|
|
|
|
|
Agribanks ‘spare’ Akali defaulters
NDA in saddle, will Akalis’ demands be met?
|
|
|
Major admn shake-up on cards
State bans unrestricted sale of poison
Traders upbeat after Modi-Sharif meeting
War of words erupts over dynastic politics
Modi’s stand on dynastic politics a farce: Congress
Capt sets up office in Amritsar
BJP panel to probe poor poll results
Chief Minister PS Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo
Akali Dal collecting inputs from all seats
Beer prices down by 40%
18 DCs, 22 SSPs found absent
State airports fail to take off
‘108’ ambulance staff on strike refuse to relent
In doldrums, PRTC seeks govt funds
Sangrur plan panel lying defunct for more than a year
Ambiguity over MBBS seats; aspirants worried
ASI dismissed for conniving with drug smugglers
Drug addicts in lockup a headache for policemen
Khanna’s non-inclusion
in Cabinet irks BJP cadre
Norms for cancer relief fund eased
Punjabi held for ‘killing’ wife
Desecration: Pak Sikhs threaten stir
72 drug peddlers held in Hoshiarpur
9 held with drugs in Abohar
|
Agribanks ‘spare’ Akali defaulters
Bathinda, May 27 There are around 5,426 loan defaulters in Bathinda district, 4,984 in Muktsar district and 4,913 in Mansa district. Among the high profile defaulters is Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali, chairman, Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation and former SGPC member, and Bollywood actor Atlee Brar. Kolianwali and his wife owe more than Rs 60 lakh to Primary Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank, Malout. However, none of them is ever served any notice. Kolianwali took a loan of Rs 15 lakh for combines in 2004 while his wife had borrowed Rs 13 lakh for purchasing a tractor. Kolianwali is reportedly a close confident of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He is said to have a strong hold over 17 villages in the Lambi assembly constituency being represented by the Chief Minister. Bollywood actor Atlee Brar, known for films Hum Naujwan (1985), Aag Ka Gola (1990) and Apne Apne (1987), owes Rs 13 lakh to PADB, Gidderbaha. Tara Singh, father of Akali Sarpanch Chinda Singh of Dabawali Dhab village, and Chinda’s cousin Shobha Singh have also defaulted on loan of Rs 10 lakh each. An official said notices to these people remained a mere formality. No one dared to visit the house of Kolianwali for the recovery of loan, he said, adding that same was the case with other VIP defaulters. In contrast, small and marginal farmers who default on their loans have to part with their land or other property mortgaged with the financial institution concerned. GS Mangat, Managing Director, PADB, said: “It is not possible that any defaulter is not served a notice. I will look into the matter of the so-called influential defaulters. We will surely take action against them.” The cotton belt of Punjab has witnessed a large number of suicides by debt-ridden farmers and farm labourers. Unable to repay bank loan, two brothers on May 10 attempted suicide in Bathinda. While one of them died, the other is under treatment. Their father too had committed suicide some years ago due to high debt. Jaswant Singh of Atla Khurd village in Mansa district along with other farmers protested against the auction of his land. He had taken a loan of Rs 1 lakh which has now gone up to Rs 4 lakh. Jaswant’s father Gurdev Singh had committed suicide a few years ago after he failed to repay his debt. There are numerous such stories. High-profile defaulters * Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali, chairman, Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation and former SGPC member, owes more than Rs 60 lakh to Primary Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank, Malout * Bollywood actor Atlee Brar too has defaulted on a Rs 13 lakh bank loan * Tara Singh, father of Akali Sarpanch Chinda Singh of Dabawali Dhab village, and Chinda's cousin Shobha Singh have also defaulted on a loan of Rs 10 lakh each
|
|
NDA in saddle, will Akalis’ demands be met?
Chandigarh, May 27 Chandigarh's transfer There are economic, political, territorial and religious issues which were part of the SAD election manifesto. Among these was the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. The SAD in its manifesto had stated: "The Congress rulers in Delhi kept vast Punjabi-speaking areas out of Punjab. Even the capital city of Chandigarh was denied to Punjab..." Will the SAD now press Modi to transfer Chandigarh and left-out Punjabi-speaking areas to Punjab? River waters dispute Then there is the contentious issue of river waters. Badal has been saying that Punjab's river waters were taken away in violation of riparian principles. Will he now insist that the Centre should dispense justice in this regard? Tax concessions The SAD has been upset with the industrial concessions given to the neighbouring hill states. In its manifesto, the party had described the concessions as "the latest in the line of cruel blows to Punjab’s economy is the decision to continue to deny tax concessions to its industry as granted to its neighbouring states.This has not only blocked fresh investment, but has also resulted in the massive flight of capital, dealing a death blow to its economy”. It is to be seen if the SAD will be able to make Modi extend these concessions to Punjab. Debt burden The most pressing issue before Badal is that of state’s poor economy because of the mounting debt burden and shrinking expenditure. The debt burden has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore while services take away Rs 11,000 crore per annum from the state treasury. Former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal had taken up the issue with the Centre. He had to resign because the CM rejected the proposals he put up before him to get a part of the debt waived. As the 13th Finance Commission had identified Punjab as one of the three revenue-deficit and debt-stressed states, will the CM get relief from the Modi Government now? Gadgil formula The CM has been pressing for changing the Gadgil formula on the devolution of funds from the central pool. Under this formula, 60 per cent weightage is given to the state's population. Punjab wants 20 per cent of the funds allotted on the percentage of the state's Scheduled Caste population. More than 30 per cent of Punjab's population comprises SCs. The CM also wants that the state’s foodgrain contribution to the central pool should be given 10 per cent weightage during the devolution of funds. Punjab wants a higher share in the central pool funds. Justice to riot-hit Another issue that has been hanging fire is getting justice for those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Also, the CM favours a federal structure with complete political and fiscal autonomy to states. Other issues include assured rise in MSP, 50 per cent higher than the production cost, availability of agriculture inputs, credit at cheaper rates, crop insurance, waiver on central excise duty on industry, capital subsidy at the rate of 15 per cent, promotion of trade through the Attari-Wagah border, efforts to open more trade check points and resolving the turban issue with France. The challenge before the CM is to get these demands met. He can no longer blame a "hostile" Central Government for failure to do so.
|
||
|
Major admn shake-up on cards
Chandigarh, May 27 With good governance emerging as a core issue during the Lok Sabha election, which saw Akalis losing its vote share, the state government is now all set to usher in major administrative changes. This will not just be a major administrative shake up, expected within this week itself. The government may also reconsider the concept of party halqa in charges calling the shots in governance, especially in police related cases, especially after senior BJP leaders have pointed out that this led to their poor show at the hustings. Officers will now be made accountable. They have been instructed to be in office and schedule public meeting timings. The state leadership, say sources, has also been awe-struck by the “minimum government and maximum governance” formula that team Modi is promising to bring at the Centre, although the idea may take a long time to germinate in Punjab. A former bureaucrat, who is believed to enjoy the confidence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, is likely to be brought back as adviser administration to the Chief Minister. Top sources in the government told The Tribune that a list of officers to be transferred is almost ready and the Chief Minister, who is expected to return to Chandigarh today, will be issuing these orders. From officers who have a direct interface with the public (deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police) to heads of key departments, an exercise to affect a major reshuffle is on. Also, several officers who were transferred from the districts on the directions of the Election Commission of India, just before the Lok Sabha polls, will again be shifted and many of them brought back to the original place of posting. A number of senior officers had to be posted in the districts as deputy commissioners, will now be brought back to the state capital. At least four IAS officers, who are awaiting posting orders, including an officer who has come here following an inter-cadre transfer, will now be getting their new place of posting. A rationalisation is also expected in the government with many officers holding charges of three or four departments now being told to concentrate on key departments and others officers of same rank will be brought to the fore. With the state's chief secretary, Rakesh Singh, tipped to be going on a Central Government deputation soon as a secretary and the state’s Home Secretary SS Channy retiring on May 31, these key posts too will have new incumbents. Post-poll corrective measures * With good governance emerging as a core issue during the election, the government is all set to usher in major administrative changes * It may reconsider the concept of party halqa in charges who have been calling the shots in police related cases * Sources say a list of officers to be transferred is ready and the Chief Minister will issue the orders soon
|
||
|
State bans unrestricted sale of poison
Chandigarh, May 27 Principal Secretary Vini Mahajan said, “The licensee is required to display his licence prominently at the place of business. The licence holder cannot sell any poison to any person, unless the latter is personally known to him, or identified to his satisfaction by producing a photo identity card that will also serve as a proof of address. The poisons under question cannot be sold to anyone less than 18 years of age. The licence holder is required to maintain a register in which he is required to enter correctly all sales of poisons other than those used by a chemist, the secretary added.
|
||
|
Traders upbeat after Modi-Sharif meeting
Amritsar, May 27 Talking to The Tribune, leading exporter Rajdeep Uppal said: “It was a historic meeting between the two leaders in a sense that both of them have a clear mandate in their respective countries. The trading community is happy that they made an effort to reach out to each other. We hope that they will carry forward the process initiated during the Atal Behari Vajpayee's tenure.” He said the two leaders must work together to promote trade and peace in the region. CII National Council on Public Policy member Gunbir Singh said: “We see fresh beginnings between the two neighbours which is a welcome step. There is much potential to enhance trade, tourism and cultural exchanges. An incremental approach towards strengthening trade ties could produce long-term dividends mutually beneficial to the people of both the nations.” Khanna Paper Mill director Suneet Kochhar said it was a good gesture on part of Modi to invite Sharif to his swearing-in and the dialogue had come as an icing on the cake. “It is good to see that borders and minds are opening up. Though India and Pakistan together may account for roughly 80 per cent of the GDP of SAARC countries, the border trade between India and Pakistan is only 4.5 per cent as compared to the rest of the world,” he said, hoping that the two countries would be able to remove all trade barriers to lend a further boost to the cross-border trade via the Attari-Wagah land route.
|
||
|
War of words erupts over dynastic politics
Chandigarh, May 27 “Modi had during electioneering bitterly criticised Congress' dynastic politics, alleging this was weakening democracy. He would often term the UPA Government as 'maa-beta ki sarkar'. The people believed him and voted him to power. But he is now himself encouraging dynastic politics by inducting Harsimrat as Cabinet Minister,” Khaira alleged. He said Harsimrat was the fifth member of the Badal clan to assume a powerful office. Khaira said Sher Singh Ghubhaya was a three-time MP, Prem Singh Chandumajra a two-time MP and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura had won by a margin of more than one lakh votes. “Modi could have chosen any one of them for a Cabinet berth, but he succumbed to pressure from the powerful Badal-Majithia-Kairon clans and inducted Harsimrat as Cabinet Minister, which shows his weak will power,” Khaira alleged. Retaliating, senior Akali leaders said Khaira was “frustrated at his own failure in politics and blind to the faults of the Gandhi family and could not appreciate Harsimrat’s stellar performance” during her last stint as MP. Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Daljit Singh Cheema said: "Prime minister Narendra Modi chose Harsimrat Badal as part of his team on the basis of her performance in Parliament as well as the work done by her in her constituency. During the past five years, Badal has emerged as the face of Punjab in the national Capital who successfully took up the issues of the state as well as those of the Sikh community in Parliament.” The leaders said Khaira himself was in politics because of his father. On the earlier UPA dispensation, Grewal and Cheema said Modi had rightly called it a “maa-beta ki sarkar” as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi “were running the government unilaterally as per their whims without holding any office.” They asked Khaira to explain if he had resigned as Congress spokesperson or not. “In case you have genuinely resigned, you must explain why you are still issuing press statements on behalf of the party,” the Akali leaders said.
|
||
Brahmpura is Parliamentary Party Leader
Amritsar, May 27 The SAD’s preference for Harsimrat over Brahmpura (the second seniormost leader in the party) for the elevation had evoked criticism from various quarters. Former Congress Chief M inister Capt Amarinder Singh too had said that Brahmpura deserved a ministerial berth. Brahmpura, who was defeated in the 2012 Assembly elections, bounced back with his victory from Khadoor Sahib by a margin of over 1 lakh votes. He was Cabinet Minister in the Badal Government in 1997-2002 and in 2007-2012. The SAD has four MPs in the Lok Sabha, the other two being Prem Singh Chandumajra and Sher Singh Gubhaya. Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president, named Brahmpura as the party's Parliamentary Party Leader today. The appointment was hailed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. When contacted, Brahampura said he would discharge the responsibilities assigned to him to the best of his ability. On being denied a Cabinet berth, he said he did not want to comment on the matter. "I am a disciplined soldier of the party and I merely follow its orders," he said. Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was scheduled to visit Amritsar today, could not make it. She was to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple this morning.
|
||
|
Modi’s stand on dynastic politics a farce: Congress
Chandigarh, May 27 “Modi had during electioneering bitterly criticised Congress' dynastic politics, alleging this was weakening democracy. He would often term the UPA Government as 'maa-bete ki sarkar'. The people believed him and voted him to power. But he is now himself encouraging dynastic politics by inducting Harsimrat as Cabinet Minister,” Khaira alleged. He said Harsimrat was the fifth member of the Badal clan to assume a powerful office. Khaira said Sher Singh Ghubhaya was a three-time MP, Prem Singh Chandumajra a two-time MP and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura had won by a margin of more than one lakh votes. “Modi could have chosen any one of them for a Cabinet berth, but he succumbed to pressure from the powerful Badal-Majithia-Kairon clans and inducted Harsimrat as Cabinet Minister, which shows his weak will power,” Khaira alleged.
|
||
|
Capt sets up office in Amritsar
Amritsar, May 27 During his visits to the city, he will stay at 444, Green Avenue. The house belongs to one of his close relatives and is currently being furnished. He will be shuttling between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Patiala and Delhi, said a release issued here. Prior to the elections, Capt had promised that he would set up his base in the city if elected. — TNS
|
||
|
BJP panel to probe poor poll results
New Delhi, May 27 The core group, which consists of sitting and former state presidents, heads of the legislative wing in the state and state office-bearers, was of the view that anti-incumbency against the SAD-BJP Government and against certain Akali leaders had an adverse impact on the party's performance. The committee report will be taken up with the BJP's central leadership and the SAD for corrective measures. Sources said the leaders spoke in favour of the BJP assuming a more assertive role and taking the SAD head-on on public issues, even if it offended the SAD. The BJP in charge of Punjab affairs, Shanta Kumar, attended the meeting which lasted three hours. State BJP president Kamal Sharma said no deadline had been set for the committee to submit its report. The committee was constituted after BJP leaders expressed concern over the party’s poor performance in Punjab, especially when it did well in the neighbouring Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Shanta Kumar urged the state leaders to pull up socks. He spoke of the debutant AAP mustering about 24 per cent of the votes. He said voters in urban pockets seemed to have turned away from the party. Other participants alleged that certain policies and administrative decisions had antagonised the public and corrective measures were a must. The leaders picked holes in government’s policies on tax, trade, industry and commerce.With regard to Jaitley’s defeat, Shanta Kumar is learnt to have said that local Akali and BJP leaders had antagonised the public on account of their conduct. Taking stock * The committee report will be taken up with the BJP's central leadership and the SAD for corrective steps * Sources said leaders spoke in favour of the BJP assuming a more assertive role in Punjab * They favoured taking the SAD head-on on important public issues, even if it offended the Akalis
|
||
|
Akali Dal collecting inputs from all seats
Gurdaspur, May 27 The CM had asked former Cabinet Minister SS Sekhwan, MLA Tota Singh and SAD core committee member Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal to look into the reasons for the defeat of the party candidates in their respective Vidhan Sabha seats. The committee is in the process of compiling inputs from all 117 Vidhan Sabha seats in the state. A senior member of the committee said the Modi wave was swept aside by the "abnormally high anti- incumbency against the SAD-BJP alliance." The spiralling rates of sand and gravel was another factor that led to the party candidates' defeat. "When the alliance came to power in the state in 2007, the price of a sand trolley was Rs 400. It is Rs 15,000 now," the committee member said. The open sale of drugs and the imposition of property tax in cities turned away voters from the ruling alliance. "The substantial rise in the collector rate was yet another factor. Also, the fee for regularising plots was too high.
|
|
Beer prices down by 40%
Amritsar, May 27 Keshav Chander, a liquor contractor, said the price of light beer had come down from Rs 130 to Rs 80 per bottle while that of strong beer was slashed from Rs 130 to Rs 100 per bottle. He said these rates were applicable on almost all major brands. He said as per the latest policy of the Excise Department, 40 lakh cases of beer had been allocated to each wholesale contractor in the state. These contractors were to pay fixed duty on beer cases irrespective of the sale, he said. The duty was Rs 156 per case of strong beer and Rs 117 per case of light beer. There is a consumption of an average of 7.5 crore bottles of beer per annum in Punjab, which means the state sells roughly 5 crore bulk litres of beer. Official figures state revenue generated from liquor has increased manifold in the past some years. Liquor worth Rs 1,406 crore was sold in 2002-03, Rs 2,000 crore in 2009-10 and Rs 3,410 crore in 2012-13. The amount is expected to have surpassed Rs 4,020 crore in the recently concluded fiscal on March 31. The high liquor sale in the state where a large number of people are battling drug abuse is by no means a good sign. But due to high profit margin, the trade attracts politicians across party lines.
|
||
|
18 DCs, 22 SSPs found absent
Chandigarh, May 27 The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that all officers are in their offices from 9 am to 5 pm on all working days to ensure prompt services to the public. Among those found absent from their offices were the DCs of Amritsar, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, SAS Nagar, Pathankot, Patiala, Tarn Taran, Moga, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Ferozepur. Only two SSPs were present in their offices at Barnala and Mohali. The remaining 22 SSPs were found absent. No official at the offices of the SSPs of Patiala and Muktsar responded to phone calls, said an official in the Chief minister’s office. The Chief Minister had, in a notification recently, impressed upon the officers to discharge their duty with dedication and honesty. He had asked the officers/officials to maintain decorum and ensure punctuality in offices to win over the confidence of the people. Leaders of different political parties have been targeting the SAD-BJP alliance for “politicising” the official machinery. Those found absent * Deputy Commissioners of Amritsar, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, SAS Nagar, Pathankot, Patiala, Tarn Taran, Moga, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Ferozepur * Only two Senior Superintendents of Police found present in their offices in Barnala and Mohali * No official at the offices of the SSPs of Patiala and Muktsar responded to phone calls from CMO’s office
|
||
|
State airports fail to take off
Chandigarh, May 27 Over the past few years, the state has been trying to build world-class airports. However, while building these airports, the state’s policy makers forgot to take into account, whether these would be economically viable. Of the three airports that are operational in the state, the ones at Amritsar and Ludhiana are running into huge losses, while the Bathinda airport is yet to take off. The only airport in the state which runs flights on a regular basis is the Guru Ramdas ji International Airport in Amritsar, from where six airlines operate their flights. Ludhiana airport has managed to get just one flight operator, which runs one flight, thrice a week, between Ludhiana and Delhi. The much-hyped Bathinda airport, which was built more than a year ago, has failed to attract any flight operators. Most of the operators have reportedly told the Civil Aviation ministry that they do not foresee any regular traffic from Bathinda, which makes this air route economically unviable. In the region, it is only the Chandigarh Airport which is running smoothly. As many as 15 flights take off from here daily. But while the air traffic to other parts of the country is good, attempts to connect important cities of the region from Chandigarh have failed. A direct chartered flight between Chandigarh and Amritsar was launched recently, but had to be suspended because of poor traffic on this route. Officials in the state’s Civil Aviation Department told The Tribune that so far the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation had not been able to convince any of the flight operators to either add flights from Ludhiana or start new ones from the Bathinda airport. The government is now hopeful that once the Mohali International Airport is complete in February 2015 and formally commissioned after trails in June 2015, the civil aviation sector in the region will get a boost. “It is then we hope that the idea of connecting Chandigarh with the big cities of Punjab will take shape,“ said a senior official in Civil Aviation department of Punjab. He added that even after the Chandigarh Airport starts its international flights (already two airlines have licences to start flights to Dubai) later this year, it would help in developing the civil aviation sector in Punjab. Projects grounded * Of the three airports that are operational in the state, the ones at Amritsar and Ludhiana are running into huge losses * The only airport in the state, which runs flights on a regular basis, is the Guru Ramdas ji International Airport in Amritsar; six airlines operate the flights at the airport * Ludhiana airport has managed to get just one flight operator; tt runs one flight, thrice a week, between Ludhiana and Delhi * The much-hyped Bathinda airport built over a year ago has failed to attract any flight operators
|
||
|
‘108’ ambulance staff on strike refuse to relent
Chandigarh, May 27 They are protesting against long working hours. One of them said the staff was made to work for 12 hours instead of 8, as mandated under the labour laws. The service provider, Ziqitza Health Care Limited, has 240 ambulances with staff strength of nearly 1,300. But the ongoing agitation has affected more than 50 per cent of the employees. The state government has commissioned its vehicles in service and deployed its staff temporality to handle the situation. Hussan Lal, Mission Director NHRM, said: “The state government is not required to provide manpower under the service contract. We, however, are trying to help the company out by providing temporary support.” He further said that since the agitating employees had approached the labour and civil courts, the state had no role to play. “We will take a decision in case people continue to suffer.” In a related development, the service provider has recruited 270 new drivers and shortlisted 140 emergency medical technicians to tide over the situation. The employees, on their part, did not respond to the company’s compromise formula published in vernaculars today. Jitender K Sharma, regional head of the ambulance service provider, said: “The company is registered under the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961, applicable in Punjab. It permits an employer to hire staff for more than eight hours, including the ‘spread overtime’. On an average, each employee does not work for more than four hours a day.” Ziqitza Staff Association president Vikram Saini, however, said: “We, as staff members, also worked as guard of the machinery during the period counted as the ‘spread overtime’. But the money we got in return was peanuts. There’s been no support either from the company or the government.” He said at least 10 employees’ organisations had assured help if they continue with the agitation. On the company hiring staff, Saini said: “The so-called staff is ill-trained and far below the standards underlined in the service contract.” He objected to the government helping the company with the staff and machinery and highlighted that it failed to provide the essential services independently. No end to imbroglio * The staff is protesting against long working hours. They are made to work for 12 hours instead of 8, as mandated under the labour laws * To help the service provider, the state government has commissioned its vehicles in service and deployed its staff temporality * the service provider has recruited 270 new drivers and shortlisted 140 emergency medical technicians to tide over the situation
|
||
|
In doldrums, PRTC seeks govt funds
Patiala, May 27 The management has submitted a proposal to the government, suggesting steps that would enhance PRTC’s income. In a preliminary meeting with the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary SK Sandhu, the management has discussed two major issues that could help in generating additional revenue for the PRTC. The first is to complete PRTC’s fleet. At present, PRTC has an approved fleet of 1,075 buses whereas only 983 buses are plying. This means the fleet is short of 92 buses. The proposal report suggests that if the PRTC’s fleet was completed, the corporation would generate additional monthly income of Rs 2.5 crore. The management also proposed to curb all illegal operations in the state so that they would get more passengers. As per information, several tempos, Tata Sumo cars, and illegal school buses are plying illegally. If they are legalised, they will have to pay tax to the government which would generate additional income worth crores. However, since most of them run away from paying tax, taking strict actions against them would get more passengers to PRTC buses. As per information, the PRTC is incurring monthly loss of about Rs 5 crore. Its monthly expenditure on pension alone is Rs 4.5 crore. Following this fiscal mess, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued a warning to the PRTC management on February 22, directing the authorities to release pending dues of their superannuated employees before May 7 or face strict action. The court had made the government a party in the case, instructing it to give more than Rs 45 crore of grant-in-aid to the PRTC for clearing a part of its dues. After drawing strictures from the court, the management failed to release the pension to its retired employees in time, following which the court ordered to attach the salaries of senior officers. PRTC managing director Bhupinder Singh Rai confirmed they had held the preliminary meeting and were soon going to meet the Chief Minister for further discussion on the issue.
|
||
|
Kisan Hut opens in Kharar
Mohali, May 27 Agriculture Department Director Mangal Singh Sandhu said this while talking to the media in Kharar today. He, along with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu inaugurated the Kisan Hut under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme in Kharar. “The first Kisan Hut that was opened in Patiala is running satisfactorily. The Punjab Government has taken an initiative to open such huts in the entire state. The department is planning to introduce mobile Kisan Huts,” the Director said. The DC said four more Kisan Huts and a mobile Kisan Hut would be opened soon.
|
||
|
Sangrur plan panel lying defunct for more than a year
Sangrur, May 27 In the previous district planning committee, besides the chairman, there were 14 members of the Zila Parishad, six members of the municipal council, three nominated members and a special invitee member. The present scenario presents a grim picture. Due to the apparent non-seriousness of the Punjab Government, the district planning committee has been rendered defunct. “Development works have taken a back seat due to the non-existing district planning committee. The government should reconstitute the committee and appoint its chairman immediately in public interest,” Jatinder Kalra, former member of the committee, told The Tribune. He further said that being public representatives, the members of the committee always gave priority to development works and got the works passed as per district’s needs. The DC, Kavita Singh, said: “Appointing a chairman of the committee is the government’s prerogative. The committee will be reconstituted in due course.”
|
||
|
Ambiguity over MBBS seats; aspirants worried
Patiala, May 27 Parents are particularly concerned as the the Medical Council of India (MCI) had barred Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Jalandhar, from admitting MBBS students last year. The MCI had found several flaws in the working of the institute that had 150 sanctioned seats. Moreover there is ambiguity over the status of Chintpurni Medical College, Pathankot. The college was permitted to admit students last year after a two-year ban. The university had some time ago discontinued taking the PMT and begun admitting students on the basis of their performance in the AIPMT. There are other issues with the admission process of the university that holds centralised counselling for all the medical colleges in the state. The Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court to hold its own counselling. The court granted the institute permission to hold its own counselling. Dr SS Gill, Vice Chancellor of BFUHS, said he would look into the matter as to why the website was not updated. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Medical Education Department, said the department too was clueless about the status of the colleges in question and the total number of sanctioned seats in the state. She said the MCI was yet to decide on the matter. However, she said, they were seeking legal opinion on challenging the High Court’s decision to allow Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research to hold separate counselling. Controversial colleges * The MCI had barred PIMS, Jalandhar, from admitting MBBS students last year * The MCI had found several flaws in the working of the institute that had 150 sanctioned seats * There is ambiguity over the status of Chintpurni Medical College, Pathankot * The college was permitted to admit students last year after a two-year ban MCI team visits Patiala college An MCI team visited Government Medical College, Patiala, today. The college seeks to increase its MBBS seats from 150 to 250 from this session. Sources said the team pulled up the college authorities for sub-standard research and inadequate infrastructure. On May 23, 24, a team had inspected PIMS to see if it should be allowed to admit students this session. — TNS
|
||
|
ASI dismissed for conniving with drug smugglers
Moga, May 27 A senior officer of the police said Mogal Senior Superintendent of Police S Bhoopathi had issued orders to dismiss ASI Piara Singh from service. The officer said there were many complaints against Piara for his alleged connivance with drug smugglers of the area. It was learnt that an internal intelligence report of the police had revealed that information of the secret operation to swoop down on drug smugglers at Daulewala village in the district last week was leaked by this ASI. He said due to this, the recovery of drugs from smugglers in this village was much less than the expectation of senior police officers. Last week, a constable, Satnam Singh, posted at the city police station in Moga was also dismissed from service. At least, 10 gm heroin was recovered from his possession. Sources said senior police authorities had prepared a list of as many as 50 cops posted in the district who were under constant watch for their alleged involvement with drugs smugglers. More than 10 cops have been dismissed in Moga district on charges of drugs smuggling during the past five years.
|
||
|
Drug addicts in lockup a headache for policemen
Faridkot, May 27 They say the jail in Faridkot was already overcrowded with drug addicts and every day there were fights among these addicts. They said in the absence of proper medical treatment to addicts in jail, acute withdrawal symptoms were not only putting these detainees at risk but also the police in a tight spot, fearing custodial deaths. “When a drug addict is arrested by the police, in the absence of any medical facilities, these addicts with severe withdrawal symptoms are a big headache to control for the police. So many times policemen on duty have to bear the burden of providing drugs to these addicts so that any medical complication does not land them in trouble in the form of custodial death,” said a police officer in Faridkot district. Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police Varinder Paul Singh, however, claimed the police were providing medical care to all the arrested addicts. Another police officer said policemen not only face such a problem in police stations but also when these addicts are in judicial custody. He said, in the absence of emergency services for providing them pain killers or tranquilisers, which are necessary for drug addicts, the jail staff ignores supply of drugs to these addicts. In such a situation, the drug mafia connives with corrupt police officials and medical staff members, he said. Border Security Force DIG MF Farooqui said reducing the demand for drugs through prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement was the only effective and multi-pronged strategy to deal with drug addict in jails. “Every jail in the state should have a drug de-addiction centre, where drug addicts are treated and rehabilitated with a holistic approach,” he said. He said at the time of arrest, like formal medical tests, there should be special medical tests to check drug addicts so that he could be dealt accordingly in police and judicial lockup. Medical aid in prisons inadequate * Low-rung staff in police stations say the jail in Faridkot is already overcrowded with drug addicts, who fought with each other * They said with no proper medical facillties in jail, not only are these addicts with acute withdrawal symptoms at risk but the police is also in a tight spot as they fear blame for custodial deaths
|
||
|
Khanna’s non-inclusion in Cabinet irks BJP cadre
Gurdaspur, May 27 “He remained an MP from 1998 till 2009 and his 11 year experience as a Parliamentarian would have held him in good stead," said Pathankot-based BJP leader Samrendra Sharma. “When he won his first elections in 1998, Narendra Modi was the BJP in charge of several states, including Punjab. When earthquake Gujarat in 2001, both Khanna and Modi worked together to help quake victims. At that time Modi was simply a party worker and had yet to become the Chief Minister of Gujarat,” said a former BJP Minister. — TNS
|
||
|
Norms for cancer relief fund eased
Ludhiana, May 27 The new guidelines, which came into effect from April 1, will help patients avail the full relief amount even during the subsequent rounds of his treatment. “This has come as a relief for the patients. My mother is undergoing treatment at Oswal Hospital. I am relaxed that I will be able to get the full relief amount. The treatment is very costly and assistance provided by the government is a big help,” said Jagtar Singh. In Ludhiana, besides the Civil Hospital, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Christian Medical College and Hospital and Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital are empanelled.
|
||
|
Chandigarh May 27 The police had initially termed the death as a case of suicide by poisoning. The family members of Deepa, who died on January 19, 2012, have been running from pillar to post for over two years to get justice. They claim that Deepa had never taken any drug. The postmortem report had showed that the death was caused due to organo phosphorus (a pesticide) poisoning, but the family believes that Deepa was murdered. — TNS
|
||
Punjabi held for ‘killing’ wife
Sacramento, May 27 Sidhu’s husband, Balvir Singh, had left with his passport before her body was found in her bed. There were several members of the couple’s extended family in the home at the time, but nobody reported seeing the slaying occur. Evidence at the scene linked Singh to his wife’s death. The police are investigating the cause of death. Singh was spotted on Ethyl Street in Milpitas. He fled after making eye contact with a Fremont detective. He was soon captured and arrested on suspicion of murder by Milpitas police. 42 years old Balvir Singh, is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Fremont Hall of Justice.
|
||
|
Desecration: Pak Sikhs threaten stir
Islamabad, May 27 He said all culprits should be awarded stern punishment so that it could act as deterrence to others. He also demanded security for the religious places of minorities. Recounting instances in which copies of Guru Granth Sahib were “burnt”, he alleged various incidents had been reported from across the province, including Sukkur, Dadu and Shikarpur districts. Earlier this month, similar incidents were reported in Karachi and Shikarpur. — PTI
|
|
72 drug peddlers held in Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur, May 27 He said, “Regular checking is being conducted in various colonies and slum areas. The purpose of the drive is not only to nab the culprits but to also sensitise the common people to inform police. He said special police teams had been formed and deployed for the purpose in the area.
|
|
|
9 held with drugs in Abohar
Abohar, May 27 The police recovered 28 kg poppy husk from Narinder Singh (Nurpur), Madan Lal (Fazilka), Taranjit (Jammu Basti), Pradeep Singh (Bhagu), Dilly Ram (Bahadurkhera), Kanshi Ram (Bhagsar) and Iqbal Singh of Bathinda. All have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Even as agricultural cooperative banks take action against common and marginal farmers who are on the defaulters’ list, a number of influential persons, including several Akali leaders, who fall in the same category, are not even served notices.
There are around 5,426 loan defaulters in Bathinda district, 4,984 in Muktsar district and 4,913 in Mansa district.
Stung by its below-par performance in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections, which saw stalwart Arun Jaitley being defeated in
Amritsar, the BJP's core group met here today and set up a committee which will look into the reasons for the setback and suggest measures to revive the party in the state.
Farmers protest power cuts
