|
|
|
|
|
punjab’s drug menace-v
Drive against drugs on PMO’s orders, says Kant
Novel way to help them kick the habit
|
|
|
Druglords in jail under strict vigil
Focus back on Jindal panel report
PSPCL officers to face action for delay in replacing meters
Capt emerges a strong leader
Post-poll analysis by SAD Malwa leaders blame defeat on AAP's aggresive campaign Chandigarh, June 5 Akali workers in Malwa felt demoralised because of those defecting from the Congress getting greater prominence within the party. This caused friction between old party loyalists and the new entrants, which worked against the party in the elections.
Punjabi cinema plans to highlight 1984 anti-Sikh riots in its own way
Operation Bluestar anniversary
Shortage of senior residents hits medical colleges
Finally, Talwandi Sabo plant begins operation...
...But two faulty units at Ropar plant still out of job
Govt shuts down science groups in over 25 schools
Govt revokes Garg’s suspension
Sack Maluka, says Bajwa
Family of commando killed in mishap to get
Rs 46 lakh
PSEB re-appear examination
Strengthen rural link roads: DC
Ranike’s escort vehicle hits car, four injured
Farmers choose basmati over parmal
Jaitley assures Punjab of financial help
3 booked for land grab on HC direction
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
punjab’s drug menace-v
“You won’t detect any house lizard (‘chippkali’) in any professional institute or hostels these days. If you do find one, it will be without its tail. It is a rich source of poor man’s kick,” says a 34-year-old school dropout of Mustafa Jattan village in Gurdaspur. The tail is detached from the lizard with the help of a steel glass. To make it less poisonous, the tail is half-boiled and kept on a lamp for drying up. Once dried, addicts crush it and fill it in a cigarette. “Just a puff or two work like an anaesthetic doze for the brain for the next few hours, and that too without any cost,” says Masih, who admitted he too had tried the substance. “Sniffing of a particular brand of glue available in small tubes and bottles, which is based on solvents, is the latest to catch the fancy of addicts. Many youngsters have even died due to over-sniffing these poisonous solvents,” says Kaustabh Sharma, the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau. A white eraser fluid, which is easily available at stationery shops, is also in vogue. A boy from Dinanagar recently died due to its over-doze. De-addiction centres across the state have been receiving a large number of such addicts. The eraser fluid, it is learnt, has been selling on a premium at stationery and other shops in Punjab. If this was not enough, another popular method among hostellers is to wear their socks for seven to eight days to make these acutely stinking. Afterwards, addicts boil it and drink the stinking concoction for an instant high. Addicts also make a frog run for some time and lick its sweat, which provides an instant kick. But the weirdest of all is a controlled snakebite. Addicts from Punjab reportedly visit Chandni Chowk in Delhi to get themselves bitten by a particular species of snake. Each bite costs around Rs 8,000. “The snake charmers take your blood samples first. If they find you are an old addict and fit to bear the bite impact, only then they administer it to you. With one bite, you can remain high for at least a week. All you have to do after the bite is have excess tea and a bottle of beer daily for the next week or so,” said Masih. Asked how an unknown addict would find the snake charmer (or ‘charger’, as called by addicts) carrying that particular snake in Chandni Chowk, Masih said their trademark was a red and green shoulder bag with snake images. Other strange substances popular among the youth are eating pain balm after spreading it on bread, inhaling petrol or sitting in the sun after applying shoe polish on the head. Weird, wild ways Lizard tail puff: Its tail is detached with the help of a steel glass. To make it less poisonous, the tail is half-boiled and then kept on a lamp. Once dried, addicts crush it and fill it in a cigarette. Frog sweat: A frog is made to run for some time. Addicts then lick its sweat, which provides an instant kick. Sniffing glue: Based on solvents, this is the latest product to catch the fancy of youngsters. Many youngsters have even died due to over-sniffing these poisonous solvents. White eraser fluid: Easily available at stationery shops, it is sniffed for a high. A boy from Dinanagar recently died due to an over-doze.
|
|
Drive against drugs on PMO’s orders, says Kant
Talking with The Tribune here today, Kant said a top RSS functionary had approached him during the elections. He wanted him to join the BJP. Kant said various NGOs and retired bureaucrats across the country had come on one platform to fight the menace of drugs. "A comprehensive report on the drug menace and the role of political bigwigs and certain police officials in the drug trade will be submitted to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Thereafter, I will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Kanty said. Kant said that the RSS and the BJP had woken up to the problem of rampant drug abuse in the state after the defeat of BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley from Amritsar. Jaitley had told the central leadership about the magnitude of the problem, he claimed. "The BJP inducted Harsimrat Badal as Union Minister only after an assurance from the Badals that they would make Punjab a drug-free state," the former DGP claimed. "The SAD is no longer in a a position to annoy the BJP that is looking to increase its vote bank in Punjab. The RSS will also play a pro-active role in the state," Kant said. While none from the RSS was ready to speak on the matter, BJP leaders Kamal Sharma, Shanta Kumar and JP Nadda were at a meeting and not available for comment. Govt suspends DSP Chandigarh: Acting tough against police officers allegedly involved in the drug trade, the Punjab Government has placed under suspension a DSP and dismissed 18 other police officials. Dinesh Singh, the DSP in border range, was suspended after the police found that he was allegedly involved in heroin trafficking.
|
||
|
Novel way to help them kick the habit
Chandigarh, June 5 The meetings, currently being held in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Nawanshahr, Batala, Gurdaspur, Moga, Mansa, Faridkot and Bhikiwind, besides Chandigarh, teach the addicts how to live drug-free. The NA is a society of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. “The only requirement for NA membership is a desire to stop using drugs. We don’t charge anything neither are we connected with any political, religious or law enforcement groups. Anybody, regardless of his identity, can join us,” said an NA member. Members participate in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from addiction. The primary aim of any meeting is to provide a suitable environment for personal recovery. The identity of the addicts is also kept a secret. About the NA recovery programme, the member said core was “Twelve Steps”, a set of guidelines. By following these and working closely with other members, addicts learn to shun drugs and face the daily challenges, he said. Though not a spiritual body, it teaches certain principles such as honesty, open-mindedness, faith, willingness and humility.
Help a call away Drug addicts wanting to recover can dial the NA helpline - 8146225262 and 9217760222. The recovery programme can also be accessed at
www.na.org.
|
||
|
Heavy rush at Sangrur de-addiction centre
Sangrur, June 5 About 80 per cent of the addicts who visit the hospital daily reportedly consume poppy husk. A majority of them consume one to four kg of poppy husk in a month. Interestingly, a majority of the poppy husk consumers are elderly persons who have been consuming the contraband for the past five to 15 years. A majority of the below-40 years old addicts prefer smack, intoxicant pills, capsules or injections. In May, around 3,500 addicts visited the hospital while their number stood at 1,800 in April. Senior Medical Officer-cum- psychiatrist Dr Balwant Singh confirmed the heavy rush of addicts visiting the hospital for treatment.
|
||
|
Druglords in jail under strict vigil
Amritsar, June 5 “The recent crackdown on drug peddlers has helped smash their ring. ‘Couriers’, mosty of them from border villages, have gone into hiding,” said a senior police official in the counter-intelligence wing. Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said: “We have managed to curtail their activities in the city. This has helped break the supply chain. The police have nabbed 271 drug peddlesand 245 cases have been registered so far. We have prepared a list of notorious drug peddlers. "Of the 76 smugglers shortlisted, 44 are in jail and 32 have absconded. We are conducting raids to nab them with the help of neighbouring districts.”
|
||
|
Focus back on Jindal panel report
Chandigarh, June 5 The Jindal Commision, appointed by the state government, had absolved Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka of all charges but indicted three members of the books purchase committee and then Director-General of School Education (DGSE) KS Pannu. Pannu had exposed the irregularities committed by the purchase committees set up by the minister. The Jindal Commission report, now with the Chief Minister, questions his role in allowing the purchase of books from the Punjab Languages Department despite their poor quality. "Most of these books were either infested by worms, torn or ruined because of dampness," says the 260-page report. The Jindal Commission did not initially examine the role of the minister in the scam.This led to a PIL against the appointment of the commission, which was later dismissed as withdrawn. The Jindal Commission report says the three purchase committees appointed by Maluka- the book purchase committee, the science kits purchase committee and the map master purchase committee- with Vinod Kumar, then District Education Officer, Mohali, Prithpal Kaur, then DPI Elementary, and Gurtej Singh as members went beyond its brief. The committee was appointed only to identify books that could be purchased and the suppliers. However, it nominated a Sardulgarh-based firm for purchasing the books. Official sources told The Tribune that committee member Gurtej Singh told the commission that he had skipped several meetings and had little role in buying the books. The inquiry indicted Vinod Kumar, Prithpal Kaur, now posted as Circle Education Officer, and then DGSE Pannu. The commission reportedly examined more than 45 persons. A Ludhiana- based businessman, who was keen on supplying the science kits to the Education Department, was among those summoned. The commission had asked mediapersons to come forward and submit evidence. But none appeared before it.
About the book purchase scam
|
||
|
PSPCL officers to face action for delay in replacing meters
Patiala, June 5 The PSPCL has justified the action against the officers claiming that meters of all types were available but these persons "have not cared to clear key exceptions". The PSPCL authorities have decided to issue chargesheets to all such officers working in the field. "The PSERC order and its coming into the public domain have dented the image of the PSPCL" in the eyes of the public, they maintain. According to a letter sent by the office of Director (Distribution) to all senior officers of the PSPCL (including SEs and chief engineers): "Draft chargesheets of all officers concerned must be sent to this office along with detailed notes elaborating on the reasons" for having not acted in time despite the meters of all types being available. "The PSERC decision has brought bad name to the PSPCL and its publication in the press has maligned the image of the PSPCL in the eyes of the public, which has been taken very seriously by the management," reads the letter dated June 2, 2014, a copy of which is with The Tribune. The PSERC, vide its order dated May 21, 2005, took a suo motu notice in connection with petition number 19 of 2013 and indicted the PSPCL. It observed that non-compliance of standard of performance on part of the PSPCL was not only due to default on part of individual officers, but was also a result of an overall defective and unscientific policy as regards procurement of meters and absence of suitable mechanism for expeditious replacement of defective and burnt meters. It was noted by the commission that more than 8,400 meters declared burnt up to June, 2013, had not been replaced so far. "It is the responsibility of the PSPCL management to ensure timely procurement of meters as this is a centrally procured item for which purchase orders/tenders are decided by the PSPCL board. Thus, for the shortage of meters, the blame is on the PSPCL management," claimed former engineer with the Punjab State Electricity Board and All-India Power Engineers Federation patron Padamjit Singh. The commission had observed that the PSPCL had made a mockery of the standard of performance laid down by it. A deliberate attempt was made by PSPCL chief engineers to mislead the commission by issuing wrong certificates. The PSPCL had given an undertaking that it would replace all defective meters as per provisions of the supply code and the Electricity Act. In reply, the PSPCL authorities informed the commission that there were 1,35,497 defective/burnt meter on March 31, 2013. These included 1,30,092 single-phase meters, 5,099 three-phase meters, 298 LT CT meters and eight HT TPT meters. Out of 1,35,497 meters 48,555, had been defective for more than six months and 41,366 for periods ranging from three to six months. Efforts to contact PSPCL CMD KD Chaudhri were not successful. Although Director (Distribution) KL Sharma initially said he was in a meeting, he did not respond to messages or calls later.
Shock treatment
66-KV network to be strengthened Chandigarh: The PSPCL has approved a comprehensive plan to extend and increase the capacity of the existing 66-KV network in the state with a view to provide uninterrupted and continuous supply to the consumers. A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said here today that the exercise would entail a financial outlay of Rs 71 crore. Under the project, 66 KV power transmission lines of 20 different power stations would be shifted and extended.
|
||
|
Banks won’t take action against farmers: Badal
(Talwandi Sabo) Bathinda, June 5 At the sangat darhsan in Lalleanwali village in Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, the Chief Minister advised the village panchayats to form a committee to deal with the drug menace. He urged the villagers to help the addicted youth to give up drugs. Moreover, Badal refuted arrested drug addicts’ allegations of being implicated in false cases. He gave the Punjab Police a clean chit merely 12 hours after marking an inquiry to Director Inspector General (DIG), Bathinda Range. The CM refused to comment on the decision of the Durgiana Mandir Committee to construct a memorial for Hindu leaders killed during the days of terrorism in the state. Badal further said, “The drug menace had grown to alarming proportions. The state government has now begun cracking down on the drug trade. The government has initiated a drug de-addiction drive and opened several de-addiction centres across the state. The youth at the centres will be treated free of cost.” He also highlighted the importance of sangat darshans, saying it was an integral part of governance. Badal said these programmes brought the administration to the people’s doorstep.
|
||
Capt emerges a strong leader
In the other hand, his archrival in the party, PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa lost to BJP candidate Vinod Khanna in Gurdaspur by a huge margin of about 1.3 lakh votes. Amarinder's candidature for the Amritsar constitutency was said to have been suggested by the PPCC chief. Having defeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s confidant, Amarinder has emerged a tall leader. The Congress high command, it is learnt, chose Amarinder as Deputy Leader for his oratorical skills. he is known to speak his mind withour fear. Amarinder’s elevation has boosted the morale of Congress leaders in the state. “He has the ability to lead from the front. He is sure to raise issues confronting Punjab in the Lok Sabha,” said former minister Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. Senior Congress leaders close to both Amarinder and Bajwa have started to broker peace between the two. “The party has suffered enough. We are trying to bring them closer,” said a party general secretary. Former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh said: "This is certainly an honour for Punjab. Such a pivotal role has been assigned to a leader from the state after almost four decades." Former MLA Satwant Singh Mohi said Amarinder, being of the seniormost leaders in the party, deserved the position of Deputy Leader.
|
||
|
Senior leaders skip Cong panel meet
Chandigarh, June 5 The six-member committee is headed by senior Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh Social Justice Minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil and comprises Haryana Transport minister Aaftaab Ahmed and Delhi unit leaders Jai Kishan, Devinder Yadav and Subhash Chopra. Only three defeated party candidates - PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa (Gurdaspur), Joginder Singh Panjgraian (Faridkot) and Sadhu Singh Dharamsot (Fatehgarh Sahib) - were present at the meeting. They listed factors such as growing influence of social media which favoured AAP candidates, factionalism within the party and strong anti-incumbency against the UPA Government behind party's poor performance. Capt Amarinder Singh, who has been elected as Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was in New Delhi. Ambika Soni, who lost from Anandpur Sahib, is said to have gone abroad. Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa, general secretary, PPCC, said Vijay Inder Singla, Harminder Singh Gill and Mohinder Singh Kaypee would meet the panel members tomorrow. Former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also failed to turn up. Sources said her brother Kuldip Bhattal had been admitted to Max Hospital,
Mohali.
|
||
|
Post-poll analysis by SAD
Chandigarh, June 5 Besides infighting, the party's credibility was eroded by the aggressive campaign by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the social media. This is what Akali leaders from Mansa, Muktsar, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Moga, reportedly told SAD president Sukhbir Badal at a meeting here today. They said that AAP, not the Congress, was likely to emerge as the real challenge to the party in the next Assembly elections.The meeting was attended by senior party leaders and former and sitting MLAs. The SAD vote share in the Malwa districts has fallen drastically, as is evident from the thin victory margins in Bathinda and Ferozepur. The party lost the Faridkot seat to AAP. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, who lost from Faridkot, told The Tribune: “Congress leaders who were inducted in the runup to the elections failed to be of any help to the Akali candidates. Rather, their entry demoralised the party cadre.” Deep Malhotra, MLA from Faridkot, said that poor availability of sand and gravel delayed projects. This eroded the party's credibility. “Foundation stones for various works have been laid. But work on these projects is yet to take off," he pointed out. Sources said Sukhbir told the leaders that he planned to revamp the SAD's organisational structure within a month. Also, a plan to win back the voter would be ready soon.
|
|
Punjabi cinema plans to highlight 1984 anti-Sikh riots in its own way
Jalandhar, June 5 Two films have been already made on the issue so far this year. The Central Board for Film Certification in India has reportedly refused to issue a certificate to one of these films, "Kaum De Heere". The other one, "47 to 84", was released on May 30 following some issues with the censor board. It is doing good business. Some more films on the same issue are also set be released this year. These include "Punjab 1984", "Gaddaar", "Kaun Kare Insaaf", "Dilli 1984", "Lather Life" and "Blood Street". Writer of "47 to 84", Babli Singh said earning revenue was not their aim as it had been already announced that the amount would be distributed among widows of 1984 victims. "The film is based on my personal experiences as I have been one of the victims of 1984 Sikh massacre," he added. The film was not made with an intention to release it this year. It was set be released months ago. However, it got delayed as the Central Board for Film Certification in India issued the certificate late. The only purpose of the film was to let the younger generation know about the sort of circumstances the Sikh community had gone through. "Punjab 1984" will be released on June 27. Director of the film Anurag Singh said making profit from this film was not the idea. "We are doing this film because our sentiments are with the issue. It has been a coincidence that the film is going to be released this year," he said. He said the film depicted aftermath of the episode, including suffering of women and children due to these developments. "It is the story of a mother, who has to run from pillar to post seeking justice. As I said, making profit was not our motive, we are planning to do something for the victim of 1984, if the film does good business," he added. Baljit Singh is planning to release his film "Kaun Kare Insaaf" in October-end. He said his film would sound a caution to the system that anarchy would prevail if the justice system collapsed. Since justice has not been delivered to the 1984 massacre victims, what the system expects them to do? "Through this project we want to create a dialogue to address the issue," he added. Amitoj Mann's "Gaddaar" would be released around Diwali. He said some 1984 incidents were depicted in the film, but it was not entirely based on that issue.
Films this year Kaum De Heere 47 to 84 Punjab 1984 Gaddaar Kaun Kare Insaaf Dilli 1984 Lather Life Blood Street
|
|
|
Operation Bluestar anniversary
Amritsar, June 5 Addressing mediapersons here, AISSF chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed and former SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh said: “It has been 30 years since the Operation Bluestar, but the successive Union Governments never apologised to the Sikh community. The Modi Government must take an initiative and tender an apology to the Sikhs tomorrow.” They claimed they had got some documents that “prove that the army operation was the beginning of the Sikh genocide”. They said they would file a plea with the United Nations, appealing it to declare the Operation Bluestar as “Sikh genocide”. They urged the state government to declare a holiday on June 6. They have, however, decided not to support tomorrow’s bandh call given by the Dal Khalsa. They said they would take out a “Sikh sovereignty march” from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh to Akal Takht tomorrow. The Dal Khalsa took out a “genocide remembrance parade” today. Its president HS Dhami alleged the operation was pre-planned and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had taken advice and other support from the UK. Activists of the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) also took out a march from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh to Akal Takht. In another development, the SAD (Amritsar) questioned the Damdami Taksal’s move to organise a separate programme to mark the occasion at its headquarters at Chowk Mehta. Party president Simranjeet Singh Mann said all Sikh organisations should unite on a single platform to observe the event.
Shops for traders Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi on Thursday announced that 133 shopkeepers whose shops were destroyed during the Operation Bluestar would be given shops at Mall Mandi area of the city. He said the Cabinet had approved
it.
|
|
|
Shortage of senior residents hits medical colleges
Patiala, June 5 To make things worse, the state government has shifted all medical officers from these hospitals and deputed them at various community health centres and district hospitals. The move is bound to plunge these institutions into further chaos since these medical officers had been performing all main duties in these hospitals. Right from handling emergency cases to maintaining record registers, handling legal matters, issuing medicines and other jobs, the entire work was being done by medical officers. The government has directed junior residents to look after these jobs now. Senior faculty members, however, feel the junior residents cannot handle emergency cases. The MCI had recently declined the proposal to increase PG seats in these colleges citing shortage of faculty positions as one of the reasons. Some departments, including emergency/casualty, blood bank, cardiology and newer units of medicine/surgery, will be now totally locked out as no doctor, except the teaching faculty, will be available in the absence of medical officers. This will further deteriorate the services at these institutions as half the staff were already on summer vacation. Around 100 final-year resident doctors will also have to be relieved within a week, whereas their replacement will available only next month. The state government has relaxed norms for appointments of SRs to attract quality doctors, who were earlier not eligible for the posts due to certain conditions that generally included two-year experience of working in rural areas and regular jobs, but their appointment has been stayed due to a court case. The government had created 321 new posts of SRs in Government Medical College, Patiala, and Government Medical College, Amritsar, which included posts of super-specialty doctors. Dr BS Sohal, general secretary of the Punjab Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA), Punjab, has demanded that the transfers of medical officers be out on hold. Principal Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Vini Mahajan, however, maintained the Health Department had acute shortage of medical officers and therefore it was important to shift these specialists.
The crippling effect
|
|
|
Finally, Talwandi Sabo plant begins operation...
Owned by Sterlite Energy Ltd, the first unit of 660 MW — the plant’s total capacity is 1,980 MW — is now contributing power to the state grids at Dhurri and Moga. It generated 500 MW today and aims to achieve 660 MW soon. Officials said they were selling a unit for Rs 2.70 each. The plant missed several deadlines over non-availability of coal, disputes with the PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited) and bureaucratic wrangling since its construction started in April 2010. In 2013, the construction had to be stopped. The officials said the plant was running since December, but only on oil. “The plant was functional but we were waiting for coal supply. The supply finally arrived from Odisha. The full generation on coal began only when we stocked 60,000 tonnes, the minimum requirement as the plant can’t be stopped midway,” they said. The first unit was synchronised in December last with hopes that the generation would begin in March or April. As per the power purchase agreement, the first unit was to be commissioned by August 31, 2012. The deadline was then revised to November 30, 2012. The running of the plant is an encouraging sign for the beleaguered SAD-BJP government, which has been promising a power-surplus state to the people for the last several years. Last year, the government had arranged a visit by Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif to showcase the advancement in power generation in the state.
|
|
|
...But two faulty units at Ropar plant still out of job
Ropar, June 5 While the Unit No. 5 had stopped generation at 6:25 am, the other unit tripped the subsequent morning at 7.40 am. Sources said the boiler of the Unit No. 4 had cooled down by today evening, following which the maintenance engineers started examining the damage. The repair is likely to begin tomorrow only. Chief Engineer HP Singh said the Unit No. 5 had been repaired and would be synchronised any time soon. He said engineers had already started examining the damage in the other unit. It may take at least two days for repair, he said, adding the exact time, though, would be known only after its inspection. 5th fault in 2 weeks This is the fifth time over the past fortnight that a unit at Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant had stopped functioning due to a mechanical fault. On May 21, Unit No. had 1 tripped due to a fault in air free heater. On May 25, the Unit No. 5 had stopped functioning due to a leakage in boiler. On May 29, Unit No. 6 stopped working due to a leakage in its boiler tube.
|
|
|
Govt shuts down science groups in over 25 schools
Faridkot, June 5 The science teachers, senior laboratory attendants and lab equipment have been shifted to other schools, where there was a shortage of teaching staff. On the other hand, the department has announced to set up science groups in over 10 schools. Over 230 science teachers and lab attendants in the state have been shifted as the government aims to rationalise the education department. In March, the department shortlisted the schools where the number of total science stream students in Classes XI and XII was less than 25. The government let groups of over 15 students continue in each class. But as several groups did not have sufficient number of students, the government shut these down. Through the rationalisation process, the department aims to shift surplus faculty members from certain schools to institutes where is a shortage of staff. Anjali Bhawra, Principal Secretary, Education Department, said the rationalisation process was started to augment the infrastructure in schools as per the student-teacher ratio.
Rationalisation drive
|
|
|
Govt revokes Garg’s suspension
Chandigarh, June 5 Top officials told The Tribune that Garg’s suspension had been revoked after a review committee meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh. The committee examines the cases of officers placed under suspension. Sources say rules governing IAS and IPS officers clearly state that if an officer is found guilty of dereliction of duty and is suspended, a decision on taking action against him has to be taken within two years or his suspension stands revoked. Garg was suspended in 2012. Garg was found guilty of having facilitated the sale of prime government land in Patiala to a private party. This land, measuring 6,000 sq yards, houses several government offices, including that of the district town planner, civil surgeon and education office. It is valued at Rs 250 crore. During the three inquiries instituted by the state government, Garg had maintained that the land was private property allotted in the name of Kanwar Barjinder Singh and that there was no illegality in its sale. A Vigilance probe, ordered in July 2012, found Garg guilty of dereliction of duty. It said he had failed to prevent loss to the government. He was also indicted by Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar. Later, an inquiry by Financial Commissioner (Revenue) NS Kang too held him guilty. Garg has already been charge-sheeted in the case and the Vigilance Department is awaiting permission from the state government to prosecute him. Sources say the department had sent Garg's file to seek sanction for his prosecution in May 2013. However, no action was initiated. Looking back
|
|
|
Vinod Kumar’s death due to drowning, says report
Chandigarh, June 5 Doctors, who conducted the post-mortem, wrote in their report: “To rule out concomitant poisoning, viscera samples have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). The autopsy report noted that there were no signs of injury on the body.
Anti-govt slogans raised
Vinod Kumar's mortal remains were consigned to the flames today. Among those present at the cremation were Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Congress MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu and senior officials of the Education Department. Comrade Lashkar Singh and an elderly woman raised slogans against the state Government.
Police to study call details
The police will scrutinise the call details on the deceased’s cellphone to ascertain the reasons for the suicide. Vinod Kumar's body was fished out from the Sukhna Lake on June 3 at 11.15 am, about two hours after he had left his office.
|
|
|
Sack Maluka, says Bajwa
Chandigarh, June 5 PPCC spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira has demanded a CBI probe into the scam. In a statement issued here today, Bajwa said the deceased was stated to be “under mental stress” following his indictment alongwith two others by a commission constituted to look into this scam.
|
|
|
Family of commando killed in mishap to get
Rs 46 lakh
Bathinda, June 5 Two commandoes, Harbans Singh (38) and Gurmeet Singh (41), were killed in a road mishap while escorting Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka at Kundli (Sonipat) on June 13 last year. The minister’s cavalcade had to stop near Nathpur Mor village near Kundli as an electric wire had fallen in the middle of road due to rain. Harbans Singh and Gurmeet Singh came out of their vehicle to remove the wire when a speeding SUV allegedly hit the two commandoes that led to their death. A case was registered against the SUV’s driver and a compensation was sought from the driver and the company which insured the vehicle. The family members of Gurmeet Singh have also moved the tribunal
and sought Rs 80 lakh compensation.
|
|
|
PSEB re-appear examination
Chandigarh, June 5 A spokesman of the Education Department said June 23, 2014, would be the last date to submit examination forms without any late fee-Rs 870 for Class 10 and Rs 1,100 for Class 12. The forms could be submitted with a late fee of Rs 500 till June 30, Rs 1,000 till July 7 and Rs 2,000 till July 14, he added.
|
|
|
Strengthen rural link roads: DC
Patiala, June 5 The directions have come following reports of some fatal accidents. Addressing a meeting of officers today, the DC said the administration had already taken up the task of levelling berms of all rural link roads in the district within a week. All berms would be repaired before the commencement of paddy sowing, he added. He asked the officers to seek cooperation of land owners/farmers to ensure that the work was completed in time. He said committees had been constituted at the subdivision level to monitor progress of various development projects. The committees would have the SDM, Tehsildar, Kanoogo, Patwari and the SHOs concerned as their members.
|
|
|
Ranike’s escort vehicle hits car, four injured
Mohali, June 5 Sources said the escort vehicle collided with a Verna car coming from the opposite direction on the Banur road. Four persons, including the driver of the escort vehicle, were injured. They were admitted to hospital in Chandigarh. The Verna car is reportedly belonged to a police official.
|
|
|
Farmers choose basmati over parmal
Gurdaspur, June 5 Gurdaspur Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Dr Ravi Kumar Sabharwal said the total area under basmati in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts would increase from 80,000 hectare last year to 1,25,000 hectare this season. Experts, however, are worried that the farmers may get a lower price for their Basmati crop if they get a high produce. Sabharwal said farmers in these areas were keen to grow more basmati this year because they earned huge profits last year. They got Rs 4,200 to Rs 5,000 for each quintal of basmati last season, while the traditional paddy crop was sold for just Rs 1,300 per quintal. He said basmati was exported to a large extent and procured by private rice millers.
|
|
|
Jaitley assures Punjab of financial help
New Delhi, June 5 Dhindsa said the state government would present its case for central assistance at the forthcoming meeting of finance ministers of all states. Punjab had high expectations from the NDA government of which the ruling Akali Dal was a part, he added.
|
|
3 booked for land grab on HC direction
Fazilka, June 5 The land that belonged to the central government is situated next to the telephone exchange. The case was registered after Jalalabad Sub-Divisional Magistrate conducted the probe. The alleged land grab was discovered when RTI activist Ramesh Kumar of Jalalabad sought information regarding the transfer of government land in favour of former Railways employee Neeraj Kumar. Ramesh alleged Neeraj in connivance with the then tehsildar Tej Singh and patwari Swaran Singh prepared fake documents to take illegal possession of the government land.
|
|
| 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 | |
Chandigarh, June 5
Controlled snakebite: The practice is prevalent in Chandni Chowk. Each bite of a particular snake costs Rs 8,000. Charmers take blood samples and they administer the snakebite only after finding an addict fit to bear its impact. The impact of one bite remains for a week. 
Kartarpur, June 5
Chandigarh June 5
Bathinda, June 5
Vikas Garg was found guilty of facilitating the sale of prime govt land in Patiala to a private party