affairs, Shanta Kumar, met Badal in the Capital last week. He told him that the people had voted against SAD and BJP candidates on account of resentment against the state government. The meeting at Kapurthala House was also attended by Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma. Shanta Kumar, without mincing words, told Badal and Sharma that the image of the government has been defiled on account of the poor conduct of its ministers. That was why the SAD-BJP alliance could not cash in on the Modi wave that swept the country. Shanta Kumar mentioned the good performance by AAP, both in terms of the vote share and the number of seats it won. He said this proved there was popular resentment against the government and its ministers. The BJP is unhappy over Jaitley's defeat in Amritsar at the hands of former CM Capt Amarinder Singh. The party feels it could not dissociate itself from the negative image of the Badal Government and had to pay dearly at the hustings. The party is allegedly disturbed on account of its shrinking vote share even in Punjab's urban pockets. The Punjab BJP is yet to formally discuss the factors behind the party’s poor electoral performance. The state BJP's “core group” was to meet here yesterday but the meeting was put off to May 27.
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Under pressure, SAD to gather feedback on property tax
Chandigarh, May 26 The exercise had sparked statewide protests by the residents themselves as well as the Opposition Congress. Even a section of the SAD’s coalition partner BJP had been opposing the move fearing its adverse impact during the elections. Not only this, the people had also opposed high charges for regularisation of property. In its post-poll post-mortem, the BJP has listed the imposition of property tax and high regularisation charges, apart from the alleged involvement of politicians in the drug and sand mafia, as the major factors responsible for the SAD-BJP coalition’s loss in urban areas. The government has directed the Local Bodies Department to collect feedback from the people living in urban areas. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal have assigned the task to Ashok Gupta, Secretary, Local Bodies Department. Gupta would be reaching out to the people and meeting delegations of citizens to know their views on the controversial tax. Representatives of various civic bodies and welfare associations would also be consulted, an official said. Six feedback meetings have been arranged in different cities. The first meeting would be held on May 27 at the Patiala Municipal Corporation at 11:30 am for areas within the jurisdiction of the civic body and its vicinity. The second meeting has been planned the same day at the Circuit House, Bathinda, at 3:30 pm. The third meeting would be organised at the Central Club, Faridkot, at 6 pm for the Ferozepur region. The fourth meeting would be conducted the next day at the Circuit House, Amritsar, at 11:30 am. The next meeting would be at the DC Office in Jalandhar at 2 pm whereas the last meeting would be held at the Circuit House in Ludhiana at 5 pm. The deputy commissioners and municipal commissioners would be among those officials who would attend the meetings.
Jakhar wants it to go Chandigarh: The Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Sunil Jakhar, has demanded withdrawal of the property tax. He accused Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal of double-speak on the issue. He alleged that during the Lok sabha elections, Sukhbir had announced to reconsider the decision. But once the elections were over, he refused to do so, he alleged. Reconsider pact: Gosain Ludhiana: Former Health Minister and senior BJP leader Satpal Gosain has urged the party high command to reconsider alliance with the SAD. He said the BJP should only extend outside support to the Akali Dal. Expressing concern over the “dwindling voter base” of the BJP in the state, he appealed to the party high command to take remedial measures at the earliest.
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Modi must strengthen trade ties with Pak: Capt
Chandigarh, May 26 "The opening of the land route will give the Punjabi traders access to not just the Pakistan market, but also to Iran, Afghanistan and the entire Central Asia. This would also help the border towns of Amritsar, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur emerge as important trade cities," he said. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi today. The two leaders are to expected to meet tomorrow. Talking to The Tribune after submitting his resignation as MLA to the Speaker, Amarinder said trade ties with Pakistan could also benefit Punjab's manufacturing sector and boost the hospitality industry. The former Punjab CM said that consolidating the Congress was the main challenge before him now. He said he would take on any role that the party leadership deemed fit for him in Punjab. " It is time we had an open and honest leader at the helm of affairs in the Punjab Congress to take on the corrupt SAD-BJP Government. The MLAs need to have confidence in the party leader and the PPCC chief has definitely lost the mandate of party MLAs as also the people. "It is a convention in the Congress that whosoever leads the party in any election and faces defeat, must submit his resignation,” he reiterated. On possible desertions, he said: “As a senior leader, I am trying to unite all leaders to ensure that the party’s committed voter is not disillusioned and swayed by other parties.” He said general secretaries appointed in charge of states should have the requisite experience. He said the general secretary in charge of Punjab affairs, Harish Chaudhary, was not aware of the ground reality.
On trade via Wagah The opening of the land route will give the Punjabi traders access to not just the Pakistan market, but also to Iran, Afghanistan and the entire Central Asia. This would also help the border towns of Amritsar, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur to emerge as important trade cities
Akali stalwart Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who has devoted his entire life to the SAD, deserved a berth in the Modi Government. But the Badals can’t look beyond their own family On Jaitley’s portfolio I congratulate Jaitley over his appointment as Union Finance Minister and wish him success. I hope he will help Punjab as promised by him during his election campaign in Amritsar Capt Amarinder Singh, Cong leader
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Health Dept sleeps over VB report in medicine scam
Patiala, May 26 The report states that the firms which supplied the medicines belonged to close relatives of the officials concerned. The probe covered purchases worth Rs 8 lakh done between 2008 and 2012. The EOW had received a complaint that medicines and other materials used at the
District TB Centre were being purchased in violation of the rules. The probe found that the prices of medicines and other material were 15 to 20 times higher than the market rates. The probe officers had recorded statements of the district programme officer, centre head and his subordinate staff. The centre receives Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh every year for buying medicines. The purchases are done by the district programme officer, civil surgeon and district TB officer. Jaspal Singh, SP, EOW, said they had submitted a preliminary report to their senior authorities in the Vigilance Bureau. The report was later referred to the Principal Secretary, Health, in January, recommending action against the erring officials. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health, could not be contacted. Patiala Civil Surgeon HS Bali said he had not received any communication
from the department in this case.
Action delayed
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Three high-yielding maize varieties get approval
The state government in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University selected three varieties that recorded a yield of 8.5 tonne per hectare from a kg of seed during trials. The seed have been prepared by Monsanto, Pioneer and Shri Ram companies, a government spokesman said. The government would provide a subsidy of Rs 87.5 per kg. The seed would be made available to the farmers at a rate of Rs 87.5 to Rs 112.5 a kilogram (after subsidy). The seed would be available at all block-level offices of the Agriculture Department. The government has also directed the three companies to provide technical support to the farmers. The government has identified maize as a major alternative crop under its ambitious crop diversification programme. It aims to replace paddy, a water-guzzling crop, with maize and has set a target area of five lakh acres during the kharif season.
Diversification push
Farmers’ NGO against Monsanto Chandigarh: Kheti Virasat Mission, an outfit working for popularising organic farming, has opposed the Punjab Government’s decision to involve firms promoting chemical-intensive farming in the crop diversification plan. Among the three firms, the government on Monday allowed Monsanto to provide maize seed to the farmers. The mission alleged Monsanto was known for chemical-based agriculture, a process that would have an adverse impact on human health as well as ecology. Instead, the government should encourage organic farming, said Umendra Dutt, mission’s executive director.
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Akali Dal may revamp party structure
Chandigarh, May 26 Sources said Sukhbir may re-constitute the party structure and announce new office-bearers. The party had given rights to the SAD president to select new office-bearers at its meeting in Amritsar about eight months ago. But the process could not be completed due to the parliamentary poll.
— TNS
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Police arrest 12 protesters seeking justice in rape case
Bathinda, May 26 Despite this a large number of people joined the protest. They demanded the arrest of the third accused in the case, Gurlal Singh, who has been announced proclaimed offender by a local court. They alleged that the accused was recently present in the village and had helped his father in harvesting wheat, but the police failed to arrest him. Earlier, a large number of farmers were rounded up at Bhucho and Killi Nihalsinghwala village and sent to different jails to sabotage their plan to protest against the police and district administration. Gurjit Singh Romana, DSP City, said those protesting outside the IGP’s office had been arrested under Section 107/51 IPC. Surjeet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said the IGP had ordered a fresh probe into the rape case.
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12 years on, soldier’s widow gets pension
Chandigarh, May 26 A Division Bench has also issued notice to Major BS Verma through the Ministry of Defence. He has been asked to explain his stand by filing an affidavit, before the Bench proceeded further in the matter. Posted earlier as Senior Record Officer at Pune, Major Verma had filed a written statement in the case.
The incident
Naik Mohammed Sabir Hussain had died in an accident with a “civilian” Maruti car on June 28, 2002, while he was going to Sector ‘E’, Chandimandir. After recording evidence, the Court of Enquiry expressed opinion that the victim was on “bona fide military duty” when the accident occurred. The report was subsequently accepted by Brigadier Station Commander. He too concluded that the death was attributable to bona fide military duty. But the respondents, with “mala fide” intentions referred to the deposition of a witness, and not the inquiry’s conclusion, to deny his widow Akhtari Khatun special family pension.
The case
Akhtari Khatun was denied the benefit on the ground that the death “was neither attributable to, nor aggravated, by military”. The decision was communicated to her vide letter dated October 8, 2003. As a petition against the denial was taken up by a Single Judge, a written statement was filed under Major Verma’s signatures. The respondents took the stand that the soldier had gone to the market to purchase ration for himself, and not for the Unit. As such, special family pension could not be granted. The petition was then dismissed by the Single Judge on the basis of the statement.
The strictures
Taking up the appeal against the order, Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli asserted: “We have perused the written statement filed on behalf of the respondents, where a categorical stand has been taken by referring to the deposition of the first witness in the Court of Enquiry proceedings dated July 5, 2002. However, the enquiry proceedings were never produced for the perusal of the Single Judge and relying on this stand, the Single Judge dismissed the writ petition…. “The findings of the Court of Enquiry and the decision taken thereon were naturally known to the respondents as they occurred much earlier. Selectively and with a mala fide intent to somehow deny benefits to the appellant, a reference was made only to the deposition of the first witness of the Court of Enquiry and not to the findings of the enquiry. Such deception actually amounts to perjury…. Even half-truth meant to mislead amounts to falsehood. The Bench added the truth only came out when the inquiry findings, and the report thereon, were permitted to be placed on record. Allowing the petition with Rs 10,000 cost, the Bench held her entitled to special family pension.
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State gets notice on dirty water supply to Rajasthan
Abohar, May 26 The PIL was filed by Hanumangarh Zila Parishad chairperson Shobha Singh Doodi and vice-chairperson Shabnam Godara seeking a check on supply of contaminated canal water by Punjab to Rajasthan. The PIL, also signed by panchayat samiti's former vice-president Rajinder Prasad, had listed the Punjab Government, heads of its Health and Industries Departments and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) as parties in the case. The tribunal has put all defendants on notice. The petitioners claimed they visited several places in Punjab on May 5 and were astonished to see state government's criminal neglect on the issue. They have also launched the Jal Jagriti Yatra to mobilise people on the issue. Environmentalist Maneeshanand flagged off the yatra from Gayatri Mandir in Tibbi segment of Hanumangarh district today. Doodi said the Punjab Government had failed to check discharge of chemical waste from Jalandhar and Ludhiana-based industrial units into the Sutlej and the Beas. Highly hazardous chemicals were being allowed to flow through the Sirhind Feeder to the Indira Gandhi Canal, the Rajasthan Feeder, the Ferozepur Feeder and the Gang (Bikaner) Canal. The Bhakra canal system feeds Hanumangarh, Sangria and Peelibanga. The water released through 650-km-long Indira Gandhi Canal is consumed by millions of people in Sriganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Barmer districts. Shabnam Godara said the pollution control board had been deferring action against the erring industries under pressure from political parties and others.
Petitioners' contention
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Jails to have IGNOU centres for inmates
Hoshiarpur, May 26 All courses will be offered free of cost. The aim is to educate jail inmates so that they could start a new life after completing their imprisonment. Assistant Regional Director of IGNOU Dharam Pal said during a press conference that he was in Hoshiarpur to inspect the study centre of the university at the local DAV College. "According to the MoU, the facility may be extended to all jails in future. Besides helping jail inmates to become good citizens, it will also help them to start their life afresh after they are out of jail," he added. He said, "IGNOU is the largest open university in India that has both national and international recognition. It has more than 3,500 study centres in the country." "The university has discontinued 200 courses that had either gone obsolete or were not in demand. We always try to provide updated knowledge and courses, hence the old one are discontinued and new ones added," he said.
The effort
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Nothing ‘Adarsh’ about this school
Faridkot, May 26 Government Senior Secondary Adarsh School in Pacca village of Faridkot is a grim picture of utter neglect. There is no arrangement of drinking water for students and teachers. Teachers pool in funds to purchase "chalk" and other things so that they could continue teaching students. Twenty-two teachers and two non-teaching staff members of the school have not got salaries after December, 2013. The school staff contributed money to pay the electricity bill last year, but they could not do so this year due to non-receipt of their salaries. The result: The Punjab State Power Corporation snapped power supply to the school two months ago. Around 520 students enrolled with the school are still awaiting the free books that the state government had promised to provide them under its much publicised "Adarsh School with holistic approach" scheme. Teachers have purchased one set of books from the market for every class to continue teaching. School director-cum-principal Poonam Garg said the teachers had been giving their best under the situation. "Though the non-availability of books for the students is a problem, the teachers are trying their best to ensure that their studies don't suffer in the absence of books," she said. Kotkapura SDM Harjit Singh Sidhu, who has been appointed administrator of
the school, said the fund shortage was a problem, but it would be addressed soon.
The ills
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Hoshiarpur scientist to deliver lecture in Poland
Hoshiarpur, May 26 He has been invited as a member of the programme committee for the conference and would deliver a lecture there. "It is a matter of pride for me that I have been given a chance to participate in the conference at one of the world's oldest and renowned universities," he said. According to him, "dielectrics" (commonly known as insulating materials) have numerous domestic and industrial applications. "However, much is yet to be explored about them. This conference will be a constructive attempt in that direction. Dielectrics can be used for decomposition of poisonous gases and lethal organic compounds produced as part of industrial waste."
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Complainant’s kin in ex-Mayor’s case alleges frame-up
Patiala, May 26 The car is allegedly owned by Tejinder Singh. A team of the Rajasthan police had recently visited Patiala to arrest Tejinder, who has now approached the Patiala police urging for a fair probe. He claimed he never bought that car and “it is a deliberate attempt to frame him in a false case.” He alleged he was being targeted for standing by his brother in the Parampreet murder case. A city police officer said: “Preliminary investigations revealed that two unknown persons had forged documents and bought a used car from a car agency in Patiala. It looks unlikely that someone would abandon his own car loaded with drugs.” Hardyal Mann, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, said they had submitted their report to the Rajasthan police after verifying the documents and ownership details of the car. Meanwhile,Parampreet’s father Amarjit Singh alleged his family was being targeted for taking on a politically connected family.
The case
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Unclean water: NHRC notice
to state govt
Ropar, May 26 It has sought a report within four weeks. The commission observed everyone had the right to safe drinking water. The villagers have said the Water Supply and Sanitation Department has been unable to augment the water supply in Haripur and Harnampur villages. Though the authorities have spent over Rs 14 lakh on the scheme to augment water supply, the two villages were yet to get chlorinated water.
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Decide on fee for Lok Adalat members, Secretary told
Chandigarh, May 26 The directions came during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by advocate HC Arora. He was seeking prosecution and punishment for Malhotra under Contempt of Courts Act for deliberate non-compliance of order dated January 30 passed by a Division Bench. In the PIL, the High Court had directed the Union Law Ministry (Legal Affairs Department) to take a final decision on revision of sitting fee and other service conditions of the members. Appearing before Justice Mahesh Grover, Arora claimed the PIL and the orders were handed over to Counsel for the Union of India. But Malhotra has so far not taken a decision on the issue. As of now the members are getting a sitting fee of Rs 500 for each hearing. The petitioner is seeking directions to enhance the amount to a reasonable level.
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Police ignores ADC probe findings in land grab case
Muktsar, May 26 The report stated that Baldev sold village panchayat land worth several crore on Muktsar-Malout highway. Baldev built nearly 35 shops on the land, where a pond once existed. The report even directed the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Muktsar, to file a case against Baldev under the PPP Act and evict the illegal occupants of the land. The ADC said a departmental inquiry should be initiated against the revenue officials for dereliction of duty. Harnek Singh, an Akali sarpanch of Rupana village, said, “Now, the illegal occupants have also applied for an electricity connection.”
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ATM loader goes missing
Faridkot, May 26 The youth went missing from his house in Faridkot on Sunday evening. There are reports of withdrawal of huge amounts of money from the ATMs of two banks in Jaitu and Bargari towns of Faridkot after the incident. While the police have constituted a team to investigate the link between the youth's disappearance and the withdrawal of money from the ATMs, the relatives of the missing youth today staged a dharna in front of city police station. Alleging kidnapping, the family members accused the police of not taking a prompt action in the case. They also staged a dharna. The police have registered a case against unidentified persons. "We have alerted all banks and started investigation. The details of cash withdrawal from the ATMs are being collected from banks," said Faridkot SSP Varinder Paul Singh.
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New gurdwara in US faces opposition from locals
Los Angeles, May 26 Sri Guru Ravidass Temple in Sacramento County in California wants to construct the new building, but residents have shown up twice before a community planning board to oppose the project. The residents of Rio Linda are concerned about drainage and parking, among other things, the Sacramento Bee reported. Temple supporters question whether race has played a role in the opposition, especially because churches have had relatively fewer problems getting projects approved in the county. Opponents of the project and county officials
deny claims of racism, saying complaints raised are not unusual. The Community Planning Advisory Council is scheduled to hear the proposal for a third time on Wednesday. Opposition in Rio Linda comes only a month after residents near Galt persuaded the Board of Supervisors to reject the construction of another temple. “When someone keeps complaining without reason, then you might guess that racism is the reason,” county resident Ramesh Banger said. Residents raised complaints about the temple using properties adjacent to the prayer hall. They complained about drainage on the temple property, because flooding is a perennial concern in Rio Linda, the news
report said. Charlea Moore, a member of the Community Planning Advisory Council, said neighbours have legitimate concerns about the project, but she thinks they can be resolved. In the last 15 years, churches have occasionally faced neighborhood opposition when proposing expansions, according to records on the county planning division
website. — PTI Bone of contention
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Two devotees killed, 39 hurt in accident
Jalandhar, May 26 The accident reportedly occurred at 11 am as the driver of the truck lost balance while trying to avoid collision with a motorcycle coming from the opposite side. Almost all those injured suffered head injuries and were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar (in picture, below-right) by passersby and the police. Among the deceased are Malkiat Singh and Palak, the daughter of truck driver Bachitar Singh. Two persons riding on the motorcycle too sustained injuries. As most of the injured were related, they could be seen enquiring about the well-being of one another from the doctors and staff. Palwinder Singh, one of the few who escaped unhurt, said they were all heading to participate in a congregation at the dera. “We were just 20 minutes short of the dera when the mishap occurred,” he said. Station House Officer (Sadar) Onkar Singh Brar said a case of negligent driving would be registered against Bachitar. He said the driver was not supposed to carry passengers in a goods vehicle. On October 10 last year, 11 persons from Bholath lost their lives when the truck they were travelling in to Chintpurni overturned and fell into a gorge.
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Unemployment pushes karate champion into drug trade
Mohali, May 26 On a tip-off, the police arrested Balla of Bhojra village in Tarn Taran district near Cheema Hospital in Phase 4 here late at night. Sub Inspector Rajeev Kumar said Balla was on foot when they arrested him the drugs. “Even though I won top honours in 2012, I couldn’t get a job. So I entered the world of crime,” Balla said. An Army Subedar’s son, Balla has studied till Class X. He is married and has a daughter. The police have registered a case.
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Note-for-vote scam
Muktsar, May 26 The district authorities have asked the police to identify the man in uniform. The Muktsar SSP said they were unable to identify him. Activists of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and two other persons, who had shot the video, had lodged a complaint with the election authorities seeking action against those involved in this scam. Rambir Singh, ADC (D), who is probing the matter, said: “Since the Muktsar police have refused to identify the accused, it is up to the higher authorities to take a decision on the matter.” A complainant, however, said: “The policeman in video is Harbans Lal, a gunman of SGPC member from Doda Navtej Kauni.” He alleged the police had been trying to favour the culprits. He alleged the Gidderbaha police had been harassing him and his mother in a land dispute case.
The row
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On Cabinet berth
Chandigarh, May 26